The Graduate School Newsletter - October 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wellness Wednesday Series

Oct 25 Chair Massages

Nov 19 Noxubee Refuge Hike

First Gen Graduate Student Series

All events located in John Grisham Room in Mitchell Memorial Library

Nov 7 Becoming a Scholar and Interacting with Faculty

Dec 5 Free Coffee and Refreshments

A2i Workshops

Oct 6 LinkedIn Workshop (Library)

Oct 17 Mock interviews (tentatively)

Oct 27 Speaker and Lunch

Nov10 Interviewing and Elevator Pitch Workshop (Career Center)

Dec 1 Speaker and Lunch

TAGGS Opens for Spring

Oct. 1

GSA General Body Meeting

Oct. 19 @ 6 p.m.

Graduate Research Symposium

Oct. 21 @ 8 a.m.

Halloween Open House

Oct. 31

3MT

Nov. 15

GSA General Body Meeting

Nov. 16

Fall 2023 Doctoral Graduation and Hooding Ceremony

Dec. 7

TABLE OF CONTENT

SAY HELLO!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A NOTE FROM THE DEAN

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Graduate School,

On behalf of the Graduate School, I would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt welcome to all our new and returning graduate students to Mississippi State University for the 2023-2024 academic year. I wish all our graduate students every success with their studies, research, and extracurricular activities. We also invite our graduate student alumni to visit campus when the opportunity arises and share with us their successes since graduation. In August our beautiful campus came to life with over 20,000 students descending on Starkville for the start of the new academic year. For many, fall is their favorite time of year with the return to warm, sunny days and cooler nights. The transition to fall and the start of the SEC college football creates excitement and an indescribable energy on campus that is unique to the fall semester.

Since May, The Graduate School staff have been busy planning positive and engaging experiences for graduate students during their studies this academic year. To accomplish this goal, Mrs. Lilli Harris, Assistant Director of Graduate Student Development, has been working diligently with Mr. Luke Tucker, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) President, and the GSA executive leadership team in developing, planning, and executing an exciting series of events and programming for graduate students. This is important that students find some downtime and fellowship with other graduate students from different disciplines as this can be an enriching experience. I encourage graduate students and faculty members to visit our webpage for information regarding all our events including the GSA general body meetings, the Graduate Student Research Symposium, and the newly created First Generation Graduate Student workshop series. Our website contains information about travel grants, fellowships, career opportunities, and services for graduate students. In fact, the Graduate School’s Open House is a great way to learn about our events, admissions process, and programs from our wonderful staff. It is a frighteningly great event!

Lastly, our Communication Officers are busy posting information to our social medial platforms to help graduate students stay engaged, informed, and make the most of their time here. The university is committed to taking care of what matters – the graduate student. We encourage graduate students and faculty members to share with us stories of student accomplishments to include in future editions of the Newsletter.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the staff in the Graduate School if we can be of assistance in addressing needs that may arise, whether they be academic, well-being, or financial. If we do not have an answer, we will direct you to those who can assist. The Graduate School staff and I wish for our students to have a holistic and memorable experience as they pursue their graduate studies at Mississippi State University.

Best Regards,

Dr. Peter Ryan

Executive Vice Provost and Dean The Graduate School

SAY HELLO Staff Spotlight DR. NATHAN

Originally hailing from Bloomington, Indiana, Dr. Drake embarked on a southern journey that led him to Mississippi State University. After completing his doctoral studies in History, he found himself increasingly drawn to the administrative side of academia. His curiosity about the inner workings of universities, coupled with a desire to contribute to the education ecosystem, set him on a path that ultimately led to his role as Director of Graduate Programs. Dr. Drake’s journey exemplifies the idea that one’s career path can take unexpected but fulfilling turns.

For Dr. Drake, the most fulfilling aspect of his role lies in working closely with faculty and staff. He actively engages in committees like the University Committee for Courses and Curricula (UCCC), Graduate Council, and the Graduate Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC). These platforms allow him to collaborate with colleagues on

vital issues concerning academic integrity and graduate programs. Despite the usual perception of meetings, Dr. Drake finds these gatherings to be extraordinary examples of selflessness and dedication among university administrators.

What sets MSU’s graduate programs apart, according to Dr. Drake, is the genuine care that faculty and staff extend to their students. He highlights the exceptional approach of the Department of History, where faculty members actively engage with graduate students, irrespective of their committee roles. This supportive environment extends across various departments at MSU, reflecting the university’s dedication to student success. Dr. Drake advises prospective graduate students to research departments, build relationships, and make the most of the abundant resources available on campus.

