Kamran Kardel, Ph.D., associate professor of manufacturing engineering in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, is leading a multidisciplinary research team to help regional logistics companies increase efficiency.

Funded through the college鈥檚 Remotely Operated Warehouse Services (ROWS) Laboratory, with seed money from , the team is composed of Kardel, Ryan Florin, Ph.D, assistant professor of computer science and students. 

Kardel and his team are using the software to build simulations, known as 鈥渄igital twins,鈥� that replicate warehouse operations like picking, packing and shipping. The ROWS Laboratory will serve as a development site, allowing the simulations to be thoroughly tested and validated before being presented to third parties.  

To ensure optimal accuracy and responsiveness, the simulations will include IoT data. The IoT refers to a network of physical devices located within and around the warehouse, such as mobile robots, sensors and cameras, that collect and share real-time data over the internet.

The ultimate goal is to provide industry partners with simulation capabilities using AnyLogic Software and Internet of Things (IoT) integration.

This industry collaboration also provides important professional development for the students working on the project. 

鈥淚 have a few students, both undergraduate and graduate, who are going to be involved in this project from beginning to end,鈥� said Kardel. 鈥淪everal of them have mentioned to me that this is their first time with direct access to the industry and potential employers.鈥�

Continuing the theme of collaboration, the project could result in shared postdoctoral positions with Ireland鈥檚 South East Technological University in its . While still in its early stages, Kardel hopes this partnership will give this research an even larger scope.

鈥淭he Lean Industry 4.0 Lab has a lot of experience in IoT,鈥� Kardel explained. 鈥淏y joining Ph.D. programs, hopefully we can work together and improve logistics here in our region and in Ireland.鈥�

Ultimately, Kardel hopes this research can give companies a leg up in an increasingly digitized world.

鈥淎s far as automation, for companies in southeast Georgia and South Carolina, I would say it鈥檚 becoming more common,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 still a mixed bag, though some warehouses are fully automated, some are not. The work we are doing can help companies remain competitive.鈥�

Twelve outstanding active faculty members from 秋葵视频 were featured on . This annual list features scientists whose work has had the highest citation count and citation impact in their fields within a given year.

This year鈥檚 Georgia Southern honorees represent a diverse range of disciplines, from physics and chemistry to epidemiology and business. Ten of the 12 faculty members were also featured on last year鈥檚 list. 

Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D, P.G., is among them and takes pride in seeing so many familiar names, and a couple of new ones, included. 

鈥淪eeing names from so many different disciplines, both old and new, speaks volumes about our growth and consistency,鈥� said Weindorf. 鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful for these faculty who relentlessly pursue excellence and truly embody growing ourselves to grow others in research.鈥�

The complete list of Georgia Southern faculty featured includes the following:

Xiao-jun Wang, Ph.D., professor of physics, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淢y work centers on creating advanced luminescent materials for energy-efficient lighting and sensing technologies,鈥� Wang explained. 鈥淲hat drives me is the excitement of uncovering how materials behave 鈥� and finding logical, scientific explanations for what we observe.鈥� He added that he has always loved Albert Einstein鈥檚 quote, 鈥淭he most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.鈥� . 

Arda Yenipazarli, Ph.D., professor of operations management, Parker College of Business

鈥淚鈥檝e always been drawn to complex, high-stakes corporate scenarios where decisions leave lasting societal and environmental footprints,鈥� said Yenipazarli. 鈥淢y research helps firms make more strategic, profitable and responsible choices about their supply chains and operations鈥搃n environments defined by volatility, competition, regulation and shifting market forces. I believe that thoughtful, analytically grounded research can empower better decisions and drive meaningful, lasting impact鈥揻or business, for society, and for the planet.鈥� .

Allen Amason, Ph.D., professor of management, Parker College of Business

鈥淚 study the connections between strategy, strategic decision-making and organizational performance,鈥� Amason explained. 鈥淚 wanted to understand why some firms succeed where others do not. My motivation remains the same today as it was then 鈥� to help organizations and managers perform better.鈥� .

Isaac Chun-Hai Fung, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

鈥淚t is my great privilege to work with a network of excellent students, colleagues and collaborators,鈥� Fung said. 鈥淲e study how to mitigate the impact of epidemics on human societies and harness the advances of digital technologies to promote health.鈥� .

