October 20, 2017

Multidisciplinary research symposium will look at emerging technologies

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The fourth ASA Multidisciplinary Research Symposium, hosted by the Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s College of Applied Sciences and Arts, focuses on faculty and student research. 

A total of 25 presenters will showcase their work at “The 21st Century: Looking at Emerging Technologies. The event is from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Nov. 4 at the Transportation Education Center at Southern Illinois Airport. In addition to faculty and student presenters, the symposium will include a panel discussion and obstacle course demonstration involving unmanned aerial vehicles. 

The event is free and the public is invited. Online registration is available at asa.siu.edu/research/regi.html. Registration will be available at the door but pre-registration to ensure lunch is strongly encouraged. The pre-registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 27. The event schedule is available at research.asa.siu.edu/symposium/event-schedule.php

The symposium’s primary goal is to support and promote research by faculty as well as undergraduate and graduate students in any area of study within the college, Dean Andy Wang said. 

“It is an opportunity for our students to develop their core skills to be an effective citizen, such as the skills to gather, synthesize and create knowledge, critical thinking and communication as well as the various other skills they need to be successful in the 21st century,” Wang said. “I believe teaching and research are complemented each other. The symposium provides a vehicle for faculty as well as students to elevate the stature and rigor of the academic enterprise.” 

The presentations involve myriad of ongoing research from throughout a variety of programs within the college. Karen Johnson, an associate professor in aviation technologies and Marcea Walter, an assistant professor in the health care management program, are symposium co-chairs. 

Topics include “Empirical Analysis of the Level of Awareness and Integration of Sustainable Architecture in Nigeria”; “Extracurricular Undergraduate Research: Student Perspectives and Experiences”; “Using Waste Motor Oil and Diesel Fuel”; “Perspectives of Executives and Students on Leadership Characteristics for Healthcare Managers: Does a Gap Exist”; and “Machine Intelligence and Higher Education.” 

“The idea of getting students involved in faculty research projects should be at the top of the list,” Johnson said, noting that a key component for the symposium is students learning more about their instructors’ research. “The college has a lot of good avenues for research and students becoming involved in it.” 

There will also be student posters on display and a student poster competition. 

Event sponsors are the university’s Graduate School and the Department of Workforce Education and Development. 

For more information, contact Johnson at ksulliva@siu.edu or Walter at mwalter@siu.edu.