6 CAS faculty receive 2023-25 GRAM program awards

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University's Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies has announced the recipients of the 2023-25 Graduate Research Assistant Mentoring (GRAM) program awards.

Of the 11 recipients, 6 are from the College of Arts and Sciences:

  • Dr. Will Canu, Professor, Department of Psychology - "Expanding and Evaluating Thriving in College Skills Groups for Students with ADHD at Appalachian State"

  • Dr. Kara Dempsey, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Planning - "Best Practices for Refugee Resettlement: International Field Research Project"

  • Dr. Mohammad Ali Javidian, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science - "Using Causal Models for Reasoning about the Performance of Modern Software Systems"

  • Dr. Roshani Silwal, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy - "Spectroscopy of Highly Charged Ions for Astrophysical and Fundamental Physics Applications"

  • Dr. Andrew Smith, Professor, Department of Psychology - "Do Stereotypes Free Up Cognitive Resources? Replicating and Extending Macrae et al. (1994)"

  • Dr. Marketa Zimova, Assistant Professor Department of Biology - "Mammal Communities of North Carolina Sky Islands"

The GRAM program is designed to provide research-active faculty with the opportunity to mentor talented graduate students through collaborative work on the faculty members' research projects. The awards provide a total of $28,000 in funding for the faculty members to use to hire a dedicated graduate assistant for 20 hours per week for two years. Awards are considered internal grants, with the faculty member as the primary investigator.

To learn more about the GRAM program, visit graduate.appstate.edu/faculty/faculty-awards-and-funding/gram-program.

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About Graduate Education at Appalachian
Appalachian State University’s Williams School of Graduate Studies helps individuals reach the next level in their career advancement and preparedness. The school offers 80 graduate degree and certificate programs in a range of disciplines, including doctoral programs in education (Ed.D.) and psychology (Psy.D.). Classes are offered at the main campus in Boone as well as online and face-to-face at locations around northwestern North Carolina. The graduate school enrolls more than 2,000 students. Learn more at https://graduate.appstate.edu.

About the Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology
Appalachian’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology serves more than 1,000 undergraduate majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, as well as 80 graduate students in three master’s programs (experimental psychology, school psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management) and the clinical psychology (Psy.D.) doctoral program. Learn more at https://psych.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Geography and Planning
The Department of Geography and Planning promotes the understanding of the spatial dimensions of human behavior within the physical and cultural systems of the earth, and the role of planning in achieving improvement in those systems. The department offers degrees in geography and in community and regional planning. Learn more at https://geo.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Computer Science
Appalachian’s Department of Computer Science provides a rigorous, high-quality education that prepares students for the computing industry or graduate education. It offers a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, which is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, and a Master of Science degree in computer science. Learn more at https://compsci.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Department of Physics and Astronomy’s curriculum has an applied nature that includes a core of fundamental physics courses and laboratory experiences. The department prepares graduates for a variety of scientific, teaching or engineering professions, as well as future educational endeavors. Learn more at https://physics.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Biology
The Department of Biology is a community of teacher-scholars, with faculty representing the full breadth of biological specializations — from molecular genetics to landscape/ecosystem ecology. The department seeks to produce graduates with sound scientific knowledge, the skills to create new knowledge, and the excitement and appreciation of scientific discovery. Learn more at https://biology.appstate.edu.

By Lauren Andersen
February 15, 2023
BOONE, N.C.

Dr. Will Canu, Dr. Kara Dempsey, Dr. Mohammad Ali Javidian, Dr. Roshani Silwal, Dr. Andrew Smith and Dr. Marketa Zimova
Published: Feb 15, 2023 8:05am

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