Lance Durden, Ph.D, professor emeritus of biology, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淚 study ectoparasites (lice, fleas, ticks and parasitic mites) of humans and animals, including species of medical and veterinary importance and the pathogens they can transmit,鈥� said Durden. 鈥淚 have authored about 400 peer-reviewed publications, including eight books or monographs and 29 invited book chapters. I am currently working on the 4th edition of a widely used textbook in North America and Europe entitled Medical and Veterinary Entomology and am driven by a fascination with the natural world and a desire to improve human and animal health.” .

David C. Weindorf, Ph.D, P.G., vice president for research and economic development, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淚 study and classify soils to better understand how we can use and protect them,鈥� Weindorf said. 鈥� My research is mostly centered on applications for proximal and remote sensors for soil characterization; I鈥檝e been involved in everything from taxonomic soil classification to environmental soil science and disaster response work, ensuring that soil is safe and healthy. What drives me is helping people help the land 鈥� because a healthy world starts with healthy soil.鈥� .

Jos茅 A. Jim茅nez, Ph.D., assistant professor of physical and materials chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淢y research interests are mainly in glass science, nanomaterials, optical materials, thin films, and energy-relevant materials such as solar cells and Li-ion batteries鈥�, Jim茅nez noted. 鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about learning through experimentation and gaining insights into the physical principles that explain material properties.鈥� .

Masoud Davari, Ph.D., interim associate dean for research and professor of electrical and computer engineering, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing

鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about innovating power and energy systems,鈥� Davari shared. 鈥淢y research focuses on designing control methods based on artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning to enhance performance under challenging conditions and on developing resilient-by-design systems to strengthen cybersecurity. The National Science Foundation has continuously supported this research through multiple projects totaling nearly $1.2 million.鈥� .

Haijun Gong, Ph.D., associate professor of manufacturing engineering, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing

鈥淢y research focuses on 3D printing metals and high-performance polymers for lightweight design and optimization,鈥� Gong said. 鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about advancing cost-effective additive manufacturing technologies and materials that drive the next generation of advanced manufacturing.鈥� .

Dmitry Apanaskevich, Ph.D., professor of biology and entomology, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淢y major research interest is the systematics of hard ticks (family Ixodidae),鈥� Apanaskevich said. 鈥淭his includes their taxonomy, phylogenetics, host-parasite relationships and geographic distribution. I love discovering new species and solving complex, often confusing questions along the way. That鈥檚 what drives my passion.鈥� .

Bryan Riemann, Ph.D., professor of sports medicine, Waters College of Health Professions

鈥淢y research examines how biomechanical and neuromuscular factors shape human movement, with the goal of improving performance and developing more effective approaches for injury prevention and rehabilitation,鈥� Riemann explained. 鈥淭his work spans diverse populations, including both trained and untrained, across the lifespan.鈥�

The late James E. Keirans, Ph.D, former curator of the U.S. National Tick Collection at the Institute of Arthropodology and Parasitology at 秋葵视频

Keirans earned his doctorate in medical entomology in 1966 and devoted his career to the study of ectoparasites. He became one of the world鈥檚 foremost experts on tick biology and taxonomy. In 1990, he became curator of the U.S. National Tick Collection at the then newly formed Institute of Arthropodology and Parasitology at Georgia Southern in Statesboro. He retired in 2005. .

鈥淪ee a gap, fill a gap.鈥� That鈥檚 how Jeffrey Klibert, Ph.D., associate director of clinical training in 秋葵视频鈥檚 Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), described the inspiration behind a project designed to extend behavioral health services in rural areas.

Filling gaps is something Klibert said has always been a challenge in behavioral health care. This challenge became steeper in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淲hen COVID hit, we saw some really alarming rates of people seeking services, and there just weren鈥檛 enough providers to meet that need,鈥� Klibert said. 鈥淲e saw waitlists that were six months, eight months, sometimes a year long.鈥�

Waitlists of this length are a common occurrence in Georgia鈥檚 rural areas, where resources are scarce and reported health outcomes are among the worst in the state.

Klibert, along with colleagues Lindsey Stone, Ph.D., and Thresha Yancey, Ph.D., and students, is working to improve the situation across 14 rural counties in Georgia, thanks to the renewal of a research and training grant from the .

Stone and Yancey will supervise the trainees, while Klibert will oversee the entire program.

