SMU News
SMU Community College Scholarships Open Doors to Transfer Students
SMU junior transfer student Raissa Umwali is following the right steps to a great campus experience. She is attending SMU on a full-tuition North Texas Community College Scholarship, awarded each year to 10 transfer students from surrounding community colleges.
SMU mourns the loss of Robert L. ‘Bobby’ Moody, Sr., who passed away on November 7, 2023, at the age of 88. Known for his exceptional leadership, Moody is honored for his business acumen, his love for his family and his lasting commitment and generosity across the state of Texas.
SMU Vice President K.C. Mmeje Receives Prestigious National Recognition from Peer Organization
Mmeje has served as SMU's chief student affairs officer since 2017
K.C. Mmeje, SMU’s vice president for Student Affairs, has been named a recipient of the 2024 Pillars of the Profession Award by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Foundation.
SMU remembers iconic Dallas photographer and University friend James T. “Brad” Bradley
SMU mourns the loss of James T. “Brad” Bradley, renowned SMU photographer, World War II veteran and Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame member known throughout Dallas and North Texas for over 70 years. An active working photographer, Bradley passed away at the age of 101 on Friday, October 13, 2023.
Message on violence in Israel-Gaza
Climate and human land use both play roles in Pacific Island wildfires, past and present
New study from SMU fire scientist Christopher Roos published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution shows that climate is an undervalued part of the equation.
Karankawa Myth-Busting: SMU Historian Sets Record Straight for Texas Native American Tribe
Tim Seiter, a Ph.D. candidate at SMU’s Clements Center for Southwest Studies, is writing a book about the Karankawas, Persistent People. “The book will spotlight the Karankawa people today who are reclaiming their land and who are revitalizing their culture. Instead of being ‘extinct’ as previously claimed, the Karankawas persistently survive.”
2024 U.S. News and World Report – National Universities
U.S. News & World Report published its 2024 rankings of national universities earlier today using a new methodology that has significantly changed how the publication weighs various factors as it rates academic programs. The result shifted the rankings for numerous universities nationwide.
Advancing graduate education and research
SMU dedicated Frances Anne Moody Hall, the new home of the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. The facility made possible by a landmark gift from the Moody Foundation provides valuable resources for SMU graduate students, who comprise more than 40% of the student body.
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Student field trips to SMU's Meadows Museum are free
SMU’s Meadows Museum is providing free admission to students and supporting the cost of school field trip transportation to the museum.
SMU honors 2023 distinguished alumni, emerging leader
Each year, SMU awards a group of leaders during Homecoming Week with the highest honor the University can bestow upon its graduates. The 2023 Distinguished Alumni are Robert H. Dedman, Jr. ’80, ’84, president and CEO of DFI Management, Ltd; Emily Rich Summers ’66, founder and principal of Emily Summers Design Associates; and Ray W. Washburne ’84, chairman of the board of Sunoco LP and president and CEO of Charter Holdings.
Proven business entrepreneurs and executives Megha Tolia and Nirav Tolia have been named co-founding directors of the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership in SMU’s Cox School of Business.
Neena Imam has been named the inaugural Peter O’Donnell, Jr. Director of the O’Donnell Data Science and Research Computing Institute at SMU, a position key to the University’s commitment to data focused education and next-gen computational research.
Powering data-driven research and learning
Championing meaningful research and preparing students in engineering and other fields for a data-driven world increasingly relies on a university’s strengths in data science, research computing and digital innovation. A new $30 million gift from the O’Donnell Foundation, founded by the late Peter O’Donnell, Jr. and the late Edith Jones O’Donnell, will support the future of technological innovation and education at SMU.
Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation President/CEO Jeffrey Schmid to lead Kansas City Fed
A new partnership between SMU Dedman School of Law’s Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center and the Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) aims to improve outcomes for families across North Texas by helping Dallas County prosecutors, judges, and defense attorneys make informed decisions – faster – about whether to file criminal charges against individuals.
SMU Police Department accreditation assessment begins mid-July
Public comments will be accepted by phone 1-3 p.m. July 17
The SMU Police Department will undergo an accreditation assessment by a team of assessors from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).
SMU’s Brad Cheves is University Park Citizen of the Year
Brad Cheves, SMU’s vice president for development and external affairs since 2004, has been selected University Park’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.
SMU mourns the loss of Linda Harris McElroy Gibbons ’58
The University is deeply saddened by the death of alumna, philanthropist and Dallas community leader Linda McElroy Gibbons ’58, who passed on June 15, 2023, at the age of 86.
SMU was honored with Project Unity’s Advocate Award for organizational unity at a special celebratory event, Together We Sing, on June 15.
Phillips Foundation funds new SMU Impact Lab
Phillips Foundation has announced a $1.7 million multiyear grant to SMU (Southern Methodist University) to establish the SMU Impact Lab, a student-focused initiative to invest in commercial opportunities that produce substantial financial and social returns.
American legal scholars join SMU professor in challenging Kremlin’s misrepresentation of First Amendment freedoms
SMU remembers William J. O’Neil ’55
The University mourns the loss of SMU alumnus, benefactor and friend William J. O’Neil ’55, who passed away on May 28, 2023, at the age of 90.
SMU remembers Norma Knobel Hunt
SMU mourns the loss of Norma Knobel Hunt, who passed away on June 4, 2023, at the age of 85.
