快猫app短视 instructors are always looking for opportunities to bring research into the classroom, even when classes aren’t in session. That’s why Assistant Professor of Biochemistry Mark dela Cerna, Ph.D., jumped at the chance to spend time with the Malate Dehydrogenase (MDH) CUREs Community (MCC) cohort during summer break. 

CUREs (Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences) bypass traditional canned lab experiments by bringing a research experience into the classroom. The idea is to engage students in research topics that will pair with their classroom and lab instruction, giving them the chance to contribute to knowledge generation. Dela Cerna says the program focuses on MDH, an essential enzyme found in all living organisms.   

“Dr. Sue DeChenne-Peters, a previous member of the program, looks at MDH in cancers,” he explained. “However, I want to frame it from the biophysicist’s viewpoint and explore the structure-function dynamics.” 

Each member of the cohort is expected to develop and run a CUREs program at their home institution. Dela Cerna intends to pair it with the biochemistry curriculum, specifically upper-level bioinstrumental and biophysics courses on the Armstrong campus.  

“This is an opportunity to modernize our curriculum,” dela Cerna explained. “We have a lot of students in our program who are very interested in research. CUREs allow us to increase our research capacity in the classroom.” 

The program also lowers the barriers to entry for students who might not be able to participate in faculty-led research. Dela Cerna believes it will lead to increased interest in structural biology and molecular biophysics. Implementing the program will come with its own challenges, but dela Cerna said he has his cohort to rely on for support.

“CUREs programs are very difficult to implement properly,” he said. “But the MCC has a great community and support system. They really care about bringing educators who are passionate about research in the classroom, and that’s what matters most to me.”

A new study authored by faculty from 快猫app短视鈥檚 Waters College of Health Professions (WCHP) is the first to establish baseline data for the single-leg bridge (SLB) in healthy young adults. This gives physical therapists a tool that was previously missing from patient treatment, said Assistant Professor Nancy Henderson, DPT.

鈥淧hysical therapists have to set goals for their patients,鈥� she explained. 鈥淵ou would normally start with what a typical, healthy individual is able to do, but we didn鈥檛 have those numbers until now.鈥�

The research is also notable for being the first to accurately assess the SLB without expensive electromyography equipment. The new data makes the exercise more accessible and practical, according to Henderson.

“Knowing that you can accurately measure this kind of position, regardless of clinic finances, is really valuable,鈥� she said.

Henderson, who is an assistant professor in WCHP’s Department of Clinical Sciences, collaborated with her colleague, Haley Worst, DPT. Together, they observed 77 healthy participants after a five-minute warm-up and video demonstration. The group was majority female and had an average age of 20. 

Results showed that the average for a participant鈥檚 dominant leg was 65.2 seconds. For the nondominant leg it was 63.9 seconds. They were allowed two-minute breaks between tests.

These findings were highlighted in “.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Published this year in the “,” the article also states that the muscle groups activated during the SLB, trunk and pelvic 鈥渉ave been recognized as indicators of fitness and injury risk, particularly in high-performance populations such as military personnel.鈥�&苍产蝉辫; 

Worst, who is an associate professor and director of the DPT program, emphasized this specific application. She and Henderson have more than a decade of experience working with members of the armed forces and say having baseline data will be a major asset in treating this population. 

鈥淏ecause it holds our body up all day long, the core actually benefits more from endurance tests and training,鈥� Worst explained. 鈥淚f they have chronic pain or some sort of functional instability, their endurance strength is going to tell me a lot more about their ability to do their job.鈥�

The duo acknowledged this research is just a starting point, but are hopeful the University鈥檚 research support will allow them to do more.

鈥淲hen you teach a full course load, it鈥檚 hard to find the time,鈥� Worst said. 鈥淲ith more support and resources, it鈥檚 easier to devote that time to research. Ultimately, I hope that our work now and in the future will help improve clinical practice through evidence.鈥�

快猫app短视’s College of Science and Mathematics assistant professor Wenjie Li, Ph.D., will spend 10 weeks at the Georgia Institute of Technology as part of the 2026 Energy Faculty Fellow Program. Li is joined by undergraduate student Joshua Parker. Together, the duo is working closely with other research groups at Georgia Tech on major energy projects. 

“My research topic is energy efficiency,” explained Li. “If we burn fuel at higher temperatures, engines become more efficient. But right now, materials crack and break at those temperatures. I’m focused on finding solutions for problems like these.”

