• Dr. Jerome A. Lewis, associate professor of psychology at Bellevue University, authored Moral Psychology: A Narrative Approach.
• Dr. Lewis wrote the textbook after developing Bellevue University's Moral Psychology course and identifying a need for undergraduate-level resources in the field.
• The text uses stories, parables and real-life events to explain moral psychology research and theory.
• The book will be used in PY 396: Moral Psychology beginning in Winter 2026.
• Bellevue University is one of the few universities in the country with a course offering in moral psychology.
• Dr. Lewis's research focuses on moral psychology, victimology and social cognition.

Meeting a Need in Moral Psychology Education

As interest in moral psychology continues to grow, Dr. Jerome Lewis saw a need for a resource written specifically for undergraduate learners. He developed Moral Psychology: A Narrative Approach after creating Bellevue University's Moral Psychology course and finding few textbooks that introduced the subject in an accessible format while maintaining academic depth.

The book examines questions such as how people determine right from wrong, why individuals reach different moral conclusions about the same behavior and how emotions, intuition, reasoning and identity influence moral judgments. Through stories, parables and real-world examples, the text guides readers through research and theories that explain the psychological forces behind human morality.

Exploring a Growing Field of Research

Moral Psychology: A Narrative Approach leads readers through an interdisciplinary field that draws from psychology, philosophy, neuroscience and related areas of study. The book explores how people make moral decisions, evaluate behavior and develop values throughout their lives.

Dr. Lewis's research interests include moral psychology, victimology and social cognition. Through Bellevue University's Victim Role Research Group, he studies the victim role, prosocial behavior and how people evaluate everyday moral transgressions.

After more than four decades in higher education – and specifically at Bellevue University, Dr. Roxanne Sullivan has learned something surprising:

Students haven’t changed nearly as much as people think.

As Bellevue University’s longest-serving professor and longtime Psychology Department Chair, Sullivan has spent 43 years helping students understand human behavior. Along the way, she’s witnessed the rise of personal computers, the internet, online education, smartphones, social media, and now artificial intelligence.

Yet despite all the technological disruption, the fundamentals of learning remain remarkably consistent.

“People always think students today are completely different,” Sullivan says. “The excuses have changed from ‘the dog ate my homework’ to ‘my computer ate my homework,’ but many of the challenges are the same.”

The Human Side of Learning

Sullivan’s perspective is grounded in both scholarship and experience.

A developmental psychologist by training, she earned degrees from the University of Iowa, Purdue University, and Michigan State University before joining Bellevue University in 1983.

Over the years, her focus shifted from researching young children to understanding how college students learn most effectively. One lesson stands above the rest: students thrive when they take ownership of their education.

“The biggest change I’ve seen is the amount of responsibility students take for their learning,” Sullivan explains. “Some simply don’t have modeling when it comes to college.” That’s especially true for first-generation college students, a group Sullivan understands personally.

Despite growing up in a family without college degrees, education was always expected. Her parents encouraged academic achievement and instilled a belief that learning could create opportunities beyond what previous generations had experienced.

Today, she works to provide that same encouragement to students navigating college for the first time.

Psychology Is More Relevant Than Ever

When we asked Sullivan if, and how, psychology has changed over the years, she said that it hasn’t changed much. “When people think about psychology as a major or profession, they think you’re going to analyze them.” Many of Sullivan’s students aspire to be therapists or counselors, and while some go on and earn these credentials, she made the point that what people learn in psychology courses runs wide and deep across many other careers – and life. “In today’s workplace, understanding how people think, communicate, make decisions, and respond to change may be more valuable than ever. It’s not just the content,” she said, “It’s the skill sets.”

Those skills include critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, empathy, and understanding human motivation—capabilities that apply in business, marketing, leadership, healthcare, education, and countless other professions.

In fact, some of Sullivan’s most successful former students never became practicing psychologists at all. Instead, they apply psychological principles in careers ranging from real estate to nonprofit leadership to veteran services.

The common denominator isn’t a specific job title. It’s an understanding of people.

The Online Learning Experiment That Worked

When Bellevue University began expanding its online offerings, Sullivan wasn’t immediately on board. Like many faculty members, she worried about whether students could receive the same educational experience outside a traditional classroom.

Rather than resisting the change, she decided to shape it.

Over the course of several years, Sullivan helped move nearly an entire psychology program online while maintaining the rigor and engagement she believed students deserve. Her goal was simple: online students should receive the same quality education as students sitting in a classroom.

