Dr. Tanja McKay, professor of entomology and interim associate chair, biological sciences, is part of a team working with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to study their food aid supply chain as it pertains to grain protection. They are examining new bag technologies and best practices for fumigation of grains, such as rice and sorghum, as it moves from the United States by train, truck or cargo ship, and ending in ports in Djibouti, South Africa and Yemen.

Dr. Manu Bhandari (left), associate professor, and Dr. Po-Lin Pan (right), professor, strategic communication, have published an article in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking. Their research is about how a company's written response – brand feedback – to negative online reviews affects consumers visiting ecommerce sites. They found significant roles of perceived stability and perceived controllability in mediating brand feedback effects. The article is available online.

Dr. Brendon Aitken, assistant professor of physical therapy, has successfully completed board certification for sports specialist in physical therapy. The certification is attained through a national application process and examination recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).  Aitken, who is now a board-certified sports specialist, was already certified in orthopedics and has connections with A-State’s rugby team.

Gretchen Burns, senior associate controller, has been accepted into the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Emerging Leaders Program. She is one of 67 business officers from 55 institutions in 32 states selected for the professional development opportunity. Burns and other participants will enhance personal leadership skills, examine the impact of the business office and cross-campus relationships, and more during the year-long program.

Claude Rector, assistant professor of clinical laboratory sciences, is president-elect of his professional organization, the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). He summarized his presentation from the group’s summer joint annual meeting, noting transformational changes in the organization and its need to become more relevant for newer members through revitalization and innovation, in an ASCLS article published online.