“Being at Mississippi State is not merely about research dollars, publications, and creating policy. Those aspects are certainly important, but without the human investment from the MSU community to its students, the driving forces behind any university become hollow.”

DRAKE

Looking ahead, Dr. Drake anticipates the continued growth of adult and distance education for graduate students. He also foresees significant expansion in certificate and microcredentialing programs. MSU is actively working to strengthen relationships with employers at the international, national, and regional levels to create opportunities for graduates to apply their knowledge in the workforce. Additionally, Dr. Drake acknowledges that universities will increasingly focus on creating student-centered spaces to meet social, communal, and research needs.

Outside of his role, Dr. Drake has a unique hobby—he enjoys thinking about and mowing lawns. In fact, he has mowed nearly 91,000 lawns in a virtual lawn mowing game. He is also an avid bird enthusiast and owns six field guides to North American bird species. And, for those who wonder about his favorite place on Earth, it’s Banff, Alberta.

FROM STARKVILLE TO A BRIGHT FUTURE AMANDA MAYO’S JOURNEY

IN GEOSCIENCE

“Mississippi State showed me I can take my dreams—and run with them! I am so proud to be a Bulldog!” - Amanda Mayo

Amanda Mayo holds a master’s degree in Geoscience with a Minor in Geospatial from Mississippi State University. Her thesis focused on Geoscience Education, reflecting her commitment to sharing knowledge and inspiring others. Although Amanda has recently graduated, her career journey is already well underway.

She’s been accepted into a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) PhD program at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she intends to explore informal education. Her goal is to leverage her teaching skills in settings such as museums, aquariums, or zoos after completing her doctorate.

Currently, Amanda is teaching math classes in Cleveland, MS, and continuing her volunteer work as a NASA Solar System Ambassador. She’s also taken on a unique

role, opening a fiddle studio in her new town, welcoming ten students. Balancing these endeavors with wedding planning is no small feat.

During her time at Mississippi State, Amanda achieved several significant milestones, showcasing her dedication and talent. She earned the prestigious “2023 Donald Zacharias Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year Award” and reached the finals of the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Amanda’s research skills were also recognized when she secured first place for her presentation at the Mississippi State Graduate Research Symposium.

Additionally, she represented the geosciences department at the Mississippi Academy of the Sciences Summer Research Symposium, where she received the People’s Choice award for her oral presentation.

Amanda found it challenging to pick a favorite class from her department because of the passionate faculty. However, her Principles of Paleontology class, where she had the opportunity to hunt for fossils, left an indelible mark. Her most remarkable discovery—a turtle’s backbone fossil—is now part of the Mississippi Museum of Natural History’s collection.

Working as a graduate assistant at the Dunn-Seiler Museum allowed her to

engage with families and students, fostering a shared appreciation for geology and natural history.

As an accomplished alumna, Amanda offers valuable advice for current students. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with professors by visiting them during office hours and actively participating in class. For undergraduates, Amanda encourages them to explore scholarship opportunities from various sources, which can significantly alleviate financial stress. She also highlights that graduate school is attainable, as many departments at Mississippi State offer funding for research or teaching assistantships. Even after leaving Starkville, Amanda stays connected to her alma mater. She brings a piece of Mississippi State into her elementary classroom, sharing her Bulldog pride with her students. Some of them have even expressed aspirations to attend the university in the future.

Amanda’s journey is not only marked by her academic achievements but also by her resilience and determination. She’s a survivor of a traumatic brain injury from her teen years. Her journey to graduation was far from easy, but Mississippi State showed her that she could achieve her dreams. Her upcoming walk at the December 2023 commencement will be a moment of immense pride.

ARTS AND SCIENCES STUDENTS RECOGNIZED

Two Mississippi State University students received awards from the university’s Gender Studies Program for their research and insights into gender studies issues as part of the Gender Studies Paper Award contest this spring.

Alana R. Boyd , a May 2023 sociology graduate from Huntsville, and Joseph N. Newell , an English graduate student from Cary, MS, received cash prizes in the contest hosted by the Gender Studies Program at MSU. At the South Atlantic MLA conference this fall, Newell will present his winning paper which explores the connection between infantilization—treating adults as if they are children—and subjugated liberty in “A Room with a View,” a 1908 novel by E.M. Forster.

Subjugated liberty, a term coined by Newell, focuses on the power and dominance existing beyond individual freedom to show that individual freedom appears subjugated in the context of the larger power structures.

