Faculty & Staff News – January-February 2016

February 2, 2016

Dr. Marty J. Wolf, professor of mathematics and computer science.
Dr. Marty J. Wolf, professor of mathematics and computer science.

• Dr. Andrew Hafs, assistant professor of aquatic biology, co-authored a paper, “Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis: A New Tool for Assessing Fish Conditions,” that was published in the December, 2015, issue of Fisheries, a monthly publication of the American Fisheries Society. The paper, which included Kyle J. Hartman, F. Joseph Margraf and M. Keith Cox as co-authors, examined the potential of bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine a fish’s body composition – including fat and moisture levels and energy content – without needing to kill the fish. The paper explored the current state of this technology, examines its future potential and suggests areas for future research.

• Dr. Donna Palivec, professor of human performance, sport and health, attended the 2015 Minnesota Society of Health and Physical Educators Fall Conference, held Nov. 13 at Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minn. There, she received the Lou Keller Collegiate Award, which recognizes outstanding services or contributions given by a college or university professor or other professional worker in the fields of health, physical education, recreation or dance. The award is named for Dr. Lou Keller, a former professor at the University of Minnesota. The Keller award was first presented in 1961, and it has been awarded in all but two years since. Palivec is the fifth BSU faculty member to win the Keller award. Others include Carl Knutson (1971), Willis Stittsworth (1979), Chuck Edgington (1986) and Muriel Gilman (2005).

• Dr. Carla Norris-Raynbird, associate professor of sociology and women’s studies/gender studies, was principle investigator on a recently completed study contracted by BlueCross BlueShield Minnesota, along with co-principle investigator Dr. Laurie Desiderato, professor of psychology, and research associate Erika Bailey-Johnson, sustainability coordinator. “An Assessment of Nice Ride and ‘Bike-ability’ in Bemidji” was concluded on Dec. 31, 2015.

• Dr. Mike Urban, associate professor of professional education, has received Quality Matters certification for his course, ED 6447 Seminar in Online Teaching. Quality Matters is a faculty-centered peer review process designed to certify the quality of online and blended-delivery courses.

• Dr. James White, associate professor of human performance, sport and health, was elected into a three-year officer rotation of the Northland Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine in January. The Northland chapter is one of 12 regional chapters of the college; the region includes Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Currently serving as president-elect, White will be the regional chapter’s 40th president in 2017, followed by a one-year term as past president.

• Dr. Marty Wolf, professor of mathematics and computer science, co-authored two papers that were published in Computing and Philosophy: Selected Papers from IACAP 2014 (International Association for Computing And Philosophy).

  • “My Liver is Broken. Can You Print Me a New One?” explored the ethics of 3D printing human tissue, co-authored with Dr. Nir Fresco.
  • “Robots, Ethics and Software – FOSS vs Proprietary Licenses” examines the impact of license type on robot ethics, co-authored by Keith Miller and Fran Grodzinsky.