COSMWEEKLY
THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
UPDATES FROM THE DEAN
COSMFacultyandStaff,
IhopeyouallhadagreatweekendandwatchedplentyoftheWinterOlympics.Iknowthisisabusytime foreveryoneaswenavigatetheannualevaluationprocess,andIappreciateyourcontinueddedication duringthisperiod Ihaveafewquickupdatestoprovideyouwith:
1.SignificantInvestmentinGraduateEducation:WehavereceivedconfirmationthatCOSMhasbeen allocated$300,000innewGTAfundstosupportourPhD programs Thisnewfundingisinadditiontothe $947,000traditionalGTAallocationwereceivefromtheCollegeofGraduateStudies(COGS) Thisisa substantialwinforourresearchmissionandunderscorestheuniversity’scommitmenttoourgrowing doctoralfootprint.
2.StrategicEnrollmentandFacultyGrowth:IntheStrategicEnrollmentPlanning(SEP)process,COSM hasreceivedtwonewlecturerlinestosupportplannedgrowthinthenursingprogram.Whilethese positionswereinitiallyallocatedtoChemistry,arequesthasbeenmadetomoveoneofthepositionsto Biologytobettermeetinstructionalneeds.ThisadjustmentmustbeapprovedbytheCabinetbeforewe canmoveforwardwithrecruitment.
3.ShapingOurFuture:InterdisciplinaryListeningSessions:AsGeorgiaSoutherndevelopsthenew InterdisciplinaryClustersofUniversityExcellence(ICUE),itisvitalthatCOSMispositionedtolead.We mustensureourinternalstructuresfacilitatecollaborationratherthanisolation
Pleasemakeplanstoattendanupcominglisteningsession Thethemeforthesesessionswillbe focusingourcollegetobettersupportbothcollaborativeresearchandinterdisciplinary,crossdepartmentaldegreeprograms Wewanttohearyourperspectiveonthefollowing:
BrightSpots:Whereiscollaborationalreadyflourishingwithinthecollege?
FrictionPoints:Whatstructuralbarriersarecurrentlyholdingusback?
LeadershipLevers:WhatspecificactionscantheDean’sOfficetaketomakeinterdisciplinaryworkas acorepriority?
UPDATES FROM ASSOCIATE DEANS
UpdatesfromtheAssociateDeanofResearchandGraduateStudies
AsIcontinuetransitioningintotheroleofAssociateDeanforResearchandGraduateStudies,I willbeginsharingweeklyupdatesrelatedtomajorprojectsandopportunities:
1.FacultyResearchSurvey
Ifyouhavenotalreadydoneso,pleasetakeafewminutestocompletemyGoogleForm regardingyourindividualresearchprogramandexpectationsforsupportfromtheAssociate Dean’soffice:https://forms.gle/UDGbUZZXQktjiBzLA
2.HanoverGrantReviewSupport
IfyouarepreparingagrantproposalandwouldlikeexternalreviewsupportthroughHanover Research,pleasereachouttome Wehaveanestablishedqueueprocess,andIamhappytodiscuss timelinesandfit
3.COSMCoreResearchLab(CCRL)Committee
IamformingaCCRLCommitteetohelpadvancethevisibility,utilization,andstrategicimpactofour CoreResearchLab.WeareseekingfacultywhoareconsistentusersofCCRLinstrumentationand interestedinhelpingshapeitsfuturedirection.Ifyouwouldliketoservepleasecontactme.
4.DevelopmentofFieldStationonEastGeorgiaStateCollegeCampusinSwainsboro
Weareintheearlystageofassessingalargeareaoflongleafpineandscrubpineforest(~140acres)on theEastGeorgiaStateCollegeCampusinSwainsboroforuseasaFieldStation.Ifyouhavepotentialuse forsucharesourceandwouldliketotraveltoSwainsborotovisitandobserve thearea,pleaseletmeknow.
Stephen
StephenGreiman,Ph.D. AssociateDeanofResearch&ExtAffairs,Professor ofBiology
Office:BiologicalSciences,Room3362(Statesboro)
Phone:(912)478-1251
Email:sgreiman@georgiasouthernedu
STATISTICAL CONSULTINGUNIT
Jetstream2: Your Cloud for Research
"Science as a Service"Jetstream2 provides on-demand computational resources, ensuring that researchers and educators have access to high-end computing regardless of their local hardware.
What it is: A user-friendly cloud environment funded by the NSF.
Key Features: Interactive virtual machines, GPU access, and pre-configured software images
Best For: Hosting web services, running persistent workloads, and generalpurpose research computing.
Vocareum: The Classroom in the Cloud
"Effortless Lab Management" Vocareum acts as the bridge between complex cloud architecture and the student experience, providing a seamless interface for learning.
What it is: A leading platform for cloud-based labs and automated grading.
Key Features: Integrated development environments (IDEs), real-time progress tracking, and cost-management controls.
