Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Jeff Winger, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, conducts a physics exercise with high school students as part of the Global Teaching Project's Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program. Students from rural school districts across Mississippi have been on campus preparing to take advanced placement STEM courses in the upcoming school year. 2022 marks the fifth year that Mississippi State has hosted the summer program. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Northern Gulf Institute recognizes scientists for outstanding research
Two Mississippi State researchers with the university’s Northern Gulf Institute are being recognized for world-class research that can positively impact both marine life and mankind. Xiaomin Chen and Ebenezer “Eben” Nyadjro each are 2022 recipients of the MSU Northern Gulf Institute Research Award, an honor instituted in 2020 to recognize outstanding research accomplishments by NGI staff. The award is presented every two years. NGI is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cooperative institute which conducts research on interconnections among Gulf of Mexico ecosystems and then provides decision makers with scientific findings.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Peggy Johnson
Peggy Johnson has many responsibilities in her day-to-day job duties and organization is key to her efficiency. “A positive attitude, great communication skills, and the ability to multitask are all important for me to be successful,” said Johnson, the business coordinator at the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Laboratory Animal Resource and Care Unit. “But the most important trait is being well-organized.” When Johnson took this position, she said she was looking for a challenge. “I love the data entry part of this job, but I also enjoy getting to help people accomplish their job duties by supporting them and making sure they have what they need and taking care of the necessary paperwork,” she said.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Ellen Russell
Ellen Russell has been helping people in her community for 18 years. An Extension agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, she teaches a variety of topics by whatever means necessary, including through workshops and seminars, at community events, through the media, and with technology. But the job is much, much more than educational presentations and information delivery. “An equally important part of the job is working with people, and I love to help people solve problems,” Russell said. Time management, communication, and teamwork are important aspects of the job, whether it’s for an Extension event or to provide clientele with the information they need and want.

MSU accepting applications for SEC Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program
Mississippi State University faculty members are invited to apply for the Southeastern Conference Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program through July 22. The SEC Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program is intended to enhance faculty collaboration that stimulates scholarly initiatives between SEC universities. It gives faculty from one SEC university the opportunity to travel to another SEC campus to: exchange ideas; develop grant proposals; conduct research; consult with faculty and/or students; offer lectures or symposia; or engage in whatever activities are agreeable to the visitor and host unit. MSU can select a maximum of 12 faculty members to receive 2022-2023 travel grants of $850 each for transportation, room, board, etc., to use for travel to another SEC campus.

Apply today: Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
Mississippi State has a long association with the Fulbright Scholar Program with over 50 MSU faculty from a variety of disciplines having received Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards since 1954. MSU has also welcomed many international scholars to our campus through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program recently opened its 2023-24 competition with over 400 awards in 130 countries featured in the Catalog of Awards, which includes teaching, researching and professional project opportunities. The MSU International Institute welcomes questions from faculty who are interested in applying. If you have questions, please email Fulbright scholar liaison Cathy Curtis at ccurtis@international.msstate.edu.

Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.

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Leadership class prepares staff for future roles
A Mississippi State professional development program recently graduated 13 employees -- Nicole Boyett, Annika Campbell, Yan Campbell, Marian Chancellor, Kylie Crosland, Ashley Glenn, Natalie Guyton, Kara Herman, Tyrel Jernigan, Alicia Musselwhite, Ashley Patterson, Eddie Rangel and Pamela Redwine -- preparing for possible leadership roles within the university. MSU Human Resources Management staff and President Mark E. Keenum celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Development Program Class of 2022 at the conclusion of the nine-month training this summer. MSU Office of Study Abroad Assistant Director Annika Campbell was recognized as this year's LDP Rising Star, an award given to the program’s top participant as chosen by the cohort.

Thomasson named president-elect of national ag science, technology organization
The head of Mississippi State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering is the 2022-23 president-elect of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. J. Alex Thomasson will officially assume his responsibilities as president-elect at the conclusion of CAST’s fall board meeting in October. In 2023-2024, he will become the 51st president of the organization, a singular honor and responsibility dating back to 1972, when Charles A. Black and Norman Borlaug, along with other committed scientists, spearheaded the movement to “bring science-based information to policymaking and the public.”

Montiel-Palma receives NSF CAREER Award to investigate new chemical synthesis
A Mississippi State faculty member is the recipient of a National Science Foundation CAREER Award totaling more than half a million dollars to research new chemical methods for removing harmful contaminants from petroleum and feedstocks. Vicky Montiel-Palma, an assistant professor of chemistry, received the five-year $691,886 grant from the NSF Division of Chemistry Chemical Synthesis Program for her proposal, “CAREER: Heterobimetallic Complexes for Facile Hydrodenitrogenation Processes with Low Hydrogen Intake.” Her research investigates catalysts that remove nitrogen from aromatic compounds commonly present in gasolines and petroleum feedstocks. Aromatic compounds containing nitrogen are responsible for severe adverse effects to the environment and human health, including acid rain and asthma.

Bowman named rice specialist for MSU Extension
Hunter Bowman has been named rice specialist for the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The Arkansas native joined MSU Extension in January 2022 as an instructor and was promoted to assistant professor before beginning his new role July 1. Bowman holds two degrees from the University of Arkansas and recently completed his doctorate from MSU in its Department of Plant and Soil Science. Bowman will be based at the MSU Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville. “The rice industry is very important to the Delta region of Mississippi. Having a young, energetic Extension specialist such as Dr. Bowman will be an asset to that industry and to Extension efforts in the region,” said Jeff Gore, interim head of the R&E Center.