The grant enables quantitative and qualitative research to increase access to behavioral health care in rural areas, while also providing Georgia Southern鈥檚 fourth-year PsyD students with hands-on training through local care providers. The ultimate goal is to develop more efficient and effective models for interprofessional, team-based care in areas of the state where it is most needed.

鈥淓verybody sees the need. We just need the glue to link everybody together,鈥� Klibert said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what the program is trying to be. It鈥檚 trying to build those bridges to create a more comprehensive system of care.鈥�

Students will provide a range of services in collaboration with local care providers, including psychological assessments and therapy for individuals and families.

Alex Cudd, a fourth-year PsyD student who joined the program in August, calls the experience 鈥渋nvaluable鈥� and hopes to join the 94% of program alumni who currently provide care in rural settings.

鈥淚n just a few months, I鈥檝e learned so much about providing well-rounded care,鈥� Cudd said. 鈥淚 know I鈥檒l carry this training into my career.鈥�

, a resiliency- and recovery-based behavioral health agency serving Bulloch, Candler and Emanuel counties, is among the local providers partnering with Georgia Southern.

鈥淎ll the interns we鈥檝e had from Georgia Southern understand the concept of recovery, are trauma-informed and very effective at delivering services,鈥� said CPGA CEO David Crooke. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been mutually beneficial. We are helping them further their education, and they quickly become important members of our team due to the breadth and depth of their knowledge.鈥�

Klibert notes that the grant鈥檚 initial four-year term brought significant improvements in local healthcare networks and enhanced communication between providers, something he sees as an investment in lasting success.

鈥淲e鈥檙e doing some exciting stuff, but at the end of the day, we are very aware of making sure what we鈥檙e doing sticks and that we have the resources to continue care after the grant ends,鈥� Klibert said.

When Professor Worlanyo Eric Gato, Ph.D., watches his students walk through the iron gates of Cape Coast Castle for the first time, he doesn鈥檛 say much. He doesn鈥檛 have to.

鈥淭hey feel it,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou can see it in their faces.鈥�

That moment 鈥� walking the same stone floors where generations of enslaved Africans once stood 鈥� is just one of many that define 秋葵视频鈥檚 Study Abroad Program in Ghana, a three-week immersive experience blending public health research, cultural engagement and emotional growth. Led by a multidisciplinary team of faculty from the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), the College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) and the Institute for Water and Health (IWH), the program gives students more than academic insight. It gives them perspective.

Originally founded by the late Evans Afriyie-Gyawu, Ph.D., the Ghana Study Abroad Program has evolved into a high-impact educational model under the direction of JPHCOPH faculty members Bettye Apenteng, Ph.D., and Samuel Opoku, Ph.D., along with Gato. Their shared mission is clear: foster cultural awareness and empower students to address complex global health challenges 鈥� starting with those rooted in Ghana鈥檚 communities.

Real research, real impact

The program’s 2025 cohort took part in a collaborative research project centered on occupational and environmental exposures, particularly in illegal mining zones in Ghana鈥檚 Ashanti Region. Funded by Georgia Southern鈥檚 Internal Seed Funds, the IWH and the Office of Research and Economic Development, the project explored the relationship between water and soil-borne contaminants and chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

鈥淭his wasn鈥檛 a simulation, this was the real thing,鈥� said Nick Guerra, a graduate student studying public health. 鈥淲e were in the field, collecting water samples, interviewing residents and working side by side with Ghanaian students.鈥�

Their findings were sobering. Water samples from community wells revealed contamination by fecal bacteria. Soil tests uncovered dangerously high levels of heavy metals 鈥� arsenic, lead, copper, mercury 鈥� linked to illegal mining activities. And medical surveys showed widespread hypertension, often undiagnosed or untreated.

What made the work even more meaningful was its collaborative nature. Georgia Southern students were paired with their counterparts at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), building not only research teams but friendships.

鈥淲e taught each other,鈥� said Tia Taylor, another graduate student in the public health program. 鈥淲e shared techniques, ideas and stories. They were just as curious about us as we were about them.鈥�

For Gato, the partnerships are central to the program鈥檚 success. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about coming to Ghana and collecting data,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about mutual exchange 鈥� of knowledge, of culture, of purpose.鈥�

Learning beyond the classroom

Beyond the data and research, the students鈥� most lasting lessons often came from unexpected places: dinner tables, prayer circles and dirt roads deep in rural Ghana.

