Archives
June 2017
Summer kicks off with Partnership School groundbreaking celebration
We kicked off summer in the Office of Research and Economic Development with a very special event.
On May 17, the university and the Starkville Oktibbeha School District broke ground on the new Partnership School -- a school that we expect to revolutionize how children learn and teachers teach. As I told our standing-room only crowd at the groundbreaking, I'm hard-pressed to think of any project that I am more proud of than the Partnership School -- it really is the perfect example of what we can accomplish when we work together.
I'm glad that so many of you could join us for the occasion. And if you couldn't be there, you can read more about the project atwww.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/05/msu-sosd-move-education-forward-partnership-school-groundbreaking.
David Shaw is vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University.
New class graduates from Departmental Administrator Working Group
Congratulations to this year's Departmental Administrator Working Group graduates: Bailey Anderson, Sponsored Programs Accounting; Renee Brannon, National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision; Sarah Brown, High Performance Computing Collaboratory; Ginger Cavinder, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences; Donna Edwards, Department of Psychology; LeeAnn Funderburg, Stennis Institute of Government; Christy Green, College of Veterinary Medicine; Webb Jennings, Sponsored Programs Accounting; Chris Kolb, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems; Caty McCluskey, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems; Tiffany Middleton, College of Education; Kristen Nichols, Delta Research and Extension Center; Ashley Patterson, Extension Southwest Region; Kim Rayborn, College of Arts and Sciences; Koretta Reed, Cobb Institute of Archaeology; Jessie Schmidt, Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute; and Kay Travis, Brown Loam Branch Experiment Station. Read more about the DAWG program at www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/05/dawg-program-grads-hone-sponsored-project-administration-skills.
International Institute launches Global Discovery seed grant program
The International Institute has launched a new Global Discovery seed grant program with funding from my office and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. This new initiative has been designed to "catalyze international activities with high potential to leverage external funding and promote high impact, scalable, scholarly, & creative activities or capacity building, while creating international education opportunities for students." I invite you to learn more about the Global Discovery grants at http://international.msstate.edu/research/GDSGP/index.php or contact Shauncey Hill at shill@international.msstate.edu.
Human subjects training now good for five years
The Office of Research Compliance has this good news to share: Effective May 1, 2017, the expiration date for human subjects training has been extended from three years to five years. (Please note: Any training completed prior to this date still has the three-year expiration date.) We hope this change will alleviate some of the refresher training requirements and simplify the process for submitting Institutional Review Board protocols. Please contact the Human Research Protections Program office at 662-325-3994 if you need additional information.
Final words
I don't have to tell you that we continue to face a very tough research funding environment -- and it looks like it's only going to get tougher. For those of you writing proposals, please let us know how we can help you. The Office of Sponsored Projects is a great resource, and I encourage you to work with them. I'd also like to remind those of you who've received funding to be mindful of your sponsor's requirements and deadlines -- you never know how those simple but essential details could affect future funding.
Thank you for taking the time to read this month's letter. Please feel free to contact me at dshaw@research.msstate.edu if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns about any of our research and economic development activities or visit www.research.msstate.edu.
May 2017
Celebrating research success as spring semester concludes
The end of the spring semester and another academic year is here again, and I'd like to thank everyone who has been a part of our work in the Office of Research and Economic Development. It's been a great year for our overall research enterprise, and last week we celebrated with many of you at the Annual Research Awards Banquet, which we co-host with the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine every April.
This year, we honored Dr. Henry Wan -- a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Basic Sciences -- with the Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award, the university's highest honor for research achievement. The Powe Award is a memorial to Dr. Powe, an MSU alumnus and longtime research vice president who passed away in 1996. It is selected at the university level from nominations received from the campus community.