Best For: Computer science courses, data science bootcamps, and largescale workshops
NRP Nautilus: The Kubernetes Powerhouse
Chidozie W. Chukwu, Ph.D. cchukwu@GeorgiaSouthern.edu
Divine Wanduku, Ph.D. dwanduku@GeorgiaSouthern.edu
Emil Iacob, Ph.D. ieiacob@GeorgiaSouthern.edu
Zheni Utic, Ph.D. zutic@GeorgiaSouthern.edu
"The Global Research Fabric "The National Research Platform (NRP)Nautilus cluster is a distributed environment designed for data-intensive tasks and containerized applications.
What it is: A high-performance Kubernetes cluster spanning across multiple institutions.
Key Features: Massive GPU power, rapid container deployment, and high-speed data transfer (Pacific Research Platform roots.)
Best For: Machine learning training, containerized research workflows, and heavy-duty data processing
SCU PROGRAM: INTERNAL CALL
TheStatisticalConsultingUnit(SCU)intheDepartmentofMathematicalScienceshasbeen awardedaNationalArtificialIntelligenceResearchResource(NAIRR)PilotResource Allocationgrant(awardNAIRR250474)consistingof300,000ServiceUnits(SU),equivalent of18,750computationalhours(ataburnrateof16SUperhourforanaverageconfigurationwith 8CPUcoresandGPUsupportusingNVIDIAA100),onJetstream2atIndianaUniversity.
Wearenowacceptinginternal“Minigrant”proposalstosub-allocatethesehours/SUto innovativeAIresearchprojectsthatalignwiththeNAIRRmissionofopen,trustworthy,and democraticAIdevelopment.Proposalsinvolvingcollaborativeresearchordatasciencepractice withstudents,includingclassroomprojectsordisseminatingtheresultsinclassroomwillreceive priority.Singleorcollaborativefacultyresearchprojectswillbeconsidered.
ThisinitiativeadvancesthemissionoftheStatisticalConsultingUnitthroughfourcoordinated operationalpillars:
Operation1:Embeddinghigh-performancecomputingandAIresourcesintoresearch,training,and workforcedevelopmentinitiatives.
Operation2:StrengtheninginterdisciplinaryresearchcapacitythroughGPU-enabledmodeling, simulation,andreproducibledatascienceworkflows.
Operation3:Expandingcampus-wideaccesstocomputationaltrainingforundergraduateand graduatestudentsacrossappliedmathematics,statistics,andallieddisciplines.
Operation4:Institutionalizingmoderndatasciencepracticeswithinthecurriculumtoensure sustainable,long-terminstructionalandworkforceimpactalignedwiththeCenter’sstrategic vision.
ImportantDates
ProposalsDue:ContinuouslyacceptingapplicationsnowuntilJune1,2026.
NotificationofAward:1-3daysafterreceivingtheapplication. Onboarding/SystemAccess:1-2daysafterapplicationisapproved.
Formoredetailedinformationabouttheminigrantandapplicationprocess,pleaserefertotheinternal callPDF
PI:ChidozieW.Chukwu,Ph.D.
Co-PIs:
DivineWanduku,Ph.D.
EmilIacob,PhD
ZheniUtic,PhD
UPCOMING EVENTS
COSMandtheFacultyCenterarehostingaspeakeronAIthisMarch
Title:PracticalStrategiesforMeetingtheAIMomentinTeachingandLearning
ByLyndsayB.Munro,PhD(TeachingProfessor,Biochemistry,MolecularBiology&Biotechnology
FacultyLiaisonforAcademicStandards,OfficeoftheProvost,UniversityofNevada,Reno)
Background:"Artificialintelligenceisnolongeronthehorizon.It’shere,influencinghowstudentslearn, howfacultyteach,andhowinstitutionsoperate.Ratherthanapproachingthisshiftwitheither uncheckedenthusiasmorhesitation,thispresentationapproachesitasamomentwecanmeetwith curiosity,intentionality,andafocusonwhatmattersmostinteachingandlearning. We’lllookatpracticalexamplesacrossthreeareas:
SupportingstudentsthroughAItutors,studytools,andresourcesthatcancomplement(not replace)soundlearningpractices
Engagingstudentsinandbeyondtheclassroomthroughcreativeassessmentsandactivitiesin waysthatincorporateAIwhileencouragingcriticalthinkingandactivelearning
SupportingfacultyworkbyusingAIintentionallytopreparematerials,assignments,and assessmentsefficiently,withoutlosingsightofqualityandacademicrigor.
RatherthanfocusingonAIforitsownsake,thissessionemphasizesintentional,ethical,andstrategic useofthesetools.Facultywillleavewithpracticalideastheycanadapttotheirowncourses,aswellas frameworksforthinkingcriticallyabouttheroleofAIintheirclassroom."
Registerforthisin-persononlyeventontheStatesboroor Armstrongcampus.
