Every week, 115 sack lunches are gathered and packaged by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville junior Lexi Reinders, and her friend Shannon Strom, for Peoria area residents.

As COVID-19 leads to and amplifies hardships for many, Reinders decided to be a difference maker for the betterment of her community. After seeing a call for volunteer help from the JOLT Foundation, she and Strom jumped on the opportunity.

“COVID-19 has made a lasting impact on my outlook on life,” explained Reinders, who is pursuing a bachelor’s in biological sciences, medical science specialization. “It reminds me that nothing can be taken for granted and showed me how important we all are to each other, during a pandemic and always.”

After connecting with JOLT in early April, she and Strom invited community members to donate to their food and drink collection by dropping off items at Reinders’ home. Since then, they have provided more than 450 lunches. They will be collecting items the next two Sundays, leading up to the reopening of food pantries on June 1.

“I would like to thank a few individuals who have been huge contributors in making this happen, including Shannon Strom, Caleb Powell, Illinois Central College Pre-Health Club members, and our awesome community members for their continued kindness and generosity,” Reinders said.

Reinders has a history of giving back. At SIUE, she’s involved in Epsilon Sigma Alpha and Make-a-Wish. Additionally, she is enhancing her academic experience as a member of Dr. Kevin Tucker’s research group. Tucker is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry.

Reinders is the 2019-20 recipient of the SIUE Alumni Association’s Scholarship, which covers full-tuition and fees.

“I have many family members who have graduated from SIUE, which is one of the reasons I chose this school,” she said. “Since transferring to SIUE, I have been blessed to meet faculty and other students who truly care about their degrees and futures. Receiving the Alumni Association Scholarship enabled me to have a smooth transition, eased my financial worries, and allowed me to participate in numerous extracurricular activities. I want to thank the committee for seeing my potential and choosing me as a recipient.”

Reinders is slated to graduate in May 2021. She then hopes to attend medical school, and eventually become a physician who leads a life of service to her community.

Photos: SIUE junior Lexi Reinders stands outside her house with donated items to be used for sack lunches.

Since early April, Lexi and her friend Shannon have donated more than 450 packaged lunch sacks to the JOLT Foundation.

With the May 2020 completion of her doctor of pharmacy degree, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) graduate Deja Finley has achieved a childhood dream. Since she was 13, the pharmacist has aspired to “impact the world in a positive way through math and science.”

“Pharmacists are among the most trusted professions, and I knew that it would be a rewarding and personally fulfilling experience to become a pharmacist,” Finley said. “SIUE gave me an insurmountable amount of support even before I became a student, and that level of support remained consistent throughout my schooling. I appreciated the small student-to-faculty ratio, and how faculty and staff learned my name even prior to my admission. Choosing to pursue my PharmD at the School of Pharmacy is undeniably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

The O’Fallon native plans to pursue a career in academia, a goal the SIUE SOP was uniquely positioned to help her achieve.

“SIUE is the only school of pharmacy in the United States that offers a PharmD alongside a specialization in teaching, so I took advantage of that opportunity,” Finley explained. “That gave me a huge advantage and learning experience.”

Finley was an involved student with a passion for serving the underserved. “I was given an overwhelming amount of opportunities to serve, enhance my cultural competence and solidify my moral foundation as a whole,” she noted.

Among the many meaningful ways she built her personal and professional portfolio:

• Serving as a counselor at SIUE’s Healthcare Diversity Camp, helping encourage high school students from marginalized communities to become interested in science-related careers
• Participating in an “eye-opening” population health rotation, which allowed her to gain firsthand experience in the mental health community
• Serving as a student pharmacist on a Native American Reservation in South Dakota for five weeks, offering her insight into the cultural aspects of American Indians and helping her develop an appreciation for their customs
• Contributing to an interprofessional healthcare team in Cobden, a primarily Spanish speaking community, where she strengthened her skills in communicating with interpreters when there was a language barrier
• Creating and implementing an Implicit Bias training with two of her most influential professors, Dr. Lakesha Butler and Dr. Jessica Kerr, a first of its kind project that was presented at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) National Conference in Washington, D.C.
• Volunteering as an Rxcellence instructor, a new SOP initiative that allowed students to create novel pharmacy-related projects and lead them in high school STEM classes
• Serving as the Operation Immunization Executive Chair for SIUE SOP chapter of the APhA-ASP (Academy of Student Pharmacists), where she implemented flu shot clinics in East St. Louis
• Preparing for residency interviews with one of her mentors, Dr. Chris Lynch

Her resume was to be further enhanced by a rotation in Haiti scheduled for the academic year. Despite it being canceled due to Coronavirus-related travel restrictions, Finley notes her instructors made sure to offer her valuable experiences virtually.

“My preceptor, Dr. Kelly Gable, understood how devastating it was for me to have that opportunity taken away, so she went above and beyond to make sure that I had an awesome rotation despite my disappointment,” Finley said.

“I was also forced to do my internal medicine rotation via Zoom because of Coronavirus,” she added. “Dr. Newman and Dr. Arnoldi made sure that we all met graduation requirements despite the public health crisis, and Dr. Vogler precepted me. I learned so much from her on that rotation, and I can’t thank her enough for stepping up to the plate when we needed her.”

According to Finley, one of the most valuable resources anyone can be given is a quality education.

“I had the most amazing experience at SIUE. I met some of my best friends and the most supportive faculty, staff, and mentors,” she emphasized. “I appreciate them from the bottom of my heart. I take pride in being a part of the SIUE community, and I can’t wait to have a significant impact on students that come after me, just like others did for me.”

The advice she would leave for current and future students is to find study buddies, let professors help when you are struggling, take advantage of opportunities and join organizations. She underscores the importance of time management, and notes that “pharmacy is a small world, so always make a good impression!”

Next, Finley has secured position as a PGY1 Community Resident and Pharmacy Practice Instructor for the Saint Louis College of Pharmacy. She plans to pursue a PGY2 residency and specialize in ambulatory care. Her long-term career goals include practicing in an ambulatory care setting and becoming a clinical pharmacy practice professor for future pharmacy students, as well as serving as a preceptor.

Photo: SIUE School of Pharmacy graduate Deja Finley, of O’Fallon.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of the Provost has announced that SIUE will offer four fully online degree completion programs in fall 2020 that will complement existing undergraduate programs. 