We were pleased that members of the Powe family and more than 200 honorees and guests could join us to celebrate the university's research success stories. Thanks very much to Carmen Kelly, Jessica Northcutt and Lynn Taylor for putting together a very special event. Read more about Dr. Wan and all of our award winners at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/04/mississippi-state-celebrates-research-success-annual-banquet or take a look at the banquet program put together by Hayley Gilmore in the Office of Public Affairs at http://www.research.msstate.edu/rresources/pdf/2017ResearchAwardsProgram.pdf.
David Shaw is vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University.
Mississippi State team to lead Homeland Security's UAS test site
After a multi-year effort and a very competitive review process, we were excited to announce last month that Mississippi State will be leading the partnership for the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate's new Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Demonstration Range Facility. This win is the latest example of how Mississippi is becoming a national hub for unmanned aircraft R&D, and this university -- your university -- is leading the way. Congratulations to Dallas Brooks and his team at the Raspet Flight Research Lab for their outstanding work to land this game-changing initiative. As President Keenum said, this really is a great win for not only our university, but for the entire state of Mississippi. Read more at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/04/mississippi-state-selected-lead-homeland-security-uas-test-site.
Leadership transition for technology management
We introduced Jeremy Clay as the interim director of the Office of Technology Management during the patent recognition segment of the Research Awards banquet last week, and I'd like to thank him for taking on this important role as we move through a leadership transition. I'd also like to thank Kris McCandless for her work as OTM director over the past several years. We wish her the very best as she starts a new chapter in her life later this summer.
Faculty Leadership Program applications due May 26
My office and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President will again be conducting an academic leadership program for selected faculty during the upcoming 2017-18 academic year. The program consists of two-hour seminar sessions once per month from August to April with senior leaders covering a wide variety of topics. We've seen a lot of success with this initiative, and many of our Faculty Leadership Program participants are now serving in key leadership positions on campus. Please see https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/03/nominations-sought-faculty-leadership-program for eligibility requirements, nomination details and other program information. Nomination packages are due no later than May 26.
Project request portal training sessions this month
I mentioned last month that a pilot group has been testing a new Sponsored Projects request portal the past few months, and we are on track to go live with it on July 1st. The portal is designed to quickly give you the information you need, provide transparency throughout the request process, facilitate cross-college collaboration, and allow us to identify bottlenecks in the process and then fix them, among other added benefits. We are offering three training sessions for the request portal this month -- May 16 at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. and on May 17 at 2 p.m. -- and I encourage you to sign up. Online registration is available at https://mississippistate.pageuppeople.com by clicking on Learning Library under the My Community tab. After that, click on OSP Request Portal Training and complete the registration. Additional training resources will be provided over the next few weeks, and if you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Easley at 662-325-3751 or jeasley@osp.msstate.edu.
Thank you for HRPP feedback
I'd like to thank everyone who completed the Class Climate evaluation of our Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) that was sent to every investigator who submitted an Institutional Review Board protocol last semester. Your feedback is very important as we work to enhance the services we offer. We will be sending another evaluation for the spring semester, and I encourage you to take a few minutes and complete the survey. If you have any comments, questions, suggestions or concerns about HRPP, please contact me or Jodi Roberts at jroberts@orc.msstate.edu or 662-325-2238.
Wanted: Your ideas for the research seminar series
We are in the process of finalizing the 2017-2018 Research Seminar Series. If you have a suggestion for a topic you would like to see us cover, please send the details -- and an explanation of why you think it would be beneficial -- to Assistant Vice President for Research Teresa Gammill at tgammill@research.msstate.edu by May 15.
Kudos and congratulations
I always look forward to sharing success stories about our faculty and staff with you, and here are a few that have crossed my desk:
* Kudos to the offices of Sponsored Projects and Sponsored Programs Accounting! A targeted review by the National Science Foundation of the university's internal controls related to sub-award monitoring recently concluded, and auditors noted no concerns. As you know, compliance is absolutely essential to the success of research at Mississippi State, and I appreciate very much the efforts of everyone working to ensure that we are good stewards of the external funding we receive.
* Congratulations to the College of Architecture, Art and Design's Hans Herrmann, Alexis Gregory, Emily McGlohn and Michele Herrmann. They were recently recognized for their work by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4048.
