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.

What can a handheld grip test reveal about military readiness? According to 快猫app短视 researchers, it turns out quite a lot.听

It鈥檚 one of several tools 快猫app短视鈥檚 Tactical Athlete Initiative (TAI) is using in partnership with the University鈥檚 Army ROTC program to improve how cadets train.

Under the direction of Professor of Exercise Science Bridget Melton, Ed.D., and Associate Professor and Director of Tactical Performance Joseph Kardouni, Ph.D., DPT, and supported in part by a Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) grant, the initiative brings in researchers to enhance military training through fitness assessments. 

Cadets complete a series of physical tests 鈥� such as rowing and jumping 鈥� while wearing top-of-the-line monitoring equipment. Data is collected during these assessments and then analyzed by TAI researchers to provide individualized training enhancements for cadets.

Graduate coaching education student Spencer Boling is leading this effort as the first graduate assistant assigned to the TAI.

鈥淚t has been nothing short of special,鈥� Boling said. 鈥淏eing the first in this role means I am actively building this from the ground up, and there is a real responsibility that comes with that.鈥�

Student Jacob Mullins supports the collaboration by helping calibrate the VO2 Master testing system 鈥� a mask that measures oxygen intake in real time and gives highly accurate data on aerobic capacity.

鈥淚t is fun to be a part of a team doing something meaningful like gathering data,鈥� Mullins said. 鈥淚t gave me a better understanding of performance testing and the importance of teamwork and preparation.鈥�

One of the initiative鈥檚 biggest highlights was placing ninth at the Ranger Challenge, a regional military skills competition, a result of the work put in at the lab. 

鈥淎 top-10 finish is a genuine achievement and a direct reflection of the cadets鈥� commitment to physical preparation,鈥� Boling said. 鈥淲atching a cadet hit a personal record in the weight room, seeing them pass their Army Fitness Test with flying colors, or simply noticing them develop healthier daily habits are all moments that remind me exactly why this work matters.鈥�

For Boling, the initiative has been transformative both in and out of the lab. 

鈥淭his collaboration has changed the trajectory of my career,鈥� Boling added. 鈥淚 always thought I wanted to work in traditional sports, but after seeing the impact of training the tactical population, people who rely on fitness for life and service, I know this is where I belong.鈥�

As wearable technology reshapes how people track their health, a new study from 快猫app短视 takes a closer look at just how accurate these devices really are.
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Published in Sensors, an open-access scientific journal, , a popular consumer wearable wristband designed for long-term health tracking, by comparing its measurements of resting heart rate (RHR) and heart rate variability (HRV) to electrocardiography (ECG).听

The study was conducted as part of a capstone thesis project by former Waters College of Health Professions sports medicine graduate student Allison Wade. Data collection was completed under the supervision of associate professor Andrew Flatt, Ph.D. In addition, Bryan L. Riemann, Ph.D., served as a committee member and contributed to data analysis and manuscript review, while Ann Claire E. Blalock, a research assistant in the Biodynamics and Human Performance Center on Georgia Southern鈥檚 Armstrong Campus, supported all aspects of the study.
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According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, about a third of U.S. adults currently use smartwatches or fitness trackers. These devices rely on photoplethysmography (PPG), which are optical sensors that estimate heart activity through skin. Although these devices can make heart rate and HRV tracking more accessible, independent studies on their accuracy have lagged behind their growing popularity and have produced varied results. Since these devices hit the market, consumers have also frequently expressed concerns over factors such as skin pigmentation influencing accuracy.
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This study specifically examined the Kairos wristband鈥檚 on-demand 鈥淪pot Check鈥� feature, comparing its readings to simultaneous ECG measurements in a group of 40 healthy, racially diverse young adults. Measurements were taken while participants were both sitting and lying down, which allowed researchers to test consistency across postures.
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The results showed that the Biostrap Kairos wristband performed extremely well for measuring resting heart rate, demonstrating high accuracy regardless of body position. Accuracy for HRV, however, depended on the specific metric being measured. The wristband showed stronger agreement with ECG for time-specific metrics often associated with overall variability and parasympathetic (rest-and-recovery) activity. Still, the researchers identified an important limitation: the device tended to underestimate HRV values when HRV was higher.
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鈥淥ne of the most important takeaways from this study is that convenience does not always equal accuracy,鈥� said Flatt. 鈥淥ur analyses revealed consistent underestimation at higher HRV values, which raises concerns for researchers, clinicians and coaches who may rely on these devices for monitoring or decision-making.鈥�
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More complex frequency-specific metrics showed poor agreement with ECG.
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However, researchers found that device error was not systematically related to skin pigmentation. The wristband performed similarly across participants with varying levels of melanin, addressing a serious concern about optical sensor bias in wearables.
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Beyond evaluating a single device, the study highlights a broader issue in wearable technology research. The researchers identified a pattern, known as proportional bias, where wrist-worn devices become less accurate as HRV increases. Many previous validation studies did not test for this type of bias, leading to overly optimistic conclusions about device accuracy.
听
The findings offer important guidance for multiple audiences. Consumers should approach HRV data from wrist-worn devices with caution, especially if using it to guide health or training decisions. For researchers, clinicians and coaches, the study suggests that wristbands and smartwatches are not yet appropriate tools for HRV-based monitoring or research.
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Instead, Georgia Southern鈥檚 researchers recommend portable chest-strap heart rate monitors, which continue to demonstrate stronger agreement with ECG.

