<![CDATA[Georgia's Tomorrow and Bald Head Island Conservancy Launch Research Fund, Partnership]]> 34528 North Carolina's Bald Head Island Conservancy (BHIC) and Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow (GT²) are pleased to announce a formal research fund and partnership between BHIC’s Johnston Center for Coastal Sustainability and GT².

GT² is a newly established research initiative at Georgia Tech that focuses on discovery science, engineering innovation, and AI-enabled decision tools to address urgent challenges at the intersection of environmental and community resilience in the Southeast. The initiative fosters research in direct service to regional communities through public-private partnerships, and it provides opportunities for graduate student engagement.

The BHIC-GT² research fund and partnership will pursue shared initiatives in the fields of coastal sustainability, ecosystem health, and environmental resilience. By combining BHIC’s applied, field-based conservation work with Georgia Tech’s expertise in technological innovation and data analysis, new opportunities for impactful research will be created through graduate student projects and community engagement.

About the Partnership
Like the GT² initiative, BHIC’s Johnston Center for Coastal Sustainability was created to translate research into real-world impact. BHIC established the Johnston Center as a research partnership and education hub for sustainability initiatives on Bald Head Island, with the broader goal of advancing coastal sustainability across the Southeast. Seed funding for the Center was provided in 2021 by Dick and Pat Johnston, longtime supporters of BHIC. 

Dick, a Georgia Tech IM 1962 alumnus, and Pat Johnston shared their enthusiasm for the BHIC and Georgia Tech collaboration, noting: 

“We are delighted to see our two favorite institutions come together through this partnership. It brings additional resources, expertise, and leadership to our shared focus on keeping the historic tagline ‘Living in Harmony with Nature’ in the hearts of future generations.”

Joel Kostka, Faculty Director of GT² who also serves as Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences with a joint appointment in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech added:

“The Bald Head Island Conservancy and its Johnston Center for Coastal Sustainability exemplify how place‑based conservation and rigorous science can work together to create real impact. The Bald Head Island Conservancy’s long‑term stewardship, research infrastructure, and commitment to translating science into action make it an ideal partner for Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow as we advance collaborative research that strengthens coastal resilience across the Southeast.”

This partnership will focus on Georgia Tech graduate student research projects that use innovative technology and data analyses to directly support the conservation work of BHIC.

Graduate student research already plays an important role in BHIC’s conservation efforts. Gabie Krueger, a Georgia Tech Ph.D. student in Ocean Sciences and Engineering and BHIC’s 2025-26 Johnston Graduate Fellow in Coastal Sustainability, has been working with BHIC scientists on a salt marsh ecology project that examined how ribbed mussels and fiddler crabs influence the health of Bald Head Island’s dominant salt marsh grass Spartina alterniflora. These flora-fauna interactions serve as primary indicators of marsh health, so her research is important for understanding the resilience of Bald Head Island’s salt marsh to environmental concerns such as sea-level rise and development.

Through the BHIC-GT² partnership, Georgia Tech student researchers who work with the Conservancy will also gain invaluable experience with local conservation efforts and community engagement.

G. Christopher Shank, Ph.D., Executive Director of BHIC, commented:

“The Bald Head Island Conservancy is thrilled about this opportunity to create a formal research partnership with Georgia Tech, one of the nation’s most esteemed research universities. It is recognition of the quality of conservation studies we are currently pursuing at the Conservancy and it also augments the impact of our work for BHI and beyond because of the technological and data analysis talent that Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow will bring to this partnership.”

Why This Matters
This research fund and partnership represents an important step forward in strengthening connections between academic research and applied conservation institutions. Together, BHIC and GT² aim to inform coastal management decisions, support resilience planning, engage students, and advance research that benefits coastal ecosystems and communities across the southeastern U.S.

Looking Ahead
Additional details about joint initiatives, research priorities, and collaborative opportunities will be shared in the coming months.

 

]]> jhunt7 1 1776978049 2026-04-23 21:00:49 1776978443 2026-04-23 21:07:23 0 0 news The Bald Head Island Conservancy (BHIC) and Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow (GT²) are pleased to announce a formal research fund and partnership between BHIC’s Johnston Center for Coastal Sustainability and the GT² initiative.

]]> 2026-04-23T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-23T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-23 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Institute of Technology
jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu

Chris Shank
Executive Director
Bald Head Island Conservancy
shank@bhic.org

]]> 680049 680049 image <![CDATA[120259-bhiconservancy-b.jpg]]> Vibrant 'Spartina alterniflora' salt marsh grass wraps the oxbow of a tidal waterway. (Credit: Bald Head Island Conservancy)

]]> image/jpeg 1776978094 2026-04-23 21:01:34 1776978094 2026-04-23 21:01:34 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow]]> <![CDATA[Bald Head Island Conservancy (BHIC)]]> <![CDATA[Port City Daily: Bald Head Island Conservancy announces partnership with Georgia Tech for coastal resilience]]> <![CDATA[WECT: Bald Head Island Conservancy, Georgia Tech form research partnership]]> <![CDATA[Honoring Faculty Promotions, Spring 2026]]> 36583 The Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty recognizes faculty and research professionals promoted this spring across academic, research, and Library roles. These promotions reflect sustained excellence in scholarship, teaching, service, and research leadership across the Institute.

Academic Faculty

Faculty members newly awarded tenure are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Promoted to Professor
Professors Awarded Tenure
Promoted to Associate Professor
Associate Professors Awarded Tenure
Promoted to Principal Academic Professional
Promoted to Principal Lecturer
Promoted to Senior Academic Professional
Promoted to Senior Lecturer
Promoted to Librarian/Archivist IV
Promoted to Librarian/Archivist III
Promoted to Librarian/Archivist II

Research Faculty

Promoted to Principal Research Scientist
Promoted to Principal Research Engineer
Promoted to Principal Research Technologist
Promoted to Principal Research Associate
Promoted to Principal Extension Professional
Promoted to Senior Research Scientist
Promoted to Senior Research Associate
Promoted to Senior Research Engineer
Promoted to Senior Research Technologist
Promoted to Senior Extension Professional
Promoted to Research Scientist II
Promoted to Research Associate II
Promoted to Research Engineer II
Promoted to Research Technologist II
Promoted to Extension Professional II
]]> lvidal7 1 1776971727 2026-04-23 19:15:27 1776971915 2026-04-23 19:18:35 0 0 news The Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty recognizes faculty and research professionals promoted this spring across academic, research, and Library roles. These promotions reflect sustained excellence in scholarship, teaching, service, and research leadership across the Institute.

]]> 2026-04-23T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-23T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-23 00:00:00 675217 675217 image <![CDATA[Tech Tower]]> Tech Tower

]]> image/jpeg 1728048469 2024-10-04 13:27:49 1728048469 2024-10-04 13:27:49 <![CDATA[Celebrating Newly Tenured Faculty, Spring 2026]]> <![CDATA[11th Annual Three Minute Thesis Competition: Our 2026 Winners, Announced]]> 36872

Georgia Tech's 11th annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition took place on Tuesday, April 7th, where 12 scholars presented their innovative research in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience. After five preliminary rounds and Tuesday’s climactic competition, five graduate students were named winners and awarded research travel grants. 

Congratulations to our 2026 Three Minute Thesis Winners: 

Overall Ph.D. Winner - $2,000 travel grant 

Shreya Kothari, Ph.D. Biological Sciences 

Harnessing Nature's Helpers: Discovering Bioemulsifiers to Help Clean Up Future Oil Spills 

First Runner-Up - $1,500 travel grant 

Shehan Parmar, Ph.D. Chemistry 

Discovering Thermoresponsive Ionic Liquids for Water Desalination 

Second Runner-Up - $1,000 travel grant 

Richard Asiamah, Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering 

Development and Applications of Synthetic Electric Grid Models for Underrepresented Regions 

Master's Winner - $1,000 travel grant 

Jinchu Li, MS, Computer Science 

Predicting New Concept-Object Associations in Astronomy by Mining the Literature 

People's Choice Award Winner - $500 travel grant 

Hari Sridhara, Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering 

Solid-State Batteries: A Stronger and Safer Energy Storage Technology 

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education coordinates Tech’s 3MT competition in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), the Naugle Writing and Communications Center, and the Language Institute. For more information about this year’s 3MT Competition, visit grad.gatech.edu/3mt. 

 

]]> fkhan47 1 1775836135 2026-04-10 15:48:55 1776781527 2026-04-21 14:25:27 0 0 news Five graduate students emerge victorious at Georgia Tech's 11th annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on Tuesday, April 7th.

]]> 2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-13 00:00:00 Faria Khan 

Communications Officer I 

Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education 

fkhan47@gatech.edu

]]> 679940 679940 image <![CDATA[3MT Winners]]> image/jpeg 1776171862 2026-04-14 13:04:22 1776172050 2026-04-14 13:07:30 <![CDATA[Career Conversations Take Center Stage at Annual Students and Alumni Leadership Dinner]]> 36607 The College of Sciences honored Boehringer Ingelheim as its 2026 Internship Employer of the Year during the Students and Alumni Leadership Dinner, an annual event designed to foster meaningful connections between alumni and students.

“There is incredible power in alumni stories,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair. “It’s inspiring for students to speak with alumni in the workforce, hear how they landed their first jobs, and learn from their successes — and their setbacks.”

Claire Haskell (Mathematics 2025) recently obtained her first job with Deloitte and attended the dinner to offer perspective to current students.

“I want to reassure students still in school that, even in today’s uncertain times, getting a job is still really doable and not as out of reach as it seems. Meeting Tech alumni is a great first step.”

A Night of Networking

College of Sciences Career Educator Program Manager James Stringfellow and Director of Alumni Relations Leslie Roberts organized the annual signature career event.

“We put on events like this because we want all of our students ready for their next opportunity,” says Stringfellow.

Second-year psychology major Aleena Sange attended the event for the first time, and says she will be back next year. “The alumni were really helpful and reassuring,” says Sange. “I learned what employers look for in a resume and even received advice about contract negotiations and retirement.”

First-year astrophysics student Shannon Callahan agrees. “What struck me the most was hearing how well Georgia Tech prepares you for the workforce. It gave me a lot of confidence to hear that Tech alumni hit the ground running because they’re used to learning quickly.”

The evening included casual and more structured networking, with students rotating between tables on topics such as “Using AI in the Workplace,” “Handling Conflict,” and “How to Get Hired in the Real World.”

Janessa Rowland (Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 2014) works as an operations program manager for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. She encouraged students to think beyond their major

“Sometimes an internship or class outside your major can open up the door for what you can do after Georgia Tech.”

Morgan Foreman (Psychology 2017), a technical product manager at IBM, offered encouraging insight: “People often tell you college is the best years of your life. Georgia Tech also sets you up for your dream life after college.”

2026 Internship Employer of the Year

During the festivities, Stringfellow announced Boehringer Ingelheim as the Internship Employer of the Year. The award honors a company that provides a high-quality learning environment for student interns. 

Arya Akbarshahi, a biochemistry major who spent a semester doing a co-op job at the company, presented the award, thanking the biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health for the learning experience provided.

“Co-oping at Boehringer Ingelheim was one of the most formative experiences in my training. From day one, I was trusted as a scientist, which allowed me to formulate hypotheses and execute experiments with direct implications for drug development strategy and decisions,”  says Akbarshahi. 

After presenting the award to Boehringer Ingelheim Senior Scientist Marc Sprouse, Akbarshahi also presented a surprise mentorship award to Sprouse.

“Marc was an exceptional mentor,” says Akbarshahi. “He challenged me to think critically about the biology, not just the assay, and consistently created space for me to take ownership and operate at a higher level.”

Sprouse accepted both awards and spoke of the benefits of working while still in school: “Getting real-world work experience while in school sets students up for success. I encourage all College of Science students to check out our website and apply for future co-ops and internships."

 

 

 

]]> ls67 1 1776266191 2026-04-15 15:16:31 1776277136 2026-04-15 18:18:56 0 0 news The event provided an opportunity for students and alumni to network and engage in career-focused discussions.

]]> 2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-15T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-15 00:00:00 Laura S. Smith, writer

]]> 679954 679960 679961 679954 image <![CDATA[Leslie Roberts, David Gaston, Susan Lozier, Marc Sprouse, Arya Akbarshahi, Andrea Comsa, and James Stringfellow]]> Leslie Roberts, David Gaston, Susan Lozier, Marc Sprouse, Arya Akbarshahi, Andrea Comsa, and James Stringfellow

]]> image/jpeg 1776266242 2026-04-15 15:17:22 1776266242 2026-04-15 15:17:22 679960 image <![CDATA[Chris Kwan (Mathematics 2019) leads a discussion about optimizing a science degree in the job search.]]> Chris Kwan (Mathematics 2019) leads a discussion about optimizing a science degree in the job search.

]]> image/jpeg 1776268996 2026-04-15 16:03:16 1776268996 2026-04-15 16:03:16 679961 image <![CDATA[ Mark Sprouse and Arya Akbarshahi]]> Mark Sprouse and Arya Akbarshahi

]]> image/jpeg 1776269553 2026-04-15 16:12:33 1776270011 2026-04-15 16:20:11 <![CDATA[Students and Alumni Connect at Networking Event]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Hosts First-Ever Student-Employer Networking Expo]]> <![CDATA[A Guide to Birdwatching at Georgia Tech]]> 36583 More than 11 million people live in Georgia, but on April nights, the state’s residents on the ground are outnumbered by tens of millions of small songbirds flying overhead. 

Spring migration season typically runs from March through May, peaking in April, according to Ben Freeman, an ecologist and assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech. Georgia lies along the Atlantic Flyway, aiding migratory birds — such as warblers, sparrows, and flycatchers — with a path to the Appalachians, the Great Lakes, and their home territories, where they will breed in the spring. 

Atlanta is often called a city in a forest, but the Tech campus offers additional green space, food, and shelter for many of the area’s native species. From above, it attracts migrating birds in search of a rest stop along their route. 

For birds native to the Atlanta metro area, like the Brown-headed Nuthatch and Northern Parula, Freeman says April is also the best time to see and hear them. 

“April is the prime bird month in Georgia,” he said. “That’s because, in addition to the migrating species passing through, our birds are breeding, they’re out looking for food, and singing to defend their territory and impress a mate. This is also the time of year when they have their fanciest feathers, making it a beautiful time to observe them in nature.” 

Read the full story. »

]]> lvidal7 1 1776096796 2026-04-13 16:13:16 1776100872 2026-04-13 17:21:12 0 0 news April is peak bird season in Georgia, so expect to see and hear plenty of species on campus.

]]> 2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-13 00:00:00 679923 679923 image <![CDATA[American Robin]]> image/jpeg 1776096880 2026-04-13 16:14:40 1776096880 2026-04-13 16:14:40 <![CDATA[2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration]]> 36583 One day after the historic Artemis II launch, the College of Sciences welcomed more than 150 researchers, students, and community members to its signature Frontiers in Science conference. Held on April 2, the full-day event focused on space research guiding discovery and innovation.

As during previous editions, this year’s conference featured more than two dozen scientists, engineers, policy experts, and thought leaders from Georgia Tech and beyond, illustrating how collaboration across fields – from science and engineering to public policy and international affairs – helps to advance strategic research priorities. 

“Frontiers is about discovery and connections across disciplines and generations,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair. “This edition provided an inspiring glimpse into the future of space exploration and the many ways Georgia Tech is contributing to research and missions seeking answers to what lies beyond our planet.” 

Commitment to Space

Space research is a key institutional priority at Georgia Tech, which is home to numerous academic and research programs in planetary sciences, robotics, mission design, space policy, and other areas. 

The recently established Space Research Institute (SRI) serves as the central hub connecting the broad range of space-related research across campus. Led by Jud Ready, who also serves as principal research engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, SRI has expanded support for space research and commercialization through initiatives such as the CreationsVC Space Fellows Program and Centers, Programs, and Initiatives seed grant program.

SRI’s efforts are in line with Georgia Tech’s long-standing contribution to space exploration. Hundreds of Yellow Jacket alumni work in the space sector, including several graduates who are playing key roles in the Artemis program. To date, more than a dozen Georgia Tech alumni have traveled to space.

Exploring the Final Frontier

The conference featured a series of panels and discussions led by faculty and researchers from the Colleges of Sciences and Engineering as well as the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. 

Sessions explored how researchers are studying the processes and conditions that support planetary habitability, seeking to answer one of humanity’s greatest questions: Does life exist beyond Earth? Speakers also examined how analog fieldwork in Earth’s extreme environments can inform space exploration, and how space research, in turn, can deepen our understanding of our own world.

Additional conversations centered on building better space missions through improved understanding of team and individual resilience, data collection, navigation, and the development of advanced technologies like the robots developed through the NASA LASSIE Project. 

Frontiers also highlighted Georgia Tech’s commitment to preparing the next generation of space scientists, engineers, and leaders. Student training and engagement were recurring themes throughout the day, with speakers emphasizing opportunities for student-led and student-run missions and research. A panel of Georgia Tech alumni shared their own STEM career journeys, challenging the idea of “one right path” to success — and acknowledging the resources and opportunities available at the Institute. 

A highlight of the conference was a fireside chat with Atlanta-native, retired U.S. Army Colonel and NASA Astronaut R. Shane Kimbrough (M.S. Operations Research 1998). Kimbrough, who spent a total of 388 days in space and performed nine spacewalks across three missions, reflected on his career and the evolution of spaceflight. He emphasized the expanding role of public-private and international partnerships in advancing ambitious goals, such as creating a permanent human outpost on the Moon. 

Policy and Public

The conference also explored how policy influences space discovery and innovation, with discussions touching on such issues as space security, access, governance, sustainability — and the influence of technology and science fiction on public perception and policy. 

Panelists described current policy frameworks governing outer space as struggling to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies and expanding activities. According to these experts, increasing tensions among commercial, research, and recreational uses of space call for greater coordination among private and government entities to balance competing priorities while maximizing opportunities for innovation and exploration. 

The conference was punctuated by a networking lunch connecting attendees with Atlanta’s public astronomy community – including partners at several universities and the Georgia Tech Astronomy Club, which set up telescopes for attendees to safely observe the sun. Later that evening, the Georgia Tech Observatory hosted its Public Night, welcoming the broader Atlanta community to campus for telescope views of Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and other celestial bodies. 

The Observatory Night was a fitting conclusion to a full day focused on Georgia Tech’s commitment and contributions to inspiring future generations of space explorers through research, education, and outreach. 

Experience the Frontiers conference in pictures on the College of Sciences’ Flickr account.

]]> lvidal7 1 1775484300 2026-04-06 14:05:00 1775856206 2026-04-10 21:23:26 0 0 news One day after the historic Artemis II launch, the College of Sciences welcomed more than 150 researchers, students, and community members to its signature Frontiers in Science conference.

]]> 2026-04-06T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-06T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-06 00:00:00 Writer: Lindsay C. Vidal

]]> 679862 679861 679863 679860 679858 679859 679862 image <![CDATA[ Retired NASA astronaut R. Shane Kimbrough (M.S. Operations Research 1998) reflects on his career and the evolution of spaceflight.]]> image/jpeg 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 679861 image <![CDATA[Joyce Shi Sim, assistant professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences]]> image/jpeg 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 679863 image <![CDATA[Professor James Wray, professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences]]> image/jpeg 1775485879 2026-04-06 14:31:19 1775485923 2026-04-06 14:32:03 679860 image <![CDATA[ [From left] Professor Glenn Lightsey, Professor Thom Orlando, Moderator Naia Butler-Craig (M.S. AE 2023, Ph.D. AE 2026), Associate Professor Brian Gunter, and Research Engineer I Ava Thrasher ]]> image/jpeg 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 679858 image <![CDATA[ The Georgia Tech Astronomy Club set up telescopes for attendees to safely observe the sun.]]> image/jpeg 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 679859 image <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Observatory’s April 2, 2026 Public Night]]> image/jpeg 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 1775484488 2026-04-06 14:08:08 <![CDATA[2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration - Program]]> <![CDATA[3.8‑Billion‑Year‑Old Titanium Clue Sheds New Light on the Moon’s Early Chemistry]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Pioneers First Space Sustainability Course in the U.S.]]> <![CDATA[‘Welcome to the Future!’ Artemis II Set for Launch to the Moon]]> <![CDATA[New Space Startups Take Off at Georgia Tech]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech’s Space Research Institute Announces Inaugural Seed Grant Awardees]]> <![CDATA[U.S. News Ranks College of Sciences Graduate Programs Among Nation’s Best]]> 34528 Graduate programs across the College of Sciences are again recognized among the nation’s best in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School Rankings, reflecting Georgia Tech's continued strength in fundamental and discovery science, interdisciplinary research, and innovative education.

Released on April 7, the latest U.S. News report features the College's six schools, each of which earned top‑tier placements that reflect academic quality and peer reputation across disciplines.

Georgia Tech College of Sciences rankings

*Psychology rankings were carried forward from the most recent U.S. News social sciences rankings cycle.

These new rankings — based on peer perception surveys, as well as statistical indicators measuring faculty resources, research activity, and student outcomes — continue to highlight the College of Sciences’ breadth across core scientific disciplines and its role in advancing discovery, training future researchers, and supporting Georgia Tech’s research and mission.

Specialty Rankings: Chemistry and Mathematics

In addition to overall program rankings, Georgia Tech continues to earn national recognition in existing specialty graduate rankings within the College of Sciences, which carry forward from April 2023:

Chemistry specialty graduate programs

 Mathematics specialty graduate programs

Full rankings: gatech.edu/about/rankings

]]> jhunt7 1 1775579289 2026-04-07 16:28:09 1775579413 2026-04-07 16:30:13 0 0 news Graduate programs across the College of Sciences are again ranked among the nation’s best in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School Rankings, reflecting Georgia Tech’s continued leadership in science and research.]]> 2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00 2026-04-07 00:00:00 673414 673414 image <![CDATA[A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech]]> A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech

]]> image/jpeg 1710522679 2024-03-15 17:11:19 1710522636 2024-03-15 17:10:36 <![CDATA[2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration ]]> 34528

This Thursday, April 2, the College of Sciences is hosting an inspiring look at the future of space exploration and life beyond Earth. Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration will convene leading scientists, engineers, policy experts, and thought leaders from across Georgia Tech and beyond to share research that’s guiding discovery and innovation. 

Hosted annually by College of Sciences Dean and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair Susan Lozier, Frontiers showcases how collaboration across disciplines — from science and engineering to public policy and international affairs — advances strategic research priorities. Recent programs have explored neuroscience and AI, climates in flux — and, this year, our solar system. 

2026 Frontiers will convene more than 25 experts to discuss planetary science, satellites and orbital observation, robotic exploration, public astronomy, and bold visions for human spaceflight. The conference will also highlight the future of space policy, careers and commercialization, space as a laboratory, and will feature an “Astronaut’s Perspective” fireside chat with R. Shane Kimbrough (MS OR ’98) and Jud Ready, who serves as executive director of Georgia Tech’s new Space Research Institute (SRI) and GTRI principal research engineer. 

We are at capacity for day passes!

Members of the community are welcome to drop by sessions of interest, lunchtime and evening telescope viewings, and our afternoon networking reception without RSVP. 

A schedule of events and location info can be found at:
http://cos.gatech.edu/frontiers-space

]]> jhunt7 1 1774976089 2026-03-31 16:54:49 1774977416 2026-03-31 17:16:56 0 0 news This year's Frontiers in Science conference will offer an inspiring look at the future of space exploration and life beyond Earth — from satellites and rovers to bold visions for human exploration. Our 2026 speaker schedule includes more than two dozen leading scientists, engineers, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what lies beyond.  

]]> 2026-03-31T00:00:00-04:00 2026-03-31T00:00:00-04:00 2026-03-31 00:00:00 679800 679800 image <![CDATA[Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration is set for Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Georgia Tech.]]> image/jpeg 1774976148 2026-03-31 16:55:48 1774976148 2026-03-31 16:55:48 <![CDATA[Target the Tumor. Spare the Body.]]> 27255 Georgia Tech researcher Nick Housley is developing a drug‑delivery system designed to send cancer treatments directly to tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. His team’s approach uses self‑assembling nanohydrogels (SANGs) that circulate through the body, remain inactive in healthy environments, and release their drug payload only when they encounter the unique chemical conditions created by tumors. This “cancer‑agnostic” strategy avoids the pitfalls of traditional targeted therapies, which can lose effectiveness as tumors evolve, and aims to reduce the harsh side effects patients often endure. Early preclinical results show that the nanohydrogels successfully concentrated drugs at tumor sites, and Housley’s team is now preparing for broader testing to move the technology toward clinical trials.

Read more »

]]> Josie Giles 1 1772752762 2026-03-05 23:19:22 1774011740 2026-03-20 13:02:20 0 0 news Georgia Tech researcher Nick Housley is developing a drug‑delivery system designed to send cancer treatments directly to tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Early preclinical results show that the nanohydrogels successfully concentrated drugs at tumor sites, and Housley’s team is now preparing for broader testing to move the technology toward clinical trials.

]]> 2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00 2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00 2026-03-06 00:00:00 679537 679537 image <![CDATA[20260226-Cancer-Delivery-System-Story-6.jpg]]>

Nick Housley’s latest advancement is a drug‑delivery system called SANGs, short for “self‑assembling nanohydrogels.” As these nanohydrogels move through the body, they keep the cancer‑fighting drug contained, passing through healthy tissue without releasing medicine. When they encounter the unique conditions created by a tumor, they remain in that environment and release the drug precisely where it’s needed.

]]> image/jpeg 1772752775 2026-03-05 23:19:35 1772752775 2026-03-05 23:19:35 <![CDATA[Hundreds of Hungry Mosquitoes, a Student Volunteer and a Mesh Suit]]> 27469

“Four minutes is too long.”

Man's arm with multiple pink raised welts

Some of Chris Zuo’s itchy results after his session with the mosquitoes. David L. Hu

That’s the note undergraduate Chris Zuo sent me along with photos of countless mosquito bites on his bare skin. This full-body massacre wasn’t the result of a camping trip gone awry. He’d spent that limited amount of time in a room with 100 hungry mosquitoes while wearing nothing but a mesh suit we thought would have protected him.

Thus began our three-year journey trying to understand the behavior of a deceivingly simple insect, the mosquito. It may sound like a professor’s sadistic plan, but, really, we did everything by the book. Our university’s institutional review board approved our procedures, making sure Chris was safe and not coerced in any way. The mosquitoes were disease-free and native to our home state of Georgia. And this session resulted in the first and last bites anyone received during the study.

Besides my role as torturer of students, I am an author and professor at Georgia Tech with over 20 years of experience studying the movement of animals.

Mosquitoes are the world’s most dangerous animal. The diseases they carry, from malaria to dengue, cause over 700,000 deaths per year. More people have died from mosquitoes than wars.

The world spends US$22 billion per year on billions of liters of insecticides, millions of pounds of larvicides, and millions of insecticide-treated bed nets – all to fight a tiny insect that weighs 10 times less than a grain of rice and has only 200,000 neurons.

Yet, people are losing the war on mosquitoes. These insects are evolving to thrive in cities and spreading disease more rapidly with climate change. How can such simple animals find us so easily?

Scientists know mosquitoes have terrible eyesight and depend on chemical cues to make up for it. Knowing what attracts a mosquito, though, isn’t enough to predict its behavior. You can know a heat-seeking missile is drawn to heat, but you still won’t know how a missile works.

Enter Chris and his self-sacrifice in the mosquito room. By tracking the flight of many mosquitoes around him, we hoped to determine how they made decisions in response to his presence. Understanding how mosquitoes respond to humans is a first step to controlling them.

How Mosquitoes Zero In On Their Meal

Out of 3,500 species of mosquitoes, over 100 species are classified as anthropophilic, meaning they prefer humans for lunch. Certain species of mosquitoes will find the one person among a whole herd of cattle in order to suck human blood.

This is quite a feat considering mosquitoes are weak flyers. They stop flying in a slight 2-3 mph breeze, the same air speed generated by a horse’s swinging tail. In calmer conditions, mosquitoes use their minuscule brains to follow human heat, moisture and odors that are carried downwind.

Carbon dioxide, the byproduct of respiration of all living animals, is particularly attractive. Mosquitoes notice carbon dioxide as well as you notice the stink of a full dumpster, detecting it up to 30 feet (9 meters) away from a host, where concentrations dip to a few parts per million, like a few cups of dye in an Olympic-size pool.

Black outline of a G and T in left panel, in right panel black squiggles showing flight paths of mosquitoes around the letters

Like superfans, mosquitoes are drawn to the dark outline of the Georgia Tech logo. David L. Hu, Georgia Tech

Mosquitoes’ vision isn’t much help as they hunt for their next blood meal. Their two compound eyes have several hundred individual lenses called ommatidia, each about the width of a human hair. They produce a somewhat blurry mosaic or pixelated image. Due to the laws of optics, mosquitoes can discern an adult-size human only at a few meters away. With their vision alone, they cannot distinguish a human from a small tree. They inspect every dark object.

Gathering the Flight-Path Data

The challenge with studying mosquito flight is that, like trash-talking teenagers, most of what they do is meaningless noise. Mosquitoes flying in an empty room are largely making random changes in flight speed and direction. We needed many flight trajectories to cut through the noise.

A man lying on the ground, and shown in two images on a laptop screen in the foreground

In a mesh suit, Chris Zuo awaits the mosquitoes while questioning his life choices. David L. Hu, Georgia Tech

One of our collaborators, University of California, Riverside, biologist Ring Cardé, told us that back in the 1980s, scientists conducted “bite studies” by stripping down to their underwear and slapping the mosquitoes that landed on their naked bodies. He said nudity prevented confounding variables, such as the color of a shirt’s fabric.

Chris and I looked at each other. Sit naked and wait to become mosquito prey? Instead, we designed the mesh suit that Chris originally wore into the mosquito room. But after seeing Chris’ bites, we needed a better way.

Instead, Chris washed long-sleeved clothes in unscented detergent and wore gloves and a face mask. Fully protected, Chris only had to stand and wait, while a cloud of mosquitoes swarmed him.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced us to the Photonic Sentry, a camera that simultaneously tracks hundreds of flying insects in a room. It records 100 frames per second at 5 mm resolution for a space like a large studio apartment. In just a few hours, Chris and another graduate student, Soohwan Kim, generated more mosquito flight data than had previously been measured in human history.

100 mosquitoes flying around Chris Zuo for 10 minutes. Only a fraction of tracks are shown.

Jörn Dunkel, Chenyi Fei and Alex Cohen, our mathematician collaborators at MIT, told us that the geometry of Chris’ body was still too complicated to study the mosquitoes’ reactions. Mathematicians excel at simplifying complex problems to their essence. Chenyi suggested we go easy on Chris – why not replace him with a simple dummy: a black Styrofoam ball on a stick combined with a canister of carbon dioxide.

Over the next two years, Chris filmed the mosquitoes circling the Styrofoam dummies mercilessly. Then he vacuumed up the mosquitoes, trying not to get bitten.

Deciphering the Trajectories

A mosquito flies like you would an airplane: it turns left or right, accelerates or hits the brakes. We determined a mosquito’s flight behavior as a function of its speed, location and direction with respect to the target as the first step in creating our model of their behavior.

Our confidence in our behavioral rules increased as we read more trajectories, ultimately using 20 million mosquito positions and speeds. This idea of incorporating observations to support a mathematical hypothesis is a 200-year-old idea called Bayesian inference. We illustrated the mosquito behavior we’d observed in a web application.

4 panels showing trajectory of a mosquito in the presence of no target, visual target, CO2 target or both.

A mosquito’s flight changes with the kind of target presented. David L. Hu

Using our model, we showed how different targets cause mosquitoes to fly differently. Visual targets cause fly-bys, where mosquitoes fly past the target. Carbon dioxide causes double takes, where mosquitoes slow down near the target. The combination of a visual cue and carbon dioxide creates high-speed orbiting patterns.

Up until now, we had used only experiments with Styrofoam spheres to train our model. The true test was whether it could predict mosquito flights around a human. Chris returned to the chamber, this time wearing all white clothes and a black hat, turning himself into a bull’s-eye. Our model successfully predicted the distribution of mosquitoes around him. We identified zones of danger, where there was a high chance of a mosquito circling around him.

Predicting mosquito behavior is a first step toward outsmarting them. In mosquito-prone areas, people design houses with features to prevent mosquitoes from following human cues and entering. Similarly, mosquito traps suck in mosquitoes when they get too close but still allow between 50% and 90% of mosquitoes to escape. Many of these designs are based on trial and error. We hope that our study provides a more precise tool for designing methods for mosquito capture or deterrence.

When Chris’ mother attended his master’s degree defense, I asked her how she felt about her son using himself as bait for mosquitoes. She said she was very proud. So am I – and not just because I’m relieved Chris didn’t ask me to take his place in the mosquito chamber.The Conversation

 

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

]]> Kristen Bailey 1 1773852732 2026-03-18 16:52:12 1773939430 2026-03-19 16:57:10 0 0 news By tracking the flight of many mosquitoes around a student volunteer, we hoped to determine how they made decisions in response to his presence. Understanding how mosquitoes respond to humans is a first step to controlling them.

]]> 2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00 2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00 2026-03-18 00:00:00 Author:

David Hu, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Biology, Adjunct Professor of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Media Contact:

Shelley Wunder-Smith
shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu

]]> 679694 679694 image <![CDATA[Trajectories of mosquitoes flying around a human target. David L. Hu, Georgia Tech]]> Trajectories of mosquitoes flying around a human target. David L. Hu, Georgia Tech

]]> image/png 1773939193 2026-03-19 16:53:13 1773939193 2026-03-19 16:53:13 <![CDATA[Read This Article on The Conversation]]> <![CDATA[RNA Has Newly Identified Role: Repairing Serious DNA Damage to Maintain the Genome]]> 27469

Your DNA is continually damaged by sources both inside and outside your body. One especially severe form of damage called a double-strand break involves the severing of both strands of the DNA double helix.

Double-strand breaks are among the most difficult forms of DNA damage for cells to repair because they disrupt the continuity of DNA and leave no intact template to base new strands on. If misrepaired, these breaks can lead to other mutations that make the genome unstable and increase the risk of many diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration and immunodeficiency.

Cells primarily repair double-strand breaks by either rejoining the broken DNA ends or by using another DNA molecule as a template for repair. However, my team and I discovered that RNA, a type of genetic material best known for its role in making proteins, surprisingly plays a key role in facilitating the repair of these harmful breaks.

These insights could not only pave the way for new treatment strategies for genetic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, but also enhance gene-editing technologies.

Sealing a Knowledge Gap in DNA Repair

I have spent the past two decades investigating the relationship between RNA and DNA in order to understand how cells maintain genome integrity and how these mechanisms could be harnessed for genetic engineering.

A long-standing question in the field has been whether RNA in cells helps keep the genome stable beyond acting as a copy of DNA in the process of making proteins and a regulator of gene expression. Studying how RNA might do this has been especially difficult due to its similarity to DNA and how fast it degrades. It’s also technically challenging to tell whether the RNA is directly working to repair DNA or indirectly regulating the process. Traditional models and tools for studying DNA repair have for the most part focused on proteins and DNA, leaving RNA’s potential contributions largely unexplored.

RNA plays a key role in protein synthesis.

My team and I were curious about whether RNA might actively participate in fixing double-strand breaks as a first line of defense. To explore this, we used the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to make breaks at specific spots in the DNA of human and yeast cells. We then analyzed how RNA influences various aspects of the repair process, including efficiency and outcomes.

We found that RNA can actively guide the repair process of double-strand breaks. It does this by binding to broken DNA ends, helping align sequences of DNA on a matching strand that isn’t broken. It can also seal gaps or remove mismatched segments, further influencing whether and how the original sequence is restored.

Additionally, we found that RNA aids in double-strand break repair in both yeast and human cells, suggesting that its role in DNA repair is evolutionary conserved across species. Notably, even low levels of RNA were sufficient to influence the efficiency and outcome of repair, pointing to its broad and previously unrecognized function in maintaining genome stability.

RNA in Control

By uncovering RNA’s previously unknown function to repair DNA damage, our findings show how RNA may directly contribute to the stability and evolution of the genome. It’s not merely a passive messenger, but an active participant in genome maintenance.

Diagram of DNA transcription, showing mRNA building from a template strand of DNA

One type of RNA that has been effectively used in treatments is mRNA. Aldona/iStock via Getty Images Plus

These insights could help researchers develop new ways to target the genomic instability that underlies many diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. Traditionally, treatments and gene-editing tools have focused almost exclusively on DNA or proteins. Our findings suggest that modifying RNA in different ways could also influence how cells respond to DNA damage. For example, researchers could design RNA-based therapies to enhance the repair of harmful breaks that could cause cancer, or selectively disrupt DNA break repair in cancer cells to help kill them.

In addition, these findings could improve the precision of gene-editing technologies like CRISPR by accounting for interactions between RNA and DNA at the site of the cut. This could reduce off-target effects and increase editing precision, ultimately contributing to the development of safer and more effective gene therapies.

There are still many unanswered questions about how RNA interacts with DNA in the repair process. The evolutionary role that RNA plays in maintaining genome stability is also unclear. But one thing is certain: RNA is no longer just a messenger, it is a molecule with a direct hand in DNA repair, rewriting what researchers know about how cells safeguard their genetic code.The Conversation

 

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

]]> Kristen Bailey 1 1750121014 2025-06-17 00:43:34 1773926225 2026-03-19 13:17:05 0 0 news Insights could not only pave the way for new treatment strategies for genetic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, but also enhance gene-editing technologies.

]]> 2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00 2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00 2025-06-16 00:00:00 Author:

Francesca Storici, professor of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology

Media Contact:

Shelley Wunder-Smith
shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu

]]> 677239 677239 image <![CDATA[Double-strand breaks in DNA can be deadly]]> Double-strand breaks in DNA can be deadly. Victor Golmer/iStock via Getty Images Plus

]]> image/jpeg 1750121134 2025-06-17 00:45:34 1750121134 2025-06-17 00:45:34 <![CDATA[Read This Article on The Conversation]]> <![CDATA[ $8.9 Million Approved for Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative]]> 34528

Georgia’s forest industry has long been a pillar of the state’s rural economy. But in recent years, mill closures and shifting markets have put pressure on landowners, workers, and entire communities, particularly in south Georgia. A recently approved $8.9 million Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative will help chart a new path forward, creating more value from Georgia’s abundant forest resources and expanding opportunities for the people and regions depending on them. 

Georgia Tech is pleased to partner with the Georgia Forestry Commission on the approved $8.9 million Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative included in Gov. Brian Kemp’s amended FY 2026 budget. This effort aims to transform low-value wood and mill byproducts into high-value materials, strengthening Georgia’s forest-based economy and supporting new commercial opportunities across the state. The initiative will establish pilot facilities and accelerate technology to business transfer in partnership with industry, with the long-term goal of enabling multiple manufacturing sites across Georgia.  

“We appreciate the state’s investment in helping move these innovations from the lab to Georgia businesses,” said Carson Meredith, executive director of Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI). “We also acknowledge the critical support of industry collaborators and partners like the Georgia Forestry Association and Georgia Forestry Foundation.” 

The work builds on collaborative interdisciplinary research at Georgia Tech involving School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Professors Andreas Bommarius, Chris Luettgen and Meredith; School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Stefan France and Professor of the Practice A.J. “Bo” Arduengo; and H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial Systems and Engineering Professor Valerie Thomas. Gary Black, RBI program manager, has also contributed to this effort. It is led by RBI’s Center for a Renewables-Based Economy from Wood (ReWOOD.) The effort reflects years of cross-disciplinary collaboration among faculty and staff committed to advancing sustainable, wood-based technologies. 

Learn more.

]]> jhunt7 1 1773175773 2026-03-10 20:49:33 1773175816 2026-03-10 20:50:16 0 0 news Georgia Tech is pleased to partner with the Georgia Forestry Commission on the approved $8.9 million Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative included in Governor Brian Kemp’s amended FY 2026 budget. This effort aims to transform low-value wood and mill byproducts into high-value materials, strengthening Georgia’s forest-based economy and supporting new commercial opportunities across the state. 

]]> 2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00 2026-03-06T00:00:00-05:00 2026-03-06 00:00:00 Media Contact: Jennifer Martin | jennifer.martin@research.gatech.edu

]]> 679569 679569 image <![CDATA[georgia-forest.jpeg]]> Georgia Tech is pleased to partner with the Georgia Forestry Commission on the approved $8.9 million Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative included in Gov. Brian Kemp’s amended FY 2026 budget.

]]> image/jpeg 1773166846 2026-03-10 18:20:46 1773166846 2026-03-10 18:20:46 <![CDATA[Generating Buzz: A Protein-Packed Industry]]> 36583

If you’ve walked the aisles of a grocery store, scrolled through social media, watched television, or set foot in a fast-casual restaurant chain in recent months, you know that protein is having its moment.  

So, why are brands pushing protein? An International Food Information Council study found that 70% of adults are looking to increase their protein intake. But as it makes its way into more products than ever before, is it too much of a good thing? 

Lesley Baradel is a registered dietitian, nutritionist, and lecturer in the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech. She joined Generating Buzz to discuss the protein-packed trend, with implications ranging from health and wellness to marketing and how the rise of GLP-1s factors into the increased focus on the macronutrient. 

Listen to the Generating Buzz podcast episode.

]]> lvidal7 1 1772128516 2026-02-26 17:55:16 1772140280 2026-02-26 21:11:20 0 0 news In the latest episode of Generating Buzz, Lesley Baradel explores the high-protein food craze and explains how the rise of GLP-1s factors into the increased focus on this essential macronutrient. 

]]> 2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00 2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00 2026-02-25 00:00:00 679457 679457 image <![CDATA[Generating Buzz: A Protein-Packed Industry]]> image/jpeg 1772128534 2026-02-26 17:55:34 1772128534 2026-02-26 17:55:34 <![CDATA[Vinayak Agarwal Wins Bridge Award]]> 36583 Georgia Tech Associate Professor Vinayak Agarwal has received the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) Bridge Award. The award provides up to $100,000 in continuity funding to support early-career researchers "pursuing exciting and productive programs that are training the next generation of scientists," according to the organization’s press release.

“Support from the RCSA is much appreciated right now to maintain our research productivity and pedagogic service to our student body,” says Agarwal. “The focus of RCSA extends beyond scientific research to include student success, which is in excellent concert with Georgia Tech’s mission.”

Agarwal, who joined Georgia Tech in 2017, holds joint appointments in the Schools of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biological Sciences. His research group studies natural products — small molecules created by living organisms — to understand how they are made and explore potential uses. In 2021, Agarwal was named an RCSA Cottrell Scholar in recognition of his study of natural products found in oceans and his efforts to develop new curricula for undergraduates related to this research.

His additional professional recognitions include the NSF CAREER Award, the American Society of Pharmacognosy Matt Suffness Young Investigator Award, the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, and the Sloan Research Fellowship.

]]> lvidal7 1 1770916325 2026-02-12 17:12:05 1771514397 2026-02-19 15:19:57 0 0 news Created by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement, the award provides continuity funding to support early-career researchers pursuing programs focused on training the next generation of scientists.

]]> 2026-02-13T00:00:00-05:00 2026-02-13T00:00:00-05:00 2026-02-13 00:00:00 Writer: Lindsay C. Vidal
College of Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology

]]> 602393 602393 image <![CDATA[Vinayak Agarwal]]> image/jpeg 1518706912 2018-02-15 15:01:52 1518706912 2018-02-15 15:01:52 <![CDATA[Agarwal Research Group]]> <![CDATA[Vinayak Agarwal Awarded NSF CAREER Grant for Peptide Research]]> <![CDATA[Vinayak Agarwal Wins 2021 Cottrell Scholar Award for Ocean Studies]]> <![CDATA[Mapping Mountain Birds in a Changing World: Benjamin Freeman Awarded Sloan Fellowship For Mountain Bird Ecology Research]]> 35599 School of Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Benjamin Freeman has been named a 2026 Sloan Research Fellow by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Regarded as one of the most competitive and prestigious awards available to early-career scholars, the Fellowship recognizes researchers “whose creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments make them stand out as the next generation of leaders.”

“The Sloan Research Fellows are among the most promising early-career researchers in the U.S. and Canada, already driving meaningful progress in their respective disciplines,” says Stacie Bloom, president and chief executive officer of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. “We look forward to seeing how these exceptional scholars continue to unlock new scientific advancements, redefine their fields, and foster the wellbeing and knowledge of all.”

"This is a wonderful and welcome surprise that will support my ongoing research on mountains across the globe,” says Freeman. “It's a vote of confidence and will let me get out there and get to work."

Freeman is one of 126 scientists selected this year for the honor and will receive a two-year $75,000 grant of flexible funding to support his research.

He joins the ranks of nearly 50 faculty from Georgia Tech who have received Sloan Research Fellowships, including School of Mathematics’ Alex Blumenthal in 2024, Hannah Choi in 2022, Yao Yao in 2020, Konstantin Tikhomirov in 2019, Lutz Warnke in 2018, Zaher Hani in 2016, Jen Hom in 2015, and Greg Blekherman in 2012; School of Chemistry and Biochemistry's Vinayak Agarwal in 2018; School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences' Christopher Reinhard in 2015; and School of Physics’ Chunhui (Rita) Du in 2024 and Tamara Bogdanović in 2013. 

Freeman joined the Institute in 2023 and was also recently named a 2024 Packard Fellow by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and 2025 Early Career Fellow by the Ecological Society of America.

Understanding the ‘escalator to extinction’

Known for his groundbreaking research in climate change and bird ecology, Freeman studies birds worldwide from Appalachia to Ecuador. He specializes in tropical populations where his work is centered on understanding how mountain species respond to a changing climate — and how to facilitate their survival. 

“Tropical mountains are some of Earth’s largest biodiversity hotspots; they harbor an extraordinary number of species,” shares Freeman. “Additionally, tropical mountain birds are particularly sensitive to environmental change, so they can serve as an early warning system for global conservation efforts.”

Previously, his research has shown that some species are on an ‘escalator to extinction’ with vulnerable groups moving to higher elevations to escape warming temperatures. At the top of the escalator, some summit-dwelling species are disappearing. 

“We know that many species are on this escalator,” Freeman says. “The next step is to figure out which species are most vulnerable and why. In order to direct conservation efforts, we need to know who is vulnerable, why small increases in temperature have dramatic effects, and what can be done to help.”

A worldwide early warning system

To uncover those answers, Freeman is taking two approaches: mapping global patterns with big picture data and conducting on-the-ground research in the tropics.

To target the former, he created the Mountain Bird Network, which supports community scientists in conducting bird surveys on their local mountains. The goal is to create a system that allows researchers to diagnose vulnerable species before they are too sparse to save.

“When a species is in trouble, we need to know as soon as possible,” Freeman says. “Once a population is small enough to be at risk of extinction, it’s very hard to reverse that process. The Mountain Bird Network collects data on mountain bird abundances and distributions across the globe, which, when used with data from a global citizen science program called eBird, can be leveraged to build models to identify which species might be vulnerable before those populations become critically small.”

A living lab on Tech Mountain

Freeman’s other avenue of research involves building an ambitious living laboratory in Pinchincha, Ecuador. The research site will span thousands of meters along the flanks of a local mountain, spanning lowland rainforest, foothill rainforest, and cloud forest ecosystems.

“The mountain is home to thousands of birds from hundreds of species,” Freeman says. “My goal is to track and understand their daily lives — and how climate changes impact them.”

Using cutting-edge tracking technology, he will tag and monitor their daily movements, mapping those against microclimate sensors placed at different elevations along the mountain’s slopes. The challenge of placing and maintaining thousands of tiny sensors in rugged conditions means that it has never been done before.

“We’ll track these birds for at least five years –- but hopefully for decades,” Freeman says. “The data we gather at Tech Mountain will be the first of its kind, and my hope is that it makes a real difference in conservation efforts worldwide.”

]]> sperrin6 1 1771338964 2026-02-17 14:36:04 1771511005 2026-02-19 14:23:25 0 0 news The fellowship is one of the most competitive and prestigious awards available to early-career scholars, and will support Freeman as he studies birds worldwide from Appalachia to Ecuador, investigating how mountain species respond to a changing climate — and how to facilitate their survival. ]]> 2026-02-17T00:00:00-05:00 2026-02-17T00:00:00-05:00 2026-02-17 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

]]> 675323 675323 image <![CDATA[Benjamin Freeman]]> Benjamin Freeman

]]> image/png 1729016793 2024-10-15 18:26:33 1729016793 2024-10-15 18:26:33 <![CDATA[2026 Sloan Research Fellows Announced]]> <![CDATA[A 30-Year “Snapshot” of Pacific Northwestern Birds Shows Their Surprising Resilience]]> <![CDATA[Research Takes Flight: Benjamin Freeman Named 2024 Packard Fellow]]> <![CDATA[Benjamin Freeman Named Early Career Fellow by Ecological Society of America]]> <![CDATA[Students Making a Difference: EMTs Juggle Schoolwork and Emergency Medicine]]> 36607 Many Georgia Tech students spend their free time studying, relaxing, or working part-time jobs. But for students who work as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), their time outside the classroom includes responding to medical emergencies — and helping patients when every minute counts.

“It’s literally life or death sometimes,” says Brandon Brigner, a fall 2025 biochemistry graduate now pursuing a master’s in chemistry.

Four Georgia Tech students share their experiences on the front lines of medicine as EMTs, including Brigner; Lianna Homrich, a fourth-year biology major; Daeun “Esther” Lee, a third-year biomedical engineering major; and Krishna Monroe, a third-year neuroscience major. Brigner, Homrich, and Monroe work as EMTs on ambulances while Lee serves as a technician at Emory University Hospital Midtown. Each plans a career in medicine and serves on the leadership team for EMS at Tech, a student organization dedicated to expanding access to and knowledge of emergency medical services on campus.

Why become an EMT?

All four agree that EMT work offers unmatched medical experience.

“You can show up on someone’s worst day and immediately make a difference,” says Lee.

Homrich started exploring EMT work after realizing she needed clinical hours for the pre-health track. “The adrenaline and lifesaving aspect appealed to me. I knew I’d learn so much from living the hands-on side of medicine.”

Brigner began working as an EMT in high school. “I wanted to get started on my pre-med journey,” he explains. “Becoming an EMT is one of the most powerful medical experiences you can have — and it’s definitely solidified my decision to pursue medicine as a career.”

What’s the job like?

Monroe first joined an ambulance crew with American Medical Response in DeKalb County and now works for Grady Health System. “At a basic level, our job is to stabilize patients and get them to the hospital safely,” says Monroe.

Brigner explains that most ambulance EMTs split time between emergency calls, special events, and transfers. “It can be intense,” he says. “When everything goes well, you can seriously change someone’s life trajectory.”

Monroe adds that there is no typical shift on an ambulance. “We’ve had anything from people shot in the chest to someone struggling to breathe to someone experiencing abdominal pain because they are hungry. You respond where the public needs you.”

What do you like best about being an EMT?

Homrich appreciates the people. “You’re on a truck for 12 hours with career paramedics who spend their lives saving others. Many are former military; I learn something new every shift. They’re heroes.”

Lee values the teamwork she finds at the hospital. “Usually when something very high acuity comes in, like a cardiac arrest, you have everyone in the emergency room acting as a team. We’re doing chest compressions, checking in with each other, and switching out when needed. Everyone is there in this very stressful time, working together to save someone’s life.”

How does EMT work prepare you for careers in medicine?

EMT work offers solid medical experience and critical soft skills. “You’re making decisions about real patients,” says Monroe. “You have your own patient, sometimes with no help for 30-45 minutes, depending on how long it takes to get to the hospital. It’s the best clinical experience you can get.”

Lee adds, “It teaches creativity, problem solving, and composure under pressure — skills you can’t learn from a textbook. You learn to stay composed in chaos.”

How do you balance school and work?

All four agree that it takes a lot of organization and discipline. “Having a good calendar system is key, and strategically scheduling classes really helps,” says Homrich. “I’ve definitely fallen into traps where I get really into EMS — picking up cool events or overnight shifts for bonuses — but I’ve learned to make schoolwork a priority. Academics come first.”

Lee primarily works weekends to accommodate her school schedule. “I work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays,” she says. “I get most of my studying done during the week.”

What kind of training does it take to become an EMT?

Monroe is an Advanced EMT while Brigner, Homrich, and Lee hold the EMT Basic designation. Training includes coursework, skills testing, and clinical ride-alongs. To become an EMT, students must complete training, earn National Registry EMT certification, and apply for a state license.

“The real learning happens during clinicals or ‘third rides,’ where you ride along as the third person on the truck,” says Homrich.

Monroe estimates that he has spent more than 600 hours studying and training to earn both certifications.

Can you describe a meaningful moment in your EMT career?

Beyond the life-saving thrills, these students encounter moments that stay with them forever.

Brigdon remembers an incident from his very first day as an EMT:

“We were transporting a patient up from the depths of the D.C. subway. After putting him on the gurney, we took the escalator instead of the elevator. The fire crew saw us and immediately let us know that wasn’t the right move. Listening to their angry feedback put into perspective how serious this job is and the life-changing implications of doing it right. That moment taught me that every decision matters.”

Homrich remembers leading an “honor walk,” a ceremony to honor organ donors and support their families, for a deceased teenage patient being transferred for organ donation:
“At 19 years old, I wheeled a son away from his mother for the last time, knowing she’d never see him again. It was heavy but also meaningful because his sacrifice would create so much life. That moment reminded me how much trust people place in us — and the importance of what we do.”

What is Emergency Medical Services at Tech (EMS at Tech)?

A student organization dedicated to improving emergency medical care on campus, the club partners with Grady EMS and the Georgia Tech Police Department to respond to medical emergencies, lead CPR and first aid classes, and provide clinical opportunities for members.

“EMS at Tech is a community where you can nerd out and share your passion for emergency medicine,” says Homrich, the club’s vice president. “When you’re with friends at lunch, no one wants to hear about applying a tourniquet for an arterial bleed. But at EMS at Tech, everyone is an emergency medicine enthusiast who wants to share experiences.”

Last semester, the group trained more than 160 students, faculty, and staff in CPR/AED and supported campus events like Homecoming and Halloween. EMS at Tech also guides students pursuing EMS certifications and helps administer the Todd Family Fund EMS Scholarship, which covers tuition for Grady EMS Academy classes.

 

 

]]> ls67 1 1769445354 2026-01-26 16:35:54 1770131489 2026-02-03 15:11:29 0 0 news Four Georgia Tech students share what it’s like to balance rigorous coursework with the high-stakes world of emergency medicine.

]]> 2026-01-26T00:00:00-05:00 2026-01-26T00:00:00-05:00 2026-01-26 00:00:00 Laura Segraves Smith, writer

]]> 679085 679090 679085 image <![CDATA[From L to R: Krishna Monroe, president of EMS at GT; Lianna Homrich, vice president of EMS at GT;  Daeun “Esther” Lee, outreach director of EMS at GT; and Brandon Brigner, CPR officer of EMS at GT.]]> From L to R: Krishna Monroe, president of EMS at GT; Lianna Homrich, vice president of EMS at GT; Daeun “Esther” Lee, outreach director of EMS at GT; and Brandon Brigner, CPR officer of EMS at GT.

]]> image/jpeg 1769446300 2026-01-26 16:51:40 1769540357 2026-01-27 18:59:17 679090 image <![CDATA[EMS at Tech members provide medical support during campus events like Halloweekend.]]> EMS at Tech members provide medical support during campus events like Halloweekend.

]]> image/jpeg 1769454300 2026-01-26 19:05:00 1769455091 2026-01-26 19:18:11 <![CDATA[ Professor Bill Todd Creates Grady Emergency Medical Technician Scholarship for Georgia Tech Students]]> <![CDATA[Pre-Health Advising]]> <![CDATA[Science for Public Good: Introducing the Community Engagement Graduate Fellows ]]> 27465 Four graduate students from the College of Sciences were recently selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google. This one-year research opportunity awards up to $5,000 for each fellow to develop a project with local partners that aims to build stronger communities. 

“It has been a pleasure for the Center for Programs to Increase Engagement in the Sciences (C-PIES) to collaborate with Google and the College of Sciences Advisory Board to bring this fellowship, which will positively impact our community and highlight how science can align with public good,” says Lewis A. Wheaton, professor in the School of Biological Sciences and director of C-PIES. 

In the year ahead, the fellows will work with C-PIES and community partners on campus and in the metro Atlanta area to develop projects in one of three priority areas: civic and policy engagement, community-engaged research, and K-12 research outreach. 

The fellowship was open to all graduate students in the College of Sciences, and four inaugural fellows — Aniruddh Bakshi, Katherine Slenker, Miriam Simma, and Nikolai Simonov — were named based on their exciting, yet feasible applications.

Fellow Aniruddh Bakshi: Strengthening trust in science 

Ph.D. student Aniruddh Bakshi studies the problem of drug delivery at the intersections of organic chemistry, biochemistry, and immunology. As mRNA vaccines are closely related to his area of research, he sees the need for a grassroots outreach movement from young academics to help bolster public confidence in rigorous scientific methodology. 

In collaboration with local hospitals and nonprofits, his proposed project is to start a social media content series, titled “A Day in the Life of a Ph.D. Student,” to show the realities of graduate school for those interested in this career path while connecting his research to broader public issues. 

“Science has the power to solve urgent problems, but only if people understand and trust it,” says Bakshi. “Through this fellowship, I will use my research and outreach efforts to help strengthen that trust — showing how discoveries in drug delivery and vaccine design can make a real difference in people’s lives.” 

Fellow Katherine Slenker: Creating a biodiversity data network 

Atlanta is often referred to as “the city in a forest,” but according to Ph.D. student Katherine Slenker, wildlife has a difficult time navigating across roads and housing developments, often resulting in human-wildlife conflict. 

“Conservation ecologists have long recommended that the movement of wildlife could be eased through the creation of ‘ecological corridors,’ which connect greenspaces and wildlife populations,” she explains. “Determining the movement patterns of wildlife, and where such corridors may be best situated, requires that we first understand what species reside in the metro Atlanta area as well as how they are expected to disperse.”

As a fellow, Slenker plans to build a biodiversity data network by comparing wildlife monitoring at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and Stone Mountain Park and increasing the coalition of metro Atlanta researchers. This data can be used in the development of ecological corridors to reduce clashing between humans and wildlife, notably animals struck by vehicles, and improve ecosystem health at these parks. 

Fellow Miriam Simma: Making structural biology research more accessible 

The study of crystallography is vital in academia, industry, and medicine because it enables researchers to decipher the atomic structures of proteins, but it is scarcely taught outside of graduate school. Ph.D. student Miriam Simma wants to change that. 

Her proposed project is to introduce protein crystallography to K-12 students and teachers through hands-on activities in local high school classrooms and to the public during the Atlanta Science Festival at Georgia Tech.

“My vision is to make structural biology research accessible, so everyone can engage with cutting-edge scientific research — fostering curiosity and interest in STEM careers,” says Simma. “Long term, I will synthesize these activities into a chemical education article that introduces K-12 students to protein structure and function.” 

Fellow Nikolai Simonov: Mentoring middle school scientists 

Last year, Ph.D. student Nikolai Simonov became involved in the GoSTEM Club at Lilburn Middle School — leading student activities and recruiting other graduate student volunteers. In partnership with Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing, the club is a weekly afterschool program for students, many of whom come from underserved backgrounds, to grow their scientific curiosity. 

“I assembled a team of 10 Tech graduate students who could explain complex scientific concepts in approachable ways for middle school students. Through this fellowship, we are excited to enrich the GoSTEM Club with an ongoing mentorship program and materials for more ambitious science fair projects,” shares Simonov. 

As part of the program, club members can meet one-on-one with Georgia Tech mentors to discuss their educational and career goals. “By sharing their stories and connecting scientific ideas to real-world applications, our mentors aim to show students that STEM is not only accessible but a path toward a fulfilling life,” he adds.

]]> Annette Filliat 1 1768504625 2026-01-15 19:17:05 1768509007 2026-01-15 20:30:07 0 0 news Four graduate students from the College of Sciences were selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google, to develop projects that positively impact the metro Atlanta area and highlight how science can align with public good.

]]> 2026-01-15T00:00:00-05:00 2026-01-15T00:00:00-05:00 2026-01-15 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

Writer: Annette Filliat

]]> 679014 679016 679014 image <![CDATA[Community Engagement Graduate Fellows]]> Four graduate students from the College of Sciences were selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google.

]]> image/jpeg 1768507734 2026-01-15 20:08:54 1768508071 2026-01-15 20:14:31 679016 image <![CDATA[C-PIES and Community Engagement Graduate Fellows]]> C-PIES Director Lewis A. Wheaton (far left) and Director of Programs Lea Marzo (far right) stand with the inaugural Community Engagement Graduate Fellows (left to right): Nikolai Simonov, Miriam Simma, Aniruddh Bakshi, and Katherine Slenker.

]]> image/jpeg 1768508133 2026-01-15 20:15:33 1768508664 2026-01-15 20:24:24 <![CDATA[STEP Eases Transfer Transition]]> <![CDATA[Coastal Resilience Project Secures Nearly $1 Million to Restore Wetlands]]> 35599 The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has awarded an interdisciplinary team nearly $1 million in funding through the National Coastal Resilience Fund to restore coastal wetlands in Georgia. It was the only project in Georgia to be selected for funding from the program's 2025 call for proposals.

The award will support the design of nature-based solutions including living shorelines and marsh restoration in flood-prone areas of Camden County, Georgia, adjacent to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Cumberland Island National Seashore, and the city of St. Marys. 

“Restoring wetlands in Camden County is not just an environmental priority — it’s a resilience strategy for the entire region,” says principal investigator (PI) Joel Kostka, Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor, associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences, and faculty director of Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow. “Each acre of restored marshland protects coastal communities from natural hazards like storms and flooding, provides essential marine habitat, and has the potential to aid the Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers in developing management alternatives for dredged materials. When our wetlands flourish, our whole coastline does.”

In addition to Kostka, co-PI’s include University of Georgia (UGA) Skidaway Institute of Oceanography Director Clark Alexander, UGA Associate Professor Matt Bilskie and Professor Brian Bledsoe, The Nature Conservancy Coastal Climate Adaptation Director Ashby Worley, and Georgia Tech alumnus Nolan Williams of Robinson Design Engineers, a firm dedicated to the engineering of natural infrastructure in the Southeast that is owned and operated by Georgia Tech alumnus Joshua Robinson.

A coastal collaboration

The new project, known as a “pipeline project” by NFWF,  builds on multiple resilience plans and years of previous research conducted by the established team. “This is a testament to the value of the long-term collaborations and partnerships that enable coastal resilience work,” Kostka says. “We’re working closely with local communities and a range of city, state, and federal stakeholders to ensure these solutions align with local priorities and protect what matters most.”

It’s not the first time that the team has brought this type of collaboration to the coastline. Since 2019, Kostka has worked alongside the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the South Carolina Aquarium, and Robinson Design Engineers in a $2.6 million effort to restore degraded salt marshes in historic Charleston, also funded by NFWF. Now in the implementation phase, much of the marsh restoration in Charleston involves planting salt-tolerant grasses, restoring oyster reefs, and excavating new tidal creeks — work that is being spearheaded by local volunteers.

“Coastal resilience isn’t something one group can tackle alone,” Kostka adds. “That shared, community-driven vision is what makes these projects possible.”

]]> sperrin6 1 1768224004 2026-01-12 13:20:04 1768224676 2026-01-12 13:31:16 0 0 news The award will support the design of nature-based solutions including living shorelines and marsh restoration in flood-prone areas of Camden County, Georgia.

]]> 2026-01-12T00:00:00-05:00 2026-01-12T00:00:00-05:00 2026-01-12 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

]]> 678950 678953 678951 678952 678950 image <![CDATA[Degraded marsh on Cumberland Island, Georgia.]]> Degraded marsh on Cumberland Island, Georgia.

]]> image/png 1768224154 2026-01-12 13:22:34 1768224154 2026-01-12 13:22:34 678953 image <![CDATA[Kostka sampling transects of marshland on Cumberland Island, Georgia.]]> Kostka sampling transects of marshland on Cumberland Island, Georgia.

]]> image/png 1768224154 2026-01-12 13:22:34 1768224154 2026-01-12 13:22:34 678951 image <![CDATA[Erosion around the historic property “Dungeness” on Cumberland Island, Georgia.]]> Erosion around the historic property “Dungeness” on Cumberland Island, Georgia.

]]> image/png 1768224154 2026-01-12 13:22:34 1768224154 2026-01-12 13:22:34 678952 image <![CDATA[Flooding in the town of St. Marys, a town in Camden County, Georgia.]]> Flooding in the town of St. Marys, a town in Camden County, Georgia.

]]> image/png 1768224154 2026-01-12 13:22:34 1768224154 2026-01-12 13:22:34 <![CDATA[Researchers and Alumni Aid in $2.6 Million Effort to Restore Salt Marshes in Historic Charleston]]> <![CDATA[Joints in Motion: Armita Manafzadeh Receives Carl Gans Young Investigator Award]]> 35599 Armita Manafzadeh has been awarded the prestigious Carl Gans Young Investigator Award in recognition of her innovative research into joints and skeletons. She will join Georgia Tech as an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences in August 2026.

The award — named in recognition of Carl Gans’ contributions to animal morphology, biomechanics, and functional biology — is one of the highest honors from the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), and recognizes Manafzadeh’s “exceptional creativity and originality in comparative biomechanics research as well as her strong mentoring contributions.”

“I’m very fortunate to have done science with incredible mentors, collaborators, and students who’ve helped me develop this body of research,” she says. “I’m grateful to be recognized with the Carl Gans Award, and look forward to continuing to explore new ways to study biomechanics when I start my lab at Georgia Tech.”

The new Manafzadeh Lab at Georgia Tech will investigate how joints work and where they come from — both evolutionarily and developmentally. With powerful new technology, called X-Ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM), Manafzadeh can look inside bodies with 4D “X-ray vision” — and can create animations of moving skeletons with sub-millimeter precision. 

“This research has the potential to transform our understanding of animal motion,” she says, “and that can ultimately open doors to everything from personalized surgical treatments for people to new designs for bio-inspired robots.”

As part of the award, Manafzadeh will deliver a plenary speech on “Joints: Form, Function, and the Future of Comparative Biomechanics” this January at the annual SICB meeting in Portland, Oregon.

]]> sperrin6 1 1766161770 2025-12-19 16:29:30 1767728429 2026-01-06 19:40:29 0 0 news Manafzadeh will join Georgia Tech as an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences in August 2026. The new Manafzadeh Lab at Georgia Tech will investigate how joints work and where they come from — both evolutionarily and developmentally. 

 

]]> 2026-01-06T00:00:00-05:00 2026-01-06T00:00:00-05:00 2026-01-06 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

]]> 678897 678897 image <![CDATA[Armita Manafzadeh]]> Armita Manafzadeh

]]> image/jpeg 1766161920 2025-12-19 16:32:00 1766161920 2025-12-19 16:32:00 <![CDATA[Outside the Box: The Adaptation of Georgia Tech’s Beekeeper in Residence From Advertising to Apiaries ]]> 27465 During her years working in the advertising and marketing industry, Deb DeWitt became increasingly intrigued by beekeeping. The timing, however, was never quite right.

Busy with her career and family, DeWitt tucked the idea away — until she stepped back from the professional world and knew it was time to pursue keeping bees. She enrolled in a one-day beekeeping class that was offered by the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association. From there, DeWitt learned the fundamentals, purchased her first honey bees, and began the fascinating — and sometimes mystifying — work of caring for them in her backyard. 

Like many new beekeepers, she faced steep challenges: sick bees, failing colonies, secondary pests, and ensuring her hives had enough resources to survive winter. But DeWitt says that she also discovered how remarkably generous and supportive the beekeeping community is. She connected with mentors and attended local bee club meetings and state conferences where researchers shared their latest findings. Beekeeping became meaningful in ways she had never anticipated.

“I fell in love with honey bees and all things related. There is an innate spirituality in keeping bees,” she says. “Once I put the veil on, life slows to a standstill and becomes a walking meditation into a delicately complex and endlessly fascinating world.”

Her marketing background came full circle too. “Like any creative endeavor, beekeepers must be keenly observant,” DeWitt explains. “We have to think outside the box, pivot quickly, anticipate problems, and plan ahead.”

As her colony numbers grew, so did her reach. DeWitt established apiaries at several metro Atlanta schools and at sites in Chattahoochee Hills, Grant Park, Brookhaven, Arabia Mountain, and Brevard, North Carolina. Along the way, she earned her Master Beekeeper certification from Cornell University, served as the central regional director for the Georgia Beekeepers Association, taught beekeeping to incarcerated individuals through the Georgia Department of Corrections, and partnered with tree companies to rescue wild honey bee colonies living in trees slated for removal.

Serving as the Beekeeper in Residence

This breadth of experience prepared her for a unique opportunity: becoming Georgia Tech’s 2025 Beekeeper in Residence with the Urban Honey Bee Project. The one-year residency, DeWitt says, offered “a rare opportunity to be part of the Georgia Tech community,” allowing her to explore new ideas in beekeeping while tending to and expanding the rooftop hives at The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design.

The Urban Honey Bee Project, an interdisciplinary initiative of Georgia Tech’s College of Sciences and Office of Sustainability, established the Beekeeper in Residence program to maintain colonies at The Kendeda Building and in the EcoCommons, mentor student beekeepers, and enrich the program with diverse expertise.

“Deb did so much this year — working closely with the Beekeeping Club, keeping our hives healthy, and even rehoming a wild hive from a dead tree on campus,” says Jennifer Leavey, assistant dean for faculty mentoring in the College of Sciences and director of the Urban Honey Bee Project. “Most importantly, Deb showed our students how an expert beekeeper approaches hive care. She took every opportunity to include them, and it made a real impact.”

Georgia Tech undergraduate Alyssa Zhang agrees. “The Beekeeping Club loved working with Deb. She was always happy to teach us — whether it was managing Varroa mites last summer, when she helped reduce counts from 17% to below 1%, or preparing the hives for winter.”

Protecting intelligent pollinators

The Varroa mite is one of many pressures beekeepers face. “The biggest challenges affecting honey bees — as well as native bees and other pollinators — are climate change, habitat loss, pesticide use, pests, and pathogens,” DeWitt explains. “These factors contributed to U.S. commercial beekeepers losing a devastating average of 62% of their colonies last year.”

Honey bees play a critical role in pollinating food crops and producing honey and beeswax. These threats fuel DeWitt’s passion for education, mentorship, and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. Yet, the most meaningful rewards are personal.

“Honey bee colonies are superorganisms — tens of thousands of individuals working together for the good of the hive,” she adds. “Bees are intelligent, endlessly fascinating creatures, and I never stop learning from them. Beekeeping has made me a better gardener, horticulturist, ecologist, conservationist, carpenter, biologist, scientist, student, teacher, problem solver… you name it.”

Recognized across Georgia

Her passion for the craft is unmistakable. In 2025, DeWitt received one of the state’s highest honors: Georgia Beekeepers Association’s Beekeeper of the Year Award.

“I am profoundly grateful to the state’s beekeeping community for recognizing my efforts over the past eight years,” says DeWitt. “This award reflects the mentorship I’ve received from some truly exceptional beekeepers.”

]]> Annette Filliat 1 1765923558 2025-12-16 22:19:18 1766003818 2025-12-17 20:36:58 0 0 news Marketer-turned-beekeeper Deb DeWitt serves as Georgia Tech's Beekeeper in Residence and receives the Georgia Beekeepers Association’s Beekeeper of the Year Award.

]]> 2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00 2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00 2025-12-16 00:00:00 Honey-Related Recipes From Georgia Tech’s Beekeeper in Residence:

]]> Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

Writer: Annette Filliat

Editor: Selena Langner

]]> 678876 678878 678882 678883 678876 image <![CDATA[Deb DeWitt serves as Georgia Tech’s 2025 Beekeeper in Residence with the Urban Honey Bee Project. ]]> Deb DeWitt serves as Georgia Tech’s 2025 Beekeeper in Residence with the Urban Honey Bee Project.

]]> image/jpeg 1766001431 2025-12-17 19:57:11 1766002974 2025-12-17 20:22:54 678878 image <![CDATA[Left to right: Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt, alumna Tosin Adedipe (BME 2025), and Jennifer Leavey, assistant dean for faculty mentoring in the College of Sciences and director of the Urban Honey Bee Project]]> Left to right: Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt, alumna Tosin Adedipe (BME 2025), and Jennifer Leavey, assistant dean for faculty mentoring in the College of Sciences and director of the Urban Honey Bee Project

]]> image/jpeg 1766001666 2025-12-17 20:01:06 1766003099 2025-12-17 20:24:59 678882 image <![CDATA[Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt (center) educates undergraduate students Omar Malik (left) and Alyssa Zhang (right). ]]> Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt (center) educates undergraduate students Omar Malik (left) and Alyssa Zhang (right).

]]> image/jpeg 1766003609 2025-12-17 20:33:29 1766003609 2025-12-17 20:33:29 678883 image <![CDATA[Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt discusses important pollinators at Georgia Tech's Honeypalooza. ]]> Beekeeper in Residence Deb DeWitt discusses important pollinators at Georgia Tech's Honeypalooza.

]]> image/jpeg 1766003727 2025-12-17 20:35:27 1766003727 2025-12-17 20:35:27 <![CDATA[Happy World Bee Day: Inside the Urban Honey Bee Project ]]> <![CDATA[Janelle Dunlap Turns Beekeeping Into Art ]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Researchers Make Waves at the World’s Largest Neuroscience Conference]]> 35575

Imagine stepping into a space the size of multiple football fields — only instead of turf and goalposts, it’s filled with science. Every inch is alive with posters, equipment demos, and researchers sharing the latest breakthroughs.  

Welcome to the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Conference, one of the largest scientific gatherings in the world, drawing more than 30,000 attendees to San Diego in November. According to Annabelle Singer, it is the place to be for neuroscientists. “If you want to know what is going on now in neuroscience, it is being talked about at SfN.” 

Singer is a McCamish Foundation Early Career Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at Georgia Tech and Emory University. A frequent SfN attendee, she describes the meeting as “Dragon Con for neuroscience, with thousands of talks and posters going on simultaneously.” 

This year, Georgia Tech didn’t just show up — it made a statement with more than 60 presentations, a major outreach award, and a spotlight press conference. 

“Seeing Georgia Tech and INNS represented so strongly at SfN is exciting,” says Chris Rozell, executive director of Tech’s Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS). “It reflects the incredible breadth of neuroscience and neurotechnology research happening across our campus and how our work is shaping conversations at the highest level.” 

Inside ‘Neuroscience Dragon Con’ 

Many conferences center around structured lectures, but at SfN, posters are the heart. You might find a senior researcher presenting groundbreaking findings right next to a first-time attendee sharing early results. This diversity is what makes the experience so valuable, says Singer. “Trainees get to talk directly with the scientist doing the work to get their questions answered, from wondering about future implications to clarifying technical details.” 

The scale of SfN can feel overwhelming, but for many, that’s part of the excitement. “There are so many different posters from so many different fields. It’s a lot to absorb, but it’s all very interesting,” said Benjamin Magondu, a biomedical engineering Ph.D. student presenting for the first time. “I’ve definitely learned at least 47 things by just walking 10 feet.” 

For students like Magondu, the experience is critical, says Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Farzaneh Najafi. “SfN has such a big scope, all the way from molecular to cognitive and computational systems. Especially for those deciding which direction of neuroscience they want to go into, it’s invaluable.” 

That breadth also fosters connections across disciplines. “Conferences are usually pretty niche,” noted Tina Franklin, a research scientist in BME. “You have your own field that you’re really good at, but it’s difficult to venture out and find new people who can help you figure out what comes next. This conference brings people from all different fields together with the common interest of neuroscience and brain research.” 

Leading the Charge 

Georgia Tech’s impact went beyond the conference floor. Ming-fai Fong, an assistant professor in BME, received the prestigious Next Generation Award, one of SfN’s education and outreach awards. The honor recognizes members who make outstanding contributions to public communication and education about neuroscience.  

“I’m certainly very grateful to the Society for Neuroscience for recognizing these types of contributions,” says Fong, who was recognized for her work supporting blind and visually impaired youth in Atlanta. “Rewarding outreach efforts reinforces my core belief that scientists and engineers can make an immediate impact on communities we care about through outreach. It’s a great parallel avenue to making a positive impact through research.” 

Building on this recognition, Georgia Tech was in the spotlight during one of SfN’s selective press conferences — a session on artificial intelligence in neuroscience moderated by Rozell, who is also the Julian T. Hightower Chair in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. 

During the SfN press event, Trisha Kesar, an associate professor in BME and adjunct faculty in the School of Biological Sciences, presented her research using AI to improve gait rehabilitation. Her work was among just 40 abstracts selected from more than 10,000 submissions for this honor, and one of five abstracts selected for the AI in neuroscience press conference. The project is a collaboration with Hyeok Kwon, a Georgia Tech computer science alumnus and an assistant professor in BME. 

“It’s exciting to see Georgia Tech and Atlanta emerging as hubs for neuroscience innovation,” said Kesar. “Being part of a press conference on AI in neuroscience shows how much our community is contributing to the future of brain research, and how collaboration across institutions can accelerate progress.” 

]]> adavidson38 1 1765902318 2025-12-16 16:25:18 1765917246 2025-12-16 20:34:06 0 0 news With more than 60 presentations and recognition for neuroscience outreach and AI research, Georgia Tech demonstrated its growing impact at the 2025 Society for Neuroscience’s annual meeting.

]]> 2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00 2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00 2025-12-16 00:00:00 Writer and media contact:
Audra Davidson
Research Communications Manager
Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)

Presenter Dashboard:
Created by Joshua Preston, Communications Manager, College of Computing
Data collection by Audra Davidson, Hunter Ashcraft

]]> 678854 678856 678855 678857 678854 image <![CDATA[1763342998142_viaSfN.jpeg]]> Affectionally called "DragonCon for neuroscience," the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting is one of the largest academic conferences in the world.

]]> image/jpeg 1765903757 2025-12-16 16:49:17 1765903757 2025-12-16 16:49:17 678856 image <![CDATA[IMG_6535-2.png]]> Benjamin Magondu, a graduate student in biomedical engineering, presented at SfN for the first time this year.

]]> image/png 1765903975 2025-12-16 16:52:55 1765903975 2025-12-16 16:52:55 678855 image <![CDATA[IMG_6838.png]]> With hundreds of presentations happening simultaneously, the poster floor can be overwhelming at SfN — but for many, that's part of the draw.

]]> image/png 1765903880 2025-12-16 16:51:20 1765903880 2025-12-16 16:51:20 678857 image <![CDATA[IMG_6748-2.png]]> Trisha Kesar answers a question during the SfN press conference on AI in neuroscience, moderated by Chris Rozell.

]]> image/png 1765904071 2025-12-16 16:54:31 1765904071 2025-12-16 16:54:31 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Uses Computing and Engineering Methods to Shift Neuroscience Paradigms]]> <![CDATA[Inside the SfN Press Conference: AI Tools Unravel Thoughts, Actions, and Neuronal Makeup]]> <![CDATA[Head to Toe: Georgia Tech Researchers Treat the Entire Human Body Through Neuroscience Research]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech at SfN in Photos]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Launches Ambassador Program]]> 36607 Twenty-five undergraduate students have been selected to represent the College of Sciences as part of its new Ambassadors Program.

“We are thrilled to have an official Ambassador Program featuring a group of students ready to help with special events and recruiting activities,” says Academic Program Manager Ashley Edwards, who created the program. “Events become much more meaningful when alumni and prospective students can speak with actual students who provide a real-world perspective about life at Georgia Tech.”

The ambassadors will be busy, says Edwards. They will play a key role in recruitment activities, including the bi-weekly It’s All About Science and Math event where prospective students visit campus for an overview of the College, enjoy lunch with faculty and students, and even sit in on a class. Ambassadors will also help host admitted student events, such as the Explore Science and Math Open House, participate in alumni engagement events, and assist with career education programs. 

“Being an ambassador is a chance to share my experiences and help others find their place here,” says Meghan Hamrick, a third-year chemistry major on the pre-health track. “I want to give back to the Institute that has given so much to me.”

Ambassadors will serve as a direct link for prospective students seeking personalized insight.

“Talking with a current student who participates in things they are interested in, like marching band, intramural soccer, or living in our Explore Living Learning Community, makes it real for prospective students. It’s a powerful connection,” explains Edwards.

“I hope I can be a useful resource. I think my experiences with neuroscience, study abroad, and working in the Housley Lab will resonate with future students,” says Inara Sheeraz, a third-year neuroscience major.  

Anja Govednik, a second-year physics major, looks forward to talking up her major. “I’d love to answer questions about physics — there’s so much more than most people realize!”

Representing the College

The ambassadors were selected based on GPA, short essay questions, campus involvement, and, for the finalists, a one-minute video introduction.

“We had more than 85 amazing students apply, so choosing was hard,” says Edwards. “We wanted a broad array of students, including transfer students, undergraduate researchers, student leaders, athletes, work-study students, and students from each major.”

She adds, “Most importantly, we looked for students who want to help, are passionate about science and math, really love Georgia Tech and the College of Sciences, and are excited to get other people to love the Institute as much as they do.”

Edwards is pleased to have the program up and running. “It’s a win-win. Not only will it showcase our strengths and the human side of the College of Sciences, but it will also help our student ambassadors. They’ll gain resume-worthy experience, connect with alumni, and engage with prospective students and parents. Plus, ambassadors will have opportunities to work closely with our deans and learn more about the College beyond academics.”

Meet the 2025 College of Sciences ambassadors: 

Ameera Alam, Psychology; Agastya Arora, Mathematics; Walker Bailey, Mathematics/Economics; Jayanna Baptiste, Biology; Alison Bolaños, Neuroscience; Laurel Bourg, Physics; Giuli Capparelli Sanabria, Biology; Pallavi Dokka, Neuroscience; Anjali Ganapathiraju, Biology; Anja Govednik, Physics; Meghan Hamrick, Chemistry; Britney Huynh, Biology; Ava-Elizabeth Jacoby, Psychology; Meghana Kesari, Neuroscience; Melody Lee, Computer Science/Mathematics; Larissa Martin, Astrophysics; Andrea Ninh, Biology; Malavika Niverthi, Neuroscience; Lea Setton, Psychology; Inara Sheeraz, Neuroscience; Nidhi Shenoy; Biochemistry; Deandra Smith, Neuroscience; J’Avani Stinson, Biology; Ishita Sukul, Biology; and Ria Vittal, Biochemistry.

 

]]> ls67 1 1764770327 2025-12-03 13:58:47 1765203294 2025-12-08 14:14:54 0 0 news Congratulations to the inaugural class of College of Sciences undergraduate student ambassadors!

]]> 2025-12-03T00:00:00-05:00 2025-12-03T00:00:00-05:00 2025-12-03 00:00:00 Laura Segraves Smith, writer

]]> 678748 678755 678748 image <![CDATA[1st row, from L to R: Ria Vittal, Malavika Niverth; 2nd row: Meghan Hamrick, Britney Huynh, Andrea Ninh; 3rd row: Larissa Martin, Anja Govednik; 4th row: Alison Bolaños, J’Avani Stinson, Deandra Smith.]]> 1st row, from L to R: Ria Vittal, Malavika Niverth; 2nd row: Meghan Hamrick, Britney Huynh, Andrea Ninh; 3rd row: Larissa Martin, Anja Govednik; 4th row: Alison Bolaños, J’Avani Stinson, Deandra Smith.

]]> image/jpeg 1764770361 2025-12-03 13:59:21 1764770361 2025-12-03 13:59:21 678755 image <![CDATA[1st row, from L to R: Nidhi Shenoy, Inara Sheeraz, Pallavi Dokka; 2nd row: Meghana Kesari, Ishita Sukul; 3rd row: Ameera Alam, Anjali Ganapathiraju, Agastya Arora; 4th row: Lea Setton, Jayanna Baptiste, Ava-Elizabeth Jacoby.]]> 1st row, from L to R: Nidhi Shenoy, Inara Sheeraz, Pallavi Dokka; 2nd row: Meghana Kesari, Ishita Sukul; 3rd row: Ameera Alam, Anjali Ganapathiraju, Agastya Arora; 4th row: Lea Setton, Jayanna Baptiste, Ava-Elizabeth Jacoby.

]]> image/jpeg 1764787322 2025-12-03 18:42:02 1764787322 2025-12-03 18:42:02 <![CDATA[Students Making a Difference: A Q&A With Yellow Jackets Against Poverty President Benjamin Manoj]]> <![CDATA[Turning Tragedy into Growth]]> 36583 Going to college was a step Angela Juric never questioned. Poised to graduate high school as salutatorian, she was certain to end up at a top university. However, her family was living on federal aid due to a devastating workplace accident, which presented a major financial challenge to her dreams.

Tragedy and Responsibility

When Angela was 11, her father, Zdravko, was hit by a front loader while on the job. Describing the traumatic incident, Angela says, “Looking back on it, I didn’t realize the gravity of the situation because I was so young. We were told he tried to get up after being hit, but his coworkers wouldn’t let him. They called the ambulance and took him to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. That's when one of his co-workers came to our house and told me and my mom that he had gotten into an accident.” With a crushed pelvis, Zdravko underwent an 11-hour, life-saving surgery after which he was transferred to the Shepherd Center to recover and learn how to walk again.

As both of her parents are Croatian (previously Yugoslavian) immigrants who do not speak English fluently, Angela had to take on a more mature role in her family, acting as a translator during Zdravko’s recovery. Angela helped translate everything from documents and bills for her mother to the doctors and nurses caring for her father.

Despite the trauma of his accident, Zdravko has regained much of his independence, is back to a “new normal,” and is aware of the impact his accident has had on Angela’s educational experience.

“It’s weird how life works sometimes,” she says. "He came from a foreign country and got this construction job to help support his family, which would end up changing his life with the accident. But eventually, I was able to get this [Kids' Chance] scholarship and go to college because of it. So, that domino effect, it really does exist.”

Kids' Chance Scholarship

While researching her financial aid options, Angela discovered Kids’ Chance of Georgia, an organization that provides educational scholarships to the children of Georgia workers who have been seriously or fatally injured on the job. After applying for and receiving a scholarship, she began saving the monthly stipends that high school recipients receive for future college expenses — a decision that ultimately helped her attend Georgia Tech.

Founded in 1988, Kids’ Chance of Georgia was the first organization of its kind in the nation, and has been a model for Kids’ Chance charities in 49 other states as well as the national organization. Kids’ Chance organizations strive to offer need-based scholarships to the families of seriously injured workers and are supported by occupational safety and health programs like Georgia Tech OSHA Training Institute Education Center, which has contributed a full program certificate to the Kids' Chance of Georgia silent auction for years. 

Since its inception, the program has provided over 700 scholarships, raised almost $7 million, and established memorial scholarships and endowment funds for those in need. In the 2024-2025 academic year, Kids’ Chance of Georgia awarded approximately $125,000 in scholarship funding across 62 scholarships — including the one Angela receives.

Becoming the Resource They Needed

Now, as a first-generation college student, Angela is a junior at Georgia Tech. In addition to other financial aid she receives, the Kids’ Chance scholarship helped her make this possible. “It’s been very helpful being able to afford to live on campus; it's such a fun experience. I don't think I would have the same college experience without it because I've been able to meet so many great people and be surrounded by excellence in Atlanta and Georgia Tech,” she raves.

Majoring in biology with a minor in Spanish, Angela hopes to become a physician's assistant or an anesthesiologist assistant and is currently working as a nurse assistant. In middle school, Angela discovered she had an aptitude for learning Spanish and attributes this to the fact that she already speaks Croatian: “When you know more than one language, it’s easier to learn another.”

During the summer of 2025, she attended a study abroad trip to Costa Rica, where she studied epigenetics, cancer biotechnology, and bioethics. Tying her major and minor together, Angela strives to be fluent in Spanish as a healthcare professional, knowing that patients feel more relaxed when they can speak their native language.

“I've seen firsthand how hard it can be being sick, going to the hospital, and not knowing the language,” she says. “I want to become a medical professional who can communicate with patients in their native language because it's scary not knowing what's happening to you or what doctors or nurses are saying. I would love to be a kind of beacon of peace for those patients.”

Her Father's Pride

Angela has, without a doubt, made her father proud, taking a life-altering tragedy and all of its lessons and turning it into something positive.

“My father comes from an Eastern European country. He lived a very rural village life, and didn't get a college education in his country. I've told him about the scholarship, and he thinks it's great," she says. "I think he's very proud of where I am, that I'm able to go to school, that I'm able to navigate it, and be able to have this experience.”

Angela's journey — her determination and strength — embodies the Georgia Tech spirit. As she continues her education with support from Kids' Chance, she is turning her family's story into an example of resilience, compassion, and success.

]]> lvidal7 1 1763569718 2025-11-19 16:28:38 1763573429 2025-11-19 17:30:29 0 0 news Angela Juric’s childhood changed after her father's workplace accident. Through resilience and a Kids’ Chance scholarship, she's now a third-year biology major pursuing a career in healthcare.

]]> 2025-11-14T00:00:00-05:00 2025-11-14T00:00:00-05:00 2025-11-14 00:00:00 Writer: Kat Bell, Georgia Tech Professional Education

]]> 678668 678668 image <![CDATA[Angela Juric with Georgia Tech mascot Buzz]]> image/jpeg 1763569893 2025-11-19 16:31:33 1763569893 2025-11-19 16:31:33 <![CDATA[Digital Dissection: Anatomage Table Brings Anatomy to Life]]> 36607 Centuries ago, some aspiring doctors resorted to grave robbing to study human anatomy. Today, using the recently purchased Anatomage Table, Georgia Tech students can virtually dissect the human body with a swipe of a touchscreen — no scalpels, no skeletons, and no midnight raids required.

A state-of-the-art anatomy and medical education system, the seven-foot-long Anatomage Table features life-size human — as well as several animal — bodies in digital formats, providing accurate representations of three-dimensional anatomy, physiology, and digital pathology.

“Cadaver dissection is still the gold standard,” explains Senior Academic Professional and Director of Anatomical Sciences Adam Decker, who has taught anatomy and other courses at Georgia Tech since 2010. “But the Anatomage Table lets students interact with living systems digitally — and that’s something we couldn’t offer before.”

Decker is a passionate advocate for using the best tools available to prepare students for medical careers. After leading efforts to bring prosections (pre-dissected specimens that students learn from) to Georgia Tech in 2021, he set his sights on acquiring the Anatomage Table.

“Providing the table was the logical next step,” says Decker. “It’s a way to bridge the tactile experience with dynamic visualization.”

The Anatomage Table was purchased with College of Sciences Technology Fee funds, designed to enhance students' experiences using modern instruments and techniques.

“It’s a great resource for our students, especially for those who are interested in pursuing any field of medicine,” says David Collard, senior associate dean in the College of Sciences. “It supports active learning that will enhance students' applications to medical programs, and gives them experiences with technologies they will encounter in post-graduate professional training.”

Anatomy in action

The Series 11 Anatomage Table is housed in the Gilbert Hillhouse Boggs Building and offers a one-to-one display of actual cadavers with five different bodies available for virtual dissection. Students can click on a structure and instantly access detailed information.

“It’s one thing to sit in a classroom and have a professor explain which body parts are which,” says Yusuf Abdalla, a second-year biology student with a pre-med focus. “But being able to independently manipulate the screen to view various parts of the body takes learning to the next level.”

The table offers a cleaner environment with less exposure to odors and chemicals than traditional cadaver dissection.

“Cadavers don’t come with labels. Using the table enables us to see how the body works as a system rather than just viewing individual parts,” adds Rayhan Quraishi, a fourth-year neuroscience major pursuing a career in medicine.

Decker emphasizes that while the Anatomage Table is a game changer, it doesn’t replace prosections. Students will continue to work with real hearts, lungs, and even full spinal cords, thanks to a partnership with Emory University’s Body Donation Program.

Combining cadaver dissection with the table enhances the overall learning experience, explains Decker:

“With prosections, they learn how the veins and arteries feel when you cut into them. With the Anatomage Table, students will see what it looks like when the heart beats or the lungs expand. They can virtually follow a drop of blood through the blood vessel, then use the touch screen to see what that same drop of blood would look like under a microscope. You can’t do that with a cadaver.”

From anatomy to imaging

One of the table’s most powerful features is its integration of diagnostic imaging. Students can compare anatomical structures side-by-side with CT and MRI scans and overlay images as they simulate physiological processes like heartbeats and brain activity.

Decker is currently designing a new course, Anatomy for Diagnostic Imaging, that will use the table to teach students how to interpret MRI, CT, and ultrasound scans. The Anatomage Table contains built-in datasets of MRIs of the spine, heart, and brain, so students can look at the diagnostic image and the actual structure at the same time.

“Some students enter medical school without once taking an anatomy course,” says Decker. “Georgia Tech students, on the other hand, will already have an introduction to imaging and pathology.”

Sameeha Lalani, a third-year biology major who works as an EMT praises the clinical features found in the table. “After one of my EMT shifts, I went back and recreated what happened to my patient using the table. It really made the clinical experience click, so I could better understand what happened.”

Expanding access

The table will soon be in use in BIOS 3754 (Anatomy Lab), which runs five lab sections each fall. Decker is also exploring ways to integrate the table into live lectures, transmitting demonstrations from the table directly into large lecture halls. 

Plans are currently underway to use the table in the wellness requirement course, APPH 1040 (Scientific Foundations of Health). Students will be able to visualize cardiovascular anatomy and heart disease by rotating the heart, opening chambers, and simulating conditions, such as a stroke or heart attack.

Decker is eager to collaborate with other departments and make the table a campuswide resource. He sees opportunities in health-related subjects across campus, including biomedical and mechanical engineering, neuroscience, and physiology. Student clubs like the Student Neuroscience Association, Physician Assistant Club, and Pre-Dental Society are also expected to rotate through the lab.

“Anatomy is an ancient science, but it’s the foundation of all healthcare. There are going to be many students who benefit from this — all across campus,” Decker says. “We’ve barely scratched the surface of what it can do.”

What Can Students Do With the Anatomage Table?

]]> ls67 1 1761587083 2025-10-27 17:44:43 1761843730 2025-10-30 17:02:10 0 0 news Georgia Tech’s new Anatomage Table blends traditional dissection with digital technology — preparing students for the future of medicine.

]]> 2025-10-27T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-27T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-27 00:00:00 Laura Segraves Smith, writer

]]> 678457 678474 678457 image <![CDATA[Adam Decker demonstrates how the Anatomage Table turns traditional dissection into a high-tech learning experience.]]> Adam Decker demonstrates how the Anatomage Table turns traditional dissection into a high-tech learning experience.

]]> image/jpeg 1761587203 2025-10-27 17:46:43 1761587203 2025-10-27 17:46:43 678474 image <![CDATA[Preparing for careers in medicine, Yoojin Jeong (front left), Sameeha Lalani (back left), Yusuf Abdalla (back left), and Rayhan Quraishi (front left), dive into digital anatomy.]]> Preparing for careers in medicine, Yoojin Jeong (front left), Sameeha Lalani (back left), Yusuf Abdalla (back left), and Rayhan Quraishi (front left), dive into digital anatomy.

]]> image/jpeg 1761663141 2025-10-28 14:52:21 1761843787 2025-10-30 17:03:07 <![CDATA[Hands-On Anatomy: ‘One Foot in Medical School, One Foot in Undergrad’]]> <![CDATA[2025 Ramblin' Royalty]]> 36583 For the Georgia Tech community, homecoming week is more than just a celebration of Yellow Jacket pride – it's a tribute to the traditions, spirit, and unity that define the Tech experience. For five remarkable students, the week holds an even deeper significance.  

Ramblin’ Royalty, hosted by the Student Center Programs Council (SCPC) within Student and Campus Event Centers (SCEC), celebrates students who embody Georgia Tech’s motto, Progress and Service. Previously known as Mr. and Ms. Georgia Tech, the program has evolved into a more inclusive scholarship initiative to represent all students who are making a positive impact on campus.   

A College of Sciences student was among the five students selected for this recognition.

Lianna Homrich

4th year Biology Major
Nominated by Emergency Medical Services at Tech  

Lianna has made a powerful impact on Georgia Tech through her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to campus safety and service. As Vice President of Emergency Medical Services at Tech (EMSaT), she co-created the Todd Family Fund Grady EMS Scholarship, enabling 10 students to earn EMT certifications and gain hands-on experience serving the campus community. She has mentored countless students through the certification process, offering guidance and building a supportive pipeline to Grady EMS. Her resilience in rebuilding EMSaT’s relationship with Grady led to renewed hiring opportunities and a stronger presence of student EMTs on campus. Beyond EMSaT, she is actively involved in Miracle at Georgia Tech and Zeta Tau Alpha, showing students that it is possible to balance rigorous academics with meaningful involvement. Her leadership is inspired by past Ramblin’ Royalty and driven by a desire to represent Georgia Tech with pride, humility, and purpose. Through every challenge, Lianna has led with integrity and compassion, leaving a legacy of service that will continue to grow. 

]]> lvidal7 1 1761839661 2025-10-30 15:54:21 1761839968 2025-10-30 15:59:28 0 0 news Fourth-year biology major Lianna Homrich is among the five students named 2025 Ramblin' Royalty. This recognition celebrates students who embody Georgia Tech’s motto, Progress and Service.

]]> 2025-10-30T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-30T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-30 00:00:00 678504 678504 image <![CDATA[Lianna Homrich, fourth-year biology major]]> image/jpeg 1761839700 2025-10-30 15:55:00 1761839700 2025-10-30 15:55:00 <![CDATA[2025 Ramblin’ Royalty]]> <![CDATA[The Perfect Fit: Crafting a Career at the Intersection of Making, Helping, and Human Mobility]]> 27255 Growing up in rural southwest Georgia, Kinsey Herrin loved “making stuff.” She loved it so much that she regularly dug up muddy clay from her family’s property and the surrounding area to make ceramics. As a prosthetist/orthotist, she creates and tests devices that help patients improve or regain mobility — from prosthetic limbs to braces of all kinds. But Herrin’s role at the Institute is even more expansive. She’s at the epicenter of a research community where medical devices, studies, data, patients, clinicians, and students collide.

Read more »

]]> Josie Giles 1 1761251470 2025-10-23 20:31:10 1761317138 2025-10-24 14:45:38 0 0 news Growing up in rural southwest Georgia, Kinsey Herrin loved “making stuff.” She loved it so much that she regularly dug up muddy clay from her family’s property and the surrounding area to make ceramics. As a prosthetist/orthotist, she creates and tests devices that help patients improve or regain mobility — from prosthetic limbs to braces of all kinds. But Herrin’s role at the Institute is even more expansive. She’s at the epicenter of a research community where medical devices, studies, data, patients, clinicians, and students collide.

]]> 2025-10-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-23 00:00:00 678443 678443 image <![CDATA[kinsey-thumb.jpg]]>

Kinsey Herrin is a principal research scientist in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech.

]]> image/jpeg 1761251487 2025-10-23 20:31:27 1761251487 2025-10-23 20:31:27 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Partners With Emory School of Nursing to Strengthen Nursing Workforce ]]> 27469 Georgia Tech and the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University are partnering to develop a pipeline that prepares more local nurses to meet workforce demands. 

With this collaboration, eligible students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech will be able to enroll in the School of Nursing’s Master of Nursing (MN) program.  

Emory’s MN program is an entry-to-practice, pre-licensure degree program designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines. Students who complete the 15-month program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination and begin practice as a registered nurse. 

“We are excited to participate in a program that will develop future leaders in nursing,” said Steven Girardot, vice provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success at Georgia Tech. “This direct pathway opens doors for our graduates to launch careers in nursing, living out our motto of Progress and Service in the most meaningful way.” 

The five-year partnership exemplifies the School of Nursing’s ongoing collaboration with metro Atlanta colleges and universities to prepare and empower high-caliber nurses. It represents another milestone in the school’s efforts to address workforce needs and advance nursing education.  

“Partnering with Georgia Tech represents another exciting step forward for nursing education,” said Linda McCauley, dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. “Together, we’re expanding opportunities for future nurses and ensuring that our communities and health systems have the skilled professionals they need to thrive.”

Georgia Tech is the fourth local institution to partner with the School of Nursing, joining Spelman College, Agnes Scott College, and Oglethorpe University.  

About the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing 

As one of the nation’s top nursing schools, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University is committed to educating visionary nurse leaders and scholars. Ranked the No. 1 master’s, No. 1 BSN, and No. 8 DNP programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the school offers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and non-degree programs. It brings together cutting-edge resources, distinguished faculty, top clinical experiences, and access to leading healthcare partners to shape the future of nursing and improve health and well-being. Learn more at nursing.emory.edu. 

About Georgia Institute of Technology 

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the U.S., developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. 

The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees, as well as professional development and K-12 programs for fostering success at every stage of life. Its more than 53,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 146 countries. They study at the main campus in Atlanta, at instructional sites around the world, and through distance and online learning. 

As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.  

]]> Kristen Bailey 1 1761227636 2025-10-23 13:53:56 1761316931 2025-10-24 14:42:11 0 0 news Georgia Tech and the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University are partnering to develop a pipeline that prepares more local nurses to meet workforce demands. 

]]> 2025-10-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-23 00:00:00 media@gatech.edu

]]> 678429 678429 image <![CDATA[Nursing students at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University]]> Nursing students at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University

]]> image/jpeg 1761156746 2025-10-22 18:12:26 1761156746 2025-10-22 18:12:26 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Pre-Health Advising]]> <![CDATA[Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University]]> <![CDATA[Undergraduate Education and Student Success at Georgia Tech]]> <![CDATA[Peatlands’ ‘Huge Reservoir’ of Carbon at Risk of Release]]> 34528 This story by Caitlin Hayes is shared jointly with the Cornell Chronicle newsroom.

Study co-author Joel E. Kostka is the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences with a joint appointment in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. He also serves as faculty director of Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow. 

The Kostka Lab works in peatland ecosystems to quantify changes in microbial communities brought on by climate change drivers. In particular, next generation gene sequencing and omics approaches are employed to investigate the microbial groups that mediate organic matter degradation and the release of greenhouse gases.

Peatlands make up just 3% of the earth’s land surface but store more than 30% of the world’s soil carbon, preserving organic matter and sequestering its carbon for tens of thousands of years. A new study sounds the alarm that an extreme drought event could quadruple peatland carbon loss in a warming climate. 

In the study, published October 23 in Science, researchers find that, under conditions that mimic a future climate (with warmer temperatures and elevated carbon dioxide), extreme drought dramatically increases the release of carbon in peatlands by nearly three times. This means that droughts in future climate conditions could turn a valuable carbon sink into a carbon source, erasing between 90 and 250 years of carbon stores in a matter of months.

“As temperatures increase, drought events become more frequent and severe,  making peatlands more vulnerable than before,” said Yiqi Luo, senior author and the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science’s Soil and Crop Sciences Section, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University. “We add new evidence to show that with peatlands, the stakes are high. We observed that these extreme drought events can wipe out hundreds of years of accumulated carbon, so this has a huge implication.”

“To me, this study is striking in that it shows that around 10 to 100 years of carbon uptake by one of the most important global soil carbon stores can be erased by just two months of extreme drought,” adds Joel Kostka, Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor in Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech.

It was already well-established that drought reduces ecosystem productivity and increases carbon release in peatlands, but this study is the first to examine how that carbon loss is exacerbated as the planet warms and more carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates extreme drought will become 1.7 to 7.2 times more likely in the near future. 

