Elizabeth Hennessy, Ph.D., from the University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison will headline the next installment of the Georgia Southern Department of Biology鈥檚 Bill Lovejoy Darwin-Lyell Distinguished Lecture Series. Hennessy will address the delicate balance of tourism and conservation in the Gal谩pagos Islands on April 13 at 7 p.m. in the Nessmith Lane Center in Statesboro.

鈥淭here is a certain tension between this ideal of the pristine natural laboratory and the reality of a modern tourism industry on these islands,鈥� Hennessy said. 鈥淗ow do you square those two things together? In some ways, the islands are a case study in sustainability.鈥�

Hennessy hopes that modern audiences see Darwin as more than a figure from history, but as someone whose legacy still holds lessons for how we approach conservation today.

鈥淚n some ways, Gal谩pagos is a parable for the world at large,鈥� said Hennessy. 鈥淗ow do we find a way to live in our modern economic reality while protecting the nature that is so valuable to us?鈥�

Taking lessons from the work of Charles Darwin, who studied the animal species on the Gal谩pagos, and Sir Charles Lyell, and applying them to current topics is a founding principle of the lecture series. Endowed by Bill Lovejoy, Ph.D., a former professor of biology at Georgia Southern who shared a birthday with Darwin and studied historical figures in biological research, the series is part of Lovejoy鈥檚 legacy of encouraging discussion on nuanced topics.

鈥淗e had great respect for Darwin and Lyell and how their work was discussed by others in the field,鈥� noted Georgia Southern Professor of Biology Steve Vives, Ph.D. 鈥淲e look for topics that hit home with students and faculty so they can start their own conversations in that spirit.鈥�

The exchange of ideas and forming future partnerships to address issues is one part Hennessy is most looking forward to on her first trip to Statesboro.

鈥淚’m really curious to hear more about what the people at Georgia Southern are working on and what parts of my work are most interesting to them,鈥� said Hennessy. 鈥淚t’s always fun to think about potential collaborations in the future and to find common themes in our research.”

Romanian lecturer Mihaela Udristioiu, Ph.D. has returned to 快猫app短视 for her second time as a Fulbright research scholar fellow.

“I was always a curious child,” said Udristioiu. “I love questions. The answers we find help us better understand the beauty of nature and the laws that govern our universe.”

That curiosity is what encouraged the Romanian lecturer to apply for the Fulbright research scholar program to work on physics education and environmental science with 快猫app短视 associate professor of physics Dragos Amarie, Ph.D. 

The two first met during a study abroad program in Romania in 2017, during the Science and Culture Study Abroad program. Amarie said the teaching style of Romanian universities was different from what he was used to.  

Udristioiu was especially interested in learning how university faculty in the U.S. engage with their students and create active learning environments.

“How students understand physics is very important to me,” Udristioiu said. “My American colleagues have shown me how much better teaching is when it is interactive and involves students.”

Things are a little different in Romanian universities, she says.  

“Romanian universities teach differently than how we do in the States,” Amarie said. “The lectures are formal, and you’re doomed if you miss a single one.”

“I prefer a more student-centered approach, especially when it comes to teaching difficult science courses,” he explained. “Classes should be interactive. Students should be encouraged to ask their professors questions. Having them engage and question what we teach, that’s how a student learns.”

Udristioiu, impressed by his teaching style, hoped to join Amarie in the States in 2020. COVID-19 had other plans. The study abroad program stopped, but their collaboration continued. Then, in 2022, she was awarded a Fulbright research scholar grant, joining Amarie in the classroom at Georgia Southern. 

“She did such a great job while she was here,” said Amarie. “The Fulbright Romania encouraged Dr. Udristioiu to submit a new application to strengthen the collaboration.” 

That’s why she applied for the Fulbright grant again. She’s back in the states now, working on a research project focused on air pollution monitoring, modelling, making predictions and forecasting. 

“Science crosses borders, and collaboration helps us open new doors to knowledge,” she said.

