Dr. Evans from the Chemistry Department recently received $445,500 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support her project entitled Probing the Role of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 3 and Humanin in Regulating Hyaluronan Function.
The research project centers on examining the overlapping interactions between molecular players, linked to both neurodegeneration and cancer and the resulting mechanistic interplay operative in regulating cell survival. This research has a positive impact because it will unveil diverse mechanisms employed by protein-carbohydrate interactions in the extracellular milieu to regulate cell survival, thereby broadening our knowledge of diseases resulting from dysregulation of these interactions.
In alignment with EMU's strategic mission to strengthen academic programs and research quality, this research project provides a comprehensive training research opportunity for undergraduate students in the a) Biochemistry program, b) Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Neuroscience program (NSCI), and c) research-based undergraduate biochemistry laboratory course, along with training for master’s level students at EMU. This project promises to provide undergraduate and master’s level students with an authentic and extensive hands-on research training at an early stage of their education and cultivates an interest in a career in biomedical research.
Dr. Evans is grateful for the help provided from the Office of Research Development and Administration staff and the EMU internal funding she has received (Faculty Release Fellowships, Provost Research Support Award, Departmental support) that enabled her to have the time and funds to gather the preliminary data needed to submit a successful proposal.
Dr. Hedeel Evans
This past August, English alumnus and lecturer André F. Peltier published Poplandia, which Peltier describes as "a collection of poetry dealing with pop culture. These poems include topics ranging from 'Star Wars' to Elvis (Presley) and Taco Bell to comic books."
Peltier told Current magazine, "When I started teaching science-fiction about 10 years ago, I realized that there isn’t much sci-fi-based poetry, so I ended up writing a poem about 'Star Wars.' I’d never actually submitted my work anywhere until the beginning of quarantine and, since then, I've had nearly 200 poems published by various journals and magazines. After 1½ years of that, I made a New Year’s resolution last year to get a book published this year."
Poplandia cover
Assistant Professor of Psychology Adam Briggs' lab recently collaborated with the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) to develop and distribute a survey with the hope of better understanding the behavioral science delivery landscape throughout Michigan. They were interested in (a) understanding the prevalence of children with autism who experience delays in accessing behavioral services in the form of a waitlist and (b) assessing the needs of the child and their family during this time. Results showed that there can be significant delays in obtaining services for these families, and that enrolling one’s child on several waitlists does not speed the time between needing and obtaining services. Dr. Briggs and colleagues suggest that trainings and caregiver resources be developed and offered to caregivers whose children are on waitlists in order to bridge that gap more effectively. Also involved in this project were Andi Stephens, a clinical psychology PhD student, taking the lead on this project, and other EMU students (i.e., Jaimie Barr, Brittany Loder, and Alyssa Miller) and faculty (i.e., Dr. Angela Staples) assisted with various aspects of the project. Dr. Briggs and colleagues have submitted a manuscript over this work to the journal Autism.
Dr. Adam Briggs
Economics alumnus Waldo Beausejour presented the first virtual Economics Brown Bag seminar of the Fall 2022 semester on Wednesday, October 5th 2022. Beausejour presented his current research entitled "Uncovering Important Drivers of the Increase in the Use of Virtual Care Technologies in Nursing Care: Quantitative Analysis From the 2020 National Survey of Canadian Nurses" (joint with Simon Hagens). Before coming to EMU as a Fulbright scholar, he completed his bachelors in Economics in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Waldo completed his MA in Economics at Eastern Michigan University in 2014, and worked at USAID as a evaluation specialist. Currently he is a Quantitative Economist, data analyst, project/program evaluator at Canada Health Infoway.
Waldo Beausejour
An EMU alum who performs under the stage name SOLsong recently appeared on on NBC's singing competition show The Voice. Judge John Legend selected SOLsong to be on his team during the blind auditions round of the competiton, where he performed a cover of "Turning Tables" by Adele. SOLsong studied classical music at Eastern and is one of three Michigan natives competing on this season of The Voice. Best of luck!
SOLsong
Since graduating from Eastern in 1966, Regent Dennis Beagen has worn many hats at EMU. He has served as program director of the Forensics team, Department Head of Communications, Media and Theatre Arts, Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Chair of the Planning Committee for EMU’s Undergraduate Symposium, and Regent. He recently sat down with EMU Today to discuss his career, his time as a student at Eastern, and his plans for the future once he retires in December.
Dennis Beagen
In the Puritan community of Salem, Massachusetts, a group of adolescent girls falls ill. The lack of any rational cause prompts Salem's citizens to begin assigning blame to supernatural forces. Fear mounts and hysteria ensues. Accusations of witchcraft become the remedy for private insecurities, deeply held grudges, and unfettered greed. The ugly underbelly of society erupts, one that validates acceptance and cancels dissent. Still relevant, Arthur Miller's 1963 play carries a contemporary caution: the most dangerous threat to any community may be the community itself.
Performances of The Crucible will take place on October 14, 15, 21, 22 at 7pm, 16 & 23 at 2pm in the Legacy Theatre. The accessibility performance will be Oct. 15 at 7pm, and the sensory friendly performance will be Oct. 23 at 2pm.
Poster for The Crucible
The School of Music & Dance hosts over 200 public events each year, and the second half of Fall 2022 features some of the largest events of the year:
October 28 - EMU Symphony Orchestra Halloween Concert in Pease Auditorium (ticket required)
November 10 - East Meets West: Seetoo Scholarship Celebration Concert, 7:00pm in Pease Auditorium, with reception to follow (free but registration required – register here; read more at EMU Today)
November 19 – Bandorama, 7:00pm in Pease Auditorium (ticket required)
December 8 – Ballet: Coppelia, 7:00pm in Pease Auditorium (ticket required)
December 10 – Holiday Candelight Concert, 7:30pm in Pease Auditorium (ticket required)
EMU Orchestra performing at Pease Auditorium
Eastern Michigan University faculty experts will convene to discuss the "The U.S. and the Holocaust" documentary at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, via a webinar on Zoom. The documentary by American filmmaker Ken Burns outlines why leaders in the United States did not intervene more heavily in one of the greatest humanitarian crises of the twentieth century. EMU faculty experts in history, Jewish studies, literature, and philosophy will offer their insights into this difficult history from their respective disciplines and discuss the significance of the film with students and the EMU community. This is a free event, but you must register to receive the Zoom link.
"The U.S. and the Holocaust" banner