Dr. Argelia Lorence (left), Vaughn Endowed Professor of Metabolic Engineering, and Dr. Jessica Yactayo-Chang, a Ph.D. graduate from her group, have secured a U.S. patent. “Method of improving chloroplast function and increasing seed yield” describes a novel gene from the model plant Arabidopsis involved in vitamin C formation. When an additional copy of this gene is introduced, it leads to plants with improved photosynthesis, more resiliency to stresses, and higher seed yield.

Dr. Travis D. Marsico (left), professor of botany and associate department chair, and Dr. Emily Bellis (right), assistant professor of bioinformatics, have been awarded a $94,739 joint venture grant from the USDA Forest Service – Southern Research Station for a follow-up to their recent collaboration. They are expanding their research into the varieties of risky seed species attached to incoming refrigerated shipping containers, and the timing of the arrivals.

Dr. Timberly Baker, associate professor of educational leadership, is co-author with Dr. Joy Howard, Southern Indiana, of the featured commentary for the Teachers College Record, an education journal. Their commentary, “Cultural Literacy Versus Racial Literacy: Developing an Understanding of the Difference,” is available this week online. Their commentary addresses an observation and experience they have confronted as cross-racial co-teaching, co-facilitating partners in training educators about racial equity.

Dr. Edward Salo, associate professor of history, was a guest on the “Sea Control Podcast,” the Center for International Maritime Security’s (CIMSEC) flagship podcast. The podcast focuses on issues related to international maritime security, history, and all things naval. Salo discusses his dissertation on ferryboats in South Carolina, and how they influenced the development of the state’s economy, as well as political and military aspects.

Congratulations to Dr. Andre Possani Espinosa, director of engineering, Campus Querétaro, for his successful work with four recent program graduates, Yunuen María Peña Martínez, Daniel Eduardo Rosas Méndez, Kevin Ramirez Chavez, and Ricardo Paredes Reséndiz. A paper by the four, “Modular Robot LUWA-E,” has been accepted for presentation in November at the IEEE International Fall Meeting on Communications and Computing.