When senior biology major John Petronis enters Jianzhou He, Ph.D.’s lab at 91ɬ��’s College of Science and Mathematics, he sets his bag down, puts on his headphones and gets to work analyzing water samples. 

“Most of what I research is focused on the communities we live in,” Petronis said. “So a lot of the samples I monitor come from Tybee Island and the Savannah River.”

Petronis uses a Shimadzu particle size analyzer to identify and analyze what He calls emerging contaminants, specifically microplastics.

“Globally, we produce hundreds of millions of metric tons of plastics every year, and only about 9% get recycled,” explained He. “Microplastics are less than five millimeters, but the impact they’re having on the world right now is immeasurable, and it’s growing by the day.”

As these materials break down, they enter local waterways, rivers, marshland and drinking water, said He. They can be toxic, harming marine wildlife, disrupting food chains and affecting the ecosystem they occupy, making them a major environmental concern.

“There are currently no regulations or standards that monitor the amount of microplastics in our environment,” He said. “So there’s no record of how they behave in a coastal area like ours.”

Studying these chemicals in a more diverse ecosystem helps Petronis and He develop a thorough assessment of the risks they pose and propose practical solutions to reduce their presence. They use advanced technology provided through the Shimadzu Partnership for Academics, Research, and Quality of Life (SPARQ) program to support their research. The SPARQ partnership gives students like Petronis a chance to work with the latest in industry-standard equipment.  

“This research wouldn’t be possible without the tools from Shimadzu,” said He. “My students could not complete their work otherwise.” 

Equipment like the particle size analyzer helps them identify these chemicals on a granular level. They also want to see how environmental (UV) exposure changes them over time, so Petronis uses the sunlight simulator machine to produce results in minutes instead of the 3,000 hours it would otherwise take. But Petronis, a full-time student with a full-time job, doesn’t mind putting in the time. 

“I want to have a deeper understanding of how we exist in our world,” he explained. “The environmental science aspect…I mean, that’s the equivalent to cleaning your room. I look at the Earth and think, ‘I want to clean this place up. I want to take care of what’s been given to us,’ and this research opportunity has done just that.”

The Georgia Department of Health is working with researchers from 91ɬ��’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health after Georgia lawmakers requested more information to address the rise of adolescent social media use.  

The U.S. Surgeon General said social media use among adolescents is increasing at an alarming pace, and its effects on youth ages 13 to 18 are concerning. 

“There are increasing concerns among researchers, parents and caregivers, young people, health care experts and others about the impact of social media on youth mental health,”  the published in 2023, states. “More research is needed to understand the impact of social media fully.” 

“We frequently partner with the Department of Public Health,” said Tilicia Mayo-Gamble, Ph.D., associate dean for practice and research and principal investigator for the report. “This was going to require intense data collection, and they knew we could handle it.” 

Mayo-Gamble is an associate professor in the Department of Health Policy and Community Health at Georgia Southern. Her background in communications proved helpful as she partnered with Chun Hai Fung, Ph.D., professor of biostatistics, epidemiology and environmental health sciences, whose work was cited in the surgeon general’s initial report.

“Dr. Fung is an excellent epidemiologist, and he also works with large data sets,” Mayo-Gamble said. “That’s exactly what this project needed.”

The group reviewed post-COVID research and existing federal laws before recommending a comprehensive media literacy program. It would target students in grades 4 through 12 and be developed by the Georgia Department of Education. Mayo-Gamble said the curriculum would teach healthy social media habits, privacy protection skills and problematic use patterns.    

“A program like this would be extremely important,” she said. “That’s what public health is; it’s more than research, it’s about having the chance to impact people’s lives.”

They also recommended continued funding for research and monitoring social media’s impact on youth. The collected data would be used to inform future policy development as technologies continue to grow. But these benefits extend beyond informing policymakers. 

“Research like this is meant to support communication between parents and their children,” Mayo-Gamble said. “I do think that a lot of parents worry if they’re doing the right thing for their kids. So if there’s an opportunity to educate parents about something that impacts their ability to be a good parent, I think that’s the type of research we should be doing.”

