糖心Vlog鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) received approval from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) to launch a Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical sciences degree. The Board of Regents approved the academic program during a meeting on Oct. 14. Pending final approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), classes will begin in fall 2026 on both the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses.

鈥淭his new Ph.D. program creates an invaluable educational pipeline, completing the continuity of training we envisioned when we launched our undergraduate program,鈥� said Michael Huggins, Ph.D., COSM dean. 鈥淣ow, students can begin their journey with us as freshmen, engage in mentored research throughout their bachelor’s degree and seamlessly transition into a terminal degree that accelerates their progress toward becoming independent researchers.鈥�

The Ph.D. in biomedical sciences program will cover a range of topics including immunology, virology, neuroscience and genetics. After completing core courses, students will select advanced courses with their faculty mentor, tailoring the students鈥� research to their areas of interest. The addition of the degree brings fresh opportunities for students and faculty alike to pursue research in a variety of fields under the biomedical umbrella.

“This new Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences is a testament to 糖心Vlog’s commitment to advancing health care innovation,鈥� said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Avinandan Mukherjee, Ph.D. 鈥淏y fostering top-tier research and cultivating skilled professionals, we are directly contributing to the economic vitality and robust health of our region and the broader health care industry.”

The addition of a terminal degree in the field of biomedical sciences will complement the Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences degree added in 2025 and build on COSM鈥檚 strong research foundation. 

鈥淭he biomedical sciences Ph.D. is a major step forward, fundamentally strengthening our research enterprise,鈥� said Huggins. 鈥淭his program is specifically designed to address complex, cutting-edge challenges in biomedicine, which will attract top-tier faculty and secure greater external funding, solidifying our standing as a leading research institution.”

The new doctoral program adds to COSM鈥檚 degree program portfolio to now include three Ph.D. programs: biomedical sciences, environmental science and materials science. COSM offers state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, including geospatial technology labs, an aquatics lab, microscopy and mass spectrometry suites and Core Research Laboratory. Additional resources such as animal care spaces, greenhouses, a herbarium and an insectary further support faculty and student projects. The college also operates an undergraduate research office that encourages students to compete for grants and present at research symposia.

First year biomed student Ivy Nash said the Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences  program was a perfect fit when she looked for options to start her college career.

鈥淚 wanted to be a doctor, but I didn’t know what to major in at first,鈥� said Nash. 鈥淪o I did research and found the biomedical program. I love biology and I also love medicine at the same time, so putting those two together, I fell in love with the programs they have and what I can do with it.鈥�

Since the program launched in fall 2025, demand for the Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences degree at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 College of Science and Mathematics has been high with over 130 students enrolling in the program. It has proven to be popular with both newly enrolled students and upperclassmen who changed majors.

As the first group of students advance toward graduation, COSM leadership is working to support their next steps with a new pathways course. The class is designed to help students identify their specific interests in the field and chart a course to achieve a career or graduate level education to meet those interests. A portfolio course will also make its debut to make sure students are able to immediately enter the workforce or graduate school as soon as they receive their degree.

Program director Scott Mateer, Ph.D., feels a personal drive to help his students succeed. As a first generation college graduate, he found himself in uncharted waters after earning his bachelor’s degree. He decided to go on to earn his doctorate and begin teaching so he could help the next generation of scientists find their own path in life.

鈥淎t the end of the day, it鈥檚 about the students figuring out what鈥檚 important to them,鈥� said Mateer. 鈥淓verything I do comes back to the students because they are always going to come first to me.鈥�

To help students make connections and discover career opportunities in the field of biomedicine, Mateer hosts 鈥渕eet and mingle鈥� events where students can ask questions of professors and each other. Current biomed student Anya Bull appreciates the special attention the faculty have put into connecting with students.

鈥淚’ve been introduced to a lot of new organizations that really get me ready with shadowing and now with research opportunities,鈥� said Bull. 鈥淚’ve been getting more involved with my professors to have a more personal connection with them. Overall, I’ve found myself taking my education a lot more seriously now that I know how to plan for the future.鈥�

The Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences degree is available in person at both the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses.

