COSAM News Center

COSAM News COSAM News Center

TODAY at 3:30 p.m. in SCA: All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend a lecture from Tyrone Hayes. Read this open letter before attending: aub.ie/HayesOpenLetter

Apply to be a Learning Assistant!

Attention #COSAM Students - On Friday, April 8 at 3 p.m., you can learn about being a Learning Assistant for Fall 2022.

Why should you find out more about being a Learning Assistant?

Get paid
Earn real experience for your resume
Meet great people
Learn outstanding skills applicable for graduate school, internships and professional careers
Work as a team (and have fun too!)

Attend the online Zoom session to learn more about being a Learning Assistant for Fall 2022.

Biological Sciences graduate student receives grant through the Alabama Chapter of the Audubon Society to enhance conservation efforts in Black Belt Prairie

Amelia Grider received her first grant from the Alabama Chapter of the Audubon Society to conduct research on how birds utilize perennial grasslands in the state of Alabama.

Read more about this grant.

COSAM Student Spotlight: Natalie Williams

In the Liles lab, Williams and a team of undergraduate and PhD students actively collaborate with scientists from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the Jet Propulsion Lab to provide NASA with data that will aid in determining a 'go or no go' launch decision for the Europa Lander Mission.

Learn more about Natalie.

Don't Miss this Virtual Information Session

Attend a virtual information session about a National Science Foundation (NSF) Funded Research Traineeship Program on Climate Resistance on Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. (CT). During this Zoom session attendees will learn more about how the trainees receive a $34,000 stipend annually for up to two years, plus tuition waivers. Applications for the program will be accepted through Jan. 10, 2022.

Click on this link to participate in the Zoom session.

COSAM students make scientific contributions beyond this world: World Space Week 2021 celebrates Women in Space

Oct. 4-10 marks World Space Week 2021, and Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) is taking the opportunity to highlight standouts in the field. The celebratory week has been spotlighting accomplishments in regard to space since 1999. This year’s theme, Women in Space, gives us the opportunity to highlight how students at Auburn University have first-hand experience working on space-related projects including researching protection for exploration of a moon of Jupiter, conducting research remotely on the International Space Station (ISS) and measuring water around a comet from another solar system. In COSAM, female students make significant scientific contributions every day.

Read more.

Beat Week Giving Challenge

Help us during the Beat Week Giving Challenge against Georgia! Make a gift to the College of Sciences and Mathematics through Oct. 9.

Read more.

Rural Medicine Program students dedicate their lives to giving back to the state of Alabama

“I am devoted to bridging the gap with rural communities and helping provide healthcare solutions in small communities in this state,” said Cameron Roddy. This year’s class of Rural Medicine Program (RMP) students took their group photo on the steps of the Sciences Center Classrooms building. These students from rural Alabama are on the path to become physicians that focus on communities with smaller populations.

Read more.

Students at FAMU learn about graduate school at Auburn and NSF Research Traineeship program

“It was exciting to finally meet one of our advisors to our NSF Research Traineeship program, Dr. Richard Gragg Associate Director and Associate Professor in environmental science at FAMU. It’s been difficult to promote a new program in COVID conditions, but I was happy to inform the interested upperclassmen of FAMU of Auburn’s NSF Traineeship increasing the future climate resiliency in the southeastern United States, with funded positions with $34K stipends and tuition waivers,” said Katie Brown, program coordinator. “Our applications are now open again to all interested upperclassmen.”

Read more.

Research experience opportunities for first year students available in new pilot biology course

“This pilot project gives us a chance to help undergraduate students engage in research early on,” said Min Zhong, senior lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences. “Students participating will develop functional lab skills, improve their scientific communication, gain hands-on experience collaborating with other students, and benefit them in the post-graduation setting.”

Read more.

Auburn physicists awarded $1 million by NASA and NSF

Auburn professors Mike Fogle and Stuart Loch, from the Department of Physics, were recently awarded $1.09 million in grants from NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Read more.

Message from the Interim Dean

I would like to welcome you all to the start of the 2021-2022 academic year. The start of a new academic year is always a time of excitement as we welcome new students, faculty, and staff to the university. COSAM has experienced a number of changes during this summer and I wanted to take this opportunity to give you a few brief updates.

Read the entire message from Ed Thomas.

COSAM’s Graduation Marshal Daniel Leaphart makes grandfather proud

“My time as a student at Auburn has been absolutely amazing,” he said. “Being a student in geosciences makes for the most incredible work environment you could ever ask for.” Leaphart participated in the department’s summer field camp. “I was able to go to Dinosaur Ridge in Colorado and it was a dream come true,” Leaphart explained. Dinosaur Ridge was founded in 1989, and is one of the most famous and sought after fossil destinations in the world. Leaphart is pictured in front of it. The dinosaur footprints are visible in the ridge behind him. “Seeing the dinosaur fossils in the hill made me feel like I was a little kid again,” he said. “I was so excited to see and touch these pieces of history that are more than 100 million years old.”

