Dr. Avery Russell, assistant professor of biology, attended the national meeting of the Animal Behavior Society (ABS) in August of 2019 in Chicago. Russell co-hosted a diversity workshop on cultural competency at the meeting. Dr. Cameron Jones and doctoral student Montrai Spikes also led the event. “The goal of the workshop was to increase retention of underrepresented … [Read more...] about Bias as behavior: Understanding cultural competency
Much of modern life relies on synthetic materials. The technology we use every day, like computers and cell phones, contain materials developed through lab research. Dr. Tiglet Besara, assistant professor of physics, is among those leading materials research at Missouri State. His work helps ensure materials develop and advance as needed to keep up with our … [Read more...] about Growing the materials of modern life
Spring-fed ponds are common in the Ozarks. But biologists don’t know much about their plant communities. Dr. La Toya Kissoon-Charles, assistant professor of biology, and biology graduate student Hannah Whaley lead research on the ponds’ plant communities in the local region. About their research Kissoon-Charles and Whaley study aquatic plants in spring-fed … [Read more...] about Diving into aquatic plant research
As drivers, we often think about the safety of our roads. But what about the safety of our engines? Protecting engines starts with refining the petroleum we put into them. Dr. Fei Wang, assistant professor of chemistry, studies how to effectively treat petroleum using a mix of metals. Wang recently received a three-year grant from the American Chemical Society’s … [Read more...] about Fueling research in a new, interdisciplinary direction
Like other living creatures, plants are capable of deceit. Dr. Avery Russell, assistant professor of biology, studies how some plants deceive insects through a process called floral mimicry. About his research In plants that engage in floral mimicry, flowers mimic other flowers to trick insects into pollinating them. The pollen the insects spread fertilizes flowers and … [Read more...] about From ploy to pollination: How flowers plant tricks on bees