Inaugural SMU+GSV Mission Summit to focus on 'Capitalism Refresh'
Purpose and profit are truly great partners, organizers say
The SMU+GSV Summit will gather a mix of entrepreneurs, investors and leaders on the SMU campus May 22-24.
SMU celebrates 10 years of impact with the Bush Center
From bringing world leaders to Dallas, to boosting the regional economy through jobs, tourism and unique opportunities for SMU students, the partnership has delivered on the expectations of the University leaders who brought it to North Texas.
Philanthropist and Broadway producer G. Marlyne Sexton has made a $15 million gift to SMU Meadows School of the Arts to create a specialization in musical theatre that will prepare graduates for a lifetime of leading roles.
SMU Equestrian Team Wins National Championship
It's been 20 years since SMU announced it would add Equestrian to its roster of sports. The win against Auburn completed the best season in program history.
McKesson Corporation CEO Brian Tyler to keynote May 13 SMU Commencement Convocation
Brian Tyler, CEO of McKesson Corporation, a Top 10 Fortune 500 healthcare services company, will be the featured speaker at SMU’s May Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 13.
World's earliest most complete Hebrew Bible coming to SMU
Codex Sassoon will be displayed April 18-20 at SMU’s Bridwell Library
A rare 1,100-year-old Hebrew Bible will be exhibited to the public at SMU’s Bridwell Library April 18-20
SMU Chief Diversity Officer Maria Dixon Hall honored
Maria Dixon Hall, an SMU Altschuler Distinguished Teaching Professor and the University’s Chief Diversity Officer, has been named the 2023 Education Champion by the Congressional Award Program.
Strengthening the University’s future
Dallas-Fort Worth business leader and entrepreneur Jack Knox ’60 ’63 has given $11 million to SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow.
SMU is celebrating a landmark $20 million gift to the Lyle School of Engineering from Dallas philanthropy and technology leaders Mary and Richard Templeton.
SMU's Meadows Museum Names New Director
SMU has named Amanda W. Dotseth Linda P. and William A. Custard Director of the Meadows Museum. Dotseth, who will be the first female director of the Meadows Museum, served as the director ad interim and curator of the Museum since the passing of its previous director, Mark A. Roglán, in 2021.
SMU names Nader Jalili Dean of Lyle School of Engineering
SMU has named Nader Jalili dean of Lyle School of Engineering. Currently professor and head of mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama, Jalili is an innovative leader and researcher, known for bringing the resources of engineering education and research to undergraduate and graduate students, industry partners and community outreach programs.
On December 2, SMU celebrated the groundbreaking of the Garry Weber End Zone Complex, the expansion and renovation project for Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
SMU mourns Pierce M. Allman ’54, beloved alumnus and Dallas leader
SMU is deeply saddened by the loss of beloved alumnus and celebrated Dallas leader Pierce M. Allman ’54, who died on November 25, 2022, at the age of 88. A recipient of SMU’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award, Allman is remembered across Dallas for his years of work in media relations, including being the first reporter to broadcast an on-scene report of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. At SMU, Allman is remembered for his years of spirited dedication and his generous contributions to supporting the University’s students and research.
SMU Research Coverage Circled the Globe in 2022
The indoor ceremony, scheduled for 9 a.m. at Moody Coliseum, will be streamed live.
SMU professors and students were “frequent flyers” in the news in 2022 for everything from helping hospitals design a more patient-friendly way of doing “compassionate dialysis” to identifying clear evidence of gerrymandering in Texas.
The indoor ceremony, scheduled for 9 a.m. at Moody Coliseum, will be streamed live.
“Clark Hunt’s tireless devotion to philanthropy and his dedication to uniting communities through sports is exemplary,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “As our students prepare to launch their careers, I hope that Clark’s remarks encourage them to foster a heart for giving and community involvement wherever they go.”
Engineering Leader Suku Nair named SMU Vice Provost for Research and Chief Innovation Officer
Position is key to University’s commitment to achieving R1 research status
“Clark Hunt’s tireless devotion to philanthropy and his dedication to uniting communities through sports is exemplary,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “As our students prepare to launch their careers, I hope that Clark’s remarks encourage them to foster a heart for giving and community involvement wherever they go.”
A $5 million gift from SMU alumni Jennifer Gelety Flanagan ’82 and Martin (Marty) L. Flanagan ’82 will strengthen SMU Athletics by supporting the Garry Weber End Zone Complex to expand and improve Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The University is scheduled to break ground on the new complex on December 2, 2022.
SMU biotech research moving into Pegasus Park
SMU will have space in the Pegasus Park Tower, the centerpiece of a 23-acre mixed-use office campus for biotech firms and nonprofit organizations. Pegasus Park is within minutes of downtown Dallas and the UT Southwestern Medical District.
Empowering the future of Dedman College
Armstrongs commit $5 million to endow Dedman College dean position
A $5 million gift from entrepreneurs Elisabeth Martin Armstrong ’82 and William D. Armstrong ’82 will further the academic and research excellence of the SMU Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences by endowing the school’s dean position, renaming it the Elisabeth Martin Armstrong Dean. Through their gift, the Armstrongs will support Dedman College’s future-focused leadership and strategic vision in perpetuity.
The Darwin Deason Institute for Cyber Security at Southern Methodist University (SMU) is partnering with global financial services company Goldman Sachs, with support from Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), for research designed to detect and defend against cyber threats related to employees working remotely.
