Graduate student

Gerontechnology research provides undergraduate students opportunities

A multidisciplinary program at Washington State University funded by the National Institute of Aging is engaging undergraduate students in scientific research that may help older adults live independently longer.   The WSU Gerontechnology-Focused Student Undergraduate Research Experience (GSUR) connects students from complementary degree programs such as sociology, nursing, medicine, computer science, electrical engineering, and clinical psychology. It introduces them to […]

Data ‘playshops’ reveal ‘fourth dimension of literacy’

Seven-year-old George wants to design computer games. Five-year-old Erik hopes to become a policeman. Fourteen-year-old Jaime finds archaeology and history fascinating. These youngsters and dozens of their peers recently took an important step toward achieving their dreams by participating in the Data Literacy Playshops program hosted by Washington State University data scholars. The youth and […]

High winds and Campylobacter

Farmers who keep their chickens outdoors may want to watch the weather. A study of chicken farms in the West found that high winds increased the prevalence of Campylobacter in outdoor flocks, a bacterial pathogen in poultry that is the largest single cause of foodborne illness in the U.S. Researchers found that about 26% of […]

A haven for Canada lynx

Glacier National Park is home to around 50 Canada lynx, more than expected, surprising scientists who recently conducted the first parkwide occupancy survey for the North American cat.  The Washington State University-led survey reveals the iconic predator resides across most of Glacier’s 1,600 square-mile landscape, although at lower densities than in the core of its […]

Unique cannabis use study looks at motives

A recent study titled “The Pot at the End of the Rainbow” is one of the first to examine motives for cannabis use among sexual minorities quantitatively. Led by Washington State University psychologists, the researchers analyzed survey data from nearly 4,700 university students from across the country. “People who are in sexual minority groups not […]

Human hikers effect wildlife behavior

Even without hunting rifles, humans appear to have a strong negative influence on the movement of wildlife. A study of Glacier National Park hiking trails during and after a COVID-19 closure adds evidence to the theory that humans can create a “landscape of fear” like other apex predators, changing how species use an area simply […]

A new holiday song with a rat pack vibe

Just in time for the holidays, Washington State University Emeritus Professor of Music Greg Yasinitsky has a new song, “It’s Santa!,” which is now streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, Deezer, and more.  “It’s Santa!” has a fun, swinging rat pack vibe of vocals backed by a roaring big band. The band is Yasinitsky’s […]

Increasing data literacy

Sharing data concepts with young children and engaging them in fun, data-related activities can have a lasting impact that can opens them to a future in data science. “Without knowing it, they’re working with and engaging in data analysis, and this opens the door for new experiences which could possibly change the trajectory of their […]

Drones show potential to improve salmon nest counts

Struggling salmon populations could get some help from the sky. A Washington State University study showed that drone photography of the Wenatchee River during spawning season can be effective in estimating the number of rocky hollows salmon create to lay their eggs, also called “redds.”   The drone imagery appeared to find roughly double the […]

Meet graduate student Molly Roitman

A doctoral student in experimental psychology and a member of the Adolescent Health and Wellness Lab led by Jessica Fales, Molly Roitman is studying the health and social psychology track within experimental psychology. Her research focuses on the social relationships and development of adolescents with chronic pain.