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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
grad.msstate.edu
UPCOMING EVENTS ICE CREAM SOCIAL June 23 VIRTUAL GRADUATE SCHOOL ORIENTATION (optional) July 1 - August 31 FALL GTA WORKSHOP August 8 - 11 IN-PERSON ORIENTATION AND RESOURCE FAIR August 10
TABLE OF CONTENT S AY H E L L O !
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
NEWS
A NOTE FROM THE DEAN Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Graduate School, The 2021-2022 academic year was an exciting and fruitful time for graduate education at Mississippi State University. MSU continued to enjoy strong enrollment and a significant increase in the number of prestigious honors and fellowships awarded to graduate students. We congratulate all of our spring graduates, over 500 students were awarded degrees at the Doctoral, Master’s and Education Specialist level, a record number for the university. The Graduate School also made some significant gains with the support of President Keenum and the university administration in securing full tuition coverage for students on graduate assistantships. Undoubtedly, this support will enable graduate programs across the university to attract bright and talented students to pursue their graduate work at Mississippi State University. The warm summer days are now here and I hope graduate students, faculty and staff have made plans to take some time off to enjoy the nice weather and undertake some fun activities, much of which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic these past few years. It is very important that folks take quality downtime, to relax, rejuvenate and return to their tasks refreshed and invigorated. Many graduate students are busy in their laboratories conducting experiments, out in the fields collecting data, and undertaking archeological digs to answers questions from past lifestyles. Others are in libraries and institutes across the nation and the globe ploughing through archival documents to bring to light exciting and challenging events of the past. To all our graduate student researchers and their faculty advisors we wish you a successful summer. For those students planning on defending theses, dissertations, sitting for qualifying or comprehensive exams with the intention to graduate this August, we wish you every success and congratulate you on your accomplishments and graduation. Please stay connected and share with the Graduate School your exciting adventures so that we may post them on social media or in the newsletter during the fall semester. Stay well and stay safe. Respectfully, Best Regards,
Dr. Peter Ryan Executive Vice Provost and Dean The Graduate School
AWARDS
In March, The Graduate School welcomed two new team members, Eric Abbott and Lauren Benton. Both will be engaged in recruitment of new students through campus tours, grad fairs, social media, web design, and marketing campaigns.
Lauren Benton,
SAY HELLO! Staf f Spotlight
Eric Abbott,
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Eric is an alum of Mississippi State University,
from the University of Memphis. She began
with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, emphasis
her career at MSU three years ago as a Social
in Graphic Design. He worked in MSU’s
Media Specialist at the Center for Distance
Office of Public Affairs for 12 years before
Education, now known as Mississippi State
entering his new role of Assistant Director
Online. As an Assistant Director of Graduate
of Graduate Enrollment Marketing. Eric’s
Enrollment Marketing, she supports the team
background in graphic design, advertising,
with the execution of graduate recruitment
marketing, and writing is accompanied by the
marketing initiatives and implements content
vast skill-set of the entire communications
and messaging across social media, online
process.
advertising, newsletters, e-mail, and other
Eric has been married 11 years and has two
channels to improve applicant experience
daughters (5 year old and 3 year old), as well
and engagement. In her spare time, she is a
as numerous pets.
volunteer through the University Professional
He is also a deacon at his local church and he
& Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)
and his family are very active in their church
and serves as the Vice Chair of Diversity and
community.
Inclusion for the Marketing, Enrollment, and
Though they live in Tupelo, Starkville has
Student Success Network. Outside of work,
always felt like home. The University, city, and
she is a dog mom and likes to collect antique
people are what keeps them attached.
cameras. She is excited to keep learning and
Eric is so glad to be a part of MSU and excited
growing in her new role and cannot wait to see
about this new role in the place he loves.
what the future holds!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
SHE’S GOT GAME From State to Southern Pines, North Carolina, Lauren Miller is U.S. Women’s Open bound. The graduate student golfer is notable on the course and in the classroom. She is a dual-enrolled master’s student in sports administration and business administration and was recently named the 2022 Master’s Student of the Year in the Department of Kinesiology. The 77th U.S. Women’s Open will be hosted at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club from June 2-5, 2022. The event will include 12 features and 24 of the top 25 players globally.
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Photo by Lauren Miller @HailStateWG
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Pictured left to right: Research Professor K. Raja Reddy, Agronomy - Environmental Plant Physiology, S M Asger Ali, and Professor Shrinidhi Ambinakudige, Department of Geoscience.
