July 2018
Research opportunities for students a priority
While summer continues, we are already looking forward to the start of a new academic year and the return of all of our students. Offering undergrad and grad students unique research opportunities is a priority at Mississippi State, and it is an important part of the overall student experience that sets us apart from our peers. I encourage you to include students in your research programs whenever possible, and if you need assistance to do so, please feel free to contact Assistant Vice President for Research Teresa Gammill at tgammill@research.msstate.edu
Please let me share a brief update from the Office of Research and Economic Development with you.
David Shaw is vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University.
Smith transitions to RCU leadership position
As I mentioned last month, we're pleased that Julie Jordan is now leading the university's International Institute and its many important initiatives. I'm also pleased that Betsey Smith will take Dr. Jordan's former leadership role at the Research and Curriculum Unit after serving as interim director. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4663
Federal 'Final Rule' revisions
As many of you may know, the federal regulations for human subjects research known as the "Final Rule" have been undergoing revision, but implementation of changes has been delayed -- and delayed again. The most recent update we have is that the general compliance date will be Jan. 21, 2019. However, starting later this month, our Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) team will begin to implement several provisions in preparation for the new Final Rule going into effect in 2019. The Office of Research Compliance website -- http://www.orc.msstate.edu -- has more information about this update, and the HRPP staff are available to answer any questions you may have. Additionally, training sessions for these revisions will be offered during the fall semester.
Kudos and congratulations
Every month, I look forward to sharing faculty and staff success stories with you, and here are a few that have crossed my desk recently:
* Kudos to Christy Bischoff and Blair Reed, grants and contracts administrators in the Office of Sponsored Projects, for recently earning the Certified Research Administrator (CRA) designation from the Research Administrators Certification Council.
* Congratulations to Stephen Brain and Mark Hersey, associate professors in the Department of History, who are the new editors of Environmental History, the world's leading journal in environmental history. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4672
* Kudos to the Delta Research and Extension Center's Wayne Ebelhar and David Wise, whose work and many contributions to the region were recently recognized by the Delta Council. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4676
* Congratulations to Keith Coble, Giles Distinguished Professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, who has been named incoming president-elect of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association's executive board. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4661
* Kudos to Michael Newman, the director of the School of Human Sciences, who is now serving as president-elect of the American Association of Agricultural Education. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4659
* Congratulations to Angi Bourgeois, who has been named dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Design. Read more at http://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=4664
* Kudos to the Mississippi State team of researchers and the Northern Gulf Institute for their terrific work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the NOAA Okeanos Explorer. Read more about their exploration and discoveries at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2018/06/mississippi-state-s-northern-gulf-institute-supports-noaa-okeanos-explorer
* And welcome to Darrell Banks, the new assistant compliance coordinator in the Office of Research Compliance. He started on June 1, and is working with the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB), as well as our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) programs.
Final words
To wrap up this month's letter, some news from the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park: I'm pleased to report that Cappe's will be re-opening its cafe on July 11 in the II-VI Inc. and Business Incubator Building at 60 Technology Boulevard, and will be serving breakfast and lunch on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to read my update from ORED. As always, I welcome your suggestions, questions, or concerns about any of our activities at dshaw@research.msstate.edu