💡Empowering Next-Gen Engineers 

Building on successful partnerships like the 3+3 Doctorate in Physical Therapy and 2+4 PharmD Early Assurance programs, CSM introduces a dynamic pipeline with the University of Arkansas. This spring, a groundbreaking collaboration emerged, offering a direct route to Engineering Masters and Doctoral programs. Driven by high demand and expertise, this initiative opens doors for students to excel in engineering.

Arantxa Pardue (Engineering Physics, ’25) is planning to pursue this pipeline program with the University of Arkansas. She spent last summer in a Research Experience for Undergraduates at UArk as well and said, “I am considering graduate studies in either engineering or physics because I have loved experimental research in undergrad.” Regarding her interest in the graduate program at Arkansas, “The guaranteed admission and funding is very compelling."

Much of the support for this program was given by Dr. Steve Robinson, Professor of Physics (pictured above). “There is high demand for both graduate engineering students and jobs in engineering," he said. "Job stability, good income, and the desire to apply one’s math and science skills to addressing technological challenges make engineering a highly sought-after field of study.” 

🔬Summer Research Success! 

Research at Belmont has flourished this summer! Over 65 students performed research with 16 faculty through two research programs. This year, CSM hosted students through our Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in the Sciences (SURFS) program, which is aimed at providing young scientists the opportunity to do research early in their undergraduate career, as well as our long-lived Summer Scholars program that grants students college credit for doing an independent research project. Project spanned across all CSM departments, from Biology and Chemistry to Psychological Sciences.

🧠 Revolutionizing Research with EEG

Last summer, CSM purchased an electroencephalogram to support ongoing research in the Department of Psychological Science. One faculty member, Dr. Michael Oliver, uses the EEG to investigate how modifiable lifestyle factors, such as blood pressure and exercise, affect cognition.

Dr. Oliver touts how the machine has revolutionized his work:

• “The use of EEG in my research creates an opportunity for students to work with me to not only explore how lifestyle factors affect cognitive performance from the behavioral side, but also how these factors may affect cortical responsiveness, which may explain why we see these behavioral differences.”
• His long-term goals include: developing a better understanding of the relationship between lifestyle factors and brain health, aiding in the development of early diagnostic tools for cognitive impairment and dementia and supporting interventions to improve cognitive health and societal well-being. 

🎮 Summer CSM Camps: From Gaming Design to Sheep Brains

This summer, CSM expanded outreach opportunities for high school students, offering both the Research Intensive Summer Experience in Data Science (RISE-DS) program and five week-long summer camps from “Gaming Design and Programming” to “Brain to Behavior at Belmont.” Through Research Intensive Summer Experience in Data Science (RISE-DS) program, students explored data science through a hands-on project and college-level statistics class.

At the camps, students had opportunities to participate in activities like a sheep brain dissection, lectures spanning Neurons to Social Thinking, as well as explore college goals via a tour and admissions talk.

“I feel more inspired to create more video games and plan to bring this knowledge to my school by creating a video game development club," said a student in the Gaming Design and Programming camp. 

Miniature Intestines for Diverse Research 🧪 

Assistant Professor of Biology and Anatomy & Physiology Dr. Eric Spears studies the intestinal epithelium, working to understand the molecular mechanisms of normal development and maintenance as well as the loss of coordinated signaling that results in colorectal cancer. To best study development, Dr. Spears grows miniature intestines in his lab.

He explains the benefits of tissue culturing: “While colorectal cancer lines have proven useful for cell biology studies, the advent of these three-dimensional 'organoid' systems developed from human pluripotent stem cells has allowed researchers to study normal intestinal epithelium in a context similar to that found in the whole organ.” This system allows our faculty and students to track development and maintenance without the use of animal models.

🍻Brewing Impactful Insights!

Dr. Will Best, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, joins CSM's new faculty cohort, making strides in community collaboration. Through his work with students, they delve into the legislative realm, advising the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild on potential effects of bills reshaping alcohol taxation. Uniting math and advocacy, their research presents compelling arguments for future policy considerations, promising a positive local impact.

🐾 Zoo-Inspired Science Flourishes 

Dr. John Niedzwiecki, Professor of Biology, catalyzes impactful learning through the Belmont University Research Symposium. Partnering with Nashville Zoo's Dr. Heather Schwartz for 12+ years, students in his Animal Behavior class embark on captivating research journeys. Sharing their findings at the Zoo's HCA Veterinary Medical Center, they engage the public and foster scientific curiosity. Dr. Niedzwiecki's commitment to unique learning experiences shines through his zoo partnership's lasting impact. “Growing up in Nashville, I remember going to the zoo many times and I never thought I'd go back as a student to conduct research," said student Remah Hatem.

🌟 Student Spotlights 🌟

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