S M Asger Ali A Ph.D. candidate in the Department of
of Health (SDH) by utilizing CDC’s Social
Geoscience recently attended the Mississippi
Vulnerability Index and County Health
Academy Science (MAS) conference in
Rankings & Roadmaps (CHRR) dataset. Using
Biloxi, MS, and received First Prize in the
spatial statistics and exploratory regression,
Oral Presentation Category (Geology and
he is analyzing the relationship between
Geography Division) for his paper titled “
COVID-19 health outcomes with various
Spatial Exploration of Social Vulnerability
socio-economic and environmental variables
and COVID-19 Related Health Outcomes in
(diabetes prevalence, adult obesity, income
Mississippi.”
inequality, poverty, race, and smoking). The
Asger is developing his doctoral dissertation
strengths of his research lie in its empirical
in consultation with Dr. Kathleen Sherman-
contributions and its demonstration of the
Morris. In his research, he is examining the
utility of the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)
spatial pattern of COVID-19 in the USA and
and SDH in predicting the spatial burden of
its associations with Social Determinants
COVID-19 disease and mortality in the USA.
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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE NEW DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE SUMMER 2022
Master of Public Policy & Administration/
Master of Science/Agriculture/Engineering
Public Policy & Administration
Technology Certificate / Applied Behavior Analysis AVAILABLE FALL 2022 Plant and Soil SciencesDoctor of Philosophy
Concentration
in
Fashion
and
Plant & Soil Sciences / Agronomy
Merchandising, Master of Science / Fashion
Doctor of Philosophy
Design & Merchandising / Research in
Plant & Soil Sciences / Horticulture
FDM
Doctor of Philosophy Plant & Soil Sciences / Weed Science
Master of Teaching
Master of Science
AVAILABLE SPRING 2023
Plant & Soil Sciences / Agronomy
Master’s
Master of Science
Systems
Plant & Soil Sciences / Horticulture
Science / Industrial and Systems Eng /
Master of Science
Data Analytics
Plant & Soil Sciences / Weed Science
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concentration and
in
Engineering,
Industrial Master
of
NEWS
All MSU graduate teaching, service assistantships to cover full tuition costs Mississippi State will cover the full cost of tuition
high-caliber students from across the state, nation
for all graduate teaching and service assistants
and world. I want to thank the Graduate Studies
beginning in the fall semester, university leaders
Task Force for identifying several ways we can
announced this week.
continue to improve our graduate programs and
The increase in financial support for graduate
President Keenum for his quick action to address
teaching and service assistants was identified
this need for our students.”
as a top priority by the Graduate Studies Task
Graduate teaching assistants support academic
Force, which was commissioned by the Office
instruction by assisting with classroom tasks such
of the Provost and Executive Vice President in
as exam preparation, grading, record maintenance,
2020. While individual departments and offices
along with leading lectures, discussion groups and
on campus manage graduate assistantship awards
laboratories, or serving as instructor of record on
and stipends, the university-wide support ensures
courses. Graduate service assistants aid faculty
full tuition coverage for any student receiving a
and staff members with administrative functions,
graduate teaching or service assistantship.
with duties based on the needs of the campus
“Graduate
unit providing the assistantship.
assistantships
provide
valuable
training opportunities and allow students to
For more on MSU’s graduate assistantships, visit
pursue advanced degrees with a substantially
https://www.grad.msstate.edu/funding-tuition/
reduced financial burden, and I am incredibly
assistantships.
proud that we are able to provide this additional
MSU offers more than 200 graduate programs,
level of support,” said MSU Provost and Executive
including many online options, to help meet
President David Shaw. “We have strong graduate
almost anyone’s career goals. For more, visit
programs across campus, and this investment will
www.grad.msstate.edu.
make them even more competitive as they recruit BAC K T O M E N U
NEWS
AACSB Re-accredits College of Business and Adkerson School of Accountancy Sharon Oswald, PhD Dean College of Business
“AACSB re-accreditation is the marker of distinction in business education. It is a continual improvement process to assure that we are achieving excellence in teaching, research, and societal impact,” College of Business Dean Sharon Oswald said. “This is a college-wide effort. We could not be successful without an engaged faculty and staff. This re-accreditation is a tribute to their hard work and sincere interest in achieving excellence.”
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NEWS
McNair Scholar Preview Day Success The Graduate School and the Division of Access, Diversity, and Inclusion at Mississippi State University welcomed 16 current undergraduate McNair Scholars from Alcorn State University, Tougaloo College, University of Mississippi, Henderson State University, Grambling State University, and Rust College to explore all the diverse academic opportunities MSU has to offer. MSU’s Graduate School is proud to be the school of choice for McNair Scholars. All McNair Scholars receive a one-time $2,500 fellowship during their first semester at MSU. This can be stacked with additional funding students may receive. MSU strives to provide all McNair Scholars opportunities to connect, engage, and expand their network by being a part of a cohort of scholars from across the nation.
