COSM Newsletter Winter 2024

THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

LetterFromTheDean

It’sagreattimetobeintheCollegeofScienceandMathematics(COSM)atG i S th U i ity. Thereisexcitementandenthusiasmaboutmanyofthenewinitiatives andprojectsunderwayorbeingplannedinCOSMandatGeorgiaSouthern Universityoverall Wearecurrentlyintheprocessofsubmittingtwo applicationstotheUniversitySystemofGeorgiafornewacademicdegree programs–aBachelorofScienceinBiomedicalScienceandaPh.D.in AdvancedMaterials. Ifapproved,theseprogramswillstartinFall2025.The BiomedicalScienceprogramismeanttoprovideacurriculumfocusedon preparingstudentsforadmissionintodoctoralprogramsinvariousmedical fields(medicine,dentistry,veterinarymedicine,etc.). ThePh.D.programwillCO seconddoctoralprogramandthefourthPh.D.programatGeorgiaSouthern.

In each newsletter, there will be a dedicated article focusing on the COSM faculty, staff, students, and programs on the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern. Please refer to the first article in this series laterinthenewsletterformoreinformation–therearealotofnewprogramsandprojectsunderwayon theArmstrongCampus.

COSM faculty continue to excel in providing outstanding educational experiences to our students, including field experiences, research opportunities, and other high impact experiences. These educationalexperienceskeepthestudentsexcitedabouttheirprogramofstudywhileprovidingresume buildingskillstoenhancetheirsuccessaftergraduation

Formanyofouralumni,youwillbehappytoknowwehaveaprojectunderwaytorenovatetheNatural SciencesBuildingontheStatesboroCampus. Thiswillbeamulti-yearefforttoenhancetheclassrooms andteachinglaboratoriesinthebuildingtomakeitmoreconducivetoprovidingafirst-classeducation toourstudents We’llkeepyouupdatedastheprojectprogresses

Finally, I would like to highlight the 40 under 40 program operated by the Georgia Southern Alumni Relations team. For nine of the past 10 years, the program honors some of our most successful young alumni. Inthe202340under40cohort,threeCOSMalumniwereselectedtoreceivethisrecognition–Dr. Tanielle Smith (Physician), Dr Chukwuka Okafor (Dentist), and Dr Jessica Allen (Veterinarian) CongratulationstoDrs.Smith,Okafor,andAllen!! Thirty-eightCOSMalumnihavebeenhonoredoverthe entirehistoryoftheprogram.

IfhaveanyquestionsorwouldjustliketotellmeaboutyourGeorgiaSouthernexperiences,pleasedon’t hesitate to contact me. I love talking with alumni about their experiences while at Southern as well as theirprofessionalaccomplishments.

Sincerely,

FocusonGeorgiaSouthernArmstrong Campus

TheArmstrongCampusofGeorgiaSouthernUniversityisavitalpartoftheUniversityaddingavariety of elements critical to our long-term success. After five years from consolidation, the identity of the Armstrongcampusisclearlydevelopingviaseveralplannedinitiativesthatwillhaveadirectimpact ontheCollegeofScienceandMathematics.InFall2023,wehavenearly60COSMfacultyandstaffwho calltheArmstrongCampushomeacrossallfourofouracademicdepartments.Thefacultyprovidea widevarietyofeducationalandresearchopportunitiestothenearly4,800studentsontheArmstrong campus Over the past three years, COSM has awarded 270 degrees to students on the Armstrong Campus TheWaterCollegeofHealthProfessionshasthelarg with more than 400 degrees awarded annually, nursing be

y g orgi Medicine(M.D.)ontheArmstrongCampusstartinginJulyoft

campus will provide new opportunities for students interest several pipeline programs that are being developed. We’ developanacceleratedentryprogramwhereCOSMmajorsc theirsenioryearatGeorgiaSouthern Forstudentswhoareacceptedintotheprogram,theirfirstyear of medical school will also count as their last year of the bachelor's degree at Georgia Southern Additionally, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly approved the state’s FY2024amendedbudgetthatincluded$178.0milliontoprovidefundingforthedesign,construction, and equipment of a dental school that will serve as an expansion of the Dental College of Georgia under the accreditation of August University and will be located on the Armstrong campus in Savannah.ExpandinguponourpartnershipwithAugustaUniversity’sMedicalCollegeofGeorgia,we look forward to a positive future collaboration with AU’s Dental College of Georgia that will make significantstridesinmeetingthehealthcareworkforcedemandsofourgrowingregionandstate.

