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Iowa State University is hosting four provost finalists in April. The fourth arrived Monday.

Editor's note: This is an ongoing story that will be updated as Iowa State provost candidates visit campus.

Finalists in Iowa State University's provost and senior vice president search are visiting campus throughout April.

Mississippi State University's Jason Keit is visiting Ames this week.

Current provost Jonathan Wickert is leaving his position on June 30, ending a 12-year tenure. He is the longest-serving provost in the Big 12 Conference and the most tenured among Iowa's three public universities.

Iowa State has scheduled interviews and campus forums for its four final candidates. The new hire will also serve as the university's senior vice president.

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Interviews begin in Ames

Elizabeth Wentz, vice president and dean of the Graduate College at Arizona State University, was the first finalist to visit the Iowa State campus on April 15-6. She was followed by Purdue University College of Pharmacy Dean and acting provost Eric Barker visited campus April 17-18.

Jason Keit, dean of Mississippi State University College of Engineering, interviewed in person April 22-23. Final candidate David Wrobel, dean of Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma, visited campus April 29-30.

Each candidate's name and curriculum was shared online the day before their visit,  according to Iowa State's Office of the President's website .

More: Iowa State University will start interviewing provost candidates next week on campus

First Iowa State provost candidates visit campus

Wentz met with Iowa State personnel and toured campus on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, she participated in a public forum, answering questions about her background and vision for Iowa State.

Wentz is also a professor in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State. She has been with ASU since 2010 in several administrative roles and has been at the Graduate College since 2020.

Wentz's teaching focuses on geographic technologies, as well as graduate-level research design and proposal writing. Her book, "How to Design, Write, and Present a Successful Dissertation Proposal ,"  guides graduate students through the dissertation proposal process. 

Barker heads Purdue's pharmacy college

Barker is the acting associate provost for Graduate Programs at Purdue University. He has served in several administrative roles in West Lafayette, Indiana, and has been the College of Pharmacy's dean since 2017.

Barker has taught at Purdue for almost 30 years. He started as an assistant professor in 1998 and became an associate professor in 2004. He has been a professor since 2011.

Barker also serves as an adjunct professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

He is a member of several professional associations, including the American Pharmacists Association, Society for Neuroscience and American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Barker became editor-in-chief for Pharmacological Reviews, a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal, in 2016.

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Keit leads Mississippi State engineering college

Keit has been the dean of Mississippi State's engineering college since 2015. He is also a professor and Earnest W. and Mary Ann Deavenport, Jr. Chair.

Keit has also served as director for the Mississippi State University Energy Institute and Swalm School of Chemical Engineering.

Keit has taught for more than 20 years. He worked as an assistant and associate professor at Michigan Technological University before becoming a professor at Mississippi State in 2011.

He is a professional member of organizations such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the American Society for Engineering Education.

Final candidate serves at Oklahoma University

Wrobel has been the dean of the dean of Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences for the past five years. He is a David L. Boren Professor and Merrick Chair of Western American History at Oklahoma University as well.

First coming to the Oklahoma University as the Merrick Chair 2011, Wrobel received the inaugural David L. Boren Professor in 2016. The recognition is the university's highest honor.

Wrobel has worked with the team at Oklahoma University to move from a $12 million inherited financial debt to fiscal health. He also helped secure the largest gift in the university's history to name the college and an additional $16 million to found a new quantum research center.

Upcoming campus visits and public forums

Iowa State's provost search is led by a 17-member committee , which includes faculty and the student government president.

Each provost finalist will meet with various members of the ISU community and participate in a campus forum at 3 p.m. on the first day.

Forums two and three will be in the Sun Room in Memorial Union on April 17 and April 22, respectively. The fourth forum will be held on April 29 in Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorium in Howe Hall.

The forums will be recorded and available on the  president's office page  once the finalists have all visited.

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Iowa State University is hosting four provost finalists in April. The fourth arrived Monday.

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OIGP Spring Reception Speakers

2024 spring reception speakers.

The 15th OIGP Spring Reception will place on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 in the North & South Ballrooms in the Purdue Memorial Union. New this year we will be have two different panel discussions focused on academic and industry career path experiences followed by a closing keynote from the 2020 MOIPA winner, Dr. Samarth Mathur.

Panel Speakers

Academic panel:, industry panel:, closing keynote speaker.

Samarth Mathur, PhD             Bioinformatics Analyst at Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

Dr. Samarth Mathur is a bioinformatics scientist with over 8 years of research experience in the field of evolutionary genomics and computational biology. At Frederick National Lab, Samarth is a member of the Center for Cancer Research Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource team that works with researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Mathur's responsibilities extend to analyzing high throughput biomedical “ multi-omic ” sequence data, advising NCI investigators on experimental design of different cancer studies, writing manuscripts, and building /maintaining open source bioinformatic analysis pipelines and workflows.

