Diving into Aquatic Microbial Ecology and Evolution with Anne Thompson

On this episode, PDXPLORES Podcast Producer, Anthony King, explains that while the Research and Graduate Studies-based interview program will be going on hiatus, there are plenty of informative episodes in the back catalog to listen to and enjoy. Thank you for listening to PDXPLORES!Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch

On this Episode of PDXPLORES, Ameeta Agrawal, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science, and Antonie Jetter, the Associate Dean for Research at the Maseeh College and a Professor of Engineering and Technology Management, discuss applying interdisciplinary research techniques to artificial intelligence (AI) language tools that fairly and accurately serve diverse communities. Through the Compassionate Computing (or, CoCo) labs, they seek to mitigate text-based biases and inequality attributes within AI to evolve this accelerated technology into natural, equitable and representational digital language. Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch

On this episode of PDXPLORES, Professor Christof Teuscher from the Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science and Andrea Goforth, an assistant professor in chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, discuss Portland State’s expansive and accessible semiconductor pipeline. With the addition of the Semiconductors and More (SMORE) Center, PSU’s comprehensive semiconductor curriculum equips and connects students to careers within Portland’s burgeoning “Silicon Forest.” Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch

On this episode of PDXPLORES, Thomas Schumacher, Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science, discusses employing emerging non-destructive evaluation (NDE) scanning technology to thoroughly map existing structures, from the pyramids in Giza, to bridges in and around Portland. With an eye towards sustainability and environmental conservation, Schumacher sees NDE tools as further aiding in civil infrastructure preservation efforts.Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch

On this episode of PDXPLORES, Evan Elkin, Executive Director of Reclaiming Futures, a sponsored project of the Regional Research Institute within the School of Social Work, discusses his work creating public health systems enlisting, training and  retaining community members as peer counselors within underserved, remote communities, with the goal of fostering equity, inclusion and partnership for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ high school students in need.Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch

On this episode of PDXPLORES, Assistant Professor of Biology, Anne Thompson, discusses her award-winning research work studying the diverse ecology of microorganisms found in Earth’s oceans. Thompson’s research examines microbial mortality impacts on the structure of oceanic food webs, carbon flow, and cell interactions that create dynamic patterns of nutrient and energy abundance within diverse aquatic ecosystems.Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch

On this episode of PDXPLORES, Marisa Zapata, Associate Professor of Land-Use Planning and Director of PSU's Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative, discussed her team’s grant-winning work developing a guidebook in conjunction with state departments of transportation, utilizing best suggested and equitable practices when responding to, managing and deterring homeless encampments on states rights-of-ways not designed for public use: a growing–and potentially dangerous–trend presenting unprecedented challenges.Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch

In this episode of PDXPLORES, Associate Professor of Biology and Biology Education, Erin Shortlidge, discusses her NSF-funded research project, Evolving the Culture of Biology-Promoting Graduate Teaching Assistant Professional Development to Foster Inclusion, Efficacy, and Evidence-based Practices. Shortlidge and her team seek to transform the culture of biology education through a series of workshops for administrators, faculty, and staff who develop training programs for graduate teaching assistants. The ultimate aim is to improve the undergraduate STEM experience through intentional training of future STEM faculty. Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch

In this episode of PDXPLORES, Raúl Bayoán Cal, Professor of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, discusses his latest National Science Foundation award-winning research, Uncovering Transient Dynamics and Equilibrium States of Particle Aggregates in Fluids, investigating transient dynamics of fluid mechanics in the absence of gravity. These experiments, which utilize the Dryden Drop Tower and research facilities aboard the International Space Station, will benefit the study of granular media in aggregation models such as pollen deposition, algae growth, and plastic pollution.Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch

In this episode of PDXPLORES, Assistant Professor in University Studies, Dr. Oscar Fernandez and Dr. Ami Sommariva, an adjunct Assistant Professor in the University Studies Program, discuss their recent co-authored study, The Benefits of Reflective Journaling During COVID-19: Contingent Faculty Examine Impacts on Academic Lives and Student-Centered Teaching, examining the experiences of adjunct, non-tenured faculty members during 2020’s spring quarter; the first quarter of government mandated emergency remote teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Follow PSU research on Twitter: @psu_research and Instagram: @portlandstateresearch