Following the successful growth of the University’s quality online programs, including the MBA, the RN to BS and the new master’s in criminal justice, online degree completion offerings present the next steps in the University’s strategic planning efforts to expand its reach and meet the educational needs of the 400,000-plus adults in the St. Louis metropolitan statistical area who have some college and no degree. The programs will be led by the outstanding faculty in existing programs with student support provided by the new Office of Online Services, part of the Office of Educational Outreach.

Online degree completion programs were selected by utilizing market research, labor market data, and based upon each unit’s readiness and capacity for serving a student demographic that includes those with some college, but no degree. These programs will be ideal for students with an associates of arts or associates of science degree. Students from any state may participate and receive transfer evaluations.

Programs scheduled to begin fall 2020 include:

• Applied Communication Studies – Public Relations Track
• Business Administration
• Criminal Justice Studies
• Integrative Studies – Emphasis on Leadership in Organizations

“We are excited to see this project successfully launch and sincerely appreciate the hard work, dedication and commitment of our faculty who have created high-quality pathways to a baccalaureate degree that may enhance careers and professional development for a new group of potential students in our community,” said Denise Cobb, PhD, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Higher education changes lives for the better, and I am so pleased that we can offer quality educational degrees to adults who hope to reach their long-standing goals. SIUE is committed to shaping a changing world, and this launch marks another important step in our evolution.”

The Office of Online Student Services will provide support for academic units that have undergone strategic preparation to expand accessibility to their programs. Assistant Director Stephanie Simpson will lead the unit which will collaborate across SIUE to support growth, quality improvements and compliance efforts.

“Online bachelor’s degree completion programs allow SIUE to serve a growing number of students who have some college experience, but no degree, in accordance with our mission to develop leaders who will shape a changing world,” said Mary Ettling, Office of Educational Outreach interim director. “The Office of Online Student Services will provide leadership and support for these programs and future offerings as they transition to the online format, while supporting efforts to deliver compliant, exemplary student services.”

The St. Louis Regional Chamber has indicated that 400,000 working adults in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area have some college, but no degree. SIUE followed by identifying the educational needs of working adults in the area.

The development of the online degree completion program is a collaborative effort supported by the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of the Chancellor, and developed with academic and service units across campus. A cross-functional team has been planning for more than a year to launch SIUE online degree completion programs.

Ettling indicated Instructional Design and Learning Technologies (IDLT) provided course design support, while assisting faculty in re-designing existing courses to ensure that the student experience is consistent across each program and still meeting compliance standards. The Office of Student Affairs and IDLT are partnering with Online Student Services to create an orientation, and student affairs is working to ensure that online students receive equitable services across numerous student-facing areas, including Textbook Service. 

This launch reflects the hard work and commitment of faculty and staff throughout SIUE and our ongoing commitment to meet the needs of the region.

To learn more, visit siue.edu/degree-completion.

Photo: Mary Ettling, Office of Educational Outreach interim director.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook conferred degrees upon more than 2,400 graduates during the spring 2020 commencement exercises held virtually Saturday, May 9. Commencement is available at siue.edu/virtual-commencement.

Pembrook welcomed the graduates to the more than 112,000 SIUE alumni. “You represent a wide array of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and you’ve made SIUE a stronger institution,” he said. “Thank you for making SIUE a better learning environment based in your ideas and efforts. Because of your excellent preparation, we are confident that you will make an incredible difference and inspire those you meet. Through you, we achieve our mission of shaping a changing world.”

Pembrook quoted South African human rights activist Desmond Tutu, “Do your little bit of good where you are. It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

SIU System President Dan Mahony, PhD, also congratulated the Class of 2020. “Everyone I know who has gotten to this point has overcome challenges, whether academic, financial, personal or all of the above,” he said. “You’ve gotten here by overcoming those challenges, and you should be proud of that. You deserve this moment, enjoy this moment. 

“Part of college is adapting to change along the way. Clearly, no class in SIUE history has adapted to more change than you have. While this has forever changed your college experiences, we do hope this experience has helped you learn to adapt to change quickly and better prepared you for the challenges you will face ahead.”

College of Arts and Sciences student speaker Hayley Smith, of Decatur, earned a bachelor’s in political science, and described the year as a rollercoaster. “We’ve experienced highs and incredible lows, smooth transitions and major drops,” she said. “Throughout it all, we have continued to thrive. We have such amazing strengths. We are proving we can thrive in the hardest of times. We have and will continue to persevere.

“We cannot allow our present situation to derail our plans and dreams. We must hang onto the lessons that SIUE has imparted to us – taught us to be confident in our knowledge and talents, even in the face of adversity.”

Krista Russell, of Jerseyville, earned a master’s in environmental science and served as the Graduate School student speaker. She described overcoming many challenges during their academic careers, but then added another. “Continue to strive to be your best, using your unique talents and abilities,” she said. “My uniqueness has given me many opportunities at SIUE, such as presenting my thesis research at a conference in Puerto Rico. As college graduates, we can accomplish amazing things. Accept my challenge to shape this changing world by standing out, chasing your dreams, and striving to be the best person and professional that you can be.”

The School of Business student speaker was Caleb Abernathy, of Neoga, who earned a bachelor’s in computer management and information systems. He praised his peers for securing their degrees during these uncertain times and reminded them that the lemonade stand is always open. “It goes to the old saying, ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,’” he said. “Throughout life, we will no doubt face a variety of adversities and obstacles. It’s how we choose to approach and conquer these difficult situations that will ultimately shape our future. Continue to be bold, be courageous and give your absolute best in everything that you do.”

Ashley Monier, of Troy, earned a bachelor’s in psychology, and was the student speaker for the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. She noted that gathering virtually was one more example of their ingenuity in the face of adversity. “As we persevere through our challenges, we are showing the world that SIUE graduates have what it takes to succeed,” she said. “We can always look back fondly at our undergraduate experiences, and remember it as a period of growth and opportunity. A commonalty among us all is that we are prepared to go into this changing world and present ourselves as professionals.”

The School of Engineering student speaker was Thomas Giacobbe, of Glen Carbon, who earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He quoted retired U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven, who said, “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

Giacobbe explained that if you start every day by making your bed, you will have completed the first task of the day. “It will give you a small sense of pride and encourage you to do another task, and another,” he said. “By the end of the day, that one task completed will turn into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce that it’s the little things in life that matter. And if you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things right.

