Staci Dumoski
From discovering new alternatives to manage uncontrolled bleeding to investigating threats against public officials and the impact of social media on civic engagement, Chapman University is making significant strides in several important fields of research.
Here are just a few of those impactful projects that are pushing scholarship forward.
Chapman Professor Contributes to Breakthrough Hemostasis and Wound Healing Research
Andrew Lyon, Fowler School of Engineering founding dean and professor, is part of a scientific research team developing synthetic platelet-like particles (PLPs) that stop uncontrolled bleeding. Sanika Pandit, an alumna of Chapman University, is also among the 15 authors in this research.
The strong safety profile demonstrated in the study makes it effective in trauma and surgical interventions. This advancement could potentially lead to improved medical treatments and outcomes for patients.
Steady Rise in Threats Against Public Officials while Confidence in Democracy Declines
The number of threats against public officials has risen steadily over the last decade. Peter Simi, a professor of sociology at Chapman University, co-authored a study titled, “Rising Threats to Public Officials: A Review of 10 Years of Federal Data,” which was published by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.
The study found that these threats will likely increase without intervention from policymakers, law enforcement and the public. However, several obstacles make it difficult to address the rising number of threats. One is the blurry line between protected speech and criminal threats, another is the anonymity created by a wide range of digital technology and traditionally easy access to public officials.
Positive Media Psychologist Says Social Media can Boost Civic Engagement
Chapman University’s associate professor Sophie Janicke-Bowles is challenging the narrative that social media deepens divisions in our society. She believes that social platforms are powerful tools for activism, connecting and mobilizing people across the globe. Social media amplifies political messages and motivates offline civic activities, especially for Gen Z and Millennials.
Janicke-Bowles also pioneered the very first textbook on Positive Media Psychology and led the creation of a groundbreaking questionnaire designed to measure digital flourishing.
