Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Research Engineer David Saucier utilizes the newest clinical-grade equipment in the university's Athlete Engineering Research Lab. The Motek GRAIL system provides the research team with an immersive environment to conduct wide-ranging gait analysis in real time, supporting efforts to validate wearables, improve performance, and minimize injuries for at-risk, military, sports and industrial athletes. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Tribal communities nationwide gain GIS skills through Geosystems Research Institute
A Mississippi State University research institute is helping to develop geographic information systems (GIS) skills in tribal communities across the country. An online training program established by MSU’s Geosystems Research Institute in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has provided GIS training for more than 500 individuals in tribal communities, boosting skills in land management, environmental conservation, community development and more. The program was launched in 2023 to help the Bureau of Indian Affairs meet GIS training needs, building on previous outreach carried out by the university’s research institute.

Students, faculty collaborate to reduce the risks of antimicrobial resistance worldwide
Mississippi State University is collaborating with global partners to reduce the risks of antimicrobial resistance worldwide for a safer and healthier tomorrow. Seto Ogunleye, MSU doctoral candidate in veterinary medical science with a concentration in infectious disease and immunology, participated in the American Society for Microbiology Hill’s Day of Antimicrobial Resistance held this past fall in Washington, D.C. Hossam Abdelhamed, MSU College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member currently serving as principal investigator of a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture project on antimicrobial resistance, said antimicrobial resistance is an important issue in many sectors of animal production, including aquaculture.

Lyceum Series begins Black History Month with musical honoring America’s first Black cowboys
Acclaimed jazz vocalist, guitarist and composer Allan Harris brings his country rock-inspired musical story “Cross That River” -- honoring America’s first Black cowboys -- to Mississippi State’s 76th Lyceum Series. Through a mix of fact and fiction, the Feb. 6 production tells the story of runaway slave Blue, played by Harris, who escapes Texas in the 1860s to pursue new beginnings in the unsettled West. The “Cross That River” cast takes the Bettersworth Auditorium stage in historic Lee Hall for a show free to MSU students. The general public can purchase tickets at www.union.msstate.edu/student-activities/lyceum/tickets. Individual tickets are $30 per person and $25 for MSU employees and senior citizens.

Spring semester golf memberships now available
Mississippi State Golf Course memberships are now available for the spring semester. Current students, faculty and staff can now have unlimited green fees and golf car fees for $600 for the semester. A green fees-only option is available for $325. Memberships run from Jan. 8 through May 8. Stop by the golf shop during normal business hours to fill out the membership form and get signed up. Student charge forms are available for this charge. If you have questions, call 662-325-3028 or email Tim Basel, PGA head golf professional, at tbasel@business.msstate.edu.

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With qualifying and campaigning for elected offices underway this year, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity. MSU employees are encouraged to review OP 01.14: Political Activities in its entirety and to understand their rights and responsibilities.

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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Mississippi AI Network kicks off with meeting at MSU
Representatives from educational institutions across the state gathered at Mississippi State University last week to launch the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network, or MAIN. The meeting included a tour of MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, where researchers are using AI to develop stronger and lighter metallic materials, as well as software that can guide vehicles through offroad environments. Julie Jordan, MSU vice president for Research and Economic Development, emphasized that people are still at the center of AI development and usage, and ultimately the decision makers in the loop.

Woodrey joins flock of national avian society fellows
A Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station scientist and associate research professor in Mississippi State’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture is being honored as a new fellow of the American Ornithological Society. Mark Woodrey, who has devoted his career to researching avian ecology and conservation across the Gulf of Mexico region, joined the society over 40 years ago. Stationed at MSU’s Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, he has made the Mississippi Gulf Coast his research lab for the last 20 years. His Coastal Avian Ecology Lab’s primary research and conservation focus involves secretive marsh birds in Gulf of Mexico tidal marshes.

Spring general faculty meeting coming up Feb. 12
The Office of the President and the Robert Holland Faculty Senate invite all faculty to the spring meeting of the General Faculty at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2024, in Colvard Student Union’s Fowlkes Auditorium. Interested members of the campus community are also welcome. The program will include updates from President Mark E. Keenum, Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw, Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan, and Vice President for Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Keith Coble.

2024 Mississippi Agricultural Outlook Conference: Loan rates, commodity prices may reduce ‘24 farm incomes
Producers should anticipate tighter profit margins in 2024 as agricultural commodity prices decrease and financing costs climb. However, experts expect the industry to be buoyed by its economic strength, which has grown 6% since 2021. This was one of several takeaways offered by Nathan Kauffman, senior vice president of Kansas City Fed Omaha Branch, during his keynote presentation at the 2024 Mississippi Agricultural Outlook Conference. Specialists in economics and agriculture from the Mississippi State University Extension Service and MSU Department of Agricultural Economics shared updates and forecasts in the state’s agricultural industry for 2024 during the conference at the Bost Conference Center last month.