From addressing societal challenges to advancing our understanding of the world around us, research matters to all of us. Listen to Research Matters, a production of the Office of Research at Kennesaw State University, to hear how our innovative researchers are working to solve these issues.
Bats have a spooky reputation, thanks in part to their association with Dracula and other Halloween legends. But what if these creatures of the night aren’t as scary as we think?
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re talking with Dr. Thomas McElroy, a researcher in KSU’s College of Science and Mathematics, about his work in bat ecology, what we can learn from these fascinating animals, and how common misconceptions have shaped the way we see them. Joining Thomas is KSU alumna Macy Hills, who shares his passion for bats after working alongside him as a student.
Bats play important roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems, from helping control insect populations to pollinating plants in certain parts of the world. Together, Thomas and Macy explore what makes these often-misunderstood creatures so valuable and why there’s more to bats than meets the eye.
16 Sept 2026
Episode 14: Why Do Stories Have So Much Power?
Storytelling can shape our understanding of ourselves and the people around us.
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re exploring how sharing personal narratives can inform self-awareness and create meaningful connections with others with Dr. Charles Parrott, a KSU researcher from the Geer College of the Arts.
Joining Charlie is Josh Cuthbertson, the creator of Atlanta Storytellers, where people are given the space to share their personal experiences in front of a live audience. In his show, The Songs That Shape Us, storytellers use music as a framework to revisit important moments from their past, while inviting the audience to reflect on the songs and stories that have shaped their own lives.
Through his work with students, Charlie studies how sharing personal stories can create self-knowledge for both the storyteller and the audience. Josh puts that same idea into practice, creating spaces where people can find meaning in their own experiences through the stories of others. Together, their work shows how storytelling can transform an individual experience into something that helps us better understand ourselves and connect with those around us.
12 Aug 2026
Episode 13: Losing Weight Through Personalized Step Counts
Is better health just a few steps away?
In this episode of Research Matters, we talk with Professor of Exercise Science Bob Buresh, who leads an interdisciplinary team investigating how walking can be a transformative, accessible, and cost-effective approach to fighting obesity.
The research aims to confirm initial findings suggesting that increased step counts correlate with improved health indicators, such as reduced body fat and lower insulin levels. Once proven, the predictive model could revolutionize patient care. Instead of prescribing rigorous exercise routines or medications, healthcare professionals might recommend achievable daily step goals.
13 May 2026
Episode 12: Are We Saying the Same Thing About AI That We Said About Google?
Education has undergone many transformations over the years as new technology has been developed. When calculators first hit the market, many teachers considered using them as cheating.
The same concerns were raised about Google. Today, many of us don't even blink at the thought of either. With conversations around AI sounding very similar, how will teachers adapt to this new, rapidly developing tool?
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re talking about the integration of AI into the classroom, how it can be applied wisely, and how we can better prepare teachers for this new frontier.
Dr. William Wright from the Bagwell College of Education at Kennesaw State University joins us to talk about his work in instructional technology, along with North Cobb High School teacher Alex Fahey, who is experiencing the shift firsthand.
15 Apr 2026
Episode 11: Is There More to Measuring Addiction Recovery Than Abstinence?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 1 in 6 Americans struggles with some form of addiction, whether it’s alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances, but of these Americans, only around 12% report themselves to be in recovery.
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re exploring what isn’t working in addiction recovery science and why it isn’t working with Dr. Erica Holliday, a KSU researcher from the Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Joining Erica is her husband, Garrett Guy, a handyman in recovery, who, with Erica’s help, grew to understand addiction and eventually break his own cycle.
Erica's work places her at a unique crossroads where she not only examines the biological side of addiction, but the psychological side as well. She is hoping to shift recovery science away from the "once an addict, always an addict" mindset and rework rehabilitation to be more attainable.
12 Mar 2026
Episode 10: What if Kids Saw Music Through Rose-Colored Glasses?
Large class sizes make it difficult for music teachers to give individualized attention to each student, which can be detrimental, especially for students with special needs.
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re discussing SpectrumPlay, an online platform that uses color-coded sheet music to simplify music education and make it more accessible for all children.