While illustrating the importance of 91ɬ��’s Senior Companion Program, Deb Blackburn, the program’s director, recalled one situation with potentially deadly consequences.

“There was a woman on our waiting list who lived alone and was very sick,” she said. “We went to check on her, and could smell the natural gas. She had a leak that no one knew about. We got her out of the house immediately, and called the fire department. The woman quickly recovered.”

Efforts to prevent those kinds of incidents received a major boost in the form of a $378,000 grant increase from AmeriCorps Senior. Effective July 1, the funding is one of three equal installments arriving over the next three years. It’s part of the largest-ever award for the program housed in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ Center for Social Gerontology.

Sometimes called “companions,” volunteers, 55 and older, are paired with seniors needing support to live independently in their homes. They provide socialization while assisting with meal preparation, household chores and occasional transportation.

Clients live in 15 counties across southeastern Georgia including Bulloch, Emanuel and Effingham. These counties, plus six more, have waiting lists. The new contract no longer divides the funds by location, meaning volunteers can go to areas of greatest need. Currently, there are 7 vacancies for volunteers.

Other benefits include an hourly stipend, better travel reimbursement rates for volunteers and the doubling of their daily meal stipend from $1.50 to $3. These changes are significant, because companion eligibility requires an annual individual income no higher than $31,920.

Theretha Alston has been one of those companions for four years. Until recently, she visited  Beatrice Huff, a 94-year-old Bulloch County resident. Huff’s own work with the program inspired Alston to get involved.

“I heard about the program by word of mouth, at the time, Beatrice was still working as a companion,” she said. “Seeing her so excited about the program at the age of 90 inspired me on a daily basis. I thought to myself ‘What if I could be like that at her age?’ She just retired last year.”

Alston spent four days a week with Huff for five hours each day helping with her lunch, her exercises and walks to the mailbox. Unfortunately, Alston needed to be paired with another senior for logistical reasons. Still, she cherishes the conversations she shared with Huff.

“My favorite part was hearing about her history,” she said. “She would start talking about her childhood, her school days, meeting her husband, raising a family and her grandkids. Then she  would start smiling for sure.” 

Blackburn emphasized that social connections like this can improve quality of life for isolated individuals

“To me, that’s one of the best examples of how our participation in the community helps people who are alone and don’t have the capacity to take care of all their household needs,” she said.

John Banter, Ed.D. has been selected to serve as assistant vice president for Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership Development, and Engagement (OELDE), effective August 1.

“John listens before he decides,” said Dominique Quarles, Ph.D., associate vice president for Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership Development and Engagement. “Colleagues across campus trust him, and he follows through without being asked twice. Those instincts are what set him apart, and they are why I have full confidence in his ability to lead in this capacity.”

Banter has built a strong record of measurable and meaningful work since joining the OELDE team as director of the Office of Organizational Effectiveness. He served as strategic planning administrator in the development of the University Strategic Plan, Soaring Beyond 2030, and has since led the centralized data collection process for the institutional key performance indicators tied to that plan. 

He also developed and launched the Leadership Development Institute for Emerging Leaders. He co-leads the University Strategic Engagement and Alignment Committee, ensuring the university’s strategic priorities translate into coordinated action across campus.

“I am excited to serve in this role and to partner with colleagues across the university as we develop leaders, strengthen engagement and take purposeful action to advance Georgia Southern’s mission and vision,” said Banter

Banter will work alongside Quarles to help align leadership development, institutional engagement, and organizational effectiveness work with the University’s mission and strategic plan and will assume administrative oversight of the Office of Institutional Engagement and the Office of Student Engagement and Support. 

That also includes strengthening the leadership and professional development ecosystem, including the Leadership Development Institutes and the employee e-learning platform, while building out systems to track data and results. 

Banter brings 20 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education to his new role. 

Amy Potter, Ph.D., professor of geography in 91ɬ��’s College of Science and Mathematics, is the latest 91ɬ�� faculty member to serve as a Fulbright Specialist. Part of the broader Fulbright Program, the specialist designation supports short-term, project-based collaborations between U.S. scholars and international institutions.

