M. NY AINA RAKOTOARIVONY PH.D.: GEOGRAPHY FOURTH YEAR MENTOR: DR. HAMED GHOLIZADEH HOMETOWN: ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN RESEARCH? My father, who holds a master’s degree in life and earth sciences, was key in sparking my research interest early on. His support and dedication have inspired and motivated me to pursue graduate studies and engage in research. After obtaining master’s degrees in agronomy engineering in Madagascar and environmental engineering in Hungary, I started my Ph.D. in geography at OSU in 2021. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON? In my research with Dr. Gholizadeh, I use imaging spectroscopy — also known as hyperspectral remote sensing — which can collect data in hundreds of spectral bands. In comparison, regular RGB cameras on your cellphone collect data in just three spectral bands. The hyperspectral data we collect from satellites, aircraft and drones allow us to map invasive plants in grassland ecosystems and assess their ecological impacts on plant and soil characteristics. I have recently started focusing on acquiring drone-based hyperspectral data using our lab’s Advanced Low-altitude Earth Observing System drone, which is funded by the Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology program. WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF YOUR RESEARCH? As I conducted my research, I became increasingly aware of the significant threats posed by invasive species to grassland ecosystems and their biodiversity. I recently published two manuscripts highlighting our findings. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS? After graduation, I plan to stay in academia and contribute to the use of remote sensing in addressing ecological questions, such as biological invasions, by expanding my research across various scales and ecosystems. ANIRUDHA BISWAS M.S.: MASS COMMUNICATIONS FIRST YEAR MENTOR: DR. SKYE COOLEY HOMETOWN: BARISHAL, BANGLADESH HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN RESEARCH? During the sixth semester of my undergraduate studies, I began my research journey when one of my professors in Bangladesh invited me to join her team for a project examining the representation of juvenile crime gangs in newspapers. This experience introduced me to the excitement of seeking new understandings of things. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON? My current research project investigates the relationship between heart rate variability and emotional resilience. I am also exploring whether mindfulness training or breathing techniques can help individuals regulate their emotions while exposed to emotionally charged media content. The project has an experimental design that includes both surveys and intensive interviews. HOW HAS RESEARCH IMPACTED YOU? Currently, I am engaged in research at the intersection of health communication and technology, with a focus on cancer communication, psychological and mental wellbeing, and heart-rate variability, using both experimental design and content analysis. This work continually deepens my understanding of how individuals manage emotions, how media shapes public health narratives, and how organizations promote health-related behaviors. These insights have profoundly shifted my perspective on the world. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS? I look forward to pursuing a Ph.D. program after completing my master’s degree at OSU. My long-term goal is to join a university as a faculty member, where I can contribute meaningfully to teaching and research in communication. OSU COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 19
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