Health and Human Services News

Stellar staff

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We are pleased to recognize academic administrative assistants Tammy Shelton and Missi Lafarlette. Shelton works in the School of Nursing and Lafarlette works in the department of public health and sports medicine. 

Let’s learn more about them! 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

Shelton: I recently moved from the Kansas City metro area (a small town south of the city called Harrisonville, Missouri) when my husband returned to Springfield for his work.

Lafarlette: I’ve always known it was a great place to work.

What is your favorite memory here so far? 

Shelton: I love walking around the campus, especially in the fall. MSU has beautiful trees and landscaping, as well as buildings (both really old and some brand new) that are designed so interestingly. You can’t beat a beautiful fall day with leaves swirling and the crisp air blowing as you walk back from the Plaster Student Union. 

Lafarlette: My favorite memory has been volunteering for the United Way Day of Caring as a staff senator for the public affairs committee. Working at the Midtown Springfield Community Garden was very fulfilling. We learned the purpose of the gardens. We packaged freshly made fruit rollups for children’s programs. They explained that they donate veggies to local food banks and grow seeds for the public library’s giveaway. Did you know you can check out seeds at the library? It was very memorable and a great group of people to work with. 

Learn more about the department of public health and sports medicine 

What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods? 

Shelton: Pecan pie. My husband makes the best pie EVER! He worked his way through school as a baker for the Heritage Cafeteria here in Springfield (before it closed down). Pecan is his specialty! 

Lafarlette: Pie, any kind of pie. 

Where are you from? 

Shelton: I grew up in Springfield, graduating from Parkview High School. My family moved around some. I received my bachelor’s degree in communication science disorders from the University of Texas at Austin.

Lafarlette: I’m a local. I was raised in Fair Grove, but now live in Ash Grove. 

What are you most thankful for? 

Shelton: My family. We’re blessed to have two wonderful kids (twin boys) who have grown up into amazing men, married sweet wives and had great kids of their own.

Lafarlette: The health and wellbeing of my family of course. I’ve worked with some wonderful people during my time here and got to know people all over campus. MCHHS staff and faculty are the best. It’s a fun place to work. 

How many years have you been at Missouri State? 

Shelton: I started working at MSU in July of this year, but I’m an alumna from the SMSU (Southwest Missouri State University) days. I graduated with my master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders back in 1994.

Lafarlette: As of October, I’ve been at Missouri State for eight years.  

What’s your favorite part about working here? 

Shelton: I love supporting students who are pursuing their dreams to help others.  The School of Nursing has great people who are all committed to making this world better!

Lafarlette: We have some awesome students, and working with them is the best. Helping and encouraging them to reach their goals is very fulfilling.  

Learn more about the School of Nursing  

 

Faculty fan-favorites

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We are pleased to recognize assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders, Dr. Bonnie Slavych. 

Let’s learn more about her! 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

Missouri State University has a reputation for supporting both teaching and research.  

When a tenure-track faculty position opened in the communication sciences and disorders department, I was excited to apply.  

My family and I have vacationed in the Branson area for the past 10 years and we have lived here for a year now. We bought a home a few months after arriving because we had confidence that this is where we should be!   

Where are you from? 

My hometown is Nashville, Arkansas. I was in the military early in my life, so I’ve lived abroad and in a few states around the nation. I studied speech-language pathology and practiced as a speech-language pathologist in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.   

How many years have you been at Missouri State? 

I began teaching at MSU in August 2022.   

What’s your favorite part about working here? 

I greatly appreciate Dr. Alana Mantie-Kozlowski’s support for my research endeavors. I also value the interactions with my students. 

At my previous institution, which was primarily focused on teaching, there was little to no support for research.  

Although MSU is known as a “teaching” institution, it provides ample support for research. I find I have more time to focus on my course content, enhance previous sessions and undertake research studies related to learning, compared to my prior workplace where research support was absent. 

What is your favorite memory here so far? 

Being new to MSU, my experiences here are relatively few. 

Most of my energy has been directed toward adapting to the unique dynamics of the place and familiarizing myself with my colleagues, departmental expectations and university expectations. Yet, if I were to pinpoint a standout memory, it would be the day I recognized I could complete my tasks during regular work hours. In the four years before joining MSU, my research often spilled into evenings and weekends.  With MSU’s commendable balance of research and teaching support, I’ve managed to regain some personal time.  

While I occasionally work during off-hours, I no longer feel constantly behind. The most liberating moment was a Saturday this last spring. I spent the entire day with my family, laptop-free and without any lingering anxiety about pending work. 

What are your favorite fall activities or traditions? 

Fall is undoubtedly my most favorite season!  

It’s not just the refreshing chill in the air or the feel of crisp mornings; it’s the warmth of apple cider sipped from a mug, the joy of handing out candy to goblins and ghosts, the aroma of ham and turkey mingling with the laughter of friends and family.  

