Kudos to these faculty, staff and programs.
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- Lori Rubino-Hare, a research associate for the Center for STEM Teaching and Learning (CSTL), co-authored an article recently published in the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education. The article, titled “Cultivating Data Fluency through Technology-Enhanced, Place-Based, Data-Rich Instruction: A Conceptual Professional Learning Framework,” presents an educational system that positions teachers as learners first to connect them with students’ cultural identities and lived experiences. The framework was developed with support from CSTL research associate Sean Ryan and CSTL senior research coordinator Lauren Shollenberger as part of the Place-Based Learning to Advance Connections, Education, and Stewardship project.
- Eight NAU academics were co-authors on the paper “Estimating dynamic transmission rates with a Black–Karasinski process in stochastic SIHR models using particle MCMC,” published in the journal Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications. The paper describes a new mathematical model for tracking how diseases spread and tests its efficacy by using Arizona flu hospitalization data. The paper’s contributors are as follows:
- Avery Drennan, a part-time temporary employee in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems (SICCS)
- SICCS senior data scientist Jeffrey Covington
- NAU alum and former research assistant Andrew Attilio
- Jaechoul Lee, an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Department of Biological Sciences professor Richard Posner
- SICCS professor Eck Doerry
- SICCS associate professor Joseph Mihaljevic
- Ye Chen, an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Statistics graduate student Karl Reger was the first author of the paper “Automated Baseline-Correction and Signal-Detection Algorithms with Web-Based Implementations for Thermal Liquid Biopsy Data Analysis,” published in the journal Cancers. The study details the development of two algorithms that automate blood plasma analysis for faster, easier diagnostics. Fellow statistics graduate student Keegan Line and Department of Mathematics and Statistics associate professor Robert Buscaglia were among the study’s co-authors.
- Five visual communication students and alumni were recognized in the annual World Brand Design Society Student Awards, an international competition celebrating outstanding design work from students and emerging creatives. Alumnae Analise Talbot and Iris Zepezaur joined undergraduate student Alexis Beaman to earn bronze awards for their respective design projects. Undergraduate students Tacey Grant and Waylon Wilsey were also commended with honorable mentions.
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics associate professor Jeffrey Hovermill, alongside STEM Education associate clinical professor Theresa Fuller and associate teaching professor Joel Johanson, secured a $10,000 grant from the Mathematics Teacher Education Partnership. They will use this funding to support professional learning opportunities for 20 Flagstaff secondary education math teachers and six NAU faculty members.
- Gioia Woods, Department of Comparative Cultural Studies chair and professor, will be launching her new book at Flagstaff’s Bright Side Bookshop on Feb. 8. Titled “City Lights: Lawrence Ferlinghetti and the Biography of a Bookstore,” Woods’ book explores how the first all-paperback bookstore continues to influence how literature is produced and read.
- Ten academics from the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science (APS) presented at the American Geophysical Union meeting in December. Participating presenters are as follows:
- Undergraduate student Emma Johnson
- Graduate students Dede Chapline, Laura Lee and Ian Marrs
- Postdoctoral scholars Ben McKeeby, Lauren McGraw and Annika Gustafsson
- Professor Christopher Edwards
- Associate professors Cristina Thomas and Mark Salvatore
- APS students and faculty also presented at the 247th American Astronomical Society meeting in Phoenix. Presenters included undergraduate students Samantha McLean, Link Boudreaux and Gabby Cruz as well as Chair David Trilling.
- APS professor Josh Emery, Astrophysical Ice Lab adjunct faculty member Will Grundy and NAU alumna Oriel Humes co-authored the paper “Evidence of Possible Spectral Variability in the Patroclus-Menoetius Binary System,” published in The Planetary Science Journal. Using updated color spectrum measurements, these scientists tentatively reported anomalies in how certain asteroids reflect light.
- Radiant Center postdoctoral scholar Benjamin McKeeby, APS assistant professor Alicia Rutledge and Edwards co-authored the paper “Polythermal Glacial Landforms in Acidalia Planitia Reveal Amazonian Ice-Related Processes on Mars,” published in JGR Planets. The study unveils evidence that Mars had glaciers during its most recent geologic era.
- Edwards and Radiant Center research scientist Cheng Ye co-authored the paper “A Monte-Carlo radiative transfer model to simulate thermal infrared emission spectra from planetary surfaces: Mineralogical mixtures and thermal gradients,” published in Icarus. In the study, scientists developed a new computer model to gain a deeper understanding of the mineral compositions of extraterrestrial landscapes.