Narrative

Diola Bagayoko, Ph.D. Southern University System Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics, Director Emeritus, the Timbuktu Academy Email: Diola_Bagayoko@subr.edu or Bagayoko@aol.com Mailing Addresses: P. O. Box 11776, SUBR, Baton Rouge, La 70813 or Room 232/241 W. James Hall, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70813 - Telephone: 225-771-2730       Fax:  225-771-4341/-4848  Web Page: https://www.subr.edu/page/diola-bagayoko

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EDUCATION (For, in dealing with complex situations, good faith is not enough in carrying out tasks that require knowledge & skills)

Ph.D., Physics (theoretical solid state), Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 1983.

 

M.S., Physics (solid state), Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1978.

 

B.S., Physics and Chemistry, Ecole Normale Superieure de Bamako, Bamako, Mali, 1973.

 

Formal training (theory and practice) in the art and science of teaching and learning,

Ecole Normale Super de Bamako, (1969-73).

EMPLOYMENT (For, it is an opportunity to contribute positively)

Please refer to the following pages for some pertinent performance measures in the positions

named below.

2019-Present: Southern University System Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics

2019-Present: Director Emeritus, the Timbuktu Academy

2015-June 2019: Dean, Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes Honors College

2012-2015: Chairman, Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Science and Mathematics

Education (MP-SMED)

2009-2012: Chairman, Department of Physics

2003-June 2019: Director, Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation

1999-June 2019: Southern University System Distinguished Professor of Physics

1994- June 2019: Professor of Physics, Southern University and A&M College (SUBR).

1994- June 2019: Chancellor's Fellow, a distinguished academic appointment at SUBR.

1992-Present: Associate Director, Louisiana Space Consortium (LaSPACE).

1990- June 2019: Director, the Timbuktu Academy

1989-1993: Associate Professor, Department of Physics, SUBR.

1984-1989: Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, SUBR.

1987-1988: Director, Office of Grants, Sponsored Research and Faculty Development,

Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

1983-Present: Visiting Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana

State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

1983-1984: Lecturer, Department of Physics, University of Garyounis, Benghazi, Libya.

 

1982-1983: Research Assistant, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State

University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

1978-1982: Teaching Assistant, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State

University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

1975-1983: AFGRAD Fellow, African American Institute (AAI)-- for Ph.D. studies.

 

1973-1975: Instructor, Chemistry and Physics, Lycée (Senior High School) of Sikasso, Mali.

 

TEACHING AND MENTORING ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS

(These results are partly attested to by two US Presidential Awards for Excellence as noted below).

 

The employment history provided above partly attests to the teaching experiences. The substance of these teaching experiences is conveyed through the following major components. Please refer to Part III of this vita for contributions in harnessing several million of external funds for instructional equipment, computer laboratories, Networking in the Department and institution-wide, laboratory manager, audio-visual resources, etc.

1. Courses

Taught lecture, recitation, and/or laboratory courses which span the undergraduate Physics curriculum. Illustrative topics include: Freshman Physics, Classical and Relativistic Mechanics, Solid State Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Mathematical Physics. Led the development of an entire graduate physics curriculum. Taught special topics, research, and thesis course for M.S. degree program students (1996-Present).

 

One should add to the above experiences two years of teaching high school physics and chemistry. This affords a unique perspective as far as teaching college freshman courses is concerned.

2. Curriculum Design and Innovation

Reviewed, updated, or developed contents for various courses to insure congruency of the curriculum with the standards of the job market and of graduate schools. As head of the departmental curriculum committee, designed the content and delivery methods for Phys 145, an introduction to Newtonian mechanics, Phys 311-411 mathematical physics sequence, Phys 400, computational physics, and over half of the graduate courses.

 

The above curriculum designs integrate course content, delivery, and feedback mechanisms so as to take explicitly into account the taxonomy of the cognitive domain and utilize modern science and technologies, including cognitive condensation.