Read the full story in the Cornell newsroom. 

###

Other co-authors include Cornell postdoctoral researchers Jian Zhou and Ning Wei; senior research associate Lifen Jiang; and researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology, Florida State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), ETH Zurich, Northern Arizona University, the Australian National University, the University of Western Ontario and Duke University.

Funding for the study came in part from the National Science Foundation, USDA, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

]]> jhunt7 1 1761314593 2025-10-24 14:03:13 1761314718 2025-10-24 14:05:18 0 0 news Peatlands make up just 3% of the earth’s land surface but store more than 30% of the world’s soil carbon, preserving organic matter and sequestering its carbon for tens of thousands of years. A new study sounds the alarm that an extreme drought event could quadruple peatland carbon loss in a warming climate. 

]]> 2025-10-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-23 00:00:00 Media contacts:

Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications 
College of Sciences
Georgia Tech

Kaitlyn Serrao
Media Relations
Cornell University

Natalia Burgess
Media Assistant
ANU Communications and Engagement
The Australian National University

]]> 678444 678444 image <![CDATA[Yurt-like test chambers in a natural boreal spruce bog in northern Minnesota (provided).]]> image/jpeg 1761314632 2025-10-24 14:03:52 1761314632 2025-10-24 14:03:52 <![CDATA[Head to Toe: Georgia Tech Researchers Treat the Entire Human Body Through Neuroscience Research]]> 27255 Neuroscience experts from across Georgia Tech will soon come together for a new interdisciplinary research institute, the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS), launched in July. Faculty in INNS are helping to solve some of neuroscience’s most pressing problems, and many have promising medical applications. One important aspect of studying the brain is understanding how the brain and the body work together. Meet the researchers who study brain-body interactions, from monitoring the neuron degradation that causes Alzheimer’s to enhancing mobility for stroke survivors, in an effort to improve the health and quality of life for millions of Americans.

Read more »

]]> Josie Giles 1 1760555175 2025-10-15 19:06:15 1761144749 2025-10-22 14:52:29 0 0 news Neuroscience experts from across Georgia Tech will soon come together for a new interdisciplinary research institute, the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS), launched in July. Faculty in INNS are helping to solve some of neuroscience’s most pressing problems, and many have promising medical applications. One important aspect of studying the brain is understanding how the brain and the body work together. Meet the researchers who study brain-body interactions, from monitoring the neuron degradation that causes Alzheimer’s to enhancing mobility for stroke survivors, in an effort to improve the health and quality of life for millions of Americans.

]]> 2025-10-15T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-15T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-15 00:00:00 678358 678358 image <![CDATA[Wheaton.jpg]]> Lewis Wheaton (back) directs Georgia Tech’s Cognitive Motor Control Lab.

]]> image/jpeg 1760555215 2025-10-15 19:06:55 1760555363 2025-10-15 19:09:23 <![CDATA[Undergraduate Bioinformatics Class Produces Published Research]]> 35599 This fall, 20 Georgia Tech students published a peer-reviewed scientific paper — the culmination of work done during a semester-long laboratory course. During the semester, students analyzed genomes sequenced from marine samples collected in Key West, Florida — doing hands-on original bioinformatics research on par with graduate students and working with bioinformatics tools to explore drug discovery potential.

The course, BIOS 4590, is a research project lab for senior biology majors that provides an opportunity for professors to share their expertise with students in a hands-on environment. In his class, Associate Professor Vinayak (Vinny) Agarwal, who holds joint appointments in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Biological Sciences, aimed to introduce undergraduates to advanced bioinformatics tools through applied research using new-to-science raw data. 

The resulting paper, “Phylogenomic Identification of a Highly Conserved Copper-Binding RiPP Biosynthetic Gene Cluster in Marine Microbulbifer Bacteria,” which was recently published in ACS Chemical Biology, involves the historically understudied genus of Microbulbifer, a type of bacteria often associated with sponges and corals. These microbial communities are rich sources of natural products, small biological molecules often associated with medicine and drug discovery. 

"This class, and the resulting research, is a testament to the transformative power of hands-on learning,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “The success of this course — and the students’ remarkable achievement — reflects Georgia Tech's commitment to fostering curiosity, collaboration, and scientific rigor and to empowering the next generation of scientists and leaders."

Funded by Agarwal’s 2023 National Science Foundation CAREER grant and Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation Teacher-Scholar award, the class also received support from leadership in the College of Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, and School Chemistry and Biochemistry. The study’s lead author, graduate student Yifan (Grace) Tang, served as the class teaching assistant, and was funded in part by a Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need fellowship. 

“The students in this class are working on important, novel work — this cohort worked with real genomic data that had never been sequenced before,” she says. “Typically, researchers might work with one or two genome sequences, but we provided students with 42 — this might be the first time anyone has looked at Microbulbifer at such a wide scope.” 

From classroom to publication

To prepare for the class, Tang worked alongside Laboratory Manager Alison Onstine, who manages the School of Biological Sciences teaching laboratory spaces, to sequence the Key West bacterial genomes.

“Our work in the Agarwal Lab is in natural product discovery. We focus on finding new pharmaceutical drugs through marine bacteria — but with a bioinformatics spin,” Tang explains. “We wanted to bring this type of experience to undergraduates, so we gave fully sequenced genomes to students and asked them to look for potential properties.” 

Throughout the class, students learned different techniques for analyzing bacterial genome sequences and extracting data with various tools — gaining both lab and computational skills through hands-on experiences, live demos, and troubleshooting sessions. 

“The highlight was showing students just how much we can learn about a bacterial genus, especially one that hasn’t been studied at this scale before,” Tang shares. “This is a growing field, so there are so many opportunities for students to make meaningful contributions while learning new skills.”

Empowering future students

For many students, it was their first time using these types of tools, but Agarwal says that it’s something they'll likely encounter in both industry and research. He sees this type of research experience as especially helpful for seniors, who are often deciding between entering the workforce or continuing their education.

“Bioinformatics is increasingly important for analyzing big data. Students need the ability to manipulate and understand data using computational tools, and this class plays an important role in familiarizing them with this process,” he shares. “Our goal is to demystify research and give students the confidence and tools for both graduate school and for the workforce after graduation.”

The class will be offered for a third time in Fall 2026. While the exact course of research hasn’t yet been decided, “we always aim for something new that can produce publication-quality research — students don’t repeat past year’s work,” Agarwal says. This recent cohort of students built on the success of 18 undergraduates who took the class in 2023, who also published a paper. “This course truly underscores Georgia Tech’s commitment to pioneering meaningful undergraduate experiences — no other peer institution I know of is exposing undergraduates to bioinformatics at this level.”

 

Funding: NSF CAREER and the Dreyfus Foundation

]]> sperrin6 1 1759933946 2025-10-08 14:32:26 1760382793 2025-10-13 19:13:13 0 0 news “This course truly underscores Georgia Tech’s commitment to pioneering meaningful undergraduate experiences,” says teacher Vinayak (Vinny) Agarwal. “No other peer institution I know of is exposing undergraduates to bioinformatics at this level.”

]]> 2025-10-13T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-13T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-13 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

]]> 678300 678301 678300 image <![CDATA[Grace Tang (Left) and Alison Onstine (Right) holding bacteria plates that spell "BIOL 4590" (Credit: Tang and Onstine)]]> Grace Tang (Left) and Alison Onstine (Right) holding bacteria plates that spell "BIOL 4590" (Credit: Tang and Onstine)

]]> image/jpeg 1759934162 2025-10-08 14:36:02 1759934162 2025-10-08 14:36:02 678301 image <![CDATA[A collection of the undergraduate students who co-authored the paper. (Credit: Tang and Onstine)]]> A collection of the undergraduate students who co-authored the paper. (Credit: Tang and Onstine)

]]> image/png 1759934162 2025-10-08 14:36:02 1759934162 2025-10-08 14:36:02 <![CDATA[Fixing Flooding for the Southeast’s Future]]> 36583 Flooding dominated the headlines of summer 2025. Atypical storms and rising rivers in the Texas Hill Country washed away an entire summer camp. Glacial snow melt, combined with flash river floods, caused hundreds of deaths in Pakistan. As the Atlantic hurricane season hits its peak, Americans wait to see if another storm may be as unexpectedly devastating as 2024’s Hurricane Helene. 

Flooding can be an existential threat, affecting everything from infrastructure to health. Georgia Tech researchers are developing solutions to monitor and forecast flooding, as well as restore ecosystems to prevent future flooding. These efforts support communities’ resilience in the face of climate change and keep the U.S. secure.

Read more »

]]> lvidal7 1 1760103735 2025-10-10 13:42:15 1760103972 2025-10-10 13:46:12 0 0 news Georgia Tech researchers are developing solutions to monitor and forecast flooding, as well as restore ecosystems to prevent future flooding. These efforts support communities’ resilience in the face of climate change and keep the U.S. secure.

]]> 2025-10-09T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-09T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-09 00:00:00 678325 678325 image <![CDATA[Post-hurricane flooding inundates residential areas and transportation infrastructure, with low-lying terrain overwhelmed by storm surge and excessive rainfall.]]> image/jpeg 1760103827 2025-10-10 13:43:47 1760103827 2025-10-10 13:43:47 <![CDATA[Progress and Service in Action: Honoring College of Sciences’ Distinguished Alumni]]> 36607 The College of Sciences hosted its first-ever Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration to honor eight alumni who embody the Institute’s motto of Progress and Service and reflect the transformative power of an education from Georgia Tech. Held at the Historic Academy of Medicine, the event brought together more than 200 faculty, students, and alumni, including Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera, a College of Sciences alumnus, and Alumni Association President Dene Sheheane.

“A university’s success is measured and reflected in the achievements of its alumni,” notes Cabrera. “It is a great source of pride for Georgia Tech to recognize these College of Sciences alumni and their impressive accomplishments — across the world and at Georgia Tech.”

Six alumni — one from each School — received the Distinguished Alumni Award:

School of Biological Sciences

Jack McCallum, Applied Biology 1966, a surgeon-turned-entrepreneur and educator, was honored for his contributions to medicine, business, and philanthropy. He joked that medical school was easier than Georgia Tech.

School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Kelly Sepcic Pfeil, M.S. Chemistry 1992, Ph.D. Chemistry 2003, a scientific leader in flavor and sweetener technology, was recognized for her global career and support of women in chemistry. She thanked Tech for supporting her as a young working mother who traveled globally for business while earning her graduate degrees.

School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Rutt Bridges, Physics 1973, M.S. Geophysical Sciences 1975, a pioneer in seismic software and climate solutions, author, and venture fund owner, was celebrated for his entrepreneurial success and philanthropy. His introduction revealed that he worked for $3.50 a day as a roustabout and well digger before Georgia Tech.

School of Mathematics

Frank Cullen, Math 1973, M.S. Industrial and Systems Engineering 1976,
Ph.D. Industrial and Systems Engineering 1984, a serial entrepreneur and longtime supporter of faculty research, was honored for his business leadership and philanthropic impact. He entered Georgia Tech at just 16 years old — and didn’t leave for 14 more years!

School of Physics

Nathan Meehan, Physics 1975, a globally recognized petroleum engineer, business leader, and educator, was celebrated for his technical leadership and commitment to early-career scientists. His introduction showcased his many professional accolades as well as his self-proclaimed status as the “best BBQ cook of his generation.”

School of Psychology

Margaret Beier, M.S. Psychology 1999, Ph.D. Psychology 2004, now chair of Psychological Sciences at Rice University, was honored for her research on lifelong learning and academic leadership. She thanked the faculty and researchers who inspired and supported her, enabling her to realize her dreams.

The evening also included two special honors:

The Young Scientist Award 

Kristel Bayani Topping, Ph.D. Physiology 2021, a principal researcher at The Home Depot, dedicated her win to her two young daughters and thanked her mentor School of Biological Sciences Professor Lewis Wheaton for helping her become a “better scientist and leader.”

The Impact Award 

John Clark Sutherland, Physics 1962, M.S. Physics 1964, Ph.D. Physics 1967, currently the dean of Science and Mathematics at Augusta University, was recognized for being an exceptional graduate whose sustained engagement, visionary leadership, and strategic support significantly advanced the College’s mission. Sutherland spoke about how far Georgia Tech has come since he was a student and the importance of continuing to invest in the Institute’s future through student support.

“This celebration marks a significant milestone for our College,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair. “Our alumni are not just a part of our history; they are central to our future. Their leadership, generosity, and engagement support our faculty and inspire our students.”

In her closing remarks, Lozier thanked alumni Paul Goggin, Physics 1991, and Charlie Crawford, Applied Mathematics 1971, for their help in creating the celebration as well as Leslie Roberts, director of Alumni Relations, for “her vision, persistence, and championship of an alumni recognition event.”

The awards presentation concluded with a rousing performance by the Georgia Tech Glee Club and a reception to celebrate the award winners.

“It was an amazing night recognizing eight incredible alumni who have made such a difference in the world,” says Roberts. “What struck me the most about this night was the humility of our honorees. In their speeches, they thanked Georgia Tech for launching their careers and recognized others for their efforts. They are truly an inspiration to the Yellow Jacket community.”

 

 

]]> ls67 1 1759752142 2025-10-06 12:02:22 1759768156 2025-10-06 16:29:16 0 0 news The College of Sciences’ community came together to celebrate the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing the diverse achievements and inspiring journeys of eight alumni.

]]> 2025-10-06T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-06T00:00:00-04:00 2025-10-06 00:00:00 Laura S. Smith, writer

]]> 678267 678269 678268 678267 image <![CDATA[(First row, left to right): Susan Lozier, John Clark Sutherland, Kelly Sepcic Pfeil, Margaret Beier, and Rutt Bridges. (Second row, left to right): Jack McCallum, Angel Cabrera, Kristel Bayani Topping, Frank Cullen, and Nathan Meehan.]]> (First row, left to right): Susan Lozier, John Clark Sutherland, Kelly Sepcic Pfeil, Margaret Beier, and Rutt Bridges. (Second row, left to right: Jack McCallum, Angel Cabrera, Kristel Bayani Topping, Frank Cullen, and Nathan Meehan.

]]> image/jpeg 1759752211 2025-10-06 12:03:31 1759766058 2025-10-06 15:54:18 678269 image <![CDATA[Dean Susan Lozier closed the event by thanking all in attendance for helping to "build a tradition that will continue to highlight the incredible reach of our College of Sciences alumni."]]> Dean Susan Lozier closed the event by thanking all in attendance for helping to "build a tradition that will continue to highlight the incredible reach of our College of Sciences alumni."

]]> image/jpeg 1759754347 2025-10-06 12:39:07 1759754347 2025-10-06 12:39:07 678268 image <![CDATA[Three generations celebrated Kristel Bayani Topping's award.]]> Three generations celebrated Kristel Bayani Topping's award.

]]> image/jpeg 1759754051 2025-10-06 12:34:11 1759755892 2025-10-06 13:04:52 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Announces Inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award Honorees]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Surpasses Campaign Goal]]> 34528 The College of Sciences has exceeded its $75 million campaign target, raising $78 million and counting as part of the Institute’s historic philanthropic effort, Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech.

“Achieving this milestone reflects the generosity and deep commitment of our alumni, donors, and friends to advancing science education and research,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair. “We are energized by this momentum and grateful to everyone who has supported us through investment in our success as we continue to fundraise for key priorities such as endowed faculty positions, graduate fellowships, undergraduate scholarships, and innovative teaching and experiential learning.”

Sciences is the first Georgia Tech College to reach its goal. 

“This early success highlights the foundational and essential role of the sciences,” adds College of Sciences Director of Development Dan Warren. “The enthusiastic support from alumni, foundations, and corporate partners speaks volumes — reaching this milestone is a tribute to the transformative power of philanthropy and community.”

Philanthropy in action

The funds raised are already making a meaningful impact across the College, supporting students, faculty, and research. Campaign contributions are being invested in important initiatives such as:

New programs made possible in the College by Transforming Tomorrow include the Student Transfer Enrichment Program (STEP), which helps transfer students thrive through academic support, social engagement, and leadership development, as well as the Rising Tide program, which helps recruit and mentor early-career scientists. Also noteworthy is the enhanced Career Education Program, which connects students with alumni and career opportunities. 

A vision for the future

The College’s success contributes to the broader campaign, which has raised more than $1.6 billion toward its $2 billion goal. Fiscal year 2025 was the most successful fundraising year in Georgia Tech’s history, with nearly $300 million raised in new philanthropic support. Earlier this month, the Institute announced a historic $100 million bequest — the largest single gift in Tech’s history.

What’s next

As the campaign continues, the College of Sciences will remain focused on expanding student opportunities, accelerating scientific discovery, and supporting faculty excellence. The top priority for the Dean is creating opportunities for students to have access to a Georgia Tech education through need-based scholarships and graduate fellowships which provide a competitive advantage in recruiting the best and brightest students to our programs. 

“We are extremely grateful for the alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff, and corporations who have supported us so far,” says Warren. “Thanks to you, we’re heading into the final stretch of the campaign with wind in our sails. Now is the perfect moment to invest in the students, educators, and researchers driving tomorrow’s breakthroughs.” 

To learn more or make a gift to the College of Sciences, contact Dan Warren, director of Development for the College of Sciences, at dan.warren@cos.gatech.edu.

]]> jhunt7 1 1758743410 2025-09-24 19:50:10 1758743523 2025-09-24 19:52:03 0 0 news Sciences is the first Georgia Tech College to reach its target, exceeding a $75 million campaign goal. As the campaign continues, the College of Sciences remains focused on expanding student opportunities, accelerating scientific discovery, and supporting faculty excellence. 

]]> 2025-09-24T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-24T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-24 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

Story by Laura Smith

]]> 678137 678137 image <![CDATA[Dean Lozier congratulates a newly minted College of Sciences alum.]]> image/jpeg 1758743434 2025-09-24 19:50:34 1758743505 2025-09-24 19:51:45 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Secures Multiple No. 1 Rankings]]> 36583 Georgia Tech continues its upward trajectory in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2026 rankings, released Sept. 23. The Institute moved up to No. 32 among national universities, improving one spot from last year and tying with institutions such as New York University and University of California, Davis. Among top public national universities, Georgia Tech held steady at No. 9, and it achieved No. 1 rankings across several categories.

“Georgia Tech has emerged as a unique case in American higher education — an institution that delivers some of the best student outcomes in the nation while growing at a record pace in terms of enrollment, degrees granted, and research,” said Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “I am delighted to see rankings like these recognize Georgia Tech among the best public universities in the nation, and I invite families, students, employers, and corporate partners to reach out and learn more about what we’re doing here.”

Academic Distinctions

Georgia Tech also distinguished itself in areas that reflect the quality of the student experience and support for undergraduates. The Institute ranked No. 16 for Best Colleges for Veterans, maintaining its position from last year, and placed No. 3 nationally for internships and co-ops, underscoring Tech’s emphasis on hands-on learning opportunities. The senior capstone experience held steady at No. 12, highlighting the Institute’s commitment to preparing students for real-world problem-solving.

In addition, Georgia Tech ranked No. 21 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, rising 10 places from last year, and No. 3 in Most Innovative Universities, continuing a streak of top-five placements. 

Science and Math Excellence

Among  universities offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, Georgia Tech ranks No. 32 nationally. U.S. News & World Report formally ranks only a handful of undergraduate programs in math and science. This year, the College of Sciences' undergraduate program in psychology entered the top 40 for the first time, moving up 30 places to No. 33. 

College of Sciences graduate programs are consistently ranked in the top 10% of accredited programs. The latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School Rankings, published in April 2023, features all six College of Sciences schools among its best science schools for graduate studies. Several specialties also received high marks.

See ranking updates for other Georgia Tech programs here.

*Please note that this summary includes the latest rankings issued by U.S. News & World Report. Not all Georgia Tech Colleges, Schools, and subjects are ranked every year by this organization.

]]> lvidal7 1 1758639271 2025-09-23 14:54:31 1758643749 2025-09-23 16:09:09 0 0 news Georgia Tech continues its upward trajectory in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2026 rankings. Among top public national universities, Georgia Tech held steady at No. 9, and it achieved No. 1 rankings across several categories.

]]> 2025-09-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-23 00:00:00 673414 673414 image <![CDATA[A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech]]> A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech

]]> image/jpeg 1710522679 2024-03-15 17:11:19 1710522636 2024-03-15 17:10:36 <![CDATA[College of Sciences programs and degrees]]> <![CDATA[James Stroud Receives Maxwell/Hanrahan Award in Field Biology]]> 35599 Georgia Tech’s James Stroud has been awarded a 2025 Maxwell/Hanrahan Award in Field Biology. Presented by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, the award recognizes outstanding scientists conducting field research that both explores the natural world and leverages collaboration. 

An assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, Stroud is one of just five scientists selected to receive this year’s honor, which includes $100,000 of funding to support his work.

“I’m honored to receive this award,” he says. “This support affirms the value of field-based research, and underscores the importance of collaborative, long-term field studies.”

From ecology to empowerment

An evolutionary biologist, Stroud uses lizards to explore how ecological and evolutionary processes at the micro scale may underlie broader patterns of biological diversity at a larger scale — research that involves both computational analysis and long-term field studies.

“My lab’s research focuses on studying lizards in their natural habitats, allowing us to directly investigate how species adapt and evolve in real time,” he shares. “This helps us understand how these ecological and evolutionary processes shape life on Earth."

In South Florida, Stroud’s fieldwork focuses on ‘Lizard Island’ — a football field-sized island with a 1,000-lizard population. Operating for a decade, it is one of the world’s longest-running active evolutionary studies of its kind. This year, Stroud published research documenting evolution in action on the island when two species met for the first time, providing some of the clearest evidence to date of evolution in real-time. 

Outside of field research, Stroud recently led a Nature review paper providing the first-ever comprehensive analysis of long-term evolutionary studies, underscoring the critical need for these types of studies. 

Stroud has also developed a community science project called “Lizards on the Loose.” A collaboration with Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the program engages middle school students from more than 100 schools across South Florida through the iNaturalist online platform and mobile app. Together, they have recorded thousands of lizard observations in their school grounds, local parks, and back yards.

]]> sperrin6 1 1758572646 2025-09-22 20:24:06 1758637031 2025-09-23 14:17:11 0 0 news The award recognizes outstanding scientists conducting field research that both explores the natural world and leverages collaboration. 

]]> 2025-09-22T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-22T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-22 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

]]> 678098 678099 678098 image <![CDATA[James Stroud examines a lizard in the field. (Credit: Day’s Edge Productions)]]> James Stroud examines a lizard in the field. (Credit: Day’s Edge Productions)

]]> image/png 1758636184 2025-09-23 14:03:04 1760547417 2025-10-15 16:56:57 678099 image <![CDATA[James Stroud catching lizards in the field. (Day’s Edge Productions)]]> James Stroud catching lizards in the field. (Day’s Edge Productions)

]]> image/png 1758636184 2025-09-23 14:03:04 1758636184 2025-09-23 14:03:04 <![CDATA[A Nexus of Ideas]]> 27863 A recently awarded $20 million NSF Nexus Supercomputer grant to Georgia Tech and partner institutes promises to bring incredible computing power to the CODA building. But what makes this supercomputer different and how will it impact research in labs on campus, across disciplinary units, and across institutions? 

Purpose Built for AI Discovery

Nexus is Georgia Tech’s next-generation supercomputer, replacing the HIVE. Most operational high-performance computing systems utilized for research were designed before the explosion in Machine Learning and AI. This revolution has already shown successes for scientific research and data analysis in many domains, but the compute power, complex connectivity, and data storage needs for these systems have limited their access to the academic research community. The Nexus supercomputer design process retained a robust HPC system as a base while integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning and large-scale data science analysis from the ground up.

Expert Support for Faculty and Researchers 

The Institute for Data Engineering and Science (IDEaS) and the College of Computing house the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Science and Engineering (ARTISAN) group. This team has collective experience in working with national computational, cloud, commercial and institutional resources for computational activities, and decades of experience in scientific tools that aid in assisting both teaching and research faculty. Nexus is the next logical step, bringing together everything they’ve learned to build a national resource optimized for the future of AI-driven science.

Principal Research Scientist for the ARTISAN team, Suresh Marru, highlighted the need for this new resource, “AI is a core part of the Nexus vision. Today, researchers often spend more time setting up experiments, managing data, or figuring out how to run jobs on remote clusters than doing science. With Nexus, we’re flipping that script. By embedding AI into the platform, we help automate routine tasks, suggest optimal ways to run simulations, and even assist in generating input or analyzing results. This means researchers can move faster from question to insight. Instead of wrestling with infrastructure, they can focus on discovery.”

An Accessible AI Resource for GT & US Scientific Research

90% of Nexus capacity will be made available to the national research community through the NSF Advanced Computing Systems & Services (ACSS) program. Researchers from across the country, at universities, labs, and institutions of all sizes, will have access to this next-generation AI-ready supercomputer. For Georgia Tech research faculty and staff, the new system has multiple benefits:


Interim Executive Director of IDEaS and Regents' Professor David Sherrill notes, "Nexus brings Georgia Tech's leadership in research computing to a whole new level. It will be the first NSF Category I Supercomputer hosted on Georgia Tech's campus. The Nexus hardware and software will boost research in the foundations of AI, and applications of AI in science and engineering."

]]> Christa Ernst 1 1757624148 2025-09-11 20:55:48 1758571284 2025-09-22 20:01:24 0 0 news A recently awarded $20 million NSF Nexus Supercomputer grant to Georgia Tech and partner institutes promises to bring incredible computing power to the CODA building. But what makes this supercomputer different and how will it impact research in labs on campus, across disciplinary units, and across institutions? 

]]> 2025-09-11T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-11T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-11 00:00:00 Christa M. Ernst
Research Communications Program Manager
Klaus Advance Computing Building 1120E | 266 Ferst Drive | Atlanta GA | 30332
Topic Expertise: Robotics | Data Sciences | Semiconductor Design & Fab
christa.ernst@research.gatech.edu
]]> 677982 677982 image <![CDATA[Network-cubes-fotoplot.jpeg]]> Graphic Representation of networked system: Adobe Stock

]]> image/jpeg 1757624171 2025-09-11 20:56:11 1757624171 2025-09-11 20:56:11 <![CDATA[Faculty Awarded $3.2 Million NIH Grant to Advance Research on Aging and Walking ]]> 35851 As people age, walking often becomes slower and less efficient, limiting mobility and independence. 

To address these challenges, three Georgia Tech researchers have received a $3.2 million Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Leading the study is Gregory Sawicki, Joseph Anderer Faculty Fellow and professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biological Sciences. He is joined by Woodruff School colleagues Aaron Young, associate professor, and Kinsey Herrin, principal research scientist, along with partners at the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) and Northeastern University. Together, they will study how aging impacts lower-limb joint mechanics, muscle function, and the energy cost of walking.

Read the full story on the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering website.

]]> aritchie6 1 1758065987 2025-09-16 23:39:47 1758316385 2025-09-19 21:13:05 0 0 news As people age, walking often becomes slower and less efficient, limiting mobility and independence. To address these challenges, three Georgia Tech researchers have received a $3.2 million Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute on Aging (NIA).

]]> 2025-09-16T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-16T00:00:00-04:00 2025-09-16 00:00:00 Mikey Fuller
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

]]> 678036 678036 image <![CDATA[NIH-Grant.jpg]]> image/jpeg 1758066005 2025-09-16 23:40:05 1758066005 2025-09-16 23:40:05 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Launches New Center: Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow]]> 35599 The College of Sciences is proud to launch Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow, a new center focused on research that aims to improve life across the state. 

“From resilient communities and agriculture, to health and sustainable energy resources, Georgia's Tomorrow will focus on improving the lives of Georgians and their communities,” Dean Susan Lozier says.

An expansion of the College’s strategic plan, the initiative will serve as a statewide fulcrum, fostering research in direct service to Georgia cities, counties, and communities.

The center specifically addresses critical health and climate challenges throughout Georgia, and aims to pave the way for increased public-private partnerships. The initiative will also expand access — broadening participation opportunities for Georgia students and communities to engage with research. 

The search for an inaugural faculty director has commenced, and will be followed by a dedicated cluster hire in 2025, funded by the Office of the Provost. Dean Lozier, who also serves as a professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, has reserved funds from the College of Sciences Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean’s Chair to initiate the center. 

People and planet

Selected from a pool of 17 faculty proposals, two dedicated faculty cluster hires will focus on improving the health of Georgians and Georgia’s communities — and the resilience of humans and ecosystems to current and anticipated climate change in the state. Appointments will be sought across the College’s six schools.

“These proposals address themes that are critically important right now for Georgia Tech research growth: sustainability and climate, along with health and well-being,” says Julia Kubanek, Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research at Georgia Tech and a professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “This is an opportunity for Georgia to be a model for the nation on how to solve health disparities.”

“These new cluster hires will strengthen the College’s existing research programs,” Lozier adds. “They will also facilitate large collaborations across campus, and educate the next generation of scientists who will tackle these problems in Georgia and beyond.”

Rising Tide Program

An adjacent effort, the new College of Sciences Rising Tide Program, is selecting promising early-career scientists for a two-year virtual mentorship initiative.

The Rising Tide Program will work in tandem with the Georgia's Tomorrow cluster hire, complementing the strong culture of mentorship in the College, while providing a pathway to support local research at the Institute. 

“Rising Tide aims to help the College recruit scientists with professional or lived experiences in the Southeast — or focused on research with particular relevance to the Southeast,” explains Rising Tide Director Alex Robel, associate professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “One of our key goals is to bring more faculty to Georgia Tech who can contribute to research and teaching that’s particularly relevant to communities in Georgia.”

“The reach of Georgia Tech is global,” Lozier adds. “Our fingerprints are on discoveries and innovations that benefit people and their communities around the world. As researchers at a leading public university in the state of Georgia, we are also cognizant of the responsibility and opportunity to focus our efforts more intently here at home.”

Georgia's Tomorrow: Director search

The College has launched an internal leadership search for the Georgia’s Tomorrow center, with an expected appointment to be announced in February 2025. The inaugural director will have the opportunity to shape the direction of this new initiative by:   

All faculty who hold a majority appointment within the College of Sciences are eligible and encouraged to apply. Learn more and apply via InfoReady. 

Funding

Initial support for Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow is generously provided by the College of Sciences Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean's Chair fund. Cluster hire funding has been awarded by Provost Steven W. McLaughlin. 

Georgia's Tomorrow will also seek funding from state, national and international organizations, private foundations, and government agencies to expand impact. Philanthropic support will also be sought in the form of professorships, programmatic support for the center, and seed funding.

 

2025 updates:
Professor Joel Kostka has been selected to serve the center's inaugural faculty director. 
Note: Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow initially launched under the working title Science for Georgia's Tomorrow (Sci4GT). 

]]> sperrin6 1 1733328253 2024-12-04 16:04:13 1756489532 2025-08-29 17:45:32 0 0 news The College of Sciences has launched Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow, a new center focused on improving the lives of Georgians and their communities. The center will leverage research and teaching to address critical health and climate challenges across the state.

]]> 2024-12-04T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-04T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-04 00:00:00 Written by: Selena Langner

Media contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 675770 675770 image <![CDATA[The Georgia Tech EcoCommons (Photo by Nick Hubbard)]]> The Georgia Tech EcoCommons (Photo by Nick Hubbard)

]]> image/jpeg 1733328347 2024-12-04 16:05:47 1733328347 2024-12-04 16:05:47 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech, Shepherd Center Award Inaugural Seed Grants]]> 35575 Georgia Tech and Shepherd Center recently awarded four seed grants totaling nearly $200,000 to researchers focusing on projects that will advance discoveries in neurorehabilitation, including acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and other neurological conditions. 

The Georgia Tech-Shepherd Center Seed Grant Program is part of an ongoing partnership between the two institutions that started in 2023 with the goal of advancing rehabilitative patient care and research.

“The seed grant program is intended to stimulate new interdisciplinary research collaborations by providing seed funding to obtain preliminary data or prototypes necessary for the submission of an external grant or industry opportunities,” says Deborah Backus, vice president of Research and Innovation at Shepherd Center. “As two leading research institutions, we know the potential for advancing rehabilitation therapies is even greater when we work together. We look forward to the solutions, treatments, and therapies that emerge from these initial seed grants.” 

Experts from both institutions evaluated and scored seed grant applications based on the research’s innovation, approach, and potential for training opportunities, as well as its anticipated impact, prospects for commercial translation, and strategy for securing continued funding. This year, each awardee team received close to $50,000.

“We are very excited to launch this new seed grant program, which will spur ideas and propel research forward,” said Michelle LaPlaca, professor in the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Georgia Tech lead of the Collaborative. “The complementary expertise of Georgia Tech and Shepherd Center researchers, combined with the motivation to find solutions for individuals with neurological injury and disability, is a winning formula for innovation.”

"Offering new hope for neurorehabilitation patients requires bringing together interdisciplinary researchers to explore new and creative ideas,” adds Chris Rozell, Julian T. Hightower Chaired professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the inaugural executive director of the Institute of Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS) at Georgia Tech. “I'm excited to see the talent at these world class institutions coming together to develop new solutions for these complex problems."

This year’s seed grants were awarded to the following projects:

]]> adavidson38 1 1755782094 2025-08-21 13:14:54 1756239279 2025-08-26 20:14:39 0 0 news Grants include projects on improving seating surfaces for wheelchair users, easing the transition home after stroke rehabilitation, evaluating lower limb exoskeletons, and using AI in remote rehabilitation.

]]> 2025-08-21T00:00:00-04:00 2025-08-21T00:00:00-04:00 2025-08-21 00:00:00 Kerry Ludlam
Director of Communications 
Shepherd Center

Audra Davidson
Research Communications Program Manager
Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society

]]> 677761 677761 image <![CDATA[Shepherd-Center-Beyond-Therapy-Main-Image-jpg.jpeg]]> The seed grants will fund projects focused on enhancing wheelchair seating surfaces, supporting stroke patients as they transition home from rehabilitation, assessing lower limb exoskeleton technologies, and exploring the use of AI in remote rehab settings. Photo: Shepherd Center.

]]> image/jpeg 1755784271 2025-08-21 13:51:11 1755784271 2025-08-21 13:51:11 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Partners with Shepherd Center to Advance Rehabilitative Patient Care and Research]]> <![CDATA[Susan Lozier Reappointed as Dean of the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech ]]> 27469

Dean and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair Susan Lozier has been reappointed to a five-year term in the College of Sciences. 

This decision follows a rigorous review process outlined in the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook, which includes feedback from faculty, staff, and students, and an evaluation of Lozier's performance and accomplishments during her term. 

Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences since 2019, has been instrumental in advancing Georgia Tech’s mission of excellence in research, education, and outreach. Under her leadership of more than 3,000 students and 500 faculty members and researchers across six Schools, the Institute has seen the sciences grow and flourish. Increased research funding, the establishment of new interdisciplinary programs, and an upswing in student enrollment are a testament to Lozier’s commitment to the future of the College. 

"Susan Lozier has provided exceptional leadership to the College of Sciences," said Steven W. McLaughlin, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. "Her vision and dedication have not only strengthened the College but have elevated Georgia Tech's reputation as a leading institution for scientific research and education. We are excited to see what the future holds under her continued guidance." 

Lozier is a distinguished oceanographer whose research focuses on the large-scale circulation of the ocean and its role in the global climate system. She has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to oceanography, including the Henry Stommel Research Medal from the American Meteorological Society and membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She has also served in leadership roles in several international scientific organizations. 

"I am honored to continue serving as the dean of the College of Sciences," said Lozier. "I look forward to building on our successes and working with our talented faculty, staff, and students to further our mission of advancing scientific knowledge and addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today." 

The review committee was comprised of the following faculty and administrators: 

  • Ellen Bassett, John Portman Chair and Dean, College of Design 
  • Isaiah Bolden, Assistant Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 
  • Marcus Cicerone, Professor, School of Chemistry & Biochemistry 
  • Michael Lacey, Professor, School of Mathematics 
  • Chrissy Spencer, Associate Chair for Undergraduate Affairs and Principal Academic Professional, School of Biological Sciences 
  • Kimberly Stanley, School Administrative Officer, School of Mathematics 
  • Rick Thomas, Professor, School of Psychology 
  • Sabetta Matsumoto, Associate Professor, School of Physics 

The reappointment runs through Aug. 31, 2029.  

The Georgia Tech community congratulates Lozier on her reappointment and looks forward to her continued leadership and contributions to the College of Sciences. 

]]> Kristen Bailey 1 1728302717 2024-10-07 12:05:17 1753980535 2025-07-31 16:48:55 0 0 news Dean and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair Susan Lozier has been reappointed to a five-year term in the College of Sciences. 

]]> 2024-10-07T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-07T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-07 00:00:00 Brittany Aiello
Faculty Communications Program Manager
Organizational and Academic Communications
Institute Communications

]]> 654990 654990 image <![CDATA[Susan Lozier, Dean of the College of Sciences (Photo: Tamara Lackey)]]> image/jpeg 1643653561 2022-01-31 18:26:01 1643655568 2022-01-31 18:59:28 <![CDATA[Susan Lozier Bio]]> <![CDATA[Meet Susan Lozier]]> <![CDATA[Susan Lozier Named Dean of College of Sciences]]> <![CDATA[Deep Dive Into Shark Ecology Provides Path to Conservation]]> 36418

Few animals captivate people’s imagination like sharks. From the enduring cultural legacy of Jaws, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, to the continued popularity of the Discovery Channel's Shark Week, now in its 37th year, media portrayals of the apex predator can shape public perception, illuminate their role within Earth's ecosystems, and influence conservation efforts.  

For Cameron Perry, every week is shark week. The Georgia Tech alumnus earned his Ph.D. in ocean science and engineering in 2024 and now leads the whale shark and manta ray initiatives at Georgia Aquarium.  

As a 6-year-old listening to his mother read him Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and imagining the creatures Captain Nemo encountered, Perry had dreams of exploring the oceans for himself. When he saw his first whale shark in Georgia Aquarium's 6.3-million-gallon tank, he set out to learn as much as he could about the gentle giants and help to conserve the endangered species.  

Perry's research has taken him around the world to observe whale shark behaviors in St. Helena and the Galapagos Islands, working to understand their migration habits, reproduction, and global ecology. While most people won't encounter sharks daily as he does, Perry sees the aquarium as well as the media as effective tools in showcasing sharks in the proper light.  

"They are kind of mysterious and unknown. For many people, they've never encountered sharks in their lifetime, and part of that captivation could lead to fear, but education can turn that fear into wonder and awe. There's a narrative that these animals are mindless eating machines, but the more you learn, you realize that's not the case," he said. “These creatures have existed for 400 million years; they're older than trees, and understanding their role on our planet is important to changing the narrative around sharks." 

Perry likens sharks to the white blood cells of the ecosystems in which they live, as they help prevent the spread of disease through the consumption of dead or diseased prey, contribute to population control, and provide balance to the ocean's biodiversity.  

Understanding Our Role 

While at Georgia Tech, Perry worked alongside Regents’ Chair and Harry and Anna Teasley Chair in Environmental Biology Mark Hay, whose research has highlighted the role that sharks, and other large predators, play in habitat regulation within coral reefs. Hay explains that overfishing and other human activities have decimated shark populations in certain parts of the world, significantly affecting coral reefs and the populations that rely on them.  

As the manager of a freshwater beach in Kentucky in 1975, Hay saw firsthand the impact that Jaws had on the beachgoing public at the time — including his lifeguards.  

“I had about 25 lifeguards, and I made them swim a mile every day on our buoy line. After we all went to see Jaws, about half of them refused to swim the mile for over a week. They'd look at me and say, 'You can fire me. I'm not going in,' and I'd laugh and say, ‘We're in freshwater. Jaws isn't in there.’"   

Hay said that while the movie remains a favorite of his, its depiction of sharks isn't representative of their behavior in the wild, as shark attacks are often accidents, not predatory actions. Like Perry, Hay believes that education can help protect sharks and bring a renewed focus to solving the ongoing issues facing the oceans.  

"These ecosystems are degrading, and it's us that's doing it. What I am trying to do in my teaching is to go beyond cataloging the demise and take a more Georgia Tech-type approach by saying, 'If the bridge is broken, we have to be the ones to rebuild it,'" he said.  

Hay keeps a saber-toothed tiger fossil on his desk as a constant reminder to himself that "everything I study was shaped by what used to be here," and how understanding nature can help preserve it for the future. Sharks are a captivating species, and both Perry and Hay stress that continued research and a commitment to education are the key to their conservation. 

]]> sgagliano3 1 1753375645 2025-07-24 16:47:25 1753384133 2025-07-24 19:08:53 0 0 news Experts say that more accurate depictions of sharks can help protect them and highlight their role in global ecosystems.  

]]> 2025-07-24T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-24T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-24 00:00:00 Steven Gagliano – Institute Communications

]]> 677479 677479 image <![CDATA[Cameron Perry with Whale Shark]]> Cameron Perry swims alongside a whale shark on a Georgia Aquarium expedition off the coast of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. Submitted photo.

]]> image/jpeg 1753377191 2025-07-24 17:13:11 1753377191 2025-07-24 17:13:11 <![CDATA[ TopoDx: Pioneering Antibiotic Resistance Testing — From Lab to Market]]> 34528 Peter Yunker boils down his advice for researchers wanting to commercialize their lab advances. 

“You can’t go it alone,” said Yunker, an associate professor of physics at Georgia Tech. 

In January, Yunker co-founded the biotechnology startup TopoDx LLC, with David Weiss, an Emory University School of Medicine researcher and director of the Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, and Yogi Patel, a Georgia Tech alumnus with a background in business development and bioengineering. 

“Researchers often think that they have a good commercialization idea to help people, but that alone does not guarantee success,” said Yunker. “Look for partners with complementary skills who understand aspects of the commercialization process that you don’t. Find mentors with business and scientific backgrounds in the specific industry you want to enter.”

TopoDx has developed a microbial test to identify antibiotic resistance and susceptibility rapidly and accurately. Current tests produce a result in three to five days. TopoDx’s approach can gain a result within four hours. Every hour counts in treating serious infections. Delays in accurate treatment can increase antibiotic resistance, which is a global challenge, causing up to 1 million deaths a year. 

The company’s testing method was inspired by a fundamental biophysics project in Yunker’s lab. His team was interested in understanding how bacterial colonies behave. They tested white-light interferometry, a technology that can measure bacterial colonies down to the nanometer level. 

Read more in the Georgia Tech Research newsroom.

]]> jhunt7 1 1749218529 2025-06-06 14:02:09 1753297291 2025-07-23 19:01:31 0 0 news TopoDx has developed a test that identifies antibiotic resistance in just four hours, addressing a critical global challenge.

]]> 2025-03-28T00:00:00-04:00 2025-03-28T00:00:00-04:00 2025-03-28 00:00:00 627655 627655 image <![CDATA[Peter Yunker, Georgia Tech: Heteroresistance AST]]> image/jpeg 1571242989 2019-10-16 16:23:09 1571242989 2019-10-16 16:23:09 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Announces New Minor in Science Communication and Policy]]> 36583 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy is partnering with the School of Literature, Media, and Communication (LMC) to offer the Minor in Science Communication and Policy. Based in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, the new program provides an in-depth look at how science is communicated to the public, how policy shapes research, and how science communication affects society. It’s open to students in all majors.

This interdisciplinary program is designed for humanities students interested in careers in health and science, media, technical communication, or public relations, as well as STEM majors seeking to develop their human-centered communication skills.

Students must take LMC 3310 – The Rhetoric of Scientific Inquiry and PUBP 4410 – Science, Technology, and Public Policy and also choose three electives from a list of courses that includes LMC 3412 – Communicating Science and Technology to the Public, LMC 3318 – Biomedicine and Culture, and LMC 4406 – Contemporary Issues in Professional Communication.

A unique feature of this minor is the optional study-abroad experience in Dublin, Ireland, on storytelling and AI in journalism, offered in partnership with CNN.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Georgia Tech students to learn how policy shapes and is shaped by how we talk about science and to learn how scientific advances are communicated by professionals to different public audiences,” said LMC Chair Kelly Ritter.

 

The Minor in Science Communication and Policy is one of three new minors offered by the Ivan Allen College this fall.

]]> lvidal7 1 1753200553 2025-07-22 16:09:13 1753205074 2025-07-22 17:24:34 0 0 news The interdisciplinary program provides an in-depth look at how science is communicated to the public, how policy shapes research, and how science communication affects society.

]]> 2025-07-22T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-22T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-22 00:00:00 Michael Pearson 
Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts

]]> 673414 673414 image <![CDATA[A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech]]> A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech

]]> image/jpeg 1710522679 2024-03-15 17:11:19 1710522636 2024-03-15 17:10:36 <![CDATA[Minor in Science Communication and Policy]]> <![CDATA[Congratulations to the 2025 Class of 40 Under 40]]> 36607 Four College of Sciences alumni have been selected as members of the 2025 class of 40 Under 40. Launched by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association in 2020, this program highlights the work of Yellow Jackets who are “reshaping industries, solving big challenges, and leaving a lasting mark on the world as they elevate excellence.“

“We are incredibly proud to see four outstanding alumni from the College of Sciences recognized in this year’s 40 Under 40,” says Leslie Roberts, director of Alumni Relations for the College of Sciences. “Their achievements are a testament to the power of scientific curiosity and innovation to shape a better future.”

Meet the inspirational honorees from the College of Sciences:

Brandi Brown, BIO 2013

Founder/CEO | Gulf Spore 

Brandi Brown is making waves in the mushroom industry. Upon graduating from Georgia Tech, she commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. After serving her country, she earned a Ph.D. in bioengineering, focusing on the development of bioplastics from microbes. Recognizing the beauty and potential of fungi, she founded Gulf Spore, a mushroom biotech company dedicated to solving many of humanity’s greatest challenges, such as food waste. Gulf Spore was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research grant by the National Science Foundation. 

Favorite Tech Memory: One of my favorite memories was getting to perform Honor Guard at the GT football game as a rifle bearer!

Victoria Fritz, BIO 2017

Founder/CEO | BabyBumps 

Dr. Victoria Fritz is a physician turned entrepreneur. After graduating from Georgia Tech, Fritz went to medical school at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill and matched into cardiothoracic surgery (heart and lung surgery) for residency. After a major medical diagnosis forced her to leave her career in heart surgery, she launched BabyBumps, a company focused on the fertility space with a mission to elevate the value of women in surrogacy.  

Favorite Tech Memory: I met my husband when we were students at Tech! He is now my most important business partner.

Mitchell Hanson, NEURO 2020 

MD/MPH Student | Medical College of Georgia 

Mitchell Hanson is a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health candidate at the Medical College of Georgia with interests in public health, dermatology, and fitness. He has presented at national and international conferences, published in high-impact journals including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and the Alzheimer’s Association, and appeared on TEDx and AMA national platforms. He has managed nearly $50,000 in grant funding for community health initiatives and completed his MPH internship in Vietnam researching vascular anomalies and laser technologies. As the current president of his institution’s Gold Humanism Honor Society chapter, Hanson aims to reshape medicine through medical media, artistic expression, and a reimagined identity of physicianship. He was inducted into the AMA Leadership Development Institute 2025-26 Health Administration and Management Cohort. 

Favorite Tech Memory: The Biomolecular Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) Study Abroad Program in Lyon. I made lifelong friends there, including one whose wedding I just officiated for!

Anthony Rojas, CHEM 2014 

Senior Academic Professional | Georgia Tech 

Anthony J. Rojas is a senior academic professional in chemistry at Georgia Tech. He earned his Ph.D. from MIT and his bachelor’s from Georgia Tech, both in chemistry. His research spans peptide therapeutics, transition metal catalysis, and inclusive chemistry education, with over a dozen peer-reviewed publications. A passionate educator, he has received multiple teaching awards and led funded projects from NIH, NSF, and ACS. Rojas is committed to mentorship and outreach. He integrates light-board technology and active learning to enhance student engagement and success in the chemistry classroom. 

Favorite Tech Memory: Meeting my people, including my future wife!

 

Learn more about the 2025 class on the Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s website or by exploring the interactive honoree dashboard.

]]> ls67 1 1752683179 2025-07-16 16:26:19 1752766629 2025-07-17 15:37:09 0 0 news Four exceptional alumni from Georgia Tech’s College of Sciences have been named to the Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s 2025 class of 40 Under 40, recognized for their contributions in science, medicine, entrepreneurship, and education.

]]> 2025-07-16T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-16T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-16 00:00:00 Laura S. Smith, writer

]]> 677437 677438 677442 677441 677443 677437 image <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Alumni Association's 2025 Class of 40 Under 40]]> Georgia Tech Alumni Association's 2025 Class of 40 Under 40

]]> image/jpeg 1752683818 2025-07-16 16:36:58 1752683818 2025-07-16 16:36:58 677438 image <![CDATA[Brandi Brown, BIO 2013, (Founder/CEO, Gulf Spore)]]> Brandi Brown, Bio 13, (Founder/CEO, Gulf Spore)

]]> image/jpeg 1752684754 2025-07-16 16:52:34 1752758436 2025-07-17 13:20:36 677442 image <![CDATA[Victoria Fritz, BIO 2017, (Founder/CEO, BabyBumps)]]> Victoria Fritz, Bio 17, (Founder/CEO, BabyBumps)

]]> image/jpeg 1752685711 2025-07-16 17:08:31 1752758427 2025-07-17 13:20:27 677441 image <![CDATA[Mitchell Hanson, NEURO 2020, (MD/MPH Student, Medical College of Georgia)]]> Mitchell Hanson, Neur 20, (MD/MPH Student, Medical College of Georgia)

]]> image/jpeg 1752685586 2025-07-16 17:06:26 1752758416 2025-07-17 13:20:16 677443 image <![CDATA[Anthony Rojas, CHEM 2014, (Senior Academic Professional, Georgia Tech) ]]> Anthony Rojas, Chem 14, (Senior Academic Professional, Georgia Tech)

]]> image/jpeg 1752685845 2025-07-16 17:10:45 1752758404 2025-07-17 13:20:04 <![CDATA[Honoring the 2024 Class of 40 Under 40]]> <![CDATA[Flourishing Through Service: Innovation Incubator Grant to Enable Wellness Course Expansion]]> 36607 Lecturer Lesley Baradel and Senior Academic Professional Christie Stewart from the School of Biological Sciences have been awarded an Innovation Incubator grant from the Institute's Transformative Teaching and Learning (TTL) initiative. 

TTL grants support the development, implementation, and evaluation of transformative teaching projects in undergraduate courses. This third round of TTL grants focuses on community-based learning, an educational approach that integrates classroom instruction with meaningful community engagement.

“Community-based learning is a premier avenue for Georgia Tech to fulfill our mission in developing leaders who improve the human condition,” says Kate Williams, a senior academic professional at the Center for Teaching and Learning who leads faculty-facing efforts on behalf of the TTL initiative.

Serving Georgia Tech — and beyond

Baradel and Stewart will use the grant to introduce a community service component to their class, Flourishing: Strategies for Well-Being and Resilience (APPH 1060). They co-created the course back in 2019.

“We developed the class based on student feedback,” says Stewart. “Students were very vocal about wanting a course where they could discuss emotional wellness and coping strategies.”

APPH 1060 has become a popular course taken by hundreds of Tech students every year and fulfills one of three options to satisfy the Institute’s wellness requirement. The class helps students improve their overall well-being by introducing strategies to build skills in coping, resilience, optimism, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence.

The instructors teach separate course sections but coordinate class content. 

With support from the Innovation Incubator grant, Baradel and Stewart are reimagining the course’s signature team project. Previously focused on campus wellness initiatives, the project will now connect students with community partners to address real-world needs and incorporate high-impact practices such as teamwork, leadership, and structured reflection. Based on their interests, students will choose from a list of community projects, then work in teams to implement solutions.

“The revamped APPH 1060 course will encourage students to consider happiness and well-being while also collaborating and strengthening the capacity of neighboring communities,” says Sarah Brackmann, director of community-based learning in the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success.

“In the past, the students came up with great ideas to improve wellness at Georgia Tech, but the projects rarely moved beyond the design stage. The TTL funding helps us transform ideas into action,” explains Stewart.

The instructors plan to partner with organizations such as Hands On Atlanta — tackling Atlanta’s most pressing needs — and Once Upon a Room — decorating hospital rooms for children.

“We frequently talk with the students about gratitude and purpose,” says Baradel. “Incorporating a community service element gives them the chance to bring those values to life in a meaningful, measurable way.”

To evaluate the project’s effectiveness, Baradel and Stewart will use a mixed-method approach, including pre- and post-course surveys, student reflections, and feedback from community partners. In addition to measuring academic learning, the goal will be to assess students’ personal growth, civic engagement, and emotional well-being.

Looking ahead

The enhanced version of APPH 1060 will launch in Spring 2026 — following a year of planning, partnership development, and TTL workshops. Baradel and Stewart believe the new structure will lead to a more immersive and impactful version of the class, and they hope it can become a model for integrating wellness and service learning across campus.

“We want our students to leave this course with more than just knowledge,” shares Stewart. “Our goal is to instill community service as a value and empower students to make a difference.”

“We are excited about what we can do with this grant,” adds Baradel, “not just in the classroom, but in the community and in transforming students’ lives.”

]]> ls67 1 1752587408 2025-07-15 13:50:08 1752599279 2025-07-15 17:07:59 0 0 news College of Sciences faculty Lesley Baradel and Christie Stewart were awarded an Innovation Incubator grant to integrate community-based learning into their wellness course, Flourishing: Strategies for Well-Being and Resilience (APPH 1060).

]]> 2025-07-15T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-15T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-15 00:00:00 Laura S. Smith, writer

]]> 677424 677424 image <![CDATA[Lesley Baradel and Christie Stewart]]> Lesley Baradel and Christie Stewart

]]> image/png 1752595842 2025-07-15 16:10:42 1752595842 2025-07-15 16:10:42 <![CDATA[2025-2026 Transformative Teaching & Learning Innovation Incubator Grants Awarded]]> <![CDATA[Two College of Sciences Faculty Earn Innovation Incubator Grants]]> <![CDATA[Jenny McGuire Named Teasley Professor]]> 36607 The College of Sciences is pleased to announce Jenny McGuire as the recipient of the Harry and Anna Teasley Professorship in Ecology.

The newly endowed faculty position supports research and teaching that meaningfully advances the understanding and responsible stewardship of species and community dynamics amid evolving ecological interactions driven by global environmental change. 

McGuire, an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, was selected for her pioneering ecological research and exceptional teaching efforts.

“Jenny’s creative and fundamental research in spatial and community ecology is helping to position Georgia Tech as a leader in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation,” says Todd Streelman, professor and chair of the School of Biological Sciences. “Her appointment continues a trend in the School to award research endowments to our most promising early- and mid-career scientists and highlights the strong support and generosity of alumni such as the Teasley family.”

Meet Jenny McGuire

McGuire joined the Georgia Tech faculty in 2017 as an assistant professor. She earned a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed postdoctoral research at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center and the University of Washington.

Her research explores how plants and animals respond to environmental changes across space and time — from the ancient past to modern urban environments to the future. She leads the Spatial Ecology and Paleontology Lab, which integrates paleontological data, ecological modeling, and fieldwork to understand how biodiversity shifts in response to climate change and human development.

“Our goal isn’t just to preserve biodiversity, but also to help it thrive in a changing landscape,” says McGuire.

She plans to use the Teasley endowment to advance wildlife redistribution research in the Southeastern U.S.

“Georgia is a climate change highway,” explains McGuire. “Species are moving northeast toward the Appalachian Mountains, but roads, development, and fragmented habitats often block their paths.”

McGuire believes Georgia Tech is uniquely positioned to lead in this field, thanks to its technological strengths. She and her team will collaborate across campus and the Southeast, implementing cutting-edge biodiversity monitoring to better understand how species experience and respond to environmental changes.

“Conducting this research in urban areas like Atlanta — where green infrastructure can serve as vital wildlife corridors — is especially important,” adds McGuire.

The Teasley Professorship will also support student involvement at all levels. McGuire hopes to build a more connected and proactive research community that brings together students, ecologists, biologists, engineers, computer scientists, and community partners to address biodiversity challenges across the Southeast.

McGuire is a 2024 Cullen-Peck Fellow, a Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Faculty Fellow since 2023, and an NSF CAREER Award winner. Her long-running outreach program, Fossil Fridays, invites students, families, and community members into the lab to sort and study real fossil specimens.

Looking ahead, she’s eager to explore the possibilities provided by the Teasley Professorship.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to elevate Georgia Tech’s role in shaping how we understand and protect life on a changing planet.”

A legacy of excellence

Harry E. Teasley, Jr. graduated from Georgia Tech in 1959 with a degree in industrial engineering and worked for over 33 years for The Coca-Cola Company. In addition to the many leadership roles he held at Coca-Cola, Mr. Teasley is remembered for pioneering the first Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to be used in an industrial context. LCA was a pioneering analytical framework assessing environmental impacts of a product's life from "cradle to grave," and it is used across most major industries today. 

The Harry and Anna Teasley Professorship in Ecology is the second Teasley Professorship supporting environmental research at Georgia Tech. School of Biological Sciences Regents’ Professor Mark Hay has held the Harry and Anna Teasley Chair in Environmental Biology since 1999.

Mrs. Teasley provided an official statement regarding the Harry and Anna Teasley Professorships at Georgia Tech:

“It was the intent of my late husband Harry E. Teasley Jr. that the funds he gave to Professor Mark Hay at Georgia Tech would be to support excellence in the field of environmental biology and to provide him with the freedom to study any concept, hypothesis, or organism that his experience-honed intuition guided him to.  

With time, Professor Hay has proven to have been a very worthy choice and has made my late husband and I very proud through the breadth and depth of his studies, discoveries, and highest possible awards he has received. Once this was established, and along with the profound esteem both men had developed for each other, there was the wish to leave a legacy beyond the research: the human values and scientific approach to research that Professor Hay has demonstrated from the start.  

Having been the unanimous choice of the evaluating committee, Associate Professor Jenny McGuire seems to be an excellent first recipient, and I am very proud to welcome her as I know my late husband would have been as well. 

I wish her many successes in pursuing and teaching her very promising research, and I look forward to learning about the impact she will have in her field as we have through the years admired Professor Mark Hay’s achievements.

###

To learn more about Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech, visit transformingtomorrow.gatech.edu. 

]]> ls67 1 1751976257 2025-07-08 12:04:17 1752508705 2025-07-14 15:58:25 0 0 news Jenny McGuire has been named a Teasley Professor, advancing Georgia Tech’s leadership in biodiversity research and climate resilience.

]]> 2025-07-08T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-08T00:00:00-04:00 2025-07-08 00:00:00 Laura S. Smith, writer

]]> 677350 677350 image <![CDATA[Jenny McGuire]]> Jenny McGuire

]]> image/jpeg 1751976281 2025-07-08 12:04:41 1751976281 2025-07-08 12:04:41 <![CDATA[Tech's Fossil Hunters]]> <![CDATA[Joel Kostka re­ceives Hum­boldt Re­search Award]]> 35599 This week, Professor Joel Kostka was awar­ded the pres­ti­gi­ous Humboldt Research Award by the Al­ex­an­der von Hum­boldt Found­a­tion during its annual meeting and reception with Germany’s Federal President Steinmeier in Berlin. Every year, the Foundation grants up to 100 Humboldt Research Awards worldwide, which recognize internationally leading researchers of all disciplines.

The award’s €80,000 endowment will support a research trip to Germany for up to a year — during which Kostka will collaborate with Professor Mar­cel Kuypers, director of the Max Planck In­sti­tute for Mar­ine Mi­cro­bi­o­logy in Bre­men, Germany — to as­sess the role of mar­ine plant mi­cro­bi­o­mes in coastal mar­ine eco­sys­tem health and climate re­si­li­ence.

Kostka, who holds joint appointments in the School of Bio­lo­gical Sci­ences and School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, is also the as­so­ci­ate chair for re­search in Bio­lo­gical Sci­ences. He was ​​recently named the inaugural faculty director of Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow. The new Center, announced by the College of Sciences in December 2024, will drive research aimed at improving life across the state of Georgia. 

Wetlands in a changing climate

“Human population is centered on coastlines, and coastal ecosystems provide many services for people,” Kostka says. “Although they cover less than 1 percent of the ocean, coastal wetlands store over 50 percent of the seafloor’s rich carbon reserves.” But researchers aren’t sure how these ecosystems will respond to a changing climate.

Microbes may be the key. Microbes play a critical role in maintaining plant health and helping them adapt to stressors, Kostka says. Similar to human bodies, plants have microbiomes: a community of microbes intimately associated with the plant that help it take up nutrients, stimulate the plant’s immune system, and regulate plant hormones. 

“Our research indicates that plant microbiomes are fundamental to wetland ecosystem health, yet almost everything we know about them is from agricultural systems,” he adds. “We know very little about the microbes associated with these important marine plants that dominate coastal ecosystems.”

Kostka’s work in Germany will investigate how microbiomes help coastal marine plants adapt to stress and keep them healthy. From there, he will investigate how plant microbiomes contribute to the carbon and nutrient cycles of coastal ecosystems — and how they contribute to ecosystem resilience.

Expanding collaboration — and insights 

One goal of the collaboration is to exchange information on two types of marine plants that dominate coastal ecosystems worldwide: those associated with seagrass meadows and salt marshes.

“I’ve investigated salt marsh plants in the intertidal zone between tides, and my colleagues at the Max Planck Institute have focused on seagrass beds and seagrass meadows, which are subtidal, below the tides,” Kostka says. “While these two ecosystems have some different characteristics, they both cover large areas of the global coastline and are dominated by salt-tolerant plants.” 

In salt marshes, Kostka has shown that marine plants have symbiotic microbes in their roots that help them to take up nitrogen and deal with stress by removing toxic sulfides. He suspects that these plant-microbe interactions are critical to the resilience of coastal ecosystems. “The Max Planck Institute made similar observations in seagrass meadows as we did in salt marshes,” Kostka explains. “But they found different bacteria.”

From Georgia to Germany

Beyond supporting excellence in research, another key goal of the Humboldt Research Award is to support international collaboration — something very familiar to Kostka. “I've been working with Professor Kuypers and the Max Planck Institute in Bremen for many years,” he says, adding that he completed his postdoctoral research at the Institute. “Max Planck's labs are some of the best in the world for what they do, and their imaging technology can give us an unprecedented look at plant-microbe interactions at the cellular level.”

“This project is also special because I am collaborating with other scientists in northern Germany,” Kostka adds. “The University of Bremen is home to the Cen­ter for Mar­ine En­vir­on­mental Sci­ences (MARUM), which is designated as a Cluster of Excellence by the German National Science Foundation, so there are a number of fantastic research centers in Bremen to work with.”

His hope is that this project will deepen collaboration between the research at Georgia Tech and research in Germany. “I look forward to seeing what we can uncover about these critical systems while working together.”

 

]]> sperrin6 1 1750957452 2025-06-26 17:04:12 1750972094 2025-06-26 21:08:14 0 0 news The award will support Kostka’s research on the role of marine plant microbiomes in coastal climate resilience in collaboration with Germany’s Max Planck Institute.

]]> 2025-06-26T00:00:00-04:00 2025-06-26T00:00:00-04:00 2025-06-26 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 677294 677294 image <![CDATA[Professor Joel Kostka at the Al­ex­an­der von Hum­boldt Found­a­tion annual meeting and reception in Germany this week.]]> Professor Joel Kostka at the Al­ex­an­der von Hum­boldt Found­a­tion annual meeting and reception in Germany this week.

]]> image/jpeg 1750971890 2025-06-26 21:04:50 1750971890 2025-06-26 21:04:50 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Faculty Named to Spring 2025 Honor Roll]]> 36583

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Office of Academic Effectiveness (OAE) have announced the Spring 2025 Course Instructor Opinion Survey (CIOS) Honor Roll. 

Georgia Tech faculty members who made the Spring 2025 Honor Roll have been celebrated by their students for outstanding teaching and educational impact. Students overwhelmingly praised these educators for their excellent teaching methods and dedication to student success. Each Honor Roll recipient receives a certificate from the Center for Teaching and Learning recognizing their accomplishment as well as an invitation to the next Celebrating Teaching Day held in March 2026.

The College of Sciences congratulates the following faculty members who have been named to the Spring 2025 CIOS Honor Roll:

College of Sciences – Small Classes

College of Sciences – Large Classes

 

The full Spring 2025 CIOS Honor Roll can be found on CTL’s website.

]]> lvidal7 1 1750255360 2025-06-18 14:02:40 1750257028 2025-06-18 14:30:28 0 0 news Eighteen faculty members from the College of Sciences have been recognized by their students for outstanding teaching and educational impact. 

]]> 2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00 2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00 2025-06-11 00:00:00 Center for Teaching and Learning

]]> 677246 677246 image <![CDATA[Spring 2025 Course Instructor Opinion Survey (CIOS) Honor Roll]]> image/png 1750255380 2025-06-18 14:03:00 1750255380 2025-06-18 14:03:00 <![CDATA[Spring 2025 CIOS Honor Roll]]> <![CDATA[Acclimation and Hydration Are Keys to Beating Summer Heat]]> 36583

As temperatures and humidity levels rise in the summer months, hydration and heat acclimatization become increasingly vital in maintaining physical and mental health and maximizing performance.   

Research from the Exercise Physiology Laboratory, led by Professor Mindy Millard-Stafford, director, and Adjunct Professor Mike Sawka in the School of Biological Sciences, aims to help athletes and occupational workers better understand and prevent sweat loss and dehydration through the development of predictive tools. 

Heat Acclimation Takes Time  

According to Millard-Stafford, it can take between five and seven days of active exposure in hot conditions to properly acclimate the body to extreme temperatures. During this period, taking frequent breaks, along with proper hydration, is necessary while the body attempts to thermoregulate through the evaporation of perspiration. She also advises easing into a full workload or exercise routine, if possible, and seeking shade with intermittent breaks when working outdoors for long periods.   

Sawka, retired senior scientist for environmental medicine, stressed that even those familiar with summer conditions can be susceptible to the symptoms of overheating following months of cooler temperatures or indoor activity. A predictive tool developed by collaborating with the University of Canberra, Australia, and recently published in the Journal of Comprehensive Physiology illustrates the benefits of heat acclimation based on environmental factors like temperature, humidity, duration of exposure, and other factors to inform their training and recovery plans.  

"Just like you train for your activity, whether it's running or tennis or basketball, it's the same with adapting to environmental extremes. It's specific, and the tool allows you to input the unique conditions you will attempt to acclimate to," he said.    

Staggering start times can also effectively mitigate injury and heat-related incidents until an individual is properly acclimated to the climate.    

Staying Sharp 

Studies from the Exercise Physiology Laboratory have revealed a drop in performance and cognitive function when subjects lose 2% of their body mass during exposure to heat. Without proper planning and fluid replacement, thermoregulation can be hindered, cardiovascular strain increases, and an individual's energy levels and performance can diminish. As more body water is lost, more significant symptoms can occur.  

The amount of sweat lost during heat exposure is another key indicator of how much fluid an individual needs to avoid these symptoms. A sweat loss prediction calculator, recently published in the Journal of Applied Physiology and funded by Coca-Cola in collaboration with the University of Sydney and Canberra University, uses predicted output and other factors to help individuals plan hydration management strategies for exercise in hot conditions. Relying solely on thirst as a guide frequently leads to underhydration by nearly 50%; therefore, fluids should be consumed before, during, and after exposure to heat.   

Understanding sweat loss can also help individuals avoid the dangers of overhydration. "This is not a 'more-is-always-better' kind of approach. You can run into problems by drinking too much over extended periods while exercising," Millard-Stafford said. "Hyponatremia, or water intoxication, can be lethal. You want to follow the Goldilocks theory of ‘not too much and not too little’ to maintain fluid balance with the sweat loss calculator.”   

Elderly adults are at an increased risk of heat-related incidents, even if they aren't outside as much, due to differences in their body's ability to regulate temperature and potential adverse effects of medication such as diuretics. Older adults also have a diminished thirst sensation when dehydrated, so they tend to underdrink.   

More Than One Way to Hydrate 

Eighty percent of human hydration comes from consuming liquids, while the remaining 20% comes from food. Millard-Stafford recommends adding more fresh fruits and vegetables as a part of your diet over the summer.  

Drinking fluids remains the primary combatant against dehydration, but she and Sawka also recommend pre-planning meals that include sodium to better retain fluids and nutrients. Humans generally rehydrate at mealtime, with food stimulating thirst and fluid consumption,  helping cells maintain balance. Electrolytes in sports drinks can also help hydrate during and after sustained heat exposure.  

For many, simply choosing not to go outdoors in the heat is not an option. So, Millard-Stafford and Sawka continue to share best practices and strategies to avoid heat-related illness and dehydration while optimizing performance.  

]]> lvidal7 1 1749662429 2025-06-11 17:20:29 1749662833 2025-06-11 17:27:13 0 0 news As temperatures rise, proper hydration and heat acclimatization can help maintain physical and mental health. School of Biological Sciences Professor Mindy Millard-Stafford and Adjunct Professor Mike Sawka discuss best practices and strategies to avoid heat-related illness and dehydration while optimizing performance.

]]> 2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00 2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00 2025-06-11 00:00:00 Steven Gagliano 
Institute Communications

]]> 677221 677221 image <![CDATA[Summer Hydration]]> image/jpeg 1749660141 2025-06-11 16:42:21 1749660141 2025-06-11 16:42:21 <![CDATA[Exercise Physiology Laboratory]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Faculty and Programs Recognized With 2025 Regents’ Awards]]> 36583

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) recently honored Georgia Tech with 17 distinctions and awards, reflecting the Institute’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, innovative practices, and impactful leadership. 

The Board of Regents (BOR) may grant Regents’ distinctions for a period of three years to exceptional members of the USG’s academic and research community. To receive a Regents’ distinction, a candidate must be unanimously recommended by key leaders at their university: the president, the chief academic officer, the dean, and three additional faculty members appointed by the university president. Following this, final approval must be obtained from both the chancellor and the BOR Committee on Academic Affairs. The renewal process follows similarly rigorous guidelines. 

These prestigious distinctions honor faculty and staff who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and have had an outstanding impact on their institutions. 

Award for Excellence in High-Impact Practices 

This year, Georgia Tech’s Vertically Integrated Projects program was honored with the Regents’ Award for Excellence in High-Impact Practices and Experiential Learning. This recognition underscores the program’s success in engaging students across disciplines to tackle real-world challenges through collaborative, project-based learning. 

The following Georgia Tech faculty members were appointed or reappointed to distinguished positions: 

Regents’ Researcher 

  • Stephen Balakirsky, Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Aerospace, Transportation & Advanced Systems Laboratory *Reappointment 
  • Anton Bryksin, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience *Reappointment 
  • Brad Fain, Center for Advanced Communications Policy, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Electronic Systems Laboratory *Reappointment 
  • Brent Wagner, Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory 

Regents’ Entrepreneur 

  • F. Levent Degertekin, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering 
  • Paul Kohl, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering 

Regents’ Professorship 

  • Facundo Fernandez, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences *Reappointment 
  • M.G. Finn, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences  
  • Julia Kubanek, School of Biological Sciences and School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences 
  • Steven Liang, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering 
  • Dana Randall, School of Computer Science, College of Computing and School of Mathematics, College of Sciences 
  • Beril Toktay, Scheller College of Business *Reappointment 
  • Marvin Whiteley, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences 

Regents’ Innovator 

  • Manos Antonakakis, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering 

  • Tarek Rakha, School of Architecture, College of Design

Academic Recognition Award 

In addition to the faculty awards, Ashley Cotsman, a recent graduate of the School of Public Policy, received the prestigious Academic Recognition Award, which celebrates her outstanding academic achievements during her time at Georgia Tech.  

Reflecting on Excellence  

“These honors highlight the incredible talent, dedication, and innovation that define Georgia Tech,” said Steve McLaughlin, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “From our transformative programs to our distinguished faculty, researchers, and students, these recognitions affirm our commitment to state-wide leadership in education and research.” 

The Institute continues to demonstrate excellence in academics and research, setting a benchmark for higher education in the state of Georgia and beyond. 

]]> lvidal7 1 1748002204 2025-05-23 12:10:04 1748002545 2025-05-23 12:15:45 0 0 news The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia recently honored Georgia Tech with 15 distinctions and awards, reflecting the Institute’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership.]]> 2025-05-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-05-23T00:00:00-04:00 2025-05-23 00:00:00 Writer: Brittany Aiello 
Faculty Communications Program Manager 
Executive Communications 
Institute Communications

]]> <![CDATA[Celebrating Excellence Across the College of Sciences]]> <![CDATA[Joel Kostka Named Director of Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow]]> 36583 The College of Sciences has named Professor Joel Kostka the inaugural faculty director of Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow. The new center, announced by the College in December 2024, will drive research aimed at improving life across the state of Georgia. 

“Joel is perfectly suited to lead this new initiative, especially since his research for a number of years has focused on Georgia and the vulnerability of both humans and ecosystems to climate change,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “I look forward to seeing how Science for Georgia’s Tomorrow takes shape and evolves under his thoughtful leadership.”

“I believe that my experience in research administration and in leading multidisciplinary research programs, along with the focus of my research on the vulnerability of Georgia’s communities to climate change, have prepared me well for this role,” says Kostka, who is the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences with a joint appointment in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead the center as its inaugural director.” 

Kostka’s appointment will begin on May 1, 2025. 

Championing science in Georgia

Georgia's Tomorrow was created to foster research related to the health and resilience of Georgia’s people, ecosystems, and communities. Specifically, it will serve to boost research collaboration across the Institute, pave the way for public-private partnerships, and expand opportunities for Georgia students and communities to engage with Institute research. 

Among Kostka’s first tasks as faculty director will be the development of the center’s strategic plan and the completion of two dedicated cluster hires from within the College of Sciences’ six schools. 

Meet Joel Kostka

Kostka is known for bridging biogeochemistry and microbiology to elucidate the role of microorganisms in ecosystem function. He has emerged as an international leader in ecosystem biogeoscience, providing a quantitative predictive understanding of how ecosystems function as well as determining the mechanisms by which climate change alters ecosystem resilience. He partners with a variety of stakeholders to conduct research on the restoration and adaptive management of coastal ecosystems in Georgia.

Kostka has also served as the PI of a range of multidisciplinary research projects focused on environmental change as well as scientific advisory boards including Georgia Tech’s Strategic Energy Institute, the NSF-funded Plum Island Estuary Long-term Ecological Research program, and the Johnston Center for Coastal Sustainability on Bald Head Island.

Kostka received a B.S. in Biology from Western Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining Georgia Tech in 2011, he was a professor at the Department of Oceanography and Associate Director of the Institute of Energy Systems, Economics, and Sustainability at Florida State University.

Initial support for Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow is generously provided by the College of Sciences Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean's Chair fund. Cluster hire funding has been awarded by Provost Steven W. McLaughlin. The initiative will also seek funding from state, national and international organizations, private foundations, and government agencies to expand impact. Philanthropic support will also be sought in the form of professorships, programmatic support for the center, and seed funding.

Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow initially launched under the working name Science for Georgia's Tomorrow (Sci4GT). 

]]> lvidal7 1 1744032349 2025-04-07 13:25:49 1747856770 2025-05-21 19:46:10 0 0 news The new center, announced by the College in December 2024, will drive research aimed at improving life across the state of Georgia. 

]]> 2025-04-04T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-04T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-04 00:00:00 Writer: Lindsay C. Vidal

 

]]> 675025 675025 image <![CDATA[Joel Kostka ]]> image/jpeg 1726693287 2024-09-18 21:01:27 1726693287 2024-09-18 21:01:27 <![CDATA[New Center: Georgia Tech for Georgia's Tomorrow]]> <![CDATA[Kostka Lab]]> <![CDATA[Propelling Georgia Tech to the Final Frontier]]> 34760 Early on, Georgia Tech graduate students William Trenton Gantt and Hugh (Ka Yui) Chen imagined working in the space industry.

“When I was 14, I dreamed about being in space one day,” recalls Chen, 22, a native of Hong Kong and a Ph.D. student in aerospace engineering. “I think the industry has been making space more accessible to everyone. Commercialization is a big part of enabling this.”

Gantt, an engineer and former U.S. Army veteran graduating with an MBA from the Scheller College of Business this spring, remembered seeing the space shuttle retire and companies begin privatizing space as he entered young adulthood. 

“I’ve always been interested in space, and a lot of it comes from the challenge of going to space,” he observes. “Seeing how hard it is to get to space and seeing it become achievable — that to me was the most attractive thing about it.”

For Gantt, the feeling always brings to mind John F. Kennedy’s famous line that spelled out America’s space ambitions: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

Recognizing Georgia Tech’s aerospace strengths, Gantt didn’t waste time building bridges within Scheller and in other parts of Georgia Tech. He founded the Scheller MBA Space Club, a first at the College, to track the industry as it grows and develops. 

“I came from a military background, so I had my eye on the defense industry going into the MBA program. Georgia Tech, being the No. 2 aerospace engineering undergraduate school in the nation, I knew they already had strong industry connections. Making connections was a big goal coming into this program.”

Assessing Early-Stage Space Tech 

He took part in the Entrepreneurship Assistants Program (EAP), which pairs a Scheller MBA student with a faculty or student inventor to evaluate early-stage technology for potential commercialization. He evaluated two space-related technologies, one with Chen’s support. 

“The EAs conduct technology commercialization assessments and develop a business model canvas. By applying an entrepreneurial strategy compass, they predict potential go-to-market strategies for new technology,” says Paul Joseph, principal in the Office of Commercialization’s Quadrant-i unit, who created the EAP.

 (See sidebar to read more about the EAP and the specific technologies assessed.)

Tapping Into a Nearly $2T Industry

According to McKinsey & Co., the space technology market, fueled by advancements in satellite technology, commercial space travel, and 5G networks, is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.

“We're seeing an industry shifting from a multibillion-dollar market cap to a multitrillion-dollar market cap in less than a decade. If you look at this from a business perspective, this is a massive addressable market for entrepreneurs," says Gantt.

From its Center for Space Technology and Research to the new Center for Space Policy and International Relations and labs like the Space Systems Design Lab, which focuses on areas such as CubeSat propulsion, lunar research, and hypersonic flight, Georgia Tech excels in space research across disciplines. In July, Georgia Tech will launch the Space Research Institute (SRI), one of its newest Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI), to foster additional collaboration in this growing field.

“At Georgia Tech, there are competencies across every single College that will help to augment our understanding of space,” says Alex Oettl, professor of strategy and innovation in Scheller College, whose interest in the new space economy spans the last 20 years. “When you look at the technologies coming from Georgia Tech, they can impact this future trillion-dollar industry.”

 An economist by training, Oettl led Georgia Tech’s involvement in the Creative Destruction Lab-Atlanta, a multi-university program that helped commercialize early-stage scientific technologies.

Leveraging Affordable Launch

The emergence of affordable launch, spurred by SpaceX’s introduction of the Falcon 9 rocket using reusable rocket technology, has made space much more accessible, from biomedical companies to academic institutions.

“Because there has been a drop in the cost of accessing space, it allows experimentation to flourish,” says Oettl. 

He recalls Mark Costello, former chair of the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, explaining how he could launch a CubeSat into Low Earth Orbit out of his research budget, whereas before it would have been cost-prohibitive.

Today, Georgia Tech students and researchers are poised to capitalize on the new space economy stack — from new launch capabilities to new development in propellants and in-space operations and maintenance to more powerful sensors on Earth-observation satellites.

“I’ve seen firsthand the traction occurring on the commercial side. There are a lot of social scientists waking up to the opportunity that exists and thinking about business dynamics that will emerge as a result of this great opportunity,” he says.

Georgia Tech, an interdisciplinary, tech-focused university, brings significant capabilities across its Colleges to drive new and emerging technologies that have implications for space. 

“Space hits on all the strengths that exist at the various Colleges,” Oettl explains. “Faculty at Georgia Tech are pushing the boundary and showing our students innovations that will emerge in the space economy that are not immediately obvious — such as in adjacent industries.”

Oettl calls these first-order and spillover impacts of new technology. By first-order impacts, he means businesses can take advantage of these opportunities and create new products on top of the original innovation. By spillovers, he cites as an example an Earth-observation satellite enabling other industries to take advantage of data from the ground. For instance, insurance companies are one of the largest users of space technology by way of satellite imagery.

Bringing Capabilities Together Through New Space IRI

The SRI will bring together the best in engineering, computer science, policy, and business research across Georgia Tech. Along the way, it could help engineers and computer scientists think with a more business-minded approach to pitch their innovations to the commercial space sector. 

“You don’t see a lot of engineers having that inherent ability,” notes Gantt. “The Space IRI can shine by fostering collaboration between business students and engineers, enabling them to develop innovative go-to-market strategies and clearly define the unique value propositions these technologies offer to end users. You can bring these people together and create some forward momentum in the space industry.”

]]> Laurie Haigh 1 1746134552 2025-05-01 21:22:32 1747687941 2025-05-19 20:52:21 0 0 news New space IRI and commercialization activities showcase space as an exciting destination for students and faculty.

]]> 2025-05-01T00:00:00-04:00 2025-05-01T00:00:00-04:00 2025-05-01 00:00:00 Accelerating the Commercialization of Space Innovations  

Gantt and Chen’s mutual passion for space came together through their participation in Georgia Tech’s Entrepreneurship Assistants Program (EAP). The program pairs a Scheller MBA student with a student or faculty researcher behind an invention to assess its market potential. 

Gantt assessed the commercialization potential for two space-related technologies: an in-flight drone charging system offering both in-air and on-ground charging capabilities in a global drone technology market projected to reach $61.2 billion by the end of 2029. Each analysis took three to four months.

Gantt says the charging system for drones would provide real-time in-air refueling similar to what is done today on C-17 tankers. 

“The drone market is very heavily regulated by the FAA, and the commercial aspects of drone usage are still in prototype development, says Gantt, who recommended that Georgia Tech license the technology rather than develop it through a startup.

The second project involved a CubeSat co-gas propellant system for spacecraft. 

“With in-orbit propulsion systems, you want to make sure you’re maximizing the thrust. Our technology works with a two-phase propellant. Using a secondary tank allows us to maximize efficiency while ensuring only gas is expelled,” explains Chen, who was a researcher on the project.

To determine the device’s market appeal, Gantt conducted customer discovery interviews with smallsat manufacturers and a radar detection company.

“CubeSat customers are using hybrid propulsion systems, both gas and electric, to maximize the lifespan of their CubeSat assets and create as much value from them as possible,” says Gantt, noting that it’s much more attractive to take on less equipment. “Having a reduction in mass and complexity while delivering the same capabilities as cold-gas propulsion systems like this technology is attempting to do is something that's a big market need right now.”

Gantt’s market analysis led to a recommendation to license the technology rather than manufacture it. Chen and Gantt consulted with a U.S. Space Force CubeSat Acquisitions Officer about how to shape and structure technology proposals. 

Chen will continue to advance the technology in the Low Gravity Science and Technology Lab, led by Álvaro Romero-Calvo, assistant professor in the Guggenheim School. The goal is for the technology to reach a Technology Readiness Level 8 or 9 so they can submit a proposal to integrate their cold-gas thrusters as a subsystem for a future Space Force mission. 

“New missions now use swarm architectures or formation flying. This technology could potentially infer what it’s like to do in-orbit refueling,” says Chen on the system’s long-term value.

Both Gantt and Chen see immense value in the EAP to fuel their interest in space-based technologies and what’s driving the space industry.

“It opens your eyes to the industry as a whole,” says Gantt.

]]> News Contact: Laurie Haigh

Writer: Anne Wainscott-Sargent

]]> 677017 677017 image <![CDATA[Space Commercialization]]> image/png 1746187901 2025-05-02 12:11:41 1746188079 2025-05-02 12:14:39 <![CDATA[Will Ratcliff Named Sutherland Professor]]> 36583 The College of Sciences is pleased to announce Will Ratcliff as the first recipient of the John C. and Leslie C. Sutherland Professorship. This endowed faculty position recognizes outstanding contributions in research and teaching, particularly those that advance the understanding of biological systems through quantitative applications of chemistry, mathematics and physics.

Ratcliff, a professor in the School of Biological Sciences, was selected for his innovative research and dedication to education, which have made a significant impact on the scientific community and the Institute. His appointment is effective July 1, 2025.

“Will has established himself as a leading scientist studying the evolution of biological complexity, developing an innovative research program that demonstrates the tremendous power of integrating physics and biology to understand fundamental questions in life science,” says Todd Streelman, professor and chair of the School of Biological Sciences. 

“His experimental vision, commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, and exceptional record mentoring the next generation of scientists embody the values this chair was established to promote,” Streelman adds. “Will is precisely the kind of transformative scientist who can carry forward the Sutherlands' legacy of bridging physics and biology to understand the fundamental principles governing life itself.”

The Sutherland Professorship comes with an award of $40,000 per year in research funds and is renewable every five years, providing valuable support for ongoing and future projects. 

The faculty endowment is made possible through generous support from John C. and Leslie C. Sutherland. A triple Jacket, John C. Sutherland (B.S. PHYS 1962, M.S. PHYS 1964, Ph.D. PHYS 1967) serves as dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Augusta University and is a member of the Georgia Tech College of Sciences External Advisory Board.

Meet Will Ratcliff

Will Ratcliff is an evolutionary biologist who joined the School of Biological Sciences in 2014. He has served as director of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Quantitative Biosciences since 2021. After earning his B.S. in Plant Biology from the University of California, Davis and his Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota, Ratcliff completed his postdoctoral studies at the University of Minnesota, where he developed the groundbreaking 'snowflake yeast' model system.

Ratcliff's research focuses on understanding one of biology's most fundamental questions: how complex multicellular life evolves from single-celled ancestors. His innovative approach combines experimental evolution with mathematical modeling, biophysics, and synthetic biology, overcoming a fundamental limitation in the field. Rather than attempting to infer evolutionary dynamics that occurred hundreds of millions of years ago, his work allows direct observation of this transition in real time. In 2018, he launched the Multicellularity Long Term Evolution Experiment (MuLTEE), which has since become one of the longest-running evolution experiments.

The MuLTEE has revealed how physics serves as a crucial scaffold for the evolution of multicellular life, establishing the fundamental conditions that allow natural selection to act on groups of cells rather than individual cells alone. His team has shown how the physics of cellular packing naturally drives group reproduction, and how principles of maximum entropy underpin the origin of novel, heritable multicellular traits. As snowflake yeast in the MuLTEE continue to evolve to become more complex, they’ve observed how these organisms solve key multicellular challenges, evolving mechanically robust bodies, solving diffusion limitation, and optimizing their life cycle through novel collective behaviors and cellular specialization. 

Ratcliff's research extends beyond multicellularity to include diverse aspects of evolutionary biology, such as studying the dynamics of bacterial warfare and investigating Earth's largest and oldest organism, the approximately 80,000-year-old Quaking Aspen 'Pando'. His work has garnered significant attention in major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, National Geographic, Science, Nature, Quanta, and The Smithsonian, and has been featured in books such as Pulitzer Prize winner Siddhartha Mukherjee's Song of the Cell.

 

The endowed faculty position mentioned above was made possible by contributions to Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech. Thanks to the support of alumni and friends, this comprehensive campaign is bringing unparalleled advancements to the Institute and building a foundation to support our students, advance our research and innovation, enhance our campus and our community, and expand our impact at home and around the world. To learn more and support the campaign, visit transformingtomorrow.gatech.edu. 

]]> lvidal7 1 1740146693 2025-02-21 14:04:53 1746798783 2025-05-09 13:53:03 0 0 news Will Ratcliff, a professor in the School of Biological Sciences, was named the first recipient of the John C. and Leslie C. Sutherland Professorship. This endowed faculty position recognizes his innovative research and dedication to education, which have made a significant impact on the scientific community and the Institute.

]]> 2025-04-17T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-17T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-17 00:00:00 Writer: Jess Hunt-Ralston, Director of Communications 

]]> 676364 676364 image <![CDATA[Will Ratcliff, professor in the School of Biological Sciences]]> image/jpeg 1740153962 2025-02-21 16:06:02 1740153962 2025-02-21 16:06:02 <![CDATA[Ratcliff Lab]]> <![CDATA[A Journey to the Origins of Multicellular Life: Long-Term Experimental Evolution in the Lab]]> <![CDATA[Richard Nichols Receives 2025 Bernstein Prize]]> 36583 Professor Emeritus Richard Nichols of the School of Biological Sciences has been awarded the 2025 Bernstein Prize by the International Society of Motor Control (ISMC). This prize, the highest honor bestowed by the ISMC, recognizes significant contributions to the field of motor control and learning in the spirit of the Russian neurophysiology pioneer Nikolai Aleksandrovich Bernstein. 

“This is a meaningful prize that honors the longstanding impact of two Russian scientists, Anatol Feldman and Mark Latash. They founded the ISMC and were influential in building a community of scientists in the United States and Canada focused on motor systems research following in the tradition of Bernstein,” says Nichols, who retired from the School of Biological Sciences in 2023. “Receiving this prize is thrilling. It’s a cap on my career.”

Nichols will receive the award during ISMC’s biennial meeting this summer.  

From basic research to potential treatments

Nichols began his decades-long career researching the spinal cord, a key component of the central nervous system that relays information between the brain and periphery (muscles, joints, skin, etc.). He notes that the spinal cord is more than a simple communications highway; it contains neural networks that can exert some control. 

“When we walk across the room, the spinal cord — not the brain — generates and sends detailed messages to our muscles. The brain simply says, ‘It’s time to walk across a room and avoid this or that obstacle.’ The spinal cord contains the machinery to do so,” explains Nichols.

Nichols' research initially centered on understanding how sensory information from the periphery is used by the spinal cord and brain to control movement. More recently, his focus shifted to possible real-world applications of his findings. 

For example, Nichols collaborated with Dena Howland of the University of Louisville on research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that are centered on understanding spinal cord injury.

“Had it not been for my collaboration with Dena over the past 11 years, my work would have remained limited to the fundamental science of how the spinal cord and brain function. Our translational project has broadened the scope and impact of my research,” he adds.

According to Nichols, the NIH and VA grants were synergistic: the NIH grant focused on spinal cord function, while the VA grant centered on rehabilitation strategies following spinal cord injury. Through this complementary research, the team uncovered insights about the spinal cord — potentially revealing new treatment pathways to aid motor control recovery after spinal cord injury.

Nichols retired from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2023 after 16 years of service. Before joining the Institute in 2007 as chair of the School of Applied Physiology (now the School of Biological Sciences), he chaired the Department of Physiology at Emory University. Nichols received a B.S. in Biology from Brown University and a Ph.D. in Physiology from Harvard University.

]]> lvidal7 1 1745585481 2025-04-25 12:51:21 1746199573 2025-05-02 15:26:13 0 0 news Professor Emeritus Richard Nichols of the School of Biological Sciences has been recognized for his significant contributions to the field of motor control and learning. 

]]> 2025-04-25T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-25T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-25 00:00:00 Writer: Lindsay C. Vidal

]]> 593197 593197 image <![CDATA[Richard Nichols]]> image/jpeg 1498854592 2017-06-30 20:29:52 1745585799 2025-04-25 12:56:39 <![CDATA[Benjamin Freeman Named Early Career Fellow by Ecological Society of America]]> 36583 Benjamin Freeman, assistant professor and Elizabeth Smithgall-Watts Endowed Faculty in the School of Biological Sciences, has been named a 2025 Early Career Fellow by the  Ecological Society of America (ESA). 

Freeman is one of only 10 Early Career Fellows and eight Fellows honored by ESA this year for advancing the knowledge and application of ecological science in a way that strengthens the field and benefits communities and ecosystems.

“Ecological science tells us how nature works, and my research uses birds as ‘canaries in the coal mine’ to learn how animals are responding to the rapid changes taking place on our planet,” he says. “I am delighted by this honor.”

Freeman studies why species live where they do and how their ranges are changing in response to climate change. He is recognized for integrating evolutionary and ecological approaches to address fundamental questions in bird biology and for communicating science to the public. Freeman leads the Mountain Bird Lab at Georgia Tech and launched the Mountain Bird Network, which aims to compile systematic survey data on mountain birds across the globe. He is currently developing “Tech Mountain,” a first-of-its-kind field site to study how birds and other organisms are responding to climate change.

Freeman, who joined the Institute in 2023, received a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University.

]]> lvidal7 1 1746128444 2025-05-01 19:40:44 1746195162 2025-05-02 14:12:42 0 0 news Freeman is one of only 10 Early Career Fellows honored by the Ecological Society of America this year for advancing the knowledge and application of ecological science in a way that strengthens the field and benefits communities and ecosystems.

]]> 2025-05-02T00:00:00-04:00 2025-05-02T00:00:00-04:00 2025-05-02 00:00:00 Writer: Lindsay C. Vidal

]]> 675323 675323 image <![CDATA[Benjamin Freeman]]> Benjamin Freeman

]]> image/png 1729016793 2024-10-15 18:26:33 1729016793 2024-10-15 18:26:33 <![CDATA[Freeman’s Mountain Bird Lab]]> <![CDATA[Research Takes Flight: Benjamin Freeman Named 2024 Packard Fellow]]> <![CDATA[11 Alive: Benjamin Freeman discusses bird migration (April 28, 2025)]]> <![CDATA[Honoring Faculty Promoted to the Highest Rank, Spring 2025]]> 36583

In Spring 2025, 67 academic and research faculty members were promoted to the highest rank. We are honored to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the Georgia Tech community.

Academic Faculty

Faculty members newly awarded tenure are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Promoted to Professor
  • Paul T. Alonso – School of Modern Languages, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
  • Aditi Das – School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences
  • Munmun De Choudhury – School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing*
  • Jennifer Blanchard Glass – School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences
  • Marta Hatzell – George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
  • James H. Hays – School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing*
  • Margaret Kosal - School of International Affairs, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
  • Gabriel A. Kwong – School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Henry Storms La Pierre - School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences
  • Alexander Gerd Lerch – School of Music, College of Design
  • Mark D. Losego – School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Matthew Todd McDowell – George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Martin P. Mourigal – School of Physics, College of Sciences
  • Pardis Pishdad – School of Building Construction, College of Design
  • B. Aditya Prakash – School of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Computing
  • Amit Prasad – School of History and Sociology, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
  • A. Fatih Sarioglu – School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Joseph K. Scott – School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
  • John Matthew Smith – School of History and Sociology, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
  • Jake D. Soper – School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences
  • Simon N. Sponberg – School of Physics, College of Sciences
  • Lauren Krista Stewart – School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Wenting Sun – School of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Molei Tao – School of Mathematics, College of Sciences
  • W. Hong Yeo – George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
Promoted to Principal Lecturer
  • Jacqueline Louise Garner – Scheller College of Business
Promoted to Principal Extension Professional
  • Donna M. Ennis – Enterprise Innovation Institute
  • Juli Golemi – Enterprise Innovation Institute
  • Damon C. Nix – Enterprise Innovation Institute
  • Wendy White – Enterprise Innovation Institute
Promoted to Principal Academic Professional
  • Brandy Ball Blake – H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Christy Michelle O'Mahony – School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences
  • Balakrishna S. Pai – Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Christopher M. Stanzione – School of Psychology, College of Sciences
  • Jana Stone – Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Education
Promoted to Librarian/Archivist IV
  • Alison E. Valk – Georgia Tech Library

 

Research Faculty

Promoted to Principal Research Scientist
  • Curtis Free – CIPHR, ICSD (GTRI)
  • Kishor Kumar Gupta – School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Anthony J. Giarrusso – Geoinformation Systems, Architecture Centers, GTRI
  • Kinsey R. Herrin – George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Creston D. Herold – CIPHR, ICSD (GTRI)
  • Akihiro Hayashi – School of Computer Science, College of Computing
  • Trevor Mackenzie Lewis – CIPHR, ICSD (GTRI)
  • John Taylor Matthews – ICL, ICSD (GTRI)
  • William Stuart Michelson – ATASL, ESL (GTRI)
  • Anton S. Petrov – School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences
  • Jun Shirako – School of Computer Science, College of Computing
  • Hongyi Zhou – School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences
Promoted to Principal Research Engineer
  • Shaun David Anderson – ATASL, SISD (GTRI)
  • Paula Gomez – CIPHR, ICSD (GTRI)
  • François Guillot – George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
  • Theodore Grosch – SEAL, SISD (GTRI)
  • Chad Kerr – ESL, ESD (GTRI)
  • Joshua Kovitz – ACL, SISD (GTRI)
  • Nelson E. Lourenco – SEAL, SISD (GTRI)
  • Álvaro L. Marenco – SEAL, SISD (GTRI)
  • Scott Leon McLennan – CIPHR, ICSD (GTRI)
  • Michael Zachary Miller – ACL, SISD (GTRI)
  • David John Oostdyk – SEAL, SISD (GTRI)
  • Jeffrey David Pitcher – ICL, ICSD (GTRI)
  • Andrew J. Stark – EOSL, ESD (GTRI)
  • Xiaojuan Song – ATASL, SISD (GTRI)
  • Francisco Valdés – CIPHR, ICSD (GTRI)
  • Raymond Warner – ATASL, SISD (GTRI)
  • Samantha Ann Zaydman – ESL, ESD (GTRI)
Promoted to Principal Research Associate
  • Phu Chieu Le – Research Support, Operations Division (GTRI)
  • Dusty Meaders – CIPHR, ICSD (GTRI)
Promoted to Principal Extension Professional
  • Donna M. Ennis – Enterprise Innovation Institute
  • Juli Golemi – Enterprise Innovation Institute
  • Damon C. Nix – Enterprise Innovation Institute
  • Wendy White – Enterprise Innovation Institute
]]> lvidal7 1 1746114508 2025-05-01 15:48:28 1746128280 2025-05-01 19:38:00 0 0 news In Spring 2025, 67 academic and research faculty members were promoted to the highest rank. We are honored to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the Georgia Tech community.

]]> 2025-05-01T00:00:00-04:00 2025-05-01T00:00:00-04:00 2025-05-01 00:00:00 Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty

]]> 665542 665542 image <![CDATA[Tech Tower]]> image/jpeg 1675786600 2023-02-07 16:16:40 1680535335 2023-04-03 15:22:15 <![CDATA[Celebrating Tenure: Spring 2025]]> <![CDATA[Lewis Wheaton Elected President of the American Society of Neurorehabilitation]]> 36583 Biology Professor Lewis Wheaton has been named president of the American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR). Established in 1990, the organization is dedicated to advancing the science of neurorehabilitation and helping patients with chronic neurological disabilities by advancing clinical care and research.

“ASNR is a great society because of the range and breadth of its work, spanning cellular neuroscientists all the way to people that do massive multicenter phase three clinical drug trials,” says Wheaton, who has been involved in the organization for nearly two decades. “I am excited to serve as its president.”

Wheaton’s research interests initially drew him to ASNR — his research examines changes in the brain following a stroke or upper limb loss in order to inform the design of therapies that promote better limb function and prosthetics; his belief in the organization’s mission led him to join its leadership team. 

“I got involved in the executive board because I appreciated the vision of the society and the opportunities it provides for engaging more people in neurorehabilitation-based research and training the next generation of neurorehabilitation researchers,” he says.

Wheaton was elected ASNR vice president in 2022 and worked during the subsequent three years to develop the organization’s strategic plan. When he assumes the role of ASNR president this April, he will implement that plan. 

“We’re focusing on how to broaden and improve the sense of community within the society,” he shares. “Two of our goals are centered on enhancing our multidisciplinary focus and expanding engagement. We want to bring in not only people from other disciplines — as other disciplines are connected to the goals of neurorehabilitation — but also develop a culture that supports diverse groups of people entering the field.” 

Wheaton recognizes the parallels between his work at ASNR and the College of Sciences: “It is very consistent with many of the things that I've always enjoyed at the College: creating a community that brings people together, that people want to be a part of, and that they see a home for themselves in,” he explains, referencing his efforts as director of the Center for Programs to Increase Engagement in the Sciences (C-PIES) and mentoring students in his research lab. 

About Lewis Wheaton

Wheaton joined the Institute as an assistant professor in the School of Applied Physiology (now the School of Biological Sciences) in 2008. He is currently a professor in Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, an adjunct professor in the Department of Rehabilitation at the Emory School of Medicine, and a member of the Children’s Center for Neurosciences Research at the Emory Children’s Pediatric Research Center.

Wheaton received a B.S. in biology from Radford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience and cognitive science from the University of Maryland, College Park. He studied neural function and recovery of motor control after stroke as a fellow at the Medical Neurology Branch of the National Institutes of Health and performed neuroscience research in aging and stroke motor control as a postdoctoral fellow at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Maryland.

About the American Society of Neurorehabilitation

The American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) was created in 1990 to advance clinical care and the science of neurorehabilitation and neural repair. The 2025 edition of the ASNR annual meeting will take place in Atlanta in late April.

]]> lvidal7 1 1744658067 2025-04-14 19:14:27 1744829377 2025-04-16 18:49:37 0 0 news Professor Wheaton has been involved in the American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) for nearly two decades. His research interests initially drew him to ASNR; his belief in the organization’s mission led him to join its leadership team.

]]> 2025-04-15T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-15T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-15 00:00:00 Writer: Lindsay C. Vidal

]]> 660552 660552 image <![CDATA[Lewis Wheaton (Photo: Jess Hunt-Ralston)]]> image/jpeg 1661458762 2022-08-25 20:19:22 1680031849 2023-03-28 19:30:49 <![CDATA[Cognitive Motor Control Lab]]> <![CDATA[Celebrating Tenure: Spring 2025]]> 36583

This semester, 36 faculty members from across the Institute, including four from the College of Sciences, were awarded tenure. Tenure recognizes a faculty member’s contributions to Georgia Tech through research, teaching, and community. We are honored to celebrate this defining moment in our faculty members' careers.

]]> lvidal7 1 1744815102 2025-04-16 14:51:42 1744815275 2025-04-16 14:54:35 0 0 news This semester, 36 faculty members from across the Institute, including four from the College of Sciences, were awarded tenure.

]]> 2025-04-16T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-16T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-16 00:00:00 673414 673414 image <![CDATA[A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech]]> A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech

]]> image/jpeg 1710522679 2024-03-15 17:11:19 1710522636 2024-03-15 17:10:36 <![CDATA[2025 Frontiers in Science: Intelligence]]> 36583 More than 150 researchers, students, faculty, and alumni gathered last week at the Historic Academy of Medicine at Georgia Tech for the 2025 Frontiers in Science Conference and Symposium. 

This year, the College of Sciences’ signature research event centered on the intersection of neuroscience, cognition, and artificial intelligence. Specifically, the event highlighted how AI is transforming our understanding of the brain and how neuroscience and psychology are informing new developments in AI — sparking a wave of innovation.

Dean Susan Lozier, who also serves as Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair and as a professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the event’s panels — which included faculty from several schools across campus, as well as external keynote speakers. 

“This is an exciting time at the College of Sciences and Georgia Tech. We are working at the forefront of so many questions about intelligence — human, artificial, and where the two converge,” says Lozier. “I hope our community found the concepts and ideas raised during Frontiers in Science as inspiring and thought-provoking as I did.”

Intelligence: From AI to the Brain — and Back

During the full day of talks, a dozen faculty members and researchers from the Colleges of Science, Computing, and Engineering shared some of the latest developments in our understanding of biological and artificial intelligence. Morning sessions explored how AI is driving innovations in cognitive science and neuroscience research, unearthing new insights into cognitive function. Afternoon presentations focused on what the brain can tell us about AI and how such information might direct AI advances. 