As wearable technology continues to develop, this study highlights the importance of independent validation and reminds users that听

convenience does not always equal clinical precision.听听

The full article is available in Sensors:
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A new study found that the brain鈥檚 ability to process sound starts to slow as early as middle age.

The research, led by Vishakha Rawool, Ph.D., CCC-A, associate dean for research in 快猫app短视鈥檚 Waters College of Health Professions (WCHP) and professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, offers insight into a common frustration for many adults: being able to hear sounds clearly but struggling to follow fast conversations, especially in noisy environments.

To understand what happens inside the brain鈥檚 hearing pathways, researchers compared two age groups: young adults between ages 18 to 27 and middle-aged adults between 45 to 59.

The team measured how quickly the brain and the ear work together using a middle-ear reflex that automatically contracts when it hears loud sounds. By tracking how this reflex responded to a rapid series of clicks, they determined how efficiently the brain鈥檚 auditory system processed sound.
鈥淲e wanted to catch the very first signs of change,鈥� Rawool said. 鈥淏y the time someone has significant hearing loss, they may already be dealing with social isolation, anxiety or difficulty at work.鈥�
The results showed that the middle-aged group鈥檚 brain response was slower than that of the younger adults. This difference suggests that the brain鈥檚 鈥渉earing speed,鈥� or how rapidly it can process fast sounds, naturally begins to decline when a person reaches middle age.

鈥淯sing an objective measure that is not affected by cognitive decline, the results show that the central auditory system starts to slow down by midlife,鈥� stated Rawool. 鈥淭his slowing may require greater listening/cognitive effort, perhaps unconsciously, while listening to fast speech, reverberant speech and speech in noisy surroundings.鈥�

The study also affirmed that this slowdown was not related to the ability to hear sounds, but instead it was linked to changes in how the brain itself processes sound. According to Rawool, loss in hearing speed can leave people feeling as though they are trying to read a sentence with missing letters.
鈥淲e need to stop thinking of hearing health as something that only matters when you鈥檙e 70,鈥� Rawool said. 鈥淲e should be checking in on 鈥榟earing speed鈥� in our 40s and 50s.鈥�
Rawool and her team hope that publishing this research will lead to training programs or therapies that strengthen the brain鈥檚 auditory processing in adults ages 45 to 59, potentially helping to reduce listening fatigue and communication difficulties later in life.

The research also suggests the need for creating the best listening environments, such as quiet spaces with low reverberation, for all listeners to reduce fatigue.
鈥淚f you feel exhausted after a long day of listening, it鈥檚 not just in your head,鈥� she said. 鈥淵our brain may simply be working harder鈥攁nd that鈥檚 something we can begin to address.鈥�
The study was partially supported by West Virginia University鈥檚 Grace Clements Communication Sciences & Disorders Research Endowment Award.

The full article is available in the International Journal of Audiology:

Students from 快猫app短视 and the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) gathered Nov. 17 on the Armstrong Campus for the second annual Community Engaged Research Conference.

