College of Sciences, Auburn University at Montgomery

Dr. Hoehun Ha (Bryan), Professor of Geography in the AUM
Department of Biology and Environmental Science Geographic Information Systems, recently published an article entitled “Spatial Association Between Frequent Physical Distress (FPD) and Socioeconomic and Health-Related Factors in the United States: Using Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR)” in ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2026, 15, 118. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi15030118

Abstract:This study explored the spatial relationship between frequent physical distress (FPD) and socioeconomic as well as health-related factors across the contiguous United States. FPD, defined as having 14 or more physically unhealthy days within the past month, serves as an important measure of overall population health. While many studies have examined the causes of mental distress, research on the geographic variation and social context of physical distress remains limited. Using data from 2673 U.S. counties, this study analyzed how socioeconomic conditions and health indicators relate to FPD at both national and regional levels. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multivariate regression model was first used to assess general associations, followed by Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) to identify spatially varying and scale-dependent relationships. Comparing the GWR and MGWR results revealed that several predictors of FPD operate at different spatial scales, reflecting local heterogeneity in health outcomes. Counties in the southeastern United States, particularly those with higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage and poorer health conditions, showed elevated FPD rates. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for spatial context when addressing physical distress and suggest that locally tailored public health strategies may be more effective than uniform national approaches.

Spatial Association Between Frequent Physical Distress (FPD) and Socioeconomic and Health-Related Factors in the United States: Using Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) This study explored the spatial relationship between frequent physical distress (FPD) and socioeconomic as well as health-related factors across the contiguous United States. FPD, defined as having 14 or more physically unhealthy days within the past month, serves as an important measure of overall....

After a career of 42 years at AUM, today we said farewell to Mr. Randy Russell from the Department of Chemistry, seen here with one of his retirement gifts – an earlier photo taken (and framed) by Dr. Steve Arnold. Best wishes Randy!

Join us on Friday May 8 (11 am - 1 pm) in Room 1014 of the Science & Technology Complex as we recognize Mr. Randy Russell’s long service to AUM as we wish him well in his retirement. Mr. Russell (seen here in a photo from 2019) has been on the AUM faculty in the Department of Chemistry (formerly Department of Physical Sciences) for over 40 years.

Dr. Flor Breitman, Assistant Professor in the AUM Department of Biology and Environmental Science, recently published an article entitled “Ocean Genes CURE: The Influence of Ocean Microbes on Global Carbon Cycling” in CourseSource, a peer-reviewed teaching resources publication for undergraduate biology and physics. The series of described lessons aims to broaden engagement of undergraduate students with authentic marine science research and is the culmination of 3 years of collaboration between students, faculty, and staff from many institutions.
Link: https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2026.15

Congratulations to the students (and their mentors) who participated in this year’s College of Sciences Student Research Symposium on April 10. Students representing every department in the College showcased their work through presentations and posters. As opportunities for student research continue to expand in the College of Sciences, students interested in research are encouraged to reach out to faculty about potential projects. Photos: Sarah Belcher (Mathematics) and Michael Hyden (Chemistry).

As we enjoy the break and usual Christmas festivities, here in Alabama we can also celebrate the winter arrival of sandhill cranes at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur. Currently, over 14,000 sandhills (and a few extremely rare whooping cranes) are stopping at Wheeler’s during their southward migration.
These tall, graceful birds are known for their long legs, slender necks, striking red crowns, and loud, rolling call. But better hurry if you want to experience the huge numbers – the birds will begin leaving in January and February. Photo (Dr. Nick Thomas, AUM Chemistry Department) from this week as the sun was breaking through the late afternoon clouds.

AUM senior Sarah Belcher seen here winding down her independent research project this semester (with Dr. Nick Thomas in the Chemistry Department) and holding samples of zinc, copper, iron, and nickel complexes she prepared. The new compounds will be tested for their biological (anti-tumor and anti-bacterial) activity. Sarah plans to graduate with a chemistry major at the end of fall, 2026. Students interested in research opportunities in the College of Sciences should contact faculty.

Thanks for everyone coming out to the 4th Pecan Festival and help the Warhawk SEEDS club & the RHERI plant a total of 39 native azaleas around the AUM forest. The azaleas were a donation from the Montgomery Sunrise Rotary Club and John Torbert. We will be excited to see them all bloom in the spring!

Everyone wants to check out the new Science and Technology Complex.

Congratulations to alum Samantha Mejia, who will be starting graduate school this fall at Auburn University! Samantha will be a doctoral candidate in the Department of Pathobiology--part of the Scott Richey Research Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine--where she will conduct research on cancer in animals. Samantha graduated from AUM in Spring 2023 with a degree in Biology. We're so proud of her and look forward to the contributions she will make to understanding and treating cancer!