COSM Newsletter Fall 2023

THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

FALL 2023 NEWSLETTER

Table of Contents Letter From The Dean.......................................................................................................................................................................2 Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship..................................................................................................3-4 New School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability.......................................................................................5-6 New Cancer Drug Treatments Grant..............................................................................................................................7-8 Biology Professor on National Geographic’s ‘When Sharks Attack 360’............................................9-10 Environmental Science Ph.D. Program........................................................................................................................11-12 2023 Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award...............................................................................................13

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Letter From The Dean It’s a great time to be in the College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) at Georgia Southern University. I started in the role as Dean of this wonderful College in August 2023 and have been impressed with the outstanding faculty, staff, and students in the College. First, I would like to provide you with a little background on me. I am an organic chemist with more than 20 years of experience in higher education and have served as dean at two previous institutions. Most recently, I was dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Tarleton State University, a member of the Texas A&M System. I am passionate about helping students be successful during their time with us at Georgia Southern as well as after graduation when they are moving into their professional careers.

During the first two months on the job, I have been learning more and more about the programs, facilities, campuses, and people in COSM. As you likely know, COSM is home to four academic departments (Biochemistry, Chemistry, & Physics; Biology; Mathematics; and Military Science), a school (the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability), two research centers (Oliver Institute for Coastal Plain Science and the Sustainable Aquaponics Research Center), and the Botanic Garden. Currently, we offer nine bachelor’s degrees (Biochemistry, Biology (B.A. & B.S.), Chemistry, Geography (B.A.), Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Sustainability Science), five master’s degrees (Applied Geography, Applied Physical Sciences, Biology, Environmental Science, and Mathematics), and a PhD (Environmental Science). The programs are offered across three campuses (Armstrong, Liberty, and Statesboro) and are in eleven different buildings. There are more than 1,700 students and over 220 faculty and staff in the College of Science and Mathematics!!

In the coming weeks and months, the College of Science and Mathematics will begin to craft a vision and roadmap that will be the basis for continued teaching excellence provided by our outstanding faculty as well as expand our research excellence into new areas of science and mathematics. As we expand into new areas, we will not forget the traditions and history of our great University, including the rich history of the Armstrong campus.

If have any questions or would just like to tell me about your Georgia Southern experiences, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I love hearing from alumni about their experiences while at Southern as well as their professional accomplishments.

Sincerely,

Professor and Dean

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Georgia Southern Establishes Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship Georgia Southern University announced today the establishment of the Yamaha Rightwaters™ Conservation Scholarship. Supported by an ongoing endowment from Yamaha Rightwaters, the scholarship awards $5,000 annually to a student who exhibits outstanding efforts and commitment to improve coastal sustainability.

“The continued health and maintenance of our marine coastal environments is a key focus of Yamaha Rightwaters. It’s an honor to work with and support the next generation of dedicated conservationists. It will be their charge to carry the torch in the protection of our waterways,” said Martin Peters, director, External Affairs, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “The opportunity to work with Georgia Southern, an outstanding university in Yamaha Marine’s home state, gives the new scholarship even greater significance. We look forward to following the recipients and applaud their efforts to pursue degrees that foster marine sustainability.”

Patrick Lewis, a Georgia Southern graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in biology, is the first recipient of the Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship. Lewis plans to use the funds to finalize the research needed to defend his thesis, which seeks to understand the variations in fish ecologies at the individual and community levels in response to environmental variables that act together to affect fish. He’s also studying how these relationships vary across regions of Georgia.

“Ultimately, my goal is to become a professional fisheries biologist at the state or federal level, where I can contribute to sound research concerning populations of fish across Georgia,” said Lewis, a native of Harris, Texas, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Marine Science from the University of Alabama. “I hope to combine the experiences I accrued over the years with science to achieve effective fisheries management, ensuring the sustainability of fishes and fishing for years to come.”

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“It means a great deal to work with Yamaha Rightwaters in the pursuit of more sustainable marine environments through academic research,” said Trip Addison, president, of the Georgia Southern University Foundation. “This scholarship gives our students more support during their academic careers and also provides them with an example of an international company dedicated to impactful, conservation-oriented workforce development.”

Georgia Southern University will open applications for the 2024/2025 Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship in the spring of 2024. Interested candidates may apply within their My.GeorgiaSouthern.edu portal, beginning in October.

Yamaha Rightwaters is a national sustainability program that encompasses all of Yamaha Marine’s conservation and water quality efforts. Program initiatives include habitat restoration, support for scientific research, mitigation of invasive species, the reduction of marine debris and environmental stewardship education. Yamaha Rightwaters reinforces Yamaha’s long-standing history of natural resource conservation, support of sustainable recreational fishing and water resources and Angler Code of Ethics, which requires pro anglers to adhere to principles of stewardship for all marine resources.

Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, based in Kennesaw, Ga., markets and sells marine outboard motors ranging in size from 2.5 to 450 horsepower. It also markets and sells fiberglass, jetdrive sport boats ranging from 19 to 27 feet, and personal watercraft. The unit includes manufacturing divisions of Yamaha Marine Systems Co., Inc., including Kracor of Milwaukee (rotational molding), Bennett Marine of Deerfield Beach, Fla. (trim tabs), and Yamaha Marine Precision Propellers of Indianapolis (stainless steel propellers). Yamaha Marine Group is a division of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., based in Cypress, Calif.

