Category: Ph.D. Program

SMU/Simmons and TCU offer Ph.D. Student Conference on the Doctoral Journey

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Dean-Knight-and-Dean-Petrosino and PhD StudentsMarc Sager, PhD candidate at SMU/Simmons, and Leslie Epke, PhD candidate at TCU, developed a 1-day conference (Sept. 30) in which their respective Schools’ PhD students explored the demands and pleasures of the doctoral journey. Presentations included developing a research agenda, presenting and publishing, the faulty search process, stress management, and community involvement in research. Speakers and presenters from Simmons included Dean Knight, Marc Sager, Damion Davis, and Elizabeth Adams.

Session Speaker Topic Description
Welcome Dean Knight (SMU) and Dean Hernandez (TCU)
Session 1 Dr. Taryn Ozuna Allen (TCU) Developing a Research Agenda as an Emerging Scholar Creating a research agenda, regardless of theoretical interests, methodological preferences, or career goals.
Session 2 Marc Sager (SMU) Publishing and Presenting at Conferences The processes of presenting at conferences and publishing.
Session 3 Dr. Pablo Montes (TCU) On the Market: Life Outside of Graduate School Becoming a professor:  job search strategies and making yourself marketable.
Session 4 Leslie Epke (TCU) Journal Session Reflect and process what was covered at the conference.
Session 5 Dr. Damion Davis (SMU) Mental Health Practices for Graduate Students A counseling professional discusses stress management skills
Session 6 Dr. Elizabeth Adams (SMU) Community Involvement: Bringing Theory to Practice Learn about the West Dallas STEM School RPP and how research is bridged into practice.
Closing Dean Knight (SMU) and Dean Hernandez (TCU)

Associate Prof. Walkington and Ph.D. Student Pruitt-Britton Write Ed Week Commentary Debunking Alleged Indoctrination in Math Textbooks

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Simmons Associate Professor Candace Walkington teaches a class in Harold Clark Simmons Hall on the SMU Campus.

Education Week published a commentary by Candace Walkington, Simmons associate professor of mathematics education and learning sciences, and co-author, Ph.D. student, Tiffini Pruitt-Britton, who show that math textbooks are not about indoctrination, but fall short in promoting diversity and inclusion.

Their commentary comes at a time when political accusations inflame education discussions at the local and national levels. Some politicians are declaring what books schools should carry and what subjects should not be taught, such as critical race theory.

“We found no references to race or social justice let alone critical race theory, a framework for understanding how racism has been persistently embedded in policy. But our analysis did show a lack of substantial attention to differences linked to race, culture, gender norms, and sexual orientation in math-story content, they say. Read their commentary here.

Tiffini Pruitt-Britton, Simmons Ph.D. student, and co-author of Education Week commentary.

Carrolton Leader Profiles Doctoral Student Josue Romero

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Josue Romero, a doctoral student in Education Leadership, is featured in a Q&A profile by the Carrolton Leader.  He also serves as principal at McLaughlin Strickland Elementary School in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District.

Romero is a first-generation college graduate. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from The University of Texas Arlington.

Read his profile here.

SMU Simmons, UT Austin, and University of Missouri Collaborate to Support Ph.D. Candidates Focusing on Mathematics in Learning Disabilities

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LIME (Leaders Investigating Mathematics Evidence) is a project funded by the Office of Special Education Programs to create the next generation of researchers and leaders with Ph.D.s in special education with a focus on mathematics. It will provide tuition and stipend support, travel to conferences, and research support for twelve scholars for four years of doctoral studies. The program will be hosted at three universities: University of Texas, Austin; Southern Methodist University; and the University of Missouri.

Sarah Powell, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Special Education at UT Austin, co-authored the grant along with Leanne Ketterlin-Geller, Ph.D., Simmons professor in the Department of Education Policy & Leadership at SMU, and Erica Lembke, Ph.D., professor in the College of Education at the University of Missouri. Additional team members from SMU Simmons include professors Amy Rouse and Annie Wilhelm, Department of Teaching and Learning.

