Student-produced podcast, lecture series highlights faculty research

KOKOMO, Ind. - While many students and community members recognize Indiana University Kokomo professors as expert teachers, they don't realize they are also accomplished researchers.

A new monthly podcast and lecture series launched this week by the IU Kokomo Library shines a fresh light on faculty research, showcasing the contributions they make to the state and beyond with their scholarly and creative work.

"We wanted to highlight faculty research, and at the same time get students involved," said Yanling Liu, assistant librarian and coordinator of information literacy and research services, adding that a new podcast will release the first Monday of the month, with a research presentation by the featured professor on the third Monday.

"Our students, alumni, and community members don't know what's happening at IU Kokomo that could make a real impact in the world," she said.

The first podcast dropped September 7, featuring Hisako Masuda, professor of biochemistry, whose work inspired the series. Liu said Yan He, dean of the Library, learned of Masuda's work to discover ways to biodegrade plastics in landfills, and was surprised it's not more widely known.

"Her research is remarkable and applicable to real life, and can make a real impact," Liu said.

Masuda will be featured in a research spotlight presentation from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, September 21 in the Library Gathering Space.

Chris McGovern, an IU Online student from Wabash, hosts and produces the podcasts as a student worker for the Library. He develops the questions to ask, hosts during recording, edits the podcast, and publishes it.

"It's a great hands-on experience, especially with this being the first semester for this project," said McGovern, a returning student earning a bachelor's degree in digital media and storytelling. He previously earned an associate degree in video production and graphic design, but did not have podcasting experience.

"It's given me an opportunity to see a lot of what happens behind the scenes in the podcasting process," he said. "We're trying to do something that will be accessible to a wide variety of listeners, from students and community members to the wider public."

Working on the project has given him a greater appreciation for the work professors are doing in their labs.

"It's been interesting to hear what the professors have been talking about," McGovern said. "They're doing some really interesting stuff with chemistry and biochemistry, and later we will be speaking to someone from computer science. There are a lot of good stories, and it's fun to get to talk to people about what interests them."

The series begins with the School of Sciences, with plans to expand to other schools in the future. The project is supported by an IU Kokomo Women of the Well House grant.

Podcast episodes and research presentations will include:

• Hisako Masuda, professor of biochemistry - podcast on September 7, presentation September 21;
• Mohammad Hossain, associate professor of organic chemistry - podcast on October 5, presentation October 19; and
• Aakif Mairaj, assistant professor of computer science - podcast on November 2, presentation November 16.

Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music by searching IU Kokomo Research Spotlight. Find all episodes at buzzsprout.com/2621395/episodes.

All presentations will be from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Library Gathering Space and are free and open to the public. Free parking is available on campus. Those interested can register at go.iu.edu/SV5yRj

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