* Kudos to Dipangkar Dutta, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, who is the principal investigator leading a part of a National Science Foundation project examining an alternate material to measure G, Isaac Newton's gravitational constant, also known as "Big G." Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4051.
* Congratulations to Jan Chambers, William L. Giles Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Medicine and the director for the Center for Environmental Health Sciences, who is a winner of the 2017 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4024.
* Kudos to David Buys, an assistant extension/research professor in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion, who was recently honored by the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with its Magnolia Award. The Magnolia Award recognizes individuals outside of the dietetics profession who make significant contributions to the field. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4035.
* Congratulations to Caleb Lemley, an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Science, who received the Outstanding Young Animal Scientist in Research Award from the Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4025.
Final words
Thank you for taking the time to read this month's letter. Please feel free to contact me at dshaw@research.msstate.edu if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns about any of our research and economic development activities or visit http://www.research.msstate.edu.
Congratulations to all of our new graduates and Hail State!
April 2017
Annual Research Awards Banquet coming up April 27
It's hard to believe that the end of another semester is only a few short weeks away. Like you, we've had a busy one in the Office of Research and Economic Development, and I'd like to take a few minutes of your time for an update.
David Shaw is vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University.
Annual Research Awards Banquet coming up April 27
On April 27 at 11:30 a.m., we will co-host the Annual Research Awards Banquet with the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at the Hunter Henry Center. This special event is a highlight of my year, and as always, I'm looking forward to spending some time with our award-winning faculty, staff and student researchers and research support team members. Look for additional information about this year's honorees in next month's letter.
Nominations sought for Faculty Leadership Program
As we have done in past years, my office and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President will again be conducting an academic leadership program for selected faculty during the upcoming 2017-18 academic year. The program consists of two-hour seminar sessions once per month from August to April with senior leaders covering a wide variety of topics. We've seen a lot of success with this initiative, and many of our Faculty Leadership Program participants are now serving in key leadership positions on campus. Please see https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/03/nominations-sought-faculty-leadership-program for eligibility requirements, nomination details and deadline, and other program information.
New project request portal set to launch in July
One of our office's most important priorities is to streamline the research administration process so that Mississippi State's researchers can focus on their work. We've been able to implement a number of "customer service" enhancements over the past few years and are on schedule to launch a new one this summer. A pilot group has been testing a new Sponsored Projects request portal the past few months, and we appreciate their feedback as we work toward launching the portal in July. The portal is designed to quickly give you the information you need, provide transparency throughout the request process, facilitate cross-college collaboration, and allow us to identify bottlenecks in the process and then fix them, among other added benefits. Special thanks to the Office of Sponsored Projects team for their work on this innovative solution. Be on the lookout for additional information about the request portal and training opportunities in May. If you have any questions, please contact OSP Director Jennifer Easley at 662-325-3751 or jeasley@osp.msstate.edu.
Rogers named director of UAS Center of Excellence
We were pleased to announce late last month that Marty Rogers is the new director of the Mississippi State-led Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence, more commonly known as ASSURE, which is the Federal Aviation Administration's Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Marty joins us from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, but he has deep roots in our state and we're happy to welcome him home. I'm confident he will help lead ASSURE forward as it continues to grow its successful partnerships with the FAA and aerospace companies as unmanned aircraft are integrated safely into the nation's airspace. Read more at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/03/rogers-named-director-msu-led-uas-center-excellence.
April RCR session to examine chemical security in labs
The next Responsible Conduct of Research training session of the spring semester will take place April 25 from 1:30-3 p.m. at Bost Extension Center in the Building B Theatre. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will lead the "Laboratory Chemical Security" session, and registration is available at http://www.orc.msstate.edu/training.
