Georgia Southern post-baccalaureate program helps next generation of coastal scientists wade into research
Amanda Melendez’s boots sloshed through the marsh as she worked alongside the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to unload cages filled with live oysters to reconstruct an oyster reef. Melendez, one of ten fellows in the first cohort of Georgia Southern University’s Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates (RaMP) program, took part in a unique coastal research initiative that prepared her to go beyond her undergraduate experience.
Hervé Pierre-Paul, another member of the cohort, set out a light trap in a tidal stream at dusk to attract small fish as the tide came in and darkness settled over the sweetgrass. RaMP offered him this first opportunity to venture into the field and do hands-on research away from the classroom.
During the program, fellows like Melendez and Pierre-Paul spent a day at sea conducting oceanographic research, visited Sapelo Island to share their research and learn about coastal life from Gullah Geechee islanders, and surveyed inland tributaries for ecological health. They finished their time as fellows by presenting their research findings at the Georgia Southern College of Science and Math Research Showcase.
The program is designed to give new levels of research opportunities to students who have recently completed an undergraduate degree so they can be better qualified for jobs or advanced degrees. With new cohorts participating through 2027, the first cohort set a high bar, with many of the participants going on to enroll in master’s programs.
“The premise of the program is to provide training opportunities for students that might be in institutions where they don’t have access to either research infrastructure or where they haven’t had an opportunity to participate in research,” said Checo Colón-Gaud, Ph.D., director of the program. “We’ve been fortunate to bring in participants who allowed us to elevate the training that we provide.”
Melendez said the program gave her both research skills and confidence. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Puerto Rico, she was uncertain about graduate school.
“I wasn’t sure if grad school was the right move for me,” said Melendez. “I had never had the opportunity to do any sort of internship during my undergrad. That was a main goal for me because I knew it would make me potentially competitive for grad school. It means a lot to have this opportunity as a first-generation scientist in my family.”
That experience paid off: Melendez is now enrolled in a marine science master’s program at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. Meanwhile, Pierre-Paul is pursuing a master’s in zoology at the University of Florida. He credits RaMP with inspiring him to work toward a Ph.D. and become a professor one day, where he can operate his own lab to help others find their passion just like he did.
“Before the RaMP program, I was a little hesitant about it,” said Pierre-Paul. “After the RaMP program and seeing all the professionals at work doing what they love, I realized the challenges should not stop me from my passion because I do have a passion for teaching.”
Georgia Southern’s program focuses on coastal sciences and is funded by a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The program is co-led by a multidisciplinary team, including Lacey Huffling, Ph.D. (College of Education), John Carroll, Ph.D. (Institute for Coastal Plain Science), and Asli Aslan, Ph.D. (Institute for Water and Health). Colón-Gaud notes that Georgia Southern’s multiple campuses create diverse community connections, making the University a prime host for a program that spans a broad spectrum of topics.
“It speaks to the multiple areas of research of the faculty mentors,” said Colón-Gaud. “It gives us the opportunity to have faculty in different environments. We have experts who might be positioned at one campus, but working across the coast and across different states.”
As Melendez and Pierre-Paul open their textbooks and begin their graduate courses, the Georgia Southern RaMP faculty gas up the utility vehicles and prepare the fish traps, ready to welcome the next cohort.
Last updated: 10/2/2025
Fashion Merchandising student tailors her future following Tyler Perry Studios internship
Laila Ward still remembers the feeling of awe that washed over her when she first set foot onto the Tyler Perry Studios campus in Atlanta.
“It was so surreal,” said the Georgia Southern University senior fashion merchandising and apparel design student. “There were so many moments during that day and the days after where I stopped and thought, ‘I’m really here.'”
Ward secured a coveted internship with the production company for the 2025 summer semester. Out of 1,900 applicants, she was one of the 14 who were chosen.
She started as a costume production assistant, coordinating costume logistics and maintenance across the various film sets spread out over the massive campus.
“We kept everything organized,” Ward explained. “We made sure that merchandise and costumes were properly stored, and made sure that everything ran smoothly.”
Things have to run smoothly on the studio grounds. The 330-acre campus is situated on the site of the former U.S. military installation Fort McPherson in Atlanta, whose soldiers enforced federal regulations after the Civil War. The property features multiple sets that are constantly in use, whether for a Tyler Perry production or otherwise.