Earlier this year, Potter traveled to the Northern Colombian city of Monteria as a Fulbright Specialist and contributed her expertise to “Colombia–U.S. Dialogue on Global Water & Sustainability,” a collaborative, online, international learning (COIL) experience — an educational model that connects faculty from international institutions to design courses around shared topics. 

It examines the effects of economic growth on environmental and cultural sustainability. The idea originated with Aura Garcia, a faculty member at Pontifical Bolivarian University–Montería (UPB–Montería). 

Garcia chose Potter as her collaborator after being impressed by her previous work in cultural sustainability.

“I wanted Amy after seeing her work in tourism and her efforts in Ireland trying to preserve the culture of the family farm,” she said.

Culminating in a four-week class for Potter and Garcia’s students this fall, the COIL experience will focus on southeast Georgia and members of the Indigenous Zenú community, whose pre-Columbian roots are in and around present-day Montería.

Potter spoke specifically about the reality in southeast Georgia, acknowledging .

“Development brings incredible opportunities, including much-needed jobs for a region like ours, but it also creates pressure, especially on our water resources,” she explained. “The key question is whether our water systems can sustain that growth over time.”

Garcia painted a similar picture for the city of Monteria.

“The population has grown, and we’ve seen increased revenue and improved infrastructure,” she said. “The Zenú people are definitely feeling pressure. They are still trying to figure out how their culture fits in this development.”

Potter saw this firsthand when she visited the town of Tuchín. Located about 30 miles northeast of Montería, the town has a predominant Zenú population. It serves as a production site for the sombrero vueltiao. The headwear, which has been made by Zenú artisans for centuries, is known for its vibrant color and intricate design.

“I had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with artisans who make this sombrero,” she said. “In 2004, it was designated a national symbol of Colombia.”

Made from a native plant called caña flecha, Potter said this beloved cultural symbol is under threat from “different kinds of water issues,” including .

Despite these challenges, the community and its traditions are still enduring, according to Potter. She recalled her visit to the Association of Producers for the Rehabilitation of Agricultural Productivity as an example of this endurance. The agricultural group, located roughly 47 miles north of Monteria, replicates the canals and the ancient hydraulic systems created by the Zenú people. 

“The raised land protects the crops from floods and creates food security for Zenú families,” she explained. “These tried-and-true ancestral practices are what’s creating resilience today.” 

Reflecting on her time in Colombia, Potter noted how meaningful it is to learn from different cultures, perspectives and histories.

“Having the opportunity to interact with and learn from the Zenú people in this epicenter of Colombian culture was deeply moving,” she said. “I’m also pretty excited about the viewpoint we’re going to bring.”

Potter hopes the students will have a similar experience in the class later this year. 

“This will be a unique experience,” Garcia added. “It’s the first time we are offering collaborative classes with an American institution, and students are eager to learn how other places address water sustainability.”

The Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing (AEPCEC) at 91ɬ�� hosted its annual Student Research Symposium showcasing the next generation of technological and engineering advancements. 

The 2026 symposium featured academic talent and innovative research, highlighting presentations from over 300 undergraduate and graduate students. More than 130 interactive technical posters were presented spanning research topics in cutting-edge computing, advanced infrastructure, robotics, smart energy, artificial intelligence and engineering innovation.  

The event drew participation from approximately 40 industry partner companies who actively engaged with the presented research, underscoring the symposium’s growing role as a bridge between student research, workforce development and industry needs. 

“This event is an essential launchpad for our students to step out of the classroom and showcase their innovative work with real-world applications,” said Reinhold Gerbsch, DSc, director of industrial relations for the college. “Presenting research across fields like robotics, civil engineering and artificial intelligence teaches students how to articulate complex concepts with clarity to industry professionals.” 

The symposium also featured an on-site career fair, giving students the opportunity to connect with major industry employers, including Gulfstream Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, Thomas & Hutton and more. 

“Having companies on-site creates a dynamic professional network where industry leaders are not simply judging the students’ work, they are there to mentor, advise and hire,” Gerbsch explained. “Their involvement ensures our students understand what the engineering and computing sectors are looking for in new hires and how their research connects to emerging industry needs.”  

