Eberly News

For teenagers with cystic fibrosis, maintaining a healthy weight can be a daily struggle. Any given day can include two to three hours of medical treatments, eating the caloric equivalent of a daily Thanksgiving meal to maintain nutrients and dealing with the stigmas of body image. A West Virginia University psychology student is trying to make life easier for those teens. Park Ridge, Illinois, native Kristine Durkin, a fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral student, is conducting a study to identify the factors that contribute to meeting their dietary recommendations.

Reaching the heart and soul of research

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For teenagers with cystic fibrosis, maintaining a healthy weight can be a daily struggle. Any given day can include two to three hours of medical treatments, eating the caloric equivalent of a daily Thanksgiving meal to maintain nutrients and dealing with the stigmas of body image. A WVU psychology student is trying to make life easier for those teens. Park Ridge, Illinois, native Kristine Durkin, a fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral student, is conducting a study to identify the factors that contribute to meeting their dietary recommendations.

On February 28, 2020, the world lost a preeminent geologist, teacher, leader and philanthropist. John Renton taught in the Eberly College's Department of Geology and Geography for more than 50 years.

In Memoriam: John J. "Jack" Renton, PhD

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John J. "Jack" Renton, PhD

Serving in the Army National Guard has inspired one West Virginia University student to pursue a career combating stigmas surrounding mental health. Green Bank native Dustin Dilley, a first-year Master of Social Work student, first learned about the social work profession while completing the National Guard’s basic leader course in South Carolina.

Expanding access and reducing stigma for mental health services

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Serving in the Army National Guard has inspired one West Virginia University student to pursue a career combating stigmas surrounding mental health. Green Bank native Dustin Dilley, a first-year Master of Social Work student, first learned about the social work profession while completing the National Guard’s basic leader course in South Carolina.

Mikalaa Martin

WVU students make a difference in the lives of their peers, advance learning outside the classroom, offset cost of higher education

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Forensic and Investigative Science student Mikalaa Martin receives WVU Student Life's Herman L. Moses Scholarship

West Virginia University Professor of Physics Paul Cassak is among a select group of scientists tackling grand challenges in space in a new series from the American Geophysical Union. In celebration of AGU’s centennial, the special series explores major research discoveries over the last century and where research is still needed to address fundamental questions in our understanding of Earth and the solar system. Cassak, in collaboration with University of Bergen physicist Michael Hesse, highlighted the past, present and future of magnetic reconnection research in a February 2020 article.

Celebrating the past, present and future of space science

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Professor of Physics Paul Cassak is among a select group of scientists tackling grand challenges in space in a new series from the American Geophysical Union.

A West Virginia University student is seeking justice for imprisoned individuals who are not receiving adequate healthcare. As part of her internship with nonprofit law firm Mountain State Justice, Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration dual-degree student Meg Haller is leading the organization’s grant writing efforts to seek funding to support a class action lawsuit about this matter.

Pursuing justice

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A dual-degree Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration student is seeking justice for imprisoned individuals who are not receiving adequate healthcare.

History graduate students at West Virginia University have new outlets for professional development beyond the traditional academic career path. With funding from the American Historical Association, the Department of History’s Career Diversity Initiative offers innovative activities and programs to support graduate students as they seek to secure non-academic jobs. One of those activities is an internship with the Historical Office of the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The secretary has a team of in-house experts who produce short- and long-term historical analyses of current defense issues, write books, support speechwriting, host talks by foreign policy experts and more.

WVU history department partners with Pentagon for internships

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History graduate students have new outlets for professional development beyond the traditional academic career path.

Students can now enhance their leadership capacity at work and in their daily life with West Virginia University’s (WVU) new graduate certificate in leadership. The first of its kind in the state of West Virginia, the program offers working professionals innovative, research-driven courses with practical applications.

Building better leaders

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WVU launches new Graduate Certificate in Leadership

Log cabins in West Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains have a story to tell: when people leave, the forest takes over. Researchers at West Virginia University are using tree-ring dating to determine not only when trees were cut down to build historic log buildings in the region but also what the forests were like before European immigrants arrived. This could help researchers shed light on when Native Americans abandoned the area and how their absence altered the landscape. Geography graduate student Kristen de Graauw and her mentor, Professor Amy Hessl, uncovered evidence of the significant growth of trees in what may have been a previously cleared area. That growth in the late 17th century coincided with the estimated timing of Native American population decreases following the arrival of European immigrants. This corroborated the hypothesis that a change in the land’s use caused forests to regrow, they explained.

If trees could talk

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Log cabins in West Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains have a story to tell: when people leave, the forest takes over.

Pat Moline

Pat Moline joins Eberly College as assistant dean for development

Eberly News /

The Eberly College has hired a fundraiser with more than 25 years’ experience to lead its development efforts.