New WSU research will help the Air Force fleet stay mission ready
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory recently awarded WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research a $23.5 million contract for modeling composite inspection and repair techniques for aircraft in active service.
The research will allow Air Force aircraft to remain mission-ready for longer periods and save repair costs over a span of decades.
WSU research studies affect of space gravity on the human brain
A NASA-funded Wichita State University research project will seek to understand how the human brain responds to gravity while in space.
The Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program recently awarded $127,600 to a multidisciplinary research group for the project.
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WSU experiments could have implications for life on Mars
Research conducted by Wichita State University faculty and students suggests that Mars may be more habitable than once thought.
The work is a collaboration between WSU astrobiologist Mark Schneegurt, Benton Clark with the Space Science Institute and Fei Chen with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Most of the experimental work was conducted by students in WSU biological sciences, including Robin Cesur and Irfan Ansari.
The team is funded through the Planetary Protection Research program at NASA with a ROSES award and has been working together for nearly a decade in connection with the Wichita Space Initiative.
Read story in Science News
WSU receives NSF award for aquatic ecology research
Greg Houseman
The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded Wichita State University with funding for “Increasing Aquatic Ecology Expertise in Kansas.”
The project is led by Greg R. Houseman, associate professor of biological sciences and filed station director. The purpose of the proposed initiative is to facilitate a new faculty hire with expertise in aquatic ecology at Wichita State University.
The WSU Field Station has experienced a rapid increase in capacity with two externally funded projects from the NSF and U.S. Department of Agriculture, and increased sites from 489 to more than 5,100 acres. Several of the Field Station sites include important aquatic resources (springs, streams, rivers, and impoundments) in the southern part of Kansas. However, the Department of Biological Sciences has no faculty with sufficient expertise to study aquatic systems or contribute to the broader examination of aquatic resources in Kansas. WSU would like to create a new faculty line to address aquatic ecology to increase the momentum of the Field Station and within the Biology Department.
The focus of the aquatic ecologist will likely be understanding aquatic systems in Kansas and fostering linkages across plant, soil, and microbial dimensions. It is expected that this new position would begin in August 2019.
This particular line of funding is specifically for small projects that will either allow for networking and planning, or allow for the immediate pursuit of larger projects that are developing new transformational concepts.
Polymer Characterization Workshop coming July 25-26
NIAR, TA Instrument and Waters have organized a Polymer Characterization Seminar for Thursday and Friday, July 25-26, at the NCAT facility on Webb Road, 4004 N. Webb Road. For more information, go to
Polymer Characterization Workshop
WSU Ventures develops, licenses innovative medical technology
WSU Ventures recently forged a new partnership with SAM Medical by licensing an innovative technology developed for solving medical emergencies.
The patented technology developed by Wichita State and licensed to SAM Medical relies on composite technology – a core area of expertise at WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research. Initially flexible during application, the composite material can be hardened and cured in under 60 seconds to create a quick and durable stabilization tool for emergency injuries. Wichita State initially developed the technology through a grant funded by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command.
Shocker students help city improve its use of data
Four Wichita State students work at 125 N. Market this summer with a view looking west over the Arkansas River, Keeper of the Plains and the baseball stadium under construction.
They can enjoy that panoramic view while digging into details that can help the City of Wichita do its business in a more efficient manner as part of a data analysis project with Cornerstone Data.
Ulrich Museum invites your participation in brief survey
The Ulrich Museum of Art invites you to participate in its new branding process by completing a nine-question survey. Your ideas and opinions are valued, so please take a moment to share them. The survey will close on Friday, July 12.
Traumatic brain injury brings student closer to his Shocker family
In September 2018, Sam Brickett, an aerospace engineering freshman at Wichita State University, was longboarding in the Rhatigan Student Center parking garage when he hit a crack in the concrete and fell. He hit his head and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Alicia Newell, WSU assistant vice president for Student Affairs, found out about his injury within hours and remained by his side in the hospital while his parents journeyed to Wichita from a vacation in South Dakota. When Sam was taken back to a hospital near his home in Nebraska, Alicia sent a little bit of WSU with him.
KMUW calendar stickers are back for the 2019-20 academic year
To request calendar stickers for yourself or your department, please send an email to info@kmuw.org with your campus box number and quantity of stickers – or feel free to stop by the station at 121 N. Mead, Suite 200, in Old Town, to grab however many you need.
Calendar stickers are free, but if you’d like to make a donation to KMUW in support of award-winning local journalism, please click here.
Seeking artist proposals for outdoor staircase at Clinton Hall
In an effort to bring visual interest to the outdoor staircase on the south side of Clinton Hall, WSU is seeking artist proposals to bring life, energy and something uniquely WSU to this prominent entry. Share your ideas and apply at wsu.news/clintonstairs.
Wichita State to observe Independence Day holiday
Wichita State University will be closed for the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4. Offices will reopen and classes will resume on Friday, July 5.
RSC and departments closed for Independence Day
The Rhatigan Student Center and its departments will be closed Thursday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. For regular building and department hours of operation, go to RSC hours.
Teen study participants needed
Are you a parent of a teenager? The Inspyre Research Lab is exploring what makes relationships healthy or unhealthy in adolescence. The purpose of the study is to explore perceptions of healthy and unhealthy relationships in teens.
Participants must be 13-19 years old and be fluent in English. The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete.
More information is available below.
After parental consent and teen assent has been obtained, teens will be asked to participate in a survey that gathers information on demographics and perceptions of dating relationships.
Flexible locations for study participation are provided:
- In person at 417 Jabara Hall
- In person at an outdoor public meeting place
- Through email
- Through mail
A small prize will be offered as compensation.
Interested? Contact the Inspyre Research Lab at inspyre@wichita.edu or call 978-6180.
Extra discount on clearance merchandise
This week at the Shocker Store, take an extra 10% off already-marked-down clearance items! Score some great deals on Shocker gear! Sale is in Rhatigan Student Center location only.