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Recent News
Masterson Named to SACSCOC Board of Trustees
Dr. Douglas Masterson, senior associate provost for institutional success at The University
of Southern Mississippi, has been named to the Board of Trustees for the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). His term runs
through 2028.
https://www.usm.edu/news/2026/releases/douglas-masterson.php
Dr. Xie Publishes again!
CROSS Research Proceedings 2024–2025: Undergraduate Contributions to Mathematical
Inquiry presents original research conducted by undergraduate students at The University
of Southern Mississippi through the Cross Scholarship Program. This volume compiles
final research reports from students enrolled in MAT 494: Mathematical Seminar, showcasing
the breadth and depth of undergraduate mathematical research.
The collected works span a wide range of topics in pure and applied mathematics, including
dynamical systems, probability and statistics, numerical analysis, mathematical biology,
machine learning, data analysis, and mathematical physics. Under the close mentorship
of faculty advisors, students engage in independent inquiry, develop rigorous analytical
skills, and communicate their findings in a professional scholarly format.
Since its inception in 2016, the Cross Scholarship Program has supported more than
80 undergraduate scholars, fostering a strong culture of research, collaboration,
and mentorship. Many projects supported by the program have led to honors theses,
conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Anna Wan becomes PRESIDENT
As President, Dr. Wan will lead the state’s professional organization dedicated to
advancing excellence in mathematics teaching and learning across all grade levels.
She brings a strong commitment to teacher support, innovative mathematics instruction,
and collaboration among mathematics educators statewide. Dr. Wan will work with the
MCTM Board of Directors and membership to uphold the Council’s mission of fostering
mathematical thinking, promoting professional growth, and serving as a voice for mathematics
educators in Mississippi.
MCTM is affiliated with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and provides
professional development opportunities, networking, and advocacy for mathematics education
throughout the state.
New in JACS! Dr. Theo and his team has uncovered how reactions unfold on platinum
surfaces — a key step toward understanding how catalysts work at the atomic level.
By establishing one of the first precise experimental benchmarks for surface reactions,
this study advances efforts to predict and design more efficient catalysts across
chemistry and materials science.
READ HERE
This study presents a novel molecularly imprinted polymer-based electrogenerated chemiluminescence
(ECL) sensor designed for the ultrasensitive and selective detection of N,N-dimethyltryptamine
(DMT), a psychoactive compound. The approach offers enhanced analytical performance,
demonstrating high specificity, stability, and reproducibility, which holds promise
for forensic and biomedical applications.
Authors: Jesy Alka Motchaalangaram, Paramasivam Mahalingam, Karl J. Wallace, Wujian
Miao*
READ ONLINE
Dr. Theofanis Kitsopoulos co-authored this groundbreaking study, published in Science,
which reveals the intricate dynamics of hydrogen oxidation on palladium surfaces.
Velocity-resolved kinetics measurements uncovered the critical role of cooperative
binding, where at least three oxygen atoms at step sites create an active configuration.
The research demonstrates a complex dependence on oxygen coverage and step density,
providing transformative insights into catalytic processes at the atomic level.
Title: "Cooperative Oxygen Binding Enhances Hydrogen Oxidation on Palladium"
In this study, co-authored by Dr. Theofanis Kitsopoulos and published in JACS, researchers
determined thermal rate constants for hydrogen adsorption and desorption on copper
surfaces over a wide temperature range (200–1000 K). The findings overturn conventional
understanding by highlighting the predominant role of quantum tunneling, even at temperatures
as high as 400 K. The study provides precise reaction barrier and adsorption energy
values and demonstrates the accuracy of a first-principles quantum rate theory, paving
the way for the discovery of more efficient catalysts through advanced computational
methods.
Title: "Quantum Tunneling in Hydrogen Adsorption and Desorption on Cu(111)"
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