The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation. For many new mothers, the weeks and months after giving birth can be the most dangerous—and too often, lifesaving care ends too soon.When Notre Dame professor, nurse, and researcher Joyce Adams saw these risks firsthand, she developed a groundbreaking model of postpartum care. Tested in Ghana and now saving lives in the U.S., her Focused Postpartum Care (Focused-PPC) program offers women yearlong follow-up visits, education on warning signs, and peer-to-peer support.Learn more: https://go.nd.edu/fighting-for-maternal-health

When Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters trapped Elisabeth Anderson, her husband, their dogs, and her 7-week-old baby on the roof of their car, survival was the only thought. Two hours later, rescuers brought her and her child to safety.Months afterward, Elisabeth was surprised to see her rescue briefly featured in a Notre Dame commercial during the Notre Dame Football against Miami. The ad highlighted the work of Notre Dame Engineering professor David Richter, who is developing new ways to better predict hurricane strength.That glimpse inspired Elisabeth to share her own story—to put a face to the research and show why this work matters. It’s not just about forecasts, it’s about families.See how Notre Dame is Fighting to Improve Hurricane Forecasts: https://go.nd.edu/a3e931

How do you improve hurricane forecasts? By studying one of the most powerful and destructive forces on Earth up close—where the ocean meets the atmosphere.In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Professor David Richter explains how new drone technology is helping scientists better understand what happens inside a hurricane close to the ocean’s surface—and why this research is vital for improving forecasts. Richter also reflects on how his work connects to a deeper calling, and how he challenges students to see engineering as both a technical pursuit and a human vocation. --- Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:32 Why hurricanes are difficult to forecast 03:13 How drones are advancing hurricane research 04:57 How aerial drones are deployed over hurricanes 07:00 How aerial drones capture hurricane data 09:04 Fluid Dynamics Professor David Richter shares how his faith guides his research 10:38 Engineering and the Human Vocation --- Show links: • Episode (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/podcast/) • Fighting to improve hurricane forecasts (https://go.nd.edu/fighting-to-improve-hurricane-forecasts) • Subscribe (https://go.nd.edu/nd-stories-podcast)

How do you improve hurricane forecasts? By studying one of the most powerful and destructive forces on Earth up close—where the ocean meets the atmosphere.In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Professor David Richter explains how new drone technology is helping scientists better understand what happens inside a hurricane close to the ocean’s surface—and why this research is vital for improving forecasts. Richter also reflects on how his work connects to a deeper calling, and how he challenges students to see engineering as both a technical pursuit and a human vocation.--- Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:32 Why hurricanes are difficult to forecast03:13 How drones are advancing hurricane research04:57 How aerial drones are deployed over hurricanes07:00 How aerial drones capture hurricane data09:04 Fluid Dynamics Professor David Richter shares how his faith guides his research10:38 Engineering and the Human Vocation --- Show links: • Episode Page (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/podcast/) • Fighting to improve hurricane forecasts (https://go.nd.edu/fighting-to-improve-hurricane-forecasts) • Subscribe (https://go.nd.edu/nd-stories-podcast)

In August 2025, a group of Notre Dame students and faculty joined representatives from other U.S. Catholic universities in Japan as part of a "Pilgrimage of Peace" to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.