Biology Chair, Dr. Dennis Mullen and campers scoop up stunned fish samples while biologist Dr. Jessica Arbour electrifies fish upstream.  Photo by J. Intintoli

Next years dates are undecided but applications will open spring of 23'.

The first annual CBAS stem summer camp was held the week of July 11th. Thirty-three students attending from all over middle Tennessee. Photo by J. Intintoli

Campers in chemistry lab study the energy of fire.                  Photo by J. Intintoli 

Nikita Menon said - During my eight weeks of research in Dr. Davis’s lab, I studied protein dynamics and interactions that may affect how a cell responds to oxidative stress. This specifically goes into understanding the mechanisms that can promote chemoresistance. At the end of my eight weeks, we did make several discoveries, but they needed to be studied further to confirm our conclusions.

Names going from left to right, Seth Meyers, Shaquille Ancrum, Dr.Jamaine Davis, Adriel Nuta, Nikita Menon 

Bismah Alsam said - My research was about the role of the gene superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the development of cancer. SOD is responsible for the catalysis of superoxide, a toxic oxygen radical. If toxic oxygen radicals accumulate, they can damage DNA and other structures of cells, which may facilitate the development of diseases including cancer. In my research, SOD expression in healthy and diseased cells was compared, as different forms of the enzyme are expressed if a cell is diseased.

Dr. Jamaine Davis (back pointing) Nikita Menon (front) Dr. Davis and Nikita (MSEAP student) discussing a section of the FPCL (Fast Place Liquid Chromatography) Machine which is used to purify protein. 

Dr. Jamaine Davis (back)
Nikita Menon (pointing) Nikita is showing Dr. Davis a section of the FPCL (Fast Place Liquid Chromatography) Machine which is used to purify protein. My colleagues are behind us in this picture also observing. 

Jacob Gravett said - My research topic was further research on the relationship that serum cholesterol levels correlate to methamphetamine addiction and recovery outcomes by looking at the specific organization of Human Dopamine Transporter in the nanodomains of cells. By utilizing STORM and TIRF imaging, we were able to test the inputs by using fluorescent antibody labeling to see how the different cell environments affected protein clustering.

Submitted by Eric B. Miller -Preprofessional Advising Manager

Dr. Jamaine Davis (Left)Nikita Menon (Middle) Seth Meyers (Right) Seth and Nikita are showing our analyzed data from the FPLC machine.

The Master of Science in Professional Science Internship Presentation was once again a huge success. Under the direction of Dr. Saeed Foroudastan, we had twenty students present their summer 2022 internship experiences. These experiences included intricate dashboards, statistical programming, cannabinoid comparisons, mouse model research on Osteopontin, taking CAD models and turning it into a viable product, and much more. Our students were involved in some exciting internship project topics this summer.

~ Suzanne Hicks

Pictured- Actuarial Science – Tingyuan Deng, Paul L. Dowell, Lulu Liu, Emily Xaysongkham*, Jiamin Zhao, and Danlei Zhu Biostatistics – Mitchell Brannon and Zheng Peng Biotechnology – Autumn Blasini, Tristin Cantrelle, Evan Dallas, and Timothy Hilliard Engineering Management – Hunter D. Hudson and Adegboyega Olajide Health Care Informatics – Tieri Ayiga, Nathan Beuerlein, Apurva Gohil*, Sreya Haridas Keloth, An Le, Madysen Luzzo, and Abidemi C. Olupona * not pictured Location: MTSU's Davis Science Building 

I want to thank Dr. Don Hong (Actuary Science Coordinator), Dr. Yeqian Liu (Biostatistics Coordinator), Dr. Brian Robertson (Biotechnology Coordinator), Dr. Charles Chusuei (Chemistry Analytics Coordinator), Dr. Tony Johnston (Fermentation Science Coordinator), Dr. Henrique Momm (Geoscience Coordinator), Dr. Misa Faezipour (Health Care Informatics Coordinator), Dr. Robert B. Blair (Business Coordinator), Mrs. Suzanne Hicks (Program Graduate Coordinator), and Ms. Lora Nethercutt (MSPS Executive Aid). I also want to extend a special thanks to Dean David Butler (College of Graduate Studies) and Dean Greg Van Patten (College of Basic and Applied Sciences) for their continued support of the MSPS Program. Without any of these individuals, our program would not be successful.