 

Student Recruitment, Advisement, and Systemic Mentoring

(For, we know of no giant who did not learn from and was not mentored by others)

Graduate Advisement, Thesis & Dissertation Direction and Committee Services

 

Dissertation Direction

 

“Misconceptions in Astronomy: Conceptual Change Through a constructivist Approach.” Graduate Student (Now Dr.): Troy D. Williams. Date of Graduation: December 2005. Dissertation Research Director: D. Bagayoko.

 

“Calculus Misconceptions Held by Students at A Historically Black College and University in the Southeast of the United States.” Graduate Student (Now Dr.): Phakaporn Lewchalermvongs. Graduation Date: May 2015

 

Theses Directed

 

Master’s of Science Theses

 

“Ab Initio Computations of Electronic, Transport, and Bulk Properties of Wurzite Cadmium Selenide (CdSe),” Graduate Student: Janica Gordon (Summer 2019 - Pursuing Ph.D. in Applied Science and Technology at North Carolina A&T State University.) June 2019

 

“Ab Initio Computations of Electronic, Transport, and Related Properties of Chromium Disilicide (CrSi2),” Graduate Student: Mathia Shaibu (Employed by Entergy in Arkansas.)

 

“Ab-initio Computations of Electronic, Transport, and Bulk Properties of Magnesium Sulfide (MgS) in the Rock Salt Structure,” Graduate Student: Uttam Bhandari (Pursing M.S. in Computer Science at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA)

 

“Ab-initio Computations of Electronic, Transport, and Bulk Properties of Pyrite FeS2,” Graduate Student: Dipendra Banjara (Pursuing Ph.D. in Material Science at Louisiana State University.) August 2017

 

“Ab Initio Computations of Electronic, Transport, and Related Properties of Cubic Calcium Oxide (CaO),” Graduate Student: Meombe Augustine (Pursing Ph.D. in Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida.) August 2017

 

“Ab-Initio Computations of Electronic, Transport, and Related Properties of Wurzite Beryllium Oxide (BeO),” Graduate Student: Cheick Bamba (Pursuing Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU).) June 2019

 

“Ab-Initio Computations of Electronic and Related Properties of Zinc Blende Beryllium Selenide (ZB-BeSe); Exploration of Multifunctional properties of Graphene Nano platelet-Epoxy Composites Reinforced by Carbon Fiber,” Graduate Student: Richard Inakpenu (Pursing Ph.D. in Medical Physics at the University of Arkansas.) January 2017

 

“Ab-initio Computations of Electronic, Transport, and Bulk Properties of Cubic Calcium Fluoride (c-CaF2).” Graduate Student: Bir Bohara (Pursing Ph.D. in Physics at Alabama A&M University.) August 2016

 

“Microwave Absorption of Multi-Walled Carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) - Epoxy Composite with Outer Diameter (OD) <8nm, 20-30nm, 30-50nm in a High Frequency range of 100MHz – 40GHz and Self Consistency Calculation of Electronic Properties of Aluminum Nitride (AlN) using BZW-EF method,” Graduate Student: Ifeanyi Nwigboji (Pursing Ph.D. in Computational Science at the University of Texas, El Paso.) August 2015

 

“Accurate, Calculated Electronic, Transport, and Structural Properties of Zinc Sulfide (ZnS).” Graduate Student: Mr. Bethuel Khamala (Earned Ph.D. in Computational Science at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).) May 2019.

 

“Local Density Approximation Description of Electronic, Transport, and Bulk Properties of Boron Phosphide (BP).” Graduate Student: M. John Ejembi (Earned Ph.D. in geophysics at Southern Illinois University (SIU).) December 2018.

 

“Ab initio Calculations of Electronic and Related Properties of Wurtzite and Zinc Blende Cadnium Sulfide (CdS).” Graduate Student: Mr. Chinedu E. Ekuma (Earned his Ph.D. in condensed matter theory at LSU in the spring of 2015). Summer 2010.

"The BZW Method and the Electronic Properties of Zinc Selenide (ZnSe)." Graduate Student: LaShounda Torrence. Successful Defense in October 2000. Graduate Date: May, 2001.

 

"Ab-Initio Computation of the Electronic Structure of Wurtzite Aluminum Nitride (AlN)." Graduate Student: Yixin Luo. Successful Defense in November, 2000. Graduation Date: 12/00.