After a few weeks deep in the studio trenches, Ward and her fellow interns were challenged to go a step further.
“We were given a surprise project to make our own short film,” said Ward. “We were given a budget, a location on the studio campus, camera equipment and props. We only had one week to film, but we were able to create a 10-minute short film.”
She recalls the late nights her team spent working on their film. They would stay up until 3 a.m., consulting with studio executives about how to create the best version of their work while meeting deadlines.
“They already had their own work to do, but they made themselves available for us,” she explained. “The culture at the studios, everyone feels like family. We all want to help each other succeed.”
The relationships she built with these industry professionals made her realize how similar they all were.
“I had no idea I’d be able to get here,” said Ward. “The crazy thing about it is that everyone working here all felt the same. Their journey wasn’t linear. It was all over the place, just like mine.”
Her passion for fashion started at an early age. As a child, she was a constant fixture at her grandmother’s side, learning to sew. Her grandmother always encouraged her to make her own clothes, inspiring dreams of a future as a designer. But as she got older, she fought with her own fears, second-guessing her choices.
“I feel like I’ve been mediocre in a lot of things my whole life,” she admitted. “I really wasn’t that athletic. I’m not a straight-A student. I felt like I wasn’t really good at anything.
“After high school, I took a gap year and discovered that my natural gift was styling people,” Ward continued. “It was so much fun and my friends would always come to me for outfit advice. It felt like I was actually doing something.”
She had her ‘aha’ moment when she found Georgia Southern’s Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design.
“The fashion program at Georgia Southern University is really rewarding,” she said. “I can comfortably say it’s given me the skills I need to succeed in the industry, as well as understanding how important it is to create opportunities for yourself.”
It was this winding road that brought her to the front door of Tyler Perry Studios, giving her an experience that has helped define her future.
“I realized that my superpower wasn’t just in fashion and clothes,” she explained. “But in pushing people, including myself, to show up as their best selves.”
That’s what led her to start her own organization, Potential.
“Potential is a collective I started that’s all about connecting people who want to grow in the creative arts job markets,” she explained. “I wanted to create something that helps people realize how special they all are.”
She credits Perry’s real-life challenges an actor and writer looking for a break as a key influence in strengthening the trust she developed in herself.
“You have to believe in yourself, just like he did,” said Ward. “And you have to make sure that you’re taking the time to grow in your craft, just like he did. Once I started doing that…I realized there was genuinely no limit to what I could accomplish.”
Last updated: 9/30/2025
Georgia Southern mechanical engineering students partner with NASA to develop tech for deep-space missions
Eagle Nation is working with NASA to soar to the moon and beyond!
Students at Georgia Southern University’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing have been tapped by the space agency to develop new technology for use in future space missions thanks to a grant secured by Allen E. Paulson Distinguished Chair Valentin Soloiu, Ph.D.
Georgia Southern is one of 12 universities selected to participate in NASA’s Moon to Mars eXploration Systems and Habitation (M2M X-Hab) 2026 Academic Innovation Challenge. The competition brings senior and graduate college students to the factory floor to design equipment supporting space habitats and exploration missions.
“I worked over seven years to secure this grant,” said Soloiu. “I’m proud of my students for participating in developing this technology for NASA. It shows how invested Georgia Southern University is when it comes to our research efforts.”
Soloiu’s undergraduate mechanical engineering students are developing a rover and an autonomous charging station for surface vehicles using LiDAR a light detection and ranging, technology that uses laser light to measure distance. The data will guide vehicles to their charging stations, where a robotic arm developed by Soloiu’s team will connect them.
Graduate student project leads Tim Sutton and Shaen Mehrzed are working with Soloiu to guide development and implementation of the technology.
“Right now, we’re focusing on bringing an inductive charging system into the mix,” explained Sutton. “It would function exactly like a wireless phone charger.”
“That would help us develop a charging system that could function regardless of the environmental conditions,” says Mehrzed. “We’re trying to simulate that environment and make sure our technology is capable of operating in it.”
The goal is to have the product ready to blast off by May 2026. But these students are sending more than their inventions to the stars.
“These are dreams and goals my students have had their entire life,” said Soloiu. “Georgia Southern University is helping us make those dreams a reality.”