Presentations led by Ida Momennejad of Microsoft and Hal Greenwald of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research provided industry and government insights — particularly as related to research trends and challenges.

The midday poster session, which featured 90-second presentations by nine students and post-doctoral researchers, gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about the research conducted in Georgia Tech labs. Nikolas McNeal, a Ph.D. scholar in machine learning, and Aishawarya Balwani, a Ph.D. scholar in electrical and computer engineering, were recognized for best posters.

Frontiers in Science concluded with a session dedicated to audience questions, which encouraged reflections on AI’s future in our society and the range of environmental, safety, and philosophical questions raised by transformative technology. 

Cognition and intelligence at Tech

The 2025 edition of Frontiers in Science comes at a pivotal moment at Georgia Tech, as the Institute continues to expand its research and teaching leadership in biological and artificial intelligence. 

Georgia Tech Executive Vice President for Research Tim Lieuwen, who also serves as Regents’ Professor and David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, noted that the Institute is leading the way in AI innovation. He spotlighted some of Georgia Tech’s newest initiatives and programs, including Tech AI — an interdisciplinary hub connecting cutting-edge AI research taking place on campus with AI-driven applications and solutions for our world.

Other recent developments include the creation of the Center of Excellence in Computation Cognition and the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society, which builds upon the Neuro Next Initiative. A minor in computation and cognition and a Ph.D. in neuroscience and neurotechnology are two of the latest additions to Georgia Tech’s academic offerings. The latter builds on the B.S. in neuroscience program, currently the fastest-growing undergraduate major at the Institute.

 

Experience the event in pictures through the College of Sciences’ Flickr account, and discover the highlights via the day’s live publications on Georgia Tech Neuro Next Initiative’s accounts on BlueSky and X.

]]> lvidal7 1 1744038238 2025-04-07 15:03:58 1744061259 2025-04-07 21:27:39 0 0 news The College of Sciences’ signature research event featured thought-provoking discussions at the intersection of neuroscience, cognition, and artificial intelligence.

]]> 2025-04-07T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-07T00:00:00-04:00 2025-04-07 00:00:00 Writer: Lindsay C. Vidal

]]> 676765 676768 676766 676769 676770 676767 676765 image <![CDATA[From left: Susan Lozier, Robert Wilson, Farzaneh Najafi, Hannah Choi, Dobromir Rahnev, and Jennifer Leavey.]]> image/jpeg 1744037283 2025-04-07 14:48:03 1744037283 2025-04-07 14:48:03 676768 image <![CDATA[Ida Momennejad responds to a question during a Frontiers in Science panel session.]]> image/jpeg 1744038877 2025-04-07 15:14:37 1744038877 2025-04-07 15:14:37 676766 image <![CDATA[Psychology Chair Tansu Celikel presents his research during Frontiers in Science.]]> image/jpeg 1744037383 2025-04-07 14:49:43 1744039562 2025-04-07 15:26:02 676769 image <![CDATA[A member of the audience asks a question during Frontiers in Science.]]> image/jpeg 1744039042 2025-04-07 15:17:22 1744039798 2025-04-07 15:29:58 676770 image <![CDATA[Ratan Murty, Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology]]> image/jpeg 1744040012 2025-04-07 15:33:32 1744040012 2025-04-07 15:33:32 676767 image <![CDATA[Aishawarya Balwani (on left), a Ph.D. scholar in electrical and computer engineering, answers questions about her research during the Frontiers in Science poster session.]]> image/jpeg 1744037532 2025-04-07 14:52:12 1744037532 2025-04-07 14:52:12 <![CDATA[2025 Frontiers in Science: Intelligence - Program]]> <![CDATA[Tech AI]]> <![CDATA[Neuro Next Initiative]]> <![CDATA[Nature's Time Machine: How Long-Term Studies Unlock Evolution's Secrets]]> 35599 Georgia Tech scientists are revealing how decades-long research programs have transformed our understanding of evolution, from laboratory petri dishes to tropical islands — along the way uncovering secrets that would remain hidden in shorter studies.

Through a new review paper published in Nature, the researchers underscore how long-term studies have captured evolution's most elusive processes, including the real-time formation of new species and the emergence of biological innovations.

"Evolution isn't just about change over millions of years in fossils — it's happening all around us, right now," says James Stroud, the paper’s lead author and an Elizabeth Smithgall Watts Early Career Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech. "However, to understand evolution, we need to watch it unfold in real time, often over many generations. Long-term studies allow us to do that by giving us a front-row seat to evolution in action."

The paper, “Long-term studies provide unique insights into evolution,” is the first-ever comprehensive analysis of these types of long-term evolutionary studies, and examines some of the longest-running evolutionary experiments and field studies to date, highlighting how they provide new perspectives on evolution. For example, in the Galápagos, a 40-year field study of Darwin’s finches — songbirds named after evolutionary biology’s famous founder — documented the formation of a new species through hybridization. In the lab, a study spanning 75,000 generations of bacteria showed populations unexpectedly evolving completely new metabolic abilities.

“These remarkable evolutionary events were only caught because of the long-term nature of the research programs,” Stroud says. “Even if short-term studies captured similar events, their evolutionary significance would be hard to assess without the historical context that long-term research provides.”

“The most fascinating results from long-term evolution studies are often completely unexpected — they're serendipitous discoveries that couldn't have been predicted at the start,” explains the paper’s co-author, Will Ratcliff, Sutherland Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences at Georgia Tech.

“While we can accelerate many aspects of scientific research today, evolution still moves at its own pace,” Ratcliff adds. “There's no technological shortcut for watching species adapt across generations.” 

Decades of discovery — from labs to islands

The new paper also highlights a growing challenge in modern science: the critical importance of supporting long-term research in an academic landscape that increasingly favors quick results and short-term funding. Yet, they say, some of biology's most profound insights emerge only through multi-decadal efforts.

Those challenges and rewards are familiar to Stroud and Ratcliff, who operate their own long-term evolutionary research programs at Georgia Tech. 

In South Florida, Stroud’s ‘Lizard Island’ is helping document evolution in action across the football field-sized island’s 1,000-lizard population. By studying a community of five species, his research is providing unique insights into how evolution maintains species’ differences, and how species evolve when new competitors arrive. Now operating for a decade, it is one of the world’s longest-running active evolutionary studies of its kind.

In his lab at Georgia Tech, Ratcliff studies the origin of complex life — specifically, how single-celled organisms become multicellular. His Multicellularity Long Term Evolution Experiment (MuLTEE) on snowflake yeast has run for more than 9,000 generations, with aims to continue for the next 25 years. The work has shown how key steps in the evolutionary transition from single-celled organisms to multi-celled organisms occur far more easily than previously understood.

Important work in a changing world

Stroud says that the insights from these types of studies, and this review paper, are arriving at a crucial moment. “The world is rapidly changing, which poses unprecedented challenges to Earth's biodiversity,” he explains. “It has never been more important to understand how organisms adapt to changing environments over time.”

“Long-term studies provide our best window into achieving this,” he adds. “We can document, in real time, both short-term and long-term evolutionary responses of species to changes in their environment like climate change and habitat modification."

By drawing together evolution's longest-running experiments and field studies for the first time, Stroud and Ratcliff offer key insights into studying this fundamental process, suggesting that understanding life's past — and predicting its future — requires not just advanced technology or new methods, but also the simple power of time.

 

Funding: The US National Institutes of Health and the NSF Division of Environmental Biology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08597-9

]]> sperrin6 1 1742390788 2025-03-19 13:26:28 1743015968 2025-03-26 19:06:08 0 0 news Through a new review paper published in Nature, Georgia Tech scientists are revealing how decades-long research programs have transformed our understanding of evolution, uncovering secrets that would remain hidden in shorter studies.

]]> 2025-03-19T00:00:00-04:00 2025-03-19T00:00:00-04:00 2025-03-19 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 676594 676593 676595 676596 676597 676594 image <![CDATA[A 40-year field study of Galápagos ground finches (Geospiza sp.) has provided unparalleled insights into how natural selection operates in the wild and how new species might form. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSciStudios)]]> A 40-year field study of Galápagos ground finches (Geospiza sp.) has provided unparalleled insights into how natural selection operates in the wild and how new species might form. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSciStudios)

]]> image/jpeg 1742392983 2025-03-19 14:03:03 1742392983 2025-03-19 14:03:03 676593 image <![CDATA[A long-term field study of Californian stick insects (Timema cristinae) reveals how competing selection pressures shape their evolution. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSciStudios)]]> A long-term field study of Californian stick insects (Timema cristinae) reveals how competing selection pressures shape their evolution. While brown-colored stick insects experience lower predation rates from Californian scrub jays (Aphelocoma californica) than their green counterparts during hot, dry years when bright green leaves are scarce, they face higher mortality due to reduced heat tolerance. This trade-off demonstrates how climate and predation simultaneously drive evolutionary adaptation in natural populations, and this case study has been used to develop statistical models that predict future evolutionary outcomes. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSciStudios)

]]> image/jpeg 1742392614 2025-03-19 13:56:54 1742392614 2025-03-19 13:56:54 676595 image <![CDATA[Founded in 1988, the Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE) is the world’s longest-running ongoing evolution experiment now spanning 75,000 generations. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSciStudios)]]> Founded in 1988, the Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE) is the world’s longest-running ongoing evolution experiment now spanning 75,000 generations. Twelve genetically identical populations of the bacterium Escherichia coli have been allowed to evolve under constant conditions, and have uncovered general principles of evolutionary dynamics, such as how evolutionary novelties arise. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSciStudios)

]]> image/jpeg 1742393278 2025-03-19 14:07:58 1742393278 2025-03-19 14:07:58 676596 image <![CDATA[Long-term studies at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado, USA, reveal that Drummond’s rockcress (Boechera stricta), a North American wildflower, bloom almost 4 days earlier each decade since the 1970s. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSci)]]> Long-term studies at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado, USA, reveal that Drummond’s rockcress (Boechera stricta), a North American wildflower, now bloom almost 4 days earlier each decade since the 1970s, responding to earlier snowmelt in the region. Long-term field studies are the key to understanding how species in the wild are evolving in response to climate change. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSciStudios)

]]> image/jpeg 1742393474 2025-03-19 14:11:14 1742393474 2025-03-19 14:11:14 676597 image <![CDATA[A series of experiment spanning 40 years on small islands in the Bahamas have revealed how prey species, like small brown anole lizards (Anolis sagrei), evolve in response to predators. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSciStudios)]]> A series of experiment spanning 40 years on small islands in the Bahamas have revealed how prey species, like small brown anole lizards (Anolis sagrei), evolve in response to predators, like the larger curly-tailed lizard (Leiocepahlus carinatus). Importantly, due to the long-term nature of this research, scientists were able to track ecosystem changes in response to this predator-driven rapid evolution. (Illustration: Mark Belan/ArtSciStudios)

]]> image/jpeg 1742393920 2025-03-19 14:18:40 1742393920 2025-03-19 14:18:40 <![CDATA[When Two Lizards Meet for the First Time, Scientists Witness Evolution in Action]]> <![CDATA[Scientists uncover key mechanism in evolution: Whole-genome duplication drives long-term adaptation]]> <![CDATA[CoS Graduate Researchers Earn Travel Grants]]> 36607 Six College of Sciences graduate students were awarded $1,000 in research travel grants after presenting their research at the 16th annual Career, Research, Innovation, and Development Conference (CRIDC) poster competition. The grants will cover expenses related to research trips or travel to other conferences (domestic or international). 

Eighty-four graduate students from across the Institute participated in the poster competition, presenting their research to faculty and staff judges.

Congratulations to the poster competition winners from the College of Sciences:

Isabel Berry, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

A second-year Ph.D. student in computational chemistry, Berry works in the Sherrill Group.

“My research focuses on advancing computational quantum mechanical (QM) methods to feasibly model biological systems,” says Berry. “A specialized QM method developed in our group, F-SAPT, has the potential to reveal why certain drug molecules are favored over others, advancing the field of rational drug design. If we can accurately model protein-ligand interactions using quantum mechanics, it could ultimately pave the way for integrating these methods into computer-aided drug discovery workflows.”

Gretchen Johnson, School of Biological Sciences

Johnson is working on a Ph.D. in ocean science, studying how corals respond to environmental stressors as part of the Kubanek Group.

“Corals can't move,” says Johnson. “Instead of hiding when it is hot or bright out, they must respond physiologically. I use a technique called metabolomics to study the cellular physiology of corals and look for metabolic changes over time. Understanding what makes a coral more resistant to stress is useful for protecting and restoring coral reefs."

Shreya Kothari, School of Biological Sciences

Kothari conducts research for the Kubanek Group and is pursuing a Ph.D. in biology. She attempts to discover natural dispersant-like biomolecules helpful for oil spill remediation.

“While some microbes can degrade and clean up oil from the contaminated sites, the process is often slow,” says Kothari. “However, dispersant-like biomolecules can speed up oil degradation by breaking oil into smaller droplets and increasing its availability to oil-degrading microbes. I aim to determine the chemical structure and function of such biomolecules and test their effectiveness in treating real-world environmental spills by applying them in small-scale experiments that mimic oil spill conditions. These biomolecules may offer an eco-friendly alternative to toxic chemical dispersants and improve existing bioremediation strategies to mitigate environmental damage caused by oil pollution."

Monica Monge, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

As part of her Ph.D. studies, Monge works in the Garg Lab and focuses on understanding marine bacteria community dynamics.

“I am specifically trying to decipher how disease-causing bacteria (pathogenic) and bacteria that doesn’t harm its host (commensal) communicate with one another via chemical signals and the metabolic changes resulting from those interactions,” says Monge. “My ultimate goal is to identify beneficial traits from commensal bacteria that we can leverage to alleviate coral diseases.” 

Sidney Scott-Sharoni, School of Psychology

Scott-Sharoni is earning a Ph.D. in engineering psychology and works in the Sonification Lab.

“My research focuses on human interaction with AI technologies,” says Scott-Sharoni. “Specifically, I examine how different features of AI agents, such as anthropomorphism and social intelligence, impact how people psychologically perceive and behave in collaboration with these agents. This work helps improve the effectiveness of AI systems by aligning them to human social and cognitive expectations, leading to better joint performance and proper trust.”

Maggie Straight, School of Biological Sciences

A third-year Ph.D. student studying ocean science and engineering, Straight conducts research in the Kubanek Group.

“Sometimes I consider myself a microbial spy as I listen in to the chemical conversation between microbes and analyze how each microbe is affected by the interaction,” says Straight. “My current work is focused on the interaction between two types of marine microbes, bacteria and microscopic algae. By understanding how bacteria can be good or bad for algal growth, I hope to shed light on the mechanisms by which bacteria can help algae form algal blooms, including harmful algal blooms. This understanding could help scientists predict the beginning and ending of harmful algal blooms and keep beachgoers and shellfish farms safe from harmful algae.”

]]> ls67 1 1742492710 2025-03-20 17:45:10 1742505558 2025-03-20 21:19:18 0 0 news The College of Sciences proudly recognizes the six graduate scholars awarded $1,000 in research travel grants during the Career, Research, Innovation, and Development Conference (CRIDC) poster competition.

]]> 2025-03-20T00:00:00-04:00 2025-03-20T00:00:00-04:00 2025-03-20 00:00:00 Laura Segraves Smith, writer

]]> 676622 676625 676626 676622 image <![CDATA[Gretchen Johnson explains her research to a judge during the competition.]]> Gretchen Johnson explains her research to a judge during the competition.

]]> image/jpeg 1742494381 2025-03-20 18:13:01 1742494381 2025-03-20 18:13:01 676625 image <![CDATA[Isabel Berry, Gretchen Johnson, and Shreya Kothari]]> Isabel Berry, Gretchen Johnson, and Shreya Kothari

]]> image/png 1742494609 2025-03-20 18:16:49 1742499350 2025-03-20 19:35:50 676626 image <![CDATA[Monica Monge, Sidney Scott-Sharoni, and Maggie Straight]]> Monica Monge, Sidney Scott-Sharoni, and Maggie Straight

]]> image/png 1742494971 2025-03-20 18:22:51 1742499400 2025-03-20 19:36:40 <![CDATA[CRIDC 2025 Awards $40,000 to competition winners]]> <![CDATA[The Scientific Method of Success]]> 36607 Is there a tried-and-true formula to drive achievement in the corporate world? For many College of Sciences alumni, the surprising answer lies in science fundamentals — particularly the scientific method.

We spoke to three alumni about the benefits of applying a scientific approach to business.

 Navigating the Startup Landscape

Thomas Kim graduated from Georgia Tech in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, intending to pursue a career in academia. Instead, after earning a master’s in biochemistry and a law degree, then working as a biotech attorney, he is now president and CEO of two life science startups.

“The entire startup company process can be construed as an exercise in the scientific method,” says Kim. “In the early stage, you start with preclinical data and a thesis on how that translates to human disease. Next, you pressure test everything. Depending on confidence in your results, you continue to invest and move the program forward to translate your initial idea into a potential human therapeutic, or you pivot to a different application or drug in the pipeline.”

One of his current companies, Epivario aims to develop treatments for preventing relapse in drug and alcohol addiction and PTSD.  

“We’re in the preclinical development stage, requiring constant testing – and retesting. It’s an arduous, ongoing task where not everything works the first time – or the 50th.”

In the fast-moving start-up world, decisions must be made quickly and, most importantly, accurately to stay ahead of the competition. Kim points to a background in the scientific method as foundational to making crucial business decisions. “Whether you’re responsible for research and development or company strategy, it’s a key skill to take deep analysis and translate it into quality decision making.”

On a broader level, Kim admits he sees his work more as a mission than a job.

“I feel fortunate to work in a field where our efforts can improve human lives.”

From Lab to Leadership

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Washington State University, Maureen Metcalfe (M.S. BIO 2014) scored her dream job as a CDC electron microscopist in 2007, then enrolled part-time at Georgia Tech to earn a master’s in biology. As part of her master’s requirements, she also conducted research in Professor Ingeborg Schmidt-Krey’s laboratory, where she attempted to create conditions to crystallize a protein involved in Alzheimer's pathogenesis. Between her full-time job, academic studies, and work in the laboratory, she averaged more than 70 hours of work each week.

“I lived the scientific method – especially the test your hypothesis part,” says Metcalfe. “Over four years, I had 600 failures.”

Those failures taught her resilience and time management – skills vital to her current consulting career.

“It’s more ingrained than step by step, but almost every time there is a problem on a client project, I rely on certain aspects of the scientific method,” says Metcalfe. "I first observe, research, and analyze the data, re-tool if necessary, and then apply that data to make an informed recommendation to the client.”

Over the years, the perseverance she developed in the laboratory has helped her push on to complete complicated client projects. 

“I think the scientific process and what it gives us is unique,” says Metcalfe. “Science gives you the skill set to keep asking questions and not accept a failure or setback.”

Metcalfe can even apply aspects of her career trajectory to principles inherent in the scientific method.

“Building on what you learn and changing course is inherent in the scientific method. I realized I wanted different challenges in my life, and I left a career in government to find them. Taking my science degree into new work situations has been very gratifying. The foundation I built in science serves me well in the challenging, fast-paced, and exciting world of consulting.”

Building Career Success

A night out with friends upended and redirected Christa Sobon’s carefully constructed career plans. After earning psychology and history degrees with a minor in French from Emory University, Sobon, (M.S. PSY 1996) came to Georgia Tech to build a career in academia. Those plans changed when she talked to a friend’s wife at a party who told her that Accenture liked to hire smart people who could solve problems.

After two years at Tech in a quantitative program focused on methodology and research seeped in the scientific method, Sobon was confident of her problem-solving abilities. Forgoing academia, she accepted a job at Accenture and has spent more than 29 years leading programs that drive business success at companies including All Connect, Netspend, and Jabian Consulting. Currently, she is operations management senior director at Cox Automotive.

“I’ve been able to use elements of the scientific method in every place I’ve worked,” says Sobon. “The scientific method equips you with critical thinking skills and promotes a methodical approach to tackling challenges that works well in the corporate world.”

As a program manager for most of her career, she cites forming a hypothesis and analyzing the data as the most critical steps when figuring out how to get a product to market.

“We gather data in terms of understanding the customer pain points, then form the hypothesis (or in our case a new product) designed to solve that particular problem. When we believe we have a workable solution, we bring that product to market,” says Sobon.

She explains that they rarely stick the landing on the first try.

“I’ve led teams where we were convinced the customer would love our product…when the customer did NOT love our product, we would then refine, test in the market again, and continue to iterate until we launched a successful product – basically a mini-version of the scientific method.”

Sobon is a strong believer in a scientific education – and Georgia Tech.

“The rigor that you learn at Georgia Tech about approaching problem-solving through the scientific method has so many applications. These skills are transferable across a variety of fields and enable individuals to analyze complex problems, develop innovative solutions, and make data-driven decisions, all of which are essential in business today.”

]]> ls67 1 1741978662 2025-03-14 18:57:42 1742239882 2025-03-17 19:31:22 0 0 news From biotech startups to consulting and corporate leadership, three College of Sciences alumni share how applying the scientific method encourages career growth and business success.

]]> 2025-03-14T00:00:00-04:00 2025-03-14T00:00:00-04:00 2025-03-14 00:00:00 Laura S. Smith, Writer

 

]]> 676566 676567 676566 image <![CDATA[Thomas Kim, Maureen Metcalfe, and Christa Sobon explain how they leverage the scientific method to fuel career success.]]> Thomas Kim, Maureen Metcalfe, and Christa Sobon explain how they leverage the scientific method to fuel career success.

]]> image/png 1742233258 2025-03-17 17:40:58 1742233828 2025-03-17 17:50:28 676567 image <![CDATA[Steps of the Scientific Method]]> Steps of the Scientific Method

]]> image/png 1742233362 2025-03-17 17:42:42 1742233362 2025-03-17 17:42:42 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Advisory Board]]> <![CDATA[Tech Promise Helps Biology Scholars Pursue Their Academic Dreams Debt-Free]]> 36583 Second-year biology students Giuli Capparelli Sanabria and J’Avani Stinson are pursuing Georgia Tech degrees with fewer financial worries, thanks to the G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Scholarship. Created in 2007, this need-based scholarship is the first of its kind offered by a public university in Georgia. It allows qualifying Georgia students to pursue a degree debt-free by filling the gap where other scholarships and financial aid options leave off.

From Johns Creek to Georgia Tech: Capparelli Sanabria is studying to become a veterinarian, a dream that was inspired by an internship at a veterinary clinic during high school. Read Giuli Capparelli Sanabria’s story.

From Stone Mountain to Georgia Tech: Stinson, a NASA Pathways intern and Gates Scholar, hopes to obtain an M.D. and Ph.D. to study chronic pediatric diseases, a goal first discovered during his sister’s own diabetes diagnosis when she was 9 years old. Read J’Avani Stinson's story.

]]> lvidal7 1 1740595147 2025-02-26 18:39:07 1740687539 2025-02-27 20:18:59 0 0 news Second-year biology majors Giuli Capparelli Sanabria and J’Avani Stinson are pursuing Georgia Tech degrees with fewer financial worries, thanks to the G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Scholarship. 

]]> 2025-02-27T00:00:00-05:00 2025-02-27T00:00:00-05:00 2025-02-27 00:00:00 Amanda Budd 
Communications Officer I 
Enrollment Marketing and Communications

 

]]> 676408 676408 image <![CDATA[Tech Promise: Second-year biology majors Giuli Capparelli Sanabria and J’Avani Stinson]]> image/png 1740596809 2025-02-26 19:06:49 1740596809 2025-02-26 19:06:49 <![CDATA[How Tech Promise Helps Scholar Giuli Pursue Vet Med Dreams]]> <![CDATA[Fueled by Family, Driven by Discovery: J’Avani’s Path to NASA, Research]]> <![CDATA[Tech Promise Scholars Program]]> <![CDATA[Tim Cope to Direct New Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology]]> 35599 The College of Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Cope as the inaugural director of the new Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology.

“In the next step toward establishing Tech’s preeminence in neuroscience, I am excited and privileged to guide this new Ph.D. program,” says Cope, a professor in the School of Biological Sciences and Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering.

A joint effort across the Colleges of Computing, Engineering, and Sciences, the program will educate students and advance the field of neuroscience through an interdisciplinary approach — ultimately integrating neuroscience research and technological development to study all levels of nervous system function. The program expects to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025. 

“This student-centered program, built on the strength of our exceptional researchers and educators, will bring about a major shift,” Cope adds. “Students will gain expertise in neuroscience, backed by Georgia Tech’s commitment to tackling grand challenges through a mix of experimental, engineering, and computational approaches.”

Building on the recently launched Neuro Next Initiative in Research, the established Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, and the interdisciplinary B.S. in Neuroscience degree in the College of Sciences (currently the fastest growing undergraduate major at Georgia Tech), Cope emphasizes that the program will be a win-win for faculty and students.

“Our neuroscience faculty will help students succeed in their careers while also boosting their own research productivity through mentorship and training,” he explains. “Plus, the program will foster stronger connections within our neuroscience community — nothing builds faculty collaboration and integration like a cohort of graduate students."

“With the addition of the graduate program, we’re completing the three foundational pillars that will elevate Georgia Tech among top neuroscience institutions.”

The search for the Executive Director of the forthcoming Institute of Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society is ongoing.

]]> sperrin6 1 1739223158 2025-02-10 21:32:38 1739224423 2025-02-10 21:53:43 0 0 news A joint effort across the Colleges of Computing, Engineering, and Sciences, the program will educate students and advance the field of neuroscience through an interdisciplinary approach — ultimately integrating neuroscience research and technological development to study all levels of nervous system function. 

]]> 2025-02-10T00:00:00-05:00 2025-02-10T00:00:00-05:00 2025-02-10 00:00:00 Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 676258 676258 image <![CDATA[Tim Cope is a professor in the School of Biological Sciences and Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, where his research focuses on how movement is controlled by neuron signaling to the spinal cord in mammals.]]> Tim Cope is a professor in the School of Biological Sciences and Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, where his research focuses on how movement is controlled by neuron signaling to the spinal cord in mammals.

]]> image/png 1739224315 2025-02-10 21:51:55 1739224315 2025-02-10 21:51:55 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech to Offer Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, New Minor]]> 34528 The University System of Georgia Board of Regents has approved a new Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Ph.D. Program at Georgia Tech.

The interdisciplinary degree is a joint effort across the Colleges of Sciences, Computing, and Engineering. The program expects to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The Institute Curriculum Committee has also approved a new Minor in Neuroscience, set to become available in the Georgia Tech 2024-2025 Catalog.

B.S. in Neuroscience

The Ph.D. and Minor offerings build on the recently launched Neuro Next Initiative in Research, and the established Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, respectively.

Approved by the Board of Regents in 2017, the interdisciplinary B.S. in Neuroscience degree in the College of Sciences enrolled more than 400 undergraduate students in 2022, and has been  the fastest growing undergraduate major at Georgia Tech.

The B.S. in Neuroscience is also key to a strong ecosystem of undergraduate neuroscience education across the state, which includes peer programs at Mercer University, Augusta University, Georgia State University, Agnes Scott College, and Emory University.

Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology

The new doctoral degree will provide a path for the rapidly growing pipeline of in-state neuroscience undergraduate students and young alumni — while also welcoming a wider slate of graduate researchers to campus.

The Ph.D. Program’s mission is focused on educating students to advance the field of neuroscience through an interdisciplinary approach, with scientists and engineers of different backgrounds — ultimately integrating neuroscience research and technological development to study all levels of nervous system function.

Biological Sciences Professor Lewis A. Wheaton, who chaired the Ph.D. Program Planning Committee, shares that a cohort model will fuse “experimental and quantitative skill development, creating opportunities for students to work in science and engineering labs to promote collaborations, while also fostering a program and community that’s unique to the state and against national peer offerings.”

Expanding innovation — and impact

Wheaton explains that the new Ph.D. aims to equip graduates for a wide range of employment opportunities and growing specializations, including computational neuroscience, neurorehabilitation, cultural and social neuroscience, neuroimaging, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, developmental neuroscience, and neurolinguistics.

The new degree will also help meet the country’s growing demand for a neuro-centric workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for medical scientists (including neuroscientists) tracked around 13% between 2012 and 2022, faster than the average for all tracked occupations.

Wheaton adds that the program will equip neuroscientists to conduct research that can significantly improve lives.

Seeking students

The Planning Committee anticipates a tentative February 1, 2025 application deadline for Fall 2025 enrollments — and encourages students with the following interests to learn more and apply in the coming school year:

Director search

The participating Colleges will soon conduct a search for a program director, engaging a tenured member of the Georgia Tech faculty to serve as the new program’s administrator. A graduate program committee composed of five faculty members and mentors across the Colleges of Sciences, Computing, and Engineering, will also be created.
 

 

During their April 2024 meeting, Regents also announced budget approvals and tuition changes for Georgia's 26 member institutions.

The Ph.D. Program Planning Committee included the following faculty:

 

]]> jhunt7 1 1714678870 2024-05-02 19:41:10 1738007933 2025-01-27 19:58:53 0 0 news The new Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology is expected to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025. The interdisciplinary degree is a joint effort with the Colleges of Sciences, Computing, and Engineering. Sciences will also offer a new Minor in Neuroscience, beginning Fall 2024.

]]> 2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-02 00:00:00 Programs:

Press Contact:
Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

Neuro Next Initiative:

Sarah Peterson
Program Manager
GT Neuro

Audra Davidson
Research Communications Program Manager
Neuro Next Initiative at Georgia Tech

]]> 673931 673931 image <![CDATA[Georgia Tech (Allison Carter)]]> image/jpeg 1714680532 2024-05-02 20:08:52 1714680532 2024-05-02 20:08:52 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech to Launch Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Research Program]]> <![CDATA[New Minor in the Science of Mental Health and Well-Being Launches]]> <![CDATA[New Georgia Tech Environmental Science Degree Launches ]]> <![CDATA[Jean Lynch-Stieglitz Receives Jefferson Science Fellowship]]> 34434 Jean Lynch-Stieglitz, professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, will take her climate research experience to Washington D.C. as a recipient of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Jefferson Science Fellowship. Lynch-Stieglitz is one of nine fellows selected this year, and she will be joined by Olga Shemyakina, associate professor in the School of Economics. 

The Jefferson Science Fellowship Program engages American science, technology, engineering, and medical faculty in critical service to U.S. foreign policy and international development through a one-year agency assignment with the Department of State or U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Fellows return to their academic careers after a year of service, but remain available to the U.S. government as experienced consultants for short-term projects. 

Lynch-Stieglitz researches the behavior of the Earth’s oceans and climate over the last 100,000 years. Work in this area has helped in understanding the full range of behavior possible for the ocean/climate system, and which parts of this system may be vulnerable to change in the future. 

“I was very pleased to be named a Jefferson Fellow, and am particularly excited that I was matched to the Office of Global Change, which is responsible for implementing and managing U.S. international policy on climate change,” Lynch-Stieglitz says. “I hope to be able to use some of my expertise in the oceanic carbon cycle and the role of the ocean in climate change to the work of the office.

“The Jefferson Fellowship is also a unique opportunity for me to learn something new and do something completely different from my normal duties as a faculty member.  I hope to enjoy the fast-paced environment at State, and learn a lot about U.S. and international climate policy and climate diplomacy.”

“Lynch-Stieglitz’s selection as a Jefferson Science Fellow is certainly an honor that recognizes her expertise in climate science,” says Greg Huey, professor and chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “However, more importantly she will bring her knowledge and experience to the State Department to address key climate-related challenges and promote sustainable solutions. I do regret losing her from campus for a year as we will miss her leadership.”

Lynch-Stieglitz has also served as ADVANCE Professor for the College of Sciences, one of six representing each Georgia Tech college. The ADVANCE Program builds and sustains an inter-college network of professors who are world-class researchers and role models to support the community and advancement of women and minorities in academia. 

"She has left an indelible stamp in many areas, including reform of our hiring procedures and our curriculum," Huey adds.

Jennifer Curtis, professor in the School of Physics, will step into that role on July 1, 2023 as Lynch-Stieglitz travels to Washington, D.C. for the fellowship. 

“It is bittersweet in that I have to relinquish the College of Sciences ADVANCE Professorship in order to take on this full-time position in Washington,” Lynch-Stieglitz says. “I really enjoyed getting to know more of the women faculty across the college, and representing their interests to the Institute. But I can’t imagine a better person to take this role forward than Jennifer Curtis. She will do wonderful things.”

Applying for a Jefferson Science Fellowship

The Jefferson Science Fellowships are open to tenured, or similarly ranked, faculty from U.S. institutions of higher learning who are U.S. citizens. After successfully obtaining a security clearance, selected Fellows spend one year on assignment at the U.S. Department of State or USAID serving as advisers on issues of foreign policy and international development. Assignments are tailored to the needs of the hosting office, while taking into account the Fellows’ interests and areas of expertise.

Learn more and apply here.

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1686330713 2023-06-09 17:11:53 1737822154 2025-01-25 16:22:34 0 0 news Jean Lynch-Stieglitz has earned a new fellowship with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to build STEM expertise in the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Lynch-Stieglitz, a professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, is one of nine fellows selected this year, and will be joined by Olga Shemyakina, associate professor in the School of Economics at Georgia Tech. 


 

]]> 2023-06-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-06-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-06-14 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

 

]]> 670961 670961 image <![CDATA[Jean Lynch-Stieglitz]]> Jean Lynch-Stieglitz

]]> image/jpeg 1686330741 2023-06-09 17:12:21 1715781546 2024-05-15 13:59:06 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech’s Newest ADVANCE Professor: Jean Lynch-Stieglitz]]> <![CDATA[School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences to Offer Three New Undergraduate Degrees — Including Interdisciplinary Environmental Science Major]]> <![CDATA[Spring Sciences Celebration Honors Faculty and Staff Excellence]]> <![CDATA[Mark Your Calendars: How to Get Involved in the 2024 Atlanta Science Festival]]> 35575 Whether you’ve always wanted to see a real brain, are curious about the science behind coffee brewing, or anything in between, there’s one event you should have marked on your calendar: the Atlanta Science Festival.

“The festival spans three weeks and includes events all over town,” says Jennifer Leavey, assistant dean for Faculty Mentoring in the College of Sciences, principal academic professional in the School of Biological Sciences, longtime festival volunteer. “It helps me recharge my science enthusiasm batteries every year and lets me approach science education creatively.”

The annual festival features over 150 science-themed events for all ages and has become an Atlanta staple over the past decade. This year, the festival will host events from March 9 to March 22, culminating in the Exploration Expo event in Piedmont Park featuring 100 different demonstrations — on March 23. 

As one of its founding partners, Georgia Tech has served a key role in the Festival for over a decade. Last year’s iteration featured several events hosted by Tech — from a science fashion show to a virtual college prep workshop — hosted by volunteers from across campus.

“As a volunteer, you could help with one of the partner events or the Exploration Expo: the culminating street party at the end of the festival,” says Leavey. “Volunteering is a great way to meet people, learn more about science, get in events for free, and share your love of science with the community.”

Here are a few ways to get involved with this year’s festival. Look out for the full schedule and attendee registration on the Atlanta Science Festival website. 

Volunteer for GT Science and Engineering Day | March 9

For several years, Georgia Tech has opened its doors to the Atlanta community during Science and Engineering Day. With demonstrations on everything from robotics and neuroscience to paper and chemical engineering, there’s always been an activity for everyone. Last year’s event saw over 1,500 attendees, with more than 40 host units and student organizations.

This year, Science and Engineering Day will serve as the kickoff event for the entire festival, taking place on March 9 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. Those interested in volunteering or hosting a demonstration of their work should register here by January 25.

Visit research.gatech.edu/ATLScienceFestival to learn more.

High School Math Day | March 9

Science and Engineering Day will also host this year’s High School Math Day, a tradition at Georgia Tech since 1958. A day of logic puzzles, math demonstrations, and friendly competition, last year’s event saw over 250 students, parents, and teachers from 42 schools around the state.

“My favorite part of High School math day is seeing all the students get excited about doing the activities with each other and winning the awards at the end of the day,” says Lea Marzo, program operations director for the College’s community engagement efforts and one of the co-organizers of the event.

If you know a high schooler who is a math expert or even math-curious, encourage them to stop by on March 9 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.

“It really is for any level of Math — whether you are in 9th grade Math or more advanced Math,” says Marzo. “There are a lot of activities planned for students and it includes food and a cool T-Shirt!”

Visit hsmd.math.gatech.edu to learn more.

Host a demonstration at the Exploration Expo | March 23

The Exploration Expo is the finale to the Festival, taking over Piedmont park every year with roughly 100 different science demonstrations. Often referred to as “Atlanta’s biggest science party,” this free event has a little something for everyone.

“Whether you’re about to start preschool or volunteering with your grandkids, you’re here because you also believe that Atlanta is a science city — that we’re here to learn, teach one another, and improve our world through shared inquiry,” shares Jess Hunt-Ralston, director of Communications for the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech, who also represents the Institute on the Science ATL Board of Directors. “And there’s nothing quite like seeing the scales of a butterfly wing for the first time, playing brain games with new friends, or peering through a telescope together to help spark and sustain that spirit of curiosity.”

Contact Jennifer Leavey (jennifer.leavey@cos.gatech.edu) for more information.

Volunteer for other events at the Festival

Interested in volunteering at the Festival in another way? Learn more about how to volunteer here.

After the Festival: Georgia Tech Energy Materials Day | March 27

If you're looking for more science after the festival, join us for the Georgia Tech Energy Materials Day on March 27 at the Georgia Tech Exhibition Hall. This event will bring together representatives from academia, government, and industry to accelerate energy materials research. It will also provide an opportunity for key stakeholders to interact with Georgia Tech researchers in this important area.

Register for the event here, or click here to learn more.

 

]]> adavidson38 1 1702487829 2023-12-13 17:17:09 1737757004 2025-01-24 22:16:44 0 0 news Whether you’re a seasoned scientist or STEM-curious, the annual Atlanta Science Festival is the place for you. Hosting over 150 science-themed events across the metro Atlanta area over three weeks this March, we’re taking a look at how you can be part of this year’s festival.

]]> 2024-01-24T00:00:00-05:00 2024-01-24T00:00:00-05:00 2024-01-24 00:00:00 Writer: Audra Davidson
Communications Officer II
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

Contact: Lauren Overton
loverton3@gatech.edu

]]> 672575 672576 672577 672575 image <![CDATA[A young participant experiencing virtual reality for the first time at the 2023 Georgia Tech Science and Engineering Day.]]> image/jpeg 1702496857 2023-12-13 19:47:37 1702496857 2023-12-13 19:47:37 672576 image <![CDATA[Microbiology Ph.D. student Iris Irby shows attendees glowing bacteria at an Exploration Expo booth hosted by the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection. (Photo Jess Hunt-Ralston)]]> image/jpeg 1702497095 2023-12-13 19:51:35 1702497095 2023-12-13 19:51:35 672577 image <![CDATA[Young author Soleil A. Cross holds her book, Pluto, Special, Just the Same Dwarf Planet, as she explores the Brain Games exhibit with her mom during the 2023 Georgia Tech Science and Engineering Day. (Photo Jess Hunt-Ralston)]]> image/jpeg 1702497167 2023-12-13 19:52:47 1702497167 2023-12-13 19:52:47 <![CDATA[The Atlanta Science Festival and Georgia Tech Present: Science and Engineering Day 2024]]> <![CDATA[Science and Engineering 2023 Day Buzzes with Excitement]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff Bring STEAM to Atlanta During the 2023 Atlanta Science Festival]]> <![CDATA[Reimagining High School Math Day — and Multiplying the Fun]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society Begins Search for Executive Director]]> 35575

The Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS) at Georgia Tech has initiated an internal search for its inaugural executive director. This new Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI) will build upon the foundation laid by the Neuro Next Initiative, fostering cutting-edge research and innovation at the intersection of neuroscience, neurotechnology, and societal impact.

At the newly established IRI, the executive director will profoundly shape a unifying vision for neuroscience research and innovation at Georgia Tech, integrating various disciplines and fostering collaboration across campus. They will translate research into practical applications, engage students, and connect them to industry networks. The ideal candidate will have a visionary, innovative, and entrepreneurial leadership style, with experience in leading large-scale, interdisciplinary research initiatives, securing external funding, and promoting large-scale initiatives both internally and externally.

INNS aims to advance our understanding of the brain and nervous system, develop transformative technologies, and address critical societal challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement. INNS is dedicated to advancing innovative research and educational programs in neuroscience, neurotechnology, and society; fostering a broad and engaged community; and empowering society through public engagement and responsible technology deployment.

Click here to learn more about this position and how to apply.

]]> adavidson38 1 1736450862 2025-01-09 19:27:42 1737754078 2025-01-24 21:27:58 0 0 news The internal search will identify an inaugural executive director for the new Interdisciplinary Research Institute, fostering cutting-edge research and innovation at the intersection of neuroscience, neurotechnology, and societal impact.

]]> 2025-01-09T00:00:00-05:00 2025-01-09T00:00:00-05:00 2025-01-09 00:00:00 Punya Mardhanan

]]> 675986 675986 image <![CDATA[INNS-brain.png]]> Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS) is set to launch July 1, 2025.

]]> image/png 1736451017 2025-01-09 19:30:17 1736451017 2025-01-09 19:30:17 <![CDATA[Learn more about the INNS executive director search]]> <![CDATA[About the Neuro Next Initiative]]> <![CDATA[From Molecules to Mind: Farzaneh Najafi Receives Multiple Awards for Cognitive Research]]> 35575 In psychology and neuroscience research, a host of behaviors fall under the cognitive umbrella: learning, perceiving the environment, storing memories, and making decisions are just a few. Much like binary code underpins complex computational processes, researchers have long been searching for the molecular mechanisms that enable cognition.

Farzaneh Najafi, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Biological Sciences(SBS) , recently received multiple awards that will enable her to dig deeper into the molecular origins of cognitive processes, with the help of interdisciplinary teams.

“If we want to understand cognition, we really have to start small: at the level of molecules, genes, and the genome, and then work our way up to systems, behavior, and cognition,” says Najafi. “Impactful discoveries happen when people from different disciplines come together and collaborate. That’s how we make real breakthroughs.”

Two of her recent awards stem from the third and final year of the Scialog: Molecular Basis of Cognition initiative. Funded by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA), the Frederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation, and the Walder Foundation, this initiative has provided 48 multidisciplinary teams with more than $2.4 million to advance this area of research.

“It’s exciting that Farzaneh has won not just one, but two team-based Scialog awards,” said SBS School Chair Jeffrey (Todd) Streelman. “Solving big problems in neuroscience often requires teams, and Farzaneh is well-placed to apply this in her research program.”

With additional funding from the Whitehall Foundation and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Najafi is set to lead several interdisciplinary projects to uncover the role of the cerebellum and neocortex (the brain’s outer layer) across distinct cognitive processes. 

“At the end of the day, the goal is to develop effective therapeutics,” says Najafi, whose work has long aimed to better understand and treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. “To develop targeted treatments, we have to identify the molecules that are at the core of these cognitive processes.”

Deeper than thought

Throughout her career, Najafi has focused on how the brain makes and uses predictions to influence learning and behavior, with a particular focus on an area in the back of the brain called the cerebellum.

“Without those predictions, our perceptions and actions would be significantly delayed, which could impact our survival,” explains Najafi. “Learning happens when we update those predictions to better align with the world around us.”

Najafi will bring that cerebellar expertise to two collaborative teams with the Scialog initiative.

Working with researchers from Stanford University and Case Western Reserve University, one of Najafi’s Scialog projects will focus on how sleep deprivation alters the 3D structure of genetic material in different species’ cerebellum— and investigate potential mechanisms to reverse those changes. 

Her second project, in collaboration with researchers from University of California San Francisco and Duke University, explores how the brain chemical norepinephrine affects cerebellar activity across species. This research aims to understand the cerebellum's role in behavioral flexibility and adaptation, revealing how these chemical signals influence various brain functions.

Working across disciplines

Formed at the October 2024 Scialog meeting, Najafi’s two collaborative teams are part of an RCSA initiativethat unites early career scientists in advancing basic science and developing high-risk, high-reward research projects. The Scialog: Molecular Basis of Cognition initiative, begun in 2022, annually gathered around 50 early career researchers to create collaborative proposals.

“The best part of the Scialog meeting was connecting with people from all kinds of disciplines. They worked with different species, used a variety of experimental and computational tools, and some attendees came from non-neuroscience backgrounds,” says Najafi. “I had no idea that these were the topics I was going to write about — they only came about because of the inspiring conversations I had at the meeting. I really loved the experience.”

Both Scialog teams are highly interdisciplinary, with researchers bringing expertise in different techniques and species to the team. Even within her own lab, Najafi attributes impactful research to interdisciplinary teams.

“The only way to solve big questions in neuroscience is through an interdisciplinary approach,” says Najafi, who is affiliated with two Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI) at Georgia Tech: the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience and the Neuro Next Initiative, a nascent IRI in neuroscience and society. “What’s great about Georgia Tech is its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. With these research institutes, the infrastructure is already in place, and they're actively working to expand it.”

]]> adavidson38 1 1737740118 2025-01-24 17:35:18 1737740384 2025-01-24 17:39:44 0 0 news The School of Biological Sciences assistant professor has received several awards that will enable interdisciplinary research on the neural mechanisms of cognition.

]]> 2025-01-24T00:00:00-05:00 2025-01-24T00:00:00-05:00 2025-01-24 00:00:00 Audra Davidson
Research Communications Program Manager
Neuro Next Initiative

]]> 676126 676127 676126 image <![CDATA[Farzaneh_Najafi-lab_pic.jpeg]]> Farzaneh Najafi, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, conducting research in her lab.

]]> image/jpeg 1737740258 2025-01-24 17:37:38 1737740258 2025-01-24 17:37:38 676127 image <![CDATA[Farzaneh-Najafi-research-group.jpeg]]> Farzaneh Najafi, who is affiliated with the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience and the Neuro Next Initiative, with her research group.

]]> image/jpeg 1737740301 2025-01-24 17:38:21 1737740301 2025-01-24 17:38:21 <![CDATA[From Brain to AI and Back: Georgia Tech Hosts Inaugural Computational Cognition Conference]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Neuroscientists Explore the Intersection of Music and Memory]]> <![CDATA[Neuroscience Study Taps Into Brain Network Patterns to Understand Deep Focus, Attention]]> <![CDATA[Using Rocks to Hammer Out a Connection Between Visual Gaze and Motor Skills Learning ]]> 34434 For his latest research on motor skills, visual learning, and their effects on human physiology, School of Biological Sciences associate professor Lewis Wheaton and his team went all the way back to the Paleolithic Era to study a very retro skill: stone toolmaking.

“One of the cool things about this particular study,” Wheaton says, “is this opportunity to look at a completely novel motor task, something most people have no idea how to do, and that’s making a stone tool.”

The new research, published today in Communications Biology, attempts to fill in the gaps when it comes to the science of how we learn complex motor skills — and what may be required to relearn them. 

Wheaton says there are studies researching the behavioral changes that are involved with learning complex skills. But research is still thin on how people adapt their visuomotor skills (how vision and movements combine) to carry out a complex task. Wheaton’s current study sought to quantify and evaluate the changes and relationship in action perception processes – how we understand actions, then select, organize, and interpret what needs to be done for a particular task. 

“The overall motivation was to determine if we could see any kind of emerging relationship between the perceptual system and the motor system, as somebody is really trying to learn to do this skill,” Wheaton says. Those are important processes to understand, he adds, not just for how people attain complex motor skills learning, but what would be needed for motor relearning, as in a rehabilitation setting.

Wheaton conducted the research with graduate students Kristel Yu Tiamco Bayani and Nikhilesh Natraj, plus three researchers from Emory University’s Department of Anthropology.

Tracking the eyes to learn about learning 

The test subjects in the study watched videos of paleolithic stone toolmaking for more than 90 hours of training. The subjects’ visual gaze patterns and motor performance were checked at three different training time points: the first time they watched the video, at 50 hours of training, and at approximately 90 hours. Everybody was able to make a stone tool (with varying degrees of success) at 90 hours, but some picked up the skills at 50 hours.

Wheaton says there was a lot of information to pay attention to in the videos. “There’s a lot of physics in (making stone tools). You’re hitting a rock which is made up of all different kinds of material. There could be a fissure or fault lines, and if you hit it the wrong way it could crumble. When you’re doing it at first, you don’t know that.”

As the video training went on, the participants started to pick up cues about how to strike the rock, along with other aspects of toolmaking. “At first you’re watching from curiosity, then you’re watching with intent.”

That was the exciting part for Wheaton and his team: Being able to see the different phases of learning during the training — which they actually could see by monitoring gaze tracking, or where the subjects’ eyes landed on the video screen as they watched (see photo.)

“Part of the study was to understand the variability where they are visually focused as they get better at the task,” he says.

That’s how Wheaton’s team found there are certain parts of the skills learning that connect better to gaze, but others that connect better to the physical act of making a stone tool. “As you’re going through time, your motor abilities are changing, and at some point that allows you to watch somebody else perform the same task differently, suggesting you’re able to follow the action better, and pull more information from the video in a much clearer way.”

The study not only found a connection between gaze and motor skills learning, but that the connection evolved as the learning went on. The next step in this research, Wheaton says, should include brain imaging “heat maps” to determine where learning takes place with this process. 

That could also help Wheaton’s team apply these lessons for rehabilitation purposes.

“That’s the link between that and some of the other work we’ve done in a rehab context,” he says. “If you’re watching somebody perform a task, if you’re undergoing rehab, there are different ways you’re watching the task. You’re not always watching it the same way. Maybe it depends on how good you are, or how you’re impaired, but all those variables play a role into what you’re visually pulling out” of the rehab training.

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02768-w

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1634846122 2021-10-21 19:55:22 1737656386 2025-01-23 18:19:46 0 0 news It was a necessary skill for early humans: how to make tools out of rocks. It's a demanding skill to learn, yet it's helping Georgia Tech researchers fill in the gaps when it comes to the science of how we learn complex motor skills — and what may be required to relearn them. 

]]> 2021-11-11T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-11T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-11 00:00:00 Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

 

]]> 651982 650818 651982 image <![CDATA[An example of gaze tracking. Subjects are watching stone toolmaking; the red, blue, green dots are where visual focus is during this segment of action. (Photo Lewis Wheaton)]]> image/jpeg 1634927508 2021-10-22 18:31:48 1634927508 2021-10-22 18:31:48 650818 image <![CDATA[Lewis Wheaton]]> image/png 1631809894 2021-09-16 16:31:34 1631809894 2021-09-16 16:31:34 <![CDATA[ScienceMatters, Season 3, Episode 6: Unlocking the Mind-Body Connection ]]> <![CDATA[Dehydration Alters Human Brain Shape and Activity, Slackens Task Performance]]> <![CDATA[Lewis Wheaton: Scientist, Citizen, Councilman]]> <![CDATA[When Two Lizards Meet for the First Time, Scientists Witness Evolution in Action]]> 35599 In South Florida, two Caribbean lizard species met for the first time. What followed provided some of the clearest evidence to date of evolution in action. 

Lead author James Stroud, an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, was studying Cuban brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) in South Florida when the Puerto Rican crested anole (Anolis cristatellus), suddenly appeared in the region.

Published in Nature Communications, the study documents what happens as the two Anolis lizards adapted in response to the new competitor, while helping to resolve a longstanding challenge in evolutionary biology — directly observing the role of natural selection in character displacement: how similar animals adapt in response to competition.

"Most of what we know about how animals change in response to this process comes from studying patterns that evolved long ago,” Stroud says. “This was a rare opportunity where we could watch evolution as it happened."

Competition from coexistence 

While these two small, brown lizards diverged evolutionarily between 40-60 million years ago and evolved on completely separate Caribbean islands, the two species are nearly identical, and fill similar ecological niches.

So, when the Puerto Rican crested anole suddenly appeared in Cuban brown anole habitat at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in 2018, the two were competing for similar habitats and food sources.

“When two similar species compete for the same resources, like food and territory, they often evolve differences that allow them to coexist,” Stroud says. But, while scientists have found many examples of similar species developing different traits to ease this overlap, “scientists have rarely been able to observe this process as it unfolds in nature.”

Stroud’s team had already been studying Cuban brown anoles at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Miami, Florida, two years prior to when the crested anoles invaded. The team was able to quickly pivot to observe how the invasion changed both species, analyzing the lizards’ changing diets, measuring if the lizards were moving through foliage or on the forest floor, and recording the different species’ locations relative to each other. For over a thousand lizards, they also measured perch height — the distance from the ground that the lizard is perching — a primary marker of how Anolis lizards divvy up habitat.

“We not only observed how these lizards changed their habitat use and behavior when they encountered each other,” says Stroud, “but we also documented the natural selection pressures driving their physical evolution in real-time."

Human-made habitats and natural experiments

The research team found that when these lizard species occur together, they divide up their habitat in predictable ways — the Cuban brown anole shifted to spend more time on the ground, and evolved longer legs to run faster in this habitat, while the slightly larger Cuban crested anole lived in vegetation above the ground. 

"We found that brown anoles with longer legs had higher survival after crested anoles showed up," says Stroud. "This matches perfectly with the physical differences we see in populations where these species have been living together for many generations."

Stroud adds that while the research provides some of the strongest observations of evolution in action to date, it also demonstrates how human activities can create natural experiments that help us understand fundamental evolutionary processes — both species of Anolis lizard in the study were originally non-native to South Florida.

“As species increasingly come into contact due to human-mediated introductions and climate change, these studies may be important for predicting how communities will respond,” he says. "By studying these non-native lizards who are meeting each other for the first time in their existence, we had a unique opportunity to see the actual process unfold and connect it to the patterns we observe in nature."

]]> sperrin6 1 1734023914 2024-12-12 17:18:34 1734707711 2024-12-20 15:15:11 0 0 news The Georgia Tech-led study captures two lizard species adapting in response to competition. The study provides some of the clearest evidence to date of evolution in action.

]]> 2024-12-13T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-13T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-13 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 675843 675842 675841 675843 image <![CDATA[Two Cuban brown anoles, Anolis sagrei (Credit: Day's Edge Productions)]]> Two Cuban brown anoles, Anolis sagrei (Credit: Day's Edge Productions)

]]> image/jpeg 1734023998 2024-12-12 17:19:58 1734023998 2024-12-12 17:19:58 675842 image <![CDATA[A Cuban brown anole (Anolis sagrei) in Miami (Credit: Day's Edge Productions)]]> A Cuban brown anole (Anolis sagrei) in Miami (Credit: Day's Edge Productions)

]]> image/jpeg 1734023998 2024-12-12 17:19:58 1734023998 2024-12-12 17:19:58 675841 image <![CDATA[A Puerto Rican crested anole, Anolis cristatellus (Credit: Day's Edge Productions)]]> A Puerto Rican crested anole, Anolis cristatellus (Credit: Day's Edge Productions)

]]> image/jpeg 1734023998 2024-12-12 17:19:58 1734024620 2024-12-12 17:30:20 <![CDATA[The lizard wars of South Florida help reveal how evolution works]]> <![CDATA[Observing character displacement from process to pattern in a novel vertebrate community]]> <![CDATA[How cold does it need to get before frozen iguanas start falling from trees in South Florida?]]> <![CDATA[‘Murder Hornet’ Eradication is Relief to US Honeybees]]> 36418

Five years after the headline-grabbing “murder hornet” (Vespa mandarinia, renamed the northern giant hornet in 2022) was first spotted in Washington state, the U.S. has declared the invasive species eradicated.  

The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture made the announcement Wednesday. It follows three years without a confirmed detection of the hornet. Four nests were destroyed in 2020 and 2021.  

While the number of nests was low, Professor Mike Goodisman, whose lab studies social insects and invasive species, explains that had the number grown, eradication would have been increasingly unlikely due to the potential exponential growth of the population.  

"Each nest is started by a new queen. One new queen can start a new nest, but the colony she produces can produce 100 new nests. Because of how they reproduce, it could grow from 100 to 10,000 the year after that, and then from 10,000 to one million."   

Goodisman says that social insects are more difficult to eradicate. However, traps and tracking methods allowed officials to contain the population in the Pacific Northwest. While the murder hornet is not the only invasive hornet species in North America, its threat to the already-declining honeybee population spurred action. Murder hornets can clear out a honeybee hive in 90 minutes, and Goodisman says the brutality of these attacks earned the northern giant hornet their nickname and is instantly recognizable.  

"When murder hornets attack a honeybee colony, you'll find hundreds to thousands of decapitated honeybees," he said, adding that although murder hornets eat a variety of insects, they "have a taste for honeybees."   

In the murder hornet's native Asia, the honeybee population has developed a defense mechanism to swarm and surround the attacking hornet, but North American honeybees are defenseless. This elevates the threat of a possible invasion, with the potential for a widespread impact on our food supply.    

"A threat to the honeybee population would be a commercial disaster," Goodisman said. "Honeybees are critical in agriculture for pollinating a great variety of the foods we eat, and if we don't have these pollinators, then we wouldn't have many of the foods — fruits especially — that we are used to."  

The eradication of the hornet is a significant achievement, but Goodisman says it's not a foregone conclusion that they will not reemerge. Because social insects, like murder hornets, can hibernate in various materials, cargo ships and other commercial transportation can unknowingly bring invasive species worldwide. He explains that officials will continue to set traps and employ additional tracking methods to ensure the population remains eradicated in the U.S. 

If murder hornets come back, humans are not at immediate risk. Like the bald-faced hornet and the true hornet, which live in Georgia, murder hornets typically leave humans alone unless provoked, Goodisman says, but their larger-than-normal stingers cause more pain and are more harmful to small animals.  

]]> sgagliano3 1 1734648048 2024-12-19 22:40:48 1734703272 2024-12-20 14:01:12 0 0 news

A Georgia Tech professor says eradicating the “murder hornet” will help the U.S. avoid a potential agricultural and commercial disaster.  

]]> 2024-12-19T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-19T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-19 00:00:00 Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

]]> 675901 675901 image <![CDATA[Northern Giant Murder Hornet ]]> A Northern Giant Hornet removed from a nest. Photo courtesy: Washington Department of Agriculture.

]]> image/jpeg 1734703193 2024-12-20 13:59:53 1734703210 2024-12-20 14:00:10 <![CDATA[Goodisman Research Group]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Announces New Leadership Group for Young Alumni]]> 36583 The College of Sciences launched its Young Alumni Board (CoSYAB) this fall. This volunteer-based leadership group is tasked with deepening the relationship between recent Yellow Jacket graduates and the College. Specifically, CoSYAB will partner with the existing External Advisory Board and Friends of the Sciences to engage the College of Sciences community and support its strategic plan. 

“With over 16,000 living College alumni, it is no small feat to regularly connect and engage with our community,” says Leslie Roberts, director of Alumni Relations at the College of Sciences. “It is exciting that the College has a new group of alumni leaders targeting our most recent graduates. The Board will help us expand our efforts to connect our current students with professional opportunities and link our alumni with initiatives that support the growth of the College.” 

The inaugural Young Alumni Board consists of 13 members who obtained an undergraduate degree from the College within the last 20 years or a master’s or Ph.D. degree from the College within the last 10 years. 

“The first cohort was chosen from a list of alumni who have previously engaged with the College or the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. Moving forward, there will be a nomination process,” explains Roberts. Among the board requirements, members must provide at least $300 in annual philanthropic contributions to the Dean’s Excellence Fund and participate in regular meetings. The members will serve a three-year term. 

Building community through philanthropy and service

CoSYAB members bring a range of academic experiences and professional perspectives — united by two goals: to build a dynamic community of College of Sciences alumni and to help create a bridge between current students and recent graduates. Service is another key element of the Board’s mission. 

“Joining the Young Alumni Board was a chance to give back to a community that deeply invested in me during my time at Georgia Tech,” says Austin Hope (B.S. PSY 2014), who serves as a people partner at Google. “I'm looking forward to mentoring students and recent graduates, especially those eager to explore how a science background can open doors to diverse and rewarding careers.”

Piper Rackley (B.S. BIO 2022, M.S. BIO 2023), who serves as a startup technology analyst, agrees: “Giving back is important because the College of Sciences played a significant role in my academic and personal growth during both of my degrees. Staying connected allows me to contribute to the same supportive environment that helped shape me.”

According to Roberts, the Board will prioritize opportunities for philanthropic engagement and professional development, as well as events during which alumni can connect with current students, faculty, and each other.

Yusuf Uddin (B.S. BIO 2012, Ph.D. BIO 2018), Head of Talent at KdT Ventures, joined CoSYAB to network with fellow alumni and bring his perspective to conversations about the future of the Institute. “Georgia Tech has a strong brand and is very well known for engineering, but if we want to strengthen the sciences, it’s important for College of Sciences alumni to share their experiences, build a community, and connect with the next generation,” he adds.

Likewise, for Kristel Topping (Ph.D. Applied Physiology 2021), principal UX researcher at Home Depot, the Board is an opportunity to support the mission and impact of Georgia Tech: “It is important to connect and give back to the Institute and our students, to empower the next generation of engineers and scientists to take their talent beyond Georgia Tech's walls in order to drive innovation, make meaningful contributions to their communities, and leverage the immense potential they have to create lasting and positive change across the globe.”

2024 College of Sciences Young Alumni Board

Sathya “Sat” Balachander
Ph.D. Biology 2018

Riana Burney
B.S. Biochemistry 2015

Stephen Crooke
Ph.D. Chemistry 2018

Ralph Cullen
B.S. Psychology 2008; M.S. Psychology 2011

Alison Graab
B.S. Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 2008

Austin Hope
B.S. Psychology 2014

Hannah Liu
M.S Bioinformatics 2017

Anita Mohammed
B.S. Psychology 2012

Piper Rackley
B.S. Biology 2022; M.S. Biology 2023

Kristel Topping  
Ph.D. Applied Physiology 2021 

Yusuf Uddin  
B.S. Biology 2012; Ph.D. Biology 2018  

Megen Wittling 
B.S. Biology 2018

Ashley Zuniga 
B.S. Biochemistry 2014

 

]]> lvidal7 1 1734368054 2024-12-16 16:54:14 1734457031 2024-12-17 17:37:11 0 0 news The College of Sciences launched its Young Alumni Board, a volunteer-based leadership group that is tasked with deepening the relationship between recent Yellow Jacket graduates and the College. The inaugural Board consists of 13 members who obtained an undergraduate degree from the College within the last 20 years or a master’s or Ph.D. degree from the College within the last 10 years. 

]]> 2024-12-16T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-16T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-16 00:00:00 Lindsay C. Vidal 
Assistant Director of Communications

]]> 675864 675864 image <![CDATA[Members of the College of Sciences Young Alumni Board. (Sid Suratia)]]> Group photo of nine Georgia Tech alumni standing in a row outside of a building

]]> image/jpeg 1734371367 2024-12-16 17:49:27 1734371579 2024-12-16 17:52:59 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Young Alumni Board]]> <![CDATA[Making a Difference in Global Health]]> 36607 Kristine Lacek vividly remembers watching news coverage of the West Africa Ebola outbreak while she was in high school. Inspired by the brave scientists investigating the disease, she wrote one of her Georgia Tech application essays about her aspiration to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and contribute to their mission of preventing, detecting, and responding to disease threats.

Less than 10 years later, her high school dream became a hectic, fast-paced — and fulfilling — reality. Armed with an accelerated bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in bioinformatics from Georgia Tech, the double Jacket started a fellowship at the CDC during a pivotal time in history — the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“It was sink or swim for sure,” says Lacek. “Knowing I was working on public health decision-making that could make a lifesaving difference worldwide showed me I had chosen the right path.”

Today, Lacek continues her drive to make a positive global impact as a bioinformatics scientist at the CDC, specializing in influenza and SARS-CoV-2 genomics. Her career has taken her around the world, with time spent in places like Ghana, Oman, Panama, Algeria, India, Thailand, and the Republic of Georgia. She currently lives in Denver, but will return to Georgia Tech to provide the graduation speech at the College of Sciences’ inaugural master’s commencement ceremony this December.

We recently sat down with Lacek to talk about her career and Georgia Tech experience:

What is your favorite memory from Georgia Tech?

Lacek: I always enjoyed the Georgia Tech nights at various Atlanta special event locations like the aquarium and Six Flags. When I was in grad school, the grad gala was held at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Halfway through the night, my then-boyfriend-and-now husband looked around and said we should get married here — and we did!

What were some of your college activities?

Lacek: I worked a lot to fund my way through school. I tutored at the Center for Academic Success and worked as an athletic training aid with the track and field team. I gained research experience in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory as an undergrad and in the Gibson Lab as a grad student. Each summer, I served as the teaching assistant for the Biomolecular Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) Study Abroad Program in Lyon, France.

How did Georgia Tech prepare you for success?

Lacek: The mix of coursework in my undergraduate and graduate studies was ideal for my career. As an undergrad biology major, I learned key theories and scientific concepts that I still use daily. Studying bioinformatics in grad school, I refined my technical skills in coding, math, and computer science. My two skill sets work well together. Because I understand the molecular side of the interdisciplinary coin, I can better apply technical tools to get the answers I need from the data. 

What advice do you have for Georgia Tech students, particularly those looking for a career in bioinformatics?

Lacek: Being a fast learner is the best skill you can have, especially as technology continues to rapidly evolve. The things you are learning right now may not be the exact language or application you will use as a young professional, so the ability to learn new products, programs, and schema quickly will make you very valuable.

On the public health side of things, I think being a really good collaborator and communicator is quintessential for success. One of my biggest regrets is not learning another language. As someone who does a large amount of technical support for other countries and overseas partners, working well with others and good communication is vital.

How do you define bioinformatics? 

Lacek: To me, bioinformatics is like a triangle of biology, computer science, and mathematics/statistics. I’m kind of halfway between the biology and computer science side, focusing a lot on next generation sequencing. I use code and statistical applications to make global health predictions based on the data analytics available.

Tell us more about what you do.

Lacek: I do a lot of genomic surveillance, which is basically tracking and monitoring genetic material to detect new mutations and variants. Influenza, for example, circulates year-round worldwide, and we are constantly sequencing samples from all over the place to track what the virus currently looks like and project what will happen globally. At the same time, we're also monitoring for novel outbreaks, with a posture of pandemic preparedness so that if something new and scary pops up, we are already looking for it.

How are you making a difference in the world today?

Lacek: After the COVID-19 emergency response wound down, I moved my focus to influenza. Over the last two years I have been going around the world to train other ministries of health in bioinformatics and next generation sequencing to do what we do in the United States for respiratory virus surveillance.

I believe I've trained and supported scientists from 89 different countries. Because of this effort, we’ve detected some novel variants, such as a new swine flu in Vietnam. It’s thrilling to know that we are making a worldwide impact by helping countries who don’t always have the technical resources and informatics personnel we enjoy here in the U.S. 

What are your hobbies?

Lacek: I love to read; I read 106 books last year! I live in Denver, so of course, I enjoy hiking. I recently completed my first 14er (hiking a mountain peak that’s 14,000 feet above sea level). I also love to thrift, cook, and eat out!

]]> ls67 1 1733855153 2024-12-10 18:25:53 1733859545 2024-12-10 19:39:05 0 0 news From tracking viruses like COVID-19 and influenza to training health professionals worldwide, Kristine Lacek, Georgia Tech’s first B.S./M.S. bioinformatics master’s graduate, is making a global impact in public health. She will return to Georgia Tech to deliver the keynote speech at the College of Sciences’ inaugural master’s commencement ceremony.

]]> 2024-12-10T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-10T00:00:00-05:00 2024-12-10 00:00:00 Writer: Laura S. Smith 
Communications Officer II 
College of Sciences

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

 

]]> 675810 675810 image <![CDATA[In her dream career at the CDC, Kristine Lacek, Georgia Tech’s first B.S./M.S. bioinformatics master’s graduate, plays a key role in shaping the future of global disease surveillance and response.]]> In her dream career at the CDC, Kristine Lacek, Georgia Tech’s first B.S./M.S. bioinformatics master’s graduate, plays a key role in shaping the future of global disease surveillance and response.

]]> image/png 1733858016 2024-12-10 19:13:36 1733858016 2024-12-10 19:13:36 <![CDATA[Yellow Jacket Alumni Highlight Their Career Journeys]]> 36607 College of Sciences students — from first-year students to Ph.D. candidates — enjoyed an informative and frequently humorous career panel on September 25, 2024, featuring alumni from the Schools of Biological Sciences, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Psychology. Co-sponsored by the Georgia Tech Career Center and the College of Sciences, the “What Can I Do with my Georgia Tech Science Degree (Life Sciences)” panel provided an opportunity for alumni to share career advice and outline their sometimes-circuitous career paths.

“We do alumni panels because it’s a great way for students to learn and network with alumni like them, former Tech students who have walked this campus, listening to the Whistle in the background and cheering for the Jackets on the Flats,” says College of Sciences Career Educator James Stringfellow, who moderated the event alongside Graduate Career Development Officer Catharine Groover.

First-year neuroscience major Kali Breckley is currently on a pre-med track. She attended the event to discover what else she can do with her major.

“I learned about opportunities I could see myself pursuing in the future, and it gave me a better big-picture outlook for what my life could look like after my undergraduate degree is complete,” says Breckley.

“I enjoyed meeting distinguished GT alumni eager to share wisdom and help students on their academic journeys,” adds Yusuf Ismail, an applied physiology Ph.D. student. "The event was extremely beneficial, allowing us to network with alumni and gain valuable connections.”

The panel included Atlanta-based alumni at various stages in their careers. Although they came from many different industries, they all had one thing in common — joy in their chosen professions. 

Panel Insights

Coming Up Next

Alumni and students who enjoy networking and discussing career options are encouraged to attend the College of Sciences Student & Alumni Leadership Dinner on October 30, 2024, at the Georgia Tech Alumni House. Students can register via CareerBuzz. Alumni interested in future career events are encouraged to contact College of Sciences Director of Alumni Relations Leslie Roberts. 

]]> ls67 1 1728482621 2024-10-09 14:03:41 1733346164 2024-12-04 21:02:44 0 0 news From navigating unexpected job pathways to the importance of networking and soft skills, College of Sciences alumni shared insights and advice about leveraging a Georgia Tech education into a successful career at the What Can I Do With My Georgia Tech Science Degree (Life Sciences) event.

]]> 2024-10-09T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-09T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-09 00:00:00 Writer: Laura S. Smith 

College of Sciences

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

]]> 675260 675261 675262 675260 image <![CDATA[Alumni panel and organizers (from L to R): David Williamson, Ashley Zuniga, Austin Hope, Anthony Diaz, Maureen Metcalf, Leslie Roberts, Kristel Topping, Justin Burns, and James Stringfellow]]> Alumni panel and organizers (from L to R): David Williamson, Ashley Zuniga, Austin Hope, Anthony Diaz, Maureen Metcalf, Leslie Roberts, Kristel Topping, Justin Burns, and James Stringfellow

]]> image/jpeg 1728487413 2024-10-09 15:23:33 1728487413 2024-10-09 15:23:33 675261 image <![CDATA[Justin Burns speaks with students about career pathways.]]> Justin Burns speaks with students about career pathways.

]]> image/jpeg 1728488424 2024-10-09 15:40:24 1728488424 2024-10-09 15:40:24 675262 image <![CDATA[Students and the alumni panel continued networking long after the official end of the event.]]> Students and the alumni panel continued networking long after the official end of the event.

]]> image/jpeg 1728488530 2024-10-09 15:42:10 1728488530 2024-10-09 15:42:10 <![CDATA[ Five Graduate Scholars Earn O’Hara Fellowships]]> 36607 Congratulations to the students awarded the Larry S. O’Hara Graduate Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year. The early career fellowship from the College of Sciences recognizes outstanding doctoral students scheduled to graduate in the calendar year following their nominations.

“We are proud and excited to honor this year’s recipients of the O’Hara Fellowships,” says College of Sciences Senior Associate Dean David Collard. “They represent the best of our amazing Ph.D. students with impressive research, teaching, service, and leadership accomplishments.”

Meet the 2024-25 O’Hara Fellows

Anthony (Tony) Boever, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Boever is a fifth-year EAS student, conducting research for Martial Taillefert’s Group. His research spans the land-to-ocean continuum and includes studies on how groundwater fluctuations control the fate and transport of uranium in stream sediments, how wetland changes affect methane emissions, and how river pulses influence carbon transformations in low-oxygen ocean sediments. Boever has been extremely active in field research, participating in six research cruises and leading the field component of a Department of Energy-funded project at the Savannah River National Laboratory that included more than six research trips in two years. As a result of his extensive field work, Boever is working on three first-author publications and co-authoring three additional articles.

“I play in the mud, using sensors to monitor chemical changes that affect the environment,” says Boever. “Field studies are tough, but what we learn is invaluable not only for improving our current understanding of these processes but also informing us of their potential influence on future ecosystem function and global climate impacts.”

Erin Connolly, School of Biological Sciences

Connolly will earn her Ph.D. in bioinformatics. As a member of the Gibson Lab, she studies single-cell genomics, data visualization, gene regulation, autoimmunity, cancer, and personalized medicine. In addition to her research activities, Connolly has presented posters or presentations at five national and international meetings, was active in the Women-in-Science promotion, and has mentored high school and undergraduate students.

“My research focuses on understanding how our immune system differs between sexes, changes with age, and responds to treatments such as radiation and immunotherapy,” says Connolly. “By studying these differences, I aim to uncover details that can lead to more personalized and effective therapies for cancer and age-related diseases. This work can potentially make healthcare more effective, improving patient outcomes across diverse populations.”

Sierra Knavel, School of Mathematics 

Knavel, whose research focuses on symplectic topology and is advised by John Etnyre, is an avid mentor and teacher. She served on the Graduate Council and runs the Directed Reading Program for the School of Mathematics, pairing undergraduate students with graduate students to pursue advanced topics in mathematics. She also developed a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) based on her Ph.D. research. As a teaching assistant, she has been recognized with an Outstanding Student Evaluation Award and numerous Thank-a-Teacher certificates.

“My time at Georgia Tech grows more enriching each year,” says Knavel. “The community is welcoming, with abundant mentorship. I've received support at every level for my decisions to attend conferences, teach abroad, and help organize activities in the School of Mathematics. Because of the supportive community, I’ve gained the skills and knowledge necessary to teach and motivate undergraduate students in both classroom and research settings.”

Xing Xu, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Xu will receive her Ph.D. in chemistry and has published two first-author papers, with three more in preparation. She has contributed to four additional publications as a second or third author. Additionally, she mentored several undergraduate and first-year graduate students within the Wu Research Group and served as a mentor for the Summer 2023 National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Program.

"My research focuses on identifying glycoprotein alterations in human cancer,” says Xu. “I’m particularly fascinated by how I can use chemical probes and mass spectrometry to 'visualize' changes in glycoproteins within clinical cancer models. This area of study interests me because glycoproteins play a crucial role in cancer progression and metastasis, and understanding these alterations could lead to new therapeutic strategies."

Kai Xue, School of Psychology

Xue specializes in cognition and brain science. Although she has been a part of the Ph.D. program for only two years, she has published three scientific papers and has several others submitted and under review. She has also served as a highly ranked teaching assistant.

"My research centers on perceptual decision-making and metacognition, focused on using computational modeling and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to advance our understanding of how confidence is computed,” says Xue. “This exploration into the mechanisms of human confidence computation deeply fascinates me; I am incredibly grateful to my supervisor, Dobromir Rahnev, whose unwavering support and guidance have been invaluable throughout this journey."

]]> ls67 1 1727271321 2024-09-25 13:35:21 1733346127 2024-12-04 21:02:07 0 0 news The College of Sciences proudly recognizes the five graduate scholars awarded O’Hara Fellowships for the 2024-25 school year. 

]]> 2024-10-02T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-02T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-02 00:00:00 Writer: Laura S. Smith 
Communications Officer II 
College of Sciences

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

]]> 675100 675094 675095 675096 675098 675099 675100 image <![CDATA[Introducing the 2024-25 O’Hara Graduate Fellowship winners — dedicated scholars making significant contributions to research and education]]> Congratulations to the 2024 - 25 O'Hara Fellows!

]]> image/jpeg 1727273093 2024-09-25 14:04:53 1727273787 2024-09-25 14:16:27 675094 image <![CDATA[Anthony Boever]]> Anthony Boever

]]> image/png 1727271364 2024-09-25 13:36:04 1727271364 2024-09-25 13:36:04 675095 image <![CDATA[Erin Connolly]]> Erin Connolly

]]> image/jpeg 1727271936 2024-09-25 13:45:36 1727271936 2024-09-25 13:45:36 675096 image <![CDATA[Sierra Knavel]]> Sierra Knavel

]]> image/png 1727272080 2024-09-25 13:48:00 1727272080 2024-09-25 13:48:00 675098 image <![CDATA[Xing Xu]]> Xing Xu

]]> image/jpeg 1727272306 2024-09-25 13:51:46 1727272306 2024-09-25 13:51:46 675099 image <![CDATA[Kai Xue]]> Kai Xue

]]> image/jpeg 1727272436 2024-09-25 13:53:56 1727272436 2024-09-25 13:53:56 <![CDATA[Top Graduate Students Gather O'Hara Fellowship Honors]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Celebrates New Haley Fellows]]> 36607 Five College of Sciences students have been selected to receive the Herbert P. Haley Fellowship. The scholarship recognizes and rewards significant accomplishments and outstanding academic achievements of graduate students at Georgia Tech.

Haley scholars receive a one-time merit award of up to $4,000 thanks to the generosity of the late Marion Peacock Haley. Haley’s estate established the merit-based graduate fellowships in honor of her late husband, Herbert P. Haley (ME 1933).

Meet the 2024-2025 Haley Fellows

Emily Gleaton, School of Psychology

Gleaton specializes in engineering psychology. Since 2020, she has served as president, secretary, webmaster, and treasurer of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society student chapter and held multiple leadership positions in the Psychology Graduate Student Council. She was recognized by Georgia Tech’s Center for Student Engagement as part of the 2023 Celebrating Student Leadership Project.

“My research focuses on how to reduce the disuse of assistive technologies and improve user outcomes through enhanced instruction and training,” says Gleaton. “These technologies, from mobility aids to smart devices like wearables and conversational agents, help people perform tasks more easily.  I hope my work fosters the successful adoption of assistive technology — and supports individuals aging in place, improving health, and gaining greater independence.”

Alex Havrilla, School of Mathematics

A third-year Ph.D. student studying mathematics, Havrilla focuses on both theoretical and applied topics in generative machine learning. He has published several papers in academic journals and is an active attendee/presenter in the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics student chapter seminar series. Outside of Georgia Tech, Alex co-founded CarperAI, an open-source research group studying reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) for large language models.

"My theoretical work tries to understand how well models generalize depending on model size and the amount and makeup of training data. My applied research improves the mathematical reasoning abilities of generative models through synthetic data generation," says Havrilla. "I love the interplay between both theory and application. Knowing the theory helps give me a more principled understanding of what is done in practice, and knowing the practice helps me decide what are the most relevant questions to study theoretically.”

Charles “Ross” Lindsey, School of Biological Sciences

As part of the Rosenzweig Lab, Lindsey investigates the evolution of multicellularity and cell differentiation. He also assists Team Phoenix Supercomputing via Georgia Tech’s Vertically Integrated Projects program, which engages undergraduate and graduate students in long-term, large-scale, multidisciplinary project teams led by faculty. Lindsey trains the Team Phoenix Supercomputing to compete in high-performance computing (HPC) competitions while equipping them with fundamental skills necessary for HPC research.

“My research has largely focused on a small group of freshwater green algae known informally as the ‘volvocine algae’,” says Lindsey. “The varying levels of developmental and sexual complexity make these organisms a useful model system for investigating major evolutionary questions. I infer the phylogenetic relationships of this group and perform ancestral-state reconstructions of key traits thought necessary for the evolution of differentiated, multicellularity.”

Jordan McKaig, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

McKaig has two first-author publications and has presented her research nationally and internationally. She participated in the International Space Station (ISS) analog experiment at Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo and NASA outreach for the Atlanta Science Festival. On campus, she was the 2023 President of ExplOrigins, a group of young scientists interested in the origins and evolution of life, the exploration of our solar system, and the search for habitable planets beyond Earth. 

“My research focuses on detecting signs of life and characterizing microbes in very salty environments,” says McKaig. “I am interested in life at the fringe of habitability, where the environmental conditions are harsh, but adequate for living things to exist. By learning about life in the extremes on Earth, we can make predictions about what life may look like if it exists on other planets or moons, and how we might be able to detect such life forms. In my lab work, I explore the applications that nanopore instrumentation may have in the search for extraterrestrial life.”

Kellie Stellmach, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Stellmach is a Ph.D. student in chemistry. She is heavily involved in the Student Polymer Network, serving as secretary, vice president, and president. As an adamant supporter of reducing the gender gap in STEM fields, Kellie frequently invites female researchers to Georgia Tech to share their science research and assists with outreach events through the Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) program.

"My research focuses on the chemical recycling of polymers back to their monomers, a process that enables plastic waste to be recycled in a circular fashion,” says Stellmach. “I'm particularly interested in this area of research because it combines the challenge of developing new chemical methods with the potential for significant environmental impact. By improving the efficiency of recycling processes, my work aims to reduce plastic waste and support a more sustainable future."

]]> ls67 1 1726078001 2024-09-11 18:06:41 1733346102 2024-12-04 21:01:42 0 0 news The College of Sciences congratulates the five graduate scholars who won Herbert P. Haley Fellowships for the 2024-2025 school year. The award may be held in conjunction with other funding, assistantships, or fellowships, if applicable. 

]]> 2024-09-17T00:00:00-04:00 2024-09-17T00:00:00-04:00 2024-09-17 00:00:00 Writer: Laura S. Smith 
Communications Officer II 
College of Sciences

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

]]> 674958 674948 674949 674955 674956 674957 674958 image <![CDATA[Congratulations to the 2024 - 2025 Haley Fellows!]]> Congratulations to the 2024 - 2025 Haley Fellows!

]]> image/jpeg 1726081941 2024-09-11 19:12:21 1726081941 2024-09-11 19:12:21 674948 image <![CDATA[Emily Gleaton]]> Emily Gleaton

]]> image/jpeg 1726079277 2024-09-11 18:27:57 1726079277 2024-09-11 18:27:57 674949 image <![CDATA[Alex Havrilla]]> Alex Havrilla

]]> image/jpeg 1726079445 2024-09-11 18:30:45 1726079445 2024-09-11 18:30:45 674955 image <![CDATA[Charles “Ross” Lindsey]]> Charles “Ross” Lindsey

]]> image/jpeg 1726080787 2024-09-11 18:53:07 1726080787 2024-09-11 18:53:07 674956 image <![CDATA[Jordan McKaig]]> Jordan McKaig

]]> image/jpeg 1726080876 2024-09-11 18:54:36 1726080876 2024-09-11 18:54:36 674957 image <![CDATA[Kellie Stellmach ]]> Kellie Stellmach

]]> image/jpeg 1726080966 2024-09-11 18:56:06 1726080966 2024-09-11 18:56:06 <![CDATA[Six Sciences Graduate Scholars Join the Ranks of Haley Fellows]]> <![CDATA[Career Trek Kicks Off with Coca-Cola Networking Event]]> 36607 Ten College of Science students visited Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters for the inaugural Summer Science Career Trek organized by College of Sciences Career Educator James Stringfellow and Director of Alumni Relations Leslie Roberts.

“When students connect with those in the corporate world, they can better envision themselves in a professional setting,” says Stringfellow. “Interactions between industry leadership and our students promote internship and full-time employment opportunities and help them expand their networks and gain valuable industry connections. Plus, the benefits go both ways as employers meet talented students from the College of Sciences.”

The event featured a tour of the Coca-Cola campus, panel discussion, and networking session — hosted by Georgia Tech alumni working at Coke. Throughout the morning, the Yellow Jacket alumni shared career advice, job search insights, and personal stories about their career trajectories.

“As a Georgia Tech student, I used to look across the street from the Skiles Building and wonder: what do they do over there at Coke? I could never have imagined one day I’d actually work there as the head of Behavioral Science,” said Cerita Bethea, who earned a master’s degree in engineering psychology from the Institute. “I think it’s critical for those of us in industry to give students exposure to the application of their degrees and help build their network.”

Participating students praised the chance to speak with alumni and learn about working at the beverage giant:

Yellow Jacket alumni panelists included Cerita Bethea, who recently retired from Coke; Anthony Diaz (EAS 2001, MBA 2013), senior director HR Planning and Project Management Office; Allison Maloney (BIO 2015, MBA 2021), director, Bottler Capability Development; and Kelliann Chevalier-Morrisey (BSBA 2015), director, North America Portfolio Strategy and Human Insights. Additional panelists included Fernanda Martins, senior director, Functional Ingredient Platform; and Rachel Odolski, associate flavorist.

Double Jacket Diaz enjoyed the opportunity to connect with current students:

“Meeting the Georgia Tech College of Sciences students was an incredibly rewarding experience. Sharing my journey from Tech to Coke generated lively discussions and hopefully helped open doors to exciting new career paths. It was a joy to see their enthusiasm and to contribute to shaping our future leaders!”

Roberts and Stringfellow look forward to continuing their efforts to give students in-depth and personal experiences with industry leaders — and provide alumni an avenue to engage with the College of Sciences and Georgia Tech. Upcoming events include a Shadow Day where students visit local industry, the annual College of Sciences Student and Alumni Leadership Dinner, and another Career Trek to a global industry leader.

 “Yellow Jacket alumni are one of our most valuable and impactful resources,” says Roberts. “Stay tuned for future career/alumni collaborations.”

 

]]> ls67 1 1723119739 2024-08-08 12:22:19 1733346072 2024-12-04 21:01:12 0 0 news Yellow Jacket alumni working at Coca-Cola dispensed real-world advice and insights to College of Sciences students during a recent Career Trek to the headquarters of the global beverage giant.

]]> 2024-08-08T00:00:00-04:00 2024-08-08T00:00:00-04:00 2024-08-08 00:00:00 Laura S. Smith 
Communications Officer II 
College of Sciences

]]> 674533 674530 674532 674533 image <![CDATA[Georgia Tech alumni led behind-the-scenes tours at Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters. As part of their tour, students checked out an original 1949 yellow delivery truck parked in the rotunda of Coke’s Central Reception Building.]]> Georgia Tech alumni led behind-the-scenes tours at Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters. As part of their tour, students checked out an original 1949 yellow delivery truck parked in the rotunda of Coke’s Central Reception Building.

]]> image/jpeg 1723125947 2024-08-08 14:05:47 1723125947 2024-08-08 14:05:47 674530 image <![CDATA[The College of Sciences students participating in Career Trek ranged from freshman to graduate students and learned from Coca-Cola employees at various stages in their careers.]]> The College of Sciences students participating in Career Trek ranged from freshman to graduate students and learned from Coca-Cola employees at various stages in their careers.

]]> image/jpeg 1723120760 2024-08-08 12:39:20 1723120760 2024-08-08 12:39:20 674532 image <![CDATA[During breakout sessions, Coca-Cola employees answered questions and networked with Career Trek students.]]> During breakout sessions, Coca-Cola employees answered questions and networked with Career Trek students.

]]> image/jpeg 1723121910 2024-08-08 12:58:30 1723121910 2024-08-08 12:58:30 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Career Center]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Alumni]]> <![CDATA[Honoring the 2024 Class of 40 Under 40]]> 36583 Four College of Sciences alumni have been selected as members of the 2024 class of 40 under 40. Launched by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association in 2020, this program "highlights the work of Yellow Jackets around the globe whose innovative spirits inspire us all." 

“With hundreds of Jackets nominated, this was an especially competitive year,” says Leslie Roberts, director of alumni relations at the College of Sciences. “I am proud of the work that College of Sciences alumni have contributed towards improving the human condition, and I am excited to join in honoring these four individuals.”

From advancing investments in infrastructure to improving outcomes in individuals with mobility impairments, learn how these four Sciences alumni are championing innovation. 

Kinsey Herrin, M.S. PO 2010 

Senior Research Scientist | Georgia Institute of Technology

Kinsey Herrin is a senior research scientist in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the director of the Human Interface Design Development and Engineering lab. Her research focuses on advancing state-of-the-art assistive and rehab technology and studying the associated outcomes in individuals with mobility impairments. She is passionate about advancing technology and clinical care to improve mobility and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. She completed her residency training in orthotics at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and prosthetics at the University of Michigan and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists. 

Favorite Tech Memory: The slide at the Georgia Tech pool was one of my favorite things to do with friends after triathlon training at the gym!

Hannah (Hatchell) Liu, M.S. BI 2017 

Senior Manager, Data Analysis | Natera

Hannah (Hatchell) Liu is a graduate of Georgia Tech’s master’s program in Bioinformatics and has an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from Pomona College. She began her career in molecular diagnostics at the genetic testing company Invitae as a clinical informatics scientist and subsequently as a people leader in the Dry Lab Operations group. Her time at Invitae cultivated her passion for supporting the accessibility and affordability of genetic information for everyone to improve health outcomes. She is excited to continue working toward this mission as she starts a new role in Natera’s Data Science group as a senior manager. 

Favorite Tech Memory: The relieved and accomplished feeling after I gave my master’s capstone presentation to Professor Soojin Yi and her lab.

Ariel Marshall, Ph.D. CHEM 2014 

Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation | U.S. Department of Energy

Ariel Marshall is the chief of staff to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Under Secretary for Science and Innovation. Before assuming this role, Marshall served as the legislative director for Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. During Marshall’s nearly nine-year tenure on Capitol Hill, she helped to advance several impactful government policies and led efforts to secure historic investments in energy, water, and broadband infrastructure as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate degree in Chemistry from Georgia Tech. 

Favorite Tech Memory: I will always treasure the time I spent working with Professor Joseph Perry and the friends I made while at Tech.

Emily Weigel, BIO 2010 

Senior Academic Professional | Georgia Institute of Technology

Emily Weigel is a nationally recognized educator and senior academic professional (teaching and advising faculty) in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Georgia Tech and obtained dual doctorates in Zoology and in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior from Michigan State University. Dr. Weigel’s research revolves around what wild animals do around Atlanta and the world, and in understanding how student backgrounds, values, and responses to teaching methods impact their academic performance. Outside of Tech, she enjoys playing soccer, watching Netflix, and promoting STEM in the community. 

Favorite Tech Memory: Convincing 10 other I-House residents to jam with me for an extra-credit cover of Wonderwall dedicated to biologist Barbara McClintock.

 

Learn more about the 2024 class on the Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s website or by exploring this interactive honoree dashboard.

]]> lvidal7 1 1721314136 2024-07-18 14:48:56 1733346057 2024-12-04 21:00:57 0 0 news Four College of Sciences alumni have been selected as members of the 2024 class of 40 under 40. 

]]> 2024-07-18T00:00:00-04:00 2024-07-18T00:00:00-04:00 2024-07-18 00:00:00 Writer: Lindsay C. Vidal

]]> 674376 674372 674373 674374 674375 674376 image <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Alumni Association's 2024 Class of 40 Under 40]]> image/jpeg 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 674372 image <![CDATA[Kinsey Herrin, M.S. PO 2010 (Senior Research Scientist, Georgia Institute of Technology)]]> image/jpeg 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 674373 image <![CDATA[Hannah (Hatchell) Liu, M.S. BI 2017 (Senior Manager, Data Analysis, Natera)]]> image/jpeg 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 674374 image <![CDATA[Ariel Marshall, Ph.D. CHEM 2014 (Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, U.S. Department of Energy)]]> image/jpeg 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 674375 image <![CDATA[Emily Weigel, BIO 2010 (Senior Academic Professional, Georgia Institute of Technology)]]> image/jpeg 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 1721314321 2024-07-18 14:52:01 <![CDATA[40 Under 40 Class of 2023]]> <![CDATA[40 Under 40 Class of 2022]]> <![CDATA[40 Under 40 Class of 2021]]> <![CDATA[Sciences in the Spotlight: Students Honor Outstanding Faculty ]]> 36583 The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Office of Academic Effectiveness (OAE) are thrilled to announce the Spring 2024 Course Instructor Opinion Survey (CIOS) Honor Roll. Faculty members at Georgia Tech who made the Spring 2024 Honor Roll have been overwhelmingly praised for their excellent teaching methods and dedication to student success.

The faculty recognized this semester represent all six colleges and the Language Institute. Each Honor Roll recipient receives a certificate from the Center for Teaching and Learning recognizing their accomplishment as well as an invitation to the next Celebrating Teaching Day held in March 2025.

See the full list of Spring 2024 CIOS Honor Roll recipients from across the Institute.

 

College of Sciences – Small Classes

College of Sciences – Large Classes

]]> lvidal7 1 1716998087 2024-05-29 15:54:47 1733346026 2024-12-04 21:00:26 0 0 news The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Office of Academic Effectiveness (OAE) are thrilled to announce the Spring 2024 Course Instructor Opinion Survey (CIOS) Honor Roll. Faculty members at Georgia Tech who made the Spring 2024 Honor Roll have been celebrated by their students for outstanding teaching and educational impact. 

]]> 2024-05-29T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-29T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-29 00:00:00 By Bethany Harris

Center for Teaching and Learning

]]> 673414 673414 image <![CDATA[A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech]]> A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech

]]> image/jpeg 1710522679 2024-03-15 17:11:19 1710522636 2024-03-15 17:10:36 <![CDATA[Honoring Faculty Promotions, Spring 2024]]> 36583 273 academic and research faculty members from across the Institute received promotions during the spring semester. We are thankful for their contributions and honored to celebrate their accomplishments.

Academic Faculty

Faculty members newly awarded tenure are indicated with an asterisk (*). 

Promoted to Professor
Promoted to Associate Professor
Awarded Tenure (visit our Celebrating Tenure page for more information)*
Promoted to Principal Academic Professional
Promoted to Principal Lecturer
Promoted to Senior Academic Professional
Promoted to Senior Lecturer
Promoted to Librarian IV
Promoted to Librarian II

Research Faculty

Promoted to Principal Research Scientist
Promoted to Principal Research Associate
Promoted to Principal Research Engineer
Promoted to Principal Extension Professional
Promoted to Senior Research Scientist
Promoted to Senior Research Associate
Promoted to Senior Research Engineer
Promoted to Senior Research Technologist
Promoted to Senior Extension Professional
Promoted to Research Scientist II
Promoted to Research Associate II
Promoted to Research Engineer II
Promoted to Research Technologist II
Promoted to Extension Professional II
]]> lvidal7 1 1716491799 2024-05-23 19:16:39 1733346014 2024-12-04 21:00:14 0 0 news 273 academic and research faculty members from across the Institute received promotions during the spring semester. We are thankful for their contributions and honored to celebrate their accomplishments.

]]> 2024-05-23T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-23T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-23 00:00:00 665542 665542 image <![CDATA[Tech Tower]]> image/jpeg 1675786600 2023-02-07 16:16:40 1680535335 2023-04-03 15:22:15 <![CDATA[Celebrating Tenure: Spring 2024]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Announces New Minors, Ph.D. Program and Curriculum Additions]]> 36583 This fall, the College of Sciences will debut three new minors, a new Ph.D. program, and a new “4+1” B.S./M.S. degree program. 

The announcement follows curriculum updates for the 2023-24 academic year, including the launch of the Minor in the Science of Mental Health and Well-Being in the School of Psychology and the creation of three new bachelor of science degrees in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. 

“We are excited to announce these additions to the College’s portfolio of academic opportunities for our students,” says David M. Collard, senior associate dean in the College of Sciences and professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “The updates reflect our College’s growth and respond to our students’ interest in pursuing advanced study.”

The additions for the 2024-2025 academic year include: 

“4+1” B.S./M.S. Degree Program

The College offers several options for undergraduate students to earn both a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree as a part of a “4+1” program. Students may apply to the B.S./M.S Degree Program after being at Georgia Tech for about one year. This allows them to tailor their undergraduate and graduate academic requirements to complete both degrees in a timely manner. 

Computation and Cognition Minor 

The Minor in Computation and Cognition is a highly interdisciplinary program that combines advanced computational training with the study of human cognition. Students will learn about the computational mechanisms underlying human cognition and use computational methods to better understand human cognition. Established by the School of Psychology in collaboration with the College of Computing and with support from the Schools of Physics and Mathematics, the minor is open to all students starting this fall.

There are several new courses in the School of Psychology supporting this minor, including PSYC 4690 (Sensation and Perception: A Computational Perspective) and PSYC/PHYS 4745 (Physics of Cognition). These two classes are offered as special topics this fall but will have permanent course numbers in Spring 2025. More new courses in computation and cognition are planned for the next year and beyond.  

Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Ph.D. Program, Neuroscience Minor

The new Ph.D. and minor offerings build on the recently launched Neuro Next Initiative in Research and the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, respectively. 

The new Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Ph.D. Program is a joint effort across the Colleges of Science, Computing and Engineering. It is focused on educating students to advance the field of neuroscience through an interdisciplinary approach, with scientists and engineers of diverse backgrounds — ultimately integrating neuroscience research and technological development to study all levels of nervous system function. The program expects to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025.

Approved by the Board of Regents in 2017, the interdisciplinary B.S. in Neuroscience degree enrolled more than 400 undergraduate students in 2022, and has been the fastest growing undergraduate major at Georgia Tech. The Minor in Neuroscience is set to become available during the 2024-25 academic year.  

Quantum Sciences and Technology Minor

In response to the explosion of research, development, investment, and hiring in quantum information science taking place across academia, national labs, and private industry, the School of Physics is now hosting a new Minor in Quantum Sciences and Technology. 

Available starting this fall, the program is open to all students, regardless of major, who are interested in learning more about quantum information theory, applications of quantum information to measurement, quantum materials, quantum computation, quantum algorithms, quantum communication, or any other quantum science related topics. The coursework includes basic training in quantum mechanics and quantum information, and a choice of quantum-related electives in physics, math, chemistry, computer science, and electrical engineering. 

The minor was established by the School of Physics in partnership with the School of Mathematics and the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry in addition to the Colleges of Computing and Engineering.

]]> lvidal7 1 1715796352 2024-05-15 18:05:52 1733346001 2024-12-04 21:00:01 0 0 news This fall, the College of Sciences will debut three new minors, a new Ph.D. program, and a new “4+1” B.S./M.S. degree program. 

]]> 2024-05-15T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-15T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-15 00:00:00 Writer: Lindsay C. Vidal

]]> 673414 673414 image <![CDATA[A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech]]> A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech

]]> image/jpeg 1710522679 2024-03-15 17:11:19 1710522636 2024-03-15 17:10:36 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech to Offer Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, New Minor]]> <![CDATA[School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences to Offer Three New Undergraduate Degrees — Including Interdisciplinary Environmental Science Major]]> <![CDATA[New Minor in the Science of Mental Health and Well-Being Launches in the School of Psychology]]> <![CDATA[First Cohort Announced for Ascend Faculty Professional Development Program]]> 27998 Ascend, a new career development program for mid-career faculty, launched its cohort for Spring 2024. Supported by the Office of Faculty Professional Development, Ascend cohort members include academic professionals and lecturers from across campus.  

The cohort will build on current strengths and successes and explore ways to thrive mid-career and in the future. Using a faculty learning community model and the Appreciative Inquiry framework, participants will explore their interests, values, and goals, and create an actionable, individual strategic plan while developing skills for career growth and leadership. 

Members of the first cohort include: 

Participants in this program will learn to use the Appreciative Inquiry model to develop a personal development plan that includes a vision and mission; goals for personal learning, professional development, and career momentum; and an action plan. The program is designed to support faculty as they practice skills essential for collegiality and leadership in a cohort environment and explore opportunities for growth and career vitality at Georgia Tech. Participants will also take advantage of four professional coaching sessions during the calendar year with International Coaching Federation-accredited Director of the Office of Faculty Professional Development Rebecca Pope-Ruark.

Learn more about the Ascend program. 

]]> Brittany Aiello 1 1705436564 2024-01-16 20:22:44 1733345920 2024-12-04 20:58:40 0 0 news Ascend, a new career development program for mid-career faculty, launched its cohort for Spring 2024. Supported by the Office of Faculty Professional Development, Ascend cohort members include academic professionals and lecturers from across campus.

]]> 2024-01-16T00:00:00-05:00 2024-01-16T00:00:00-05:00 2024-01-16 00:00:00 Rebecca Pope-Ruark

Director of the Office of Faculty Professional Development

]]> 672760 672760 image <![CDATA[French Building.jpg]]> image/jpeg 1705436592 2024-01-16 20:23:12 1705436592 2024-01-16 20:23:12 <![CDATA[Ascend Mid-Career Development Program for APL Faculty]]> <![CDATA[Annual Leadership Dinner Celebrates Student-Alumni Connections]]> 36607 When College of Sciences External Advisory Board Chair Heidi Schindler (ABIO 1991) was a student at Georgia Tech, she struggled to find help with career opportunities in the sciences.

“Once I decided I didn’t want to go to med school or into academia, the Career Center didn’t have answers for me,” says Schindler. “I found my own way.”

As an alumna, she appreciates the emphasis now placed on student career education and makes student engagement and mentoring a priority.

“Attending events like the Student and Alumni Leadership Dinner is important to me because I don't want students to feel unsupported — like I once felt. Alumni know people. We know the business world, and we want to help students make the connections that shape their futures.”

A Networking Extravaganza

The Student and Alumni Leadership Dinner, organized by College of Sciences Career Educator Program Manager James Stringfellow and Director of Alumni Relations Leslie Roberts, is an annual event that encourages networking and promotes student and alumni engagement.

“It is our premier event,” says Stringfellow. “This year, we were fortunate to have more than 20 alumni in attendance, willing to give their time and expertise to help students prepare for securing a career.”

Attendees included students from all six schools in the College of Sciences. First-year Matthias Keys is a biology major.

“I’m here to gain knowledge and wisdom,” says Keys. “There’s so much to learn from alumni working in the real world.”

Maddie Tibaldi is a fourth-year neuroscience major. “I’ve heard so much about the strength of Georgia Tech’s alumni network. I’m enjoying talking to alums and learning what activities I can do to enhance my professional development.”

Double Jacket Ralph Cullen (PSY 2008, M.S. Human Factors Psychology 2008) attended the Leadership Dinner for the fourth time.

“I enjoy interacting with the students,” says Cullen, a research manager for the quant team at Etsy. “Since I frequently interview job candidates, I can pass on what I look for in a resume and what impresses me in interviews.”

A Big Event with Small Groups

The event kicked off with a special 30-minute session facilitated by Dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair Susan Lozier who discussed current and future goals for the College and answered questions from students and alumni.

"I’m inspired by the enthusiasm and energy I’ve seen tonight," says Lozier. "In the College of Sciences, we believe in learning that extends beyond the classroom, and our alumni are a vital part of that experience. Their insights can help our students bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice."

The evening’s activities included Networking Bingo and Speed Networking. The Networking Bingo icebreaker helped alleviate students’ nervousness by providing specific questions to ask alumni. For the speed networking activity, students rotated between tables to talk with alumni about topics such as what they wished they had known in college, making good career decisions, negotiating workplace conflicts, and how to get hired in the real world.

Georgia Tech Career Center Executive Director David Gaston applauded the collective team effort it takes to launch students into professional careers.  

“From faculty and staff to alumni and industry partners, every member plays a crucial role in providing the support, guidance, and opportunities our students need to thrive in their chosen fields,” says Gaston. “ The College of Sciences Student Alumni Leadership Dinner is instrumental in bringing our partners together to allow students to meaningfully engage with professionals in careers they may want to pursue. ”

2024 Internship Company of the Year

During the festivities, Stringfellow announced the inaugural winner of the Internship Company of the Year, BrandSafway. The award honors a company that provides a high-quality learning environment for student interns.  