COSM is collaborating extensively with the Office of Research to expand the presence of faculty researchlabsattheArmstrongcampus.ThemajorityoftheselabswillbesituatedintheSavannah ResearchComplexonMohawkStreet,positioneddirectlyacrossAbercornStreetfromtheArmstrong Campus.Furthermore,asignificantrenovationprojectisplannedfortheScienceCenterthissummer, targetingtheenhancementofallteachinglaboratories.

GeorgiaSouthernUniversitylaunches

‘TogetherWeSoar’Campaign

GeorgiaSouthernUniversityproudlyannouncesthelaunchofitscomprehensivecampaign,“Together WeSoar:TheCampaignforGeorgiaSouthernUniversity.”Thistransformativeinitiativeaimstoelevate theUniversity’simpactonstudents,faculty,research,athletics,andthecommunitiesitserves.

GeorgiaSouthern,renownedforitsmajesticcampusesadornedwithsouthernliveoaksandtowering pines, symbolizes not just American freedom but also the promise, achievement and boundless potential of its students. The University’s trajectory is on the rise, reaching for greater heights in educationandcommunityimpact.Centraltothismomentumistheunwaveringsupportfromalumni, friendsandthecommunity.

PubliclylaunchedonOctober20th,TogetherWeSoar:TheCampaignforGeorgiaSouthernUniversity aimstoraise$125millionby2026.Morethan$86millionhasalreadybeensecured.

Dr.KyleMarrero,PresidentofGeorgiaSouthern,expressedhisgratitudeandvisionfortheUniversity. “Georgia Southern is on the move, in motion, and soaring to new heights. The ‘Together We Soar’ campaign fueledbythegeneroussupportofouralumni,friends,andpartners willensureourability to drive innovation, develop talent, transform lives, and propel the economic development of a growingregion.”

Thecampaignhasidentifiedfourprimaryobjectives:

EmpowerStudentSuccess:Thecampaignaimstostimulatelearningbyrecruitinghigh-achieving students,increasingstudentaccess,andpromotinginclusiveexcellenceandcareerreadiness.

Advance Teaching and Public Impact Research: The focus is on meeting regional economic needs,increasingfacultyexpertise,andenhancingresearchcapacity.

Elevate Athletics: The campaign seeks to attract and retain elite student-athletes, provide topnotchfacilities,andboosttheCompetitiveExcellenceFund

EnrichCampusesandCommunityVibrancy:Thegoalistoimprovethecommunitiessurrounding thecampusesandteachaboutlocalwildlife,amongotherinitiatives.

The campaign also highlights the significant economic impact of Georgia Southern, with a regional economic contribution of $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2022. The University plays a critical role in the economicgrowthandtransformationofSoutheastGeorgia.

Marrero said Georgia Southern invites all its supporters, alumni and the community to join this transformativejourney Withcollectivesupport,there’snolimittohowhighGeorgiaSoutherncansoar

CollegeofScienceandMathematics

Doctoral Research Fellowships: Doctoral research fellowships are a key component in the developmentoftheworldclass,highlyqualifiedScientistsandMathematiciansthatarevitallyneeded forthecontinuedgrowthoftheGeorgiaworkforceandeconomy.

These prestigious fellowships allow the COSM Ph.D. programs to recruit high-quality students who otherwise would not be able to attend Georgia Southern University Fellows work closely with COSM facultyoncutting-edgeresearchprojects

Thedoctoralresearchfellowsfocussolelyondrivingtheirresearchforward Theyfillacriticalneedin growing the research capacity in COSM, which in turn drives Georgia Southern closer to attaining CarnegieR1researchdesignationtherebyelevatingtheentireuniversity.

Additionally,theseFellowsserveasmentorstoourundergraduateandmaster’sstudentsinterestedin gainingvaluableresearchexperiences.

StudentResearchSupport: UndergraduateResearchFellowshipsandGraduateResearchFellowships providehands-onresearchexperiencesthatareavitalcomponentinthedevelopmentofstudentsat the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College encourages student participation in individual research investigations carried out under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students who participate in these types of valuable real-world research not only build resume worthy experience, but it also provides them with a launching point for the rest of their academic and professional

Participating in research experiences generally results in student presentations at national and regional scientific meetings, co-authorship on peer-reviewed journal publications, and a unique education, all of which give students an exceptional educational experience at Georgia Southern University.

itiesforTogetherWeSoar

Studentswhoparticipateinresearchactivitiesaregenerallymorecompetitiveandbetterprepared when applying to graduate school in STEM or medical programs and have hands-on experience whentheytransitiontoaSTEMcareer.

