BisonSpark Talks 2025 videos
Are Bats in North Dakota in Trouble?
Erin Gillam, NDSU Professor - Biological Sciences
Healthy bat populations are an important part of maintaining the ecosystems of North Dakota. Bats also provide benefits to the farmers of ND through their ecological services as predators of major crop pests. We are just beginning to understand those agroeconomic benefits, but it is clear that increased pesticide use and other control methods would be needed if bat populations disappeared in North Dakota.
How does ADHD in adults affect interpersonal relationships in the workplace?
Joshua Marineau, NDSU Associate Professor - Management
This research can provide valuable insights into the social challenges (and opportunities) that working adults with ADHD contend with in organizations. Investigating ADHD symptomology in the workplace is helpful for both managers and employees to better understand neurodivergent social networks and social behaviors. This research can inform workplace policies and management best practices for neurodivergent individuals.
Seeds of Success: Enhancing Seed Health for Sustainable Agriculture
Milsha George, NDSU Research Assistant Professor - Plant Pathology
Seeds are the base for agriculture. Our research helps in enhancing the quality of seed, improving disease resistance and crop yield improvements. In the phase of changing climate, many new diseases can occur. The seed health diagnostics helps to identify the pathogen associated with the seed and help the farming communities to adopt necessary measures which in turn reduces losses caused to the farming communities.
How can investigations into mathematics and physics education eliminate barriers for majors in science and engineering?
Warren Christensen, NDSU Professor - Physics
Nearly all science and engineering majors require 4-5 semesters of mathematics and 2 semesters of physics. For many students, it is challenging to acquire and transfer knowledge from mathematics courses into science and engineering courses, creating a significant barrier to access to careers in STEM.
How can we improve clothing accessibility and shopping experiences for individuals with Down syndrome to enhance their comfort, independence, and overall quality of life?
Jaeha Lee, NDSU Professor - Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design
This research will impact society by improving clothing accessibility for individuals with Down syndrome, promoting inclusivity in fashion, and raising awareness of their unique needs. By collaborating with industry partners and advocacy groups, Lee and her group are driving innovation in adaptive apparel and fostering entrepreneurship. In the future, the findings will guide manufacturers and retailers in creating better-fitting, functional clothing, enhancing independence, confidence, and overall well-being for individuals with Down syndrome.
How do bees age?
Julia Bowsher, NDSU Professor and Chair - Biological Sciences
Bee telomeres are similar in structure to human telomeres. So, understanding bee aging might have implications for human aging. Also, bees are important pollinators. Understanding how stress impacts bee aging could be important for keeping bee populations healthy.
How can AI-driven robotics and precision agriculture technologies revolutionize future farming practices?
Xin (Rex) Sun, NDSU Associated Professor - Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering (ABEN)
Sun’s research in precision agriculture, AI-driven robotics, and smart sensing technologies enhances farming efficiency, sustainability, and workforce development. By integrating AI and automation, it optimizes resource use, reduces labor costs, and improves crop yields while minimizing environmental impact. Training future agricultural professionals ensures a skilled workforce ready to drive innovation. He hopes his work will support scalable agricultural solutions, resilient farming practices, and economic growth through industry collaboration and technological advancements, ultimately creating smarter, more sustainable farming systems.
How do mothers make the choice to leave full-time careers to stay home with their child/children? What impact does that decision to leave full-time careers have on the well-being of mothers?
Kate Tulibaski, NDSU Assistant Professor of Practice - Management & Marketing
In August 2024 the Surgeon General issued a warning the parental stress was an urgent public health issue due to the overwhelming and persistent high levels of stress facing parents in the United States. Related, a large number of women are participating in the workforce but the share of women participating in the workforce is still lower in 2024 than it was in 2020, which is problematic for a workforce still trying to recover and grow. Understanding why women are leaving the workforce, especially when it was not their original intention can provide insightful information about the realities of balancing work and parenting, both now and in the future.
What is the importance of science communication?
Kimberly Booth, NDSU Associate Professor of Practice - Biological Sciences
Being an effective science communicator is crucial to bridge the gap between science and society. Research shows that developing science communication skills is important in formal settings, such as outlining how our research impacts society to obtain federal funding but it is also important in more casual settings, such as navigating science denial in our social circle.
How can you tell if a building is healthy for you?
Ganapathy Mahalingam, NDSU Professor - Architecture
Mahalingam discusses his research in calibrating a built environment to indicate its potential to improve the health of its inhabitants and how this holds promise to promote healthy living across the entire global population.
VIP: A Tale of Two Species (from Farm Profits to Obesity Resistance)
Glenn Dorsam, NDSU Associate Professor - Microbiological Sciences
This collaborative research bridges agriculture and biomedical science, offering solutions for both food production and human health, making it valuable for both farmers and healthcare professionals alike. Dorsam’s findings on VIP's role in feed efficiency in sheep could improve livestock production by enhancing weight gain and energy utilization in animals on finishing corn diets. This has direct economic benefits for farmers and the agricultural industry, as improving feed efficiency reduces costs and increases profitability. More efficient livestock growth also supports sustainable farming practices, reducing feed waste and resource consumption. In addition, the discovery that genetic deletion of VIP makes mice resistant to diet-induced obesity could have major implications for human metabolic health. It suggests that targeting VIP pathways might be a novel strategy for combating obesity and metabolic disorders.
Raising awareness of bird strikes at NDSU: the problem and potential solutions
Britt Heidinger, NDSU Associate Professor - Biological Sciences
NDSU could serve as a leader and model for adopting bird friendly approaches along a critical migratory pathway.