Professor Talks series to highlight faculty research
Texas A&M University-Victoria is excited to launch its fall Professor Talks series, which will showcase the research conducted by the university’s faculty and graduate students.
The Professor Talks series is designed to give students, especially those in the First-Year Seminar courses, as well as the university faculty, staff and the community an up-close look at some of the unique and impactful research being conducted by the university’s faculty, said Justin Bell, coordinator of the First Year Seminar. Scholarship is an instrumental part of the work that faculty members do, and the university hopes to share their work, especially in fields where the research performed is different from the typical idea of research.
“One of the questions this series addresses is, ‘What does research look like in different fields?’” Bell said. “People have this idea of scientific research in a lab with lots of microscopes and fancy equipment, or they see the image of historical research in a dusty library. But what does it look like to research elements of accountancy or how technology impacts education? We want to introduce students to those new perspectives and show how every field has a place for research.”
In addition to highlighting specific research projects, the series is designed to show how students, particularly graduate students, can play a role in the research efforts, from gathering information to working in the lab. That focus will show students how they could be part of similar projects in the future when they pursue their degrees.
“This series gives our students in the First-Year Seminar Program an inside look at the meaningful projects their professors are leading every year,” said Maria Martinez, vice president for research, innovation and sponsored programs. “We want to show our students that research isn't out of reach - it's an open door, and we hope these conversations ignite curiosity and innovation right from their first year as a Jaguar.”
All of the presentations will be held in Room 111 inside University North, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. The faculty members who will be presenting and their subject matters include:
- James Dupree, assistant professor of history, Thursday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.
- Ziyun "Calvin" Yang, professor of accounting, Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.
- Sara Zedaker, associate professor of criminal justice, Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m.
- Moira Baldwin, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, and Sherry Vafa, associate professor of education technology, Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m.
- Humberto Hernandez, associate professor of biology and Robert Bari, graduate student, Wednesday, Nov. 18 at noon
- Blake Stricklin, assistant professor of English, Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 2:30 p.m.
For more information about the series, contact Bell at bellj1@tamuv.edu.
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.