Credit Hour

tanley May, Ph.D., a professor of chemistry at the University of South Dakota and the associate director for the Center for Security Printing and Anti-Counterfeit Technology (SPACT), spoke about new fingerprint detection technology on the latest episode of USD’s podcast, Credit Hour.May, who started as a basic researcher at USD 24 years ago, says his research interests have evolved over time. He now considers himself a laser spectroscopist, a physical chemist.May works with researchers from all backgrounds to create new solutions to end counterfeiting with an interdisciplinary approach. New ideas, May said, come from a collaborative type of environment.“For most scientists, working with a broader community of people who have complementary skills and ideas has proven to be very productive,” May said. “Science has become so multi-disciplinary in general.”SPACT was established in 2014 by researchers from USD, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and South Dakota State University. Each campus hosts a facility that serves as a research center for SPACT. The goal is to develop research solutions that help avoid counterfeiting. At SPACT, May focuses on anti-counterfeiting security for products, documents of identification and more. He works with nanoparticles that can generate light to extract DNA from fingerprints and nanoparticle-based ink to make covert marks on any product. The research SPACT is doing protects personal safety as well as intellectual property, said Michael Ewald, host of Credit Hour."Stanley's research has implications as diverse as policing and national security to consumer safety," Ewald said. "He is an extraordinary asset to USD and the state of South Dakota." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dan Engebretson, Ph.D., chair of the biomedical engineering program at the University of South Dakota and the director of the Graduate Education and Applied Research (GEAR) Center in Sioux Falls, spoke with Credit Hour about the history and future of biomedical engineering and the emerging options USD students have in this growing field.The GEAR Center was opened in 2009 to provide students with a solid foundation in the sciences to prepare them to work in the evolving biotech and medtech economy. It is an intersection of academic research with industry so students at the center can work on real problems found in clinics and hospitals in hopes of solving them.In the past, the biomedical engineering department only offered graduate level classes, however, Engebretson saw an opportunity to build an undergraduate program to support the industry in Sioux Falls and to grow the workforce in the field. The department now offers certificate programs, an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree, and it is always changing to support students’ interests.“I’m finding a lot of our students are interested in entrepreneurship,” Engebretson said. “We want to equip the students with the technical skills they need and get students familiar with funding they can receive to start their business.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Native American artist Wendy Red Star and her daughter Beatrice offered insight into their intergenerational, historically influenced art in the latest episode of Credit Hour, the University of South Dakota’s weekly podcast.Red Star visited USD as a guest artist and instructor during the Oscar Howe Summer Institute. As an artist and instructor, Red Star offered mentorship and guidance to high school students as they expanded their knowledge of Native American art. Red Star grew up on the Crow Reservation in Montana, and much of her art features cultural items from her community. She often collaborates with Beatrice, and spoke of the intergenerational influences that are important to her work.“I think we are all of the past and of all the collected experiences leading up to now,” Red Star said. “For me, it’s about looking back to where we came from and what’s going to happen now. Beatrice is a part of the next chapter and adventure.”As she learns more about her community through research, Red Star hopes to help fill in the gaps and offer new perspectives of Native American history with her art. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Head Start director Carmen Stewart discusses the Head Start program that provides children and their families free health, education and development services around the Vermillion community on this week’s Credit Hour podcast.Head Start has been housed within the University of South Dakota for the past 40 years. It is federally funded to help low-income families by offering education for parents and age-appropriate education for children ages 0-3 and 3-5.“The purpose of Head Start is to provide high-quality early childhood services to children for families who can’t afford it,” Stewart said. “Those children may be at risk and may not be as successful in school as children who come from more affluent families.”The partnership between Head Start and USD has seen successful outcomes.“There are opportunities for our program to work with experts on campus in a variety of fields: speech and language development, education, occupational and physical therapy, dental hygiene--we’re so fortunate to have experts if we need advice on our programming,” Stewart said. “They support us and they use our program to support research.”Instructors also often implement service-learning in their coursework so students can gain hands-on experience working with children.Over the years, the program has expanded, and it now provides services at no cost to children and families in Clay, Lincoln, Union and Turner counties. Stewart said Head Start is a community-based program, and it focuses on being responsive to the needs of the children and families that reside here.“Head Start has provided early childhood education in South Dakota for over 50 years,” said Michael Ewald, host of Credit Hour. “Carmen explains what the program offers and, most importantly, why it matters.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Meghann Jarchow, Ph.D., chair of Sustainability and Environment, spoke with Credit Hour about recent changes in the sustainability program as well as how we can make the world a better place. The sustainability undergraduate program started in 2012, and six years later, students can now receive a Master’s and doctorate degree in sustainability. This makes the University of South Dakota one of the few institutions in the country to offer an undergraduate and graduate education in sustainability.“I think sustainability is the ultimate liberal art in that it is more of a way of thinking about the world or a different lens or worldview of understanding how we might think of topics,” Jarchow said.Jarchow describes sustainability as a proactive way of thought to improve the environment, improve social well-being and to have financial systems that could continue over time. The end goal is to find solutions that make change. “Sustainability is more than recycling,” Jarchow said. “It is trying to create a better world and actually taking steps to make it happen.”There are several easy steps a person can take to make the world a more desirable place, Jarchow said, such as using a reusable water bottle or grocery bag. Additionally, with the free bike share program the sustainability department helped develop, Jarchow hopes it becomes normal for more people to bike around town all year around. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gene Thin Elk, former director of Native Student Services (NSS) and longtime employee of the University of South Dakota, discusses the past, present and future of the university on this week’s Credit Hour podcast.Thin Elk spent over three decades at the university in a variety of roles such as a volunteer sweat lodge provider, adjunct professor and Native cultural advisor for students, faculty and staff. He served as NSS director – his final position at USD – for 15 years.“As I turn around and look back from the higher hill, I see the tremendous amount of progress that has been made here at the university, all the way from race relations to opportunities to resources. I think equity is coming into balance, and recognition of our uniqueness without compromise has come to the university, so I think these things are very vital,” said Thin Elk.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today we interview Mark Sweeney professor of sustainability at the University of South Dakota. He explains the dangers of sediment issues in the Missouri river and the problems it causes with downstream bodies of water. Sweeney does a great job explaining the science and a few solutions before it’s too late. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Anna Bahnson, a 4th year medical student at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine visited with the USD podcast Credit Hour about her research into identifying skin cancer symptoms.Bahnson was a 2018 recipient of the Excellence in Public Health Award presented by the U.S. Public Health Service. She was recognized for research and education project about skin cancer risks associated with working in agriculture, and the importance of educating cosmetologists to identify skin cancer symptoms on their clients. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gene Policinski, president of the Newseum Institute in Washington D.C. and the executive director of the First Amendment Center of the Freedom Forum Institute, spoke with the University of South Dakota podcast Credit Hour for a wide-ranging discussion on the First Amendment and state of the media.“If I had to take away one thing from my career, it’s the sort of wonderment that there are so many good people in the process,” Policinski said.Gene discusses how free speech impacts protests, the impact of technology on media and his favorite Al Neuharth story. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The University of South Dakota podcast Credit Hour interviewed Marty Baron, executive editor of the Washington Post and the 2017 winner of the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media.“I think that fundamental to our mission as journalists is to give people the information they need and deserve to know as citizens of this country,” Baron said.An acclaimed investigative journalist, Baron’s role uncovering the Boston Catholic sexual abuse scandal was highlighted in the Oscar award-winning movie Spotlight. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

