Exclusive Cover Story
DOUG JACOBSON
University Professor
Iowa State University
C O N T
C o v er St or y
DOUG JACOBSON
Empowering the Cybersecurity Arena by Knowledge Sharing
University Professor Iowa State University
Doug Jacobson awarded the Sunil & Sujata Gaitonde Professorship in Cybersecurity
BuildingaCyber-SavvyCommunity
CollaborationhasbeenattheheartoftheCenter's mission,fosteringpartnershipswithacademia, industry,andgovernment.WorkingwiththeStateof Iowa,lawenforcement,theNationalGuard,and industryleaders,Doughashelpedbridge communicationgapscriticalforeffectivethreat responseandknowledgesharing.These collaborationsalsoconnectstudentswithreal-world cybersecuritychallenges,shapingprogramslikethe undergraduatecybersecurityengineeringdegree, launchedin2018withdirectinputfromindustryand government.
Toexpandcybersecurityeducation,helaunchedthe CybersecurityAmbassadorProgram,training students,educators,andcommunitymembersto teachcybersecurityliteracy.Highschoolchapters nowempowerstudentstoeducatepeersandeven leadsessionsinseniorcenters.
Aspartofthiseffort,the Cyber House Rock video seriesbringscybersecurityconceptstolifethrough storytellingandmusic,inspiredby Schoolhouse Rock. Releasedunderanopen-sourcelicense,these resourcesensurecybersecurityeducationis accessibletoall.
LeadershipThroughCollaboration
Doug'sleadershipphilosophycenterson partnerships,collaboration,and inclusion—especiallyinacademia,wherefaculty oftenworkindependently.Ratherthantop-down management,hisapproachfocusesonbuilding connectionsandcreatingenvironmentsthatfoster teamworkandinnovation.
Hethrivesoncross-disciplinarycollaboration,from workingwithAgExtensiontoenhance cybersecurityliteracyforfarmerstopartneringwith theSchoolofEducationforbroaderoutreach.His roleisoneoffacilitation—bringingpeopletogether, bridginggaps,andenablingideastotakeshape.
BalancingLeadership&Learning
Jugglingrolesasaprofessor,researcher, speaker,andauthorrequirescarefultime management.Anearlyriser,Dougstartswork beforetheofficeopens,allowingforfocused productivitywhilekeepingeveningsreserved forfamilyandpersonaltime.Whileheenjoys publicspeaking,heprioritizesengagements withthegreatestimpact,ensuringabalance betweenprofessionalandpersonal commitments.
Foraspiringcybersecurityprofessionals,his adviceissimple—staycuriousandpassionate. Withadversariesconstantlyevolving,thefield demandscontinuouslearningandadaptability. Successcomesfromexploringnewtools, stayinginformedonemergingthreats,and engaginginhands-onexperienceslikecapturethe-flagcompetitions.Thosewhothriveon solvingpuzzlesanduncoveringsystem vulnerabilitieswillfindcybersecurityboth challenginganddeeplyrewarding.
ALegacyofImpact
Hislegacyisbuiltoninitiativesthatshape cybersecurityeducationandawareness.From pioneeringcyberdefensecompetitionsto launchingprogramsliketheCybersecurity AmbassadorProgramand Cyber House Rock, hiseffortsextendcybersecurityliteracybeyond theclassroomtodiverseaudiences.
ThecreationoftheIowaCyberHubfurther reflectshiscommitmenttofostering collaborationbetweenacademia,industry,and government.Inspiredbystudent-centric colleagues,hehasdedicatedhiscareerto teaching,mentoring,andoutreach.Whether guidingstudents,educatingcommunities,or advisingorganizations,hisdrivingforce remainsthesame—helpingothersnavigatethe evolvingcybersecuritylandscape.
MEME STOCKS
A SMART INVESTMENT OR RISKY BET?
d. Beboth,patient&aware:
Thesestockscandropdrasticallyorsurgeupincessantlyresultinginabitofagreedtokeepinvesting. Still,bediligentinmonitoring&avoidmakinghastydecisions.