快猫app短视鈥檚 Armstrong Campus will welcome more than 500 attendees to the Spring Southeastern Sectional Meeting of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) March 28-29. The two-day event in Savannah brings together top experts from across the region for presentations ranging from AI to finance. The annual event provides opportunities for students and faculty alike to explore new topics in math. Department of Mathematical Sciences Chair Tricia Brown, Ph.D., notes that events like this provide the backbone of collaborative work that defines modern mathematical research.

鈥淐ollaboration happens not only during the presentations, but in the questions afterward, the discussions in the hallway over coffee or the proverbial back of the napkin at lunch,鈥� said Brown. 鈥淢athematicians use these times to bounce ideas off each other and propose new avenues of research in a way that is hard to do over email. Conversations that start at the meeting lead to more formal back and forth that produce a final written scholarship.鈥�

Georgia Southern faculty will lead several sessions targeting a wide range of mathematical applications. Brown says her faculty鈥檚 depth of knowledge and enthusiasm to host this event shows what makes Georgia Southern the perfect place to hold such a gathering.

鈥淚t is great that the department is wholeheartedly supporting this event and we are lucky to have such strong researchers in diverse areas of pure and applied mathematics and statistics,鈥� said Brown.鈥�

In addition to the wealth of knowledge the conference presents, Brown believes the spring weather and beauty of the Armstrong Campus make this year鈥檚 event a uniquely engaging event for attendees.

鈥淪avannah is a nice destination city for visitors and the Armstrong Campus is located near the historic downtown as well as convenient to the airport,鈥� said Brown. 鈥淥ur robust facilities can handle the influx of mathematicians with comfort and spring is a great time to enjoy the arboretum.鈥�
A full lineup of presentations as well as registration options are available on the AMS website.

Erica Hillsnipe, senior lecturer of physics in the College of Science and Mathematics鈥� Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics at 快猫app短视, is one of only 16 candidates selected to participate in the in Georgia. The program equips higher education faculty members with the knowledge and skills to leverage the latest technologies and instructional tools to develop innovative teaching strategies for diverse classrooms.

鈥淚 am pretty excited about the opportunity,鈥� Hillsnipe said. 鈥淚 was unsure, at first, if I would have a chance to be part of the program with so many knowledgeable and talented applicants, but I do care a lot about teaching. With support from my colleagues and our Faculty Center, I was honored to be chosen by Georgia Southern as well as the program.鈥�

Each year, GTF selects outstanding higher education faculty members from institutions across Georgia for the program. Hillsnipe鈥檚 dedication to teaching before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic highlights her commitment to creating unique, innovative teaching methods throughout her decade of service to the University. In 2024, Hillsnipe worked with multiple University faculty members to publish research on student learning outcomes in a post-pandemic world,

鈥淭he pandemic was challenging for both students and teachers in the classroom,鈥� Hillsnipe said. 鈥淚t made me rethink the methods I used to help each student understand complex physics topics remotely. However, it also pushed me to continue creating custom teaching strategies for each new group of students every year. I thought, 鈥楬ow can I make a discipline with such an intimidating reputation something palatable and approachable?鈥� and learned how to adapt quickly.鈥�

In addition to publishing student-focused research, Hillsnipe also has been recognized for her teaching excellence at Georgia Southern with the 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award from the College of Science and Mathematics.

Starting September 2026, Hillsnipe looks forward to participating in the GTF program and continuing to build a greater understanding of classroom management and student learning opportunities to better accommodate the University鈥檚 growing student population.

鈥淚 love having a student-centered approach to teaching, and I want to learn more about how instructors are approaching larger classroom sizes without sacrificing that individualized approach to supporting students,鈥� Hillsnipe explained.

Hosted by the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia, GTF unites faculty from across Georgia to redesign frequently taught courses, develop leadership skills and master emerging technologies in their unique fields to enhance their understanding of the classroom.

鈥淚 am thrilled to meet with other faculty members who share my passion for teaching,鈥� Hillsnipe added. 鈥淚 want to keep my future students excited and engaged 鈥� even if there are a lot more of them than there are of me.鈥� 

快猫app短视 Professor of Geography Amy Potter, Ph.D., has been elected president of the (SEDAAG). 