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Georgia Southern University launches new School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability On July 1, the College of Science and Mathematics at Georgia Southern University will launch a new School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability. The SEES will bring together the geosciences program and the James H. Oliver, Jr., Institute for Coastal Plain Science. (ICPS According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of positions in environmental sciences is increasing 5% every year. The typical entry-level position requires a bachelor’s degree.

“We’re seeing an increase in the development of environmental science and sustainability programs across the country, and that’s because business is becoming more conscious of their impact,” said Daniel Gleason, Ph.D., chair of the new School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability (SEES). “Industry has now taken an interest in it and they’re demanding graduates with these types of degrees. Students are demanding these types of degrees. I’ve had several students over the last year that have transferred from some other institutions within Georgia because we had a sustainability science degree and they wanted that degree.”

“The new School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability is a testament to Georgia Southern’s aptitude to acclimate with the job market to create new pathways for successful careers,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Reiber, Ph.D. “The careers these students will be prepared for don’t require the traditional disciplines we used to see. We’re now seeing a need for combining pathways among several disciplines to give students a better chance of success after their academic careers are complete.”

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Under the new union, the degree programs will be respectively: Geosciences Master of Science in Applied Geography B.S. in Geosciences (concentration in geology or geography) B.A. in Geology Geography Minor Geology Minor Geographic Information Systems Minor James H. Oliver, Jr., Institute for Coastal Plain Science Ph.D. in Environmental Science Master of Science in Environmental Science B.S. in Sustainability Science Environmental Sustainability Interdisciplinary Minor Students can pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Science as an accelerated master’s degree, which allows students to begin working toward their graduate degree as an undergraduate.

Gleason has been a professor and director of the Institute for Coastal Plain Science for a decade. He said when it comes to addressing issues related to the environment and sustainability, the traditional boundaries between the sciences are becoming blurred, so combining the geosciences programs and institute was a natural union.

Daniel Gleason, Ph.D. Director of SEES Professor of Biology

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Georgia Southern Faculty Receive $424,000 Grants to Advance Cancer Treatments A pair of Georgia Southern University professors and their research team are working to develop new options to help the estimated two million new cases of cancer that are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. Karelle Aiken, Ph.D., professor of organic chemistry, and Jannet Kocerha, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, are using a $424,000 grant to pursue new cancer drug treatments. This is the first time Georgia Southern has received a grant from the National Cancer Institute.

“The exciting research being done by Drs. Aiken and Kocerha is cutting-edge and aligns perfectly with Georgia Southern’s public impact mission to produce innovative ways to solve modern problems,” said Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Carl Reiber, Ph.D. “This grant validates their extraordinary efforts, and I applaud them for their hard work and dedication.”

With LinkerAcridine Derivative

Control (Media & DMSO)

Activity Screening—PC3 (Prostate Cancer Cells) Current anti-cancer therapeutics are plagued by issues such as selectivity in which the drugs also attack healthy cells, poor intake into cancer cells and drug resistance that develops over time.

The goal is to overcome various barriers that impact the effectiveness of cancer therapeutics by exploiting a cancer cell’s dependency on unusually high levels of amino acids nutrients.

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“Cancer cells compared to healthy cells grow really rapidly and they have a higher need for nutrients,” Aiken explained. “What we’re thinking of doing is taking compounds that we know have some toxicity to cancer cells and then masking them as a nutrient that they would need.

That will make the drug even more attractive for the cancer cells to ingest them.”

Aiken and Kocerha said they hope the research will bring hope to those fighting incurable forms of the disease and other aggressive types of cancer.

The research will also offer full-time positions to Georgia Southern students. For three years, the grant will fund stipends to two undergraduate students and one graduate student to assist in the work.

“A big part of the grant is about training the next generation of scientists,” Kocerha said.

“Georgia Southern has a strong culture of involving students in the whole research. Not just the design, but also in coming together and working directly with the faculty on developing publications, doing presentations at national meetings and learning how to communicate science to the broader audience.”

Karelle Aiken, Ph.D.

Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry & Physics

Jannet Kocerha, Ph.D.

Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry & Physics

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Georgia Southern professor featured on National Geographic’s ‘When Sharks Attack 360’ Georgia Southern University biology professor and researcher Christine Bedore, Ph.D., is helping National Geographic explore the mysteries of shark attacks by sharing her expertise and years of fieldwork as part of the six-part series, “When Sharks Attack 360,” this month.

The series, which kicked off July 3, is part of National Geographic’s SharkFest, which ran all month on National Geographic TV, Disney+ and Nat Geo WILD. All episodes are currently available for streaming on Hulu.

In episodes 3 and 6, Bedore, an assistant professor in the College of Science and Mathematics who conducts research on sensory systems in sharks, discusses how shark senses may lead to bites by sharks on humans. While filming, she marveled at the channel’s cutting-edge VFX lab and their approach to educating viewers.