~ Dr. Saeed Foroudastan

MTSU’s EVP 2022 Solar Splash Awards and Trophies

Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU) Experimental Vehicles Program (EVP) participated in a virtual competition for the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge in April of 2022 and was awarded the Phoenix Award for their technical document writing. Also, in May of 2022, the Experimental Vehicles Program traveled to Cookeville, Tennessee, to compete in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja competition. MTSU’s EVP Baja team finished in the top ten in the sled-pull and completed the four-hour endurance race, which included huge jumps, many obstacles, tons of mud, and over 100 more Baja’s from other university teams located from around the world.

In June of 2022, MTSU’s Experimental Vehicles Program traveled to Springfield, Ohio, for the annual Solar Splash competition. The Experimental Vehicles Program was awarded six awards. A participation trophy was presented by Solar Splash; three other trophies were presented by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for 1st Place – Outstanding Workmanship, Outstanding Hull Design, and Drive Train Design Award. Two more trophies were presented by the UPS Battery Center for 3rd Place – 300 Meter Sprint Event and 4th Place – Overall.

Next year, MTSU’s Experimental Vehicles Program will compete in the SAE Baja and ASME Solar Splash events with an improved Baja and Solar Boat. The Experimental Vehicles Program is in the process of designing a completely new Rover that will be ready for the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge in 2024. ~Submitted by Dr. Saeed Foroudastan Associate Dean

MTSU’s EVP Solar Boat

MTSU’s EVP “Atlas” Rover

MTSU’s EVP Baja

Growth in the Aerospace industry has been a hot topic in recent years. With the growing industry, a greater demand for pilot training has followed. Flight training programs all over the country have seen an influx of eager students who are ready to learn and prepared to learn quickly. The Aerospace Department at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is no exception.

The two newest additions to the fleet. Photo submit by Savannah Richardson 

With the rise in demand for flight training, the MTSU Flight School has found it necessary to implement a multi-tiered plan for fleet growth in order to keep up. Aerospace Department Chair, Chaminda Prelis, stated, “The Department of Aerospace makes a concerted effort to invest in our students' needs to ensure they are competitive in this highly dynamic industry.”

At the beginning of the Fall semester, the department took possession of two additional Piper Seminole aircraft. A delegation of Aerospace Department leadership, faculty, and staff traveled to the Piper Aircraft factory in Vero Beach, Florida, for what is known as Delivery Day. During the trip, the group toured the manufacturing plant and discussed future fleet growth in addition to taking possession of the two new aircraft.

MTSU Aerospace team poses with Piper Aircraft officials and new fleet additions. Photo submit by Savannah Richardson

Updating the current fleet and adding more aircraft are two critcal facets of these efforts. With a record number of enrolled students, a record breaking fleet is required. Chief Flight Instructor Michael Gref remarked, “with the addition of these two aircraft; we will be able to reach levels of multi-engine training never before seen at this university. We now have the largest multi-engine fleet and the largest total fleet in MTSU history.” The MTSU Flight School currently maintains a fleet of 36 training aircraft, five of which are Piper Seminoles.

Chief Flight Instructor, Michael Gref performs a pre-flight check. Photo submit by Savannah Richardson

In 2018, the Department of Aerospace finished its overhaul of the training aircraft, which included updated all glass instruments for the entire fleet. The newest additions to the fleet follow suit with Garmin touchscreen systems. Chief Gref provided some insight into the importance of this improvement, “the G1000 panels of these aircraft provide a higher level of automation management training for our students and serve to further our fleet continuity.”

Interior of MTSU's new Piper Seminole with G1000 instruments. 