One night, when their van got stuck on an unpaved road, a group of local young men came to the rescue. 

鈥淭here was no tow truck, no roadside assistance,鈥� Gato recalled. 鈥淛ust kindness. The kind of kindness that stays with you.鈥�

Hospitality became a theme. Students dined with host families, learned about traditional dishes and participated in household prayer rituals. They shared laughs, tears and silent moments of awe.

鈥淭hese interactions humanized the experience,鈥� Gato said. 鈥淕hana became more than a destination 鈥� it became a network of relationships.鈥�

Taylor agreed. 

鈥淭heir warmth was overwhelming,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heir faith, constant. It made me want to pray more, to be more grounded. It changed the way I see people 鈥� and myself.鈥�

Cultural immersion meets academic rigor

In classrooms and research sites alike, students embraced a multidisciplinary lens. Their work spanned biochemistry, environmental science and public health 鈥� and was guided by faculty from three academic units. Each stop on the itinerary was carefully chosen, from university campuses to cultural landmarks, to create a holistic picture of health in Ghana.

Aslan, who led the environmental assessment and coordinated teams of students from both KNUST and Georgia Southern during the research leg, carried both personal and scientific aspirations into the study.

鈥淭hirteen years ago, when I began my journey at Georgia Southern as a new faculty member, we launched a water quality and health assessment with the late Dr. Afriyie-Gyawu,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淭hat project produced an impactful research paper with students 鈥� one that still receives high citations today. Now, years later, to be collaborating with an exceptional team of new research partners from KNUST on such a cutting-edge project is beyond exciting. This project is a testament to IWH鈥檚 commitment to advancing global water initiatives, as our center continues to make a meaningful impact in Georgia and around the world.鈥�

For Guerra, that meant recognizing how social and economic conditions shape public health outcomes. 

鈥淪ome of the people we interviewed looked decades older than they were,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t hit me 鈥� poverty and limited access to health care age you.鈥�

Taylor, whose background is in health leadership, said the trip helped her mature both personally and professionally. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to read about global health challenges in a textbook,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 another to sit with someone, hold their hand and ask about their blood pressure.鈥�

Growing the pipeline

The program鈥檚 future is just as ambitious as its present.

In its next phase, the Ghana Study Abroad Program plans to expand its reach to students from Georgia Southern鈥檚 Africana Studies Program and institutions across south Georgia, broadening access to underrepresented populations. New research partnerships with the University of Cape Coast and the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, Ghana, will allow for more geographically diverse studies. The goal, according to Gato, is to build a sustainable pipeline for interdisciplinary, international collaboration.

鈥淭his is more than a trip. It鈥檚 a launchpad,鈥� he said.

With strong institutional support from the Director of the IWH and faculty member within JPHCOPH Asli Aslan, Ph.D., the Dean of JPHCOPH Stuart Tedders, Ph.D., and Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D., the program exemplifies Georgia Southern鈥檚 commitment to global engagement. Even the logistical hiccups 鈥� missed flights, shifting hotel reservations, slow internet 鈥� became part of the learning process.

鈥淲e adapted,鈥� Gato said. 鈥淲e smiled through it. And we came back stronger.鈥�

Advice for other faculty

When asked what he鈥檇 tell faculty thinking about launching their own global experiential learning program, Gato鈥檚 answer is simple: know your 鈥渨hy,鈥� build your team and lead with gratitude.

鈥淟et your local partners lead,鈥� he said. 鈥淟isten more than you speak. And always thank the people who make the experience possible 鈥� from bus drivers to tour guides to the students themselves.鈥�

A lasting legacy

For some, like Taylor, the trip was a connection to ancestral roots. For others, like Guerra, it was a journey into a future career in global health. And for faculty like Gato, it was another step in a long walk toward transformative education 鈥� one that transcends borders, disciplines and expectations.

鈥淓verything we teach in a lecture hall comes alive in Ghana,鈥� he said. 

Caleb Hartshorn, a public history graduate student, has been pursuing his dream job of being a paleontologist for as long as he can remember. However, after taking a brief field school excursion to the desert, he learned one very painful lesson:

鈥淧aleontology mostly happens in the desert, and the desert and I do not get on well,鈥� he quipped. 鈥淭he sand and the sun did an absolute number on me over the course of two weeks, and I realized that was not the program I wanted to do.鈥�

Yet, the Columbus, Georgia, native had no interest in abandoning his dreams. Instead, he sought new ways to seek his passions. He was always fascinated by history, but was fueled by the 鈥渁ha!鈥� moments of discovering history in the field.

