Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems research engineers Michael Gibson and Tyler Hannis modify a Litetrax MTX-C tracked vehicle for off-road ground vehicle research sponsored by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. The researchers are adding LiDAR, camera, GPS, and other sensors, along with powerful on-board computing that will provide MSU and ERDC researchers with a unique tracked vehicle for collecting environment and vehicle data while testing off-road self-driving systems. Custom user interfaces also are being added to the vehicle cab to allow researchers to monitor and control the self-driving systems during testing. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs
Osterholtz's work featured in ‘Science’
Mississippi State Associate Professor Anna Osterholtz is part of a team of scholars featured in a current trio of articles in Science -- the premier journal for researchers published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science -- for their research tying together genetic data and linguistic movement as people migrated across early civilizations. “Understanding these population movements will help to contextualize archaeological and bioarchaeological analysis,” Osterholtz said. “The scale and time-depth of this study make it very important for future work in understanding how cultural interactions may be reflected in both changes to language and to the physical body.”
Banerjee to address Russo-Ukrainian War at upcoming British Academy conference
A Mississippi State associate professor of political science and public administration is a featured speaker this month for The British Academy’s conference on the Russo-Ukrainian War. Vesabjit Banerjee is part of a program that includes “leading voices on history, politics, international law and war studies as they explore the origins, dimensions and possible ends of the Russo-Ukrainian War.” Taking place Sept. 28-29 in London, the conference is bringing together experts who will hold sessions about war components such as command, control, operations and logistics; deterrence, escalations and resilience; intelligence and information; refugees, migration and internal displacement; as well as war crimes and international law.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Callie Morris
No two days are the same for Callie Morris. That’s what she loves most about her job at the Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Branch Experiment Station. In her role as a research associate for the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, she helps manage the certified foundation sweet potato program, which provides lab-propagated, virus-tested sweet potato slips to growers. She works to maintain clean plant tissue cultures from which the plants are propagated, helps diagnose viral infections, and performs lab techniques that clean up virus-infected plants. In addition, she assists with research projects on and off the station and helps conduct grower meetings throughout the year.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Matthew Virden
Matthew Virden is part of a team of scientists who work to understand and solve problems related to coastal restoration across the entire Gulf Coast. In his role as an Extension associate, Virden conducts research primarily with living shorelines and nearshore oyster reefs. A large portion of his activities includes working with drones and developing low-cost research equipment which allow his team to approach coastal research in a new way and to attempt large-scale environmental monitoring. “That work includes mapping shorelines in multiple states across the Gulf Coast and even collaborating with the Mississippi Aquarium on work with dolphin research,” Virden said.
Fall general faculty meeting coming up Tuesday
The Office of the President and the Robert Holland Faculty Senate invite all Mississippi State University faculty to the fall general faculty meeting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday [Sept. 13] in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium. Interested members of the campus community are also welcome. The meeting will feature an update from President Mark E. Keenum. The MSU Television Center will provide a livestream of the meeting for those unable to attend in person or who prefer to watch online. The livestream will be available at https://vimeo.com/event/2364870. If you require special assistance related to a disability, please contact Meg Berry at mberry@pres.msstate.edu or 662-325-2396.
Benefits Day set for Tuesday in Foster Ballroom
All benefits-eligible Mississippi State University employees are invited to attend Benefits Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday [Sept. 13] in Colvard Student Union’s Foster Ballroom. MSU benefits vendors' representatives will provide important information about plans and engage with employees throughout the day. Employees may also attend workshops for specific vendors to learn about plan details, highlights and changes for 2023. Registration for workshops is encouraged.
MSU transitions to LifeWorks for EAP benefits
Mississippi State has transitioned to LifeWorks as our new Employee Assistance Program provider for employees and their immediate family members. The new provider is effective immediately. Your EAP is a confidential and voluntary support service that can help you take the first step toward change. They can help you find solutions to the challenges you face at any age and stage of life. You and your immediate family members can access immediate and confidential support in a way that is most suited to your preferences, comfort level and lifestyle. The EAP is completely confidential within the limits of the law.
Research awards nominations open through Thursday
Nominations for Mississippi State University's 2022 Research Achievement Awards are being accepted through Thursday [Sept. 15]. The awards program is sponsored by MSU’s Office of Research and Economic Development and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. This year, winners will be selected for the Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award, Mid-Career Research Scholar Award, Emerging Research Scholar Award, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, Research Professional Award and Research Support Award. Each winner will receive a commemorative plaque and monetary award, and the three research scholar awardees will also receive a $10,000 research grant. A selection committee will be formed to select the winners, and the awards will be announced at the annual Research Awards luncheon on Nov. 28.
MSU develops resource guide for employees working with students
The Mississippi State Division of Access, Diversity and Inclusion and Division of Student Affairs have developed a new guide, "Resources for Employees in Student Facing Roles,” to assist you in locating information that may be helpful as you are engaging with your students. The content provided focuses on the following areas: health and well-being, academic success, financial well-being and emergency aid, and student belonging. Click this link to download the guide.
Department of Art presents faculty exhibition
Seventeen faculty and staff members of Mississippi State’s Department of Art are presenting a variety of artistic mediums in the Bi-Annual Department of Art Faculty Exhibition Aug. 22-Sept. 16. In the university’s Cullis Wade Depot Art Gallery, the exhibition showcases ceramics, drawing, fiber, painting, photography, sculpture and video -- all recent works by art department faculty and staff. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For a complete list of participating faculty and bios, visit www.caad.msstate.edu/exhibitions/2022/msu-department-art-bi-annual-faculty-exhibition.
Bicycle and scooter safety reminders
Mississippi State has seen a tremendous increase in bike and scooter use on campus, and the university continues to make the campus as friendly to bicycles as possible. Not only are bicycles a healthy alternative to a car, but they also help alleviate traffic and parking on campus. To help keep our campus safe, visit www.police.msstate.edu/videos/campus-bike-safety for a two-minute video on bicycle safety. Additionally, cyclists and scooter riders should use extreme caution and slow down or walk their bicycle or scooter when interacting with pedestrians. Cyclists and riders should not use sidewalks and walkways when pedestrians are present. Vehicle drivers are required by state law to give bikes a minimum of three feet of distance.
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.
The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.
Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to
Jim Laird.