Student Success Programs: The College is building a teaching and learning ecosystem that engagesstudentsincriticaleducationalexperiencesduringtheirtimeatGeorgiaSouthern.Ideally, COSM students will have multiple opportunities to engage in experiences that will drive their developmenttowardaprofessionalcareerasscientistsormathematicians.

Studies have shown that students who engage in these extra activities have improved retention and graduation rates as well as improved academic performance These programs will be key elementsofourrecruitmentstrategiestoattractmorestudentstoSTEMprogramsinCOSMaswell asattractmoretop-tierhighschoolgraduatesthatarelookingfortheseactivitiesastheyconsider multipleuniversities

These activities will ensure Georgia Southern is a “first-choice university” for high school students throughoutthestateandthenation.Theseresumebuildingexperienceswillassiststudentsasthey pursue their first job as a STEM professional or as they apply for entry to top-quality graduate or professionalprograms.

IfyouareinterestedininsupportingtheCollegeofScienceandMathematicsduringtheTogether WeSoarcampaign,pleasecontactDeanHugginsorBillSlayton.

DeanHuggins

email:mhuggins@georgiasouthern.edu

BillSlayton

email:wslayton@georgiasouthernedu

Additionally,youcangivedirectlytotheCollegeatTOGETHERWESOARwebpage.

EagleMed:TheFutureDoctoralMedicalAcad

TheCollegeofScienceandMathematicsandtheOfficeofCareerandProfessionalDevelopmentwill launch The Future Doctoral Medical Academy in the Fall of 2024. The Academy will mentor students with an interest in pursuing doctoral education to become medical professionals – dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, physicians, veterinarians, etc. The multi-year programming will begin studentengagementonday1astheyenterGeorgiaSouthernandwillcontinuetoprovideassistance untiladmittanceintotheirchosendoctoralprogram.

Dr.MitchWeilandwillserveastheinauguraldirectoroftheEagleMedAcademy.Dr.Weiland,professor ofbiochemistry,hasservedhasthedirectoroftheMedical/DentalReviewBoardandworkedclosely withMedicalProfessionsAdvisingformanyyearswherehehasdevelopedexcellentconnectionswith Georgia medical schools and has mentored students across the Statesboro and Armstrong Campuses.

The primary objective of the EagleMed Academy is to collaboratively include multiple stakeholders acrosstheGeorgiaSouthernecosystemtoassistourstudentsindevelopingoutstandingapplication portfolios, ultimately making them better professional school candidates, and increasing overall studentacceptancerate Thenewprogramincludes:

Programs and workshops to encourage high school students in southeast Georgia to explore medicine.

Special symposia, workshops, and mentoring sessions for Georgia Southern pre-professional students, focusing on developing the personal characteristics essential for success in doctoral programs.

Shadowing with medical professionals and providing research opportunities on campus for GeorgiaSouthernpre-professionalstudents,crucialforgainingacceptancetomedicalschool.

DedicatedadvisingandsupportforGeorgiaSouthernpre-professionalstudentsfromdayone, throughtherequisiteentranceexams,(MCAT,DAT,etc.),anduptodoctoralprogram acceptance

Partnershipswithreputabletestpreparationservices(ie Kaplan)toenhancerequisite professionalexamscores

AcouncilofsuccessfulGeorgiaSouthernalumniwhoareprofessionalsinrelevantmedicalfields (dentists,optometrists,pharmacists,physicians,veterinarians).Thiscouncilwillplayavitalrole insupportingthenextgenerationofGeorgiaSouthernstudentsintheAcademy.

TolearnmoreabouttheEagleMed:TheFutureDoctoralMedicalAcademy,pleasecontact Dr.Weilanddirectly(mweiland@georgiasouthern.edu).

RestoringCoastlineWithOysterHabitats

GeorgiaSouthernUniversityhaspartneredwiththeGeorgiaDepartmentofNaturalResources andYamahaRightwaterstorejuvenateasectionoftheSavannahwaterwaysforoysterbeds. It’snotmuchofa“groundbreaking”project,butmoreofa“ground-building”project.