That鈥檚 what led him to research at Georgia Southern. Hartshorn and his mentor and professor, , are diving into the fascinating world of maritime archaeology on Ossabaw Island, off the Georgia coast. Hartshorn鈥檚 research, part of his master鈥檚 degree program, focuses on uncovering the history of this island, particularly its 18th and 19th-century past.聽

Hartshorn鈥檚 work includes archaeological surveys, archival research and the development of an ArcGIS Map, which is a geographic information system. The project, conducted in collaboration with the Ossabaw Island Foundation, aims to catalog remnants of the island’s history, including Colonial-era structures and even modern debris. By mapping the locations of these findings, Hartshorn is laying the groundwork for future researchers.

鈥淭he idea is that this map will serve as a springboard for later projects in the area,鈥� he said. 鈥淭en years from now, if somebody else is out there, they can just add on to what’s been put in there.鈥�

One of the highlights of his research, on display in a new exhibit, 鈥淎 Maritime Legacy,鈥� in the Learning Commons on the University鈥檚 Armstrong Campus through May, is the immersive experience of working in a place untouched by human hands for generations. 

This hands-on experience not only deepened his understanding of the island鈥檚 history but also brought history to life in a way that textbooks never could.

鈥淵ou get maybe 20 or 30 feet out into the woods and it looks like no one’s ever been there,鈥� he reminisced. 鈥淛ust a completely empty forest. You’re driving along a little trail, but sometimes there’s no trail, then you’ll take a turn and find a pile of shells. It just looks like a regular pile of shells, but when you look closer, you can see some of them were used as tools by people who were in this same spot two or three thousand years ago just going about their daily lives, walking possibly the same trail you’re walking now. It really puts into perspective just how long this island has been inhabited.鈥�

Knoerl praised Hartshorn鈥檚 dedication, noting his talent for combining fieldwork with meticulous archival research.

鈥淥ssabaw Island is like a lot of the Georgia Sea Islands,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese were enclaves for enslaved communities. There’s so much of Georgia’s history, including the development of the Gullah Geechee culture, that took place on those islands. It’s an understudied area, and so we’re happy to have this opportunity to record and preserve as much of that history as we can to study it and to share that with as many people, because it’s such an amazing part of Georgia’s history.鈥�

For Hartshorn, the experience has been a dream come true, combining his love of history with archaeological exploration. His passion for finding forgotten stories buried in the ground, untouched for centuries, makes his work both meaningful and transformative for Georgia鈥檚 historical narrative.

Cemil Yavas knows firsthand the devastation that earthquakes can bring to communities, which led him to research how to predict the phenomenon for many years. 

鈥淢y interest in earthquake prediction research stems from a deeply personal experience,鈥� Yavas said. 鈥淚 was in Istanbul during the devastating Aug. 17, 1999, earthquake, a disaster that claimed nearly 18,000 lives and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Among those affected were some of my closest friends. The chaos that followed鈥攍imited resources, strained rescue efforts, and the haunting sound of people trapped beneath rubble鈥攍eft a lasting impression on me.鈥�

Cemil Yavas, collaborating with Yiming Ji, Ph.D., Lei Chen, Ph.D., and Christopher Kadlec, Ph.D., faculty and researchers in the Department of Information Technology at the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, has used his personal motivation to build upon previous research and enhance earthquake prediction models.

Using groundbreaking machine-learning algorithms and neural network techniques, they can now predict the highest magnitude of potential earthquakes in Los Angeles from as long as a month out with 97.97% accuracy.

鈥淭he inspiration for this research stemmed from the urgent need to improve earthquake prediction accuracy for seismically active urban areas like Los Angeles,鈥� Yavas said. 鈥淓arthquakes pose significant risks to densely populated regions, impacting public safety, infrastructure and the economy.鈥�

In a joint 2023 report by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, earthquake damage was estimated to cost the U.S. nearly $14.7 billion annually, with California shouldering nearly two-thirds of that burden, at around $9.6 billion annually. 

