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From Libraries to Heart Health: Marlo Vernon Takes Cardiovascular Care Into Rural Georgia
Marlo Vernon, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Health Management, Economics, and Policy at Augusta University’s School of Public Health, is leading a creative public health initiative designed to improve cardiovascular monitoring in rural Georgia. Through the university’s Rural Obese At-Risk initiative, Vernon and her team are placing blood pressure monitors in local libraries, allowing residents to check them out just like books. The effort addresses a critical access gap in rural communities where preventive health tools are often limited or difficult to obtain. Vernon’s work focuses on the realities facing communities in the South’s so-called Stroke Belt, where overlapping health conditions significantly elevate cardiovascular risk. View her profile “There are significant chronic disease risk factors in this so-called Stroke Belt. We’ve got high obesity rates. We have family history. We have high rates of diabetes and kidney disease and they all kind of feed into each other to really create this cardiovascular health need in our communities. And women, in general, are just at a higher risk for this,” said Marlo Vernon, PhD. Beyond equipment access, Vernon’s research also examines how people understand and manage their health when traditional care options are limited. The library-based model helps normalize blood pressure monitoring while reducing barriers such as travel distance, cost, and limited clinic availability. It also creates opportunities to study how community-based solutions can improve awareness, engagement, and long-term cardiovascular outcomes. For journalists covering rural health, women’s health, chronic disease prevention, or innovative public-health strategies, Vernon offers grounded, real-world insight into how trusted community spaces can play a vital role in addressing persistent health disparities. A full article on this topic is available below. To arrange an interview with Dr. Vernon simply click on her iconnow to set up a time to talk today.
Why Insomnia May Hold the Key to Treating Depression, According to MCG Research
William Vaughn McCall, MD, professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, is leading a new multi-year clinical trial aimed at addressing insomnia and depression together — two conditions that frequently occur side by side. The Assessing Improvements in Mood and Sleep (AIMS) Trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is exploring whether treating sleep problems through psychotherapy can also reduce lingering symptoms of depression, particularly in older adults. McCall has served as professor and Case Distinguished Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at Augusta University since 2012. His research interests include depression, electroconvulsive therapy, quality of life, insomnia, and suicide. His research has been continuously funded by the National Institute of Mental Health since 1995, and he is the author of more than 400 publications, including more than 180 peer-reviewed journal articles. View his profile McCall’s work builds on decades of research examining how disrupted sleep contributes to mood disorders. While previous studies often focused on medication-based approaches, this trial takes a different direction by testing non-pharmacological therapies that target insomnia itself. The research team, which includes collaborators from multiple universities, is evaluating whether improving sleep quality can meaningfully lower depression symptoms for patients who remain symptomatic despite antidepressant treatment. “Ultimately, the hope is to find other avenues to reduce the risk for depression and depression symptoms,” McCall says. The trial is currently recruiting adults aged 55 and older who are experiencing both insomnia and depression, with options for both in-person and remote participation. For journalists covering mental health, aging, sleep science, or emerging clinical research, McCall is a key expert offering informed perspective on how sleep-focused interventions could reshape the future of depression treatment. The full article 'New MCG trial targets insomnia and depression symptoms' is available below: And if you're interested in talking with William Vaughn McCall, MD, simply click on his icon now to arrange a time for an interview today.