 

“Optimization Studies of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Performance in the Presence of Reformate Gas in the Anode Feedstream.” Graduate Student: Mr. Tommy Q. T. Rockward. Date of Defense: November, 1998. Date of Graduation: December 15, 1998.

 

“The Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of Ruthenium Dioxide.” Graduate Student: Mr. Troy. D. Williams. Date of graduation: July 31, 1998. Director: Diola Bagayoko, Ph.D.

 

“The Electronic, Magnetic, and Structural Properties of Al₁₈Fe.” Graduate Student: Ms. LaKindra P. Francis. Date of Graduation: July 31, 1998. Director: Diola Bagayoko, Ph.D.

 

Bachelor of Science –Honors Theses

 

“Electronic and Related Properties of Indium Phosphide (InP)” Student: Ms. Cacey Stevens (2008). Director: Diola Bagayoko

 

“Optimization and Spectrophotometric comparisons of Radiochromic Dye (2,3,5-Triphenyl-2H-Tetrazolium chloride) in Gelatin and Agar Models.” Student: LaKindra P. Francis. Date of graduation: May 1997. Co-directors: Diola Bagayoko, Dr. Lisa Karam (NIST, Physics Laboratory, Gaithersburg, MD), and Dr. Ella L. Kelley.

“Electronic Properties of Al18Fe.” Student: Wilson Sheppard Date of graduation: May 1994. Director: Diola Bagayoko.

 

Thesis Committee Service (documentation of actual services is available)

 

Served on the thesis committees of the following Master’s degree students whose graduation dates are given in parentheses: Anthony Cochran (May 1998); Lan Zhou (July 1998), Ke Yu (July 1998), Isiaka Akanbi (July 1998), Manford Chinkhota (July 1998), LaShondria Dixon (July 1998), Edward Patterson (May 1998), Xiaoyang Hu (December 1999), Jianjie Gong (December 1999), Xin Jiang (May 2000), Jeremy Jackson (2000), Rodica Somodi (December 2001), Naqvi Asif (July 2001), Amar Karki (May 2003), Philip Jones (May 2003), Watasha Wade (December 2003), Aaron Ricard (December 2008), Sundara Ghatty (May 2010), Zhaodong Li (2011), Cheng Guo (December 2012), Kuo Li (May 2016), Christopher Obafunwa (May 2017), and Daniel Hart (July 2018).

 

Undergraduate Recruitment, Advisement, and Systemic Mentoring: The Timbuktu Academy. The Timbuktu Academy received the US Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 2002.

 

Personally supervised the research of an average of six (6) physics majors, per year, from 1989 to 2015. Sponsored four (4) national EPA fellows from 1988 to 1989. Provided financial support, through various grants, to thirty (30) students, and greatly assisted in the recruitment of selected students up to present. Served as academic advisor and mentor for seven (7) student grand marshals of SUBR (Dr. Zelda Gills, Spring 1989-Earned Ph.D. in Physics from Georgia Tech in 1995- Employed as an Avionics Engineer with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics; Mr. Billy Vegara, a Hispanic American, Spring 1992- Employed by the Naval Surface Forces in San Diego, CA as an Engineering/Damage/Control/Navigation/Seamanship Training Officer; Mr. Michael Ashenafi, Fall 2002-Earned MS in Medical Physics from LSU in Spring 2006-Employed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Medical University of South Carolina; Dr. Anthony Pullen, Spring 2004-Earned Ph.D. in Theoretical Astrophysics from Caltech (June 2011), Employed as a Professor at New York University (NYU); Dr. Divine Kumah, Summer 2004-Earned Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the University of Michigan in August 2009-Employed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at North Carolina State University; Dr. Cacey Stevens, Spring 2008-Earned Ph.D. in Physics from The University of Chicago-Employed as a Postdoctoral Researcher Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania; and Mr. Ronald Alexander, Fall 2012-Pursuing Ph.D. in Physics at Harvard University)

 

Established the nationally recognized Timbuktu Academy with the financial support of the National Science Foundation (RCMS Program) and the Louisiana Board of Regents. A major funding from the Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research (ONR), has expanded the Academy in 1993 to "mentor one hundred (100) precollege students per summer, fifty (50) high achieving college students majoring in physics, engineering, and chemistry, and to affect, positively, over 5000 precollege and college students and their parents per year." Recruited and mentored, thanks to additional funding from NASA, NIST, NSF, and SUBR, additional physics, engineering, and chemistry majors per year, including five (5) NASA-USRP scholars. About 93% of these scholars are African-Americans, the others are Hispanic, White, and Asian-Americans.