When Professor Worlanyo Eric Gato, Ph.D., watches his students walk through the iron gates of Cape Coast Castle for the first time, he doesn鈥檛 say much. He doesn鈥檛 have to.

鈥淭hey feel it,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou can see it in their faces.鈥�

That moment 鈥� walking the same stone floors where generations of enslaved Africans once stood 鈥� is just one of many that define 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Study Abroad Program in Ghana, a three-week immersive experience blending public health research, cultural engagement and emotional growth. Led by a multidisciplinary team of faculty from the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), the College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) and the Institute for Water and Health (IWH), the program gives students more than academic insight. It gives them perspective.

Originally founded by the late Evans Afriyie-Gyawu, Ph.D., the Ghana Study Abroad Program has evolved into a high-impact educational model under the direction of JPHCOPH faculty members Bettye Apenteng, Ph.D., and Samuel Opoku, Ph.D., along with Gato. Their shared mission is clear: foster cultural awareness and empower students to address complex global health challenges 鈥� starting with those rooted in Ghana鈥檚 communities.

Real research, real impact

The program’s 2025 cohort took part in a collaborative research project centered on occupational and environmental exposures, particularly in illegal mining zones in Ghana鈥檚 Ashanti Region. Funded by Georgia Southern鈥檚 Internal Seed Funds, the IWH and the Office of Research and Economic Development, the project explored the relationship between water and soil-borne contaminants and chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

鈥淭his wasn鈥檛 a simulation, this was the real thing,鈥� said Nick Guerra, a graduate student studying public health. 鈥淲e were in the field, collecting water samples, interviewing residents and working side by side with Ghanaian students.鈥�

Their findings were sobering. Water samples from community wells revealed contamination by fecal bacteria. Soil tests uncovered dangerously high levels of heavy metals 鈥� arsenic, lead, copper, mercury 鈥� linked to illegal mining activities. And medical surveys showed widespread hypertension, often undiagnosed or untreated.

What made the work even more meaningful was its collaborative nature. Georgia Southern students were paired with their counterparts at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), building not only research teams but friendships.

鈥淲e taught each other,鈥� said Tia Taylor, another graduate student in the public health program. 鈥淲e shared techniques, ideas and stories. They were just as curious about us as we were about them.鈥�

For Gato, the partnerships are central to the program鈥檚 success. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about coming to Ghana and collecting data,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about mutual exchange 鈥� of knowledge, of culture, of purpose.鈥�

Learning beyond the classroom

Beyond the data and research, the students鈥� most lasting lessons often came from unexpected places: dinner tables, prayer circles and dirt roads deep in rural Ghana.

One night, when their van got stuck on an unpaved road, a group of local young men came to the rescue. 

鈥淭here was no tow truck, no roadside assistance,鈥� Gato recalled. 鈥淛ust kindness. The kind of kindness that stays with you.鈥�

Hospitality became a theme. Students dined with host families, learned about traditional dishes and participated in household prayer rituals. They shared laughs, tears and silent moments of awe.

鈥淭hese interactions humanized the experience,鈥� Gato said. 鈥淕hana became more than a destination 鈥� it became a network of relationships.鈥�

Taylor agreed. 

鈥淭heir warmth was overwhelming,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heir faith, constant. It made me want to pray more, to be more grounded. It changed the way I see people 鈥� and myself.鈥�

Cultural immersion meets academic rigor

In classrooms and research sites alike, students embraced a multidisciplinary lens. Their work spanned biochemistry, environmental science and public health 鈥� and was guided by faculty from three academic units. Each stop on the itinerary was carefully chosen, from university campuses to cultural landmarks, to create a holistic picture of health in Ghana.

Aslan, who led the environmental assessment and coordinated teams of students from both KNUST and Georgia Southern during the research leg, carried both personal and scientific aspirations into the study.