AU scientists advance understanding of Nobel-winning immunology research
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine recognized the discovery of regulatory T cells, which are immune cells that maintain tolerance and prevent autoimmunity. At Augusta University, scientists have built upon that foundational work, uncovering how these cells function, fail and evolve across diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis. Regulatory T cells, or Tregs, are essential for controlling immune responses and preventing the body from attacking its own tissues. Early discoveries by Shimon Sakaguchi, MD, PhD, who identified the CD25 marker and later the transcription factor FoxP3, revealed how Tregs suppress immune activation. Sakaguchi, a distinguished professor at Osaka University in Japan, shared the Nobel Prize with Mary E. Brunkow, PhD, Princeton University, and Fred Ramsdell, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles. Sakaguchi once shared lab space with Nicholas Gascoigne, PhD, now a professor at AU’s Immunology Center of Georgia, where he studies T-cell signaling and differentiation — a connection that ties the global history of Treg research to the university’s ongoing expertise. Gascoigne’s research continues to illuminate how Tregs differentiate and signal, critical steps in ensuring immune tolerance to self. “Drs. Sakaguchi, Brunkow and Ramsdell have made enormous contributions to our understanding of how immunological tolerance works, so this prize is very well deserved,” Gascoigne said. “I was happy I could help Drs. Shimon and Noriko Sakaguchi when they needed lab space back in the early ‘90s. They were wonderful to work with.” At Augusta University, David Munn, MD, co-director of the Pediatric Immunotherapy Program of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, made seminal discoveries showing that Tregs are not always stable. Munn’s team demonstrated that these cells could lose their suppressive identity and become “exTregs,” adopting pro-inflammatory characteristics under certain conditions. Munn also uncovered an entirely distinct tolerance mechanism through indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, a pathway independent of FoxP3 that regulates immune balance through tryptophan metabolism. “In particular, the work of Shimon Sakaguchi and Fred Ramsdell was profoundly influential on our early work, as we were just starting out to explore how the immune system is regulated in pediatric cancers,” Munn said. “The work of these Nobel laureates helped transform the scientific understanding of how the immune system responds — or fails to respond — in the setting of tumors.” Catherine “Lynn” Hedrick, PhD, co-director of the Immunology Center of Georgia, further expanded this understanding by showing that Tregs can convert into follicular helper T cells, offering new insight into how immune regulation can shift toward antibody production in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. “Understanding how regulatory T cells can shift identities helps explain why the immune system sometimes loses balance in chronic disease,” Hedrick said. “By tracing how Tregs convert into other helper cells, we’re uncovering new therapeutic targets to restore immune harmony in conditions like atherosclerosis.” Building on these advances, Klaus Ley, MD, co-director of IMMCG, and his team have investigated how exTregs contribute to cardiovascular inflammation, identifying them in human tissues and clarifying their role in atherosclerosis. His lab also recently discovered human exTregs, providing the first direct evidence of these cells in people. Two postdoctoral fellows in Ley’s lab, Qingkang Lyu, PhD, and Smriti Parashar, PhD, continue this work, exploring how regulatory and ex-regulatory T cells influence chronic disease progression. Additionally, Dimitrios Moskofidis, MD, PhD, a professor based in the Georgia Cancer Center, contributed key early insights into immune tolerance and memory, defining how effector T cells persist or are deleted following infection. “Together, these discoveries place Augusta University and the Immunology Center of Georgia at the forefront of modern immunology, connecting molecular mechanisms of tolerance to real-world diseases and therapies,” Ley said. To connect with any of the experts or researchers in this article - simply contact AU's External Communications Team mediarelations@augusta.edu to arrange an interview today.
Fueling the Future of Cancer Immunotherapy: Gang Zhou’s Research Takes a Major Step Forward
Cancer immunotherapy has transformed how clinicians approach the treatment of certain blood cancers, but major limitations remain — especially when it comes to sustaining strong, long-lasting immune responses. Gang Zhou, PhD, a leading cancer immunologist at Augusta University’s Georgia Cancer Center and the Immunology Center of Georgia, is tackling these challenges head-on. Zhou’s work focuses on how T cells behave inside the body and how their performance can be enhanced to improve patient outcomes. His lab studies the forces that strengthen or weaken T cell responses, including their functional status, their ability to self-renew and the environmental pressures they face inside tumors. This deep understanding positions him as a key figure in the effort to advance next-generation immunotherapies. Recently, Zhou and his research team were awarded the first Ignite Grant from the Immunology Center of Georgia — a seed program designed to support bold, high-impact translational ideas. Their funded project aims to make CAR-T therapy more effective. CAR-T is a type of immunotherapy in which a patient’s own T cells are genetically modified to recognize and attack cancer cells. While this approach has revolutionized the treatment of certain blood cancers, it still faces obstacles such as limited cell persistence and reduced strength over time. “Our ultimate goal is to engineer T cells that not only survive longer but also remain highly functional, giving patients more durable protection against their disease.” Zhou’s team is addressing this issue by studying how a modified form of STAT5, a transcription factor that plays a key role in T cell survival and function, may help engineered T cells last longer and perform better. The ultimate goal is to create CAR-T therapies that maintain potency, withstand the harsh tumor microenvironment, and offer durable results for patients. The Ignite Grant recognizes not only the promise of this specific project, but also Zhou’s broader expertise in understanding how T cells can be guided, supported, and strengthened to fight cancer more effectively. His research contributes to a growing wave of scientific innovation aimed at improving immunotherapy outcomes for patients with both blood cancers and, potentially, solid tumors — an area where current treatments face significant barriers. As immunotherapy continues to evolve, the work led by Gang Zhou stands as a compelling example of how foundational science, translational research, and clinical ambition can work together to push the field forward. To connect with Dr. Gang Zhou - simply contact AU's External Communications Team mediarelations@augusta.edu to arrange an interview today.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