Team and individual awards were presented to undergraduate and graduate students. These included:

UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS

AEPCEC Top Eagle Award 

Olaudo Victor-Ofoegbu, Jalen Mordica, Iniuobong Unah

Crider Foods – Manufacturing, Robotics & Automation Award

Elizabeth McGlone, Sebastian Oviedo, Ariana Story, Anish Goyal

Gulfstream Business Technology Computer Science Award 

Nicholas Hubbard

Gulfstream Business Technology Information Technology Award 

Michael Woodcock

Gulfstream Completions Engineering – Electrical and Computer Engineering Award

Tamera Gilmore, Jack Jones, Perrin Freeman, Bryan Bosely

Gulfstream Innovation, Engineering & Flight Excellence Award

Caleb Lewis, Jack Giles, Elsie Lappin

Rolls-Royce Power Systems Mechanical Engineering Award

Milton Tomas Santizo

Thomas & Hutton Civil Engineering and Construction Award  

Rosemarie Gante, Ariful Islam Shuvo, Peya Sharif, Yocelin Ramos-Perez, Natalia Alanis, Isabella Funes

AEPCEC- Computing Award 

Alejandro Girón, Thi Tran, Nicholas-Paul Webster, Casey Morgan 

GRADUATE AWARDS

AEPCEC Top Eagle Award 

John Havenar

Crider Foods – Manufacturing, Robotics & Automation Award

Emmanuella Ogun,Yong Ann Voeurn

Gulfstream Business Technology Computer Science Award 

Mary Dufie Afrane

Gulfstream Business Technology Information Technology Award 

Temitope Elijah

Gulfstream Completions Engineering – Electrical and Computer Engineering Award

Jonas Chen

Gulfstream Innovation, Engineering & Flight Excellence Award

Chowdhury Irtiza

Rolls-Royce Power Systems Mechanical Engineering Award

Melinawo Vowotor

Thomas & Hutton Civil Engineering and Construction Award  

Md. Moshiur Rahman Tushar

AEPCEC- Computing Award 

Deborah Osahor

Industry and community partners interested in engaging with Georgia Southern engineering and computing students are invited to participate in future Student Research Symposium events through judging, sponsorship, career fair participation, technical mentorship and research collaboration opportunities.

For more information about participating in the Student Research Symposium and to view all of the 2026 award finalists, please visit: /colleges/engineering-computing/research/undergraduate-research/symposium. 

91ɬ�� is once again setting the standard for excellence at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York, receiving outstanding delegation distinction for the 15th year in a row. 

“Our success is due to the quality of our students,” said Barry Balleck, Ph.D., team advisor and professor of politics and international studies. “They have a passion for Model UN and they believe in the diplomatic process. They have not been jaded to believe that diplomacy is weakness and that international cooperation is passé.”

Georgia Southern has one of the longest-running Model United Nations programs in the country, beginning in 1972. Balleck says that the team’s wins this year have just reinforced what he’s known since he started leading the program 30 years ago. 

“Our students can match up to students from any university anywhere in the world,” Balleck said. “The difference between our students and others is that they have a passion for Model UN and for the standard of excellence that we have set in this program. We emphasize every year that our students are not just representing themselves in any particular year; they are representing the legacy of the Model UN established by 91ɬ��.”

The weight of that responsibility is heavy, but Balleck says it’s a crucial tool in preparing students for their future. 

“Our students learn research, writing and critical thinking skills that help them in whatever profession they choose,” he explained. “I have students who are teachers, diplomats, doctors, lawyers, government officials, peace corps volunteers, lobbyists — the list goes on and on.” 

Those skills helped the Georgia Southern team stand out at the conference this year, bringing home multiple awards in categories like Outstanding Distinction for Position Paper Writing and Outstanding Delegate Distinction in Committee. Balleck says the group is already preparing for next year.  

“Our delegation will be conducting three middle and high school conferences next academic year,” he said. “These conferences will bring nearly 1,200 students to 91ɬ��. Then we’ll attend the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference next year in New York City at the end of March 2027.”

That will mark Balleck’s 31st year with the organization. After all this time, he still says that Model UN is the best academic tool he’s ever been associated with. 