He initiated, through local, regional, and national publications and presentations, a wide replication of the Timbuktu Academy, including in the State of Louisiana via the Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LAMP) for which he is one of the principal investigators. The paradigm, objectives, activities, diversified funding base, programs, and selected results of the Timbuktu Academy are available on the world wide web at http://www.subr.edu/TimbuktuAcademy.

Based on the strength of the undergraduate program, the Louisiana Board of Regents approved the M.S. degree program in physics effective in the fall of 1996. The Graduate Component of the Timbuktu Academy has been established and already secured three (3) superior graduate fellowships, from a competitive state-funding program.

A greater appreciation of what we refer to as mentoring is available in Education, Vol.115, No.1, November, 1994 in a series of three (3) articles co-authored by Bagayoko. These papers place the creation of educational value added on a scientific footing. The actual results, in terms of graduates and their pursuit of Ph.D. degrees, the production of new knowledge by the scholars, and their scholastic accomplishments are available at the web site noted above.

Please refer to the web site of the Academy for the 30-50 students who have conducted research at federal, industrial, and university laboratories around the country, each summer, and for the tens of students who attended national, and regional professional conferences each year. Selected conferences are those of APS, NCBPS, NSBP, NSBE, NCUR, ASEE/GSW, Tri-Beta, and ACS conferences.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE CREDENTIALS (For, proper and accountable management matters)

 

Led, as its dean, the Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes Honors College from the fall of 2015 to the spring of 2019. Led the enhancement of the curriculum, the introduction of the mastery of English grammar, the establishment of Study Hall for freshmen, and the inception an LSAT, GRE, MCAT preparation course entitled “Comprehensive Legal Reasoning and Writing.

 

Has promoted and enhanced sponsored project activities at SUBR, during the year and a half tenure as Director of the Office of Grants, Sponsored Programs, and Faculty Development. Illustrative results are: a four fold increase in the number of grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and a two fold increase in the funding level from NSF; a two fold increase of the number of faculty development projects; the move of SUBR from no rank to number two, in number of funded projects as well as in funding level, in the state wide competitive 8(g) enhancement grant program for public and private colleges and universities in the State of Louisiana (1988-1989). (Mastery Accreditation Process)

 

Rigorously self-schooled in the theory and practice of management and administration (strategic planning; human resource development, empowering, and support; budgeting, etc). Demonstrated abilities in Office of Grants (please refer to results given above) and in successfully managing over $300,000 competitive sponsored project funds per year, from 1987 to 1991; this sponsored project support has been over $1,000,000 per year from 1992 to 1998. From 1999 to 2003, it has been over $2,000,000 per year. (Please see Part III).

·         Principal Author of the 1988 Position Paper (adopted by the Faculty Senate) that led to the establishment of Ph.D. degree programs at SUBR – following the decision of the Desegregation Special Master in agreement with Page 9 of this paper. An understanding of the dynamics of higher education is apparent in this position paper whose page 9 was at the core of SUBR’s submission to the court.

 

·         Directed the Enhancement of Academic Computing at SUBR, funded by the LEQSF program at $250,000. This project, in collaboration with Facility Planning, not only built the first legs of SUBR’s fiber optics backbone network, but also arranged to have underground conduits through the campus for the expansion of the network. In 1997, directed New Model in Teaching, Mentoring and Learning that established the Campus Network Management (CNM). This project shepherded SUBR network until the establishment (in 1998-99) of the Technology and Network Services Office.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE CONSULTANT ASSIGNMENTS

To present the Bagayoko, Zhao, and Williams (BZW) method that resolved a more than 70 years theoretical underestimation problem in condensed matter theory at Beijing University (March 2010).

