Topic: Research and Creativity

Displaying 1 - 18 of 779

Planning for good: Dr. Elizabeth Shay on teaching as public service
A Q&A with App State’s 2026 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award winner
March 13, 2026
Dr. Elizabeth Shay is App State’s winner of the 2026 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. The annual award is given to one outstanding faculty member at each UNC System school. Six additional App State faculty have been recognized by the board with campus-based awards.
From pictures to published: Zach Farris’ study on activity patterns of wild animals [faculty featured]
The Appalachian
March 6, 2026
Dr. Zach Farris, associate professor in App State’s Department of Kinesiology, recently published research in Science Advances on the daily activity patterns of wild mammals. The global study involved four lead researchers collaborating with more than 200 scientists across 38 countries, analyzing camera trap data to better understand when mammals are active in their natural habitats.
We designed an AI tutor that helps college students reason rather than give them answers [faculty featured]
The Conversation
March 5, 2026
Dr. Shishir Shakya, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Economics, writes about his AI chatbot “Macro Buddy,” designed to help students as a tutor or study partner rather than an answer generator. His collaborative research found that students who used Macro Buddy alongside peer discussion earned higher exam scores than those who studied alone.
The Search for Vertical Grasslands [alumni featured]
Blue Ridge Outdoors
March 4, 2026
The adventure magazine features App State alumna Laura Boggess ’13, a climber-scientist who explores “vertical grasslands” to discover unique plant communities with the potential to boost ecological health in the Southeast. Boggess has studied cliff science since her time as a graduate student at App State, where she earned her master’s degree in biology in 2013.
App State's Dr. JP Jameson honored for advancing rural mental health care across Western NC
Jameson receives UNC System’s 2025 James E. Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service
Feb. 27, 2026
Dr. John Paul “JP” Jameson, App State professor of psychology, has received the 2025 Gov. James E. Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service from the UNC System Board of Governors. The award recognizes Jameson's work to improve access to quality mental health care services for rural communities across Western North Carolina.
Protecting those who protect us: App State studies the cooling limits of new firefighter gear
Dr. Caroline Smith is App State’s lead for this collaborative research with NC State
Feb. 24, 2026
App State research led by Dr. Caroline Smith, in collaboration with NC State, aims to advance firefighter safety by testing whether new moisture barriers in personal protective gear prevent overheating — a key factor in reducing firefighters’ risk of heat stroke and cardiac events. The work is supported by a $1.5 million FEMA grant.
App State honored as a Top Producer of Fulbright scholars, students for 2025–26
Feb. 20, 2026
App State has been named a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright students and scholars for 2025–26, with three faculty and three alumni receiving a Fulbright to study, teach and/or research abroad. The university is the only master’s institution nationwide to receive the honor this year.
From 800 picture books to one: App State’s Jewel Davis leads Caldecott Medal selection
Davis teaches library courses and mentors K–12 educators throughout the region
Feb. 18, 2026
App State professor Jewel Davis read over 800 picture books to lead the selection of this year’s Caldecott Medal winner — an opportunity to elevate stories that spark a love of reading in a new generation. At App State, Davis brings her expertise directly to students, guiding future educators, librarians and storytellers.
App State offers accelerated training to help address child care shortages in Western NC
Child Care Academies to be held in Boone, Morganton and Hickory
Feb. 11, 2026
To address child care staffing shortages in the region, App State and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are partnering to offer three Child Care Academies in Western NC this spring and summer. Each academy will provide intensive child care training and certification at no cost to participants.
NC public university research in action [faculty featured]
Spectrum News 1
Jan. 4, 2026
The Charlotte TV station interviews Dr. Zach Russell, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, about his AI-powered microscope that helps farmers diagnose parasites faster. Russell explains how his research is moving from the lab into the real world, supported by a $2.3 million NCInnovation grant.
In 2025, App State celebrates its 8th chancellor amid record enrollment, research growth and campus advancements
Dec. 19, 2025
App State reflects on its 126th year in higher education — one marked by new leadership under Chancellor Heather Norris, as well as record enrollment, upgrades to campus infrastructure, advances in research and innovation, a continued focus on regional resilience, campus and community arts engagement, and student-athlete success.
App State awarded $1.1M NCInnovation grant for digital tool supporting families of children with developmental delays
Dec. 18, 2025
Supported by a $1.1 million NCInnovation grant, App State’s Dr. Gavin Colquitt is developing an interactive, AI-powered web-based platform designed to identify delayed development of movement skills in young children and provide support resources for these children and their families. Colquitt plans to launch the platform in Western NC, with a goal of expanding it across North Carolina and the U.S.
Dr. Erin Peters develops virtual reality and web features for the Met's popular Egyptian exhibit
The project allows App State students to explore the intersection of art, history and technology
Dec. 11, 2025
App State’s Dr. Erin Peters has helped bring new life to the layered history of the ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur — the subject of the Met’s “Dendur Decoded” virtual reality experience. Her work on the project provides opportunities for App State students to explore their classroom studies in a real-world context.
Educating generations: App State’s Lucy Brock program marks 85 years of preparing children and future educators to thrive
Dec. 10, 2025
For over 85 years, App State’s Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory has provided the highest quality of education and care for regional children — while also functioning as a professional preparation site for future Mountaineer educators. The lab, which uses research-based practices, serves nearly 600 students annually.
App State's Office of Rural Promise fortifies student and teacher success in North Carolina
Dec. 8, 2025
App State’s newly launched Office of Rural Promise fosters regional connections and supports growing programs that advance the success of students and educators in North Carolina schools. It serves as a strategic driver supporting the university’s research and innovation enterprise.
$838K grant fuels App State health research aimed at boosting Western NC resilience
The community-engaged research examines rural health and housing challenges post-Helene
Nov. 25, 2025
App State has received a $838,276 grant from Dogwood Health Trust in support of the university’s work as part of the Health Policy Research Consortium — an initiative aimed at addressing physical and mental health issues, substance use and misuse, and housing and food insecurity in Western North Carolina.
Caught on camera: Global study finds mammal species defying nocturnal and diurnal labels
The research, co-led by App State's Dr. Zach Farris, analyzed 445 species across 6 continents
Nov. 5, 2025
Using nearly nine million images from 20,000 camera traps, global research co-led by App State faculty member Dr. Zach Farris shows many wild mammals are behaving differently than previously thought and may be misclassified.
App State reopens Wey Hall and debuts new Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery
Oct. 22, 2025
Following a $26 million renovation, App State reopened Wey Hall for classes this fall, followed by the opening of the facility’s new Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery in late September. The newly renovated and modernized Wey Hall provides state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology and essential resources for App State students, faculty and staff.