Kudos and congratulations
I always look forward to sharing success stories about our faculty and staff with you, and here are a few that have crossed my desk the past few days:
* Kudos to the College of Business and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach -- and co-principal investigators Sharon Oswald and Eric Hill -- for winning a $495,300, five-year Innovation Corps Sites Program from the National Science Foundation. NSF I-Corp Sites provide infrastructure, advice, resources, networking opportunities, training and modest funding to enable groups to transition their work into the marketplace or into becoming I-Corps Team applicants. I-Corps Sites also strengthen innovation locally and regionally and contribute to the National Innovation Network of mentors, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors.
* Congratulations to Ra'Sheda Forbes, who has been named assistant vice president for multicultural affairs. Read more at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/03/forbes-named-assistant-…
* Kudos to Farshid Vahedifard, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering in the Bagley College of Engineering, whose letter examining lessons from the Oroville dam situation in California was published in the March 17 issue of Science. Read more about Dr. Vahedifard and his colleagues' work at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/03/msu%e2%80%99s-vahedifard-examines-%e2%80%98lessons-oroville-dam%e2%80%99-science.
* Congratulations to Eddie French, who was recently named head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. Read more at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/03/french-named-msu-political-science-public-administration-department-head.
* Kudos to Penny Wallin, an assistant professor of educational leadership at MSU-Meridian, who will give the featured address at this week's National Field Experience Conference, which will feature information, practices, policies and research about teacher candidates' experiences in school settings. Read more at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/03/msu-meridian-professor-be-keynote-speaker-national-conference.
* Congratulations to Madison Poole, who is the new director of international partnerships and protocol for the MSU International Institute. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4002.
* Kudos to Dave Marcum, chief scientist for computational fluid dynamics at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems and professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who has been awarded an Inria International Chair for 2017-2021. Inria is the French national institute for computer science and applied mathematics. During his work with colleagues on two- to three-month visits over the next five years, Dr. Marcum will continue his research of unstructured mesh generation for computational simulation and design of automotive, aerospace and industrial vehicles and devices. His achievement is a great example of Mississippi State's ongoing efforts to expand our robust global partnerships. Learn more at https://www.inria.fr/en/institute/recruitment/inria-international-chairs/international-chairs.
Final words
I'd like to thank everyone who had a hand in last week's "The Future of Water: Regional Collaboration on Shared Climate, Coastlines and Watersheds" at The Mill at MSU. From the organizing committee -- to our panelists and moderators -- to the Office of Public Affairs -- and so many others -- thank you all for your incredible work, support and promotion of this very special event. It was truly a university-wide effort to host the first-ever on-campus SEC Academic Conference, and the entire Mississippi State family should take pride in its success. Thank you!
Please feel free to contact me at dshaw@research.msstate.edu if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns about any of our research and economic development activities or visit www.research.msstate.edu.
March 2017
Register today for 2017 SEC Academic Conference at The Mill at MSU
After months of planning, Mississippi State is ready to host the Southeastern Conference's first-ever on-campus academic symposium in just a few short weeks. The 2017 SEC Academic Conference -- "The Future of Water: Regional Collaboration on Shared Climate, Coastlines and Watersheds" -- takes place March 27-28 at The Mill at MSU, and you can learn more about the outstanding lineup of special events and speakers -- and register -- at www.secconference.msstate.edu.
Before we begin Spring Break, I'd like to give you a brief update about a few of our other activities in the Office of Research and Economic Development.
David Shaw is vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University.
CAVS Extension to continue role in manufacturing partnership
We were pleased to learn that the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension in Canton will continue to play a key role in the state's Manufacturing Extension Partnership with additional federal funding in place for this very productive collaborative program. CAVS-E helps approximately 50 small and midsize manufacturing companies every year by providing technical assistance and expertise on the manufacturing process. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3963.
MEDC recognizes CAVS Extension, FFI and NSPARC
Speaking of CAVS Extension, it -- along with its partners, including MSU's Franklin Furniture Institute and National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center -- received the Community Economic Development Award from the Mississippi Economic Development Council for their work to bring advanced manufacturing jobs back to America. During the three-year effort, the project team worked with Mississippi manufacturers to reshore jobs back to the U.S. from other countries and to prevent any additional offshoring. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3947.