鈥淚n the past, I鈥檝e had the opportunity to serve as treasurer of SEDAAG, vice president, honors chair and Georgia鈥檚 state representative,鈥� Potter explained. 鈥淚t has served me well in terms of my career as an academic. I really look forward to the challenge of beginning this new position with the organization.”

Along with her new role in SEDAAG, Potter was also honored with the Excellence in Research Award for her work documenting historic communities throughout coastal Georgia. Her research has provided valuable insight into overlooked regional geographies. The award is presented annually to outstanding professionals in the field of geography. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to be recognized with such a prestigious award,鈥� said Potter. 鈥淚 was actually nominated by my colleague Derek Alderman, Ph.D., who’s at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and I consider him to be the premier cultural geographer in our field. Derek is also an alumnus of Georgia Southern, so it鈥檚 fantastic to see our alumni thriving in our field.鈥� 

She notes the University has a close connection with the organization as students get real world experience through many of its programs.   

鈥淕eorgia Southern students have quite a legacy at SEDAAG,鈥� Potter said. 鈥淥ur students have won the Geography Bowl twice and have received numerous awards recognizing the quality of their research. Each year, we bring both graduate and undergraduate students to the conference, where they engage with peers from other programs as well as with academics and professionals in the field. They have also gained valuable networking opportunities that have led to research collaborations.鈥� 

Ultimately, Potter hopes her newly elected position will allow her to continue supporting students who are interested in studying and pursuing a career in geography. Focusing on opportunities for her students is the most important part of her job as an educator, she said.

鈥淕eorgia Southern is a special place, it really is,鈥� said Potter. 鈥淭he students are truly the best, and I love teaching them. I genuinely feel energized being surrounded by such brilliant minds.鈥� 

快猫app短视 has entered into an impactful collaboration with Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc., a leading provider of analytical instrumentation, through the Shimadzu Partnership for Academics, Research, and Quality of Life (SPARQ) program. Representatives from 快猫app短视 and Shimadzu announced the partnership after signing the official agreement this week. This strategic partnership will significantly expand the University鈥檚 research capacity, promote cutting-edge scientific exchange, enhance hands-on student learning, and help advance Georgia Southern鈥檚 pursuit of Carnegie R1 research classification.

Under the agreement, Shimadzu will provide state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, in-kind financial support, multi-year service plans, and specialized training and information exchange to support research in environmental science, biomedical science, materials science, and water quality. These instruments are among the highest specifications in their class and will be housed across Georgia Southern鈥檚 advanced research facilities, including within the College of Science and Mathematics, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics, the Institute for Coastal Plain Science, and the Institute for Water and Health. 

鈥淭his partnership provides our faculty and students with access to world-class technology and training, accelerating innovation and discovery across multiple disciplines,鈥� said David Weindorf, Ph.D., Georgia Southern鈥檚 vice president for Research and Economic Development. 鈥淪himadzu鈥檚 commitment to education, experiential learning, and research will help us address some of today鈥檚 most pressing scientific challenges while preparing the next generation of leaders in science.鈥�

In addition to equipment and technical support, Shimadzu will co-sponsor open house events, scientific seminars and symposia- including a Forensic Science Symposium held last September, and student engagement opportunities, including a Summer Research Candidate and Shimadzu Distinguished Professorial Endowment. Faculty and students will also benefit from priority access to emerging technologies and the chance to be among the first in the nation to publish findings using Shimadzu鈥檚 latest equipment innovations.

鈥淕eorgia Southern is doing remarkable work in applied research and their commitment to preparing tomorrow鈥檚 leaders today is best in class. We鈥檙e proud to support their vision and join them on this journey of scientific and academic progress,鈥� said Patrick Fromal, President, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments. 鈥淏y combining our technology with the expertise of their faculty and the energy of their students, we鈥檙e building a foundation for impactful discoveries that improve quality of life.鈥�

The partnership reflects Georgia Southern鈥檚 commitment to expanding its research infrastructure, deepening industry collaborations, securing external private funding, and fostering innovation and student experiential learning. Along with Shimadzu, this partnership was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Georgia Southern鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics, Office of Research and Economic Development, and Office of Business Engagement.

