Georgia Southern University is the state’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With 142 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral/Research university and serves more than 27,000 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico as well as 102 nations. With three vibrant campuses — the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, the Statesboro Campus and the Liberty Campus in Hinesville — Georgia Southern offers an attractive campus environment that encourages learning, discovery and personal growth. Georgia Southern’s nationally accredited academic programs prepare diverse scholars for leadership and service as world citizens. A unit of the University System of Georgia, the University boasts 200-plus student organizations, outstanding Division I athletics, and state-of-the art residence halls and campus facilities.

Since 1906, the University’s hallmark has been a culture of engagement that bridges theory with practice, extends the learning environment beyond the classroom, and promotes student growth and life success. Central to the University’s mission is the faculty’s dedication to excellence in teaching and the development of a fertile learning environment exemplified by a free exchange of ideas, high academic expectations, and individual responsibility for academic achievement. Faculty, staff, and students embrace core values expressed through integrity, civility, kindness, collaboration, and a commitment to lifelong learning, wellness, and social responsibility.

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“Designing Her Own Future: A Georgia Southern MBA Story”

 After earning her Master of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University, one graduate is charting a path that blends creativity with business discipline. With a background in dressmaking, she entered the MBA program already skilled in her craft, but looking to strengthen the operational side of her work.

“So much goes into dressmaking,” she explained. “From developing the pattern to the fabric you use, getting the right measurements, and so on. You have to make sure your stitches are clean, that the zipper is sitting properly.”  While her technical skills were well developed, she quickly recognized that sustaining and growing her work required more than creative talent alone.

“I didn’t have that business background,” she explained. “So I wanted to find a university program that could teach me how to structure and operate my business efficiently. So I started doing my research.”  That search led her to Georgia Southern’s MBA program, where she immersed herself in coursework focused on strategy, leadership, and practical decision-making.

 Through the program, she gained the tools to think more systematically about her business—learning how to plan, organize, and scale her operations with confidence. Her experience reflects how graduate business education can empower entrepreneurs and creatives alike, transforming passion into sustainable practice and helping graduates design futures that work both artistically and professionally.

Want to learn more about Georgia Southern's Master of Business Administration program? Simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.




georgia-southern-professor-reelected-to-board-of-worlds-largest-scientific-society

Georgia Southern professor re-elected to board of world’s largest scientific society

  Professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics Will Lynch, Ph.D., has been re-elected to the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) board of directors. This marks his second three-year term on the board. With ACS serving as the largest science organization in the world, Lynch says the society’s work impacts lives every day.




“We support the scientific enterprise by advocating for everything from research funding to laboratory safety,” said Lynch. “That work strengthens scientific integrity that ACS champions and ultimately shows up in the things that people rely on daily. Bottled water, medicines, cellphones and computer screens all come from chemistry. Many people do not realize how deeply science shapes their world.”   With a budget of nearly $900 million and a global community of over 200,000, planning is essential to the success of ACS. Lynch is proud to have chaired the committee that created the society’s next five-year strategic plan. He hopes that his work will continue to put the society’s vast resources to use helping advocate for scientists around the world.

“My focus now is implementing ACS’ strategic plan, which envisions a world built on science and setting up the indicators to measure our success,” said Lynch. “We want to make sure we support chemists whether they are in academia, industry, government labs or retired.”   Serving in a leadership role for a world-renowned scientific organization is part of Lynch’s calling to help others. He began his service with ACS over 40 years ago when he volunteered at a regional meeting while pursuing his bachelor’s degree. He started making connections immediately and grew his professional network from the local to the national level. Forming friendships in the scientific community and witnessing the ways their work changed lives inspired Lynch to continue to grow his own knowledge so he could do more for others.

“Getting to do research as an undergraduate pulled me in, and I knew that chemistry was where I could make a difference. I realized I had a path to help society through science and I never looked back.”  Looking to know more about Georgia Southern University or connect with Will Lynch? Simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.


georgia-southern-associate-dean-nandi-a-marshall-drph-named-president-of-the-american-public-health-association

Georgia Southern Associate Dean Nandi A. Marshall, DrPH, named president of the American Public Health Association

Nandi A. Marshall, DrPH, professor and associate dean for Georgia Southern University’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, has been named president of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of public health professionals.

Marshall began her presidential term on Nov. 5, following a year as president-elect. She will serve a three-year term on APHA’s executive board, including her current presidential year and a subsequent year as immediate past president.