This event is a chance for student researchers from both institutions to showcase their individual work and the partnership between Georgia Southern and MCG, which has expanded since MCG established its Savannah campus in July 2024.

While students鈥� perspectives take center stage, the conference also emphasizes collaboration between academia and community. A group of clinicians from , and joined MCG students to host a panel discussion titled 鈥淯ninsured and Underinsured Populations – Access to Specialty Care.鈥�

 Student-led oral and poster presentations were featured, along with an awards ceremony recognizing select students for outstanding work in both categories.

Oral presentations were divided into separate sessions titled 鈥淏ench to Bedside鈥� and 鈥淐onnecting Clinic and Community.鈥�

Rachelan Boss, a senior majoring in health science and minoring in public health, and Taryn Black, a senior biochemistry major, won the award for best student oral presentation in the second session. Black and Boss weren鈥檛 the only Georgia Southern students to receive recognition. Md Didarul Alam, a master鈥檚 student in electrical and computer engineering, won the student鈥檚 choice award for the best poster under the mentorship of Mohammad Ahad, Ph.D.

The conference鈥檚 second year saw increased participation. The number of presentations was doubled, with Georgia Southern students leading 59 of the total 118.

The importance of this data point was not lost on Georgia Southern Faculty member and Conference Chair, Shainaz Landge, Ph.D.

鈥淭his event is a major springboard for research at our University,鈥� Landge said. 鈥淪eeing more of our students participate shows our growth and underscores MCG鈥檚 value as both a collaborator and a leader in medical research. Collaboration drives progress, and we鈥檙e seeing that in real time. MCG is a world-class institution, and we鈥檙e privileged to have a campus in our region.鈥�

Dr. Elizabeth Gray, dean of MCG鈥檚 Savannah campus, also sees benefits in the relationship between the two schools.

鈥�This conference highlights not only the power of joint engagement but also the promise it holds for future collaborations between our institutions,鈥� she explained. 鈥淩esearch can open the door to innovation and expand community involvement.  With participation from across all four years of medical students, we were able to showcase research focused on the real needs of our community.鈥� 

Both Landge and Gray believe the partnership between Georgia Southern and MCG will continue to grow in scope and impact. They say the same is true of the Community Engaged Research Conference.

When residents of Brunswick, Georgia, raised concerns about their water, the community found an unexpected group of champions at the intersection of science and faith.

Supported with training and tools from 快猫app短视鈥檚 Institute for Water and Health (IWH), 12 local community leaders 鈥� pastors, commissioners and other residents 鈥� became citizen scientists, testing and protecting the waterways that sustain their neighborhoods. They then invited their congregations and the broader community to follow their lead.

That innovative, community-led initiative, Safe Water Together for Brunswick, has earned the P3 Social Impact Award, one of the nation鈥檚 highest honors for public-private partnerships. The award, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State鈥檚 Office of Global Partnerships, Concordia and the University of Virginia Darden School recognizes collaborations that improve lives and communities worldwide. Winners were announced in October in New York City.

鈥淪afe Water Together for Brunswick demonstrates the power of communities participating in solutions,鈥� said IWH Director Asli Aslan, Ph.D. 鈥淏y training local residents to monitor and protect their waterways, we are building trust in data, supporting watershed management programs, and creating a model that can be adapted in other cities facing water challenges. This award recognizes what can happen when science, education and community leadership come together.鈥�

The project began when Glynn County Commissioner Allen Booker approached Aslan about residents experiencing water quality problems.

鈥淚t is common in the region to use the waterways for fishing and crabbing,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淓ven though there were signs not to fish, people still would do so, not knowing the consequences.鈥�

Located on Georgia鈥檚 coast, Brunswick is home to four Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated Superfund sites, which are federally recognized areas contaminated with hazardous substances that require long-term cleanup to protect public health and the environment. With limited access to resources, residents often had more questions than answers.

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened risks.

鈥淧eople were fishing and crabbing in surface waters marked with warnings,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淔or many, it became their main protein source. That鈥檚 when we realized that this had to be a community-led solution.鈥�

Georgia Southern spearheaded Safe Water Together for Brunswick in September 2023 in collaboration with Rebuilding Together Glynn County and funding from Georgia Tech鈥檚 Partnership for Innovation (PIN) Community Research Grants Program. Over the course of a year, IWH faculty and students in public health and education collaborated closely with community leaders to build a citizen science-based water quality monitoring program.