The Aerospace Department first added Piper Seminoles to the training fleet in 2003. This aircraft has remained a staple of the department’s multi-engine training since then. Peyton Nolan, Flight Training Manager in charge of Part 61 labs, including multi-engine training, completed his own Multi-Engine and Multi-Engine Instructor ratings in the Piper Seminoles at MTSU. Nolan assisted in flying the new aircraft back to Murfreesboro and remarked, “I am excited for the opportunities that this fleet expansion provides to our students as our world-class program rises to meet the growth of the industry.”

Flight Training Manager, Peyton Nolan piloting the aircraft back to Murfreesboro with Certified Flight Instructor, Nicholas Echols

Chair Prelis reflected that this growth would not be possible without the work of many. “We are grateful that we can do this with the support of our alumni, staff, and faculty,” he stated. The department has ordered an additional eight single-engine trainers to continue the next phase of fleet growth. The Flight School plans to take possession of the new aircraft in early 2023.

~Savannah Richardson Aerospace Department Outreach Coordinator

The MTSU chapter of Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) represented the department amongst other collegiate aviation programs at ACE Academy Camp in Peachtree City, GA

In 2021 the Aerospace Department signed an MOU with the 101stAirborne Division’s EagleWerx located at Fort Campbell, KY. On October 24, the Aerospace Department hosted a contingent from the 101st Airborne that included CPT Tyler Meredith, Garth Ghearing, Scott Homer, CW2 Ricky Hicks, and 1LT Phil Stuhr (pictured with Dr. Callender in the Aerospace Technology Laboratory). Tours were provided of the Walker Library’s Maker Space, the UAS Operations Laboratory (led by Dr. Kevin Corns), and the Aerospace Technology Laboratory (led by Dr. Nate Callender). Dr. Callender presented the results of a research project that produced an improved propeller configuration for the U.S. Army’s Raven B fixed-wing drone. The new configuration reduces the propeller’s noise and increases its available thrust. The 101st Airborne plans to conduct flight trials of the new propeller configuration on the Raven B. ~ Dr. Nate Callender

Flight Times, by Dr. Paul A. Craig was published in 2022 and is his 14th book. Dr. Craig, a Professor of Aerospace, writes about experiences as a flight instructor for almost 40 years. His meeting with Chuck Yeager, his work with Aviation Historian Emeritus Paul Garber, how he became the owner of the original eulogy of Charles Lindbergh, even how he helped launch Oprah Winfrey’s career – are all part of his Flight Times. Included are some stories of the rich history of the MTSU Aerospace Department. And the story of Collin McDonald’s honor’s thesis, where Collin flew across the United States re-creating the first transcontinental flight by Cal Rogers. Collin is now an MTSU Aerospace Assistant Professor. Craig is the coordinator of the Aerospace Master’s degrees and teaches Aviation History.

Hundreds of high school students from across the state attended the recent MTSU School of Agriculture’s fifth annual Raider Roundup in the Tennessee Livestock Center and other campus facilities. The event, sponsored by MT Engage and hosted by the MTSU Collegiate FFA, is a way for the students to meet MTSU students and faculty and also show their knowledge in more than 20 agriculture-related activities. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Activities included veterinary science, dairy cattle and horse evaluations, land and meats evaluations and floriculture, where that group had to name 50 plants in 30-second intervals.

“What makes this experience different is that students are placed in smaller groups, and they have an opportunity to interact with MTSU faculty to learn about academic programs and they also get interaction with multiple current MTSU students,” said Chaney Mosley, event coordinator and assistant professor.

Along with campus partners Data Science, MTeach, Math and School of Concrete and Construction Management also leading workshops with the ag department, the Tennessee STEM Education Center’s pet (cat and dog) nutrition event featured an appearance by Eskie, an American Eskimo spitz.

Jenesis Valdivieso, 16, of Murfreesboro, a Blackman High junior, wants to be a veterinarian and operate her own clinic.

“I’m grateful I was allowed to come here and learn about pet nutrition, have a comfortable environment to learn about it and I get visuals, I get a good representation of what everything is,” she said.

