TRLS Seminars, Fall 2026

Tuesdays, 9:55 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. | Ramsey, Room 214

Explore the rich history of University of Georgia athletics in this engaging seminar. From the iconic Sanford Stadium to Foley Field to Stegeman Coliseum you will examine the evolution of UGA sports, the significance of athletic achievements, and the impact of sports on the university. Through in-depth analysis of key moments, legendary athletes, and pivotal championships, this course highlights the role of athletics in shaping the identity of the University of Georgia. You will also explore the changing landscape of college athletics at UGA, in the SEC and the NCAA. Whether a lifelong fan or newcomer, gain a deeper appreciation for UGA athletics while learning about the broader influence of sports in higher education and society.

Instructor: Dave Schmidt, Mary Frances Early College of Education, Kinesiology 
Dave Schmidt is an instructor in the Department of Kinesiology (Sport Management) at UGA. He has over 10 years of experience working in college athletics with stops at the University of North Carolina, Florida State University and his alma mater, Grand Valley State University. His research interests include sport communication, sport gambling and sport analytics.

Wednesdays, 2:55 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. | STEM-2 Room 2205

In addition to the general student development content expected of the TRLS, this seminar will introduce students in chemistry and related disciplines to academic and research resources available at UGA specific to their fields, including introduction to the Chemistry Learning Assistants program, visits to research institutes and facilities (eg. CCRC), and advising on how to identify and engage in research opportunities at UGA and elsewhere. I also anticipate hosting two or three guest speakers in chemistry-adjacent career fields (chemical/medical/pharmaceutical industry, patent law, policy, etc.) to develop students’ long-term vision and goals.

Instructor: Nicholas Llewellyn, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Chemistry
Dr. Llewellyn is Senior Lecturer of Organic Chemistry. He is faculty advisor to the SAACS Chemistry Club, a member of his department’s Organic Chemistry Curriculum Committee and the Extracurricular Enhancement Committee, an Academic Innovation Fellow for Global Education (Franklin College), and recipient of the Student Career Success Influencer Award (UGA Career Center).

Wednesdays, 2:55 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. | Caldwell Hall, Room 105

This one-credit seminar introduces fundamental classification techniques in machine learning, covering supervised and unsupervised methods. Students explore real-world applications such as spam detection, disease prediction, and image recognition. Topics include logistic regression, k-nearest neighbors, decision trees, random forests, support vector machines, clustering, and principal component analysis (PCA).

The course emphasizes conceptual understanding, model evaluation, and challenges like overfitting and dimensionality reduction. Designed for transfer students, it provides a supportive introduction to data science and AI. No prior programming experience is required.

Instructor: Sarangan Balasubramaniam, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Statistics
Dr. Sarangan Balasubramaniam is a Lecturer in Statistics at the University of Georgia, specializing in data science, machine learning, and applied statistics. He is passionate about active learning and AI-enhanced teaching, developing innovative courses that support student success and real-world problem solving across interdisciplinary fields.

Tuesdays, 4:35 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. | Correll Hall, Room 116

This course will reinforce fundamental accounting concepts, laying a strong foundation for success in upper-level accounting courses. You will feel confident in using T accounts, preparing adjusting and closing entries, and preparing financial statements. Additionally, you will learn effective study and test preparation strategies, and gain information about access to academic support resources. Recognizing that academic success is closely tied to student well-being, this course will also highlight resources available at UGA to support your overall well-being. You will have opportunities to engage with your fellow accounting students, helping to foster a sense of community within the program.

Instructor: Swati Bhandarkar, Terry College of Business, J.M. Tull School of Accounting
With two decades of experience teaching Introductory and Intermediate Accounting at the Terry College I am deeply familiar with the challenges that transfer students face when transitioning to upper-level accounting courses. I am passionate about helping students develop the foundational accounting skills, confidence and sense of community they need to thrive at UGA.

Thursdays, 9:55 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Cedar Street Building C, Room 678

This course offers a unique blend of sweetness and science. Together, we will explore a spectrum of topics ranging from chocolate production to persistent disease threats, such as Cholera. Join us to unravel the mysteries of microbes and their profound effects on our daily lives. Activities will include exploring research opportunities, building connections with healthcare fields, exploring study abroad programs, and investigating a variety of career paths in the life science disciplines.

Instructor: Jennifer Walker & Julie Grainy, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Microbiology
Dr. Walker is Senior Lecturer in Microbiology and undergraduate program coordinator for the Microbiology major. She teaches microbiology courses for majors and non‑majors, engaging students through active learning in the classroom. Her passion is helping students link their interests and career goals with opportunities that support their academic and professional growth.