Lauren Hester, who graduated this past August with a psychology degree, interned with BrandSafway as a Workday case management intern and nominated them for the award.

“It was my first corporate experience and BrandSafway was such a welcoming environment,” says Hester. “There were no dumb questions. I was able to be a sponge and learn so much about how business works. Thank you to BrandSafway for opening that door so I could learn and grow, not just as a scientist, but as someone who is now business savvy.”

BrandSafway President and CEO Karl Fessenden accepted the award.

“We are based in Atlanta and appreciate the benefit of having a world-renowned Institute just 20 minutes from our doors,” says Fessenden. “What we value most about our internship program is that it brings in students who are not only technically skilled but also bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our organization. We are a better company because of our internship program.”

When presenting the award, Hester related that she heard about the internship at a networking event hosted by the College of Sciences and the Career Center:

"Networking really does pay off!”

]]> ls67 1 1730906902 2024-11-06 15:28:22 1733345623 2024-12-04 20:53:43 0 0 news The Student and Alumni Leadership Dinner provided a platform for students and alumni to network and share career insights. The event also honored BrandSafway with the inaugural Internship Employer of the Year award, highlighting the company's commitment to offering valuable learning experiences to interns.

]]> 2024-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-06 00:00:00 Laura S. Smith 
Communications Officer II 
College of Sciences

]]> 675533 675534 675535 675533 image <![CDATA[BrandSafway was honored as the 2024 Internship Company of the Year. (From left): Susan Lozier, Karl Fessenden, Lauren Hester, Nadia Muhammad, Karen Riapos, Brenton Jones, and David Gaston.]]> BrandSafway was honored as the 2024 Internship Company of the Year. (From left): Susan Lozier, Karl Fessenden, Lauren Hester, Nadia Muhammad, Karen Riapos, Brenton Jones, and David Gaston.

]]> image/jpeg 1730920370 2024-11-06 19:12:50 1730921879 2024-11-06 19:37:59 675534 image <![CDATA[Students appreciated the opportunity to speak one-on-one with alumni and Georgia Tech leadership.]]> Students appreciated the opportunity to speak one-on-one with alumni and Georgia Tech leadership.

]]> image/jpeg 1730920674 2024-11-06 19:17:54 1730920674 2024-11-06 19:17:54 675535 image <![CDATA[Speed networking gave students the opportunity to engage with a variety of alumni, gaining valuable insights on diverse career paths, real-world experiences, and professional development.]]> Speed networking gave students the opportunity to engage with a variety of alumni, gaining valuable insights on diverse career paths, real-world experiences, and professional development.

]]> image/jpeg 1730920746 2024-11-06 19:19:06 1730920746 2024-11-06 19:19:06 <![CDATA[Yellow Jacket Alumni Highlight Their Career Journeys]]> <![CDATA[Lab-Grown Human Immune System Model Uncovers Weakened Response in Cancer Patients ]]> 36123 To better understand why some cancer patients struggle to fight off infections, Georgia Tech researchers have created tiny lab-grown models of human immune systems.

These miniature models — known as human immune organoids — mimic the real-life environment where immune cells learn to recognize and attack harmful invaders and respond to vaccines. Not only are these organoids powerful new tools for studying and observing immune function in cancer, their use is likely to accelerate vaccine development, better predict disease treatment response for patients, and even speed up clinical trials. 

“Our synthetic hydrogels create a breakthrough environment for human immune organoids, allowing us to model antibody production from scratch, more precisely, and for a longer duration,” said Ankur Singh, Carl Ring Family Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory. 

“For the first time, we can recreate and sustain complex immunological processes in a synthetic gel, using blood, and effectively track B cell responses,” he added. “This is a gamechanger for understanding and treating immune vulnerabilities in patients with lymphoma who have undergone cancer treatment — and hopefully other disorders too.”

Led by Singh, the team created lab-grown immune systems that mimic human tonsils and lymph node tissue to study immune responses more accurately. Their research findings, published in the journal Nature Materials, mark a shift toward in vitro models that more closely represent human immunology. The team also included investigators from Emory University, Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, and Vanderbilt University.

Designing a Tiny Immune System Model

The researchers were inspired to address a critical issue in biomedical science: the poor success rate of translating preclinical findings from animal models into effective clinical outcomes, especially in the context of immunity, infection, and vaccine responses. 

“While animal models are valuable for many types of research, they often fail to accurately mirror realistic human immune biology, disease mechanisms, and treatment responses,” said Monica (Zhe) Zhong, a Bioengineering Ph.D. student and the paper’s first author. “To address this, we designed a new model that faithfully replicates the unique complexity of human immune biology across molecular, cellular, tissue, and system levels.”

The team used synthetic hydrogels to recreate a microenvironment where B cells from human blood and tonsils can mature and produce antibodies. When immune cells from healthy donors or lymphoma patients are cultured in these gel-like environments, the organoids support longer cell function, allowing processes like antibody formation and adaptation to occur — similar to the human body. Utilizing the organoids for individual patients helps predict how that individual will respond to infection.

The models also enable researchers to control and test immune responses under various conditions. The team discovered that not all tissue sources are the same, and tonsil cells struggled with longevity issues. They used a specialized setup to study how healthy immune cells react to signals that help them fight infections, which failed to trigger the same response in cells from lymphoma survivors who seemingly have recovered from immunotherapy treatment.

Using organoids embedded in a novel immune organ-on-chip technology, the team observed that immune cells from lymphoma survivors treated with certain immunotherapies do not organize themselves into specific “zones,” the way they normally would in a strong immune response. This lack of organization may help explain some immune challenges cancer survivors face, as evidenced by recent clinical findings. 

A Game-Changing Technology

This research is primarily of interest to infectious disease researchers, cancer researchers, immunologists, and healthcare professionals  dedicated to improving patient outcomes. By studying these miniature immune systems, they can identify why current treatments may not be effective and explore new strategies to enhance immune defenses. 

"Lymphoma patients treated with CD20-targeted therapies often face increased susceptibility to infections that can persist years after completing therapy.Understanding these long-term impacts on antibody responses could be key to improving both safety and quality of life for lymphoma survivors,” said Dr. Jean Koff, associate professor in the department of Hematology and Oncology at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute and a co-author on the paper. 

“This technology provides deeper biological insights and an innovative way to monitor for recovery of immunological defects over time. It could help clinicians better identify patients who would benefit from specific interventions that reduce infection risk,” Koff added.

Another critical and promising aspect of the research is its scalability: An individual researcher can make hundreds of organoids in a single sitting. The model’s capability to target different populations — both healthy and immunosuppressed patients — vastly increases its usability for vaccine and therapeutic testing. 

According to Singh, who directs the  Center for Immunoengineering at Georgia Tech, the team is already pushing the research into new dimensions, including developing cellular therapies and an aged immune system model to address aging-related questions. 

“At the end of the day, this work most immediately affects cancer patients and survivors, who often struggle with weakened immune responses and may not respond well to standard treatments like vaccines,” Singh explained. “This breakthrough could lead to new ways of boosting immune defenses, ultimately helping vulnerable patients stay healthier and recover more fully.” 

The work was initially funded by the Wellcome Leap HOPE program. This support has led to a boost in recent funding, including a recent $7.5M grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

 

Citation: Zhong, Z., Quiñones-Pérez, M., Dai, Z. et al. Human immune organoids to decode B cell response in healthy donors and patients with lymphoma. Nat. Mater. (2024).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-024-02037-1

Funding: Wellcome Leap HOPE Program, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Cancer Institute, and Georgia Tech Foundation

]]> Catherine Barzler 1 1731435729 2024-11-12 18:22:09 1733340055 2024-12-04 19:20:55 0 0 news The miniature models could exponentially accelerate vaccine development, cancer treatment research, and improved health outcomes across a spectrum of diseases.

]]> 2024-11-12T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-12T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-12 00:00:00 Catherine Barzler, Senior Research Writer/Editor
Institute Communications
catherine.barzler@gatech.edu

]]> 675590 675599 675590 image <![CDATA[chip organoid.png]]> The left image shows the immune organ-on-chip, where the organoids (right) are grown to study the response of human donors. The right image shows development of types of immune cells relevant to the antibody response. (Credit: Ankur Singh)

]]> image/png 1731427813 2024-11-12 16:10:13 1731427813 2024-11-12 16:10:13 675599 image <![CDATA[singh zhong.png]]> Ankur Singh, Carl Ring Family Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory, and Monica (Zhe) Zhong, a Bioengineering Ph.D. student and the paper’s first author.

]]> image/png 1731437231 2024-11-12 18:47:11 1731437231 2024-11-12 18:47:11 <![CDATA[NIH Awards $7.5 Million to Ankur Singh for Pioneering Human Immune Organoid Research]]> <![CDATA[$3 Million NSF Grant Will Support Training in Sustainable Medical Devices]]> 28153 Georgia Tech researcher W. Hong Yeo has been awarded a $3 million grant to help develop a new generation of engineers and scientists in the field of sustainable medical devices. 

“The workforce that will emerge from this program will tackle a global challenge through sustainable innovations in device design and manufacturing,” said Yeo, Woodruff Faculty Fellow and associate professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University.

The funding, from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Training (NRT) program, will address the environmental impacts resulting from the mass production of medical devices, including the increase in material waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Under Yeo’s leadership, the Georgia Tech team comprises multidisciplinary faculty: Andrés García (bioengineering), HyunJoo Oh (industrial design and interactive computing), Lewis Wheaton (biology), and Josiah Hester (sustainable computing). Together, they’ll train 100 graduate students, including 25 NSF-funded trainees, who will develop reuseable, reliable medical devices for a range of uses. 

“We plan to educate students on how to develop medical devices using biocompatible and biodegradable materials and green manufacturing processes using low-cost printing technologies,” said Yeo. “These wearable and implantable devices will enhance disease diagnosis, therapeutics, rehabilitation, and health monitoring.”

Students in the program will be challenged by a comprehensive, multidisciplinary curriculum, with deep dives into bioengineering, public policy, physiology, industrial design, interactive computing, and medicine. And they’ll get real-world experience through collaborations with clinicians and medical product developers, working to create devices that meet the needs of patients and care providers.

The Georgia Tech NRT program aims to attract students from various backgrounds, fostering a diverse, inclusive environment in the classroom — and ultimately in the workforce.

The program will also introduce a new Ph.D. concentration in smart medical devices as part of Georgia Tech's bioengineering program, and a new M.S. program in the sustainable development of medical devices. Yeo also envisions an academic impact that extends beyond the Tech campus.

“Collectively, this NRT program's curriculum, combining methods from multiple domains, will help establish best practices in many higher education institutions for developing reliable and personalized medical devices for healthcare,” he said. “We’d like to broaden students' perspectives, move past the current technology-first mindset, and reflect the needs of patients and healthcare providers through sustainable technological solutions.” 

]]> Jerry Grillo 1 1725021586 2024-08-30 12:39:46 1733329514 2024-12-04 16:25:14 0 0 news Georgia Tech researcher W. Hong Yeo has received a $3 million NSF grant to lead a multidisciplinary team in training graduate students to develop sustainable, biocompatible medical devices that address environmental impacts, aiming to establish best practices in higher education for creating reliable and personalized healthcare solutions.

]]> 2024-08-30T00:00:00-04:00 2024-08-30T00:00:00-04:00 2024-08-30 00:00:00 Jerry Grillo

]]> 674771 674771 image <![CDATA[W. Hong Yeo]]> W. Hong Yeo is leading a $3 million NSF research training program to develop a new generation of engineers focused on creating sustainable medical devices.

]]> image/jpeg 1725021364 2024-08-30 12:36:04 1725021453 2024-08-30 12:37:33 <![CDATA[NSF-Micron Grant Enhances STEM Teacher Training]]> 34528 Georgia Tech researchers Meltem Alemdar, Heidi Turcotte, and Emily Weigel have received a National Science Foundation grant to develop the Research Experiences for Pre-Service Teachers program. This initiative, supported by funding from NSF’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, aims to enhance STEM training for pre-service teachers through immersive summer research experiences. The project is one of four funded by a new partnership between NSF and the Micron Foundation, aimed at advancing STEM education training for both pre-service and in-service teachers. 

Weigel, a senior academic professional in the College of Sciences, plays a critical role in the new project. As the internship director within the School of Biological Sciences, she has extensive experience placing and evaluating biology undergraduate students in internships. Weigel's work in the grant focuses on providing authentic scientific experiences to pre-service teachers, helping them to effectively teach STEM practices and enhance their teaching capabilities through hands-on learning.

The partnership program will recruit up to 30 pre-service teachers and pair them with researchers and mentors for six-week summer internships at Georgia Tech. The program aims to build a strong STEM foundation for future educators, ensuring they become effective teachers from the start.

The research team has secured support for internship placements in several Georgia Tech labs for the summer 2025 pilot including with Weigel and William Ratcliff, associate professor and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences . 

Read the full story in the College of Lifetime Learning newsroom.

###

Summary aided by Microsoft Copilot.

]]> jhunt7 1 1732636754 2024-11-26 15:59:14 1732637028 2024-11-26 16:03:48 0 0 news The initiative, supported by funding from NSF’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, aims to enhance STEM training for pre-service teachers through immersive summer research experiences. 

]]> 2024-11-26T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-26T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-26 00:00:00 Joëlle Walls, CEISMC Communications 

]]> 675732 675732 image <![CDATA[Emily Weigel, School of Biological Sciences]]> image/jpeg 1732636877 2024-11-26 16:01:17 1732636877 2024-11-26 16:01:17 <![CDATA[RNA’s Surprising Role in DNA Repair]]> 28153 A multi-institutional team of researchers, led by Georgia Tech’s Francesca Storici, has discovered a previously unknown role for RNA. Their insights could lead to improved treatments for diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders while changing our understanding of genetic health and evolution.

RNA molecules are best known as protein production messengers. They carry genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes — the factories inside cells that turn amino acids into the proteins necessary for many cell functions. But Storici’s team found that RNA can also help cells repair a severe form of DNA damage called a double-strand break, or DSB.

A DSB means both strands of the DNA helix have been severed. Cells have the tools to make some repairs, but a DSB is significant damage — and if not properly fixed can lead to mutations, cell death, or cancer. (Interestingly, cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, can cause DSBs.) 

Storici, a professor in the School of Biological Sciences, has dedicated her research to studying the molecules and mechanisms underlying damaged DNA repairs. Ten years ago, she and collaborators discovered that RNA could serve as a template for DSB repair.

“Now we’ve learned that RNA can directly promote DSB repair mechanisms,” said Storici, whose lab teamed with mathematics experts in the lab of Nataša Jonoska from the University of South Florida. They’re all part of the Southeast Center for Mathematics and Biology based at Georgia Tech. They explain their discovery in the journal Nature Communications.

“These findings open up a new understanding of RNA's potential role in maintaining genome integrity and driving evolutionary changes,” added Storici.

The researchers used variation-distance graphs to visualize millions of DSB repair events, offering a comprehensive snapshot of sequence variations. The graphs highlighted major differences in repair patterns, depending on the DSB position. 

This mathematical approach also uncovered significant differences in repair efficiency, pointing to RNA's potential in modulating DSB repair outcomes.

“These findings underscore the critical role of mathematical visualization in understanding complex biological mechanisms and could pave the way for targeted interventions in genome stability and therapeutic research,” said Jonoska.

Molecular Grunt Work

When a DSB happens in DNA, it’s like a load-bearing beam in a building breaking. A careful, precise repair is needed to ensure the building’s — or the DNA’s — stability. The pieces must be rejoined accurately to prevent further damage or mutation. Repairing a damaged building requires having a reliable foreman on the job site. A DSB requires something very similar.

“A key mechanism we identified is that RNA can help position and hold the broken DNA ends in place, facilitating the repair process,” explained Storici, whose team conducted the research in both human and yeast cells. 

Specifically, they found that RNA molecules and the broken section of DNA can match up like puzzle pieces. When RNA has this kind of complementarity with the DNA break site, it acts as a scaffold, or a guide, beyond its traditional coding function, showing the cellular machinery where to make repairs. Over millennia, cells have evolved complex mechanisms to fix DSB, each of them functioning like different tools from the same toolbox. 

Storici’s team showed that RNA can influence which tools are used, depending on its complementarity to the broken DNA strands. This means that in addition to being the important protein production messenger, RNA acts as both a foreman and laborer when it comes to DNA repair. 

A deeper understanding of RNA’s role in DNA repair could lead to new strategies for strengthening repair mechanisms in healthy cells, potentially reducing the harmful effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. 

“RNA has a much broader function than we knew,” Storici said. “We still have a lot of research to do into these mechanisms, but this work opens up new ways for exploring how RNA could be harnessed in healthcare, potentially leading to new treatments for cancer and other genetic diseases.”

As Storici and other researchers continue probing RNA’s effects in DNA repair, their revelations could have a lasting impact on human health and evolution. That means better gene therapies, new cancer treatments and anti-aging strategies — and also the ability to influence how organisms adapt and evolve. 

CITATION: Youngkyu Jeon, Yilin Lu, Margherita Maria Ferrari, Tejasvi Channagiri, Penghao Xu, Chance Meers, Yiqi Zhang, Sathya Balachander, Vivian S. Park, Stefania Marsili, Zachary F. Pursell, Nataša Jonoska, Francesca Storici. “RNA-mediated double-strand break repair by end-joining mechanisms.” Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51457-9

FUNDING: NIH grants GM115927, ES028271; NSF grant MCB-1615335; Howard Hughes Medical Institute Faculty Scholar grant 55108574; Southeast Center for Mathematics and Biology NSF DMS-1764406; Simons Foundation grant 59459; NSF grants CCF-2107267 and DMS-2054321.

 

]]> Jerry Grillo 1 1732216046 2024-11-21 19:07:26 1732300391 2024-11-22 18:33:11 0 0 news Storici lab discovers RNA’s surprising role in DNA repair, developing new insights could lead to improved treatments for cancer and other diseases.

]]> 2024-11-21T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-21T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-21 00:00:00 Jerry Grillo

]]> 675715 675716 675715 image <![CDATA[Storici in lab_0.jpg]]> Francesca Storici and her research team discovered a surprising role for RNA in DNA repair, insights that could lead to better treatments for cancer and other diseases. Photo by Chris McKenney

]]> image/jpeg 1732215541 2024-11-21 18:59:01 1732220465 2024-11-21 20:21:05 675716 image <![CDATA[Janoska and Jeon]]> Nataša Jonoska and Youngkyu Jeon. Jonoska's lab collaborated with the lab of Francesca Storici. Jeon, a former PhD student in the Storici lab, was lead author of the study.

]]> image/jpeg 1732215675 2024-11-21 19:01:15 1732215925 2024-11-21 19:05:25 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Students Earn Walk-on Stamps President’s Scholarships]]> 36607 Three College of Sciences students with aspirations of making a difference in medicine were selected as recipients of the prestigious Stamps President’s Scholarship. Though this scholarship is typically given to 40 exceptional incoming first-year students, a select few second- and third-year students are chosen to receive the honor for exemplifying the program’s pillars of scholarship, leadership, progress, and service.

The new Scholars include School of Biological Sciences/School of Modern Languages student Sonali Kaluri, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry student Seth Kinoshita, and School of Biological Sciences student Medina McCowin.

As part of the program, the selected students will receive a full-ride scholarship, special mentoring, and travel opportunities.

About the Scholars

Sonali Kaluri is a third-year student double majoring in biology and applied languages and intercultural studies (with a concentration in Spanish). Deeply passionate about women's health, she has researched clinical considerations of treating liver disease in pregnant women and the impact of a virtual lactation program on maternal and infant health outcomes at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. In her spare time, she volunteers at the Winship Cancer Institute and the March of Dimes and is a member of the Yellow Jacket Fencing Club.

“I hope to attend medical school and pursue a career in academic medicine after graduation from Georgia Tech,” says Kaluri. “My research experience has made me acutely aware of the gaps in medical knowledge regarding the different ways disease processes affect women, and I hope to become an advocate for change through research and clinical practice!”

Seth Kinoshita is a third-year biochemistry major with a minor in health and medical sciences. As an undergraduate research assistant with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, he focuses on a novel drug delivery structure that can be surgically inserted to decrease recovery time and minimize invasiveness for tendon injuries. His work has been published in several academic journals. He serves as an undergraduate research ambassador and a pre-health mentor — and spends his free time with Sympathetic Vibrations, Georgia Tech's male a cappella group. Kinoshita also works as the medical coordinator for Aurora Day Camp, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings.

"After graduation, I want to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. in regenerative orthopedic medicine to bridge my tendon repair research with direct implementation into patients,” says Kinoshita. “I aim to develop innovative treatments that can restore mobility in the extremities and improve the quality of life for patients with musculoskeletal disorders."

Medina McCowin is a third-year biology major researching cancer treatment methods in the Sulchek BioMEMS and Biomechanics Lab. She also worked for Lachance Laboratories as an undergraduate researcher, investigating cancer genetics. Active on campus, she is the biology representative for the Georgia Tech Undergraduate House of Representatives and president of the Georgia Tech Public Health Student Association. McCowin has also held several leadership roles with the Georgia Tech American Medical Student Association.

“In the future, I hope to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. and become a pediatric oncologist and cancer treatment researcher, focusing on improving pediatric cancer treatments,” says McCowin. “Working in the healthcare field and experiencing personal loss has taught me that empathy and compassion are the most important factors in becoming a doctor. As a doctor, I want to contribute to the advancements of pediatric medicine, but also be dedicated to improving the emotional and mental well-being of my patients and their families.”

 

]]> ls67 1 1732027693 2024-11-19 14:48:13 1732034562 2024-11-19 16:42:42 0 0 news Sonali Kaluri, Seth Kinoshita, and Medina McCowin have been selected as walk-on recipients of the prestigious Stamps President's Scholarship. Chosen for their academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to service, they will receive full scholarships, mentoring, and unique growth opportunities.

]]> 2024-11-19T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-19T00:00:00-05:00 2024-11-19 00:00:00 Writer: Laura S. Smith 
College of Sciences

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

]]> 675663 675663 image <![CDATA[Congratulations to the walk-on Stamps President's Scholars from the College of Sciences: Sonali Kaluri, Seth Kinoshita, and Medina McCowin.]]> Congratulations to the walk-on Stamps President's Scholars from the College of Sciences: Sonali Kaluri, Seth Kinoshita, and Medina McCowin.

]]> image/png 1732027981 2024-11-19 14:53:01 1732027981 2024-11-19 14:53:01 <![CDATA[Two College of Sciences Students Earn Walk-on Stamps President's Scholarships]]> <![CDATA[Research Takes Flight: Benjamin Freeman Named 2024 Packard Fellow]]> 35599 Benjamin Freeman has been named a 2024 Packard Fellow for groundbreaking research in climate change and bird ecology. Freeman, an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, will receive $875,000 to fund his work.

“From all of us in Biological Sciences, we’re thrilled to see Ben Freeman named a Packard Fellow,” says School Chair Jeffrey (Todd) Streelman. “Ben’s research is important, compelling, and creative — a triple-threat combination that justifies this recognition.”

Awarded annually to only 20 individuals by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Packard Fellows are known for pursuing cutting-edge research, never-before-done projects, and ambitious goals. 

“These scientists and engineers are the architects of tomorrow, leading innovation with bold ideas and unyielding determination,” shares Nancy Lindborg, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Packard Foundation. “Their work today will be the foundation for the breakthroughs of the future, inspiring the next wave of discovery and invention.” 

“I'm flabbergasted to receive this prestigious award,” says Freeman. “Packard support will be transformative. It will give me the freedom to do the sorts of risky projects that I've dreamed about, and will support the intense fieldwork that I'm convinced is necessary to understand big questions in climate change ecology.”

The Packard funding will support Freemans most ambitious project to date: developing “Tech Mountain” in the tropics, a long-term field project focused on surveying thousands of individual birds. From mountain slope to summit, he will track their motions, their nests and predators, where they live, eat, move, and die — and how this changes as temperatures warm.

The pioneer study will shape a window into how birds and other organisms are responding to our changing climate, while developing technology and methodology that could revolutionize the fields of ecology and biology.

The escalator to extinction

Freeman’s previous research has shown that, in general, birds are moving to higher elevations as our climate changes. 

“I found that as it's gotten warmer in the tropics, it's set in motion what I call an escalator to extinction,” he explains. “Birds are living at higher and higher elevations, and those that were common on a mountain top when I was a toddler in Peru are now gone from that mountain.”

While this previous research has shown that tropical birds are on this escalator, it hasn’t been possible to determine the specifics: which birds might be most vulnerable and what the key stressors are.

Freeman explains that “Tech Mountain” will be a first-of-its-kind field site, equipped with innovative sensors and trackers — think cameras placed on nets, recording equipment, climatic sensors, and small individual trackers on each bird.

“I want to figure out what drives their birth rates, where they're dying, and where they're moving during the course of their life,” he shares. “That will help us unravel how this escalator to extinction works.”

Building ‘Tech Mountain’

Several thousand meters tall, encompassing lowland rainforest, foothill rainforest, and cloud forest, Freeman’s field site will feature dense vegetation, steep grades, and encompass several different climatic zones — each with unique species.

Along its slopes, Freeman’s team will find, catch, mark, and follow the lives of thousands of individual birds across hundreds of species — for a minimum of five years, but potentially for decades. It’s never been done before.

Currently, most GPS trackers are too large for small birds, and smaller trackers capture limited information. Additionally, these smaller trackers cannot wirelessly transfer data — in order to download and access the data, each bird must be recaptured.

“The conditions are tough. It’s rugged. It’s humid. It’s cloudy and wet. We’ll need to put resources into developing technology that fits our needs, and experiment with different ways of tracking individuals in these difficult conditions,” Freeman says.

Freeman will also leverage eBird, an online hub where community scientists can upload their observations. “Millions upon millions of observations are uploaded by community scientists, citizen scientists, birders — people,” he adds. “And using this data, we can estimate the vulnerability of mountain bird species — which species seem to be shrinking their ranges and declining in abundance.”

This builds on Freeman’s current work creating the Mountain Bird Network, which supports community scientists in conducting bird surveys on their local mountains.

Georgia Tech and global connections

Freeman’s tools and methodologies could revolutionize fieldwork for ecologists and biologists, opening the door for rigorous new field studies.

It will also provide opportunities to deepen collaborations abroad. “I'm planning on working closely with Dr. Elisa Bonaccorso's lab at the University of San Francisco, Quito (USFQ Ecuador),” Freeman says, “and I’m looking forward to that collaboration. The Packard funding will also support work in Ecuador conducted by an Ecuadorian graduate student who is studying at Georgia Tech.”

Throughout the research, students will be at the heart of the projects. “I take mentoring scientists very seriously,” Freeman shares. “Undergraduates will have the opportunity to get involved on the biology side of this research, the computational side, and on the engineering side of the research. They’ll even help develop new tracking technologies.

The Packard Fellowship will not only support my research — but help me provide these opportunities in the coming years to Georgia Tech’s future scientists.” 

]]> sperrin6 1 1729016683 2024-10-15 18:24:43 1730466723 2024-11-01 13:12:03 0 0 news Climate change has set in motion an “escalator to extinction” as mountain species move uphill to cooler elevations, occupy shrinking ranges, and then go extinct. The Freeman lab investigates why some species are riding this “escalator” — and how mountain biodiversity can persist in a warming world.

]]> 2024-10-15T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-15T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-15 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner
Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 675324 675323 675324 image <![CDATA[A rufous-tailed jacamar (Photo by Benjamin Freeman)]]> A rufous-tailed jacamar (Photo by Benjamin Freeman)

]]> image/jpeg 1729016793 2024-10-15 18:26:33 1729016793 2024-10-15 18:26:33 675323 image <![CDATA[Benjamin Freeman]]> Benjamin Freeman

]]> image/png 1729016793 2024-10-15 18:26:33 1729016793 2024-10-15 18:26:33 <![CDATA[The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Announces the 2024 Class of Packard Fellows for Science and Engineering]]> <![CDATA[First-Year Wellness Experience Expands with 'Scientific Foundations of Health']]> 36609 A wellness course at Georgia Tech was redesigned for the fall to help first-year students better navigate the challenges of college life. The course, APPH 1040: Scientific Foundations of Health, expands the Institute’s First-Year Wellness Experience (FYWE), which promotes student wellness across multiple areas.

“This course bridges the academic and well-being experiences of the student,” says Christie Stewart, co-director of the wellness course and senior academic professional in the School of Biological Sciences. “We designed it to help students develop habits that support their overall success, both in and out of the classroom.”  

Teaching Wellness from Day One 

APPH 1040 gives students practical strategies they can apply immediately. The course now covers topics like sleep improvement, stress management, resilience, and social wellness to help students better adapt to college life. 

Becky James, one of the course instructors, encourages students to take a holistic approach. “Students are empowered to take a whole-person perspective and explore how wellness dimensions relate, overlap, and play a role in their well-being,” says James.  

First-year mechanical engineering student Gargi Telang says the course is reshaping her perspective. “Each lecture focuses on a different aspect of wellness,” she says. “My professor doesn’t just tell us what to do — she explains why. This approach has completely transformed my mindset. I wish I could take this course every semester at Tech. You show up, you reap the benefits.”   

Fostering Community and Belonging

In addition to individual wellness, the course emphasizes building social connections. “Social wellness is about creating a community. It’s important that students connect to their classmates and find a sense of belonging,” says Stewart. “With a focus on mental health both campus-wide and nationwide, we needed to take a closer look at our culture of wellness and how we can build that on campus.”  

First-year computer science student Ella Foster says the focus on collaboration and self-discovery is one of the course’s strengths. “I love how we are working together to establish roles for our research projects based on our CliftonStrengths Assessments — a tool that helps people identify their natural talents.” 

Strengthening an Established Program

Faculty redesigned the curriculum of the existing APPH 1040 course to better align with FYWE and the eight key dimensions of well-being (financial, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and occupational well-being). Supported by partnerships with Housing and Residence Life, the Center for Mental Health Care and Resources, and the Wellness Empowerment Center, the FYWE provides a range of services designed to promote student well-being, including peer support networks and designated residence halls.  

“Many first-year students face stress related to academic rigor, making it essential to introduce them to wellness strategies early in their college careers,” says Stewart.  

This year, the new APPH 1040 piloted two cohorts of 48 students each — one on the east and west side of campus. Feedback through student surveys will help improve future courses.  

“The first year is an integral part of a student’s foundation for success,” says School of Biological Sciences Lecturer Sasha McBurse. “By the completion of this course, students will have strategies to overcome adversity and a game plan for improving their wellness for life.”  

First-year computer science student Ayden Beard says this semester was the perfect time for him to take the course. “It’s given me so many tips on ways to develop healthy habits, manage stress, and maintain a happy, healthy life.”  

The course will be offered again in the spring. 

You can find more information on Georgia Tech’s wellness programs and events here and the School of Biological Sciences’ wellness courses here.   

]]> acook304 1 1730309891 2024-10-30 17:38:11 1730414820 2024-10-31 22:47:00 0 0 news The newly redesigned course, APPH 1040: Scientific Foundations of Health, expands the Institute’s First-Year Wellness Experience and provides students with practical wellness tools and strategies for college life and beyond.

]]> 2024-10-31T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-31T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-31 00:00:00 Amanda Cook
Communications Officer II
College of Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology

Editor and Contact: Lindsay C. Vidal
Assistant Director of Communications

]]> 675468 675468 image <![CDATA[Students say the course, APPH 1040: Scientific Foundations of Health, has provided helpful tools to succeed in college.]]> image/jpeg 1730311057 2024-10-30 17:57:37 1730410077 2024-10-31 21:27:57 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Researcher Leads $6 Million NASA Astrobiology Study]]> 28153 Billions of years ago, self-replicating systems of molecules became separated from one another by membranes, resulting in the first cells. Over time, evolving cells enriched the living world with an astonishing diversity of new shapes and biochemical innovations, all made possible by compartments. 

Compartmentalization is how all living systems are organized today — from proteins and small molecules sharing space in separate phases to dividing labor and specialized functions within and among cells.

Now, with $6 million in support from NASA, a team of researchers led by Georgia Tech’s Frank Rosenzweig will study the organizing principles of compartmentalization in a five-year project called Engine of Innovation: How Compartmentalization Drives Evolution of Novelty and Efficiency Across Scales.

It's one of seven new projects selected recently by NASA as part of its Interdisciplinary Consortia for Astrobiology Research (ICAR) program. ICAR is embedded among NASA’s five Astrobiology Research Coordination Networks (RCNs). Rosenzweig is co-lead for the RCN launched in 2022, LIFE: Early Cells to Multicellularity.

“We’re excited by the prospect of exploring this fundamental question through the interplay of theory and experiment,” said Rosenzweig, professor in the School of Biological Sciences, whose team of co-Investigators includes biochemists, geologists, cell biologists, and theoreticians from leading NASA research centers: Jeff Cameron, Shelley Copley, Alexis Templeton, and Boswell Wing from the University of Colorado Boulder; Josh Goldford and Victoria Orphan from California Institute of Technology; and John McCutcheon from Arizona State University. Collaborating with them is Chris Kempes, professor at the Santa Fe Institute.

Rosenzweig is also eager to eventually collaborate with existing ICAR teams, such as MUSE, led by the University of Wisconsin’s Betül Kaçar, a former Georgia Tech postdoctoral researcher, and newly selected teams, such as Retention of Habitable Atmospheres in Planetary Systems, led by Dave Brain at University of Colorado Boulder.

Meanwhile, he plans to build upon Georgia Tech’s outstanding reputation in astrobiology, where a cluster of researchers, such as Jen Glass, Nick Hud, Thom Orlando, Amanda Stockton, and Loren Williams, among others, is engaged in a diverse range of work supported by NASA.

“This is just the latest chapter in a long history of excellence in NASA research at Georgia Tech, one written by my colleagues across the Institute,” Rosenzweig said.

]]> Jerry Grillo 1 1727369686 2024-09-26 16:54:46 1730317415 2024-10-30 19:43:35 0 0 news NASA awarded $6 million to a research team led by Georgia Tech’s Frank Rosenzweig to study how compartmentalization drives evolution. This five-year project, part of NASA’s Interdisciplinary Consortia for Astrobiology Research (ICAR) program, aims to explore how the organization of molecules within cells fosters evolutionary efficiency and novelty.

]]> 2023-08-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-14T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-14 00:00:00 Jerry Grillo

]]> 675131 675131 image <![CDATA[FrankRosenzweig]]> Frank Rosenzweig, professor in the School of Biological Sciences

]]> image/jpeg 1727369409 2024-09-26 16:50:09 1727369538 2024-09-26 16:52:18 <![CDATA[New AI Tool Identifies Better Antibody Therapies ]]> 34541  From sending cancer into remission to alleviating Covid-19 symptoms, immunotherapy can provide revolutionary disease treatments. Immunotherapies use antibodies — proteins that bind to cell markers called antigens — to target and eliminate the antigen. But despite how effective immunotherapy can be, it isn’t widely used because finding the right antibodies to develop treatments is challenging, time-consuming work.

Georgia Tech researchers are making this process a little easier, though. Their new tool, AF2Complex, used deep learning to predict which antibodies could bind to Covid-19’s infamous spike protein. The researchers created input data for the deep-learning model using sequences of known antigen binders. This method correctly predicted 90% of the best antibodies in one test with 1,000 antibodies and was recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Treating Covid-19 is just the start of its potential. 

“AF2Complex improves therapeutic development,” said Mu Gao, a senior research scientist in the School of Biological Sciences (SBS). “If you have a high-quality model, then you can tinker with the protein sequence and optimize the antibody, making it more suitable for drug development.”

Developing the Deep-Learning Model

The researchers weren’t the first to use deep learning to predict protein structures, but they did considerably expand the model’s capabilities. In 2020, the Nobel Prize-winning DeepMind AlphaFold, an Alphabet project, made breakthroughs using deep learning to predict the protein structures of single proteins. Georgia Tech researchers pushed the model to predict the structures of protein complexes. In 2021, they created the first version of AF2Complex, which could predict interactions between multiple, complex proteins like E. coli. Applying it to human proteins was the next step — but much harder.

“Normally, when you predict protein-protein interactions, the surface area of the protein is quite large, so you could afford to make a few mistakes with an imperfect model,” said Jeffrey Skolnick, a Regents’ Professor and the Mary and Maisie Gibson Chair in SBS and a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar.  “But an antibody-protein interaction occupies a much smaller interfacial area. Imagine going from hitting a big target anywhere to hitting the bullseye.”

Determining how to predict the antibody-antigen interactions was the biggest challenge. The researchers focused on the Covid-19 virus because it had many complex antigen-binding sequences and epitopes, the specific molecule region that interacts with B- and T-cells to trigger an immune response. Covid-19 also was a widely available dataset, unlike many immunotherapies to which only pharmaceutical companies have access. The Covid-19 database, in effect, offered a rich training environment for the AF2 algorithm. 

Skolnick and Gao used Covid-19 sequences from known antibodies to identify evolutionary relationships and patterns, improving the accuracy of predictions. From there, they applied the AF2 deep-learning model, already trained on a vast amount of protein structure data. The model used sequences to predict how proteins fold and interact, developing a 3D structure of protein complexes. Plus, it could produce 3D structures for more than just one dominant epitope.

The predictions were validated against experimental data, refining the model. With these predicted structures, researchers can do everything from better understanding biological processes to developing new drugs.

Treating the Virus of the Future

The researchers believe deep-learning technologies could revolutionize how we treat future diseases. With infinite resources and time, researchers could manually try every antibody-antigen combination, but no scientist has that. AF2Complex can narrow the focus and get to the treatment sooner. 

“Imagine the virus from hell arises. You could design a series of antibodies using this algorithm, so it cuts down the time for vaccine development,” Skolnick said. “There are no substitutes for a real experiment, but AF2Complex can prioritize which experiments you should do, so you have more shots at the goal.”

The researchers are already collaborating with Emory University to conduct experiments that validate AF2Complex’s findings. They also are pursuing a path to commercialize the model. When the next pandemic starts, we will be better prepared.

The  National Institutes of Health provided, and the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation supported, the main computing resources.

]]> Tess Malone 1 1730226922 2024-10-29 18:35:22 1730315555 2024-10-30 19:12:35 0 0 news Researchers combine deep learning with advanced sequencing techniques to predict how antibodies interact with antigens.

]]> 2024-10-29T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-29T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-29 00:00:00 Tess Malone, Senior Research Writer/Editor

tess.malone@gatech.edu

]]> 675462 675462 image <![CDATA[Animation-for-AF2Complex-Story-V2.gif]]> Deep learning effectively predicts antibodies targeting distinct epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (gray, center). [Image courtesy of Mu Gao; Illustration by Stephanie Stephens

]]> image/gif 1730226950 2024-10-29 18:35:50 1730226950 2024-10-29 18:35:50 <![CDATA[Genome Sequencing Could Unlock Answers to Yellow Jacket Behavior ]]> 36418

The most recognizable yellow jacket at Georgia Tech is made of fabric and foam, but Professor Mike Goodisman and a team of researchers revealed a far more complex cellular structure by successfully sequencing the genome of two local species of yellow jacket wasps — Vespula squamosa (the southern yellow jacket) and Vespula maculifrons (the eastern yellow jacket). 

Having the genome sequences of yellow jacket wasps expands biologists' understanding of the behaviors and evolution of social insects, including the intricacies of the caste system made up of queens, males, and workers.  

"The genome is fundamental for a lot of questions that we ask," Goodisman said.  

The research, published in Annals of the Entomological Society of America, identifies rates of gene evolution among the different species, which Goodisman says could offer explanations for the various roles each wasp plays in their colonies as well as their ability to adapt and thrive in different environments. Variations in the genomes will also help scientists dissect the interactions between the two local species.  

Southern and eastern yellow jacket queens produce all caste members in the colony, and while mated queens from both species hibernate in the winter following the decline of their colonies, V. squamosa will stay in hibernation slightly longer. Southern queens then actively seek out established eastern yellow jacket nests, kill the resident queen, and take over her colony. Goodisman and his research team hope the genome provides insight into the southern queens’ parasitic behavior.  

The typical colony will survive six to eight months, but in certain climates, colonies can outlast the winter months to become "supercolonies." These larger colonies take on multiple queens as they grow to the size of a couch or a car. Goodisman's team will use the genome to look for clues as to how these supercolonies thrive for multiple years and how natural selection operates in the two species.  

Throughout the study, Goodisman relied on the Georgia Tech community's shared interest in the social insect to gather the necessary samples. Through ads in The Whistle and other campus publications, he collected yellow jacket wasps’ nests from faculty, staff, and alumni, in addition to samples from around the region. DNA was extracted from individual wasp samples and then sent to the University of Georgia for DNA sequencing. The resulting genomes, which are about 200 million base pairs in length, were then jointly analyzed by scientists at Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia.   

“When you get the data back, you get these long sequences of the building blocks of DNA. Part of the game is putting that together like a puzzle, and then we analyze the sequence to figure out what it means,” he said.   

With the genome sequenced, the team can then compare the local species to each other and all species of yellow jacket wasps worldwide. Unlike honeybees, yellow jacket wasps are not considered significant pollinators, but because their diet consists of insects and carrion, Goodisman explains that understanding their place in the ecosystems they inhabit is equally important.  

He is enthused to be on a campus that shares his interest in the group of social insects known as Hymenoptera. That interest led him to study insects like fruit flies at Cornell University and fire ants at the University of Georgia before beginning his postdoctoral research on other members of the Hymenoptera order.  

Now, when discussing his research with members of the Georgia Tech community, he finds himself answering one question more than any other. His response is always the same. "Because of the stinger, Buzz is anatomically female."   

And while he can't definitively say which species of yellow jacket the mascot would be, Goodisman said Buzz's feisty nature would lean toward the more aggressive and charismatic southern yellow jacket, V. squamosa. 

 

]]> sgagliano3 1 1729089094 2024-10-16 14:31:34 1729090380 2024-10-16 14:53:00 0 0 news A Georgia Tech professor and his team are cracking the code on the Institute's most recognizable social insect. 

]]> 2024-10-16T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-16T00:00:00-04:00 2024-10-16 00:00:00 Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

]]> 675286 675286 image <![CDATA[Vespula maculifrons queen, gyne, and males. ]]> Photo courtesy of Goodisman Research Group.

]]> image/jpeg 1728593899 2024-10-10 20:58:19 1728593899 2024-10-10 20:58:19 <![CDATA[ Genomic analyses of the southern and eastern yellowjacket wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) reveal evolutionary signatures of social life ]]> <![CDATA[Goodisman Lab]]> <![CDATA[Joel Kostka Named AGU Fellow]]> 34528 Professor Joel E. Kostka has been named a Union Fellow by the American Geophysical Union, joining a slate of 53 international researchers selected as 2024 AGU Fellows for “significant contributions to the Earth and space sciences.”

Kostka serves as Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in Biological Sciences with a joint appointment in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech.

Each year, AGU recognizes individuals and teams for their accomplishments in research, education, science communication and outreach. “These recipients have transformed our understanding of the world, impacted our everyday lives, improved our communities and contributed to solutions for a sustainable future,” shared AGU President Lisa J. Graumlich and the organization’s Honors and Recognition Committee in a September 18 announcement.

Kostka is an expert in ecosystem biogeoscience, which couples biogeochemistry with microbiology to uncover the role of microorganisms in ecosystem function — along with determining the mechanisms by which environmental perturbations (climate change) alter microbially-mediated biogeochemical cycles.

“To be named as a fellow of the American Geophysical Union is very special to me, in particular because it signifies the trust and respect of my colleagues,” Kostka says. “I am honored to stand on the shoulders of such a great group of researchers that have moved this field forward.” 

“Of course,” he adds, “I would not be in this position without amazing mentors, colleagues, students, and postdocs from whom I have learned so much.”

“I want to congratulate Dr. Kostka on this tremendous honor,” adds Biological Sciences Professor and Chair Todd Streelman. “His passion for ecology and understanding the impacts of environmental change on ecosystems is evident. I am delighted that his significant contributions have been recognized by his colleagues in the American Geophysical Union.” 

Honorees will be celebrated at AGU24, which will convene more than 25,000 attendees from over 100 countries in Washington, D.C. this December under the theme “What’s Next for Science.”

 

]]> jhunt7 1 1726693170 2024-09-18 20:59:30 1726693312 2024-09-18 21:01:52 0 0 news Professor Joel E. Kostka has been named a Union Fellow by the American Geophysical Union, joining a slate of 53 international researchers selected as 2024 AGU Fellows for “significant contributions to the Earth and space sciences.”  

]]> 2024-09-18T00:00:00-04:00 2024-09-18T00:00:00-04:00 2024-09-18 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 675025 675025 image <![CDATA[Joel Kostka ]]> image/jpeg 1726693287 2024-09-18 21:01:27 1726693287 2024-09-18 21:01:27 <![CDATA[From Roots to Resilience: Investigating the Vital Role of Microbes in Coastal Plant Health ]]> <![CDATA[Rising Temperatures Alter ‘Missing Link’ of Microbial Processes, Putting Northern Peatlands at Risk ]]> <![CDATA[Joel Kostka Awarded $3.2 Million to Keep Digging into How Soils and Plants Capture Carbon — And Keep It Out of Earth’s Atmosphere ]]> <![CDATA[Salt Marsh Grass On Georgia’s Coast Gets Nutrients for Growth From Helpful Bacteria in Its Roots ]]> <![CDATA[James Stroud Awarded British Ecological Society Founder's Prize]]> 34528 James T. Stroud, Elizabeth Smithgall Watts Early Career Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, has been awarded the prestigious Founder's Prize by the British Ecological Society (BES), the largest scientific society for ecologists in Europe.

Commemorating the enthusiasm and vision of the organization’s founders, the Founder's Prize is awarded to an outstanding early career ecologist who is beginning to make a significant contribution to the science of ecology. 

Stroud is being recognized for his groundbreaking research as an integrative evolutionary ecologist, investigating how ecological and evolutionary processes may underlie patterns of biological diversity at the macro-scale.

Earlier this year, Stroud was also named an Early Career Fellow by the Ecological Society of America (ESA). He is the first person to win both seminal early career researcher awards from ESA and BES — the two largest and most influential ecological societies in the world — in the same year. 

“The British Ecological Society could not have selected a more deserving recipient of this prestigious award,” says David Collard, senior associate dean in the College of Sciences and professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “James is a model of faculty excellence in his innovative research, commitment to education, and leadership in the field. We look forward to his continued impact in driving forward the field of ecology.”

Stroud's highly multidisciplinary research combines field studies with macro-ecological and evolutionary comparative analyses, primarily studying lizards. His current interests focus on measuring natural selection in the wild, often leveraging non-native lizards as natural experiments in ecology and evolution.

"I am completely overwhelmed and honored to receive this award,” Stroud says, “and especially from a society very close to my heart. My first ever scientific conference was a BES meeting.”

Stroud will be presented with an honorarium prize during a ceremony at the BES Annual Meeting in Liverpool this December. The meeting brings together over 1,000 ecologists to discuss the latest advances in ecological research. For more than a century, the BES has been championing ecology through its journals, meetings, grants, education, and policy work.

“This award really symbolizes the amazing support and guidance I have received throughout my career from an incredible network of mentors and colleagues,” Stroud adds, “and now, the amazing people I get to work with in my own research group, as well.”

###

About the British Ecological Society

The British Ecological Society (BES), founded in 1913, is the oldest ecological society in the world, championing the study of ecology for over a century. With over 7,000 members in more than 120 countries, the BES is the largest scientific society for ecologists in Europe and promotes the study of ecology through its six academic journals, conferences, grants, education initiatives and policy work. 

About Georgia Tech

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the U.S., developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts,  and  sciences degrees. Its more than 47,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 143 countries. They study at the main campus in Atlanta, at instructional sites around the world, or through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society. 

 

]]> jhunt7 1 1725456303 2024-09-04 13:25:03 1725456565 2024-09-04 13:29:25 0 0 news James Stroud has been awarded the British Ecological Society Founder's Prize. Commemorating the enthusiasm and vision of the Society’s founders, the annual honor is bestowed upon “an outstanding early career ecologist who is starting to make a significant contribution to the science of ecology.”

]]> 2024-09-04T00:00:00-04:00 2024-09-04T00:00:00-04:00 2024-09-04 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology 

Davy Falkner
Media Relations Officer
British Ecological Society

]]> 673890 673890 image <![CDATA[James Stroud examines an anole (Day’s Edge Productions)]]> image/jpeg 1714494317 2024-04-30 16:25:17 1714494317 2024-04-30 16:25:17 <![CDATA[James Stroud Named Early Career Fellow by Ecological Society of America ]]> <![CDATA[Long-Term Lizard Study Challenges the Rules of Evolutionary Biology]]> <![CDATA[Winners of the Seed Grant Challenge for Climate Solutions Announced]]> <![CDATA[As Temperatures Climb, Flying Insects Slower to Migrate to Cooler Elevations]]> <![CDATA[‘Living Fossil’ Lizards Are Constantly Evolving—You Just Can’t See It]]> <![CDATA[Evolution: Fast or Slow? Lizards Help Resolve a Paradox.]]> <![CDATA[From Roots to Resilience: Investigating the Vital Role of Microbes in Coastal Plant Health]]> 36123 Georgia’s saltwater marshes — living where the land meets the ocean — stretch along the state’s entire 100-mile coastline. These rich ecosystems are largely dominated by just one plant: grass.

Known as cordgrass, the plant is an ecosystem engineer, providing habitats for wildlife, naturally cleaning water as it moves from inland to the sea, and holding the shoreline together so it doesn’t collapse. Cordgrass even protects human communities from tidal surges.

Understanding how these plants stay healthy is of crucial ecological importance. For example, one known plant stressor prevalent in marsh soils is the dissolved sulfur compound, sulfide, which is produced and consumed by bacteria. But while the Georgia coastline boasts a rich tradition of ecological research, understanding the nuanced ways bacteria interact with plants in these ecosystems has been elusive. Thanks to recent advances in genomic technology, Georgia Tech biologists have begun to reveal never-before-seen ecological processes.

The team’s work was published in Nature Communications. 

Joel Kostka, the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences, and Jose Luis Rolando, a postdoctoral fellow, set out to investigate the relationship between the cordgrass Spartina alterniflora and the microbial communities that inhabit their roots, identifying the bacteria and their roles.

“Just like humans have gut microbes that keep us healthy, plants depend on microbes in their tissues for health, immunity, metabolism, and nutrient uptake,” Kostka said. “While we’ve known about the reactions that drive nutrient and carbon cycling in the marsh for a long time, there’s not as much data on the role of microbes in ecosystem functioning.”

Out in the Marsh

A major way that plants get their nutrients is through nitrogen fixation, a process in which bacteria convert nitrogen into a form that plants can use. In marshes, this role has mostly been attributed to heterotrophs, or bacteria that grow and get their energy from organic carbon. Bacteria that consume the plant toxin sulfide are chemoautotrophs, using energy from sulfide oxidation to fuel the uptake of carbon dioxide to make their own organic carbon for growth.

“Through previous work, we knew that Spartina alterniflora has sulfur bacteria in its roots and that there are two types: sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which use sulfide as an energy source, and sulfate reducers, which respire sulfate and produce sulfide, a known toxin for plants,” Rolando said. “We wanted to know more about the role these different sulfur bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle.”

Kostka and Rolando headed to Sapelo Island, Georgia, where they have regularly conducted fieldwork in the salt marshes. Wading into the marsh, shovels and buckets in hand, the researchers and their students collected cordgrass along with the muddy sediment samples that cling to their roots. Back at the field lab, the team gathered around a basin filled with creek water and carefully washed the grass, gently separating the plant roots.

Next, they used a special technique involving heavier versions of chemical elements that occur in nature as tracers to track the microbial processes. They also analyzed the DNA and RNA of the microbes living in different compartments of the plants.

Using a sequencing technology known as shotgun metagenomics, they were able to retrieve the DNA from the whole microbial community and reconstruct genomes from newly discovered organisms. Similarly, untargeted RNA sequencing of the microbial community allowed them to assess which microbial species and specific functions were active in close association with plant roots.

Using this combination of techniques, they found that chemoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were also involved in nitrogen fixation. Not only did these bacteria help plants by detoxifying the root zone, but they also played a crucial role in providing nitrogen to the plants. This dual role of the bacteria in sulfur cycling and nitrogen fixation highlights their importance in coastal ecosystems and their contribution to plant health and growth.

"Plants growing in areas with high levels of sulfide accumulation tend to be smaller and less healthy," said Rolando. "However, we found that the microbial communities within Spartina roots help to detoxify the sulfide, enhancing plant health and resilience."

Local to Global Significance

Cordgrasses aren’t just the main player in Georgia marshes; they also dominate marsh landscapes across the entire Southeast, including the Carolinas and the Gulf Coast. Moreover, the researchers found that the same bacteria are associated with cordgrass, mangrove, and seagrass roots in coastal ecosystems across the planet.

"Much of the shoreline in tropical and temperate climates is covered by coastal wetlands,” Rolando said. “These areas likely harbor similar microbial symbioses, which means that these interactions impact ecosystem functioning on a global scale."  

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to further explore the details of how marsh plants and microbes exchange nitrogen and carbon, using state-of-the-art microscopy techniques coupled with ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry to confirm their findings at the single-cell level.

"Science follows technology, and we were excited to use the latest genomic methods to see which types of bacteria were there and active,” Kostka said. “There's still much to learn about the intricate relationships between plants and microbes in coastal ecosystems, and we are beginning to uncover the extent of the microbial complexity that keeps marshes healthy.”

 

Citation: Rolando, J.L., Kolton, M., Song, T. et al. Sulfur oxidation and reduction are coupled to nitrogen fixation in the roots of the salt marsh foundation plant Spartina alterniflora. Nat Commun 15, 3607 (2024).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47646-1

Funding: This work was supported in part by an institutional grant (NA18OAR4170084) to the Georgia Sea Grant College Program from the National Sea Grant Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Department of Commerce, and by a grant from the National Science Foundation (DEB 1754756).

]]> Catherine Barzler 1 1715799132 2024-05-15 18:52:12 1725036874 2024-08-30 16:54:34 0 0 news Understanding how salt marsh grass stays healthy is of crucial ecological importance, and studying the ways bacteria interact with these plants is key. Thanks to recent advances in genomic technology, Georgia Tech biologists have begun to reveal never-before-seen ecological processes.

]]> 2024-05-15T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-15T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-15 00:00:00 674019 674020 674022 674021 674023 674019 image <![CDATA[Screenshot 2024-05-15 at 1.26.57 PM.jpg]]> Georgia Tech researchers surveying field sites in the salt marshes of Sapelo Island, Georgia.

]]> image/jpeg 1715800209 2024-05-15 19:10:09 1715800209 2024-05-15 19:10:09 674020 image <![CDATA[IMG_0277.jpeg]]> Joel Kostka, the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences.

]]> image/jpeg 1715800875 2024-05-15 19:21:15 1715800875 2024-05-15 19:21:15 674022 image <![CDATA[PastedGraphic-3[60].jpg]]> Georgia Tech postdoctoral fellow Jose Rolando (right) and graduate student Gabrielle Krueger prepare samples for chemical analysis in the field at Sapelo Island, Georgia.

]]> image/jpeg 1715801461 2024-05-15 19:31:01 1715802529 2024-05-15 19:48:49 674021 image <![CDATA[PastedGraphic-6[93].jpg]]> Researchers washing cordgrass roots for microbial analysis.

]]> image/jpeg 1715801172 2024-05-15 19:26:12 1715801172 2024-05-15 19:26:12 674023 image <![CDATA[PastedGraphic-4.jpg]]> Georgia Tech graduate student Tianze Song collects porewater samples for chemical analysis in the marsh on Sapelo Island, Georgia.

]]> image/jpeg 1715802407 2024-05-15 19:46:47 1715802407 2024-05-15 19:46:47 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Adds Satellite Counselor]]> 34434 August 2024 Update: Please consult this page for the latest information about mental health & counseling resources, including Satellite Counselor Tara Holdampf's consultation hours for Fall 2024 - Spring 2025.

 

Tara Holdampf is the new College of Sciences satellite counselor, and will provide consultation services and support for students from an office at the Molecular Science and Engineering Building (MoSE). 

“I'm excited to join the incredibly welcoming and talented group at the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech as a satellite counselor,” Holdampf says, “to continue the process of breaking down barriers between students and mental health services.”

Satellite counselor locations improve accessibility for students by providing counseling in places where students spend most of their time. Placing a counselor in an academic department helps to destigmatize mental health and may serve those who might hesitate to go to the Georgia Tech Counseling Center. A primary goal is to reach students who might not have otherwise sought out services. 

Holdampf will provide a wide variety of services such as individual counseling, group counseling, psycho-educational workshops, and walk-in hours for brief consultations (available to students, or faculty/staff who need to consult about a student). 

Holdampf issues a reminder that “as stress levels increase, and the fall semester continues, please know that GT CARE and GTCC are here to offer confidential support and services to students in need of mental healthcare.”

Currently enrolled interested students can reach out to GT CARE at (404) 894-3498 to schedule an initial assessment, and to be connected to health and wellness services. Current clients can continue to reach their GTCC counselor via email.

Holdampf will be offering consultation hours during which students, faculty, and staff can meet to learn more about mental health resources on campus, and/or to discuss a specific non-emergency student concern. These consults typically last 15 minutes. Those interested can email Holdampf at tara.holdampf@studentlife.gatech.edu to request a meeting. Holdampf will respond with a date/time and link/location for the consultation.

Find Tara's consultation hours and more resources here.

 

Students in need of mental health support after hours can call the GTCC main number at 404-894-2575, and follow the prompts to speak with an after-hours counselor.  Please visit the GTCC website for upcoming workshops, Let’s Talk sessions, and online offerings.

 

Holdampf, who has practiced in a higher education setting for seven years, has an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia. Holdampf is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and serves on the council of the Georgia College Counseling Association.

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1636487481 2021-11-09 19:51:21 1724953588 2024-08-29 17:46:28 0 0 news Satellite counselor Tara Holdampf will provide confidential consultations and support for students, virtually and from the Molecular Science and Engineering Building.

]]> 2021-11-11T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-11T00:00:00-05:00 2021-11-11 00:00:00 Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
494-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

 

]]> 652639 652639 image <![CDATA[Tara Holdampf]]> image/jpeg 1636487566 2021-11-09 19:52:46 1636487566 2021-11-09 19:52:46 <![CDATA[Mental Health & Counseling Resources]]> <![CDATA[Undergraduate Anu Iyer Leads Parkinson’s Research Study]]> 36607 Anu Iyer, a Georgia Tech Dean’s Scholar, published her first research article as a first-year student — based on research conducted while she was in high school. She is the lead co-author of the paper published in Scientific Reports, a Nature Portfolio journal.

Iyer, now a second-year undergraduate majoring in biology with a pre-med focus, worked with researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to develop a novel voice-based diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

“Essentially, we proved the feasibility of a telemedicine approach towards detecting PD,” says Iyer. “Through a three-second phone call, our machine-learning model recognizes patterns in data to detect Parkinson’s with a 97 percent accuracy rate.”

Iyer states that additional strengths of the project include the potential for detecting PD at an early stage, leading to improved treatment outcomes, and the practical benefits of a virtual diagnostic tool.

“Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that primarily affects the elderly population, and one of the many issues with detection is that symptoms must be analyzed in person,” explains Iyer. “In Arkansas, 75 percent of our population resides in medically underserved areas — it can be hard for them to access health facilities. Our research addresses the need for convenient detection via telemedicine.”

From science fairs to academic researcher

Iyer’s teachers at her STEM middle school encouraged her passion for science and discovery. A science fair enthusiast, Iyer led a sixth-grade team to win the state title for the Verizon Innovative Learning app, creating a smartphone app that turns off text notifications when a car reaches more than five miles per hour.

Iyer credits her middle school teachers for inspiring her to seek answers beyond what she found in her textbooks. During the summer between eighth and ninth grade, Iyer watched YouTube videos to teach herself machine learning, appreciating the opportunity to use artificial intelligence to analyze data and make predictions.

“Machine learning fascinates me because it holds so much potential,” says Iyer. “I've always been interested in computer science, but machine learning opened my eyes to new possibilities and taught me that I can pay it forward through applied bioinformatics.”

In ninth grade, she emailed UAMS professors with a research idea incorporating medicine and computer science. Her outreach led to a post as an undergraduate researcher, helping create a computer algorithm to detect eye disease. While working on a diagnostic AI model for malignancy, she began collaborating with Fred Prior, the chair of Bioinformatics at UAMS, who became a valued mentor.

“Dr. Prior introduced me to the joys of research and how small changes can make a big difference in our world,” says Iyer.

Prior assigned her to the team focusing on Parkinson’s in her 11th grade year — and she soon began taking on more of an active leadership role in the research. She spent the rest of high school juggling coursework with constructing code and drafting proposals to create the computer algorithm capable of detecting PD.

Progress and service

Iyer’s desire to improve the world through research led her to Georgia Tech.

“One thing that spoke to me is the Progress and Service motto,” says Iyer. “My career goals include becoming an empathetic researcher focused on reducing healthcare disparities. Specifically, I hope to specialize in developing diagnostic tools that are affordable and available for underserved areas.”

As lead co-author of the PD research study, Iyer spent much of her first year working with Prior and UAMS, participating in Zoom calls every Saturday. As a second-year, Iyer intends to continue working with UAMS on PD and machine-learning research. She has also taken on a new role as multiple principal investigator for a study related to chronic back pain management.

Lainie Pomerleau, who taught Iyer’s first-year English course, and is now an assistant professor of English at the College of Coastal Georgia, helped Iyer prepare the PD paper for publication. “Anu embodies Georgia Tech's mission to develop leaders who advance technology to improve the human condition,” says Pomerleau.

Despite her busy schedule, Iyer has immersed herself in the Georgia Tech community. She loves the climbing wall at the Campus Recreation Center and points to Cognitive Psychology as her favorite class. Iyer considers Explore, the science-centered living and learning community, to be one of the highlights of her first year.

“I really enjoyed being a part of Explore, living with other students who prioritize science,” says Iyer. “It was easy to make friends because we all had similar classes.”

In the spring of her first year, she was selected as a College of Sciences Ambassador, accompanying prospective students and their parents to science-related courses and answering their questions about campus life.

She plans to get more involved with researchers at Georgia Tech.

“I am a biology major, but one amazing thing about Georgia Tech is that there is a lot of encouragement to join labs outside of your major and pursue your interests,” says Iyer. “I’d like to work in a Georgia Tech lab, particularly in neurology.”

Looking forward to her next few years at the Institute, she’s excited about the possibilities ahead:

“Georgia Tech is well known for groundbreaking research,” she says. “I want to take advantage of Tech’s many opportunities — and fulfill my ultimate goal of making a positive impact in the world.”

]]> ls67 1 1723724748 2024-08-15 12:25:48 1724859510 2024-08-28 15:38:30 0 0 news Second-year biology student Anu Iyer’s groundbreaking research is revolutionizing Parkinson’s disease detection. Through a three-second phone call, her team’s machine-learning model can detect Parkinson’s with 97 percent accuracy. 

]]> 2024-08-16T00:00:00-04:00 2024-08-16T00:00:00-04:00 2024-08-16 00:00:00 Writer: Laura S. Smith 
Communications Officer II 
College of Sciences

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

]]> 674588 674597 674588 image <![CDATA[Iyer completed much of her research while in high school and submitted the paper for publication as a Georgia Tech first-year.]]> Iyer completed much of her research while in high school and submitted the paper for publication as a Georgia Tech first-year.

]]> image/jpeg 1723725121 2024-08-15 12:32:01 1723823011 2024-08-16 15:43:31 674597 image <![CDATA[As a first-year, Iyer enjoyed diving into Tech's many events and activities, such as Georgia Tech Night at the Aquarium.]]> As a first-year, Iyer enjoyed diving into Tech's many events and activities, such as Georgia Tech Night at the Aquarium.

]]> image/jpeg 1723729875 2024-08-15 13:51:15 1724082962 2024-08-19 15:56:02 <![CDATA[Undergraduate Research Opportunities]]> <![CDATA[Celebrating a Decade of Explore LLC]]> <![CDATA[Two College of Sciences Faculty Earn Innovation Incubator Grants]]> 36607 Principal Academic Professionals Linda Green from the School of Biological Sciences and Mary Peek from the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry have been awarded Innovation Incubator grants from the Institute's Transformative Teaching and Learning (TTL) initiative. The grants support the development, implementation, and evaluation of transformative teaching projects in undergraduate courses and focus on CUREs (course-based undergraduate research experiences). 

They are part of the second round of TTL grants awarded to Georgia Tech faculty—and the first to go to faculty from the College of Sciences. Peek's initiative in the Biochemistry Laboratory II class will enable students to engage in hands-on research, while Green's Urban Ecology students will focus on studying the impact of green infrastructure in urban settings.

“The projects proposed by these College of Science faculty will bring the real world into—and beyond the traditional classroom,” says Kate Williams, QEP faculty co-director for the Office of Undergraduate Education and a senior academic professional for the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) who leads faculty-facing efforts for the TTL initiative. “We congratulate Peek and Green who earned these grants, but the real winners are the students who will benefit from these exciting experiential education programs.”

Mary Peek: Next Level Biochemical Education, Learning through Mini-CUREs 

In Peek’s CHEM 4582 – Biochemistry Laboratory II class, students will design and conduct experiments to support research projects spearheaded by Biochemistry faculty.

“As a career educator, I am always looking for ways to transform and improve both teaching and learning,” says Peek. “With this grant, I am especially excited to empower my students to stop thinking of themselves as students —and start thinking of themselves as scientists.”

Biochemistry Laboratory II students will begin the semester doing planned experiments to learn the basics of working in a laboratory and then conduct their own research, proposing an experimental design to investigate the established problems presented by faculty. Biochemistry professors and their designated liaisons will serve as “clients” for the student teams. 

“We hope to transform student learning by establishing a real-world research scenario where students take more ownership of their contributions, defend their work, and gain an appreciation for how challenging scientific discovery can be,” says Peek. “If the students generate quality data that has merit and addresses the problem effectively, they even have the potential to get their work published.” 

Throughout the semester, there will be frequent opportunities to consult and collaborate with research faculty, teaching assistants, and other students in the class. The course culminates in seminar-style presentations of students’ work. 

“My goal is for the Biochemistry Teaching Laboratory Mini-CUREs to inspire more critical and creative thinking, motivating students to integrate their knowledge and skills, collaborate more effectively, and become life-long learners,” sums up Peek.

Linda Green: Testing the Impact of Green Infrastructure in Urban Ecology 

Green will use the award to add an experiential component to her BIOS 4803: Urban Ecology class.

“This grant provides an opportunity to immerse students in the outdoors and provide valuable hands-on research to supplement their classroom experience,” says Green.

Students in the class will explore interactions between nature and people in city settings, investigating the impact of nature on the supply of healthy air, water, and food, as well as the human impact of climate change, pollution, and habitat alteration on urban biodiversity. 

“Nature exists within the gray infrastructure of buildings and roads,” says Green. “I’m excited to see where the students take their research—to not just find connections between nature and city life—but then share that knowledge with others.” 

Students will be challenged to develop a project around an element of green infrastructure, then document its effectiveness in improving the community.

“For their final projects, I’m envisioning a website where student findings will be highlighted in museum-style infographics to communicate the science to a public audience,” says Green.

]]> ls67 1 1718892448 2024-06-20 14:07:28 1723729116 2024-08-15 13:38:36 0 0 news College of Sciences faculty Linda Green and Mary Peek were recently awarded Innovation Incubator grants to advance experiential learning in their courses. Peek's initiative in the Biochemistry Laboratory II class will enable students to engage in hands-on research, while Green's Urban Ecology students will focus on studying the impact of green infrastructure in urban settings.

]]> 2024-06-24T00:00:00-04:00 2024-06-24T00:00:00-04:00 2024-06-24 00:00:00 Laura S. Smith 
Communications Officer II 
College of Sciences

]]> 674231 674231 image <![CDATA[Linda Green and Mary Peek]]> image/jpeg 1719248044 2024-06-24 16:54:04 1719251559 2024-06-24 17:52:39 <![CDATA[CTL's Teaching and Learning Project Showcase]]> <![CDATA[Academic Success and Advising Announces CCG and Advising Award Recipients]]> 36583 The Office of Undergraduate Education is pleased to announce our 2024 Academic Success and Advising (ASA) Award recipients. ASA awards recognize the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond to support our undergraduate students and improve retention, progression, and graduation. 

Since 2004, Georgia Tech has formally recognized excellence in academic advising, an integral part of the academic culture at the Institute, ensuring a holistic experience for students. Champions in this work, one staff advisor and one faculty advisor, are honored, highlighting best practices and core values in advising. 

New this year, the Office of Undergraduate Education launched the Complete College Georgia (CCG) Champion Award. CCG is the University System of Georgia’s statewide student success initiative to improve access to higher education and degree obtainment across the state. The CCG Champion Award recognizes one staff or faculty member who has made critical contributions to undergraduate student success, advancing the primary goals of CCG to improve the experience for Georgia Tech’s highest priority students while promoting our institutional values. 

Members of ASA visited each awardee’s office for a surprise presentation throughout May and June. Meet the remarkable 2024 ASA award recipients! 

Christina M. Ragan, School of Biological Sciences 

Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor (Faculty Advisor) 

Christina Ragan is an academic professional based in the School of Biological Sciences and works with the students, faculty, and staff in the Neuroscience undergraduate degree program.  Christina's commitment to the wellbeing of students while also conducting research and teaching multiple courses each semester, makes her a shining example of a faculty member's role in academic advising at Georgia Tech. One of her advisees writes: 

She is a phenomenal advisor, who exudes compassion and understanding with every conversation she has. Not only does she stay positive and engaged in building trusting relationships while motivating her students, but she also takes the time to get a holistic understanding of her advisees. Dr. Ragan will always ask stimulating questions pertaining to different parts of student life at GA Tech, outside of academic advising, which has personally made me extremely fond of her.

Kristi Mehaffey, Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor (Primary Role) 

Kristi Mehaffey, a Georga Tech alum, is an Advising Manager with the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. Kristi’s dedication to the undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering, her unwavering commitment to the growth and development of her advising team, and her service to the practice of academic advising has made her a key figure in retaining, empowering, and enriching the experiences of not only students within ME, but all Tech students. One of her advisees writes: 

Kristi Mehaffey has truly been a guiding light for me. She goes above and beyond, working long hours and putting everything aside to help students like me. Whenever I faced a challenge, she met it head-on, always finding the best path forward for each of us. During one of the toughest moments I have faced, Kristi stepped into my life. She did not just offer to listen, but she was a constant source of support, helping me navigate the overwhelming emotions of grief. When I was struggling the most, lost in emotions, she kept my head up and made sure I didn’t lose sight of my academic goals, while also encouraging me. 

Ashton Tomlin, Office of Special Scholarships 

Complete College Georgia (CCG) Champion Award 

OUE’s inaugural CCG Champion is Ashton Tomlin, Senior Assistant Director in the Office of Special Scholarships. Ashton joined the Special Scholarships team in 2022, demonstrating her commitment to expanding access to students traditionally underrepresented in higher education by connecting financial aid and holistic student support. She has developed a support program for Tech Promise Scholars, ensuring student needs are fully understood. Ashton is praised by colleagues and students alike for her ability to connect with students and her tireless work to find the resources they need to succeed. Chaffee Viets, Director of the Office of Special Scholarships, shared: 

Not only has she created almost from scratch the non-financial elements of the Tech Promise Scholars Program, but she has empowered and served Stamps President’s Scholars, Gold Scholars, students in Outdoor Recreation Georgia Tech (through a partnership we have with them), and various others, some of each of these being from economically challenged backgrounds. Without her being here, there are several students who may well have failed out of classes or left the Institute. 

 The CCG Champion selection committee also recognizes the significant contributions of all award finalists: 

Congratulations to all our ASA award recipients for 2024! You exemplify Georgia Tech’s values to amplify impact, expand access, and make students our top priority. 

]]> lvidal7 1 1718636548 2024-06-17 15:02:28 1719238083 2024-06-24 14:08:03 0 0 news College of Sciences Academic Professional Christina Ragan is among the recipients of the 2024 Academic Success and Advising (ASA) Awards.

]]> 2024-06-14T00:00:00-04:00 2024-06-14T00:00:00-04:00 2024-06-14 00:00:00 by Anna Holcomb, Nicole Leonard, Shannon Dobranski, and Lorett Swank (Office of Undergraduate Education)

]]> 674190 674191 674190 image <![CDATA[Nicole Leonard, Mary Holder, Christina M. Ragan, and Lorett Swank]]> image/jpeg 1718636578 2024-06-17 15:02:58 1718636578 2024-06-17 15:02:58 674191 image <![CDATA[2024 Academic Success and Advising (ASA) Award recipients]]> image/png 1718636797 2024-06-17 15:06:37 1718636797 2024-06-17 15:06:37 <![CDATA[Asthma's New Treatment Frontier]]> 35599 Asthma impacts more than 40 million Americans, and 10% of the world’s population. However, current anti-inflammatory treatments only partially control the disease’s symptoms. Now, Liang Han, an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences, has been awarded a $2.47M grant by the National Institute of Health to study the role our nervous system plays in asthma — and the potential for new treatments. The grant will fund five years of research, with work beginning this spring.

“Asthma is typically considered an allergic inflammatory disease,” Han says, “and so the majority of research has previously focused on immune responses. But there is emerging evidence that the nervous system plays a critical role in the disease.”

Han highlights that our lungs are full of sensory nerves, which help monitor their internal state, and play an important role in regulating our breathing patterns and respiratory system. Vagal sensory neurons help send information from the lungs to the brain. Recent data collected by Yanyan Xing, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Han lab and now a scientist at Empress Therapeutics, suggested that blocking a group of vagal sensory neurons stopped the development of asthma symptoms in mice.

“Since these sensory neurons are responsible for responses like coughing, bronchoconstriction, and mucus secretion, all of which are asthma symptoms, we want to investigate whether blocking these neurons can help inhibit asthma in humans,” Han says. “If so, this might prove a promising treatment avenue for asthma.” 

The nervous system connection

In her lab at Georgia Tech, Han’s research team investigates the role the nervous system plays in creating and behavioral responses, and how that contributes to chronic diseases.  “We want to understand how the nervous system receives, transmits, and interprets various stimuli to induce physiological and behavioral responses,” she explains.

This year, Han also received a $550k grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate the neural circuit controlling itch sensation. The research has the potential to uncover new treatments for sensory conditions like chronic itch.

]]> sperrin6 1 1716301273 2024-05-21 14:21:13 1718034250 2024-06-10 15:44:10 0 0 news Asthma impacts more than 10% of the world’s population, but current anti-inflammatory treatments only partially control the disease. Now, with a $2.47M grant, Liang Han is exploring the role our nervous systems play, potentially leading to new treatments.

]]> 2024-05-21T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-21T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-21 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

]]> 674049 674049 image <![CDATA[The Han Lab: (from left to right) Liang Han, Katy Lawson, Rossie Nho, William Hancock]]> The Han Lab: (from left to right) Liang Han, Katy Lawson, Rossie Nho, William Hancock

]]> image/jpeg 1716301460 2024-05-21 14:24:20 1716301460 2024-05-21 14:24:20 <![CDATA[Undergraduate Student Research Round-up: Summer Across the College of Sciences]]> 34434 As the mercury climbed across Atlanta this summer, student research heated up across the College of Sciences, thanks to special summer programs for undergraduates from around the globe that help undergraduates get a head start on research experience for STEM careers in academia, industry, and beyond.

This year’s initiatives included National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) programs, a new initiative to engage Georgia community college students, summer workshops in computational chemistry and quantitative biosciences, and more.

Through the workshops, students learned to navigate new methods of research that involve data analysis and computational aspects of disciplines like chemistry and biology — as well as communicate connections across concepts like group theory, topology, combinatorics, and number theory.

Meanwhile, the NSF REU programs across the College’s six Schools of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, Psychology, and Mathematics, as well as the Undergraduate Neuroscience Program, allowed early-year students to get their first taste of in-depth research with unique expertise and equipment available at Georgia Tech. 

Other students took advantage of special fellowships to attend summer conferences in their chosen disciplines, where they networked with fellow young scientists and mathematicians while soaking up knowledge from peers and mentors. 

Here’s a roundup of some of the 2022 summer undergraduate student research programs and events led by the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech:

The Summer Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (STACC) Workshop 

Undergraduates eager to try calculations in areas such as quantum dynamics, electronic structure theory, and classical molecular dynamics — and who want to know more about new data science and machine learning tools — got their chance during this two-week early summer computational chemistry workshop.

“Theoretical and computational studies provide a necessary complement to experimental investigations because they are able to obtain the atomistic level of detail that is near impossible to probe with experiment,” said Joshua Kretchmer, assistant professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. 

“It is becoming more and more routine to use these techniques, even outside of pure theory research groups, as computers have become more powerful and more easy-to-use software is being developed to perform these calculations,” Kretchmer said. “It is thus important for students to be exposed to these techniques early on in their undergraduate education so they have a basic understanding of how and when the slew of different computational techniques are best utilized.”

2022 was the first year for the STACC Workshop, and Kretchmer added that the students “seem to be engaged and excited by the material, both in terms of learning the technical skills necessary to utilize high-performance computers and the unique aspects that can be learned about chemical systems from computer simulations.”

Those thoughts were echoed by University of South Florida student Nicholas Giunto. “After simulating and calculating these various processes, I realized how theoretical chemistry can do so much more than just simulate these scenarios. This technique of chemistry can be used in many other fields of science as well,” Giunto said. “This workshop has broadened my perspective of chemistry, and taught me a whole new field of science that is innovative and prudent.”

For more information, check out the STACC website here. 

Summer College Research Internship 

Thanks to a grant from the Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean’s Chair, community college students in Georgia were paired up with a Georgia Tech College of Sciences lab — at no cost to the students — for the inaugural Summer College Research Internship (SCRI).

The idea for SCRI grew from Shania Khatri’s experiences conducting research for the first time. Khatri, a fourth-year Biological Sciences major scheduled to graduate in December 2022, began research in high school through a program at a local university that placed students, especially those historically underrepresented in STEM, in labs to complete their own summer research projects. 

“I felt firsthand how important mentorship was in building confidence in STEM, promoting belonging, and ultimately influencing my decision to pursue higher education and research,” Khatri said. “Research shows that students who complete high school and undergraduate programs are more likely to pursue STEM majors and consider doctoral degrees, underscoring that mentorship early in careers can improve achievement and retention of these students.”

SCRI students helped design experiments, collected and analyzed data, and presented the results of their work. They worked closely with their Ph.D. student mentors, learning from them as well as the broader community of their host labs. They also heard weekly lectures from College of Science faculty as they learned about the broader research environment at Georgia Tech. 

“The accepted students have strong scholastic potential, and we hope that we can excite them about the research happening at Georgia Tech and potentially recruit them to join our programs, either as transfer students or future graduate students,” said William Ratcliff, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences Program. Ratcliff also co-leads the SCRI with Todd Streelman, professor and chair of the School of Biological Sciences at Tech.

Three students from two-year community college programs in Georgia were chosen for the inaugural SCRI, Ratcliff said. With diverse interests, all three researched in labs within the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI). 

“While this was not part of our review criteria, two of the three students are members of groups that are underrepresented in science according to National Institutes of Health criteria, so this is a great opportunity to broaden participation in academic research,” Ratcliff added.

“When discussing diversity in STEM and retention of underrepresented minorities, community college students should be at the forefront of the discussion,” Khatri said. “It is my hope that through this program the students will gain confidence in their own abilities, and learn skills of science communication, data analysis, critical thinking, collaborative work, and problem solving that will aid them in any career path.”

More information on the Summer College Research Internship is available here. 

Child Lab Day

Child Lab Day is the capstone assignment for students in the School of Psychology course PSYC 2103 Human Development. Christopher Stanzione, senior lecturer and associate chair for undergraduate studies for the School, said his students conducted cognitive, language, and conceptual assessments in June on children ranging in age from four months to nine years old. 

“This is a great applied experience for the Georgia Tech students,” Stanzione said. “All semester we study these concepts, but to see development in action is special. They’ll likely see the gradual change between concepts by administering the assessments to kids of different ages.”

The first Child Lab Day was in 2019. This summer, students majoring in psychology, biomedical engineering, computer science, biology, neuroscience, and economics took part in this second one. “They loved it,” Stanzione said.

National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REUs)

For the first time, this year all six schools across the College of Sciences — plus the Neuroscience program at Tech — led Research Experiences for Undergraduates, a National Science Foundation initiative. 

Each student was associated with a specific research project, and worked closely with school faculty and other researchers. Students were given stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel to help cover the experience.

“Since most of the undergraduate participants are recruited from institutions that do not have extensive research infrastructure, the immersive research experience available to them in these programs can be transformational,” said David Collard, professor and senior associate dean in the College, who previously led the REU program in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry for more than a decade. 

“A measure of success of the REU programs in the College of Sciences is that many of the undergraduate participants subsequently go on to complete their Ph.D., some at Georgia Tech, and others elsewhere,” Collard added.

The following are the details for each College of Sciences school’s REU program. Learn more about future Summer Research Programs for Undergraduates here.

School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences REU:

Georgia Tech Broadening Participation in Atmospheric Science, Oceanography, and Geosciences

Working under the supervision of a School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) faculty member, participants focused on a single research project, but also gained a broad perspective on research in Earth and atmospheric sciences by participating in the dynamic research environment. This interdisciplinary REU program had projects ranging from planetary science to meteorology to oceanography. In addition to full time research, undergraduate researchers participated in a number of professional development activities, seminars with faculty and research scientists, presentation and research poster symposiums, and social activities with other summer REU students.

Schools of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering REU:

Aquatic Chemical Ecology (ACE) at Georgia Tech

The Aquatic Chemical Ecology REU gave students the opportunity to perform research with faculty from five Georgia Tech schools. 

Students participated in research with one or more faculty members, learned about careers in science and engineering, and saw how scientists blend knowledge and skills from physics, chemistry, and biology to investigate some of the most challenging problems in environmental sciences. 

This was the first REU experience for Jenn Newlon, a rising senior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In fact, “I’d actually never heard of an REU before I came here,” she said. “It’s been a really good experience. I never really saw this side of research in my institution. While I did get to do undergraduate research, it was more of, ‘do this in a lab, this is what happens.’ I had to present my findings every week to my PI (principal investigator), who gave really good feedback. And all the people in my lab were really kind and helpful.”

Schools of Psychology, Biological Sciences REU:

Neuroscience Research Experience for Undergraduates

The first week of the inaugural Neuroscience/Psychology REU was a Neuroscience Bootcamp, where students engaged in hands-on activities to learn about brain anatomy, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), encephalography, and other techniques.  Then the student researchers spent time working on projects in the laboratories of mentors in either the School of Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, or with researchers at Georgia State University. They also attended professional development and social activities with other REU students.

“There is tremendous interest in neuroscience, and we have seen an incredible expansion of technology in our ability to record from the human nervous system,” said Lewis Wheaton, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences and co-director of the Neuroscience/Psychology REU. 

“At the same time, many students do not have access to these technologies at their academic institutions because of expense,” Wheaton said. “We feel that it is vital to ensure that students who do not have access to these technologies at their universities get exposure to the tools and approaches to understand the human brain. I am excited to further focus on providing opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities to engage in this research.”

A unique feature of the Neuroscience REU program is that it allows some students to come back for a two-year experience, “which can really provide a great opportunity to enhance their research, and put these students in a stronger position to advance their careers,” Wheaton added.

“It is also great that we can show them the research and educational environment at Georgia Tech and in the broader Atlanta area,” said Eric Schumacher, professor in the School of Psychology and co-director of the Neuroscience/Psychology REU. “This is an opportune time to showcase our two schools and the Institute, given that both schools are working with the College and Institute to offer a cross-disciplinary Neuroscience Ph.D. program soon.” 

That was the impression that Alexa Toliver came away with. The fourth year student at Arizona State University is majoring in neurobiology, “but I always wanted to do neuroscience research,” she said during the recent REUs poster session at the Ford Environmental Science and Technology Building. “It was a little new, but it was a great opportunity and I never felt uncomfortable with any of the topics. This was the only neuroscience REU that I could find, and I applied to it and I got it, so I was excited.”

School of Physics REU:

Georgia Tech Broadening Participation in Physics

Working under the supervision of a physics faculty member, participants focused on a single research project but also gained a broad perspective on research in physics by participating in the dynamic research environment. 

Available projects for the REU spanned the field of physics ranging from quantum materials, quantum simulation/sensing, astrophysics, physics of living systems, and non-linear dynamics. 

In addition to full time research, undergraduate researchers participated in a number of professional development seminars, research horizon lunches, and social activities with other summer REU students.

Brendan D’Aquino, a rising senior at Northeastern University in Boston, had planned to use his computer science background to get an industry job after graduation. Then he attended the 2022 School of Physics REU. 

“After doing an internship last year at a software company that does physics, I kind of realized I wanted to make the switch,” D’Aquino said. “So I applied to the program. I got to work here. And I thought it was super cool. So this was my first time doing research. I kind of had grad school in the back of my mind for a while. But 10 weeks here kind of makes me more sure that I want to get into that in the future.”

School of Mathematics REU:

The School of Mathematics has a rich tradition of offering summer undergraduate research programs. The projects have been mentored by faculty and postdocs covering a range of topics, such as graph coloring, random matrices, contact homology, knots, bounded operators, harmonic analysis, and toric varieties. 

Previous Math REU students have published many papers, won a number of awards, and have been very successful in their graduate school applications.

“The main purpose of our REU is to give students research experience which should help them decide if they want to do math research for a living, and in particular, go to a math grad school,” said Igor Belegradek, professor and director of Teaching Effectiveness in the School of Mathematics. Belegradek also coordinates the Math REU. “Also, if there is a publication or poster at a conference, their grad school application will definitely become more competitive.”

Sometimes that application is sent to Georgia Tech. “We did have a few students who were accepted to our grad school after attending an REU with us,” Belegradek said. “It definitely helps put Georgia Tech Mathematics on the map. This summer we have 22 REU students, and only two of them are from Georgia Tech.”

Mathematics topics for the 2022 REU included aspects of graph coloring, Legendrian contact homology, Eigenvectors from eigenvalues and Gaussian random matrices, and applications of Donaldson's Diagonalization theorem.

Read more about the 2021 Mathematics REUs here.

In July, the School of Mathematics also hosted its biennial Topology Students Workshop, organized by Professor Dan Margalit since 2012. 

Events included a public lecture on campus, “Juggling Numbers, Algebra, and Topology”, accessible for curious people of all ages and backgrounds.

“One goal of mathematics is to describe the patterns in the world, from weather to population growth to disease transmission,” event organizers said. The workshop used mathematics to describe juggling patterns, count the different kinds of patterns, and create new patterns, “making surprising connections to group theory, topology, combinatorics, and number theory.”

The 36th Annual Symposium of the Protein Society 

From microproteins, protein condensates, synthetic biology and biosensors, to the latest developments in machine learning and imaging technologies, to addressing health disparities, the Protein Society Symposium, held in San Francisco in early July, provided a state-of-the-art view of the most exciting areas of research in biology and medicine.

Four students of Raquel Lieberman’s School of Chemistry and Biochemistry lab attended, thanks to Protein Society travel fellowships: 

Kenney and Ma won Best Poster awards at the symposium, and Saccuzzo won an honorable mention.

“The conference was amazing! We saw so many great speakers and presentations about protein science, and it was a great way to meet scientists from all over the world,” Kenney said. “I’m so grateful for this experience, especially as I begin to apply to graduate school and think about my future career in science. It was a great experience, and one that has truly deepened my appreciation for science and research.”

“To have each of these superstars selected for travel fellowships puts them in an elite cohort of trainees at this 500-plus person meeting,” Lieberman said. “I am so excited for them to present their thesis research and to get feedback from colleagues in our field from all over the world. I’m sure new ideas, collaborations, and other opportunities will emerge from this experience. It’s just the boost they and I need after a challenging couple of years as experimental biochemists.”

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1656338207 2022-06-27 13:56:47 1716384202 2024-05-22 13:23:22 0 0 news National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REUs), Georgia community college initiative, and workshops centered on new scientific methods and communicating key concepts offer ample opportunities for students — current, prospective, and visiting — to hone their research skills in the College of Sciences.

]]> 2022-08-03T00:00:00-04:00 2022-08-03T00:00:00-04:00 2022-08-03 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 659821 659829 659832 659205 659917 659916 659192 659816 659200 659201 659202 659203 659821 image <![CDATA[Students conduct poster sessions during 2022's Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in the Ford Environmental Science and Technology building. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1659380709 2022-08-01 19:05:09 1659380709 2022-08-01 19:05:09 659829 image <![CDATA[Brendan D'Aquino, rising senior at Northeastern University, explains his research during the summer 2022 School of Physics REU. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1659382259 2022-08-01 19:30:59 1659382259 2022-08-01 19:30:59 659832 image <![CDATA[Alexa Toliver, fourth-year student at Arizona State University, explains her neuroscience research during the summer 2022 Research Experience for Undergraduates. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1659382662 2022-08-01 19:37:42 1659382662 2022-08-01 19:37:42 659205 image <![CDATA[KeAndre Williams (right), a School of Economics major, conducts a test during Child Lab Day June 14. (Photo Christopher Stanzione)]]> image/jpeg 1656616150 2022-06-30 19:09:10 1656616150 2022-06-30 19:09:10 659917 image <![CDATA[Children ages four months to nine years old took part in assessment tests conducted by School of Psychology students during Child Lab Day at Georgia Tech. (Photo Christopher Stanzione)]]> image/jpeg 1659630269 2022-08-04 16:24:29 1659630269 2022-08-04 16:24:29 659916 image <![CDATA[Students in the School of Psychology's Human Development class conduct assessment tests during Child Lab Day. (Photo Christopher Stanzione)]]> image/jpeg 1659630048 2022-08-04 16:20:48 1659630048 2022-08-04 16:20:48 659192 image <![CDATA[Shania Khatri]]> image/png 1656611758 2022-06-30 17:55:58 1656611758 2022-06-30 17:55:58 659816 image <![CDATA[Lydia Kenney (left) and Mihn Thu (Alice) Ma show off their best poster awards won at the Protein Society Symposium in July. (Photo courtesy Raquel Lieberman)]]> image/png 1659379424 2022-08-01 18:43:44 1659379452 2022-08-01 18:44:12 659200 image <![CDATA[Lydia Kenney]]> image/png 1656614066 2022-06-30 18:34:26 1656614066 2022-06-30 18:34:26 659201 image <![CDATA[Minh Thu (Alice) Ma]]> image/png 1656614171 2022-06-30 18:36:11 1656614171 2022-06-30 18:36:11 659202 image <![CDATA[Emily Saccuzzo ]]> image/png 1656614270 2022-06-30 18:37:50 1656614270 2022-06-30 18:37:50 659203 image <![CDATA[Gwendell Thomas ]]> image/png 1656614348 2022-06-30 18:39:08 1656614348 2022-06-30 18:39:08 <![CDATA[How I Spent My Summer 2021: NSF REUs Welcome Undergraduate Researchers]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Summer Research Programs for Undergraduates]]> <![CDATA[2021 and Beyond: Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students]]> <![CDATA[From REU to Ph.D. at Georgia Tech]]> <![CDATA[Researchers Awarded $2.6 Million NIH Grant to Use AI to Advance Exoskeleton Assistance Post Stroke]]> 35575 Faculty from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, including Associate Professors Gregory Sawicki and Aaron Young, have been awarded a five-year, $2.6 million Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

“We are grateful to our NIH sponsor for this award to improve treatment of post-stroke individuals using advanced robotic solutions,” said Young, who is also affiliated with Georgia Tech's Neuro Next Initiative.

The R01 will support a project focused on using optimization and artificial intelligence to personalize exoskeleton assistance for individuals with symptoms resulting from stroke. Sawicki and Young will collaborate with researchers from the Emory Rehabilitation Hospital including Associate Professor Trisha Kesar.

“As a stroke researcher, I am eagerly looking forward to making progress on this project, and paving the way for leading-edge technologies and technology-driven treatment strategies that maximize functional independence and quality of life of people with neuro-pathologies," said Kesar.

The intervention for study participants will include a training therapy program that will use biofeedback to increase the efficiency of exosuits for wearers.   

Kinsey Herrin, senior research scientist in the Woodruff School and Neuro Next Initiative affiliate, explained the extended benefits of the study, including being able to increase safety for stroke patients who are moving outdoors. “One aspect of this project is testing our technologies on stroke survivors as they're walking outside. Being outside is a small thing that many of us take for granted, but a devastating loss for many following a stroke.”  

Sawicki, who is also an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences and core faculty in Georgia Tech's Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines, is also looking forward to the project. "This new project is truly a tour de force that leverages a highly talented interdisciplinary team of engineers, clinical scientists, and prosthetics/orthotics experts who all bring key elements needed to build assistive technology that can work in real-world scenarios."

]]> adavidson38 1 1715361895 2024-05-10 17:24:55 1715362661 2024-05-10 17:37:41 0 0 news Mechanical engineering researchers Gregory Sawicki and Aaron Young recently received $2.6 million from NIH to pursue a project focused on using optimization and artificial intelligence to personalize exoskeleton assistance for individuals with symptoms resulting from stroke.

]]> 2024-05-10T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-10T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-10 00:00:00 Chloe Arrington
Communications Officer II
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

]]> 673980 673980 image <![CDATA[Greg-Sawicki-and-Aaron-Young_0.jpg]]> Mechanical Engineering and Biological Sciences Associate Professor Gregory Sawicki (left) and Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Aaron Young.

]]> image/jpeg 1715361934 2024-05-10 17:25:34 1715361934 2024-05-10 17:25:34 <![CDATA[Universal Controller Could Push Robotic Prostheses, Exoskeletons Into Real-World Use]]> <![CDATA[1,000 Steps for 100 Days in High Heels May Help Improve Walking]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Partners on $15M NSF Grant to Explore Muscle Dynamics]]> <![CDATA[FishStalkers Offers Campus Research Opportunities for Online Students ]]> 34528 From her home more than 800 miles away, Georgia Tech online master's student Jasmine Tata is monitoring fish in aquariums at Georgia Tech.

Tata is a New York-based QA analyst and project manager. She started the Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program in Fall 2022 and joined FishStalkers last year.

The student-led research program is part of the School of Biological Sciences' McGrath Lab. Its researchers use machine learning, computer vision, and other technologies to better understand the evolution of animal behaviors.

One of the lab's research projects studies Lake Malawi cichlids to explore connections between observed behavior and brain function.

The FishStalkers are vital to the project. They collect video, depth, and other data from individual fish using Raspberry Pi single-board computers. This information, coupled with open-source code they developed, allows the group to track, monitor, and classify the behaviors of a fish as it builds and maintains its bower, which is a sand structure these cichlids use to attract mates.

Read the full story in the College of Computing newsroom.

]]> jhunt7 1 1715116486 2024-05-07 21:14:46 1715117562 2024-05-07 21:32:42 0 0 news From her home more than 800 miles away, Georgia Tech online master's student Jasmine Tata is monitoring fish in aquariums at Georgia Tech. The student-led research program is part of the School of Biological Sciences' McGrath Lab. Its researchers use machine learning, computer vision, and other technologies to better understand the evolution of animal behaviors.

]]> 2024-05-04T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-04T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-04 00:00:00 673959 673959 image <![CDATA[Researchers are studying Lake Malawi cichlids to explore connections between observed behavior and brain function.]]> Researchers are studying Lake Malawi cichlids to explore connections between observed behavior and brain function.

]]> image/jpeg 1715116527 2024-05-07 21:15:27 1715116527 2024-05-07 21:15:27 <![CDATA[Why Can’t Robots Outrun Animals?]]> 35575 Robots that can run, jump, and even talk have shifted from the stuff of science fiction to reality in the past few decades. Yet even in robots specialized for specific movements like running, animals are still able to outmaneuver the most advanced robotic developments. 

Georgia Tech’s Simon Sponberg recently collaborated with researchers at the University of Washington, Simon Fraser University, University of Colorado Boulder, and Stanford Research Institute to answer one deceptively complex question: Why can’t robots outrun animals? 

“This work is about trying to understand how, despite have some really amazing robots, there still seems to be a gulf between the capabilities of animal movement and what we can engineer,” says Sponberg, who is Dunn Family Associate Professor in the School of Physics and School of Biological Sciences. 

Recently published in Science Robotics, their study systematically examines a suite of biological and robotic runners to figure out how to further advance our best robotic designs. 

“In robotics design we are often very component focused — we are used to having to establish specifications for the parts that we need and then finding the best component solution,” said Sponberg, who also serves on the executive committee for Georgia Tech's Neuro Next Initiative. “This is of course not how evolution works. We wondered if we systematically analyzed the performance of animals in the same component way that we design robots, if we might see an obvious gap.” 

The gap turns out not to be in the function of individual robotic components, but rather the ability of those components to work together in the seamless way biological components do, highlighting a field of opportunity for new research in robotic development. 

“This means that the frontier is not necessarily figuring out how to design better motors or sensors or controllers,” says Sponberg, “but rather how to integrate them together — this is where biology really excels.” 

Read more about man versus machine and the future of bioinspired robotics here.

]]> adavidson38 1 1713987118 2024-04-24 19:31:58 1714681523 2024-05-02 20:25:23 0 0 news Georgia Tech Researcher Simon Sponberg collaborates to ask why robotic advancements have yet to outpace animals — and look at what we can learn from biology to engineer new robotic designs.

]]> 2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00 2024-05-02 00:00:00 Audra Davidson
Research Communications Program Manager
Neuro Next Initiative

]]> 673838 673838 image <![CDATA[mCLARI_Spider.jpg]]> Can this small robot outrun a spider? Photo Credit: Animal Inspired Movement and Robotics Lab, CU Boulder.

]]> image/jpeg 1713987354 2024-04-24 19:35:54 1713987354 2024-04-24 19:35:54 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Partners on $15M NSF Grant to Explore Muscle Dynamics]]> <![CDATA[On The Edge: Georgia Tech Professors Awarded Curci Grants for Emerging Bio Research]]> <![CDATA[How Insects Evolved to Ultrafast Flight (And Back)]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech’s Space Research Initiative Hosts Yuri’s Day Symposium ]]> 34760 April 12 is a significant date in the history of exploration, as it marks the first space flight of a human, Yuri Gagarin, in 1961. This year on April 12, the Georgia Tech Space Research Initiative (Space RI) hosted an event highlighting the Institute’s interdisciplinary space research. The Yuri’s Day Symposium was Space RI’s first public event.

A multidisciplinary initiative, the Space RI brings together faculty, researchers, and students from across campus who share a passion for space exploration. Their combined research explores a broad array of space-related topics, all considered from a human perspective.

“Launching Georgia Tech’s Space Research Initiative reinforces our commitment to advancing our understanding of space and our universe,” said Executive Vice President for Research Chaouki Abdallah. “It is also a testament to Georgia Tech's unwavering dedication to pushing the limits of what is possible and to fostering innovations that benefit humankind.”

The symposium was organized by Glenn Lightsey, interim executive director of the Space RI, and the Space RI steering committee, which consists of representatives from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) and the Colleges of Engineering, Computing, and Sciences, the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, and the Scheller College of Business. The day began with remarks from Research leadership and an overview of the Space RI and its mission. “This is an exciting time for space exploration at Georgia Tech and across the world,” Lightsey said. “Space research is a critical part of solving our world’s most challenging problems and improving life for everyone on Earth.”

Space research and exploration yield many societal benefits that improve life on Earth and even foster economic growth. These advances include rapidly evolving technologies, improvements in medicine, and the development of enhanced materials — such as self-healing materials and those designed for extreme environments. Additionally, space research provides essential tools, data, and insights for climate scientists.

Sessions and panels throughout the day covered space science, space media, NASA’s Moon to Mars program, GTRI’s space research program, commercial space initiatives, and space in popular culture. A.C. Charania, NASA’s chief technologist and a Georgia Tech alumnus, delivered the keynote address. He shared insights into his work at NASA and Moon to Mars.

Following the symposium, the Space RI hosted a “star party” at the Georgia Tech Observatory. People of all ages gathered at the event, where they could use the observatory’s telescope to observe the moon, Jupiter, and the Orion Nebula, an immense cloud of dust and gas from which new stars are born.

“It was a clear night, and we were able to view the lunar terminator — the boundary where the sun is setting on the moon — which accentuates craters and mountains,” said Lightsey. “It was exciting to officially launch our initiative on a day when the world celebrated space exploration and the star party was a fantastic way to end our event.”

In July 2025, the Space RI will transition into one of Georgia Tech’s Interdisciplinary Research Institutes. Learn more about the initiative at space.gatech.edu.

Sign up to receive space news and event updates from the Space RI.

]]> Laurie Haigh 1 1714494190 2024-04-30 16:23:10 1714594301 2024-05-01 20:11:41 0 0 news The event brought together faculty, researchers, and students to celebrate the Institute’s interdisciplinary space research.

]]> 2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-30 00:00:00 Laurie Haigh
Research Communications

]]> 673892 673892 image <![CDATA[Space Research Photo]]> image/jpeg 1714494546 2024-04-30 16:29:06 1714498807 2024-04-30 17:40:07 <![CDATA[New Multidisciplinary Initiative Marks Golden Age for Space Research]]> <![CDATA[One in a Million ]]> 36418 In the weeks after Commencement, Andrew Rogers, a master's medical physics candidate, will begin looking for a place to live in Texas for his residency, take a family vacation to Alaska, and return to his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, to pack for his big move.  

But a busy travel schedule is nothing new for Rogers. Diagnosed with hepatoblastoma at the age of 3, he spent over a decade traveling between Augusta, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, with lengthy hospital stays in between, undergoing treatment for the rare childhood liver cancer.  

Given a prognosis with a "one-in-a-million" chance of survival, Rogers had two liver transplants before the cancer spread to his lungs and brain. In total, he endured 50 surgeries before his 13th birthday, and it was during the countless trips to Atlanta that he dreamed of two things — attending Georgia Tech and making a difference for kids facing similar struggles.  

Unlike chemotherapy or other procedures, Rogers found radiation therapy to be a painless experience, in part thanks to the radiation therapists administering the treatment.  

"They may not have thought much of it at the time, but in those moments, by playing with me, making me laugh, making me a Spiderman radiation mask, they helped me forget — even for a second — that I had cancer and helped me enjoy life. I think about that every day. I hope to one day change a child's life like my therapists did for me,” he said.  

Now 18 years cancer-free, Rogers earned a bachelor's degree in radiation therapy from Augusta University. A program director told him about Georgia Tech's medical physics program, and, since arriving at the Institute in 2021, he has sought hands-on experience in the field. Completing the clinical portion of the program through a partnership with the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Rogers learned each role within the rotation.  

"From booting up machines and checking on patients to everything else, I just started wanting to come in every day. I'd go in for free just because I love what I'm doing," he said.  

Rogers wasn't immune to the stresses of everyday college life, but he approached them with a positive perspective.  

"My parents told me that there's always a light at the end of every tunnel, and it's always going to be worth it in the end. So, I will keep telling myself and everybody else that when they're going through a hard time, keep pushing,” he said. “Things may be painful and stressful now, but think about what you will achieve in the future and the people you will help get through battles of their own. That will always keep me motivated." 