To advise the Malian Ministry of Expatriates and of African Integration on the topic of engaging the intellectual Diaspora in the national development (spring to fall 2010)

To chair the National Commission on reforming higher education and scientific research in Mali, West Africa (spring to fall 2008).

To make presentations on the paradigm, program, activities and results of the Timbuktu Academy – for replication purposes – at Albany State University, Albany, Georgia (April 2007).

To deliver a keynote address to the 2007 GLBOE (www.globe.gov) Africa Consortium meeting in George, South Africa (April 23-27, 2007). The address was on April 24, 2007.

To referee manuscripts for publication in Physical Review Letters (PRL) and Physical Review B (PRB), 1990-present; the Journal of Crystal Growth (2007-present), and the Journal of Negro Education.

To participate in the development and the implementation of the reconstitution plan for Prescott Middle School, in partnership with East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS), 2005 to 2007.

To serve as one of 20 African scientists in the Diaspora, selected world wide, in the Second Regional Consultations for research program development in Africa – sponsored by the International Council of Science (www.icsu.org), in Johannesburg, South Africa (2006).

To Deliver Science Education Reform Workshops for Teachers, Demonstrations and Motivational Speeches to K-12^th Grade Students across the State of Louisiana (1999-2005), pursuant to the Speaking of Science Program (SoS) of the Louisianan Board of Regents

To evaluate proposals or graduate fellowship applications for the National Science Foundation (NSF, 1997-Present), proposals reviewed to date include conference, research, and educational ones.

To evaluate proposals for the US Department of Education (US-ED, 2004), pursuant to the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement program (MSEIP).

To evaluate educational programs funded by NASA at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and at Hispanic Serving institutions (1992-93) and to develop a tracking system for them.

To address faculty members from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, at the invitation of the White House Initiative (WHI), on the subject of attaining competitiveness in sponsored program activities in support of instruction, research, and service (April 2, 2004).

To conduct workshops on reform-guided standard-based teaching and the associated standard-based learning as verified by objective assessments. Several school districts in the State of Louisiana, including those of St. Martin, East Baton Rouge, and St. Helena Parishes have utilized Bagayoko’s services (1990–Present).

To conduct workshops and parental involvement meetings for the Louisiana Department of Education (February and June 2001).

To conduct instructional workshop and to evaluate the instructional practices and the related standardized test results of students for the J. K. Haynes Elementary Charter School (1998 to Present)

To Evaluate the TOTKEN Project of the University of Mali, Mali, West Africa, for the United National Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Development Program (Fall 2000).

 

 

SPONSORED FUNDING: GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

(For, it takes funding, from sources other than the State, to promote and to sustain excellence)

The many proposals that led to the referenced funding were, in their own right, scholarly documents. Most of the projects involved other faculty members (and staff) at SUBR and elsewhere. Working with others is a necessary part of accomplishing great things. In the details on the projects, as provided on Pages 20-36, these colleagues are completely named.

 

The following summary of the amounts of funding does not, unfortunately, address the critically important enhancements of teaching and learning, mentoring, research, and related infrastructure of SUBR, other campuses of the SU System, and other institutions. The reader is therefore urged to consult Part II for these important points that constitute the motivation and the objectives of sponsored programs.

 

SPONSORED FUNDING

Over $62 Million for over 88 projects

 

An illustrative summary of the grantsmanship performance of Bagayoko is shown below; it includes most of the major projects.

A listing of the sponsored projects [with funding agencies and amounts, project periods, objectives, principal investigators, and results].

http://www.subr.edu/page/3049

 

$5,259,330 from 1984-85 to 1998 (Directed by Bagayoko) for the Timbuktu Academy, mostly from

The Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research (ONR).