Today, psychology remains one of Bellevue University’s strongest programs, with online enrollment continuing to grow.

The experience taught Sullivan an important lesson about innovation – technology works best when it serves educational goals.

The AI Conversation Is Familiar

As artificial intelligence rapidly enters classrooms and workplaces, Sullivan sees parallels to earlier technological revolutions.

When calculators became common, educators worried students would stop learning math. When the internet emerged, many feared research skills would disappear.

Now, AI has become the newest source of concern. Sullivan believes the discussion should focus less on fear and more on responsible use. “Like anything else, you learn to use the tool appropriately,” she says.

The solution isn’t avoiding the technology altogether. The solution is teaching students how to question it. “Use it,” she advises. “But think about what it’s giving you.”

AI can help students brainstorm ideas, create visuals, summarize information, and explore concepts. But it cannot replace critical thinking, judgment, or genuine understanding.

But Sullivan warns: AI can generate inaccurate information, fabricate references, or confidently present incorrect conclusions. She is fine with students using AI, because she knows they’re going to, but she instructs them to cite their sources and deploy their good thinking to a piece that AI has helped research.

Curiosity Still Wins

Throughout the interview, one theme surfaced repeatedly: curiosity.

Whether discussing psychology, technology, or student success, Sullivan returned to the importance of asking questions, exploring ideas, and remaining open to learning. That’s one reason she remains optimistic about the future.

While technology will continue to evolve, the qualities that drive success remain remarkably stable: Students who are curious. Students who take responsibility. Students willing to challenge assumptions and think critically. Those are the students who thrive.

And after 43 years in the classroom, Sullivan has seen enough evidence to know that will never change.

A Legacy Beyond Psychology

As Sullivan prepares for retirement in a year, her influence extends far beyond the psychology department.

Thousands of students have passed through her classrooms. Hundreds have chosen careers inspired by lessons learned under her guidance.

Perhaps most importantly, she has modeled what lifelong learning looks like.

From adapting to online education to thoughtfully embracing AI, Sullivan has never stopped learning herself. That may be her most enduring lesson. The world will continue to change. New technologies will emerge. New challenges will appear.

But curiosity, critical thinking, and a commitment to understanding people will always matter.

And those are lessons worth carrying forward.

• David Joel Thomas serves as an Associate Professor at Bellevue University.
• Thomas will speak at TEDxOmaha on Friday, Oct, 9.
• TEDxOmaha is an independently organized TED event that is part of the global TED community.
• Organizers selected speakers through a competitive process.
• Thomas will join speakers from across the Omaha community.

Bellevue University Faculty Member Joins TEDxOmaha Lineup

Bellevue University announced that David Joel Thomas will speak at the TEDxOmaha main event on October 9. Organizers selected Thomas through a process that reviews applicants from across the region. Each speaker will present an idea on the theme of “X, which, according to organizers, includes topics at the intersection of curiosity and courage.

Thomas joins a group of speakers from across the community. His participation reflects Bellevue University’s role in contributing to public dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Thomas Brings Interdisciplinary Perspective to the Stage

Thomas studies philosophy, art, architecture, and design. He connects research with practice through work in visual art, writing, and design. His background includes time in Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan, which informs his focus on culture and global perspectives.

At Bellevue University, Thomas supports general education and student development. He focuses on applying concepts in academic, professional, and personal contexts. His work centers on helping students engage with ideas through practice.

When most people think about artificial intelligence, they think about tools like ChatGPT.

Dr. Ashley Babjac, Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence, sees something much bigger.

“AI has been around for decades,” she said. “It’s behind so many systems we rely on every day.”

That broader view is shaped by a career spanning statistics, computer science and bioinformatics—and now informs her role at Bellevue University, where she will teach in the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program set to launch this summer.

Looking beyond the hype

For Babjac, the current moment in AI is less about novelty and more about acceleration.

“What’s changing now is how quickly we can apply it to solve complex problems,” she said.

That includes work in healthcare, infrastructure and environmental science. Her research has ranged from predicting patient outcomes to using AI to identify enzymes capable of breaking down pollutants like ocean plastics—work that can significantly reduce the time and cost of scientific discovery.

“Each experiment can cost thousands of dollars,” she said. “AI helps narrow down the possibilities so you can focus on the most promising options.”

It’s also why she emphasizes that understanding AI requires more than knowing how to use a tool.