鈥淭his PIN grant opportunity builds the capacity of our community and empowers neighborhoods in our community so that our families can improve their quality of life,鈥� Booker said.

The pastors completed the state鈥檚 Adopt-A-Stream program training, earning certification as official volunteers for water quality monitoring. Rebuilding Together Glynn County Community Development Corporation became the center of action, housing a new community-owned water testing lab, built and equipped through the grant.

鈥淲e use the principles of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), a fundamental public health intervention method in our framework,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淐BPR principles include collaboration, community ownership, mutual learning and empowerment. This project gives downtown Brunswick residents the tools and training to research environmental conditions and broader impacts by building capacity and scientific literacy. Public health research often struggles with mistrust of science and academia. By involving community members as partners from planning through dissemination, CBPR fosters trust, transparency and mutual respect.鈥�

鈥淪o it鈥檚 more powerful if it鈥檚 not an academician like myself telling the community, from outside, not even living in their community, what鈥檚 right and what鈥檚 wrong. It should come from their trusted members, in this case the pastors, so there鈥檚 more buy-in. It was phenomenal to see people of all ages eager to learn in the classroom how to properly collect water samples, analyze them and interpret the data. They were involved from the very beginning 鈥� for example, leading sample site selection because they know where people actually fish. We were in this together from start to finish.鈥�

Six students from Georgia Southern and the College of Coastal Georgia participated in the project, two of whom were funded by PIN as summer interns, gaining hands-on experience in public health communication, environmental analysis and community engagement.

鈥淢ultidisciplinary students from biology, public health and environmental sciences were engaged with the community researchers from day one,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淭hey practiced field sample collection and laboratory analysis alongside a community member. They also developed soft skills such as explaining complex analytical procedures in plain language. They built a story map, conducted interviews for assessment and developed videos. This experience positions them well for the next steps in their careers as environmental health scientists.鈥�

Alice McCloud, a master鈥檚 student in environmental public health, described the impact of working on this initiative.

鈥淭his project was especially meaningful because it took place in my hometown,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing able to engage directly with my own community made the work feel personal and impactful. I loved getting to know our volunteers, our citizen scientists, and training them in water-quality testing while learning alongside them. This experience taught me that the success of a project isn鈥檛 just about what you do, but who you do it with. I鈥檝e been honored to participate in the PIN program for two years now, and it has motivated me to continue pursuing meaningful, community-centered projects like Safe Water Together.鈥�

Taryn Black, an undergraduate biochemistry student, highlighted the importance of community collaboration:

鈥淭his project was an incredible experience that allowed me to develop skills in both public health and laboratory work,鈥� she noted. 鈥淭hroughout every stage, I witnessed genuine community engagement, which really moved me. Collaborating with local pastors to empower the community to learn and understand more about their water quality was very powerful. Being able to connect with individuals at fishing and kayaking sites, share information about the project, and discuss recent results showed me how impactful and relevant the project was.鈥�

Since its launch, the project has created a lasting impact. Local residents continue to collect and analyze samples, with data shared directly with Georgia鈥檚 Department of Natural Resources to strengthen regional monitoring efforts.

鈥淲e are still continuing in close collaboration with the community,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淲hen a fish kill occurs, residents are now equipped to collect samples and run water quality tests in the lab we helped establish. And when additional analyses are needed, we provide advanced testing and high-quality data. It is a partnership for many years to come.鈥�

Behavioral change is also emerging.

鈥淲hen people see their pastor or commissioner collecting samples or hear results firsthand, they change how they fish and become more mindful of posted warnings,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 science translated into trust, and trust translated into action.鈥�

Interest in the Brunswick model is spreading. Other universities and local governments have reached out to learn how to replicate the project鈥檚 community-first approach.

鈥淎ccess to safe water is a global challenge,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淚t unlocks economic development, improves health, and gives people a shot at a quality life. What we are doing in Brunswick shows how science, education, and community trust can come together to protect our waterways and the people who depend on this beautiful resource we are privileged to have in Georgia. At the IWH, our flagship program, Safe Water Together, will continue to support communities through impactful research and educational initiatives.鈥�

Kamran Kardel, Ph.D., associate professor of manufacturing engineering in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, is leading a multidisciplinary research team to help regional logistics companies increase efficiency.

