Vol. 29 No. 18 - January 21, 2025

 
When it comes curing diseases, computer science is usually not the first major that comes to mind. Recent graduates like Habib Nasir are changing that perspective and demonstrating how an interdisciplinary problem-solving approach can play a critical role in treating devastating diseases. In 2024, Nasir completed two separate internships as a bioinformatics research intern, first at Washington University in St. Louis, and later at Harvard Medical School.  
 
Bioinformatics draws from a multitude of fields including biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics and statistics to analyze and interpret biological data. The term has been used since the 1970s. With every technological advancement the impact from computer science is amplified in terms of effectiveness.
 
“Computer science – especially machine learning – allows us to analyze vast datasets to uncover hidden patterns, predict outcomes and build models for personalized medicine,” Nasir said. “My role focuses on analyzing large-scale genetic datasets, building computational pipelines and using statistical and machine learning tools to identify patterns, genes or pathways associated with diseases.”
 
Playing a role in ending disease was not at the forefront of Nasir’s mind when he came to Truman from Karachi, Pakistan. After working with Colin DeGraff, assistant professor of physics, to use applied data science, Nasir soon saw the real-world impact he could have.
 
“As I began to explore data science, I realized its potential to revolutionize medicine,” he said. “Combining computational skills with real-world medical challenges has been incredibly fulfilling, especially as I work on building models that could have a direct impact on patients’ lives.”
 
When an internship at Washington University was advertised to students in the Truman Computer Science Department, Nasir applied and was accepted. He spent the summer focusing on research dedicated to blood cancers such as myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia.
 
“It was an incredible experience, and it got me excited to learn more about the field,” he said.
 
Nasir was so moved by the experience he took it upon himself to find a similar internship for the fall. He began emailing labs and researchers looking for ways he could contribute. After sending hundreds of emails, he got a response from the Khurana Lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Sunyaev Lab at Harvard. There, he focused on Parkinson’s disease and MSA, a rare condition of the brain and nervous system.
 
“Working on a brain-related disease like Parkinson’s has been particularly inspiring because machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, allows us to analyze complex neurological data,” he said. “By studying the mechanisms behind brain diseases, I also gain a deeper understanding of how intelligence works and how the brain functions. This connection between artificial intelligence and biological intelligence fascinates me and motivates me to explore new ways to apply computational tools to unlock insights about the brain.”
 
Progress sometimes comes with a trade-off, and in Nasir’s field the information he uses to contribute to a future free from disease has somber roots.
 
“While much of my work involves writing code and analyzing data, I remind myself that every dataset represents real patients,” he said. “This perspective motivates me to approach my work thoughtfully and with a sense of purpose, knowing that even small insights could make a difference in someone’s life.”
 
In the short term, Nasir hopes his work can help identify genes and pathways linked to diseases and contribute to ongoing research. Eventually, these findings could support the development of targeted treatments, diagnostic tools or biomarker discoveries that improve patient care.
 
Nasir might be one of the individuals to make long-term contributions based on work he has already done. After graduating from Truman in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, he accepted a full-time role as a computational biologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he completed his fall internship. He plans to work for at least two years before pursuing a Ph.D.

William McKinney’s exhibition, “Terra Fracta,” explores the relationship between humanity and nature, with a particular focus on the destructive impact of coal and natural gas mining in Appalachia. As an artist with roots in this region, McKinney’s ceramic sculptures serve as both a testament to the environmental devastation caused by these industries and as a call to action against the global crisis of environmental exploitation.

McKinney, assistant professor of art, ceramics and gallery director at Truman, brings his expertise and passion for environmental issues to this thought-provoking exhibition. Through his mastery of form, color, texture and pattern, he conveys the tension between the forces of destruction and the enduring beauty of the earth. His work envisions a future geology shaped by human activity, where the layers of manipulated rocks tell stories of both exploitation and resilience. By blending traditional ceramic techniques with innovative approaches, he creates pieces that are simultaneously grounded in the past and forward-looking, urging viewers to consider the lasting consequences of human intervention in the natural world.

The University Art Gallery is located in Ophelia Parrish 1114. Reception and events are free and open to the public. These two exhibitions will be open from Jan. 21-Feb. 28. “Terra Fracta” will be located in Charlyn Gallery with “Still Life with Bowl of Universe” in the main gallery. For more information visit gallery.arttruman.com.

As part of the Ofstad Visiting Scholar Program, award-winning actor, director, playwright, novelist and adventurer Keith Scales will read selections from his work, “Passages from Overlook City,” at 1 p.m. Jan. 30 in Baldwin Hall Little Theatre. A light lunch will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

Scales was continuously active in the Pacific Northwest theater community from 1970-2009, working as a freelance professional actor, director, teacher, designer, organizer and grant writer. A familiar face to Portland and Seattle theatergoers, Scales acted in more than 200 plays and directed nearly 100.

In 2009 Scales relocated from Oregon to the Ozarks to concentrate on the creation of original works for page, stage and screen. He still teaches, consults and directs on occasion, but is now committed to a daily writing regime.

Scales will also be on campus Jan. 27-31 teaching a special Ofstad course, “Stories Well-Told,” on the narrative elements in fiction, non-fiction and drama. The focus of the class will be on developing students’ individual voices, as well as employing theater improvisation exercises and techniques to offer an exhilarating opportunity to learn storytelling from the inside out. The class will be appealing to creative writing students, English students and theater and musical theater students, as well.

