Below is an archive of our department's recent media appearances, awards, funded grants, publications, presentations, and other news highlighting the work of our talented faculty, staff, and students.
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Media Appearances
Mar 17, 2025
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Eight professors named NAI Senior Members (Suraj Sharma) UGAToday
Mar 12, 2025
- How Facebook Marketplace is keeping young people on the platform (Yoo-Kyoung Seock) NBC
- One Big Reason Gen Z Is Still on Facebook: To Save Money (Yoo-Kyoung Seock) The New York Times
Feb 08, 2025
- Fast Fashion's hidden costs: environmental and ethical concerns. UGA professor weighs in (Sergiy Minko) OnlineAthens
Jan 06, 2025
- Community Store: Reducing Textile Waste with Fashionable Pieces (Sha'Mira Covington) Grady Newsource
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Awards and Honors New
Mar 26, 2025
Congratulations to the BSFCS Fashion Merchandising faculty for being selected as a recipient of the inaugural Excellence in Academic Program Assessment Award! This recognition highlights the faculty’s dedication to assessing student learning outcomes and ensuring a strong academic experience. Out of nearly 70 nominations across UGA’s schools and colleges, the Fashion Merchandising program stood out among the top 1% for its outstanding commitment to academic program assessment. The program will be recognized in the April edition of the Office of Instruction faculty newsletter.
Mar 12, 2025
Congratulations to Clair McClure for being selected for the 2025 Bill and June Flatt Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award! Claire’s dedication to innovative teaching, curriculum development, and promoting teaching effectiveness has made a significant impact on our college and students. We are excited to recognize her at the FACS College Assembly on March 27, 2025.
Feb 21, 2025
Congratulations to Clair McClure for being honored with the Creswell Award for her outstanding work with students! Claire’s dedication and impact have made a lasting difference, and this recognition is a testament to her incredible contributions.
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Grants Received
Nov 06, 2024
The University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Liverpool (UoL) have secured $1.4 million in funding from the NSF and EPSRC for a project focused on developing sustainable bioplastics. The grant, which includes $863,000 from EPSRC and $557,553 from NSF, will support the project from 2024 to 2027. Sergiy Minko, a UGA professor specializing in sustainable polymeric materials, will collaborate with Dmitry Shchukin from UoL. The research will use advanced ultrasonic techniques to produce bioplastics from biomass waste, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption in the manufacturing process.
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Publications
Mar 12, 2025
Seyedali Mirmohammadsadeghi, a graduate student from the Polymer, Fiber and Textile Sciences program, published a paper in Gels titled The Highly Durable Antibacterial Gel-like Coatings for Textiles. The paper discusses the development of innovative gel-like coatings for textiles that provide durable antibacterial properties. These coatings are designed to prevent bacterial growth on fabrics, making them ideal for use in medical, industrial, and everyday applications where hygiene and durability are essential. The research focuses on enhancing the longevity and effectiveness of these coatings, ensuring they maintain their antibacterial properties even after repeated use and washing. This work contributes to the growing field of functional textiles, with the potential to improve public health and safety through better fabric technologies.
Read the paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/6/398
Mar 12, 2025
In collaboration with graduate students, Polina Vertegel, a biochemistry major working in Vladimir Reukov's lab, has published a review paper titled Cell Detachment: A Review of Techniques, Challenges, and Opportunities for Advancing Biomedical Research and Applications. The review paper explores various techniques for harvesting cultured cells, a crucial process in biomedical research and applications such as tissue engineering, drug testing, and regenerative medicine. This work contributes valuable insights to the field, paving the way for future advancements in cell-based therapies and related technologies.