Rogers isn't done with medical appointments, but with each yearly checkup, he never tires of hearing the words he hopes to deliver in his career: "All clear." 

]]> sgagliano3 1 1714419536 2024-04-29 19:38:56 1714582915 2024-05-01 17:01:55 0 0 news Andrew Rogers was given a week to live at 3 years old. Now cancer-free, he wants to make sure no child with cancer goes through it alone.  

]]> 2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-30 00:00:00 Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications

]]> 673885 673881 673885 video <![CDATA[One in a Million]]> Andrew Rogers was given a week to live at 3 years old. Now cancer-free, he wants to make sure no child with cancer goes through it alone.

]]> 1714482805 2024-04-30 13:13:25 1714482805 2024-04-30 13:13:25 673881 image <![CDATA[Andrew Rogers in the hospital with his dad by his side. ]]> image/png 1714420832 2024-04-29 20:00:32 1714421351 2024-04-29 20:09:11 <![CDATA[James Stroud Named Early Career Fellow by Ecological Society of America ]]> 34528 James T. Stroud has been named an Early Career Fellow by the Ecological Society of America.

He joins the ranks of nine newly appointed ESA Fellows and ten 2024-2028 ESA Early Career Fellows, elected for "advancing the science of ecology and showing promise for continuing contributions" and recently confirmed by the organization's Governing Board.

Stroud, an Elizabeth Smithgall Watts Early Career Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences, is an integrative evolutionary ecologist who investigates how ecological and evolutionary processes may underlie patterns of biological diversity at the macro-scale.

He primarily studies lizards and his research is highly multidisciplinary, combining field studies with macro-ecological and evolutionary comparative analyses. Stroud’s current interests are particularly focused on measuring natural selection in the wild, often taking advantage of non-native lizards as natural experiments in ecology and evolution.

Earlier this month, Stroud presented his recent work at the inaugural College of Sciences Frontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium, joining more than 20 faculty experts and 100 stakeholders from across all six colleges at Georgia Tech to discuss climate change, challenges, and solutions.

Stroud joined the Georgia Tech faculty in August 2023. He earned a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Florida International University.

"I am thrilled to recognize the exceptional contributions of our newly selected Fellows and Early Career Fellows,” says ESA President Shahid Naeem. “Their groundbreaking research, unwavering commitment to mentoring and teaching and advocacy for sound science in management and policy decisions have not only advanced ecological science but also inspired positive change within our community and beyond. We celebrate their achievements and eagerly anticipate the profound impacts they will continue to make in their careers."

ESA will formally acknowledge and celebrate its new Fellows for their exceptional achievements during a ceremony at ESA’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California.

 

About ESA Fellowships

ESA established its Fellows program in 2012 with the goal of honoring its members and supporting their competitiveness and advancement to leadership positions in the Society, at their institutions, and in broader society. Past ESA Fellows and Early Career Fellows are listed on the ESA Fellows page.

About ESA

The Ecological Society of America, founded in 1915, is the world’s largest community of professional ecologists and a trusted source of ecological knowledge, committed to advancing the understanding of life on Earth. The 8,000 member Society publishes six journals and a membership bulletin and broadly shares ecological information through policy, media outreach, and education initiatives. The Society’s Annual Meeting attracts 4,000 attendees and features the most recent advances in ecological science. Visit the ESA website at https://www.esa.org.

 

]]> jhunt7 1 1714494257 2024-04-30 16:24:17 1714494767 2024-04-30 16:32:47 0 0 news Stroud, an Elizabeth Smithgall Watts Early Career Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences, joins nine newly appointed Fellows and ten Early Career Fellows, elected for "advancing the science of ecology and showing promise for continuing contributions" in the field.

]]> 2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-30 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

Mayda Nathan
Ecological Society of America

 

]]> 673890 673891 673890 image <![CDATA[James Stroud examines an anole (Day’s Edge Productions)]]> image/jpeg 1714494317 2024-04-30 16:25:17 1714494317 2024-04-30 16:25:17 673891 image <![CDATA[James Stroud lassos a lizard.]]> image/jpeg 1714494357 2024-04-30 16:25:57 1714494357 2024-04-30 16:25:57 <![CDATA[Long-Term Lizard Study Challenges the Rules of Evolutionary Biology]]> <![CDATA[Ecological Society of America announces 2024 Fellows]]> <![CDATA[As Temperatures Climb, Flying Insects Slower to Migrate to Cooler Elevations ]]> <![CDATA[2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action]]> <![CDATA[Quanta Magazine | Evolution: Fast or Slow? Lizards Help Resolve a Paradox.]]> <![CDATA[Scientific American | ‘Living Fossil’ Lizards Are Constantly Evolving — You Just Can’t See It]]> <![CDATA[The Conversation | Climate change is already forcing lizards, insects and other species to evolve – and most can’t keep up ]]> <![CDATA[The Stroud Lab at Georgia Tech]]> <![CDATA[NSF Awards Fellowships to 60 Georgia Tech Graduate Students ]]> 27469 The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded 61 Georgia Tech students with Graduate Research Fellowships (GRF). The fellowships, valued at $159,000 each, include funding for three years of graduate study and tuition.

This year’s winners represent areas of study ranging from aerospace engineering to ocean sciences. The purpose of the GRF initiative, the oldest of NSF’s programs, is to develop experts who will contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering. Their awards total more than $9.5 million in funding, the most Georgia Tech has ever had in the program.

This year’s recipients are: 

  • Mihir Natansh Bafna  

  • Rebecca Kate Banner 

  • Bareesh Bhaduri 

  • Jessica A. Bonsu 

  • Noah S.S. Campbell 

  • Adrian Alfonso Candocia  

  • Cailey M Carpenter  

  • Katherine Elizabeth Cauffiel  

  • Michael John Cho  

  • Claudia Chu 

  • Eric Anthony Comstock 

  • Sarah Deiters 

  • Adit Desai 

  • Ramy Ghanim 

  • Hannah E. Gilbonio 

  • Callie L. Goins  

  • Ashley Alexus Goodnight 

  • Margaret Gordon 

  • Jared Nathaniel Grinberg  

  • Sean Healy 

  • Alec F. Helbling 

  • Geoffrey M. Hopping 

  • Madeline Hoyle 

  • Joy Michelle Jackson 

  • Maeve Alexandra Janecka  

  • Aulden Jones 

  • Donguk Daniel Kim 

  • Tara Hashemian Kimiavi 

  • Michael Klamkin 

  • Velin H. Kojouharov 

  • Luke Allen Kurfman 

  • Aidan S. Labrozzi 

  • Hee Jun Lee 

  • Zikang Leng 

  • Huston Locht 

  • Emma J. Menardi 

  • Yash V. Mhaskar 

  • Madeline Rose Morrell 

  • Siddharth R. Nathella 

  • Jennifer Nolan 

  • Sydney A. Oliver 

  • Isabelle A. Osuna 

  • Jorja Y. Overbey 

  • Robert Patrick Pesch 

  • Michelle T. Seeler 

  • Riya Sen 

  • Matthew So

  • Theodore St. Francis

  • Jorik Stoop 

  • Maggie Emma Straight  

  • Amanda L. Tang 

  • Albert Ting 

  • Darin Tsui 

  • Julia E. Vallier 

  • Jacqueline F. van Zyl 

  • Angel E. Vasquez 

  • Abhijeet Krishnan Venkataraman 

  • Alix Wagner 

  • Matthew Y. Wang 

  • Samuel E. Wilcox 

  • Elias G. Winterscheidt 

 

]]> Kristen Bailey 1 1713363416 2024-04-17 14:16:56 1714436471 2024-04-30 00:21:11 0 0 news Their awards total more than $9.5 million in funding, the most Georgia Tech has ever had in the program.

]]> 2024-04-17T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-17T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-17 00:00:00 Kristen Bailey

Institute Communications

]]> 673732 673732 image <![CDATA[Researchers in Nga Lee (Sally) Ng's lab]]> Researchers in Nga Lee (Sally) Ng's lab. Photo by Joya Chapman

]]> image/jpeg 1713363290 2024-04-17 14:14:50 1713363401 2024-04-17 14:16:41 <![CDATA[NSF Graduate Research Fellowships]]> <![CDATA[Faculty, Staff Honored for Outstanding Work]]> 27469 The following members of the Tech community were honored at the 2024 Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on Friday, April 26.

 

Georgia Tech Chapter Sigma Xi Awards

Best Faculty Paper Award

Christopher Rozell
Julian T. Hightower Chair and Professor
Electrical and Computing Engineering

Sankaraleengam Alagapan
Research Scientist II
Electrical and Computing Engineering

Shu Jia
Associate Professor
Biomedical Engineering

Young Faculty Award

Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena
Assistant Professor
Materials Science and Engineering

Yue Chen
Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering 

Sustained Research Award

Facundo Fernandez
Regents’ and Vasser-Wooley Professor
Chemistry and Biochemistry

 

Institute Research Awards

Outstanding Achievement in Research Enterprise Enhancement

Anton Bryksin
Regents’ Professor 
Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences 

Outstanding Achievement in Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Research

Mary Frank Fox
Dean’s Distinguished Professor
Public Policy 

Outstanding Achievement in Early Career Research Award

Lindsey Rose Bullinger
Assistant Professor
Public Policy 

Outstanding Achievement in Research Innovation Award

Emmanouil (Manos) M. Tentzeris
Ed and Pat Joy Chair in Antennas
Electrical and Computer Engineering 

Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Advisor Award

Moinuddin Qureshi
Professor
Computer Science 

Outstanding Faculty Research Author Award

Feryal Özel
Chair and Professor
Physics 

Outstanding Achievement in Research Engagement and Outreach Award

Shreyes N. Melkote
Professor
Mechanical Engineering 

Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Development Award
UNCAGE-ME

Ryan P. Lively
Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Krista Walton
Associate Vice President for Research Operations and Infrastructure
Research

David Sholl
Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Leslie Schlag
Grants Administrator Lead
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Christopher W. Jones
Professor and John F. Brock III School Chair
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Rochelle Moses
Program and Operations Manager
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 

Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Impact Award
Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory

Dimitri Mavris
Regents' Professor and Director
Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory

Michelle R. Kirby
Senior Research Engineer
Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory

Elena Garcia
Advanced Methods Division Chief
Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory

Olivia J. Pinon Fischer
Principal Research Engineer
Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory 

 

ANAK Awards

Outstanding Faculty ANAK Award

Jacqueline Garner
Senior Lecturer
Scheller College of Business 

Outstanding Staff ANAK Award

Carolina Amero
Senior Director – Auxiliary Services
Campus Services

 

Staff Performance Awards

Acting With Ethics First Award
Library Finance

Verstell Agee
Financial Analyst
Library 

Cheryl Parker
Financial Manager II
Library

Embracing All Voices Award

Monica Jackson
Employer Connections Coordinator
Career Center

One Giant Leap Award

Brent O’Guin
Tech Strategist and Architect Senior
OIT – Enterprise App and Data 

One Small Step Award

Andrew James George
Public Services Associate II
Library 

Rachel Watts
Training Generalist Senior
Workplace Learning and Professional Development 

Service to the Community Award

Melody Foster
Unit Administrative Officer
Mechanical Engineering 

Cultivate Well-Being Award

Jamaal D. Taylor
General Safety Manager
Environmental Health and Safety  

Leading By Example in Sustainability Award

Ashley E. Carr
Finance and Operations Specialist
Procurement and Business Services 

Putting Students First Award

Marc Ebelhar
Graduate Student Success Specialist
Office of Graduate Education 

Rising Wreck Award

Casey Hayes
Systems Development Engineer Senior
OIT – Enterprise App and Data

Karena Ha Nguyen
Assistant Director of Postdoctoral Services
Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education

Naima Barton
Assistant Director of Administrative Operations
Office of the Provost 

Leadership in Action Award

Brittany McCormick
Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Scheller College of Business

Monifa Skelton-Wells
Academic Program Manager
Mechanical Engineering

Excellence Award

Michelle Powell
Director
Strategic Consulting  

Capstone Design Expo

Nichelle Compton
Event Coordinator II
Mechanical Engineering

Andrea Dominguez
Program Support Coordinator
Mechanical Engineering

Amit S. Jariwala
Senior Academic Professional
Mechanical Engineering

Cary Ogletree
Building and Delivery Service Manager
Mechanical Engineering

Ashley Ritchie
Communications Manager
Mechanical Engineering

Spirit of Georgia Tech Award

Peter Lee
Creative Services Manager
Scheller College of Business

Laxminarayanan Krishnan
Laboratory Manager I
Bioengineering and Biosciences

Sherree King
Store Clerk III
Housing and Residence Life

Sarah Collins
Graphic Designer Senior
College of Engineering

 

Center for Teaching and Learning Awards

Junior Faculty Teaching Award

Anirban Mazumdar
Assistant Professor
Mechanical Engineering

Daniel Molzahn
Assistant Professor
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Lindsey Rose Bullinger
Assistant Professor
Public Policy 

Curriculum Innovation Awards

Francesco Fedele
Associate Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering 

Geoffrey G. Eichholz Faculty Teaching Award

Christopher Stanzione
Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies
Psychology

Mary Hudachek-Buswell
Associate Chair and Senior Lecturer
Computing Instruction

Innovation and Excellence in Laboratory Instruction Award

Anh Le
Academic Professional 
Chemistry and Biochemistry

Innovation in Co-Curricular Education Award

Carla Gerona
Associate Professor
History and Sociology 

GTDC

Lawrence Rubin
Co-Director of GTDC and Associate Professor
International Affairs

Zachary Taylor
Co-Director of GTDC and Associate Professor
Public Policy

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award

Colin Harrison
Senior Academic Professional
Biological Sciences

Teaching Excellence Award in Online Teaching

A.J. Medford
Associate Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Undergraduate Educator Award

Michael Evans
Senior Academic Professional 
Chemistry and Biochemistry 

Education Partnership Award

Saad Bhamla
Assistant Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Janet Standeven
Assistant Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Elio Challita
Postdoctoral Researcher
Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University 

 

International Initiatives Award

Steven A. Denning Faculty Award for Global Engagement

Shuichi Takayama
Price Gilbert Jr. Chair
Biomedical Engineering 

 

Faculty Honors Committee Awards

Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
Junior Faculty

Saad Bhamla
Assistant Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 

Senior Faculty

Ravi Kane
Garry Betty/ V Foundation Chair and GRA Eminent Scholar
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 

Class of 1934 Outstanding Service Award

Susan Margulies
Professor
Biomedical Engineering

Outstanding Professional Education

Shalu Suri
Co-Director of NSF Cell Manufacturing Technologies ERC Engineering Workforce Development
Biomedical Engineering

Class of 1934 Outstanding Interdisciplinary Activities Award

Bruce Walker
Professor
Psychology 

Class of 1934 Outstanding Innovative Use of Education Technology Award

Pamela Pollet
Senior Research Scientist
Chemistry and Biochemistry 

Class of 1940 W. Roane Beard Outstanding Teacher Award

Daniel Molzahn
Assistant Professor
Electrical and Computer Engineering 

Class of 1940 W. Howard Ector Outstanding Teacher Award

Faisal M. Alamgir
Professor 
Materials Science and Engineering 

 

Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award

Dimitri Mavris
Regents' Professor, Boeing Professor of Advanced Aerospace Systems Analysis, and Langley Distinguished Professor in Advanced Aerospace Systems Architecture
Aerospace Engineering

]]> Kristen Bailey 1 1714356497 2024-04-29 02:08:17 1714424676 2024-04-29 21:04:36 0 0 news The annual Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon took place Friday, April 26.

]]> 2024-04-28T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-28T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-28 00:00:00 Kristen Bailey

Institute Communications

]]> 673875 673875 image <![CDATA[Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon]]> Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon

]]> image/jpeg 1714350551 2024-04-29 00:29:11 1714350666 2024-04-29 00:31:06 <![CDATA[Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon]]> <![CDATA[New Science and Medical Research Hub Opens in Atlanta ]]> 27262 Georgia Institute of Technology and the Trammell Crow Company are transforming Atlanta’s booming skyline with the launch of the first phase of Science Square, a pioneering mixed-use development dedicated to biological sciences and medical research and the technology to advance those fields. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for April 25. 

“The opening of Science Square’s first phase represents one of the most exciting developments to come to Atlanta in recent years,” said Ángel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. “The greatest advances in innovation often emerge from dense technological ecosystems, and Science Square provides our city with its first biomedical research district, which will help innovators develop and scale their ideas into marketable solutions.” 

Science Square’s first phase includes Science Square Labs, a 13-story purpose-built tower with state-of-the-art infrastructure to accommodate wet and dry labs and clean room space. To promote overall energy efficiency as well as sustainability, the complex houses a massive 38,000-square-foot solar panel. The solar panel system is in addition to an energy recovery system that extracts energy from the building’s exhaust air and returns it to the building’s HVAC system, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Electrochromic windows, which tint during the day to block ultraviolet rays and steady the temperature while also controlling the environment — key in research labs — are also featured throughout the building.   

Equipped with technologically advanced amenities and infrastructure, Science Square Labs serves as a nexus for groundbreaking research, enabling collaboration between academia, industry, and startup ventures. Portal Innovations, a company specializing in life sciences venture development, is among the first tenants to establish operations at Science Square, as Atlanta takes center stage as the country’s top city for research and development employment growth. 

The opening of the complex’s first phase, just south of Georgia Tech’s campus and totaling 18 acres, also features retail space and The Grace Residences developed by High Street Residential, TCC's residential subsidiary. The 280-unit multifamily tower, already welcoming tenants, is named in honor of renowned Atlanta leader and Georgia State Representative Grace Towns Hamilton who spent many years championing this community.

Beyond its scientific endeavors, Science Square embodies Georgia Tech’s commitment to uplifting the local community. By collaborating with organizations like Westside Works, Science Square aims to empower residents through targeted workforce development initiatives and economic opportunities.  

“This mixed-use development adds immense value to Atlanta’s west side and will lead the development of pioneering medical advances with the power to improve and save lives,” President Cabrera added.  

]]> Fletcher Moore 1 1714073304 2024-04-25 19:28:24 1714147104 2024-04-26 15:58:24 0 0 news Georgia Institute of Technology and the Trammell Crow Company are transforming Atlanta’s booming skyline with the launch of the first phase of Science Square, a pioneering mixed-use development dedicated to biological sciences and medical research and the technology to advance those fields. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for April 25.

]]> 2024-04-25T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-25T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-25 00:00:00 Angela Barajas Prendiville

Director, Media Relations

Georgia Institute of Technology
 

Ayana Isles

Senior Media Relations Representative

]]> 673851 673844 673848 673845 673851 video <![CDATA[New Science and Medical Research Hub Opens in Atlanta]]>

Trammell Crow Company delivers first phase of Georgia Tech district devoted to advancing sciences that improve the human condition.

]]> 1714065027 2024-04-25 17:10:27 1714073020 2024-04-25 19:23:40 673844 image <![CDATA[Science Square’s first phase includes Science Square Labs, a 13-story tower with built in, state-of-the-art lab and clean room space.]]> image/jpeg 1714006796 2024-04-25 00:59:56 1714008304 2024-04-25 01:25:04 673848 image <![CDATA[Equipped with technologically advanced amenities and infrastructure, Science Square Labs serves as a nexus for groundbreaking research, enabling collaboration between academia, industry, and startup ventures. ]]> image/jpeg 1714052161 2024-04-25 13:36:01 1714052339 2024-04-25 13:38:59 673845 image <![CDATA[Georgia Institute of Technology and the Trammell Crow Company are transforming Atlanta’s booming skyline with the launch of the first phase of Science Square]]> image/jpeg 1714008280 2024-04-25 01:24:40 1714008411 2024-04-25 01:26:51 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Breaks Ground on Science Square]]> <![CDATA[]]> <![CDATA[Neurotech Moonshot: Georgia Tech Researcher Shares Impact of BRAIN Initiative in Congressional Briefing ]]> 35575 For the past 10 years, the National Institutes of Health have led an unprecedented effort to revolutionize our understanding of the human brain. The aptly named BRAIN (Brain Research Through Advancing Neurotechnologies) Initiative has led to remarkable technological advancements, insights into the structure and function of the brain, and budding therapies. 

Recently, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Professor Chris Rozell traveled to Washington, D.C. to share the impact of his BRAIN Initiative research with U.S. Congressional offices — and offer insights on how critical this program is to society. The briefing took on a particular urgency because BRAIN Initiative funding was cut over 40% this year, and future funding appears to be in jeopardy in the current federal budget climate. 

“The millions of patients suffering with intractable neurologic disorders and mental illness deserve a moonshot to develop new solutions for their conditions,” said Rozell, who also holds the Julian T. Hightower Chair in ECE and serves on the executive committee for Georgia Tech’s Neuro Next Initiative. “You can't get to the moon with a paper plane, and you can’t get there without a map. The BRAIN Initiative is a vital program because it's one of the few places that brings together interdisciplinary teams that include the scientists who have been building maps of brain circuits and the engineers who have been building rockets to understand and intervene with those circuits. 

“I'm proud to have had the chance to represent not only our own research, but the incredible community here at Georgia Tech and around the country working to understand many different aspects of the brain, developing new neurotechnologies, and advancing therapies for neurologic disorders.” 

Interdisciplinary impacts 

“The main message we presented to Congress is that the interdisciplinary combination of rigorous science and technical innovation can have enormous societal impact over the next few decades,” said Rozell. 

A stark example of that impact was published in Nature this past fall. In this research, Rozell and his collaborators at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Emory University School of Medicine identified the first known biomarker of disease recovery with deep brain stimulation in treatment-resistant depression. 

“The fact that an engineer can advance clinical therapies is a testament to the new era we're in,” says Rozell, “where disciplinary boundaries are fading, and technological innovation accelerates our scientific and translational breakthroughs.” 

This research served as a focal point of the congressional briefing, where Rozell presented with BRAIN Initiative Director John J. Ngai, clinical collaborators, and a family whose lives have been transformed by this work.  

“Events like last week are dream come true,” shared Jon Nelson, who was treated with deep brain stimulation as part of the study and presented with Rozell in D.C. After living through 10 years of debilitating, treatment-resistant depression, Nelson says “remission of depression still doesn't feel real. It's been a year and a half, and I still am in awe every single day. 

“The fact that I have come out of this study and found that the disease is purely an electrical deficiency in my brain has fueled me to completely pulverize the stigma of mental illness,” Nelson explained. “When you have an opportunity to go speak to Congress — that’s about as great of a platform as you can get for that. Being able to put a face to what the BRAIN Initiative funding can do for people was just amazing.” 

When meeting with local representatives, Rozell also relayed his work as co-executive leader of the Neuro Next Initiative, a budding Interdisciplinary Research Institute at Georgia Tech. 

“I was thrilled to highlight that Georgia Tech is leading the charge with the Neuro Next Initiative, which will evolve into a full Interdisciplinary Research Institute in 2025,” said Rozell. “Georgia Tech has the ingredients to become a leading center for modern technology-driven interdisciplinary brain research and workforce development. 

“This visit was a reminder to me that research funding is not guaranteed and it’s important to keep communicating the critical value that research plays in advancing our understanding, training our workforce, fueling our economy, and ultimately making a better tomorrow for society.” 

]]> adavidson38 1 1713985277 2024-04-24 19:01:17 1714146905 2024-04-26 15:55:05 0 0 news Georgia Tech Professor Chris Rozell recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to present his groundbreaking research on treatment-resistant depression to Congress. There, Rozell shared insights on the impact of 10 years of the NIH BRAIN Initiative — and share with local representatives how Georgia Tech is playing a key role in leading the charge.

]]> 2024-04-24T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-24T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-24 00:00:00 Audra Davidson
Research Communications Program Manager
Neuro Next Initiative

]]> 673835 673836 673837 673835 image <![CDATA[Rozell was joined by BRAIN Initiative Director John J. Ngai, clinical collaborators, and a family whose lives have been transformed by this work. ]]> Rozell was joined by BRAIN Initiative Director John J. Ngai, clinical collaborators, and a family whose lives have been transformed by this work.

]]> image/jpeg 1713985800 2024-04-24 19:10:00 1713985800 2024-04-24 19:10:00 673836 image <![CDATA[Rozell presented to members of U.S. Congress as well as local representatives during his visit.]]> Rozell presented to members of U.S. Congress as well as local representatives during his visit.

]]> image/jpeg 1713985859 2024-04-24 19:10:59 1713985859 2024-04-24 19:10:59 673837 image <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Engineering Professor Chris Rozell shared his research and the impacts of the past decade of brain research funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative with Congress.]]> Georgia Tech Engineering Professor Chris Rozell shared his research and the impacts of the past decade of brain research funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative with Congress.

]]> image/jpeg 1713985921 2024-04-24 19:12:01 1713985921 2024-04-24 19:12:01 <![CDATA[Researchers Identify Crucial Biomarker That Tracks Recovery from Treatment-Resistant Depression]]> <![CDATA[Learn more about the Neuro Next Initiative]]> <![CDATA[AI and Neuroscience Become Dance Partners for Georgia Tech Arts Event]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Researchers Identify Novel Gene Networks Associated with Aggressive Type of Breast Cancer]]> 34760 Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer diagnosis for U.S. women, and the second-leading cause of female cancer deaths. In recent years, breast cancer treatments have improved significantly, thanks to targeted gene therapy and immunotherapy. However, for the small group of patients diagnosed with the most aggressive basal-like type of breast cancer, such approaches are less successful.

Recently, scientists in the Georgia Tech Integrated Cancer Research Center (ICRC) have found that this particular breast cancer displays a unique interactive gene network structure. Using a type of mathematics called “graph theory,” which models relationships between a pair of objects, the researchers computationally detected changes in gene-gene interactions as this breast cancer occurs and develops.

“The discovery of novel gene networks associated with basal-like breast cancers has helped us identify potential new gene targets to treat this very aggressive type of breast cancer,” said John McDonald, ICRC founding director, professor emeritus in the School of Biological Sciences, and the study’s corresponding author. “We would not have discovered these possible treatments through analyses of gene expression alone.”

While causing just 10-20% of breast cancer diagnoses, basal-like breast cancer is much more aggressive than other subtypes — and if not identified early, when it can be treated by surgery and/or radiation therapy, effective anti-cancer drug treatment can be challenging. The basal-like subtype does not respond to traditional hormonal therapies.

One theory as to why, advocated by many cancer researchers, is that individual genes do not function autonomously; as such, changes in how genes interact with one another in cancer may be as important as the cancer-driving genes themselves.

“The components of any complex system, like the human genome, are certainly important,” said McDonald. “The way in which these independent components interact with one another is also critical.”

For this study, the researchers analyzed three major subtypes of breast cancer, with particular emphasis on the most aggressive basal-like subtype. The researchers found that gene-gene interactive networks are quite different in the aggressive basal-like subtype, compared to the more prevalent luminal A and luminal B subtypes.

Many of the genes comprising these unique networks were found to be involved in functions not previously associated with breast cancer. Stephen Housley, a neurobiology researcher in the School of Biological Sciences and a co-author on the paper, noted that “an unexpected and intriguing result from our study is that neural processes appear to play a prominent role in distinguishing the highly aggressive basal-like tumors from the less aggressive luminal A and luminal B subtypes.”

In total, the researchers examined more than 300 million pairs of genes, comparing healthy women to those with breast cancer. Study co-author Zainab Ashard, a computational biologist who recently worked in McDonald’s lab, explained, “Differences in the gene network structure between healthy individuals and breast cancer patients allowed us to identify changes in patterns of gene-gene interactions within breast cancer development.”[s1] 

The team’s results are detailed in a new paper, “Changes in Gene Network Interactions in Breast Cancer Onset and Development,” which appeared in the April 2024 issue of GEN Biotechnology. Based on the results of this study and their previously published analyses of eight other types of cancer, the researchers believe they have established the usefulness of network analysis in identifying potential new candidates for the diagnosis of and targeted gene therapy treatment for breast and other types of cancers.

In addition to McDonald, Housley, and Ashard, Kara Keun Lee, a former bioinformatics Ph.D. student who worked in McDonald’s lab, is also a co-author on the paper.

The results shown here are in whole or in part based on data generated by the TCGA Research Network. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project was supported by the Common Fund of the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and by NCI, NHGRI, NHLBI, NIDA, NIMH, and NINDS.

This research was supported by the Mark Light Integrated Cancer Research Center Student Fellowship, the Deborah Nash Endowment Fund, Northside Hospital (Atlanta), and the Ovarian Cancer Institute (Atlanta).

Citation: “Changes in Gene Network Interactions in Breast Cancer Onset and Development,” Zainab Arshad, Stephen N. Housley, Kara Keun Lee, and John F. McDonald, GEN Biotechnology, April 2024,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/genbio.2024.0002

]]> Laurie Haigh 1 1713897304 2024-04-23 18:35:04 1713983695 2024-04-24 18:34:55 0 0 news The team used a computational math theory to identify gene-gene interactions that may be good targets for treating basal-like cancers that are resistant to traditional hormone therapies.

]]> 2024-04-23T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-23T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-23 00:00:00 Savannah Williamson
Research Communications

]]> 670488 670488 image <![CDATA[John McDonald, Emeritus Professor in the School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Tech]]> image/png 1681145806 2023-04-10 16:56:46 1681145862 2023-04-10 16:57:42 <![CDATA[2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action]]> 36583 This Earth Month more than 100 campus and community stakeholders gathered near the Georgia Tech EcoCommons for the 2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium.

On April 18, the College of Sciences hosted more than 20 speakers and panelists from across the Institute and Atlanta community presenting groundbreaking research and discussing innovations and ideas in climate change, challenges, and solutions. 

Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera (M.S. PSY 1993, Ph.D. PSY 1995) kicked off the morning sessions by highlighting the Institute’s new Climate Action Plan, which outlines the pathway to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Cabrera’s remarks focused on Georgia Tech’s role on the frontlines of research and education informing how we respond to climate challenges — and noted that the Institute’s work must extend beyond our laboratories and classrooms.

“It is essential that we not only do the science, but that we also tell that science to the world,” Cabrera says.

Interdisciplinary inquiry

This year, Frontiers in Science featured an array of climate research and initiatives led by the College of Sciences, fellow colleges across Georgia Tech, and the wider Atlanta community.

Following a three-year hiatus of the Frontiers series, the 2024 edition re-envisioned the signature annual event as a research conference and symposium to convene campus experts — and to incubate seed grant proposals to support the work of early career faculty.

Frontiers previously hosted Nobel laureates and invited thought leaders for individual talks across the College’s six schools, and celebrated milestones like the International Year of the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements.

“This year, we wanted to showcase what we are doing right here in the College of Sciences and throughout the Institute,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair and professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. “Our faculty are at the forefront of broadening our knowledgebase and uncovering solutions in areas critical to the planet and our well-being. We wanted to uplift that work and see what sort of connections could be made.”

Connections and collaboration were key themes of the day as faculty, staff, students, and alumni participants representing all six Georgia Tech colleges shared research results and ongoing work and discussed collaborative ideas for horizons ahead.

“Scientists alone cannot [create accurate models],” noted Annalisa Bracco, professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and associate chair for Research, who shared her own research alongside Lozier, who presented a version of her 2024 TED Talk on ocean overturning. “Engineers alone cannot do it. We need social scientists, policy makers, communicators.”

The importance of an interdisciplinary approach was reinforced by the Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Tech (SEI) and Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS), which announced an interdisciplinary seed grant funding opportunity for assistant professors with ideas for new climate solutions.

Frontiers in focus

Across three themed sessions, faculty and leadership from the Colleges of Sciences, Engineering, and Design spearheaded talks on the ocean and cryosphere, biodiversity, carbon cycling, coastal wetlands, biofuels production, and beyond.

Panels on climate challenges across community, technological, and policy initiatives were hosted by Georgia Tech Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research and Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Julia Kubanek.

Following a networking lunch with climate table topics, Georgia Tech Executive Vice President for Research and Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Chaouki T. Abdallah (M.S. ECE 1982, Ph.D. ECE 1988) kicked off the afternoon sessions — which also announced the scholarship recipients of a student video competition and featured videos with a pair of alumnae working in meteorology, climate research, and policy.

Afternoon highlights also included discussions on the Georgia Tech Climate Action Plan and Sustainability Next initiative, led by Jennifer Chirico (B.S. MGMT 1997, Ph.D. PUBP 2011), associate vice president of Sustainability for Georgia Tech Infrastructure and Sustainability, and Jennifer Leavey (B.S. CHEM 1995), assistant dean for Faculty Mentoring in the College of Sciences and interim assistant director for Interdisciplinary Education in the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems.

Although many of the presentations provided a stern outlook of the state of our ecosystems, the conference concluded with a sense of hope. This optimism was grounded in the range of opportunities that exist to address climate challenges — thanks, in part, to the body of knowledge and solutions being tested and explored by Georgia Tech researchers.

At the end of the day, Katie Griffin, a first year undergraduate student in Environmental Science, read Amanda Gorman’s poem Earthrise and provided this reminder:

All of us bring light to exciting solutions never tried before
For it is our hope that implores us, at our uncompromising core,
To keep rising up for an earth more than worth fighting for.

 

Experience the event in pictures with the College of Sciences’ Flickr account, and discover the highlights through the day’s live tweets on College of Sciences’ X account.

]]> lvidal7 1 1713814512 2024-04-22 19:35:12 1713889420 2024-04-23 16:23:40 0 0 news This Earth Month more than 100 campus and community stakeholders gathered near the Georgia Tech EcoCommons for the 2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium. On April 18, the College of Sciences hosted more than 20 speakers and panelists from across the Institute and Atlanta community presenting groundbreaking research and discussing innovations and ideas in climate change, challenges, and solutions.

]]> 2024-04-22T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-22T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-22 00:00:00 By: Lindsay Vidal

Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 673802 673809 673806 673805 673808 673807 673802 image <![CDATA[Frontiers in Science Banner Outside at Sunrise]]> image/jpeg 1713815897 2024-04-22 19:58:17 1713821670 2024-04-22 21:34:30 673809 image <![CDATA[Jenny McGuire]]> image/jpeg 1713819926 2024-04-22 21:05:26 1713821501 2024-04-22 21:31:41 673806 image <![CDATA[Frontiers in Science Policy Discussion Panelists: Michelle Midanier, Valerie Thomas and Joe F. Bozeman III]]> image/jpeg 1713819458 2024-04-22 20:57:38 1713821607 2024-04-22 21:33:27 673805 image <![CDATA[Frontiers in Science Participants]]> image/jpeg 1713819380 2024-04-22 20:56:20 1713821634 2024-04-22 21:33:54 673808 image <![CDATA[President Ángel Cabrera]]> image/jpeg 1713819780 2024-04-22 21:03:00 1713821547 2024-04-22 21:32:27 673807 image <![CDATA[Susan Lozier, Julia Kubanek, L. Beril Toktay, and Tim Lieuwen]]> image/jpeg 1713819617 2024-04-22 21:00:17 1713826106 2024-04-22 22:48:26 <![CDATA[2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action - Program]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech's Climate Action Plan]]> <![CDATA[Sustainability Next: Georgia Tech’s Sustainability Plan]]> <![CDATA[Itching for Answers: Liang Han Receives NSF Grant to Dig Deeper into Sensory Circuits]]> 35575 The skin on our hands and feet collectively makes up roughly 5% of our surface area — at least, when it comes to our bodies. When you look at an important sensory area of the brain called the somatosensory cortex, which receives information about things like touch and pain from everywhere on the body’s surface, that number jumps to about 30%.

Liang Han recently received $550k from the National Science Foundation to uncover where in our nervous system that discrepancy in neural real estate might stem from. 

“The somatosensory cortex is like the output of the whole neural circuit — but the neural circuit takes multiple steps,” explains Han, an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences. “How does this neural circuit generate such a biased representation, and exactly which neurons are involved?”

Pinning down which step in the neural circuit is causing areas like the hands and feet to take up so much of the somatosensory cortex may give us insights into how our sensory systems evolved — and where best to treat them when things go wrong.

Itching for answers

The somatosensory cortex is on the surface of the brain and receives information from specialized sensors on the surface of the body about touch, bodily movement, pain, temperature, and itch. Though it’s organized in a way that roughly matches our body’s structure — areas receiving information from the feet light up next to areas sensing the legs versus the ears, for example — the surface area of the somatosensory cortex is heavily biased towards certain body parts, like the hands. 

To find out where in the nervous system this bias originates, Han and her team are planning to examine the cellular mechanisms of one particular sensation: itch. Specifically, itch on glabrous (or hairless) skin, like that on the hands and feet.

“We’ve been studying itch sensation for a long time, and our previous study identified a group of neurons that control glabrous skin itch sensation,” says Han. Led by Haley Steele, a former Ph.D. student working with Liang, the research gave Han and her team the ability to isolate and study the neurons responsible for sending glabrous skin itch sensation all the way from the fingertips, through the spinal cord, and finally to the somatosensory cortex in the brain.

Interestingly for Han’s team, recent data collected by Yanyan Xing, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Han lab, suggested that there were potential physical differences in the itch-sensing neural circuits for central body parts (like the torso) versus the overrepresented peripheral body parts (like the hands).

“If you ask me why we started this project, that's why,” says Hand, “because we saw that data and we thought, ‘Oh, this is interesting.’”

Going more than skin deep

Those physical differences are just one potential piece of the puzzle. When it comes to the cellular origins of brain’s sensory biases, there could also be more itch-sensing neurons in peripheral areas of the body, their physiology could be different, their signals could be amplified somewhere down the line (like in the spinal cord or brain stem), or it could be a combination.

Using their previously developed tools to genetically label neurons specific to glabrous skin itch sensation in mice, Han and her team plan on studying all that — plus how these neural circuits develop over time.

“Our nervous system evolved in a way that our central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) allocated more neural resources to those distal (peripheral) parts of the body for sensory processing,” explains Han. From exploring our environment to manipulating objects, having keen sensation in distal body parts like the hands and feet has been crucial for our survival. By understanding these sensory circuits, Han is hopeful that “this study will help us to understand how the nervous system evolved.”

Beyond gaining key insights into the sensory system, understanding this particular sensation may help improve treatments for chronic itch — an experience that roughly one in five people will have in their lifetime. 

“Itch is associated with so many different conditions,” says Han. “Understanding the basic mechanisms of the neural circuit will help us to eventually treat the condition.”

 

This research will be funded by the National Science Foundation.

Georgia Tech's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) reviews all research and teaching activities that involve vertebrate animal subjects. IACUC approval is required in advance for all activities conducted by faculty, staff, or students, regardless of location and funding source.

]]> adavidson38 1 1710253873 2024-03-12 14:31:13 1713300291 2024-04-16 20:44:51 0 0 news The School of Biological Sciences associate professor will be digging deep into itch-sensing neural circuits to gain insights into how the sensory system is wired — and where best to treat it when things go wrong.

]]> 2024-03-12T00:00:00-04:00 2024-03-12T00:00:00-04:00 2024-03-12 00:00:00 Writer: Audra Davidson
Communications Officer II
College of Sciences

]]> 673365 673365 image <![CDATA[School of Biological Sciences Associate Professor Liang Han (left) with members of her lab, including Laboratory Technicians Katy Lawson (center left) and William Hancock (right), as well as biology Ph.D. student Rossie Nho.]]> School of Biological Sciences Associate Professor Liang Han (left) with members of her lab, including Laboratory Technicians Katy Lawson (center left) and William Hancock (right), as well as biology Ph.D. student Rossie Nho.

]]> image/jpeg 1710261770 2024-03-12 16:42:50 1710261576 2024-03-12 16:39:36 <![CDATA[Itch Insight: Skin Itch Mechanisms Differ on Hairless Versus Hairy Skin]]> <![CDATA[An Itch You Can’t Scratch: Researchers Find Itch Receptors in the Throats of Mice]]> <![CDATA[Scratching Out New Clues on the Sources of Certain Itch Sensations]]> <![CDATA[Earth Month Features Sustainability Events]]> 35028 April is Earth Month at Georgia Tech. Coordinated by the Office of Sustainability and hosted by partners across campus, it extends the Institute’s observance of Earth Day (April 22) by showcasing campus sustainability efforts and providing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to learn and take action.  

This year’s Earth Month holds special significance, as Georgia Tech will soon publish its first Climate Action Plan, a road map for reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.   

“Earth Month presents us with a unique time to honor and safeguard our environment together,” said Vanessa Suarez, sustainability coordinator in the Office of Sustainability. “It's an opportunity for all of us to be inspired and make a positive difference, both locally and globally; a reminder that collective changes yield significant impact.”  

Events will be hosted by organizations and departments across campus during the month to learn, celebrate, and share best practices.   

Featured Event: Earth Day Sustainable Org Fair and Celebration  

Wednesday, April 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design 

This signature event will feature sustainability-focused departments and student organizations, Earth Month BYO T-shirt screen printing and other textiles, and free King of Pops popsicles. Sign up here to table. 

 

Earth Month Bird Walk – Lullwater (Emory)  

Friday, April 5, 10:25 a.m. – 12:35 p.m., Lullwater Preserve, 1463 Clifton Road 

Hosted by Georgia Tech Birdwatchers with support from the Office of Sustainability, attendees can observe and learn about birds with club experts at the scenic Lullwater Preserve near Emory’s campus. Binoculars provided.  

For registration and additional information, click here.  

 

Tech Beautification Day 

Saturday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tech Green 

Come get your hands dirty to make our campus green and beautiful at the 25th annual Tech Beautification Day, a volunteering event hosted by the Student Government Association and Infrastructure and Sustainability. The event is capped at 300 volunteers, so sign up today! 

For registration and additional information, click here.  

 

Global Media Festival Film Screening: ‘Bigger Than Us’ Documentary + Live Q&A   

Sunday, April 7, 2:30 – 5 p.m., John Lewis Student Center, Cypress Theater 

Bigger Than Us follows Melati Wijsen, an 18-year-old Indonesian activist fighting plastic pollution in her country as she expands her impact by collaborating with activists across the globe. The screening will be followed by a live virtual discussion with the film’s director, Flore Vasseur.  

This event is part of the Global Media Festival, taking place March 29 – April 7 and exploring themes around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The festival is co-sponsored by the School of Modern Languages; the Atlanta Global Studies Center; the School of Literature, Media, and Communication; and the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems. 

For registration and additional information, click here.  

 

EcoCommons Tour  

Wednesday, April 10, Noon – 1 p.m., The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design 

The 80-acre EcoCommons is one of Georgia Tech’s most impressive sustainability features. Institute Landscape Architect Jason Gregory will lead attendees on a tour to learn about the native performance landscape adjacent to The Kendeda Building. 

 

Carbon Reduction Challenge Info Session – Virtual  

Thursday, April 11, 11 – 11:50 a.m., Online 

The Carbon Reduction Challenge is a competition focused on empowering students to become part of the climate change solution. Join the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business for a virtual information session to learn more about participating in the challenge this summer.  

For registration and more information, click here.  

 

Climate FRESK Workshops  

Climate FRESK is an internationally recognized workshop based on scientific reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that teaches the fundamental causes and effects of climate change through a collaborative and engaging game. The Office of Sustainability will host three FRESK Workshops throughout April. 

*The workshop on April 19 is co-sponsored by the Georgia Tech French Club and will be held partially in French.  

For more information and registration, click here.  

 

BBISS Seminar Series: Neha Kumar 

Thursday, April 11, 3 – 4 p.m., Hybrid Event – Online and BBISS Offices, 760 Spring Street, Suite 160 

Neha Kumar is an associate professor in the School of International Affairs and the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. She will present a new paper that describes opportunities for human–computer interaction to reimagine the design of sociotechnical systems toward advancing sustainable, just, and humane futures. 

For more information and the event link, click here.  

 

Atlanta Global Studies Symposium: Languages of Sustainability and the Global South 

Friday, April 12, 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Main Auditorium, Technology Square Research Building 

Hosted by the Atlanta Global Studies Center and with support from the Emory University Office of Global Strategy and Initiatives, the symposium will present initiatives that promote global education, language learning, sustainable development, and community engagement. Partners, faculty, students, community organizers, K-12 teachers, and the public are welcome.  

For more information and registration, click here. 

 

Frontiers in Science: Climate Action  

Thursday, April 18, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., The Dalney Building 

The College of Sciences will convene 100 campus and community stakeholders to discuss groundbreaking research on climate change, challenges, and solutions. More than 25 speakers and panelists from across Georgia Tech and Atlanta will share their work and ideas to address major climate and community challenges. Frontiers will also feature leadership keynotes, a student video showcase with scholarships, networking lunch and reception, and a Strategic Energy Institute interdisciplinary seed grant challenge for assistant professors. 

Attendance is by invitation, and registration is limited.  
To suggest participants, please contact: events@cos.gatech.edu. 

 

Carbon Reduction Challenge Spring Showcase 

Friday, April 19, 2 – 4 p.m., The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design 

Eight teams composed of students enrolled in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 3111, “Energy, Environment, and Society,” will present their final semester-long Carbon Reduction Challenge projects. The projects show more than 9 million pounds of carbon dioxide reductions annually while generating yearly savings of over $500 million in energy bills and carbon sequestration. Attendees can enjoy snacks and drinks and vote for their favorite project.  

For more information and registration, click here.  

 

Sustain-X Hangout 

Tuesday, April 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Hybrid/Scheller College of Business, Room 4426 

A partnership between the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and CREATE-X, Sustain-X is a Sustainability Next and Georgia Tech strategic plan project. With events occurring on the fourth Tuesday of every month, this session will examine social and environmental entrepreneurship and how to access resources for projects. 

For more information and to register, click here.  

 

Interdisciplinary and Critical Approaches to Sustainability 

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

The Atlanta Global Studies Center will present a conference entitled “Sustainability in a Planet of Diverse Knowledges and Persistent Inequalities.” The event features Georgia Tech faculty panels   and keynotes from Nelson Maldonado-Torres and Jessica Hernandez on “Colonial and Decolonial Sustainabilities” and “Indigenous Science: From Local to Global Context,” respectively. 

For more information and registration, click here.  

 

BBISS Seminar Series – Fani Boukouvala 

Thursday, April 25, 3 – 4 p.m., Hybrid/BBISS Offices, 760 Spring Street, Suite 160 

Fani Boukouvala, assistant professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, will present a talk about a new approach for chemical conversion of waste plastics to their original raw materials, including a detailed process modeling of a chemical reactor validated by experimental data, and proceed with simulation of an entire pilot scale facility.  

For the event link, click here.  

 

Additional events, volunteer opportunities, and campaigns are posted on the Earth Month calendar.  Submit your event to be featured via the Earth Month form. 

 

]]> cbrim3 1 1712255644 2024-04-04 18:34:04 1712344166 2024-04-05 19:09:26 0 0 news April is Earth Month with a full calendar of events open to the campus community.

]]> 2024-04-04T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-04T00:00:00-04:00 2024-04-04 00:00:00 Abby Bower

Sustainability Program Support Coordinator

Office of Sustainability | sustain.gatech.edu

Infrastructure and Sustainability

 

]]> 673624 673624 image <![CDATA[23-R10400-P67-004-Web Use - 1,000px Wide.jpg]]> Earth Day Org Fair 2023

]]> image/jpeg 1712255662 2024-04-04 18:34:22 1712255662 2024-04-04 18:34:22 <![CDATA[A Clearer Image of Glaucoma]]> 35599 From Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's to cardiac arrhythmia, amyloids are linked to a number of diseases. These aggregates of proteins form in the body when a protein loses its normal structure and misfolds or mutates. And since many of these proteins are large and complicated, just how some of these mutations occur and aggregate remains a mystery — as does the creation of effective treatments.

New research on glaucoma led by Georgia Tech chemists and an alumna may help change that.

“There has been a lot of work done to understand how smaller folded proteins form amyloid aggregates, but this study helps us to understand the aggregation pathway of a larger, more complex system,” says co-first author Emily Saccuzzo. That work could one day help scientists uncover new modes of treatment — not just for glaucoma, but for other diseases caused by protein aggregation, as well.

Saccuzzo started the project in 2018 as a graduate student in the Lieberman Lab in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Georgia Tech, and is now a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Pacific Northwest National Labs. “Emily was a summer student before she matriculated, and she established the initial feasibility of doing these experiments,” says Raquel Lieberman, professor and Sepcic Pfeil Chair in Chemistry at Georgia Tech. “I'm immensely proud of her.”

Their research team's recent findings are featured in a new paper, “Competition between inside-out unfolding and pathogenic aggregation in an amyloid-forming β-propeller," published in the journal Nature Communications.

Lieberman and Saccuzzo brought together researchers from throughout and beyond the Institute to collaborate on the study.

“This was a very multi-disciplinary project, and that's always really satisfying,” Lieberman says. “I think when you bring more people to the table, you can answer hard questions and do more than you can do on your own.”

The Georgia Tech research team includes Hailee F. Scelsi, Minh Thu Ma, and Shannon E. Hill of the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Xinya Su and Matthew P. Torres of the School of Biological Sciences; Elisa Rheaume or the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Quantitative Biosciences; and James C. Gumbart, who holds joint appointments in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, and School of Physics. The research team also includes Saccuzzo's co-first author Mubark D. Mebrat, Minjoo Kim, and Wade D. Van Horn of Arizona State University as well as Renhao Li of the Emory University School of Medicine.

A complicated protein

While many studies have focused on smaller proteins, called model proteins, that have established ‘rules’ and known patterns for amyloid-formation (a specialized type of protein aggregation), the protein that contributes to glaucoma is larger and more complex. This type of larger, complicated protein is relatively unstudied.

“We had known for a while that mutations in myocilin can cause the protein to misfold and aggregate, which in turn leads to glaucoma,” Saccuzzo says. “What we didn’t know, however, was the exact mechanism by which this protein misfolds and aggregates.

“The goal of this study was to determine how disease mutants are misfolded, in hopes that that would give us insight into the early steps in the aggregation pathway,” she adds.

Located at the interface between the white of the eye and the colored iris, the protein forms a tiny small ring all the way around the eye. “Every time you blink, you stretch that muscle. Every time the wind blows really strong, or you get something in your eye. Every time you rub your eye, you could be affecting this protein — even when it's not causing disease,” Lieberman says. Still, scientists aren’t sure what the protein does. “We only know what it's doing when it's causing trouble,” like glaucoma, she explains. “We don't know what its actual biological function is.”

Lieberman was initially attracted to the idea of studying the protein because she wondered if the research done on the model proteins might be applicable to the protein causing glaucoma. “The really early studies showed that it was likely similar to these model proteins that form amyloid,” Lieberman says. “I wanted to look into that because if we could show that that was true, then we could tap into the amazing resources and research done on model systems to help us combat the disease.”

An unpredictable system

“This was one of the largest amyloid-forming proteins characterized to date,” Saccuzzo says, and while the team hoped that they would find similarities to model proteins, the larger glaucoma-associated protein showed increased complexity.

“I think one of the most surprising observations that we made is that the protein itself is not at equilibrium for about 90 days after it’s made,” Lieberman adds. “One of the tenets of protein chemistry is that amino acid sequences adopt a unique structure, and that all of the information needed to fold the protein into its 3D structure is held in that amino acid sequence.”

Here, the protein was shimmying a small amount, meaning that it wasn’t at equilibrium. “There's so much more going on in the system than anyone could have imagined,” Lieberman explains. “We assume that the shape controls some of the properties, but this is another mystery of this protein.”

Because the protein is so complicated and isn’t at equilibrium, “there is a long list of the things we can’t predict,” says Lieberman, adding that it makes computer predictions difficult, along with certain experiments. “That was a moment when we thought: wow, here's this new system that people should think about. The rules might be refined to help us better understand what's going on.”

The future of protein modeling

While further research will need to be conducted in order to determine how best to treat glaucoma, the study provides a critical foundation for future studies. “What is not clear to me right now is whether we would be able to find one drug for all the people who have mutations, or if we need a specific drug for each type of mutation that we would encounter,” Lieberman says. While the research doesn’t prove that one treatment might not be effective for all, “it certainly shows that there's a lot more to this system than we ever expected.”

“Understanding what disease mutants look like at the molecular level could help pave the way for structurally-specific glaucoma therapeutics and diagnostic tools,” Saccuzzo adds.

Lieberman and Saccuzzo also underscore that the work done to understand the protein responsible for glaucoma can also be applied to other large proteins.

“At the end of the day, more proteins are not model proteins than are model proteins,” Lieberman says. “There are many more systems out there, and I suspect that there are many more proteins that can aggregate and may contribute to disease or aging that have yet to be explored. I think this research shows the value of bringing lots of different approaches to probing a complicated system to learn more about it.”

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44479-2

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institutes of Health award numbers R01EY021205 (RLL, WVH), R41EY031203 (RLL), R01GM123169 (JCG), and R35GM141933 (WVH). EGS, HFS, and MTM were supported in part by 5T32EY007092-35.

Raquel Lieberman's research is supported by the Kelly Sepcic Pfeil, Ph.D. Faculty Endowment Fund.

 

]]> sperrin6 1 1708094528 2024-02-16 14:42:08 1711567013 2024-03-27 19:16:53 0 0 news Georgia Tech chemists are exploring the behavior of a complex protein associated with glaucoma — characterizing one of the largest amyloid-forming proteins to date. The study could lead to more treatment and prevention pathways for glaucoma, and other diseases associated with large, aggregating proteins.

]]> 2024-02-20T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-20T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-20 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 673112 673113 673114 673112 image <![CDATA[A human eye - Image from Unsplash]]> image/jpeg 1708094151 2024-02-16 14:35:51 1708094079 2024-02-16 14:34:39 673113 image <![CDATA[Emily Saccuzzo ]]> image/jpeg 1708094152 2024-02-16 14:35:52 1708094079 2024-02-16 14:34:39 673114 image <![CDATA[Raquel Lieberman]]> image/jpeg 1708094152 2024-02-16 14:35:52 1708094079 2024-02-16 14:34:39 <![CDATA[Inaugural Alumnae Honorees Named for Celebration of Georgia Tech Women ]]> 34528 Celebrating Georgia Tech Women: Pathway of Progress is the new name of the forthcoming, permanent tribute to the impact of women from Georgia Tech, now under construction near the John Lewis Student Center and Stamps Commons. Set to open in Fall 2024, the physical installation and accompanying digital experience will celebrate 70 graduates, as well as 98 women and events with historical significance to the Institute. 

The Institute is proud to reveal the inaugural alumnae whose names and legacies will be recognized. The historical honorees will be announced this fall.

Inaugural honorees include several College of Sciences alumnae — see the honoree list and learn more about the project here.

]]> jhunt7 1 1711566288 2024-03-27 19:04:48 1711566473 2024-03-27 19:07:53 0 0 news Set to open this fall, a permanent tribute will celebrate an inaugural group of 70 graduates, as well as 98 women and events with historical significance to the Institute.

]]> 2024-03-27T00:00:00-04:00 2024-03-27T00:00:00-04:00 2024-03-27 00:00:00 673523 673523 image <![CDATA[Andrea L. Laliberte's vision will come to life, promoting awareness and public recognition of the history of Georgia Tech women in a visually compelling way.]]> image/jpeg 1711566305 2024-03-27 19:05:05 1711566305 2024-03-27 19:05:05 <![CDATA[Sciences Faculty Honored for Teaching, Research Excellence]]> 35575 This season, more than 30 College of Sciences faculty across all six schools and the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience are recognized by the Institute for their excellence in research and teaching. 

Excellence in Research

Every year, Georgia Tech’s research enterprise celebrates the remarkable contributions of its extraordinary researchers. The Office of the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR) presents peer-nominated awards to exceptional faculty and staff for their commitment to “Research That Matters” — achievements fueled by a profound mission to advance science and technology for the betterment of society. 

This year, nearly 100 researchers were nominated for the 2024 EVPR Institute Research Awards spanning nine distinct categories that range from breakthroughs in innovation to community engagement and outreach. 

Joining a prestigious list of award winners dating back to 1986, 2024 College of Sciences award recipients include:

The EVPR Institute Research Awards will be presented at the Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on Friday, April 26.

Excellence in Teaching

More than 15 College of Sciences faculty are recognized for their teaching excellence by Georgia Tech’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) in the Fall 2023 Course Instructor Opinion Survey (CIOS).

Using optional feedback from students, the survey serves to celebrate instructors who exhibit exceptional respect and concern for students, ability to stimulate interest in the subject matter of the course, and enthusiasm for course content.

Three College of Sciences faculty have won the Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching: CIOS Awards, which recognizes instructors with exceptional response rates (at least 85%) and scores on CIOS. The CIOS score used to determine winners of the award is based on the sum of three scale items: instructor’s respect and concern for students; instructor’s level of enthusiasm about teaching the course; and instructor’s ability to stimulate interest in the subject matter.

College of Sciences recipients of the Fall 2023 “Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching: CIOS Awards” include:

Small Classes:

Large Classes:

 

Additionally, 30 College of Sciences faculty are named to the Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching: Class of 1934 CIOS Honor Roll for Fall 2023. The Honor Roll is comprised of faculty who have at least a 70% response rate and place in the top 25% of the composite CIOS scores of three questions related to instructor concern for students, ability to stimulate interest in subject matter, and enthusiasm for course content.  

College of Sciences recipients of the Fall 2023 “Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching: Class of 1934 CIOS Honor Roll” include:

Small Classes: 

Large Classes:

Learn more about the Center for Teaching and Learning
 

]]> adavidson38 1 1710522722 2024-03-15 17:12:02 1710788305 2024-03-18 18:58:25 0 0 news More than 30 College of Sciences faculty across all six schools and the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience are recognized by the Institute for their excellence in research and teaching.

]]> 2024-03-18T00:00:00-04:00 2024-03-18T00:00:00-04:00 2024-03-18 00:00:00 Writer: Audra Davidson
Communications Officer II
College of Sciences

Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences

]]> 673414 673414 image <![CDATA[A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech]]> A view of Tech Tower from Crosland Tower. Photo: Georgia Tech

]]> image/jpeg 1710522679 2024-03-15 17:11:19 1710522636 2024-03-15 17:10:36 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Announces 2024 EVPR Institute Research Award Winners]]> <![CDATA[Center for Teaching and Learning Honors Sciences Faculty for Excellence]]> <![CDATA[Center for Teaching and Learning Recognizes Sciences Faculty for Educational Excellence]]> <![CDATA[New Study Discovers How Altered Protein Folding Drives Multicellular Evolution]]> 35599 This news was originally released in the University of Helsinki newsroom. Read the full story here.

In a new study led by Georgia Tech and University of Helsinki, researchers have discovered a mechanism steering the evolution of multicellular life.

Co-authored by the School of Biological Sciences’ Dung Lac, Anthony Burnetti, Ozan Bozdag, and Will Ratcliff, the study, “Proteostatic tuning underpins the evolution of novel multicellular traits”, was published in Science Advances this month, and uncovers how altered protein folding drives multicellular evolution.

The team’s research centers on the ongoing Multicellularity Long Term Evolution Experiment (MuLTEE) experiment, in which laboratory yeast are evolving novel multicellular functions, enabling researchers to investigate how these functions arise.

Among the most important multicellular innovations is the origin of robust bodies: over 3,000 generations, these ‘snowflake yeast’ started out weaker than gelatin but evolved to be as strong and tough as wood.

From an evolutionary perspective, this work highlights the power of non-genetic mechanisms in rapid evolutionary change. 

“We tend to focus on genetic change and were quite surprised to find such large changes in the behavior of chaperone proteins,” says Ratcliff. “This underscores how creative and unpredictable evolution can be when finding solutions to new problems, like building a tough body."

]]> sperrin6 1 1709909418 2024-03-08 14:50:18 1710175145 2024-03-11 16:39:05 0 0 news In a new study led by Georgia Tech and University of Helsinki, researchers have discovered a mechanism steering the evolution of multicellular life. Co-authored by the School of Biological Sciences’ Dung Lac, Anthony Burnetti, Ozan Bozdag, and Will Ratcliff, the study, “Proteostatic tuning underpins the evolution of novel multicellular traits”, was published in Science Advances this month, and uncovers how altered protein folding drives multicellular evolution.

]]> 2024-03-11T00:00:00-04:00 2024-03-11T00:00:00-04:00 2024-03-11 00:00:00 Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 673356 673356 image <![CDATA[Evolved snowflake yeast]]> image/png 1710163102 2024-03-11 13:18:22 1710163026 2024-03-11 13:17:06 <![CDATA[The Who's Who of Bacteria: A Reliable Way to Define Species and Strains]]> 36123 What’s in a name? A lot, actually.

For the scientific community, names and labels help organize the world’s organisms so they can be identified, studied, and regulated. But for bacteria, there has never been a reliable method to cohesively organize them into species and strains. It’s a problem, because bacteria are one of the most prevalent life forms, making up roughly 75% of all living species on Earth.

An international research team sought to overcome this challenge, which has long plagued scientists who study bacteria. Kostas Konstantinidis, Richard C. Tucker Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, co-led a study to investigate natural divisions in bacteria with a goal of determining a scientifically viable method for organizing them into species and strains. To do this, the researchers let the data show them the way.

Their research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

“While there is a working definition for species and strains, this is far from widely accepted in the scientific community,” Konstantinidis said. “This is because those classifications are based on humans’ standards that do not necessarily translate well to the patterns we see in the natural environment.”

For instance, he said, “If we were to classify primates using the same standards that are used to classify E. coli, then all primates — from lemurs to humans to chimpanzees — would belong to a single species.”

There are many reasons why a comprehensive organizing system has been hard to devise, but it often comes down to who gets the most attention and why. More scientific attention generally leads to those bacteria becoming more narrowly defined. For example, bacteria species that contain toxic strains have been extensively studied because of their associations with disease and health. This has been out of the necessity to differentiate harmful strains from harmless ones. Recent discoveries have shown, however, that even defining types of bacteria by their toxicity is unreliable.

“Despite the obvious, cornerstone importance of the concepts of species and strains for microbiology, these remain, nonetheless, ill-defined and confusing,” Konstantinidis said.

The research team collected bacteria from two salterns in Spain. Salterns are built structures in which seawater evaporates to form salt for consumption. They harbor diverse communities of microorganisms and are ideal locations to study bacteria in their natural environment. This is important for understanding diversity in populations because bacteria often undergo genetic changes when exposed in lab environments.

The team recovered and sequenced 138 random isolates of Salinibacter ruber bacteria from these salterns. To identify natural gaps in genetic diversity, the researchers then compared the isolates against themselves using a measurement known as average nucleotide identity (ANI) — a concept Konstantinidis developed early in his career. ANI is a robust measure of relatedness between any two genomes and is used to study relatedness among microorganisms and viruses, as well as animals. For instance, the ANI between humans and chimpanzees is about 98.7%.

The analysis confirmed the team’s previous observations that microbial species do exist and could be reliably described using ANI. They found that members of the same species of bacteria showed genetic relatedness typically ranging from 96 to 100% on the ANI scale, and generally less than 85% relatedness with members of other species.

The data revealed a natural gap in ANI values around 99.5% ANI within the Salinibacter ruber species that could be used to differentiate the species into its various strains. In a companion paper published in mBio, the flagship journal of the American Society for Microbiology, the team examined about 300 additional bacterial species based on 18,000 genomes that had been recently sequenced and become available in public databases. They observed similar diversity patterns in more than 95% of the species.

“We think this work expands the molecular toolbox for accurately describing important units of diversity at the species level and within species, and we believe it will benefit future microdiversity studies across clinical and environmental settings,” Konstantinidis said.

The team expects their research will be of interest to any professional working with bacteria, including evolutionary biologists, taxonomists, ecologists, environmental engineers, clinicians, bioinformaticians, regulatory agencies, and others. It is available online through Konstantinidis’ website and GitHub to facilitate access and use by scientific and regulatory communities.

“We hope that these communities will embrace the new results and methodologies for the more robust and reliable identification of species and strains they offer, compared to the current practice,” Konstantinidis said.

 

Note: Tomeu Viver and Ramon Rossello-Mora from the Mediterranean Institutes for Advanced Studies also led the research. Additional researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Innsbruck, University of Pretoria, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University of the Balearic Islands, and the Max Planck Institute also contributed. 

Citation: Viver, T., Conrad, R.E., Rodriguez-R, L.M. et al. Towards estimating the number of strains that make up a natural bacterial population. Nat Commun 15, 544 (2024).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44622-z

Funding: Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, European Regional Development Fund, U.S. National Science Foundation.

]]> Catherine Barzler 1 1709564284 2024-03-04 14:58:04 1709844802 2024-03-07 20:53:22 0 0 news The researchers used data to investigate natural divisions in bacteria with a goal of determining a viable method for organizing them into species and strains.

]]> 2024-03-04T00:00:00-05:00 2024-03-04T00:00:00-05:00 2024-03-04 00:00:00 Catherine Barzler, Senior Research Writer/Editor

catherine.barzler@gatech.edu

]]> 673283 673282 673284 673283 image <![CDATA[saltern Ponds_1.jpeg]]> A photo of the saltern site in Spain where a significant portion of the research was done. A saltern is used to produce salt for human consumption and is a natural environment for Salinibacter ruber bacterium.

]]> image/jpeg 1709564152 2024-03-04 14:55:52 1709564848 2024-03-04 15:07:28 673282 image <![CDATA[bacteria Konstantinidis.jpeg]]> A microscopy photo of Salinibacter ruber, a bacterium that thrives in salterns.

]]> image/jpeg 1709564015 2024-03-04 14:53:35 1709563837 2024-03-04 14:50:37 673284 image <![CDATA[small Screenshot 2024-03-04 at 9.45.47 AM.png]]> A screenshot from a team meeting. The study's international team has researchers based in the U.S., Spain, Germany, Austria, and South Africa.

]]> image/png 1709564709 2024-03-04 15:05:09 1709564505 2024-03-04 15:01:45 <![CDATA[Lewis Wheaton Named ACC Academic Leaders Network Fellow]]> 34528

Five Georgia Tech faculty members have been selected for the 2024 ACC Academic Leaders Network (ACC ALN) Fellows program. The ALN program is designed to foster cross-institutional networking and collaboration between ACC schools, while increasing the academic leadership capacity within each institution.  

The new cohort includes:  

The ACC ALN program strengthens a culture of community, enhances relationships among faculty across the Institute and conference, and enables Georgia Tech to foster a climate of leadership. In 2024, fellows will participate in three in-person conferences at Clemson University, the University of Louisville, and North Carolina State University. Fellows form project teams around topics of interest, develop a paper or other deliverable, and present their findings at the final conference in November. 

Explore ALN program details and find out about current and past Georgia Tech fellows, here.

]]> jhunt7 1 1709844648 2024-03-07 20:50:48 1709844647 2024-03-07 20:50:47 0 0 news Five Georgia Tech faculty members have been selected for the 2024 ACC Academic Leaders Network (ACC ALN) Fellows program. The ALN program is designed to foster cross-institutional networking and collaboration between ACC schools, while increasing the academic leadership capacity within each institution.  

]]> 2024-03-07T00:00:00-05:00 2024-03-07T00:00:00-05:00 2024-03-07 00:00:00 Brittany Aiello

]]> 660552 660552 image <![CDATA[Lewis Wheaton (Photo: Jess Hunt-Ralston)]]> image/jpeg 1661458762 2022-08-25 20:19:22 1680031849 2023-03-28 19:30:49 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Partners on $15M NSF Grant to Explore Muscle Dynamics]]> 35599 This press release is shared jointly with the UC Irvine newsroom.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $15 million to an interdisciplinary team spanning 21 institutions across the country.

The six-year funding will support the Integrative Movement Sciences Institute (IMSI), an innovative group conducting groundbreaking research in the mechanics of muscle control during agile movements in changing environments.

NSF IMSI includes several key Georgia Tech researchers:

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first US-based integrative center on the fundamental biology of muscle and movement that aims to bridge from the molecule to the whole animal to understand dynamic locomotion,” co-PI Sponberg says.

The research team also includes PI Monica Daley (UC Irvine), and additional Co-PIs Kiisa Nishikawa (Northern Arizona University), Jill McNitt-Gray (USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences), and Anne Silverman (Colorado School of Mines).

Leveraging expertise

“The Georgia Tech contingent will leverage the Institute's expertise in the multiscale biophysics of muscle, neuromechanics, integrative physiology and bio-robotic movement,” Sponberg says, “including the Institute’s expertise in fundamental muscle biology and movement technologies.”

The group will also collaborate with Tom Irving and Weikang Ma at the Argonne National Lab to leverage multiscale imaging, which will help connect the team’s understanding of the function of muscle at the nanoscale to the properties of that tissue during motion.

A central theme of the new Integrative Movement Sciences Institute will bridge fundamental discoveries about the biophysics and physiology of muscle and movement from insects to humans — research that Sponberg’s lab specializes in.

Last year, Sponberg also received a prestigious Curci grant to study coordinated movement in hawk moths. The team’s goal is to understand how muscle integrates with the rest of a body’s biology and the surrounding environment to allow animals and humans to move through so many varied environments. 

“Muscle is unlike any other tissue,” Sponberg says. “It enables movement in all animals and allows them to negotiate nearly every environment on this planet. For humans, it is the key piece of our physiology that translates our brain’s intentions into the movement that lets us get around in our world.

Creating models that can understand muscular control in dynamic, complex environments is vital, and could have applications spanning biotechnology, like building more dynamic robotics, and bioeconomy, creating avenues to develop new physical therapy and rehabilitation protocols.

“By integrating across scale and bringing to bear an interdisciplinary team of biologists, biophysicists, and bioengineers that span the scale from molecule to ecosystem, the new Integrative Movement Science Institute will create the next generation of muscle and movement models and experiments to understand locomotion in diverse settings,” Sponberg adds.

 

Funding for this research is provided by the National Science Foundation.

]]> sperrin6 1 1709750352 2024-03-06 18:39:12 1709843178 2024-03-07 20:26:18 0 0 news NSF has awarded the interdisciplinary team six years of funding to support the Integrative Movement Sciences Institute. The Institute, which includes a Georgia Tech contingent of researchers led by Co-PI Simon Sponberg, aims to bridge research on muscles spanning the molecular level to the whole animal to understand dynamic locomotion.

]]> 2024-03-07T00:00:00-05:00 2024-03-07T00:00:00-05:00 2024-03-07 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 673324 673324 image <![CDATA[Simon Sponberg]]> image/jpeg 1709750206 2024-03-06 18:36:46 1709750179 2024-03-06 18:36:19 <![CDATA[‘Janitors’ of the Sea: Overharvested Sea Cucumbers Play Crucial Role in Protecting Coral]]> 36123 Corals are foundational for ocean life. Known as the rainforests of the sea, they create habitats for 25% of all marine organisms, despite only covering less than 1% of the ocean’s area. 

Coral patches the width and height of basketball arenas used to be common throughout the world’s oceans. But due to numerous human-generated stresses and coral disease, which is known to be associated with ocean sediments, most of the world’s coral is gone.

“It’s like if all the pine trees in Georgia disappeared over a period of 30 to 40 years,” said Mark Hay, Regents’ Chair and the Harry and Anna Teasley Chair in Environmental Biology in the School of Biological Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “Just imagine how that affects biodiversity and ecosystems of the ocean.”

In first-of-its-kind research, Hay, along with research scientist Cody Clements, discovered a crucial missing element that plays a profound role in keeping coral healthy — an animal of overlooked importance known as a sea cucumber.

Read about how they figured it out at Georgia Tech Research News.

]]> Catherine Barzler 1 1709051955 2024-02-27 16:39:15 1709060484 2024-02-27 19:01:24 0 0 news In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology discovered that sea cucumbers — sediment-eating organisms that function like autonomous vacuum cleaners of the ocean floor — play an enormous role in protecting coral from disease. 

]]> 2024-02-27T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-27T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-27 00:00:00 Catherine Barzler, Senior Research Writer/Editor

catherine.barzler@gatech.edu

]]> 673225 673225 image <![CDATA[Sea cucumbers and coral]]> Sea cucumbers play a crucial role in protecting coral from disease. Credit: Cody Clements

]]> image/png 1709052172 2024-02-27 16:42:52 1709052075 2024-02-27 16:41:15 <![CDATA[SDG Week, Sustainability Showcase Highlight Georgia Tech’s Commitment to Advancing Sustainable Development ]]> 27469 Georgia Tech’s Sustainable Development Goals Action and Awareness Week 2024 and the Sustainability Showcase bring a variety of sustainable development-focused activities to campus the week of March 4 – 8. This annual week of engagement and learning helps showcase the various ways that Georgia Tech is advancing the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through teaching, research, operations, and partnerships.

The SDGs were adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They address the world’s most monumental challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and peace and justice. The SDGs appear by name in the Institute’s strategic plan as long-term goals that should guide Georgia Tech’s teaching, research, and operations.

A key feature of this year’s program, the Sustainability Showcase, co-hosted by the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems and the Office of Sustainability, includes a series of leadership panels and lightning-round talks throughout the week, including:  

  • Conversations With Cabrera: “Higher Education and SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals."
  • Georgia Tech Climate Action Plan panel hosted by the Office of Sustainability. 
  • Tech Talks Business with Scheller College of Business Dean Anuj Mehrotra featuring Laurel Hurd, president and chief executive officer, Interface Inc. 
  • “The Role of Philanthropy in Climate Action and Sustainable Development,” hosted by Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Dean Kaye Husbands Fealing. 
  • “Connecting for Sustainability: Collaborative Paths to Environmental Justice,” featuring Community Partners, hosted by the Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education. 
  • Alumni Keynote: “Exploring Pathways to and Partnerships in Advancing Energy Equity” with Andrew White, CE 2019.
  • "Innovation, R&D, and Sustainability,” discussion hosted by EVPR Chaouki Abdallah. 
  • A series of seven-minute lightning talks from faculty, staff, and students on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, March 6 – 8.  

More than 20 additional events on the SDG Week calendar will be hosted by campus units and student organizations. These include arts-focused opportunities like the SDG mobile film festival on the evening of March 6, a “Teaching the SDGs” faculty workshop, and a variety of events for students to explore sustainability and international education opportunities.

View a full listing of the week’s events for details and registration (only required for some events).

SDG Action and Awareness Week is part of a larger global effort through the University Global Coalition (UGC), which Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera chairs and helped found. The UGC comprises higher education leaders from around the world who work to advance the SDGs through system change and global partnerships.

SDG Action and Awareness Week is an annual event occurring in early March. To collaborate next year, contact the Office of Sustainability at sustain@gatech.edu. 

]]> Kristen Bailey 1 1708896787 2024-02-25 21:33:07 1709003995 2024-02-27 03:19:55 0 0 news The campus community is invited to participate in a week of events that increase awareness of and encourage actions that advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

]]> 2024-02-25T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-25T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-25 00:00:00 Drew Cutright

Director of Sustainability Engagement, Georgia Tech

Program Director, University Global Coalition

]]> 673197 673197 video <![CDATA[ 2024 SDG Action and Awareness Week]]> 2024 SDG Action and Awareness Week

]]> 1708723706 2024-02-23 21:28:26 1708723706 2024-02-23 21:28:26 <![CDATA[2024 SDG Week Events]]> <![CDATA[What's on the Horizon for 2023?]]> 27713 The new year is often a time of reflection and planning. With this in mind, we asked several members of the Georgia Tech community to share what they are looking forward to — personally or professionally — in 2023.

 

“My lab moved to Cherry Emerson late last year. So, this year I am looking forward to hallway conversations with my new neighbors, and I am hoping to strike up some new collaborations at the interface between biophysics, microbiology, and evolutionary biology.”

 —Peter Yunker, associate professor, School of Physics

 

“I’m looking forward to shaping a more fulfilling and engaging employee experience at Georgia Tech. In Human Resources, we’ve been working tirelessly to develop programs and practices that will help Tech recruit, support and develop our talented workforce. I’m excited for faculty and staff to experience positive culture shifts and hope we inspire enthusiasm as we share and celebrate the deep love that exists for working at Tech.”

 —Skye Duckett, vice president and chief human resources officer, Georgia Tech Human Resources

 

“Personally, I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife, Amanda, and our dog, Buzz, at our family place on the coast. I'm also looking forward to watching my fellow 2001 alumnus, Coach Brent Key, lead our Yellow Jackets this fall!”

—William Smith, director, Office of Emergency Management and Communications

 

“I am very much looking forward to taking the Cultivate Well-Being strategic focus to the next level as we are able to start planning and implementation in earnest, guided by our roadmap. I am also excited about the prospect of enhancing our efforts to promote student belonging and facilitate student success as we launch the new John Lewis Student Leadership Pathways and move toward making the Black cultural center a reality. I am also planning to visit the Georgia Tech-Europe campus for the first time! On the personal front, I can’t wait for Season 7 of Outlander (Starz) or Season 2 of Shadow and Bone (Netflix). I also get to celebrate my blue point Siamese kitten turning one year old in February.”

—Luoluo Hong, vice president for Student Engagement and Well-Being

 

“I am looking forward to all that 2023 has to offer me personally. I am the one who’s usually immersed in my professional career and family and friends. However, this year, it’s all about me, and accomplishing some of the personal goals that I’ve set for myself. So, I am excited and looking forward to the completion of my first children’s book series. I have been working on it for a few years and it’s finally coming together. It will be released in August 2023.”

—Quinae’ A. Ford, administrative manager, GTRI Project Management Office

 

“The Georgia Tech Alumni Association has named this the Year of Engagement. I am excited about connecting with even more alumni and inviting them to gather on campus and with Yellow Jackets in their community, to grow together with our professional education programs, and to give back to each other and the Institute. We are closing in on 200,000 living alumni this year, so we are grateful for the partnerships we enjoy across campus to help us reach our vast constituency. We are striving to build an Alumni Association that is with our alumni in 2023 and for a lifetime. Go Jackets!”

—Dene Sheheane, MGT 1991, president of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association

]]> Victor Rogers 1 1673561650 2023-01-12 22:14:10 1708461761 2024-02-20 20:42:41 0 0 news Members of the Tech community share their plans for the new year.

]]> 2023-01-13T00:00:00-05:00 2023-01-13T00:00:00-05:00 2023-01-13 00:00:00 Victor Rogers

Institute Communications

]]> 664717 664717 image <![CDATA[Headshots: What's on the Horizon for 2023?]]> image/jpeg 1673617960 2023-01-13 13:52:40 1673617995 2023-01-13 13:53:15 <![CDATA[Surveillance Testing Shown to Reduce Community Covid-19 Spread]]> 34541 Covid-19 is often asymptomatic and can lead infected individuals to spread the disease without knowing it. Yet, regular surveillance testing of a community can catch these cases and prevent outbreaks.

In early 2020, Georgia Tech researchers designed a saliva-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and encouraged community members to test weekly to track the health of the campus. Their strategy confirmed 62% of the campus’ positive cases in the Fall 2020 semester. The method of surveillance testing — focusing on case clusters and then having patients isolate — reduced positivity rates from 4.1% in the beginning of the semester to below 0.5% mid-semester. Their findings were published in the journal Epidemiology.

“One of the ways you can mitigate spread is not to think about testing as just an indicator for how bad things are, but actually use enough testing that you can begin to pull infected people out of circulation to reduce the spread,” said Joshua Weitz, Georgia Tech professor in the School of Biological Sciences who developed the infectious disease models used to monitor campus.

Surveillance testing not only kept the community safe, but also enabled an open campus during a period of the pandemic when vaccines were not available. The strategy showed that combining multiple mitigation efforts — from testing to social distancing — can keep a university operational.

Designing the Test

The program relied on saliva PCR tests compared to the more common nasal swab PCR tests.

“I saw data very early on that the saliva tests were actually probably a little bit more sensitive than the nasal ones,” said Greg Gibson, professor in the School of Biological Sciences. “I just knew that students would be more likely to do something that takes 30 seconds to give us spit. It’s easy and safe, so it was just a no-brainer.”

Saliva-based tests were a practical solution for a campus. The test could be self-administered, requiring fewer medical personnel and creating ease of access for students. The tests were also safer than nasal swabs because the collection tube contained a viral deactivation buffer that killed active virus but preserved the RNA at room temperature for analysis.

The Georgia Tech campus biomedical research labs were also ideal for this type of test. Andrés García, executive director of the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, realized robotics labs could build and run tests and make the program scalable.

“Testing requires precisely distributing different amounts of fluid to volumes, and this is a task really well suited for a robot,” García said. “With the large number of tests that we were expecting to need to administer, there was really no choice because having the robot really cut down on the human error.”

Another novel strategy was double pooling. Each saliva sample was pooled twice into a group of five samples and processed. This had multiple advantages, according to Gibson. One was it prevented false results because each sample had to test positive twice to be considered positive. And, by pooling, the testing system could clear dozens of individuals at once, while also focusing on a positive individual and then referring them for further diagnostic testing.

“A purely surveillance test where you don't give anybody results can be done without much regulation, but it’s minimally useful,” said Gibson, who is a Regents’ Professor, Tom and Marie Patton Chair in Biological Sciences, and serves as director of the Center for Integrative Genomics at Georgia Tech. “The double pooling strategy was a way for us to be able to identify exactly who was responsible for positive tests, and then go back to their original test and do a diagnostic one in a CLIA-certified lab.” CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certification indicates a lab has met federal quality standards for diagnostic testing on human samples.

The Testing Strategy

Creating an effective testing infrastructure was also key to the success of the program. A university is a high-density environment where a community lives, learns, and works. When the program was first implemented in the Fall 2020 semester, Georgia Tech had 7,370 people in residence and 5,000 students, faculty, and staff who visited daily.

With the ability to run 1,500 tests at the beginning of the semester and up to 2,850 by the end, the program enabled most people on campus to test weekly. Testing weekly helped catch cases early with Covid-19’s seven-day incubation period, and positive individuals isolated for 10 days.

Part of why this approach was so successful was because of what Gibson calls “synergistic effectiveness.” By combining testing with mitigation strategies like masking and social distancing, Georgia Tech was able to reduce positivity rates.

“We've shown that testing doesn't have to be comprehensive with everybody testing every other day to be effective,” Gibson said.

This strategy enabled the researchers to focus on campus hotspots and control spread. In the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester, campus positivity was at 0.5% until a cluster was identified in Greek housing in August. This enabled a targeted campaign where 90% of on-campus residents were tested. The asymptomatic positivity rate peaked at 4.1%, but steadily declined back to 0.5% by mid-September thanks to rapid identification and isolation of positive individuals.

“We are a technical university — that doesn't have a medical school or a school of public health — that developed its own effective testing program and was able to deploy it to test a large segment of the population and keep the campus in operation,” said García, who additionally holds the Petit Director’s Chair in Bioengineering and Bioscience and is a Regents’ Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.

Due to the success of surveillance testing, cases were kept at a manageable number. Most importantly, campus was able to stay open throughout the pandemic. The Georgia state legislature also adopted Georgia Tech’s surveillance testing system in January 2021 and is using the program to track and manage cases during this year’s legislative session. The strategy continues to keep Georgia Tech an active campus with in-person learning as the pandemic evolves. Ideally, the program established at Georgia Tech will remain in place, prepared to deal quickly with future infectious disease epidemics should the need arise, according to Gibson.

“We developed a program that in practice – and psychologically – provided a benefit to community members,” said Weitz, who also serves as the Tom and Marie Patton Chair in Biological Sciences and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences. “Many people could go get tested and know that they weren't infectious so that they had a less likely chance of infecting others. Or, if they did end up testing positive, they were able to isolate themselves so they didn't infect others. That is of significant benefit.”

CITATION: G. Gibson, J.S. Weitz, M.P. Shannon et. al, “Surveillance-to-Diagnostic Testing Program for Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections on a Large, Urban Campus in Fall 2020.” (Epidemiology, Dec. 2021)

DOI: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000001448

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The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 44,000 students, representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.

Writer: Tess Malone

Media Contacts:
Georgia Parmelee | Georgia.Parmelee@gatech.edu
Steven Norris | Stephen.Norris@gatech.edu

]]> Tess Malone 1 1644253819 2022-02-07 17:10:19 1708461480 2024-02-20 20:38:00 0 0 news In early 2020, Georgia Tech researchers designed a saliva-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and encouraged community members to test weekly to track the health of the campus.

]]> 2022-02-07T00:00:00-05:00 2022-02-07T00:00:00-05:00 2022-02-07 00:00:00 Tess Malone, Research Writer/Editor

]]> 655264 655263 655266 655270 655268 655264 image <![CDATA[Student testing]]> image/jpeg 1644254697 2022-02-07 17:24:57 1644254697 2022-02-07 17:24:57 655263 image <![CDATA[Covid Surveillance Lab]]> image/jpeg 1644254394 2022-02-07 17:19:54 1644254394 2022-02-07 17:19:54 655266 image <![CDATA[Andrés García 22]]> image/jpeg 1644255251 2022-02-07 17:34:11 1644256616 2022-02-07 17:56:56 655270 image <![CDATA[Greg Gibson 22]]> image/jpeg 1644256033 2022-02-07 17:47:13 1644256220 2022-02-07 17:50:20 655268 image <![CDATA[Joshua Weitz 22]]> image/jpeg 1644255506 2022-02-07 17:38:26 1644256236 2022-02-07 17:50:36 <![CDATA[CMDI: Mighty Microbial Dynamics for a Healthier People and Planet]]> 34434 Shaping the shared future of microbes and human health is the mission for Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI).

Yes, there are similar academic-based centers studying infectious diseases and the microbes that cause them, but to understand what makes Georgia Tech’s center different, Sam Brown, CMDI co-director and a professor in the School of Biological Sciences, says to concentrate on that third letter in the Center's name.

“Focus on dynamics,” says Brown. “That’s basically how microbes are changing over time and space as well as how they’re changing systems in time. This notion of dynamics operates on different scales. It operates, as I see it, on a behavioral scale — individual bugs making decisions and changing their behavior in time.”

Ecological dynamics are “how populations are changing with time, and how they’re interacting with other communities — for example in biofilms,” Brown adds, referring to the name for communities of microorganisms that stick to surfaces and create their own “neighborhoods.”

There are also evolutionary dynamics, which are worrying to Brown and other researchers, as they can mean bacteria increase resistance to antibiotics. And then there are epidemiological dynamics.

“We’re all glued to our screens watching the epidemiological dynamics of Covid-19 play out in real time,” he explains.

All of this involves the study of some of the natural world’s tiniest troublemakers — and helpers. Humans are pathetically outnumbered by microbes. They live in, on, and around all of us. They are at both ends of the human food chain, helping farmers grow food, and then assisting us in digesting our meals.

“You have trillions of bacteria in your gut,” points out Marvin Whiteley, CMDI’s founding co-director who serves as a professor in the School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Tech Bennie H. and Nelson D. Abell Chair in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and co-director for Emory-Children’s CF Center. So, in the spectrum of these tiny communities, there are helpful and harmful microbes alike — and the latter can often make us very sick. That’s where CMDI experts step in.

“CMDI is working to transform how we study microbes in an environmental context, and ultimately find new microbial strategies to improve human and environmental health,” Brown says.

CMDI’s science is conducted in an interdisciplinary manner, like many other research centers at Georgia Tech, with research that reaches into a number of other disciplines — microbial ecology, microbiome dynamics, biogeochemistry, microbial biophysics, socio-microbiology, infection dynamics, host-pathogen interactions, marine and aquatic microbiology, microbial evolution, viral ecology, spatial imaging, and math/computational modeling.

The Center is fairly new, beginning operations in 2018. Yet it’s already closing in on 100 researchers — faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral students — and is aggressively recruiting early career scientists from around the world to research at CMDI.

“We are a unique interdisciplinary research center since our expertise spans such broad subjects from coral reef ecosystems, to antibiotic resistant bacteria, to new infectious diseases therapies,” explains Maria Avdonina, CMDI manager. 

Building CMDI’s foundation, and using it to attack P. aeruginosa

“How does a pathogen do what it does at the molecular level?” Marvin Whiteley asks.

It is a question that he began asking at The University of Texas at Austin, where he founded another center to study infectious disease before coming to Georgia Tech in 2017. Back then, Whiteley was looking for the kind of interdisciplinary mix of researchers that can be found widely across the Institute, so he moved to Atlanta and built that into the CMDI’s mission as its founding co-director.

“It’s the idea of not just working with pure microbiologists, but working with those interested in how things change, and their dynamic aspects, even daily changes in the microbiome,” he says, referring to the term used to describe all the microorganisms that live in a particular environment, whether it’s a human body or a body of land or water. “It requires modelers — people used to looking at big data sets — and people who think about evolutionary biology. It’s a unique kind of expertise that I don’t have in my lab, but the folks who work for me in the lab can take advantage of it within CMDI.”

Whiteley’s research interests include the study of cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disease that results in bacteria chronically attacking the lungs of its patients. To combat disease, Whiteley is focusing research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a particularly dangerous bacteria that’s often found in CF patients’ lungs. He notes that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists it as one of the primary pathogens that is cause for clinical concern.

“It lives in nature, but we published a paper showing it’s not everywhere. It’s located near human activity, so wherever we are, it seems to grow and do really well. It’s in a lot of different diseases — and CF is one of them.”

P. aeruginosa is also “a really important cause of wound infections,” Whiteley adds, citing a CDC estimate that by 2050, about 20 percent of the entire U.S. healthcare budget could be spent treating chronic wound infections.

“The biggest problem in environments where it’s problematic is hospitals,” he says. “It’s very tolerant of antimicrobials, and it acquires resistance fairly quickly. That causes it to enrich in its environment.”

Taking on Covid-19

Joshua Weitz, who is a CMDI faculty member, professor and Tom and Marie Patton Chair in Biological Sciences, and founding director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences program, is a key scientist behind Georgia Tech’s Covid-19 surveillance testing efforts, along with Covid-19 event risk and population immunity modeling research around nation and beyond.

Weitz has led a series of concurrent efforts to estimate epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, develop novel approaches to use large-scale testing as an intervention, and leverage mathematical models and real-time datasets to inform the public of ongoing transmission risk.   

Weitz recently received a best paper award from the Georgia Tech Chapter of Sigma Xi for his work on the Covid-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool, which calculates the odds of being exposed to an infected individual in groups of different sizes; it has received more than 8 million unique visitors who have generated more than 40 million risk estimates since the planning tool’s launch in July 2020.

Weitz also joined fellow faculty and staff in sharing an Institute Research Award and Institute Service Award in recognition of collective efforts to design, develop, implement, deploy an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 saliva-based testing program to address the coronavirus pandemic across campus. “We’re very proud of what Joshua has done,” Sam Brown says, “both in the context of Covid-19 and also in exploring new therapeutic angles for bacterial infections, by harnessing the viral natural enemies of bacteria: phages.”

The search for new antibiotics — and how best to use them

While Covid-19 is a virus that has dominated headlines since early 2020, bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been a problem for decades. Penicillin was first available as an antibiotic in 1941. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be resistant to it as early as 1942.

CMDI faculty member Julia Kubanek, a professor of in the School of Biological Sciences and School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, former associate dean for Research in the College of Sciences and newly appointed vice president for Interdisciplinary Research (VPIR) for all of Georgia Tech, has spent the past 17 years diving into the waters near Fiji and the Solomon Islands, looking for natural marine products that could fill that widening gap in resistance-free drugs.

“It’s been a long time since entirely new classes of antibiotics were brought to market,” Kubanek explains. “Pharmaceutical companies have reduced their investments in antibiotic drug discovery, despite the continuing rise of antimicrobial resistance among existing drugs. More resistant strains of infectious bacteria and fungi are evolving constantly and present severe threats to public health.”

The Covid-19 pandemic is a related example. It has revealed that science’s arsenal of antiviral drugs is inadequate, she notes.

Kubanek and CMDI faculty colleague Mark Hay, Regents Professor and Harry and Linda Teasley Chair in the School of Biological Sciences, are both part of Georgia Tech’s drug discovery program, which looks at small molecule natural products from marine organisms as sources for potential future medicines against infectious diseases.

A partnership with Emory University School of Medicine helps researchers screen Georgia Tech’s natural product library — what Kubanek and her research team found on those South Pacific trips — for potential drug candidates has resulted in encouraging news for viruses like SARS-CoV-2, the specific coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

“We’re currently following three promising classes of natural products from marine algae and sponges that show preliminary activity against this coronavirus,” Kubanek says. Those molecules are distinct from currently marketed antivirals and antibiotics, and that could mean more weapons in science’s arsenal for fighting infectious diseases.

CMDI researchers also approach the antibiotic resistance crisis through an epidemiological and evolutionary lens. For example, recent work from the Brown Lab has identified new strategies to slow or even reverse the increase in drug-resistant strains, by changing how doctors dose their drugs, and how they make use of diagnostic information.  

Microbes, climate, and environmental health 

Beyond human infections and pathogen control, CMDI also focuses on the significant impacts that microbes have on human and environmental health. CMDI faculty member Joel Kostka, professor and associate chair of Research in the School of Biological Sciences who also serves as a professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, is a leading researcher in environmental microbiology, bringing the power of “omics” technologies to discover the role of environmental microbes in shaping key aspects of our shared world, from bioremediation to climate change. 

Kostka’s work led to the discovery of key marine microbes that played an important role in cleaning up the oil spilled during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Disaster — microbes that turned out to be abundant in oil-contaminated soils around the world. 

Kostka’s work in this space “revealed a natural capacity for rare microbes in the Gulf of Mexico to catalyze the bioremediation, or natural cleanup, of petroleum hydrocarbons,” he explains. “These microbes show promise as biological indicators to direct emergency response efforts, as well as to elucidate the impacts of oil exposure on ecosystem health during oil spills and other environmental disasters,” he adds. 

The Kostka Lab has also long characterized the role of the environment in shaping microbial communities that limit the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.  

In a large scale climate change experiment that’s being conducted in northern Minnesota with funding by the U.S. Department of Energy, Kostka’s research recently showed that warming accelerates the production of greenhouse gases from soil microbial respiration — and that microbial activity “was fueled by the release of plant metabolites, suggesting that enhanced greenhouse gas production is likely to persist and result in amplified climate feedbacks.”  

“Joel is our key player in this space,” Brown says. “He’s done incredible research on how the environment can dictate microbial species abundance and their behavioral contributions to the functioning of Earth’s ecosystems. He’s shown that different ‘taxa’, or groups of organisms, become metabolically active or ‘switched on’ depending on environmental factors like temperature. His research contributes to building better climate models as well as to develop new geoengineering strategies to adapt to climate change. He’s doing beautiful work.”

CMDI’s global call to early career microbiologists

CMDI’s research is funded by grants from agencies like the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health to individual labs run by faculty — and by money distributed directly to the Center from across Georgia Tech, including the College of Sciences and its Office of the Dean and Sutherland Dean's Chair.

These sources “are getting healthier by the minute, and that’s a testament to the scientists at the Center,” Brown points out — so much so that two new positions have recently been created: a senior research scientist who will assist postdoctoral and graduate students with grant and fellowship applications, and a CMDI Early Career Award Fellowship that seeks out “superstars, people who are going to go on to be faculty success stories.”

“We want to get them early,” Brown says. “We’re interviewing some great candidates just out of their Ph.D.s. We’ll give them maximum independence, their own space, their own office, their own pot of money. They’ll be sitting at the intersection of our research interests but can run their own lab and their own research program.”

This allows postdoctoral students to focus on research projects, Julia Kubanek says. “Because postdocs generally don’t enroll in formal courses, nor are they generally expected to teach in the classroom, they get to immerse themselves in research in collaboration with faculty, students, and other postdocs. The CMDI is rapidly growing as a collaborative environment, where postdocs can try out their best ideas and learn from others how to tackle the most pressing scientific questions in microbial dynamics, microbial communication, ecosystem health, and infectious disease.” Kubanek adds that a related fellowship program “will augment postdoctoral salaries to attract the very best candidates, enabling grant dollars to stretch further, leading to new discoveries.”

The Center is also ratcheting up outreach, including what it calls its "Research Envoys Program." The intitiative features graduate students giving seminars at local institutions throughout the Atlanta area, including at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Although it’s mostly on pause right now due to the pandemic, two Ph.D. students and a postdoctoral student working with CMDI faculty member Brian Hammer — a professor in the School of Biological Sciences who is also chair of the Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, and co-director of the Aquatic Chemical Ecology Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program — recently gave remote seminars at Spelman College and Kennesaw State University.

“Our trainees get practice in speaking, and it opens doors to folks seeing Georgia Tech as an option,” Brown explains. The CMDI is also working with Georgia Tech’s Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Southern Regional Education Board to continue to increase the number of underrepresented minorities at all levels of recruitment.

“We’re really interested in educating the next generation of scientists in biology,” Whiteley adds. “Everybody says that — but we’re actually developing programs to recruit the best talent in the world.”

 

CMDI research areas and faculty:

Sam Brown

Virulence, microbiomes, biofilms, cystic fibrosis

Steve Diggle

Biofilms, virulence

Neha Garg

Cystic fibrosis, coral reef microbial disease

Brian Hammer

Vibrio cholerae (cholera), microbial interactions

Mark Hay

Marine ecology/coral reefs

Joel Kostka

Environmental microbiology, biogeochemistry, microbiomes, wetlands, bioremediation

Julia Kubanek

Natural product drug discovery, marine chemical ecology

William Ratcliff

Multicellular evolution, biofilm dynamics

Frank Rosenzweig

Cellular genomics and evolution

Peter Yunker

Soft matter physics, biofilms, multicellular evolution

Joshua Weitz

Viruses/viral modeling, bacteriophages, microbial ecology/evolution

Marvin Whiteley

Microbial ecology/virulence, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cystic fibrosis

Learn more about each faculty member’s area of research on the CMDI website.

 

Writer: Renay San Miguel

Editors and Contributors: Jess Hunt-Ralston, Joel Kostka, Joshua Weitz, Julia Kubanek, Maria Avdonina, Marvin Whiteley, Sam Brown

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1621279061 2021-05-17 19:17:41 1708461341 2024-02-20 20:35:41 0 0 news Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI) merges disciplines, aggressively recruiting microbiologist ‘superstars’ to take back the high ground from antibiotic-resistant pathogens and emerging diseases — and to harness microbes to provide new medicines, cleaner environments, and solutions to the challenges of climate change.

]]> 2021-08-05T00:00:00-04:00 2021-08-05T00:00:00-04:00 2021-08-05 00:00:00 Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

 

]]> 647520 647521 647522 647526 647523 647525 622660 649055 649056 649057 641424 609249 628565 633951 622659 647520 image <![CDATA[Bacterial biofilms ]]> image/png 1621279666 2021-05-17 19:27:46 1621279666 2021-05-17 19:27:46 647521 image <![CDATA[Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection Logo]]> image/png 1621279753 2021-05-17 19:29:13 1621279753 2021-05-17 19:29:13 647522 image <![CDATA[Samuel Brown ]]> image/png 1621279820 2021-05-17 19:30:20 1621279820 2021-05-17 19:30:20 647526 image <![CDATA[Maria Avdonina]]> image/png 1621280039 2021-05-17 19:33:59 1621280039 2021-05-17 19:33:59 647523 image <![CDATA[Marvin Whiteley ]]> image/png 1621279888 2021-05-17 19:31:28 1621279888 2021-05-17 19:31:28 647525 image <![CDATA[Julia Kubanek]]> image/png 1621279957 2021-05-17 19:32:37 1621279957 2021-05-17 19:32:37 622660 image <![CDATA[Julia Kubanek during fieldwork in Fiji (Courtesy of Julia Kubanek)]]> image/jpeg 1561122353 2019-06-21 13:05:53 1561122440 2019-06-21 13:07:20 649055 image <![CDATA[Mark Hay (Photo Candace Klein)]]> image/png 1627320217 2021-07-26 17:23:37 1627320217 2021-07-26 17:23:37 649056 image <![CDATA[Joel Kostka (right) with members of his lab. (Photo Joel Kostka Lab)]]> image/png 1627320441 2021-07-26 17:27:21 1627320441 2021-07-26 17:27:21 649057 image <![CDATA[Joshua Weitz (Photo Joshua Weitz)]]> image/jpeg 1627320683 2021-07-26 17:31:23 1627320683 2021-07-26 17:31:23 641424 image <![CDATA[Covid-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool Screenshot]]> image/png 1605728170 2020-11-18 19:36:10 1605728170 2020-11-18 19:36:10 609249 image <![CDATA[Brian Hammer]]> image/jpeg 1533158829 2018-08-01 21:27:09 1533158829 2018-08-01 21:27:09 628565 image <![CDATA[Joel Kostka (left) and postdoctoral assistant Max Kolton at the SPRUCE research facility in Minnesota. ]]> image/jpeg 1572890556 2019-11-04 18:02:36 1572890556 2019-11-04 18:02:36 633951 image <![CDATA[Photograph of oil droplets and microbes during the Deepwater Horizon spill. (Photo courtesy AP Images/Shutterstock/Shmruti Karthikeyan/Eos Magazine]]> image/png 1585681817 2020-03-31 19:10:17 1585681817 2020-03-31 19:10:17 622659 image <![CDATA[Fijian coral reefs (Courtesy of Julia Kubanek)]]> image/jpeg 1561122293 2019-06-21 13:04:53 1561122293 2019-06-21 13:04:53 <![CDATA[Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI)]]> <![CDATA[12 Proposals to Achieve College of Sciences Strategic Goals Funded by Sutherland Dean's Chair]]> <![CDATA[Researchers Team Up for Microbial Dynamics and Infection]]> <![CDATA[A Problematic Pathogen Develops Antibiotic Tolerance — Without Previous Exposure]]> <![CDATA[Bacterial Conversations in Cystic Fibrosis]]> <![CDATA[Study Shows How Bacteria Behave Differently in Humans Compared to the Lab]]> <![CDATA[Small Things Considered at Suddath Symposium]]> <![CDATA[Covid-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Science Forum Spotlights Coronavirus Outbreak]]> <![CDATA[Temperate Glimpse Into a Warming World: SPRUCE ]]> <![CDATA[The Microbial Legacy of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster]]> <![CDATA[Deepwater Horizon and the Rise of the Omics: A Decade of Breakthroughs in Microbial Science]]> <![CDATA[When Coral Species Vanish, Their Absence Can Imperil Surviving Corals]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Leading in the Quest for Ocean Solutions ]]> <![CDATA[New International Center Will Support Collaborative Solutions to Improve Health of World’s Oceans]]> 34602 In a significant response to urgent climate-related threats, a new international center headquartered at Georgia Aquarium, endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, will support versatile, collaborative solutions to improve the health of the world’s oceans.

The Ocean Visions ­­– UN Decade Collaborative Center for Ocean-Climate Solutions (OV – UN DCC), a partnership with Ocean Visions, Georgia Aquarium, and Georgia Institute of Technology, is the only center of its kind in the United States.

The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats facing public health, natural resources and the economy worldwide, and ocean ecosystems are not only at risk, but also offer the potential of climate mitigation solutions.

The primary focus of the Center is to help co-design, develop, test, fund and deliver scalable and equitable ocean-based solutions to reduce the effects of climate change and build climate-resilient marine ecosystems and coastal communities. There are also tremendous opportunities to accelerate carbon clean-up and advance sustainable ocean economies.

“A diverse approach is critical to address today’s serious threats to ocean health,” said Brian Davis, Ph.D., president and CEO of Georgia Aquarium. “As a mission-focused conservation leader, Georgia Aquarium is keen to host this multinational center that will connect innovative researchers with the resources to create and launch projects that may solve ocean-climate issues.”

In affiliation with the Ocean Decade, run by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Center’s work will contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to achieve by 2030 that are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

“In response to the need for partnership and investment in ocean science, and to help urgently mitigate the impact of climate change on the ocean, the Ocean Decade movement thanks Ocean Visions, Georgia Aquarium, and Georgia Institute of Technology for this generous support and long-term commitment,” said Julian Barbière, Ocean Decade Global Coordinator and Head of the Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section, IOC-UNESCO. “Such exemplary leadership by our Decade Collaborative Centers, spearheaded by the OV – UN DCC in the U.S.  is an important step towards developing effective ocean-climate solutions.”