About 快猫app短视
快猫app短视, a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 public university with more than 29,000 students, offers over 140 degree programs at the bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral levels. With campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville, Georgia Southern serves as a catalyst for regional growth while preparing students to lead globally.

About Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI) is the North American subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation鈥檚 Analytical and Measuring Division. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, SSI offers a comprehensive portfolio of analytical and testing solutions for a broad range of applications in science and industry. Through its SPARQ program, SSI partners with academic institutions to enhance research capacity, foster scientific discovery, and educate the next generation of scientists.

A freshman chemistry major from Hinesville, Georgia, Geovanii Pacheco already has his sights set on a career in pharmacy. His ambition is rooted not just in a love for science, but in personal experience.

Growing up, his family spent countless hours navigating prescriptions and insurance coverage for his older brother, Devin, who has autism. During those moments, one pharmacist consistently stood out. This was someone who advocated for his family, helped them through paperwork and made sure Devin got the medication he needed.

鈥淚t really resonated with me,鈥� Pacheco said. 鈥淎s a pharmacist, I’d like to embody what she did for us, for others as well.鈥�

That goal brought Pacheco to 快猫app短视 where he is now supported by the National Science Foundation鈥檚 S-STEM Scholarship Program Award. This is a nearly $2 million grant designed to support Pell-eligible students pursuing degrees in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics, physics or sustainability science. For Pacheco, the program has been nothing short of life-changing.

鈥淚 can say that I鈥檓 not going to college with any financial stress,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 have no money coming out-of-pocket.鈥�

Administered through Georgia Southern鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics, the federally funded program provides last-dollar scholarships that cover remaining costs after Pell Grants and other aid are applied. In addition to financial support, the program pairs students with dedicated faculty mentors and offers structured programming aimed at retention, professional development and long-term success.

Sara Gremillion, Ph.D., professor of biology and principal investigator on the grant, said the goal is to ensure that students don鈥檛 just enroll in college, but that they also thrive once they arrive.

鈥淭hey may not have a strong expectation about what to expect in college,鈥� said Gremillion. 鈥淭his program not only removes financial barriers, but it also surrounds students with the support they need to navigate college and plan for their future.鈥�

Pacheco has felt that impact from day one. Thanks to the program, he moved into his residence hall a week early to attend a one-week Basebamp program to jump start his college experience. There, he met fellow scholarship recipients and connected with his faculty mentor before classes even began.

His mentor, Shainaz Landge, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, has helped connect Pacheco with opportunities from joining the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society to learning about upcoming pre-pharmacy organizations and undergraduate research.

鈥淪tudents such as Geovanii serve as prime examples of the fulfillment derived from mentorship and teaching,鈥� said Landge. 鈥淭heir growth and engagement highlight the critical role that effective mentorship plays in fostering both academic development.鈥�

That blend of mentorship and financial support is exactly what the grant was designed to provide. Over five years, the program will serve dozens of students in eligible majors such as chemistry, biology, biomedical science, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, sustainability science and geoscience. Each student receives individualized scholarship support, up to $15,000 per year, based on need, along with a faculty mentor who stays with them throughout their undergraduate journey.

For Pacheco and his family, the scholarship brought immediate relief. He vividly remembers opening the acceptance email with his mother and scrolling down to see the financial aid details.

鈥淪he was tickled, let me tell you,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t lifted so much stress off her shoulders. It was life-changing.鈥�

Applications to be part of the next cohort of COSM S-STEM Scholars are open until Feb. 1, 2026. Eligibility requirements, necessary documentation and other information can be found at this .

Gracie Allen, a biochemistry major, has had quite the journey leading up to her 快猫app短视 graduation.

The feature twirler with the Southern Pride Marching Band, a national champion baton performer and the reigning Miss 快猫app短视, Allen has become a recognizable face on campus. However, long before this, her path toward medicine started at home.聽

When Allen was a little girl, her grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer. Watching a beloved family member go through treatment inspired her to pursue a career in medicine at a young age.