Grant to fund collaborative research with Cardiff University
As many of you know, Mississippi State and Cardiff University in Wales have a very productive relationship, and our collaboration took another step forward recently with a $400,000, four-year grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to increase understanding of infant head trauma. It's a great example of our focus on developing international opportunities, and you can read more about it at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/03/grant-will-fund-msu-and-uk-research-advance-understanding-infant-head.
RCU launches K-12 innovation podcast
The Research and Curriculum Unit launched a new podcast this week focused on K-12 innovations in our state. The new monthly production is a terrific resource for administrators and teachers, as well as local and state officials and economic development leaders. Read more about it at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/03/msu-based-education-res… or visit www.rcu.msstate.edu/MSEDTalk.
April RCR session to examine chemical security in labs
The next Responsible Conduct of Research training session of the spring semester will take place April 25 from 1:30-3 p.m. at Bost Extension Center in the Building B Theatre. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will lead the "Laboratory Chemical Security" session, and registration is available at http://www.orc.msstate.edu/training
Reminder: Advancing Mississippi Conference this summer
The University Research Center in Jackson will be hosting its 2nd-annual Advancing Mississippi Conference on June 8, and it's a great opportunity for Mississippi State's researchers to contribute to a brighter future for our fellow Mississippians. Please consider participating in this year's conference. You can find additional information at http://www.mississippi.edu/urc.
Kudos and congratulations
I always look forward to sharing success stories about our faculty and staff with you, and here are a few that have crossed my desk the past few days:
* Congratulations to Dave Dampier, a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, who was recently named the Mary Lyn and Niles Moseley Endowed Chair of Cyber Security in the Bagley College of Engineering. Dr. Dampier is also director of the Distributed Analytics and Security Institute, the Center for Computer Security Research and the National Forensics Training Center. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3937.
* Kudos to James Fowler, a professor and the graduate program director in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who has been elevated to the rank of fellow by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. IEEE fellows are chosen from an international pool of candidates working in both academia and industry and are honored annually based upon their contributions and accomplishments to specific IEEE fields of interest. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3922.
* Congratulations to Judy Spencer, the university's chief human resources officer, who was honored by Women in Higher Education-Mississippi Network with its 2017 Leadership Award during the organization's annual conference in Jackson last month. Read more about this well-deserved recognition at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3955.
* Kudos to Mike Pratte, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, whose NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Program (R15) funding grant was recently awarded, and to Sam Winer, also an assistant professor in the department, who received a "perfect" score of 10 on his NIH R15 renewal. The R15 program is designed to support biomedical and behavioral sciences research, involve students in research, and strengthen the research environment of the institution. Learn more at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/area/area.htm.
Final words
We hosted our first finalist for Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute director last week, and continue with the second candidate Friday, March 10 and the third finalist on Monday, March 13. I encourage you to attend their public presentations. We will also post videos of each presentation online next week. Learn more about the search and our finalists at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3959
Please feel free to contact me at dshaw@research.msstate.edu if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns about our research and economic development activities.
February 2017
Full speed ahead through a very busy spring semester
I hope you saw the news last month about the recognition our International Institute garnered from the Institute of International Education for the university's innovative dual-degree program with the Universite International de Rabat in Morocco. The organization awarded Mississippi State the 2017 IIE Andrew Heiskell Award for International Partnerships, and I'm very proud of the work done by so many of you on this initiative. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. Read more about the Heiskell Award at http://international.msstate.edu/news/indexmock.php?recid=5222&type=news.
As many of you know, going more global is an important priority for us. Last week, I visited Spain and France where we had very productive meetings and signed two memorandums of understanding with the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia -- the Polytechnic University of Valencia -- and with FAAR Industry, an international engineering company with expertise in autonomous vehicles. These partnerships will provide numerous research possibilities across a range of disciplines, as well as faculty exchanges and student study-abroad opportunities.