The ocean nurtures 80% of all life on Earth. Billions of people rely on food from the ocean, and world economies depend upon it for fishing, tourism, shipping, energy and more. It is the world’s largest carbon sink, vital to curbing the impacts of climate change. Healthy marine habitats defend coastal communities from intensifying storms and flooding.

“The ocean crisis and the climate crisis are two sides of the same coin, and we cannot have a healthy ocean without resolving the climate crisis and the greenhouse gas pollution causing it,” said Brad Ack, executive director and chief innovation officer at Ocean Visions, a nonprofit that develops solutions to complex ocean challenges.

“This work will take bold imagination, greatly expanded innovation, and many more people from around the world engaged in this effort collectively. This new Center will give us a framework to build the innovation ecosystem we desperately need,” said Emanuele Di Lorenzo, Ph.D., chairman and co-founder of Ocean Visions.

The ocean has buffered humanity from the worst effects to date of climate disruption by directly absorbing about 30 percent of humanity’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and trapping more than 90 percent of the excess heat in the biosphere caused by CO2 pollution. However, both of these climate-buffering functions have come at a high cost – unraveling marine ecosystems and crippling the ability of the ocean to support the billions of people and other creatures dependent upon it.

The Ocean Visions – UN Decade Collaborative Center will work with an emerging global network of experts and collaborators associated with projects and programs to design, test and deploy viable solutions, such as Ocean Visions’ Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions, 1000 Ocean Startups and Stride.

For example, one issue being solved is securing investment in ocean solutions. The Center is helping advance the development of a new open-source tool called The Ocean Impact Navigator, which consists of 30 prioritized key performance indicators (KPIs), grouped in six main impact areas. It captures effects that innovators are driving across ocean health, climate change, human wellbeing and equity.

“This Center signals an urgent, strategic commitment to finding climate solutions,” said Susan Lozier, Ph.D., dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair at Georgia Tech and President of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). “Ocean health is also human health, and we must find effective ways to protect waters around the planet.”

“At this Center, the best and brightest minds—including our researchers, staff and students—will ensure that our ocean will remain vital for generations to come,” added Tim Lieuwen, Ph.D., executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Tech who also serves as Regents’ Professor and David S. Lewis Jr. Chair in the Institute's Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. “The solutions are there, and we look forward to working alongside Georgia Aquarium and Ocean Visions to find them, with the support of the Ocean Decade movement.”

For more information about the Ocean Visions ­­– UN Decade Collaborative Center for Ocean-Climate Solutions, visit the website at oceanvisions.org/undcc/.

 

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About Ocean Visions – UN Decade Collaborative Center for Ocean-Climate Solutions

The Ocean Visions – UN Decade Collaborative Center for Ocean-Climate Solutions is an innovative partnership between Ocean Visions, Georgia Tech and Georgia Aquarium, with headquarters at the Aquarium in Atlanta. The Center, endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, leads and supports processes to co-design, develop, test, fund and deploy scalable and equitable ocean-based solutions to reduce or reverse the effects of climate change, enhance food security and build climate-resilient marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The Center’s work contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to achieve by 2030 that are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

About the Ocean Decade:

Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (‘the Ocean Decade’) seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.

About Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium is a leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Ga. that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is also a Center for Species Survival by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Georgia Aquarium is committed to working on behalf of all marine life through education, preservation, exceptional animal care, and research across the globe. Georgia Aquarium continues its mission each day to inspire, educate, and entertain its millions of guests about the aquatic biodiversity throughout the world through its hundreds of exhibits and tens of thousands of animals across its eight major galleries. For more information, visit georgiaaquarium.org.

About Georgia Tech:

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts and sciences degrees. Its nearly 44,000 students representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry and society.

This press release is shared jointly with the Georgia Aquarium and Ocean Visions newsrooms. Learn more: oceanvisions.org/undcc

]]> Georgia Parmelee 1 1665517453 2022-10-11 19:44:13 1708460977 2024-02-20 20:29:37 0 0 news In a significant response to urgent climate-related threats, a new international center headquartered at Georgia Aquarium, endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, will support versatile, collaborative solutions to improve the health of the world’s oceans. The Ocean Visions ­­– UN Decade Collaborative Center for Ocean-Climate Solutions (OV – UN DCC), a partnership with Ocean Visions, Georgia Aquarium, and Georgia Tech, is the only center of its kind in the United States.

]]> 2022-10-12T00:00:00-04:00 2022-10-12T00:00:00-04:00 2022-10-12 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 662018 662009 662018 image <![CDATA[Image: Joseph Barrientos ]]> image/jpeg 1665583192 2022-10-12 13:59:52 1665583192 2022-10-12 13:59:52 662009 image <![CDATA[The Georgia Aquarium]]> image/jpeg 1665529626 2022-10-11 23:07:06 1665587006 2022-10-12 15:03:26 <![CDATA[New Multidisciplinary Initiative Marks Golden Age for Space Research]]> 27255 Some Georgia Tech researchers solve cosmic mysteries such as how supermassive black holes were born — and others now are getting a better, sharper look at those black holes. There are investigators searching for the origins of life, and some leading multi-institutional projects exploring questions of  how life evolved and about the presence of water in the lunar environment to enable the return of human explorers for a sustained period.

And that barely gets us into orbit — there’s a lot of Georgia Tech in space. Much of the work is supported by longtime Georgia Tech partners like NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense. But as space becomes more accessible, affordable, and necessary for commercial activity — and therefore more crowded — Tech is also developing expertise in space policy and business.

And now, plans are underway for the next big phase of Georgia Tech’s outer space mission with the launch of the Space Research Initiative (SRI) on campus. The SRI team will work to strengthen interdisciplinary relationships in space research at Georgia Tech, which will lead to creation of an Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI) by 2025.

“This is a golden age for space exploration in general, and in particular at Georgia Tech, especially when we think about what is happening in our lifetime, and what will happen in the lives of the students coming through this university,” says Glenn Lightsey, interim SRI director.

Read the full story »

]]> Josie Giles 1 1708009185 2024-02-15 14:59:45 1708453679 2024-02-20 18:27:59 0 0 news Plans are underway for the next big phase of Georgia Tech’s outer space mission with the launch of the Space Research Initiative (SRI) on campus. The SRI team will work to strengthen interdisciplinary relationships in space research at Georgia Tech, which will lead to creation of an Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI) by 2025.

]]> 2024-02-13T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-13T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-13 00:00:00 Writer and Media Contact: Jerry Grillo 

]]> 673096 673096 image <![CDATA[Glenn Lightsey in space lab]]> image/jpeg 1708009412 2024-02-15 15:03:32 1708009412 2024-02-15 15:03:32 <![CDATA[CRIDC 2024 Awards $41,000 to Poster Competition Winners ]]> 36363 At this year’s Career, Research, Innovation, and Development Conference (CRIDC), $41,000 worth of research travel grants were awarded in recognition of the outstanding and impactful work by student competitors.  

The 15th annual CRIDC at Georgia Tech took place on Feb. 8, bringing together a diverse community of scholars. 116 graduate students participated in the CRIDC poster competition, presenting their research in front of their peers and faculty and staff judges alike. Online graduate students participated in CRIDC’s first-ever online poster competition as well.  

Congratulations to the following poster competition winners.   

Executive Vice President for Research winners  

Jennifer Leestma, College of Engineering 

Kelly Badilla, College of Engineering 

Megan Andrews, College of Sciences 

Anamik Jhunjhunwala, College of Engineering 

Timothy Brumfiel, College of Engineering 

Shreya Kothari, College of Sciences 

Shehan Parmar, College of Sciences 

Ximena Pizarro-Bore, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts  

Xinyue Huang, College of Engineering  

Shiqi Wei, College of Engineering 

 

College of Engineering winners   

Shaspreet Kaur 

Bettina Arkhurst 

Frederick Chung 

Ranjani Narayanan 

 

College of Sciences winners   

Chad Pozarycki 

Monica Monge Loria 

Jiangpeiyun Jin 

Kiera Ngoc Thuy An Tran 

 

College of Computing winners   

Varun Agrawal  

Eric Greenlee 

 

Office of the Provost’s Award  

Eric Cole, College of Engineering 

Walter Parker, College of Engineering 

Chloe LeCates, College of Sciences 

Jimin Park, College of Engineering  

Patrick Owen Sizemore, College of Computing 

CRIDC is the product of the collaborative efforts of the Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA) and the Graduate Career Development Team from the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Education. Fifteen years ago, the event was created when the student-led poster competition, then known as the Georgia Tech Research and Innovation Competition (GTRIC) was combined with the Graduate Career Symposium.   

CRIDC also features an Innovation Competition, in which graduate student finalists offer three-minute presentations to a panel of judges. All participants met with Tech’s VentureLab to explore grants and programs that can help them pursue startup businesses and technology licensing opportunities.   

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 CRIDC Innovation Competition:   

1st place: Mikaela Gray, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 

Runner-up: Alison Jenkins, Mechanical Engineering  

Runner-up:  Zhaonan Liu, Materials Science and Engineering  

In addition to the poster competitions, this year’s CRIDC featured an employee networking lunch, featuring over twenty employers and four career panels. For more information about CRIDC, please visit grad.gatech.edu/cridc. 

]]> Brittani Hill 1 1707765780 2024-02-12 19:23:00 1708117196 2024-02-16 20:59:56 0 0 news         

]]> 2024-02-12T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-12T00:00:00-05:00 2024-02-12 00:00:00 Brittani Hill

Marketing and Communications Manager | Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education 

]]> 673053 673053 image <![CDATA[CRIDC 2024 Poster Competition Session A ]]> Session A Poster Competition

]]> image/jpeg 1707765795 2024-02-12 19:23:15 1707765795 2024-02-12 19:23:15 <![CDATA[Learn more about CRIDC]]> <![CDATA[Researchers and Alumni Aid in $2.6 Million Effort to Restore Salt Marshes in Historic Charleston]]> 35575 For marine scientist, climate activist, and Tech alumnus Albert George (MS HSTS 2009), the fight against climate change is also a fight for home. 

Now, what started as a citizen science initiative led by George has turned into a $2.6 million National Fish and Wildlife Association effort to restore degraded salt marshes in Charleston, South Carolina. As part of the project, Joel Kostka, professor and associate chair of Research in the School of Biological Sciences, will lead a team of researchers to not only monitor these restoration efforts, but gain insights into why the marshes degraded in the first place — and how to prevent it from happening in the future.

Over the past three years, Kostka, who has a joint appointment in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, has worked with SCDNR and Robinson Design Engineers, a local firm co-led by Tech alum Joshua Robinson (CEE 2005), to develop engineering and design plans for the restoration of the salt marshes.

“That project went really well,” shared Kostka, “and now we have developed engineering and design plans for the actual restoration as we are moving forward with the next phase.”

Work for the current phase of the project is set to begin soon. Over the next four years, community volunteers will work to plant marsh grasses, restore oyster reefs, and excavate the tidal creeks that supply the marsh with sea water. 

“Because if we don't do this work,” George shared, “then basically it means a place that I grew up in and a place that I call home will no longer exist.”

Read more about the collaborative effort and the community that started it all in the College of Sciences newsroom.

]]> adavidson38 1 1670355660 2022-12-06 19:41:00 1708032897 2024-02-15 21:34:57 0 0 news What started as a citizen science initiative led by a Georgia Tech alum has led to a $2.6 million National Fish and Wildlife Foundation effort to restore degraded salt marshes in historic Charleston. As part of the project, which is being spearheaded by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, School of Biological Sciences Professor and Associate Chair of Research Joel Kostka will lead a team of researchers to monitor restoration efforts — and to better understand why the marsh died off in the first place.

]]> 2022-12-07T00:00:00-05:00 2022-12-07T00:00:00-05:00 2022-12-07 00:00:00 Writer:
Audra Davidson, College of Sciences

Editor and Contact:
Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 662947 662947 image <![CDATA[An aerial view of the restoration site in historic Maryville.]]> image/jpeg 1667841055 2022-11-07 17:10:55 1667841055 2022-11-07 17:10:55 <![CDATA[Historic Maryville marsh damaged by drought getting new life with volunteers in the muck]]> <![CDATA[Joel Kostka Awarded $3.2 Million to Keep Digging into How Soils and Plants Capture Carbon — And Keep It Out of the Atmosphere]]> <![CDATA[Salt Marsh Grass On Georgia’s Coast Gets Nutrients for Growth From Helpful Bacteria in Its Roots]]> <![CDATA[Fall 2022 GT Astrobiology Distinguished Lecture and Social Event!]]> 36360 Please join us for the Fall 2022 GT Astrobiology Distinguished Lecture and Social Event!

Title: Contending with the Truly Alien: Agnostic Approaches to Life Detection

Presented by: Dr. Sarah Stewart Johnson, Georgetown University -  Provost's Distinguished Associate Professor

Date/Time: Friday, Sept. 2nd 11:00 AM–12:30 PM

Location: virtual via Zoom or view with others in MoSE G021

 (link: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/98659257400)

In the afternoon, there will be a social event with food and refreshments beginning at 4:00 PM, located at the Molecular Science and Engineering (MoSE) outdoor patio, ground floor. We will also be taking a group photo at this time, so bring your GT Astrobiology shirts! No shirt? No worries! We will be handing out updated shirts at the start of the social event for our wonderful new members! For up-to-date information about this event, see https://astrobiology.gatech.edu/category/events/.

We hope to see you there!

Organized by Astrobiology Fellows, 2022-2023:

Claire Elbon, Tatiana Gibson, Emmy Hughes, and Sharissa Thompson

]]> sthompson318 1 1661559397 2022-08-27 00:16:37 1708032721 2024-02-15 21:32:01 0 0 news Please join us for the Fall 2022 GT Astrobiology Distinguished Lecture and Social Event! In the afternoon, there will be a social event with food and refreshments beginning at 4:00 PM, located at the Molecular Science and Engineering (MoSE) outdoor patio, ground floor. We will also be taking a group photo at this time, so bring your GT Astrobiology shirts!

 

]]> 2022-08-26T00:00:00-04:00 2022-08-26T00:00:00-04:00 2022-08-26 00:00:00 660610 660610 image <![CDATA[Fall 2022 GT Astrobiology Distinguished Lecture and Social Event]]> image/png 1661556243 2022-08-26 23:24:03 1661556243 2022-08-26 23:24:03 <![CDATA[Salt Marsh Grass On Georgia’s Coast Gets Nutrients for Growth From Helpful Bacteria in Its Roots]]> 34434 Salt marshes cover much of the state of Georgia’s coast and perform key "ecosystem services” for people. They clean the water, protect coastlines against storm surges, and provide a habitat for fish and shellfish. A new study finds that a species of grass that dominates those marshes has bacteria in its roots and surrounding soil that affects productivity by providing nutrients, highlighting the importance of soil microorganisms in the entire ecosystem.

The study, “The core root microbiome of Spartina alterniflora is predominated by sulfur-oxidizing and sulfate-reducing bacteria in Georgia saltmarshes, USA” is published in Microbiome. The research team includes Georgia Tech Ph.D. students Jose Rolando (the study’s lead author) and Tianze Song; Max Kolton, a former postdoctoral researcher, now senior lecturer and principal investigator with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheva, Israel; and corresponding author Joel Kostka, professor and associate chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences with a joint appointment in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, who is also a member of Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection.

The study shows that diverse and abundant microbes associated with spartina cordgrass help mineralize sediment organic matter and release bioavailable nutrients to the plant, suggesting that the microbes help support plant productivity. 

The work could assist efforts to restore salt marshes that will help to strengthen the coastline to be more resilient in the face of sea level rise and climate change. 

Kostka says about 40% of salt marshes have disappeared in the U.S. over the past 100 years. “So coastal ecosystem restoration has become a huge field, with an important goal to manage or restore marshes so that they continue to provide critical ecosystem services to people,” he explains.

Kostka adds that certain bacteria benefit plants not only by removing potentially toxic sulfide from the root zone, but also by giving the plant nutrients and potentially carbon. “In other words, this is an example of how we think the classic lines might be blurred by what we generally think of as autotrophs (plants that grow via photosynthesis) and heterotrophs (microbes) in ecosystems.”

Sulfur in the roots 

The study was conducted at salt marshes near Sapelo and Skidaway Islands on the Georgia coast in 2018 and 2019. There, ocean water washes over the salt marsh grasses, and that water is rich in sulfate. “Sulfide is a phytotoxin or plant toxin,” Kostka says. “A lot of sulfide will kill plants or at least stress them out, but when you add just a little bit (to Spartina alterniflora), it fuels microbial factories in the plant roots.”

Kostka’s team found that Spartina alterniflora has concentrated sulfur bacteria in its roots, and those bacteria are in two categories: sulfur oxidizers, which use sulfide as an energy source — “then you have sulfate reducers which breathe or respire sulfate from seawater, producing sulfide.”

In this microbial cell factory, bacteria are using sulfide as an energy source to fix nitrogen — and possibly carbon — which then is passed to the grasses. Nitrogen fixation happens when a microbe takes nitrogen gas from air or water and makes usable ammonium out of it. In nature, soil microbes primarily perform this process — occasionally lightning in the atmosphere can also spark it.

The study’s findings suggest that fixation is happening via chemoautotrophy (using chemical reactions for energy) by bacteria living inside the plant roots. 

“The next chapter of this story is to learn how the plant and bacteria exchange nitrogen and the environmental controls of that exchange,” Kostka says. “We also know these bacteria can fix carbon, and could potentially be passing carbon to the plant. The plant may have a cell factory that’s making biomass from chemical energy rather than photosynthesis.”

Finding climate clues in plants

The new study’s research in salty wetlands is similar to climate-related work Kostka leads on peat mosses in freshwater bogs at the Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments (SPRUCE) research facility in northern Minnesota. The facility is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

A study Kostka and his team published in 2021 showed that warming peat bogs are releasing higher amounts of the greenhouse gas methane that is trapped inside them. Peatlands comprise just about 3% of the Earth’s landmass, but they store around one-third of the planet’s soil carbon. As they warm, bogs may also start releasing more carbon along with their methane into ecosystems, a harmful one-two punch for the environment.

The saltwater marshes that Kostka’s team studies have also been termed “blue carbon” sinks because they act to mitigate climate change by sequestering large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere on a global scale. “Salt marshes or coastal marshes are not only critical as habitat for fish and shellfish that we like to eat — along with other vegetated coastal ecosystems — they store as much or more carbon as the remainder of the seafloor,” Kostka says.

A triumph for omics, and what’s next 

Kostka credits ‘omics’, technologies which allow for the study of microbes in the environment without cultivation, for advances in uncovering microbiomes — all the microorganisms in a specific environment. Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, the sequencing of all genes or expressed genes in the environment, allows scientists to chart the potential for microbes to carry out important ecosystem functions like nitrogen fixation. This is critical since very few microbes out of the large diversity that is out there can be grown in the lab, Kostka explains.

“The work is another example of how we are uncovering plant microbiomes — the microbes that live inside or on the tissues of environmentally relevant plants that help the plants to grow better,” Kostka adds. “If we can add microbes to the roots when we plant them, and therefore increase the survival of those plants, we can improve restoration efforts.”

This work was supported in part by an institutional grant (NA18OAR4170084) to the Georgia Sea Grant College Program from the National Sea Grant Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Department of Commerce, and by a grant from the National Science Foundation (DEB 1754756).

Citation: Rolando, J.L., Kolton, M., Song, T. et al. The core root microbiome of Spartina alterniflora predominated by sulfur-oxidizing and sulfate-reducing bacteria in Georgia salt marshes, USA. Microbiome 10, 37 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-021-01187-7

About Georgia Institute of Technology

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 44,000 students representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.

 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1647885909 2022-03-21 18:05:09 1708032674 2024-02-15 21:31:14 0 0 news A new study points to possible help for restoring marine ecosystems — and provides more data on the role microbes play in marsh plant health and productivity. 

 

]]> 2022-03-21T00:00:00-04:00 2022-03-21T00:00:00-04:00 2022-03-21 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston
 

]]> 656499 656500 656501 656503 656513 656499 image <![CDATA[School of Biological Sciences researchers set up a study site near Dean Creek on Sapelo Island. (Photo Joel Kostka)]]> image/jpeg 1647886245 2022-03-21 18:10:45 1647889842 2022-03-21 19:10:42 656500 image <![CDATA[Dean Creek off of Lighthouse Road at low tide on Sapelo Island near Georgia's coast. (Photo Joel Kostka)]]> image/jpeg 1647886439 2022-03-21 18:13:59 1647886439 2022-03-21 18:13:59 656501 image <![CDATA[A Georgia Tech researcher samples nutrients in soil porewaters of the Dean Creek marsh. (Photo Joel Kostka)]]> image/jpeg 1647886602 2022-03-21 18:16:42 1647886602 2022-03-21 18:16:42 656503 image <![CDATA[Spartina alterniflora, the dominant plant in salt marshes on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S, in the Dean Creek marsh. (Photo Joel Kostka)]]> image/jpeg 1647886843 2022-03-21 18:20:43 1647886843 2022-03-21 18:20:43 656513 image <![CDATA[Clockwise from left: Researchers Joel Kostka, Jose Rolando, Tianze Song, Max Kolton. (Photo: Joel Kostka Lab)]]> image/jpeg 1647898313 2022-03-21 21:31:53 1647898313 2022-03-21 21:31:53 <![CDATA[Temperate Glimpse into a Warming World]]> <![CDATA[NSF Supports Research on the Microbes in Peat Moss]]> <![CDATA[ScienceMatters - Season 3, Episode 8 - Digging Up Climate Clues in Peat Moss]]> <![CDATA[Joel Kostka Details the Microbial Legacy of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster]]> <![CDATA[Microbial Research may be the Key to Salt Marsh Restoration]]> <![CDATA[Getting to the Root of Plant-Soil Interactions: Optical Instrument to Give Clearest 3D Images Yet of Rhizosphere]]> <![CDATA[Deepwater Horizon and the Rise of the Omics: A Decade of Breakthroughs in Microbial Science]]> <![CDATA[Getting to the Root of Plant-Soil Interactions: Optical Instrument to Give Clearest 3D Images Yet of Rhizosphere ]]> 34434 An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology has received a $2 million federal grant to create tools that will provide the clearest three-dimensional images yet of the chemical and biomolecular interactions between plants and the soil in which they grow.

At just a few inches underground, the rhizosphere — the thin strip of earth that includes the soil-root interface — has so far been difficult to visualize on site. If scientists can build instruments that capture in real-time clearer images of the physical associations of microbes attached to roots, along with the oxygen-carbon-nitrogen chemical exchanges they mediate, it could help mitigate the effects of climate change and lead to the development of more sustainable fuels and fertilizers.

“From a microbiological perspective, we have catalogued what microbes are in the root zone and how abundant they are,” said Joel Kostka, professor in the School of Biological Sciences and School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech. “But there's been very little work to understand their dynamics under real soil conditions.”

Kostka, who also serves as associate chair for Research in Biological Sciences, joins Marcus Cicerone, professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and principal investigator for the new grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research. The research team also includes Francisco Robles, assistant professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Lily Cheung, assistant professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the College of Engineering.

Together, the researchers plan to produce a new optical instrument that will provide 3D images of dynamic metabolic processes with chemical specificity — meaning it will be able to identify carbon sources (sugars, organic acids) exuded by plant roots and nitrogen-rich compounds provided to the root by nitrogen-fixing (diazotrophic) microbes. The instrument will be built with commercially available components, and with an eye towards simplicity so that it can be easily leveraged by Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Research Centers and field sites.

A ‘hotspot for microbes’ in 3D

Understanding more about the metabolic processes happening in the rhizosphere will help the DOE develop a wider range of sustainable products like new types of biofertilizers and biofuels. The research will also help create practices for better crop management — and will help researchers use plants and soil as more effective carbon traps that sequester greenhouse gases from the atmosphere into the soil.

“The problem is that we don’t know much about the free-living bacteria in the soil, because we can’t get in there and look,” Cicerone said. “The DOE wanted somebody to build an instrument that would allow them to image or gather information about the metabolic processes, the interaction — the metabolic interactions between the microbes and the plants, in real time.”

Kostka adds that the rhizosphere is “a hotspot for microbes.”

“It’s often where the plant is communicating with the outside world,” he explained. “Our goal is to develop an instrument that they (the DOE) can use to better understand those interactions between plants and microbes and how those can be tweaked, say, to optimize plant production, crop production, biofuels and biomass production. And that's the long-term goal for us.”

How light gets scattered, smothered, and covered in soil

Cicerone says the visibility issue with soil involves how photons — or particles of light — scatter once they hit the soil. He likens it to someone putting a red light up to the back of their thumb.

“You turn your thumb around, your thumb glows red, right? So, the light comes through, but most of it scatters. The unscattered light contains the spatial information, but it is so weak that you can’t detect it by eye, and you lose the spatial information. The same thing happens with the soils. You get a lot of light scattering, and you lose spatial information,” Cicerone said.

Cicerone and Robles will build instrumentation that will focus light into the soil and that is “exquisitely sensitive to the minuscule amount of light that only scatters when it reaches its target.” Evaluating that light will help scientists learn even more about the chemical processes in the rhizosphere.

The visibility enhancements will be implemented in optical techniques with names like coherent Raman scattering and optical coherence tomography, which are commonly used for non-invasive imaging of thin biological material, like the retina of the eye — or the tiniest of plant roots.

“We learn two things from the light coming out of the sample. The amount of light coming out tells you about the refractive index of the material, and the light’s frequency change tells you about the chemical composition of the material,” Cicerone explained.

It’s through imaging and then optimizing those microbe-plant interactions that the DOE aims to design more sustainable products and practices, based on the chemistry to be learned from the team’s new optical instruments.

“This is a three-year funded project, and we hope at the end of the three years to have an experimental system, where we can do something that nobody else can do,” Cicerone added. “And that is that we can follow the biochemistry under the soil, in situ, in real time, to clearly see what's going on there and find out what the microbes really are doing in natural conditions. At that point, we can start manipulating the biology, start doing the experiments that the DOE is primarily interested in.”

 

Award Number: DE-SC0022121
Title: Deep Chemical Imaging of the Rhizosphere
Institution: Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA
Principal Investigator: Cicerone, Marcus

About Georgia Institute of Technology

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 40,000 students representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1638465704 2021-12-02 17:21:44 1708032643 2024-02-15 21:30:43 0 0 news Georgia Tech scientists and engineers are building a new DOE-funded instrument that captures 3D images of plant-microbe chemical reactions underground in an interdisciplinary effort to develop biofuels and fertilizers — and help mitigate climate change.

]]> 2021-12-02T00:00:00-05:00 2021-12-02T00:00:00-05:00 2021-12-02 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editors: Jess Hunt-Ralston, Georgia Parmelee

]]> 653303 653302 653301 653326 653327 643048 653355 653303 image <![CDATA[At just a few inches under our feet, the rhizosphere is described as a "hotspot for microbes." (Photo by Chad Ralston)]]> image/jpeg 1638386785 2021-12-01 19:26:25 1638386785 2021-12-01 19:26:25 653302 image <![CDATA[A section of the soil-root interface that makes up the rhizosphere. (Photo by Joel Kostka)]]> image/jpeg 1638384330 2021-12-01 18:45:30 1638384330 2021-12-01 18:45:30 653301 image <![CDATA[The rhizosphere is the thin strip of earth that includes the soil-root interface. (Photo by Joel Kostka)]]> image/jpeg 1638384183 2021-12-01 18:43:03 1638384183 2021-12-01 18:43:03 653326 image <![CDATA[Marcus Cicerone]]> image/png 1638466007 2021-12-02 17:26:47 1638466007 2021-12-02 17:26:47 653327 image <![CDATA[Joel Kostka]]> image/png 1638466111 2021-12-02 17:28:31 1638466111 2021-12-02 17:28:31 643048 image <![CDATA[Francisco Robles]]> image/jpeg 1611008910 2021-01-18 22:28:30 1611008910 2021-01-18 22:28:30 653355 image <![CDATA[Lily Cheung]]> image/jpeg 1638479185 2021-12-02 21:06:25 1638479185 2021-12-02 21:06:25 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Welcomes Seven Faculty Members]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Postdocs Shine in Research Symposium]]> <![CDATA[Joel Kostka Details the Microbial Legacy of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster]]> <![CDATA[Microbial Research may be the Key to Salt Marsh Restoration]]> <![CDATA[NSF Supports Research on the Microbes in Peat Moss]]> <![CDATA[ScienceMatters - Season 3, Episode 8 - Digging Up Climate Clues in Peat Moss]]> <![CDATA[Hammer and Kostka Named Distinguished Lecturers]]> <![CDATA[CMDI: Mighty Microbial Dynamics for a Healthier People and Planet]]> <![CDATA[Wild Tech: Diving Deep to Cure Diseases]]> 34434 This feature by Tony Rehagen was first published in Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine.

Of all earth's ecosystems, the biggest might be the one about which we know the least. Our oceans cover more than two-thirds of the planet’s surface, and yet more than 80% of that is uncharted. Scientists estimate that 91% of ocean life has yet to be classified. But what little we do know might be the key to solving some of land-dwellers’ most vexing problems.

Julia Kubanek is vice president for Interdisciplinary Research and a professor in the School of Biological Sciences and School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She and her team study how ocean organisms, such as crabs and mollusks, use chemicals to feel out their environment and communicate with each other. This work has not only produced insight on how humans use chemical cues but also led to discovery of chemicals that can be used to create drugs that treat human disease. “Some of these molecules that function as cues in animals and algae can be useful to us too,” says Kubanek.

“For instance, usually toxins are considered bad, but you can use them to explore human cells,” she says. “You can also use paralytic toxins for neuroscience. We’ve even discovered molecules that function as natural antibiotics in the water and co-opted those functions that are applicable in medicine.”

Kubanek and her team have examined certain types of seaweed found on coral reefs, which are usually sites of intense competition. Yet the seemingly defenseless seaweed there grows a healthy, vibrant red without any sign of attack from predators or microorganisms. Upon further study, Kubanek and company discovered dozens of molecules that protect the plant from fungal attacks—some of which also have been found to kill the parasite that causes malaria. Additional study of molecules from other sponges and seaweed has revealed molecules with antiviral properties, including one currently under review that appears to be able to kill the virus that causes Covid-19.

“These compounds can be models for new drugs,” says Kubanek. “Chemists can mimic the natural products and create derivatives that are better for human application and drug discovery.” Kubanek’s study of chemical cues is also leading to discoveries of how organisms use chemicals to protect themselves from predators and competition, as well as disease. The possible applications for humanity, beyond just conservation, are as limitless as the sea.

Wild Tech

We often think of nature as an obvious source of inspiration, especially when it comes to art. Countless paintings, photographs, symphonies, books, and films have either directly or indirectly taken cues from the wild world around us. But artists aren’t the only ones who see Mother Nature as a muse. Increasingly, scientists and engineers are looking to flora, fauna, and even our own biological building blocks to find answers to humanity’s biggest mysteries.

Georgia Tech researchers are at the forefront of this vast frontier of discovery. They’ve ventured outside of the lab and gone on safari, danced into the woods, dived beneath the ocean waves, and even turned the microscope inward on our own bodies to find clues on how to do everything from help us better communicate with robots to cure disease. Here are the stories behind some of Tech’s wildest innovations.

Learn how other Georgia Tech researchers are developing innovations inspired by nature.

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1651501699 2022-05-02 14:28:19 1708032397 2024-02-15 21:26:37 0 0 news Georgia Tech researchers venture out of the lab to find clues to everything from how to better communicate with robots to curing disease. Here are some of their wildest innovations inspired by nature.

]]> 2022-05-04T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-04T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-04 00:00:00 Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

 

]]> 657960 657860 657859 657960 image <![CDATA[Diving Deep to Cure Diseases. (Illustration by Linda Richards)]]> image/jpeg 1651689083 2022-05-04 18:31:23 1651689083 2022-05-04 18:31:23 657860 image <![CDATA[Julia Kubanek, vice president of Interdisciplinary Research and College of Sciences researcher, in Fiji in 2017. ]]> image/jpeg 1651505948 2022-05-02 15:39:08 1651505948 2022-05-02 15:39:08 657859 image <![CDATA[College of Sciences researcher Julia Kubanek (left) takes a seaweed sample near Fiji in 2017. ]]> image/jpeg 1651505777 2022-05-02 15:36:17 1651505777 2022-05-02 15:36:17 <![CDATA[Faces of Research - Meet Julia Kubanek]]> <![CDATA[Julia Kubanek Named Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research]]> <![CDATA[CMDI: Mighty Microbial Dynamics for a Healthier People and Planet]]> <![CDATA[#StraightToTheSource Cuts through Covid-19 Confusion, Finds the Facts with Faculty Experts]]> <![CDATA[NASA Astrobiology Unveils New Research Coordination Network at AbSciCon 2022]]> 34434 This release first published in the NASA.gov newsroom:

NASA's Astrobiology program has announced its newest Research Coordination Network (RCN) ‘LIFE: Early Cells to Multicellularity,’  bringing together a collaboration of researchers from around the world that will spend the next five years investigating the earliest biological processes and the evolution of life into more complex organisms.

The new RCN was officially launched today at the 2022 Astrobiology Science Conference, hosted by the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. The field of astrobiology seeks to understand how life originated and evolved on Earth so we can search for life elsewhere in the universe.

NASA’s RCNs are virtual collaboration structures designed to support groups of investigators to communicate and coordinate their research across disciplinary, organizational, divisional, and geographic boundaries.  

The LIFE RCN is co-led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Betül Kaçar, alongside Georgia Institute of Technology’s Frank Rosenzweig, Arizona State University’s Ariel Anbar, and University of California Riverside’s Mary Droser. 

“LIFE will discern rules of co-evolution (between organisms and their environment) that will enable us to predict how life could evolve on worlds other than our own, and how we might search for it,” said Kaçar. “We know that the journey from single cells to multicellularity relied on critical environmental and biological innovations.”

One of five cross-divisional networks, RCNs are inherently crosscutting and focus on interdisciplinary science questions. LIFE joins:

“Astrobiology has been a part of NASA since its inception and is the focus of a growing number of NASA’s science missions,” said Mary Voytek, senior scientist for NASA’s Astrobiology Program. “We are excited for the important work that members of our LIFE RCN will accomplish in support of NASA’s objective to understand the distribution of life beyond Earth.”

The goal of NASA’s Astrobiology Program is the study of the origins, evolution, and distribution of life in the Universe. The Program is central to NASA’s continued exploration of our solar system and beyond and supports research into the origin and early evolution of life, the potential of life to adapt to different environments, and the implications for life elsewhere. NASA, together with the science community, has developed an Astrobiology Strategy that describes the scientific goals and objectives of NASA’s Astrobiology Program.

Learn more: astrobiology.nasa.gov

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1652714106 2022-05-16 15:15:06 1708032294 2024-02-15 21:24:54 0 0 news Frank Rosenzweig, professor in the School of Biological Sciences and Georgia Tech Astrobiology faculty member, will serve as co-leader of the NASA Astrobiology Research Coordination Network, 'LIFE: Early Cells to Multicellularity.'

]]> 2022-05-16T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-16T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-16 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech
404-894-5209

]]> 658238 627775 658248 658238 image <![CDATA[Former College of Sciences postdoctoral fellow Betül Kaçar (left) is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (Photo NASA: Jeff Miller)]]> image/jpeg 1652714736 2022-05-16 15:25:36 1652714736 2022-05-16 15:25:36 627775 image <![CDATA[Frank Rosenzweig]]> image/jpeg 1571410329 2019-10-18 14:52:09 1571410329 2019-10-18 14:52:09 658248 image <![CDATA[Petri dishes containing cultures of ancient DNA molecules are pictured in the research lab of Betül Kaçar, assistant professor of bacteriology, in the Microbial Sciences Building at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Oct. 21, 2021. (Jeff Miller)]]> image/jpeg 1652724518 2022-05-16 18:08:38 1652724518 2022-05-16 18:08:38 <![CDATA[Feature: An Evolution of Astrobiology ]]> <![CDATA[2022 AbSciCon]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Astrobiology ]]> <![CDATA[An Evolution of Astrobiology ]]> 34528 Buoyed by Georgia Tech’s interdisciplinary research on the origins of life and the possibility of it beyond Earth, three researchers from the Colleges of Engineering and Sciences are the lead organizers for astrobiology’s largest national conference.

More than 1,000 abstracts will be discussed during AbSciCon 2022 May 15-20. The event takes place every two years, allowing experts to share their research, collaborate, and map the future of their field. AbSciCon, short for Astrobiology Science Conference, is hosted by NASA and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and will take place in downtown Atlanta for 2022. “Georgia Tech’s astrobiology community is uniquely positioned within higher education because of the Institute’s focus on breaking down silos within our research community,” said Martha Grover, AbSciCon’s general chair and a professor and associate chair for graduate students in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “We have the scientists to explore the origin and the potential of life on moons and planets, while our engineers can create the technology to launch and test.”

Read the entire story.

 
]]> jhunt7 1 1652389041 2022-05-12 20:57:21 1708032261 2024-02-15 21:24:21 0 0 news Three researchers from the Colleges of Engineering and Sciences are leading astrobiology’s largest national conference focused on the origins of life.

]]> 2022-05-12T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-12T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-12 00:00:00 Jason Maderer
Director of Communications
College of Engineering at Georgia Tech

Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 658172 658173 658172 image <![CDATA[Jennifer Glass, Frank Rosenzweig, and Martha Grover represent Georgia Tech as chairs of AbSciCon 2022.]]> image/jpeg 1652389178 2022-05-12 20:59:38 1652389178 2022-05-12 20:59:38 658173 image <![CDATA[More than 1,000 abstracts will be discussed during AbSciCon 2022 May 15-20. ]]> image/jpeg 1652389276 2022-05-12 21:01:16 1652389276 2022-05-12 21:01:16 <![CDATA[Mathematics and Biological Sciences Researchers Receive NSF Postdoctoral Fellowships ]]> 34434 Three postdoctoral scientists have received National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships to support their research across the College of Sciences in celestial mechanics, microbial dynamics and infection, and host-microbe symbiosis.

Celestial mechanics

Bhanu Kumar, a Ph.D. candidate and NASA Space Technology Research Fellow (NSTRF) in the School of Mathematics, has won a fellowship for work in dynamical systems applied to celestial mechanics and applied astrodynamics for space mission design. His Ph.D. is set to be conferred in August. Kumar received his M.S. from the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech last December, and is also an NSTRF visiting technologist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he works with his mentor and research collaborator Rodney Anderson. Kumar’s adviser at Tech is Rafael de la Llave, professor in the School of Mathematics. 

Microbial dynamics and infection

Elijah (Eli) Mehlferber is slated to receive his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley this summer, before beginning research in the lab of Sam Brown, professor in the School of Biological Sciences and co-director of the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI) at Georgia Tech. Mehlferber received his baccalaureate degree from the University of Georgia. Mehlferber’s research seeks to understand how community dynamics in the microbiome can impact susceptibility to pathogen invasion.

“I was aware of CMDI through talking to Sam before deciding to apply for the fellowship in his lab, and it was definitely one of the factors that influenced my decision to join the program,” Mehlferber says. “I liked the idea of having a cross-disciplinary group of like-minded researchers to work and collaborate with — and a program that encourages that kind of work. I think a lot of my best research has taken place through these sorts of collaborations so I’m very excited to continue that with the folks across CMDI.”

Host-microbe symbiosis

Kayla Stoy is set to receive her Ph.D. this summer at Emory University before joining Mehlferber in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech this fall. Stoy will complete her NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship with research in the lab of William Ratcliff, associate professor and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences program at Tech. Ratcliff’s lab focuses on experimental evolution of multicellular complexity. While at Emory, Stoy researched population biology, ecology, and evolution with a focus on mutualism. 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1653585995 2022-05-26 17:26:35 1708032229 2024-02-15 21:23:49 0 0 news A trio of postdoctoral scientists have received support for research across the College of Sciences in celestial mechanics, microbial dynamics and infection, and host-microbe symbiosis.

]]> 2022-05-27T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-27T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-27 00:00:00 Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 658546 658541 658542 658543 658546 image <![CDATA[National Science Foundation logo ]]> image/png 1653587877 2022-05-26 17:57:57 1653587877 2022-05-26 17:57:57 658541 image <![CDATA[Bhanu Kumar ]]> image/png 1653586142 2022-05-26 17:29:02 1653586142 2022-05-26 17:29:02 658542 image <![CDATA[Elijah (Eli) Mehlferber]]> image/jpeg 1653586275 2022-05-26 17:31:15 1653586275 2022-05-26 17:31:15 658543 image <![CDATA[Kayla Stoy ]]> image/png 1653586358 2022-05-26 17:32:38 1653586358 2022-05-26 17:32:38 <![CDATA[Sciences Students and Alumni Receive 2022 NSF Graduate Research Fellowships]]> <![CDATA[Daniel Vallejo is Awarded an Inaugural NSF Ascend-MPS Award]]> <![CDATA[Bhanu Kumar Awarded Prestigious NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship]]> <![CDATA[Using Math to Tour the Solar System - Prof. de la Llave ScienceMatters Podcast]]> <![CDATA[CMDI: Mighty Microbial Dynamics for a Healthier People and Planet]]> <![CDATA[Did Earth’s Early Rise in Oxygen Support The Evolution of Multicellular Life — or Suppress It?]]> <![CDATA[Specialized Cells or Multicellular Multitaskers? New Study Reshapes Early Economics and Ecology Behind Evolutionary Division of ]]> <![CDATA[Mark Hay Elected to National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts & Sciences]]> 34528 Mark E. Hay, Regents' Professor and Teasley Chair in Environmental Biology in the School of Biological Sciences, has been elected a member of both the National Academy of Sciences, as well as the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. 

Hay is among 120 members and 30 international members elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Established by an Act of Congress, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Scientists are elected by their peers to membership for outstanding contributions to research.

The American Academy of Arts & Sciences was founded in 1780 by John Adams, John Hancock, and others to honor exceptionally accomplished individuals and convene leaders in advancing the public good. Hay, an experimental marine ecologist known for his work on community and chemical ecology, is being recognized by the organization for decades of world-renowned research in the field. He is among 261 artists, scholars, scientists, and leaders in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors who will be inducted in 2023.

“I am honored to be associated with a group that has shaped not only science and art — but the human experience and culture in general for more than two centuries,” says Hay. 

“Mark is an international leader in the field of marine chemical ecology,” says Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair. “His work has helped build our modern understanding of marine ecosystems and has guided marine conservation efforts across the globe. Whether as a researcher, educator, mentor, advisor, or colleague — those who are fortunate enough to know Mark also know just how fitting these honors are for him.”

Hay founded and co-directed the Center for Aquatic Chemical Ecology, now merged with the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection at Georgia Tech. His research has provided key insights into the conservation and restoration of coral reefs, and has challenged scientists' views of ecological and evolutionary processes affecting the establishment and impact of invasive species.

“Most organisms have neither eyes nor ears and so must use chemical cues to decide whether to attack, mate with, or escape from the organism next to them,” Hay says. “Learning and interpreting these chemical cues provides an instruction manual for the critical processes structuring Earth's populations, communities, and ecosystems. This deeper understanding then produces novel approaches for improving conservation, management, and restoration of threatened and collapsed natural systems.”

Hay is the 2011 recipient of Georgia Tech’s highest faculty award, the Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award, and is also a past recipient of the Cody Award in Ocean Sciences for “outstanding scientific achievement in oceanography, marine biology, and earth science.” 

“My research would not have been possible without an amazing group of students and postdocs who collaborated, innovated, and often led as much as followed in our explorations of nature,” says Hay. “They are the future of science — probably my greatest contributions to science — and they will make wonderful discoveries I can't predict or even imagine.”

Hay is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) and the Ecological Society of America, as well as a recipient of the International Society of Chemical Ecology’s Silver Medal, the organization’s highest honor. In 2015, Hay received the Lowell Thomas Award from The Explorers Club as a “Visionary of Conservation,” and in 2018 the Gilbert Morgan Smith Medal from the National Academy of Sciences. 

Following 17 years as a faculty member at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Hay joined Georgia Tech in 1999 as recipient of the Teasley Chair.

Hay joins four current Georgia Tech faculty who are members of the NAS: Marilyn Brown, 2020; Randall Engle, 2020; Arkadi Nemirovski, 2020; and Mostafa El-Sayed, 1980. Those elected to the NAS today bring the total number of active members to 2,512 and total international members to 517. 

He is among 11 scientists recognized by the American Academy as new members in Evolution and Ecology, and joins eight other current Georgia Tech faculty who are members: Kaye Husbands Fealing, 2021; Charles Isbell, 2021; Susan Lozier, 2020; Randall Engle, 2018; Arkadi Nemirovski, 2018; Richard Lipton, 2014; Zvi Galil, 2005; and Mostafa El-Sayed, 1986. Robert Nerem (1937-2020) was elected in 1998, along with James Meindl (1933-2020) in 1992.

 

About the American Academy of Arts & Sciences

The American Academy of Arts & Sciences connects fields of human endeavor to examine new ideas, address issues of importance to the nation and the world, and work together, as expressed in the organization’s charter, “to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people.” The Academy’s studies have helped set the direction of research and analysis in science and technology policy, global security and international affairs, social policy, education, and the arts and humanities. 

 

About the National Academy of Sciences

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, nonprofit organization of the country’s leading researchers. The NAS recognizes and promotes outstanding science through election to membership; publication in its journal, PNAS; and its awards, programs, and special activities. Through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the NAS provides objective, science-based advice on critical issues affecting the nation.

 

]]> jhunt7 1 1651610242 2022-05-03 20:37:22 1708032088 2024-02-15 21:21:28 0 0 news Mark E. Hay, Regents' Professor and Teasley Chair in Environmental Biology in the School of Biological Sciences, has been elected a member of both the National Academy of Sciences, as well as the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.

]]> 2022-05-03T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-03T00:00:00-04:00 2022-05-03 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 649055 649055 image <![CDATA[Mark Hay (Photo Candace Klein)]]> image/png 1627320217 2021-07-26 17:23:37 1627320217 2021-07-26 17:23:37 <![CDATA[Underwater Gardens Boost Coral Diversity to Stave Off ‘Biodiversity Meltdown’]]> <![CDATA[Leading in the Quest for Ocean Solutions]]> <![CDATA[CMDI: Mighty Microbial Dynamics for a Healthier People and Planet]]> <![CDATA[When Coral Species Vanish, Their Absence Can Imperil Surviving Corals]]> <![CDATA[Biodiversity helps coral reefs thrive – and could be part of strategies to save them]]> <![CDATA[Warming Impedes a Coral Defense, but Hungry Fish Enhance It]]> <![CDATA[Previously Overlooked “Coral Ticks” Weaken Degraded Reefs]]> <![CDATA[Spring Sciences Celebration Honors Faculty and Staff Excellence]]> 34528 As the end of the school year approaches, recognition of exceptional work across research, teaching, administration, and community building took center stage at Harrison Square on April 14 at the College of Sciences Spring Sciences Celebration.

“Our annual celebration is a welcomed tradition in the College,” shared Susan Lozier, dean and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair. “As we greet new members of faculty, recognize excellence and service in research and teaching, and affirm our special community of staff and faculty, we thank the generous alumni and friends who help make these awards possible.”

In addition to annual awards honoring faculty development and mentoring, this year’s ceremony featured new accolades for staff members, made possible by funding from the Betsy Middleton and John Sutherland Dean’s Chair endowment — as well as a trio of awards recognizing exceptional contributions from postdoctoral fellows and research scientists, established through the advocacy of the College’s Research Faculty Advisory Council.

 

Faculty Development Awards

The Cullen-Peck Fellowship Awards, established by Frank Cullen (‘73 Math, MS ‘76 ISyE, PhD ‘84 ISyE) and Elizabeth (Libby) Peck (‘75 Math, MS ‘76 ISyE), to recognize mid-career faculty pursuing highly innovative research:

 

The Gretzinger Moving Forward Award, endowed by Ralph Gretzinger (‘70 Math) and named to honor his late wife Jewel, recognizing the leadership of school chairs and senior faculty members who have played a pivotal role in diversifying faculty composition, creating a family friendly work environment, and providing a supportive culture for junior faculty:

 

The Eric R. Immel Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching, endowed by Charles Crawford (‘71 Math) to recognize exemplary teaching in lower-division foundational courses by faculty in the early stages of their career — and to honor a late faculty member in the School of Mathematics, professor Eric R. Immel, who greatly influenced Crawford’s undergraduate experience at Tech:

 

The Leddy Family Dean’s Faculty Excellence Award, established by Jeff Leddy (’78 Physics) and Pam Leddy to support a faculty member at the associate professor level with proven accomplishments in research and teaching:

 

The Faculty Mentor Award, established jointly by the College of Sciences and the Georgia Tech ADVANCE Program and presented to exemplary senior faculty who help new faculty advance in their careers as they learn to balance their roles as researchers, teachers, and advisors to their own graduate students and postdoctoral researchers:

 

Research Faculty Awards

The Outstanding Junior Research Faculty Award and Outstanding Senior Research Faculty Award recognize postdoctoral and non-tenure track research faculty who have made exceptional research contributions with significant impact on their field of study:

Outstanding Junior Research Faculty Award

Outstanding Senior Research Faculty Award

 

The Research Faculty Community Trailblazer Award recognizes postdoctoral and non-tenure track research faculty who have demonstrated exceptional and sustained leadership that strengthens and improves the research faculty community:

 

Staff Leadership and Excellence Awards

The newly established Exceptional Staff Member Award and Staff Excellence Awards recognize staff who exemplify outstanding performance above and beyond the call of duty — positively impacting the strategic goals of their department and the College, consistently providing excellent service within their school or the overall College, and demonstrating exemplary teamwork:

Exceptional Staff Member Award

Staff Excellence Awards

 

The inaugural Leadership in Action Staff Award and Excellence in Leadership Staff Awards recognize staff who have made exceptional contributions to the College through innovative and strategic leadership, change management, business process improvement, special project leadership, and similar accomplishments:

Leadership in Action Staff Award

Excellence in Leadership Staff Awards

 

The College also recognized and welcomed a trio of new faculty members who arrived on campus this school year:

 

The 2022 Spring Sciences Celebration program can be found here, and high-resolution photos can be downloaded here.

]]> jhunt7 1 1650038803 2022-04-15 16:06:43 1708032057 2024-02-15 21:20:57 0 0 news Joined by alumni and friends, the College of Sciences welcomes new professors, presents annual faculty honors alongside inaugural staff and research faculty awards in recognition of individual excellence and community accomplishments.

]]> 2022-04-15T00:00:00-04:00 2022-04-15T00:00:00-04:00 2022-04-15 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 657320 657326 657328 657327 657329 657330 657332 657333 657334 657336 657337 657347 657338 657339 657340 657341 657342 657343 657344 657345 657320 image <![CDATA[The 2022 Spring Sciences Celebration, held on April 14 at Harrison Square. (All photos: Jess Hunt-Ralston)]]> image/jpeg 1650035605 2022-04-15 15:13:25 1680031629 2023-03-28 19:27:09 657326 image <![CDATA[Cullen-Peck Fellowship Awardee Molei Tao with Matt Baker, Frank Cullen and Libby Peck.]]> image/jpeg 1650039863 2022-04-15 16:24:23 1650039863 2022-04-15 16:24:23 657328 image <![CDATA[Gretzinger Moving Forward Awardee Greg Huey with Matt Baker and Susan Lozier.]]> image/jpeg 1650039972 2022-04-15 16:26:12 1650039972 2022-04-15 16:26:12 657327 image <![CDATA[Eric R. Immel Memorial for Excellence in Teaching Awardee Alonzo Whyte with Charlie Crawford.]]> image/jpeg 1650039917 2022-04-15 16:25:17 1650041333 2022-04-15 16:48:53 657329 image <![CDATA[Leddy Family Dean’s Faculty Excellence Awardee Will Ratcliff.]]> image/jpeg 1650040076 2022-04-15 16:27:56 1650040076 2022-04-15 16:27:56 657330 image <![CDATA[Faculty Mentor Awardee Sung Ha Kang. ]]> image/jpeg 1650040144 2022-04-15 16:29:04 1650040144 2022-04-15 16:29:04 657332 image <![CDATA[Faculty Mentor Awardee Jean Lynch-Stieglitz.]]> image/jpeg 1650040189 2022-04-15 16:29:49 1650040189 2022-04-15 16:29:49 657333 image <![CDATA[Faculty Mentor Awardee Loren Williams.]]> image/jpeg 1650040222 2022-04-15 16:30:22 1650040222 2022-04-15 16:30:22 657334 image <![CDATA[Outstanding Junior Research Faculty Awardee Gina Lewin.]]> image/jpeg 1650040294 2022-04-15 16:31:34 1650040359 2022-04-15 16:32:39 657336 image <![CDATA[Outstanding Senior Research Faculty Awardee Anton Petrov with Laura Cadonati and Susan Lozier.]]> image/jpeg 1650040338 2022-04-15 16:32:18 1650040914 2022-04-15 16:41:54 657337 image <![CDATA[Research Faculty Community Trailblazer Awardee Micah Schaible.]]> image/jpeg 1650040435 2022-04-15 16:33:55 1650040435 2022-04-15 16:33:55 657347 image <![CDATA[Exceptional Staff Member Awardee Jasmine Martin.]]> image/jpeg 1650041540 2022-04-15 16:52:20 1650041540 2022-04-15 16:52:20 657338 image <![CDATA[Staff Excellence Awardee Lea Marzo.]]> image/jpeg 1650040883 2022-04-15 16:41:23 1650040883 2022-04-15 16:41:23 657339 image <![CDATA[Staff Excellence Awardee Stacey Bass.]]> image/jpeg 1650040943 2022-04-15 16:42:23 1650040943 2022-04-15 16:42:23 657340 image <![CDATA[Staff Excellence Awardee Steven Daniele.]]> image/jpeg 1650040981 2022-04-15 16:43:01 1650040981 2022-04-15 16:43:01 657341 image <![CDATA[Leadership in Action Staff Awardee Kimberly Stanley.]]> image/jpeg 1650041028 2022-04-15 16:43:48 1650041028 2022-04-15 16:43:48 657342 image <![CDATA[Excellence in Leadership Staff Awardee Kathy Sims-McDaniels.]]> image/jpeg 1650041086 2022-04-15 16:44:46 1650041086 2022-04-15 16:44:46 657343 image <![CDATA[Inaugural staff awardees with Kristin Berthold and Susan Lozier.]]> image/jpeg 1650041176 2022-04-15 16:46:16 1650041191 2022-04-15 16:46:31 657344 image <![CDATA[The 2022 Spring Sciences Celebration.]]> image/jpeg 1650041231 2022-04-15 16:47:11 1650041231 2022-04-15 16:47:11 657345 image <![CDATA[The 2022 Spring Sciences Celebration.]]> image/jpeg 1650041260 2022-04-15 16:47:40 1650041260 2022-04-15 16:47:40 <![CDATA[Timing is Everything: Researchers Shed Light on How Diverse Microbes May Co-Exist Despite Scarce Resources]]> 35575 Microorganisms are highly abundant in the surface ocean, reaching densities exceeding a billion organisms per liter. Collectively responsible for roughly half of global carbon fixation, diverse groups of microbes coexist while relying on limited nutrients even as some microbes depend on energy from the sun to grow via photosynthesis. 

Precisely because microbes compete for scarce nutrients, how such a vast diversity of ocean microbes coexist has long puzzled scientists. A collaborative group of researchers from 13 institutions aimed to shed light on the subject as part of new work published today in Nature Ecology and Evolution led by Joshua Weitz, Professor and Tom and Marie Patton Chair in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech.

“The pressing matter of survival for many microorganisms at the surface is acquiring enough nitrogen,” explains Daniel Muratore, a doctoral candidate in Quantitative Biosciences at Georgia Tech and one of three co-first authors of the study. “Since microbes need to acquire nitrogen to function, we might imagine that the particular microbial type that is best at acquiring nitrogen will ultimately win – because it'll be able to grow faster than everything else. And yet that's not the case.”

By integrating data on the timing of metabolic processes of different microbes in the surface ocean throughout the 24-hour light cycle – from the transcription of genes for metabolic proteins to the synthesis of macromolecules like lipids – the researchers discovered that the coexistence of diverse microbes is shaped by the timing of uptake.

“What we saw when we let the data speak for itself was that nitrogen uptake and assimilation had some of the most distributed timing, where different microbes are doing similar metabolic processes at different times of day,” Muratore explains. While genes associated with the uptake of a scarcer resource like nitrogen were transcribed at different times by different organisms, microbes tended to transcribe genes related to carbon metabolism and photosynthesis during daytime hours while the sun was shining.

With staggered nitrogen uptake, Muratore points out that “instead of having to compete with the whole field, [microbes] only have to compete with the organisms that share that specific shift with them. Perhaps that's one way that the competition is alleviated and can facilitate all of these diverse microbes being able to live off of the same nutrient source.”

A deep dive into microbial metabolism

The study began in 2015, when scientists across disciplines in the Simons Foundation’s Simons Collaboration on Ocean Processes and Ecology (SCOPE) collected different types of data looking at microbes in the surface of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, the Earth’s largest stretch of contiguous ocean. “[We were interested in] understanding how that fluctuation of photosynthesis during the day and the absence thereof at night propagates through the microbial community [in the ocean],” explains Angela Boysen, co-first author on the study who conducted this research while a doctoral student at the University of Washington and is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago. “Fluctuations in energy input influence how the ecosystem overall functions, how much carbon is stored, where the carbon moves around, and how organisms might interact with each other.”

Data on metabolic processes were collected simultaneously from the same body of water every four hours, giving researchers an unprecedented look at how metabolic activity differs among these microbes throughout the 24-hour day-night cycle. “Collecting all these different sample types – genes, metabolites, lipids, chemical, etc. – at the same time is really a first way to look at the whole ecosystem all at once from all these different perspectives,” Matthew Harke, a co-first author of the study and a research scientist at the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, shares. “That's something that has rarely, if at all, been done.”

The research cruise ultimately yielded data on over 65,000 unique genetic transcripts, metabolic markers, and macromolecules over time in multiple types of organisms, making the integration and interpretation of the data a big challenge. To make the data more interpretable, authors turned to machine learning methods, which work to cluster together data with similar patterns over time. 

The emergent data clusters revealed that most of the activity occurred at four time points: dusk (6 p.m.), night (2 a.m.), morning (6 a.m.), afternoon (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.). While these times were important for the many types of microbes studied, the key metabolic activities at each time differed. For instance, photosynthesizing microbes expressed genes coding for proteins important in nitrogen uptake pathways the most at dusk, while organisms that rely on external organic matter for energy expressed these genes most in the morning. Transcription of genes associated with iron uptake, another scarce resource in the open ocean, also took place at different times across species.

By uncovering new evidence that staggering resource uptake is potentially critical for the co-existence of diverse marine microbes, Harke highlights that “this paper really makes us re-think our perception of what it’s like to be a microbe in the ocean.” The ocean is vast, and the researchers are hoping to examine how widely their findings hold.

“In the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, we see fairly stable waters, we have day and night cycles that are fairly stable across the seasons,” Harke explains. “What does it look like in an area of the world where that’s not stable? Do these types of things repeat themselves in coastal regions, or at other scales that we might want to look at, or other parts of the world with different dynamics that might be influencing physiology? Those are the big questions that come out of this.”

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-021-01606-w

This work was supported by grants from the Simons Foundation as part of the SCOPE collaboration (Simons Foundation grants 329108, 721244, 721223, 721252, 721256, 724220, 723787, 721229, 721225, and 721231), an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, the Postdoctoral Scholarship Program at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution & U.S. Geological Survey, and the Simons Collaboration on Computational Biogeochemical Modeling of Marine Ecosystems (Simons Foundation grant 549894).

]]> adavidson38 1 1642533407 2022-01-18 19:16:47 1708029812 2024-02-15 20:43:32 0 0 news Collectively responsible for roughly half of global carbon fixation, diverse groups of microbes coexist while relying on limited nutrients even as some microbes depend on energy from the sun to grow via photosynthesis. Precisely because microbes compete for scarce nutrients, how such a vast diversity of ocean microbes coexist has long puzzled scientists. Researchers from Georgia Tech, in collaboration with 13 other institutions, aimed to shed light on the subject as part of new work published in Nature Ecology and Evolution.

]]> 2022-01-20T00:00:00-05:00 2022-01-20T00:00:00-05:00 2022-01-20 00:00:00 Audra Davidson
Communications Officer
davidson.audra@gatech.edu

]]> 654507 654606 654603 654605 654604 654507 image <![CDATA[One of two ships involved in collecting data for the study sailing in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Photo credit: Tara Clemente.]]> image/png 1642532043 2022-01-18 18:54:03 1642532043 2022-01-18 18:54:03 654606 image <![CDATA[Joshua Weitz, Professor and Tom and Marie Patton Chair in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech and leader of the study.]]> image/jpeg 1642629343 2022-01-19 21:55:43 1642629343 2022-01-19 21:55:43 654603 image <![CDATA[Daniel Muratore, a doctoral candidate in Georgia Tech’s Quantitative Biosciences Program and one of three co-first authors of the study, on a ship doing field work for another study on marine microbes.]]> image/jpeg 1642629207 2022-01-19 21:53:27 1642629207 2022-01-19 21:53:27 654605 image <![CDATA[Angela Boysen, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago and one of three co-first authors of the study. ]]> image/jpeg 1642629307 2022-01-19 21:55:07 1642629307 2022-01-19 21:55:07 654604 image <![CDATA[Matthew Harke, a research scientist at the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and one of three co-first authors of the study. Photo credit: Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute.]]> image/jpeg 1642629268 2022-01-19 21:54:28 1642629268 2022-01-19 21:54:28 <![CDATA[Read the paper published in Nature Ecology and Evolution]]> <![CDATA[Go behind the paper with perspectives from the authors]]> <![CDATA[How I Spent My Summer: NSF REUs Welcome Undergraduate Researchers]]> 34434 Please note that these interviews were conducted, and photos were taken, during the summer semester prior to Institute Operations Updates published August 2, 2021 in preparation for fall semester, which include: “To lower the risk for you and others, you are encouraged to wear a mask in indoor public places, including campus buildings, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”

 

Faith Colbert, a rising senior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, was born in Dallas, Texas. When her home state experienced a dangerous, deep cold spell in February of this year, the atmospheric sciences and meteorology major figured the best way she could help her family would be to study that catastrophic weather event. 

A National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) program at Georgia Tech that she had enrolled in for summer 2021 gave her that chance. More students will soon have a similar opportunity; starting in summer 2022, for the first time, all six College of Sciences schools will offer an REU. 

“My motivation was mainly driven by emotional pulls,” Colbert says. “My family being directly affected by the storm pushed me to find research-based answers for both them and me.”

The REU that enabled her to conduct that research was the Aquatic Chemical Ecology at Georgia Tech summer research program, an interdisciplinary REU with the Schools of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS), Biological Sciences, and Chemistry and Biochemistry. EAS also has its own REU: Georgia Tech Broadening Participation in Atmospheric Science, Oceanography, and Geosciences research program. 

Sara Cuevas-Quiñones, a second year student at Purdue University, attended both of those REUs this summer. She’s a physics major but had a chance to explore planetary sciences with her research project on potential volcanic activity near Mars’ Jezero Crater, where NASA’s Perseverance Rover is currently exploring.

“I’ve never had research experiences before,” Cuevas-Quiñones says. “It's been a great environment, great people. It's been wonderful working with all my peers, and just learning about them, seeing where they come from, what they're researching. Many people here are in totally different fields. That's also been interesting, to get exposed to these new things that I had no idea even existed, honestly.”

Georgia Tech’s REUs give Cuevas-Quiñones and other students — particularly those from underrepresented communities and those who are enrolled at universities without research opportunities found at Tech — a chance to get in the lab, or out in the field. The experiences also give students from smaller colleges and universities the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment, and to be mentored by top Georgia Tech researchers.

That was the situation for Meredith Clayton, who is set to graduate this December from Stephen F. Austin State University (enrollment: 13,000) in Nacogdoches, Texas. She attended this year’s Mathematics Research Experiences for Undergraduates REU at Georgia Tech. “It was great just to meet other math majors from different universities. Georgia Tech's a great environment and campus — all the faculty are awesome that I've met. It's just been a really good time.”

Last December, Lydia Jefferson, a rising senior at the University of Missouri, did a Google search for REUs that addressed “aquatic chemistry for environmental science, stream ecology, — anything I could find. Georgia Tech popped up near the top,” Jefferson says.

Jefferson was obviously water-focused when it came to REUs. “But it was interesting seeing people interested in the race side of things — of environmental justice problems in flooding issues. Just anything in the environment was free game. And I didn't realize, going in, that it would be that diverse. I assumed all of us would be water-focused.”

“This experience was just eye opening for how other people communicate their science, how other people present,” they add. “I'm learning the ins and outs of presentations.”

Jefferson hopes to get a Ph.D. in aquatic sciences and then apply at a US National Laboratory, or perhaps the United States Geological Survey.

“Wherever the water takes me.”

 

 

Georgia Tech College of Sciences: All about our REUs — and their leaders

 

REUs are sponsored and funded for science and math programs in higher education by the National Science Foundation (NSF). 

This year, 3M also sponsored a student in the EAS REU. Some of the College of Sciences REUs accept Georgia Tech students, while others are limited to out-of-state students. Check the links for acceptance requirements of each REU.

David Collard, senior associate dean in the College, who previously led the REU program in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry for more than a decade, shares that “NSF REU programs in the College of Sciences have a long record of engaging diverse cohorts of participants in cutting edge research.” 

“Since most of the undergraduate participants are recruited from institutions that do not have extensive research infrastructure, the immersive research experience available to them in these programs can be transformational,” he says. “A measure of success of the REU programs in the College of Sciences is that many of the undergraduate participants subsequently go on to complete their Ph.D., some at Georgia Tech, and others elsewhere.”

Collard highlights that “the new additions to the College's set of NSF REU programs — in neuroscience and in atmospheric science, oceanography, and geosciences — represent a strong commitment of the School of Psychology, the School of Biological Sciences, and the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences to broadening participation and fostering inclusivity in research careers.” 

“In each school, there is very much a team effort in running these programs,” he adds, “and the coordination of these efforts between the schools is a particularly important feature in allowing us to provide high quality programs.”

 

REU: Aquatic Chemical Ecology Summer Research Program (ACE)

 

Hosted by the Schools of Biological Sciences, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Brian Hammer, associate professor, School of Biological Sciences and ACE co-director:

Our Aquatic Chemical Ecology (ACE) REU program has been running since 2004. Our program hosts about 10 students each summer for a 10-week research experience in the lab of a Georgia Tech scientist. 

NSF's intent is to support research opportunities that recruit students from non-Ph.D. institutions where such opportunities are rare. This summer we hosted 9 ACE students. Joshua Weitz and his Weitz Group also hosted 3 students with support from the Simon's Foundation and they joined our ACE cohort this summer. This summer, two of our ACE REU students (were) on a research cruise in the Gulf of Mexico!

The goal of our ACE REU is to train students in an interdisciplinary setting, where they interact with a variety of other students and faculty to experience how scientific discoveries are made. They learn about career opportunities in scientific disciplines related to aquatic chemical ecology, they develop mentoring relationships that ignite their desire to pursue scientific careers, and they strengthen their ability to do so through enhanced communication skills, professional ethics training, and exposure to career-building information.  

 

REU: Broadening Participation in Atmospheric Science, Oceanography and Geosciences Research 

 

Hosted by the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Zachary Handlos, academic professional and REU professional development lead, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences:

The goal of this REU program is to provide undergraduate students, especially underrepresented students  — as well as those with limited to no research opportunities at their college or university — the opportunity to participate in world-class research at a major research university with leading experts in the fields of atmospheric sciences, oceanography and the geosciences. 

Along with learning the skills and tools required to actively participate within a research project, participants attend a variety of professional development and social events that prepare them for research-based career and graduate school opportunities. They also foster collaborations with experts and colleagues within their field of study, and network and develop lifelong friendships with other participants within their program.

Professional development opportunities focus on best practices for conducting research, strategies for writing research papers/conducting research presentations, tips for applying to graduate school, and discussions on topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Social activities, while limited this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, range from field trips to local Atlanta tourist attractions, to companies/organizations relevant to students' career interests.

To my knowledge, the students are having a wonderful time, and the impression I get is that they are so happy to be working in-person at a college campus performing research with other undergraduate students and Georgia Tech faculty. Since last year was supposed to be our first year running this program, but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year was really our true first year.

The tone was set immediately on day one when I emailed the students arriving on campus to ask if everything was going okay. One student simply responded to my email question with a picture of the majority of the EAS REU students at the grocery store, buying supplies for the summer, and all were smiling.  

This is the most exciting research program I have ever been a part of. These students are amazing people who are highly talented at research. They’re creative, strongly motivated, and most importantly, they’re kind, respectful, and constantly striving to make the world a better place through their work. While they may have learned a lot from this program, I learned a lot from them! They are excellent role models, and it's an honor and a privilege to have worked with them.

 

REU: Broadening Participation Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Physics 

 

Hosted by the School of Physics

Jennifer Curtis, associate professor and REU director, School of Physics:

The GT Physics REU program offers a wide range of cutting-edge independent research projects to a diverse group of undergraduates from around the country. 

Students have explored a wide range of physical phenomena including Bose-Einstein condensation, quantum properties of magnetic materials, gravitational waves, computational astrophysics, physics of living systems, and soft condensed matter. 

The program stands out for its commitment to broadening participation in physics by a diverse cohort of students. To facilitate its goal to broaden participation in physics, the GT REU program is dedicated to building connections with the Atlanta University Consortium (Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University), with approximately 20 percent of the students originating from those institutions. Since 2018, AUC students have been offered additional funding to continue their research collaboration with GT research groups. 

Shaun Ashley, faculty support coordinator and REU coordinator, School of Physics:

I had the pleasure and opportunity to create a more engaging and holistic experience for students by serving as a mentor and the “go to person” for any concerns the students experienced during the program. 

This has allowed me to foster long lasting relationships that span from 2016 to present. For example, students continue to reach out to me to guide them with graduate applications, other summer research programs and even to be a sounding board about whether they should continue to graduate school or take a wellness break. 

My responses are always positive and encouraging: Education first, or education and work!

 

REU: Chemistry Function, Application, Structure and Theory (FAST) 

 

Hosted by the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Michael Evans, senior academic professional and freshman chemistry laboratory coordinator, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry:

REUs have been a long-standing priority for our school for many years, for undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry majors outside and inside Georgia Tech. REU programs are a win-win for students and faculty, as students receive valuable training, and faculty can further their research efforts. These programs also increase the visibility and prestige of Georgia Tech research programs nationally.

I think much of our success with REU programs flows from a commitment to building up research by undergraduates at Georgia Tech. Because of that history and the quality of Georgia Tech students, our faculty are very comfortable working with undergraduates. Our expanding list of programs builds on that solid foundation.

 

REU: Human Neuroscience Research and Techniques 

 

First offering: Summer 2022; hosted by Georgia Tech School of Psychology and Georgia State University

Lewis Wheaton, associate professor, School of Biological Sciences, REU co-director (Eric Schumacher, professor in the School of Psychology, is the principal investigator for the Neuroscience REU; Wheaton is co-PI):

There is tremendous interest in neuroscience, and we have seen an incredible expansion of technology in our ability to record from the human nervous system. At the same time, many students do not have access to these technologies at their academic institutions because of expense. 

We feel that it is vital to ensure that students who do not have access to these technologies at their universities get exposure to the tools and approaches to understand the human brain. I am excited to further focus on providing opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities to engage in this research. 

A unique feature of this program allows some students to come back for a two-year experience, which can really provide a great opportunity to enhance their research, and put these students in a stronger position to advance their careers.

 

REU: Mathematics Research Experiences for Undergraduates 

 

Hosted by the School of Mathematics

Dan Margalit, professor and REU co-director, School of Mathematics:

On the face of it, the REU is a chance for undergraduate students to pursue a research project in mathematics with a more senior mentor. As mentors, we do our best to airlift the students into the center of a research problem, where there are calculations to be done, examples to be discovered, or specific arguments to be made. Personally, I am always impressed with the students' fearlessness and their abilities to make meaningful contributions. 

Besides the obvious benefit of being able to contribute to cutting edge research in mathematics, the REU has many other goals and benefits. For many students, the REU is a chance to get a taste of what graduate school might be like, and to decide if they want to apply. We run a professional development program on various topics such as applying to graduate school, creating a poster, and designing a presentation. 

This year, we started a graduate research experience boot camp with several other Atlanta schools. On top of this, the students gain valuable experience learning to work together in groups, to think about the big picture of science and mathematics, and to communicate mathematics effectively.

From my perspective, I get to see the students experience the highs and lows of research — from the excitement of thinking they have a solution, to the despair of thinking that everything they did is wrong, and back again. In the end, our students take many more steps forward than backwards, and I am very proud of what they all accomplished this summer.

 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1628003944 2021-08-03 15:19:04 1708029139 2024-02-15 20:32:19 0 0 news In 2022, all six schools in Georgia Tech's College of Sciences will offer a summer NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. Students attending this year's REUs recount what they learned, and how it will impact their academic careers. 

]]> 2021-08-20T00:00:00-04:00 2021-08-20T00:00:00-04:00 2021-08-20 00:00:00 Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

 

]]> 649215 649216 649217 649218 649219 649220 649221 649222 649215 image <![CDATA[Students attending the Aquatic Chemical Ecology REU prepare for poster session presentations July 20. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1628001956 2021-08-03 14:45:56 1628001956 2021-08-03 14:45:56 649216 image <![CDATA[Faith Colbert, rising senior at North Carolina A&T, presents during the Aquatic Chemical Ecology REU on July 20. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1628002060 2021-08-03 14:47:40 1628002060 2021-08-03 14:47:40 649217 image <![CDATA[Students prepare to present their research at the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences REU July 13. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1628002161 2021-08-03 14:49:21 1628002161 2021-08-03 14:49:21 649218 image <![CDATA[Sara Cuevas-Quinones, rising second-year student at Purdue University, presents at the EAS REU July 13. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1628002270 2021-08-03 14:51:10 1628002270 2021-08-03 14:51:10 649219 image <![CDATA[Sara Cuevas-Quinones also presented at the multidisciplinary Aquatic Chemical Ecology REU July 20. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1628002434 2021-08-03 14:53:54 1628002434 2021-08-03 14:53:54 649220 image <![CDATA[Shaun Ashley, REU coordinator for the School of Physics, recruits students at the 2018 meeting of the National Society of Black Physicists. (Photo Shaun Ashley)]]> image/png 1628002585 2021-08-03 14:56:25 1628002585 2021-08-03 14:56:25 649221 image <![CDATA[Students in the School of Mathematics REU present their summer study findings to Georgia Tech faculty and fellow students on July 20. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1628002669 2021-08-03 14:57:49 1628002669 2021-08-03 14:57:49 649222 image <![CDATA[School of Mathematics REU attendees Rachel Thornton of the University of Texas (left) and Meredith Clayton of Stephen F. Austin University explain their research during a July 20 poster session. (Photo Renay San Miguel) ]]> image/jpeg 1628002815 2021-08-03 15:00:15 1628002815 2021-08-03 15:00:15 <![CDATA[From REU to Ph.D. at Georgia Tech]]> <![CDATA[2021 and Beyond: Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students]]> <![CDATA[Math Undergrads Show Off Research “That Matters In The World”]]> <![CDATA[Summer Research Programs for Undergraduates]]> <![CDATA[InQuBATE Training Program Integrates Modeling and Data Science for Bioscience Ph.D. Students]]> 27446 A new five-year, $1.27 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will help transform the study of quantitative- and data-intensive biosciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The grant will create the Integrative and Quantitative Biosciences Accelerated Training Environment (InQuBATE) Predoctoral Training Program at Georgia Tech. InQuBATE is designed to train a new generation of biomedical researchers and thought leaders to harness the data revolution.

“We want to improve and enhance the training of students to focus on biological questions while leveraging modern tools, and in some cases developing new tools, to address foundational challenges at scales from molecules to systems,” said Joshua Weitz, professor and Tom and Marie Patton Chair in the School of Biological Sciences. Weitz is co-leading the program with Peng Qiu, associate professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University.

Biology is undergoing a transformation, according to Weitz and Qiu, requiring a new educational paradigm that integrates quantitative approaches like computational modeling and data analytics into the experimental study of living systems.

“Our intention is to develop a training environment that instills a quantitative, data-driven mindset, integrating quantitative and data science methods into all aspects of the life science training pipeline,” added Weitz, founding director of Tech’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Quantitative Biosciences (QBioS).

The roots of InQuBATE go back to the fall of 2016, shortly after QBioS was launched. Weitz saw an opportunity to augment what he was teaching in his cornerstone course, Foundations of Quantitative Biosciences, in which students model living systems from the molecular level up through cells, organisms, populations, and ecosystems. In doing so, students “got a brief introduction to implementing high-dimensional data analytics, visual analytics, clustering, and modern machine learning methods. But we couldn’t cover allthose topics in detail,” Weitz said.

So, he reached out to Qiu, who was teaching data analytic methods in his Machine Learning in Biosciences course: “Instead of us developing that class, we started strongly encouraging QBioS students to take Peng’s class,” Weitz said.

“For me, this was a great opportunity to work with students from the biology side who had real interests in learning data mining and machine learning, as well as students from the engineering side,” said Qiu, principal investigator in the Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Lab in Coulter BME. “We could see that it was a great learning environment and the QBioS students really excelled in the class. That gave us confidence. Now we’re building this [InQuBATE] training program, and hope it will foster even greater cross pollination.”

The training program is designed to do exactly that, bringing together students and faculty from three Georgia Tech colleges: computing, engineering, and sciences. That combination of expertise is reflected in the leadership team. In addition to principal investigators Weitz (College of Sciences) and Qiu (College of Engineering), the faculty leadership team includes Elizabeth Cherry (School of Computational Science and Engineering, College of Computing), Eva Dyer (Coulter BME, College of Engineering and Emory School of Medicine), and Marvin Whiteley (School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences).

The InQuBATE program will ultimately support 15 Ph.D. students over five years. The first cohort — prioritizing second-year Ph.D. students — will be selected in August. Next spring, the program will begin soliciting applications from first-year Ph.D. students.

“The program will extend the breadth of student training without adding time to the Ph.D.,” Weitz said. “For students on the engineering or computing side, InQuBATE will augment their living systems research experience. For students on the living systems side, the program will augment their training in modeling and data analytics.”

Weitz, Qiu, and their collaborators also are developing a series of semester-long and short-form (a week or less) courses that will be available to other graduate students, in addition to the InQuBATE cohorts.

“We intend to make programmatic offerings available to a broader community,” Weitz said. “In the long term, we hope InQuBATE takes on a central role in shaping the culture of integrative approaches in the study of living systems at Georgia Tech.”

]]> Joshua Stewart 1 1625770446 2021-07-08 18:54:06 1708028886 2024-02-15 20:28:06 0 0 news The NIH-funded program is designed to train a new generation of biomedical researchers and thought leaders to harness the data revolution.

]]> 2021-07-08T00:00:00-04:00 2021-07-08T00:00:00-04:00 2021-07-08 00:00:00 Jerry Grillo

Communications

Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering

]]> 648644 648645 648644 image <![CDATA[Peng Qiu & Joshua Weitz]]> image/jpeg 1625769462 2021-07-08 18:37:42 1625769462 2021-07-08 18:37:42 648645 image <![CDATA[Marvin Whiteley, Eva Dyer, Elizabeth Cherry]]> image/jpeg 1625769915 2021-07-08 18:45:15 1625769915 2021-07-08 18:45:15 <![CDATA[Integrative and Quantitative Biosciences Accelerated Training Environment]]> <![CDATA[Joshua Weitz]]> <![CDATA[Peng Qiu]]> <![CDATA[Elizabeth Cherry]]> <![CDATA[Eva Dyer]]> <![CDATA[Marvin Whiteley]]> <![CDATA[Inaugural CMDI-CDC Symposium Offers Perspectives on Infectious Disease Dynamics]]> 34528 At the first ever CMDI-CDC Meeting on Infectious Disease Dynamics, held on June 10, 2021, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection at Georgia Tech (CMDI) came together virtually to discuss ecological and evolutionary perspectives on infectious disease dynamics.

“The mission of the CMDI is to transform the study and the sustainable control of microbial dynamics in contexts of human and environmental health,” notes Sam Brown, director of CMDI and professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech. “In keeping with this work, the CMDI-CDC Meeting on Infectious Disease Dynamics brought together these scientists as neighbors in Atlanta, and as organizations committed to the research of disease prevention and control.”

“In addition to showcasing the overlapping research interests of the CMDI and the CDC, the symposium also offered members of the Georgia Tech and CDC communities an open platform to ask questions of researchers in real time, as well as an opportunity to make new connections and encourage collaboration,” says Jennifer Farrell, a Ph.D. student studying microbiology at Georgia Tech who helped organize the meeting.

Farrell shares:

The online symposium drew 178 participants from across Georgia Tech and the CDC, setting the stage for continued communication and collaboration between the two institutions. The day kicked off with opening remarks from Brown and Juliana Cyril, director of the Office of Technology and Innovation, Office of Science, CDC.  Cyril and Brown each highlighted the unique relationships and collaborative potential between the two organizations.

Talks spanned pathogen systems, from the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Rich Stanton and Davina Campbell, CDC; Pengbo Cao, CMDI; Bernie Beall, CDC), to colonization dynamics of the fungal pathogen, Candida auris (Joe Sexton, CDC), to shield immunity in SARS-CoV-2 (Adriana Lucia-Sans and Andreea Magalie, CMDI).

Talks were further divided into research themes such as biofilm control (Pablo Bravo, CMDI; Rodney Donlan, CDC; Sheyda Azimi, CMDI) and microbiomes in infection (Commander Alison Laufer-Halpin, CDC; Jennifer Farrell, CMDI).

“In line with the commitment of the CMDI to promote trainee career development, the CMDI-CDC Meeting on Infectious Disease Dynamics was organized and run by Center graduate students and post-doctoral scientists, and CMDI talks were presented exclusively by Center trainees,” adds Farrell. “We look forward to continuing the conversation with our CDC colleagues in the future!”

]]> jhunt7 1 1625856005 2021-07-09 18:40:05 1708028831 2024-02-15 20:27:11 0 0 news In June, the first ever joint symposium of the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection at Georgia Tech (CMDI) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) brought together interdisciplinary researchers to discuss infectious disease dynamics.

]]> 2021-07-07T00:00:00-04:00 2021-07-07T00:00:00-04:00 2021-07-07 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 647521 647521 image <![CDATA[Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection Logo]]> image/png 1621279753 2021-05-17 19:29:13 1621279753 2021-05-17 19:29:13 <![CDATA[Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection at Georgia Tech (CMDI) ]]> <![CDATA[Temperate Glimpse Into a Warming World]]> 28153 For the past six years, multidisciplinary researchers from across the world have been probing northern Minnesota peat bogs in an unprecedented, long-range study of climate change supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. They set out to answer complex questions, including one big one – will future warming somehow release 10,000 years of accumulated carbon from peatlands that store a large portion of earth’s terrestrial carbon?

So the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) partnered with the USDA Forest Service to develop a one-of-its-kind field lab in the Marcel Experimental Forest, where below and above ground heating elements are gradually warming the bog in greenhouse-like enclosures big enough to include trees. The enclosures are roofless so that rain and snow can get in.

It’s called the SPRUCE (Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments) experiment, and it was designed as a window into what would happen to peat bogs in a warmer world. A recent study, headed by Georgia Institute of Technology microbiologist Joel Kostka and published June 14 in the journal PNAS, provides a sobering outlook.

“The real concern and one of the major conclusions of this paper is that the ecosystem we’re studying is becoming more methanogenic,” said Kostka, professor and associate chair of research in the School of Biological Sciences, who holds a joint appointment in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and focuses on microbial ecology. “In other words, the warmed bog is enhancing the rate of methane production faster than that for carbon dioxide. This is what we think is going to happen in a warming world, based on our results.”

 

Testy Little Process

Methanogens are microbes that produce methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that traps up to 30 times more heat than carbon dioxide. Warming the peatland, the researchers found, basically creates a methane production line.

“This occurs because the plant community changes in response to warmer temperatures – mosses decrease and vascular plants increase,” said the paper’s lead author, Rachel Wilson, a researcher with Florida State University’s Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, where she works in the lab of professor Jeff Chanton, co-author and co-principal investigator of the study.

The process forms a complete cycle: Vascular plants – shrubs and grass-like plants – produce more simple sugars, which are broken down by fermentative bacteria, and the breakdown products then fuel methane-producing microbes use to produce more methane.

While peatlands comprise just 3 percent of the Earth’s landmass, they store about one-third of the planet’s soil carbon. The thinking goes, as global temperatures rise, microbes could break into the carbon bank and the resulting decomposition of the ancient, combustible plant biomass would lead to increased levels of carbon dioxide and methane being released into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change.

“Methane is a stronger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide,” said Wilson. “Warming the climate stimulates methane production, which will contribute to more warming in a positive feedback loop.”

It’s a scenario that Chanton called, “a critical ecosystem shift. Peat soils that have been stable for thousands of years are giving up the ghost, so to speak. It’s a testy little process.”

 

Delayed Response

That unpleasant outcome is being delayed somewhat by the extreme conditions found in many peat bogs around the world, including at the SPRUCE experiment site.

“Although most peatlands are in northern regions undergoing some of the most rapid warming on the planet, we’re talking about generally cold, acidic soils where there’s no oxygen,” Kostka noted. “Methanogens grow really slowly under these extreme conditions. We do see their activity increasing with warming, but they’re not yet growing that fast.”

He has a good idea of what could happen, though. Several years ago, Kostka took soil samples from the Minnesota site and tested them in his lab at Georgia Tech, exaggerating the temperature to a much greater degree than would be possible in a large-scale experiment like SPRUCE.

Raising the temperature by 20 degrees Celsius, about twice the temperature range used in the field experiment, “we saw huge increases in methane and large changes in the microbes that break down soil carbon into greenhouse gases,” he said.

It's a sped-up version of what they’re seeing in the field where the research team, Kostka explained, “and it is just beginning to scratch the surface of the changes we’re seeing in this ecosystem.”

 

Next Chapter

The SPRUCE site experiment involves two kinds of treatment, warming and also elevated carbon dioxide. The warming treatment started in 2014. All of the data sets for the PNAS paper are from 2016. The elevated carbon dioxide treatment began in the final days of data collection, so it wasn’t particularly relevant for this study. “Going forward, we’re thinking the effects of elevated carbon dioxide will be one potential future story to tell,” Kostka said. “This is a long-term experiment and many of these large scale climate change field experiments do not observe substantial changes to microbial communities until 10 years after they start.”

Ultimately, SPRUCE experimental activity is designed and intended to develop a quantitative mechanistic understanding of carbon cycling processes, according to Paul Hanson, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientist leading the long-range project as principal investigator.

“SPRUCE provides experimental insights for a broad range of plausible future warming conditions for an established peatland ecosystem, combined with or without elevated carbon dioxide,” Hanson said.

So far, the evidence is pointing to a grim possibility: Warming enhances the production of carbon substrates from plants, stimulating microbial activity and greenhouse gas production, possibly leading to amplified climate-peatland feedbacks. Think, gasoline on a fire.

“That would be the worst case scenario,” Kostka said. “We don’t really know yet how plants and microbes will exchange carbon and nutrients in a warmer world. Will that carbon be locked up by the plants and stored in the soil? Will it be respired by microbes and released as a gas?

 We are just beginning to see major changes in the microbes and plants at the SPRUCE peatland.  Although the first few years of the experiment indicate that a lot more methane will be released to the atmosphere, we will be looking to see if these changes are sustained over the long term.”

 

CITATIONS:  Rachel M. Wilson, Malak M. Tfaily, Max Kolton, Eric Johnston, Caitlin Petro, Cassandra A. Zalman, Paul J. Hanson, Heino M. Heyman, Jennifer E. Kyle, David W. Hoyt, Elizabeth K. Eder, Samuel O. Purvine, Randy K. Kolka, Stephen D. Sebestyen, Natalie A. Griffiths, Christopher W. Schadt, Jason K. Keller, Scott D. Bridgham, and Jeffrey P. Chanton, and Joel E. Kostka.  “Soil metabolome response to whole ecosystem warming at the Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments experiment” (PNAS, June 2021) https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2004192118

AERIAL PHOTO: Hanson, P.J., M.B. Krassovski, and L.A. Hook. 2020. SPRUCE S1 Bog and SPRUCE Experiment Aerial Photographs. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TES SFA, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A. https://doi.org/10.3334/CDIAC/spruce.012 (UAV image number 0050 collected on October 4, 2020).

 

RELATED LINKS:

“Soil metabolome response to whole ecosystem warming at the Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments experiment” 

Joel Kostka – Microbial Ecology

SPRUCE Experiment

“Shaking a Sleeping Bog Monster” (Research Horizons)

NSF Supports Research on the Microbes in Peat Moss

ScienceMatters Podcast: Digging Up Climate Clues in Peat Moss

]]> Jerry Grillo 1 1623698548 2021-06-14 19:22:28 1708028803 2024-02-15 20:26:43 0 0 news SPRUCE experiment study shows elevated levels of greenhouse gases emerging from carbon-rich peatlands

]]> 2021-06-14T00:00:00-04:00 2021-06-14T00:00:00-04:00 2021-06-14 00:00:00 Writer: Jerry Grillo

]]> 648105 648106 648105 image <![CDATA[Aerial SPRUCE]]> image/jpeg 1623697776 2021-06-14 19:09:36 1623697776 2021-06-14 19:09:36 648106 image <![CDATA[SPRUCE - Joel Kostka]]> image/jpeg 1623698456 2021-06-14 19:20:56 1623698507 2021-06-14 19:21:47 <![CDATA[Specialized Cells or Multicellular Multitaskers? New Study Reshapes Early Economics and Ecology Behind Evolutionary Division of Labor ]]> 34434 A new research study from researchers in the School of Biological Sciences and School of Physics focuses on the evolution of reproductive specialization – how early single cells first got together to create more complex multicellular organisms. In particular, scientists leading the study sought to better understand how those early cells decided which ones would focus on reproduction, and which ones would get busy building parts of a larger organism.

The work, published this month in the journal eLife, references “division of labor,” “trade,” “productivity” and “return on investment,” (ROI) to describe those cellular activities. If that sounds like a paper destined for a business magazine instead of a peer-reviewed journal on biological sciences research, there’s a good reason. 

As the study, led by assistant professor Peter Yunker and associate professor Will Ratcliff, notes in the abstract, “A large body of work from evolutionary biology, economics, and ecology has shown that specialization is beneficial when further division of labor produces an accelerating increase in absolute productivity.” In other words, the prevailing theories state that specialization pays off only when it increases total productivity – whether it’s multicellular organism or widgets streaming out of a factory. 

What Yunker, from the School of Physics and the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, and Ratcliff, from the School of Biological Sciences and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences (QBioS) have found is that the conditions for the evolution of specialized cells were actually much broader than previously thought. Absolute productivity be darned, the cells seem to say; specialization appeared to be a winning strategy, even under conditions that should favor cellular self-sufficiency. 

Why? It has to do with the topology of the network of cells within the organism – what Ratcliff calls a branchy structure. That topology determines that the division of labor can be favored, even if productivity suffers. 

“Topological constraints in early multicellularity favor reproductive division of labor” is the title of the team’s paper. Yunker and Ratcliff collaborated with several other Georgia Tech faculty and graduate students on the research: Joshua S. Weitz, Patton Distinguished Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and co-director of QBioS; School of Physics graduate students David Yanni and Shane Jacobeen; and School of Biological Sciences graduate student Pedro Marquez-Zacarias. All are members of Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection.

Multicellular multitasking

As cells get more complex, they begin to specialize. Some cells are dedicated to reproduction, while others are devoted to other general tasks such as making and maintaining the organism’s body. “In this paper, what we’re trying to figure out is, when is it a good idea to specialize and have that pay off, and when it is a good idea for your cells to remain generalists?” Ratcliff says. “Under what conditions does evolution favor specialization, and in what conditions do simple multicellular organisms keep every cell a generalist?”

For centuries, scientists have known that specialization is very important for multicellularity. “Once we had microscopes, we were off to the races learning about specialization,” Ratcliff says. 

The thinking for the last few decades has been that more specialized cells evolve when specialization results in increasingly higher productivity. “That will push things to complete specialization because there’s more to be gained by specializing than not specializing.” 

Yet what if those cells are not interacting randomly with a lot of other cells, but only with a few cells over and over again? “This is actually the case for a little branchy structure that contains mom and all her kids. The only cells you are attached to are the ones that gave rise to you, and the ones that arise from you,” he says. Those “branchy structures” offer the topological constraints mentioned in the title of the research study. 

Branch banking of cellular products

Yunker explains that those tree-branchy structures can be thought of as similar to fractals, in which math functions are repeated again and again and are depicted as jagged borders stretching into infinity. 

“Mandelbrot sets and the broader study of fractals have been an inspiration for a lot of this,” Yunker says. “After the concepts behind fractals were identified, people eventually started to see them everywhere. Instead of some unique esoteric thing, it was pervasive. In a similar vein, the structures that we find make evolving division of labor easier, these sparse filaments and branched topologies, are common in nature,” including so-called snowflake yeast and some forms of algae.

Yunker agrees that it may seem counter-intuitive, but as you restrict cellular interactions, like swapping of products that can enhance reproduction or specialization, that specialization actually becomes easier according to his team’s mathematical models. 

Cells that produce the same products won’t interact or 'trade' with each other, since that would be a waste of energy and efficiency. “A redundancy comes into play here,” Yunker says. “If you have a lot of similar cells trading, that increased productivity doesn’t do you a lot of good. Whereas if you have dissimilar or opposites trading, even with lower productivity, they’re able to direct those resources in a more efficient manner.”

What can economists and cancer researchers learn from these cells?

Since economics has already figured into the study of how multicellular organisms evolved, with all of that labor and trade and ROI, could that discipline have something to learn from Yunker and Ratcliff’s new theory — could the lessons mean a more efficient way to make all kinds of products?

“Could this apply in economics? Could it apply elsewhere?” Yunker echoes. “This is something we would love to pursue going forward.”

Ratcliff notes the multidisciplinary approach his biophysics and biosciences team took to approaching the study, which also involved mathematical models developed by Weitz. “We were really motivated by understanding both how life got to be complex, and the rules for why it did,” he says. “This paper follows into the ‘why’ category. Fundamental mathematics tells you about the rules evolution plays by, and there are a lot of downstream applications, like cancer research, agriculture, and infectious disease. You never really can predict how someone will leverage basic insight.”

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1600971772 2020-09-24 18:22:52 1708028766 2024-02-15 20:26:06 0 0 news Two Georgia Tech scientists are raising new questions about the development of specialized cells in early multicellular organisms. 

]]> 2020-09-24T00:00:00-04:00 2020-09-24T00:00:00-04:00 2020-09-24 00:00:00 Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

 

]]> 639523 639525 639523 image <![CDATA[A magnified view of the "branchy structure" found in snowflake yeast (Image: Will Ratcliff)]]> image/jpeg 1600972353 2020-09-24 18:32:33 1600978448 2020-09-24 20:14:08 639525 image <![CDATA[Peter Yunker (left) and Will Ratcliff. ]]> image/png 1600972479 2020-09-24 18:34:39 1600972479 2020-09-24 18:34:39 <![CDATA[Coffee Leads to Collaboration]]> <![CDATA[The More Complex, the Easier to Assemble]]> <![CDATA[William Ratcliff: 2018 Sigma Xi Young Faculty Award]]> <![CDATA[Harnessing the Power of Evolution]]> <![CDATA[A Problematic Pathogen Develops Antibiotic Tolerance — Without Previous Exposure]]> 34434 Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a particularly nasty pathogen. It can readily infect individuals with burn injuries, chronic wounds and hospital-acquired infections, like ventilator-associated pneumonia and sepsis. Pathogenic strains can build up in critical body organs, such as lungs, urinary tract, and kidneys, to fatal results. The problematic pathogen often finds a home in immunocompromised individuals who have serious underlying illnesses.

As populations of P. aeruginosa swell, they often aggregate into slimy biofilms that stick to one another and to various surfaces, from medical equipment to airways in the lungs and onto other organs. Thriving in humid environments, the bacteria can create chronic infections that are notoriously resistant to antibiotic treatment.

The pathogen is especially dangerous for cystic fibrosis patients. This genetic disease leads to an overproduction of thick mucus, which provides good growth conditions for microbes like P. aeruginosa, which can then produce antibiotic-resistant biofilms — blankets of microorganisms that cover lung tissue and provide a host environment for more damaging pathogens.

A team of Georgia Tech researchers from the School of Biological Sciences has released a study that points to another problem with Pseudomonas aeruginosa: in a synthetic media that mimics cystic fibrosis sputum, populations of cells can quickly evolve to develop tolerance and resistance to certain antibiotics — despite having no previous exposure to them.

“We were surprised that the antibiotic tolerance increased so quickly in our experiment” says Sheyda Azimi, a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow. “What our data tells us is that in a single species evolved population, with a mixture of diverse single isolates, becomes antibiotic tolerant even without the selective pressure of antibiotics.”

Azimi and four fellow School of Biological Sciences scientists – Steve Diggle (who served as Georgia Tech's lead in developing the project), Joshua Weitz, Samuel Brown, and graduate student Shengyun Peng, have published the results of their study, “Allelic polymorphism shapes community function in evolving Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations,” in The ISME Journal, the official journal of the International Society of Microbial Ecology. The team also includes two researchers from Swansea University Medical School and The University of Birmingham.

Azimi says the increase in tolerance to antibiotics is due to changes in the function of key genes that control social trait production in P. aeruginosa. “Simply put, the changes in population dynamics leads to the tolerance phenotype, so if the P. aeruginosa populations evolve in a chemical environment similar to lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis, it can display the same phenotype of increased tolerance to certain antibiotics.” Those include beta-lactam antibiotics, one of the most commonly prescribed classes of clinical antibiotics, and the type researchers used in the study.

Even though P. aeruginosa is a well-studied microbe, fewer studies have explored its heterogeneity, or the diversity in its traits and characteristics, and how that diversity helps its cells communicate with one another. The team’s study sought to better understand these social behaviors and how they can influence the microbe’s development and evolution.

The team evolved P. aeruginosa in biofilms, growing the bacteria in a synthetic sputum medium, meant to mimic a mixture of saliva and mucus, for 50 days. “We measured social trait production and antibiotic tolerance, and used a metagenomic approach to analyze and assess genomic changes over the duration of the evolution experiment,” she writes in the article’s abstract (metagenomics is the study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples). The team found that evolutionary trajectories were reproducible in independently evolving populations, and that over 60% of that genomic diversity occurred within the first 10 days of selection.

The study showed emergent behavior and interesting interactions between different evolved isolates of P. aeruginosa — co-existing alongside each other and acting as one functional entity.  “You can imagine a team where each individual is equipped with particular skills,” says Azimi. “Not all members need to be the best at all functions. Some members of the team may produce lots of toxins, whereas some may be better at forming biofilms or resisting antibiotics. Put together they function more effectively as a unit.”

Azimi emphasizes that these interactions take place within a diverse population of the same species, a community that has evolved from a single ancestor. “The individuals are not teaching each other. I would call it more of ‘hand-waving’; they actually signal to and sense one another, and evolve in a certain way that appears to benefit the whole group.”

Learn more about Azimi’s work, sociomicrobiology, and The Diggle Lab at Georgia Tech.

 

 

The research team thanks the following funding sources: The Human Frontier Science Program (RGY0081/2012) and Georgia Institute of Technology, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (DIGGLE18I0) to SPD, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for a Fellowship to SA (AZIMI18F0), and CF@latna for a Fellowship to SA (3206AXB). The team also thanks the National Heart Lung Blood Institute (R56HL142857) and The Simons Foundation (396001). 

 

 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1590593392 2020-05-27 15:29:52 1708028639 2024-02-15 20:23:59 0 0 news A study led by The Diggle Lab found that the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can quickly evolve in a synthetic media that mimics cystic fibrosis sputum, to develop tolerance and resistance to certain antibiotics.

]]> 2020-05-27T00:00:00-04:00 2020-05-27T00:00:00-04:00 2020-05-27 00:00:00 Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

]]> 635711 635710 635709 635711 image <![CDATA[Biofilms of P. aeruginosa ]]> image/jpeg 1590594869 2020-05-27 15:54:29 1590594869 2020-05-27 15:54:29 635710 image <![CDATA[Researchers used a congo red agar (CRA) test to detect biofilms formed by P. Aeruginosa.]]> image/jpeg 1590594699 2020-05-27 15:51:39 1590594699 2020-05-27 15:51:39 635709 image <![CDATA[Sheyda Azimi, Post-Doctorate Fellow, School of Biological Sciences ]]> image/png 1590594043 2020-05-27 15:40:43 1590594043 2020-05-27 15:40:43 <![CDATA[Bacterial Conversations in Cystic Fibrosis]]> <![CDATA[Study Shows How Bacteria Behave Differently in Humans Compared to the Lab]]> <![CDATA[The Diggle Lab]]> <![CDATA[Cavity-causing Bacteria Assemble an Army of Protective Microbes on Human Teeth ]]> 34528 Story by Katherine Unger Baillie, Science News Officer, University of Pennsylvania

Studying bacteria in a petri dish or test tube has yielded insights into how they function and, in some cases, contribute to disease. But this approach leaves out crucial details about how bacteria act in the real world.

Taking a translational approach, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and the Georgia Institute of Technology imaged the bacteria that cause tooth decay in three dimensions in their natural environment, the sticky biofilm known as dental plaque formed on toddlers’ teeth that were affected by cavities.

The work, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that Streptococcus mutans, a major bacterial species responsible for tooth decay, is encased in a protective multilayered community of other bacteria and polymers forming a unique spatial organization associated with the location of the disease onset.

“We started with these clinical samples, extracted teeth from children with severe tooth decay,” says Hyun (Michel) Koo of Penn Dental Medicine, a co-senior author on the work. “The question that popped in our minds was, how these bacteria are organized and whether their specific architecture can tell us about the disease they cause?”

To address this question, the researchers, including lead author Dongyeop Kim of Penn Dental Medicine and co-senior author Marvin Whiteley of Georgia Tech, used a combination of super-resolution confocal and scanning electron microscopy with computational analysis to dissect the arrangement of S. mutans and other microbes of the intact biofilm on the teeth. These techniques allowed the team to examine the biofilm layer by layer, gaining a three-dimensional picture of the specific architectures.

This approach, of understanding the locations and patterns of bacteria, is one that Whiteley has pursued in other diseases. 

“It’s clear that identifying the constituents of the human microbiome is not enough to understand their impact on human health,” Whiteley says. “We also have to know how they are spatially organized. This is largely under studied as obtaining intact samples that maintain spatial structure is difficult.”  

In the current work, the researchers discovered that S. mutans in dental plaque most often appeared in a particular fashion: arranged in a mound against the tooth’s surface. But it wasn’t alone. While S. mutans formed the inner core of the rotund architecture, other commensal bacteria, such as S. oralis, formed additional outer layers precisely arranged in a crownlike structure. Supporting and separating these layers was an extracellular scaffold made of sugars produced by S. mutans, effectively encasing and protecting the disease-causing bacteria.

