Science Speaker Series

Funded through a grant from the New Mexico IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence and presented by the WNMU Office of Undergraduate Research, the Science Speaker Series is offered each academic year and presented to the WNMU community to inspire and engage increased student research projects.

Originally intended as a workshop for STEM-focused students, this series now acts as a tool to inspire WNMU students in all academic and training disciplines.

This year, presenters include WNMU professors whose scholarly research focuses on areas within natural science, mathematics and electorial engagement.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Review

April 22, 2021, at 3 p.m.

Dr. Kathy Whiteman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences and Director of the WNMU Center for a Sustainable Future and Outdoor Programs, and Dr. Corrie Neighbors is an Associate Professor of Geology and Geographic Information Systems and Science.

Dr. Neighbors and Dr. Whiteman will be presenting GIS (Geographic Information Systems) regarding:

  • Assessing stormwater paths in the downtown area
  • Developing new trails connecting urban areas to the Gila National Forest
  • Identifying fire hazard potential in wildland urban interface
  • Food insecurity in the community

Join over Zoom on Thursday, April 22, from 3 to 4 p.m.

Applications of Interdisciplinary Data Science

March 25, 2021, at 3 p.m.

Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Math and Computer Science, Dr. Nancy Livingston.

Nancy Livingston is Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, active advisor for Math & Honors Society G.E.K and mentor for NMAMP student research projects in STEM at Western New Mexico University. She is the current congressional representative, chair and newsletter editor for the Math Association of America Southwestern section. She holds a Ph. D in Mathematics from University of Oregon and is the author of “21st Century Statistics with R”, “Mathematics for Business in the 21st Century with Forecasting in R”, the “Gila Study Database”, and multiple articles in applied statistics. Her most notable recent presentation forums include 32nd International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics (2020), 8th Natural History of the Gila Symposium (2020) and Math Association of America (2019). She has earned multiple research grant awards for herself and her students, and her interests include merging math with computing for studying complex civic issues critical to ecological or environmental justice.

Abstract

Terabytes, even petabytes of data are generated each day. In today’s world, the best decisions are data-driven, and mathematics and computing have merged to form the exciting new field of data science to process our world’s data. In the data science life cycle, we apply modern statistical and computational methods and tools to scientific questions, which requires significant human judgment and deep disciplinary knowledge. Involving students in this cycle begins by exploring civic questions as unsolved challenges and using well-established reasoning and computational tools to perform the investigation. This data science life cycle can empower our students as engaged participants in their learning and as citizens in our community. An exemplar of significant interdisciplinary research with students on the Index of Economic Freedom and our Ecological Footprint will be highlighted.

Join over Zoom on Thursday, March 25, between 3 and 4 p.m.

 

War-related Violence and the Psychology of Electoral Engagement

Thursday, October 29, 2020, from 3 to 4 p.m.

Assistant Professor of Political Science in the Department of Social Sciences and Cultural Studies, Dr. Joel Blaxland.

Dr. Blaxland’s research currently focuses on conflict processes and political psychology in violent settings. On Thursday, October 29, from 3 to 4 p.m., Dr. Blaxland will discuss:

  • An Analysis of Afghanistan’s 2018 Wolesi Jirga Election
  • The Effects of War-related Violence on the Psychology of Electoral Engagement
  • The Interplay Among Violence, Voter Psychology, and Election Turnout.

This presentation is sponsored by the WNMU Office of Undergraduate Research and NM-INBRE. To attend, click on this Zoom link.