Meadows, professor of anthropology and Native American studies at Missouri State University, works with many Native American tribes and cultures. He also studies Japan. From a military family, early in his career he became interested with the military experience of indigenous peoples. As he unearthed more about the ceremonies, music and art associated with these veterans, … [Read more...] about Code talking: Shining a light on war-time heroes
If you ask Dr. David Claborn, you’ll learn they have more influence than you think. Disruption of land affects inhabitants’ health Throughout his career, Claborn, director of the Master of Public Health program at Missouri State University, has studied the public health implications of disrupted environments, which are land or populations damaged by disasters. They create … [Read more...] about Going viral: Surveying the risk of transmitting disease
Runway models, social media influencers, pageant queens, celebrities and even Barbie purport these troubling ideals. They are almost unequivocally identified as beautiful, as evidenced by the money we spend and who we choose to idolize. You can also see young girls internalizing these standards as cheerleaders scrutinize their bodies, wear revealing uniforms and undergo … [Read more...] about Changing the look
Wandering and bolting are both considered eloping – a term used for leaving an area without permission. It’s a problem behavior, especially for children with autism. That’s why Dr. Megan Boyle, associate professor of special education at Missouri State University, researches the whys behind this largely understudied behavior. She’s a board-certified behavior analyst, runs … [Read more...] about Improving the lives of kids with autism
Dr. Carrisa Hoelscher, director of graduate communication studies at Missouri State University, sets her target on competent communication to help others improve their skills. This includes finding ways to improve both effectiveness and appropriateness. Being effective and appropriate can feel like they are at odds sometimes. This creates tension — Hoelscher’s research … [Read more...] about Aim for competent communication in collaboration
"When a house falls into a sinkhole, neighbors clamor for information. They ask if their house is next," said Dr. Doug Gouzie, geology professor at Missouri State University. "It's unimaginable and devastating, but I think they might not really want the answer to that question." Gouzie studies land formations, like sinkholes, and how water forms them. "Your house being … [Read more...] about Sinking suspicions: Predicting future disasters
Lockenvitz, assistant professor of speech-language pathology, studies the life experiences of those with a persistent lisp. “Something as minor as a childhood scar, acne or body odor can affect your self-confidence. A lisp can, too,” she said. She started her career studying how to transcribe and articulate certain sounds. It was a very black and white, quantitative … [Read more...] about Living with a Lisp
These questions drive Dr. Jake Simmons' work. He researches the experiences of students of color on college campuses. His goal is to improve diversity and inclusion programs. “It's important to create safe spaces to share experiences," Simmons said. "It's important to students and to the fabric of a university." As the graduate studies director in the communication … [Read more...] about Making space for everyone
Our lives are full of connections. You see someone you know in the grocery store two aisles over. What's the quickest way to get to them? Your parents live 2,000 miles away. There are no direct flights. Which flight has fewer layovers? Connections are rarely as easy as point A to point B. There are stops along the way, twists, turns and sometimes you may even get … [Read more...] about Looking for connections
But Dr. Brooks Blevins, the Noel Boyd professor of Ozarks studies, works to change these misconceptions through his research. He pores over countless materials about the Ozarks and conducts oral histories to provide a truer picture of the area and the people who live here. A lifelong Ozarker, Blevins grew up on his family farm in rural Arkansas. He always loved history. When … [Read more...] about Ozarks history through a realistic lens
Dr. Stanley Leasure’s work may give you one more thing to consider when you sign an employment contract or read the employee handbook. What happens when something goes wrong? Probably no more than five percent of the lawyers teaching at law school have anywhere near 25 years experience. "Many big companies want to limit your ability to sue them – of course they do,” Leasure … [Read more...] about Influencing the future of arbitration
She was referring to Maxine Hong Kingston’s 1977 book “The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts.” Moser, an expert on Kingston’s work, recently edited a collection of essays that commemorated the 40th anniversary of its publication. With co-editor Dr. Kathryn West, Moser curated a diverse set of interpretations of this famous book. “The essays focus on … [Read more...] about Warriors
Dr. Billie Follensbee, an art historian and archaeologist who specializes in ancient Mesoamerica, has spent years illuminating a fundamental aspect of humanity in artifacts from the Olmec civilization, which once thrived along the Gulf Coast of present-day Mexico. Olmec civilization is famous for dramatic, blocky sculptures that often appear androgynous. Follensbee says, … [Read more...] about Past, present and power
Wait, professor of biology, studies how plants respond to environmental variation. It’s been his focus for 20 years. "We learn about how fire, temperature and light affect physiological processes – like photosynthesis," said Wait. "And ultimately we can show how multiple factors affect not just this tree, but an entire forest or the whole ecosystem." Nanoparticles His … [Read more...] about Read the leaves: How plants respond to the world
Known as returnable transport items (RTIs), these unsung heroes of the supply chain allow businesses to move goods efficiently and sustainably. While these plain looking containers may seem worthless, they are valuable reusable assets that hurt a company’s profits if they are lost, stolen or damaged. “Imagine a large brewery that distributes millions of kegs a year. If they … [Read more...] about Delving into the science of tracking