“These concepts were used to explore gender inequalities and highlight the impact of dominant social norms on women. Specifically, it tracked the patterns of language that dominant groups used towards women even though this language would normally be used to address infants,” Newell said.

“This topic is relevant today because it shows how there are hidden inequities in what we see as freedom. It helps us critically access situations to find out how distinctions in gender do not necessarily mean equality.

RECOGNIZED FOR GENDER STUDIES INSIGHTS

In essence, it shows that gender and gender inequalities are complex and nuanced, and taking multiple perspectives into consideration can help explain why some of those inequities exist,” Newell said.

Boyd, who minored in gender studies, drafted her award-winning paper about Frank Ocean, the music artist, and how he challenges gender norms today.

“He goes against the status quo with not only his lyrics, but his lifestyle and fashion as well,” said Boyd, who wrote the paper for her Sociology Theory class to highlight the connection of modern sociologists to a current facet of society.

“I wanted to write about Frank Ocean because he’s one of my favorite music artists in the industry currently and he’s one of my icons in

the way that he presents himself to the world. He challenges modern forms of masculinity and refutes the labeling/titles that society today seems to be obsessed with. He constantly continues to be himself and I found that really admirable,” Boyd said.

MSU’s Gender Studies Program examines gender and investigates the different impact of events, technologies and government policies on men and women to broaden the understanding of culture and identity, as well as the intersection of gender with race, class, and sexuality, health and body politics, region and environment, nationalism and citizenship.

Through the College of Arts and Sciences, MSU offers an undergraduate minor in gender studies and a graduate certificate.

Karalina Kost

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - HOLMES CULTURAL DIVERSITY CENTER

Karalina Kost graduated with a master’s degree in educational leadership with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education in May 2023 from Mississippi State University with 4.0 a GPA. During her time as a student, she was:

SACSA (Southern Association for College Student Affairs) Ambassador for Mississippi State University

SACSA (Southern Association for College Student Affairs) Conference presenter. Socio-political conflict and the international student experience: Reflections on global competencies in student affairs by a Belarusian International Student Studying in the U.S.

NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) Graduate Assistant Program Ambassador for Mississippi State University

NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) Conference Presenter. Five things Student Affairs Professionals can do to support International Students: Socio-

political conflicts and the international students experience.

MMI (Mid-Manager’s Institute) Part of the logistic team 2022, MSU Committee member of the professional development team, Mississippi State University | Division of Student Affairs

Last year she received the NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) NOW Professional Recognition for the Impact in the field award.

NASPA NOW recipients in the Impact category support the mission and strategic plan of NASPA through service to the organization on a campus, regional, or national level. Through their commitment to NASPA, this year’s recipients have made significant impacts on the field of student affairs and higher education. Currently, she serves as a Program Coordinator at Holmes Cultural Diversity Center under the Access, Diversity and Inclusion Division on Mississippi State Campus.

Chiquita Price

That’s the mindset that has led Chiquita Price to where she is today – pursuing a Ph.D. in toxicology at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

The Tutwiler native earned two Bachelor of Science degrees—one in chemistry and one in biology— from Mississippi Valley State University in 2009 and a Master of Science in environmental toxicology from MSU in 2012. After receiving her master’s, Price worked as a chemistry lab coordinator and lecturer at Hinds Community College in Raymond

“Celebrate yourself and your accomplishments even when no one else is cheering.”

for five years. However, she couldn’t stay away from the world of toxicology, and in August 2017, she returned to MSU and CVM as a graduate research assistant in the Center for Environmental Health Sciences.

“I didn’t choose toxicology; toxicology chose me,” Price said. “Once I was introduced to the field, I saw that it was a perfect blend of biology and chemistry that could be integrated into other fields of study.”

Since her return to the university in 2017, Price has secured National Institutes of Health funding through the Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research program, has been named a Dr. Harold Grier Doctoral Scholar through the Southern Regional Educational Board, was selected as departmental graduate student representative, and has served as the MSU Graduate Student Association service and outreach coordinator. She is also a member of the American College of Toxicology, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Society of Toxicology. In 2022, Price earned a fellowship through the

American College of Toxicology. Price’s research is conducted in the laboratory of William L. Giles Distinguished Professor Janice Chambers, where their focus is on toxicants to the nervous system. Some of these toxicants, at high levels, can lead to brain damage. The lab actively works on novel antidotes to maintain or restore function in the brain as well as maintain vital functions throughout the nervous system.