“We found this highly ordered community with a dense accumulation of S. mutans in the middle surrounded by these ‘halos’ of different bacteria, and wondered how this could cause tooth decay,” Koo says. “

To learn more about how structure impacted the function of the biofilm, the research team attempted to recreate the natural plaque formations on a toothlike surface in the lab using S. mutans, S. oralis, and a sugar solution. They successfully grew the formations, with rotund-shaped architecture and crown-like structure, and then measured levels of acid and demineralization associated with them. 

“What we discovered, and what was exciting for us, is that the rotund areas perfectly matched with the demineralized and high acid levels on the enamel surface,” says Koo. “This mirrors what clinicians see when they find dental caries: punctuated areas of decalcification known as ‘white spots.’ The crown-like structure could explain how cavities get their start.” 

In a final set of experiments, the team put the community to the test, applying an antimicrobial treatment and observing how the bacteria fared. When the crown-like structures were intact, the S. mutans in the inner core largely avoided dying from the antimicrobial treatment. Only breaking up the scaffolding material holding the outer layers together enabled the antimicrobial to penetrate and effectively kill the cavity-causing bacteria.

The study’s findings may help researcher more effectively target the pathogenic core of dental biofilms but also have implications for other fields.

“It demonstrates that the spatial structure of the microbiome may mediate function and the disease outcome, which could be applicable to other medical fields dealing with polymicrobial infections,” says Koo. 

“It’s not just which pathogens are there but how they’re structured that tells you about the disease that they cause,” adds Whiteley. “Bacteria are highly social creatures and have friends and enemies that dictate their behaviors.” 

The field of microbial biogeography is young, the researchers say, but extending this demonstration that links community structure with disease onset opens up a vast array of possibilities for future medically relevant insights.

 

Dongyeop Kim was a research associate at Penn’s School of Dental Medicine’s Department of Orthodontics and is now an assistant professor at the Jeonbuk National University (Korea).

Hyun (Michel) Koo is a professor in Penn’s School of Dental Medicine’s Department of Orthodontics in the divisions of Community Oral Health and Pediatric Dentistry.

Marvin Whiteley is a professor of biological sciences, the Georgia Tech Bennie H. and Nelson D. Abell Chair in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar co-director in Emory-Children’s CF Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Koo, Kim, and Whiteley’s coauthors were Penn Dental Medicine’s Rodrigo A. Arthur, Yuan Liu, Elizabeth L. Scisci, and Evlambia Hajishengallis; Georgia Tech’s Juan P. Barraza; and Indiana University’s Anderson Hara and Karl Lewis.

The work was supported in part by the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research (grants DE025220, DE018023, DE020100, and DE023193).

]]> jhunt7 1 1590106079 2020-05-22 00:07:59 1708028478 2024-02-15 20:21:18 0 0 news Examining bacteria growing on toddlers’ teeth, Marvin Whiteley and a team from the University of Pennsylvania found microbes’ spatial organization is crucial to how they cause tooth decay.

]]> 2020-05-21T00:00:00-04:00 2020-05-21T00:00:00-04:00 2020-05-21 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 635577 635579 635578 635577 image <![CDATA[With powerful microscopy, researchers were able to visualize the structure of a tooth decay-causing biofilm growing on toddlers’ teeth. The organism primarily responsible for cavities, Streptococcus mutans, labeled in green, shields itself under layers of]]> image/jpeg 1590104051 2020-05-21 23:34:11 1590104051 2020-05-21 23:34:11 635579 image <![CDATA[Marvin Whiteley of Georgia Tech, a co-senior author on the work.]]> image/jpeg 1590104378 2020-05-21 23:39:38 1590104378 2020-05-21 23:39:38 635578 image <![CDATA[Hyun (Michel) Koo of Penn Dental Medicine, a co-senior author on the work.]]> image/jpeg 1590104276 2020-05-21 23:37:56 1590104276 2020-05-21 23:37:56 <![CDATA[Cavity-causing bacteria assemble an army of protective microbes on human teeth ]]> <![CDATA[The Whiteley Lab]]> <![CDATA[Bacteria seek safety before attacking teeth]]> <![CDATA[Periodontitis Bacteria Love Colon and Dirt Microbes]]> <![CDATA[Researchers Team Up for Microbial Dynamics and Infection]]> <![CDATA[Keeping Connected with Science: The Stay at Home Journal Club]]> 35185

With classes moved online and face-to-face interaction minimized to talking through a screen, students and faculty are searching for creative ways to stay in touch with their colleagues. Since teleportation is not yet feasible, Jennifer Leavey has turned to another channel to connect with her students: YouTube! 

On April 1, Leavey published her first edition of the Stay-at-Home Journal Club (SAHJC), a regular series in which she analyzes and explains a recent scientific article in two minutes or less. So far, she has focused on articles about COVID-19, but is interested in discussing a wide range of topics. 

“I had been seeing friends and family post links to articles and websites about COVID-19 that varied widely in how much they were based on science,” said Leavey. “I wanted to counter some of the conspiracy theories and give people hope that science would find a way to prevent or cure the disease.” 

In the first edition of the SAHJC, Leavey discussed the article “Structural basis for the recognition of the SARS-CoV-2 by full-length human ACE2”. She briefly explained the research’s objective, methods, results, and long-term impacts before ending the video with a smile goodbye. Her calming and positive presence ensures that the videos discussing important topics aren’t intimidating to people that may be unfamiliar with certain vocabulary or concepts. 

To find the articles that she covers, Leavey starts with exploring the topics that interests her. 

“Usually I get curious about something I read in the news and then I look up peer-reviewed research articles or pre-publication manuscripts,” says Leavey.  

For Leavey, the SAHJC has served several purposes. Researching articles encourages her to explore fascinating scientific research, while creating video allows her to promote continuous visual and verbal contact with others.  

“I have been teaching online and I feel so much better when I can see my students faces,” says Leavey. “I really miss being in the classroom and seeing everyone and having discussions about science. I hope watching these videos can help people feel more connected.” 

Leavey has published seven videos to the SAHJC and has already felt the positive impacts of using visual media to connect with others. She hopes to create more while working and is encouraging anyone interested to get involved in the SAHJC. Leavey says that people interested can ask questions in the comments of her videos, share the videos with friends, or even create their own videos.  

Collaboration and Community 

The goals of collaboration and building strong relationships are prominent in Leavey’s life. Though physical distance separates her from her peers, Leavey is making the most of her time at home while by intentionally and meaningfully connecting with friends.  

“Last night I went on a 'walk' with one of my colleagues from work,” says Leavey. “We just had a phone call while we were each walking around our neighborhoods and it was great!  We got a little exercise, shared an experience, and talked about our classes. It was a lot more satisfying than a BlueJeans meeting for me.” 

Whether she’s teaching in the classroom or through a screen, Jennifer Leavey’s passion for learning is tangible. The Stay at Home Journal Club is educational, energetic, and enchanting, and is a prime example of Leavey’s steadfast support of her students and colleagues. 

Watch the latest episodes of the Stay at Home Journal Club, and learn how to get involved in the project.

Related Links:

Sneaking Science into Punk RocK: ScienceMatters Episode 7, Starring Jennifer Leavey

Jennifer Leavey: From Honey Bees to Science Rock

Jennifer Leavey and Her Favorite Element

By: Grace Pietkiewicz

]]> kpietkiewicz3 1 1587401213 2020-04-20 16:46:53 1708028452 2024-02-15 20:20:52 0 0 news How Jennifer Leavey’s videos use research articles to build personal contact and educate online communities about COVID-19 research.

]]> 2020-04-20T00:00:00-04:00 2020-04-20T00:00:00-04:00 2020-04-20 00:00:00 Grace Pietkiewicz
Communications Assistant
College of Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology
katiegracepz@gatech.edu

]]> 634551 634551 image <![CDATA[Jennifer Leavey's Stay at Home Journal Club]]> image/jpeg 1587402171 2020-04-20 17:02:51 1587402451 2020-04-20 17:07:31 <![CDATA[Scientists Discuss COVID-19 with GPB, 11Alive, Kurzgesagt, National Geographic]]> 34528 Please note: This page is a compilation of faculty media mentions. For up-to-date information on Georgia Tech's response to coronavirus (COVID-19) please see http://health.gatech.edu/coronavirus.

COVID-19 has sent many to seek out the latest information and ask questions about the spread of the virus in Georgia and whether initial sources of the coronavirus in the state can be tracked.

Georgia Tech College of Sciences faculty continue to share insights and expertise in news reports focused on the topic:
 

Joshua Weitz on viral spread modeling 

GPB Political Rewind: A Closer Look At Georgia's Outbreak Numbers

Joshua S. Weitz is a professor of biological sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology and founding director of the Quantitative Biosciences Ph.D. program at Georgia Tech. He was part of a Political Rewind panel that included Atlanta Journal-Constitution Editor Kevin Riley, and Dr. Mark Rosenberg, former CEO of the Task Force for Global Health.

Weitz: “We are connected, and we’re connected in the sense that the steps individuals take to social distance from others to try not to get infected also reduces infection that could affect other people. That really is the core idea of what we’ve done in terms of these models of the epidemic’s spread.”

Read more and listen to the show on GPBnews.org.

 

M.G. Finn on the difficulty of viral source tracking

WXIA 11Alive: Kemp suggests COVID-19 entered state before March; Scientists believe tracking first cases possible, but challenging

The first coronavirus cases were confirmed in Georgia just a few weeks ago, but Governor Brian Kemp thinks the illness was in the state long before that.

M.G. Finn said backtracking to find the earliest cases of this specific virus could be very challenging. Finn is a professor and the chair of the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Georgia Tech. 

"Imagine if you're looking at a smooth lake and somebody throws a single rock into the lake and you see the waves come out, it is very easy to track those waves back any you will know exactly where the rock landed," Finn said. "The problem now is that it is raining pebbles."

Read more and watch on 11Alive.

 

Daniel Cornforth, James Gurney, Joshua Weitz lend expertise to a widely watched coronavirus video

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell: The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do

Daniel Cornforth, James R. Gurney, and Joshua S. Weitz from Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection helped inform this instructional video, which illustrates how COVID-19 attacks and how to slow its spread. To date, the video has 20 million views.

Watch on YouTube.

 

Joshua Weitz on the mathematics of crowds and viruses

National Geographic: See why keeping groups small can save lives in the era of COVID-19

Why are large events so dangerous in a pandemic? Just look at the math: As COVID-19 cases increase across the U.S., the risk of exposing members of a group to the virus goes up exponentially with event size, according to Georgia Institute of Technology biologist Joshua Weitz.

Weitz says that the increased risk strongly justifies recent efforts to limit event sizes. Testing delays in the U.S. have further compounded the issue by obscuring the disease’s true prevalence.

“Things have moved fast (as they do in epidemics),” Weitz says in an email. “We should be physically distancing whenever feasible.”

Read more at National Geographic.

 

Related Stories:

 

Media Relations Assistance: John Toon (404-894-6986) (jtoon@gatech.edu).

 

]]> jhunt7 1 1585603376 2020-03-30 21:22:56 1708028426 2024-02-15 20:20:26 0 0 news COVID-19 has sent many to seek out the latest information and ask questions about the spread of the virus in Georgia and whether initial sources of the coronavirus in the state can be tracked. Georgia Tech College of Sciences faculty and researchers continue to share insights and expertise in news reports focused on the topic.

]]> 2020-03-30T00:00:00-04:00 2020-03-30T00:00:00-04:00 2020-03-30 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology

]]> 633909 633909 image <![CDATA[From the video, "The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do," by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell.]]> image/jpeg 1585603251 2020-03-30 21:20:51 1585603251 2020-03-30 21:20:51 <![CDATA[Professor Dusts Off High School Musical Skills for “The Mold That Changed the World”]]> 34434 When he was 14 years old, Brian Hammer learned the hard way about the dangers of bacteria, and the wonders of penicillin, thanks to a wrestling bout with a sibling.

“My older brother thought it would be fun to wrestle me holding my dad’s fishing knife,” said Hammer, an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences. What wasn’t fun: accidentally ending up with a stab wound in his leg.

The next day he couldn’t walk and had a high fever, thanks to a blood infection caused by Staphylococcus bacteria on his skin ending up in his wound. “Those bacteria can grow very quickly in your blood. And they should never be there,” Hammer said. Doctors gave him penicillin intravenously, and Hammer remained in a hospital for nearly a month before recovering.

Now, this November, Hammer — who performed in high school and college musicals and choruses — will get to sing the praises of Alexander Fleming, the Scottish scientist who indirectly healed him by discovering the antibacterial qualities of penicillin.

Hammer will be in the chorus at the Science Gallery at Pullman Yards Nov. 1-6, 2022 when the musical “The Mold That Changed The World” comes to Atlanta during its U.S. tour. It will be the second stop for the show, which has its stateside premiere in Washington, D.C.

Hammer, who is also a faculty member of Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI), is getting a chance to dust off singing skills because the musical is giving local professionals in science and health-related industries a chance to join the chorus when the show comes to their city. Colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control, which is co-sponsoring the musical’s 2022 U.S. tour, have also successfully auditioned to sing in the Atlanta performances, as have other area scientists and researchers, along with an emergency medical technician and a veterinarian.

For Hammer, there are strong similarities in singing about science, and teaching it at Georgia Tech. “There's a lot of entertainment in teaching, a lot of showmanship. It’s the way I got interested in microbiology, when the teacher was pretty charismatic and dynamic. So I've always wanted to be that kind of teacher.”

Singing for science education

“The Mold That Changed The World” doesn’t just focus on Fleming’s discovery. It also shows how Fleming overcame social obstacles to finding life-saving qualities in a “nasty mold,” as Hammer put it, and conveys in singing and music the dangers of relying too much on antibacterial drugs — an ongoing worry that has Hammer and several other CMDI researchers looking for new treatments.

“Fleming won the Nobel Prize for discovering the first antibiotic, penicillin, and even in his Nobel Prize speech, he predicted the dangers of the emergence of resistant microbes,” Hammer said. “He said then that he can imagine a scenario in the future where if someone doesn't take their antibiotics correctly, you could end up with resistant ‘superbugs’ that get transferred to another person. And then you don't have a treatment. He said that in 1945.”

Warning children about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was the chief reason the Charades Theater Company in the United Kingdom staged “The Mold That Changed the World,” which was first performed for primary grades. The company thought it would be a fun and effective way to teach children ages 9-12 about the proper use of antibiotics. It was that educational aspect that attracted Hammer. 

“It's one way of communicating science,” he said. “We scientists, we have to do a better job of communicating science, in all ways. That may mean different media, different settings. It's just got to be part of what we do now. This is one unusual example of how to do that. But why not, right?”

The musical did prove effective. A 2020 UK study showed that students answered more questions about AMR correctly and retained more of the science information after seeing the musical.

Researching cholera, and challenging stereotypes

As a teenager, Hammer sang in high school musical productions like “Godspell.” He then went to Boston College, where he joined the university chorale and got to sing for Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

But Hammer was also busy earning his B.S. in biology. He went on to receive his M.S. in conservation biology and a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Michigan. He said his desire to sing was overcome by his desire to learn everything about microbes and how they impact ecosystems and biodiversity — and then what they can do to humans. 

In the Hammer Lab at Georgia Tech, he and his team study microbial interactions at scales that span genes and genomes, regulatory networks, cells, populations, and communities. His longtime focus has been on Vibrio cholerae, the waterborne pathogen that causes cholera. 

“It’s this combination of thinking about pathogens and their ecological environment,” Hammer explained. “It's still fascinating to me how microbes can do all they need to do to live out there somewhere else, and then they can adapt to life in our bodies and wreak havoc. That single cells can do this still blows my mind, and how they do it, and what the consequences are. And cholera was the first 'bug' that I worked on that had this kind of dual lifestyle.”

Hammer was preparing for the Fall 2022 semester when his wife, Tracy, a fifth-grade teacher, said she would be taking her students to a children’s version of “The Mold That Changed The World” when the musical’s cast came to Atlanta. “She found out about it because some of the parents in her school work at the CDC,” he said. “She knew that I had done this (sung in musicals).” A visit to the musical’s website led him to audition for the special chorus.

Hammer said that his chance to perform on stage again isn’t just about educating audiences. It’s also about showing humanity in science, he added. 

“I think part of this is also to remind people that we scientists are just normal people too. I think there's this misperception that scientists are elitists who don't know how to interact with other people, or choose not to, or can’t. We're not elitist, we just have an area that we think about a lot – just like everyone else has subjects that they think about, and have strong opinions about and expertise in. So we're no different.”

“The Mold That Changed the World” runs Nov. 1-6 at Science Gallery@Pullman Yards,  225 Rogers St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30317.  Tickets go on sale soon and can be purchased here. 

 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1663619960 2022-09-19 20:39:20 1708028229 2024-02-15 20:17:09 0 0 news A touring musical celebrating the man who gave us penicillin is inviting local scientists to join the chorus for its Atlanta shows — and School of Biological Sciences Associate Professor Brian Hammer is ready for showtime. 

 

]]> 2022-09-22T00:00:00-04:00 2022-09-22T00:00:00-04:00 2022-09-22 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

 

]]> 661324 661295 661323 661296 661324 image <![CDATA[A rehearsal for "The Mold That Changed the World" musical. (Photo Charades Theater Company).]]> image/png 1663706803 2022-09-20 20:46:43 1663706803 2022-09-20 20:46:43 661295 image <![CDATA[Brian Hammer in his office with an image from Alexander Fleming's original 1928 penicillin agar plate. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> image/jpeg 1663620800 2022-09-19 20:53:20 1663620800 2022-09-19 20:53:20 661323 image <![CDATA[Brian Hammer in high school musical productions: "Irene" (left) and a vintage photo from "Godspell." (Photos courtesy Brian Hammer)]]> image/jpeg 1663705415 2022-09-20 20:23:35 1663705415 2022-09-20 20:23:35 661296 image <![CDATA[Brian Hammer's copy of the chorus lyrics from The Mold That Changed the World musical. (Photo Renay San Miguel) ]]> image/jpeg 1663620883 2022-09-19 20:54:43 1663620883 2022-09-19 20:54:43 <![CDATA[CMDI: Mighty Microbial Dynamics for a Healthier People and Planet]]> <![CDATA[Add One More Weapon to Cholera’s Deadly Arsenal]]> <![CDATA[No Separations: Meet Ellinor Alseth, CMDI’s First Early Career Award Fellow]]> <![CDATA[The Hammer Lab at Georgia Tech ]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Students, Faculty, and Staff Bring STEAM to Atlanta During the Atlanta Science Festival]]> 35575 For STEAM enthusiasts across Atlanta, the month of March is a highlight of the year for one big reason: the Atlanta Science Festival.

Occurring annually since in 2014, the Atlanta Science Festival is a "celebration of the world-class learning and STEM career opportunities in metro Atlanta, featuring 150 engaging events for curious kids and adults at venues all across the region." As a founding sponsor, Georgia Tech has been an intricate part of the Festival since its inception. Now in its tenth iteration, this year's festival will host events from March 10 – 24, culminating in the Exploration Expo — a large, interactive event in Piedmont Park — on March 25.

Read more to hear from some of the event organizers and presenters in the College of Sciences about what this year's festival will have to offer.

]]> adavidson38 1 1675870463 2023-02-08 15:34:23 1708028127 2024-02-15 20:15:27 0 0 news For STEAM enthusiasts across Atlanta, the month of March is a highlight of the year for one big reason: the Atlanta Science Festival. We spoke with some of the event organizers and presenters to get a sneak peek at what this year's festival will have to offer.

]]> 2023-03-03T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-03T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-03 00:00:00 Writer and Contact:
Audra Davidson
Communications Officer II
College of Sciences

Editor:
Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 665590 665590 image <![CDATA[Atlanta Science Festival attendees engaged in a demonstration. Credit: Atlanta Science Festival.]]> image/jpeg 1675870023 2023-02-08 15:27:03 1675870048 2023-02-08 15:27:28 <![CDATA[Learn more about the Atlanta Science Festival]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Science and Engineering Day – Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators]]> <![CDATA[Christina Ragan: Celebrating Brain Awareness Week — and Neuroscience for All]]> <![CDATA[Rising Temperatures Alter ‘Missing Link’ of Microbial Processes, Putting Northern Peatlands at Risk]]> 35575 If you’re an avid gardener, you may have considered peat moss — decomposed Sphagnum moss that helps retain moisture in soil — to enhance your home soil mixture. And while the potting medium can help plants thrive, it’s also a key component of peatlands: wetlands characterized by a thick layer of water-saturated, carbon-rich peat beneath living Sphagnum moss, trees, and other plant life. 

These ecosystems cover just 3% of Earth’s land area, but “peatlands store over one-third of all soil carbon on the planet,” explains Joel Kostka, professor and associate chair of Research in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech.

This carbon storage is supported in large part by microbes. Two microbial processes in particular — nitrogen fixation and methane oxidation — strike a delicate balance, working together to give Sphagnum mosses access to critical nutrients in nutrient-depleted peatlands. 

The coupling of these two processes is often referred to as the “missing link” of nutrient cycling in peatlands. Yet, how these processes will respond to changing climates along northern latitudes is unclear.

“There are tropical peatlands — but the majority of peatlands are in northern environments.” notes Caitlin Petro, a research scientist who works with Kostka in Biological Sciences at Tech. “And those are going to be hit harder by climate change.”

Kostka and Petro recently led a collaborative study to investigate how this critical type of ecosystem (and the “missing link” of microbial processes that support it) may react to the increased temperature and carbon dioxide levels predicted to come with climate change. The team, which also includes researchers from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Florida State University, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, just published their work in the scientific journal Global Change Biology.

By testing the effects of increasing temperature and carbon dioxide on the growth of Sphagnum moss, its associated microbiome, and overall ecosystem health, Kostka and Petro say computational models will be better equipped to predict the effects of climate change.

“Down the road,” Kostka added, “we hope the results can be used by environmental managers and governments to adaptively manage or geoengineer peatlands to thrive in a warmer world.”

Raising the heat

To see how northern peatlands will react to climate change, the team, which also included School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Associate Professor Jennifer Glass, turned to the ORNL Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments (SPRUCE) experiment — a unique field lab in northern Minnesota where the team warms peat bogs and experimentally changes the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

Starting in 2016, the team exposed different parts of SPRUCE’s experimental peatlands to a gradient of higher temperatures ranging from an increase of 0°C to 9°C, capturing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change models’ predicted 4°C to 6°C increase in northern regions by 2100.

The moss’s reaction was significant. Although nearly 100% of the bog’s surface was covered in moss at the beginning of the experiment, moss coverage dropped with each increase in temperature, plummeting to less than 15% in the warmest conditions.

Critically, the two microbial processes that had previously been consistently linked fell out of sync at higher temperatures. 

“Peatlands are extremely nutrient-poor and microbial nitrogen fixation represents a major nitrogen input to the ecosystem,” Kostka explained. Fixing nitrogen is the process of turning atmospheric nitrogen into an organic compound that the moss can use for photosynthesis, while methane oxidation allows the moss to use methane released from decomposing peat as energy. “Methane oxidation acts to fuel nitrogen fixation while scavenging a really important greenhouse gas before it is released to the atmosphere. This study shows that these two processes, which are catalyzed by the Sphagnum microbiome, become disconnected as the moss dies.”

“These processes occurring together are really important for the community,” Petro explained. Yet many microbes that are able to both fix nitrogen and oxidize methane were absent in the mosses collected from higher temperature enclosures. And while elevated carbon dioxide levels appeared to offset some of the changes in nitrogen cycling caused by warming, the decoupling of these processes remained.

“These treatments are altering a fairly well-defined and consistent plant microbiome that we find in many different environments, and that has this consistent function,” Petro explained. “It's like a complete functional shift in the community.” 

Though it’s not clear which of these changes — the moss dying or the altered microbial activity — is driving the other, it is clear that with warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels comes a cascade of unpredictable outcomes for peat bogs.

“In addition to the direct effects of climate warming on ecosystem function,” Petro adds, “it will also introduce all of these off-shooting effects that will impact peatlands in ways that we didn't predict before.”

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation (DEB grant no. 1754756). The SPRUCE project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, Biological, and Environmental Research (DOE BER) and the USDA Forest Service.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16651

Citation: Petro, C., et al. Climate drivers alter nitrogen availability in surface peat and decouple N2 fixation from CH4 oxidation in the Sphagnum moss microbiome. Global Change Biology. (2023).

Aerial Photo: Hanson, P.J., M.B. Krassovski, and L.A. Hook. 2020. SPRUCE S1 Bog and SPRUCE Experiment Aerial Photographs. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TES SFA, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A. https://doi.org/10.3334/CDIAC/spruce.012 (UAV image number 0050 collected on October 4, 2020).

]]> adavidson38 1 1680270895 2023-03-31 13:54:55 1707857126 2024-02-13 20:45:26 0 0 news Georgia Tech researchers show that rising temperatures in northern regions may damage peatlands: critical ecosystems for storing carbon from the atmosphere — and could decouple vital processes in microbial support systems.

]]> 2023-03-31T00:00:00-04:00 2023-03-31T00:00:00-04:00 2023-03-31 00:00:00 Writer: Audra Davidson
Communications Officer II, College of Sciences

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications, College of Sciences

]]> 670399 670396 670398 670399 image <![CDATA[An aerial view of the SPRUCE enclosures.]]> An aerial view of the SPRUCE enclosure.

]]> image/jpeg 1680287765 2023-03-31 18:36:05 1680287765 2023-03-31 18:36:05 670396 image <![CDATA[Sphagnum mosses were taken from different SPRUCE enclosures and incubated in glass jars for the study (Photo Jennifer Glass).]]> Sphagnum mosses were taken from different SPRUCE enclosures and incubated in glass jars for the study (Photo Jennifer Glass).

]]> image/jpeg 1680287566 2023-03-31 18:32:46 1680287566 2023-03-31 18:32:46 670398 image <![CDATA[A closeup of a member of the research team holding Sphagnum moss, one of the key drivers of carbon sequestration in peatlands. (Photo Jennifer Glass).]]> A closeup of a member of the research team holding Sphagnum moss, one of the key drivers of carbon sequestration in peatlands. (Photo Jennifer Glass).

]]> image/jpeg 1680287647 2023-03-31 18:34:07 1680287647 2023-03-31 18:34:07 <![CDATA[Joel Kostka Awarded $3.2 Million to Keep Digging into How Soils and Plants Capture Carbon — And Keep It Out of Earth’s Atmosphere]]> <![CDATA[Community Collaborations: Researchers and Alumni Aid in $2.6 Million Effort to Restore Salt Marshes in Historic Charleston]]> <![CDATA[Temperate Glimpse Into a Warming World]]> <![CDATA[Salt Marsh Grass On Georgia’s Coast Gets Nutrients for Growth From Helpful Bacteria in Its Roots]]> <![CDATA[BioSpark Labs Igniting Innovation for Biotech Startups]]> 28153 Ryan Lawler realized early on in her academic career that a scientist with a great idea can potentially change the world.

“But I didn’t realize the role that real estate can play in that,” said Lawler, general manager of BioSpark Labs – the collaborative, shared laboratory environment taking shape at Science Square at Georgia Tech.

Sitting adjacent to the Tech campus and formerly known as Technology Enterprise Park, Science Square is being reactivated and positioned as a life sciences research destination. The 18-acre site is abuzz with new construction, as an urban mixed-use development rises from the property.

Meanwhile, positioned literally on the ground floor of all this activity is BioSpark Labs, located in a former warehouse, fortuitously adjacent to the Global Center for Medical Innovation. It’s one of the newer best-kept secrets in the Georgia Tech research community.

BioSpark exists because the Georgia Tech Real Estate Office,  led by Associate Vice President Tony Zivalich, recognized the need of this kind of lab space. Zivalich and his team have overseen the ideation, design, and funding of the facility, partnering with Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures, as well as the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, and the core facilities of the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience.

“We are in the middle of a growing life sciences ecosystem, part of a larger vision in biotech research,” said Lawler, who was hired on to manage the space, bringing to the job a wealth of experience as a former research scientist and lab manager with a background in molecular and synthetic biology.

Researchers’ Advocate

BioSpark was designed to be a launch pad for high-potential entrepreneurs. It provides a fully equipped and professionally operated wet lab, in addition to a clean room, meeting and office space, to its current roster of clients, five life sciences and biotech startup, a number certain to increase – because BioSpark is undergoing a dramatic expansion that will include 11 more labs (shared and private space), an autoclave room, equipment and storage rooms.

“We want to provide the necessary services and support that an early-stage company needs to begin lab operations on day one,” said Lawler, who has put together a facility with $1.7 million in lab equipment. “I understand our clients’ perspective, I understand researchers and their experiments, and their needs, because I have first-hand proficiency in that world. So, I can advocate on their behalf.”

CO2 incubators, a spectrophotometer, a biosafety cabinet, a fume hood, a -80° freezer, an inverted microscope, and the autoclave are among the wide range of apparatus. Plus, a virtual treasure trove of equipment is available to BioSpark clients off-site through the Core Facilities of the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience on the Georgia Tech campus.

“One of the unique things about us is, we’re agnostic,” Lawler said. “That is, our startups can come from anywhere. We have companies that have grown out of labs at Georgia State, Alabama State, Emory, and Georgia Tech. And we have interest from entrepreneurs from San Diego, who are considering relocating people from mature biotech markets to our space.”

Ground Floor Companies

Marvin Whiteley wants to help humans win the war against bacteria, and he has a plan, something he’s been cooking up for about 10 years, which has now manifested in his start-up company, SynthBiome, one of the five startups based at BioSpark Labs.

“We can discover a lot of antibiotics in the lab but translating them into the clinic has been a major challenge – antibiotic resistance is the main reason,” said Whiteley, professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech. “Something might work in a test tube easily enough and it might work in a mouse. But the thing is, bacteria know that mice are different - and and so bacteria act differently in mice than in humans.”

SynthBiome was built to help accelerate drug discovery. With that goal in mind, Whiteley and has team set out to develop a better, more effective preclinical model. “We basically learned to let the bacteria tell us what it’s like to be in a human,” Whiteley said. “So, we created a human environment in a test tube.”

Whiteley has said a desire to help people is foundational to his research. He wants to change how successful therapies are made. The same can be said for Dr. Pooja Tiwari, who launched her company, Arnav Biotech, to develop mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines. Arnav Biotech also serves as a contract researcher and manufacturer, helping other researchers and companies interested in exploring mRNA in their work.

“There are only a handful of people who have deep knowledge of working in mRNA research, and this limits the access to it” said Tiwari, a former postdoctoral researcher at Georgia Tech and Emory. “We’d like to democratize access to mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines by developing accessible and cost-effective mRNA therapeutics for global needs”.

Arnav – which has RNA right there in the name – in Sanskrit means ‘ocean.’ An ocean has no discernible borders, and Tiwari is working to build a biotech company that eliminates borders in equitable access to mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines.

With this mission in mind, Arnav is developing mRNA-based, broad-spectrum antivirals as well as vaccines against pandemic potential viruses before the next pandemic hits. Arnav has recently entered in a collaboration with Sartorius BIA Separations, a company based on Slovenia, to advance their mRNA pipeline. While building its own mRNA therapeutics pipeline, Arnav is also helping other scientists explore mRNA as an alternative therapeutic and vaccine platform through its contract services. 

“I think of the vaccine scientist who makes his medicine using proteins, but would like to explore the mRNA option,” Tiwari posits. “Maybe he doesn’t want to make the full jump into it. That’s where we come in, helping to drive interest in this field and help that scientist compare his traditional vaccines to see what mRNA vaccines looks like.”

She has all the equipment and instruments that she needs at BioSpark Labs and was one of the first start-ups to put down roots there. So far, it’s been the perfect partnership, Tiwari said, adding, “It kind of feels like BioSpark and Arnav are growing up together.”

 

]]> Jerry Grillo 1 1677771280 2023-03-02 15:34:40 1707857062 2024-02-13 20:44:22 0 0 news Located in the 18-acre Science Square campus, BioSpark is designed to be a launch pad for high-potential entrepreneurs. It provides a fully equipped and professionally operated wet lab, in addition to a clean room, meeting and office space, five life sciences and biotech startups — and more.

]]> 2023-03-02T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-02T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-02 00:00:00 Writer: Jerry Grillo

]]> 666358 666360 666361 666362 666358 image <![CDATA[BioSpark Trio]]> image/jpeg 1677770803 2023-03-02 15:26:43 1677790719 2023-03-02 20:58:39 666360 image <![CDATA[Ryan Lawler]]> image/jpeg 1677770875 2023-03-02 15:27:55 1677770875 2023-03-02 15:27:55 666361 image <![CDATA[Marvin Whiteley]]> image/jpeg 1677770912 2023-03-02 15:28:32 1677770912 2023-03-02 15:28:32 666362 image <![CDATA[Pooja Tiwari]]> image/jpeg 1677770944 2023-03-02 15:29:04 1677770944 2023-03-02 15:29:04 <![CDATA[Steve Diggle Named Director of the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection at Georgia Tech]]> 34434 The College of Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Diggle as the director of the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI). 

Diggle is a professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the principal investigator for the Diggle Lab. He takes over the CMDI leadership position from Biological Sciences Professor Sam Brown, who has served as CMDI’s director since January 2020.

Founded in 2018, CMDI seeks to understand the chemical, physical, and biological connections that together underpin microbial dynamics. The Center’s science research includes a wide variety of disciplines — microbial ecology, microbiome dynamics, biogeochemistry, microbial biophysics, socio-microbiology, infection dynamics, host-pathogen interactions, marine and aquatic microbiology, microbial evolution, viral ecology, spatial imaging, and math/computational modeling. 

“It’s an honor to be chosen for this,” Diggle said. “I think that what’s really exciting is that when I joined Georgia Tech in 2017, we were only just developing microbiology here. What’s happened since is that microbiology has taken on a much bigger profile at Georgia Tech. We’re now at the point where we are attracting really strong graduate students specifically to do microbiology, which is great. CMDI is more visible now, and I think that’s one reason graduate students are applying.”

“Steve Diggle is a perfect fit to lead CMDI forward,” Brown said. “Steve's research showcases impactful interdisciplinary research, combining molecular biology with ecology and evolution to understand what makes microbes tick, and how we can better control them. Steve has also shown a lasting commitment to mentorship and scientific service, and so I'm sure CMDI is in very good hands.”

Growth of the Center 

Brown said the Center continues to add key personnel. In the past year, CMDI announced its inaugural Early Career Award Fellow in Ellinor Alseth, and its first grant writing specialist, Senior Research Scientist Carina Baskett. “Dr. Alseth is leading through her science, pulling multiple labs together to form new collaborations. Thanks to Dr. Baskett, we have substantially increased our rate of applications for both postdoctoral and postgraduate fellowships, and she has also led the pursuit of multi-principal investigator grants,” Brown added.

The CMDI has also boosted inclusive resources that supported trainee and staff recruiting visits to underrepresented minority-serving conferences and local institutions, and provided additional stipends to help underrepresented minority recruits with relocation costs to Atlanta. The Center has also re-launched its showcase public event, MicrobeATL, a speaker series designed to integrate the microbiology research community across Atlanta that was paused during the pandemic. 

CMDI targets models of human disease, but also complex microbial communities in a range of aquatic and terrestrial environments. This research is united by the beliefs that studying across systems is essential for identifying organizing principles, and fully understanding microbial ecology and evolution requires knowledge of social interactions over space and time.  

Diggle added that the CMDI’s research priorities include climate change’s impact on the microbial world, and searching for new drugs that can tame antibiotic-resistant pathogens. “Antibiotic resistance is one of the great problems we're facing in the future,” he explained. That problem is why CMDI scientists like Julia Kubanek, professor in the School of Biological Sciences and Georgia Tech’s Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research, are scouring oceans for natural antibacterial alternatives.

Diggle also hopes to continue attracting the world’s top microbiology researchers to join the CMDI faculty while seeking out more external funding. “The ultimate goal is to make Georgia Tech one of the best places to come and do microbiology research in the U.S. Given what we’ve accomplished so far, I think that's a reasonable goal.”

Meet Steve Diggle

Diggle’s research interests focus on cooperation and communication in microbes, and how these are related to virulence, biofilms, and antimicrobial resistance. He has a longstanding interest in understanding how the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes disease, and is especially interested in how this organism evolves during chronic infections such as those found in cystic fibrosis patients and chronic wounds.

Diggle received his B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom, and earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Nottingham in 2001. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Nottingham before obtaining a Royal Society University Fellowship (2006-2014). He joined the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech in 2017 and was named a full professor in 2022.

Diggle currently serves as a senior editor on the editorial board of the journal Microbiology. He has previously served on the editorial boards of FEMS Microbiology Letters, BMC Microbiology, Microbiology Open and Royal Society Open Science. He served as an elected member of the Microbiology Society Council from 2012-2016, and was also on their conference and policy committees. In 2020, Diggle received the Cullen-Peck Scholar Award, which recognizes research accomplishments led by College of Sciences faculty at the associate professor or advanced assistant professor level. Diggle was selected as an American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer in 2021. 

Learn more about Diggle’s research:

About Georgia Tech

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 44,000 students representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.

 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1674838064 2023-01-27 16:47:44 1707413632 2024-02-08 17:33:52 0 0 news The College of Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Diggle as the director of the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI). Diggle is a professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the principal investigator for the Diggle Lab.

 

]]> 2023-01-27T00:00:00-05:00 2023-01-27T00:00:00-05:00 2023-01-27 00:00:00 Writer/Media Contact: 
Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

 

]]> 665203 665203 image <![CDATA[Steve Diggle]]> image/jpeg 1674844572 2023-01-27 18:36:12 1674844572 2023-01-27 18:36:12 <![CDATA[Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection]]> <![CDATA[CMDI: Mighty Microbial Dynamics for a Healthier People and Planet]]> <![CDATA[A Problematic Pathogen Develops Antibiotic Tolerance — Without Previous Exposure]]> <![CDATA[No Separations: Meet Ellinor Alseth, CMDI’s First Early Career Award Fellow]]> <![CDATA[Inaugural CMDI-CDC Symposium Offers Perspectives on Infectious Disease Dynamics]]> <![CDATA[Researchers Create Light-Powered Yeast, Providing Insights Into Evolution, Biofuels, Cellular Aging]]> 35575 You may be familiar with yeast as the organism content to turn carbs into products like bread and beer when left to ferment in the dark. In these cases, exposure to light can hinder or even spoil the process. 

In a new study published in Current Biology, researchers in Georgia Tech’s School of Biological Sciences have engineered one of the world’s first strains of yeast that may be happier with the lights on.

“We were frankly shocked by how simple it was to turn the yeast into phototrophs (organisms that can harness and use energy from light),” says Anthony Burnetti, a research scientist working in Associate Professor William Ratcliff’s laboratory and corresponding author of the study. “All we needed to do was move a single gene, and they grew 2% faster in the light than in the dark. Without any fine-tuning or careful coaxing, it just worked.”

Easily equipping the yeast with such an evolutionarily important trait could mean big things for our understanding of how this trait originated — and how it can be used to study things like biofuel production, evolution, and cellular aging.

Looking for an energy boost

The research was inspired by the group’s past work investigating the evolution of multicellular life. The group published their first report on their Multicellularity Long-Term Evolution Experiment (MuLTEE) in Nature last year, uncovering how their single-celled model organism, “snowflake yeast,” was able to evolve multicellularity over 3,000 generations.

Throughout these evolution experiments, one major limitation for multicellular evolution appeared: energy.

“Oxygen has a hard time diffusing deep into tissues, and you get tissues without the ability to get energy as a result,” says Burnetti. “I was looking for ways to get around this oxygen-based energy limitation.”

One way to give organisms an energy boost without using oxygen is through light. But the ability to turn light into usable energy can be complicated from an evolutionary standpoint. For example, the molecular machinery that allows plants to use light for energy involves a host of genes and proteins that are hard to synthesize and transfer to other organisms — both in the lab and naturally through evolution. 

Luckily, plants are not the only organisms that can convert light to energy.

Keeping it simple

A simpler way for organisms to use light is with rhodopsins: proteins that can convert light into energy without additional cellular machinery.

“Rhodopsins are found all over the tree of life and apparently are acquired by organisms obtaining genes from each other over evolutionary time,” says Autumn Peterson, a biology Ph.D. student working with Ratcliff and lead author of the study.

This type of genetic exchange is called horizontal gene transfer and involves sharing genetic information between organisms that aren’t closely related. Horizontal gene transfer can cause seemingly big evolutionary jumps in a short time, like how bacteria are quickly able to develop resistance to certain antibiotics. This can happen with all kinds of genetic information and is particularly common with rhodopsin proteins.

“In the process of figuring out a way to get rhodopsins into multi-celled yeast,” explains Burnetti, “we found we could learn about horizontal transfer of rhodopsins that has occurred across evolution in the past by transferring it into regular, single-celled yeast where it has never been before.”

To see if they could outfit a single-celled organism with solar-powered rhodopsin, researchers added a rhodopsin gene synthesized from a parasitic fungus to common baker’s yeast. This specific gene is coded for a form of rhodopsin that would be inserted into the cell’s vacuole, a part of the cell that, like mitochondria, can turn chemical gradients made by proteins like rhodopsin into energy. 

Equipped with vacuolar rhodopsin, the yeast grew roughly 2% faster when lit — a huge benefit in terms of evolution.

“Here we have a single gene, and we're just yanking it across contexts into a lineage that's never been a phototroph before, and it just works,” says Burnetti. “This says that it really is that easy for this kind of a system, at least sometimes, to do its job in a new organism.”

This simplicity provides key evolutionary insights and says a lot about “the ease with which rhodopsins have been able to spread across so many lineages and why that may be so,” explains Peterson, who Peterson recently received a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellowship for her work. Carina Baskett, grant writer for Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, also worked on the study.

Because vacuolar function may contribute to cellular aging, the group has also initiated collaborations to study how rhodopsins may be able to reduce aging effects in the yeast. Other researchers are already starting to use similar new, solar-powered yeast to study advancing bioproduction, which could mark big improvements for things like synthesizing biofuels.

Ratcliff and his group, however, are mostly keen to explore how this added benefit could impact the single-celled yeast’s journey to a multicellular organism. 

“We have this beautiful model system of simple multicellularity,” says Burnetti, referring to the long-running Multicellularity Long-Term Evolution Experiment (MuLTEE). “We want to give it phototrophy and see how it changes its evolution.”

Citation: Peterson et al., 2024, Current Biology 34, 1–7.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.044 


 

]]> adavidson38 1 1704997489 2024-01-11 18:24:49 1707410593 2024-02-08 16:43:13 0 0 news Researchers in Georgia Tech’s School of Biological Sciences have engineered one of the world's first yeast cells able to turn light into usable metabolic energy, giving a glimpse into how this trait may have been passed between organisms across evolution — and how it could be synthesized to advance our understanding of biofuel production and cellular aging.

]]> 2024-01-12T00:00:00-05:00 2024-01-12T00:00:00-05:00 2024-01-12 00:00:00 Audra Davidson
Communications Officer II, College of Sciences
davidson.audra@gatech.edu

]]> 672738 672739 672751 672750 672738 image <![CDATA[Green rhodopsin proteins inside the blue cell walls help these yeast grow faster when exposed to light. Photo: Anthony Burnetti, Georgia Institute of Technology.]]> Green rhodopsin proteins inside the blue cell walls help these yeast grow faster when exposed to light. Photo: Anthony Burnetti, Georgia Institute of Technology.

]]> image/jpeg 1704997508 2024-01-11 18:25:08 1704997508 2024-01-11 18:25:08 672739 image <![CDATA[Biology researchers who worked on the study include (from left to right) Assistant Professor William Ratcliff, CMDI grant writer Carina Baskett, biology Ph.D. student Autumn Peterson, and Research Scientist Anthony Burnetti. Photo: Audra Davidson]]> Biology researchers who worked on the study include (from left to right) Assistant Professor William Ratcliff, CMDI grant writer Carina Baskett, biology Ph.D. student Autumn Peterson, and Research Scientist Anthony Burnetti. Photo: Audra Davidson

]]> image/jpeg 1704997748 2024-01-11 18:29:08 1704997748 2024-01-11 18:29:08 672751 image <![CDATA[Biology Ph.D. student Autumn Peterson, the study's lead author, looks at yeast cells with Research Scientist Anthony Burnetti, the study's corresponding author, in the lab. (Photo: Audra Davidson)]]> Biology Ph.D. student Autumn Peterson, the study's lead author, looks at yeast cells with Research Scientist Anthony Burnetti, the study's corresponding author, in the lab. (Photo: Audra Davidson)

]]> image/jpeg 1705077426 2024-01-12 16:37:06 1705077426 2024-01-12 16:37:06 672750 image <![CDATA[William Ratcliff, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, chats with Carina Baskett, grant writer for Georgia Tech's Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection. Ratcliff's group led the study. (Photo: Audra Davidson)]]> William Ratcliff, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, chats with Carina Baskett, grant writer for Georgia Tech's Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection. Ratcliff's group led the study. (Photo: Audra Davidson)

]]> image/jpeg 1705077367 2024-01-12 16:36:07 1705077367 2024-01-12 16:36:07 <![CDATA[A Journey to the Origins of Multicellular Life: Long-Term Experimental Evolution in the Lab]]> <![CDATA[Graduate Student and Advisor Pair Awarded HHMI Gilliam Fellowship]]> <![CDATA[Sciences Scholars Named University Center of Exemplary Mentoring Program Fellows]]> <![CDATA[Researchers Leverage AI to Develop Early Diagnostic Test for Ovarian Cancer]]> 34434 For over three decades, a highly accurate early diagnostic test for ovarian cancer has eluded physicians. Now, scientists in the Georgia Tech Integrated Cancer Research Center (ICRC) have combined machine learning with information on blood metabolites to develop a new test able to detect ovarian cancer with 93 percent accuracy among samples from the team’s study group.

John McDonald, professor emeritus in the School of Biological Sciences, founding director of the ICRC, and the study’s corresponding author, explains that the new test’s accuracy is better in detecting ovarian cancer than existing tests for women clinically classified as normal, with a particular improvement in detecting early-stage ovarian disease in that cohort.

The team’s results and methodologies are detailed in a new paper, “A Personalized Probabilistic Approach to Ovarian Cancer Diagnostics,” published in the March 2024 online issue of the medical journal Gynecologic Oncology. Based on their computer models, the researchers have developed what they believe will be a more clinically useful approach to ovarian cancer diagnosis — whereby a patient’s individual metabolic profile can be used to assign a more accurate probability of the presence or absence of the disease.

“This personalized, probabilistic approach to cancer diagnostics is more clinically informative and accurate than traditional binary (yes/no) tests,” McDonald says. “It represents a promising new direction in the early detection of ovarian cancer, and perhaps other cancers as well.”

The study co-authors also include Dongjo Ban, a Bioinformatics Ph.D. student in McDonald’s lab; Research Scientists Stephen N. Housley, Lilya V. Matyunina, and L.DeEtte (Walker) McDonald; Regents’ Professor Jeffrey Skolnick, who also serves as Mary and Maisie Gibson Chair in the School of Biological Sciences and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Computational Systems Biology; and two collaborating physicians: University of North Carolina Professor Victoria L. Bae-Jump and Ovarian Cancer Institute of Atlanta Founder and Chief Executive Officer Benedict B. Benigno. Members of the research team are forming a startup to transfer and commercialize the technology, and plan to seek requisite trials and FDA approval for the test.

Silent killer

Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the silent killer because the disease is typically asymptomatic when it first arises — and is usually not detected until later stages of development, when it is difficult to treat.

McDonald explains that while the average five-year survival rate for late-stage ovarian cancer patients, even after treatment, is around 31 percent — but that if ovarian cancer is detected and treated early, the average five-year survival rate is more than 90 percent.

“Clearly, there is a tremendous need for an accurate early diagnostic test for this insidious disease,” McDonald says.

And although development of an early detection test for ovarian cancer has been vigorously pursued for more than three decades, the development of early, accurate diagnostic tests has proven elusive. Because cancer begins on the molecular level, McDonald explains, there are multiple possible pathways capable of leading to even the same cancer type.

“Because of this high-level molecular heterogeneity among patients, the identification of a single universal diagnostic biomarker of ovarian cancer has not been possible,” McDonald says. “For this reason, we opted to use a branch of artificial intelligence — machine learning — to develop an alternative probabilistic approach to the challenge of ovarian cancer diagnostics.”

Metabolic profiles

Georgia Tech co-author Dongjo Ban, whose thesis research contributed to the study, explains that “because end-point changes on the metabolic level are known to be reflective of underlying changes operating collectively on multiple molecular levels, we chose metabolic profiles as the backbone of our analysis.”

“The set of human metabolites is a collective measure of the health of cells,” adds coauthor Jeffrey Skolnick, “and by not arbitrarily choosing any subset in advance, one lets the artificial intelligence figure out which are the key players for a given individual.”

Mass spectrometry can identify the presence of metabolites in the blood by detecting their mass and charge signatures. However, Ban says, the precise chemical makeup of a metabolite requires much more extensive characterization.

Ban explains that because the precise chemical composition of less than seven percent of the metabolites circulating in human blood have, thus far, been chemically characterized, it is currently impossible to accurately pinpoint the specific molecular processes contributing to an individual's metabolic profile.

However, the research team recognized that, even without knowing the precise chemical make-up of each individual metabolite, the mere presence of different metabolites in the blood of different individuals, as detected by mass spectrometry, can be incorporated as features in the building of accurate machine learning-based predictive models (similar to the use of individual facial features in the building of facial pattern recognition algorithms).

“Thousands of metabolites are known to be circulating in the human bloodstream, and they can be readily and accurately detected by mass spectrometry and combined with machine learning to establish an accurate ovarian cancer diagnostic,” Ban says.

A new probabilistic approach

The researchers developed their integrative approach by combining metabolomic profiles and machine learning-based classifiers to establish a diagnostic test with 93 percent accuracy when tested on 564 women from Georgia, North Carolina, Philadelphia and Western Canada. 431 of the study participants were active ovarian cancer patients, and while the remaining 133 women in the study did not have ovarian cancer.

Further studies have been initiated to study the possibility that the test is able to detect very early-stage disease in women displaying no clinical symptoms, McDonald says.

McDonald anticipates a clinical future where a person with a metabolic profile that falls within a score range that makes cancer highly unlikely would only require yearly monitoring. But someone with a metabolic score that lies in a range where a majority (say, 90%) have previously been diagnosed with ovarian cancer would likely be monitored more frequently — or perhaps immediately referred for advanced screening.

Citation: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.12.030

Funding

This research was funded by the Ovarian Cancer Institute (Atlanta), the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, the Deborah Nash Endowment Fund, Northside Hospital (Atlanta), and the Mark Light Integrated Cancer Research Student Fellowship.

Disclosure

Study co-authors John McDonald, Stephen N. Housley, Jeffrey Skolnick, and Benedict B. Benigno are the co-founders of MyOncoDx, Inc., formed to support further research, technology transfer, and commercialization for the team’s new clinical tool for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1706553383 2024-01-29 18:36:23 1707343121 2024-02-07 21:58:41 0 0 news The Georgia Tech Integrated Cancer Research Center has combined machine learning with information on blood metabolites to develop a new early diagnostic test that detects ovarian cancer with 93 percent accuracy. The team’s results are detailed in the medical journal Gynecologic Oncology.

]]> 2024-01-29T00:00:00-05:00 2024-01-29T00:00:00-05:00 2024-01-29 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

 

]]> 672894 672894 image <![CDATA[Micrograph of a mucinous ovarian tumor (Photo National Institutes of Health)]]> Micrograph of a mucinous ovarian tumor (Photo National Institutes of Health)

]]> image/jpeg 1706553548 2024-01-29 18:39:08 1706553548 2024-01-29 18:39:08 <![CDATA[Diagnosing the “Silent Killer”: AI Tackles Early Stage Ovarian Cancer]]> <![CDATA[Machine Learning–Based Classifier Accurately Identifies Ovarian Cancer]]> <![CDATA[Physics to Host Climate Talk with Former U.S. Secretary of Energy, Nobel Laureate ]]> 34528 On April 26, 2023, the School of Physics and College of Sciences at Georgia Tech will welcome Stanford University physicist Steven Chu to speak on climate change and innovative paths towards a more sustainable future. Chu is the 1997 co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, and in his former role as U.S. Secretary of Energy, became the first scientist to hold a U.S. Cabinet position.

About the Talk

The event is part of the School of Physics “Inquiring Minds” public lecture series, and will be held at the Ferst Center for the Arts. The talk is free and open to campus and the Atlanta community, and no RSVP is required. Refreshments begin at 4:30, and the lecture will start at 5 p.m. ET.

“The multiple industrial and agricultural revolutions have transformed the world,” Chu recently shared in an abstract for the lecture. “However, an unintended consequence of this progress is that we are changing the climate of our planet. In addition to the climate risks, we will need to provide enough clean energy, water, and food for a more prosperous world that may grow to 11 billion by 2100.” 

The talk will discuss the significant technical challenges and potential solutions that could provide better paths to a more sustainable future. “How we transition from where we are now to where we need to be within 50 years is arguably the most pressing set of issues that science, innovation, and public policy have to address,” Chu added. 

The event’s faculty host is Daniel Goldman, Dunn Family Professor in the School of Physics at Georgia Tech.

About Steven Chu

Steven Chu is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Physics and a professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology in the Medical School at Stanford University.

Chu served as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Energy from January 2009 until the end of April 2013. As the first scientist to hold a U.S. Cabinet position and the longest serving Energy Secretary, Chu led several initiatives including ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy), the Energy Innovation Hubs, and was personally tasked by President Obama to assist in the Deepwater Horizon oil leak.

In the spring of 2010, Chu was the keynote speaker for the Georgia Tech Ph.D. and Master's Commencement Ceremony.

Prior to his cabinet post, Chu was director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he was active in pursuit of alternative and renewable energy technologies, and a professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Stanford, where he helped launch Bio-X, a multi-disciplinary institute combining the physical and biological sciences with medicine and engineering. Previously he also served as head of the Quantum Electronics Research Department at AT&T Bell Laboratories.

He is the co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to laser cooling and atom trapping. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Pontifical Academy Sciences, and of seven foreign academies. He formerly served as president, and then chair of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Chu earned an A.B. degree in mathematics and a B.S. degree in physics from the University of Rochester, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley, as well as 35 honorary degrees.

He has published over 280 papers in atomic and polymer physics, biophysics, biology, bio-imaging, batteries, and other energy technologies. He holds 15 patents, and an additional 15 patent disclosures or filings since 2015.

 

]]> jhunt7 1 1682030804 2023-04-20 22:46:44 1707144642 2024-02-05 14:50:42 0 0 news Physicist Steven Chu was the first person appointed to the U.S. Cabinet after having won a Nobel Prize — and the first scientist to hold a Cabinet position. On April 26, he will deliver a public lecture at Georgia Tech on climate change and innovative paths towards a more sustainable future.

]]> 2023-04-20T00:00:00-04:00 2023-04-20T00:00:00-04:00 2023-04-20 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 670596 670597 670596 image <![CDATA[Steven Chu (Credit: Imke Lass/Redux)]]> image/jpeg 1682031580 2023-04-20 22:59:40 1682031580 2023-04-20 22:59:40 670597 image <![CDATA[Steven Chu (Credit: Larry Downing/Reuters)]]> image/jpeg 1682031622 2023-04-20 23:00:22 1682031622 2023-04-20 23:00:22 <![CDATA[ SDG Week Highlights Sustainable Development Goals ]]> 27713 Sustainable Development Goals Action and Awareness Week 2023 is March 6 – 10. The campus community is invited to participate in a variety of events that increase awareness of and encourage actions that advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They address the world’s most monumental challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and peace and justice. Some of the objectives are improved industry, innovation, and infrastructure; affordable and clean energy; and sustainable cities and communities. The SDGs appear by name in the Institute’s strategic plan as long-term goals that should guide teaching, research, and operations.

SDG Action and Awareness Week 2023 will focus primarily on SDG13: Climate Action and intersecting SDGs. Georgia Tech strives to be a leader in climate action across the Institute in operations, education, research, and economic development, and the development of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan is underway. President Ángel Cabrera encourages the Tech community to participate in virtual and in-person climate action events throughout the week.

On Thursday, March 9, at 8:30 a.m., Cabrera will convene a panel of faculty to discuss climate action. Joining him will be: Marilyn Brown, Regents’ Professor and the Brook Byers Professor of Sustainable Systems in the School of Public Policy; Andrea Calmon, assistant professor in the Scheller College of Business and faculty fellow in the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems; Tim Liewen, Regents’ Professor, David S. Lewis Chair, and executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute; and Brian Stone, professor in the School of City and Regional Planning and director of the Urban Climate Lab.

The panel is a hybrid event, with remote or in-person participation (at the Scholars Event Network Theater in Price Gilbert Library). RSVP here.

Other events during the week include a Green Cleaning DIY Workshop through the Office of Sustainability, a Social Impact Careers Alumni Panel through the Alumni Association, a Community Market through Auxiliary Services, a session on How to Afford Study Abroad and SDG Interactive Art Hours through the Office of International Education, a Seminar on Race and Gender through the Black Feminist Think Tank and the School of History and Sociology, two micro-workshops on aligning course objectives with the SDGs through the Center for Teaching and Learning and Serve-Learn-Sustain, a Corporate Carbon Accounting panel through Scheller College of Business, an information session and ice cream social through the EcoCar Vertically Integrated Project team, and a Climate Action Plan Stakeholder Engagement Session through the Office of Sustainability. View a listing of the week’s events for details and registration.

SDG Action and Awareness Week is part of a larger global effort through the University Global Coalition (UGC), which Cabrera chairs and helped found. The UGC is comprised of higher education leaders from around the world who work to advance the SDGs through education, research, service, and campus operations.

SDG Action and Awareness Week is an annual event occurring in early March. To collaborate next year, contact Drew Cutright, Office of Strategic Consulting.

]]> Victor Rogers 1 1677699838 2023-03-01 19:43:58 1707144640 2024-02-05 14:50:40 0 0 news The campus community is invited to participate in a variety of events that increase awareness of and encourage actions that advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

]]> 2023-03-01T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-01T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-01 00:00:00 Victor Rogers

Institute Communications

]]> 655723 655723 image <![CDATA[Celebrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Action and Awareness Week]]> image/png 1645637834 2022-02-23 17:37:14 1645637834 2022-02-23 17:37:14 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Launches Climate Action Planning Process]]> <![CDATA[From Idea to Action: How UN Sustainable Development Goals Come to Life in IAC]]> <![CDATA[Aligning Tech’s Education Abroad Programs with United Nations SDGs]]> <![CDATA[Sustainability Next]]> <![CDATA[Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems]]> <![CDATA[Strategic Energy Institute]]> <![CDATA[Urban Climate Lab]]> <![CDATA[Climate and Energy Policy Laboratory]]> <![CDATA[United Nations Greater Atlanta Regional Centre of Expertise ]]> <![CDATA[Reports From the Future Symposium Wrapup]]> <![CDATA[Striving to Power the World Sustainably: A Spotlight on Bo Quick (IE ’93)]]> <![CDATA[Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grants Will Transform Courses in All Six Colleges]]> 34528 One of the Institute Strategic Plan (ISP) goals is to connect globally and amplify impact by contributing “to global collaborative efforts that advance the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our education, research, and service.” In response, Sustainability Next developed a plan to expand SDG concept and skill integration across the undergraduate curriculum. In support of the plan, 21 projects representing all six colleges and 15 schools were presented at the Undergraduate Sustainability Education Jamboree, held on April 26 in the Kendeda Building auditorium. With many winning projects featuring high enrollment and core courses, this first round of sustainability education “seed grants” will significantly expand the reach of Georgia Tech’s sustainability-across-the-curriculum initiatives.

“Our Strategic Plan commitment to bring the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our teaching is part of our vision for transformative teaching and learning more broadly,” explains Larry Jacobs, Senior Vice Provost for Education and Learning. “Helping students identify connections between disciplinary concepts and skills and complex societal challenges enhances learning and supports Georgia Tech’s mission to equip students to improve the human condition.”

The Jamboree featured lightning presentations from the award winners, as well as presentations about related initiatives at Georgia Tech to help instructors, students, and staff better understand the landscape of sustainability education innovation on campus. Instructors engaged in course design or re-design through the awards will have opportunities to collaborate with and learn from their peers through a Community of Practice on Transformative Teaching with the SDGs and a SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) research group. Many began identifying potential collaborators at the event, as they heard from other award winners. “The afternoon of lightning presentations by fellow faculty was exhilarating,” Sabir Khan, Associate Professor, Schools of Industrial Design and Architecture, shared. “I came away impressed and excited at the range of projects and have already invited a few instructors to join my class in the fall to discuss their approaches to tackling the UN SDGs."

Presenter Kate Williams, Interim Director, Transformative Teaching and Learning, Faculty Initiatives, shared connections between the Sustainability Innovation Awards and Georgia Tech’s Transformative Teaching and Learning (TTL) strategic initiative. “The success of the first round of Sustainability Education Innovation Grants demonstrates our faculty's commitment to creating innovative experiential learning opportunities for students,” Dr. Williams noted.

For more information about future award opportunities or the communities of practice described above, please contact Jennifer Leavey (Assistant Dean for Faculty Mentoring, College of Sciences) or Rebecca Watts Hull (Assistant Director, Faculty Development for Sustainability Education Initiatives, Center for Teaching and Learning).

Review all 21 awarded Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation projects.

]]> jhunt7 1 1684182413 2023-05-15 20:26:53 1707144545 2024-02-05 14:49:05 0 0 news One of the Institute Strategic Plan (ISP) goals is to connect globally and amplify impact by contributing “to global collaborative efforts that advance the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our education, research, and service.” In response, Sustainability Next developed a plan to expand SDG concept and skill integration across the undergraduate curriculum. In support of the plan, 21 projects representing all six colleges and 15 schools were presented at the Undergraduate Sustainability Education Jamboree, held on April 26 in the Kendeda Building auditorium. With many winning projects featuring high enrollment and core courses, this first round of sustainability education “seed grants” will significantly expand the reach of Georgia Tech’s sustainability-across-the-curriculum initiatives.

]]> 2023-05-04T00:00:00-04:00 2023-05-04T00:00:00-04:00 2023-05-04 00:00:00 670763 670764 670765 670763 image <![CDATA[Borelo Jamboree]]> image/jpeg 1683305309 2023-05-05 16:48:29 1683305353 2023-05-05 16:49:13 670764 image <![CDATA[Moon Jamboree]]> image/jpeg 1683305309 2023-05-05 16:48:29 1683305378 2023-05-05 16:49:38 670765 image <![CDATA[Urmanbetova Jamboree]]> image/jpeg 1683305309 2023-05-05 16:48:29 1683305400 2023-05-05 16:50:00 <![CDATA[Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation projects]]> <![CDATA[Center for Teaching & Learning]]> <![CDATA[Creating the Tools to Conserve Our Wildlife]]> 34602 The sixth mass extinction is currently happening on Earth. Rapid biodiversity loss is affecting every corner of the globe, as species of plants, mammals, fish, and reptiles disappear due to the changing climate. While much of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss looks grim, a group of researchers has recently highlighted some of the newest tools being used to address it.

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart have published a perspectives piece on the different tools used throughout the world that are aiding in the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity.

They highlight advances in technology, including both hardware and software, as well as frugal resources that are changing the way animals are protected. The research was published in the Journal of The Royal Society Interface in August.  

“We are experiencing technological advancements of low-cost hardware, open-source software, machine learning, and more that can help with global conservation efforts,” said Andrew Schulz, postdoctoral researcher in the haptic intelligence department at Max Planck Institute and recent Ph.D. graduate from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. “For researchers and people interested in learning about the ways conservation technology and tools are created, this piece serves as a starter guide to the field.”

In the article, the researchers presented five case studies of conservation tools, including open-source innovation, environmental DNA, computer vision, game theory and optimization, and frugal technology. Researchers also highlighted the importance of indigenous design in these conservation tool interventions and warned not to employ toxic practices, such as colonization of conservation or parasitic conservation. These practices take advantage of native lands, where conservationists refuse to work with local or indigenous populations and often do not cite or credit their help or expertise.    

One case study looked at AudioMoth, a device that allows low-cost access to bioacoustics research. Recently, an AudioMoth was paired with an animal observation tower to track bird migrations over Georgia Tech’s campus. AudioMoth can also monitor aquatic environments, like coral colonies, to assist with species identification and habitat restoration. It’s used in a wide range of fields to monitor the biodiversity of a habitat or even help with the early detection of poachers to prevent wildlife decline.

“One of the best parts about this project was working with so many excellent researchers,” Schulz said. They included Suzanne Stathatos from Caltech and the project’s co-leaders, Cassie Shriver and Benjamin Seleb, from Georgia Tech’s quantitative biosciences Ph.D. program. “As early-career researchers working together, it is great to see that the conversations about conservation tool construction are growing and being led by outstanding Ph.D. students.”

At Georgia Tech, conservation tools are constantly being built and implemented. The Tech4Wildlife student organization is working to implement conservation tech solutions, including a rabies dispenser for our campus foxes, bird monitors in the EcoCommons, and forage feeders for Zoo Atlanta’s gorillas.

"I'm proud to see Cassie, Ben, and Andrew collaborating across fields and institutions to move conservation technology forward, and it inspires me about the future of conservation science,” said William Ratcliff, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences and director of the quantitative biosciences program.

CITATION: Conservation tools: the next generation of engineering–biology collaborations Andrew K. Schulz., Cassie Shriver, Suzanne Stathatos, and Benjamin Seleb et. Al, Journal of The Royal Society InterfaceVolume 20, Issue 205. Published:16 August 2023. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2023.0232

]]> Georgia Parmelee 1 1694027244 2023-09-06 19:07:24 1707144335 2024-02-05 14:45:35 0 0 news Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart have published a perspectives piece on the different tools used throughout the world aiding in the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity.

]]> 2023-09-06T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-06T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-06 00:00:00 Georgia Parmelee | georgia.parmelee@gatech.edu

]]> 671621 671620 671621 image <![CDATA[audiomoth]]> An AudioMoth device in leafy environment. Photo credit: Andrew Hill.

]]> image/jpeg 1694027458 2023-09-06 19:10:58 1694027555 2023-09-06 19:12:35 671620 image <![CDATA[schulz and team]]> Anika Patka, Andrew Schulz, and Cassie Shriver (L-R)

]]> image/jpeg 1694027369 2023-09-06 19:09:29 1694027447 2023-09-06 19:10:47 <![CDATA[As Temperatures Climb, Flying Insects Slower to Migrate to Cooler Elevations]]> 34528 This story by Jennifer Woodruff is shared jointly with the University of Colorado Denver.

In response to rising global temperatures, many plants and animals are moving to higher elevations to survive in cooler temperatures. But a new study from the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) and Georgia Tech finds that for flying insects — including bees and moths — this escape route may have insurmountable issues that could mean their doom.

The research team examined more than 800 species of insects from around the world and discovered that many winged insects are moving to higher elevations much slower than their non-flying counterparts. This is because the thinner air at higher elevations provides less oxygen for species to use. Because flight requires more oxygen to generate energy for movement than other styles of movement, such as walking, these species are migrating more slowly. 

The team’s findings were published in this week’s Nature Climate Change journal. Jesse Shaich, postbaccalaureate student at CU Denver, is also a member of the research team.

“When we think about where species will be able to live under climate change in the coming decades, we need to remember that animals are sensitive to more than just how hot or cold they are,” said CU Denver Assistant Professor of Integrated Biology Michael Moore, who led the study. 

Declining insect biodiversity has direct impact on humans

If flying insects’ native habitats get too warm too quickly, and they can’t find a suitable alternative or adapt in time, that will likely lead to their extinction. Beyond just being bad for the bugs themselves, loss of insects is bad news for humans as well. Most crop pollinators are the flying species the researchers expect to be vulnerable, and their extinction would be catastrophic to global food supply. Not only would this have implications for agriculture and food supply chains, but similar challenges are likely true for other species that need a lot of oxygen to live.

“Our earth’s biodiversity is rapidly declining, especially amongst insects. The global loss of insects will be ecologically catastrophic, so we urgently need to understand why and how this is happening,” said James Stroud, assistant professor of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech.

Broadening research on high elevation challenges

To conserve as many species as possible, researchers need to grasp the full scope of challenges plants and animals face, whether they can overcome these challenges, and to predict the locations where they can survive. High elevation environments are also difficult for new species because of the scarcity of food, stronger winds, more extreme cold snaps, and increased ultraviolet radiation.

Moore concludes, “If we want to design effective conservation strategies, we must consider a broader range of environmental factors that species need to live.” 

 

 

About Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the U.S., developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its more than 45,000 undergraduate and graduate students, representing 50 states and more than 148 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.

About the University of Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado Denver is the state’s premier public urban research university and equity-serving institution. Globally connected and locally invested, CU Denver partners with future-focused learners and communities to design accessible, relevant, and transformative educational experiences for every stage of life and career. Across seven schools and colleges in the heart of downtown Denver, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges through boundary-breaking innovation, impactful research, and creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. For more information, visit ucdenver.edu.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01794-2

Acknowledgments: Support was generously provided by the University of Colorado Denver (to M.P.M. and J.S.) and Washington University in St. Louis and the Georgia Institute of Technology (to J.T.S.). Conversations with J. de Mayo, J. Grady and A. Lenard and input from three reviewers improved this study.

]]> jhunt7 1 1694467654 2023-09-11 21:27:34 1707144247 2024-02-05 14:44:07 0 0 news In response to changing climates, many plants and animals are moving to higher elevations, seeking cooler temperatures. But a new study from Georgia Tech and the University of Colorado Denver finds that flying insects like bees and moths may struggle with insurmountable issues to this escape route.

]]> 2023-09-11T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-11T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-11 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech
jess@cos.gatech.edu

Jennifer Woodruff
Director of Public Relations & Integrated Media
University of Colorado Denver
Jennifer.Woodruff@ucdenver.edu
+1 (303) 315-0283

]]> 671675 671675 image <![CDATA[A close up of bees flying into a hive on the CU Denver campus.]]> A close up of bees flying into a hive on the CU Denver campus.

]]> image/jpeg 1694467660 2023-09-11 21:27:40 1694467660 2023-09-11 21:27:40 <![CDATA[Janelle Dunlap Turns Beekeeping Into Art ]]> 36418 Hundreds of thousands of honeybees make their home atop The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, and it's up to Janelle Dunlap to make sure the hives thrive.  

Dunlap was hired earlier this year as the Urban Honey Bee Project's (UHBP) first-ever beekeeper in residence. Throughout her residency, she'll conduct research into the pollinator's place in our ecosystem and how beekeeping may offer relief to veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while connecting with the bees through art.  

Dunlap had been gardening for over a decade, but in 2016, when she got the urge to find new ways to engage with nature, she recalled a powerful piece of imagery that shaped her childhood — Wu-Tang Clan's music video for “Triumph” and its depiction of the group's members as a powerful swarm of Africanized killer bees.  

"The political messaging and tying Africanized killer bees in with the stereotypes and the tropes of African Americans in the media, and the way that that was so poetically tied in, visually stuck with me,” she said. “It was the first time I recognized a political message being articulated through art. For that reason, it stuck with me that bees were a form of strong symbolism tied to resilience." 

Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dunlap became a certified beekeeper under the Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association in 2017. She continued practicing as she moved around the country, with stops in Chicago and Denver, eventually landing in Atlanta in 2021. Looking for a way to connect to the local beekeeping community, she attended an April presentation by UHBP Director Jennifer Leavey, who offered Dunlap a chance to get involved at Georgia Tech.  

She now handles the inspection of the hives on The Kendeda Building roof, where she monitors for pests and ensures the bees have proper nutrition to sustain their population through the seasons. The UHBP began in 2012 with the goal of educating the Tech community on the importance of these pollinators within the Atlanta ecosystem and beyond — a charge that Dunlap carries on.  

Over the next year, she will continue working on her sound art project that examines the frequency at which bees “buzz” and how it, along with the responsibilities of beekeeping, is being used by VA hospitals and programs to ease the effects of PTSD. While the science behind the connection is still being explored, beekeeping was recommended more than a century ago — to soldiers returning home from World War I — according to a CNBC profile of Bees4Vets, a nonprofit based in Nevada.  

From the Hive to the Canvas 

Whether it was baking sourdough bread or learning a new language, many people, including Dunlap, took the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic to pick up a new hobby. She began a master's program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with the goal of using beeswax in encaustic painting, which uses hot wax mixed with pigments. The use of natural materials collected through her beekeeping practice connects Dunlap to her work.  

“It's a way of tapping into another level of consciousness. It's a way of articulating the noncommunicable relationship between me and the bees. When there's a language gap between people, we try to fill it in with translation, but without a direct way to translate the language or the sensation that I feel from the bees, this allows me to document my practice in an abstract form,” she said.  

By layering the wax and applying heat throughout the process, Dunlap watches the pieces take shape, often with the unpredictability of an active hive, as she says the art “can create itself.” She collects the wax in small amounts, knowing that she can only produce her art if the bees are healthy.  

"It's an eco-conscious practice, making sure I don't use more than I need," she explained. “I love the landscape it creates, and it's all about me creating a direct relationship with my medium and knowing that I earned it by developing a relationship with the bees." 

As Dunlap continues her year-long residency with the UHBP, she intends to help educate the community, both on campus and around the Atlanta area, in the hopes that more prospective beekeepers will explore their curiosity to unlock the full potential of the practice. 

"It's been a practice that keeps unveiling itself to me," she said. "As you get more engaged, you learn there is so much more to it than just the day-to-day hive inspections. There is a lot of beauty to it as well." 

Students at Tech have several ways to get involved with research and beekeeping, including the Living Building Science VIP team, the Beekeeping Club, and various classes and workshops hosted by the UHBP. 

]]> sgagliano3 1 1698673929 2023-10-30 13:52:09 1707142721 2024-02-05 14:18:41 0 0 news The Urban Honey Bee Project’s new beekeeper in residence is creating art and educating the public with her practice.  

]]> 2023-10-30T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-30T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-30 00:00:00 Steven Gagliano - Institute Communications 

]]> 672208 672210 672212 672208 video <![CDATA[Janelle Dunlap Turns Beekeeping Into Art]]> The Urban Honey Bee Project’s new beekeeper in residence is creating art and educating the public with her practice.

]]> 1698676668 2023-10-30 14:37:48 1698676668 2023-10-30 14:37:48 672210 image <![CDATA[Georgia Tech's Janelle Dunlap conducts a hive inspection at the The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design. ]]> Janelle Dunlap conducts a hive inspection at The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design. Photo by Allison Carter.

]]> image/jpeg 1698676881 2023-10-30 14:41:21 1698676881 2023-10-30 14:41:21 672212 image <![CDATA[Janelle Dunlap Profile]]> Janelle Dunlap is the new beekeeper in residence for Georgia Tech's Urban Honey Bee Project. Photo by Allison Carter.

]]> image/jpeg 1698677006 2023-10-30 14:43:26 1698677006 2023-10-30 14:43:26 <![CDATA[The Georgia Tech Urban Honey Bee Project]]> <![CDATA[If We Could Walk Like The Animals: Scientists and Engineers Host Biomechanics Day at Zoo Atlanta]]> 34434 For STEAM enthusiasts across Atlanta, the month of March is a highlight of the year for one big reason: the Atlanta Science Festival. Learn more about all Georgia Tech-organized Festival events here.

Scientists and engineers study animal movements for clues on ways to improve lives for humans, such as designing better prosthetics or terrain-conquering robots. But that doesn’t mean fun can’t be a part of the research as well — as in asking kids to see how long they can stand on one leg a la flamingos.

That was the energy on display Saturday, March 11, for Animals in Motion: Biomechanics Day at Zoo Atlanta, part of the 2023 Atlanta Science Festival. With help from biomechanics researchers from Georgia Tech, Clemson University, and the University of Akron, visitors gathered at several demonstration booths around the Zoo to learn more about wildlife and work exploring animal biomechanics.

Joe Mendelson, adjunct professor in the School of Biological Sciences, is also director of Research for Zoo Atlanta. Mendelson says a Biomechanics Day was first scheduled for 2020 but ran headlong into the beginnings of the pandemic. 

“Finally, we get to assemble our colleagues and highlight their fun and innovative projects,” he said, adding that the Atlanta Science Festival is the perfect place to attract researchers studying biomechanics of creatures as different as snakes, elephants, centipedes, and humans, as well. 

There are many benefits to knowing more about animal locomotion. “Allowing people to see and understand familiar animals through a different light and comparing, for example, their locomotion to your own can be an effective way to generate interest and caring about animals by people,” Mendelson said.

Zoo Atlanta frequently collaborates with biomechanics researchers across Georgia's Tech's College of Sciences and College of Engineering. Animals in Motion: Biomechanics Day highlighted those labs and their various projects, as well as other labs from around the country that are doing similar research.

One of those researchers, Greg Sawicki, associate professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Biological Sciences, used ultrasound imaging to give Zoo Atlanta visitors an “under the skin” look at how animal and human muscles work together with tendons to move the body. 

“We will look at, and compare, calf muscles and the Achilles tendon in the leg with the biceps and biceps tendon in the arm,” Sawicki said. “Zoo visitors will be able to see for themselves the wide variety of structural features of muscle-tendon systems, ranging from short muscles and long compliant tendons for the calf to long muscles and short stiff tendons.”

Sawicki hoped his audience learned that different structural features of muscle-tendon systems “may have unique functional benefits in the wild — and an animal’s limb design may be specifically adapted for their environmental niche.”

Simon Sponberg, Dunn Family Associate Professor in the Schools of Physics and Biological Sciences, wasn't able to bring the live animals he works with — hawk moths — to the Animal Biomechanics Day. “It’s for a variety of reasons, but mostly that they don’t fly much during the day,” Sponberg said. But visitors to Sponberg’s booth explored different insect wing shapes to see how they help moths and other insects move. 

“What we want students to get out of it is that there are many different forms and functions a ‘wing’ can take,” he added. “So we want people to learn how we can use experiments to understand the link between structure, function, and performance, especially in flight.”

At another section of Zoo Atlanta, adults and kids spent their time trying to balance on just one leg. It’s unclear if any of the nearby flamingos were impressed with the results, but Young-Hui Chang, professor and associate chair for Faculty Development in the School of Biological Sciences, says the balancing act is much easier for flamingos.

“They have to deal with the same physical challenges to stand in a stable way,” Chang said. “Biology tells us that, as vertebrates, flamingos are starting with many of the same muscles and bones of the leg that humans have. But, flamingos have evolved a way to use their limbs such that they can sleep standing on one leg with minimal involvement of the muscles, which would be impossible for us humans to do.”

Chang studies flamingo biomechanics for the sheer sake of gaining knowledge about how nature works. But he adds that there are practical applications to the research. “One that has already been used by roboticists is the development of a ‘flamingo bot’ that uses the principles we’ve discovered in the flamingo leg to help the robot conserve energy,” Chang said.

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1677704815 2023-03-01 21:06:55 1706800441 2024-02-01 15:14:01 0 0 news On Saturday, March 11, scientists and engineers shared their biomechanics work with snakes, elephants, monkeys, flamingos, and other wildlife as part of the "Animals in Motion: Biomechanics Day at Zoo Atlanta" during the 2023 Atlanta Science Festival.

]]> 2023-03-03T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-03T00:00:00-05:00 2023-03-03 00:00:00 Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

]]> 670385 670386 670387 670388 670385 image <![CDATA[Hank Zapple, 7, demonstrates how flamingos stand on one leg at Zoo Atlanta during the Atlanta Science Festival. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> Hank Zapple, 7, demonstrates how flamingos crouch to stand on one leg at Zoo Atlanta during the Atlanta Science Festival. (Photo Renay San Miguel)

]]> image/jpeg 1680269486 2023-03-31 13:31:26 1680269486 2023-03-31 13:31:26 670386 image <![CDATA[Wells Jackson, 6, watches an ultrasound image of his muscles at Zoo Atlanta during the Atlanta Science Festival. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> Wells Jackson, 6, watches an ultrasound image of his muscles at Zoo Atlanta during the Atlanta Science Festival. (Photo Renay San Miguel)

]]> image/jpeg 1680269710 2023-03-31 13:35:10 1680269710 2023-03-31 13:35:10 670387 image <![CDATA[Journee Posey, 4, mimics an elephant painting with its trunk during Animal Biomechanics Day at Zoo Atlanta. (Photo Renay San Miguel). ]]> Journee Posey, 4, mimics an elephant painting with its trunk during Animal Biomechanics Day at Zoo Atlanta. (Photo Renay San Miguel).

]]> image/jpeg 1680269952 2023-03-31 13:39:12 1680269952 2023-03-31 13:39:12 670388 image <![CDATA[A Zoo Atlanta guest keeps her eye on an elephant during the Atlanta Science Festival. (Photo Renay San Miguel)]]> A Zoo Atlanta guest keeps her eye on an elephant during the Atlanta Science Festival. (Photo Renay San Miguel).

]]> image/jpeg 1680270457 2023-03-31 13:47:37 1680270457 2023-03-31 13:47:37 <![CDATA[Atlanta Science Festival]]> <![CDATA[Simple Linking of Units Gives Legged Robots New Way to Navigate Difficult Terrain]]> <![CDATA[Season 1, Episode 6: There’s a Moth in My Video Game!]]> <![CDATA[How An Elephant’s Trunk Manipulates Air to Eat and Drink]]> <![CDATA[Snake Micro Scales Reveal Secrets of Sidewinding and Slithering]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Courses Spotlight UN Sustainable Development Goals]]> 34434 Six proposals from the College of Sciences will redesign existing courses and begin new ones to help students contribute to a sustainable world have been approved for Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grants. The proposals tie into the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

A total of 21 projects from all six Georgia Tech colleges will reach an estimated 22,500 students. The collaborative effort is focused on a key goal of the Institute’s Sustainability Next Task Force: to produce graduates who are committed to making a positive difference in their communities, their organizations, and the world.

“The overall goal is that all of our students understand the societal context for their work, as well as the scientific, environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability,” says Jennifer Leavey, assistant dean for Faculty Mentoring for the College of Sciences and co-chair of Sustainability Next.

Leavey and Rebecca Watts-Hull, assistant director of Faculty Development for Sustainability Education in the Center for Teaching and Learning, served as liaisons for the Undergraduate Sustainability Education Committee, which judged the proposals.

Leavey also coordinates College of Sciences educational programs related to science and sustainability, including the Georgia Tech Urban Honey Bee Project and the Living Building Science Vertically Integrated Project Team. 

Leavey said the UN SDGs — which ask world citizens and their governments to consider ambitious solutions to longstanding problems such as hunger, poverty, climate damage, inequality, and lack of quality healthcare — are clear and compelling. “These are things we want for a better world,” she shared. “Every field has some connection to them. And it's just a very easy framework to get behind and understand. I would love it if all Georgia Tech graduates could leave feeling well versed in that understanding, and how their work connects to it.”

The Sustainable Education Committee chose projects that impacted the greatest number of students, including classes that are required for all Georgia Tech undergraduates. 

Learn more about the College of Sciences’ six selected proposals:

Laboratory-Based Project on the Chemistry of Alternative Energy Sources

Sustainability Next: Taking a Sustainable Open-Educational Resource And SDG-ing It

Georgia Climate Project 

Urban Atlanta’s Water and Atmospheric Signatures

Developing and Enhancing Experiential Learning in a New EAS Course

Course Redesign to Implement Project-Based Learning for Social Change

On April 27, the Undergraduate Sustainability Education Committee hosted a Jamboree, which featured faculty from each Georgia Tech college that won grants — making brief presentations, and engaging in networking discussions. 

“For the College of Sciences, it's really exciting to see the connection between different disciplines,” Leavey said. “We’ve been doing work on climate and the environment for a long time, but to see the connection with sustainability work at other colleges at Georgia Tech is very gratifying.”

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1683319094 2023-05-05 20:38:14 1706800342 2024-02-01 15:12:22 0 0 news Six proposals from the College of Sciences will evolve existing courses, create new ones to include the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — a key part of Georgia Tech’s Sustainability Next initiative.


 

]]> 2023-05-08T00:00:00-04:00 2023-05-08T00:00:00-04:00 2023-05-08 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

 

]]> 670769 670778 670769 image <![CDATA[Georgia Tech researchers give presentations on their Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grants during a recent "Jamboree" in the Kendeda Building. (Photo Jess Hunt-Ralston)]]> Georgia Tech researchers give presentations on their Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grants during a recent "Jamboree" in the Kendeda Building. (Photo Jess Hunt-Ralston)

]]> image/jpeg 1683319120 2023-05-05 20:38:40 1683319120 2023-05-05 20:38:40 670778 image <![CDATA[Deborah Santos]]> image/jpeg 1683744882 2023-05-10 18:54:42 1683744882 2023-05-10 18:54:42 <![CDATA[Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grants Will Transform Courses in All Six Colleges]]> <![CDATA[School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences to Offer Three New Undergraduate Degrees — Including Interdisciplinary Environmental Science Major]]> <![CDATA[Flourishing at Georgia Tech: As Students Return to Campus, Wellness Classes Help Them Thrive]]> <![CDATA[Sciences Lands Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Grant]]> <![CDATA[Courses Explore Sustainability, Support UNs’ Sustainability Goals with New Funding]]> <![CDATA[2023 UN SDG Action and Awareness Week]]> <![CDATA[Celebrating UN Sustainable Development Goals Week: Young Minds for Healthy Lives on a Healthy Planet]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Study Abroad Program Uses Silk to Weave Together Science and Culture]]> 35575 A visit to any new country would be incomplete without exploring the local culture and history. This summer, eight Georgia Tech students did some of their exploring of Lyon, France in an unlikely place: a biology lab.

The biology, neuroscience, and biochemistry undergraduates were enrolled in a special offering of the Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory (BIOS 3451) as part of the Georgia Tech Biomolecular Engineering, Science, and Technology study abroad program in Lyon (BEST-Lyon). As it was the first time the lab was offered as part of the program, the instructors took the budding course as an opportunity to try something new, aiming to mesh the lab with the local culture surrounding them while abroad. And for Lyon, that meant incorporating silk. 

Read more about the unique experience on the College of Sciences website.

]]> adavidson38 1 1695317934 2023-09-21 17:38:54 1706800285 2024-02-01 15:11:25 0 0 news This summer, eight students in the Biomolecular Engineering, Science, and Technology study abroad program in Lyon, France (BEST-Lyon) were able to explore the rich cultural, scientific, and economic history of silk production in the city in an unlikely place: a biology lab.

]]> 2023-09-26T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-26T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-26 00:00:00 Apply to the BEST-Lyon Program

Georgia Tech undergraduates are invited to apply for the Biomolecular Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) Study Abroad Program in Lyon, France. The BEST-Lyon program combines study at Georgia Institute of Technology, the premier science and engineering institution in the southern U.S., with a summer experience at CPE-Lyon University, a university rich in history in the chemical sciences, engineering, and technology. Participants can explore the inventions of Louis Pasteur, Victor Grignard, Pierre and Marie Curie while studying in France's "second-city", Lyon.

The program is expected to run from mid-May to July, 2024. Learn more about education abroad and apply by February 15, 2024.

]]> Writer:
Audra Davidson
Communications Officer II

Contributor:
Jennifer Leavey
Assistant Dean for Faculty Mentoring

Editor and Contact:
Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 671786 671786 image <![CDATA[The students and instructors and some of the students in the BEST-Lyon program.]]> image/png 1695317942 2023-09-21 17:39:02 1695317942 2023-09-21 17:39:02 <![CDATA[BEST-Lyon, France Study Abroad Program Summer 2024]]> <![CDATA[A Taste of Science and French Culture]]> <![CDATA[Sciences Lands Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Grant]]> <![CDATA[How Insects Evolved to Ultrafast Flight (And Back) ]]> 34528 Mosquitoes are some of the fastest-flying insects. Flapping their wings more than 800 times a second, they achieve their speed because the muscles in their wings can flap faster than their nervous system can tell them to beat.

This asynchronous beating comes from how the flight muscles interact with the physics of the insect’s springy exoskeleton. This decoupling of neural commands and muscle contractions is common in only four distinct insect groups.

For years, scientists assumed these four groups evolved these ultrafast wingbeats separately, but research from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) shows that they evolved from a single common ancestor. This discovery demonstrates evolution has repeatedly turned on and off this particular mode of flight. The researchers developed physics models and robotics to test how these transitions could occur.

Read the full feature in the GT Research newsroom.

]]> jhunt7 1 1696880635 2023-10-09 19:43:55 1706800249 2024-02-01 15:10:49 0 0 news Many insects fly synchronously, matching the nervous system pulses to wing movement. But smaller insects don’t have the mechanics for this and must flap their wings harder, which works only up to a certain point. That’s where asynchronous flight comes in.

]]> 2023-10-06T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-06T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-06 00:00:00 Media Contact: Tess Malone | tess.malone@gatech.edu

]]> 671991 671991 image <![CDATA[Hawkmoth flight muscles exhibit delayed stretch activation, a hallmark of asynchronous flight. ]]> Researchers found that hawkmoth flight muscles exhibit delayed stretch activation, a hallmark of asynchronous flight.

]]> image/jpeg 1696880774 2023-10-09 19:46:14 1696880774 2023-10-09 19:46:14 <![CDATA[Meet the 2023 Class of BBISS Graduate Fellows]]> 34528

The third class of Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) Graduate Fellows has been selected.

The BBISS Graduate Fellows Program provides graduate students with enhanced training in sustainability, team science, and leadership in addition to their usual programs of study. Each 2-year fellowship is funded by a generous gift from Brook and Shawn Byers and is additionally guided by a Faculty Advisory Board. The students apply their skills and talents, working directly with their peers, faculty, and external partners on long-term, large team, sustainability relevant projects. They are also afforded opportunities to organize and host seminar series, develop their professional networks, publish papers, draft proposals, and develop additional skills critical to their professional success and future careers leading research teams.

The 2023 class of Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Graduate Fellows are:

Additional information about the BBISS Graduate Fellows Program, and about the first class of BBISS Graduate Fellows is available at https://research.gatech.edu/sustainability/grad-fellows-program.

]]> jhunt7 1 1693600885 2023-09-01 20:41:25 1706799906 2024-02-01 15:05:06 0 0 news The Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) Graduate Fellows Program provides graduate students with enhanced training in sustainability, team science, and leadership in addition to their usual programs of study.

]]> 2023-08-28T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-28T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-28 00:00:00 Brent Verrill

Research Communications Program Manager

Interdisciplinary Research Institutes

Georgia Institute of Technology

]]> 671159 671159 image <![CDATA[2023-BBISS-Grad-Fellows-Montage.jpg]]> Montage of portraits. R to L, Top to Bottom: Aminat Ambelorun, Min-kyeong (Min) Cha, Allannah Duffy, Eric Greenlee, and Spenser Wipperfurth

]]> image/jpeg 1689183761 2023-07-12 17:42:41 1689183761 2023-07-12 17:42:41 <![CDATA[USDA Fellow to Study Pesticide Exposure in Key Pollinators]]> 34434 Synthetic pesticides were first developed in the 1930s, but began to be widely used in agriculture in the 1950s and 1960s. Scientists have since discovered how toxic certain chemicals like DDT can be to ecologies and humans, but researchers still want to know more about their environmental impact on animal pollinators like bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, and bats at the genetic level.

A School of Biological Sciences postdoctoral scholar will have a chance to help the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) fill in the blanks in that knowledge, thanks to a two-year fellowship from the agency’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Sarah Orr, who researches in Professor Michael Goodisman’s lab, receives the grant for her project proposal, “Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Developmental Genetics in Bumblebees.” The award is part of a new USDA/NIFA $11.6 million funding initiative for projects that promote healthy populations of animal pollinators in agricultural systems where reliance of crops on pollinators is increasing, but pollinator numbers are declining. 

“I am honored and ecstatic to have received this prestigious postdoctoral fellowship from USDA,” Orr says. “It’s rewarding to see how my research can have important implications in agriculture broadly in the U.S. Being able to bring in my own funding and serve as the project director on a grant as a postdoc has also been exciting. It’s a brief glimpse into what it will be like to hopefully be a faculty member myself in the future.”

Orr knows that pesticides play an important role in agricultural production and human food supply. Her scientific goal is to help find a balance between the risks and benefits of pesticide use. 

“My investigation into the genetic effects of pesticides is unique and somewhat novel,” she says. “Beyond traditional toxicological methods, my project will improve our understanding of how pesticides may affect the developmental genetics of bumblebees.”

Homing in on key pollinators

Bumblebees are social insects native to North America and important pollinators for food crops including tomatoes, blueberries, and eggplant. As with most social insects, bumblebees live in colonies made up of a single queen and hundreds of sterile workers. “This genetic structure provides a really interesting model to study integrated development,” Orr says.

Orr’s project will investigate how pesticides affect the integrated developmental processes of Bombus impatiens bumblebees by examining changes in gene expression. Orr’s research will attempt to determine if pesticides impact the ratio of males to females in bee colonies, and how pesticides affect morphological traits of both worker and queen bees. 

Orr says that new chemicals are approved before science can fully explore all of the potential environmental impact from their use. “For example, a lot of my research will focus on sulfoxaflor, a relatively new pesticide on the market,” she says, “and scientists are continuing to discover negative consequences of sulfoxaflor on native bee populations.”

USDA/NIFA New Contract/Grant/Agreement No. 2023-67012-39886, Proposal No. 2022-09642, Effects of Pesticide Exposure on Developmental Genetics in Bumblebees
Initial Award Year: 2023
Investigator: S.E. Orr

 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1694112330 2023-09-07 18:45:30 1706799900 2024-02-01 15:05:00 0 0 news As part of an $11.6 million research initiative, Biological Sciences postdoctoral fellow Sarah Orr will leverage a new USDA Fellowship to study the impact of synthetic pesticides on bumblebees — a key pollinator for U.S. agricultural production.


 

]]> 2023-09-07T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-07T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-07 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

 

]]> 671639 671639 image <![CDATA[Sarah Orr headshot.jpg]]> Sarah Orr

]]> image/jpeg 1694112812 2023-09-07 18:53:32 1694112812 2023-09-07 18:53:32 <![CDATA[AI-ALOE Brings AI-based Ecological Research Power To Local Technical College]]> 36348 During the summer, Duncan Hughes, an Environmental Technology instructor at North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) introduced his students to the web application Virtual Ecological Research Assistant, better known as VERA. It allowed students to construct conceptual models and ecological systems, as well as run interactive model simulations on the brook trout, a species of freshwater fish.

Hughes and his students sought to answer questions about reproduction and food supply, as they worked to add new complexities to the VERA application from different species of trout, circumstances, to changes. According to the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL), an international effort, led by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, brook trout are found in three types of aquatic environments: rivers, lakes, and marine areas and their living requirements in these environments.

“Originally when we populated the brook trout, we noticed the brown trout shared the same life history and ecological information, but we were able to find enough information from the Encyclopedia of Life to differentiate those species,” said Hughes. “I had my students run through the process of building these components through an instructional-based format by having them manipulate some of the parameters and probabilities.”

VERA was developed by the Design & Intelligence Lab at Georgia Tech in collaboration with EOL. The technology is being used by students as an assisting tool and is publicly accessible. The data being collected from their usage is part of the research conducted at the NSF AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education (AI-ALOE).

“Users can jump into our program and conduct ‘what if’ experiments by adjusting simulation parameters. This is our way of providing an accessible and informal learning tool,” said Ashok Goel, director and co-principal Investigator of AI-ALOE and computer science professor at Georgia Tech. “Using VERA as an assessment tool is excellent. These students are using VERA in a way we are not.”

Goel was recently joined by Georgia Tech graduate researcher Andrew Hornback, research scientist Sandeep Kakar, and staff member Daniela Estrada at NGTC to learn more about the work in VERA and challenges Hughes and his students faced while using the application.

“The main struggle is limitation with the EOL and database,” said Hughes. “There are some species that we just can’t find, and sometimes it is glitchy and doesn’t work right away, but it is not insurmountable.”

Another challenge Hughes’ students found was not being able to find what they wanted to complete certain tasks, such as stream and environmental patterns of comparative fish ecosystems.

With that being known, AI-ALOE is working to address these issues and more to build and cater to specific student and teacher needs. At this time, the Design & Intelligence Laboratory is in the process of expanding VERA in the capability of its on-demand agent-based simulation generator, which would enable users to divide components into separate habitats.

“It was very interesting to see the results because antidotally through much research we were able to set up all these relationships and let them run the model, and the results were exactly what we would have hypothesized what they would be given those perimeters,” said Hughes.

 

The technical college has plans to introduce VERA to another classroom this semester held by Natural Resource Management instructor, Kevin Peyton.

About VERA

Interested in trying out VERA? Create an account at https://vera.cc.gatech.edu/. You can also find VERA’s user guide as well as a step-by-step tutorial at http://epi.vera.cc.gatech.edu/docs/exercise.

About AI-ALOE

The NSF AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education (AI-ALOE) is developing an AI-based transformative model for online adult learning through research and data collection.

About NGTC

North Georgia Technical College is a residential, public, multi-campus institution of higher education serving the workforce development needs of Northeast Georgia and part of the Technical College System of Georgia.

]]> Breon Martin 1 1666715598 2022-10-25 16:33:18 1704302705 2024-01-03 17:25:05 0 0 news During the summer, Duncan Hughes, an Environmental Technology instructor at North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) introduced his students to the web application Virtual Ecological Research Assistant, better known as VERA. It allowed students to construct conceptual models and ecological systems, as well as run interactive model simulations on the brook trout, a species of freshwater fish.

]]> 2022-10-25T00:00:00-04:00 2022-10-25T00:00:00-04:00 2022-10-25 00:00:00 Breon Martin

AI Communications Officer

breon.martin@gatech.edu

]]> 662560 662559 662560 image <![CDATA[Brook Trout]]> image/jpeg 1666715569 2022-10-25 16:32:49 1666715569 2022-10-25 16:32:49 662559 image <![CDATA[AI-ALOE visits NGTC for VERA update]]> image/jpeg 1666715477 2022-10-25 16:31:17 1666715477 2022-10-25 16:31:17 <![CDATA[A Look Back at 2023]]> 34528 The end of the year is often a time to look back and reflect on what has happened over the past 365 days. For Georgia Tech, it’s no different.

Here are some of the highlights and most widely read stories from the past year at the Institute — including a campus visit from Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss the climate crisis with College of Sciences faculty, record Institute enrollments and rankings, significant research advances, and $4.5 billion in contributions to the state economy.

]]> jhunt7 1 1703168004 2023-12-21 14:13:24 1703168367 2023-12-21 14:19:27 0 0 news The end of the year is often a time to look back and reflect on what has happened over the past 365 days. For Georgia Tech, it’s no different. Here are some of the highlights and most widely read stories from the past year at the Institute.

]]> 2023-12-20T00:00:00-05:00 2023-12-20T00:00:00-05:00 2023-12-20 00:00:00 By Kristen Bailey

]]> 672636 672636 image <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Soars in 2023-24 ‘U.S. News & World Report’ Best Colleges Rankings]]> image/jpeg 1703168056 2023-12-21 14:14:16 1703168056 2023-12-21 14:14:16 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Appoints 11 New Endowed Faculty]]> 35599 The College of Sciences is pleased to announce several new endowed faculty appointments for the 2023-24 academic year. 

These appointments both recognize existing faculty within the College, and welcome new faculty members to the Institute — furthering the College of Science’s mission to cultivate curiosity, encourage exploration, and foster innovation to develop leaders and scientific solutions for a better world.

Chris Reinhard was appointed Georgia Power Chair this July, for a duration of five years.

The search for a second Georgia Power Chair, with expertise in energy efficiency, is ongoing this fall, led by the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

An associate professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Reinhard researches earth system science, with research interests that span astrobiology; biogeochemistry; climate, oceanography and weather; and space and planetary science.

Reinhard is already amplifying impact in his new position — this October, he was awarded a USDA Grant for a project that will aim to trap carbon while boosting crop yields. 

“I am extremely honored and humbled,” Reinhard said, in a recent article about the grant. “I hope to use the position [as Georgia Power Chair] as a platform to collaborate on and advocate for climate-smart agricultural practices in the state of Georgia and beyond, and to amplify efforts that reimagine technically rigorous and socially responsible carbon removal across land and sea.” 

Joel Kostka and Francesca Storici have been appointed Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professors.

Kostka, a professor and associate chair of Research in the Schools of Biological Sciences and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, studies microbial processes, particularly those that impact Earth’s biogeochemical cycles and provide helpful ecosystem services. Much of Kostka’s work focuses on peatlands and wetlands. 

Recently, Kostka received a $3.2 Million Department of Energy grant to support his research in Minnesota peatlands, which addresses climate change and carbon storage. Kostka is also actively engaged in community-driven science, collaborating on projects that address the impacts of sea level rise on Georgia’s coastal communities and natural wetlands.

Storici, a professor and associate chair for Graduate Education in the School of Biological Sciences, studies genome stability, DNA repair and gene targeting. Storici’s research focuses include cancer research, drug design, drug development and drug delivery. Previously, Storici has been named a Distinguished Cancer Scientist of the Georgia Research Alliance. 

Kostka and Storici join Greg Gibson, who continues to hold the Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Chair in the School of Biological Sciences. Kostka and Storici’s appointments recognize continued excellence in research, and were each awarded this September, for a duration of five years.

Tamara Bogdanović, Chandra Raman, and JC Gumbart have been appointed Dunn Family Professors in the School of Physics.

Bogdanović was appointed this August for a period of three years for her exceptional research in astrophysics, including supermassive black holes, accretion physics, and computational astrophysics. 

Bogdanović serves as associate director of the Center for Relative Astrophysics, a Georgia Tech Center that aims to answer how the universe evolves and what our place is in the universe, while providing students outstanding education and training. Bogdanović is also a member and mentor of the Georgia Tech Society of Women in Physics.

Raman’s research investigates experimental atomic physics. By cooling atoms to temperatures near absolute zero, Raman explores a vapor’s unique capabilities for applications in quantum photonics, sensing, and many-body physics. 

Raman also partners with engineers to build cutting-edge atomic quantum sensors, with goals of enabling a mass-producible product. Raman is also an IMat Initiative Lead in the fields of Materials for Quantum Science and Technology at the Georgia Tech Institute for Materials.

Gumbart’s research spans coronaviruses, bacterial cell walls, and Hepatitis B research, focusing on creating computational simulations of complex biophysical phenomena, with the aim of exposing the underlying physical nature of life at atomic resolution. 

Gumbart is also passionate about outreach, collaborating on global hands-on workshops for college and graduate students, while also taking part in classroom demonstrations for K-12 students. “As part of our mission as scientists,” he shares, “we not only need to carry out cutting-edge research, but also train the next (and the next-next) generation of researchers.”

Benjamin Freeman and James Stroud have been appointed Elizabeth Smithgall-Watts Endowed Faculty in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech.

Freeman, an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences, is working to understand the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, with an emphasis on unraveling how montane birds are responding to climate change through biology and statistics. Freeman also prioritizes mentoring students, teaching, and leveraging citizen-science datasets.

Stroud’s research focuses on ecology and evolutionary biology, with emphasis on climate change and conservation biology. Stroud studies the evolutionary ecology of lizards to understand processes responsible for driving patterns of biodiversity. Stroud also spearheads several outreach programs, including Lizards on the Loose, a program that has reached over 20,000 middle school students.

