Category Faculty Research

Dr. Hawkins and researchers link warehouse development to increased air pollution in Cumberland Valley  

Dr. Hawkins and researchers link warehouse development to increased air pollution in Cumberland Valley

Dr. Tim Hawkins, professor of geography and Earth science and student researcher, Grace Coffman, are continuing to lead research (funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the South Mountain Partnership) examining the environmental impact of warehouse development throughout the Cumberland Valley and its effect on air quality.  “We expected PM pollution…

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Malaki Schaeffer presents psychology research at Eastern Psychological Association conference

Malaki Schaeffer presents psychology research at Eastern Psychological Association conference

Junior psychology major Malaki Schaeffer presented research on distracted listening while studying at the Eastern Psychological Association conference in Boston, MA. His findings challenge the belief that distracted listening strongly impacts academic performance. “Distracted learning is defined as multitasking during learning, or learning while something else is going on,” said Schaeffer. “By definition, at least…

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Drs. Feeney & Wildermuth lead study abroad journey across Europe

Drs. Feeney & Wildermuth lead travel abroad journey across Europe; Feeney and students at Pilsner Urquell brewery

Over Spring break, Dr. Alison Feeney, Chair of the Department of Geography & Earth Science, and Dr. David Wildermuth, Professor of the Department of Global Languages & Culture,  led a study abroad trip through Germany, Austria and Czechia. Students crossed borders from Munich to Salzburg, České Budějovice, Plzeň, Bamberg and several other cities, where they…

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Shippensburg’s chemistry department gains widespread attention in viral video

Shippensburg’s chemistry department gains widespread attention in viral video

Shippensburg University’s Chemistry Department recently made headlines on the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) YouTube channel, Reactions. Dr. John Richardson, Dr. Jeb Kegerreis and sophomore chemistry student, Rebekah Feight, were highlighted in the viral video, “Coke Just Revolutioned Coke,“ which reached one million views. Their research investigated the sugar content and chemical composition of different types…

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Dr. Shupp’s visit to Suez Canal University to launch first clinical counseling center 

Dr. Shupp’s visit to Suez Canal University to launch first clinical counseling center 

Dr. Matthew Shupp ’00-03M, professor of counselor education and selected member of the 2021-25 Fulbright Specialist roster awarded from the United States Department of State, spent three weeks in December of 2025 at Suez Canal University in Egypt. There, he helped the university develop a plan for its first-ever clinical counseling center, work that he called “one of…

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Matthew Ramsey’s research on supervisor humor earns national publication

Matthew Ramsey's research on supervisor humor earns national publication

Professor of Communication Studies, Dr. Matthew C. Ramsey, has earned national recognition for his latest research exploring the complex role that humor plays in the workplace. His article, “Supervisor Humor as a Predictor of Employee Voice and Intention to Quit,” has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Business Communication. Ramsey has studied…

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Marlon Aristy presents at the Northeastern Political Science Association

In October 2025, Shippensburg University’s dual political science and international studies major and the 2025 recipient of the Keeper of the Flame Award, Marlon Aristy, presented at the Northeastern Political Science Association conference.  Aristy provided a review of the Positive Youth Development program (PYD), along with a service-learning case study from his own experience teaching…

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Students Cole Pearson and Mady Bihun present at national symposium

Shippensburg University students Cole Pearson, a Wood Honors College student and chemistry major, Mady Bihun, a mathematics major, recently showcased their research at the Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium (GCURS), hosted by Rice University. Pearson presented an ongoing research project that he has been working on for over a year and over the summer,‘Development of a Computational Tool for Kombucha Titration Analysis’. “This project has involved the incorporation of analytical chemistry, mathematical modeling and chemical thermodynamics. Furthermore, Pearson shared how his studies at Ship prepared him to communicate complex research. “My 3+ years of education at Shippensburg University and the College of Arts & Sciences, and particularly the Chemistry Department, has been instrumental in teaching me how to speak about science and research to a general audience.” While at GCURS, Pearson was inspired by the keynote speaker, Dr. Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, who spoke about her lifelong career in biophysical chemistry and what to expect of the field in the future. “Her work is especially exciting to me, as I hope to pursue a career applying an interdisciplinary physics-biochemistrt approach to solve pertinent problems.” Pearson also acknowledged the faculty at Ship who helped guide him and the SU Foundation, which funded his summer SURE grant. “I want to thank my research advisors, Dr. Jeb Kegerreis, Dr. Luis Melara and Dr. John Richardson, for their guidance. I want to also thank the SU Foundation for funding the summer SURE grant that supported my research.” Bihun, who presented in the applied mathematics section, focused her research on the connection between math and human biology. “I presented on The Decay of Botox Within the Human Body,” she said. “Which was a beginner’s mathematical study on how Botox interacts with human nerve cells.” To assist her research, Bihun frequently met with her advisor, Luis Melara. “We wanted to guarantee that no matter the person’s mathematical background, they could fully understand the concepts,” she said. One particular presentation stood out to her for its innovative approach. “I really enjoyed the presentation by Josh Ebbert, who automated the assignment of glycemic index (GI) values to food in national nutrition datasets using natural language processing and machine learning,” Bihun shared. For Bihun, GCURS enabled her to build upon her confidence and look forward to graduate school. “Having the opportunity to present my research at Rice University has helped me gain a better understanding of graduate school and how I will fit into that world after undergrad,” she said. Pearson and Bihun’s achievements shows how undergraduate research and mentorship allows students to take on challenging opportunities and follow their passions.

Cole Pearson, a Wood Honors College student and chemistry major, Mady Bihun, a mathematics major, recently showcased their research at the Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium (GCURS), hosted by Rice University.  Pearson presented an ongoing research project that he has been working on for over a year, ‘Development of a Computational Tool for Kombucha Titration…

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Johanna Baker and Sean David contribute to Michaux State Forest

Senior geoenvironmental science majors Johanna Baker and Sean David are contributing to outdoor recreation in Michaux State Forest, one of Pennsylvania’s most visited state parks. Working alongside associate professor of geography and earth science Russell Hedberg, Baker and David are in the final phase of completing the Michaux Southern Trails Assessment through a contract with…

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Feeney and Hawkins earn FAA drone certifications to enhance student research opportunities

Fenney and Hawkins earn Part 107 drone certifications

This summer, professors of Geography and Earth Science, Dr. Alison Feeney and Dr. Timothy Hawkins, earned their FAA Part 107 drone pilot certifications. Obtaining this license allows them to operate drones equipped with advanced LiDAR and thermal imaging cameras for both research and classroom instruction, providing students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in…

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