College of Arts, Sciences, and Education
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Dear CASE alumni, faculty, staff and students,
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The late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, once said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower,” and universities that prioritize research are indeed the leaders shaping the future. This sentiment perfectly captures the spirit at CASE, where research productivity has reached unprecedented heights. According to data from the vice chancellor for research and innovation, our college set all-time records in the 2024 fiscal year, with $14.3 million in innovation awards, and $1.4 million in generated overhead.
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Our faculty continue to contribute impressively to their fields, writing numerous books and journal articles. This exceptional output has played a significant role in the success of nine CASE faculty members who recently received tenure or promotions. Additionally, the scholarly productivity of the 14 new faculty members who joined this fall positions the college for an even brighter future. I am deeply grateful to our faculty for their invaluable contributions to the college’s intellectual vibrancy. Their dedication and innovative work are truly shaping the future.
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Check out the Ozark Research Field Station
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Check out the latest video showcasing the Ozark Research Field Station! To discover more about the exciting activities at this hidden gem, which is directed by Dr. Robin Verble, professor of biological sciences, be sure to read their annual reports online.
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On Sept. 15, the college hosted its first Family Day at St. James Park in St. James, Missouri. The event was a delightful gathering where attendees played games and enjoyed each other’s company. A highlight of the day was a special visit from a furry friend – an American tarantula – that fascinated both children and adults. It was a memorable day filled with fun and community spirit. Photos by Sacred Photography.
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New Student Council representative
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Hello, my name is Shawn Rottinghaus and I'm the executive representative for the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education for S&T’s Student Council. I’m very excited to hold this position and serve the college. With this role, my primary goal is to help encourage and facilitate undergraduate participation within research on campus.
Involvement in research is one of the most important aspects of my life and I’d love to help give students the amazing opportunities I’ve had. Currently, I'm working with Dr. Hodovanets and Dr. Kim in the physics department to look into the synthesis and discovery, characterization, and optimization of quantum materials. Aside from research I’m also a TA for Physics 2 and a member of KMNR -- the student radio station on campus. I’m looking forward to working with the college.
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Dr. Pablo Sobrado is the Vitek/FRC Missouri Endowed Professor of Biochemistry in the chemistry department. He earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry and biophysics from Texas A&M University, with a focus on enzymology. After his Ph.D., he completed postdoctoral training at the University of Chile, working on cell regulation. He then moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was an American Heart Association postdoctoral fellow working on metalloenzymes.
Before joining S&T, Sobrado spent 17 years in the biochemistry department at Virginia Tech, where he served as a professor, associate department head, graduate program director, associate director for the Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, and director of the Screening Laboratory. From 2021 to 2023, he served as a program officer in the Chemistry Division of the National Science Foundation. His research at S&T will focus on elucidating the unique mechanisms of enzyme reactions, drug discovery and the development of biosynthetic approaches for commercial products.
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Dr. M. Emilia Barbosa, assistant professor of Spanish, recently co-authored a book chapter; delivered a virtual masterclass for the UNESP (Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho") in Brazil; organized a panel and presentation at the Latin American Studies Association Congress; and gave an invited talk at the Universidade de Brasilia Translation Studies Program.
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The book chapter is titled “Linguagens de especialidade: a metodologia de Isabel Pizarro Sánchez na tradução de textos econômico-empresariais dentro de rubricas didáticas” in Tradução em Contextos Específicos: Conhecimentos e Habilidades. Her co-author is Lily Martinez Evangelista. (Translation: “Specialty languages: Isabel Pizarro Sánchez’s methodology in translating economic-business texts within didactic rubrics” in Translation in Specific Contexts: Knowledge and Skills.)
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Dr. Harmeet Bhoday, who earned a Ph.D. in chemistry in 2024, was the lead author of an article titled “Perfect polar alignment of parallel beloamphiphile layers: improved structural design bias realized in ferroelectric crystals of the novel “Methoxyphenyl series of acetophenone azines” in Chemistry: A European Journal. Journal editors selected the article as a cover feature and a separate profile. The research was also featured in “Hot Topic: Crystal Engineering.” Bhoday wrote the article with Dr. Nathan Knotts, a former graduate student at the University of Missouri, and Dr. Rainer Glaser, emeritus professor of chemistry at S&T.
Dr. Mehrzad Boroujerdi, CASE dean, was quoted in a New York Times article on Iran.
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Dr. Shane Epting, associate professor of philosophy, was a visiting professor of philosophy at Ateneo de Manila University this summer in the Philippines. He co-taught a course titled “Philosophy of the City” with Dr. Remmon Barbaza. While there, he gave a keynote lecture during a colloquium on resilience, addressing the ethical and existential dimensions of urban planning, infrastructure, and severe weather. He also published an article titled “Exploring the duality of urban living through the aesthetics of the nighttime city” in the journal Rivista di Estetica. Epting’s new book, Meaning in the Metropolis: Toward an Urban Existentialism (Routledge), was released on Aug. 1.
Dr. Fernande Grandjean, adjunct professor of chemistry, and Dr. Gary J. Long, professor emeritus of chemistry, have been named Top Scholars by ScholarGPS, a platform that analyzes scholarly output. ScholarGPS identifies the top 0.5% of scholars worldwide based on their publication record and the impact of their work. Additionally, Grandjean and Long recently delivered four invited lectures on the fundamentals and applications of the Mössbauer Effect at the University Joseph Fourier in Grenoble, France.