Last updated: 9/24/2025
PAC-ked schedule as Georgia Southern University Performing Arts Center unveils 2025-26 season performances
The Georgia Southern University Performing Arts Center (PAC) 2025-26 Main Stage Series kicks off in October, and features a season full of performances from national ensembles to student productions to holiday favorites and family-friendly performances beginning this fall.
“To the community, I would like to welcome everyone through our doors once again for another season that is PAC-ked with programming,” Daniel Brown, director of the Performing Arts Center. “I am confident that this year will be one of the most exciting to date.”
The season opens Oct. 29 with the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus. Founded in 1946 and 1957, respectively, the Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus are the oldest and largest of the U.S. Army Field Band’s performing components. The ensembles will present a program ranging from masterworks and operatic arias to Sousa marches, jazz classics and Broadway favorites. The concert is free, but tickets must be reserved online.
A few weeks later, the Georgia Southern Theatre program and the Performing Arts Center will present Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” Nov. 13-15. The comedy explores themes of love, identity and transformation. General admission tickets are $20; Georgia Southern student, faculty and staff tickets are $10.
On Nov. 20, the holiday season kicks off with “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” The musical follows seven-year-old Lois Jean, who believes a baby hippo named Bella can bring her family together for Christmas. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
The PAC’s season continues in 2026 with playing host to a night unlike any other with “Candlelight Celtic.” Surrounded by the warm glow of more than 1,000 candles, the audience will be immersed in a one-of-a-kind enchanting atmosphere filled with the soul-stirring melodies of Ireland. This event was created by the 2009 World Champion of Irish Dance, Scott Doherty, and worldwide touring Irish musician Chris Smith. The show takes place on March 2, and tickets range from $10 to $25.
From April 9 to 11, a Pulitzer-winning drama comes to the PAC. “Sweat” by Lynn Nottage tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets and laughter while working together on the factory floor. But when layoffs and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust, the friends find themselves pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight to stay afloat. General admission tickets are $20; Georgia Southern student, faculty and staff tickets are $10. “Sweat” is recommended for patrons ages 13 and up due to strong language and some violence.
School Matinee Series
The PAC’s School Matinee Series is expanding this year to include 12 educational touring shows in collaboration with theater companies and Georgia Southern Theatre students. Tickets are $5, and bookings are available through pac@georgiasouthern.edu.
The series begins Oct. 8 with Washington Irving’s classic “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” recommended for grades 4 and up. A fun-for-the-family study guide is available for audiences.
On Oct. 10, “New Kid” tells the story of an immigrant family navigating a new culture. On Oct. 21, Bright Star’s comic duo Lenny and Mabel bring “Peter Pan” to life in a play within a play. The show is recommended for Pre-K through grade 3.
Additional matinee shows include:
- Halloween Carnival — Oct. 21
- As You Like It — Nov. 13
- I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas — Nov. 20
- George Washington Carver & Friends — Jan. 12
- The Life of Dr. King — Jan. 13
- Dino Academy: A Dinosaur Discovery Show — Jan. 20
- Empowered, Brilliant & Brave: Great Women of Black History — Jan. 21
- Jack’s Adventure in American History — March 25
- Game Show USA — March 26
- Winnie the Pooh — April 21
Additional events
The PAC will also host free events, including concerts by the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music and student film festivals and premieres from the Department of Communication Arts.
Tickets go on sale to the general public Sept. 15, including students, faculty and staff. Tickets can be purchased online, at the PAC’s Ticket Office Monday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. or over the phone at (912) 478-7999. Additional questions can be answered by emailing pac@georgiasouthern.edu.
The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus will open the PAC 2025-2026 season on Oct. 29.
Last updated: 9/24/2025
Georgia Southern University computer science professor awarded NSF grant to advance protein imaging research
Proteins, often called the building blocks of life, play a central role in drug development. When scientists develop new treatments, they must understand how drugs interact with proteins involved in disease mechanisms and with proteins in the human body that influence drug response.
Scientists commonly use cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) 3D imaging data to study proteins. While recent advances have enabled higher-resolution images that are easier to analyze, medium-resolution images—which are more difficult to interpret—are still the most common for larger protein complexes.
Salim Sazzed, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the computer science department of Georgia Southern University’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, has been awarded a two-year National Science Foundation grant of about $175,000 to lead a groundbreaking project to develop novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques for determining protein secondary structures from medium-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) images.