鈥淭hirteen years ago, when I began my journey at Georgia Southern as a new faculty member, we launched a water quality and health assessment with the late Dr. Afriyie-Gyawu,鈥� Aslan said. 鈥淭hat project produced an impactful research paper with students 鈥� one that still receives high citations today. Now, years later, to be collaborating with an exceptional team of new research partners from KNUST on such a cutting-edge project is beyond exciting. This project is a testament to IWH鈥檚 commitment to advancing global water initiatives, as our center continues to make a meaningful impact in Georgia and around the world.鈥�

For Guerra, that meant recognizing how social and economic conditions shape public health outcomes. 

鈥淪ome of the people we interviewed looked decades older than they were,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t hit me 鈥� poverty and limited access to health care age you.鈥�

Taylor, whose background is in health leadership, said the trip helped her mature both personally and professionally. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to read about global health challenges in a textbook,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 another to sit with someone, hold their hand and ask about their blood pressure.鈥�

Growing the pipeline

The program鈥檚 future is just as ambitious as its present.

In its next phase, the Ghana Study Abroad Program plans to expand its reach to students from Georgia Southern鈥檚 Africana Studies Program and institutions across south Georgia, broadening access to underrepresented populations. New research partnerships with the University of Cape Coast and the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, Ghana, will allow for more geographically diverse studies. The goal, according to Gato, is to build a sustainable pipeline for interdisciplinary, international collaboration.

鈥淭his is more than a trip. It鈥檚 a launchpad,鈥� he said.

With strong institutional support from the Director of the IWH and faculty member within JPHCOPH Asli Aslan, Ph.D., the Dean of JPHCOPH Stuart Tedders, Ph.D., and Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D., the program exemplifies Georgia Southern鈥檚 commitment to global engagement. Even the logistical hiccups 鈥� missed flights, shifting hotel reservations, slow internet 鈥� became part of the learning process.

鈥淲e adapted,鈥� Gato said. 鈥淲e smiled through it. And we came back stronger.鈥�

Advice for other faculty

When asked what he鈥檇 tell faculty thinking about launching their own global experiential learning program, Gato鈥檚 answer is simple: know your 鈥渨hy,鈥� build your team and lead with gratitude.

鈥淟et your local partners lead,鈥� he said. 鈥淟isten more than you speak. And always thank the people who make the experience possible 鈥� from bus drivers to tour guides to the students themselves.鈥�

A lasting legacy

For some, like Taylor, the trip was a connection to ancestral roots. For others, like Guerra, it was a journey into a future career in global health. And for faculty like Gato, it was another step in a long walk toward transformative education 鈥� one that transcends borders, disciplines and expectations.

鈥淓verything we teach in a lecture hall comes alive in Ghana,鈥� he said. 

Last month, Georgia Southern hosted the latest edition of the GS4 Student Scholar Research Symposium, which showcased posters and presentations from undergraduate and graduate students across 10 colleges.聽

The symposium, the University鈥檚 largest research-focused event, is held each Spring.

Anish Goyal, a freshman pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer engineering, presented research on the role of convolutional neural networks, or CNNs, in enhancing ground-penetrating radar, or GPR鈥攁 widely used, non-destructive method for locating deformities in concrete and testing for strength. GPR’s reliability is critical for public safety. Goyal said CNNs have the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of interpreting GPR data.

He hopes to become a leader in quantum science and engineering, and called his work 鈥渁n important first step鈥� in that direction.

In addition to presenting his own research, Goyal saw the symposium as a milestone in his academic journey.

鈥淭his opportunity to showcase my research to a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for innovation and problem-solving was invaluable,鈥� he said. 鈥淗aving my work recognized at such a prestigious event not only validated the effort I鈥檝e put into this project but also fueled my enthusiasm to continue exploring and pushing the boundaries of what鈥檚 possible in computational research.鈥�

He also appreciated the chance to grow professionally.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about presenting my own work; it鈥檚 about exchanging ideas and receiving feedback that can help me refine and improve my research,鈥� said Goyal. 鈥淭hese experiences also strengthen my professional network, which will be crucial as I pursue graduate studies and beyond.鈥�

Sam Bennett, a senior earning a Bachelor of Science in psychology, presented research focused on the relationship between problematic substance use and academic performance.

Bennett, who aspires to become a school counselor, said the research gave her valuable insight into that career path.

鈥淭o be an effective counselor and educator, I need a deep understanding of both in-school and out-of-school factors that affect student success,鈥� she said. 