“At present, I am studying the toxic effects of nerve agent analogues in the brain and the protective effects provided by newly synthesized antidotes compared to the antidote that is currently available,” she said.

As for her next step, Price is undecided but knows she wants to make a realworld impact wherever she goes.

“My options are currently open, but I am hoping to establish a career in industry or government working as a forensic toxicologist,” Price said. “In that type of role, I will have the ability to make real-world decisions that will have direct and lasting impacts.”

Ishab Poudel feeds chicken egg layers in MSU poultry facilities

Growing up in the largely rural nation of Nepal, Ishab Poudel’s passion for agriculture began early. His drive to make that passion a career led him halfway around the world to Mississippi State, where he is currently a doctoral student in the poultry science department.

“I developed a deep connection to and curiosity about the natural world growing up in Nepal,” he said. “I spent a lot of my childhood venturing out

into pastures to watch cattle graze, and I was fascinated with their behavior.”

In 2015, after graduating with a degree in veterinary and animal sciences, Poudel took a job in his home country as a project coordinator for Heifer International, a nongovernmental organization that helps farmers improve their livelihood and income by raising quality livestock. Having an up-close look at scientific research in action and witnessing its

direct affect on farmers and communities sparked a desire to be a part of it.

“Working with Heifer International, I learned that raising poultry is an effective way to improve the standard of living in small and marginal communities,” he said. “I saw that the work poultry scientists were doing in these communities had a direct impact on people’s lives, and I decided to pursue higher education studies in the field.”

Poudel remained with Heifer International for three years and then set his sights on applying to graduate programs—and MSU was at the top of his list. In addition to being one

Photo by David Ammon

of only six poultry science degree programs in the U.S., he knew other students from his undergraduate university in India who had attended and were impressed with MSU’s graduate school.

“When I learned more about the university and the Department of Poultry Science, I knew that Mississippi State was the best fit for me,” he said. Poudel’s graduate studies have focused on evaluating the effects of prebiotics, probiotics and precision biotics—poultry feed additives that act as safe alternatives to modulating the gut microbiota. A robust microbiota, or bacteria in

the gut, results in a stronger immune response to infections with pathogens such as Salmonella.

Poudel has grown tremendously in his five years at MSU, not only in his knowledge of science but also in his proficiency in English—the latter being a skill that most students take for granted.

“Studying at Mississippi State has given me an incredible opportunity to improve my verbal and written communication,” he said. “As a scientist, it’s important to express yourself clearly and articulately.”

Having recently defended his doctoral dissertation

and now preparing to graduate, Poudel hopes to secure a position where he can continue pursuing academic research in poultry science, doing his part to ensure safety in the world’s number one protein source. He sees scientific research as an important link in the global agricultural chain and believes that food security must begin with prioritizing animal health.

“Animal welfare is critical because everything in our society is intertwined,” he said. “Ensuring animal health is one important step in improving food security around the globe.”

LACY DOLAN

Lacy Dolan has traversed the country studying mammals. Her latest stop is Mississippi State University, where she studies the state’s black bears. Growing up, the Dwight, Illinois, native said cats were the first animals to pique her curiosity.

“My parents both grew up on farms, so we had outdoor cats, which I loved. I remember learning about different animals and being fascinated by how

they adapted to various environments,” she said. She earned her bachelor’s in biology from Blackburn College in her home state before moving to San Jose, California, where she worked in a veterinary research lab and volunteered for a wild cat conservation group in her spare time.

“We focused on bobcats and mountain lions. I helped with public outreach events and volunteered in the field with

biologists,” she said. Dolan then sought a master’s for more hands-on opportunities to work with mammals, studying gray foxes at Southeast Missouri State University.

“Gray foxes are the only canids, members of the same family as dogs, which climb trees,” she said. “I studied their morphology to learn what allows them to do that.”

Dolan is now pursuing a doctoral degree in the

Photo by David Ammon

College of Forest Resources’

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, studying genetic and diet diversity in American black bears in Mississippi.

“Mississippi is interesting because while we have a population of re-colonizing bears, many come from neighboring states where recovery is further along,” she said.

Her research is part of a large regional effort supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the state wildlife agencies in Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. The project’s goal is to better understand and predict black bear population growth and movement in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Dolan’s contribution included setting up hair snares in pockets of Mississippi with known bear occurrences.