“Tomorrow morning, we will wake up for the first time as college graduates. A brand-new day is waiting for its bed to be made. Let’s make it well, and let’s make it great.”

Kathryn Gratza earned a doctor of nursing, nurse anesthesia specialization, was the School of Nursing’s student speaker and addressed the COVID-19 pandemic. “There is not much more that we can do as nursing professionals to prove our value to the world than what we are experiencing right now,” she said. “Our future is full of hope and endless opportunity to use our knowledge and skills to provide hope to others.”

The School of Pharmacy student speaker was Austin Dillon, of Dixon, who achieved a doctor of pharmacy. “Although these may be uncertain times, I think there is one final lesson that SIUE has yet to offer – that even in the most challenging of times, we cannot get so caught up in all the stress that we forget to enjoy the moment,” he said. “I challenge you all to take this mentality forward into your careers, don’t get caught up in the end result and don’t forget to celebrate the small victories along the way.”

Two annual awards were announced, although presentations will be made at a future traditional commencement ceremony. Larry Heitz received the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. In 1969, Heitz became the first person to graduate from SIUE with an MBA. In addition to his impressive business career and significant community commitments, he established an award to recognize a School of Business faculty member for excellence in research and scholarship. He is a member of the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.  

Shirley Portwood, PhD, received the Distinguished Service Award, bestowed in appreciation for dedication and service to the University. An alumna, professor emerita and former SIU Board of Trustees member, she is an accomplished and prolific writer, researcher and storyteller, and positively impacted countless students during her long career as an educator. She is also a member of the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.   

Photo: SIUE  Chancellor Randy Pembrook.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate School has awarded its spring 2020 Research Grants for Graduate Students (RGGS) to 44 students.

The awards, valued at up to $500 each, will support the research and creative activities of graduate students studying in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Schools of Engineering, Pharmacy, and Education, Health and Human Behavior.

 “SIUE graduate students engage in their profession through the creation and publication of original research and creative activities,” said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School. “Their projects have regional, national and international impact. The Research Grants for Graduate Students recognize the project’s potential contribution and provide the students with necessary resources to conduct the work.”

Faculty advisors oversee these students’ individual research or creative activity. The RGGS program’s primary purpose is to support the graduate students’ work, particularly as it relates to their thesis or final project.

See the spring 2020 RGGS projects at siue.edu/graduate-students/awards/research-grants, which include topics such as:

• Inflammatory Assessment of Electronic Cigarette Vapor on Human Oral Cancer Cells (Biology)
• Large Wood Density, Distribution and Mobility in Upper Silver Creek (Environmental Science)
• Employee Motivation and Equity Theory: Age Differences Across Organizations (Industrial/Organizational Psychology)
• Instructors’ Perceived Role Teaching Student-Athletes Who Have Sustained a Concussion (Speech-Language Pathology)
• Investigating the Role of Yeast Glycosylation on Membrane Protein Localization (Chemistry)
• Death Anxiety, Art-making and the Facilitation of Death Discourse (Art Therapy Counseling)

Photo: Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the SIUE Graduate School.

The thought-provoking and eye-catching works of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) candidates are now on display in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Art and Design’s MFA and BFA Virtual Exhibition.

Each spring, the creative talents of BFA and MFA candidates are showcased in the Art and Design West Gallery, culminating years of hard work and dedication. This year, event cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to the reimagined, alternate exhibition in a virtual format.

SIUE Digital Photography Professor Abbey Hepner developed the exhibition, available at siueexhibitions.com. The works are also being featured on Instagram at @siueexhibitions.

“Schools across the country have had to adapt quickly and devise alternative exhibition formats for their graduating MFA and BFA candidates,” Hepner said. “The art and design faculty were aware of many other institutions moving their exhibitions online as stay-at-home orders took hold. Our virtual exhibition was not intended to replace the physical exhibition. Still, we thought it was important for the hard work of our students to be recognized at the end of their final semester. The exhibition is such an important milestone where years of hard work and dedication are on display and celebrated.”

The MFA and BFA Virtual Exhibition showcases the creative research of MFA candidates Austin Hinderliter, Jenny Kettler, Sebastian Restrepo and Vincent Stemmler, as well as BFA candidates Sutton Allen, Teresa Frisch, Haley Clancy Inyart, Delaney Jansen, Elizabeth Klein, Joseph Ovalle, Craig Reis, Elijah Smith, Mary Vozenilek and Hanna Wiegand.

Each has explored their creative practice with the supervision of a faculty committee. Extensive study in an area of concentration, combined with coursework in the history of art and related fields, helps each artist situate their work in a broader context of contemporary art and design practices.

“For many of our students, experiencing their artwork in person is critical,” Hepner explained. “I commend the students for getting creative with limited materials. Many had to photograph their work on kitchen tables and in their front yard, or provide sketches or digital mockups of their design plans. They were willing to share work in progress that I hope keeps us all excited to see their work in person in the future.”

Each day during the last two weeks of the spring 2020 semester, Hepner has shared progress photos and descriptions of one of the 14 candidates’ projects. She said the faculty initially discussed moving the exhibition to the summer, but with uncertainty still surrounding larger gatherings, they are in conversation about it taking place during the fall 2020 semester.

“It is possible that not every student will be in the area and able to participate in the exhibition, but we hope to be able to provide that opportunity for them,” said Hepner.

Photo: Among the works on display in the MFA and BFA Virtual Exhibition is a piece by Mary Vozenilek, of Peoria, titled “Renewal.”

Leading up to its May 2020 commencement ceremonies, held virtually on Saturday, May 9, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted an array of specialized graduation celebrations online through its Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI).

The annual events launched Monday, May 4 with the Latinx Graduation Celebration. The Black Graduation Celebration was held Tuesday, May 5. Wednesday, May 6 featured the Rainbow Graduation, and on Thursday, May 7 the Non-Traditional Graduation Celebration was held.

“It was important to continue to have a version of these annual celebrations, because despite there being a pandemic, these students have overcome challenges and worked hard to achieve their goals,” said CSDI Director Lindy Wagner. “These students potentially encounter a variety of societal and structural barriers in their everyday experiences. Each persevered to complete their degree. We were glad to honor and celebrate their significant accomplishments!”