Read the paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079610725000173
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Presentations and Events
Nov 14, 2024
Dr. Covington and graduate student Mozhgan Soltanisehat launched an innovative textile recycling initiative at the University of Georgia to address gaps in campus recycling and promote sustainable practices. Mozhgan, a former fashion designer, was inspired by her experience with the environmental impact of fast fashion and now applies this insight to UGA’s closed-loop recycling program. By collaborating with Fiber Parts, a local recycling partner, they’ve established textile bins across campus to collect waste and repurpose it into reusable materials for student art, design, and practical applications, aiming to divert 70% of textile waste from landfills within the first year. Through interactive workshops, design challenges, and campus events, the initiative also seeks to engage students and boost participation by 25% annually, turning sustainability into an active, daily practice. The open-source, scalable model showcases UGA’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, with hopes of inspiring similar initiatives at universities nationwide.
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Alumni News
Mar 17, 2025
Join the Hargrett Library on Thursday, March 20th at 6:00 pm for a Curator’s Talk with Sara Idacavage, a Fashion Merchandising alumna (BSFCS, PhD) and curator of From Farms to Fast Fashion: Unraveling the Need for Sustainable Style. Idacavage will discuss the history of fashion production and consumption in the U.S. from the 1800s to today.
This free event is open to the public and will include a light reception.
Feb 21, 2025
The 46th FACS Alumni Awards, held on February 21, 2025, at the Athens Country Club, honored several distinguished alumni and friends of the college. Established in 1977, the FACS Alumni Board recognizes individuals for their exceptional achievements and contributions. The awardees included Jonelle Dawkins (Pacesetter Award), Clair McClure (Creswell Award), Anne Barge Clegg (FACS Appreciation Award), Avery Monthero (Outstanding Service Award), MAJ Lori Maggioni (Emily Quinn Pou Professional Achievement Award), Katrina Bowers (Distinguished Alumni Award), and Rick Lewis (Honor Hall of Recognition). The event celebrated the ongoing connection between alumni and the college community.
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UGA Service of the Week
Mar 24, 2025
Do you have plastic bags from online shopping? Bring them to the Sustainable Fashion event on March 27th from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Tate West Lawn for proper recycling and learn about sustainable fashion options at UGA. Even if you don’t have bags to bring, come join us to learn more about sustainable fashion practices and enjoy a free Chick-fil-A meal. This event is a great opportunity to make a difference in fashion sustainability, meet like-minded peers, and explore eco-friendly alternatives to fast fashion!
Mar 17, 2025
Join the Hargrett Library on Thursday, March 20th at 6:00 pm for a Curator’s Talk with Sara Idacavage, a Fashion Merchandising alumna (BSFCS, PhD) and curator of From Farms to Fast Fashion: Unraveling the Need for Sustainable Style. Idacavage will discuss the history of fashion production and consumption in the U.S. from the 1800s to today.
This free event is open to the public and will include a light reception.
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Student Spotlights New
Mar 26, 2025
This year’s recipients of the Georgia Soft Goods Education Foundation Legacy Scholarships have been announced. The Buhler Leadership Scholarship was awarded to Lindsey Moulton. The Grady Internship Scholarship was awarded to Claudia Vlassoff. The Gilbert Studyaway Scholarship was awarded to Evelyn Russell and Salma Hanifa. Congratulations to these students and their hard work!
Mar 19, 2025
This week's student spotlight features fashion merchandising major Ephese Germain, who recently received the $10,000 Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholarship from the Fashion Scholarship Fund. Germain’s winning case study explored how AI and advanced digital technologies can revolutionize assistive apparel, addressing the reluctance of fashion brands to produce garments tailored for people with disabilities. Her designs included adjustable waistbands, wrist-guarded tops for wheelchair users, and stylish medical accessories. She hopes to use her upcoming networking trip to New York City to further her career in inclusive fashion design.
Read about it here!
Mar 14, 2025
Dr. Jeyeon Jo's class recently completed a project using the jacquard loom, where students had the opportunity to create intricate textile designs. The jacquard loom allows for automated weaving of complex patterns, giving students a hands-on experience with this innovative tech.
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You can view their projects through the link provided: jacquard-loom-projects
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Other News