Dr. June Scobee Rodgers will be signing copies of Star Challengers on October 15, 2-4 p.m. at the Challenger Learning Center. Books will be available for purchase at 50 percent off the regular price. Rodgers is best known as the founding chairman of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education. But her newest venture is…
Volkswagen selects UTC interns, featured in video
A UTC alumna and two current UTC student were selected for the Volkswagen Distinguished Scholars Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the three can now be seen in a new video. Jennifer Lewis, Joshua Solomon and Carolyn Hoagland were among 11 students selected by Volkswagen for the program, which began last summer. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03qaO_tJzDY…
Professor researches state’s rare plant life
Media reports draw attention to the plights of species fighting extinction—such as polar bears, bald eagles, tigers, and manatees—but a UTC professor is watching endangered flora a lot closer to home. Though Tennessee is a floristically rich state with 2,439 native plant species, more than any other landlocked eastern state, the Tennessee Natural Heritage Program…
Out of this world research
Dr. Jim Henry is taking the work of the University to new heights, far above the earth. From the Johnson Space Center, Henry witnessed a test of the EXPRESS Payload Simulator software he specifically developed for the International Space Station during a flight of space shuttle Atlantis in May 2010. Earth-bound researchers who must communicate…
NSF recognizes environmental chemistry research
Of the hundreds of awards granted by the Chemistry Division of the National Science Foundation (NSF), Dr. Greg Grant’s chemical research project was one of five the NSF selected for recognition for an Environmental Outcome. Grant, Grote Professor in the UTC Chemistry Department, said “Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) Grant: Complexation Studies of Heavy Metal…
Graduate student conducts jury research
Any fan of TV’s many legal dramas knows that a trial before a jury of your peers is a hallmark of the American justice system. But television does not always accurately reflect reality. Brandy Hemmer, a psychology graduate student, found that jury pools in Hamilton County, Tennessee, do not represent the community when compared to…
Research addresses heat-related illnesses in athletes
When scorching summer temperatures create dangerous conditions for athletes, Dr. Brendon McDermott is often asked to share his findings in the field. “My goal in the research that I do is to prevent sudden death in sports. Death is 100 per cent preventable with exertion heat stroke, even if it ends up happening. My goal…
Summer undergraduate chemistry research program marks 25th year
For 25 years chemistry majors have been developing their critical thinking skills and gaining practical experience as part of the Chemistry Department’s Undergraduate Research Program (URP) held every summer. “The URP Program is competitive. Currently, about half of the students who apply for the program are selected to participate,” said Gregory J. Grant, Irvine W.…
Graduate research examines jury pools; football injuries
Brandy Hemmer, a psychology research graduate student, found that jury pools in Hamilton County, Tennessee, do not represent the community when compared to US Census data. Hemmer will present her research in May at the 22nd annual Association of Psychological Science conference in Boston. Hemmer submitted her paper to the American Psychological Society and was…
Undergraduate research connects healing to spirituality/religion
Tiffany Ipes, undergraduate social work major, explored the connection between healing and religion in her research poster entitled “The Use of Spirituality/Religion in Coping with Chronic Illness.” “The goal of my research was to lend awareness to health care workers that there should be diverse spiritual resources involved in service delivery and treatment plans, especially…