Each celebration included a pre-recorded video where Wagner shared context for the ceremony, a short message and a reading of participating students’ names.

Online program booklets also included the names of all students who registered and their photo, degree program, involvement activities and messages of thanks. Each booklet featured a message from Chancellor Dr. Randy Pembrook and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Jeffrey Waple.

Additionally, Dr. Earleen Patterson, director of the Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR), shared a special message during the Black Graduation Ceremony. Nick Niemerg, assistant director of Constituent Relations in the SIUE Foundation Office of Alumni Affairs, addressed Rainbow Graduation participants.

“Institutions across the country offered various versions of virtual graduations,” Wagner said. “We at SIUE were happy to do our part to make sure students know we were thinking of them and wishing them all the best on the next steps of their journey.”

Photo: SIUE hosted an array of specialized graduation celebrations online through its Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion.

As a nurse, perhaps one of the highest honors one can receive is a people’s choice award, as it demonstrates the direct impact of compassionate patient care.

As she and her colleagues deal with daily changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna Candi Leduc Estes, RN, FNP, has been reminded of her value as a nurse practitioner by earning the 2020 Effingham Daily News’ People’s Choice Award for Best Nurse.

“Typically, I see anywhere from 16-20 patients per day,” said Estes, a nurse practitioner at Family Care Associates in Effingham. “Sometimes, I start my day with an 80-year-old doing a medication recheck and end my day with a one-month-old well baby visit. I love the diversity my role offers me.”

Estes earned a bachelor’s in nursing and a master’s in family nurse practitioner, both from SIUE in 2008 and 2013, respectively. She serves on the hospital advisory board, and is a member of the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) council, which raises awareness and acknowledges the APP role in the hospital, clinics and community.

“The nurse practitioner who won last year worked in our office, and has been a nurse practitioner for more than 30 years,” Estes said. “She was definitely a mentor to me, and I was honored to follow in her footsteps with this award.”

Estes notes that Family Care Associates has earned the People’s Choice Award for Best Medical Clinic the past five years. Regarding the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19, Estes says she “could fill a book with things I’ve learned.” She and her colleagues have taken a proactive approach to care.

“We immediately stepped into action to organize how we were going to handle this in our community,” Estes explained. “I am on the front lines one day a week, seeing patients that are acutely ill with COVID-like symptoms. We conduct the testing for it at our facility.

“Literally every day I have come to work since mid-March, the way we do things has changed. Protocols are constantly being revised to better accommodate us as we learn more about this virus. I have seen our local medical community come together. I can’t say enough about the support I receive from the physicians and other nurse practitioners at my office.”

Though challenging for all involved, Estes has taken the changes in stride as she has committed to lifelong learning since deciding nursing was her passion.

“SIUE prepared me to be the nurse and person I am today,” she said. “I had a wonderful experience filled with numerous educational moments and moments that confirmed I chose the right profession. The School of Nursing professors and instructors were passionate about their work, and that was evident in their approach to teaching. I made lifelong friendships with many of them and still maintain contact with them to this day.

“The philosophy and vision that the SIUE School of Nursing has for its students is for us to strive for higher education, which is exactly what I’ve always done. I always want to learn more and further my education professionally and personally to never stop learning!”

Photo: SIUE alumna Candi Estes earned the 2020 Effingham Daily News’ People’s Choice Award for Best Nurse.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Aaron Heil is the Riverview Gardens School District (RGSD) 2020 Teacher of the Year. The Alton native is a middle school art teacher at Central Middle School (CMS).

Heil has taught in the Riverview Gardens district for seven years. He earned bachelor’s in both studio art in 2009 and art education in 2012 from SIUE’s College of Arts and Sciences. He is pursuing a master’s in diversity and equity from SIUE’s School of Education, Health and Human Behavior.

“Mr. Heil is a rock star teacher who has made a real difference in our school and the district,” said CMS Principal Rachel Clark. “The level of instruction students receive in his classroom fuels their creativity and drive to succeed. He represents the best of Riverview Gardens School District.”

Heil was among 13 RGSD teachers who were nominated for the honor.

Photo (L-R): Riverview Gardens School District Superintendent Dr. Scott Spurgeon presents the Teacher of the Year Award to SIUE alumnus Aaron Heil. (courtesy RGSD)

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Foundation combined with the Office of Student Affairs in April to implement the Student Emergency Assistance Fund (SEAF) in response to student needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative has already raised more than $45,000.

SIUE recently received funding through the federal stimulus package The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided $4.8 million to directly support students with emergency grants for COVID-19 related expenses. One of the guidelines is that students must be eligible for Title IV federal financial aid to receive a grant.  

“Unfortunately, the federal act does not fund those students who are already participating in fully online programs, our international students or our DACA students," said Kara Shustrin, SIUE dean of students. “But with the help of the SIUE Foundation, we are able to assist those who may not be eligible for CARES Act grants.”

The SEAF provides emergency, short-term financial assistance to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet essential expenses to complete the spring 2020 semester due to unexpected hardship related to the pandemic. The program is designed to offer financial assistance to students in the form of one-time grants not to exceed $500.

“Since the state’s Stay-at-Home order in March, we had many students who lacked the necessary resources to continue classes online or cover essential expenses during the past eight weeks,” said Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Rachel Stack. “We are able to assist students who may not have access to continue their classes online. We are supporting international students who will not be able to return to their home countries. We’re helping to ensure students have access to food.”     

The number of students who can be served by the SEAF is subject to the availability of funds. The fund is sustained by contributions from alumni, parents, faculty, students, staff and friends of SIUE. Disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis after review by representatives of Student Affairs and Financial Aid.

For more information, visit siue.edu/student-affairs. To donate, visit siuegive.com.

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of the Provost, the academic deans, and Emeriti Faculty Association (EFA) have selected Steve Hansen, PhD, as the inaugural speaker for the “One More Thought …” lecture series. Hansen will present a campus lecture in conjunction with a fall semester reception for new faculty hosted by the EFA and the academic deans.

Hansen and his wife, Julie, have been a part of the SIUE community since their arrival in 1984. During his tenure at the University, Hansen has served in multiple roles, including history professor in CAS, dean of the SIUE Graduate School, interim CAS dean and interim chancellor. He initially retired in July of 2012, but remained involved with the University, attending engagements and organizing events among the Emeriti faculty.