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Taylor Gruenloh, assistant professor of theatre, premiered his new musical, Cascade’s Fire: A Modern Antigone Story, in St. Louis this summer. Broadway World wrote, “Cascade’s Fire is an adventurous undertaking that deserves to be seen…Gruenloh’s original book is unlike any musical theatre script that has come before it…dialogue and lyrics of elegant prose…” The music written for the production was by Dr. Kyle Wernke, a former S&T faculty member.
Jackson Hawkins, S&T glass shop coordinator and lecturer of art, will return to Murano, Italy, after being selected to demonstrate for the 2024 Venice Glass Week. This year, the Venice Glass week will coincide with exhibitions for the Venice Biennale. Hawkins was previously selected to demonstrate at the 2023 Venice Glass Week.
Dr. Irina Ivliyeva, chair of arts, languages, and philosophy and Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor of Russian, published an article “The role of the terminological dictionary’s micro- and macrostructures in resolving challenges of Russian word-formation synthesis” in the July 2024 proceedings of the II International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Society and Science: Future Development.’ This work is the eighth in a series of articles by Ivliyeva that evaluate word-formation synthesis concepts in application to the Russian language system.
Dr. Merilee Krueger, teaching professor of psychological science, received the title of Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor from the University of Missouri Board of Curators on Sept. 12, in recognition of her exemplary service to the University of Missouri and outstanding teaching efforts.
Dr. Symeon Mystakidis, assistant professor of physics, recently published several articles, including the following: in Physical Review A, a paper titled "Tunneling dynamics of 164 Dy supersolids and droplets;" “Particle imbalanced weakly interacting quantum droplets in one-dimension” in the APS Physical Review A; in Physical Review Research "Phases and dynamics of few fermionic impurities immersed in two-dimensional boson droplets;" and, in partnership with Dr. Garyfallia C. Katsimiga, assistant teaching professor of physics, an article in Physical Review A titled “Dispersive shock waves in a one-dimensional droplet-bearing environment”.
Dr. Dev Niyogi, professor of biological sciences, received another $25,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Interior for a project titled “Mitigating nonpoint source nutrient pollution in urban runoff with full-scale floating treatment wetlands.” With this addition, the award totals $50,000.
Dr. Yew San Hor, associate professor of physics, received $255,443 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a project titled “Equipment: MRI: Track 3 acquisition of helium recovery equipment: retrofitting physical property measurement system for quantum materials research.”
Dr. Ann Schlotzhauer, assistant professor of psychological science, published an article titled, "Extraversion, workplace support, and burnout: The moderating role of neuroticism" in Personality and Individual Differences.
Dr. Kathleen Sheppard, professor of history and political science, had her latest book, Women in the Valley of the Kings, reviewed in The New York Times Book Review in September. She gave several talks this month in the U.S. and the U.K. as part of the release of her book. On Sept. 10, she spoke to the Bristol Egyptology Society about the first women to excavate at the Temple of Mut. A week later, on Sept. 18, she spoke to the Victorian Society of New York, giving them a virtual tour of Egyptological sites in Gilded Age New York. On Sept. 21, she was the featured speaker at the Taunton Literary Festival in Taunton, England. Finally, she was the keynote speaker at the Egypt Exploration Society in Bloomsbury, London, on Sept. 25.
Dr. Chariklia "Lia" Sotiriou-Leventis, chair and professor of chemistry, and her group published a paper titled: "The effect of nanomorphology as quantified via the K-index on the drug delivery properties of isocyanate-derived aerogels," in ACS Applied Polymer Materials Journal. This study explored the potential to predict the drug loading and release profiles of aerogels based on their morphologies: a milestone in drug delivery research, which will help save time and cost in formulating new aerogel drug carriers and cut-down evaluation of the drug delivery capabilities of aerogels to a few experimental runs.
Logan Sowadski, a master’s student in physics, is the first author of the article "Magnetic properties of diluted hexaferrites" that was recently published in Physical Review B. Working with physics professors Drs. Julia Medvedeva and Thomas Vojta, as well as former physics students Cameron Lerch and Sean Anderson, Logan performed computer simulations to explain puzzling experiments on the magnetic properties of these materials.
Dr. Dave Westenberg, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor of biological sciences, was interviewed on the latest “Matters Microbial” podcast (also filmed and posted on YouTube). He discussed his efforts at microbial outreach from K-12 and beyond, his research program, and his experiences teaching microbiology to engineers.
Dr. Aaron Zalis, director of the South Central Regional Professional Development Center, received a $57,500 grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a project titled “South Central Regional Professional Development Center consolidated contract.” With this addition, the award totals $3,214,650.
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Dr. Steve Christiansen, Physics’72, has provided a generous gift of $40,000 to the physics department. In addition, Dr. Kul Bhasin, PhD Physics’76, and Charlotte Bhasin, Psych’77, have generously donated $25,000 to the physics department in honor of the exceptional teaching and mentorship they received from Professor Ralph Alexander and Dr. Robert J. Bell.
If you are interested in joining alumni like them in supporting the college, contact, Michelle Shults, senior development officer for CASE, at shultsm@mst.edu or call 573-341-4380.
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Disclaimer: CASE does not endorse the viewpoints presented in the essays featured in this section of the newsletter. We share these essays purely as "food for thought" and encourage our informed audience to independently evaluate and form their own opinions on the topics discussed.
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College of Arts, Sciences, and Education
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Missouri University of Science and Technology
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