Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University Assistant Police Chief Brian Locke, second from left, recently congratulated MSUPD officers Tyler Hawkins, left, Deveair Salter, and William Bowling on their graduation from the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy, an 11-week program which instructs new police recruits in areas such as defense tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle and patrol operations, investigative procedures and more. The three also brought home several awards, with Bowling receiving the Top Cop, Physical Fitness and Platoon Awards; Hawkins, the Academic Award; and Salter, the Squad Award.

Taebi developing new, affordable detection and monitoring methods for cardiovascular disease
A Mississippi State University researcher is developing new, more affordable methods for early detection and monitoring of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. Amirtahà Taebi, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, is using the human body’s vibrations to develop noninvasive diagnosis methods for cardiovascular disease using smartphones and low-cost sensors with a focus on health equity in the Taebi Lab at MSU. Work in the lab is directed toward low-income populations and underrepresented minorities, those usually more affected. “One American dies from a cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds,” Taebi said.

CSE’s Chen co-authors machine learning book
Mississippi State University's Zhiqian Chen, an assistant professor in the Bagley College of Engineering's Department of Computer Science and Engineering, has co-authored Machine Learning for Computer Scientists and Data Analysts—From an Applied Perspective. The book is a comprehensive guide that introduces readers to the theoretical aspects of machine learning (ML) algorithms. It starts from simple neuron basics and progresses to complex neural networks, including generative adversarial neural networks and graph convolution networks. The book not only helps readers understand the concepts of ML algorithms but also equips them with the skills necessary to choose an apt ML algorithm for a problem they wish to solve.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Hannah Howell
Born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, Hannah Howell has always cheered for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, so when she started her job at the university in November 2022, she felt right at home. “They have welcomed me with open arms since day one, and I am so thankful to be here,” said Howell. “Mississippi State is a great place to work, and I’m so fortunate for this opportunity.” As the administrative assistant in the department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion within the MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Howell wears many hats. From planning events and workshops to supervising student workers, her contributions help those around her thrive.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Clarissa Balbalian
Just like people, plants get sick occasionally, and when they do, some end up at the Mississippi Plant Diagnostic Laboratory or MPDL. The lab, affiliated with Mississippi State University Extension, protects the health and productivity of agriculture through plant disease screening, diagnosis and management recommendations. “I like to think of us as an urgent care for plants,” said Clarissa Balbalian, plant pathologist and director of the lab. “Mississippi is hot and humid and plant pathogens like hot humid weather, so there’s an opportunity for plant disease. We’re an agrarian state, so I’m able to see and treat a lot of neat things.”

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With campaigning for elected offices underway this year, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity. MSU employees are encouraged to review OP 01.14: Political Activities in its entirety and to understand their rights and responsibilities.

2024 Research Award nomination window open through May 10
Nominations for MSU's 2024 Research Awards, sponsored by the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, are open through May 10. These awards exemplify MSU's impact and commitment to excellence in research and innovation across a diverse array of disciplines. The Research Awards seek to honor outstanding achievement in the following categories: Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award, Mid-Career Research Scholar Award, Emerging Research Scholar Award, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, Research Professional Award and Research Support Award.

Funding opportunity: Fish Innovation Lab request for applications
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, managed by the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security affiliated with the College of Veterinary Medicine, requests concept notes due by 5 p.m. Eastern U.S. time on May 15, 2024, showcasing proposed research to alleviate poverty and improve nutrition, especially for marginalized populations, through the reliable and inclusive provision of nutrient-rich fish and other aquatic foods. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Fish Innovation Lab supports Feed the Future's mission to break the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger in partner countries.

Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.

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School of Human Sciences announces Worthy as new director
A dynamic educator and well-respected researcher who has spent her career as a Bulldog trades red and black for a return to maroon and white. Sheri Worthy is the new director of the Mississippi State School of Human Sciences, effective July 1, 2024. “Our faculty, staff and students in the School of Human Sciences are dedicated to improving the lives of people across the lifespan,” said Scott Willard, dean of the MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. “Dr. Worthy’s prior experience working with the School of Human Sciences faculty, her recent assignment to lead teaching efforts in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences and her research to improve consumer health and wellbeing make her well-equipped to lead the school.”

MSU-Meridian receives grants from The Bower Foundation to boost student recruitment
Delivering on its mission to advance and strengthen Mississippi’s health care workforce, Mississippi State University-Meridian is bolstering student recruitment in two significant degree programs with funding from The Bower Foundation in Ridgeland. The Bower Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded more than $770,000 in health care education grants to MSU-Meridian’s Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Science in Nursing programs. MSU-Meridian Associate Vice President and Head of Campus Terry Dale Cruse said the grant marks MSU-Meridian’s first gift from The Bower Foundation. “This gift fortifies our recruitment efforts, better empowering us to inspire and attract students to enter professional programs of impactful community contribution,” Cruse said.

National Broadcast Historian Award presented to Likes
Terry Likes, head of Mississippi State’s Department of Communication, is the winner of the national 2024 Broadcast Historian Award from the Library of American Broadcasting’s Foundation, in conjunction with the Broadcast Education Association. Established in 2015, LABF and BEA developed the annual award to recognize an educator who has produced a documentary or multimedia project specifically related to broadcast or media history. Likes received the $2,500 award for his audio production “Sharing a Laugh: The impact of popular culture on the White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” which was produced and aired on WMSV-FM, MSU’s radio station. Additionally, Likes won Best of Competition for the same production at the BEA Festival of Media Arts earlier this spring and was recognized by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters for the documentary last year.

Merivaki explores election trust, access through Democracy Renewal Project research funding
A Mississippi State political scientist is among the inaugural slate of researchers granted funding through nonprofit Public Agenda’s Democracy Renewal Project aimed at exploring and strengthening voter trust and experience as the country moves toward the 2024 presidential election. Thessalia Merivaki, an MSU associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, is using the grant to build a publicly available database of election officials’ social media communications. She is collaborating with Connecticut College Assistant Professor Mara Suttmann-Lea, in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship’s Algorithmic Transparency Institute. The database will be a resource for election officials, researchers, advocates and policymakers.

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