The provost, academic deans and the EFA created the lecture series to foster a sense of community among SIUE’s faculty, staff and students. The series honors individuals who have devoted much of their careers to SIUE at the same time as providing inspiration for faculty, staff and students to participate in building the tradition of excellent teacher-scholars. The lecture’s guiding principle is that a senior faculty member could impart their thoughts, advice, and insights about academic life to faculty, staff, students and alumni.

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Greg Budzban described it as a unique opportunity. “Essentially, we are offering to an individual that if this were to be their last opportunity to address the SIUE academic community, what would they want to say to the faculty, staff, students and alumni?” he said.

Hansen’s theme will be “Proceeding in Good Faith.” “I have always found proceeding in good faith a good way to live life,” he said. “We meet all kinds of unfair and irrational occurrences in our careers and lives. Regardless, I have learned that the best way of navigating one’s way was by ‘proceeding in good faith.’ I will discuss how I tried to proceed in good faith based upon some of the humorous, unusual, and unexpected lessons I learned from my colleagues and from my failures during the past 36 years at SIUE.”

The lecture date is still to be determined.

Photo: Emeriti Faculty Member Steve Hansen, featured speaker for the “One More Thought …” lecture series.

With the May 2020 completion of her doctor of pharmacy degree, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) graduate Deja Finley has achieved a childhood dream. Since she was 13, the pharmacist has aspired to “impact the world in a positive way through math and science.”

“Pharmacists are among the most trusted professions, and I knew that it would be a rewarding and personally fulfilling experience to become a pharmacist,” Finley said. “SIUE gave me an insurmountable amount of support even before I became a student, and that level of support remained consistent throughout my schooling. I appreciated the small student-to-faculty ratio, and how faculty and staff learned my name even prior to my admission. Choosing to pursue my PharmD at the School of Pharmacy is undeniably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

The O’Fallon native plans to pursue a career in academia, a goal the SIUE SOP was uniquely positioned to help her achieve.

“SIUE is the only school of pharmacy in the United States that offers a PharmD alongside a specialization in teaching, so I took advantage of that opportunity,” Finley explained. “That gave me a huge advantage and learning experience.”

Finley was an involved student with a passion for serving the underserved. “I was given an overwhelming amount of opportunities to serve, enhance my cultural competence and solidify my moral foundation as a whole,” she noted.

Among the many meaningful ways she built her personal and professional portfolio:

• Serving as a counselor at SIUE’s Healthcare Diversity Camp, helping encourage high school students from marginalized communities to become interested in science-related careers
• Participating in an “eye-opening” population health rotation, which allowed her to gain firsthand experience in the mental health community
• Serving as a student pharmacist on a Native American Reservation in South Dakota for five weeks, offering her insight into the cultural aspects of American Indians and helping her develop an appreciation for their customs
• Contributing to an interprofessional healthcare team in Cobden, a primarily Spanish speaking community, where she strengthened her skills in communicating with interpreters when there was a language barrier
• Creating and implementing an Implicit Bias training with two of her most influential professors, Dr. Lakesha Butler and Dr. Jessica Kerr, a first of its kind project that was presented at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) National Conference in Washington, D.C.
• Volunteering as an Rxcellence instructor, a new SOP initiative that allowed students to create novel pharmacy-related projects and lead them in high school STEM classes
• Serving as the Operation Immunization Executive Chair for SIUE SOP chapter of the APhA-ASP (Academy of Student Pharmacists), where she implemented flu shot clinics in East St. Louis
• Preparing for residency interviews with one of her mentors, Dr. Chris Lynch

Her resume was to be further enhanced by a rotation in Haiti scheduled for the academic year. Despite it being canceled due to Coronavirus-related travel restrictions, Finley notes her instructors made sure to offer her valuable experiences virtually.

“My preceptor, Dr. Kelly Gable, understood how devastating it was for me to have that opportunity taken away, so she went above and beyond to make sure that I had an awesome rotation despite my disappointment,” Finley said.

“I was also forced to do my internal medicine rotation via Zoom because of Coronavirus,” she added. “Dr. Newman and Dr. Arnoldi made sure that we all met graduation requirements despite the public health crisis, and Dr. Vogler precepted me. I learned so much from her on that rotation, and I can’t thank her enough for stepping up to the plate when we needed her.”

According to Finley, one of the most valuable resources anyone can be given is a quality education.

“I had the most amazing experience at SIUE. I met some of my best friends and the most supportive faculty, staff, and mentors,” she emphasized. “I appreciate them from the bottom of my heart. I take pride in being a part of the SIUE community, and I can’t wait to have a significant impact on students that come after me, just like others did for me.”

The advice she would leave for current and future students is to find study buddies, let professors help when you are struggling, take advantage of opportunities and join organizations. She underscores the importance of time management, and notes that “pharmacy is a small world, so always make a good impression!”

Next, Finley has secured position as a PGY1 Community Resident and Pharmacy Practice Instructor for the Saint Louis College of Pharmacy. She plans to pursue a PGY2 residency and specialize in ambulatory care. Her long-term career goals include practicing in an ambulatory care setting and becoming a clinical pharmacy practice professor for future pharmacy students, as well as serving as a preceptor.

Photo: SIUE School of Pharmacy graduate Deja Finley, of O’Fallon.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been awarded $499,113 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a collaborative project involving the University of Illinois (U of I) and industry partners. The researchers aim to create a new modeling technique that will improve agricultural production systems and reduce postharvest loss by considering metabolic, environmental and genomic factors (MEG).

SIUE Center for Predictive Analysis (C-PAN) Director Carolyn Butts-Wilmsmeyer, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, is principal investigator (PI) of the four-year project, entitled “MEG Models: A Holistic, Systems-Based Modeling Technique for Improved Agricultural Production System Performance and Reduced Postharvest Loss.” Co-PI’s include Tiffany Jamann, PhD, and Martin Bohn, PhD, with the U of I at Urbana-Champaign.

