What's Happening in CoSE

Congrats, Heather Ray, on being named the 2023-2024 Distinguished Teacher Award winner!

RSVP today to the 2024 Pillars of Achievement Reception!

We invite all faculty and staff to join us at the College’s 2024 Pillars of Achievement reception.

The event honors our 2024 Professional Achievement Award winner and Outstanding Student Achievement Award winners, as well as our Outstanding Faculty Award winners and emeritus faculty. Join us as we celebrate their accomplishments and enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres on Friday, May 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Salmon River Suite at the Pond Student Union.

Please RSVP by April 26 to Logan McDougall, Executive Director of College Relations, at loganmcdougall@isu.edu or cose@isu.edu. Please include the number of guests who will be attending with you.

Kudos to Biochemistry Professor Caryn Evilia!

The Idaho Academy of Science and Engineering recently presented her with the Distinguished Communicator Award. The IASE praised her career-long efforts at “bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding,” saying, “her tireless efforts have ignited curiosity and kindled a love for science among audiences in Pocatello and throughout Southeast Idaho.”

Trisha Arave Named CoSE's 2024 Professional Achievement Award winner

Trisha currently serves as the Plant Manager at J.R. Simplot Company based in Pocatello. With a strong background in project management, she has been an integral part of the company's operations since August 2016.

In her role as Plant Manager, Trisha oversees all aspects of plant operations, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and adherence to quality standards. She brings over seven years of experience to the position, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic management skills.

Paul Bodily, assistant professor of computer science, was a recent guest on the West Ada School District podcast.

Give it a watch or listen to find out more about the future of AI in education and Paul’s work with Pop*, an AI he’s created that can compose music.

Way to go, Jack Shurley!

Shurley, a senior lecturer in the biological sciences department, was selected as a 2024 Textbook Hero by University Libraries.

Textbook heroes are members of the ISU community who have promoted or adopted low-cost or free course materials, including open educational resources (OER), helping ISU students save on the cost of course materials and showing an outstanding commitment to student retention and success.

The Textbook Heroes initiative by University Libraries exists to express gratitude and appreciation for those working to make course materials more affordable.

The Idaho State University Career Center recently named Md Fazle Rabbi the second runner-up for the Student Employee of the Year award. Click here to learn more about some of his work as a computer science graduate student.

Great job, Nelson Snow!

Earlier this month, Nelson Snow, a graduate student in nuclear engineering, took home the Best Lightning Talk award at the American Nuclear Society's Student Conference.

Nelson’s talk focused on his research that’s part of a joint GE Research-Idaho State University project to develop a new way of rapidly and more accurately determining the fissile material mass in spent nuclear fuel, which will expand recycling opportunities and support advanced nuclear reactors. All told, 11 graduate and undergraduate ISU students are working on the effort with Chad Pope, Ph.D., P.E., professor of nuclear engineering.

Applications Open for Idaho NSF EPSCoR I-CREWS Seed Funding

Applications for the first round of Idaho NSF EPSCoR I-CREWS Seed Funding awards will be accepted until May 30. These awards (Small Seed Funding, <$55k, <1 year performance period) are expected primarily to be led by early-career researchers initiating research directly related to Energy Water (E-W) Systems. Established or mid-career researchers seeking to expand or apply their expertise into a new E-W research direction will also be eligible. Multi-institutional collaboration will be prioritized but not required due to the small size of the award. Funding may support personnel, summer salary, travel, and/or other resources needed to generate preliminary data and/or explore high-risk, high-reward E-W activities.

I-CREWS will host Open Forums in late April and early May to answer questions about this opportunity. If you have questions, contact Kitty Griswold, Colden Baxter, Bruce Savage, or Morey Burnham.

Your Input Wanted: MRCF Researcher Survey

The Molecular Research Core Facility is conducting a brief survey to find out how the MRCF is meeting the demands of ISU researchers and, if not, what instruments or services they should consider.

The MRCF offers a wide variety of molecular services, including sanger and NGS sequencing, qPCR, fragment analysis, DNA/RNA extraction, advanced microscopy, flow cytometry, and sample preparation. Instrumentation available for use includes Nanodrop, multi-mode plate readers, PCR and qPCR machines, gel imaging station, qubit, and more. For a full list of what they offer, please visit their website.