“We set up a corral by wrapping barbed wire around several trees and hanging small biodegradable bags containing a pastry or donut and saturate a cotton pad with

a raspberry scent lure high inside the corral. The barbs snag a small tuft of hair as bears pass through the wires to investigate the scents,” she said.

Dolan said team members— Dana Morin, Mississippi State assistant professor; Joe Clark, U.S. Geological Survey supervisory research ecologist; and Don White Jr., University of Arkansas Monticello professor—are curious about genetic diversity in Mississippi’s populations because it provides information about what other states the bears are coming from, and at what rate they are moving in.

“We’re mapping genetics of individuals and the landscape features to assess how the individuals move across the landscape. We hope to identify which states our bears are coming from, which will help us determine where dispersal corridors might be,” she said. The team will use this information to predict how quickly the bear population will grow in Mississippi.

Dolan uses hair follicles for genetics while the rest of the hair is analyzed for diets.

“We determine the hair’s carbon and nitrogen content that we then match to possible diet items,” said Dolan, who explained different foods have different carbon and nitrogen signatures.

She also is evaluating whether different diets can change the shape of a bear’s jaw over time, by analyzing contemporary Mississippi bear skulls and those from before 1930, around the time Mississippi bears were virtually wiped out.

Dolan hopes her work will impact black bear conservation in Mississippi.

“It’s cool to be part of a regional collaboration working on a re-colonizing bear population. I’ve worked alongside some big names in black bear research, and I’m happy that my research will shed light on Mississippi’s black bears,” she said.

“Baby, you just have to listen.” Tockie Hemphill’s grandmother gave this advice when Hemphill first began her leap into research as a Combination of Institutions star search scholar at Mississippi State University in 1995.

Hemphill, a Rust College sophomore at the time, called her grandmother after feeling overwhelmed with manuscripts and literature reviews, but she decided to take her grandmother’s suggestion to “listen.”

Through continuing to talk and listen to mentors and other researchers, she found

Tockie Hemphill

a love and understanding for the world of research.

“It was a tough experience that summer, but it was an experience that I needed. It was my first real exposure to research,” Hemphill said.

She now holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Rust College and a master’s in counselor education from MSU. Her research interests in many ways stem from family. She’s spent time counseling veterans through vocational decisions—work that

Photo by Grace Cockrell

felt particularly meaningful because of her own family’s military background. As a child she watched her grandmother care for the elderly, and now Hemphill is pursuing a doctoral degree in functional foods with MSU’s Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion to grow her expertise in healthy aging.

“My grandmother was a house cleaner by occupation, but she also took care of aging adults in our family and other families. She always said if you wanted to make her mad, mess with a baby or older individual,” Hemphill said.

In addition to her studies, Hemphill is a project manager at the MSU Social Science Research Center working on projects ranging from early childhood education and health advocacy to aging. On many of these projects, Hemphill serves as an evaluator.

“Evaluation is really important, and I’m not sure if it is always understood. I think people assume we’re going to tell them what they’ve done wrong or get them in trouble, but the evaluation is about the process,” she said.

As the evaluator, she seeks to help programs become as effective as possible. With each evaluation, she sees an opening to leave an impact across Mississippi.

“I enjoy the idea that policy and systems could be changed based on evaluation. It’s another place where evaluation really comes in strong. Policy changes are important

because that can affect even more people,” she said.

Within her Ph.D. studies, she also hopes to become proficient in translational research, which is another way to understand and work in policy. She wants to be prepared to translate scholarly and medical writings into a more applicable format.

“People are living to older ages, but longevity does not mean better health. I want to help people understand and be able to live longer, healthier, satisfied lives. There are so many disparities. I want to help close those gaps,” she said.

Hemphill engages her interests in practical ways also. She often volunteered at nursing homes and childcare centers with her own daughters when they were growing up. Currently she and 27-year-old Nadja and 16-year-old Victoria are in the process of setting up a nonprofit to assist domestic abuse victims.

Although her efforts have evolved since she was first in college, Hemphill continues to follow the legacy and advice of her grandmother, listening to others to help serve the communities she’s passionate about.

“I love the work. It impacts Mississippi, but not only Mississippi. There are global things happening at our center. It makes a huge impact,” she said.

Raymond Femi Awoyemi

Raymond Femi Awoyemi, a PhD candidate from Chemistry, was selected to attend the Accelerate to Industry (A2i) Immersion Week hosted by North Carolina State University.