 
Truman has released the names of students who graduated at the conclusion of the fall semester.
 
The names of the graduates can be found online at truman.edu/honors/fall-2024-graduation-list. Students who graduated with honors will have that distinction noted by their names. Cum laude recognizes those who earned a grade point average of 3.50-3.74. Magna cum laude is for graduates with a grade point average of 3.75-3.89. Summa cum laude honors graduates with a grade point average of 3.9 or better.
 
Master’s degree recipients will have that distinction noted by their names.
 
The list is organized by state and hometown. Hometowns are based upon the permanent address given to the University by the student. Students who have requested a directory hold on their information will not be included on the list. Any questions regarding student eligibility for inclusion on the list can be directed to the Registrar’s Office at 660.785.4143.
 
Truman conducted commencement ceremonies Dec. 14 at Pershing Arena. A recording of the ceremony is available at truman.edu/registrar/commencement/commencement-video. A photo gallery can also be found at photos.truman.edu.

Jan. 21

MLK Community Dinner

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be filed now for the 2025-2026 school year at studentaid.gov. All students in need of financial assistance are encouraged to complete the FAFSA. Federal Student Aid is the largest provider of financial aid for college students in the United States.

As part of the FAFSA Completion Week of Action, online help via Zoom is available to students and families from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 21-23. Time slots can be reserved here.  

Students can also contact the Truman Financial Aid Office directly with any questions at any time in McClain Hall 103, by email at finaid@truman.edu or phone at 660.785.4130. The Financial Aid Office website also has a variety of helpful resources for students and their families.

Even though a student may not qualify for grants or work-study, all students are considered for the Federal Direct Loan (no co-signer required). Filing the FAFSA does not commit students to taking a loan, but it does allow for more options.

The 2025-2026 FAFSA will use 2023 tax year information with a priority deadline of Feb. 1, 2025 for Missouri residents. It is strongly recommended to apply or renew before Feb. 1. Details about the FAFSA can be found online at studentaid.gov.

The Activities Fair will take place from 12-5 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Student Union Building. This event is an excellent opportunity for students to find organizations to join on campus. A full list of organizations can be found here.

Student organizations must be in good standing with the U&I to participate. Registrations for organizations can be found here. For more information contact Union and Involvement Services in the Student Union Building 2000, at 660.785.4222 or by email at orgs@truman.edu.

More information about the TruScholars program is available on the Office of Student Research website. Applications are due by Feb. 21. Any additional questions about TruScholars can be directed to osr@truman.edu.

The Center for Academic Excellence’s Tutoring Center offers free tutoring to all Truman students.

The center is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Students can book a tutoring session with an academic peer tutor for class-specific tutoring or learning strategy support here. Walk-ins are also welcome depending on tutor availability.

For the spring 2025 semester, the Tutoring Center will be located on the first floor of Pickler Memorial Library past the cafe at the tables outside the CAE main office (PML 109) and advisor’s offices. Tutors will have name tags and table stands.

Contact Violet Odzinski, center coordinator, at vodzinski@truman.edu for any questions.

The Student Recreation Center is hiring intramural referees for the spring semester. Scholarship, work-study and institutional pay options are available. Applications can be found here and are due by Jan. 31. Questions can be emailed to imsports@truman.edu.

Applications should be well thought out and as detailed as possible, however the committee will help to refine submissions. Proposals can be completed using this form. The deadline for proposal submission is 12 a.m. March 16. For more details about the application process and guidelines, visit senate.truman.edu/archives/officialdocuments, or reach out to Willow Reese, committee chair, at sb85256@truman.edu.

Truman’s Student Health Center now offers on-campus services to University employees.

Since 2021, the health center has been operated through a partnership with Complete Family Medicine. As a subsidiary of Hannibal Regional, a not-for-profit health system, the center has been able to expand its on-campus offerings to include Truman and Sodexo employees.

“We’re really proud of our partnership with Truman, and being able to open up our services to Truman and Sodexo employees like this is something we don’t take lightly,” said Dr. Jordan Palmer. “Complete Family Medicine has a really sharp team of providers and staff at the Student Health Center that have been preparing for this for a while now, so we hope employees will come see us.”

The Student Health Center offers preventative and primary care, such as immunizations, well-women exams, allergy immunotherapy, physicals and medication management. Acute care is also available for injuries or cold and flu treatment. Additionally, the health center has access to nearby off-campus outpatient services including radiology and specialists.

Appointments can be made by calling 660.785.4182 or by visiting the health center in person. Located in the McKinney Center, hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday.

Employees are only eligible for services provided at the health center. While Complete Family Medicine also oversees University Counseling Services, those resources will continue to be provided exclusively to students.

Services provided at the Student Health Center are billed through insurance, Medicaid or private payments. Complete Family Medicine is an in-network provider for Truman’s Anthem plan.

For more information, visit the Student Health Center website, or call 660.785.4182.

Spring hours for the Student Recreation Center:

6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Monday-Thursday

6:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday

11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday

Spring hours for the Student Union Building:

7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Monday-Friday

8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday

12 p.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday

Campus Mailroom is now located in Barnett Hall 1214 and can be accessed through the back parking lot, double doors on the southwest corner. Contact Cathy Sherrow, manager of printing services and mail services, at csherrow@truman.edu with any questions.