Read more.

 

 

Ph.D. Student Robyn Pinilla to Participate in 2021 Clinton Global Initiative University

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Robyn Pinilla, a Simmons doctoral student working in early mathematics, has been selected to join the  Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) 2021.

This program involves a commitment to action to address a specific challenge with a defined course of action and detailed objectives.

Pinilla will be working on a process to develop community-based STEM programming for young children, their families, and teachers in Dallas areas of need.

SMU provides funding to its selected students for getting their projects started and attending the annual CGI U meeting, which will be held at Howard University March 23-26. Graduation is in November.

“This exciting opportunity to work with the Clinton Foundation to collaborate with scholars and entrepreneurs from around the world reinforces the leadership and partnership ideals of SMU’s commitment to world-changing transformation,” she says.

 

 

Ph.D. Student Mark Pierce Receives Maguire Public Service Fellowship

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This summer, Simmons Ph.D. candidate Mark Pierce joins nine other SMU students in serving as a  Maguire Public Service Fellow, to work on research and programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

His project focuses on researching adaptable models of distance learning that can be implemented for highly mobile students by collecting data from Dallas area family shelters and children’s support organizations during the COVID-19 outbreak. Pierce will receive a $2400 stipend and present his findings at a public seminar in the fall. His doctoral advisor is Assistant Professor Alexandra Pavlakis in the Department of Education Policy and Leadership.

Over the past 20 years, the Maguire Center has awarded summer fellowship stipends totaling over $400,000 to 181 SMU students, including volunteers in more than 150 agencies across 18 states, 25 countries, and five continents.

American College of Sports Medicine Awards Research Grant to Doctoral Student Claire Trotter

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Claire Trotter, a second year Ph.D. student in the Department of Applied Physiology and Wellness, received a $5000 National ACSM Doctoral Research Grant from the American College of Sports Medicine Foundation.

The grant will help fund her dissertation research investigating central nervous system dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by degeneration of brain cells which alters their normal signaling patterns. Her goal is to quantify the alterations made to these signaling patterns to help aid in the more successful treatment of the disease.

Nearly 1 million US citizens are thought to be living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite diagnosis being on the rise, there is still a lack of mechanistic understanding of the disease.

Trotter works in the Integrative Physiology Laboratory under the direction of her Ph.D. mentor, Associate Professor Scott Davis. As an SMU senior undergraduate in 2016, she worked as a research assistant in Davis’ lab. After graduation she pursued a Master Degree in Biology from University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, and returned to SMU for her Ph.D. because of her undergraduate experience. “I was drawn to return to SMU because of the quality mentorship I had previously and the high level scientific investigation, ” she says.

The grant funder, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), advances and integrates scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.  The ACSM Foundation receives, administers and disburses funds to support the College’s educational, scientific and charitable purposes.

 

 

SMU’s Research Day Yields Prizes for Simmons Students

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Jillian Conry, Paul Polanco, Vivianne Mogna, and Madhuri Bhupathi present work on Project ELVA (English Learner Vocabulary Acquisition), research funded by the Institute of Education Sciences and headed up by Dr. Doris Baker, principal investigator.
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Mu Huang discusses research on thermoregulatory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients.

A group of Simmons graduate students presented their work during SMU’s Research Day 2015, with the following winning the Dean’s Award:

Dustin Allen in Aplied Physiology and Wellness for “The Effect of Multiple Sclerosis on Carotid Baroflex Control of the Heart Rate and Blood Pressure.”  Dr. Scott Davis is the advisor.

Mu Huang in Applied Physiology and Wellness for “Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis Patients during Moderate Exercise in a Thermoneutral Environment.” Dr. Scott Davis is the advisor.

Jillian Conry, Paul Polanco, Vivianne Mogna, and Madhuri Bhupathi in Teaching and Learning for “Project Elva,” English Language Vocabulary Acquisition. Dr. Doris Baker is the advisor and principal investigator.

Congratulations to them for recognition by the University.