As we dress the tree, the conversation with my kids about the surprises for which they most hope … these moments make the season for me. 

Learn more about the department of communication sciences and disorders  

MSU alumna thrives at Massachusetts General Hospital

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Studying cell and molecular biology and graduating with her bachelor’s degree in May 2021 and her master’s degree in August 2022 from Missouri State University, Emma Wise has only continued to move onward and upward.  

Positive MoState memories 

For the first few years of college, Wise was a flute and piccolo player for the MSU Pride Marching Band. She had a wonderful experience and met a lot of great people through the music program.

In her free time and while studying, Wise loved to spend time on campus.

“I always enjoyed the fountain and the hammock stations. One of my all-time favorite spots to relax was behind the Plaster Student Union, especially in the spring when the trees are in bloom.”  

Oodles of hands-on research 

Because MSU allows undergraduate students to participate in research, Wise learned proper lab etiquette, how to operate complex equipment and how to properly analyze results. 

Wise started volunteering in Dr. Amy Hulme’s lab in 2019 where they investigated the early steps of HIV-1 replication. Wise continued this research when she transitioned to working on her master’s degree — finally completing her thesis on how the cellular factor Cyclophilin-A interacts with HIV-1.

“Missouri State fully prepared me for my current position,” she said. “Participating in real research early on in my academic career helped me gain the skills I use every day in my current profession.”   

Wise working on cell cultures in a laminar hood.

Life in the Anderson Lab  

Wise now works for the Wellman Center of Photomedicine in the Anderson Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Her focus is on how lasers and light can help the body.  

The lab’s current project involves studying how specific wavelengths of red light can affect muscle endurance. To do this, Wise treats muscle cells with light and then ‘exercises’ them using electric pulse stimulation to make them contract.   

After the exercise regimen, she analyzes different cellular byproducts, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or lactate, to see what effect the light has on exercising cells.  

Recently, red light therapy is being considered for patients to help with blood flow and skin conditions, as well as to relieve muscle pain. Wise loves learning exactly how this light can affect the body at a cellular level.

“I’m enjoying my time at MGH and learning a lot from the Anderson Lab, as well as the other labs at the Wellman Center.”

Wise hopes to continue her education and become a research fellow — that way she can conduct her own research on any topic. For the time being, she’s content with exploring the research world and learning more about cell biology.

Explore the biomedical sciences program

Stellar staff 

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We are pleased to recognize academic advisors/retention specialists Emma Watkins and Julie Jones.  

Watkins advises undergraduate students with majors within the departments of biomedical sciences, kinesiology and public health and sports medicine, while Jones advises majors in the School of Nursing and the School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences. 

Let’s find out more about them. 

What is your favorite part about working here?    

Watkins: Being surrounded by an incredible team at MCHHS, the students, and, of course, being able to enjoy the bear sauce in the dining halls once more. 

Jones: The MCHHS advising team is my favorite part of working at MSU and a close second would be our student body.  This team has been incredibly supportive and a joy to work with.  I love the cohesiveness of my co-workers, as well as the camaraderie they have on a personal level. 

What brought you to Missouri State? 

Watkins: As an alumna, I deeply valued MCHHS for providing me guidance during my undergraduate years. In addition to the supportive community and opportunities for personal development, I felt a strong urge to give back. I hope to provide current students with the same level of support I received. 

Jones: MSU has a strong community presence and I’ve had many family members who are alumni. I’ve worked in higher education for over a dozen years and academic advising has been something I’ve always been interested in pursuing. I always thought it was parallel to my other experiences. When this position opened, I was excited to learn more about it. 

Where are you from? 

Watkins: I’m from Dittmer, Missouri (about an hour south of St. Louis). 

Jones: I’m originally from Stockton, Missouri. I lived in Kansas City for about three years, but otherwise I’m an Ozarks native. I lived in Nixa for 23 years and I’m an avid Nixa Eagles fan! 

How long have you been at Missouri State? 

Watkins: I’ve been at Missouri State for two months as of Sept. 5.  

Jones: I’ve been here for two months too. 

What are you most looking forward to this school year? 

Watkins: Building connections with students and being an active member of the community. 

Jones: I’m excited to keep learning nuances of the programs I advise and getting to know my students.  I’m eager to have one year of MSU experience under my belt so I can be more comfortable knowing what to expect and have a broader knowledge of the college.  

What is your favorite memory here so far? 

Watkins: Welcoming residence hall students to campus and handing out goodies during House Calls. 

Jones: Briefly participating in SOAR. I primarily observed the other advisors, but I enjoyed watching the enthusiasm of the incoming freshmen.  I hope to have many more “favorite memories” in the coming years! 

Learn more about MCHHS