The search for Smithgall-Watts Assistant Professors in the School of Psychology is ongoing this fall.

Joe Lachance has been appointed a Blanchard Early Career Professor. 

The award is given to an associate professor who is within three years of having received tenure, who shows excellence in their field. First known as the Blanchard Fellowship, and launched in 1999 as a way to honor early career School of Chemistry and Biochemistry scientists, twenty-five scientists have received the award prior to the 2023 announcements. 

Lachance, an associate professor in the School of Biology, studies population genetics and human evolutionary genomics, investigating questions regarding hereditary disease and health disparities. He also researches how human genomes have evolved in modern environments, and what human genomes might look like in the future. Lachance is also known for his support of student researchers, encouraging diverse individuals ranging from post-doc, graduate, and undergraduate levels to collaborate.

Rose McCarty and Xiaoyu He will join the School of Mathematics, School of Computing as Richard A. Duke Assistant Professors.

Rose McCarty, who studies combinatorics, will join the School of Mathematics and School of Computing in January 2024. Her research interests include structural graph theory and its connections to matroid theory, discrete geometry, finite model theory, and algorithms and complexity.

Xiaoyu He will also be joining the School of Mathematics, with research interests in extremal, probabilistic, and algebraic combinatorics, with specific interest in Ramsey theory, graph coloring, additive combinatorics, discrete geometry, and coding theory, with applications to computer science.

The Richard A. Duke Faculty Endowment was created by former Georgia Tech faculty member Professor Richard Duke to commemorate his over 34 year career as a faculty member in the School of Mathematics. His legacy continues through the Richard A. Duke faculty appointments.

]]> sperrin6 1 1702415847 2023-12-12 21:17:27 1702655503 2023-12-15 15:51:43 0 0 news College of Sciences faculty Chris Reinhard, Joel Kostka, Francesca Storici, Tamara Bogdanović, Chandra Raman, JC Gumbart, Benjamin Freeman, James Stroud, Joe Lachance, Rose McCarty, and Xiaoyu He are the recipients of new endowed faculty appointments for the 2023-24 academic year.

]]> 2023-12-14T00:00:00-05:00 2023-12-14T00:00:00-05:00 2023-12-14 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

Contact: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 672558 672560 672561 672566 672562 672563 672567 672564 672565 672568 672559 672558 image <![CDATA[Benjamin Freeman]]> image/png 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 672560 image <![CDATA[Chris Reinhard]]> image/jpeg 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 672561 image <![CDATA[Xiaoyu He]]> image/jpeg 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 672566 image <![CDATA[Tamara Bogdanovic]]> image/jpeg 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 672562 image <![CDATA[James Stroud with a student]]> image/jpeg 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 672563 image <![CDATA[JC Gumbart]]> image/jpeg 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 672567 image <![CDATA[Rose McCarty]]> image/png 1702417425 2023-12-12 21:43:45 1702417425 2023-12-12 21:43:45 672564 image <![CDATA[Joe Lachance]]> image/jpeg 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 672565 image <![CDATA[Joel Kostka]]> image/jpeg 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 672568 image <![CDATA[Francesca Storici]]> image/jpeg 1702417542 2023-12-12 21:45:42 1702417542 2023-12-12 21:45:42 672559 image <![CDATA[Chandra Raman]]> image/jpeg 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 1702417217 2023-12-12 21:40:17 <![CDATA[AF2Complex ‘Computational Microscope’ Predicts Protein Interactions, Potential Paths to New Antibiotics ]]> 35575 Though it is a cornerstone of virtually every process that occurs in living organisms, the proper folding and transport of biological proteins is a notoriously difficult and time-consuming process to experimentally study.

In a new paper published in eLife, researchers in the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Computer Science have shown that AF2Complex may be able to lend a hand.

Building on the models of DeepMind’s AlphaFold 2, a machine learning tool able to predict the detailed three-dimensional structures of individual proteins, AF2Complex — short for AlphaFold 2 Complex — is a deep learning tool designed to predict the physical interactions of multiple proteins. With these predictions, AF2Complex is able to calculate which proteins are likely to interact with each other to form functional complexes in unprecedented detail.

“We essentially conduct computational experiments that try to figure out the atomic details of supercomplexes (large interacting groups of proteins) important to biological functions,” explained Jeffrey Skolnick, Regents’ Professor and Mary and Maisie Gibson Chair in the School of Biological Sciences, and one of the corresponding authors of the study. With AF2Complex, which was developed last year by the same research team, it’s “like using a computational microscope powered by deep learning and supercomputing.”

In their latest study, the researchers used this ‘computational microscope’ to examine a complicated protein synthesis and transport pathway, hoping to clarify how proteins in the pathway interact to ultimately transport a newly synthesized protein from the interior to the outer membrane of the bacteria — and identify players that experiments might have missed. Insights into this pathway may identify new targets for antibiotic and therapeutic design while providing a foundation for using AF2Complex to computationally expedite this type of biology research as a whole.

Computing complexes

Created by London-based artificial intelligence lab DeepMind, AlphaFold 2 is a deep learning tool able to generate accurate predictions about the three-dimensional structure of single proteins using just their building blocks, amino acids. Taking things a step further, AF2Complex uses these structures to predict the likelihood that proteins are able to interact to form a functional complex, what aspects of each structure are the likely interaction sites, and even what protein complexes are likely to pair up to create even larger functional groups called supercomplexes.

“The successful development of AF2Complex earlier this year makes us believe that this approach has tremendous potential in identifying and characterizing the set of protein-protein interactions important to life,” shared Mu Gao, a senior research scientist at Georgia Tech. “To further convince the broad molecular biology community, we [had to] demonstrate it with a more convincing, high impact application.”

The researchers chose to apply AF2Complex to a pathway in Escherichia coli (E. coli), a model organism in life sciences research commonly used for experimental DNA manipulation and protein production due to its relative simplicity and fast growth. 

To demonstrate the tool’s power, the team examined the synthesis and transport of proteins that are essential for exchanging nutrients and responding to environmental stressors: outer membrane proteins, or OMPs for short. These proteins reside on the outermost membrane of gram-negative bacteria, a large family of bacteria characterized by the presence of inner and outer membranes, like E. coli. However, the proteins are created inside the cell and must be transported to their final destinations. 

“After more than two decades of experimental studies, researchers have identified some of the protein complexes of key players, but certainly not all of them,” Gao explained. AF2Complex “could enable us to discover some novel and interesting features of the OMP biogenesis pathway that were missed in previous experimental studies.”

New insights

Using the Summit supercomputer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the team, which included computer science undergraduate Davi Nakajima An, put AF2Complex to the test. They compared a few proteins known to be important in the synthesis and transport of OMPs to roughly 1,500 other proteins — all of the known proteins in E. coli’s cell envelope — to see which pairs the tool computed as most likely to interact, and which of those pairs were likely to form supercomplexes. 

To determine if AF2Complex’s predictions were correct, the researchers compared the tool’s predictions to known experimental data. “Encouragingly,” said Skolnick, “among the top hits from computational screening, we found previously known interacting partners.” Even within those protein pairs known to interact, AF2Complex was able to highlight structural details of those interactions that explain data from previous experiments, lending additional confidence to the tool’s accuracy.

In addition to known interactions, AF2Complex predicted several unknown pairs. Digging further into these unexpected partners revealed details on what aspects of the pairs might interact to form larger groups of functional proteins, likely active configurations of complexes that have previously eluded experimentalists, and new potential mechanisms for how OMPs are synthesized and transported. 

“Since the outer membrane pathway is both vital and unique to gram-negative bacteria, the key proteins involved in this pathway could be novel targets for new antibiotics,” said Skolnick. “As such, our work that provides molecular insights about these new drug targets might be valuable to new therapeutic design.”

Beyond this pathway, the researchers are hopeful that AF2Complex could mean big things for biology research. 

“Unlike predicting structures of a single protein sequence, predicting the structural model of a supercomplex can be very complicated, especially when the components or stoichiometry of the complex is unknown,” Gao noted. “In this regard, AF2Complex could be a new computational tool for biologists to conduct trial experiments of different combinations of proteins,” potentially expediting and increasing the efficiency of this type of biology research as a whole.

AF2Complex is an open-source tool available to the public and can be downloaded here.

This work was supported in part by the DOE Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research (DOE DE-SC0021303) and the Division of General Medical Sciences of the National Institute Health (NIH R35GM118039). DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554

]]> adavidson38 1 1672766054 2023-01-03 17:14:14 1702573415 2023-12-14 17:03:35 0 0 news In a new paper published in eLife, School of Biological Sciences and School of Computer Science researchers show how AF2Complex, a deep learning tool designed to predict the physical interactions of proteins, is lending new insights into protein synthesis and transport — and paving the way to computationally expedite biology research as a whole.

]]> 2023-01-04T00:00:00-05:00 2023-01-04T00:00:00-05:00 2023-01-04 00:00:00 Writer: Audra Davidson
Communications Officer
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 657354 664288 657354 image <![CDATA[Researchers Jeffrey Skolnick and Mu Gao at the Engineered Biosystems Building at Georgia Tech. (Photo: Jess Hunt-Ralston)]]> image/jpeg 1650045007 2022-04-15 17:50:07 1650045007 2022-04-15 17:50:07 664288 image <![CDATA[Examples of protein complexes modeled by AF2Complex residing between the inner and outer membranes of E. coli]]> image/png 1672765216 2023-01-03 17:00:16 1672766090 2023-01-03 17:14:50 <![CDATA[ASCR Discovery: Computing function from form]]> <![CDATA[AF2Complex: Researchers Leverage Deep Learning to Predict Physical Interactions of Protein Complexes]]> <![CDATA[AI Tool Pairs Protein Pathways with Clinical Side Effects, Patient Comorbidities to Suggest Targeted Covid-19 Treatments]]> <![CDATA[Download AF2Complex]]> <![CDATA[Explore LLC Students Go Outside the Curriculum in New Sciences Course ]]> 34434 Evolutionary Biology in Health and Disease is not a regular course offering at Georgia Tech. However, first-year students in the College of Sciences’ Explore Living Learning Community (Explore LLC) got to dive deep into the subject anyway — which meant reading lots of scientific papers and medical case studies while engaging in research. 

Offered as a one-credit College of Sciences special topics course, Explore LLC undergraduates who are interested in research and pre-health studies get to learn about special science and mathematics topics that are not regularly offered in a typical curriculum. 

The instructors for the new course are postdoctoral scholars and research scientists in the College, including Peter Conlin, the first instructor to participate in the course. 

In addition to research and pre-health course opportunities, Explore LLC gives first-year students majoring in College of Sciences-related disciplines (biology, chemistry and biochemistry, earth and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, and psychology) a unique opportunity to live among the highest concentration of science and math majors on campus in the same residence halls.

“Georgia Tech undergraduates often take general education/core classes in year one and two of their studies. However, undergraduates are also curious about research and advances in science and mathematics, especially in health-related areas and in improving the human condition,” said Cam Tyson, College of Sciences Assistant Dean. “A special topics course offered for Explore LLC participants was the perfect setting to bring together students with these interests, along with postdoctoral scholars and research scientists interested in sharing their knowledge and experience.”

Conlin’s inaugural course, COS 3801 HP: Special Topics: Evolutionary Biology in Health and Disease, hosted 16 Explore LLC students in the spring of 2023. Below are some of his comments:

Tell me how you approached developing this course in a way that would make the subject matter relevant to the Explore students? 

Peter Conlin:

The original call for proposals requested “courses that will be of interest to first-year and sophomore students with a specific interest in a healthcare career and/or performing undergraduate research.” So, my course, Evolutionary Biology in Health and Disease, was designed from the ground up with this purpose in mind.

I wanted to connect the basic biological research with its medical applications, and encourage students to pursue undergraduate research opportunities. To this end, our in-class discussions, the homework assignments, and the final presentations for the class were all centered on reading and interpreting results from scientific literature and medical case studies. I also featured ongoing research at Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection whenever possible. 

I made a point to advertise upcoming out-of-class seminars each week (especially those featuring speakers from Georgia Tech labs). Students could attend and summarize the talk they heard for extra credit points. 

Any lasting lessons? 

Initially, I think some of the students were a little shocked that their first assignment was to read a scientific paper for class. (Admittedly, the paper was not an easy one!) But by the end of the semester, after reading seven more papers for class and likely several others for their final presentation, I think they all felt much more confident about their ability to pick up an article, even on an unfamiliar topic, and work their way through it. 

 How did teaching the course help you as an instructor?  

At the beginning of the semester, I was consistently overestimating how much material I could get through in a single 50-minute class period. By the end of the semester, I felt that I had a better understanding of how long different activities would take, and we ended up finishing on time much more frequently. 

I was so thankful for the Tech to Teaching for Postdocs class taught by Tammy McCoy (Teaching Assistant Development and Future Faculty Specialist at the Center for Teaching and Learning) while I was developing my syllabus. McCoy and College of Sciences Assistant Dean Cam Tyson really helped me to make this course a reality, so I’m very grateful to both of them for giving me this opportunity. 

The feedback from the students?

The feedback from my students was critical to my success as an instructor. I explained to the students at the start of the course that I wanted to improve my teaching, that I would be actively seeking their feedback, and that I would do my best to make changes based on the feedback I received. Some of the changes included modifying the course content, as I did when I saw the level of enthusiasm and participation when we discussed cancer evolution. I revised my syllabus to continue discussions on this topic.

 I also changed up homework assignments and in-class activities based on student feedback. This gave students more experiences with reading and discussing research papers.

I tried to experiment with different in-class activities and teaching styles, ranging from primarily lecture-based classes with occasional discussion questions, to a “flipped” classroom where students spent the majority of the time discussing the papers they had read in small groups. It was such a great experience to watch the students take such an active role in their learning.

Sebastian Horbulewicz, a second-year biochemistry major, was a student in Conlin’s Special Topics course:

I enjoyed the fact that we delved into a wide variety of topics, giving us small pieces with which we could use to build a broader understanding of evolution. Dr. Conlin’s succinct lessons gave me a lot to think about, and introduced me to new aspects of cancer, antibiotic resistance, virulence, and more. I think the course really shined in its ability to draw from current literature and the subsequent discussions we had in class.

For more information on Explore LLC and College Sciences Special Topics Courses:

The Explore Living Learning Community (LLC) of the College of Sciences strives to connect undergraduate students with faculty, and staff across the institute in order to encourage learning of career options, develop technical and team-building skills, and promote early access to undergraduate research and/or health-care affiliated co-curricular activities.  The LLC fosters a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and self-discovery through a range of courses and activities offered to its participants. 

 

A request for 2024-2025 academic year CoS special topics course proposals is expected to be distributed to CoS postdoctoral fellows and research sciences in February 2024. 


 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1701116411 2023-11-27 20:20:11 1702410019 2023-12-12 19:40:19 0 0 news A group of first-year students are conducting undergraduate research and learning about special science and math subjects through a new special topics course that’s also giving postdoctoral scholars and research scientists a chance to design a course and hone their teaching skills


 


 

]]> 2023-11-30T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-30T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-30 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

 

]]> 672454 672454 image <![CDATA[Peter Conlin]]> Peter Conlin

]]> image/jpeg 1701117152 2023-11-27 20:32:32 1701117152 2023-11-27 20:32:32 <![CDATA[David Hu Elected Fellow of American Physical Society]]> 35575 David Hu, professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, has been elected a 2023 American Physical Society (APS) Fellow for his innovative experiments in biological fluid mechanics and his willingness to share them with young scientists. Hu’s nomination came from the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD). 

The APS Fellowship Program recognizes members who have made exceptional contributions in physics research, important applications of physics, leadership in or service to physics, or significant contributions to physics education. Each year, less than 10 members from the APS DFD community receive this elevation and this year only eight Fellows were selected.

“I am humbled to be elected among my teachers and mentors who have taught me everything I know,” said Hu. “I see that I have a responsibility, like the previous generation of fellows, to represent the subject matter well, make the difficult decisions, and help foster the next generation of fluid mechanics, whatever it may look like.”

Read more about David Hu's journey in fluid mechanics on the Mechanical Engineering website.

]]> adavidson38 1 1698263720 2023-10-25 19:55:20 1702409885 2023-12-12 19:38:05 0 0 news David Hu, professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, has been elected a 2023 American Physical Society (APS) Fellow for his innovative experiments in biological fluid mechanics and his willingness to share them with young scientists.

]]> 2023-10-25T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-25T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-25 00:00:00 Chloe Arrington
Communications Officer II
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

]]> 672178 672178 image <![CDATA[David Hu holding two popular science books he's authored.]]> image/jpeg 1698262768 2023-10-25 19:39:28 1698262768 2023-10-25 19:39:28 <![CDATA[Fire Ant Rafts Form Thanks to a Force Known as the ‘Cheerios Effect’]]> <![CDATA[Engineering A New Way to Feed Gorillas]]> <![CDATA[Want Better Kimchi? Make It Like the Ancients Did]]> <![CDATA[A Rare Genetic Spotlight on Health Disparities for IBD]]> 36123 The advent of whole genome sequencing technology has prompted an explosion in research into how genetics are associated with disease risk. But the vast majority of genetics research has been done on people of European ancestry, and genetics researchers have realized that in order to address health disparities, more needs to be done.

In a new study, Georgia Tech researchers investigated whether 25 rare gene variants known to be associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) play a role in risk for African Americans. While the rare variant associations were recently discovered in individuals of European ancestry, contributing to about 15% of cases, it was unknown if and how those same rare gene variants might affect risk for African Americans.

Led by Greg Gibson, Regents’ Professor and Tom and Marie Patton Chair in the School of Biological Sciences, the study highlights the importance of considering genetic diversity and the mixing of ancestry in genetics research. The findings were published in the journal Genome Medicine.

“Because of major advancements in the last decade, we now know that most diseases are far more complex than we originally thought, in terms of genetics,” said Gibson, who is also director of the Center for Integrative Genomics at Georgia Tech. “Understanding whether genetic differences contribute to health disparities is a major point of focus for current genetics research, and we had an opportunity to test one idea with this study.”

Today, African Americans have a similar prevalence of various types of IBD as European Americans. But progression is often much worse: African Americans are more likely to progress to severe disease requiring colectomies and other major interventions.

Courtney Astore, a Ph.D. student in Gibson’s lab and first author on the paper, wanted to assess whether those same rare variants would have a similar effect on IBD risk in African Americans. In a collaboration with Subra Kugathasan from Emory University and the NIH’s IBD Genetics Consortium, Gibson’s lab had analyzed the complete genome sequences of over 3,000 genomes of African Americans, half with IBD. Astore used that database to conduct her analysis.  

She started by plotting the difference in frequency of the rare variants, and quickly realized that there was a significant reduction in prevalence of the variants in African Americans. Through further computations, she estimated that European ancestry variants actually only made a very small contribution to IBD in African Americans (around 44 additional cases per 100,000 people), fourfold less than Americans of European ancestry.

“Prior to our analysis, we suspected that admixture may play a role in the presence of IBD-associated rare variants in African Americans,” Astore said. “When I saw the differences, that was when I realized that there was something important there that we needed to discover.”

Astore then used a method known as chromosome painting, which is a tool for visualizing where each segment of the genome comes from. She showed that the rare variants found in African Americans were almost always located on segments of European ancestry genomes.

In simple terms, the location of the variants indicated that the genes resulted from admixture — a scientific term for mixing of genetic backgrounds throughout ancestry — which enabled Astore to show that the mutations had arisen outside of Africa, and only began to appear in people of African ancestry over the last dozen generations.

To conclude the study, Gibson and Astore assessed the presence of other rare variants associated with a dozen other diseases, which similarly confirmed that the presence of the variants contributes to African Americans generally through admixture.

The findings are important for several reasons. First, they highlight the value of considering genetic diversity and admixture in all genetics research, and especially when investigating rare variants and their associations with complex disease. While they showed that the European variants were rare in African Americans, there are almost certainly rare variants that contribute to IBD in African Americans that have yet to be discovered and may point to biological mechanisms.

“Doing more genetic studies on diverse populations, and especially those that have admixture, is going to be pivotal for therapeutic discovery,” Astore said.

Precision medicine will eventually be tailored to a person’s genome, which means that in some cases knowing the identity of rare variants will help guide therapy. If that is the case, knowing the context of ancestry will be beneficial. It also means that if more research on diverse ancestry groups isn’t done, then new treatments might not be effective for all people. The team also emphasizes that genetics is not the only factor contributing to risk for complex diseases like IBD, and their study simply highlights that it cannot be assumed that genetic discoveries are risk factors for all people.  

“Our study emphasizes that in order to move in the direction of greater health equity, it is absolutely crucial to do large-scale genetic sequencing for African Americans and all ancestry groups,” Gibson said. “We hope our work will encourage more research on both social determinants of health and the genetics of IBD across ancestries.”

 

Note: The IBD Genetics Consortium, of which Gibson is a part, organized the cohort of African Americans with IBD, and their samples were gathered at institutes across the country, including Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, Rutgers University, Cedars Sinai Los Angeles, and Mt. Sinai New York.

Funding: National Institutes of Health

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13073-023-01244-w

]]> Catherine Barzler 1 1699887293 2023-11-13 14:54:53 1700173151 2023-11-16 22:19:11 0 0 news The advent of whole genome sequencing technology has prompted an explosion in research into how genetics are associated with disease risk. But the vast majority of genetics research has been done on people of European ancestry, and genetics researchers have realized that in order to address health disparities, more needs to be done.

]]> 2023-11-15T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-15T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-15 00:00:00 Catherine Barzler, Senior Research Writer/Editor

catherine.barzler@gatech.edu

]]> 672364 672365 672364 image <![CDATA[health disparities.jpg]]> The vast majority of genetics research has focused on people of European ancestry. In order to address health disparities, it is crucial to do the same scale of genetic sequencing for African Americans and people of all ancestry groups.

]]> image/jpeg 1699888443 2023-11-13 15:14:03 1700058507 2023-11-15 14:28:27 672365 image <![CDATA[greg_courtney copy.jpg]]> Greg Gibson and Courtney Astore

]]> image/jpeg 1699888901 2023-11-13 15:21:41 1699888901 2023-11-13 15:21:41 <![CDATA[Postdoctoral Scientist Named First McCallum Early Career Fellow]]> 34434 Stephen (Nick) Housley, a postdoctoral scholar in the School of Biological Sciences, is the first recipient of an early career award through the Jack and Dana McCallum Neurorehabilitation Program.

Housley, who received his Ph.D. in Applied Physiology at Georgia Tech in 2020, has been awarded a Jack and Dana McCallum Early Career Award for postdoctoral researchers. The goal of the program is to strengthen research in neurorehabilitation and the relationship between Georgia Tech and Emory University. The program supports graduate students and will now also support some postdoctoral scholars through Early Career Awards.

Housley’s research intersects neuroscience and cancer biology. “I am genuinely honored to have my work recognized and acknowledged through [this] support,” Housley says. “The sort of high-reward studies that I pursue are often perceived as risky. Having this support will enable me to pursue ambitious projects and expand on the breadth of studies.”

The new award from alumnus and College of Sciences Advisory Board member Jack McCallum, M.D., Ph.D. (BIO ‘66) is part of a $1 million gift committed in 2022 for the creation of the Jack and Dana McCallum Neurorehabilitation Training Program facilitated by Georgia Tech and in partnership with Emory University and The Shepherd Center’s Crawford Research Institute. This funding will be used over the next two years to support graduate student, postdoctoral and faculty research, as well as train new scientists in neurorehabilitation.

The McCallum Family Foundation has previously provided scholarships to reward outstanding undergraduate students for their academic excellence and performance in Georgia Tech research labs. The McCallum scholarships enable undergraduates to engage in research earlier in their academic careers than many colleges and universities. And scientific research is a defining characteristic of the undergraduate experience in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, where young undergraduate researchers are provided access to experienced faculty mentors and research labs with cutting-edge equipment, which are critical to their training as scientists.  

About Stephen Housley

Stephen (Nick) Housley is a clinician-scientist focused on cancer neurobiology with specialty training in treating neurological disorders. Housley is also a fellow in both the Sensorimotor Integration Lab and the Integrated Cancer Research Center at Georgia Tech. 

Housley’s research centers on how the nervous system, cancer, and its treatment interact in mammalian systems. “My research interests rest on my recent discoveries that securely establish the existence of reciprocal interactions between cancer, cancer treatment and the nervous system,” he explains. “In addition, my other area of study centers on how the nervous and musculoskeletal systems interact to encode sensorimotor information, and how integration in the mammalian spinal cord results in physiologically relevant movement.”

As part of his research into cancer neurobiology, Housley is also developing therapeutic  nanohydrogels: microscopic polymer-based particles that may serve as next-generation drug delivery vehicles. “I have been exploring the use of my nanohydrogel platform to deliver therapeutic payloads to solid tumor cancers,” he says.

Housley wishes to thank M.G. Finn, who serves as professor and chair of the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Georgia Tech and James A. Carlos Family Chair for Pediatric Technology, for Finn’s mentorship and support of nanohydrogel research. Housley also thanks Timothy Cope and John McDonald, both professors in the School of Biological Sciences, “who provided the intellectual and practical environments focused on neuroscience and cancer biology. Their support enabled me to pursue a new research field at the intersection of both — namely, cancer neurobiology,” Housley adds.

 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1696275232 2023-10-02 19:33:52 1700073517 2023-11-15 18:38:37 0 0 news Stephen (Nick) Housley wins the inaugural Jack and Dana McCallum Early Career Fellowship for his work at the intersection of neuroscience and cancer treatment.

]]> 2023-10-03T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-03T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-03 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

]]> 671919 671919 image <![CDATA[Stephen (Nick) Housley.jpg]]> Stephen (Nick) Housley

]]> image/jpeg 1696275248 2023-10-02 19:34:08 1696275248 2023-10-02 19:34:08 <![CDATA[Tangled Messages: Tracing Neural Circuits to Chemotherapy's 'Constellation of Side Effects']]> <![CDATA[Multi-Algorithm Approach Helps Deliver Personalized Medicine for Cancer Patients]]> <![CDATA[McDonald To Be Honored by Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (CORE)]]> <![CDATA[Announcing the Winners of the Fall 2023 Postdoctoral Research Symposium]]> 34528

On Friday, Nov. 3, postdoctoral fellows participated in the Fall 2023 Georgia Tech Postdoctoral Research Symposium, hosted by the Office of Postdoctoral Services. Twenty postdocs presented 10-minute research talks or five-minute lightning talks.

Congratulations to the following winners who took home prizes in the form of conference travel awards.

Hyeonseok Kim, Best Research Talk Overall
Mechanical Engineering
Wireless sleep monitoring biopatch for clinical assessment of at-home sleep quality and sleep apnea

Eduardo Gigante, Best Lightning Talk Overall
Biological Sciences
A sea squirt's insight into brain development and disease

Jimin Lee, Best Research Talk from the College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
The evolution of stem cell production: Smart bioreactors with seamless wireless technology

Keya Ghonasgi, Best Lightning Talk from the College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering intelligent physical human-robot interactions

Lyuba Novi, Best Research Talk from the College of Sciences
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Exploring coral reef resilience, connectivity and biodiversity in the Coral Triangle through machine learning and complex networks

Vardhan Satalkar, Best Lightning Talk from the College of Sciences
Biological Sciences
Generative machine learning-assisted functional phosphopeptide design

Franziska Tsufim and Micheal Rumore, Best Talk from the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
School of Literature, Media, and Communication
Extension requests and student autonomy: Fostering help seeking behaviors in historically marginalized student populations

Thank you to the executive vice president for research, the deans of engineering and sciences, the associate dean for research and outreach in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, and the vice provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Education for sponsoring the awards. 

A special thanks to Krista Walton, associate vice president for research operations and infrastructure, for announcing the winners during the award presentation.

Appreciation is extended to the following judges for the event:

]]> jhunt7 1 1699475594 2023-11-08 20:33:14 1699475703 2023-11-08 20:35:03 0 0 news On Friday, Nov. 3, postdoctoral fellows participated in the Fall 2023 Georgia Tech Postdoctoral Research Symposium, hosted by the Office of Postdoctoral Services.

]]> 2023-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 2023-11-06 00:00:00 Contact: Karena Nguyen Assistant Director for Postdoctoral Services karena.nguyen@gatech.edu

]]> 672283 672283 image <![CDATA[postdoc-research-symposium2.jpg]]> image/jpeg 1699290503 2023-11-06 17:08:23 1699290503 2023-11-06 17:08:23 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Welcomes Nine New Advisory Board Members]]> 34434 Please join the College of Sciences as we welcome new members to our Advisory Board. 

One alumnus is using his Earth and Atmospheric Sciences degree to perfect state-of-the-art weather forecasting for the business world. Another member’s Biological Sciences education allows her to assist veterans with their cancer treatment plans. Yet another is using her Applied Physiology degree to work on the next generation of wearable electronics. 

They're among nine Georgia Tech College of Sciences alumni who are committed to volunteering their expertise and time to help the College continue its growth and success.

The College of Sciences Advisory Board provides advice to the Dean and administrators regarding priorities and directions for sciences education and research. Board members are from the private sector and academia, and include both alumni and other individuals who are interested in the success of the College and Georgia Tech.

Five of the new members accepted invitations to join the Advisory Board during the 2022-23 school year:

For the 2023-24 school year, the new board members are:

New Advisory Board members:

Nigamnarayan “Nigam” Acharya

Nigamnarayan “Nigam” Acharya (M.S. CHEM ‘11) received a Bachelors of Science degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Emory School of Law. 

Acharya currently serves as a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP., where he provides long-term representation for companies from initial startup to maturity. He  helps life sciences and chemical companies protect and capitalize on intellectual property rights. His practice includes patent and trademark prosecution, corporate formation and life-cycle advice, negotiating and structuring complex business agreements (licenses, material transfer agreements, research agreements, and partnering agreements). 

Archarya has an in-depth knowledge of business and science that allows him to counsel pharma and chemical companies. He was a founder and board member of a tech company, which he eventually sold. 

James Belanger

James Belanger (B.S. EAS ‘07, Ph.D. EAS ‘12)  joined Engelhart Commodities Trading Partners in August 2021 and is currently the Head of Weather. He is responsible for leading a team of entrepreneurial scientists and software developers who are developing state-of-the-science weather and climate forecast systems to provide a quantitative edge for Engelhart's commodity trading business. 

Prior to joining Engelhart, Belanger was a senior scientist for five years at The Weather Company, a division of IBM, where he was responsible for providing scientific expertise in the design and implementation of IBM’s artificial intelligence algorithms for customer and business weather products.  During that time with the Global Forecasting Sciences and Technology team, Belanger’s science contributions helped IBM’s forecast accuracy edge grow against the competition. In 2021, IBM was named the world’s most accurate forecaster by ForecastWatch, the nation’s premier authority in meteorological accuracy validation. 

Belanger began his graduate work at the University at Albany before returning to Georgia Tech to complete his EAS Ph.D. Before transitioning to the private sector, Belanger was a research scientist and School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences faculty member for four years. His research focused on improving tropical cyclone forecasts and landfall impacts to establish more resilient electrical and emergency management infrastructure systems. 

Belanger and his wife Laura live in Peachtree City with their two children, Andrew and Katherine. 

Angela Clark

Angela Clark (B.S. BIOS ‘94) has spent her career as an environmental scientist evaluating the potential risks of contamination to human health and the environment at hazardous waste cleanup sites for military bases. 

Clark has supported the U.S. Department of Defense for nearly 30 years in its  environmental, facilities engineering, and planning programs, serving as a technical lead, project manager and client account manager. She is currently a senior vice president at HDR Engineering, Inc., the largest employee-owned architecture/engineering firm in the world, and is located in Milwaukee, WI. 

Tracy Giest

As the Lead of the Human Research Lab for Fitbit/Google, Tracy Giest (Ph.D. BIOS ‘15) heads a team of scientists, program managers, and research assistants focused on designing and executing experimental protocols to develop and validate the next generation sensors and algorithms for Fitbit and Pixel Watches.  

Giest’s fascination with human movement and physiology led her to study under School of Biological Sciences Professor Young-Hui Chang, who is also Associate Chair for Faculty Development in the College of Sciences. Her research focused on the intersection of neurological control and biomechanics as it relates to human walking, running, and cycling, and amputee locomotion.  

Gieist’s postdoctoral work focused on investigating robotic exoskeletons for stroke rehabilitation at North Carolina State University with Greg Sawicki, who is now at Georgia Tech). 

As a former middle school teacher with Teach for America, and an industrial biomechanics consultant for one of the largest railroad companies in the U.S., Giest has a unique blend of professional experience that has led to her current leadership role at Google.

Eva Heintz

Eva Heintz (Ph.D. CHEM ‘04) started her career at Procter & Gamble before moving to Solvay, a chemicals/materials company, where she is currently a Global Strategic Key Account Manager and Large Deals Coach. 

Throughout her career at Solvay, Heintz has held various roles including R&D Manager, Global Marketing Manager, and Senior Global Marketing & Sales Excellence Manager. In addition to her day job, she is also the Chairwoman for Solvay North America, Inc. GGF, and Founder/Chairwoman of Solvay X-Factor (ERG).

Her passion for giving back to the community is demonstrated in her roles such as Chair  of the Board of Directors of BEATs, Inc., a local non-profit using hippotherapy for children and adults with physical and mental challenges, as well as previous roles in non-profit boards such as The Swinney Foundation.

Stewart W. Long

Stewart W. Long (B.S. PHYS ‘75) is Managing Director of Energy Consulting Group. A retired engineer and engineering program manager, Long has extensive experience in commercial power reactor engineering and operations, and in defense research & development. 

Long, a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel who also has a degree in nuclear engineering, is a published author of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reports and conference papers. 

Long’s experience includes serving as Managing Director and Co-Founder of Patriots for Reliable Electric Power, a Pennsylvania public benefit company providing expert advice on protecting the nation’s electric power grid. He retired from Westinghouse Electric Co. with multiple domestic and international assignments including: Fellow Engineer, Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Commissioning & Operations; Manager, NPP Engineering & Construction Integration; Resident Site Manager at Arkansas Nuclear One NPP; Startup Technical Advisor at Yonggwang NPP (Korea) and Barakah NPP (United Arab Emirates). 

Long was appointed as Senior Fellow for the NRC’s Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and served as U.S. Army field officer in Korea and as Nuclear Research & Development officer at Lawrence Livermore National Lab.    

Jack McCallum

Jack McCallum (B.S. BIOS ‘66) has a Masters of Science in History from Texas Christian University, a Ph.D. in Medicine from Emory University, and a Ph.D. in History from Texas Christian University. 

McCallum has board certification in both adult and pediatric neurosurgery, and has held teaching appointments in medicine and history at several universities. He has also been founder and chief executive officer for four successful companies. 

A generous gift from the McCallum Family Foundation has provided scholarships to reward outstanding undergraduate students for their academic excellence and performance in Georgia Tech research labs. The McCallum scholarships enable undergraduates to engage in an exceptional undergraduate research program. 

In 2022, the McCallum Family Foundation donated a $1 million gift to create the Jack and Dana McCallum Neurorehabilitation Training Program. The new initiative will be used over the next four years to support research from graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty, as well as train new scientists in neurorehabilitation. 

McCallum has published two books and numerous articles dealing with both medicine and history, and he has taught history at the graduate and undergraduate levels for 17 years.  

 Jessica McDermott

Jessica McDermott (B.S. BIOS ‘04) is Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, at Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center. Her major committee and service responsibilities include interviewing fellowship applicants in Hematology/ Oncology. She is also a member of the committee that completes final ranking.

Since 2014, McDermott has served as a member of the Head/Neck Cancer Tumor Board at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. She participates in weekly multidisciplinary meetings, where she reviews all head/neck cancer patients at the university. 

McDermott is also a Veterans Administration Hematology/Oncology tumor board facilitator, participating in weekly meetings where she reviews veteran cancer patient treatment plans.  

Tia Williams

Tia Williams (B.S. EAS ‘96) credits her mother, a chemist, for opening her eyes to the world of science, and that fascination was validated when she worked in Georgia Tech’s Air Quality Lab.

Williams originally came to campus as a chemical engineering major, but switched to the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. By leveraging the programming languages she learned while visualizing her lab science data, Williams transitioned into software engineering, building a 25-year career in the software industry working for enterprise software giants Oracle and Salesforce. 

Williams is now a Group Vice President of Design and Product Experience for San Francisco-based New Relic, which provides cloud-based tools that monitor all software and technologies used in a platform, website, or mobile application.

 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1698934015 2023-11-02 14:06:55 1698957573 2023-11-02 20:39:33 0 0 news Alumni will lend their expertise to Dean Susan Lozier and College administrators regarding priorities and direction for sciences education and research.

]]> 2023-11-02T00:00:00-04:00 2023-11-02T00:00:00-04:00 2023-11-02 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

 

]]> 672248 672249 672248 image <![CDATA[College of Sciences Dean Susan Lozier (top left) with 2023's new CoS Advisory Board members and board leadership. (Photo: Benjamin Zhao)]]> College of Sciences Dean Susan Lozier (top left) with 2023's new CoS Advisory Board members. (Photo Benjamin Zhao)

]]> image/jpeg 1698939532 2023-11-02 15:38:52 1698955404 2023-11-02 20:03:24 672249 image <![CDATA[2022's new College of Sciences Advisory Board members. (Photo Jess Hunt-Ralston)]]> College of Sciences Dean Susan Lozier with 2022's new CoS Advisory Board members and board leadership.

]]> image/jpeg 1698939738 2023-11-02 15:42:18 1698955429 2023-11-02 20:03:49 <![CDATA[Remembering James Reedy]]> 35575 Georgia Tech and the College of Sciences community sends its condolences to the family and friends of James (Jim) Reedy, a former professor and chair of the College's former Department of Health & Physical Education. His family held a memorial service on October 23 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Philip Sparling, professor emeritus in the School of Biological Sciences, shared the following message in honor of Reedy:

“Dr. Jim Reedy, a longtime department chair at Georgia Tech, passed away on October 4th at age 85. Recruited in 1978, he led major changes in his unit’s mission and curriculum that included an expansion from physical training classes to courses in lifetime fitness, human anatomy, exercise physiology, and biomechanics. He provided resources to new faculty to develop research programs and transformed the Department of Physical Education & Recreation into the Department of Health & Performance Sciences, a unit within the College of Sciences (today as part of the School of Biological Sciences). He served as chair for 20 years under four different deans (1978-1998). He retired in 2000. Dr. Reedy was a charismatic, passionate, and gifted administrator who had a lasting impact on the GT community.”

James Reedy obituary

James Alan Reedy, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on October 4, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 85 years old. Born in Clintwood, Virginia, he was preceded in death by his parents Corbett and Lelia Reedy, loving wife Kay Reedy and sister Nancy Olson. He is survived by his children Jody Reedy Andrade (Billy), Betsy Reedy Sawyer (Ryan), Bryan Dunlap (Kelley), Bo Dunlap (Jill), and Greg Kershner (Leigh). Jim was a proud grandfather to his fourteen grandchildren: Cameron, Grace, Tyler, Eli, Sidney, Paige, Grant, Jackson, Meredith, Eliza, Isabella, Sechaba, Talia and Meti. 

Jim was a graduate of John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia and Bridgewater College where he resides in the Hall of Fame for men’s basketball. He earned a master’s degree from Long Beach State and doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University. 

Jim had a strong Christian faith grounded from his youth and his parental teachings. This led to a work ethic that was admired for its integrity and dedication to the field of health and physical education. A life-long educator, he served in many roles including teacher, coach, athletic director and college administrator. He began his career at Bridgewater College and finished at Georgia Tech as department head and professor of the Health and Performance Sciences Department. His influence upon those with whom he taught and mentored lingers to this day. 

Jim enjoyed daily exercise, delicious food, a good old movie, anything sports related and especially time with family. He had a gift for storytelling and could captivate an audience with his humorous tales and poems. Over the past several years, he began to write novels and had several published that relied on the connections he had with people throughout his life. He chose joy daily and his encouraging spirit will be forever missed.

]]> adavidson38 1 1698181309 2023-10-24 21:01:49 1698181755 2023-10-24 21:09:15 0 0 news Georgia Tech and the College of Sciences community sends its condolences to the family and friends of James (Jim) Reedy, a former professor and chair of the College's former Department of Health & Physical Education.

]]> 2023-10-24T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-24T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-24 00:00:00 Mindy Millard-Stafford
Professor, School of Biological Sciences
mindy.millardstafford@ap.gatech.edu

]]> 672166 672167 672166 image <![CDATA[James (Jim) Reedy, former professor and chair in the Department of Health & Performance Sciences in the College of Sciences.]]> image/jpeg 1698181356 2023-10-24 21:02:36 1698181356 2023-10-24 21:02:36 672167 image <![CDATA[James Reedy during his time at Georgia Tech]]> image/png 1698181439 2023-10-24 21:03:59 1698181439 2023-10-24 21:03:59 <![CDATA[Six Sciences Graduate Scholars Join the Ranks of Haley Fellows]]> 34434 The College of Sciences congratulates six of its graduate scholars who have won Herbert P. Haley Fellowships for the 2023-24 school year.

The new Haley Fellows are:

Haley scholars receive a one-time merit award of up to $4,000 thanks to the generosity of the late Marion Peacock Haley. Haley’s estate established the creation of merit-based graduate fellowships at Georgia Tech in honor of her late husband, Herbert P. Haley (ME 1933). It is an award which may be held in conjunction with other funding, assistantships, or fellowships, if applicable. 

Meet the Haley Fellows

Jessica Deutsch

Jessica Deutsch is a fifth-year Ph.D. student studying analytical chemistry. “One of the most intriguing aspects of analytical chemistry is that the field focuses on studying invisible things in order to make sense of the visible,” Deuthsch says. “I am researching a deadly coral disease that affects Florida and Caribbean reefs. I aim to provide insight into how this disease impacts the production of small molecules using a mass spectrometry-based approach, which can provide insight into how relationships between the coral animal, algae, and bacteria may be impacted by this disease.”

She wishes to thank Assistant Professor Neha Garg “for her mentorship and the opportunities she has provided that have enabled me to develop my research skills.”
 

Quynh Nguyen

Quynh Nguyen is a third-year Ph.D. student looking into phase- and shape-controlled synthesis of nanocrystals for catalysis and energy-related applications. “What fascinates me is the ability to manipulate matter at the nanoscale to drive sustainable advances,” Nguyen says. “This field places me at the exciting intersection of chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology, aiming to address current challenges in sustainability and renewable energy.”

Nguyen’s Ph.D. advisor is Younan Xia, professor, Brock Family Chair and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Nanomedicine. “Xia's guidance and expertise have been instrumental in shaping my research focus and methodology. Beyond the lab, he has consistently encouraged me to pursue opportunities that contribute to both my academic and professional development, for which I am immensely grateful.”

Eliza Gazda

Eliza Gazda, a fifth-year graduate scholar, is working in the field of multi-messenger particle astrophysics.

Gazda designed, tested, and integrated a telescope camera which was the payload on a scientific balloon launched in May. “The telescope launched is the first optical balloon of this type that operated at high altitudes over 30 kilometers,” Gazda says. “Our telescope observed radiative air showers from high energy cosmic rays and particles which travel across the Earth from extreme astrophysical objects like neutron stars and black holes. Once analyzed, this work will give us insight into high energy events that occur in space, and allow us to design and launch future similar telescopes.”

 Gazda’s mentor is Associate Professor Nepomuk Otte, “who guided me in the past through a summer internship at Georgia Tech and inspired me to come back to work on my Ph.D. here. Not only has he taught me lab skills, but he helps me with my career goals, and guides me in exploring our research field, networking, and learning about various disciplines within the field.”

Sydney Popsuj 

A fifth-year Ph.D. student, Sydney Popsuj is researching the gene Dkk3 and how it might regulate neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration in tunicates, close siblings to vertebrates. “This gene is implicated in Alzheimer's disease and dementia, but because it is hard to study in disease models, we don't have a strong grasp on the general functionality of the gene. I am using tunicates as a model system to study because they are biphasic, meaning they have both a larval and adult stage. This work is very exciting to me because it incorporates large scale evolutionary questions, while also having an impact on better understanding a gene that seems quite important to diseases and disorders.”

Popsuj thanks Georgia Tech faculty members Shuyi Nie, Joe LaChance, Patrick McGrath, Tim Cope, and Billie Swalla at the University of Washington “for pushing me to find new and exciting avenues into how to relate and generalize my work. These mentors have also encouraged me to expand outside my comfort zone in academics and to embrace new technologies and approaches that will hopefully further expand methods and protocols available to tunicate researchers.”

Jose Luis Ramirez-Colón

A third-year graduate scholar, Jose Luis Ramirez-Colón “has always been fascinated by the question of where we come from, and my time at Georgia Tech has been dedicated to using science as a tool to further explore this question.” His research focuses on exploring the organic inventory present in carbonaceous chondrites, meteorites that are like time capsules from the early days of the Solar System. 

“Many organic classes present in all life as we know it, such as amino acids, sugars, and nucleobases, have been detected in these meteorites; therefore, there’s this idea that these meteorites might've delivered these essential building blocks to early Earth to kick-start life as we know it,” Ramirez-Colón says. His mission at Georgia Tech is to develop methods to detect, extract, and characterize those building blocks. 

Ramirez-Colón wants to acknowledge “the remarkable contributions of my advisor and mentor, Christopher Carr, who has played a pivotal role in propelling my journey as an advancing Puerto Rican scientist. Carr not only granted me the freedom to pursue the questions that have always ignited my passion for science, but also equipped me with the essential tools and resources needed to conduct meaningful research.”

Sidney Scott-Sharoni

Sidney Scott-Sharoni is entering her fourth year of Ph.D. studies. An engineering psychology major, Scott-Sharoni focuses on “understanding how humans interact and conceptualize artificial intelligence devices,” she explains. 

“Specifically, I investigate creative methods to convey information to calibrate users’ trust, and understand their psychological well-being, most often in automated vehicles,” Scott-Sharoni says. “I love my area of research because it combines the study of people with the study of innovative technology. I feel like I am researching the people of the future!”

 Scott-Sharoni’s advisor, Professor Bruce Walker, “has significantly helped my personal and professional development as a researcher. I am very grateful for his continued mentorship throughout my graduate education.”

 

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1695221955 2023-09-20 14:59:15 1697579344 2023-10-17 21:49:04 0 0 news The College of Sciences graduate students were chosen as 2023-24 Herbert P. Haley Fellowships for their research and academic achievements.
 

]]> 2023-09-20T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-20T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-20 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

 

]]> 671765 671765 image <![CDATA[2023 Haley Fellows (clockwise from top left) Jessica Deutsch, Quynh Nguyen, Eliza Gazda, Sydney Popsuj, Jose Luis Ramirez-Colon, Sidney Scott-Sharoni.jpg]]> 2023 Haley Fellows (clockwise from top left) Jessica Deutsch, Quynh Nguyen, Eliza Gazda, Sydney Popsuj, Jose Luis Ramirez-Colon, Sidney Scott-Sharoni.jpg

]]> image/jpeg 1695224540 2023-09-20 15:42:20 1695224540 2023-09-20 15:42:20 <![CDATA[College of Sciences Celebrates Six New Haley Fellows]]> <![CDATA[Long-Term Lizard Study Challenges the Rules of Evolutionary Biology]]> 34528 Charles Darwin said that evolution was constantly happening, causing animals to adapt for survival. But many of his contemporaries disagreed. If evolution is always causing things to change, they asked, then how is it that two fossils from the same species, found in the same location, can look identical despite being 50 million years apart in age?

Everything changed in the past 40 years, when an explosion of evolutionary studies proved that evolution can and does occur rapidly — even from one generation to the next. Evolutionary biologists were thrilled, but the findings reinforced the same paradox: If evolution can happen so fast, then why do most species on Earth continue to appear the same for many millions of years?

This is known as the paradox of stasis, and James Stroud, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology, set out to investigate it. He conducted a long-term study in a community of lizards, measuring how evolution unfolds in the wild across multiple species. In doing so, he may have found the answer to one of evolution’s greatest challenges.

His research was published as the cover story in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Read the full feature in the GT Research newsroom.

]]> jhunt7 1 1696881359 2023-10-09 19:55:59 1697131950 2023-10-12 17:32:30 0 0 news By lassoing lizards, putting tiny chips on their legs, and tracking them for three years, Georgia Tech’s James Stroud revealed why species often appear unchanged for millions of years despite Charles Darwin’s theory of constant evolution.

]]> 2023-10-09T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-09T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-09 00:00:00 Media Contact: Catherine Barzler | catherine.barzler@gatech.edu

]]> 671990 671989 671990 image <![CDATA[lizard-evolution-feature-thumb.jpg]]> image/jpeg 1696879050 2023-10-09 19:17:30 1696879050 2023-10-09 19:17:30 671989 image <![CDATA[Lizards stroud]]> Two American green anole lizards. Credit: Day's Edge Productions

]]> image/jpeg 1696877083 2023-10-09 18:44:43 1696877860 2023-10-09 18:57:40 <![CDATA[Learning How Bacteria Stay Alive, and Thrive, in Their Social Lives ]]> 34434 When you just can’t find anyone to hang out with on a Friday night, it might not be a comfort to know that bacteria may have you beat when it comes to a social life.

“We now know that bacteria can lead complex social lives, communicating and cooperating within multicellular groups,” says Sam Brown, professor in the School of Biological Sciences and a member/past director of Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection (CMDI).

Getting out and about in the microbial world leaves bacteria facing challenges such as competition from other bacteria, threats from bacteria-eating viruses, drugs that target them, and starvation when they can’t find a host organism. Brown and his fellow CMDI scientists now want to know how bacteria modify their behaviors in response to their social and physical environments. 

Two new grants totaling nearly $1.5 million will give them that chance.

One of the grants, a National Science Foundation award, focuses on how bacteria use clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats — better known as CRISPR, a cellular immune system that helps bacteria ward off threats. CRISPR is perhaps best known as a gene editing tool.

The NSF grant also includes Rachel Kuske, professor in the School of Mathematics and a CMDI member, and Edze Westra, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. The NSF is partnering with the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for this grant.

The other grant from the Army Research Office (ARO) will study quorum sensing, a form of cell-to-cell communication, to determine how bacteria use it to “count” cells so that collective behavior can be turned on.

Both grants can help CMDI understand microbial behavior in ways that could eventually lead to manipulating or controlling bacteria, says Steve Diggle, CMDI director and a professor in the School of Biological Sciences.

“We are delighted by these new grants as they align closely with the core mission of CDMI because they will advance our understanding of microbial interactions, behaviors, and community dynamics,” Diggle says. “The knowledge generated could have transformative impacts on both academic research and practical applications.”

CRISPR protections, but only in a crowd 

Brown wants to make it clear that he and his colleagues won’t be doing any CRISPR gene editing themselves. “Our questions are more basic, focused on how the ‘inventors’ of CRISPR, bacteria, use this system to protect themselves from infection by phages (viruses that attack bacteria) and other molecular parasites of cells,” Brown says. 

CRISPR’s role is to recognize and cut out specific sequences of foreign DNA within bacteria. Yet what Brown calls the “dirty secret” of microbiology is that lab bacteria rarely use CRISPR to deal with novel viruses.

“Instead, they use the simple trick of deleting the surface receptors that the virus uses to gain entry to the cell,” he explains. Previous work by CMDI Early Career Award Fellow Ellinor Alseth found an answer to this puzzle: bacteria are more likely to use CRISPR as an immune mechanism when they are living in a multi-species community.  What Brown hopes to decipher are the molecular and ecological mechanisms that determine how life in a community can activate CRISPR functions.

“We further aim to build mathematical models of community dynamics, capturing both species interactions and evolutionary changes in a focal species undergoing viral attack,” Brown says. “This will have applied significance by helping the design of more robust microbial communities.”

Quorum sensing = a bacterial census 

Regarding the ARO grant, Brown says the standard view for quorum sensing is that bacteria use those signals as a way of counting cells. When the extracellular signal is above a certain threshold, the population is “quorate” (that is, reaches a certain number of cells), and collective behaviors can be turned on. 

Yet an increasing body of theory, along with experiments in Brown’s lab and others, has challenged this view “by highlighting that quorum sensing behaviors can also be shaped by the physical environment, such as diffusion, flow rate, and containment,” he says. 

Also, behaviors are not “turned on” in a threshold manner with increasing density. “In a high density ‘quorate’ environment, not all cells are expressing canonical quorum sensing-controlled behaviors. These challenges leave us with limited understanding of the functional roles of QS.”

“By examining the balance between intracellular mechanisms and multicellular behaviors, we will obtain a more comprehensive understanding of how bacteria collaborate and respond collectively to their environment,” Diggle adds.

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1696966092 2023-10-10 19:28:12 1696967642 2023-10-10 19:54:02 0 0 news Georgia Tech’s Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection receives nearly $1.5 million in grants to study bacterial defenses and communications — how they use them to join multicellular groups while protecting themselves from threats, and how they use ‘quorum sensing’ to take collective action.


 

]]> 2023-10-10T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-10T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-10 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

 

]]> 671999 672000 672001 671999 image <![CDATA[Electron microscope image of bacteria (Photo Janice Carr Wikimedia Commons).jpeg]]> Electron microscope image of bacteria (Photo Janice Carr Wikimedia Commons).jpeg

]]> image/jpeg 1696966174 2023-10-10 19:29:34 1696966174 2023-10-10 19:29:34 672000 image <![CDATA[Samuel Brown.png]]> Sam Brown

]]> image/png 1696966258 2023-10-10 19:30:58 1696966258 2023-10-10 19:30:58 672001 image <![CDATA[Steve Diggle.jpg]]> Steve Diggle

]]> image/jpeg 1696966441 2023-10-10 19:34:01 1696966441 2023-10-10 19:34:01 <![CDATA[No Separations: Meet Ellinor Alseth, CMDI’s First Early Career Award Fellow]]> <![CDATA[Steve Diggle Named Director of the Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection at Georgia Tech]]> <![CDATA[CMDI: Mighty Microbial Dynamics for a Healthier People and Planet]]> <![CDATA[Mary Holder Elected President of Atlanta Chapter of the Society For Neuroscience ]]> 34434 Mary K. Holder, a senior academic professional in the School of Psychology and associate director of Georgia Tech’s Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, is adding a new title to her CV: President of the Atlanta chapter of the Society for Neuroscience (ACSFN).

Holder will serve a three-year term for the organization, founded in 1976 to bring together neuroscientists working in the Atlanta area. The chapter promotes research and public understanding of the brain and nervous system by recognizing promising students and sponsoring lectures. The Society also organizes events such as Brain Awareness Month and the Atlanta Brain Bee, an annual competition for middle school and high school students who are tested on their knowledge of the brain and nervous system.

“I was surprised and honored to be asked to serve as the President for the ACSFN,” Holder says. “It’s an exciting opportunity to serve the greater Atlanta neuroscience community. I’m also a bit nervous as well, as I’ve never had this type of leadership position. I know that I’ll be relying a lot upon the council members of the ACSFN to help things run smoothly.”

One of Holder’s goals involves boosting the Society’s outreach to local and area K-12 schools, which were impacted by Covid-19 shutdowns — a time that the Georgia Tech neuroscience community also began talking more about the impact of historic exclusion, marginalization, and structural inequities in society and science, Holder says.

“One of the things I hope to accomplish as the new president of the Atlanta chapter is to foster meaningful engagements and partnerships so that outreach becomes something more authentic and collaborative,” she says. “I would love to be able to further support the winners of the Atlanta Brain Bee to go to the national competition without experiencing a financial burden.” Holder added that helping with competition fees would require increases in donations to the chapter. 

About Mary Holder and Georgia Tech Neuroscience

Holder, a Georgia Tech alumna (B.S. PSYC ‘04 with High Honors), received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience in 2011 from the University of Maryland. Her research interests include neuroendocrinology, psychopharmacology, and behavioral neuroscience.

Since Georgia Tech began offering a neuroscience undergraduate degree in 2017, Holder notes that the Institute has experienced tremendous growth within the discipline. There are now approximately 500 neuroscience majors, and nearly 300 have graduated. 

“In the past few years, we have made remarkable progress in our curriculum and course offerings to give a true Georgia Tech flavor to the neuroscience education for students,” she says. “Beyond the major itself, which is housed within the College of Sciences, there are neuroscientists all over campus.”

GTNeuro, a grassroots effort over many years, led to the hiring of faculty researching the brain, as well as the creation of the undergraduate neuroscience program. It also led to the September announcement of the Neuro Next Initiative, a foundational, interdisciplinary program to lead in research related to neuroscience, neurotechnology, and society.

“The Neuro Next Initiative should foster some fascinating opportunities for supporting collaborative research, educational missions, and public engagement,” Holder says. “I’m excited to see how the neuroscience programs and research will continue to grow and expand here.  I think these new initiatives represent amazing opportunities for our students.”

]]> Renay San Miguel 1 1696274407 2023-10-02 19:20:07 1696357075 2023-10-03 18:17:55 0 0 news Holder hopes to boost outreach to K-12 schools in her new role while continuing to serve as associate director of the College of Science’s rapidly growing undergraduate neuroscience program.


 

]]> 2023-10-03T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-03T00:00:00-04:00 2023-10-03 00:00:00 Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

 

]]> 671918 671918 image <![CDATA[Mary Holder.png]]> Mary Holder

]]> image/png 1696274421 2023-10-02 19:20:21 1696274421 2023-10-02 19:20:21 <![CDATA[Georgia Tech to Launch Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Research Program]]> <![CDATA[Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Motherhood]]> <![CDATA[First Graduates of B.S. in Neuroscience]]> <![CDATA[Thackery Brown Probes the ‘Black Box Problems’ in Cognitive Neuroscience]]> <![CDATA[B.S. in Neuroscience Takes Off at Georgia Tech]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Students, Future Faculty Recognized with Annual Awards]]> 35575 Each spring, the Georgia Tech community gathers to recognize the academic achievements and excellence of undergraduate and graduate students across the Institute. Dozens of College of Sciences students were honored during Tech’s Student Honors Celebration, held on April 19 at the Academy of Medicine.

Teaching excellence was also honored through Georgia Tech Teaching Assistant Awards and special certificates during the Institute’s Teaching Assistant (TA) and Future Faculty Award ceremonies, also held on April 19, at the Exhibition Hall Midtown Ballroom.

Please join us in congratulating these special recipients across our College of Sciences community:

Provost’s Academic Excellence Award

Established in 2021, the Provost’s Academic Excellence Award was created to recognize the remaining finalists of the Love Family Foundation Award (awarded this year to College of Design student Karis Wang). Each student is a graduating senior and represents the most outstanding scholastic record from their college. Finalists receive a $2,000 award, generously sponsored by the Love Family Foundation, and recognition at the annual Student Honors program.

One of this year’s recipients of the Provost’s Academic Excellence Award is Elena Cabrera, who is graduating from the School of Psychology. Cabrera conducted three years of research in the Adult Cognition Lab, earning her the College of Sciences Dean’s Scholarship and Early Research Award. She has also served as Psychology Association president and received two Tower Awards from the Office of Minority Educational Development. After graduation, Cabrera plans to pursue social and cultural psychological research on her path to becoming a psychology professor.

Other recipients include Arul Gupta from the Scheller College of Business, Kevin Li from the College of Computing, Jacob Young from the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, and Peter Lais from the College of Engineering. Read more.

Honors Program Outstanding Student Award

This award was established in fall 2022 to honor one graduating student who best exemplifies the Honors Program during their time at Georgia Tech.

The first ever recipient of this award is Sarah Sorme, a graduating neuroscience major who has been active in the Honors Program. Sorme has had many leadership roles within the Honors Program during her time at Georgia Tech, including serving on two committees — the New Student Committee and the Community Outreach Committee — acting as a first-year retreat guide, and serving as editor of the Honors Program newsletter (The HyPe). She also served as co-director of the Honors Leadership Council and was instrumental in guiding the Program through the Covid-19 pandemic.

After graduation, Sarah wants to use her cognitive science knowledge and leadership experiences to develop human-centered technology to improve society.

Read more about Sorme.

Roger M. Wartell and Stephen E. Brossette Award for Multidisciplinary Studies in Biology, Physics, and Mathematics

This award is presented to an undergraduate student with demonstrated accomplishments at the interface of biology with either physics or mathematics. The award was established by a generous donation from alumnus Stephen E. Brossette in recognition of the many contributions of Roger M. Wartell to the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The 2023 winner, Julianne Tijani, is a physics major who has conducted research on the evolution of yeast, antibiotic-resistant infections, and cystic fibrosis. She has participated in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, and was recognized as a Petit Scholar. Julianne has also served as a teaching assistant in the School of Physics, a student assistant for the EXPLORE living learning community, and a medical scribe at Emory University Hospital.

A. Joyce Nickelson and John C. Sutherland Undergraduate Research Award

This award was created by the endowment gift of Joyce E. Nickelson and John C. Sutherland to honor Joyce’s late mother, alumna A. Joyce Nickelson, and Sutherland. The scholarship, which recognizes excellence at the interface of mathematics and physics, is awarded to an undergraduate student who has jointly studied mathematics and physics, and who has engaged in scientific research.

Nickelson-Sutherland award winner Lance Lampert is completing degrees in physics and mathematics. He has been a research assistant at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, has taken part in the University of Michigan NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates program, and will be conducting research at the CERN particle accelerator facility in Switzerland this summer. He is also a leader in the Quantum Computing Association, maintains the web infrastructure for Georgia Tech’s student radio station WREK, and hosts a show on the channel.

Cynthia L. Bossart and James Efron Scholarship

This honor was created by alumna Cindy Bossart to recognize high academic achievement by a student in the College of Sciences who is a non-Georgia resident.

Veronika Vessigault is the 2022-3 recipient of this award and is a mathematics major with a minor in computational data analysis. She is currently taking graduate-level numerical linear algebra, and she studied in Hungary as part of the Budapest Semester in Mathematics. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics and an academic career. While at Tech, she volunteered close to 100 hours teaching high school and community college students and served as a teaching assistant in both the School of Mathematics and the College of Computing.

Metha Phingbodhipakkiya Memorial Scholarship

This honor was established by Maranee Phingbodhipakkiya to honor her father, his love for physics, and the sacrifices he made to assure that she would have the finest education. This award is made to a junior or senior in the College of Sciences based on academic merit.

The recipient of this award, Saima Firoj, is a biochemistry major who is also completing minors in Spanish and health and medical sciences. She has conducted research on the structure and aggregation patterns of membranes through cryo-electron microscopy to aid in drug development and delivery, and on the biochemical origins of life. She has also volunteered extensively in the medical field.

Robert A. Pierotti Memorial Scholarship

The College of Sciences presents this scholarship in honor of Robert “Bob” Pierotti, past dean of the College and founder of the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC). The award is made to top graduating seniors in the College who have excelled both academically and in research.

The three recipients of the 2022 Pierotti Award are Thiago Esslinger, Andrew Ji, and Lila Nassar.

Esslinger is majoring in both biochemistry and earth and atmospheric sciences. During his time as an undergraduate, Esslinger conducted research with Kim Cobb, former professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences who now serves as the director of the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society. His research aimed to investigate the influence of symbiont community composition on coral geochemical proxy records in the central equatorial Pacific. In addition, he has worked as a study abroad teaching assistant, and has received a President’s Undergraduate Research Award as well as the Sustainability Student Champions Award.

Ji is a biology major with a minor in computing and intelligence. He is a researcher in the School of Biological Sciences, where he works with Francesca Storici — professor and associate chair for Graduate Education in the School — to sequence the genome of a species of yeast. He also serves as a teaching assistant for the Bioethics and Integrative Genetics course, for which he was recognized as the School of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Teaching Assistant of the Year. Ji has also done considerable volunteer work in clinics and hospitals.

Nassar is a physics major with a concentration in the physics of living systems. Nassar has a broad set of research experiences with faculty Martin Mourigal and Jennifer Curtis in the School of Physics. Nassar has also served as the secretary and president of the Georgia Tech Society of Women in Physics. In summer 2021, Nassar also participated in the NSF REU program at Vanderbilt University.

College of Sciences Undergraduate Research Awards

Undergraduate research awards are made to students in the College of Sciences who have made strong contributions to research over a number of semesters. This year’s winners were Chelsea Bekemeier, Lydia Kenney, Dimitrios Kidonakis, and Evelyn Gardolinski.

Bekemeier is graduating from the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences with a concentration in meteorology. Bekemeier conducts research with Greg Huey, professor and chair of the School, and has contributed to controlled burning experiments in Fort Columbus, GA, as well as the Asian Summer Monsoon Chemical and CLimate Impact Project (ACCLIP) based in South Korea. She has also been dedicated to outreach endeavors, serving as a STEM educator for iFLY Indoor Skydiving and a Superheroes Club Educator at Awaken Education LLC.

Kenney is a biochemistry major who began working with Raquel Lieberman, professor and Sepcic-Pfiel Endowed Chair in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 2020. She was named a Beckman Scholar — a 15-month mentored research experience for exceptional undergraduate students in chemistry and biological sciences — in 2021, conducting metagenomics research on deep sea sediments to identify novel binding proteins. Throughout her work with Lieberman, Kenney has won the best poster competition at the 36th Annual Protein Society Symposium in San Francisco, CA, and co-authored a manuscript.

Kidonakis is a mathematics major who began research as a high schooler in 2018. Working with Joseph Rabinoff, associate professor at Duke University formerly in Georgia Tech’s the School of Mathematics, Kidonakis conducted a research project on arithmetic geometry which won the award for best project in mathematics at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair. During his time at Tech, Kidonakis has also worked with School of Mathematics professors Igor Belegradek and Matt Baker.

Gardolinski is graduating from the Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, and began doing research with Tim Cope, professor in the School of Biological Sciences, in 2020. Gardolinski conducted her research thesis with Cope, which aimed to develop a large data base on molecular mechanisms underlying signaling by specialized sensory receptors responsible for movement perception. She has also served as a teaching assistant, a peer advisor, and as the vice president of finance for Georgia Tech’s Red Cross Club.

Larry O’Hara Graduate Scholarship

This honor is provided by an endowment bequeathed by alumnus Larry O’Hara. It is presented to outstanding graduate students in the College of Sciences.

All of the 2023 winners have established a strong record of research with multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals, as well as multiple conference presentations:

Liu is currently studying structural graph theory, extremal combinatorics, and graph coloring with Xingxing Yu, a professor in the School of Mathematics and the director of Graduate Studies.

Pfennig’s research interests include theoretical and empirical population genetics of admixed populations. He currently works with Joseph Lachance, an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences, to examine admixture of modern humans with archaic hominins.

Teaching Assistant Awards

The College of Science had several winners among the 2023 Georgia Tech Teaching Assistant Awardees. The awards are presented annually by the Center for Teaching and Learning to celebrate the contributions to teaching excellence at Georgia Tech made by graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants:

Several students also won Teaching Assistant Awards at the school level:

Tech to Teaching Certificates

Tech to Teaching Certificates are designed to prepare Georgia Tech graduate and postdoctoral associates for college teaching positions.

Through this certificate program, participants will develop a thorough understanding of the scholarship of teaching and learning, and will demonstrate their ability to apply these skills in the classroom.

The following College of Sciences students were awarded Tech to Teaching Certificates:

Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Certificates

As a member institution in the CIRTL national network, Georgia Tech joins with 39 other universities on a mission to improve undergraduate education through the preparation of future faculty.

Participants in these certificate programs learn about how students learn, how differences among students affect their learning, evidence-based teaching and assessment practices, and teaching with technology.

Participants who complete these foundation-level learning outcomes through a combination of coursework, workshops, or online learning, receive the CIRTL Associate certificate.

The following College of Sciences students were awarded CIRTL Certificates:

]]> adavidson38 1 1682370346 2023-04-24 21:05:46 1695048108 2023-09-18 14:41:48 0 0 news Join us in congratulating the College of Sciences students recognized for their research, academic, and teaching achievements at Georgia Tech’s annual student award celebrations.

]]> 2023-04-24T00:00:00-04:00 2023-04-24T00:00:00-04:00 2023-04-24 00:00:00 Writer: Audra Davidson
Communications Officer II, College of Sciences

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications, College of Sciences

]]> 670615 670615 image <![CDATA[Tech Tower in Spring. Photo: Brice Zimmerman.]]> Tech Tower in Spring. Photo: Brice Zimmerman.

]]> image/jpeg 1682370471 2023-04-24 21:07:51 1682370471 2023-04-24 21:07:51 <![CDATA[Outstanding Students Recognized at Annual Celebration]]> <![CDATA[2023 Provost's Academic Excellence Award Recipients]]> <![CDATA[Sarah Sorme Wins 2023 Honors Program Outstanding Student Award]]> <![CDATA[College of Sciences Honors for Faculty and Staff at Spring Sciences Celebration]]> <![CDATA[Common Probiotic Bacteria Could Help Boost Protection Against Influenza]]> 34528 Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) have received funding to study the concept of using modified strains of probiotic bacteria – that are already part of the human gut microbiome – to stimulate the formation of antibodies against the flu virus in the body’s mucosal membranes. Respiratory viruses like influenza infect the body through mucosal membranes, and the proof-of-concept project will help evaluate whether snippets of influenza proteins – tiny fragments of the virus – could be added to two common bacterial strains to create the antibody response. Antibodies in the mucosal membranes might then complement those created by traditional intramuscular injections to head off flu infection.

The research, supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), will study whether or not the harmless bacteria can be successfully modified to carry snippets of a viral coat protein that could stimulate the desired response in mucosal membranes lining the gut. Beyond reducing influenza infection in the general population, improved protection against the flu could have a significant impact on the U.S. military, which wants to provide the best possible protection for its warfighters to reduce possible impacts on readiness and training from influenza outbreaks. 

At Georgia Tech, the project is a collaboration between researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) and the Georgia Tech School of Biological Sciences. All of the research at Georgia Tech will be done using BSL-2 facilities designed for this type of study. The award does not include research on animals or humans.

“Ultimately, this could one day make vaccination programs much more effective,” said Michael Farrell, a GTRI principal research scientist. “This isn’t going to be a replacement for flu vaccines as they currently exist, but it could act as an adjuvant – something that’s done in addition to vaccination to increase the overall immune response. To benefit from it, you might take a pill like you do with probiotics now.”

Using Common Probiotic Bacteria as Vehicles

The project will focus on two common probiotic bacteria: Escherichia coli – a gram-negative bacterium better known as E. coli – and Lactococcus lactis, a gram-positive bacterium found in cheese, buttermilk, and other dairy food items. The researchers will attempt to coax the bacteria to express the influenza virus’ Hemagglutinin (HA) receptor protein on their outer cell surface. There, the protein would stimulate an antibody response in the gut mucosal membrane as it passes through the body’s gastrointestinal tract.

“We’re using some well-established probiotic bacteria that have been utilized for dozens of years, are well vetted and safe for humans,” said Brian Hammer, an associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences who specializes in bacterial genetics. “Ultimately, the idea is to use these bacteria as a chassis to create living vaccines, since the body already tolerates them both well.”

Researchers at AFRL and Georgia Tech envision that a single pill or capsule would carry the bacteria into the gastrointestinal tract to provide the necessary antibody stimulation. The bacteria would be modified so they could not reproduce, preventing them from becoming part of the body’s gut microbiome – a diverse collection of bacteria that live in the body and help carry out specific functions, including metabolizing food and modulating the immune system.

“We know the human microbiome is intimately involved in human health and disease, influencing processes in ways that have both positive and negative outcomes for us,” said Richard Agans, senior research biological scientist at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM). “Recently, we have started to better understand how the microbiome communicates with our bodies and how we can identify, target, and promote the beneficial aspects. Currently, we are working to determine how to utilize these microbial communities to better protect our warfighters as well as the general public.”

Overcoming Challenges of Manipulating Bacteria

Hammer’s lab specializes in manipulating proteins of organisms such as bacteria and viruses to create novel fusions. Among the techniques available is the new CRISPR-Cas, the gene-editing technology that was the subject of a Nobel Prize in 2020, but other more traditional techniques may also be used to get the influenza surface protein where the researchers want it to be.

Among the challenges ahead is that adding a new component to bacterial organisms can be difficult. 

“In general, bacteria have evolved with the genetic components they need to survive,” Farrell explained. “If you add something else, they may just kick it out. It’s very hard to find a neutral location in the bacterial genome where we can stably add new functionality. This is especially true for this effort, in which there will be no cointroduction of antimicrobial resistance markers.”

In addition, the probiotic bacteria strains that are widely used in research as model organisms, or “lab rats,” are adapted to living in laboratory conditions. This project, however, will use natural commensal strains that co-exist in humans. That approach may make it even more challenging to add the appropriate material for expressing the viral proteins on the bacteria cell surfaces, Hammer said.

“We used to perceive that genes could be shuffled around in the bacteria without much effect on them, but we’re learning now that location really matters,” he said. “One of the concerns is that tools that work on the ‘lab rat’ versions of these bacteria will not be as readily accepted by these commensals.”

As part of the project, the researchers will have to show that the addition of the protein doesn’t cause instability in the bacteria, and that the modified bacteria generate the correct response when exposed to human immune cells in culture. 

Proof of Concept Could Lead to Broader Vaccine Therapies

Beyond its importance to the military, influenza was chosen to study this adjuvant approach because a number of vaccines exist for this virus, and they have been well studied over the years. If this approach works with influenza, the combination of pill and injection might be useful for vaccines against other respiratory viruses.

“If this is ultimately successful, it could be the first foray into showing that these vehicles, these probiotics, could potentially be scaled up for lots of different therapeutic uses,” said Hammer. “By customizing the cargo, this approach could be rapidly adapted to address new and emerging threats that may arise in the future.”

Project Provides Student Opportunity

The two-year project life was chosen because of the expected difficulty – and because another of its goals is to train a master’s degree student in the bacterial modification techniques being utilized.

The Georgia Tech researchers have chosen an underrepresented minority student who holds an undergraduate degree in biology from Kennesaw State University and has worked in a commercial DNA laboratory. Katrina Lancaster will begin work on this project during fall semester, collaborating with both Hammer and Farrell – and the students and other researchers in their labs.

“This student will have excellent opportunities, not only to learn the skills in the lab and take the coursework, but also to develop a rich network of connections, both in the School of Biological Sciences and at GTRI, that will be helpful in moving forward and advancing their career,” Hammer said. “It’s a really beautiful combination of components for this project.”

The project is funded through the AFRL’s Minority Leaders Research Collaboration Program (ML-RCP).

“Partnering with academic institutions, such as GTRI, presents great opportunities for our team to interact and work with top minds in these fields to develop better outcomes for everyone,” Agans said. “We are especially grateful for the opportunity to mentor and provide opportunities for underrepresented students with STEM aspirations. We are excited to work with GTRI in this endeavor and envision this being just the first step.” 

USAFSAM is part of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing. 

 

Writer: John Toon (john.toon@gtri.gatech.edu)  
GTRI Communications  
Georgia Tech Research Institute  
Atlanta, Georgia

This story first appeared in the GTRI newsroom.

]]> jhunt7 1 1694198443 2023-09-08 18:40:43 1694198699 2023-09-08 18:44:59 0 0 news A newly funded research project might one day lead to the development of a pill or capsule able to boost the effectiveness of traditional vaccines against influenza, which kills as many as 52,000 people and leads to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations a year in the United States.

]]> 2023-09-06T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-06T00:00:00-04:00 2023-09-06 00:00:00 Jess Hunt-Ralston
Director of Communications
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 671661 671662 671663 671661 image <![CDATA[Researchers Michael Farrell (left) and Brian Hammer are working on a potential new way to boost the effectiveness of influenza vaccines. (Credit: Sean McNeil)]]> Researchers Michael Farrell (left) and Brian Hammer are working on a potential new way to boost the effectiveness of influenza vaccines. (Credit: Sean McNeil)

]]> image/jpeg 1694198484 2023-09-08 18:41:24 1694198484 2023-09-08 18:41:24 671662 image <![CDATA[Katrina Lancaster, a master’s degree student and recent graduate of Kennesaw State University, has been selected as part of the research team.]]> Katrina Lancaster, a master’s degree student and recent graduate of Kennesaw State University, has been selected as part of the research team.

]]> image/jpeg 1694198514 2023-09-08 18:41:54 1694198514 2023-09-08 18:41:54 671663 image <![CDATA[This illustration depicts a 3D computer-generated rendering of a whole influenza (flu) virus, rendered in semi-transparent blue, atop a black background. The transparent area in the center of the image, revealed the viral ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) inside.]]> This illustration depicts a 3D computer-generated rendering of a whole influenza (flu) virus, rendered in semi-transparent blue, atop a black background. The transparent area in the center of the image, revealed the viral ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) inside. (Credit: CDC/ Douglas Jordan)

]]> image/jpeg 1694198598 2023-09-08 18:43:18 1694198598 2023-09-08 18:43:18 <![CDATA[Mentorship: How to Cultivate a Positive and Productive Mentor-Mentee Connection]]> 36249 It is valuable and rare to have someone care to invest their time and invest in you early in your career. Breanna Shi, a Ph.D. student in bioinformatics, was lucky to have had many inspiring mentors throughout her college career. Shi’s experience with mentors inspired her to pursue mentorship.  

“Being a mentor is my favorite part of my work,” said Shi. “I have learned so much about student psychology and my own psychology. As scientists, we can neglect the human experience it takes for us all to collaborate. I love thinking of new ways to improve the effectiveness of our communication so we all feel welcomed and valued in our scientific communities.”  

In 2022, Shi started a mentorship group, FishStalkers, which grew from five to 20 members in just one semester. Shi’s mentees have been offered competitive co-ops and internships, awarded prestigious fellowships, presented at research symposiums, and more.  

Shi provides her techniques for cultivating a positive and productive mentor-mentee connection. 

Instill confidence in your mentees. “Student researchers have a lot of helpful ideas,” said Shi. “They attend courses where they learn about the newest software and theories while you are held up in the lab. You need to try and access this information, but it’s not going to happen if you do not instill the confidence in them that their idea is worth your time, and that it’s okay if the idea doesn’t work out because the contribution is valuable.”  

Lower the standards you set for yourself. “Most Ph.D. students are perfectionists, and they will put a lot of pressure on themselves in terms of responsibility to a mentee,” said Shi. “You don’t need to be perfect. In fact, if you are perfect around your mentees, you will probably just intimidate them.” 

According to Shi, this pressure can deter Ph.D. students from pursuing mentorship.  

“A lot of people will place barriers on themselves that they do not know enough, or they don’t have enough ‘good work’ for a mentee,” said Shi. “You will make mistakes as a mentor. You and your mentees as people will solve these miscommunications or issues. This is normal and healthy.”  

Humanize yourself. “Mentees often have an idealized perception of what a Ph.D. student is,” said Shi. “I will point out mistakes I have made in my work to students and encourage them to correct me if they have better information. I do not want to feel smart. I want to do good work and that requires criticism from other parties, including my mentees. Our goal is to increase the comfortability of the mentee while maintaining the professional boundary required of your role.”  

Facilitate situations where the mentee is empowered. “The important thing I focus on with my students is cross-training,” said Shi. “If one mentee has studied a software, they now become responsible for training other mentees and me. It helps to be intentional in teaching your mentees that knowledge can come from anyone. I think putting knowledge into a hierarchy is overblown and only serves to preserve the status of people at the top rather than allowing for new ideas.”  

Align mentor and mentee goals. “Goals should not conflict with one another, but this can happen if the mentor does not plan strategically,” said Shi. “The mentor needs to be transparent with what work the mentee needs to complete and the timeline. The mentor should inform the mentee of the amount of time the mentor has to assist the mentee and the appropriate method for contacting you when you need help. It is always best practice to be as specific with what you want rather than assume some ‘should know’ something.” 

Shi has created a mentorship document that outlines her expectations for all new student researchers.  

Communicate expectations. “We should communicate with each other the experience that we want from the relationship and work towards that goal,” said Shi. “You should align your students’ projects such that they are working towards something that advances your work. Sometimes, you will have motivated students who want to go off and do their own idea. That shows initiative in the student, but you should be direct with them that straying off into projects unrelated to your current research goals will mean that they will receive less oversight/feedback from you.” 

Provide positive feedback. “A lot of us analytical types may forget that we should point out tasks that are proceeding well along with the things that are going up in flames,” said Shi. “Recognizing quality mentee work is vital to them reproducing that quality of work again. They need to know when they have met your standards.” 

Provide critical feedback. “You will need to provide critical feedback to the mentee both on work and logistical miscommunications,” said Shi. “Do not shy away from this. If you are uncomfortable with discussing concerns on performance, this is normal, but by ignoring the issue you will deny the mentee from improving in this respect.” 

Shi’s procedure for handling performance issues involves gathering the facts, detangling your emotions, defining the solution, and sending them a message.  

For logistical, non-research issues, Shi recommends keeping records.  

“There is a lot of front-loaded work in creating documentation of expectations, but it really pays off in terms of not dealing with day-to-day logistical questions.” 

Understand the student researcher’s mindset. “Student researchers often feel insecure in navigating the lab equipment,” said Shi. “Sometimes, their perfectionism will cause them to ask you a lot of questions because they really want to impress you and do things correctly.”  

In these situations, Shi advises mentors to protect their own time while reassuring the mentee in their work. Let them know that you appreciate their effort to do things correctly, but part of research is independence, or let them know that you are unavailable to answer their question and provide a timeline for when they can expect to hear from you.  

Take the Tech to Teaching program and try your best! “I highly recommend this [Tech to Teaching] program to any Ph.D. student who has long-term goals of becoming a professor,” said Shi. “I want to emphasize something: you do not need formal training to be a mentor. If you are on the fence, try your best. You will learn the most about being a mentor by being a mentor. Listen to your mentee, balance your commitments, prioritize your time and goals, and you will be fine. There is the perception some people have that you need to mentor in a specific way. I do not agree with this mentality. I believe the scope of mentorship should be negotiated by the mentor and the mentee based on an alignment of goals.”  

]]> Sara Franc 1 1692646262 2023-08-21 19:31:02 1693244478 2023-08-28 17:41:18 0 0 news Shi provides her techniques for cultivating a positive and productive mentor-mentee connection. 

]]> 2023-08-21T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-21T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-21 00:00:00 Sara Franc
Communications Officer
Graduate and Postdoctoral Education

]]> 671263 671263 image <![CDATA[Breanna Shi]]> image/jpeg 1690470271 2023-07-27 15:04:31 1690470271 2023-07-27 15:04:31 <![CDATA[Tech Faculty Receive 2023 Regents’ Distinctions]]> 27998

The University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents announced 12 first-time Georgia Tech appointments to Regents’ distinctions for 2023 and affirmed the renewal of existing distinctions for four esteemed faculty members.  

Regents’ distinctions may be granted for a period of three years by the Board of Regents (BOR) to outstanding faculty members from Georgia Tech, Augusta University, Georgia State University, the University of Georgia, and, in special circumstances, other USG institutions. A Regents’ professor, researcher, or entrepreneur distinction is awarded only after unanimous recommendation from the president of the recipient’s university, their chief academic officer and dean, as well as three additional members of the faculty who are named by the university president. Approval by the chancellor and the BOR Committee on Academic Affairs is also required. These distinctions are given to those who make outstanding contributions to their respective institutions. 

Georgia Tech faculty named as Regents’ Professors include: 

  • Srinivas Aluru, Professor, School of Computational Science and Engineering, College of Computing 

  • Rafael L. Bras, K. Harrison Brown Family Chair and Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences

  • Thomas Orlando, Professor, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Sciences 

  • Frank T. Rothaermel, Russell and Nancy McDonough Chair in Business and Professor, Scheller College of Business 

  • Jeffrey Skolnick (renewal), Mary and Maisie Gibson Chair, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Computational Systems Biology, and Professor, School of Biological Sciences, College of Sciences 

  • Vigor Yang (renewal), Professor, School of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering 

  • Lisa Yaszek (renewal), Professor, School of Literature, Media, and Communication, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts 

  • Ellen Zegura (renewal), Stephen Fleming Chair in the College of Computing and Professor, School of Computer Science, College of Computing 

Faculty named as Regents’ Researchers include: 

  • Maribeth Coleman, Director of Research and Associate Director of Interactive Media, Institute for People and Technology  

  • Douglas Denison, Laboratory Director, Advanced Concepts Laboratory, GTRI

  • Mehmet Talat Odman, Principal Research Engineer, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering 

  • Linda Viney, Principal Research Engineer and Chief, Systems Integration Division, Applied Systems Laboratory, GTRI

Faculty named Regents’ Entrepreneurs — granted to outstanding full-time, tenured faculty members who have established reputations as successful innovators and who have taken their research into a commercial setting — include: 

  • J. David Frost, Elizabeth and Bill Higginbotham Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering 

  • Jennifer Olson Hasler, Professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering 

  • Raghupathy Sivakumar, Vice President of Commercialization, Chief Commercialization Officer and Wayne J. Holman Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering 

Todd Sulchek, a professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering within the College of Engineering, has been named a Regents’ Innovator.  

“We are thrilled to have so many distinguished members of our community honored in this way by the Board of Regents of the USG,” said Steven W. McLaughlin, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Georgia Tech is known for the strength of our academics, research, innovation, and the brilliant entrepreneurs who emerge from all corners of the Institute. We are deeply grateful for their contributions.”  

To learn more about the requirements for USG Regents’ distinctions, visit the Board of Regents Policy Manual.  

]]> Brittany Aiello 1 1692187686 2023-08-16 12:08:06 1692224861 2023-08-16 22:27:41 0 0 news USG Regents' distinctions are given to those who make outstanding contributions to their respective institutions and may be granted for a period of three years to faculty members from Georgia Tech, Augusta University, Georgia State University, the University of Georgia, and, in special circumstances, other USG institutions.

]]> 2023-08-16T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-16T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-16 00:00:00 Brittany Aiello

Faculty Communications Program Manager

Organizational, Academic, and Research Communications

]]> 671403 671403 image <![CDATA[CampusSign-Outside.jpeg]]> image/jpeg 1692187709 2023-08-16 12:08:29 1692187709 2023-08-16 12:08:29 <![CDATA[Celebrating the 2023 Class of 40 Under 40]]> 35575 An extraordinary group of young alumni were recently recognized by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association with their release of the 2023 class of 40 under 40. Four College of Sciences alumni from three schools are members of this class of Jackets.

Launched in 2020, this annual program recognizes 40 alumni under the age of 40 who innovate their fields and positively impact the world. 

The Alumni Association notes that they are “proud to celebrate this exceptional class of Jackets who have done the impossible; from furthering space exploration to revolutionizing healthcare, these individuals have made the Tech community exceptionally proud.”

Nominees, who must have completed at least one semester at Georgia Tech and be under the age of 40 as of June 30, 2023, were scored using a 25-point rubric by a committee of 24 faculty, staff, and volunteers who collectively represented all Georgia Tech colleges. 

Learn more about the 2023 class on the Alumni Association’s website, or explore quick stats about the class here.

From making groundbreaking discoveries on Mars to revolutionizing healthcare, meet the four trailblazing Sciences alumni in the 2023 class:

Stephen Crooke, Ph.D. Chem ‘18 

Lead Microbiologist, Vaccine Immunology | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

Stephen Crooke leads the Vaccine Immunology Team in the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where his team supports global and international disease surveillance and researches the development of new vaccines and diagnostics. He is a recipient of the Maurice R. Hilleman Early-Stage Career Investigator Award from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, and he is also an investigator in the Center for Childhood Immunizations and Vaccines at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In his free time, Crooke enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his wife and young daughter.

Favorite Tech Memory: Watching the Jackets defeat UGA in Athens (in overtime, no less!) circa 2014 has to claim the top spot!

Jasreet Hundal, M.S. BI ‘09 

Principal Project Lead / Senior Scientist | McDonnell Genome Institute 

Jasreet Hundal has revolutionized personalized medicine through her innovative work in computational genomics. After completing her master’s in bioinformatics at Georgia Tech, she joined the Genome Institute at Washington University, focusing on cancer genomics and researching neoantigens. Realizing her computational skills and passion for innovation, she pursued her doctoral degree and developed pVACtools, a computational suite that revolutionizes cancer treatment by predicting individualized neoantigens. Clinical trials across various tumor types now utilize pVACtools to design personalized cancer vaccines. Hundal’s expertise in computational analysis and her pioneering contributions to precision medicine have been widely recognized and published in top-tier scientific journals. 

Favorite Tech Memory: Doing late night collaborative assignments in one of the oldest buildings—Cherry Emerson, where the biological sciences program was housed!

Lujendra Ojha, Ph.D. EAS ‘16 

Assistant Professor | Rutgers University 

Lujendra Ojha is a planetary scientist and assistant professor of planetary sciences at Rutgers University. He gained widespread recognition for his discovery of Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL) on Mars, which are seasonal features that may indicate the presence of liquid water on the planet. Ojha’s groundbreaking discovery led to numerous media appearances, including interviews with major news networks and an article in Rolling Stone magazine. He has since published numerous papers in prestigious scientific journals, including Science and Nature Communications. Ojha is committed to advancing our understanding of planetary evolution and the potential for habitability beyond Earth. 

Favorite Tech Memory: Midtown Tavern, seminars in the Ford ES&T Building, followed by midnight dinner at Waffle House on 5th street.

Lavanya Rishishwar, M.S. BI ‘12, Ph.D. BI ‘16 

Senior Technical Manager | Pillar Biosciences 

Lavanya Rishishwar extracts meaningful and actionable insights from vast genomic datasets. Collaborating with federal and state government partners, he has contributed to outbreak investigations, developed infrastructure for laboratory preparedness, and pioneered scalable computational tools for the future. Through mentoring and training, he nurtures the next generation of scientists. Rishishwar’s dedication to translating genomics into real-world impact has earned him recognition and appreciation. His work exemplifies the tremendous potential bioinformatics holds in advancing our understanding of the biological world. Rishishwar received a bachelor’s of science in Bioinformatics from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology.  

Favorite Tech Memory: Walking onto the set of The Internship and being playfully scolded by Vince Vaughn for working late on a Friday night.

]]> adavidson38 1 1691084046 2023-08-03 17:34:06 1692113438 2023-08-15 15:30:38 0 0 news Four College of Sciences alumni from three schools were recently selected as members of the Alumni Association’s 2023 class of 40 under 40. From making groundbreaking discoveries on Mars to revolutionizing healthcare, meet the Sciences alums working to change the world.

]]> 2023-08-03T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-03T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-03 00:00:00 Audra Davidson
Communications Officer II
College of Sciences at Georgia Tech

]]> 671313 671314 671315 671316 671317 671313 image <![CDATA[College of Sciences alumni in the Alumni Association's 2023 class of 40 under 40.]]> image/png 1691084071 2023-08-03 17:34:31 1691084071 2023-08-03 17:34:31 671314 image <![CDATA[Stephen Crooke, Ph.D. Chem ‘18 (Lead Microbiologist, Vaccine Immunology at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)]]> image/jpeg 1691084213 2023-08-03 17:36:53 1691084213 2023-08-03 17:36:53 671315 image <![CDATA[Jasreet Hundal, M.S. BI ‘09 (Principal Project Lead / Senior Scientist at the McDonnell Genome Institute)]]> image/jpeg 1691084360 2023-08-03 17:39:20 1691084360 2023-08-03 17:39:20 671316 image <![CDATA[Lujendra Ojha, Ph.D. EAS ‘16 (Assistant Professor at Rutgers University)]]> image/jpeg 1691084455 2023-08-03 17:40:55 1691084455 2023-08-03 17:40:55 671317 image <![CDATA[Lavanya Rishishwar, M.S. BI ‘12, Ph.D. BI ‘16 (Senior Technical Manager at Pillar Biosciences)]]> image/jpeg 1691084547 2023-08-03 17:42:27 1691084547 2023-08-03 17:42:27 <![CDATA[40 Under 40 Class of 2022]]> <![CDATA[40 Under 40 Class of 2021]]> <![CDATA[40 Under 40 Class of 2020]]> <![CDATA[Georgia Tech Researcher to Lead $6 Million NASA Astrobiology Study]]> 34602 Billions of years ago, self-replicating systems of molecules became separated from one another by membranes, resulting in the first cells. Over time, evolving cells enriched the living world with an astonishing diversity of new shapes and biochemical innovations, all made possible by compartments. 

Compartmentalization is how all living systems are organized today — from proteins and small molecules sharing space in separate phases to dividing labor and specialized functions within and among cells.

Now, with $6 million in support from NASA, a team of researchers led by Georgia Tech’s Frank Rosenzweig will study the organizing principles of compartmentalization in a five-year project called Engine of Innovation: How Compartmentalization Drives Evolution of Novelty and Efficiency Across Scales.

It's one of seven new projects selected recently by NASA as part of its Interdisciplinary Consortia for Astrobiology Research (ICAR) program. ICAR is embedded among NASA’s five Astrobiology Research Coordination Networks (RCNs). Rosenzweig is co-lead for the RCN launched in 2022, LIFE: Early Cells to Multicellularity.

“We’re excited by the prospect of exploring this fundamental question through the interplay of theory and experiment,” said Rosenzweig, professor in the School of Biological Sciences, whose team of co-Investigators includes biochemists, geologists, cell biologists, and theoreticians from leading NASA research centers: Jeff Cameron, Shelley Copley, Alexis Templeton, and Boswell Wing from the University of Colorado Boulder; Josh Goldford and Victoria Orphan from California Institute of Technology; and John McCutcheon from Arizona State University. Collaborating with them is Chris Kempes, professor at the Santa Fe Institute.

Rosenzweig is also eager to eventually collaborate with existing ICAR teams, such as MUSE, led by the University of Wisconsin’s Betül Kaçar, a former Georgia Tech postdoctoral researcher, and newly selected teams, such as Retention of Habitable Atmospheres in Planetary Systems, led by Dave Brain at University of Colorado Boulder.

Meanwhile, he plans to build upon Georgia Tech’s outstanding reputation in astrobiology, where a cluster of researchers, such as Jen Glass, Nick Hud, Thom Orlando, Amanda Stockton, and Loren Williams, among others, is engaged in a diverse range of work supported by NASA.

“This is just the latest chapter in a long history of excellence in NASA research at Georgia Tech, one written by my colleagues across the Institute,” Rosenzweig said.

]]> Georgia Parmelee 1 1691686551 2023-08-10 16:55:51 1692026704 2023-08-14 15:25:04 0 0 news Georgia Tech researchers will study the organizing principles of compartmentalization in a five-year project called Engine of Innovation: How Compartmentalization Drives Evolution of Novelty and Efficiency Across Scales.

]]> 2023-08-10T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-10T00:00:00-04:00 2023-08-10 00:00:00 Jerry Grillo |  jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu

]]> 671369 671369 image <![CDATA[Frank Rosenzweig, professor in the School of Biological Sciences]]> Frank Rosenzweig, professor in the School of Biological Sciences

]]> image/jpeg 1691686766 2023-08-10 16:59:26 1691687058 2023-08-10 17:04:18 <![CDATA[Chemistry, Chaos, Peptides, and (Infinite) Problems: Georgia Tech Researchers Pioneer New Frontiers with NSF CAREER Grants]]> 35599 Five Georgia Tech College of Sciences researchers have been awarded CAREER grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

These Faculty Early Career Development Awards are part of a five-year funding mechanism designed to help promising researchers establish a personal foundation for a lifetime of leadership in their field. The grants are NSF’s most prestigious funding for untenured assistant professors.

Read more:

One of the most exciting parts of the CAREER grants is that they support new faculty, who are often working at the frontier of their fields. “I am excited about the CAREER research because we are really focusing on fundamental questions that are central to all of chemistry,” says Jesse McDaniel (School of Chemistry and Biochemistry) about his project, which focuses on creating a new framework to predict the rates of chemical reactions, leveraging computer science.

Anton Bernshteyn’s (School of Mathematics) work in the recently emerged field of descriptive combinatorics is also on the cutting edge of discovery. “There’s this new communication between separate fields of math and computer science— this huge synergy right now— it’s incredibly exciting,” Bernshteyn explains. “Right now we’re only starting to glimpse what’s possible.”

Each award also includes a teaching and outreach component: Vinayak Agarwal (School of Chemistry and Biochemistry) plans to use his grant to not only investigate peptides, but also to train the next generation of leaders, emphasizing student inclusion from diverse backgrounds: “The training is broadly applicable,” says Agarwal. “It will prepare students to move forward in STEM – and especially graduate studies – but will also prepare them for industry careers, government and regulatory science, graduate studies, and more. This kind of background is applicable in all fields.”

Alex Blumenthal (School of Mathematics), who is investigating the intersection of chaos, turbulence– including fluid dynamics– mathematics, and computer-assisted proof, agrees. “There’s a whole lot of new stuff to do,” Blumenthal says. “There’s a growing community of people studying random dynamics, and a growing community of people doing computer proofs– it’s a great place for undergrads to have meaningful research experiences.”

Alex Robel (School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences), emphasizes the broad impacts of the CAREER grant projects. Robel is working to create a new ice sheet modeling tool, which will be accessible to anyone, and just require the use of a computer browser. “Ultimately,” Robel says, “this project will empower more people in the community to use these models and to use these models together with the observations that they're taking.”

]]> sperrin6 1 1681873800 2023-04-19 03:10:00 1691163879 2023-08-04 15:44:39 0 0 news Five Georgia Tech College of Sciences researchers have been awarded CAREER grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). These Faculty Early Career Development Awards are part of a five-year funding mechanism designed to help promising researchers establish a personal foundation for a lifetime of leadership in their field. The grants are NSF’s most prestigious funding for untenured assistant professors.

]]> 2023-04-19T00:00:00-04:00 2023-04-19T00:00:00-04:00 2023-04-19 00:00:00 Written by Selena Langner

]]> 64346 About the Georgia Institute of Technology

TheGeorgia Instituteof Technology is one of the world's premier research universities.Rankedseventh among U.S. News & World Report's top publicuniversities and the eighth best engineering and information technologyuniversity in the world by ShanghaiJiao Tong University's Academic Ranking of World Universities, GeorgiaTech’s morethan 20,000 students are enrolled in its Colleges of Architecture,Computing,Engineering, Liberal Arts, Management and Sciences. Tech is among thenation'stop producers of women and minority engineers. The Institute offersresearch opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students andis hometo more than 100 interdisciplinary units plus the Georgia Tech ResearchInstitute.

]]> 670577 670579 670575 670580 671064 670577 image <![CDATA[Chemistry Mosaic]]> image/png 1681837853 2023-04-18 17:10:53 1681837908 2023-04-18 17:11:48 670579 image <![CDATA[Mosaic Network]]> image/png 1681840456 2023-04-18 17:54:16 1681840488 2023-04-18 17:54:48 670575 image <![CDATA[Petri Dish Mosaic]]> image/png 1681836224 2023-04-18 16:43:44 1681836644 2023-04-18 16:50:44 670580 image <![CDATA[Mosaic Turbulence ]]> image/png 1681840504 2023-04-18 17:55:04 1681840546 2023-04-18 17:55:46 671064 image <![CDATA[Robel's open-access software package will pair state-of-the-art tools with ice sheet models that anyone can use]]> image/png 1687972518 2023-06-28 17:15:18 1687974626 2023-06-28 17:50:26 <![CDATA[Making Medicines: Vinayak Agarwal Awarded NSF CAREER Grant for Peptide Research]]> <![CDATA[The Fundamental Questions: Jesse McDaniel Awarded NSF CAREER Grant for Research Into New Method of Predicting Chemical Reaction Rates, Leveraging Computer Modeling]]> <![CDATA[Chasing Chaos: Alex Blumenthal Awarded CAREER Grant for Research in Chaos, Fluid Dynamics]]> <![CDATA[Solving Infinite Problems: Anton Bernshteyn awarded NSF CAREER grant for developing a new, unified theory of descriptive combinatorics and distributed algorithms]]> <![CDATA[AI Hub at Georgia Tech to Unite Campus in Artificial Intelligence R&D and Commercialization Efforts ]]> 34602 Artificial intelligence (AI) is a disruptive technology transforming industries and governments across the world. At Georgia Tech, developments in AI span many disciplines with dozens of campus centers and institutes. The newly announced AI Hub at Georgia Tech will unite AI entities across campus, enabling the Institute to align on goals to become an international thought leader in AI. It will also drive AI education and research and development toward real-world, responsible applications.

As an AI-powered university, Georgia Tech is embracing AI throughout the Institute, incorporating it into academic programs and research to assist and amplify human intelligence in all areas of work. The vision of AI Hub at Georgia Tech is to advance AI through discovery, interdisciplinary research, responsible deployment, and next-generation education to build a sustainable future. 

“Georgia Tech’s integrated capabilities in the area of AI, machine learning, engineering, and interdisciplinary research are highly valuable to industry, government, and education,” said Chaouki Abdallah, executive vice president for research at Georgia Tech. “By bringing together researchers from across campus, we can harness our collective expertise in AI to work towards a common goal to become the leading university for AI research and application.”   

Co-led by faculty members Irfan Essa and Larry Heck, AI Hub at Georgia Tech will lead in developing new paths in educating and training the next generation of the AI workforce. Additionally, it will serve as a dedicated space for decision makers and other stakeholders to access best-in-class resources to guide them through the complexities of commercializing and deploying AI.    

“Georgia Tech is well positioned to pursue meaningful opportunities in AI by focusing our collective capabilities across campus not only in AI research but also in the integration and application of AI solutions,” said Larry Heck, interim co-director of AI Hub at Georgia Tech, GRA Eminent Scholar, Rhesa S. Farmer, Jr., Advanced Computing Concepts Chair, co-executive director of ML@GT, and professor with a joint appointment in the  Schools of Electrical and Computer Engineering and  Interactive Computing.   

 Georgia Tech has been actively engaged in AI research and education for decades, with more than 350 faculty working in fundamental and applied AI-related research across all six colleges, Georgia Tech Research Institute, and the majority of interdisciplinary research institutes and centers. The Institute has a strong foundation and advantage in AI, as the leading engineering university with an applied, solutions-focused approach. It was also the first public university to launch a computer science school.

“The discipline of AI has a deep history at Georgia Tech, and we continue to serve as leaders in many areas of AI research and education,” said Irfan Essa, interim co-director of AI Hub at Georgia Tech, distinguished professor, senior associate dean in the College of Computing, and co-executive director of ML@GT. “At present, we are seeing unprecedented growth in AI and responsible deployment is top of mind for many. AI Hub at Georgia Tech will bring all areas of AI under one umbrella to provide structure and governance as the Institute continues to lead and innovate in the discipline of AI, with the related disciplines of machine learning, robotics, and data science."

To become involved in AI Hub at Georgia Tech, contact  irfan@gatech.edu or larryheck@gatech.edu.

]]> Georgia Parmelee 1 1686081236 2023-06-06 19:53:56 1687975034 2023-06-28 17:57:14 0 0 news Artificial intelligence (AI) is a disruptive technology transforming industries and governments across the world. At Georgia Tech, developments in AI span many disciplines with dozens of campus centers and institutes. The newly announced AI Hub at Georgia Tech will unite AI entities across campus, enabling the Institute to align on goals to become an international thought leader in AI. It will also drive AI education and research and development toward real-world, responsible applications.

]]> 2023-06-06T00:00:00-04:00 2023-06-06T00:00:00-04:00 2023-06-06 00:00:00 Georgia Parmelee | georgia.parmelee@gatech.edu

]]> 670808 670808 image <![CDATA[research_building.jpg]]> image/jpeg 1684183825 2023-05-15 20:50:25 1684183825 2023-05-15 20:50:25