A fermentation science activity tests high school students’ knowledge with cheese-tasting in the Tennessee Livestock Center. The students from East, Middle and West Tennessee visited campus Sept. 21 for the fifth annual Raider Roundup, which was sponsored by MT Engage and hosted by MTSU Collegiate FFA. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

As students enjoy petting Eskie, an American Eskimo Spitz owned by Emma Penston, daughter of Casey Penston, right, with the Tennessee STEM Education Center at MTSU, they complete an assignment regarding pet nutrition in the Stark Agriculture Center Sept. 21. It was one of 20-plus activities high school students participated in during the fifth annual MTSU School of Agriculture Raider Roundup, sponsored by MT Engage. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Students from dozens of Tennessee high schools rotate from table to table, labeling equipment related to horses and the horse industry as part of the fifth annual Raider Roundup Sept. 21 outside the Tennessee Livestock Center. The event was sponsored by MT Engage and hosted by the MTSU Collegiate FFA. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Children enjoy the fermentation experiment.

Four fermentation undergraduates (Sydney Lively, Colby  Mearns, Summer  Miller and Weston  Williams) and two fermentation graduate students (Anna  Arnold and Doofan  Eke) conducted kombucha tasting and food safety demonstration activities from 10:30 am to 4 pm Oct. 15th, 2022.  

Activity Name:  How to count and check microorganisms on your hand: Microbial Handprint

Event Description: MT Fermentation Science faculty members and/or students will demonstrate the hygiene aspects of ethanol sanitizers and hands washing for healthy personal hygiene. Students will observe the reduced bacterial numbers by sanitizer treatments or handwashing on the surface of hand skin via agarose media counting methods.

~Dr. Seockmo Ku

Rain or Shine, the Fermentation Team

Bradley Gentry Master of Science in Professional Science Graduate at Biltmore Winery in Ashville, NC

After receiving his undergraduate degree in biology, Braley knew he wanted to study fermentation science. He came to Middle Tennessee State University in Fall 2020 to pursue our unique Master of Science in Professional Science degree. As a graduate research assistant, Braley worked under the mentorship of Dr. Keely O’Brien, focusing on the optimization of kefir fermentation and the antioxidant properties of kefiran, an extracellular polysaccharide.

Braley completed an internship during the Fall 2021 semester with Delicato Family Wines in Manteca, California, as a degree requirement. He monitored raw juices and fermenting wines daily and completed bench trials for wine fining, blendings, and lab analysis. He also participated in research on micro-oxygenation and special ingredient additions.

When asked how the MSPS fermentation science program at MTSU helped Braley reach his goals in the wine industry, he said, “During my time with the MSPS program, I gained knowledge in both science and business that helped me succeed in securing and performing well in a job in the wine industry. The business core courses helped me gain leadership skills, build a resume, analyze statistical data, and much more. The fermentation science courses allowed me to specialize in topics such as sensory evaluation, bioprocessing, and food safety. The MSPS curriculum gave me the skills I needed to succeed in a harvest winemaking internship in California, where I gained real-world experience as a part of my program. My connections there and at MTSU expanded my professional network and opened doors for new opportunities.” 

Braley graduated in May 2022 and was offered a full-time winery lab technician position at the Biltmore Winery in Ashville, North Carolina. Submitted by Suzanne Hicks MSPS Coordinator

Stones River Species & Water Quality Findings: MTSU Department of Biology professor Dr. Cole Easson & graduate student Jacqueline Williams used a Stones River Watershed Association stipend to study our local rivers. They mapped aquatic diversity using next-generation sequencing techniques (e-DNA). Come hear their report on Thursday, November 17 at the Stones River Watershed Meeting, 6pm, at the Murfreesboro Lions Club.

