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University Relations Tip Sheet - December 4, 2007

Research explores gender gap in commercial-science pursuits
As investment firms and venture capitalists are scouting emerging science for the next big breakthrough on which to build a business, they are less likely to find the scientist behind the discovery to be a woman, says Georgia State economics professor Paula Stephan. According to an article she co-authored with Ph.D. alumna Asmaa El-Ganainy and recently published in the Journal of Technology Transfer, women scientists are less likely to disclose and promote the commercial potential of new findings. The authors also found that firms with the potential to explore the commercial applications of science are more likely to discount women’s research in favor of men’s. “One reason that women may engage in less entrepreneurial activity than men is that they may be less predisposed to ‘sell’ the science that they are doing,” writes Stephan, who studies the careers of scientists and engineers. To speak with Stephan, contact Michael Davis at (404) 413-1361 or mdavis6@gsu.edu.

Georgia State researchers to partner with CDC
Three new health-related research projects will pair Georgia State faculty with researchers at the Centers for Disease Control. Page Anderson, an assistant professor of psychology, will examine the prevention of mistreatment of children after disasters. Marise B. Parent, an associate professor of psychology, will study the effects of a high fructose diet on human brains and behavior. Diana Robins, an assistant professor of psychology, will be determining the prevalence of autism in young children. For more information, contact Van Jensen at (404) 413-1357 or vjensen@gsu.edu.

Enriching the language and lives of Atlanta’s homeless children
When their parents are without work and searching for a permanent place to live, children often have difficulty developing necessary language skills. That’s why Melissa Rose, a clinical instructor for the communications disorder program in Georgia State’s College of Education, started the language enrichment program at the Atlanta Children’s Shelter. Twice a week, Rose and her graduate students go to the shelter to teach homeless toddlers and pre-schoolers vocabulary, common phrases, phonemic awareness and other basic language skills to prepare them for school. Their work has helped the children catch up on their language delays, according to data Rose recently presented at a national conference. For instance, after seven months in the program, 50 percent of the pre-school children were able to identify the first letters of the alphabet, compared to none at the beginning of the program, Rose said. For more information, contact Liz Babiarz at (404) 413-1356 or lbabiarz@gsu.edu.

Happenings at Georgia State:

AIDS research at Georgia State
On the heels of World AIDS Day, the Partnership for Urban Health Research will host a panel on “Interdisciplinary HIV/AIDS Research at Georgia State University” at 2 p.m. Dec. 10 in room 480 of the University Center. Panelists from the departments of economics and psychology, along with representatives from the Institute of Public Health and the College of Law, will discuss existing HIV/AIDS research programs at the university and future collaboration. For more information, call John Steward at (404) 413-1140 or e-mail jsteward@gsu.edu.

Holiday Iron Pour
Hot metal will be molded into sculptures at the second largest Holiday Iron Pour in America at Georgia State, at 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Edgewood Sculpture Studio, 184 Edgewood Ave. Attendees will enjoy food while learning about the metal-casting process by watching as artists and students of the Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design pour thousands of pounds of iron into the studio’s furnace, heat it to temperatures approaching 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and cast it into molds. Sculpture Professor George Beasley has organized the event since it started in 1970. For a $10 donation, guests can carve and cast their own molds. A $5 donation is requested at the door. For more information, contact Beasley at (404) 413-5274 or gbeasley@gsu.edu.

Arts students’ work to be on display
As part of the First Thursdays Downtown Art Walk, the Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design Gallery will hold an exhibition of art from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6. The art comes from students graduating from the Bachelor of Fine Arts program. A closing party will be held from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 14. For more information, contact William Inman at (404) 413-1355 or winman@gsu.edu

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