This 5-day immersive program prepared late-stage graduate students

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

GRADUATE ASSISTANT SPOTLIGHT

Introducing new and returning GA’s for the academic year. we wanted to take a moment to get to know these Grad Bulldogs who contribute to our grad community.

Milton Clay, Tyrone (Ty) Tolbert, Jr., Emily Grace (EG) McCall, Mary Miller, Claire Cooper, Cortez Willis, Tyler Davis (not pictured)

Asi (Alberta Ebeheakey)

“The sense of community here among the people, as well as with faculty and staff, has been remarkable. Everyone is so open and willing to connect. It’s a level of warmth I didn’t expect, and it’s made all the difference in my experience at MSU.”

Miftah (Mohamad Miftah Rahman)

“Communication hasn’t been a challenge at all. The diverse backgrounds of students in our department bring different perspectives to the table. Plus, Starkville’s small-town atmosphere and MSU’s strong sense of community make it easy to connect with everyone.”

International Graduate Students Thrive at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University has always prided itself on its strong sense of community and a commitment to providing an enriching educational experience. For two outstanding international graduate students, Alberta Ebeheakey (Asi) from Ghana and Mohamad Miftah Rahman (Miftah) from Indonesia, their journey to Starkville, Mississippi, has been marked by warmth, connections, and remarkable opportunities. We sat down with Asi and Miftah to learn more about their experiences as part of the Wood Identification Team in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Research Center at MSU and what drew them to this academic community.

Choosing MSU A Global Perspective

Asi’s story is one that highlights the importance of environment and community. Hailing from an urban city in Ghana, Asi’s desire to immerse herself in a closeknit community led her to MSU. She found the idea of pursuing the best education in a setting that felt like home to be irresistible. Starkville’s rural charm resonated with her, offering the perfect backdrop for her academic pursuits. On the other hand, Miftah’s journey to MSU was guided by his familiarity with the university’s faculty members, whom he had already known through their published works. MSU’s location in the heart of the U.S. Forest product industry also played a significant role in attracting him. Both students appreciate the opportunities MSU has offered them to learn from distinguished professors and gain industry experience.

Graduate Research Assistants Alberta Ebeheakey and Miftah Rahman from MSU’s Wood Identification Team meet with Dr. Guangmei Anderson (right), Sustainable Bioproducts alumna and Quality Value Manager at Weyerhaeuser lumber mill in Bruce, Mississippi. Photo by Frank C. Owens, Associate Professor in the Forest and Wildlife Research Center

Building Bridges A Welcoming Campus Community

One of the most striking aspects of Asi and Miftah’s time at MSU has been the warmth and friendliness they’ve encountered within the campus and the surrounding community. Starkville’s residents have made a lasting impression on them. Asi and Miftah also spoke highly of the faculty and staff at MSU. They’ve been impressed by the open and approachable nature of their professors, who not only guide them academically

but also offer valuable life advice. The cultural diversity of their fellow students has enriched their experiences, fostering a dynamic and inclusive academic environment.

A Sense of Belonging Community Bonds

Asi and Miftah’s experiences underscore the strength of the MSU community and the ease with which international students can integrate into it. Asi’s chance encounters with friendly locals at Walmart and the genuine offers of

assistance she received reflect the kind of community spirit that makes MSU stand out. Miftah’s appreciation for the diverse perspectives of his peers highlights the rich academic environment that MSU cultivates.

The warm and welcoming atmosphere at Mississippi State University, combined with the university’s commitment to academic excellence, has allowed students like Asi and Miftah to thrive and find a second home away from home.

Graduate Research Assistants Alberta Ebeheakey and Miftah Rahman fine-tune their skills identifying six softwood specimens through microscope sections and slides.

Photo by Frank C. Owens, Associate Professor in the Forest and Wildlife Research Center

GSA 2023 - 2024

President Luke Tucker

Vice President Michael Carroll

Vice President of Meridian Affairs

LaMareshia Johnson

Secretary Trinity Baynham

Secretary Baynham

Treasurer Kya Davis

Service and Outreach Coordinator

Elizabeth Esser

Technology and Marketing Coordinator

Casey Iwamoto

EXPLORING INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES:

OPPORTUNITIES:

The A2i Fall 2023 cohort enjoyed a captivating presentation and lunch with guest speaker Ronnie Blackley, Regional Director, South

Accelerate to Industry, or A2i, is a professional development program dedicated to enhancing graduate and postdoctoral training for careers outside academia. First developed by the North Carolina State University, this program connects graduate students with industry companies to explore employment opportunities. The MSU Graduate School, along with the MSU Career Center and Mitchell Memorial Library offered this new program for the first time in Fall 2022 at Mississippi State University.

