At a school as large as UA, research is the major focus for a high percentage of students, staff and faculty. The focus is so major that UA has a special park for research: the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, 9040 S. Rita Road. The fourth annual Winter Conference of the Association of University-Related Research Parks begins today at the park. The association, which represents parks in 35 countries, chose UA for its conference after giving it the Outstanding Park Award for 2001. For event times and more information, call 626-4843 or e-mail staff at the park at uastp@u.arizona.edu.

A note for procrastinating students: Today is the last day to add classes for this semester from zero credits using only a change of schedule form. That means - aside from begging and pleading with deans and other administration bigwigs - if you aren't registered for any classes after today, you can officially spend your spring playing Nintendo and frequenting your local Blockbuster. If you want to learn this semester, grab the phone and call the Registrar's office at 621-3432.

Do your part and save a fellow American by donating blood with the American Red Cross today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the Cactus Garden on the UA Mall. Not only will you feel a sense of pride and accomplishment by donating, you will get to check out the cool bloodmobile. For more information, contact January Terry at 621-0763.

We all know that the brain has the amazing capability to retain information. But do you know how the brain holds and stores your memory? Find out more at "The Molecular Biology of Memory Storage: A Dialogue Between Genes and Synapses," in the Modern Languages auditorium today from 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Eric Kandel, a 2000 Nobel laureate and professor of physiology and psychiatry at Columbia University, will be on hand to discuss the ins and outs of · what was it again? Oh, memory! For more information about the Committee on Neuroscience special seminar, contact Claire Dellarciprete at 621-8380 or e-mail her at cdellard@email.arizona.edu.

On a more serious note, Patti Harada, UA instructor on the psychology of death and loss, will speak from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the University Medical Center DuVal Auditorium about the "Side Effects of Trauma and Loss." She will speak about the complications of trauma and loss, including anger, resentment, depression and chronic misery. Reservations are not required, but there is a $10 fee to members of the public and a $5 fee for UA students or faculty with a valid CatCard. For more information, contact Harada at 886-6046 or e-mail her at patti@lovematters.net or visit the Web site at http://www.lovematters.net.