A Welder Wildlife Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, Samarth earned his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Purdue University in Fall 2020, where he was enrolled in Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs with specialization in Computational Life Sciences. He worked at the conservation genomics lab in Forestry and Natural Resources department under Prof. J. Andrew DeWoody. Samarth’s dissertation research focused on utilizing genome sequence data to identify genetic vulnerabilities in endangered wild species and to study how different wild populations have evolved over time. At the intersection of multiple disciplines including genetics, evolutionary biology, wildlife conservation, high-performance computing, data science, and statistics, Samarth’s doctoral research highlights the role of genomics in understanding and mitigating threats to biodiversity. During his graduate studies, Samarth was honored with many prestigious accolades, including the Most Outstanding Interdisciplinary Project Award in 2020. 

Before joining Frederick National Lab, Dr. Mathur was a postdoc at the Ohio State University (2021-23) where he worked on evolutionary genomics of endangered rattlesnakes and their genetic responses to emerging infectious disease. He collaborated with multiple research labs as part of Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership (OBCP) to conduct scientific research that directly provides management planning for most at-risk species in the state of Ohio. During his career, Dr. Mathur has published many studies in high impact journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that have been widely cited and garnered scientific media attention.

Dr. Mathur’s journey from academia to a scientist at a national lab is a testimony to his interdisciplinary background, collaborative research experience, coupled with his technical proficiency. As the Closing Keynote Speaker for OIGP Spring Reception 2024, Dr. Mathur will share his insights about his professional career, research challenges, how to embrace the uncertainty of discovery, and how to take giant leaps in interdisciplinary research.

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Huang named as Purdue I&E Fellow

Purdue University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Fellows program recently named a new cohort, including the College of Education ’s Wanju Huang .

Huang is a clinical associate professor of learning design and technology in the College’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She was chosen, in part, because of her innovative work in the areas of semiconductor workforce development and artificial intelligence.

Purdue’s Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship created the I&E Fellows program to provide advocacy and mentorship for innovation, entrepreneurship, and research commercialization at Purdue. Other Fellows come from the Colleges of Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, Science, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Agriculture, the Daniels School of Business, and the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.

Led by Christian Butzke , Senior University Fellow for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Office of Research , the Fellows’ mission aligns with President Mung Chiang’s vision: “Through a systematic collegiate I&E Fellow and departmental I&E Ambassador structure, and serving under the Executive Vice President for Research, we want to foster an academic culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that elevates the societal impact of Purdue’s use-inspired research.”

The interdisciplinary I&E network enables Fellows to serve as liaisons between Purdue Innovates and their colleges’ faculty and staff. In line with Purdue’s land grant mission, Purdue Innovates was established in early 2023 to support the translation and commercialization of student and faculty ideas and inventions to products, services and organizations that benefit society. 

The Fellows are also tasked with spreading the word about Purdue’s Certification in Entrepreneurship and Innovation – available to both undergraduates & graduate students.

“Professor Huang’s work has much potential for growth in academic, government, and business sectors,” said Janet Alsup , head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction . “Her appointment as an I&E Fellow will provide her with opportunities to enhance her research in these areas and showcase how education scholarship is essential to 21 st century technologies.”

The I&E Fellows are in the process of establishing overarching goals for the fellowship program. These will include:

• facilitating communication between Purdue Innovates and Purdue’s research enterprise;
• advocating for I&E incentives for faculty, postdocs, research scientists, and graduate researchers;
• developing external networks to provide ready access for researchers to people and resources outside the university;
• building internal networks to increase collaboration between researchers across disciplines; and
• adopting institutional I&E metrics to reflect research innovation and societal impact at an individual, academic unit, and institutional level.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work alongside great colleagues across Purdue and ensure that the College of Education plays an important role in continuing to build Purdue’s reputation as one of the world’s most innovative organizations.” says Huang. 

Source: Wanju Huang, [email protected]

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Genetically engineering a treatment for incurable brain tumors

Purdue researchers are developing and validating a patent-pending treatment for incurable glioblastoma brain tumors. Glioblastomas are almost always lethal with a median survival time of 14 months. Traditional methods used against other cancers, like chemotherapy and immunotherapy, are often ineffective on glioblastoma.

April 29, 2024 - Environmental and Ecological Engineering - Purdue University

April 29, 2024

Eee graduate email, summer 2024 and fall 2024 candidacy, registration for summer 2024, registration for fall 2024.

Registration for Fall 2024 is currently open.

Please find registration time ticket group information here: https://www.purdue.edu/registrar/currentStudents/students/registrationFaq.html

OIGP Spring Reception - Wednesday, May 1st

The 15th OIGP Spring Reception will take place May 1, 2024. Please plan on joining The Graduate School’s Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs (OIGP) for the celebration of interdisciplinary graduate student research and scholarly excellence.

Please see attached for more information.

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If you have questions related to the EEE Graduate Program, please e-mail [email protected] .