Learn how Daniel makes us all proud.

Thomas named interim dean of Auburn’s College of Sciences and Mathematics

“I am deeply honored and humbled that the faculty, staff and students of COSAM have expressed their strong support for me to serve as their interim dean,” said Thomas. “During this transitional period, I am committed to providing leadership and continuity for the college and positioning COSAM to successfully welcome its next dean.”

Learn more about Ed Thomas.

The Eppley Foundation for Sciences awards Kaitlyn Murphy from the Department of Biological Sciences $19,000 grant

"I’m very excited about Kaitlyn’s research," explained Dan Warner. "Her PhD research is taking a very integrative approach for understanding the sources and the consequences of the eggshell microbiome in reptiles. For example, her work combines field and laboratory studies that will provide new insights into how the maternal environment influences the bacterial communities on eggs, and how that in turn affects the development and survival of offspring. I have been incredibly impressed by how much Kaitlyn has already accomplished. She has designed and implemented several important studies, and she is using several novel approaches that will certainly advance her area of study. In addition, she has been very independent and has learned several new techniques that are outside of my area of expertise. These funds from the Eppley Foundation for Research will be especially important for her molecular work, which is needed to characterize the bacterial communities that reside on the eggshells. I am very much looking forward to Kaitlyn’s discoveries!"

Read more about Kaitlyn's research.

Best wishes to Jack Feminella for a speedy recovery!

On this Father's Day, we wish Jack Feminella a speedy recovery! Dr. J was a role model to countless COSAM Leaders, faculty, staff and students.

Learn more about the contributions he made in COSAM

COSAM Graduation Marshal pursues career teaching science and sparking excitement through community outreach

“As an undergraduate student at Auburn University, I personally saw how my passion for science can inspire others through K-12 outreach,” Grant Wilkinson said.As the Spring 2021 Graduation Marshal for COSAM, he reflects back on the importance of outreach events.

Read more about Grant

2021 Dean's Medalists

Congratulations to the outstanding COSAM students selected as Dean's Medalists

Learn more about the medalists

Workshop - Research 101

Don't miss the next workshop hosted by the COSAM Research Ambassadors on Wednesday, April 14 at 4 p.m. The COSAM Research Ambassadors will be live via Zoom to help students get involved in research and answer some frequently asked questions.

Click here to attend Research 101

COSAM Talks - To Auburn and back again

Press play to hear from Ed Thomas Jr. who not only earned his graduate degree from Auburn University, but is also a professor of physics and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. He shared how the university has changed over the past two decades, insight about research and how research funding in COSAM has soared.

Play the podcast

Three students elevated their graduate experience at RNA Institute Mini Symposium

On March 4, these future RNA scientists presented virtually at the RNA Institute Mini Symposium. The event gave these students opportunities to share their research while also listening to other researchers who are encouraging graduate students to continue work in this field and make scientific discoveries with the potential for life-changing impact.

Learn more

Ask A Research Ambassador: How do I make and present a poster?

COSAM Students:

Be part of the first Undergraduate Research Ambassador Workshop on Monday, March 22 at 2 p.m.

Walk through making a sample research poster
Gain valuable poster presentations tips and advice
Get feedback for the upcoming AU Student Symposium

Zoom link

New COSAM Genetics Major: An Informational Session

Do you know a current Auburn current or prospective student that could be a great fit for COSAM's new major in genetics?

Encourage him or her to attend the New COSAM Genetics Major: An Informational Session on Wednesday, March 31 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Students will learn about the new major, and can speak with faculty, advisors, and students who can answer important questions about this new major.

A scavenger hunt with prizes will also be part of the evening's event.

Register online

Apply to be a COSAM Undergraduate Research Ambassador!

Do you have undergraduate research experience? Are you interested in helping your fellow COSAM students learn more about research? If you answered yes to these questions, you should apply to be a COSAM Undergraduate Research Ambassador. Applications are due March 12.

Responsibilities for the position include:

Holding weekly office hours to help other students find undergraduate research
Helping organize research fairs and special projects throughout the year
Promoting research through outreach at campus events

Qualifications:

2 semesters of undergraduate research experience (or currently in your second semester of research)
Minimum 2.75 GPA
Efficient at responding to emails
Good communication skills
Genuine enthusiasm for research
Conference or presentation experience is desired

Please email Ms. Traylor at amt0042@auburn.edu if you have any questions!

