JMU Research, Scholarship & Creative Endeavors Newsletter
JMU Research, Scholarship & Creative Endeavors
February 2016
Greetings!

Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your day to learn about the research and creative activities underway at James Madison University.  We are very pleased to bring you this initial offering of JMU Research, Scholarship & Creative Endeavors, a monthly newsletter highlighting the scholarly achievements of our faculty and students.  As a comprehensive research university, our faculty integrate research projects directly into the curriculum, involving students early on in the process.  This provides exciting opportunities for students to see first-hand how new knowledge is discovered, and how innovations move from university labs, canvases, and bookshelves into the 21st century economy.  Please do not hesitate to contact myself or a member of the Research & Scholarship staff with any questions, or ideas on how our institutions can collaborate.

Sincerely,   
Yvonne Harris, Ph.D. 
Vice Provost for Research & Scholarship 
Virginia Bio, JMU, and Shenandoah Valley Biotech2 Partnership host Biotechnology Showcase
JMU President Jonathan Alger visits students in a "Viral Discovery" class

This day-long meeting highlighted the innovative research and curriculum of regional educators and businesses in the area of biotechnology.  Presenters included Virginia Bio CEO Jeff Gallagher, Blue Ridge Community College President John Downey, researchers from SRI International, university faculty, entrepreneurs, and economic development professionals.  Particular emphasis was placed on agbio, as JMU is one of three institutions participating in the Virginia Industrial Hemp Research Program.

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CISRCenter for International Stabilization hosts Landmine Removal Course in Vietnam
Participants of the Vietnam Senior Managers' Course

From September 21 to October 9, four CISR staff and three JMU Management faculty members delivered specialized instruction for a Senior Managers' Course on the effective clearance of landmines in Vietnam.  Partnering with a large number of Vietnam and U.S. government officials, this course educated 30 participants on demining best practices with an emphasis on the specific needs of Southeast Asia.

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Cyber JMU Faculty hold Cyber Security Workshops for Industry, Students, and Public Sector
Dr. Edna Reid presenting at the Cyber Intelligence Analysis Workshop

Designated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as one of the original seven National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education, James Madison University
extends its knowledge-base in the area of cyber security outside the walls of academia.  On October 30, JMU faculty presented a cyber security awareness workshop for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.  A variety of security tools and best practices were addressed, in addition to a demonstration by students studying Information Security and Digital Forensics at JMU.   Read More

Focusing on the "train the trainer" model, this past summer the College of Integrated Science & Engineering hosted two cyber defense boot camps for high school teachers.  Supported by the NSA and NSF, GenCyber attracted more than 100 applications from around the country for 20 slots in a week-long training program.  A second camp, VATCyber, provided theory-based classroom instruction and hands-on exercises to Virginia technology educators.   Read More

In April 2015, JMU organized the Cyber Intelligence Workshop: Trends in Education, Training, and Workforce Gaps, and held a town hall meeting for the Virginia Cyber Security Commission.  The workshop introduced more than 130 representatives from industry, academia, and the public sector to the growing field of cyber intelligence, and included presentations from NSA, FBI, BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, Mitre, and HP.  Collaborating with the Commonwealth's Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson, the town hall meeting featured keynote and panel presentations on recent national hacks, cyber education, and cyber crime.  Read More
History Professor Authors BookHistory on the Early Days of Cycling in American Cities  
 
Hosting some of the best mountain biking trails in the country, Harrisonburg is a top destination for biking enthusiasts.  However, did you ever wonder how the bicycling culture came about in America?   JMU History faculty member Dr. Evan Friss examines the radical transformation of city life in late 19th century America in his new book The Cycling City.  Few realize that the rights of bicyclists, where bicycles are permitted, road design, and other bicycle planning issues are more than a century old.  With more and more communities demanding alternative modes of transportation, this meticulously researched story is a must read.   
GCIAS More than 200 attend Grand Celebration of Innovation, Art, and Scholarship 

On October 1, Research & Scholarship partnered with the School of Art, Design, and Art History (SADAH), as well as numerous other departments to host a celebration of scholarship for the JMU faculty.  Held in the beautiful, newly renovated Duke Hall, attendees heard presentations by Provost Award Winner for Excellence in Research and Scholarship Dr. Steve Whisnant, and Executive Director of the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities Laurie Baefsky. 

JMU Provost Dr. Jerry Benson welcomes the Grand Celebration audience

Shortly after hosting the Grand Celebration, JMU Art History Professor John Ott received the prestigious William R. Levin award from the Southeastern College Art Conference.  The award encourages and recognizes research in art history and includes a $5,000 stipend.  Dr. Ott was selected for his projec t, "Mixed Media: The Visual Cultures of Racial Integration, 1931-1954," which examines racial integration efforts by both black and white artists in the decades leading up to the Civil Rights Movement.  The image (right) shows World War II Combat Artist Jacob Lawrence posing with his painting "Embarkation" and members of his integrated crew for a United States Coast Guard public relations photo circa 1944.   Read More
VOSVoices of Scholarship
The Voices of Scholarship project captures JMU faculty discussing their research interests and how students play an integral role in the process.  This segment features the work of Dr. Jennifer Taylor, faculty in the Political Science Department, whose scholarly work focuses on philanthropy, volunteerism, civil society, and military families.  Dr. Taylor is a lead investigator on the Blue Star Families' Military Family Lifestyle Survey, which examines a broad spectrum of issues affecting military families.
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