Email addresses will be collected with every survey submission to allow for follow-up on instrument/service requests. Please complete by May 3.

CoSE Camping Trip Aug. 23 - 25

Join us for CoSE's 3rd Annual Camping Trip for faculty and staff. Family members are welcome. Enjoy relaxing and outdoor activities with your colleagues and family during this low-key weekend getaway. You will be responsible for your own food, entertainment, and supplies.

For more information, please check out the Grand Teton National Park and Colter Bay Campground websites.

Click here to RSVP.

CoSE Chairs and Directors Meeting Minutes

From Around ISU

Summer Hours to Start Monday, May 6

To support employees in fully enjoying the summer season, the University’s business office hours will shift to Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a 30-minute lunch break, beginning on Monday, May 6. Summer hours apply to telework and on-campus working arrangements. Standard office hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break, will resume on Monday, August 5.

Budget Lunch and Learn Sessions

The Budget Advisory Group is launching a series of Lunch and Learn sessions for ISU faculty and staff who want to learn more about ISU’s budget and finance structures, trends, policies, and outlook. Faculty are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch and attend in person. Zoom options will also be available. Sessions will be recorded and posted to the budget website.

Library Remodel Unveiling April 23

The recent remodel of the Eli M. Oboler Library on Idaho State University's Pocatello campus has transformed its first floor into an inclusive environment that fosters student engagement and a culture of learning. By removing walls and enhancing natural light, the space now promotes openness and accessibility, aligning with the library's mission as a hub for collaboration and knowledge.

Dates to Remember

April 22	Late 8-week and full semester course grading opens
April 29	Final Examinations
May 3	Spring 2024 classes end
May 4	Commencement (May & August 2024 graduates)
May 7	Late 8-week and full semester course grading closes at 4:00 pm
May 13	Summer Classes begin for Early-4, Early-6, Early-8 and Full term
May 27	Memorial Day holiday (Monday - no classes)
May 28	Early-4 final grading opens

Upcoming Events in the College of Science and Engineering

For a complete list of CoSE events, check out the College Event Calendar. Updates can also be found on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Instagram. To add events to the calendar, please contact the Administrative Assistants in your department. The university-wide calendar of events is available here.

Department/Program

Physics

Event

Colloquium: Excitation and Resonance of Very Long Period Seismicity at Kīlauea Volcano

Details

Mon, Apr 22

4 - 5 p.m.

https://isu.zoom.us/j/85029763933

Department/Program

Mathematics and Statistics

Event

Colloquium: The Data Science Labs: Applications of Mathematics

Details

Tues, Apr 23

3 - 4 p.m.

PS 307 https://isu.zoom.us/j/83918530990

Department/Program

Geosciences

Event

Colloquium: Seminar Trip Presentation

Details

Wed, Apr 24

4 - 5 p.m.

Department/Program

Biological Sciences

Event

Biology Social

Details

Thurs, Apr 25

3:30 - 4 p.m.

GLS Lobby

Department/Program

Biological Sciences

Event

Seminar

Jericho Whiting

Details

Thurs, Apr 25

4 - 5 p.m.

LC 10

Department/Program

Chemistry

Event

Graduation Party

Details

Fri, Apr 26

4 - 5 p.m.

Department/Program

ALL

Event

Pillars of Achievement Celebration

Details

Fri , May 3

4 - 6 p.m.

Salmon River Suite

Help Us Share Your Accomplishments!

Our College’s outstanding faculty, staff, and students achieve many notable research and professional accomplishments. In addition, our departments regularly have newsworthy advancements. We want to make sure those stories are shared publicly. Here are a few ways you can provide a news tip to help get the word out:

Use this Story Submission Form to send your news tip to the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Send an email to Logan McDougall (loganmcdougall@isu.edu) with a brief description of the news to be shared.

You are always welcome to create a draft story, submit it via the Story Submission Form, or send it to Logan. The Office of Marketing and Communications and Logan will coordinate to get the story finalized and distributed to the media outlets/platforms that best tell the story.

View this email as a web page.