Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Dipangkar Dutta, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, uses a plasma lightbulb for a demonstration on conducting electricity during the university’s recent Science Night at the Museums. Sponsored by MSU Museums and Galleries, the free event included museum tours and scientific demos for visitors of all ages. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

Reichert, U.S. research team achieve first precision gene editing in potential bioenergy source
A Mississippi State professor of biological sciences is part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists throughout the U.S. advancing efforts to produce alternative forms of “greener” bioenergy by modifying plant gene function. Nancy Reichert is part of the research team that for the first time has successfully demonstrated precision gene editing in miscanthus -- a crop that shows great potential as a sustainable bioenergy source. The research is now published in Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts. They edited the genomes of three miscanthus species using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology -- a far more targeted and efficient method than those used in the past.

Demarais and Strickland lead cooperative effort to create chronic wasting disease video series
Mississippi State scientists have teamed with state and federal agencies and other universities to shed light on chronic wasting disease, a complicated infection that has spread through U.S. and Canadian deer populations for 60 years, through a series of animated videos. “We were inspired by the videos that scientists developed to explain how the COVID-19 viruses work,” said Bronson Strickland, St. John Family Professor of Wildlife Management and Extension wildlife specialist in the MSU Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Those videos, which use animation and narration to convey complex scientific concepts, got a lot of views and seemed like an ideal format for our message.”

Nominations open until Wednesday for University Academic Advising Awards
Guidelines and nomination forms for the 2023 University Academic Advising Awards are now available. The deadline for nominations for these awards -- Irvin Atly Jefcoat Excellence in Advising Awards, Wes Ammon Outstanding New Staff Advisor Award and Foil-Wyatt Outstanding New Faculty Advisor Award -- is 5 p.m. on Wednesday [March 1]. Nominations are to be submitted in PDF form to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President via email to lstricklin@provost.mssate.edu.

MSU Online Teaching Award nominations window open through March 8
The nomination window for the 2023 Mississippi State University Online Teaching Award is open through 5 p.m. March 8. The award, now in its fifth year, acknowledges and rewards an online instructor who employs best practices to engage, inspire and support students in an online environment. The nominee shall be a faculty member, instructor or lecturer of a Campus 5 course taught in the current academic year. The winner receives a $500 award along with registration to attend an online education-related conference similar to OLC, UPCEA or USDLA. Visit www.online.msstate.edu/faculty/online-teaching-award for nomination forms and submission requirements.

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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Williams named to USDA food safety committee
A Mississippi State University food safety specialist has been named to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection. Byron Williams, an associate Extension professor of food science specializing in muscle foods processing, regulations and safety, was recently appointed by USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack. Williams is also a member of the MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion. As a member of the committee, Williams will help make recommendations to the USDA inspection programs, which impact food safety policies and help shape regulatory policy related to meat and poultry.

Mississippi Theatre Association honors Communication faculty Harris and Mabry
Two Mississippi State Department of Communication faculty members took home awards from the recent Mississippi Theatre Association annual festival. Instructor Melanie Harris won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Community Theatre-College and University Division, and lecturer Paula Mabry won Best Direction-Community Theatre Division. MTA is the Magnolia State’s primary theatre advocate and sponsors festivals, educational workshops and networking opportunities; recognizes excellence in performance and production; and sanctions representatives to regional festivals and competitions.

GRI's Hu earns national Young Scientist Award
A Mississippi State assistant research professor in the Geosystems Research Institute is being recognized nationally by the Association of Chinese Soil & Plant Scientists in North America for work that, if successful, could impact climate change. The ACSPSNA recently honored Jing Hu with the 2022 Young Scientist Award at their annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. This distinction honors outstanding achievements in education, research, innovation, development, extension, consulting and international collaboration made by an early career ACSPSNA member in the profession of agronomy, crop science and soil science.

Karisch elected to serve on national board
Brandi Karisch, Mississippi State University Extension Service beef specialist, has been named to a national board for the American Simmental Association, or ASA. Karisch was elected to this organization’s board of trustees to represent the eastern region. The ASA was founded in 1968 to leverage technology, education and collaboration to accelerate genetic profitability for the beef industry. As Extension beef specialist at MSU, Karisch has a special interest in applied beef cattle management and improving efficiency in beef production. She and her husband, Matt Karisch, and their two sons own and operate MBK Cattle, which focuses on providing functional females that work in the show ring and pasture.