“During this multi-institutional project, we will be studying a pathogen known as Fusarium graminearum, which causes Gibberella ear rot in corn and head blight in wheat,” Butts-Wilmsmeyer explained. “Each year in the U.S. alone, ear rots cause almost three-quarters of a billion dollars in postharvest losses. Fusarium is particularly problematic, because not only does it cause the seed to rot, but also it can cause the seed to harbor hidden mycotoxins, chemicals that have been tied to a number of negative health impacts in both animals and humans.”

“As a scientist in the public sector, you hope you can give back to society,” she continued. “In a time of economic uncertainty and in a nation where agriculture is a major part of the economy, it is an honor to have the chance to remove one of the challenges that is hindering our farmers.”

According to the research team, in agriculture, and in all aspects of biology and human health, almost all of the traits and diseases of economic or societal importance are highly influenced by both genetics and the environment. However, almost all genetic models only make use of genetic data, don’t often consider the environment in detail, and rarely consider metabolic factors that might be responsible for natural resistance to diseases.

“We are developing a highly-sophisticated model that looks at known metabolic factors that help deter the disease and prevent it from spreading, the environmental conditions that we know make this disease a bigger problem, and the genetic variation that is present in our corn varieties,” Butts-Wilmsmeyer said. “We are taking an approach that considers pathology, plant breeding and statistical modeling, so that we can build something that is even more predictive than the genomic selection models that are currently used across all disciplines of science.”

SIUE, U of I and industry partners will evaluate field trials across multiple states in the U.S. Corn Belt, looking at genetically representative corn lines both under natural conditions and intense disease pressure. Ultimately, they will develop and evaluate multiple models to determine which is best and why.

Butts-Wilmsmeyer notes the research team’s extraordinary, collaborative ability to successfully carry out this project.

“We are all bringing the best of what each of our institutions has to offer,” she emphasized. “We are utilizing the computational resources of SIUE’s C-PAN, the excellent laboratory resources and expertise at the SIUE Biotechnology Laboratory Incubator and Shimadzu Laboratory. And, Drs. Jamann and Bohn with the U of I are highly-qualified scientists in the areas of plant pathology and quantitative plant breeding, respectively. Finally, the ability of our team to look at the entirety of Illinois and multiple states across the Midwest is possible thanks to the generous contributions of our industry partners.”

Importantly, Butts-Wilmsmeyer underscores the pertinent experiences involvement in this project will offer students. “Many of our students graduate and wish to remain in the St. Louis area, which boasts the highest concentration of agriculture PhDs in the world but which is also a growing technology hub in need of a workforce with experience in machine learning and advanced statistical approaches to complex biological problems.”

Despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the research team is charging ahead. They began planting the first part of the experiment in May and will evaluate the first field studies in summer 2021.

“This work is funded through 2024, and we expect to have published a comparison of multiple models by the end of the project’s funding or shortly thereafter,” Butts-Wilmsmeyer explained. “After publishing the models and the study’s results, we plan to make all data, models and code freely available to the public so that the results of this study can be immediately useful to the agricultural industry and other scientists.”

Photo: (L-R) SIUE’s Carrie Butts-Wilmsmeyer, PhD, principal investigator (PI) of a nearly $500K USDA-funded research project, and co-PIs Tiffany Jamann, PhD, and Martin Bohn, PhD, with the U of I at Urbana-Champaign.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Felix Lee, PhD, and Tim McPherson, PhD, have received the Graduate School’s Concept Commercialization Award for 2020. The award provides $14,600 through May 1, 2021.

Lee, professor of industrial engineering in the SIUE School of Engineering, and McPherson, professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the SIUE School of Pharmacy, have designed an automated system for pharmacists to fill capsules with liquid drugs. This will allow pharmacists to produce liquid-filled capsules more accurately and quickly. It will also decrease the risk of airborne particles that occurs when filling capsules with powdered drugs.

Lee and McPherson analyzed an opportunity as draft regulations for pharmacies are specifically focused on increasing the safety of pharmacy personnel by decreasing airborne drug particles. Installing air handling and filtration systems for the pharmacy is an expensive method to achieve that goal. Lee and McPherson had a different idea.

“Another solution is to decrease the number of powdered drugs utilized, so airborne particles are not generated in the first place,” McPherson said. “Pharmacists can fill compatible liquids into gelatin shells by hand, but that process is tedious and prone to error. Our proposed system automates this manual process, saving labor cost and minimizing human errors.”

Lee and McPherson are helping pharmacists as they face the choice of investing in technology to meet the safety guidelines or getting out of the business of producing customized medications for patients. “The ability to easily fill liquids into capsules will help pharmacies continue to serve their patients and comply with the new regulations,” Lee said. “The automated system is not only more economically viable than the manual liquid filling, but also prevents inaccurate doses or human errors such as double-filling or skipping some capsules and spilling some doses.”

Lee and McPherson’s relationship has developed over the years. “With the introduction of the new safety regulations for pharmacies, I approached Dr. Lee about developing the new system that could replace the current manual powder-filling capsule production process for customized compounding pharmacies,” McPherson said.

Lee’s and McPherson’s varied talents complement one another. McPherson has expertise in drug delivery and pharmaceuticals, while Lee’s expertise is in product design and engineering development. Their understanding of each other’s area makes communicating and problem-solving quite easy. Their current project can be simplified to a list of specifications, so defining the parameters and their agreement on the performance limits is critical to the project’s success.

Photo (L-R): SIUE Professors Felix Lee and Tim McPherson have received the Graduate School’s Concept Commercialization Award for 2020.

Seven Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Intercollegiate Athletics programs were honored earlier on May 12 by the NCAA for earning multi-year Academic Progress Rates (APR) in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport.

Cougar men’s golf, men’s track, softball, women’s cross country, women’s tennis, women’s track and volleyball were listed among the nation’s best for their high marks academically.

“This is further credit to our student-athletes and to the support they receive within the institution and the department,” said SIUE Director of Athletics Tim Hall. “Academic success continues to be a priority for our student-athletes.”

The APR is an annual scorecard of academic achievement calculated for all Division I sports teams. The most recent APRs are multiyear rates based on scores from the 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 academic years.

Largely as a result of an increase in perfect scores, teams earning Public Recognition Awards increased to 1,328, up by 44 from the previous academic year. APRs for programs in the top 10% ranged from 987 to a perfect 1,000, and the number of teams posting perfect scores increased to 1,214, marking an increase of 26 teams from last year. Of the teams recognized, 471 competed in men’s or mixed sports, and 857 competed in women’s sports. See the entire NCAA list at ncaa.org.