Improved modeling from medium-resolution images will help researchers study more proteins efficiently, giving new insights into diseases and potentially guiding the development of new treatments and future drugs.
At its core, this research will combine biology and machine learning to study protein structures. The multidisciplinary approach and potential impacts on public health are what most excite Sazzed.
“The impetus behind this research is the positive impact on public health and possibly contributing to the biomedical workforce,” he said. “Seeing biology and computer science combine for that kind of impact is incredibly moving.”
As the Principal Investigator (PI) for the project, Sazzed will use his expertise in deep learning computer models to focus on a major challenge in structural biology: identifying the two main secondary structures of proteins—the alpha helix and the beta sheet. These structures are critical for a protein’s overall shape and function, but in medium-resolution cryo-EM images they often appear indistinct or lack clear detail, making them particularly difficult to analyze.
Sazzed’s research will focus on two main goals. First, he will quantify the variability of alpha helices and beta sheets in medium-resolution images, comparing them to idealized structures. Second, by integrating this structural variability with the image data in a deep learning model, he will aim to generate more precise and accurate representations of protein secondary structures.
“When we feed this information into a deep learning model along with the image data, the model should be able to determine protein secondary structures more precisely,” Sazzed elaborated.
Sazzed believes students will greatly benefit from this multi-disciplinary approach. In addition to a Ph.D. student, several undergraduate students will be directly engaged in the research. A full-day workshop will also be organized, allowing Georgia Southern students from diverse disciplines to participate. This initiative will build on Georgia Southern’s strong tradition of involving undergraduates in research and will support the University’s recent focus on biomedical and health sciences.
“There are many different knowledge areas coming together in this work,” Sazzed said. “It involves computer science, biology, chemistry, and even public health. I look forward to students following the research and exploring these different fields themselves.”
Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Computing Interim Associate Dean of Research, Masoud Davari, Ph.D., echoes this sentiment and emphasizes its importance to the University’s research profile.
“Sazzed’s interdisciplinary research, which bridges the gap between biology and computer science, will foster multidisciplinary research in our college—as it is cutting-edge and potentially groundbreaking in drug development to impact people’s lives nationally and globally,” Davari said. “It’s also well aligned with the college’s strategic research plan—as we make the move to R1 status to be aligned with ‘Soaring to R1,’ which is among the transformational initiatives for the University.”
Last updated: 9/23/2025
HMGMA donates $100,000 to establish scholarship at Georgia Southern University
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) announced a $100,000 donation to Georgia Southern University during the Eagles’ football game against the University of Maine on Sept. 20.
The gift, presented on the field by HMGMA Chief Administrative Officer Brent Stubbs to Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero, formally establishes the Hyundai Motor Gorup Metaplant America Scholarship.
The $100,000 commitment, which will be paid over four years beginning in 2025, will provide scholarships for students from Bulloch, Effingham, Bryan or Chatham counties pursuing a degree in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing.
The gift is also symbolic: 100K for 100 Meta Pros. More than 100 Georgia Southern alumni are already employed at HMGMA.
“Investing in local students ensures that future Meta Pros will find great career opportunities right here near the communities they call home,” Stubbs said. “We’re already seen the incredible talent GSU provides, and this scholarship is a way to honor the 100 Eagles who are already helping us build the future right here in Georgia.”
“We are grateful to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America for this generous investment in our students and our region,” Marerro said. “This scholarship not only strengthens our partnership with one of Georgia’s most transformative employers, but it also ensures that talented students from our surrounding communities have the opportunity to pursue great careers. Together, we are building a pipeline of leaders and innovators who will shape the future of our state and beyond.”
Students will be able to apply for the scholarship through their MyScholarships portal in MyGeorgiaSouthern later in the fall semester.
Last updated: 9/22/2025
Georgia Southern University Police Investigator named GACP Officer of the Year
Georgia Southern University Investigator and Marine Corps veteran Samuel Derr has been named as Officer of the Year by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP).
Derr joined the University in 2017 as a police officer. He’s since become an investigator assigned to Georgia Southern’s criminal investigation unit, where he works to keep Georgia Southern’s campuses and students safe.
“Investigator Derr strives to excel in everything that he undertakes and is the epitome of a humble professional,” said Georgia Southern Police Chief Trey Drawdy. “He truly embraces our motto, which is ‘To Serve, To Protect and to Educate’.”