Although she didn鈥檛 initially feel drawn to research, Bennett said experiences like the GS4 Symposium have changed her perspective.

鈥淚nitially, research was not something I was very enthusiastic about,鈥� she said. 鈥淗owever, as I became more involved, things changed. I now appreciate the power of research to answer important questions and inform action.鈥�

Bennett鈥檚 growing passion for research aligned well with remarks from keynote speaker Paul Hunton, president of North Carolina Public Radio. With more than two decades of experience in media, including working with researchers and scientists, Hunton emphasized the importance of involving the human element, no matter the topic.

鈥淩esearch is far more than lab data or journal citations,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about curiosity, storytelling and community building, even in media and filmmaking. I want students to see that no matter their discipline鈥攅ngineering, art, social sciences, or anything in between鈥攖heir work can have a broad impact if they learn to communicate it effectively and tie it back to the human experience.鈥�

Shainaz Landge, Ph.D., associate professor of organic chemistry in the College of Science and Mathematics, spearheaded the event and praised the variety of disciplines represented.

鈥淚t really is wonderful to see students from so many different disciplines sharing information and perspectives, and redefining the traditional notion of research,鈥� said Landge. 鈥淓very year, the symposium gets bigger and better, and I hope the students will carry this experience with them and use what they鈥檝e learned in their future endeavors.鈥�

Hard work and a willingness to embrace new experiences at 糖心Vlog have paved the way to Harvard University for graduate Eric Njoroge. This fall, he will begin his studies at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston, an achievement he credits to his transformative undergraduate experience.

鈥淐oming to Georgia Southern, I definitely had the goal to venture beyond my comfort zone, but the extent of my involvement surpassed all my expectations,鈥� Njoroge acknowledged. 鈥淚 was not that involved in high school, but Georgia Southern provided me with countless opportunities to learn and push myself.鈥�

Growing up near Atlanta, the son of Kenyan immigrants decided to earn his college degree at an institution in Georgia. 

鈥淲hat first made Georgia Southern stand out was its location,鈥� Njoroge explained. 鈥淚t was the furthest from home, which pushed me to do some deeper research. That鈥檚 when I discovered a community-oriented campus focused on providing many opportunities for students to grow.鈥�

Though initially considering engineering, Njoroge鈥檚 childhood interest in that field eventually evolved into a genuine appreciation for the healing arts.

鈥淲hen I arrived at Georgia Southern, I knew I liked health care, but my passion for dentistry began after volunteering in a free dental clinic during my first year,鈥� he recounted. 鈥淲hile volunteering, I saw patients come in with pain from toothaches or insecurities about visible cavities. But many times, all it took was an extraction or filling to uplift the spirits of these patients and restore their smiles.鈥�

As a biology major, Njoroge credits the faculty within the for equipping him with a robust foundation in STEM, which was crucial for his competitive score on the Dental Admission Test.

鈥淢any of my professors were so helpful and supportive, and even with the rigorous nature of STEM classes, they made the subjects enjoyable,鈥� he noted. 鈥淚n addition, during my Harvard interview, I received a lot of praise for my extracurricular activities at Georgia Southern.鈥�

Driven to challenge himself, Njoroge engaged in numerous facets of university life. He was a student in the Honors College, found camaraderie in a fraternity and led two student organizations as president: the Georgia Southern Pre-Dental Society and Resourceful Ambassadors of Medicine, an initiative he co-founded with his peers.

鈥淚鈥檝e been fortunate to dedicate my time outside of class doing things that are both meaningful and fulfilling,鈥� he revealed. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been rewarding to watch Resourceful Ambassadors of Medicine grow into a space that engages many pre-health students in different opportunities throughout the Statesboro community. 鈥� I never participated in a leadership position in high school, so obtaining two presidential positions in college has been shocking.鈥�

Njoroge is leaving Georgia Southern with deep gratitude and experiences to last a lifetime.