Small, locally-owned businesses are among the entities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closures. To support its small business clients, the Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville quickly shifted its focus to providing COVID-19 resources, specifically funding-based, and helping businesses survive and pivot during the unprecedented pandemic.

“The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE is here to help Illinois businesses find creative solutions to the present challenges and ways to survive and thrive in these uncertain times,” said SBDC Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May. 

The SBDC has assisted small businesses by helping with loan and grant applications, such as the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program. Additionally, May and her team have placed significant focus on helping businesses pivot and find new ways to reach customers and maintain profitability. After moving its own services online, the SBDC has supported businesses in implementing more online and virtual platforms to improve efficiencies and be more profitable in the long term.

One such business that experienced firsthand the benefit of conducting business online was Unwrap You with Coach Melody. SIUE School of Business alumna Melody McClellan, ‘93, has worked with the SBDC since 2015 to grow her business focused on creating and implementing workplace wellness and youth wellness and life skills programs.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of McClellan’s business was conducted face-to-face at local businesses and schools. But when state-mandated closures delayed or canceled 18 of her contracts, McClellan didn’t give up. She began working seven days a week, posting health tips online about nutrition, self-care, mindfulness and avoiding the “COVID-15.” As a result, McClellan gained 30 new clients from across the country with whom she can work via Zoom and other online platforms.

“After going from my best quarter to my worst, my business has bounced back tremendously,” said McClellan. “COVID-19 is helping people begin to understand wellness and the importance of eating right and having a healthy lifestyle. They’re listening now, which is the silver lining.”

While the learning curve for shifting their businesses online can be steep for some, McClellan is a prime example of how a virtual business strategy can help small business owners during uncertain times.

“This is a new way of doing business,” added McClellan. “I can be in California in the morning and Colorado in the afternoon without ever having to step foot on a plane.”

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures and existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and SIUE as a service to Illinois small businesses.

By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining new jobs and encouraging new investment. It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. When appropriate, the SBDC strives to affiliate its ties to the region to support the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large.

To learn about the SBDC, contact the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at 618-650-2929.

Photo: Small Business Development Center Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May. 

The cancellation of all Southern Illinois University Edwardsville-sponsored events through Saturday, Aug. 8 amid the COVID-19 pandemic means a slew of arts, science and sports camps are off the calendar for many families.

But, a couple SIUE camps, including Writing Camp (July 6-17) and String Development Camp (July 13-17), have been able to reimagine their offerings and will occur in a virtual format.

“We feel it is imperative that all students can continue to grow and be inspired during this time,” said Mikaila Seo, String Development Camp Director. “All of our faculty members transitioned to teaching virtual violin, viola and cello lessons back in March, and we have been incredibly inspired by our students’ focus and tenacity for learning. Even with the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, our students continue to have the dedication to practice daily, and the desire to hone their skills and learn new repertoire.”

“We wanted our String Development Camp to be something that students could look forward to this summer,” Seo added. “Music study is incredibly beneficial to every student’s personal development. It teaches self-discipline, boosts creative thinking, relieves stress and gives students a sense of achievement. Music study never takes a break. It is a lifelong journey.”

The SIUE Suzuki Program’s String Development Camp will run from 10 a.m.-noon on Monday-Friday, July 13-17 via Zoom. Campers do not need to be Suzuki students to participate, but must be able to read music and play at approximately a Suzuki Book 2 level or above.

Tuition is free. Those interested may consider offering a donation toward camp tuition by using the “Give Now” feature on siue.edu/Suzuki/about-us. Registration is due by Friday, June 5.

Details and a link to register are available at siue.edu/summer/camps.

Writing Camp will be hosted online via Blackboard from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 6-17. Participants must be entering grades 2-12, ages 8-18. The camp fee has been reduced to $25.

Apply by Tuesday, June 30 at siue.edu/summer/camps.

“Online Writing Camp will still feature intensive writing instruction, encouragement and support, but will take place via Blackboard, which is the online instructional content system used by SIUE faculty, staff and students,” explained Camp Director Adam Cleary. “We will offer morning instruction and interaction online. We will also use Blackboard to provide asynchronous instruction and content, such as video, interactive story prompts and other activities. Activities will be provided to help each camper engage with writing on their own schedule. All activities, while independent, will receive feedback from camp counselors.”

Photo: SIUE Summer Session.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ruthann Redmon, client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and owner of Redmon Consulting, has launched DabblersCreatives, an online Etsy shop that sells handmade face masks.

Redmon has worked with the SBDC and Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May since January to grow both Redmon Consulting and DabblersCreatives, with a focus on marketing and networking.

“Jo Ann has helped me get connected and stay focused on the process and how to execute it,” Redmon shared. “She understands that I have both a business and creative side to my brain and has encouraged me to create a balance, helping me to see that I could use both through these ventures.”

“Ruthann is motived and eager to try new strategies and tackle challenges as she grows her businesses. I am proud of her dedication and hard work. She has a great deal of knowledge and talent to share and I can’t wait to see her businesses flourish,” Di Maggio May said.

Redmon was motivated to begin making masks during the pandemic due to the sheer need for face coverings. As masks were becoming a necessity and requirement, she knew she could immediately put her creative side and sewing experience to good use.

Redmon launched DabblersCreatives as an Etsy shop in mid-April. To date, DabblersCreatives has created over 250 masks. Her shop features reusable face masks crafted in various fabrics and styles. Since opening, she has successfully continued selling masks through her shop and direct to customers all over the country. She has even done custom orders for businesses in the process of reopening, where employees are required to wear face coverings.

In addition to the launch of the shop, DabblersCreatives has also donated over 75 handmade face masks to healthcare workers in both Missouri and Alabama. A portion of shop proceeds goes toward the cost of making and donating additional face coverings for healthcare workers.

The most rewarding part of making the masks, Redmon shared, is knowing that her product is truly helping someone in this time of need.

Redmon is a third-generation farm owner in South Central Illinois and raises wooly sheep as a hobby. Looking to the future, Redmon plans to continue to grow DabblersCreatives by expanding it to include handcrafted art textiles, 100% natural wool products, home décor, paintings, jewelry, and of course, face masks for as long as they are needed.