鈥淚 always said I wanted to be a 鈥榖aby doctor,鈥欌�� she recalled. 鈥淭hat’s what I said when I was very little. I always knew I wanted to work with kids in medicine.鈥�

Allen explored colleges beyond her Savannah hometown, but something kept pulling her toward Georgia Southern. From the beginning, Eagle Nation felt like home.

Throughout her days at South Effingham High School, she was able to shave off nearly a full year鈥檚 worth of college credits thanks to dual enrollment classes through Georgia Southern. This allowed Allen to graduate with her college degree halfway into her senior year of college.

Additionally, she was able to join Eagle Nation early thanks to being selected as a featured twirler for the Georgia Southern football team.

Allen鈥檚 mom is a dance studio teacher, and that put her on big stages where she competed and won national competitions. However, her love of dancing never compared to her passion for baton twirling, and that talent has taken her places she never thought she鈥檇 be able to go.

She began twirling at 11 and rose quickly, becoming the Southern Pride Marching Band鈥檚 feature twirler as a high school senior. Now in her fifth and final season, she鈥檒l take the field one last time at a bowl game this month.

This role proved to be pivotal to her college success.

鈥淭wirling taught me a lot of the hard work and determination and multitasking that was needed throughout college,鈥� said Allen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also allowed me to travel to multiple places for competitions and with the team. Those life lessons have been so valuable.鈥�

Her involvement with the band quickly became one of the defining experiences of her college years. From daily rehearsals to performing in front of thousands at Paulson Stadium, Allen said the discipline and time management she learned through twirling has shaped her academic and professional development.

鈥淚t can all definitely be challenging at times, for sure,鈥� she said with a laugh. 鈥淎nd it hasn’t always just been the perfect experience. But I’ve always loved education. Earning my biochemistry degree and doing well in my classes allowed me to reach the full career goal.鈥�

Her performance background also opened the door to the state鈥檚 pageant circuit.

Despite very little background in pageantry, Allen passionately worked for the title of Miss 快猫app短视 as an opportunity to spread awareness and support for adoption and foster care systems, which is a platform she cares about.

鈥淚 was adopted at the age of six months from Kazakhstan,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge and crazy part of my life. My parents went overseas, and it led them to the agency that worked with Kazakhstan, and I was the first one that they were shown. So it’s just really cool to see how all those pieces come and work together, and then to be brought here.鈥�

This year, Allen was crowned Miss 快猫app短视 and competed at Miss Georgia, which became one of the highlights of her time as a student. Her twirling skills helped her win the Preliminary Talent at this competition.

During her year of service, she continued volunteering with organizations she already loved, including Royal Family Kids Camp, a Statesboro-based program for children in foster care.

鈥淚t’s been a huge honor to be able to represent this University,鈥� said Allen. 鈥淚’ve grown so much here over the past years. I’ve met some of my best friends. I’ve been able to grow both education-wise and personally. Being able to represent the school has meant so much, truly.鈥�

Through all of this, Allen has pursued a career in pediatric oncology and has already completed both pre-med and pre-PA requirements. Inspired by her parents鈥� belief in never turning away a child in need, she hopes to support young patients and their families through some of the toughest battles of their lives.

Allen said her time at Georgia Southern has been fast-paced and marked by opportunities she embraced wholeheartedly. But above all, she describes this season with one word: thankfulness.

Professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics Will Lynch, Ph.D., has been re-elected to the (ACS) board of directors. This marks his second three-year term on the board. With ACS serving as the largest science organization in the world, Lynch says the society鈥檚 work impacts lives every day.

鈥淲e support the scientific enterprise by advocating for everything from research funding to laboratory safety,鈥� said Lynch. 鈥淭hat work strengthens scientific integrity that ACS champions and ultimately shows up in the things that people rely on daily. Bottled water, medicines, cellphones and computer screens all come from chemistry. Many people do not realize how deeply science shapes their world.鈥� 

With a budget close to $900 million and a global community of over 200,000, planning is essential to the success of ACS. Lynch is proud to have chaired the committee that created the society鈥檚 next five-year strategic plan. Lynch hopes that his work will continue to put the society鈥檚 vast resources to use helping advocate for scientists around the world.