“Working with National Geographic and the production team on this series was exciting because of the level of experience and creativity of the production team,” said Bedore.

“It’s one of the most unique experiences I’ve had filming a documentary so far since it was done in a studio with a green screen, rather than in the field like we typically do. Using the virtual graphics in this series allows us to see these animals from a completely different angle. Although it was challenging to point at a shark that I couldn’t see at the time, we wouldn’t be able to see the detail of the animal at this level filming in the field.”

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Christine Bedore, Ph.D.

Sharks have long captured the attention of both scientists and the public, and are fascinating animals for many reasons, according to Bedore, who has offered her expertise for previous episodes on Nat Geo WILD, The History Channel and BBC. They’re a species of immense size and diversity, and offer unique behaviors and interactions with other creatures, she noted. Understanding the behavior and physiology of sharks is critical to their survival, as they experience population declines due to overfishing and habitat changes.

“In order to combat these changes and ensure the persistence of sharks in our oceans across the world, we first need to understand why they behave the way that they do,” Bedore said. “This series helps us do exactly that. For example, in episode 3 we discuss whether or not sharks can see in color. As a scientist that studies shark color vision, I’m often approached with the question, ‘who cares if sharks can see color?’ As you’ll see, the ability to see color could help sharks identify prey, predators or other objects.”

In episode 6, Bedore helps viewers understand that visual acuity, or how clear an image is, may be more important than color when we think about why sharks sometimes have negative interactions with humans.

“Being able to discuss my work in these areas through National Geographic’s shark month has been a rewarding experience in helping people understand why these events sometimes happen,” she said. “It’s exciting to study such charismatic animals and have the chance to share your enthusiasm for your research and the sharks with people across the world.”

For more information on National Geographic’s “When Sharks Attack 360” visit here.

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Georgia Southern University Unveils New Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Environmental Science Georgia Southern University’s College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) now offers a master’s degree in environmental science and will begin recruiting for the inaugural class of doctoral students in environmental science for the fall 2023 entering class. The post-graduate degrees supplement the recently approved bachelor’s degree in sustainability science.

Housed in the James H. Oliver, Jr., Institute for Coastal Plain Science, every department in the college will play a role in this interdisciplinary trio of programs.

The first M.S. degrees are expected to be awarded in spring 2024, with the first Ph.D. degrees likely to be conferred in spring 2027.

Will Lynch, Ph.D., COSM interim dean, believes this will provide students with the opportunity to grow and discover academically and perform cutting-edge research that will have a major impact on the environmental vitality of the southeast and the Georgia coast as well as many other areas of environmental significance.

“There are a number of opportunities for students to study water, land, ecosystem, and ocean dynamics, but also to contribute to the effective management and long-term resiliency of our coastal plain and environment,” he said. “These are the type of focal areas that the research will be tied around, but certainly other areas, such as green sciences, sustainability issues and improved recycling and reclamation methods, will also become part of the programs.”

Research opportunities are available for students in the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. The doctoral program also provides opportunities for teaching and research assistant positions, which are dependent on funding.

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With a degree in this field, alumni would qualify for a variety of roles within different government agencies as well as the private sector. Lynch says there’s growing demand for skills such as problem-solving, creativity, innovation and critical thinking, each of which is embedded in the programs.

“Globally, there’s a renewed and urgent interest in solving environmental problems related to changing world,” Lynch said. “The metrics show science shifting from the traditional science disciplines toward interdisciplinary programs that provide students with the scientific knowledge from multiple disciplines as well as the opportunity to engage with a team that is tackling a global issue as part of a multifaceted team.”

Jobs in the green sector have been exploding over the past decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professions in soil and plant sciences and green technologies are expected to be among the fastest growing sectors of the economy over the next 10 years.

Recruiting for these new programs has already begun, and there is flexibility for students to find their path to their degree.

“If your interest resides in the STEM disciplines and the environment, there’s a place for you as a member of these programs,” he said. “It’s built very flexible for the students’ interests to be addressed through the coursework and/or research. That’s the beauty of this program.”

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Beulah Narendrapurapu, Ph.D., Receives USG Award: 2023 Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award Beulah Narendrapurapu, Ph.D., lecturer in Georgia Southern University’s Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics in the College of Science and Mathematics, received the 2023 Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award presented by the University System of Georgia (USG).

This prestigious award recognizes faculty for their contributions to their institution and fields of study along with their commitment to teaching and student success.

“I felt honored to have been present with other accomplished award recipients and distinguished guests to receive the award,” Narendrapurapu said. “Personally, it is a great encouragement to see my efforts being recognized. I want to thank God, all my family, friends, colleagues, the Faculty Center and library professionals at Georgia Southern University for their support.”

Narendrapurapu has been teaching chemistry at Georgia Southern since 2013 and conducts STEM education research. Her focus is on designing animations for chemistry concepts and designing affordable textbook materials and resources for increasing success in chemistry courses.

Narendrapurapu and six other faculty members from across the state were honored at the annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala hosted by the USG Foundation.

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VISIT US ONLINE AT GEORGIASOUTHERN.EDU/COSM