SMU LAUNCHES LAB FOCUSED ON REDUCING BIAS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS
Intelligent Systems and Bias Examination Lab ‘ISaBEL’ will pair industry and academic research to equalize impact in automated systems.
ISaBEL’s mission is to understand how Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, such as facial recognition algorithms, perform on diverse populations of users. The Lab will examine how existing bias can be mitigated in these systems using the latest research, standards, and other peer reviewed scientific studies.
A $15 million commitment from entrepreneurs Bill Armstrong ’82 and Liz Martin Armstrong ’82 will enable SMU to break ground in early December for the Garry Weber End Zone Complex, the expansion and improvement project at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium, home to Mustang football.
New gifts from the Deason Foundation and the Charles Koch Foundation will further the mission of SMU’s Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center within the Dedman School of Law. The foundations previously contributed the initial funds to establish the center in 2016.
Transforming visual arts education
Meadows School of the Arts celebrates renovated facilities
Paving the way to the future of visual arts education on the Hilltop, the SMU Meadows School of the Arts celebrated the dedication of its enhanced visual arts facilities on September 16, 2022. Donors led by The Meadows Foundation, Gene and Jerry Jones, Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers, and G. Marlyne Sexton and family will fuel creative discovery by future generations of artists, visionaries and scholars from across the world.
$5 million anonymous gift to enhance residence life
A $5 million anonymous gift will support residential programs and help SMU further an enduring tradition of vibrant campus life that sparks growth, discovery and community both inside and out-side the classroom. In recognition of this gift, SMU will rename Daniel House, the upper-division residence completed in 2020, to Thomas House.
SMU remembers global energy entrepreneur Jerome M. Fullinwider ’51
DALLAS (SMU) – SMU mourns the loss of Jerome “Jerry” M. Fullinwider who passed away on July 21, 2022, at the age of 93. Fullinwider is remembered for his passion for economic freedom, long and distinguished career in the global oil and gas industry, civic leadership and philanthropy.
SMU Students Earn Prestigious Fulbright, Boren Awards
Eight SMU students have accepted Fulbright and Boren awards for international study, research and teaching in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea. Five will be headed across the world as Fulbright finalists to conduct research and teach abroad for the 2022-2023 academic year, while three will travel as Boren fellows and scholars.
SMU Forum Focused on Opportunities for U.S. and Taiwanese Semiconductor Industry Development
Dominant North Texas chipmakers have ‘skin in the game’
A roundtable discussion at SMU focused on semiconductor development in the southern United States gathered U.S. and Taiwanese government leaders as well as academic and industry experts to discuss innovation, competition, and productivity for global semiconductor industries.
SMU has a strong case for a major college athletic conference
Dallas is a city full of sports fans who can boost any roster of teams.
Southern Methodist University is primed to ascend to a major athletics conference.
AT&T, SMU Collaboration Merges Summer Boot Camp and Internships to Grow Data Science Workforce
Nine SMU students are spending the summer together in the classroom and then on-site with AT&T mentors to learn how data science is delivering answers to big-picture questions.
SMU Perkins School of Theology Dean Craig Hill announces retirement
Craig C. Hill, dean of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology, will retire as dean December 31, 2022 due to medical reasons. Hill, the Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean and Professor of New Testament, will remain a member of the Perkins faculty until December 31, 2023.
Aramis Watson named SMU Dean of Residence Life and Student Housing
Watson was selected after a competitive national search, which was coordinated by a campus committee chaired by Mindy Sutton, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
Education policy and law scholar Jason Nance named new dean of SMU Dedman School of Law
Jason P. Nance, an education policy and law scholar who studies inequalities in public education, has been named the Judge James Noel Dean at SMU’s Dedman School of Law.
Academic Leader Robin Poston to Join SMU as Dean of Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
Robin Suzanne Poston, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Memphis, has been named dean of SMU’s Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies and associate provost for graduate education. She will assume her position at SMU on Monday, Aug. 15.
On the second anniversary of the death of George Floyd
Maria Dixon Hall, Chief Diversity Officer and Special Advisor to the President for Campus Cultural Intelligence Initiatives, looks at changes, challenges and new sorrows two years after the death of George Floyd rocked our country.
SMU Student Senate to Fund Scholarships for West Dallas STEM School Attendees, Rotunda Scholars
Austin Hickle, student body president, leaves ‘legacy of opportunity’
The 2021-2022 Student Senate has created two need-based scholarships –one to help students from the SMU-supported Dallas ISD West Dallas STEM school, who will begin applying to college in four years, and one to help students in SMU’s Rotunda Scholars Program. As president of the SMU student body, Austin Hickle was determined to inspire other student leaders to leave a legacy of opportunity for future SMU students faced with economic challenges.
Professor, World-Renowned Singer Barbara Hill Moore Receives SMU Faculty Career Achievement Award
With an SMU career spanning nearly five decades in the Meadows School of the Arts, Barbara Hill Moore has been named the recipient of the 2022 Faculty Career Achievement Award for her contributions to the teaching, scholarship, and service missions of the University.
SMU Presents Honorary Degree to Pioneering Dallas Civic and Arts Leader Anita N. Martinez
SMU presented the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to longtime Dallas leader Anita N. Martinez at SMU’s May 14 commencement ceremonies, honoring her dedication to enriching the civic and cultural life of the city.