 With more than two decades of experience in community-engaged public health, Marshall is widely recognized for her leadership in advancing maternal and child health equity, and for her dedication to preparing the next generation of the public health workforce. She holds a bachelor’s in religious studies from Spelman College, a master’s in public health from East Stroudsburg University and a Doctor of Public Health from Georgia Southern.

“Dr. Marshall’s appointment to lead APHA is a tremendous national recognition of her contribution to public health — and a reflection of Georgia Southern’s growing impact on the global public health landscape,” said Avinandan Mukherjee, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Her commitment to community partnership, workforce development and health equity exemplifies the values we strive to instill in every graduate of our distinctive public health college.” Marshall’s work has centered on bridging lived experience and scientific research to drive equitable health outcomes. 

“I’m deeply honored to serve as APHA president,” Marshall said. “Public health calls us to listen to communities, honor their wisdom and work together to build the equitable systems that recognize health as a human right. Equity is not an outcome — it’s a commitment. And I’m grateful to continue this work with purpose, courage and love alongside partners across the country.” Founded in 1872, APHA represents more than 25,000 members nationwide, serving as a convener, catalyst and advocate for equitable health and well-being for all. The association connects practitioners, researchers, educators and policymakers to advance evidence-based public health initiatives.

Looking to know more about Georgia Southern University or connect with Dr. Marshall — simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.


georgia-southern-university-computer-science-professor-awarded-nsf-grant-to-advance-protein-imaging-research

Georgia Southern University computer science professor awarded NSF grant to advance protein imaging research

Proteins, often called the building blocks of life, play a central role in drug development. When scientists develop new treatments, they must understand how drugs interact with proteins involved in disease mechanisms and with proteins in the human body that influence drug response.

Scientists commonly use cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) 3D imaging data to study proteins. While recent advances have enabled higher-resolution images that are easier to analyze, medium-resolution images—which are more difficult to interpret—are still the most common for larger protein complexes.

 Salim Sazzed, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the computer science department of Georgia Southern University’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, has been awarded a two-year National Science Foundation grant of about $175,000 to lead a groundbreaking project to develop novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques for determining protein secondary structures from medium-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) images.




Improved modeling from medium-resolution images will help researchers study more proteins efficiently, giving new insights into diseases and potentially guiding the development of new treatments and future drugs.

At its core, this research will combine biology and machine learning to study protein structures. The multidisciplinary approach and potential impacts on public health are what most excite Sazzed.

“The impetus behind this research is the positive impact on public health and possibly contributing to the biomedical workforce,” he said. “Seeing biology and computer science combine for that kind of impact is incredibly moving.”  As the Principal Investigator (PI) for the project, Sazzed will use his expertise in deep learning computer models to focus on a major challenge in structural biology: identifying the two main secondary structures of proteins—the alpha helix and the beta sheet. These structures are critical for a protein’s overall shape and function, but in medium-resolution cryo-EM images they often appear indistinct or lack clear detail, making them particularly difficult to analyze.

Sazzed’s research will focus on two main goals. First, he will quantify the variability of alpha helices and beta sheets in medium-resolution images, comparing them to idealized structures. Second, by integrating this structural variability with the image data in a deep learning model, he will aim to generate more precise and accurate representations of protein secondary structures.

 “When we feed this information into a deep learning model along with the image data, the model should be able to determine protein secondary structures more precisely,” Sazzed elaborated.  Sazzed believes students will greatly benefit from this multi-disciplinary approach. In addition to a Ph.D. student, several undergraduate students will be directly engaged in the research. A full-day workshop will also be organized, allowing Georgia Southern students from diverse disciplines to participate. This initiative will build on Georgia Southern’s strong tradition of involving undergraduates in research and will support the University’s recent focus on biomedical and health sciences.

“There are many different knowledge areas coming together in this work,” Sazzed said. “It involves computer science, biology, chemistry, and even public health. I look forward to students following the research and exploring these different fields themselves.”  Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Computing Interim Associate Dean of Research, Masoud Davari, Ph.D., echoes this sentiment and emphasizes its importance to the University’s research profile.