Standing, from left, are Chloe Bowen, Thipphaphone Niravong, Madeline Aadnes, Mariana de Araujo Bryan, Alexa Summersill, biology professor and head of the lab Liz Barnes, Barnes’ son, Owen Jackson, and Rahmi Aini. (Photo courtesy of Liz Barnes) 

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Biology professor Liz Barnes and her team of student and faculty biology education researchers at MTSU’s Social Perceptions of Science Lab recently published a novel study about undergraduate biology students’ ability to communicate effectively to their community about COVID-19.  “To start, we reviewed the literature about undergraduate biology students serving as science communicators about COVID,” Barnes said. “There was no real research documenting if they were doing this effectively, so that helped develop our project’s focus.”  

Undergraduates Elizabeth Wybren, Mariana de Araujo Bryan, Thipphaphone Niravong and Chloe Bowen, recent doctoral graduate Brock Couch and associate professor Ying Jin made up the research team with Barnes.  

The project began in fall 2020 with $2,000 in initial funding through the university’s Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activity, or URECA, grant. As the research continued with data collection in spring 2021 and data analysis in summer 2021, undergraduates earned an additional $8,000 in URECA funds for their work. 

Barnes called the URECA program’s support of undergraduate researchers amazing.  

“I’ve never seen a program give that much support to undergraduate students,” Barnes said. “The students didn’t require jobs outside of their research to sustain their needs. They were able to focus a lot more on the project, which directly improved the robustness and the quality of the research being done.” 

The research was published here this summer in the Frontiers in Education journal and has currently been read by over 1,300 people. The study surveyed over 500 undergraduate biology students on how often they were serving as science communicators about COVID-19 and if they were using effective science communication principles. ~ WGNS Radio 

Anna Yuhas, Forensics Science major, at a screening station working the soil through quarter-inch mesh to identify any evidentiary material in the screen. 

Anna Yuhas, Forensic Science undergraduate student, working with the total station to assist in proper documentation of the field site. 

Participating students, faculty, volunteers from France and the U.S., and DPAA representatives at the field excavation site during the first week of field work. All Photos submitted by Anna Yuhas.

MTSU Chem Club and faculty at first-ever joint American Chemical Society Nashville-Memphis-Kentucky Lakes local section meeting at Austin Peay State U. on Nov 3rd, 2022 for mock interviews, career tables, and seminars: (L->R) Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, Deron Young, Dr. Charles Chusuei, Marim Abbas, Sydney Robbins, and Isaac Puckett.

Carissa Shuxteau, a former Brentwood High School student (Class of 2022) who co-authored a paper with Dr. Charles Chusuei in Electroanalysis as a summer research student in 2021, is now a freshman at the Johns Hopkins University. The co-authored article helped her get accepted into a competitive program. She is majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and is doing research in the group of Dr. Elana Fertig. 

The 2022 Victor K. LaMer Award winner, Dr. Rebecca Pinals of MIT, is scheduled to give an MTSU Chemistry Department seminar on Nov 11th, 2022 on her work on “Engineering at the Nano-Bio Interface: Protein Corona Formation on Carbon Nanotube Based Sensors.”

MTSU Computer Science Masters program represented at ACM Mid South East FA2022 conference on Nov 11. Submitted by Computer Science Professor, Dr. Khem Poudel

Sammi Hamden, middle in black shirt, won the 2nd Prize among the presenters. 

Stephanie Figueroa on construction worksite

My name is Stephanie Figueroa, and I am thirty-three years old. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida and relocated to Murfreesboro with my husband and son three years ago. I am a non-traditional, first-generation student at MTSU majoring in Commercial Construction Management. I can’t say that this was the path I originally intended, though as a kid I always enjoyed science. I was introduced to the construction industry by my late father-in-law, Tino Figueroa, who was a mechanical contractor. I had the honor of working side by side with him for five years, and in that time, he inspired me to explore the abundant opportunities in construction. In 2020, we lost Tino to pancreatic cancer. His memory, however, lives on in many forms, including my pursuit of higher education in a STEM field despite my age and gender. 

