Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum addresses new Bulldog graduates, along with family, friends, faculty and staff during spring commencement at Humphrey Coliseum last week. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Cancer-detecting breakthrough earns Scott national ‘American Innovator’ recognition
Mississippi State University chemist Colleen Scott has been selected for the Bayh-Dole Coalition’s 2026 American Innovator Award, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors given annually to researchers whose federally funded work leads to real-world impact. Scott, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Chemistry, was nominated by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for her patented research developing a shortwave infrared (SWIR) dye for the visualization of cancer cells. “The American Innovator Award recognizes how careful fundamental research can grow into technology that can be paradigm changing, in this case impacting the way we do things in health diagnostics and imaging,” said Carl Lovely, head of MSU’s chemistry department. “Dr. Scott’s excitement, motivation and drive to create and apply new knowledge is an inspiration for all of us in the department and at MSU.”

MSU researchers awarded SMART Act grant to advance AI-driven surgical technology
Mississippi State University researchers are advancing cutting-edge medical technology with support from Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning through the Securing Mississippi’s Agreement for Research and Technology Act. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering assistant professor Zahra Saadatizadeh; MSU data science instructor Pedram Chavoshipour Heris and MSU College of Veterinary Medicine clinical professor Andy Shores have been awarded $84,961 through the SMART Business Accelerate Initiative Application to lead a project titled “Physics-Informed AI-Driven Precision-Power Electrosurgical System with Reduced Collateral Tissue Damage.” The goal is simple but significant: reduce unintended tissue damage, enhance patient safety, and improve the reliability of surgical tools used in operating rooms every day.

MSU AI Community: Join the conversation!
Mississippi State University is taking steps to advance artificial intelligence adoption across campus. Whether you’re a researcher, educator, or staff member, these resources are designed to help you learn, collaborate, and stay informed about AI initiatives at MSU. The AI Innovation Hub SharePoint Site is your one-stop hub for AI-related learning opportunities, workshops, user guidance, industry news, tips, and updates. It's available at https://mstate.sharepoint.com/sites/AIInnovationHub. You can also connect through the MSU AI Community Teams Site. If you have any questions about AI at MSU, please contact Senior Advisor for AI and Data Governance Julie Jordan at julie.jordan@msstate.edu.

Free learning opportunities via LinkedIn Learning available to faculty, staff and students
Sharpen skills. Explore new interests. Increase professional value. These and other results are available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s agreement with LinkedIn Learning. A popular, online education platform, LinkedIn Learning’s 20,000-plus courses are available to campus via a quick login using their MSU NetID email addresses. With self-paced learning, courses are presented in various formats, including bite-sized video, audio only and in-depth content. The platform is directly integrated with Canvas, the university’s learning management system. MSU faculty can use it to supplement course material or even develop and load their own content onto the platform.

Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.

The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.

Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to Jim Laird.

Keenum: Graduating Bulldogs prepared for next chapter of life thanks to MSU education, values
With a world-class degree in hand and a personal foundation built on Bulldog values, approximately 4,000 new Mississippi State graduates are ready to change the world. The Class of 2026 was honored at commencement ceremonies in Starkville and Meridian last week -- events MSU President Mark E. Keenum said were the beginnings of “an exciting new chapter” in their lives. “With your degree from this wonderful institution, you’ll have people tripping over themselves to open doors to opportunities for you,” the university’s 19th president said. “Integrity, strong work ethic and respect for others -- that’s who we are, and that’s what we’re known for. Embrace and live your life with these values.” Keenum also conferred honorary Doctor of Public Service degrees to William “Bill” Berry, retired ConocoPhillips executive vice president for worldwide exploration and production, and Archie Tucker, retired area director for the federal government’s Agricultural Research Service.

MSU-Meridian graduates ready to fill crucial roles after spring commencement
Last Wednesday [May 13], 134 Mississippi State University-Meridian graduates walked across the historic Riley Center stage to receive their diplomas as friends and family watched from the filled theater. In all, 172 students received degrees at the conclusion of MSU-Meridian’s spring semester. “Graduation day is always special because it represents so much hard work,” said Associate Dean of Students Deanna Smith. “Watching our students reach this milestone is something we’re incredibly proud of, and we can’t wait to see the difference they will make in their careers and communities.” Since 1972, MSU-Meridian has served more than 22,000 degree and non-degree seeking students and has awarded thousands of degrees.

Delta Council holds 91st meeting at DREC
For the first time in 90 years, the Delta Council held its annual meeting on the grounds of the Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville in early May. MSU President Mark E. Keenum welcomed the crowd gathered for the meeting that celebrates the year’s accomplishments, as well as the future of the Mississippi Delta. “How fitting that the 91st Delta Council Day be held here at the station. They have been such a wonderful partner for our Delta farmers and our entire state, and we are thankful for the work they do to support our region and the state,” Keenum said. “Our model for research and Extension activities is used by other land-grant institutions in the country. We are deeply proud of all we do to serve our citizens and grow our economy. We take that responsibility very seriously,” he continued.

MSU short-, long-form storytelling nominated for 10 Southeast Emmys
Mississippi State filmmakers and digital storytellers are being honored this month at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Southeast Chapter’s annual awards in Atlanta, Georgia, where MSU projects are nominated for 10 Southeast Emmy Awards. The combined recognitions for MSU’s Office of Public Affairs, which includes the University Television Center and its MSU Films documentary brand, are for a variety of short- and long-form content either traditionally broadcast or published on social media platforms. UTC’s eight nominations tell stories representative of life in the Magnolia State, from the impact of Vietnamese American fishing communities on the Gulf Coast to Starkville’s first female firefighter fulfilling her civic duties, while OPA’s social media team’s focus is more on life as a Bulldog student.