Characteristics:
a. Instability:Pricescansoarupordescendastonishingly,maybeonthesamedaytoo.
b. Greatdigitalpresence:Havehighreach&engagementonsocialmedia&internet.
c. Noconnectionwiththebasics:Thepriceofthestock&thecompany'sperformancemayhighly mismatch.
d. Coveringfrenzypotential:Manystockshaveahighershortinterestthatcanleadtodramatic priceincreases.
e. Darkhorsestory:AlotofstocksareperceivedasunderdogsbattlingagainstWallStreet.ina.
PROS&CONS
PROS
An opportunity for very high returns in a short period.
Opportunity to secure a stake in a new investment venture before it's known in the market.
The social media generation has prime investing opportunities ahead, as a lot of new avenues keep opening up. These stocks can be a prolonging component in the share market.
Slang: Stonks- A jargon for meme stocks, made popular by the internet. It highlights the playful & irreverent attitude of the community towards traditional finance.
IdentifyingaGoodMemeStock
Long-terminvestmentsareoftenforyears,not fordaysoracoupleofweeks.Herearesome pointstoconsider:
1.Surveyingthecompanywithitsfundamentals withstablegrowth,healthyprofitmargins,&a solidbalancesheet.
2.Noonecanpredictwhenanormalstockcan becomeamemestock.Ifitreachesthatstage,an individualhastobepatientenoughtolistentothe companymanagement'scommentsonhoware theyhandlingitsafreshstate.
CONS
Sometimes meme stocks do not function on the fundamentals of an organization, it can cause a backlash, having to face losses.
The demand supply curve in this case is unpredictable and can cause losses.
There are no predictions of whether or not this trend will stay in the long term.
The pump-and-dump scheme is a threat to investors as the prices are artificially inflated & sold off at a profit, but it doesn't happen with everyone. The luck factor matters too in this situation.
3.Craftaplanontheriskmanagementfactorsas tohowthesituationwillberesolvedifthings don'tgoasplanned.
Conclusion
Memestocksarethenewtrendinthestock marketwhereinonecanenjoyprofitsorsuffer losses.Socialmedia,finance,&popcultureare aninterestingintersectionforinvesting enthusiasts.Italsohasitschallenges& advantages.Evenifyouwanttoinvestinthese stocksornot,itiscrucialtograspthis phenomenoninthecurrentfncialsphere.
Current Affairs
GlobalAISummitHighlightsPolicyDividesAmidst
CollaborativeEfforts
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, delivers a speech during the plenary session of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris last week. Photograph: Benoît Tessier/Reuters
TheAIActionSummit2025,co-chairedbyFrench PresidentEmmanuelMacronandIndianPrime MinisterNarendraModiinParis,convenedover 1,000participantsfrommorethan100countriesto discussthefutureofartificialintelligence(AI).A significantoutcomewasthe"Statementon InclusiveandSustainableArtificialIntelligencefor PeopleandthePlanet,"endorsedby58nations, includingFrance,China,andIndia.This declarationemphasizesprinciplessuchas accessibility,ethicaldevelopment,and internationalcooperationinAI.
However,theUnitedStatesandtheUnited Kingdomabstainedfromsigningthedeclaration,
citingconcernsthatstringentregulationsmight impedeinnovation.U.S.VicePresidentJDVance warnedagainst"excessiveregulation"potentially stiflingaburgeoningsector,whiletheUK governmentexpressedthattheagreementdidnot sufficientlyaddressglobalAIgovernanceand nationalsecurityimplications.
Incontrast,theEuropeanUnionunveiledthe "InvestAI"initiative,allocating€200billionto bolsterAIcapabilities,including€20billion dedicatedtoestablishingAIgigafactoriesfor trainingadvancedmodels.Additionally,France announcednearly€110billioninprivate investmentstoenhanceitsAIinfrastructure, aimingtopositionEuropeasaformidable competitorintheglobalAIlandscape.
Thesummitalsoaddressedtheenvironmental impactofAItechnologies.Frenchspecialenvoy AnneBouverothighlightedconcernsoverAI's sustainabilityduetoitssignificantenergyand resourcedemands,urgingforenvironmentally consciousAIdevelopmentpractices.