Funded through the college鈥檚 Remotely Operated Warehouse Services (ROWS) Laboratory, with seed money from , the team is composed of Kardel, Ryan Florin, Ph.D, assistant professor of computer science and students. 

Kardel and his team are using the software to build simulations, known as 鈥渄igital twins,鈥� that replicate warehouse operations like picking, packing and shipping. The ROWS Laboratory will serve as a development site, allowing the simulations to be thoroughly tested and validated before being presented to third parties.  

To ensure optimal accuracy and responsiveness, the simulations will include IoT data. The IoT refers to a network of physical devices located within and around the warehouse, such as mobile robots, sensors and cameras, that collect and share real-time data over the internet.

The ultimate goal is to provide industry partners with simulation capabilities using AnyLogic Software and Internet of Things (IoT) integration.

This industry collaboration also provides important professional development for the students working on the project. 

鈥淚 have a few students, both undergraduate and graduate, who are going to be involved in this project from beginning to end,鈥� said Kardel. 鈥淪everal of them have mentioned to me that this is their first time with direct access to the industry and potential employers.鈥�

Continuing the theme of collaboration, the project could result in shared postdoctoral positions with Ireland鈥檚 South East Technological University in its . While still in its early stages, Kardel hopes this partnership will give this research an even larger scope.

鈥淭he Lean Industry 4.0 Lab has a lot of experience in IoT,鈥� Kardel explained. 鈥淏y joining Ph.D. programs, hopefully we can work together and improve logistics here in our region and in Ireland.鈥�

Ultimately, Kardel hopes this research can give companies a leg up in an increasingly digitized world.

鈥淎s far as automation, for companies in southeast Georgia and South Carolina, I would say it鈥檚 becoming more common,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 still a mixed bag, though some warehouses are fully automated, some are not. The work we are doing can help companies remain competitive.鈥�

Twelve outstanding active faculty members from 快猫app短视 were featured on . This annual list features scientists whose work has had the highest citation count and citation impact in their fields within a given year.

This year鈥檚 Georgia Southern honorees represent a diverse range of disciplines, from physics and chemistry to epidemiology and business. Ten of the 12 faculty members were also featured on last year鈥檚 list. 

Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D, P.G., is among them and takes pride in seeing so many familiar names, and a couple of new ones, included. 

鈥淪eeing names from so many different disciplines, both old and new, speaks volumes about our growth and consistency,鈥� said Weindorf. 鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful for these faculty who relentlessly pursue excellence and truly embody growing ourselves to grow others in research.鈥�

The complete list of Georgia Southern faculty featured includes the following:

Xiao-jun Wang, Ph.D., professor of physics, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淢y work centers on creating advanced luminescent materials for energy-efficient lighting and sensing technologies,鈥� Wang explained. 鈥淲hat drives me is the excitement of uncovering how materials behave 鈥� and finding logical, scientific explanations for what we observe.鈥� He added that he has always loved Albert Einstein鈥檚 quote, 鈥淭he most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.鈥� . 

Arda Yenipazarli, Ph.D., professor of operations management, Parker College of Business

鈥淚鈥檝e always been drawn to complex, high-stakes corporate scenarios where decisions leave lasting societal and environmental footprints,鈥� said Yenipazarli. 鈥淢y research helps firms make more strategic, profitable and responsible choices about their supply chains and operations鈥搃n environments defined by volatility, competition, regulation and shifting market forces. I believe that thoughtful, analytically grounded research can empower better decisions and drive meaningful, lasting impact鈥揻or business, for society, and for the planet.鈥� .

Allen Amason, Ph.D., professor of management, Parker College of Business

鈥淚 study the connections between strategy, strategic decision-making and organizational performance,鈥� Amason explained. 鈥淚 wanted to understand why some firms succeed where others do not. My motivation remains the same today as it was then 鈥� to help organizations and managers perform better.鈥� .

Isaac Chun-Hai Fung, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

鈥淚t is my great privilege to work with a network of excellent students, colleagues and collaborators,鈥� Fung said. 鈥淲e study how to mitigate the impact of epidemics on human societies and harness the advances of digital technologies to promote health.鈥� .