Longtime Music Educator Charles Aguillon Appointed Director of Mustang Band and Spirit Squads
SMU welcomes a new director of the Mustang Band with the selection of Charles Aguillon. Currently the director of Fine Arts and Academic Enrichment for the Lake Travis Independent School District in Austin, Aguillon will on July 1 take the helm of SMU’s band while also overseeing the cheer and pom teams, SMU’s live mascot, Peruna, and the Peruna Handlers.
SMU remembers renowned SMU alumnus Chester John “Don” Donnally, Jr. ’67, ’68
SMU mourns the loss of Chester John “Don” Donnally, Jr. ’67, ’68, who passed away at his home on May 15, 2022. Donnally is remembered as a longtime supporter of SMU, a leader in the financial services industry for more than four decades and a nationally recognized member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity, which he served through active fundraising and mentorship efforts for over 50 years. His contributions and dedication to SAE led to the construction and ongoing success of the SAE House on SMU’s campus.
SMU Breaks Ground on Extensive Expansion And Renovation of Cox School of Business
The two-year project will expand the school’s footprint by more than 30 percent, with the construction of four new buildings connecting the existing facilities into cohesive space that supports collaboration within the Cox School and across the campus, as well as with the Dallas business community.
AT AGE 85, THIS 2022 SMU GRADUATE IS READY TO AIM HER DIPLOMA AT A NEW CAREER AS A SCREENWRITER
Sixty-eight years later, she is fulfilling her dream to go to college, earning a B.A. in film and media arts from SMU with plans to write screenplays.
Longtime Faculty Member Paul Krueger to Serve as Interim Dean of SMU's Lyle School of Engineering
Paul Krueger, department chair and professor of mechanical engineering, has been named interim dean of SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering. He begins his duties June 1 following the departure of current Dean Marc P. Christensen, who is leaving SMU to become the 17th president of Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.
Thomas Mayo to Serve as Interim Dean of SMU Dedman School of Law
Thomas Mayo will serve in that capacity while a University committee conducts a national search to replace current Dean Jennifer Collins, who is leaving SMU to become president of Rhodes College in Memphis on July 1.
William S. Spears is strengthening entrepreneurial leadership through new Cox School institute
Celebrated energy expert and philanthropist William S. Spears has made the largest gift by a non-alumnus in the history of SMU, a commitment that will establish the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership in the SMU Cox School of Business.
SMU Program to close financial gaps for academically gifted Pell Grant recipients
Access SMU will break financial barriers to college entry and graduation – first for academically talented Texas students, with the goal to later expand the investment in more students who need help paying for college.
Making new strides with Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium
Ushering in an exciting new addition to the Hilltop and Mustang Athletics, SMU celebrated the dedication of the new Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium on April 8, 2022. Led by a principal gift from Ray W. Washburne ’84 and Heather H. Washburne, the stadium was made possible by the University’s Mustang fans, generous donors and spirited alumni.
Dallas Morning News Publisher Grant Moise to Deliver SMU's Commencement Address
The outdoor ceremony, scheduled for 9 a.m. at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, will be streamed live.
Grant Moise, publisher and president of the Dallas Morning News, will be the featured speaker at SMU’s May Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 14.
SMU Lyle School of Engineering Dean Marc P. Christensen named President of Clarkson University
Marc P. Christensen, dean of SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering and Bobby B. Lyle Professor of Engineering Innovation, has been named the 17th president of Clarkson University, a private research institution with more than 4,600 students based in Potsdam, New York.
SMU Cox School of Business Dean Matthew Myers Reappointed to Five-Year Term Announcement
Myers joined SMU as dean in August 2017. He also holds the Tolleson Chair of Business Leadership and is the David B. Miller Endowed Professor in Business.
Leading the future of SMU data science
A $2 million gift from the O’Donnell Foundation will name and endow the Peter O’Donnell, Jr. Director of the Data Science Institute at SMU. The gift will support the University's strategic vision to expand research in this rapidly growing discipline by building on previous SMU investments in data science.
Advancing Baptist ministry training at SMU
The Baugh Foundation grants $2.7 million to Perkins Baptist House of Studies
The Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation awarded a $2.7 million, three-year grant to the Baptist House of Studies at the SMU Perkins School of Theology. The contribution will support approximately 10 full-time Baugh Scholars enrolled in Perkins master’s, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Pastoral Music degree programs.
SMU President R. Gerald Turner honored by Spain for promotion of country's arts and culture
Decoration granted by King Felipe VI
SMU President R. Gerald Turner received the Encomienda de la Orden de Isabel la Católica, a decoration granted by King Felipe VI of Spain, at a February 18 ceremony at SMU’s Meadows Museum. The decoration recognized Turner for his extraordinary civil character and accomplishments that have benefited Spain.
This February, let us remember, celebrate and make forever visible the contributions of all Black Americans.
Diving into a new era of champions
The addition of the Holt Hickman Outdoor Pool supports the SMU Ignited campaign goal of enhancing campus infrastructure and strengthening the North Texas community through competitive athletics and diverse programming and encouraging civic pride.
Expanding SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium
The foundation established by former Mustang football letterman Garry A. Weber ’58 made the commitment in support of a $100 million drive for a new 192,500-square-foot complex at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, part of the $1.5 billion campaign, SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow.
Let us all commit on this MLK Day to serve one another with acts of service that build our community not just for a single day, but for all the days to come.
