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One of the pleasures of her job is the chance to interact with people who come to Starkville from literally around the world. Alisha Davis is secretary to Dr. Joe Thompson, director of the Mississippi State/National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center, located in Research Park. "We have guest researchers from many locations," Davis says. "A researcher from Great Britain is visiting now." Although the ERC's pace can sometimes be hectic, it's a challenge Davis welcomes. To relax, she turns to the piano. "I've studied piano since I was 6 years old," she says, "and I enjoy playing music that ranges from classical to gospel." She serves as pianist and organist for her church, Zion Gate, in Columbus. To really get away from it all, Davis says she enjoys reading a variety of books: nonfiction, biographies, "even a little romance."