Yavas and his mentors are optimistic that innovation in prediction techniques, such as machine learning, specifically neural networks 鈥� a program that aims to mimic the human decision-making process 鈥� can mitigate its destructive effects. Using a layered, connected structure similar to the neurons in our brains, the network can detect patterns, weigh options, and arrive at conclusions.

These technologies may not typically be top of mind when studying and predicting earthquakes. According to Ji, seismology was solely the domain of geography and the other earth sciences until recently.

鈥淎t its core, machine learning involves teaching computers to find patterns in data, often revealing insights that may be too subtle or complex for humans to detect easily,鈥� Ji said. 鈥淚n seismology, this means we can analyze vast amounts of earthquake data鈥攆rom ground vibrations to atmospheric conditions鈥攁nd uncover patterns that might hint at when and where future earthquakes are likely to happen. 

鈥淏y feeding seismic data into machine-learning models, we enable these systems to ‘learn’ from past earthquakes and make predictions about the magnitude and likelihood of future seismic events,鈥� Ji continued.

This isn鈥檛 the team鈥檚 first time tackling earthquake prediction. They used similar techniques in previous research and achieved an accuracy rate of 69.14%. Subsequently, their work expanded to include other seismically active sites like Istanbul and San Diego, where their results improved drastically. They scored rates of 91.65% and 98.53%, respectively.

Their years of experience and previous attempts only enhanced their current research.

鈥淥ur team officially came together to focus on this research over the past year, but the journey began much earlier,鈥� Chen said. 鈥淲e each have a substantial background in machine learning. Before starting this project, we independently explored methods for earthquake prediction, gaining insights that ultimately contributed to our collaborative approach. This research represents a culmination of those years of groundwork, enriched by the collective expertise we’ve each brought to the table.鈥�

The project, partially funded by the and supported by the  Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, allowed the foursome to build upon momentum. They adopted a comprehensive data set that included all earthquakes since 2012 and used well-established variables in earthquake prediction. 

Eventually, they developed a feature matrix and evaluated 16 different machine-learning and neural network algorithms for their accuracy in determining the highest magnitude of potential earthquakes within 30 days. The 鈥淩andom Forest鈥� model emerged as the top performer, achieving an accuracy level of 97.97%.

in the multidisciplinary journal Nature.

Though the research is restricted to the Los Angeles area, according to Kadlec, it can potentially improve prediction methods in other areas.

鈥淲hile we trained our initial model on data specific to Los Angeles, the techniques and methodologies we developed are versatile,鈥� Kadlec said. 鈥淲ith localized data鈥攕uch as geological, atmospheric, and seismic information from other regions鈥攐ur model could be adapted and retrained to forecast earthquakes elsewhere.鈥�

He added something indicative of the team鈥檚 larger purpose. 

鈥淯ltimately, our goal is to make machine learning a central tool in earthquake forecasting and to inspire continued advancements in AI applications for natural disaster preparedness worldwide,鈥� Kadlec said. 鈥淭his research is just the beginning, and we hope it motivates others to push even further in developing tools to keep communities safe.鈥�

Growing up in India, Surjith Krishna was intrigued by the tall buildings surrounding him.

鈥淚 had a passion for civil engineering from an early age,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was really fascinated by the tall infrastructure that was in my area. I admired the brains behind those structures.鈥�

Later, Krishna worked as a land surveyor, however, over time, his interests evolved. With a newfound interest in ecology, he moved from looking up at buildings to looking down at water for inspiration.

Globally, two billion people, or 26% of the population, do not have safe drinking water, and there is imminent risk of a global water crisis, according to a 2023 report from UNESCO.

鈥淲ater is becoming one of the most scarce commodities,鈥� he said. 鈥淓verybody needs water to live. Not having clean water causes deadly human diseases like liver damage and skin irritation. This issue has to be eradicated as soon as possible. So that is my primary goal.鈥�

Eutrophication, a major environmental issue, occurs when excessive nutrients in water lead to harmful consequences, including algae blooms. These blooms can result in ecosystem damage, human health issues and increased water treatment costs. 

Krishna, a civil engineering student at 秋葵视频, is part of a team of student researchers funded by a (EPA) to find practical solutions for cleaning water systems. The team is developing a biofilter for water streams which will use algae and other organic elements to absorb these nutrients. 

