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1. 2021 Future of Survey Research Conference: Conference Report

   Madson, Gabriel; Cooper, Alexandra (March 2021, 2021 Future of Survey Research Conference)

   Survey research is at a crossroads. For at least half a century, survey data have been essential to government agencies, policy-makers, businesses, and academics across different fields to inform a wide range of critical decisions with far-reaching consequences. Even in an era of “big data,” surveys remain fundamental to understanding and shaping the economy, politics and governance, and society. Yet challenges to conducting high quality surveys are substantial and increasing. Face-to-face interviewing remains the gold standard of survey research, but the rising costs of such interviews are prohibitive. New technologies, techniques, and data sources present opportunities to improve the efficiency and speed of survey data collection and/or reduce its costs but have shortcomings that may exceed their advantages. To examine and develop strategies to address the challenges facing survey research, the Duke Initiative on Survey Methodology hosted a conference January 14th and 15th, 2021, on the Future of Survey Research. This report summarizes the proceedings and highlights key recommendations that resulted. 

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2. ASEE Conference Proceedings

   Boklage, A; Kellam, N; Cirell, A; Coley, B (January 2018, An exploration of the diverse stories of engineering students at community colleges: Findings from year one)

   In this NSF-funded Research in the Formation of Engineering (RFE) project, we are exploring the unique experiences of students from underrepresented groups (URGs) at community colleges who have the opportunity to transfer to engineering programs. We are specifically investigating how their experiences in community college influence their plans for future education and careers. While the diversity of 4-year universities has remained stagnant, the diversity of community college student populations is actually increasing. Therefore, community colleges represent a potential source of talent for future engineers from diverse backgrounds. We are currently in the first year of data collection where we have piloted the study at one of the data collection sites. Five students from traditionally underrepresented groups in engineering have been interviewed. We use a narrative inquiry methodology to understand these students’ experiences at community colleges. This paper shares 3 lessons learned during this pilot phase of research, which include allowing sufficient time for institutional access, the criticality of a willingness to iterate on participant recruitment procedures, and the need for constant consideration of the broader political climate when recruiting participants. 

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3. SOUTHERN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING CONFERENCE

   Yeoheung Yun (August 2022, Vascularized Cortical Organoid Microphysiological System To Model Alzheimer’s Disease)

   Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived brain organoids can recapitulate the complex cytoarchitecture of the brain as well as the genetic and epigenetic footprint of human brain development. Although the brain organoids are able to mimic the structures and functions of brain in vitro, the 3D models have difficulty in integrating a complex vascular network that can provide the interaction with organoids. Here we report on a microfluidicbased three-dimensional, vascularized cortical organoid tissue construct consisting of 1) a perfused micro-vessel against an extracellular matrix (ECM), dynamic flow and membrane-free culture of the endothelial layer, 2) a sprouted vascular network using a combination of angiogenic factors, and 3) a vascularized hiPSCderived cortical organoid. We report on an optimization of density/stiffness of ECM to induce angiogenic sprouting and effect of angiogenic factors to trigger robust, rapid, and directional angiogenesis for concentration-driven and repetitive sprout formation. Vascularized network in the microfluidic device was further characterized in terms of morphology, directional alignment under perfusion, lumen formation, and permeability. HiPSCderived cortical organoid was generated, placed, and integrated into a vascularized network in the vascularized microfluidic device. We investigate how vascularized micro-vessels interact with cortical organoid. This paper further demonstrates the potential utility of a membrane-free vascularized cortical organoid in perfusion used to model Alzheimer’s disease and for toxicity screening of nerve agents. 

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4. NSEC 2018 Conference Proceedings

   https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/tsnaj  

   Redd, Kacy; Finkelstein, Noah (June 2018, Network of STEM Education Centers National Conference)

   Redd, Kacy; Finkelstein, Noah (Ed.)

   Presentations and abstracts from the NSEC 2018 National Conference. These are the proceedings from the sixth NSEC national conference held on June 6-8, 2018. 

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5. NSEC 2016 Conference Proceedings

   https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/5gzp7  

   Redd, Kacy; Finkelstein, Noah (June 2016, Network of STEM Education Centers National Conference)

   Redd, Kacy; Finkelstein, Noah (Ed.)

   Abstracts and presentations from the 2016 SMTI/NSEC National Conference held on June 8-9, 2016. The theme was Center Roles in Improving Undergraduate STEM Education. The Keynote Speaker was Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources Programs (EHR), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and committee chair of the National Academies' Barriers and Opportunities for 2-Year and 4-Year STEM Degrees. 

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