SMU senior awarded prestigious Marshall scholarship
Isabelle Galko’s environmental activism sparked study of policy change
SMU senior environmental science major Isabelle Galko is one of just 41 American university students named a Marshall Scholar for 2022, a prestigious opportunity to pursue graduate studies in the UK for distinguished young Americans with leadership potential.
Which personality traits can be improved without personal motivation? Research says 'it depends'
Could a company train an employee to become more conscientious, even if the worker isn’t invested in improving that trait? A new study suggests yes. But improving someone’s emotional stability without that person’s commitment is not likely to happen, says SMU psychology professor Nathan Hudson.
SMU Law Dean named President of Rhodes College
Jennifer Collins, Judge James Noel Dean and professor in SMU’s Dedman School of Law, has been named the new president of Rhodes College, a four-year private institution in Memphis with approximately 2,000 students.
New high-resolution camera records holograms of hidden objects
Researchers at SMU (Southern Methodist University) and Northwestern University are using new technology that enables cameras to record high-resolution images and holograms of objects that are hidden around corners, obscured from view and/or beyond the line of sight.
Research News
Study Illuminates Formation of U.S. East Coast During Breakup of Supercontinent Pangea
A recent study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth sheds new light on the formation of the East Coast of the United States – a “passive margin,” in geologic terms – during the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea and the opening of the Atlantic Ocean around 230 million years ago.
Khaled Abdelghany, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at SMU (Southern Methodist University), has been awarded a three-year, $1.2 million grant by the Federal Highway Administration. The grant aims to develop a computer program that utilizes artificial intelligence to enhance the safety and efficiency of intersections for both vehicles and pedestrians.
SMU Lyle nanorobotics professor awarded prestigious research grant to make gene therapy safer
SMU nanotechnology expert MinJun Kim and his team have been awarded a $1.8 million, R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research related to gene therapy – a technique that modifies a person’s genes to treat or cure disease. NIH R01 (Research Program) grants are extremely competitive, with fewer than 10 percent of applicants receiving one.
Top ranking graduate program for video game development celebrates 20th anniversary
The Guildhall, SMU’s premier graduate-level video game development program, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this November. With a highly experienced faculty and specializations in all four cornerstones of game development, the program has helped hundreds of students achieve rewarding careers in the gaming industry.
SMU prof and NASA collaborators awarded patent for Alexa-like virtual research assistant
NASA sensors scattered across land, sea, and space have collected hundreds of terabytes of Earth science data over the past four decades. Imagine if a digital assistant like Alexa or Siri, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), could quickly and easily sift through that data to answer scientific questions for researchers.
SMU has been designated the lead agency for a federally-funded economic development initiative to strengthen, build on and drive innovation in the existing semiconductor supply chain in 29 counties in North Texas and Oklahoma through regional collaboration and workforce development.
The quality of any artificial intelligence (AI) model relies on the data it is given. That is why researchers at SMU are creating large datasets to address bias and fairness issues found in facial recognition (FR) technology.
Study reveals shyness could impact young children’s performance on language tests
A recent study from SMU psychologist Sarah Kucker suggests shyness can influence a child’s performance in language assessments, depending on the level of social interaction required to complete the test.
Janille Smith-Colin, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at SMU (Southern Methodist University) is part of a team that has just received a $6 million award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) ComPASS program to improve health disparities in Dallas and Detroit.
Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas awards $2 Million grant to SMU
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has awarded $2 million to recruit Annika Wylie to SMU and fund five years of her research, which focuses on the p53 gene, a naturally occurring tumor suppressor.
NIH awards SMU chemistry professor and his team $3.5M to refine and test new tuberculosis treatments
SMU chemistry professor John Buynak and his team have received a $3.5 million, 5-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to design and synthesize new antibiotics to fight some of the deadliest and most clinically challenging infections of the 21st century – drug resistant strains of bacteria that cause tuberculosis and leprosy.
SMU biology professor Zhihao Wu has received a $1.8 million, 5-year Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) from the National Institutes of Health to determine if different quality control pathways in our bodies might be working together to repair damaged components in cells.
SMU students, faculty helped take Love Field sustainability to new heights
Dallas Love Field Airport is taking sustainability to new heights through an innovative partnership with JetWind Power Corporation to capture wind blasts from aircraft and convert them into environmentally friendly electricity. Students and researchers from SMU (Southern Methodist University) and Clarkson University were in on the early modeling for this new method for generating wind energy.
Large subsurface granite formation signals ancient volcanic activity on Moons dark side
A large formation of granite discovered below the lunar surface likely was formed from the cooling of molten lava that fed a volcano or volcanoes that erupted early in the Moon’s history – as long as 3.5 billion years ago.
94-million-year-old fossil provides clues to ancient reptile evolution
A team of paleontologists from the United States, the Netherlands and France found fossils of a 94-million-year-old mosasaur in Utah.
Newly discovered Jurassic fossils are a Texas first
A team of scientists led by The University of Texas at Austin has filled a major gap in the state's fossil record -- describing the first known Jurassic vertebrate fossils in Texas.
SMU creating human trafficking data 'warehouse'
SMU is creating a federally-funded data warehouse to centralize data collection and support research into human trafficking in the United States.