Upon relocating to Tennessee something happened that deeply changed me. In the summer of 2019, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident that totaled my car and where I suffered a traumatic brain injury. As a result of that accident, I now live with post-concussion syndrome, PTSD, and visual impairment (flashing lights, spotty/blurry vision, imbalance). Even though my disabilities are not physical, they affect how I respond to stress, how I “see” the world around me, how I learn and communicate. I experience more nightmares and sleep disturbances than the average person, bright light induces migraines as does loud noise and large crowds of people. I am hypervigilant wherever I go. I have difficulty concentrating and have problems with memory loss. I slur words at times or make mistakes when I read. I describe all this to my eight-year-old as mommy having a “scrambled brain”. Two byproducts of this accident that I still struggle with are depression and anxiety—both are hallmarks of PTSD. 

As a student, I found it difficult to relate to others because of my disabilities. There are times even now where I feel overwhelmed, especially with classes that involve substantial reading or analytical thinking. Some of the things that have helped me cope are therapy, exercise, expressing myself creatively through art (drawing, painting or photography) and listening to music. I also owe a great deal of praise to the D.A.C center at MTSU for meeting with me and sharing some of the resources that are available to me such as extensions on assignments, recording devices for lectures, and audio books. Recently, I decided to join TAPDINTO-STEM (The Alliance of Students with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking, and Transition Opportunities in STEM) to meet others like me and to help spread awareness on campus about our needs. My hope is that through this group we can educate, inspire others to stay motivated, connect other disabled students with resources, create a network of disabled students for disabled students, and celebrate our milestones collectively.

The School of Concrete and Construction Management hosted it’s twelfth annual fall networking event in mid-October, the week after moving into the new building.  It was the largest career fair in the School’s history with 100 employers reserving tables and over 50% of CCM students (nearly 200) attending during the three-hour event. ~ Nicole Green SCCM Industry Relations Specialist

A view of the ballroom during the SCCM Networking Event, with 100 employers wanting to talk with CIM and CM majors. Photos submitted by Nicole Green

From left to right: CIM junior, Dylan Caldwell and CIM senior, Carson Moody, talk with Commercial Construction Management alum, Edward Vanegas, about possible opportunities with his employer, Manganaro.

Fall 22 Newsletter

A new grant was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Sedimentation Laboratory.

PI: Henrique Momm

CO-PI: Racha El Kadiri

Amount: $180,000

Photo: Dr. Momm, Dr. El Kadiri and research scientist Katy Moore are discussing Eagle Creek watershed simulations to determine best water and soil management practices.

2022 DReAM students. Photo submitted by Dr. Racha El-Kadiri, Geosciences Professor

Drylands cover nearly 1/3 of Earth’s surface, host 40% of its population, and are mainly located in developing countries. Groundwater recharge in drylands is dominated by focused mechanisms, such as infiltration beneath ephemeral streams, but is incompletely understood.

We are recruiting 5 graduate or undergraduate students for a National Science Foundation-funded project (International Research Experiences for Students) to study transmission losses in ephemeral streams in Morocco. The program includes:

Training in remote sensing, GIS, and hydrologic modeling (online, March–April)

1-week pre-departure workshop including technical and cultural training (online, May)

5-week field project with U.S. and Moroccan researchers in Morocco (May–June)

Training in professional practice, scientific communication, and community outreach (online, September–December)

Travel expenses will be paid and a $3,000 stipend will be provided. Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. degree program through December 2023.                               

Applications will open on NSF ETAP mid-December 2022 and close January 31, 2023. 

 Math Fall 22 Newsletter

It was great to see you all at 2022 August MSPS Internship Presentations. 

Congratulations to students, great job done in your presentations.

Thanks to our advisory board members, Richard, Michelle, Tony, and David for your consistent support to MTSU Actuarial Science program and MSPS program.

Many thanks to Dr. Saeed Foroudastan as well! 

~ Dr. Don Hong

Advisory Board Members of the Program who participated the 2022 MSPS Internship Presentations [2nd row from left to right: David A. Craig, ASA (BCBS-TN), Richard Waggoner, FSA, MAAA (AETNA), Tony King and L. Michelle Bradley, ACAS, MAAA, ARM, CERA (SIGMA Actuarial Consulting)]. 