Lance Durden, Ph.D, professor emeritus of biology, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淚 study ectoparasites (lice, fleas, ticks and parasitic mites) of humans and animals, including species of medical and veterinary importance and the pathogens they can transmit,鈥� said Durden. 鈥淚 have authored about 400 peer-reviewed publications, including eight books or monographs and 29 invited book chapters. I am currently working on the 4th edition of a widely used textbook in North America and Europe entitled Medical and Veterinary Entomology and am driven by a fascination with the natural world and a desire to improve human and animal health.” .

David C. Weindorf, Ph.D, P.G., vice president for research and economic development, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淚 study and classify soils to better understand how we can use and protect them,鈥� Weindorf said. 鈥� My research is mostly centered on applications for proximal and remote sensors for soil characterization; I鈥檝e been involved in everything from taxonomic soil classification to environmental soil science and disaster response work, ensuring that soil is safe and healthy. What drives me is helping people help the land 鈥� because a healthy world starts with healthy soil.鈥� .

Jos茅 A. Jim茅nez, Ph.D., assistant professor of physical and materials chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淢y research interests are mainly in glass science, nanomaterials, optical materials, thin films, and energy-relevant materials such as solar cells and Li-ion batteries鈥�, Jim茅nez noted. 鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about learning through experimentation and gaining insights into the physical principles that explain material properties.鈥� .

Masoud Davari, Ph.D., interim associate dean for research and professor of electrical and computer engineering, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing

鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about innovating power and energy systems,鈥� Davari shared. 鈥淢y research focuses on designing control methods based on artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning to enhance performance under challenging conditions and on developing resilient-by-design systems to strengthen cybersecurity. The National Science Foundation has continuously supported this research through multiple projects totaling nearly $1.2 million.鈥� .

Haijun Gong, Ph.D., associate professor of manufacturing engineering, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing

鈥淢y research focuses on 3D printing metals and high-performance polymers for lightweight design and optimization,鈥� Gong said. 鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about advancing cost-effective additive manufacturing technologies and materials that drive the next generation of advanced manufacturing.鈥� .

Dmitry Apanaskevich, Ph.D., professor of biology and entomology, College of Science and Mathematics

鈥淢y major research interest is the systematics of hard ticks (family Ixodidae),鈥� Apanaskevich said. 鈥淭his includes their taxonomy, phylogenetics, host-parasite relationships and geographic distribution. I love discovering new species and solving complex, often confusing questions along the way. That鈥檚 what drives my passion.鈥� .

Bryan Riemann, Ph.D., professor of sports medicine, Waters College of Health Professions

鈥淢y research examines how biomechanical and neuromuscular factors shape human movement, with the goal of improving performance and developing more effective approaches for injury prevention and rehabilitation,鈥� Riemann explained. 鈥淭his work spans diverse populations, including both trained and untrained, across the lifespan.鈥�

The late James E. Keirans, Ph.D, former curator of the U.S. National Tick Collection at the Institute of Arthropodology and Parasitology at 快猫app短视

Keirans earned his doctorate in medical entomology in 1966 and devoted his career to the study of ectoparasites. He became one of the world鈥檚 foremost experts on tick biology and taxonomy. In 1990, he became curator of the U.S. National Tick Collection at the then newly formed Institute of Arthropodology and Parasitology at Georgia Southern in Statesboro. He retired in 2005. .

鈥淪ee a gap, fill a gap.鈥� That鈥檚 how Jeffrey Klibert, Ph.D., associate director of clinical training in 快猫app短视鈥檚 Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), described the inspiration behind a project designed to extend behavioral health services in rural areas.

Filling gaps is something Klibert said has always been a challenge in behavioral health care. This challenge became steeper in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淲hen COVID hit, we saw some really alarming rates of people seeking services, and there just weren鈥檛 enough providers to meet that need,鈥� Klibert said. 鈥淲e saw waitlists that were six months, eight months, sometimes a year long.鈥�

Waitlists of this length are a common occurrence in Georgia鈥檚 rural areas, where resources are scarce and reported health outcomes are among the worst in the state.

Klibert, along with colleagues Lindsey Stone, Ph.D., and Thresha Yancey, Ph.D., and students, is working to improve the situation across 14 rural counties in Georgia, thanks to the renewal of a research and training grant from the .