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NEWS
The Graduate School awarded the largest graduating class of Ph.D., Masters, and Education Specialists ever
with 536 graduates this spring compared to spring 2021, with 434 graduates.
The Graduate School Hosted its 3rd annual Mardi Grad Open House BAC K T O M E N U
Photo by Megan Bean
NEWS
“Congratulations continue long and loud for our ‘magnificent seven’ ChemDawg Ph.Ds.” “Let the congratulations continue long and loud for our Dennis Smith Professor of Chemistry & Departmental Head
‘magnificent seven’ ChemDawg Ph.Ds. hooded during the impressive and well-executed ceremony and gratifying reception. These seven (out of 13 total Chemistry Ph.Ds. this year); their families, colleagues, and many well-wishers, experienced something very special.”
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NEWS
New graduate student association Officers Elected
Lilli Harris Advisor
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C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO O U R 2 0 2 2 - 2 0 2 3 O F F I C E R S !
KarLee McNeel
NEWS
President
Chathuranga Rathnamala Vice President
Margaretta Campbell Vice President of Meridian Affairs
Amy Wilber Secretary
Ashik Amin Treasurer
Chiquita Price
Service and Outreach Coordinator
Shaylin Williams
Technology and Marketing Coordinator BAC K T O M E N U
NEWS
MISSISSIPPI FAMILY CELEBRATES GRADUATION AS DAD, TWO KIDS ALL EARN MASTER’S DEGREES Three family members earned graduate degrees in education from Mississippi State University, Meridian campus
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NEWS
Three members of a family have something special to celebrate — plus, they have a calendar date that will forever be meaningful to them all. A father and his two children all graduated together from Mississippi State University, Meridian campus. Each of them earned a master’s degree in education, the Associated
“They’re all mine! They MASTERED it!!”
Press reported. Commondre Cole, son Ja’Coby Cole
“We accomplished this and we’re all
and daughter Iesha Gully were among
walking together,” said Commondre
the 153 graduates at MSU-Meridian’s
Cole at the commencement ceremony,
spring commencement.
referring to the completion of his master’s degree as well as his two kids’
Commondre
Cole
teaches
at
accomplishments as well.
Northwest Middle School and his son, Ja’Coby Cole, teaches at Oakland
Commondre Cole said his wife, Jessica
Heights Elementary, both in the
Gully-Cole, also teaches — and that
Meridian Public School District.
it was she who encouraged him to return to college with their children.
Daughter Gully is a teacher as well — at Northeast Elementary in the
Congratulations to a well deserving
Lauderdale County School District.
Bulldog Family!
Mary Cole, mother of Commondre Cole, shared with her Facebook followers,
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NEWS
photo by Associate Dean, Dr. Brien Henry
MSU MCNAIR SCHOLAR MEMORIES Mississippi State Graduate School Director of Graduate Admissions & Enrollment Marketing, Lindsey Shelton (left) shares smiles and dinner at the Little Dooey to celebrate the end of the Spring 2022 semester with MSU’s current McNair Scholars, (left to right) Shaylin Williams, Alexis Jackson, Timothy Sellars, and Courtney Welch.
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AWARDS
Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor Award John Ramirez-Avila, associate professor in the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering.
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AWARDS
Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellows
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AWARDS
Two Mississippi State engineering graduate students have been selected as Mississippi Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellows for the 2022-2023 academic year. Durant Fullington and Christian Zamiela have each been awarded $26,250 from MSSGC for the upcoming academic year. MSSGC offers fellowships for U.S. citizens enrolled in a full-time graduate program. Recipients are selected based on academic success, research activity, and interest in the fellowship. “I am very excited to have been chosen as one of the NASA-MSSGC Graduate Research Fellows for 2022-2023,” Fullington said. “This is an excellent opportunity to highlight my research and become further involved with K-12 outreach programs, inspiring the next generation of engineers!” “I am thrilled to be selected as a 2022-2023 NASA MSSGC Graduate Research Fellow and this opportunity will have a lasting impact on my career,” Zamiela said. “I am excited to pursue my goals in quality control of additive manufacturing while inspiring the next generation’s interest in STEM-related fields within my community.”
https://www.bagley.msstate.edu/news/two-engineering-students-receiveprestigious-fellowship/
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AWARDS
Congratulations to our MSU students awarded an NSF Graduate Fellowship The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Fellowship is highly sought after but very selective. With upwards of 13,000 applicants, roughly only 2,000 are chosen. We are extremely proud to announce MSU has three students who have been awarded this honor.