Mondays, 2:55 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. | Ecology, Room 117

In this course, we’ll explore the fascinating world of animal conflict, dominance hierarchies, and communication, focusing on the mechanisms (“how”) and evolutionary reasons (“why”) behind these behaviors. Each class, we will watch video clips, read pop-science articles, or discuss real-world case studies that reveal how animals compete, cooperate, communicate and navigate social systems that are often just as complex as ours! From birds bluffing rivals to wasps forming strict pecking orders, we’ll examine the surprising strategies animals use to survive and thrive. Throughout the semester, you will build practical scientific skills by interpreting behavioral data, evaluating evidence, and giving class presentations.

Instructor: Allison Injaian, Odum School of Ecology, Ecology
I discovered my passion for teaching after college during my AmeriCorps service year, teaching ESL classes at a literacy nonprofit. While earning my PhD in Animal Behavior, I continued mentoring undergraduates. Now I’m a Senior Lecturer in the Odum School of Ecology, where I teach STEM and non‑STEM students, and advise the Ecology Student Ambassador program.

Wednesdays, 4:35 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Correll Hall, Room 221

This seminar is designed to help incoming transfer students confidently define and communicate who they are as emerging business professionals, applying key marketing concepts to themselves as individuals. Through guided interest and skills assessments, students will learn to recognize their strengths and reframe past work, academic, and life experiences to highlight the transferrable skills and value they bring to an organization. The course builds practical competencies in résumé development, presentation skills, and professional communication while fostering self‑awareness and clarity of purpose. By the end of the seminar, students will have the tools to craft a compelling, authentic personal brand.

Instructor: Lyndsay Loomer, Terry College of Business, Marketing
Lyndsay Loomer is a lecturer of marketing in the Terry College of Business. Prior to joining Terry as a faculty member, Dr. Loomer held industry roles in public relations, advertising, brand marketing, and marketing strategy.

Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. – 12:55 p.m. | Barrow Hall, Room 205

Most people focus on adding years to their life; this course will focus on how you can add life to your years. As a class, we will dive into the “health span revolution,” a movement that is focused on adding quality (not just quantity) to our lives. You will investigate the science behind how movement and diet affect nearly every organ system in the body, from the musculoskeletal to the immune system. By the end of this seminar, you will have gained concrete, evidence-based strategies you can incorporate into your life and provide to your family members, friends, and patients, ensuring not just a longer life but a healthier one.

Instructor: Courtney McDaniel, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Cellular Biology
With a diverse background in the biological sciences, spanning from human physiology to ecology, I am driven by a curiosity to understand the mechanisms that govern biological systems (from the human body to freshwater ecosystems). My goal is for each student to leave my class with a profound appreciation for the amazing mechanisms that sustain us every day.

Wednesdays, 9:55 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. | Broad Street Studio I, Room Studio 225

This course explores how entrepreneurship and innovation work across the UGA campus by doing visits and having weekly workshops and dialogue. We begin with the Entrepreneurship Program and work outward from there. This course isn’t about creating new products; it is about understanding how UGA’s 19 schools and colleges work both individually and collaboratively to address modern day challenges. No matter what career path you pursue, innovation will be essential, and you will discover that entrepreneurs can come from even the most unexpected places! For the past 12 years, UGA has ranked in the top 5 Universities in terms of the number of products brought to market, and securing the #1 or #2 spot for the past nine years.

Instructor: Donald Chambers, Terry College of Business, The Entrepreneurship Program
I am a scholar-practitioner working on innovation for decades, with my Doctorate having studied the practice of entrepreneurship. My superpower has been liaising small firm innovation with large firm infrastructure. I have bought and sold firms, started some from scratch too while raising $100 mn+ in various forms of capital and even bankrupted one firm!

Mondays, 8:15 a.m. – 9:35 a.m. | Caldwell Hall, Room 203

Predictive models increasingly guide decisions in healthcare, business, education, and public policy. In this seminar, you will explore how data informs those decisions and what it truly means to “predict” an outcome. We will discuss how models are evaluated, why accuracy alone is not always enough, and how tradeoffs arise between performance and interpretability. Through case studies and discussion, we will examine both the power and limits of data-driven decision-making, including questions of fairness and responsibility. The seminar will also support your transition to UGA by introducing academic success strategies and campus opportunities that strengthen your academic and professional growth.

Instructor: Monsur Chowdhury, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Statistics
I am a Senior Lecturer in Statistics at the University of Georgia, teaching courses in statistics, data science, and machine learning. My work focuses on helping students understand how predictive models guide real-world decisions. I enjoy mentoring students pursuing careers in analytics and applied data science.

Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 6:25 p.m. | Caldwell Hall, Room 203

This seminar introduces you to the power of statistical thinking in both academic success and everyday decision-making. Through open and interactive discussions, you will explore how working with data strengthens critical thinking and problem-solving skills across disciplines. The seminar will feature industry professionals and alumni in statistics and data science, who will share how they apply statistical thinking to solve real-world problems and navigate careers in STEM fields. You will also be connected with faculty and industry mentors, while learning about career development and campus support resources to guide your academic and professional pathways.

Instructor: Prince Allotey, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Statistics
Dr. Prince Allotey is a Lecturer in the Department of Statistics. He earned his Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Connecticut. He is passionate about teaching and mentoring, with a particular focus on creating student-centered and inclusive classrooms that foster learning, build student confidence, and promote diversity in the mathematical sciences.

Tuesdays, 8:15 a.m. – 9:35 a.m. | Aderhold, Room 102

Co-taught by an audiologist and speech pathologist, this seminar offers interactive exploration of communication sciences & disorders (CMSD)- the study of how people hear, speak, understand, and connect. The course supports a successful transition to the university, fostering a sense of belonging at UGA, while introducing the academic and professional landscape of CMSD. You will explore the foundations of human connection, examine how communication disorders affect individuals and communities, and learn how clinicians address these conditions across the lifespan. Through hands-on activities, you will evaluate communication accessibility on campus and discuss emerging topics like the role of artificial intelligence in clinical practice.

Instructors: Alison Morrison & Ainsley Vergara, Mary Frances Early College of Education, Communication Sciences and Special Education
As a clinical faculty member and audiologist, I provide clinical care to patients in the UGA Speech and Hearing Clinic. My expertise is in identification and treatment of hearing loss in young children. I teach in the CMSD major which welcomes many transfer students each year, and I want to facilitate a smooth transition for incoming students like you.

Mondays, 2:55 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. | Life Sciences, Room C130

This course will explore recent advances in genetics research that have impacted the field of biomedicine. We will consider how Genetics research is helping to identify genetic causes of disease, develop diagnostic tests for genetic disorders, and advance new therapies for disease treatment. We will also discuss how research is funded and reported, explore active areas of research with biomedical relevance at UGA, discuss available careers in biomedical research and adjacent fields, and identify ways you can begin preparing for a research career while here at UGA.

Instructor: Mary Goll, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Genetics
Mary Goll is a Professor of Genetics. She earned her PhD with distinction from Columbia University in 2006. Her research into epigenetic regulation in development and disease has been funded by the NIH, American Cancer Society, and March of Dimes. She codirects the NIH T32 graduate training program in Genetics at UGA and has mentored > 30 undergraduate research projects.

Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. – 12:55 p.m. | Cedar Street Building C, Room 689

Medical narratives offer a window into how clinicians interpret their work to make sense of uncertainty and navigate the emotional and ethical dimensions of care. These writings reveal the human side of healthcare: communication challenges, moral tensions, moments of connection, and pressures that shape clinical practice. This course provides a relational understanding of healthcare for those intending to be health practitioners, but it also welcomes students who are simply curious about how stories shape and are shaped by medicine, public health, and society. These stories resonate with readers who are interested in writings about ethics, health policy, or community engagement.

Instructor: Holly Gallagher, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Biological Sciences Division
Holly Gallagher is a Senior Lecturer in Science Writing in the Biological Sciences Division. She teaches courses on scientific research writing and health writing for broader populations, though she has a wide and varied background in the humanities including curatorial experience at an art museum in Baltimore and an art gallery in Chicago.

Tuesdays, 9:55 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Aderhold, Room 520

Are you a transfer student interested in veterinary medicine? If so, this seminar is for you. Through interactive discussions and guest speakers, you will learn more about the field and how to strengthen your DVM application. You will also be introduced to university academic support services that will help you successfully navigate your academic and professional journeys. By the end of the seminar, you will be better equipped to integrate into the university community and make a more informed decision about whether a career in veterinary medicine is right for you.

Instructor: S. Nicole Jones & Narke Norton, College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Academic Affairs
I completed both a BS in Psychology and MEd in College Student Affairs Administration from UGA. I also completed a PhD in Educational Psychology & Research from UT-Knoxville. I spent many years advising transfer students, including those interested in veterinary medicine. I currently work in the College of Veterinary Medicine in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Wednesdays, 1:15 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. | Baldwin, Room 302

This TRLS Seminar will focus on the examination of political propaganda and mass persuasion. Through assigned work and active learning in class and discussions, students will learn how it is the human brain can be hacked to make us susceptible to manipulative messages. They will learn about the goals of propagandists and the tools they use for both good and bad objectives, as well as how to analyze propaganda and be more resistant to it. In addition we will explore the opportunities at UGA and build community and support for each other.