SMU launches new cyber autonomy range
Supported by IBM software, range to help 'smart' devices against attack
The Darwin Deason Institute for Cyber Security at SMU (Southern Methodist University) is launching a new Cyber Autonomy Range, supported by IBM Security Software through IBM SkillsBuild, designed to toughen autonomous systems against cyberattacks. The range will be a controlled and isolated technology environment that can simulate possible attacks on autonomous systems that take actions automatically based on received data. IBM is providing an in-kind contribution of software and support for the project valued at over $850,000.
Cell phone data from winter snowstorm shows Dallas is resilient
Natural disasters can wreak havoc on a city, from hurricanes in Houston to winter storms in Dallas. Measuring resilience -- the length of time it will take a city to bounce back -- can help policymakers and others plan responses to future events and reveal potential vulnerabilities. An SMU research team measured Dallas’s resilience before, during, and after the February 2021 winter snowstorm and found Dallas recovered almost immediately after the snowstorm ended, indicating Dallas exhibits a great degree of resilience.
SMU to partner with UNT, regional universities and organizations to transform Texoma logistics
SMU (Southern Methodist University), the University of North Texas, the University of Texas Arlington, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Dallas College and 25 other organizations in Texas and Oklahoma have been awarded $1 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program.
Following a highly competitive application process, Southern Methodist University student Dephina Rivas is one of 15 individuals nationwide selected by the U.S. Department of State for the notable Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship.
SMU geophysicist Zhong Lu is part of a team working on a new NASA program to make free satellite-based observations of Earth’s water, ecosystem and land surface available to anyone with an internet connection.
SMU Biosciences professor receives NIH grant for research on epilepsy
NIH-funded research aims to find markers predicting sudden unexpected death in people with epilepsy
An estimated 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making them 16 times more likely to die suddenly compared to the general population. SMU biology researcher Edward Glasscock has received a 5-year, $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for a study that he hopes will lead to the identification of biomarkers to help identify people at risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, known as SUDEP.
Research pushes back the prehistoric timeline for apes in Africa by more than 10 million years
Evidence of an early savannah grass growing millions of years earlier than previously known may fundamentally change the understanding of life in the prehistoric world. A pair of studies funded by the National Science Foundation and published in the journal Science document the earliest evidence for locally abundant open-habitat grasses in eastern Africa and how those environments likely influenced early ape evolution.
While youth and teens struggling with psychosis benefit the most with early intervention care, 20 to 40 percent of them drop out of care programs, if they begin them at all. But a recent study shows that ethnoracially minoritized youth, especially, are less likely to utilize an early intervention program and are more likely to drop out once they begin. What’s to blame for the higher dropout rate for care programs among minoritized youth? The study pinpoints factors such as past experience with discrimination and fears that police will be involved. Family culture and language can also play a role.
More than 4 million women and children at risk
A global treaty called the Minamata Convention requires gold-mining countries to regularly report the amount of toxic mercury that miners are using to find and extract gold, designed to help nations gauge success toward at least minimizing a practice that produces the world’s largest amount of manmade mercury pollution. But a study of baseline mercury emission estimates reported by 25 countries – many in developing African, South American and Asian nations – found that these estimates rarely provide enough information to tell whether changes in the rate from one year to the next were the result of actual change or data uncertainty.
Skeptical about the “use by” date on your groceries?
Tiny pH sensor developer by SMU student could be next-gen freshness predictor for packaged food
Forget that expiration date on your salmon or yogurt. A graduate student at SMU (Southern Methodist University) has developed a miniature pH sensor that can tell when food has spoiled in real time.
SMU's Research and Innovation Week to showcase scientific inquiry, impact on the North Texas region
The future of research in North Texas
SMU’s Research and Innovation Week will share the explorations of SMU students and faculty members as well as the contributions of other regional universities in a series of presentations, panels and poster sessions scheduled for March 20-25 on the SMU campus. All events are free and open to the public.
Internationally-known for his exquisite Black Masking Mardi Gras suits, Chief Shaka Zulu got his inspiration for this year’s suit from an unlikely source: fossils of ancient creatures found by SMU paleontologists Louis L. Jacobs and Michael J. Polcyn and others.
SMU chemistry professor awarded Wilkinson Prize for innovative software in scientific computing
Devin Matthews, an assistant professor of chemistry at SMU, has been awarded the 2023 James H. Wilkinson Prize for Numerical Software. The award is given by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) every four years to recognize researchers in the early stages of their careers who have created an outstanding piece of numerical software, or to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to an existing piece of numerical software.
SMU geologist Robert Gregory named AAAS Fellow
Lifelong study of stable isotopes revealed keys to the Earth and beyond
– Robert Gregory, a geologist in SMU’s Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences, has been named an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow for distinguished contributions to his field, particularly for his research on how the earth’s dynamic systems and his teaching on how the solar system and the cosmos impact the world around us.
Chemistry conference with a Nobel history coming to SMU
More than 122 chemists from 14 countries will attend the 28th Austin Symposium on Molecular Structure and Dynamics at Dallas at SMU (Southern Methodist University) from Feb. 17-20, 2023. The conference theme of this year's symposium is “Spectroscopy Meets Theory.”
Identity, not income, drives desire to secede
What most sparks a region’s desire to seek independence from their country - income or identity? A new study from SMU (Southern Methodist University, Dallas) and UC3M (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain) found that the group people identify with tends to play a bigger factor in secession than income per capita.
Fossils reveal single tree species dominated Ethiopia rainforest
A new study has found fossilized evidence that a rainforest growing around a volcanic lake in Ethiopia’s Mush Valley 21.73 million years ago was dominated by a single species of tree.