The GACP receives nominations for the award from more than 650 law enforcement agencies every year. Derr was nominated by others in the Georgia Southern community because of the tenacity and integrity he brought to cases, often leading to quick resolution. He is the first officer from the Georgia Southern University Police Department to be recognized as Officer of the Year by the GACP.
“He is incredibly inquisitive, approaching each investigation judgment-free,” said Georgia Southern Police Captain Joshua Barker. “He cares about the community and the work he does in this field. He brings that same effort when caring for victims as well. He is a tremendous asset to the team.”
When presented with the award, Derr was quick to credit his fellow officers as the key to his success.
“It’s an honor to accept this award, but every officer I work with deserves this,” said Investigator Derr. “I couldn’t do what I do without them.”
“I enjoy serving the Georgia Southern community because we have a special mission,” he said. “It’s to protect our students and our campus. To be able to carry out that mission, that’s what’s important to me.”
Last updated: 9/17/2025
‘Freedom to Soar’ unveiled in honor of late Georgia Southern bald eagle mascot
A new symbol of Eagle spirit stands at the entrance of Allen E. Paulson Stadium after Georgia Southern University unveiled “Freedom to Soar,” a life-size bronze statue honoring Freedom, the University’s beloved bald eagle mascot who passed away in March 2025.
The sculpture has a wingspan of approximately eight feet and weighs 385 pounds. It sits atop a custom cast and polished concrete pedestal that weighs 6,000 pounds. The inspiration for the final look is one that Eagles football fans will find familiar.
“The plinth is designed to reflect Freedom flying over the stadium,” said Jason McCoy, studio technician in the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art. “It has the terracing of the seating inside the stadium, and Freedom is flying at an angle and soaring down to the field. So, it’s designed to mirror the stadium and Freedom’s Flight over the stadium.”
For more than two decades, Freedom was more than a symbol on game days. He embodied strength, pride and the True Blue spirit of Eagle Nation. His story inspired thousands of alumni, students, faculty, staff and fans, and his presence at community and University events uplifted generations of Eagles. As an ambassador for Georgia Southern, wildlife and as a symbol of our nation, Freedom inspired thousands annually at Georgia Southern sporting events, the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah, commencements, community events and other appearances across the State of Georgia and the beyond.
“There’s this continuation of Freedom’s legacy that is connected and ingrained into the Georgia Southern community,” said Jeff Garland, associate dean of faculty affairs and research. “That’s the legacy of this sculpture. It’s a great way to show that legacy and show we will have him forever.”
Restoration and preparation of the statue began in April 2025, and were carried out by an eclectic team from all corners of the Georgia Southern community. Students, faculty and staff from the BFSDoArt, Master of Fine Arts student Tanner Maxey, Associate Professor Matt Mogle, in addition to Garland and McCoy, contributed work to the monument. Steve Hein, executive director of the Center for Wildlife Education, served as consultant throughout the project. Additionally, Georgia Southern’s Division of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction, led by Project Manager Sandi Wilkinson, was supported by Dabbs Williams General Contractors to help with the landscaping and installation process.
Designers wanted even the smallest details included in the piece, all the way down to counting the number of feathers along the edges of the wings.
“You want all parties involved to agree on what’s happening so that everybody’s happy with the final outcome,” said McCoy. “It takes a lot of people to get stuff like this done. It’s a memorial piece for the University mascot, so it’s going to mean a lot to a lot of people.”
The statue stands alongside the Erk Russell statue in the plaza at Gene Bishop Field House, which will unite two enduring symbols of Eagles football.
Friday’s ceremony featured the unveiling of the statue, as well as speeches and stories from those who worked closely with Freedom and the Wildlife Center. Speakers included Hein, Garland, Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero, Alumnus David Ball, Hein’s longtime mentor Steve Layman, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives Jon Burns, Georgia State Senator Billy Hickman and Athletics Director Chris Davis.
“Freedom wasn’t just a mascot,” said Marrero. “He was a symbol of strength, of unity and of that True Blue pride that defines Georgia Southern. In true Eagle fashion, he grew into something bigger than anyone expected. As we unveiled this new statue in Freedom’s honor, we celebrated not only his life but the tradition and spirit he leaves with us.”
Last updated: 9/17/2025