$3, 000,000 of competitive awards to Bagayoko as director (1998-00) from various sources;

$2,000,000 of competitive ONR grant to the Timbuktu Academy (1999-2004)

$29,950,000 of competitive Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-LAMP)

In STEM awards, from the National Science Foundation (NSF)

with Bagayoko as Co-principal Investigator (1996-2003) and Project Director & PI (2003-

Present) for LS-LAMP statewide

$7.2 Million of LS-LAMP (1996-2000), $7.5 Million (2000-2005), $7 Million (2006-210)

$5,000,000 (2010-15), and $3,250,000 (2015-2020).

$3,250,000 for New Models in Teaching, Mentoring, and Learning (NTML) and the MS Program in

Physics (1997-2002)

$3,000,000 of NASA support for PIPELINES (2000 to 2003), directed by Bagayoko.

$400,000 of new NASA funding for PIPELINES (2005-07), with Bagayoko as the project director

$3,948,000 from the National Science Foundation for the Bridge to the Doctorate Program of LS-

LAMP [D. Bagayoko, co-principal investigators (Co-PI), with Drs. S. S. Pang, Isiah Warner,

and S. Watkins as co-PIs; 2005-06 to 2008-09].

$1,888,179 of NSF and Board of Regents’ funding of SUBR, through LASIGMA, for the period of

September 2010 to August 2015.

$1,116,511 of competitive funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear

Security Administration (NNSA).

RESEARCH PERFORMANCE: PUBLICATIONS AND SCHOLARLY DOCUMENTS

(Please see the listing of publications farther below)

 

Over 155 mostly technical, refereed publications deal with condensed matter theory (electronic, cohesive, magnetic, optical, and other properties of metals, semiconductors, oxides, clusters, and carbon nanotubes). Bagayoko and colleagues introduced the Bagayoko, Zhao, and Williams (BZW) procedure that opened the way, for the first time, to predictive calculations of electronic and related properties of semiconductors [Bull. Amer. Phys. Soc., Vol. 43, No. 1, p. 846 (1998); J. Phys.: Condensed Matter, Vol. 10, pp. 5645-5655 (1998); and Physical Review B60, pp. 1563-1572 (1999).] These articles solved a problem that had baffled the physics community from the beginning of quantum computations to 1998.

 

For 50 years (1964-2014), the scientific community misunderstood and misapplied density functional theory (DFT). As a result, energy gaps, band gaps, excited states, optical transition energies, dielectric functions, valence and particularly conduction densities of states in non metallic crystals, and other quantities were all woefully missed by DFT calculations. Over 30 schemes modifying or extending DFT potentials were introduced with the aim of resolving the above “energy gap and band gap problem,” without a satisfactory success. In December 2014, Bagayoko presented the mathematically and physics wise rigorous understanding of DFT that resolved most of the above problems. See AIP Advances, 4, 127104 (2014), URL for the free article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4903408. In the years ahead, this work is expected to undergird a revolution in materials science with direct applications in industry.

 

Over 65 publications deal with teaching, mentoring, and learning. With 3-5 refereed publications, Bagayoko and colleagues have placed systemic mentoring on a rigorous scientific footing. Bagayoko and Kelley introduced an extension and several applications of the power law of human performance and introduced the concept of cognitive condensation in teaching and learning [Education, Vol. 115, No. 1, 1994]. Bagayoko and colleagues introduced a problem-solving paradigm (College Teaching, Winter 2000) that has been somewhat validated by “Adding it Up: Helping Children Learn Mathematics” where four (4) of the five strands of the paradigm are reinvented in this 2001 publication of the National Academy of Science. Bagayoko and colleagues were the first to utilize the certainty of response index (CRI) in the identification of misconceptions in science and mathematics while distinguishing these misconceptions from a lack of concept or of knowledge.

 

Scholarly documents germane to degree program and infrastructure development

06. Principal Author, SUBR's Implementation Plan for the SU System’s Extra-Compensation Policy (this page document had to pass the test of state and federal regulations).

05. Co-principal author, The Proposal and the Strategic Plan for the Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at SUBR, Spring, 1996.

04. Co-principal author, LAMP proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF), 1994-95. (refereed and rated excellent by seven consultants of the Foundation). Funded for five years (1996-97 to 2000-01, at the level of $7.3 Million, by the National Science Foundation and the LA Board of Regents! The related continuation proposal was funded in December 2000 for five additional years (2001-2005), for $7.5 Million. 2006-2010 Phase III, has been recommended for funding for $5,000,000.