“It teaches students advanced methods in public speaking, research, technical writing and diplomacy,” he said. “In my opinion, the experiential components of Model UN are unmatched by any other experience.”

Winners include:

OUTSTANDING DELEGATION

• Becerra, Ruby
• Benyehudah, Ellie
• Busboom, Emma
• Chavvakula, Varshita
• Collins, Logan — Assistant Advisor
• Dykes, Kierstin
• Franco, Jaelly
• Gibbs, Amiyah
• Hill, Xenovia
• Mason, Natassia
• Millan Merchan, Jorge
• Moore, Chloe
• Norman, Malachi
• Pagelsen, Logan
• Roberts, Lily
• Rumsey, Ava
• Sherrill, Jacob
• Taylor-Williams, Ariana — Head Delegate
• Wheeler, Jaden
• Williams, Emma
• Balleck, Barry — Advisor

OUTSTANDING POSITION PAPER WRITING 

General Assembly Third Committee (GA3)

• Chavvakula, Varshita
• Pagelsen, Logan

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

• Dykes, Kiersten
• Hill, Xenovia

Human Rights Committee (HRC)

• Williams, Emma
• Roberts, Lily

OUTSTANDING DELEGATES IN COMMITTEE

General Assembly First Committee (GA1)

• Millan Merchan, Jorge
• Franco, Jaelly

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

• Dykes, Kiersten
• Hill, Xenovia

Human Rights Committee (HRC)

• Williams, Emma
• Roberts, Lily

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

• Becerra, Ruby
• Mason, Nattassia

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

• Benyehudah, Ellie
• Moore, Chloe

Romanian lecturer Mihaela Udristioiu, Ph.D. has returned to 91ɬ�� for her second time as a Fulbright research scholar fellow.

“I was always a curious child,” said Udristioiu. “I love questions. The answers we find help us better understand the beauty of nature and the laws that govern our universe.”

That curiosity is what encouraged the Romanian lecturer to apply for the Fulbright research scholar program to work on physics education and environmental science with 91ɬ�� associate professor of physics Dragos Amarie, Ph.D. 

The two first met during a study abroad program in Romania in 2017, during the Science and Culture Study Abroad program. Amarie said the teaching style of Romanian universities was different from what he was used to.  

Udristioiu was especially interested in learning how university faculty in the U.S. engage with their students and create active learning environments.

“How students understand physics is very important to me,” Udristioiu said. “My American colleagues have shown me how much better teaching is when it is interactive and involves students.”

Things are a little different in Romanian universities, she says.  

“Romanian universities teach differently than how we do in the States,” Amarie said. “The lectures are formal, and you’re doomed if you miss a single one.”

“I prefer a more student-centered approach, especially when it comes to teaching difficult science courses,” he explained. “Classes should be interactive. Students should be encouraged to ask their professors questions. Having them engage and question what we teach, that’s how a student learns.”

Udristioiu, impressed by his teaching style, hoped to join Amarie in the States in 2020. COVID-19 had other plans. The study abroad program stopped, but their collaboration continued. Then, in 2022, she was awarded a Fulbright research scholar grant, joining Amarie in the classroom at Georgia Southern. 

“She did such a great job while she was here,” said Amarie. “The Fulbright Romania encouraged Dr. Udristioiu to submit a new application to strengthen the collaboration.” 

That’s why she applied for the Fulbright grant again. She’s back in the states now, working on a research project focused on air pollution monitoring, modelling, making predictions and forecasting. 

“Science crosses borders, and collaboration helps us open new doors to knowledge,” she said.

What can a handheld grip test reveal about military readiness? According to 91ɬ�� researchers, it turns out quite a lot. 

It’s one of several tools 91ɬ��’s Tactical Athlete Initiative (TAI) is using in partnership with the University’s Army ROTC program to improve how cadets train.

Under the direction of Professor of Exercise Science Bridget Melton, Ed.D., and Associate Professor and Director of Tactical Performance Joseph Kardouni, Ph.D., DPT, and supported in part by a Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) grant, the initiative brings in researchers to enhance military training through fitness assessments. 