University of South Dakota distinguished alumnus, Gov. Dennis Daugaard, reflected on his life and career during an interview on the USD podcast Credit Hour.The wide ranging discussion covered a variety of topics including his childhood experiences attending a one-room country schoolhouse, driving a bus during law school in Chicago, his path to public service and what advice he’d offer the next Governor.“I know for sure I’ve had just a great life,” said Daugaard “And I know for sure I am a very lucky man.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

University of South Dakota associate professor of biomedical sciences Lee Baugh, Ph.D., discusses his research on the genetic predispositions involved with post-traumatic stress disorder in the second of a two part series on PTSD on the USD podcast Credit Hour.Baugh earned his Ph.D. in brain and cognitive sciences in 2010 from the University of Manitoba. He also directs the Human Functional Imaging Core at USD.“PTSD is a condition that we’ve known about for essentially hundreds of years ever since people have been exposed to trauma. What’s really changed about it is the way it’s framed,” Lee said. “During the days when railway travel was very common, you’d hear it referred to as 'railroad spine' because traveling the railways was so dangerous. In World War I, it was known as 'shell shock.' At its heart, it’s really a magnified response to fear stimuli that shouldn’t be there.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lindsey Jorgensen’s cutting-edge research on blast-exposed veterans isn’t just professional, but personal. Her husband, who served in Afghanistan, reported hearing loss after returning from combat. Traditional hearing tests suggested his hearing was normal. Jorgensen knew there was more to the story.Tune in to part one of a two-part podcast series on how USD researchers are studying Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and how it affects the brain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lamont Sellers, Vice President for Diversity at the University of South Dakota, spoke about USD’s efforts to empower its students, staff and faculty through a concept called inclusive excellence on this week’s episode of the university podcast Credit Hour.“One of the aspects of inclusive excellence that I really enjoy is that it moves it from being the singular focus of an individual or office to really becoming the responsibility of everyone on campus to be pay attention to these things,” said Sellers.Enjoy this weeks episode of Credit Hour. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

University of South Dakota head women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit is this week's featured guest on the university-sponsored podcast Credit Hour.Plitzuweit was named the 2018 Summit League Coach of the Year after guiding the Coyote women's basketball team to an undefeated regular season in the Summit League. The Coyotes reached the quarterfinal round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament this year. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.