Stone and Yancey will supervise the trainees, while Klibert will oversee the entire program.

The grant enables quantitative and qualitative research to increase access to behavioral health care in rural areas, while also providing Georgia Southern鈥檚 fourth-year PsyD students with hands-on training through local care providers. The ultimate goal is to develop more efficient and effective models for interprofessional, team-based care in areas of the state where it is most needed.

鈥淓verybody sees the need. We just need the glue to link everybody together,鈥� Klibert said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what the program is trying to be. It鈥檚 trying to build those bridges to create a more comprehensive system of care.鈥�

Students will provide a range of services in collaboration with local care providers, including psychological assessments and therapy for individuals and families.

Alex Cudd, a fourth-year PsyD student who joined the program in August, calls the experience 鈥渋nvaluable鈥� and hopes to join the 94% of program alumni who currently provide care in rural settings.

鈥淚n just a few months, I鈥檝e learned so much about providing well-rounded care,鈥� Cudd said. 鈥淚 know I鈥檒l carry this training into my career.鈥�

, a resiliency- and recovery-based behavioral health agency serving Bulloch, Candler and Emanuel counties, is among the local providers partnering with Georgia Southern.

鈥淎ll the interns we鈥檝e had from Georgia Southern understand the concept of recovery, are trauma-informed and very effective at delivering services,鈥� said CPGA CEO David Crooke. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been mutually beneficial. We are helping them further their education, and they quickly become important members of our team due to the breadth and depth of their knowledge.鈥�

Klibert notes that the grant鈥檚 initial four-year term brought significant improvements in local healthcare networks and enhanced communication between providers, something he sees as an investment in lasting success.

鈥淲e鈥檙e doing some exciting stuff, but at the end of the day, we are very aware of making sure what we鈥檙e doing sticks and that we have the resources to continue care after the grant ends,鈥� Klibert said.

When Professor Worlanyo Eric Gato, Ph.D., watches his students walk through the iron gates of Cape Coast Castle for the first time, he doesn鈥檛 say much. He doesn鈥檛 have to.

鈥淭hey feel it,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou can see it in their faces.鈥�

That moment 鈥� walking the same stone floors where generations of enslaved Africans once stood 鈥� is just one of many that define 快猫app短视鈥檚 Study Abroad Program in Ghana, a three-week immersive experience blending public health research, cultural engagement and emotional growth. Led by a multidisciplinary team of faculty from the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), the College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) and the Institute for Water and Health (IWH), the program gives students more than academic insight. It gives them perspective.

Originally founded by the late Evans Afriyie-Gyawu, Ph.D., the Ghana Study Abroad Program has evolved into a high-impact educational model under the direction of JPHCOPH faculty members Bettye Apenteng, Ph.D., and Samuel Opoku, Ph.D., along with Gato. Their shared mission is clear: foster cultural awareness and empower students to address complex global health challenges 鈥� starting with those rooted in Ghana鈥檚 communities.

Real research, real impact

The program’s 2025 cohort took part in a collaborative research project centered on occupational and environmental exposures, particularly in illegal mining zones in Ghana鈥檚 Ashanti Region. Funded by Georgia Southern鈥檚 Internal Seed Funds, the IWH and the Office of Research and Economic Development, the project explored the relationship between water and soil-borne contaminants and chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

鈥淭his wasn鈥檛 a simulation, this was the real thing,鈥� said Nick Guerra, a graduate student studying public health. 鈥淲e were in the field, collecting water samples, interviewing residents and working side by side with Ghanaian students.鈥�

Their findings were sobering. Water samples from community wells revealed contamination by fecal bacteria. Soil tests uncovered dangerously high levels of heavy metals 鈥� arsenic, lead, copper, mercury 鈥� linked to illegal mining activities. And medical surveys showed widespread hypertension, often undiagnosed or untreated.

What made the work even more meaningful was its collaborative nature. Georgia Southern students were paired with their counterparts at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), building not only research teams but friendships.

