Several Gatton Academy students accompanied by WKU faculty members attended the Kentucky Academy of Science’s 95th annual meeting Nov. 13-14 at Northern Kentucky University.
For Alex Hare (Rowan ’10), simply choosing what sessions to attend was the hardest part.
“KAS had quite a number of interesting posters and presentations over quite a few interesting scientific fields,” Hare said. “Mostly I regret that I didn’t have more time to see more of them. I would gladly have spent two days seeing presentations and posters if that were possible.”
Students both made presentations at the conference and attended presentations from other faculty members and undergraduate students at other Kentucky institutions of higher learning.
Hare, along with three other Gatton Academy students, were honored with an outstanding for their poster Genomic Comparison of C. Scatologenes to M. Thermoacetica in the computer and information sciences division. Additional presenters on the post included P.J. Kasinski (Boone ’11), Jae Lee (Christian ’11), and Ben Neal (Estill ’11).
Clarice Esch (Pulaski ’11) was honored with an outstanding for her poster Is Collema sp., a Gelatinous Lichen, a Sustainable Source of Nitrogen for Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Production? in the agriculture division.
Justine Missik (Boyle ’11) believes the conference will serve as a springboard for pursuits both now and later.
“It was interesting and inspiring to learn about all of the various projects that were presented,” Missik said. “KAS was a wonderful opportunity to get experience in presenting scientific findings, which will be a very important skill later.”
Leah Frazier (Greenup ’10) added that the KAS conference was the best thing to happen to her since getting accepted into the Academy.
“Before going I was confused about my future plans, even though I am still relatively undecided, KAS helped me determine where I want to direct my life,” Frazier noted. “I enjoyed seeing researchers from all walks of life and ages come together at one event to present what they’ve been working on. It was inspiring to hear the achievements of older generations and imagine the improvements the younger generation is going to bring to society and life.”
Additional presentations included:
Justin Jatczak and Leah Frazier
The Effect of Endothelin-1 and 5-Fluorouracil on Wound Healing of Corneal Endothelial Cells
Kevin Andrew
Identification of DNA biomarkers for determining sources of fecal pollution in water
Torey Gilkison
Demographics of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in Mammoth Cave National Park
Justine Missik
Influences of Microbial Networks on Food Webs
For more information, contact Derick Strode at 270-745-6565.
KAS, Kentucky Academy of Science, research, WKU