The stakes are high. Almost two-thirds of the energy used to generate electricity is lost as waste heat, while only one-third is effectively used, he said. Power generation creates significant carbon dioxide emissions, leading to major environmental challenges. Increased demand on the country’s already aging energy infrastructure is only making matters worse. 

“There are a lot of challenges surrounding this field,” he said. “When it comes to fundamental research like this, it’s high risk, high reward. You can never guarantee the results you want. But programs like this are meant to bring researchers together, to build this network of collaboration so that our studies continue long after the program ends.”

Those long-term benefits apply to students as well. Li says the next generation of students who will carry forward sustainable technology development needs to be ready.   

“The research is important, but the education of young people is equally important,” he explained. “The two cannot be separate. We, as instructors, need to be able to transfer our knowledge to the following generations.” 

In the next few weeks, the duo will present their findings to fellow researchers. Li said he’s excited to bring what he’s learned back home to the students at Georgia Southern. 

“I have a responsibility to my students,” he said. “It’s my responsibility to teach them and lead them to resources like this program, so they can make their own decisions when they go to build their future.”

Gretsch Collection Curator Matthew Hill, Ph.D., is accustomed to handling, researching and presenting iconic guitars and drums from the Fred and Dinah Gretsch Collection of Musical Instruments, offering insight into musical artifacts that have shaped contemporary culture. However, discovering a lost story of American Revolutionary history is a new development in his career at 快猫app短视. 

Hill had taken on a complex project, collecting and presenting information on the history of the American drumset through the analysis of French and American drums, when his friend and fellow curator, Christina Linsenmeyer, Ph.D., at Yale University’s Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments brought to his attention an American Revolutionary War drum in Yale鈥檚 collection. Together, they discussed what might be learned through closer study of the instrument to better understand its place in American history. 

鈥淚 removed the tensioning ropes and we saw that the inscription read 鈥楤enjamin Clark. Royalton, Mass. 1781鈥� and that immediately started ringing bells with me,鈥� Hill said. 鈥�1781 was a super important year in the American Revolution as it was essentially the time the hostilities began to wind down before it officially ended in 1783.鈥�

The drum originally came from the Belle Skinner collection of musical instruments in Massachusetts. Skinner, a wealthy heiress and philanthropist, acquired her extensive collection of instruments in the 1920s and 1930s and displayed them in a specially constructed arcaded gallery at her mansion, Wistariahurst. Yale would later obtain her collection in 1960, more than two decades after her death.

Until now, the true rarity and unusual nature of the drum had not yet been fully realized. 

鈥淭here are very few authenticated American Revolutionary War drums,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淎aron Philips, our special collections curator, photographed the instrument, and Dr. Brent Tharp aided in the historical research of Benjamin Clark. And we found evidence of the person behind the name inscribed on the drum.鈥�

Hill says Clark is the most noteworthy musician of the American Revolution. He can be placed at the major battles of Trenton and Saratoga and also likely participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill. However, Clark鈥檚 involvement in historic American combat isn鈥檛 the only fascinating aspect of the man鈥檚 life. He鈥檚 also important because he was one of two musicians who wrote down what the drumbeat cadences of the Revolutionary War sounded like.

鈥淐lark’s drum book of 1797 is probably the most important,鈥� Hill explained. 鈥淏y way of writing his manuscript, Clark is one of the main sources for our understanding of Revolutionary War drumming. He is a significant figure, just on his own.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

American drum sets during this period focused heavily on practicality, according to Hill. However, Clark鈥檚 drum was highly decorated, which was very unusual and included a notable, highly recognizable American adage.

鈥溾�楨 Pluribus Unum鈥� is written on the drum. It was an official American motto very early on,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淏ut in 1781, it wasn’t that common and would not become more common until later. So this is a noteworthy prominent early use of 鈥楨 Pluribus Unum.鈥欌��

Hill, alongside other curators at higher education institutions, is working to share this unique discovery with public audiences.

In order to best preserve and honor the legacy of the instrument and the drummer who carried it throughout America鈥檚 battle for independence, Hill reached out to the Massachusetts Historical Society so that Georgia Southern and Yale Universities can collaborate on a joint publication reproducing Clark鈥檚 manuscript, the drum itself and the music that would have carried soldiers across the battlefield. The first and only edition of Clark’s manuscript was privately produced in the 1970s. 

