The Faculty Research Awards Committee selected a proposal by Dr. Paul Sikkel, associate professor of aquatic biology, for support from the Eleanor Lane Faculty Endowment Fund. His project, titled "Blood Parasites of Philippines Coral Reef Fishes," complements work he is doing in the Caribbean, South Africa and Australia by looking for malaria-like blood parasites in fishes from the "coral triangle" region, the heart of marine biodiversity.

Dr. Marko Korkeakoski, Dr. Rebecca Oliver, Dr. Erick Chang, Alexis Hurdle, Dr. Gabriel Tait, Abigail Wilson, Dr. Tom Risch, Dr. Kathleen Wren, Dr. Tim Oliver and Dr. Edward Salo accompanied students recently on transformative study abroad trips to Finland, Sweden, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Belgium, Belize, Nicaragua and China. A news release provides details about the various trips that concluded in May. Additional trips are getting underway or are scheduled to Costa Rica, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Turkey and Egypt.

Dr. Osabuohien Amienyi, professor of media and department chair, shares his research internationally. In a recent article, he explains why African leaders must put more importance on effectively handling public communications in order to help overcome their negative perceptions. The article was published by three websites -- TheConversation.com, TheMediaOnline.com and Netzpiloten.de in Germany -- and in The Mercury of Durban, South Africa.

Terry Kelly, programmer/analyst II in Information and Technology Services, was named "Rookie of the Year" during the recent Distinguished Performance and Service Recognition ceremony. She has been working for A-State since early 2014. Her nominators noted her work in producing sophisticated programming code and her effectiveness and team spirit in working with others in IT and across campus.

Morgan Castelli, staff member in Procurement and Travel Services, received the award for "outstanding part-time employee" at A-State during the recent Distinguished Performance and Service Recognition ceremony.  Her nominators commended Castelli, who is a student, for her initiative, organizational skills, work ethic, and courteous and friendly manner when greeting the public.