SMU Research Coverage Circled the Globe in 2022
SMU professors and students were “frequent flyers” in the news in 2022 for everything from helping hospitals design a more patient-friendly way of doing “compassionate dialysis” to identifying clear evidence of gerrymandering in Texas.
ALMA scientists find pair of black holes dining together in nearby galaxy merger
While studying a nearby pair of merging galaxies, scientists discovered two supermassive black holes growing simultaneously near the center of the newly coalescing galaxy.
Sea level rose much faster in Micronesia than previously thought
Spanning vast distances, the islands of the South Pacific are thought to have been populated by humans in two distinct waves. The first one followed a northern route out of what is today the Philippines and a southern route from Taiwan and New Guinea, and a second wave, maybe 1,000 years later, followed a middle route to the islands now making up the Federated States of Micronesia. But a new finding is casting doubt on the timing of that second wave of migration, suggesting that the islands in Micronesia might have been settled much earlier than supposed.
For 400 years, Indigenous tribes buffered climate's impact on wildfires in the American Southwest
Devastating megafires are becoming more common, in part, because the planet is warming. But a new study led by SMU suggests bringing “good fire” back to the U.S. and other wildfire fire-prone areas, as Native Americans once did, could potentially blunt the role of climate in triggering today’s wildfires.
SMU Math Chair and PhD graduate win SIAM/ACM prize in computational science as part of SUNDIALS team
A multi-institutional team, including SMU’s Mathematics Chair Daniel Reynolds and SMU PhD graduate David Gardner, has been awarded the 2023 SIAM/ACM Prize in Computational Science and Engineering.
Study shows chemical coatings can affect microparticles 'swimming' in mucus solutions
Collaborative research between SMU nanorobotics authority MinJun Kim’s Biological Actuation, Sensing, and Transport (BAST) Lab and international research and engineering company ARA has demonstrated for the first time that certain chemical coatings, applied to micro/nanoparticles, can alter their swimming propulsion within biological fluids.
Adults who frequently worry about being rejected or abandoned by those closest to them are more prone to having false memories when they can see who is conveying the information, a new study suggests.
New pterosaur species found in sub-Saharan Africa
With wings spanning nearly 16 feet, a new species of pterosaurs has been identified from the Atlantic coast of Angola.
SMU-led research team awarded $2 million DOE grant
Goal is to develop algorithms that improve complex energy systems
The Department of Energy announced the SMU grant as one of four included in the $8.5 million package for basic research in the development of randomized algorithms for understanding and improving the properties and behavior of complex energy. The research aims to develop new algorithms for materials design, bio-engineering, and power grid applications.
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Soil moisture content is the main factor that controls how far and at what concentration natural gas spreads from a leaked pipeline underground, a new study has found.
Jessie Marshall Zarazaga, Corey Clark named Tech Titans Award finalists
Jessie Marshall Zarazaga, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Sustainability & Development Program at Lyle, and Corey Clark, Assistant Professor at Lyle and Deputy Director, Research at SMU Guildhall, were both named as finalists for the 2022 Tech Titans Award.
Biology student wins a fellowship award from the American Epilepsy Society
Kelsey Paulhus, a PhD student in the laboratory of Dr. Edward Glasscock who is an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at SMU, has received a predoctoral fellowship award from the American Epilepsy Society (AES) to support her research and professional development activities.
Yes, man run faster than women, but over shorter distances -- not by much
Conventional wisdom holds that men run 10-12 percent faster than women, regardless of the distance raced. But new research suggests that the between-sex performance gap is much narrower at shorter distances.
SMU launches lab focused on reducing bias in artificial intelligence systems
ISaBEL’s mission is to understand how Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, such as facial recognition algorithms, perform on diverse populations of users. The Lab will examine how existing bias can be mitigated in these systems using the latest research, standards, and other peer reviewed scientific studies.
Climate change is making lakes less blue
Blue lakes in North America and Europe will likely turn green-brown as global temperatures rise
If global warming persists, blue lakes worldwide are at risk of turning green-brown, according to a new study which presents the first global inventory of lake color.
After his grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Raleigh Dewan had witnessed the debilitating hand tremors that would not allow her to eat without spilling food everywhere. Now, SMU student partners Dewan and Mason Morland, and Emily Javedan, a Johns Hopkins student, are walking a creative and compassionate path as collaborators in a medical-tech startup named for its core product – SteadiSpoon™. It’s a self-stabilizing eating utensil that allows people suffering from disorders that cause shaking – such as Parkinson’s and essential tremors – to regain their ability to feed themselves with ease and dignity.
Dominique Baker receives NAEd/Spencer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
Dominique J. Baker, a nationally recognized expert on education policy in SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development, was one of the recipients of the 2022 National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowships.
A surprising way to tamp down ugly 'Dark Triad' personality traits
A new study has found that tasks designed to make someone more agreeable also effectively reduce a trio of negative personality traits known as the “Dark Triad” – Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy.
New dinosaur species used fearsome claws to graze along the coast
Therizinosaurs were a large group of primarily herbivorous theropod dinosaurs (dinosaurs with hollow bones and three-toed limbs). Therizinosaurs were first discovered in Asia; the fossil records in Asian countries such as China and Mongolia are rich in therizinosaurus fossils, and fossil fragments have also been reported from Japan.
