College of Arts & Sciences Newsletter
November 2022
CAS Student Highlights
Engineering Physics Student Presents at Annual American Physical Society Meeting
Connor Belt, an EMU Engineering Physics major, presented a poster at the annual meeting of the Division of Plasma Physics of the American Physical Society. This year's meeting was held in Spokane, Washington, Oct. 17 - 21. Connor started working with new faculty member Dr. Surabhi Jaiswal toward the end of this past summer and made so much progress – which required a lot of lab work – that he had enough results to present a poster.
Connor's work involved characterizing an open-atmosphere argon plasma jet using a technique called Schlieren visualization. The plasma jet is like a blowtorch without the heat, and instead of using a spark to light the torch, you use a high voltage to start the jet. The Schlieren technique allows you to make visible that which is invisible: in this case, the argon gas flow and the interaction of the plasma jet with the open atmosphere. Characterizing the properties of these jets can help engineers to build better devices to purify water, clean surfaces, or even treat skin cancer.
Connor tells us that "While conducting research at Eastern Michigan University I have been given many opportunities. This project has allowed me to step outside the classroom and dive into the field of plasma physics. My advisor allowed me the freedom to make this project my own and shape it as I wish. I have learned so much throughout the course of this semester and I have many more ideas about where to take this project. Additionally, the opportunity to travel to Spokane to present my research at the APS Plasma Physics conference was beyond incredible. Being able to present my research and receive positive feedback from my peers affirmed the hard work I put into this project."
Dr. Jaiswal tell us that "Connor has been working on this project since the summer and his progress is commendable. He is a dedicated student and understands the needs of the project well. He owns the project and sometimes works independently. His poster presentation at APS DPP provided him the opportunity to interact with eminent scientists in the field, showcase his research, and he received invitations from institutions like UCLA and Auburn University to visit their research facilities. Great work always brings success and Connor is progressing in the same path. During the conference he was contacted by many faculty members to apply for graduate course in schools like Cornell, UCLA, Auburn and many more." Students interested in physics and astronomy research are encouraged to talk with faculty about opportunities both within and outside the Department.
Connor Belt
Ukrainian Student Gets New Opportunity Studying Computer Science at EMU
One year ago, Lada Protcheva was in her hometown in Ukraine, living a full life as a computer science student, expert equestrian, and mentor to young children. On the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2022, Protcheva was excited to pack her bags for a trip to Kyiv to celebrate her birthday with friends. "I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to pack and when I was packing my things, I saw bright lights. Seconds later, I heard an explosion," said Protcheva. "I didn't realize what was happening and woke up my mom, who said the war had started." Protcheva left the country with her cousin's children and with the help of police, volunteers, and her sister. Thanks to her sister, a graduate of Eastern Michigan University who helped with travel plans and connected her with EMU administrators, she was able to start a new life in Ypsilanti as an EMU student. Currently, Protcheva is a junior studying Applied Computer Science. Her long-term plan is to get an internship and then work and live in the U.S.
Lada Protcheva
CAS Faculty and Staff Highlights
Mathematics and Statistics Professor Stephanie Casey Secures NSF STEM Education Grant
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Mathematics and Statistics Professor Stephanie Casey a five-year grant totaling more than $215,000 for data science and statistics education. The grant is part of a $2.5 million project called “ESTEEM II: Enhancing Data Science and Statistics Teacher Education – Transforming and Building Community” project. ESTEEM II is a five-year institutional and community transformation level two collaborative project awarded through the National Science Foundation's Improving Undergraduate STEM Education grant. The project focuses on improving the preparation of prospective K-12 teachers to teach data science and statistics by building and sustaining a community of organizational partners and teacher education faculty who can transform undergraduate teacher education programs through high-quality materials. Casey is co-leading efforts to reach two of ESTEEM II's goals: building and sustaining a data science and statistics teacher education community and reaching a broader audience with high-quality data science and statistics teacher education curriculum materials.
Dr. Stephanie Casey
CAS Alumni Highlights
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Recognizes Communication Alum for Increasing Accessibility
Justus Dominguez, a 2018 graduate in Communication, was profiled by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). If you asked him, Justus would be the first to tell you his employment journey has opened doors he never expected. He currently holds two jobs, one as an accessibility intern at the Wexner Center for the Arts at the Ohio State University and another as operations manager at the Harmony Project, a non-profit arts organization focused on empowering the voices of people through the arts, education, and volunteerism. Justus' work has helped him learn how to act as an ambassador for people with developmental disabilities. He takes accessibility into account when he's putting together transcripts, audio, educational workshops, sensory-friendly options, and more.