More recently, Hill and Tharp also presented an essay on this drum at the American Musical Instrument Society’s conference in Vermillion, South Dakota, 鈥淎 Different Drummer (and His Drum): Benjamin Clark鈥檚 Revolutionary War Drum of 1781 and His Drum Book of 1797.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

For Hill and fellow historians, this new discovery is not only interesting but also remarkable.

鈥淚t was like Howard Carter finding the tomb of King Tut, for me. I understood his excitement when I realized what an incredible artifact I had come across that had been so well-preserved from the American Revolution,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淏ut what鈥檚 most exciting to me is what will come from all of this work and what we will contribute to the greater body of knowledge surrounding the development, implementation and history of the American drum.鈥�

As the United States of America celebrates its 250th anniversary, scholars like Hill continue to unearth hidden artifacts that illuminate the origins of an enduring nation.

Two 快猫app短视 researchers are continuing to advance literacy development efforts in Southeast Georgia thanks to a $50,000 grant.  

The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy awarded the grant to Sally Brown, Ph.D., and Alisa Leckie, Ph.D., of the College of Education, to enhance support for their Reading Room initiative.聽

“The rooms are in schools, churches and community centers,” explained Brown. “We’re basically trying to target families with young children in their environments.” 

Brown says their research was inspired by the reading room studies (Salas de Lectura) from Mexico, which demonstrated the success of community-based spaces where people of all ages were welcome to read. 

“When the families come, we have books set up for them to participate in an independent reading with their child,” she said. “They read with their child for about 20 minutes. Then we engage the family in a read-aloud. If we have multilingual families, we do the read-aloud in multiple languages.”

“Literacy equals knowledge,” she said. “Children want to know more about their world. If we give them opportunities to learn, they can build knowledge that adds to their confidence and makes them feel empowered.”

The rooms focus on language development, which is crucial to reading development. Brown said that if kids are immersed in the rich language and vocabulary of stories, it will reinforce literacy skills taught in public schools.  

“In 2023, 41 percent of third-grade students were reading at or above grade level,” Brown said. “Only 17 percent of students coming from homes where English isn’t the first language spoken were reading at or above grade level.” 

The grant funding has helped them establish new locations in Chatham, Bulloch and Effingham counties, giving Georgia Southern College of Education students the opportunity to work directly with children and their families, while coordinating lesson agendas and facilitating the Reading Rooms. 

Brown and Leckie’s initiative is part of a bigger plan to spread literacy throughout the Southeast. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently announced a $5.5 million grant to support the development of a literacy center at Georgia Southern.

Brown said there’s still a lot of work ahead, but she’s looking forward to seeing how the communities respond to their initiative. 

“It’s about paying it forward,” she said. “You can see the difference these Reading Rooms are making, especially when their faces light up because they’ve found the perfect book. We have kids come who would say, ‘Oh, my mom dragged me here, I’m not really into reading.’ But at the end of the session, they’ll ask when the next one is. To see something like that鈥t’s just really special.”

Amy Potter, Ph.D., professor of geography in 快猫app短视鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics, is the latest 快猫app短视 faculty member to serve as a Fulbright Specialist. Part of the broader Fulbright Program, the specialist designation supports short-term, project-based collaborations between U.S. scholars and international institutions.

Earlier this year, Potter traveled to the Northern Colombian city of Monteria as a Fulbright Specialist and contributed her expertise to 鈥淐olombia鈥揢.S. Dialogue on Global Water & Sustainability,鈥� a collaborative, online, international learning (COIL) experience 鈥� an educational model that connects faculty from international institutions to design courses around shared topics. 

It examines the effects of economic growth on environmental and cultural sustainability. The idea originated with Aura Garcia, a faculty member at Pontifical Bolivarian University鈥揗onter铆a (UPB鈥揗onter铆a). 

Garcia chose Potter as her collaborator after being impressed by her previous work in cultural sustainability.

鈥淚 wanted Amy after seeing her work in tourism and her efforts in Ireland trying to preserve the culture of the family farm,鈥� she said.

Culminating in a four-week class for Potter and Garcia鈥檚 students this fall, the COIL experience will focus on southeast Georgia and members of the Indigenous Zen煤 community, whose pre-Columbian roots are in and around present-day Monter铆a.