鈥淚 have learned many life lessons from different people here at Georgia Southern that I would not have gotten had I not attended,鈥� he shared. 鈥淏ecause of the countless people I interacted with here, this school will forever hold a special place in my heart.鈥�

As he prepares for his move to Boston, Njoroge expresses appreciation for the unwavering support of his parents. 

鈥淢y parents could not be happier,鈥� he commented. 鈥淎s my greatest supporters, they have always encouraged me to value education to make a better life for myself. Graduating from college just shows them that I continue to believe in that idea.鈥�

If you’d asked Kristin Bailey what she expected her college experience to include, wolves, zombies and cancer wouldn’t have made the list. 

But Bailey, a spring 2025 graduate from the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, was surprised to find her academic journey included those three things, and more. 

Despite beginning her academic journey as a non-traditional student on 糖心Vlog’s Armstrong Campus in Savannah, the first few years of her undergraduate program were relatively traditional until 2018, when she took a trip to the Swiss Alps with the to study Alpine biology. It was this trip that changed her life in more ways than one.

鈥淲e got to spend three weeks in Switzerland studying Alpine biology and that just changed my world,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I decided I wanted to get into research. It was a pivotal moment for me.鈥�

Along with finding her love of research, Bailey also found something more ominous.

鈥淚 found a lump in my breast,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淲hen I got back from the Alps, I went to the doctor to get it checked out. They basically told me to just watch it and wait.鈥�

Uncomfortable with that recommendation, Bailey continued searching for help on her own.

鈥淚 looked into all of the breast health events with free mammograms,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淎ll of them have requirements based on age or family history, and I didn鈥檛 have any of the factors that would make me high risk.鈥�

She credits her life-saving mammogram to a nurse she met at Georgia Southern.

鈥淲hen I realized that I could go to the clinic on campus, I went in for an annual wellness check,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淭he nurse who took care of me felt the lump and immediately put in the mammogram order.鈥�

Getting the order was not the end of her struggle to get diagnosed.

鈥淚 guess the imaging place also decided I was low risk, because three months later, the nurse who put in the order called me to check in and see how the mammogram went,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淲hen I told her they hadn鈥檛 seen me yet, she was the one who called them and advocated for me. After she raised hell, I was finally able to get the test and that鈥檚 when I found out.鈥�

After a year of fighting for doctors to take her seriously, Bailey finally received a diagnosis: she had stage three breast cancer.

鈥淚t was a journey,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淚 have to really thank and admire the nurse who decided to put in the mammogram and not look at the other factors, and the fact that she raised hell to get me that mammogram. I feel like she is one of the people who saved my life, because if I had waited any longer, it likely would have turned into stage four, which is incurable.鈥�

Her diagnosis came just one month before finals in November of 2019. Her immediate concern was that she might not be able to finish her degree on time.

鈥淩ight after getting diagnosed, you鈥檙e not in the right mental space to be able to do finals,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淚 thought I might have to postpone my bachelor鈥檚, but the support I received from Georgia Southern made it possible for me. I know a lot of students have situations pop up that make them feel overwhelmed and like they can鈥檛 continue, but I want them to know now what I learned. Talk to your professors and to the different departments at the university because there are so many resources available to help you through your challenges.鈥�

Bailey didn鈥檛 delay her education. She worked with Student Affairs to determine what resources were available to her and, with their assistance and the support of her program leaders, she continued. While the shift to online instruction in 2020 was a rough adjustment for many people, it came as a welcome change for Bailey.

鈥淚t just so happened that I started treatment the same year of COVID,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淚 started chemo in January 2020 and I was so lucky when everything moved online. It made it a little easier. Even still, my professors and everyone were always willing to work with me no matter what was going on. The only reason I was able to finish my bachelor鈥檚 on time was because of how great Georgia Southern and the biology department were with everything I had going on.鈥�

One way the biology program supported Bailey was by putting together a collection of comfort items for her to have during her treatments.

鈥淕etting the care package, I never would鈥檝e dreamed of something like that,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淲hen I came in and saw it, I started crying. It had individually wrapped gifts and a beautiful card. It was amazing. From comfort socks to tissues, each of the items was something small to soothe or comfort me during chemo, so I split them up as a little reward after each chemo session. It gave me a mood boost and helped me feel like I could get through it.鈥�

In 2020, Bailey worked through her senior year and continued her research while enduring chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and a double mastectomy. She was awarded the 2019-2020 Undergraduate Research Scholar Award for her dedication to research while facing extreme adversity.