Justus Dominguez
CAS Program Highlights
Biology Launches New Jellyfish Research Course
Biology expanded its course catalog this fall by adding a course on studying freshwater jellyfish, including researching the organisms in a local lake. Students have the opportunity to conduct research in the biological sciences and engage in fieldwork in an aquatic environment. Through this course, they will create research questions, review literature, and propose projects studying jellyfish for future semesters. "Knowledge gained through research is such a fundamental aspect of biology," said Cara Shillington, Professor of Biology. "This class gives students a better idea of what it means to be a scientist and allows them all to take ownership of that title."
Video of freshwater jellyfish
Earth Science Students Explore the Huron River
The Introduction to Earth Science course (ESSC 108/109) went on a local field trip to Riverside Park in Ypsilanti to get an up-close and personal experience with the Huron River. Through in-depth observation and discussions along the riverfront, students learned about the flow of the river, parts of the river and how the river has sculpted the landscape. Students also got the opportunity to collect streamflow measurements in the river and speak with Jason Frenzel of the Huron River Valley Watershed council who provided important insight on conservation of the river for humans and animal life.
ESSC 108/109 students at Riverside Park
CAS Events
Music and Dance to Present Holiday Concerts
The Dance Program and EMU Symphony Orchestra will perform their annual Ballet collaboration on Thursday, December 8th at 7:00pm in Pease Auditorium. The students will present the famous ballet Coppélia by Léo Delibes (1836-1892), based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffman.
Additionally, The School of Music and Dance concludes its Fall semester performances with the EMU Choirs' presentation of their annual holiday Candlelight Concert on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30pm and again on Sunday, December 11 at 3:00pm in Pease Auditorium. The Candlelight Concerts are a collaboration of students, faculty, and community members creating the most beautiful collection of music you’ll hear during the holiday season. For many people, the celebration of the season begins with the annual EMU holiday Candlelight Concerts.
EMU Ballet performance (top) and EMU Choir (bottom)
A Conversation with Colonel Yevgeny (Eugene) Vindman
Colonel Yevgeny (Eugene) Vindman will speak on Tuesday, November 29 at 7 pm in the EMU Student Center Auditorium. One of America’s leading figures in national security and international law, Colonel Vindman was deputy legal advisor for the United States National Security Council (NSC) until his controversial reassignment by the Trump White House on February 7, 2020. With the NSC, his portfolio included work with NATO, the International Criminal Court, African affairs, emerging technologies, international humanitarian law, human rights, and ethics. An expert in the law of armed conflict, military law, government ethics, and national security law—he is currently part of a group examining Russian war crimes in Ukraine—Colonel Vindman will chat about his Jewish upbringing, his time in the Trump White House, and the current conflict in Ukraine.
There is no cost to attend this event, which is presented by the Center for Jewish Studies. Please contact Dr. Robert Erlewine at jewish.studies@emich.edu with any questions.
Colonel Yevgeny Vindman
Art and Design's Fall 2022 Senior Capstone Show: Coalescence
EMU's School of Art & Design will soon host its biannual Senior Capstone Exhibition, in which graduating seniors from the School of Art & Design show off their best works from the program. The Fall 2022 show, which is organized and curated entirely by the students, is called Coalescence. The exhibit will be on display from November 28 through December 9 at Ford Gallery, with a reception taking place on Wednesday, November 30, from 4:30pm-6:30pm.
Poster for the Senior Capstone Show
Civil Rights and Social Justice Center Presents Three-Part Civil Rights Speaker Series
The EMU Civil Rights and Social Justice Center will present a three-part speaker series, "60 Years of Civil Rights: From the Church House to Social Media, the Struggle Continues," beginning Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
The Nov. 17 premier event, "The Fight for Equality: A Conversation with the Elders," will feature keynote speaker Dr. Leslie McLemore, an activist with the Mississippi Freedom Project of 1964—also known as "Freedom Summer"—an effort to increase the number of registered black voters in the state. Two local activists, Dorothy Dewberry Aldridge and Marian Kramer-Baker, will join McLemore for a panel discussion following his address.
The event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Sill Hall Room 124. For more information on this event, and to read more about the other two lectures, visit the the Civil Rights and Social Justice Center website.
Graphic for the "60 Years of Civil Rights" lecture series
EMU Theatre Presents Peter and the Starcatcher
The Tony award-winning musical Peter and the Starcatcher explores the origin story of the most formidable Boy Who Would Not Grow Up, a.k.a. Peter Pan. Set during Victorian times, this dangerous yet playful tale tracks the fantastical escapades of three orphan boys, Lord Aster, and his daughter Molly as they set sail on two ships burdened with a mysterious cargo. Along the way, they tussle with greedy pirates, escape the clutches of the jungle, and inevitably, discover unlikely friendships, untapped courage, and their own heroic calling.
Performances of Peter and the Starcatcher will be held December 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 7pm, and December 4 and 11 at 2pm in Legacy Theatre.
Poster for Peter and the Starcatcher