Old Dominion University English professor Luisa Igloria has challenged herself since November, 2010, to compose at least a poem each day as a writing exercise. The process has yielded nearly 1,300 poems, written in short bursts, as Igloria juggles her busy career and home life.

Igloria will speak about the arduous creative exercise when she's interviewed July 17 on the public radio program "With Good Reason," in Hampton Roads.

"With Good Reason" airs at 1 p.m. Thursday on WHRV-FM (89.5), and at other days and times on public radio stations across Virginia and in select markets around the country. The hour-long show, produced by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, spotlights the achievements of Virginia public universities in scholarly research and innovation.

Igloria is the director of ODU's M.F.A. in creative writing program and an award-winning author. Her most recent book, "Juan Luna's Revolver," was published in 2009. Her upcoming book of poetry, "Saints of Streets," is being published by the University of Santo Tomas, in the Philippines. Igloria is still in the process of polishing and sending around the other manuscripts for publishing consideration, she said.

To read Igloria's poetry, go to VIA NEGATIVA, a literary weblog where Dave Bonta has archived all of her daily musings.

This episode of "With Good Reason," entitled "Mushi, Ticks, and Walking Sticks," will air July 12-18. For a full broadcast schedule, and audio files of the full program, which will be posted along with a companion news article, visit the show's website.

In addition to Igloria, the episode will feature Mary Knighton, of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, speaking about Japan's special relationship with insects and how it is seen through literature; and Jim Squire, of Virginia Military Institute, speaking about the tick-removal robot they have invented, which rolls over a lawn, attracting and killing these unwanted insects. Holly Gaff, Old Dominion University associate professor of biological sciences and an expert in ticks, has worked with the VMI researchers on the tick robot project.

"With Good Reason" has twice won the Gabriel Award for Best Documentary/Public Affairs Program. It also is the recipient of top honors from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters and a second-place award in the Public Radio News Directors competition.

ODU listeners are encouraged to join the show's Facebook page and subscribe to the "With Good Reason" podcast.