StatesboroCampus
Registerhere:PracticalStrategiesforMeetingtheAIMomentin TeachingandLearning
Date:Monday,March9
Time:12-1PM
Location:BiologicalSciences,Room2250
ArmstrongCampus
Registerhere:PracticalStrategiesforMeetingtheAIMomentin TeachingandLearning
Date:Tuesday,March10
Time:12-1PM
Location:ScienceCenter,Room1503B
SEESStructuralGeologistCandidateResearchTalks
Dr.He(Jackie)
Tuesday,March3rd,2026 | 4:00–5:00pmEST
ResearchTalk(OpentoCOSMfacultyandstudents)
FromGrainstoMountains:UsingMicroanalysistoUnderstandTectonicDeformation
JoinZoomMeetingHERE
Dr.He(Jackie)FengearnedaBSinGeology(2015)andMSinStructuralGeology(2018)fromChina UniversityofGeosciencesandaPh.D.inEarthandClimateSciencefromtheUniversityofMaine(2023). HeiscurrentlyapostdoctoralResearchScholarattheUniversityofIowawhereheisalsoteaching structuralgeology.Inhisresearch,Dr.Fengintegratesfield-basedstructuralgeology,microstructural analysis,andgeochemicalmicroanalysistoinvestigatethefundamentalprocessesthatshapethe lithosphere.HerehespecializesinanalyticalworkflowsusingSEM,electronmicroprobe,andLA-ICP-MSto linkmineral-scaledeformationmechanismsandreactionpathwayswithregionaltectonics.Heis currentlycollaboratingwithDr.EmilyFinzelandgeophysicistDr.HangChenattheUniversityofIowaon anNSF-orientedprojectexaminingtheMesozoic–EocenetectonicevolutionoftheIdaho–Montanafold–thrustbelt Dr Fenghaspublishedtwopeer-reviewedpapersonhisresearchsince2023andhasthree moreinpreparation
SarahWellsHull
Thursday,March5th,2026 | 4:00–5:00pmEST
SarahWellsHullearnedaBSinEnvironmentalGeosciencesfromValdostaStateUniversityin2018andan MSinGeologicalSciencefromtheUniversityofNorthCarolina,ChapelHillin2022.SheiscurrentlyaPh.D. candidateinGeologicalScienceatUNCandisexpectedtocompleteherdegreethisMay.AtUNC,Sarah hastaughtanumberofStructuralGeologyandPlanetEarthlabsandalsoservedasateaching assistantforbothupperandlowerdivisiongeologycourses.Intermsofresearch,Sarahhasfocusedon understandingthecomplexdeformationalrecordoforogenicsystems,withprojectsinthesouthern AppalachiansandtheGuatemalaSutureZone.Acrossthesesystems,shecombinesdetailedfieldwork withanalyticaltechniquestounderstandhoworogenicandsubductionsystemsevolve.Inconjunction withheradvisor,KevinStewart,Sarahhelpedwritetwo(2)successfulU.S.GeologicalSurveymapping grants,foracombinedtotalof$47,000.ShewasalsoawardedaGSAStudentresearchgranttosupport herresearch.Withrespecttopeer-reviewedpublications,Sarahhadapaperpublishedin2025andhas onecurrentlyinreviewasfirstauthorandoneinpreparationasfirstauthor.
COSM IN ACTION
Lastweek,wewereproudtowelcomearepresentativefromShimadzuCorporationtotheStatesboro campus.Facultyandstudentsparticipatedinanengaging,hands-ontrainingsessionfeaturingthe ShimadzuDTG-60H,gainingpracticalexperiencewithadvancedanalyticalinstrumentation.
Throughoutthesession,attendeeshadtheopportunitytodeepentheirtechnicalknowledge,ask questions,andlearndirectlyfromanindustryexpertaboutbestpractices,troubleshooting,andrealworldapplicationsoftheequipment
Amy Potter, Ph.D., from the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability has been elected president of the Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers(SEDAAG) and also received the organization’s Excellence in Research Award for her work documenting historic communities across coastal Georgia. A longtime SEDAAG leader, Potter said the organization has played an importantroleinheracademiccareerandprovidesvaluable opportunities for Georgia Southern students, who regularly present research, earn awards, and build professional connectionsatitsconferences.Shelooksforwardtousingher new role to continue supporting and creating opportunities forstudentspursuingcareersingeography.
COUR SURF APPLICATIONS OPEN
TheCOSMCollegeofUndergraduateResearch(COUR)invitesapplicationsforthe2026Summer UndergraduateResearchFellowship(SURF).Thisfellowshipisdesignedtoenhanceexperiential learningforstudentsbysupportingundergraduateresearchduringtheFullSummerTerm.$4000 awardswillbemadetothebestapplicationsandinclude:
$3000stipendfortheundergraduatestudent,withtheexpectationthatthestudentconducts researchwithaCOSMfacultymentorfor25hours/weekfor10weeksduringtheFullSummerTerm
$500summerstipendforthefacultymentor
$500insuppliesorresearchtravel(fundsmaynotbeusedforconferencetravel)
Weeklyprofessionaldevelopmentmeetings
Toqualify,studentsmustbeaCOSMmajorandmentoredbyaCOSMfacultymember.Formore informationandtoviewapplicationinstructions,visithttps://www.georgiasouthern.edu/cosm/cour/ andlookunderGrantsoremailDr.HeatherJoestingathjoesting@georgiasouthern.edu.
ApplicationsaredueMarch13,2026
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