“If you ask a bad question, you’ll get a bad answer,” she said. “AI is powerful, but only if you understand the fundamentals behind it.”

A program built for real-world application

That focus is central to Bellevue University’s new master’s in artificial intelligence program.

“What really stood out to me is how well-rounded it is,” Babjac said. “It covers a lot of ground, but it also goes deep where it matters. Students aren’t just learning theory, they’re applying it.”

The program is designed to give students a holistic view of AI, combining foundational concepts, data science and hands-on application, with the goal of solving real-world business problems.

Students will work with real data, explore case studies and build practical solutions that mirror challenges they may encounter in the workforce. In Babjac’s courses, that includes projects like robotics simulations and reinforcement learning models.

“We want students to be able to do something with what they’ve learned,” she said. “Not just understand it but apply it.”

While the field continues to evolve, Babjac points to the importance of a strong foundation.

“The field changes quickly, but the fundamentals don’t,” she said. “If you understand those, you can adapt to whatever comes next.”

Preparing leaders in AI

One of the program’s distinguishing features is its flexibility. Students can tailor their coursework through electives and certificate options, allowing them to pursue different paths—whether that’s building AI systems or leading teams that implement them.

“Our goal is to develop people who can not only understand AI, but also lead and orchestrate it,” Babjac said. “That’s where a lot of opportunity is right now.”

Rather than focusing on a single specialization, the degree prepares students for a range of roles, including machine learning engineers, data scientists and AI research specialists.

“AI touches everything,” she said. “Having that broader perspective gives students flexibility in where they go next.”

Meeting students where they are

In the classroom, Babjac’s approach is grounded in interaction and adaptability, shaped by years of teaching and curriculum development in artificial intelligence and computer science.

“Graduate students come in with very different backgrounds and goals,” she said. “My job is to meet them where they are and help them get where they want to go.”

That means creating opportunities for hands-on learning, encouraging exploration and helping students find their direction within the field.

As AI becomes more integrated into everyday work, Babjac emphasizes the importance of using it thoughtfully. Her experience working with sensitive data in healthcare has reinforced the need for strong ethical awareness, from protecting patient information to understanding how AI systems are trained and used.

“You can’t just plug information into a tool without thinking about where that data goes,” she said. “Understanding those implications is part of being responsible with AI.”

That perspective is woven into her teaching, helping students think not only about what AI can do, but how it should be used.

Looking ahead

As the program prepares to launch, Babjac is focused on what students will take with them when they leave.

“The goal isn’t just to learn AI,” she said. “It’s to understand it well enough to use it, lead it and adapt as it changes.”

With that foundation, she believes students won’t just keep up with the field—they’ll help shape it.

• Authors: Dr. Stephen Linenberger and Dr. Lauren Archer
• Affiliation: Bellevue University faculty and alum
• Study title: Burnout and Decision-Making in U.S. Air Force Maintainers: A Phenomenological Study
• Publication: Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management

Study Overview and Research Approach

Dr. Stephen Linenberger, Professor in Bellevue University’s College of Business, and Dr. Lauren Archer, a Bellevue University alum, recently co-authored a study examining how burnout affects decision-making among U.S. Air Force aircraft maintainers.

The article, Burnout and Decision-Making in U.S. Air Force Maintainers: A Phenomenological Study, examines the experiences of former U.S. Air Force maintainers to understand how work schedules, leadership practices, and organizational culture influence decision-making in military environments.

Findings and Impact

The study is based on interviews with five Air Force veterans who shared their experiences with long work hours, perfectionism, and management practices and how those aspects affected their decision-making. The research highlights how ongoing work-related stress can reduce confidence, affect judgment, and influence job satisfaction, safety, and retention among maintainers.

The findings provide information that can inform leadership and management practices within the Air Force and other organizations where personnel face high work demands and operational pressures. The article was published in the Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management and is available for download.

• Contributor: Dr. Emad Rahim
• Role: Kotouc Family Endowed Professor and Chair and Program Director of Project Management
• Contribution: Co-author and one of 12 core contributors
• Publication: PMBOK® Guide – 8th Edition

Contribution to PMBOK® Guide

Bellevue University’s Dr. Emad Rahim, Kotouc Family Endowed Professor and Chair and Program Director of Project Management, served as one of the 12 core contributors and co-authors of the PMBOK® Guide – 8th Edition Development Team.