Potter spoke specifically about the reality in southeast Georgia, acknowledging .

鈥淒evelopment brings incredible opportunities, including much-needed jobs for a region like ours, but it also creates pressure, especially on our water resources,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭he key question is whether our water systems can sustain that growth over time.鈥�

Garcia painted a similar picture for the city of Monteria.

鈥淭he population has grown, and we鈥檝e seen increased revenue and improved infrastructure,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he Zen煤 people are definitely feeling pressure. They are still trying to figure out how their culture fits in this development.鈥�

Potter saw this firsthand when she visited the town of Tuch铆n. Located about 30 miles northeast of Monter铆a, the town has a predominant Zen煤 population. It serves as a production site for the sombrero vueltiao. The headwear, which has been made by Zen煤 artisans for centuries, is known for its vibrant color and intricate design.

鈥淚 had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with artisans who make this sombrero,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n 2004, it was designated a national symbol of Colombia.鈥�

Made from a native plant called ca帽a flecha, Potter said this beloved cultural symbol is under threat from 鈥渄ifferent kinds of water issues,鈥� including .

Despite these challenges, the community and its traditions are still enduring, according to Potter. She recalled her visit to the Association of Producers for the Rehabilitation of Agricultural Productivity as an example of this endurance. The agricultural group, located roughly 47 miles north of Monteria, replicates the canals and the ancient hydraulic systems created by the Zen煤 people. 

鈥淭he raised land protects the crops from floods and creates food security for Zen煤 families,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭hese tried-and-true ancestral practices are what鈥檚 creating resilience today.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Reflecting on her time in Colombia, Potter noted how meaningful it is to learn from different cultures, perspectives and histories.

鈥淗aving the opportunity to interact with and learn from the Zen煤 people in this epicenter of Colombian culture was deeply moving,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 also pretty excited about the viewpoint we鈥檙e going to bring.鈥�

Potter hopes the students will have a similar experience in the class later this year. 

鈥淭his will be a unique experience,鈥� Garcia added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the first time we are offering collaborative classes with an American institution, and students are eager to learn how other places address water sustainability.鈥�

Suicide claims more than 49,000 lives in the U.S. annually and more than 700,000 globally, according to the National Institutes of Health. Despite these numbers, minimal research had been published on the characteristics of the U.S. K-12 educators who died by suicide between 2001 and 2025.聽

Researchers from 快猫app短视 addressed that.

The study examined the suicides of 1,548 primary and secondary school educators, who died between 2018 and 2021. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention鈥檚 , the researchers accounted for sex, age, race, marital status, injury time, injury date and weapon type in each case.

Results showed that white males, those over the age of 60 and those who had never been married showed up most often in the dataset. Findings also indicated suicides were much more likely to occur during school hours. Injury dates most commonly occurred on Mondays.

Identifying specific patterns in a large study can potentially change how educational systems view the occupation in relation to mental health, according to lead author Ed Mondor, Ph.D.,associate professor of biology in 快猫app短视鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics.

鈥淭he research highlights that anticipatory stress, often dismissed as simply 鈥榩art of the job,鈥� may have serious consequences,鈥� he explained. 鈥淎t the institutional level, it emphasizes the importance of proactive mental health resources and workload policies that acknowledge the emotional demands of teaching.鈥�

The research is also notable for the various perspectives from the University鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics (COSM), College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (CBSS), Waters College of Health Professions (WCHP), and Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), spanning multiple disciplines, including forensic science, public health and public policy.

In total, eight faculty members contributed to the publication of 鈥�,鈥� in the October 2025 edition of .

Georgia Southern鈥檚 Institute for Health Logistics and Analytics (IHLA) made the partnership possible through their 鈥極ne Health鈥� approach. Mondor brought an expertise in forensic science, while Leanne Confer, Ph.D. and Ryan Lofaro, Ph.D. from CBSS lent a public policy perspective. Beth McGee, Ph.D., and Spencer Riner, also from CBSS informed the publication from a health and public safety standpoint, respectively. Jacquelyn Mesenbrink-Sainz, DrPH from WCHP and Katie Mercer, DrPH, from JPHCOPH added a public health lens.

鈥淲e bring together faculty, staff and students from across disciplines to advance community health through Interdisciplinary Research Teams,鈥� said Jessica Schwind, Ph.D., co-author of the paper and director of IHLA.