Cadets complete a series of physical tests – such as rowing and jumping – while wearing top-of-the-line monitoring equipment. Data is collected during these assessments and then analyzed by TAI researchers to provide individualized training enhancements for cadets.

Graduate coaching education student Spencer Boling is leading this effort as the first graduate assistant assigned to the TAI.

“It has been nothing short of special,” Boling said. “Being the first in this role means I am actively building this from the ground up, and there is a real responsibility that comes with that.”

Student Jacob Mullins supports the collaboration by helping calibrate the VO2 Master testing system – a mask that measures oxygen intake in real time and gives highly accurate data on aerobic capacity.

“It is fun to be a part of a team doing something meaningful like gathering data,” Mullins said. “It gave me a better understanding of performance testing and the importance of teamwork and preparation.”

One of the initiative’s biggest highlights was placing ninth at the Ranger Challenge, a regional military skills competition, a result of the work put in at the lab. 

“A top-10 finish is a genuine achievement and a direct reflection of the cadets’ commitment to physical preparation,” Boling said. “Watching a cadet hit a personal record in the weight room, seeing them pass their Army Fitness Test with flying colors, or simply noticing them develop healthier daily habits are all moments that remind me exactly why this work matters.”

For Boling, the initiative has been transformative both in and out of the lab. 

“This collaboration has changed the trajectory of my career,” Boling added. “I always thought I wanted to work in traditional sports, but after seeing the impact of training the tactical population, people who rely on fitness for life and service, I know this is where I belong.”

The program, led by , is proud to announce a new partnership with 91ɬ�� to enhance and scale up industry-driven training opportunities for current and prospective metalworking and manufacturing professionals. Funded by the Department of War’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, focusing on casting, forging and plate rolling.

Georgia Southern’s Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) program will implement METAL’s nationally recognized curriculum in its program, beginning with a combination of online training and immersive in-person bootcamps held at a manufacturing lab, equipped for metal melting, heat treatment and machining capabilities.

In addition to adult training, these programs will lead outreach efforts for K–12 students by offering workshops and partnering with high schools and other local and regional schools to spark early interest in metallurgical careers.

“The hands-on training students and job seekers will experience through METAL’s partnership with Georgia Southern will teach them industry-ready skills they can apply immediately,” said Lucinda Curry, METAL National Workforce Manager at IACMI. “These are high-demand, high-impact careers and exposing students to modern metalworking helps build a pipeline of talent ready to support American manufacturing and innovation.”

Upon completing online and in-person bootcamp training, participants may enter a stacked curriculum offering a menu of specialized training opportunities within METAL, allowing participants to tailor their learning experience, including an enhanced focus on automation in the casting and forging industry. 

“We are excited to partner with METAL to provide hands-on and computational learning experiences using our exceptional manufacturing facilities,” said Mingzhi Xu, Ph.D., FEF Key Professor at Georgia Southern. “By opening our foundry and laboratories to the broader community, we are proud to support METAL’s mission and help prepare the public for high-impact careers in modern metal manufacturing.”

91ɬ��’s partnership with METAL includes:

• Online training, progressing to hands-on, in-person bootcamps conducted within a manufacturing lab, equipped with metal melting, heat treatment and machining capabilities
• Execute a minimum of 12 in-person bootcamps for at least 150 participants throughout the course of its tenure
• Host at least six open foundry nights for a minimum of 200 K-12 students
• Foster collaborations with local high schools and community colleges. This strategic partnership will focus on integrating METAL training into their educational curriculum, enriching opportunities for students interested in metalworking and manufacturing. 
• Participate in a comprehensive Train the Trainer initiative, which aims to equip future METAL program partner schools and training centers with the knowledge and capability to host bootcamps
• Establish academic credit for secondary and post-secondary students and non-credit pathways including courses that can be applied to micro credentials, industry certifications, apprenticeships and degree tracks. The effort ensures alignment with industry standards while providing students with recognized certifications and future educational opportunities in metallurgy.

Georgia Southern’s addition to the METAL network strengthens a growing national network of METAL hubs, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee Tech, Michigan Technological University, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, NC State and Purdue University. Together, these institutions are revitalizing American manufacturing by delivering responsive, scalable and sustainable workforce development programs.