The PMBOK® Guide is a recognized standard for project management principles and practices. The 8th edition introduces an approach to value delivery, integrating:

• Why: Principles
• How: Performance Domains
• When: Focus Areas

The 8th edition will be available in early 2026.

Experience and Background

Dr. Rahim has over two decades of experience in management consulting and higher education administration. A former nonprofit executive, he co-founded two startup firms and has served as entrepreneur-in-residence at multiple institutions. He is a TEDx speaker, Fulbright recipient, and contributor to Forbes, CEO Magazine, and The Startup Magazine.

• Author: Dr. Scott Peck, Bellevue University alumnus
• Degrees: MBA and DBA from Bellevue University
• Book title: Against the Stream: How Manuel Lisa and Big Elk Survived the Floods of Change
• Format: Comic-book format
• Focus: Alliance between Chief Big Elk and Manuel Lisa during the War of 1812
• Availability: Amazon

Book Overview

Bellevue University alumnus Dr. Scott Peck has released a new book, Against the Stream: How Manuel Lisa and Big Elk Survived the Floods of Change. 

Dr. Peck, who earned both his MBA and DBA from Bellevue University, tells this historical story in comic-book format. The book follows Big Elk, Chief of the Omaha Tribe, and fur trader Manuel Lisa. During the War of 1812, the two formed an alliance that supported the survival of their people and highlighted the role of the Omaha Tribe during that time. 

The book shows how Big Elk faced disease, tribal conflict, and the arrival of newcomers, while Lisa, focused on building a life in the wilderness, brought opportunities and challenges that reshaped the region. Through their alliance, the two men formed a bond of trust and cooperation that ensured their survival and influenced America’s efforts in the War of 1812.

Historical Context and Research

Dr. Peck said his research began after walking through Bellevue Cemetery and learning about Chief Ongpatonka ‘Big Elk.’ “At the time, I had not heard of him,” he said. “I started reading what I could find. There was not much available, so I turned to original documents in collections and museum archives. When I learned about the actions of Big Elk and Mauel Lisa during the War of 1812, including their use of subterfuge to confuse tribes seeking to fight for the British, I felt it was a story that needed to be told.”

Against the Stream: How Manuel Lisa and Big Elk Survived the Floods of Change is available for purchase on Amazon.

• Bellevue University established the Anne E. Nelson Professorship Award in Teaching Education.
• The award honors Anne (Tucker) Nelson.
• Dr. Susan Alford is the first recipient.
• Recipients use funds to support digital technologies and teaching methods in K-12 teacher preparation.
• Dr. Alford has 30 years of experience in teaching and administration.

The University Establishes the Professorship to Honor Anne E. Nelson

With a generous gift from longtime friend and Bellevue University Board Member, John P. Nelson, Bellevue University has established the Anne E. Nelson Professorship Award in Teaching Education to honor faculty and staff in the University’s Teacher Education department and has named Dr. Susan Alford, Professor and Program Director of Education, as the inaugural recipient.

The award, which includes recognition and a stipend, was created to honor the memory of Nelson’s wife, Anne (Tucker) Nelson, a full-time educator, community servant, and advocate for education.

Anne taught high school English and French at Minnetonka High School in Minnesota and Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was engaged in community leadership and philanthropy until her passing in 2022 and played a key role in establishing the Nelson Family Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award, which honors outstanding local teachers and counselors. This professorship celebrates her lifelong commitment to education, educators, students, and the broader community.

Award recipients will use the funds to support innovative use of digital technologies and advanced pedagogies to prepare and equip K-12 teachers as learning facilitators who can engage and motivate students to succeed academically.

Dr. Susan Alford Receives First Award

Dr. Susan Alford has 30 years of experience in teaching and administration. She holds an undergraduate degree in Biology, a graduate degree in Special Education, and a Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction with an English as a Second Language specialization. She has served as Program Director of the Bellevue Teacher Education program since 2021.

One example of Dr. Alford’s innovation is her incorporation of the AV1 robot into Bellevue classrooms. The AV1 robot connects students who cannot be in the classroom more closely to the learning experience.

• Pacific Street Blues & Americana named to Feedspot Top 30 Blues Music Podcasts
• Feedspot organizes and ranks media outlets and content creators
• Program approaches 35th anniversary
• Show inducted into Iowa and Nebraska Music Halls of Fame
• Program features interviews with national and local recording artists
• Airs Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon on 89.7 The River

Program Recognition and History

Dr. Rick Galusha’s radio program, Pacific Street Blues & Americana, has been named one of Feedspot’s “Top 30 Blues Music Podcasts.” 