In December of 2020, she graduated with her bachelor鈥檚 degree. That same year, she went into remission.

鈥淚 would go to my treatments and then head right back to campus on my way home to work on my research,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淓ven though it was COVID, my professors regularly saw me on campus. I was doing so much while trying to heal that I wasn鈥檛 able to recover fully. So after I graduated, I took a year and a half off to rest and work on my recovery.鈥�

When she felt ready to start her master鈥檚 degree, there was only one school she was willing to consider.

鈥淕eorgia Southern was the only place I wanted to come back to to do my master鈥檚 because of the support system at the school and in the biology department,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淭he support is never ending.鈥�

The fact that returning to the biology program in the would allow Bailey to reconnect with one of her biggest supporters, Professor , only made her decision easier.

鈥淚 never imagined how amazing and willing to work with you the professors would be, but they were absolutely wonderful,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淒r. Zettler was right there next to me through everything.鈥�

As part of her master鈥檚 program, Bailey spent time researching the entomopathogenic fungus arthrophaga myriapodina, more commonly known as a zombie fungus, on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah.

鈥淲e did a bunch of investigations and proved this fungus鈥檚 existence here,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 only ever been documented in the Northeastern United States, so this is the first case of it being in the Southeastern United States. We also found that it鈥檚 infecting a new genus of millipedes. It鈥檚 a lot of new information and it鈥檚 very exciting.鈥�

The potential impact of her research reaches beyond fungi studies.

鈥淐ertain types of these fungi have been shown in lab tests to inhibit cancer cell migration,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been obsessed with these kinds of fungi since I was diagnosed.鈥�

The motivation to participate in research that other specialties could build on, with the hope of eventually curing cancer, was a driving force for Bailey following her own health battle, and what led her to specialize in this zombie fungus during her graduate studies.

鈥淭hese fungi have a variety of unique compounds, and there鈥檚 no telling what can be done to help humans,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淚 wanted to contribute to that body of knowledge. I鈥檓 very open about my journey and vocal about breast cancer awareness because it took me so long to get diagnosed, and things need to change.鈥�

Her research led her to present at the annual meeting, where she was introduced to the . The program piqued her interest because she had always loved animals and even spent time volunteering as a foster home for a local animal rescue, .

鈥淢y whole life, I was so dead set on wanting to be a veterinarian,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淏ut there are so many experiences I鈥檝e had that made me realize I could help animals in so many different ways that aren鈥檛 being a vet. So that鈥檚 the plan now. I want to go into wildlife conservation.鈥�

Following graduation, Bailey plans to work toward finding a position at one of the animal refuges participating in red wolf recovery.

鈥淩ed wolves are critically endangered, and they鈥檙e the only native wolves to the United States,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淭here are so few left in the wild, conservation is important work. I鈥檓 hopeful I鈥檒l be able to join this effort.鈥�

From animal conservation to contributing to future cancer research, Bailey has one singular goal: to make an impact.

鈥淚 mainly just want to contribute,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited about the potential of the future for all of my work.鈥�

鈥淲hat if our surroundings could heal us instead of stressing us out?鈥� 

This is a question that Oluwaseun Ipede, a graduate student in the School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability at 糖心Vlog, is trying to answer through his research on the possibilities and potential inherent in urban spaces. 

His research examines how urban green spaces (parks, forests, and natural reserves) and blue spaces (lakes, rivers, and other water bodies) contribute to mental well-being. Using geographic information systems and remote sensing techniques, he analyzes the correlation between these natural spaces and mental health trends across major U.S. cities.

He found a complex relationship between the physical environment and mental health, often intersecting with socio-economic factors like median income and education level. However, he says there is enough evidence for urban planners to take note.