Principal author, SUBR's Proposal and Strategic Plan to Establish a Ph.D. in Science/Mathematics Education (1990-93). (A four volume documents.) This Ph.D. degree program was officially established in the fall of 1998; the first students enrolled in January 1999!

02. Principal Author, SUBR's Proposal to Establish a Master's Degree Program in Physics (Summer and Fall 1992). The M.S. degree program in physics started in the fall of 1996!

01. Co-Principal Author, SUBR's Report for the Board of Regents' Review of the Physics Undergraduate Program (fall, 1992). The lead author was Dr. C. H. Yang, Chairman. The department’s undergraduate program earned the highest rating of “outstanding.” The consultants of the Board of Regents wrote: “The undergraduate Physics program at SUBR is among the best we have encountered anywhere and the vehicle for this has been the altogether remarkable organization, the Timbuktu Academy.”

 

The reader should refer to these documents and proposals to assess the amount of work and the level of scholarship. For each of proposals 1 and 2 above, the author had to postpone the writing of one technical paper in order to develop them at the scope and depth that are becoming to a Chancellor's Fellow. The cited literature in these proposals mildly conveys the scholarly work embedded into them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS/CONFERENCES (Listing provided below)

 

Details are provided in Part II on each of these presentations, i.e., date, place, occasion, audience, etc. They include over 100 international presentations, 25 of which were made overseas. They also include over 80 national, 25 State, and 37 local presentations. There are more than 40 presentations in Louisiana Schools, pursuant to the Speaking of Science Program (SoS) of the Louisiana Board of Regents.

 

Illustrative Examples of International and National Contributions Follow:

 

·         May 26, 2019, Embassy of Mali, Washington, D.C, “The Role of the Diaspora in the Development of Mali,” D. Bagayoko. Invited presentation to 30 representatives of the Malian Diaspora in the United States (US) and Embassy Officials. [Invited & National]

·         September 5, 2018, Annual Academic Kickoff, President’s Award Program for STEM (PAP-STEM) Program, University of Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Il, “Empowerment for Superior Learning in STEM,” D. Bagayoko. Invited presentation to 60 undergraduate students and 10 faculty members at the UIC. [Invited & National]

·         July 12, 2018, Cheick Anta Diop University (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, “Understanding Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Completing it in Practice,” D. Bagayoko. One-hour invited presentation to 10 faculty members and 100 physics graduate students. [Invited & International]

·         March 5-9, 2018, American Physical Society (APS) March Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, “Fifty Years of an Understandable Misunderstanding of Density Functional Theory (DFT),” D. Bagayoko. [National and International]

·         January 12-13, 2018, Dallas, TX. Keynote Speaker: “Prospective College Students-SU is the Best Value to Buy,” Diola Bagayoko. Invited presentation to 30 high school students, parents and SU Alumni of the SU Alumni Chapter of Dallas, TX. [Invited & National]

·         December 7, 2017, Crown Plaza Memphis Downtown, Memphis, TN. Keynote Speaker: “21^st Century Opportunities in STEM,” Diola Bagayoko. Invited presentation to 22 high school students and 10 parents and SU Alumni of the SU Alumni Chapter of Memphis, TN. [Invited & National]

·         October 5-8 2017, Louis Stokes Midwest Center of Excellence (LSMCE) Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN. Invited Presentation: “Excellence in Systemic Mentoring,” Diola Bagayoko. Invited presentation to students, university officials and administrators [Invited & National]

·         September 15, 2017, Massa Makan Diabate’ High School, Bamako, Mali. Invited Presentation: “The Law of Human Performance and the Making of Superior Students.” Audience: 25 high school mathematics, physics, and chemistry teachers. A two-hour presentation (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM); [Invited & International]

·         May 23, 2017, College of Science and Technology, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB). Public Conference:”Studying in the US after the Bachelor degree – with the financial support of a teaching or research assistantship,” By Dr. Diola Bagayoko. Audience: Over 100 undergraduate and graduate students of the College of Science and Technology, along with 30 faculty members and administrators. [Invited & International]

·         May 17, 2017, College of Science and Technology, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB). Technical Presentation: “A Historic Overview and Fundamentals of Density Functional Theory (DFT),” by Dr. Diola Bagayoko. Audience: 27 Faculty members and graduate students from the Department of Physics. [Invited & International]

·         March 7, 2017, “March Predictive Calculations of Electronic and Related Properties of Materials,” a technical presentation to scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and from seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s).