Krishna鈥檚 involvement, as well as that of many other students, is an aspect of the project that Principal Investigators Kamran Kardel, Ph.D., associate professor of manufacturing engineering in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, and Francisco Cubas Suazo, Ph.D., associate professor of Civil Engineering and Construction, are particularly excited about. 

Cubas Suazo, who teaches a watershed management class, said he and Kardel intentionally designed the project to prioritize student participation.

鈥淚 see a lot of students interested in trying to solve this problem,鈥� said Cubas Suazo. 鈥淚t was very important to us to design this project to involve as many students as possible, both undergraduates and graduates, so that they can take part in a real-world solution. We also have a lot of students living in rural areas who can provide different perspectives to help us inform our approach.鈥� 

The biofilter is a 3D-printed cube with void spaces to promote biofilm growth, allowing algae to flourish and effectively capture phosphorus and nitrogen as runoff water flows through. Though the exact dimensions of the filter are still being finalized, the project has already garnered significant attention for its potential impact on water quality.

鈥淭his biosystem is acting like an agent for us,鈥漵aid Kardel 鈥淭hey can do the phenomenon for us and improve the quality of the water that targets runoff from the urban and agricultural watersheds.鈥�

The use of 3D printing is also garnering attention. Brennen Smith, a construction engineering major preparing to graduate this December, believes that the mainstreaming of 3D printers is a game changer for this industry and many others.

鈥淵ou can make whatever shape you want,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he resources needed are relatively low, the material is pretty cheap and with 3D printers’ axis system, you are able to produce a model to fit any mold. 3D printers have made engineering concepts as a whole easier to produce as models.鈥�

Kardel and Cubas Suazo added that the ease and flexibility of 3D models are especially important in this context because they allow the filter to employ a higher surface area-to-volume ratio. This means more algae can grow in a smaller area, increasing the biofilter鈥檚 efficiency and effectiveness.

鈥淭he idea of 3D printing in manufacturing is not necessarily new, but in the past, maybe the resources weren鈥檛 there to apply it to biofilters,鈥漵aid Kardel. 鈥淲e鈥檝e found that this technology is the only way to maximize that high surface area-to-volume ratio critical to a biofilter鈥檚 success.鈥�

Furthermore, the professors noted that the ease of use afforded by 3D-printed materials will make maintenance and upkeep much easier, preventing the clogging and decay currently seen in biofilters.

Though still in its early stages, Kardel noted that the project could have broader applications for water treatment in urban and rural settings.

The National Science Foundation announced a $2.5 million award supporting 秋葵视频 researchers in addressing high-demand workforce needs in information technology and computer science fields.

The funded project, 鈥淓nabling Lifelong Success in an Information Technology Workforce,鈥� adapts and evaluates evidence-based student support activities within the IT Department, one of the units in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing. The goal of the project is to identify a group of highly qualified students and to render 161 scholarships over a six-year period in an effort to increase student retention and graduation rates.聽

鈥淭his is great news for the IT program at Georgia Southern, and it will provide a positive impact to the surrounding area as businesses鈥� needs for IT professionals increase,鈥� said interim Vice President of Research and Economic Development Chris Curtis, Ph.D.

Georgia Southern Professor and Department of Information Technology Chair Yiming Ji, Ph.D., is taking the lead on the grant, which, he noted, has the potential to have a profound impact on students.

鈥淭his project will train a pool of talented students, especially those with financial needs, and prepare them for successful careers in IT,鈥� said Ji. 鈥淲ith scholarships from the grant, students will have time to focus on studying, instead of having to work to make ends meet. These students will also receive dedicated support, including academic advising, research opportunities, internship and career service and much more. The result is that these students will become confident and have a greater future in IT careers.鈥�

The project involves four researchers, including Lei Chen, Ph.D., (co-PI), professor of IT; Hayden Wimmer, Ph.D., (co-PI), associate professor of IT; Elise Cain, Ph.D., (co-PI), assistant professor of leadership鈥� and Kania Greer, Ed.D., (external evaluator), program coordinator of the Center for STEM education. The project also received support from the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) and the Georgia Southern Office of Research. 

The national and regional demand for computer and IT professionals remains high. 

鈥淭his project will directly benefit our local, regional and national economies,鈥� said CEC Dean Craig Harvey, Ph.D. 鈥淗igh-tech industries are already in and being attracted to the Savannah area, and the locations of 秋葵视频鈥檚 campuses provide unique opportunities to train high-quality computing and IT professionals who are in high demand.鈥�

The Department of Information Technology offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate computer and IT programs at Georgia Southern, in addition to a new Ph.D. program in applied computing. 