Georgia Southern faculty featured on prestigious top 2% of scientists list
Twelve outstanding active faculty members from Georgia Southern University were featured on Stanford and Elsevier’s 2025 list of the top 2% of scientists in the world. This annual list features scientists whose work has had the highest citation count and citation impact in their fields within a given year. This year’s Georgia Southern honorees represent a diverse range of disciplines, from physics and chemistry to epidemiology and business. Ten of the 12 faculty members were also featured on last year’s list. Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D, P.G., is among them and takes pride in seeing so many familiar names, and a couple of new ones, included. “Seeing names from so many different disciplines, both old and new, speaks volumes about our growth and consistency,” said Weindorf. “I’m so thankful for these faculty who relentlessly pursue excellence and truly embody growing ourselves to grow others in research.” Check out who made the list from Georgia Southern by clicking on the attached media release below: Looking to know more about Georgia Southern University and it's nationally recognized faculty — simply contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
From classrooms to communities: Rethinking civic engagement in K–12 education
When national headlines focus on school board battles and political polarization, James Bridgeforth, assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Delaware, is focused on what’s possible instead: building a more inclusive, participatory model of democracy through public education. His research in UD's College of Education and Human Development explores how community voice, equity and local leadership intersect to shape education policy – and how school boards can serve as vital engines for rebuilding public trust in government. "Despite the often sensationalized stories of chaotic school board meetings and the influence of more national "culture war" issues, I still believe that it's possible for people from different backgrounds, experiences, and points of view to come together to figure out how to best serve the needs of all of our children." – Bridgeforth Bridgeforth’s work centers on education governance, policy and leadership, with particular attention to how racism and anti-Blackness manifest in schools and policymaking spaces. His scholarship highlights the importance of inclusive decision-making, arguing that effective education policy must be representative of the diverse communities it serves. He recently published the report "Navigating Democracy in Divided Times" with co-authors on this topic. As part of his work with the Getting Down to Facts III project at Stanford University, Bridgeforth collaborates with researchers studying how to improve California’s TK–12 system and inform the next governor’s education policy agenda. His work documents the complex realities faced by local school board members – often minimally paid community leaders navigating contentious public discourse, social media pressure and limited resources. He notes that this research can be applied to school boards around the country. The next frontier: Youth civic engagement Over the next several years, Bridgeforth aims to deepen understanding of how schools can nurture young people’s civic skills and leadership capacity through participation in governance. One proposed project – "Strengthening Opportunities for Youth Civic Engagement and Student Voice in Educational Governance" – uses participatory action research to explore how student board member policies and engagement practices foster civic agency and democratic mindsets. This collaborative work brings together youth-led community organizations and education researchers to study how these experiences shape long-term civic behavior – from voting to public service. Why it matters Bridgeforth’s research arrives at a pivotal time for American democracy. As trust in public institutions erodes, local school boards remain one of the spaces where citizens can directly shape policy. His work points to a hopeful truth: democracy’s renewal may begin in classrooms, communities and the local school board meetings shaping them. For journalists covering education, race or civic engagement, Bridgeforth offers data-driven insight, lived experience and policy expertise – helping make sense of one of the most pressing questions of our time: How can we build systems that truly serve all students and communities? This work collectively demonstrates a number of promising opportunities to foster more inclusive, community-connected forms of governance, particularly in a time of eroding trust in government institutions." – Bridgeforth ABOUT JAMES BRIDGEFORTH Assistant Professor, College of Education and Human Development James Bridgeforth is an educator, researcher and policy advocate whose work focuses on community voice in education policy and the politics of educational leadership. His scholarship has appeared in top journals including Journal of School Leadership, Education Policy Analysis Archives, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis and Educational Administration Quarterly, and he has contributed to Education Week and The Washington Post. A recipient of the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, Bridgeforth holds a Ph.D. in Urban Education Policy from the University of Southern California, an M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Policy from the University of Georgia, and a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from Georgia College & State University. Expert available for: Interviews on K–12 school governance, education policy and democracy Commentary on community voice and equity in education decision-making Analysis of youth civic engagement and participatory leadership To contact Bridgeforth, email mediarelations@udel.edu.