·         October 9-11, 2015. 2015 National Mentoring Community & Bridge Program Conference- American Physics Society (APS). Florida International University, Miami, Florida. “The Systemic Mentoring Style and Model of the Timbuktu Academy,” Audience: 100 faculty members and administration and 25 grad students [Invited & National]

·         September 30, 2015. 2015 Meeting of the National Space Grant, Tuscan, Arizona. Invited Presentation: “The Systemic Mentoring Model of the Timbuktu Academy,” D. Bagayoko. Audience: 200 faculty members [Invited & National]

·         August 6, 2014. Malian Symposium of Applied Sciences (MSAS), Reseaux International Conference Center of Bamako. Bamako, Mali. Invited Presentation: “Comprendre la Théorie de la Fonctionnelle de la Densité et la Compléter dans la Pratique,” Diola Bagayoko. Audience: 60 researchers from around the world, faculty members, and graduate students [Invited & National]

·         December 11, 2007, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Invited, plenary presentation at the 4th International Conference of the African Materials Research Conference on “A mathematical solution to the band gap catastrophe: Predictive calculations of properties of semiconductors and of nuclei.”

·         October 2004, First International Conference of Intellectuals from Africa and Diaspora, Dakar, Senegal. Bagayoko was one of 150 invited guests, from across the world and outside Africa, of the African Union.

·         November 3-5, 1999. Department of Defense (DOD) Science, Mathematics, and Engineering (SEM) Education Leaders Conference; Arlington, VA, Invited Presentation on "Undergraduate Success Stories." Over one hundred (100) DoD attendees (from all branches) and other leaders.

·         May 8, 1999. NAACP's Daisy Bates Educational Symposium, New Orleans, LA; Invited Presentation on "Minorities in Science and Engineering." Over 100 attendees with over 50 participated in discussions.

·         July 29-30, 1998. US Workforce Development Workshop organized by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the White House Office of Science and Technology (OST). Invited Presentation on Perspective of US Presidential Award Winners. Over one hundred (100) government, educational, and private leaders.

·         April 1997 and 1998; February 2000 and March 2001: Co-Organizer and Session Chair: Undergraduate High Tech Expo of the National Organization for Equal Opportunity (NAFEO) in Higher Education, Washington D.C.

 

OTHER SKILLS (For my precollege teachers taught me to speak and to write)

Excellent knowledge of Mandingo and French languages.

Extensive knowledge of and experience in FORTRAN programming and numerical

methods. Developed numerous instructional programs for various classes (freshman

to senior and graduate levels) and major research codes. Proficiency in the use of modern productivity enhancement software products.

Rigorously self-schooled in the theory and practice of management and administration

(strategic planning, human resource empowering and support and Evaluation, budgeting.

 

INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SERVICE

(For there is more to society, including making SEM education and research possible and

relevant, than SEM disciplines)

 

The following entries illustrate the type and scope of the service rendered, specific contributions and written reports are available.

 

14. Member, National Planning Committee of the Joint Annual Meeting of the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) and of the National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP), 2006-2008.

 

13. Member, National Planning Committee for the 13^th Annual Conference of the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in New Orleans, Louisiana (1997).

 

12. Interviewed (3 different times) by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) French Services for 15-30 minutes radio shows broadcast throughout Africa -- in French. Tapes of the interviews are available. Subjects: Research and related issues. (1996 to present).

 

11. Technical Referee Board for publications in Physical Review B, Solid State Physics (1989-Present), and of Physical Review Letters (1990-Present). Physical Review journals are the top journals of Physics in the United States and perhaps the world. Records of performed reviews are available.