ARA and SMU announce microrobotics collaboration
ARA and the Biological Actuation, Sensing, and Transport Laboratory (BAST Lab) at SMU today announced a collaboration to further advance microrobotics technology for real world applications.
The massive Jan. 15 eruption of the undersea Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano in the South Pacific Ocean was a once-in-a-century event that allowed an international group of 76 scientists using multiple forms of technology to crowdsource their data in ways never before possible.
Research shows the role empathy may play in music
Can people who understand the emotions of others better interpret emotions conveyed through music? A new study by an international team of researchers suggests the abilities are linked.
Precipitation and temperature helped drive abundant dinosaur populations in ancient Alaska
A new study led by SMU paleontologist Anthony Fiorillo identifies the key role precipitation and temperature play in structuring vertebrate herbivore dinosaur populations in Alaska. The findings, which are published in the journal Geosciences, may also provide historical insights into the consequences of climate change.
Arm movement and running speed: Is the partnership overrated?
A new study suggests that restricting arm movement during short sprints impacts running performance only marginally.
A NASA-funded team led by SMU researchers think that their small, lightweight device developed to measure spaceship velocity will improve the odds of successful landings on Mars and other planets.
Does media coverage impact the student loan debt narrative?
Dominique J. Baker, a nationally recognized expert on education policy in SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development, has received an emerging scholars pipeline grant to explore the links between race, racism, and how student loan policies are covered in media.
International Research Team Identifies New Armored Dinosaur Species Found in Mongolia's Gobi Desert
A new species of armored dinosaur from the southern Gobi Desert of Mongolia that may have used its unique tail as a weapon has been identified by an international team of vertebrate paleontologists and researchers.
The gender gap: Nature or nurture? It’s complicated, says a large Facebook study
It’s an age-old question - are the differences between what men and women like decided by nature or nurture? A new study from SMU and UC3M in Spain produced some surprising results: the gap separating the interests of men and women on some topics is larger in countries known for promoting gender equality than in countries with more rigid gender roles.
SMU Alumna and Paleontologist Myria Perez ‘18 Featured on CBS Evening News
Myria Perez, a 2018 graduate of SMU with degrees in geology and anthropology, was recently featured in a CBS Evening News segment about a new exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Gates Foundation Award to Study Test-Optional Admissions Impact
A multi-university research team that includes Dominique Baker, assistant professor of education policy in SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development, has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the Gates Foundation to examine the impact test-optional admission policies in higher education had on college access and equity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
16 SMU Students Named Fulbright Semi-Finalists
Outstanding scholars in the running for prestigious graduate study, research and teaching opportunities abroad
SMU research cut a wide path in 2021
From answering pre-launch questions before a NASA mission to one of Saturn’s moons, to identifying hundreds of mostly “hidden” landslides on the U.S. West Coast, SMU professors and students fueled research with impact in 2021. Here are some of the highlights.
Gene allowing humans to feel touch may play a role in sense of smell
SMU research could lead to treatment for common COVID side effect
Researchers from SMU (Southern Methodist University) have determined that a gene linked to feeling touch may moonlight as an olfactory gene. That’s the conclusion drawn from studying a very small, transparent worm that shares many similarities with the human nervous system.
Jung-Chih Chiao elected Fellow of American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering
J.-C. Chiao, the Mary and Richard Templeton Centennial Chair and professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in the SMU Lyle School of Engineering, has been elected a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE).
Can conquering fractions lead to algebra success?
Education researcher Leanne Ketterlin Geller earns largest single-year grant in SMU history
Renowned mathematics researcher Leanne Ketterlin Geller, Texas Instruments Endowed Chair in Education in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development, has been awarded the largest single-year research award in SMU history.
Screening protocols to determine who qualifies for “compassionate dialysis” in hospitals with high numbers of uninsured patients are driving an unintended consequence, an SMU analysis has found. The protocols are putting too much strain on the emergency room, as measured by how long ER patients are waiting to be seen and other metrics.
Elizabeth G. Loboa, SMU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Zhong Lu, the Shuler-Foscue Chair in SMU's Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences, have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Election as an AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed by their peers upon the group’s members for scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.
Video game software patented for age-related macular degeneration research
Machine learning software for OCT images aids in identify progression and treatment options
BALANCED Media|Technology (BALANCED), in partnership with the Retina Foundation of the Southwest (RETINA) and Southern Methodist University (SMU), today announced a patent-pending medical imaging technology (U.S. Patent Application Serial No.16/538,662) that uses automated software and a video game to provide standardized, accurate, and precise identification of ocular diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of visual impairment in the world.
Which personality traits can be improved without personal motivation? Research says 'it depends'
Could a company train an employee to become more conscientious, even if the worker isn’t invested in improving that trait? A new study suggests yes. But improving someone’s emotional stability without that person’s commitment is not likely to happen, says SMU psychology professor Nathan Hudson.
New high-resolution camera records holograms of hidden objects
Researchers at SMU (Southern Methodist University) and Northwestern University are using new technology that enables cameras to record high-resolution images and holograms of objects that are hidden around corners, obscured from view and/or beyond the line of sight.
SMU Lyle prof listed among most "Highly Cited Researchers" for 2021
SMU’s Jianhui Wang was named to the 2021 list of Highly Cited Researchers from Clarivate. It’s the fourth time Wang, a professor with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering, has won the award.
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