DabblersCreatives can be found on Etsy. For more information, contact Ruthann Redmon at ruthann.redmon@gmail.com.

The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like DabblersCreatives as well as existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and SIUE as a service to Illinois small businesses.

By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining new jobs and encouraging new investment. It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. When appropriate, the SBDC strives to affiliate its ties to the region to support the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large.

To learn about the SBDC, contact the IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at (618) 650-2929.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start staff members are creatively focusing on wellness as they navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, staff from each of the Head Start/Early Head Start Centers participated in a series of SIUE/STL Art Hives hosted via Zoom where they used artistic expression to connect, relax and decompress.

“It is important for SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start to continue to support wellness of staff, children and families, especially during times of crisis,” said Head Start/Early Head Start Special Services Program Coordinator Tammy Wrobbel. “As a program, we are committed to helping children, families and staff find ways to reduce stress in their lives and promote physical and mental well-being. We look forward to providing even more new and innovative ways to increase our family and team’s ability to care for one’s self.”

Art Hives is an open-source model pioneered by Janis Timm-Bottos, an art therapist and associate professor at Concordia University. Shelly Goebl-Parker, professor in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Art and Design’s art therapy counseling program, along with colleagues across campus and art therapy counseling graduate students, has put SIUE/STL Art Hives on the map.

An Art Hive is a community art studio that welcomes everyone as an artist. It’s a place to talk, make art and build communities. It emphasizes responding in creative ways to things that matter. Art Hives’ core principles include consensus decision making, solidarity, positive kind regard, radical hospitality, everyone an artist and each one, teach one.

During eight Head Start/Early Head Start sessions, participants were encouraged to get creative using household items for art activities such as painting nails, making paper mache masks, folding tin foil into figures, building from toilet paper rolls or using cardboard boxes as canvases.

“We learned how certain activities and movements are more calming than others and why,” Wrobbel explained. “Shelly Goebl-Parker and art therapy graduate assistants shared their knowledge as participants share their creations. My favorite material to work with was used coffee grinds. I also created jewelry using broken items, and added my own touch to old greeting cards that I had lying around.”

Art Hives foster inclusion, respect and learning. During the sessions, participants were reminded of a few “Things to Keep in Mind,” including:

• Working side-by-side is expected and encouraged
• Trust your therapeutic helping skills
• Model being open to diversity

Head Start/Early Head Start successfully offered Art Hives as a wellness activity for its families in November 2019 as part of its wellness program. According to Wrobbel, the creative experience is just one example of new strategies and opportunities the program hosted in the past year and plans to continue.

“In addition to Art Hives, we created several new wellness opportunities this year including, but not limited to, having on-site social emotional support for staff and parents, as well as establishing a wellness space for staff and children,” Wrobbel said.

Follow SIUE/STL Art Hives on social media using @SIUeSTLArtHives.

Photos: Ample suggestions of at-home art supplies were shared with SIUE/STL Art Hives participants. 

SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start staff members participated in SIUE/STL Art Hives sessions via Zoom. They showed a sampling of their creations as they connected and relaxed.

The Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta) colony at Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico is one of the world’s most useful primate resources in biomedical and anthropological research. Established in 1938, the colony provides a unique opportunity to study health history, and genetic and environmental effects on bone and tooth development, aging, and pathology.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Luci Kohn, PhD, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences, has joined a multi-institutional team of distinguished researchers to study this colony in order to advance translational research in human diseases. The team is led by principal investigator Qian Wang, PhD (Texas A&M), and includes Kohn, Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg, PhD (The Ohio State University), and Qiang Zhao (Mercer University).

The group has been awarded $791,363 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct a four-year integrated study of effects of family, environment and age-related information on skeletal data. The Cayo Santiago colony is the source of a rare skeletal collection containing at least eight generations of information about individual monkey’s sex, age and pedigree.

“Our primary objective is to develop and use this integrated assessment of the effects of environment and family lineage on the development and health within the colony’s Rhesus Monkeys,” Kohn said. “Our team brings together expertise in biology, anthropology, biomedical sciences and computer sciences. My research on skeletal morphology, quantitative genetics and evolution contribute to the foundations of this project.”

Details such as bone dimensions, bone density, tooth eruption, body mass, and observable disease conditions will be cataloged and added to the previously available details of sex, birth and death dates, parentage, and social rank for each monkey. Once reliable colony history and environmental history are reconstructed, patterns of variation in development and health will be studied in a contextualized manner to reveal environmental and familial influences.

The team will accomplish this task by conducting an original family-based osteo-oral health and pathology study to reconstruct health status within the skeletal collection. After these patterns are revealed, the team hopes to provide a non-human primate model to be used in anthropological and biomedical studies for studying human adaptability and fragility under varied living conditions.

The skeletal collection will serve as a model for the team to study multiple health conditions that have been caused by the familial and environmental influences. Among the conditions to be studied are age-related diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, two of the most devastating conditions of our aging human population.

“Cayo Santiago, sometimes referred to as “Monkey Island” has been continuously inhabited by rhesus macaques since 1938,” Kohn explained. “The colony was established with 409 macaques, and approximately 1,700 monkeys currently live on the island. It is managed by the Caribbean Primate Research Center (CPRC), and island residents are provisioned with food and fresh water.”

According to Kohn, detailed data on island residents has been recorded since approximately 1955. Monkeys are free-ranging on the island and form their own family and social groups. Once residents die of natural causes, their skeletal material is incorporated into the CPRC museum collection.

“This skeletal collection, coupled with the depth and detail of family and demographic data for each individual, provides a unique opportunity to assess skeletal and dental characteristics over time, as well as family and environmental differences in health, longevity, and age-related conditions,” Kohn noted. “At least four major hurricanes, including Maria in 2017, have struck the island since the colony was established. The effects of major hurricanes on rhesus monkey development will be assessed. Questions of development and aging are related to the human condition, which cannot be equally assessed in human populations.”

The team’s studies will incorporate undergraduate students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and biomedical research.

“Students will be integrated into all phases of these studies, providing unique scientific and cultural experiences,” Kohn concluded. “Students will help in data collection in Puerto Rico, data analysis at our home institutions and dissemination of results at professional meetings.” 

Photos: SIUE’s Luci Kohn, PhD, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

A monkey in Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. (Photo credit: Kurt Schulz)