Instructor: Audrey Haynes, School of Public and International Affairs, Political Science
Dr. Haynes is a Meigs Professor of Political Science—Ph.D. 1996, The Ohio State University. Her work focuses on media & presidential elections. She is Director of the Applied Politics Program, which focuses politics & the skills & practical knowledge required in those areas such as political communication, political marketing, lobbying, public policy making and campaigns.

Tuesdays and Thursdays (First Half of Semester), 4:35 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. | MLC, Room 245

Being a transfer student is an ASSET that can help you differentiate yourself from the crowd. In this seminar, you’ll focus on how to take advantage of your unique perspective and skills, helping you stand out in the professional world.

We’ll explore how to leverage effective communication to create meaningful opportunities and identify key moments and opportunities where you can shine. We’ll think critically about our unique contexts, analyze the audiences of our interactions, and relate to them in ways that exceed expectations. No matter your communication skill level, this seminar will provide tangible, actionable strategies to build your ethos as a professional and boost your confidence as you navigate these next few years.

Instructor: Jessica Daniels, Terry College of Business, Insurance, Real Estate, and Legal Studies
I’m passionate about helping students grow as intentional communicators. At the Terry College of Business, I teach business communication and founded the Writing Lab@Terry to support student writing. I strive to model relationship-centered communication in every interaction. When not teaching, you’ll find me listening to true crime podcasts or planning for future travels.

Mondays, 1:15 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. | Boyd, Room 628

This course uses the theme of symmetry to explore how mathematics weaves through the sciences, from physics and biology to psychology. By looking at how symmetry shapes our understanding of the natural world, students will gain insight into the deep connections between math and other scientific disciplines. At the same time, the course emphasizes practical tools for academic success. Students will learn how to take meaningful notes, study math effectively, and make the most of the resources available at UGA, including tutoring, study spaces, and support services. Whether you’re planning to major in a STEM field or simply want to build confidence in math, this course offers both a fresh perspective and a solid foundation for future learning.

Instructor: Jimmy Dillies, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Mathematics
Jimmy Dillies is a mathematician whose research focuses on algebraic geometry and its interactions with mathematical physics. He studies the symmetries of certain spaces that arise in string theory, particularly Calabi–Yau varieties and related spaces. His work bridges mathematics and physics, with an emphasis on geometric structures that underpin high-energy models.

Wednesdays, 8:40 a.m. – 9:35 a.m. | Forest Resources I, Room 107

You’ve already used ChatGPT or something like it. Maybe it wrote a draft you edited, or answered a question faster than Google. So here’s the question: if AI can do a lot of what college asks you to do, why are you here?

This seminar takes that question seriously. We’ll read a book that is a rigorous, entertaining guide to spotting manipulative data and bad arguments — and we’ll apply those same critical tools to AI systems themselves. How do LLMs actually work? What can’t they do, and why? When does using AI support your learning vs. replace it?

By the end, you won’t just be a more careful consumer of AI — you’ll have a clearer, more confident answer to what you, specifically, are doing in college. (Description by Claude.ai — mostly.)

Instructor: Duncan Elkins, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Forestry 

I’m a fish ecologist who teaches data literacy at Warnell — statistics, data processing, ecology, and capstones. Before grad school I consulted at a B2B analytics startup and now sit comfortably between science, the outdoors, and tech. I still work on southeastern aquatic conservation and fly-fish when I can.

Wednesdays, 2:55 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. | Baldwin, Room 202

As a society, we are intrigued with serial killers. Numerous books, documentaries, and academic publications have been devoted to analyzing the “why.” Using the book, A Killer Across the Table: Unlocking the Secrets of Serial Killers and Predators with FBI’s Original Mindhunter, along with documentaries and other scholarly sources, students will learn about prolific serial killers’ childhood, adolescent, and adult lives. Students will also learn numerous sociological and criminological theories, which will aid in their analysis of “why’d they do it.”

Instructor: Bobette Otto, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Sociology

My name is Bobby Jo Otto, and I’ve been a lecturer at UGA since 2022. During my dissertation research, I examined how school and neighborhood segregation impacted delinquency, which ignited a passion for learning more about why people commit crime. This academic interest, eventually led to a personal interest examining the backgrounds of serial killers.