GeorgiaSouthernUniversityhaspartneredwiththeGeorgiaDepartmentof NaturalResourcesandYamahaRightwaterstorejuvenateasectionof theSavannahwaterwaysforoysterbeds.Aspartoftheseefforts,Eagle facultyandstudentsrecentlyinstalledbagsofoystershellsalongthe coastlinetobuildsheltersforbuddingpopulations

Oysterreefsarepivotaltocoastalenvironmentsandofferamultitudeof benefits.Whiletheyareasought-afterdelicacy,theirsignificanceextends farbeyondthediningtable

“Oyster reefs serve as thriving ecosystems, safeguard shorelines from e roleincarbonsequestration,”saidJohnCarroll,Ph.D.,anassociateprofess Southern.“TheoysterpopulationinGeorgiaremainsrobust.However,ourprimaryfocusishabitat restoration. We’re targeting areas where oyster harvesting is absent, creating sanctuaries for oysterstoflourishandfosteringmarinebiodiversity.”

Thechoiceofmaterialwascriticaltoconstructingthesevitalreefs,andthesolutionwasright undertheirnose:theycoulduseoystershellstobuildoysterhabitats.

AccordingtoCarroll,oystershellspossessthenaturalshapeandcomplexitythatattractsoyster larvae,facilitatingtheirgrowth.Althoughalternativematerialslikeconcreteorrocksareusedin someprojects,oystershellsarestillthesubstrateofchoiceinGeorgia.

Beyondhabitatrestoration,thisprojecthaspiquedYamaha’sinterestduetoitspotentialfor carbonsequestration.

“Addressingclimatechangeisimperative,”Carrolsaid.”Oysterreefsplayapivotalroleby capturingsedimentrichinorganicmatter,effectivelylockingawaycarbon.Adjacentmarsh grassesabsorbcarbonfromtheatmosphere,creatingapowerfulsynergy.”

Studentsareintegraltotheproject’ssuccess.Theyhaveassistedinvarioustasks,frombagging oystershells,sourcedfromashellrecyclingprogramandneighboringstates,todatasampling andanalysis.Itwasahands-onexperiencetheyhopewillshapethenextgenerationof environmentalstewards

“OurhopeisthatthisinitiativesetsaprecedentforfuturerestorationprojectsalongtheGeorgia coast,”Carrolnoted“Byrevivingtheseoysterreefs,wearenotonlybolsteringlocalecosystemsbut alsoaddressingtheurgentneedtocombatclimatechange.It’sawin-winforbothnatureand humanity.”

NationalScienceFoundationAwards Almost$3MtoGeorgiaSouthernto LaunchResearchandMentoringProgram

ChecoColón-Gaud,Ph.D.,associatedeanoftheJackN.AverittCollegeofGraduateStudiesand principal investigator for a National Science Foundation grant, totaling e usedforaresearchandmentoringprogram.

TheNationalScienceFoundationawardednearly$3milliontoGeorgia SouthernUniversitytolaunchtheResearchandMentoringfor Postbaccalaureates(RaMP)program.Ateachuniversity,RaMP supportsapproximately10studentsperyearingainingfull-time researchexperience,mentoringforpotentialcareerpathsand buildinganetworkofprofessionalcontacts.

Georgia Southern’s project, “Mentoring and Research Opportunities l Science(MROC2S),”aimstoaidthosewithlittletonoexposuretoresea o so.

“The target is to benefit underrepresented minority students to increase diversity in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields,” said Checo Colón-Gaud, Ph.D., associate dean of the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies and the project’s principal investigator(PI).

Beginning in August 2024, participating students will be given an annual stipend. The postbaccalaureate fellows will have the opportunity to learn regional-specific natural resource scienceandparticipateinmeaningfultrainingwiththeirpeersbeforeenteringthefield.

“It would benefit those who are not yet sure if they want to pursue careers in natural resource scienceorgraduatestudiesafterearningtheirundergraduatedegree,”Colón-Gaudadded Georgia Southern’s awarded fund will extend through 2027, and with 10 participants at a time, Colón-Gaudanticipatesthatthis“significantandtransformative”experienceshouldstrengthen theworkforce.

Colón-Gaud is joined by three additional faculty members as co-PIs: John Carroll, Ph.D., associateprofessorofbiology;LaceyHuffling,Ph.D.,associateprofessorofmiddlegradesand secondaryeducation;andAsliAslan,PhD,directoroftheInstituteforWaterandHealth