From addressing societal challenges to advancing our understanding of the world around
us, research matters to all of us.
Listen to Research Matters, a production of the Office of Research at Kennesaw State
University, to hear how our innovative researchers are working to solve these issues.
Episode 10 – What if Kids Saw Music Through Rose-Colored Glasses?
Featuring
Tiffany Roman, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology
Erin Collins, Elementary Music Teacher and SITI Doctoral Candidate
Large class sizes make it difficult for music teachers to give individualized attention
to each student, which can be detrimental, especially for students with special needs.
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re discussing SpectrumPlay, an online platform that uses color-coded sheet music to simplify music education and make it more accessible for all children.
Elementary music classes boost early brain development, allowing students to deepen their creativity, improve their critical thinking skills, and strengthen their memory. With SpectrumPlay, students can work at their own pace with digital support, easing the demand on teachers and maximizing the class time spent with students’ hands-on instruments.
Dr. Tiffany Roman and Erin Collins join us to talk about their platform, how it came to be, and the impact it’s having on students across Georgia.
Episode 9 – Can Virtual Reality Prepare Nurses for Dementia Care?
Featuring
Modupe Akintomide, Associate Professor of Nursing
Joy Li, Associate Professor of Computer Game Design and Development
Faith Smith, Nursing Student at KSU
Nurses today are expected to know more than ever before, but do their educations prepare
them for what they will actually face on the job?
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re exploring what virtual reality has to offer nursing education, particularly in training nurses how to deliver effective dementia care to patients experiencing behavioral symptoms.
KSU researchers have developed and are improving a gamified, virtual reality training
for nursing students that allows them to experience simulations of realistic clinical
scenarios they may face, then learn how respond to them in a controlled environment.
Dr. Modupe Akintomide, Dr. Joy Li, and Faith Smith join us to discuss how they brought
healthcare and computer science together to achieve this innovative solution.
Episode 8 — How KSU is Easing the Strain on Nurses Using Virtual Care with Dr. Sweta Sneha and Susan Thurman
Featuring
Sweta Sneha, Professor of Information Systems and Security
Susan Thurman, Wellstar Health System Chief Nursing Officer
Across the healthcare system, nurses today are spread thin, managing high patient
loads, complex care needs, and constant documentation without the proper support or
staffing.
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re discussing an innovative response to that challenge: a virtual nurse aide. With the help of Wellstar Health System, KSU researchers have implemented the virtual aid in several hospitals in Georgia.
This virtual aid utilizes digital technology to monitor patients remotely and provide
guidance for follow-up care, improving both outcomes and patient experience.
Sweta Sneha joins us to talk about this project, how it works, and the impact they’ve seen so far along with Susan Thurman, the VP of patient services and Chief Nursing Officer at Wellstar Health System.
Episode 7 — Pioneering Al-Driven Mental Health 911 Response with Dr. Monica Nandan and Dr. Dominic Thomas
Featuring
Monica Nandan, Professor of Social Work and Human Services
Dominic Thomas, Professor of Information Systems
Jacob King, Cobb County Police Officer
Matthew Dames, Licensed Professional Counselor
Dr. Monica Nandan and Dr. Dominic Thomas join Research Matters to discuss the creation of an AI-driven system that will allow first responders to more easily respond to emergency mental health calls. The project is a collaboration between Kennesaw State University, Cobb County Police Department, and Cobb Fire.
Joining Dr. Nandan and Dr. Thomas are Cobb County Police Officer Jacob King and Licensed
Professional Counselor Matthew Dames, who lead a co-response team in Cobb County.
Episode 6 — Enhancing the Lives of Military and Emergency Services Personnel with AMES
Featuring
Brian Moore, AMES Director
Bianca Channer, Assistant Professor of Social Work
Dr. Brian Moore and Dr. Bianca Channer join Research Matters to discuss the Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research (AMES) at Kennesaw State University, which strives to reduce suicide, anxiety and depression among Georgia’s approximately 1 million military and public safety personnel.
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, the center has conducted more than 7,000 suicide assessments across Georgia.
Episode 5 — Improving Prosthetics and Orthotics With a Personal Touch
Featuring
Mark Geil, Professor of Exercise Science
Adam Kiel, MSPO Graduate Student at KSU
Professor of Exercise Science and Associate Dean in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Geil joins Research Matters to discuss prosthetics and orthotics. He is joined by Adam Kiel, a student in the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics program at KSU who received his first prosthetic leg at 11 months old and hopes to become a clinician after graduation.
Episode 4 — Introducing Youth to Computer Science Through Mathematics
Featuring
Alan Shaw, Professor of Computer Science
Willie Doyle, Computer Science Student
Associate Professor of Computer Science Alan Shaw and student Willie Doyle join Research
Matters to discuss Computer Science for All, a project designed to help middle school
students in Clayton County learn computer science through math courses.
Episode 3 — Using Forensic Anthropology to Recover Lost Loved Ones
Featuring
Alice Gooding, Associate Professor of Anthropology
Rusty Midkiff, KSU Police Corporal
Associate Professor of Anthropology Alice Gooding and KSU Police Corporal Rusty Midkiff
join Research Matters to discuss the recovery of Rusty's great uncle, a U.S. soldier
who was killed in France during World War II and was recently repatriated to Canton,
Georgia.
Episode 2 — Using the Tool of CrossFit to Win the 'War on Fitness'
Featuring
Gerald Mangine, Professor of Exercise Science
Griffin Roelle, CrossFit Coach
Associate Professor of Exercise Science Dr. Gerald Mangine and strength coach Griffin
Roelle join Research Matters to discuss how Dr. Mangine's research informs the training
regimens built for those using CrossFit to improve their fitness.
Episode 1 — The Future of Research at Kennesaw State University
Featuring
Dr. Karin Scarpinato, Executive Vice President for Research
Executive Vice President for Research at Kennesaw State University Dr. Karin Scarpinato
joins Research Matters to discuss how the Office of Research is building an environment
for collaborative research, the intersection of research and commercialization, and
whether there will ever be a cure for cancer.