Thesedevelopmentsunderscorethevarying internationalapproachestoAIgovernance, reflectingabalancebetweenfosteringinnovation andimplementingregulatorymeasurestoensure ethicalandsustainableAIadvancement.
GermanElection ResultsSparkMarket OptimismAmidPolitical Shifts
TherecentGermanfederalelectionhasledtosignificant politicalchanges,notablythevictoryoftheCDU/CSU allianceunderFriedrichMerz,whichsecured28.5%ofthe vote.Thefar-rightAlternativeforGermany(AfD)achieveda historicsecondplacewith20.8%,becomingthemain oppositionparty.Thesedevelopmentshavepromptedvaried reactionsinfinancialmarketsandamonginvestors.
Followingtheelection,Germany'sDAXindexexperienceda modestuptickof0.6%,reflectinginvestoroptimismabout potentialpoliticalstability Theanticipatedcoalitionbetween theCDU/CSUandtheSocialDemocrats(SPD)isexpected toprovideclearerpolicydirection,whichmarketsfavor Bothpartieshaveexpressedintentionstoincreasedefense spendingandpromotebusinessinvestments,positively influencingsectorssuchasindustrialsanddefense. However,theriseoftheAfDintroducesuncertainties,
German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) General Secretary Carsten Linnemann and Bavarian state premier and Christian Social Union (CSU) leader Markus Soeder react after the exit poll results are announced in the German general election in Berlin, Germany, REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
particularlyconcerningconstitutionalreformsandfiscal policies.AnalystscautionthattheAfD'ssignificant parliamentarypresencecouldcomplicatecoalition negotiationsandpolicyimplementations,potentially impactinginvestorconfidence.
Inthedefensesector,Europeanstockshaverallieddueto heightenedgeopoliticaltensionsanddiscussionsabout increasingdefensebudgets.CompanieslikeRheinmetall andBAESystemshaveseennotablestockpriceincreases, drivenbyconcernsoverglobalsecurityandpotentialshifts inU.S.foreignpolicy
Overall,whiletheelectionresultshaveintroducedadegree ofpoliticaluncertainty,themarket'sinitialresponsehas beencautiouslyoptimistic,withinvestorsclosely monitoringcoalitiondevelopmentsandtheirpotential economicimplications.
Members of the Security Council cast a vote during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the 3rd anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., February 24, 2025.
REUTERS/David Dee Delgado
UNSecurityCouncilAdoptsNeutralStanceas TrumpSeekstoEndUkraineConflict
OnthethirdanniversaryofRussia'sinvasionof Ukraine,theUnitedNationsSecurityCouncil adoptedaU.S.-draftedresolutionurgingaswift endtohostilitiesandalastingpeace.The resolution,whichnotablyrefrainsfrom condemningRussia,wasapprovedwith10 votesinfavor;France,theUnitedKingdom, Denmark,Greece,andSloveniaabstained. Remarkably,Russiavotedinfavorafterits attemptstoamendthetextwereunsuccessful. ThisdevelopmentalignswithPresidentDonald Trump'sintensifiedeffortstoconcludethe conflict,includingnegotiationswithUkraine overamineralsrevenue-sharingagreement. TheproposeddealwouldseeUkraine allocating50%ofitsresourcerevenuesuntil $500billionisreached,aimingtorecoupU.S. financialsupport.However,thisapproachhas sparkedconcernsamongEuropeanallies,who fearpotentialconcessionstoRussiaandashift intheestablishedWesternalliancedynamics. Asdiplomaticmaneuverscontinue,theglobal communitywatchesclosely,hopefulfora resolutionyetwaryofthebroadergeopolitical implications.