Feedspot is an online platform that categorizes media outlets and content creators to make them easier to discover, follow and contact. 

The recognition comes as the program approaches its 35th anniversary. Galusha’s radio program has also been inducted into the Iowa and Nebraska Music Halls of Fame.

Interviews and Broadcast Reach

Galusha began in radio during college, hosting Classical and Jazz programs on KVNO. In 1991, he started Pacific Street Blues with a one-hour weekly slot on a commercial station in Omaha. 

Since then, the show has featured interviews with local and national recording artists, including Rolling Stones’ bassist Bill Wyman, John Entwistle of The Who, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, James Cotton of the Muddy Waters Band, and Hubert Sumlin of Howlin’ Wolf’s Band. 

Pacific Street Blues & Americana airs Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon on 89.7 The River.

Key Facts

• Dr. Katey Shirley named SAMHSA Fellow of the Month for August 2025
• Dr. Shirley served as a 2013–2014 MFP doctoral fellow through NBCC Foundation
• Holds a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Old Dominion University
• Teaches in Bellevue University’s CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
• Has more than 15 years of experience in youth behavioral health and over 10 years in counselor education
• Served as immediate past-president of the Nebraska Counseling Association

SAMHSA Recognition and Fellowship Program

Dr. Katey Shirley, professor of counselor education at Bellevue University, has been named the August 2025 Fellow of the Month by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

SAMHSA, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, leads efforts to improve the behavioral health of the nation and the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders.

The Fellow of the Month program highlights individuals who have participated in SAMHSA’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). Each month, SAMHSA features a current or former fellow and shares their work and contributions in the behavioral health field.

Academic Work and Leadership

Dr. Shirley was a 2013-2014 MFP doctoral fellow through the National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation (NBCCF). They earned a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Old Dominion University and teach in Bellevue University’s CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Dr. Shirley has more than 15 years of experience in youth behavioral health and over 10 years in counselor education.

They have also served in leadership roles, including as immediate past-president of the Nebraska Counseling Association. Dr. Shirley supports students, collaborates with peers from the MFP, and combines teaching, leadership, and clinical work in the counseling field.

Dr. Shirley credits the MFP for helping shape their professional path by providing mentorship, connections, and opportunities to lead and contribute to the field.

• Dr. Rick Galusha serves as Program Director at Bellevue University
• He collaborated with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the University of South Dakota, and Middle West Review Journal
• The article is titled From Prairie Populism to Partisan Politics: Nebraska and the Evolution of the Republican Party
• The study examines Nebraska’s path to statehood and its role in political debates before the Civil War

Study Examines Political Development

Dr. Rick Galusha co-authored a publication that examines Nebraska’s political development and its relationship with the Republican Party. The article traces Nebraska’s path to statehood and its involvement in national debates tied to slavery and political alignment.

The study reviews key legislation and events, including the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, along with developments in Kansas and Missouri. It outlines how Nebraska aligned with Republican ideas as the Whig Party declined and how support for candidate John Fremont in 1856 reflected changes in national politics.

Statehood and National Impact

Nebraska entered the Union in 1867 after Congress overrode President Andrew Johnson’s veto. Johnson opposed a requirement that Nebraska remove voting restrictions for African American men. After statehood, Nebraska adopted the motto “Equality Before the Law” and supported the Fourteenth Amendment.

The article explains how Nebraska’s political decisions contributed to the development of the Republican Party and influenced its direction during its early years. The publication is available through Project MUSE.

• Speaker: David Joel Thomas
• Title: Assistant Professor and Program Director of Creative Arts
• Event: TEDxOmaha Salon
• Date: April 24
• Location: KANEKO, 1111 Jones St., Omaha
• Event theme: “The Art of Facing Backwards Into the Future”
• Topic focus: improvisation and design exploration
• Tickets available online

Event Overview

Bellevue University Assistant Professor David Joel Thomas will be the main event speaker at an upcoming TEDxOmaha Salon event on April 24 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. in downtown Omaha.

According to Strawberry-Blue Olive, Executive Producer of TEDxOmaha, “The Art of Facing Backwards Into the Future” Salon event will focus on improvisation. “Our April TEDxOmaha Salon explores how our present and future are deeply entwined with not only our own past but everything that has gone before it.”

