May 2019
Thank you for your contributions to research and economic development
We have concluded another outstanding academic year here at Mississippi State, and I'd like to say "thank you" to all of you for your contributions to the university's research enterprise and economic development initiatives.
As many of you know, after nearly three decades of service at MSU, Sandy Williamson, our executive director of research fiscal affairs, is retiring in June. I can't say enough about the remarkable impact Sandy has had as our research programs have grown so significantly over the past decade -- a time period that has also seen an increasingly competitive funding environment. Throughout these uncertain and often challenging times, she has been a steady leader and a true friend. Sandy -- we thank you and wish you the best as you begin this exciting new chapter in your life.
We will also welcome a familiar face as our new executive director of research fiscal affairs. Brandy Akers, who currently serves as director of business operations for the High Performance Computing Collaboratory, will step into this position in the next few weeks. She brings a keen understanding of research funding and administration, and we look forward to her joining the Office of Research and Economic Development team.
David Shaw is vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University.
New Giles Distinguished Professors
Congratulations to our newest William L. Giles Distinguished Professors: Mohsen Razzaghi and Merrill Warkentin. Dr. Razzaghi is professor and head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and Dr. Warkentin is the James J. Rouse Endowed Professor of Information Systems in the College of Business. Both have outstanding records of research, teaching, and service, and are most deserving of this honor. Learn more about the Giles Distinguished Professors at https://www.giles.msstate.edu.
Applications sought for SEC visiting faculty travel grants
Let me encourage you to think about applying for the SEC Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program. We will be awarding 10 grants this year of $1,000 each for transportation, room, board, etc., to use for travel to another SEC campus. Assistant, associate and full professors are eligible. The application deadline is June 28, and you can find additional information about it at https://www.research.msstate.edu/rresources/news.php?id=6225 or contact Assistant Vice President for Research Teresa Gammill at tgammill@research.msstate.edu with questions.
CDC seeks poliovirus information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. National Authority for Containment of Poliovirus are asking research centers and institutes across the country to complete a survey in support of a national inventory of materials that potentially contain poliovirus. The Office of Research Compliance has reached out to principal investigators about completing this survey, and I'd encourage you to complete it by the June 3rd deadline. If you have any questions, please contact Trent Peacock, the university's biosafety officer, at tp1230@msstate.edu or (662) 325-0620. Additional information is available at https://www.research.msstate.edu/rresources/news.php?id=6227.
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:
* Congratulations to Trey Breckenridge, the director of the High Performance Computing Collaboratory, who has been named a "Top in Tech" leader by the Mississippi Business Journal.
* Kudos to Adele Crudden, professor and interim head of the Department of Sociology, who has been named 2019 Social Worker of the Year by the Mississippi chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Read more at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2019/04/msu-professor-named-mississippi-s-social-worker-year.
* Congratulations to the winners of the President's Commission on the Status of Women's annual awards: LaShan Simpson, Outstanding Faculty Award; Leah Beasley, Outstanding Staff Award; Morgan Green, Outstanding Graduate Student Award; Shelby Baldwin and Katelyn Jackson, Student Leadership Awards. Read more at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2019/04/msu-president-s-commission-status-women-holds-annual-awards-ceremony.
* Kudos to Just Cebrian, associate director of the Northern Gulf Institute, whose research is featured in the prestigious journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. Read more at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2019/04/nature-ecology-evolution-publishes-msu-study-marine-exotic-species.
* Welcome to Daniel Barnard, the new executive director of the MSU Riley Center in downtown Meridian. Read more at https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2019/04/daniel-barnard-becomes-new-executive-director-msu-riley-center.
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.
Congratulations to all of our new graduates and Hail State!