Imagine an epic video game with your favorite hero as a character. Another character is a mirror-image twin who shows up occasionally, exploding everything they touch. And, to add an extra level of difficulty, the game includes a mysterious hive of minions hiding at every corner, changing the rules of the game, but never showing themselves. If you think of these characters as types of matter, this video game is basically how our universe works.

Mississippi State University Assistant Clinical Professor of Theatre Jesse Wade has received the Adult Playwriting Award from the Mississippi Theatre Association for his original play, “Touch,” the story of a scientist who gives emotions to an android she has created, exploring themes of technology, humanity and connection.

“My favorite memories at Mississippi State University all center on time spent with friends and fellow students. I have fond memories of those football games shared with friends! However, one academic moment stands out: achieving a breakthrough during my chemistry research in Professor Grimley’s laboratory,” said Wigley. “Though relatively modest, that discovery unexpectedly earned the respect of my fellow research students and advisor, and more importantly, it profoundly shaped my ambition to pursue a career in chemical research.”