Like many of you, we are full speed ahead through a very busy spring semester in the Office of Research and Economic Development, and I'd like to take a few minutes to give you a quick update.
David Shaw is vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University.
Plan now: Advancing Mississippi Conference this summer
The University Research Center in Jackson will be hosting its 2nd-annual Advancing Mississippi Conference on June 8, and it's a great opportunity for Mississippi State's researchers to contribute to a brighter future for our fellow Mississippians. Here are a few more details from the URC: Researchers from across the state will present papers addressing long-term economic challenges facing the state. These challenges include any topic that could inhibit and/or enhance economic growth in the state including but not limited to education, health, criminal justice, family dynamics, and public policy. Ideally, policy makers, business leaders, and community activists should be able to use the research presented at this conference to uncover productive ways to overcome challenges and foster growth in Mississippi. I encourage you to consider participating in this year's conference. You can find additional information at www.mississippi.edu/urc or send questions to Sondra Collins at sonda.collins@mississippi.edu.
NSPARC releases Starkville retail survey results
It's no secret Mississippi State and the surrounding community have experienced significant growth over the past decade, and now we have a much better understanding of that economic impact thanks to the results of a survey by MSU's National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center. Working with the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, NSPARC found that students, faculty and staff, alumni, local residents and visitors spend $554 million annually at Starkville retailers. That's a tremendous amount of buying power, and one that could pay dividends in the future as other businesses consider our community to open or expand their operations. You can learn more about the survey results at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/01/msu-report-half-billion…
Insitu executives visit Research Park
We were pleased to visit with executives from Institu last month when they were here for the MSU Career Fair and to build other connections with the campus and local community, including our UAS researchers. Since May, Insitu has been developing plans that will allow the company to capitalize on its office in the Industrial Partners Building in the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park, and we believe the company will be able to utilize our aerospace leadership and expertise, including the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory and the MSU-led FAA Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Let me also mention that the Research Park is nearing full occupancy, and we're currently evaluating a number of options to expand and create new opportunities for public and private investment in this economic development asset that truly has a statewide impact.
'Research Ethics and the Graduate Student' RCR session this month
The next Responsible Conduct of Research training session of the spring semester will take place Feb. 27 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in 1405 IMC Presentation Room at Mitchell Memorial Library. Deborah Lee, the coordinator of Graduate Student Services for MSU Libraries and the co-director of the Maroon & Write MSU Quality Enhancement Plan, will lead the "Research Ethics and the Graduate Student" seminar, and registration is available at www.orc.msstate.edu/training.
Kudos and congratulations
I always look forward to sharing success stories about our faculty and staff with you, and here are a few that have crossed my desk the past few days:
* Congratulations to Michael Galaty, who has been named director of the Cobb Institute of Archaeology. Read more at http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/02/galaty-named-director-m…
* Kudos to the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Mississippi Development Authority for their recent memorandum of understanding formalizing their partnership to leverage higher education assets to recruit business and industry to our state. My office and our university work closely with both IHL and MDA on major economic development efforts, and I believe this collaborative effort is key to the long-term growth and prosperity of Mississippi. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3883.
* Congratulations to Lurleen Walters, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, who was recently honored by the Food Distribution Research Society with the Patrick J. Byrne Emerging Leadership Award. Read more at www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/02/food-marketing-distribution-group-honors-msu-faculty-member.
Final words
Many of you have questions and concerns about the recent presidential executive order on immigration and its impact on our international students, faculty, visitors, and research engagement. On Thursday [Feb. 9], the university will host Elaine Kimbrell, the managing partner of the Ware Immigration law firm, for an information session beginning at 1:30 p.m. in Colvard Student Union's Foster Ballroom, and I encourage you to attend. The International Institute team is also available to provide information and answer questions. Learn more at www.international.msstate.edu.