Felicity Singleton Felicity is working with one of the most common organisms (an amoeboid microbe). Due to its common occurrence in nature, and its genus name (Vannella), it is often jokingly referred to as “vanilla”, but Felicity has uprooted the notion that they are an ordinary boring amoeba. She has generated her own collection of these organisms from all over the USA and has started to show that they can be used to examine important traits such as the transition from salt water to fresh water or even to terrestrial environments. Her data has already shown that an interesting dispersal mechanism (sporocarp fruiting) occurs in at least two different lineages of this genus. Her work as a graduate student will examine macroevolutionary transitions to different environments and help flesh out species concepts in microbes by looking at genomic differences in species that display different traits. An added bonus, Felicity is also quite committed to working with grade school children to bring STEM into the classroom through outreach and tutoring activities. BAC K T O M E N U
AWARDS
David Korba David has already made significant contributions to the research community with seven high-quality journal papers and one book chapter. During his Undergraduate and Graduate career, he received seven awards at MSU. The research David is focusing on now as described by the NSF review board, “…could have high impact and multiple applications.” The main contributions from his work can be summarized in two aspects: (1) improved fundamental understanding of the coupled reaction-transport in microscale materials, and (2) design of novel solar reactors and recommendation of operating conditions through high-fidelity simulations and close collaboration with experimentalists. Both are essential for next-generation materials/structures/devices design and innovation for high-efficiency thermochemical energy storage (TCES) to enable zero-carbon and sustainable energy technology deployment. The Review board also had this to say, “The student has excellent academic experience and is well-prepared to conduct the proposed research project.”
James Wehsener Jimmy has always been passionate about wildlife conservation and has had the opportunity to work with some amazing animals over the years! He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley where he earned a B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology. While at Berkeley he developed an undergraduate research project investigating the drivers of foraging behavior in an invasive gecko population in French Polynesia. Currently Jimmy is a member of the Welch Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics Lab researching the anthropogenic impacts on the mating system of the endangered Turks and Caicos rock iguana. Through this work the hope is to identify a critical nesting habitat for the species and assess how humans have disrupted reproductive behaviors that are vital to the species survival. Jimmy also strives to communicate scientific findings and the importance of wildlife conservation to the public through artwork, apparel, and social media (@wezwildlife). Another one of our MSU students, Taylor Szasz, was recognized as an honorable mention by NSF. BAC K T O M E N U
AWARDS
Image of Research Winners Announced
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AWARDS
FIRST PLACE
Lorena Chavarro-Chaux A master’s student in the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering for “Assessing Effects of Livestock Production on Stream Water Quality.”
SECOND PLACE (TIE)
Rebecca Bracken
A doctoral student in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture from Austin, Texas, for “A Feeling Like No Other.”
SECOND PLACE (TIE)
Macy Gosselaar
A master’s student in the Department of Forestry from Olathe, Kansas, for “Frozen in Time; A Snapshot of an Environmental Moment.”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Varsha Singh
A doctoral student in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences for “Study of Sweet Potato Root Exudates for Sustainable Weed Management.”
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AWARDS
GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS BANQUET AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO: GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR Ernesto Borrego, Chemistry (not pictured) DONALD ZACHARIAS GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR Angel Jimenez, Geosciences GRADUATE SERVICE ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR Alexis Jackson, Human Development and Family Sciences GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE AWARD Rebecca Bracken, Forest Resources Lorena Chavarro Chaux, Civil and Environmental Engineering OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT ADVISOR OF THE YEAR Chaomin Luo, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
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Ernesto Borrego
Angel Jimenez
AWARDS
The 2022 Graduate Awards Ceremony was held on April 13th, at the Hunter Henry Parker Ballroom. The ceremony celebrated the many accomplishments of our graduate students, as well as the outstanding faculty that supported them throughout the year. MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Dr. Julie Jordan, served as the keynote speaker for the evening, providing those in attendance with encouragement and accolades as they continue to leave their mark on MSU.
Alexis Jackson
Rebecca Bracken
Lorena Chavarro Chaux
Chaomin Luo, Ph.D.
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AWARDS
THE GRADUATE STUDENT
HALL OF
FAME SCHOLAR AWARDS
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Nicole Reeder
AWARDS
A food science, nutrition, and health promotion doctoral, representing the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Marissa Bello A kinesiology doctoral student representing the College of Education
Devin Chen A forest resources doctoral student, representing the College of Forest Resources
Karen Kelley A psychology doctoral student representing the College of Arts and Sciences
Ethan Woodyard A veterinary medicine sciences doctoral student, representing the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Shuvam Saha An aerospace engineering doctoral student, representing the Bagley College of Engineering;
Vitaliy Skorodziyevskiy A management and information systems doctoral student, representing the College of Business; BAC K T O M E N U
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
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