Speaker Focus

Thomas, who is the Program Director of Creative Arts at Bellevue University, will discuss Ancient Mesopotamian architectural plans, specifically the urban and domestic plans of Ur (ca. 2000 BCE), that serve as the material basis of an improvisatory design exploration of lost forms and preferable futures. Thomas specializes in Architecture and Design, Ancient Philosophy and Contemporary Continental Philosophy.

TEDxOmaha is an independently organized TED event. As part of the global TED community, TEDx Omaha connects locally to explore ideas and situations that affect our culture, our environment and our minds.

• Speaker: Dr. Matt Davis
• Title: Executive Vice President and Dean, College of Engineering, Technology and Management
• Event: Oracle Higher Education Summit
• Dates: April 7–9
• Session date: April 9
• Session title: “Can Your Financial Aid Automation Turn on a Dime? Turning Regulatory Change Into a Strategic Advantage with Oracle Student Financial Aid”
• Co-presenter: John Refila, Vice President of Product Management for Oracle
• Event audience: higher education leaders across institutions

Event Participation

Dr. Matt Davis, Executive Vice President and Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Management at Bellevue University, will be a featured speaker at the Oracle Higher Education Summit, April 7-9.

Dr. Davis will sit down with John Refila, Vice President of Product Management for Oracle, in a general session on Wednesday, April 9, entitled “Can Your Financial Aid Automation Turn on a Dime? Turning Regulatory Change Into a Strategic Advantage with Oracle Student Financial Aid.”

Session Focus and University Experience

Dr. Davis will share Bellevue’s experience with regard to technological enablement, student success and the student experience, partner and institutional value and future readiness.

Bellevue University is one of the nation’s top online universities and partners with more than 125 businesses across the country. Oracle’s financial aid solution allows for multiple funding sources and provides transparency back to students, many of whom are working adult learners, so they can see how much their employer organization contributes to their education.

About the Summit

The Oracle Higher Education Summit brings together leaders across all segments of higher education, including community colleges, public and private colleges and universities, and research institutions. For more information on the Summit, please visit https://www.oracle.com/government/education/higher-education/higher-education-summit/.

• Researchers discovered Thioalkalicoccus limnaeus strain Um2 in the Baikal rift zone in Russia.
• The bacterium lives in warm, alkaline, and slightly salty water.
• It contains bacteriochlorophyll b and performs photosynthesis using internal tube-like structures.
• The research team sequenced the genome of a Thioalkalicoccus bacterium.
• Researchers propose strain Um2 as the reference strain for the species.
• The discovery may support research in environmental science and biotechnology.

Discovery of Strain Um2

Bellevue University, in collaboration with the Winogradsky Institute of Biology and GEOMAR, announces the discovery of a bacterium, Thioalkalicoccus limnaeus strain Um2, found in a hydrothermal system from Russia’s Baikal rift zone. The bacterium thrives in warm, alkaline, and slightly salty waters and contains bacteriochlorophyll b, which enables it to perform photosynthesis using internal tube-like structures.

Genome Sequencing and Classification

When compared to similar bacteria, strain Um2 was found to be related to other Thioalkalicoccus species but shows genetic differences. The team has sequenced the first-ever genome of a Thioalkalicoccus bacterium and is proposing strain Um2 as the reference strain for this species.

Scientific Impact and Applications

The discovery of strain Um2 offers potential applications in environmental science, particularly in removing pollutants from water. Further comparison of its metabolic processes could also help discover molecules for biotechnological practices.

For more details, read the full article here: https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.006657#.

• Dr. Julia Cronin‑Gilmore has joined the editorial board of Advances in Online Education
• The journal is based in London and focuses on research in online education
• She will encourage research submissions and conduct peer reviews
• She is a faculty member at Bellevue University
• She serves as Program Director for the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program

Role and Responsibilities

Dr. Julia Cronin‑Gilmore has been invited to serve on the editorial board of Advances in Online Education. The journal provides a platform for research in online education.

As an editorial board member, Dr. Cronin‑Gilmore will contribute to the journal’s direction by encouraging colleagues to submit research and conducting peer reviews of submitted articles.

Professional Background

Dr. Cronin‑Gilmore is a faculty member at Bellevue University and Program Director for the University Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program, where she contributes to the development of online education and supports adult learners. Her work aligns with Bellevue University’s mission to provide education and opportunities for lifelong learning.

About the Journal

Advances in Online Education is a journal dedicated to publishing research that enhances the understanding and application of online education methodologies.