Carved in stone: BU lab houses one of best, largest Devonian plant collections in world
To the untrained, it might look like an unappealing, discolored piece of rock. To William Stein’s eye, the sediment reveals a world of research, history and opportunity. Stein, associate professor of biological sciences specializing in paleobotany, the study of fossilized plants, runs a research laboratory that is home to one of the best and largest collections of Devonian Era plant fossils in North America, if not the world. Read more
Learning the lessons of leaders, born and made
If you ask Francis Yammarino, professor of management and director of Binghamton University’s Center for Leadership Studies, the age-old question, “Are leaders born or made?” he will likely look you straight in the eye and offer a concise, disarming reply: “Yes.” Read more
Looking for love in all the wrong places: Philosopher explores difference between romance and real love
Martin Dillon, distinguished teaching professor, takes a critical look at the concept of romantic love in our society in his new book, Beyond Romance. If it were up to Dillon, a philosopher, the notions of romantic love that dominate society would be replaced by what he calls authentic love, a more-down-to-earth concept. Read more
Out of Africa: Scholar takes democracy on the road
For Edward McMahon, assistant research professor of political science and director of the Center on Democratic Performance, this summer is one full of politics African style. Read more
Skormin receives NSF grant to open BU laser communications lab to students and researchers around the globe
When Victor A. Skormin gets ready to test sophisticated communications laser equipment he doesn't flick any switches or twist any dials. It's all done with mouse clicks and can be initiated from half-a-world-away via the Internet. Read more
Standard measures: Scholar developing new ways to gauge corrections systems
Think about the term "prison warden" and the 1950s stereotype of a cigar-smoking, overbearing, authoritarian, middle-aged man will likely come to mind. The stereotype survives, but the reality that spawned it is long gone. Read more
‘The buzz’ gets the biz: BU researcher explores effects of teen drinking on socialization
A team of researchers headed by Elena Varlinskaya, associate research professor of psychology, as the primary investigator, has won a grant from the National Institutes of Health for work that might help explain the danger of teenage social drinking. Varlinskaya, along with Evgeniy Petrov, research professor of psychology, Linda P. Spear and Norman E. Spear, both distinguished professors of psychology, will receive $1.1 million over five years to research ethanol and social interactions in adolescent rats. Read more