This grant is the first of its kind to be received by the IT department. The department hopes that through the use of this grant, they will build stronger partnerships with businesses and federal or state government organizations, among others.

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), awarded 秋葵视频鈥檚 Dongyu Jia, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Biology, a federal grant totaling $426,000 to fill in the gaps of learning the steps of tumor formation at the beginning stages and what initially triggers their epithelial cell shape change before becoming invasive.

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences supports basic research that increases understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

鈥淕eorgia Southern鈥檚 researchers are focused on making a meaningful impact with their innovations and discoveries,鈥� said Vice Provost of Research Christopher Curtis, Ph.D. 鈥淒r. Jia鈥檚 award recognizes him as a leading national scholar in understanding the process of how tumors form and in shaping the scientific pathways to explore early-stage treatments in the future. This is the kind of public impact we strive for.鈥� 

鈥淚 have been working on fruit fly follicular epithelium since I was a graduate student,鈥� said Jia. 鈥淚 became captivated by the molecular events controlling cell fate determination and cell shape changes in the epithelial tissue. At Georgia Southern, our lab is dedicated to understanding the signaling networks involved and linking them to human diseases.鈥�

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2023. Jia鈥檚 and his Department of Biology team鈥檚 research will help scientists understand how tumors are formed in the first place. These findings have the potential to provide a better understanding of the causes of epithelial diseases by examining the process by which tumors are formed.

Jia explained that epithelial tissues are responsible for the protection and regulation of chemicals and hormones in the human body鈥檚 organs. The epithelial cells have three distinct shapes: cuboidal, columnar and squamous. These shapes maintain normal cellular functions. If the shapes change in an abnormal way, it may lead to diseases like tumors. Jia鈥檚 project studies a type of epithelial tissue called follicular epithelium in fruit flies to learn how it changes during development.

There are many different types of follicle cells in the epithelial tissue. For the NIH grant, Jia is particularly interested in a specific type. A squamous cell undergoes a dramatic flattening process, which changes their shape from cuboidal to squamous. Jia has previously found that a specific molecule called “Broad” is important in the process, but there is not a full understanding of how it works. With the support of the NIH grant, Jia plans to further study how cuboidal to squamous shape change is controlled, and what the roles of Broad and other molecules are in the process.

Prior findings have revealed a novel mechanism of squamous cell shape change driven by Broad. Jia is extending his studies by determining the different signaling pathways and the molecular events that control squamous cell shape changes.

Research activities and expenditures at Georgia Southern continue to grow, again validating the University鈥檚 classification as a 鈥渉igh research activity鈥� institution, according to two national organizations.

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has again classified Georgia Southern as an 鈥淩2鈥� institution, which means it is a doctorate-granting university with 鈥渉igh research activity.鈥� Carnegie lists only 139 universities in the country as having achieved this R2 designation.

鈥淲e should all take pride in this classification,鈥� said Carl Reiber, Ph.D., Georgia Southern鈥檚 provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淚t shows that we are a major public impact research institution and that we are competitive on a national and international level. Our competitiveness is being noted by Carnegie, the USG, and other institutions. It is also being recognized by current and future students, alumni, and donors.鈥�

Starting in 1970, the Carnegie Commission developed a classification of colleges and universities to support its program of research and policy analysis. Carnegie Classification is regarded as the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity. Carnegie has designated 141 institutions as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity, or R1.

Part of the reasoning behind Georgia Southern鈥檚 R2 designation is research expenditures. For the fiscal year 2021, Georgia Southern reported $37.2 million in research expenditures to the National Science Foundation鈥檚 Higher Education Research and Development Survey, the primary source of information on research and development expenditures at U.S. colleges and universities. With a new vice provost for research and a new methodology for identifying research expenditures, the $37.2 million provides a new baseline for the university to benchmark progress.

鈥淚’m confident that our research activities will continue to grow,鈥� said Chris Curtis, Ph.D., Georgia Southern鈥檚 vice provost for research. 鈥淲e have gained some significant momentum over the past few years. Our focus on public impact research has allowed us to better leverage our strengths and resources to support our outstanding faculty researchers.鈥