Dr. Ron Malega, associate professor of geography at Missouri State University, found this to be the case when growing up in metropolitan Detroit. His time spent working as a police officer reinforced the perspective. “Much of my interest in people and places stems from trying to understand this,” Malega said. “I’ve always questioned how could your race or ethnicity make … [Read more...] about Mapping the geography of opportunities
Growing up, Dr. Julia Troche loved watching the History Channel. Documentaries on ancient history particularly fascinated her. So, it was only natural that Troche, an Egyptologist, chose to study history in college. She delved deep into the realm of ancient Egypt and Assyria in graduate school. Over the years, she has visited the region several times to conduct research … [Read more...] about Relating stories of the ancient world
Now, people are developing new languages to discuss common interests on online platforms. Dr. Kewman Lee calls these platforms “global online affinity spaces.” “In these spaces, people with common interests communicate with each other across national borders and linguistic and cultural backgrounds,” Lee said. He is an assistant professor in Missouri State University’s … [Read more...] about The language of a common affinity
The associate professor of biology at Missouri State University makes his research and teaching understandable by comparing scientific processes to items you probably have lying around your house. A garden hose. Bottles of perfume. A paper towel roll. It’s all in the name of working toward a solution that could save people who are born with congenital heart and vascular … [Read more...] about Go with the flow
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
Dr. Elizabeth King, a Missouri State University College of Education professor, researches the learning environments of early childhood students. One area she investigates is how teachers talk about emotions with young children. King believes gender plays a major role in our social-emotional development. “The ways we talk about emotions with young children is affected by … [Read more...] about Our genders, our emotions
Dr. Cameron LaBarr’s goal for his students in Missouri State University’s choral studies program is that they connect so deeply with a performance that it just clicks, that they feel it in their souls. The question that drives his rehearsals, performances and interactions with students is: What actions can cause those special moments and connections to happen? The … [Read more...] about Finding harmony
Sakidja is a professor in the department of physics, astronomy and materials science at Missouri State University, the nation’s only such combined department. Computational materials science uses modeling, simulation, theory and informatics to better understand materials. Sakidja’s research is varied, but his ultimate goal is the same. “Our overall research goal … [Read more...] about Celebrating collaborative research
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
This is a question Dr. Seth Hoelscher poses to his students when he is teaching investments and disclosures. “You’d give money at a better rate to the one you have more information on,” he said. Hoelscher, assistant finance professor at Missouri State University, was working toward his MBA at West Texas A&M University when the financial crisis of 2008 hit. As many … [Read more...] about Reading between the data
This question fuels the research of Dr. Razib Iqbal, associate professor of computer science at Missouri State University. Much of Iqbal's research revolves around multimedia and the Internet of Things, or IoT. What is IoT? It could be anything connected to the internet — from a smart meter and appliances to smart smoke detectors and wearables. These things are capable of … [Read more...] about Humans as sensors: Making technology more intuitive
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
“There’s a myriad tax benefits that are automatically lost the moment someone selects married filing separately,” said Dr. Kerri Tassin, assistant professor of accounting. Individuals forgo the Earned Income Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit, among others, she noted. Inequities like this are of particular interest to … [Read more...] about At the intersection of law and taxes