Elementary music classes boost early brain development, allowing students to deepen their creativity, improve their critical thinking skills, and strengthen their memory. With SpectrumPlay, students can work at their own pace with digital support, easing the demand on teachers and maximizing the class time spent with students’ hands on instruments.
Dr. Tiffany Roman and Erin Collins join us to talk about their platform, how it came to be, and the impact it’s having on students across Georgia.
11 Feb 2026
Research Matters Episode 9: Can Virtual Reality Prepare Nurses for Dementia Care?
Nurses today are expected to know more than ever before, but do their educations prepare them for what they will actually face on the job?
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re exploring what virtual reality has to offer nursing education, particularly in training nurses how to deliver effective dementia care to patients experiencing behavioral symptoms.
KSU researchers have developed and are improving a gamified, virtual reality training for nursing students that allows them to experience simulations of realistic clinical scenarios they may face, then learn how respond to them in a controlled environment.
Dr. Modupe Akintomide, Dr. Joy Li, and Faith Smith join us to discuss how they brought healthcare and computer science together to achieve this innovative solution.
15 Dec 2025
Episode 8: How KSU is Easing the Strain on Nurses Using Virtual Care with Dr. Sweta Sneha and Susan Thurman
Across the healthcare system, nurses today are spread thin, managing high patient loads, complex care needs, and constant documentation without the proper support or staffing.
In this episode of Research Matters, we’re discussing an innovative response to that challenge: a virtual nurse aide. With the help of Wellstar Health System, KSU researchers have implemented the virtual aid in several hospitals in Georgia.
This virtual aid utilizes digital technology to monitor patients remotely and provide guidance for follow-up care, improving both outcomes and patient experience.
Sweta Sneha joins us to talk about this project, how it works, and the impact they’ve seen so far along with Susan Thurman, the VP of patient services and Chief Nursing Officer at Wellstar Health System.
17 Oct 2025
Research Matters Trailer
Listen to Research Matters, a production of Kennesaw State University's Office of Research, where we discuss research matters and why they matter.
23 May 2025
Episode 7: Pioneering Al-Driven Mental Health 911 Response with Dr. Monica Nandan and Dr. Dominic Thomas
Dr. Monica Nandan and Dr. Dominic Thomas discuss their pioneering AI system designed to improve first responder effectiveness in emergency mental health calls, in an interview on Research Matters.
8 Mar 2025
Enhancing the Lives of Military and Emergency Services Personnel with AMES
Dr. Brian Moore and Dr. Bianca Channer join Research Matters to discuss the Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research (AMES) at Kennesaw State University, which strives to reduce suicide, anxiety and depression among Georgia’s approximately 1 million military and public safety personnel.
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, the center has conducted more than 7,000 suicide assessments across Georgia.
21 Feb 2025
Improving Prosthetics and Orthotics With a Personal Touch
Professor of Exercise Science and Associate Dean in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Geil joins Research Matters to discuss prosthetics and orthotics. He is joined by Adam Kiel, a student in the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics program at KSU who received his first prosthetic leg at 11 months old and hopes to become a clinician after graduation.
11 Dec 2024
Introducing Youth to Computer Science Through Mathematics with Dr. Alan Shaw
Dr. Alan Shaw shares how his experiences have shaped his approach to education and research, making computer science accessible to a wider audience through the 'Computer Science for All' project.
8 Nov 2024
Using Forensic Anthropology to Recover Lost Loved Ones with Dr. Alice Gooding
Associate Professor of Anthropology Alice Gooding and KSU Police Corporal Rusty Midkiff join Research Matters to discuss the recovery of Rusty's great uncle, a U.S. soldier who was killed in France during World War II and was recently repatriated to Canton, Georgia.
18 Oct 2024
Using the Tool of CrossFit to Win the 'War on Fitness' with Dr. Gerald Mangine
Associate Professor of Exercise Science Dr. Gerald "Jerry" Mangine and strength coach Griffin Roelle join Research Matters to discuss how Dr. Mangine's research informs the training regimens built for those using CrossFit to improve their fitness.
11 Sept 2024
The Future of Research at Kennesaw State University with Dr. Karin Scarpinato
Vice President for Research at Kennesaw State University Dr. Karin Scarpinato joins Research Matters to discuss how the Office of Research is building an environment for collaborative research, the intersection of research and commercialization, and whether there will ever be a cure for cancer.
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