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Headshot of Megan McDougal standing outside with trees in the bacground. She is wearing a blue jacket over a white top and has long, red hair.

WVU AI medical coding research adds to big picture

Much like the game of connect the dots, Megan McDougal’s academic and professional career share points that have come together to form one big picture. An associate professor in health informatics and information management in the West Virginia University School of Medicine, McDougal has recently added research to her itinerary. She never thought either would be part of her future.

Paola Perez Vega works in a lab surrounded by lab equipment wearing a white lab coat, safety googles and gloves. She has long, dark hair.

WVU grad researcher aims to remove ‘forever chemicals’ from West Virginia water

When Paola Perez-Vega completed her bachelor’s degree in 2023, she had the option of choosing between an industry job or graduate school. She went the graduate school path. The luring power of her undergraduate research in water separation was one of the key factors that made her flow with the tides into the chemical engineering graduate program at West Virginia University.

Kip Holderness stands with his arms crossed in front of a big window. He is wearing a beige suit over a light blue dress shirt. He has short brown hair.

For the Sherlock of financial crimes at WVU, data is the future but human nature is forever

Kip Holderness is an associate professor at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics. He likes knowing what makes people tick and why they do things they shouldn’t. His research explores employee deviance and “psychological entitlement,” which he described as “an inflated sense of deservingness unjustified by merit or performance.”

Photograph of Easton Cahill, an undergraduate researcher at WVU. He is pictured against a black background wearing a white lab coat over a light blue shirt and bright blue tie. He has curly brown hair.

WVU biology student keeping an eye on unique vision problems

When Easton Cahill arrived at West Virginia University, he was the first in his family to attend college. As a high school student in Bridgeport, he was drawn to science through the influence of his biology teacher. Once he discovered his affinity for research, his path became clear — WVU was his choice.

Nine members of a Cirque de Soleil cast pose for a picture together for a picture dressed in their brightly colored costumes.

WVU Athletic Training alumna supporting Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil shows are famous for their stunning aerial performances, world-class acrobatics, amazing contortion acts, and captivating blend of theater, music and dance. While the audience is mesmerized by the magic happening on stage, Val Bustamante, a West Virginia University School of Medicine Athletic Training alumna, works behind the scenes to ensure the performers remain healthy and injury-free.

A photograph of a young couple holding a baby and posing with a coastal town in the background along a huge body of water. The woman I wearing a pink, patterned dress. The man is wearing a light blue shirt and the young boy has short on with a blue shirt

Making a difference, from a distance

Business data analytics student Amber Pickett is making West Virginia a better place to live — all the way from Italy. Already a doctor of audiology, Pickett said she hopes to utilize her additional graduate degree from the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics to improve medical emergency services in Monongalia County.

Martin Hall is shown from a distance.

WVU IMC and DMC scholarship recipients bring diverse experiences to virtual classroom

From an active duty U.S. Air Force member to a first-generation college student, the 2024 West Virginia University Reed College of Media Integrated Marketing Communications and Data Digital Marketing Communications Scholarship recipients run the gamut in terms of life and work experiences, but they each demonstrate the drive to advance their careers and the desire to make a positive impact on their communities.

Headshot of WVU MFA student Josey Miller. She is pictured against a peach colored background wearing a cream colored sweater. She has long, brown hair.
A person smiles in the stands at a wrestling venue.

WVU alumna providing care for World Wrestling Entertainment superstars

Nicole Faso is the only female athletic trainer on the road with World Wrestling Entertainment. The job requires her to travel globally, providing vital medical care to performers at major televised events like WWE SmackDown, 52 weeks of the year. Faso credits experience in the West Virginia University School of Medicine Athletic Training program with preparing her to thrive in the fast-paced, travel-intensive environment.

Photograph of WVU law student Parker D’Antoni pictured inside. He is wearing a navy blue and gray, WVU-branded golf shirt and has short, light brown hair.