鈥淲e taught each other,鈥� said Tia Taylor, another graduate student in the public health program. 鈥淲e shared techniques, ideas and stories. They were just as curious about us as we were about them.鈥�

For Gato, the partnerships are central to the program鈥檚 success. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about coming to Ghana and collecting data,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about mutual exchange 鈥� of knowledge, of culture, of purpose.鈥�

Learning beyond the classroom

Beyond the data and research, the students鈥� most lasting lessons often came from unexpected places: dinner tables, prayer circles and dirt roads deep in rural Ghana.

One night, when their van got stuck on an unpaved road, a group of local young men came to the rescue. 

鈥淭here was no tow truck, no roadside assistance,鈥� Gato recalled. 鈥淛ust kindness. The kind of kindness that stays with you.鈥�

Hospitality became a theme. Students dined with host families, learned about traditional dishes and participated in household prayer rituals. They shared laughs, tears and silent moments of awe.

鈥淭hese interactions humanized the experience,鈥� Gato said. 鈥淕hana became more than a destination 鈥� it became a network of relationships.鈥�

Taylor agreed. 

鈥淭heir warmth was overwhelming,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heir faith, constant. It made me want to pray more, to be more grounded. It changed the way I see people 鈥� and myself.鈥�

Cultural immersion meets academic rigor

In classrooms and research sites alike, students embraced a multidisciplinary lens. Their work spanned biochemistry, environmental science and public health 鈥� and was guided by faculty from three academic units. Each stop on the itinerary was carefully chosen, from university campuses to cultural landmarks, to create a holistic picture of health in Ghana.

Aslan, who led the environmental assessment and coordinated teams of students from both KNUST and Georgia Southern during the research leg, carried both personal and scientific aspirations into the study.

鈥淭hirteen years ago, when I began my journey at Georgia Southern as a new faculty member, we launched a water quality and health assessment with the late Dr. Afriyie-Gyawu,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淭hat project produced an impactful research paper with students 鈥� one that still receives high citations today. Now, years later, to be collaborating with an exceptional team of new research partners from KNUST on such a cutting-edge project is beyond exciting. This project is a testament to IWH鈥檚 commitment to advancing global water initiatives, as our center continues to make a meaningful impact in Georgia and around the world.鈥�

For Guerra, that meant recognizing how social and economic conditions shape public health outcomes. 

鈥淪ome of the people we interviewed looked decades older than they were,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t hit me 鈥� poverty and limited access to health care age you.鈥�

Taylor, whose background is in health leadership, said the trip helped her mature both personally and professionally. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to read about global health challenges in a textbook,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 another to sit with someone, hold their hand and ask about their blood pressure.鈥�

Growing the pipeline

The program鈥檚 future is just as ambitious as its present.

In its next phase, the Ghana Study Abroad Program plans to expand its reach to students from Georgia Southern鈥檚 Africana Studies Program and institutions across south Georgia, broadening access to underrepresented populations. New research partnerships with the University of Cape Coast and the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, Ghana, will allow for more geographically diverse studies. The goal, according to Gato, is to build a sustainable pipeline for interdisciplinary, international collaboration.

鈥淭his is more than a trip. It鈥檚 a launchpad,鈥� he said.

With strong institutional support from the Director of the IWH and faculty member within JPHCOPH Asli Aslan, Ph.D., the Dean of JPHCOPH Stuart Tedders, Ph.D., and Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D., the program exemplifies Georgia Southern鈥檚 commitment to global engagement. Even the logistical hiccups 鈥� missed flights, shifting hotel reservations, slow internet 鈥� became part of the learning process.

鈥淲e adapted,鈥� Gato said. 鈥淲e smiled through it. And we came back stronger.鈥�

Advice for other faculty

When asked what he鈥檇 tell faculty thinking about launching their own global experiential learning program, Gato鈥檚 answer is simple: know your 鈥渨hy,鈥� build your team and lead with gratitude.

鈥淟et your local partners lead,鈥� he said. 鈥淟isten more than you speak. And always thank the people who make the experience possible 鈥� from bus drivers to tour guides to the students themselves.鈥�

A lasting legacy

For some, like Taylor, the trip was a connection to ancestral roots. For others, like Guerra, it was a journey into a future career in global health. And for faculty like Gato, it was another step in a long walk toward transformative education 鈥� one that transcends borders, disciplines and expectations.

鈥淓verything we teach in a lecture hall comes alive in Ghana,鈥� he said.