“Sazzed’s interdisciplinary research, which bridges the gap between biology and computer science, will foster multidisciplinary research in our college—as it is cutting-edge and potentially groundbreaking in drug development to impact people’s lives nationally and globally,” Davari said. “It’s also well aligned with the college’s strategic research plan—as we make the move to R1 status to be aligned with ‘Soaring to R1,’ which is among the transformational initiatives for the University.”  Looking to know more about Georgia Southern University or connect with Salim Sazzed — simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.


georgia-southern-electrical-and-computing-engineering-faculty-member-recognized-with-ieee-outstanding-engineer-award-granted-honor-society-membership

Georgia Southern electrical and computing engineering faculty member recognized with IEEE Outstanding Engineer Award, granted honor society membership

Masoud Davari, an associate professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Southern University, has been awarded the 2024 IEEE Region 3 Outstanding Engineer Award, making him the first faculty member in the university’s 55-year history to receive this honor.

 Davari was recognized for his contributions to reinforcement-learning optimal controls for power-electronic converters, his work on integrating power-electronic systems with cyber-attack considerations in modern power grids, and for his leadership in hardware-in-the-loop testing and standards development, including service on the IEEE P2004 standards working group.

In addition to the award, Davari was inducted into the IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) honor society.





His research program at Georgia Southern has earned significant support, including more than $1.17 million in National Science Foundation funding, a 2024 Gulfstream Aerospace Research Fellowship, inclusion in the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list, and selection as a finalist for the 2024 Curtis W. McGraw Research Award.

 You can find out more about Davari's research by visiting his Georgia Southern Scholars profile below:

 To arrange an interview or to learn more about this award - Looking to know more about Georgia  — simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

 

georgia-southern-psychology-faculty-receives-195000-federal-grant-renewal-to-expand-behavioral-health-services-in-rural-georgia

Georgia Southern psychology faculty receives $195,000 federal grant renewal to expand behavioral health services in rural Georgia

  “See a gap, fill a gap.” That’s how Jeffrey Klibert, Ph.D., associate director of clinical training in Georgia Southern University’s Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), described the inspiration behind a project designed to extend behavioral health services in rural areas.

Filling gaps is something Klibert said has always been a challenge in behavioral health care. This challenge became steeper in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When COVID hit, we saw some really alarming rates of people seeking services, and there just weren’t enough providers to meet that need,” Klibert said. “We saw waitlists that were six months, eight months, sometimes a year long.”  Waitlists of this length are a common occurrence in Georgia’s rural areas, where resources are scarce and reported health outcomes are among the worst in the state.

Klibert, along with colleagues Lindsey Stone, Ph.D., and Thresha Yancey, Ph.D., and students, is working to improve the situation across 14 rural counties in Georgia, thanks to the renewal of a research and training grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Stone and Yancey will supervise the trainees, while Klibert will oversee the entire program.

 The grant enables quantitative and qualitative research to increase access to behavioral health care in rural areas, while also providing Georgia Southern’s fourth-year PsyD students with hands-on training through local care providers. The ultimate goal is to develop more efficient and effective models for interprofessional, team-based care in areas of the state where it is most needed.

“Everybody sees the need. We just need the glue to link everybody together,” Klibert said. “That’s what the program is trying to be. It’s trying to build those bridges to create a more comprehensive system of care.”  Students will provide a range of services in collaboration with local care providers, including psychological assessments and therapy for individuals and families.

Alex Cudd, a fourth-year PsyD student who joined the program in August, calls the experience “invaluable” and hopes to join the 94% of program alumni who currently provide care in rural settings.

“In just a few months, I’ve learned so much about providing well-rounded care,” Cudd said. “I know I’ll carry this training into my career.”  CarePartners of Georgia (CPGA), a resiliency- and recovery-based behavioral health agency serving Bulloch, Candler and Emanuel counties, is among the local providers partnering with Georgia Southern.

“All the interns we’ve had from Georgia Southern understand the concept of recovery, are trauma-informed and very effective at delivering services,” said CPGA CEO David Crooke. “It’s been mutually beneficial. We are helping them further their education, and they quickly become important members of our team due to the breadth and depth of their knowledge.”  Klibert notes that the grant’s initial four-year term brought significant improvements in local healthcare networks and enhanced communication between providers, something he sees as an investment in lasting success.

“We’re doing some exciting stuff, but at the end of the day, we are very aware of making sure what we’re doing sticks and that we have the resources to continue care after the grant ends,” Klibert said.  Looking to know more about Georgia Southern University's  Doctor of Psychology Program or arrange an interview with Jeffrey Klibert  — simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.



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