Apply online

Elevating the Student Experience – Thomas Deskins

“The community and resources at Auburn University have allowed me to elevate my experience to work with equipment on the ISS,” Deskins said. “I am eternally grateful to the people of this wonderful institution and I am excited to see where this journey will take me.”

Learn more about Thomas

Auburn's NRT Program on Climate Resilience Hosts Talk by Savannah State’s Sue Ebanks

Join Auburn's NRT Program on Climate Resilience on Friday, February 26 at 3:30 p.m. for a special talk by Sue Ebanks, associate professor at Savannah State for the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences. Ebanks is an ecologist that focuses on coastal aquatic, estuarine, and marine environments as well as the coastal hazards and anthropogenic impacts, she will share on Friday, February 26 how cultural relevance, rapport, and place-based engagement, when grafted with the science, can create a pathway to meaningful stewardship.

Attend the Zoom event

Celebrate Black History Month

Celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth with the COSAM OIED Ambassadors tonight at 6 p.m. Zoom link:

Attend the Zoom event

30-Day Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Challenge

Participate in COSAM's 30-Day DEI Challenge!

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Auburn's NRT Program on Climate Resilience Hosts Talk by Savannah State’s Sue Ebanks

Join Auburn's NRT Program on Climate Resilience on Friday, February 26 at 3:30 p.m. for a special talk by Sue Ebanks, associate professor at Savannah State for the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences.

Read more

Just Medicine event wrap-up

The COSAM Office of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity hosted Just Medicine, a blended in-person/virtual panel discussion highlighting and expounding upon the points asserted in Dayna Bowen Matthew’s book of the same title, Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Healthcare.

Read more

Apply to be a COSAM Leader

Applications are due by February 11 at 5 p.m. to be a COSAM Leader for 2021-2022. Take a few minutes to apply online and make next year even better being part of a dynamic and engaging group of students.

Apply online

Arboretum curator directly impacts conservation efforts for extremely rare oaks

“I am proud that the Donald E. Davis Arboretum has increasingly become known for expertise in southeastern native oaks, and being able to produce contributions like this report proves it is warranted,” said Patrick Thompson, special collections curator for the Davis Arboretum, which is nationally accredited for its oaks collection.

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COSAM Talks - Bob Boyd

Take a few minutes and hear from Robert Boyd in this issue of COSAM Talks. Listen to him talk about his career as a botanist over three decades at Auburn University including his quest to solve plant blindness, researching serpentine rocks that are high in heavy metals, the "greenie meanie" or Melanotrichus boydi, an insect named after him that was discovered in California, leading the COSAM Leaders during the pandemic, and so much more... War Eagle!

Play the podcast

SEPEEG virtual conference engages faculty and students across the nation

“I am so appreciative that Dr. Stevison and Dr. Wolak invited us to help with the conference,” explained Taylor Papstein-Novak, a graduate research assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences. “SEPEEG always has great science, but has also been one of the best networking platforms. I was glad we were able to still provide a sense of community by having breakout sessions between the talks and posters.”

Read more

Be a part of the Astronomical Society at Auburn University!

On Friday, February 3 at 5 p.m., you are invited to be part of the Astronomical Society at Auburn University. Tell us more about yourself and RSVP for the meeting.

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Conservation and botany student elevates his Auburn experience finding extinct plants and seeking Alabama’s ‘plant wonders’

“I might say they are truly one of Alabama’s ‘plant wonders of the world’, said Noah Yawn. “They bloom roughly from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day, peaking around Memorial Day weekend, where large clusters of the lily send up dozens of large, white, fragrant, and spider-like flowers 3-feet above the shallow river shoals, opening in late afternoon and persisting for only a day each.”

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Message from the Dean: Help us navigate the right track to return – January 2021 update

In this month's message from Dean Giordano, learn more about the order for the vaccine and important points as we begin a new semester.

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Message from the Dean: Procedures for returning to campus from holiday break

Read about procedures returning from holiday break in this message from Dean Giordano.

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Message from the Dean: Important information regarding operations for January 11 – 24, 2021

Find out important information about the Spring 2021 semester in this message from Dean Giordano.

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COSAM new faculty connect virtually

“I always enjoy welcoming new faculty each year and learning more about them,” shared Dean Nicholas J. Giordano. “Even with the challenges of COVID-19, we found ways to connect virtually and sincerely welcome them to our lovely college town.”

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New workspace for COSAM IT supports Auburn's operational excellence

“COSAM IT supports faculty, staff, students, and our university’s core research efforts,” explained Joshua Jones, director of COSAM IT.

Read more

COSAM Talks - December episode

In this second part of a two-part episode, Phillip Coxwell is joined by COSAM graduate student Steven Kasperek and Dr. Annie Kirby of VCOM to discuss the different ways in which food can impact our bodies.

Listen to the podcast