Actuarial Science Summer 22 Newsletter

November 4th-6th 2022

Cadets of the Middle Tennessee State University Army ROTC Blue Raider Battalion competed in the 2022 Bold Warrior Challenge at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Bold Warrior Challenge (also known as Ranger Challenge) is an annual, two-day competition hosted by the 7th ROTC Brigade, Cadet Command. MTSU joined 37 other Cadet Teams from Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan compete against one another in a test of physical and mental toughness with a focus on leadership competencies, teamwork, and overall team esprit-de-corps.

Ranger Challenge Cadets routinely go above and beyond to exceed the minimum requirements for the Army ROTC program. They meet for an additional 10 hours a week to train military and critical thinking skills, enhance leadership competencies and attributes, and further develop physical fitness. Traditionally, Cadets that participate in Ranger Challenge stand-out among their peers and perform exceptionally well during Advanced Camp, the culminating Cadet Command crucible and commissioning requirement.

Special recognition for this year’s team:

Cadet Christopher Boykin, an MTSU Senior and Active-Duty Option Soldier with 12 years service, was selected to serve as the Team Captain.

Cadet George Jouny, an MTSU Sophomore, was selected by his peers as the team’s MVP during the competition.

~ Submitted by LTC Arlin Wilsher Chair of Military Science Department

Cadets devise a plan of attack for an obstacle course on rigorous terrain.

Cadets compete Team vs. Team on tasks like Tug-of-War to achieve the greatest number of points over the weekend.

Cadets are tested on their mental agility in unique ways

Cadets construct a one-rope bridge with limited visibility stressing the importance of effective communication.

September 24, 2022- Women in Physics
Outreach Workshop for middle and high school students at
TN Girls in STEM Conference Fall 2022

Far left Professor Dr. Neda Nasseri, Front Middle WIP president Quinn Wilson, back right, Dr. Hanna Terletska and Dr. Abdi Samar.

This book is the Laboratory part to Introductory Physics II. The purpose of the Introductory Physics II course is to introduce students to optics, selected topics in modern physics (that is, the physics of the 20th century), and electricity and magnetism. It follows Introductory Physics I that covers selected topics in mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and wave physics.

Dr. Daniel Erenso Physics Professor

Virtual and Real Labs for Introductory Physics II: Optics, Modern Physics, and Electromagnetism
Daniel Erenso
Course Text

The Tennessee STEM Education Center recently received two grants from Battelle Education to conduct STEM outreach and teacher professional development during the 2022-2023 academic year. The two grants are for a combined $85,000. Dr. Kevin Ragland, TSEC Associate Director, is the principal investigator for both grants.

Funding from one of the grants ($35,000) will be used to conduct workshops for K-12 teachers on strategies that expand the teaching and learning of STEM education. The second grant of $50,000 will be used to create a Data Science Teacher Ambassador Program. TSEC will partner with MTSU’s Data Science Institute to develop the program for middle and high school STEM teachers in Middle Tennessee.

Dr. Kevin Regland TSEC Assistant Director 

Dr. Natalie LaFranzo, Director, Marketing Communications Personalis, Inc., photo submitted by Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross Chemistry Professor 

Department of Mathematical Sciences will host the 32nd Cumberland Conference on Combinatorics, Graph Theory and Computing on May 13 and 14, 2023. The conference will bring mathematicians and theoretical computer scientists from all over the world to Middle Tennessee State University. This year, the conference features four plenary speakers: Dr. Tomas Kaiser (West Bohemia University), Dr. Jinyoung Park (Stanford University), Dr. Luke Postle (University of Waterloo), and Dr. Yufei Zhao (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).  The conference is supported by National Science Foundation, MTSU Provost Office, College    of Basic and Applied Sciences, and Department of Mathematical Sciences. The conference is organized by the Discrete Mathematics group of MTSU, Dr. Dong Ye, Dr. Chris Stephens, Dr. John C. Saunders and Dr. Xiaoya Zha.