Learn more about A2i here.

the 1st Generation Graduate

Snapshot from the September 5th Workshop: Graduate Student Survival Skills with Deborah Lee, Professor and Associate

What is the 1st Generation Grad Student Series?

This program is open to all firstgeneration graduate students. First generation graduate students are students whose mother or father did not graduate from a 4-year college or university. The program includes three “how-to” sessions that will provide students with information on how to navigate graduate school. By incorporating workshops, guest speakers, and panelist from various departments, the information provided will be beneficial for all first generation Master’s or PhD students. In addition, the program includes two casual networking events and an opportunity for peer mentorship. Mentors could be students that are further along in their program (3rd or 4th year PhD, 2nd year Master’s) or campus faculty or staff who have completed graduate degrees as first generation students.

Associate Dean for Research, Instruction, and

Starting in Spring 2023, our Admissions and Enrollment team introduced a new tradition for our newly enrolled graduate students - the #FirstCowbell gift.

Join the Tradition! Tag Us in Your #FirstCowbell

Ring Your First Cowbell

We’re excited to see your #FirstCowbell in action! Whether it’s at a game, in your favorite study spot, or wherever you take it, share your moments with us on social media. Don’t forget to tag us @msstategradschool and use #FirstCowbell in your posts.

Cowbell With Pride

NSF

Mississippi State University alumni and current students are among this year’s recipients of the National Science

Oscar Ramirez Perez

Reese Dunne

The current MSU students and alumni receiving fellowships this year include:

—Oscar Ramirez Perez, a current doctoral student in the Department of Psychology;

—Reese Dunne, a 2023 MSU mechanical engineering graduate planning to pursue a doctoral degree at Stanford University;

—Harrison Broadaway, a 2022 MSU biomedical engineering graduate and current doctoral student University of Florida; and

—Sydney Wicks, a 2021 MSU psychology graduate and current doctoral student at the University of Mississippi.

Perez’s selection marks the MSU Department of Psychology’s first doctoral student to be named as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. After completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of California Santa Cruz, Perez began working toward a doctorate in cognitive science at MSU in 2021. His research focuses on memory effects and online education.

“As time goes on, technology is becoming more and more integrated in our daily lives,” Perez said. “I am interested in investigating how we interact with technology in learning environments. I am also interested in how technology can help us manage more traditional learning strategies to better inform how we can use

it to maximize access to learning. I hope to use this fellowship to access broader resources and collaborators that otherwise would not have been possible.”

Dunne, a Starkville native, graduated this month after a distinguished undergraduate academic career that included becoming MSU’s 19th Goldwater Scholarship recipient, an Astronaut Scholar, and Rhodes Scholarship finalist. He is a 2023 inductee into the Bagley College of Engineering Student Hall of Fame. Dunne, also a student-athlete during his time at MSU, plans to continue his research on Alzheimer’s disease at Stanford.

“The NSF GRFP will play a major role in funding the first three years of my Ph.D. at Stanford University and will provide me the freedom and flexibility to explore a variety of research topics and cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration within my area of study,” Dunne said. “The financial support from NSF, along with the access to professional development opportunities and other invaluable resources, will be crucial in preparing me to utilize medical imaging to study, diagnose, treat and hopefully someday put an end to Alzheimer’s disease.”

For more information on the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, visit www.nsfgrfp.org.

Graduate Resource Fair Recap

A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL EVALUATORS!

