MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University representatives recently appeared on WGNS Radio to discuss student-faculty research, a quantum science research partnership, and campus safety heading into the new academic year.

They appeared on the live “Action Line” program with host Scott Walker, broadcast on FM 100.5, 101.9 and AM 1450 from the WGNS studio in downtown Murfreesboro. If you missed it, you can listen to the podcast of the Aug. 17 segments by clicking the links at the end of the bulleted sections below.

Guests for the program, in order of appearance, included:

• Recent MTSU master’s graduate Nyasaina Kwamboka and Dr. Christabel Devadoss, professor of geography at MTSU, discussed Kwamboka’s research. Kwamboka recently graduated with a Master of Arts in International Affairs , alongside a year of research focused on how energy policy shapes communities around the world. 

The Kenyan native completed the degree in an accelerated timeline while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. As a graduate assistant in the Department of Political and Global Affairs, she conducted research on geothermal energy and human security, collaborated with faculty members across disciplines and continued leading the nonprofit organization she founded before arriving at MTSU.

One of those collaborations paired Kwamboka with Devadoss, professor of geography, on a research project examining rural communities in the American Midwest. Kwamboka assisted with qualitative data analysis, interview coding, mapping and preparation of a forthcoming peer-reviewed book chapter.

Listen to the segment here.

• Dr. Jack Villanova, assistant professor of physics and associate director of research for MTSU’s QRISE Center, and Brandon Wagner, vice president of strategy with Middle Tennessee Electric, discussed how MTSU, MTE and Qubit Engineering are collaborating to advance electric distribution grid analytics.

The trio announced a strategic collaboration to develop, test, and validate advanced analytics tools for electric distribution systems — with the goal of moving new algorithms from prototype to field use in months rather than years. Distribution utilities face conditions their networks were never designed for: rising demand, growing rooftop solar and battery storage, and EV charging that concentrates load on individual feeders.

MTSU contributes its research faculty and graduate student researchers; MTE contributes operational data, field experience and an advanced distribution grid for optimization; and Qubit Engineering contributes its quantum-inspired optimization technology and AI-based analysis platform. The work will focus on power flow analysis, contingency screening, grid visualization tools and battery dispatch optimization. Work began in August, with initial results expected within 12 weeks.

Listen to the segment here.

• MTSU Police Chief Edwin “Ed” Kaup discussed campus safety and security as the new academic year began.

Before the start of fall classes, the MTSU Police Department hosted an emergency response training exercise that brought together multiple first-responder agencies, including local law enforcement, fire departments and emergency medical services, to train on coordinated emergency-response procedures in a controlled environment.

The training is part of ongoing efforts by the MTSU Police Department and its community partners to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Earlier this summer, MTSU Police officers participated in annual in-service training — from emergency vehicle operations to CPR and first aid — designed to keep their skills sharp and prepare them for a wide range of situations on campus.

Operating around the clock, the MTSU Police Department is a fully accredited law enforcement agency that provides public safety services across campus. While many people recognize officers for responding to emergencies, the department also offers a variety of programs aimed at preventing problems, assisting students and promoting campus safety throughout the year.

Listen to the segment here.

Students, faculty and staff who are interested in guesting on WGNS to promote their MTSU-related activities should contact Jimmy Hart, senior director of MTSU News and Media Relations, at 615-898-5131 or via email at [email protected].