The group views this publication as a first step. They are already beginning work on another publication. 鈥淭his paper led to another manuscript that is currently under review,鈥� said Confer. 

鈥淭his time we鈥檙e taking a closer look at the people who were noted as having a 鈥榡ob-related problem鈥� prior to their suicide,鈥� she explained. 鈥淲e want to further explore how the occupation may contribute to these events.鈥�

快猫app短视 has been named a member of the (GRA), joining a group of leading research universities including the University of Georgia, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University. 

鈥淭his is an ideal moment for Georgia Southern to join GRA,鈥� said 快猫app短视 President Kyle Marrero. 鈥淥ur institutional momentum aligns closely with GRA鈥檚 mission to expand Georgia鈥檚 research capacity and economic competitiveness. As we continue our trajectory toward becoming a nationally recognized public impact research university, we are committed to advancing innovation, developing talent and addressing the critical needs of Southeast Georgia through research that strengthens communities, drives economic development and improves quality of life across the region.鈥�

The GRA is a nonprofit, public-private partnership affiliated with the and Georgia鈥檚 . Founded in 1990, the organization aims to drive research impact and entrepreneurship across the state. 

鈥淕RA is a proven catalyst for growing university research and entrepreneurship in our state, and our two newest members are certainly going to help accelerate that growth,鈥� said GRA President and CEO Tim Denning. 鈥淕eorgia Southern and Kennesaw State will make GRA an even stronger catalyst and will help strengthen the innovation ecosystem in new regions of our state. We are grateful for the support of Governor Kemp and the General Assembly for this expansion in the FY27 budget.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

The addition of Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State University to GRA brings the Alliance鈥檚 membership to 10 public and private research universities.

In fiscal year 2025, the alliance secured more than $1 billion in external public-private funding for research. That funding helped create more than 3,000 new jobs in laboratories and start-ups, .

Georgia Southern鈥檚 admission is a milestone for its growing research enterprise. In recent years, multiple faculty members have been awarded Fulbright Scholarships, and one was named a fellow in the National Academy of Inventors.

Georgia Southern has experienced record growth and momentum in recent years, with projected FY 2026 annual research expenditures surpassing $56 million. This trajectory puts the University on track to achieve Carnegie R1 classification in the upcoming review cycle. Carnegie R1 is the nation鈥檚 highest designation for doctoral research universities.

Georgia Southern has developed research strengths in fields like environmental science, early childhood education and advanced manufacturing and logistics. These strengths have directly benefited Georgia and the region, while showing potential to do the same on a national scale and global scale. The GRA can provide resources to help the University continue its current efforts and fulfill that potential.

Membership privileges include the ability to recruit researchers from the GRA鈥檚 . In a show of support, the Georgia General Assembly has appropriated the funds for Georgia Southern鈥檚 inaugural Eminent Scholar, the top level of talent within the Academy. 

As members of GRA, Georgia Southern also qualifies to join the GRA Core Exchange, a nationally unique program that allows researchers from any member university to access research equipment and facilities at fellow member institutions without paying external administrative fees.

David C. Weindorf, Ph.D., vice president for research and economic development, says the combination of these factors makes it an ideal time for Georgia Southern to join.

鈥淲e are excited to bring our distinct perspective to the GRA,鈥� Weindorf said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for their support of our vision, and I can鈥檛 wait to deepen our partnership with fellow members, as we continue to pursue research that will improve our communities and our world.鈥�

About GRA

The Georgia Research Alliance drives greater impact out of university research and entrepreneurship to benefit Georgia and the world. GRA recruits star research talent to Georgia鈥檚 universities; provides sophisticated tools and core facilities to help researchers win more competitive grants; and seeds and shapes startup companies around university inventions. The Alliance鈥檚 cumulative 36-year ROI is over $16 billion (a 22-to-1 return on Georgia鈥檚 investment). GRA鈥檚 ten partner universities are: Augusta University, Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, 快猫app短视,

Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Mercer University, Morehouse School of Medicine and The University of Georgia.

About 快猫app短视
快猫app短视, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 with a Carnegie Community Engagement classification, offers approximately 149 different degree programs serving nearly 31,600 students through 11 colleges on four campuses in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro, Swainsboro and online instruction. Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern is a leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty and a focus on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to soar beyond and take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit .

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.聽

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