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Austin Berenda - Graduate Ag Research Spotlight

• Story by Nancy Alexander
• Photos by Tom Campbell | Video by Steven Doyle
• May 1, 2024

My goal is to resume full time military service; that’s what I love doing. This degree is prepping me for that future: They want higher-level officers to have advanced degrees. - Austin Berenda, MS student, Department of Agricultural Economics

The student

When Second Lieutenant Austin Berenda was in Ranger School, he led his platoon through tactical training in a Florida swamp, where the rules were constantly changed to test his leadership and adaptation skills. “What I learned there is that you have to analyze the situation and move on,” he says. “In grad school and through my research, there are times I think things can’t be done. I can either freak out or I can buckle down.” Berenda buckles down. His perseverance took root on a family farm in Benton County, Indiana. As a Lilly Endowment Scholar in high school, he set his sights on Purdue, but not before completing an associate’s degree through accelerated coursework and dual enrollment at other institutions and serving as FFA state treasurer for a year. “I wanted to study agricultural economics because I love the business side of things, but I wanted to know more ‘why’ things were happening,” he says. He also intended to join the military, influenced by members of his extended family who served and his parents instilling in him “the belief that you make sacrifices to help other people.” He earned his BS in agricultural economics in five semesters at Purdue before enlisting in the Indiana National Guard, beginning his master’s studies after initial entry training. He had completed one semester of his master’s degree in fall 2022 when the National Guard sent him to Fort Moore in Georgia for Infantry Officer School from February to July 2023, and Ranger School from August to November 2023. He returned to Indiana to resume his studies at Purdue in January 2024.

The research

Berenda’s research builds on his undergraduate concentration in quantitative analysis. Using data filtered from tens of millions of social media posts, Berenda analyzes public sentiment regarding the economic consequences of American involvement in the Ukrainian War and trade disruption in the Red Sea. “We are looking from behind the theoretical glass at millions of interactions simultaneously,” he explains. His goal is to narrow the data down to reflect opinions on specific subtopics and to spot trends.

Opportunities

Berenda’s primary advisor, Nicole Widmar, professor of agricultural economics, helps find the right datasets and ask the right questions, he says. “Dr. Widmar has faith in you. and that makes you feel trusted to accomplish your goal.” Co-advisor Valerie Kilders, assistant professor of agricultural economics, helps with analytics. “When I come out of meeting with Dr. Kilders, I’ve already got a minimum of three things in my head that I want to go look into; she always finds a new angle,” he adds. Berenda was a teaching assistant as an undergraduate and received a Butz Fellowship to pursue graduate study.

Future plans

Berenda says he is working “hard and fast” to complete his master’s degree in December before returning to military service. His goal is to serve full time with the National Guard or to work in economic and financial analysis with a federal agency. Either way, he expects to put his advanced degree to work. Away from the computer, Berenda enjoys working out, watching college football and basketball, spending time outdoors and reading books about military leadership.

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Legacy in Engineering: Meet 2024 PNW graduate Kimani Jackson

Following in his family’s footsteps, Kimani Jackson, ’24, is the fourth member of his family to graduate from Purdue University Northwest (PNW). A double major, he will earn bachelor of science degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering from the College of Engineering and Sciences at PNW. Jackson is the third member of his family to earn a degree in electrical engineering, behind his father and uncle.

After taking engineering classes and completing an internship with the Chicago engineering firm EXP while still in high school, Jackson knew he wanted to major in electrical engineering. He had already started his program at PNW when a friend convinced him to double major and add computer engineering to his studies.

While at PNW, Jackson served as secretary and president of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branch and founding vice president of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) , the honor society of IEEE. Jackson applied and received a grant from IEEE-HKN to develop and offer a 3D modeling and printing workshop to the PNW engineering community. He is also a member of the Society of Engineers.

The Chicago native was a lab assistant for elementary engineering courses and the signals and systems lab course. In addition, he was an instructor for the Munster High School internship course where he taught the students Python programming.

Jackson is part of the 4+1 degree program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE) which allows qualified students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a five-year time period. He will spend the next year earning his master’s degree and also exploring different career possibilities.

What do you like most about PNW and the Electrical and Computer Engineering programs?

“The people and professors here are very nice and helpful and the class sizes give you a more personal connection with your professors. I also like how all the topics from the different classes connect and relate back to the real world.”

How do you think your involvement in campus organizations and activities helped define your success at PNW?

“I feel like my involvement will help me in my future career. It’s helped me work better as a team member, communicate better and feel more confident when speaking in front of a crowd. It’s also helped me improve as a leader.”

The people and professors here are very nice and helpful and the class sizes give you a more personal connection with your professors. Kimani Jackson, ’24, Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering

Did you have a pivotal experience while attending PNW?

“My pivotal experience would be my senior design project where I created a multi-level converter. It showed me that I still have more to learn and that failure allows you to improve and make something great in the future.”

What words of advice would you share with prospective students looking to attend PNW?

“You have to spend time studying. You can’t wait to do things last minute; you can’t procrastinate because it will come back to bite you in the end.”

Was there anyone at PNW who inspired or encouraged you along the way?

Department chair and professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

“He is the reason I’m doing the 4+1 program and the reason I became a lab assistant. He encouraged and inspired me by offering me opportunities which will help improve me for the future.”

Meet the Spring 2024 Graduates

Discover what inspires our remarkable Spring 2024 graduates—and how they are Powering Onward to their futures.

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