鈥淭his research highlights the vital role of urban green and blue spaces in fostering mental health,鈥� said Ipede. 鈥淔indings from this study reveal that in several cities, as these green and blue spaces increase, there鈥檚 a drop in the number of mental health issues, reinforcing the need for urban planning strategies that integrate natural environments.鈥�

Ipede presented his paper, 鈥淯rban Oases: the Critical Role of Green and Blue Spaces in Mental Wellbeing,鈥� during the 2025 American Association of Geographers annual meeting in Detroit, Michigan.

The meeting featured over 1,000 sessions, panels, and workshops, bringing together luminaries from the field from around the world.

Ipede, who is earning his master’s in applied geography, was thrilled to showcase his work at what he referred to as the 鈥淪uper Bowl鈥� of spatial science.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a global stage where the sharpest minds in geography, geographic information systems, and environmental research collide,鈥� he said. Presenting my research here was a chance to shape the conversation on how geospatial science can revolutionize public health.鈥�

He emphasized that this experience was far more than academic. It was about having an open dialogue on physical spaces and all the expected and unexpected ways they can be used for the greater good.

鈥淪eeing professionals from geographers to health experts nod, question, and engage was surreal,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just about maps and data; it was about how location shapes well-being.鈥�

This year鈥檚 AAG meeting was just the beginning for Ipede, who aspires to use his academic background to promote health and wellness in construction and urban planning.

While his training in geospatial science is his primary tool, the well-being of people is his driving force. 

鈥淚n the end, good city planning isn鈥檛 just about infrastructure, it鈥檚 about healthier, happier people,鈥� he said.

糖心Vlog鈥檚 College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSM) has launched the Emerging Researchers Program, a new initiative offering undergraduate students the opportunity to be paid for hands-on research.

Many COSM students would jump at the chance to participate in research but either don鈥檛 know about assisting opportunities or can鈥檛 afford to spend their free time in the lab. Leadership at COSM identified these barriers to student participation and created a dynamic solution through the Emerging Researchers Program.

Collaborating with Georgia Southern鈥檚 Financial Aid Office, the college secured 25 federal work-study positions to provide time and funds for aspiring researchers. With the positions ready to be filled in time for the Spring 2025 semester, Heather Joesting, Ph.D., associate professor of biology and administrative fellow for undergraduate research at COSM, stepped in to find qualified students.

To qualify for the program, the students had to:

• a) be in at least the second semester of their major within COSM,
• b) maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and
• c) meet federal work-study requirements.

Qualified students were invited to apply for the program and identify their research interests, after which Joesting paired them with the 20 participating COSM faculty members to assist for up to 15 hours each week.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e being paid as federal work-study students, but they鈥檙e also gaining research experience and learning skills that will be important throughout their careers,鈥� Joesting emphasized. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e not just washing lab dishes, they鈥檙e getting real skills and learning how science really works.鈥�

The emerging researchers range from first-year students to seniors with majors in biology, biochemistry, geoscience and sustainability science. They assist with 26 projects that include evaluating anti-tumor properties in organic compounds, designing and creating environmentally friendly solvents and recycling catalysts, developing physics theories and assessing marine ecology, among others. Faculty in each of these fields appreciate the extra help, but Joesting says the personal gratification is far more rewarding.

鈥淚 thoroughly enjoy mentoring students,鈥� Joesting said. 鈥淚 find it important that they get the whole experience, so I involve them in all aspects [of the research], from experimental design to data collection and analysis. It really helps them with their careers, not only with the skills, but the experience and knowledge of how things work.鈥�

The Emerging Researchers Program is something of a pilot study itself: If the program continues to make a positive impact, other colleges may be able to benefit from work-study research positions for their students as well.

鈥淭here are students out there who are hungry for this experience,鈥� Joesting concluded. 鈥淚 love seeing them become future scientists.鈥�

Spring allergy sufferers in Georgia may experience a delayed, but still potent pollen season in 2025, according to Alan Harvey, Ph.D., biology professor at 糖心Vlog.

This year, according to Harvey, Georgia鈥檚 allergy season is expected to start later than usual due to the cold snap and snowfall.