And if you haven't already done so, please don't forget to register for the 2017 SEC Academic Conference -- "The Future of Water" -- that we're hosting at The Mill at MSU next month -- www.secconference.msstate.edu.
Please feel free to contact me at dshaw@research.msstate.edu if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns about our research and economic development activities.
January 2017
Kick off spring semester with ORED's seminar series
The beginning of a new semester is always an exciting time to be on our campus, and I hope your spring semester is off to a great start. Please let me take a few minutes to give you a quick update from the Office of Research and Economic Development.
David Shaw is vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University.
Spring's Research Seminar Series starts this week
We have a solid lineup of presentations and speakers scheduled for ORED's Research Seminar Series this spring, and I encourage you to join us. The first session -- "Using Real-World Problems in the Classroom to Grow Industry Partnerships," led by Kathy Gelston, associate vice president for corporate engagement and economic development, and Reuben Burch, an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering -- takes place on Wednesday [Jan. 11] from 2-3:30 p.m. in the theater at Bost Extension Center. For additional information about the seminars, visit http://www.research.msstate.edu/workshops/ResearchSeminarSeriesSpring2017_Website.pdf or http://www.research.msstate.edu/workshops.
Nomination period for Powe and research awards set to open
One of the highlights of my year is the annual research awards banquet in April when we join with the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine to honor faculty, staff and students for their outstanding research achievements. In the next few days, we'll begin accepting nominations for the awards, and I encourage you to consider making a nomination this year. We'll have all the details posted at http://www.research.msstate.edu and on Maroon Research social media later this week.
Responsible Conduct of Research session Jan. 30
Three federal agencies require training and oversight in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR): the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the USDA-National Institutes of Food and Agriculture. To help you comply with these requirements, the Office of Research Compliance hosts at least one seminar per month during the fall and spring semesters that satisfy the face-to-face component of the training. If you have questions about RCR training, visit the ORC website at http://www.orc.msstate.edu/conduct or contact Kacey Strickland at 662-325-7474. The first Responsible Conduct of Research training session of the spring semester will take place Jan. 30 from 3-4 p.m. in 1405 IMC Presentation Room at Mitchell Memorial Library. Deborah Lee, the coordinator of Graduate Student Services for MSU Libraries and the co-director of the Maroon & Write MSU Quality Enhancement Plan, will lead the "Developing a Literature Review" seminar, and registration is available at http://www.orc.msstate.edu/training.
Reminder: Register today for SEC Academic Conference
I want to remind you that registration is open for the 2017 SEC Academic Conference that the university will host March 27-28 at The Mill at MSU. The new academic event focused on SEC university research collaboration will examine "The Future of Water: Regional Collaboration on Shared Climate, Coastlines, and Watersheds." The conference will be a great opportunity to showcase the innovative research that's taking place at Mississippi State, and will provide faculty, staff and students with opportunities to connect with their peers from around the region. For details, please see http://www.secconference.msstate.edu.
Kudos and congratulations
I always look forward to sharing success stories about our faculty and staff with you, and here are a few that have crossed my desk the past few days:
* Congratulations to Alix Hui, an associate professor in the Department of History, who has been awarded a prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Scholars. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3858.
* Kudos to Meghan Millea, a professor of finance and economics in the College of Business, and Margaret Khaitsa, a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, whose work recently received the Engagement Scholarship Consortium Conference Poster Award for their outstanding poster presented at the 17th Annual Conference of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3862.
* Congratulations to Hal Schramm, a U.S. Geological Survey fisheries research biologist and adjunct fisheries professor, who has been designated a Fellow of the American Fisheries Society in recognition of his four decades of service. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=3851.
* Kudos to the Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development team for their work on the Alabama and Mississippi Community College Policy Fellows Program, which has received national media attention recently, including coverage by Inside Higher Ed -- https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/12/21/community-college-leaders-take-civil-rights-bus-tour-goal-solving-problems-today.
Final words
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns about Mississippi State's research and economic development initiatives, please feel free to contact me at dshaw@research.msstate.edu.