鈥淢y focus now is implementing , which envisions a world built on science and setting up the indicators to measure our success,鈥� said Lynch. 鈥淲e want to make sure we support chemists whether they are in academia, industry, government labs or retired.鈥�

Serving in a leadership role for a world-renowned scientific organization is part of Lynch鈥檚 calling to help others. He began his service with ACS over 40 years ago when he volunteered at a regional meeting while pursuing his bachelor鈥檚 degree. He began making connections immediately and grew his professional network from the local to the national level. Forming friendships in the scientific community and witnessingthe ways their work changed lives inspired Lynch to continue to grow his own knowledge so he could do more for others.

鈥淕etting to do research as an undergraduate pulled me in, and I knew that chemistry was where I could make a difference. I realized I had a path to help society through science and I never looked back.鈥�

When Alejandra Daniel crosses the graduation stage with her master’s in biology, she will be one step closer to a childhood dream some said was impossible. As an exceptional dancer growing up, many people saw a future for her in ballet. 

When Daniel expressed interest in science, some tried to stop her from pursuing it, going so far as to tell her she could not handle an academic career and should stick to dance where she was naturally gifted. She began her college years as a dance major, but quickly realized that her hobby was not her career.

鈥淚 had worked really hard at dance my whole life, and I had a crisis thinking 鈥榠s this really what I want to do?鈥欌�� said Daniel. 鈥淚 did not feel like I was making a difference. I did not think I was going to have an impact on the world.鈥�

Casting the words of her skeptics aside, Daniel transferred to Georgia Southern and enrolled as a biology student where she took the work ethic she built as a dancer and applied it to the classroom. Late nights at the studio became study sessions at the library. The names of French ballet techniques gave way to Latin words for species classifications. Headphones were no longer for dance track rehearsal, they were for locking in on class notes.

Daniel quickly became hooked on science. Most importantly, she realized she excelled at it. She completed her bachelor鈥檚 degree and moved on to a master鈥檚 program. The moment she knew she had what it takes to be a professional scientist happened nearly 100 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean after Professor of Biology Danny Gleason, Ph.D., encouraged Daniel to learn scuba diving so she could study the coral species of Gray鈥檚 Reef firsthand.

鈥淚 was scared because I was going to be underwater carrying so much gear and it was a lot to handle,鈥� said Daniel. 鈥淭hen I got down to the seafloor and realized I was really good at it. All of the dance practice, the hours of training myself to control each part of my body, came back to me and I was right at home with the current.鈥�

The health of coral reefs became Daniel鈥檚 favorite topic. Her research on corals gave her the experience of a lifetime when she visited the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. She spent three weeks living on an island, diving the reef and examining the vibrant sea life there. Daniel credits the support she received from faculty like Tyler Cyronak, Ph.D., assistant professor and manager of the Coastal Carbon Laboratory, with helping her build the confidence to seize these opportunities she once dreamed of.

鈥淒r. Cyronak is incredibly encouraging,鈥� said Daniel. 鈥淗e is very open to my ideas and is excited about discussing the projects I take on.鈥�

Even before receiving her master鈥檚 degree, Daniel鈥檚 next chapter of scientific discovery is already underway. She is enrolled as a Presidential Doctoral Research Fellow at Georgia Southern to pursue a Ph.D. in environmental science, on track to become a Triple Eagle. Daniel鈥檚 goal is to continue studying coral reefs to create a healthier ocean, and in turn, a healthier world. As she works to build her own dream career, she wants young women to know that there is a place for them in whatever field they choose, no matter what detractors might say.

鈥淚 understand why it feels like you are not good enough, but do not believe that feeling,鈥� said Daniel. 鈥淲ith enough hard work, dedication and passion, you can achieve anything you dream of.鈥