鈥淭hat blanketing of snow is definitely going to delay the onset of pollen production,鈥� he said. 鈥淧ollen production is particularly sensitive to cold stress, so it’s more likely that we’ll see less pine pollen than usual over the coming weeks. Plants that produce pollen later in the season might not be so affected.鈥�

The southeastern region of Georgia has three native pine trees: slash, longleaf and loblolly. Each of these trees releases pollen at different times throughout the spring season, contributing to the yellow dust-like covering that lingers for several months. Slash pine pollen generally comes in late January into February, followed by loblolly in late February through March, and then longleaf beyond that in March into May.

Despite a common misconception, pine pollen isn’t a significant allergen, explains Harvey. The grains are too large, and they also lack the surface proteins and other compounds that trigger allergic responses in other wind-borne pollen. 

鈥淧eople notice and complain about pine pollen because pines produce so much of these very large grains,鈥� he said. 鈥淗owever, the allergies they experience at this time are from trees like oak which have smaller, lighter and more allergen-producing pollen grains.鈥�

Harvey explains the overall trend remains clear: allergy seasons are getting longer and more intense. He attributes this to rising temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels. Those factors contribute to earlier plant growth, extended pollen production and higher daily pollen counts.

鈥淧lants are limited by temperature when it’s cold, and their metabolism runs too slow for them to really be able to do things like produce flowers and make pollen,鈥� he explained. 鈥淪o the warmer it is, the earlier the plants can get going, and their metabolism ramps up and they start producing more pollen. When it stays warmer for longer periods of time, we have a much longer season for plants to grow and to crank out pollen.鈥�

Separate from its warming role as a greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis, and higher carbon dioxide levels are known to lead to greater plant growth and pollen production.

Another persistent misconception about seasonal allergies, according to Harvey, is the blame placed on the wrong plants. Many assume that large, colorful flowers contribute to allergy symptoms. In fact, these plants rely on insect pollination and don鈥檛 release significant amounts of airborne pollen. Instead, the real culprits are trees with small, inconspicuous flowers鈥攅specially oak trees, grasses and ragweed in the southeastern United States.

For more information on the myths and misunderstandings of seasonal allergies, and a mural that Harvey and his colleagues installed at Georgia Southern to raise educational awareness of pollen, click .

The 2025 Miss 糖心Vlog was recently named, and the crown belongs to Gracie Allen, a senior on a pre-medical track. With her title, she will go on to represent the University in the Miss Georgia Competition in June. Allen succeeds Megan Wright, the 2024 Miss 糖心Vlog winner.

Upon graduation, Allen plans to further her education at medical school and pursue a career in pediatric oncology.

鈥淪ince deciding to attend Georgia Southern, it has been a dream of mine to represent this University as Miss Georgia Southern,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel so honored and thankful to have been selected for this role. My mission is to raise awareness for the importance of involvement within the foster care system, with an emphasis on adoption awareness!鈥�

Allen spends much of her time studying and practicing her baton twirling skills. Her hobbies also include cooking, making memories with her friends and family and doing volunteer work. Allen was last year鈥檚 Miss Georgia Southern first runner-up.

Kaitlyn Tanner was named this year鈥檚 first runner-up and Miriam Marlin was named the second runner-up. Other winners and individual categories include:

• Best Talent: Kaitlyn Tanner
• Best Evening Wear: Mel Smith
• Best Health & Fitness: Gracie Allen
• Miss Congeniality: Precious Oghenekaro
• Miss Photogenic: Miriam Marlin

鈥淲ith this title, there are countless opportunities to invoke change and make a difference,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淚 will use this platform to encourage and uplift everyone I encounter while promoting my personal platform, #GetInvolved. With this in mind, I want to demonstrate kindness and authenticity during my year of service.鈥�

The is one of the University鈥檚  long-lasting traditions. It is also the longest-standing preliminary pageant that leads to the statewide Miss Georgia contest.  The crowned winner of Miss Georgia could go on to compete for the Miss America title. Miss 糖心Vlog represents the student body and attends traditional and community events both on and off campus.

This event was supported by KC Lash Studio, Annie’s Nails, Frazier鈥檚 Flowers & Gifts, Frills by Scott, Jaxe & Grace Boutique, Daylight Donuts, and Awards South.