Dr. Marcus McGee

Dr. Brian Rude

Dr. Molly Zuckerman

Dr. Anna Osterholtz

Dr. Priya C.Basu

Dr. Aswathy Rai

Dr. Matt Ballinger

Dr. Tineka Burkhead

Dr. Donna Gordon

Dr. Ling Li

Dr. Justin Thornton

Teresa Brown

Dr. Joseph Emerson

Dr. Miguel Muñoz

Dr. Sumudu Athukorale

Dr. Carly Bahler

Dr. Kelly Moser

Dr. Rosa Vozzo

Dr. Melody Fisher

Dr. Kayla Bates-Brantley

Dr. Eugenie Joan Looby

Dr. Shalyn Claggett

Taylor Garner

Jessica Thompson

Dr. Ashley Schulz

Dr. Shrinidhi Ambinakudige

Dr. Sarah Lalk

Dr. Andrew Mercer

Dr. Adam Skarke

Dr. Kelsey Crane

Dr. Sathish Samiappan

Dr. Andrew Lang

Dr. Matt Lavine

Dr. Morgan Robinson

Dr. Leigh Soares

Dr. Shankar Ganapathi Shanmugam

Dr. Jeff Fulton

Dr. Zack Gillen

Dr. Adam Knight

Dr. JohnEric Smith

Dr. Iva Ballard

Dr. Robert Moore

Jacob Tschume

Dr. Velinda Calvert

Dr. Dana Franz

Dr. Nancy Bardwell

Dr. Godfred Inkoom

Dr. Brian Baldwin

Dr. Carolyn Adams-Price

Dr. Mary Dozier

Dr. Michael R. Nadorff

Dr. Carley Morrison

Dr. Rachel Allison

Dr. Kristin Javorsky

Dr. Ray Iglay

GTA Workshop

COLLEGE COLORS

MAROON & WHITE

COLORS DAY ALL DAY ALL NIGHT

You’re invited to the GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

The Graduate School, in collaboration with the Graduate Student Association, is proud to carry on the tradition of providing students with the opportunity to showcase their research accomplishments on the MSU campus by hosting the annual Graduate Student Research Symposium. The 24th GSRS will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Old Main Academic Center. Undergraduate students can visit posters and oral presentations to learn more about the research conducted on campus and to talk to students leading research projects.

More information here:

https://www.grad.msstate.edu/students/graduate-development/graduateresearch-symposium

MINUTE THESIS

3MT® is a competition that helps graduate students develop their verbal communication skills and helps all people understand the importance of research and how it positively affects our lives. Undergraduate students can attend the 3 minutes talks to learn more about graduate research, research communication, and vote for their favorite. The 11th annual 3MT competition will be held on November 15 and 16, 2023.

More information here: https://www.grad.msstate.edu/students/graduate-student-development/3mt

AWARDS

MSU doctoral student honored with national agriculture student teaching award

A Mississippi State doctoral student is being recognized for excellence in training tomorrow’s agricultural leaders. Patricia Marie Cordero-Irizarry, an agricultural and extension education doctoral student in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its School of Human Sciences, is the university’s second recipient of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Graduate Student Teaching Award. The honor was recently presented at the NACTA conference is

Las Cruces, New Mexico. Founded in 1955, NACTA is a professional society that specializes in the scholarship of teaching and learning for agriculture and related disciplines at the postsecondary level. NACTA established the award in 1996 to recognize graduate student members who go above and beyond as instructors in agricultural classroom settings.

Carley Morrison, an MSU assistant professor of agricultural education, leadership and communication, first collaborated with Cordero-Irizarry on scholarship of teaching and learning research during the 2022 winter term and asked her to teach a Professional Presentations in Agriculture and Life Sciences course this past spring.

“Ms. Cordero-Irizarry is a natural teacher who sets high expectations but also caters to the individual needs of her students,” Morrison said.

“She is a gifted teacher—energetic, dedicated and open to constructive feedback on improving her teaching and learning experiences.”

The presentations course is designed to provide students in agriculturalrelated fields with professional communication skills. CorderoIrizarry said teaching this subject also has helped her develop skills that will

Contact: Trey Barrett

benefit her as she advocates for soil conservation.

“It feels good to receive the award because I enjoy teaching and have found my vocation through this Ph.D. program, and this is something that motivates me each morning,” Cordero-Irizarry said. “I am also thankful for Dr. Morrison, who is an excellent mentor; Dr. Donna Peterson for giving me an opportunity to teach; my students for providing feedback I can use to improve my teaching, and my family because they have been constantly supporting me in my journey.”

To learn more about NACTA, visit www.nactateachers.org/index.php. The School of Human Sciences in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in agricultural education, leadership, and communications; agricultural science; fashion design and merchandising; and human development and family science. Graduate degrees include agricultural and extension education, early intervention, fashion design and merchandising, and human development and family science. For more, visit www.humansci.msstate. edu.

ABE

student,

Thayananthan, won the Best Paper Award at the SPIE Conference, Autonomous Air and Ground Sensing Systems for Agricultural Optimization and Phenotyping VIII, held in Orlando, FL, on May 1-2, 2023. Along with the award came a plaque and a $1,000 monetary award. Theva’s paper was entitled, “Multi-ripeness level blackberry detection using YOLOv7 for soft robotic harvesting.” His graduate advisor is Dr. Xin Zhang of ABE.

Ph.D.

Thevathayarajh