Key Strategies President Trump Can Utilize to Establish Peace in Ukraine
PresidentTrump'sapproachtoendingthe Ukraineconflictrevolvesaroundamixof diplomacy,economicincentives,andstrategic negotiations.HisplanincludesleveragingU.S. influencetobringbothpartiestothetable, proposingaresource-sharingagreementto supportUkraine’seconomywhileensuring repaymentofU.S.aid,andengagingkeyglobal alliestoestablishabalancedpeaceframework. Additionally,hisadministrationisfocusedon reducingmilitaryescalationsbyadvocatingfor aceasefirewhilemaintainingpressureonRussia througheconomicandpoliticalchannels.With globaltensionshigh,theeffectivenessofthese strategieswilldeterminewhetheralasting resolutioncanbeachieved.
6.Tennis:
Tennismaynothavethesameteamdrivenloyaltyasothermajorsports,but itsindividualstars,likeSerenaWilliams, RogerFederer,andNovakDjokovic,have madeitastapleofAmericansports culture.TheUSOpen,heldannuallyin NewYork,isoneofthemostprestigious tennistournamentsintheworld.
ReasonsTennisisaFavoriteSport:
● Globalsuperstarsandintense rivalries.
● MajorGrandSlamevents attractingmillionsofviewers.
● Accessibilityforcasualand professionalplayers.
● Longevityofathletes'careers keepsfansengaged.
7.Golf:
Golfhasadedicatedfollowing, particularlyamongbusinessprofessionals andolderdemographics.EventslikeThe Masters,U.S.Open,andPGA Championshipareamongthemostwatchedtournamentsinthesport. LegendslikeTigerWoodshave significantlyboostedgolf'sappeal.The combinationofstatus&prestigeis unmatchedwhentheelitegroupwants someleisuresports.Thisisalsooneofthe mostpopularsportsintheUS.
WhyGolfRemainsPopular:
● Relaxed,yetcompetitivenature.
● Opportunitiesforamateur participation.
● Significantprizemoneyin professionaltournaments.
● Businessnetworkingandsocial aspects.
8.MixedMartialArts(MMA)andBoxing:
Combatsportshaveseenaresurgenceinpopularity, particularlywiththeriseoftheUFC(UltimateFighting Championship).Boxing,thoughnotasdominantasitonce was,stillattractslargeaudiencesformajorfightsfeaturing big-namefighters.
What
FuelsCombatSportsPopularity?
● Thrillingone-on-onecompetition.
● Crossovereventsfeaturingcelebritiesandinfluencers.
● Socialmediaandstreamingservicesboosting accessibility
● LegendaryfighterslikeConorMcGregorandCanelo Álvarezattractingworldwideattention.
9.AutoRacing:
TherearealotofcarenthusiastsintheAmericanregion.The speedthrillhasbeenassociatedformanygenerations&isso consideredonethemostpopularsportsintheUS.Auto racing,ledbyNASCARandFormula1(F1),hasadedicated fanbase,particularlyintheSouthernUS.WhileNASCAR hasseenadeclineinTVratings,Formula1hasexperienceda resurgencethankstoNetflix's“DrivetoSurvive”series.
KeyFactorsforAutoRacing'sAppeal:
● High-speedactionandunpredictableoutcomes.
● RichtraditionsinNASCARculture.
● IncreasedmediaexposureforFormula1.
● Internationalfanengagement.
10.TrackandField:OlympicGloryandMore
Trackandfieldeventsgainmassiveattentionduringthe SummerOlympics,withtheUSconsistentlyproducingtop athletesinsprinting,long-distancerunning,andfieldevents.
Why
TrackandFieldCaptivatesFans:
● PrestigiouseventsliketheOlympicsandWorld Championships.
● IconicathletessuchasUsainBoltandCarlLewis.
● College-levelcompetitionsdrawinglargecrowds.
● Growingyouthparticipationinrunningsports.
The most popular sports in the US may change constantly, influenced by cultural shifts, media coverage, and international trends. While American football remains the dominant force, sports like soccer and MMA are quickly gaining traction. With digital streaming, social media, and global connectivity, the future of American sports is more dynamic than ever. For fans and athletes alike, the US sports industry continues to provide entertainment, competition, and a sense of community. No matter the sport, the passion of American sports enthusiasts remains unmatched, ensuring that these games will thrive for generations to come.
