- Students and their faculty mentors in the Natural Sciences attended several scientific conferences, locally, regionally, and nationally, to present the exciting research and professional development opportunities at Catawba College.
- ChaMarra Saner supported 6 students in attending and presenting at the National American Chemical Society (ACS) Conference in New Orleans, LA, on March 17-21, 2024. Students in attendance were: Maria Benigno, Chloe Crane, Mariah Lambert, Hunter Sjobom, Mercedes Barker, and Stephanie Quintanilla.
- Several faculty members in the Natural Sciences supported 15 students in their attendance and presentation at the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) Conference in Chattanooga, TN, on March 20-23, 2024.
- Faculty advisors in attendance were: Drs. Jay Bolin, Francisco Camacho, Luke Dollar, Carmony Hartwig, Andrew Jacobson, Joe Poston, Amanda Rushing, and Erin Witalison.
- Students in attendance were: Ally Fredrick, Abigail Hemric, Kaycee Doherty, Salem Fleming, Tina Emmanuel, Dymond Thames, Vanessa Ruiz Marin, Tobias Mielke, Austin Wise, Daniel Ruiz, Hunter Sjobom, Miles Lester, Kirill Camp, Brian Kaelo, and William Mayfield.
- Ally Fredrick, a junior Biochemistry major, won 3rd Place honors at the ASB 2024 conference for the John C. Johnson Poster Presentation Award in Molecular Biology and Microbiology for Districts I and II of the βββ (TriBeta) Biological Honor Society with her research, entitled ‘Effect of UV Radiation on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.’ Her research advisor was Dr. Erin Witalison, Associate Professor of Biology.
- Zach Trivett, Instructional Technologists and Digital Learning Library Specialist, and Natural Science Professors Hartwig and Jacobson also led a training workshop at ASB on the tools used in their pedagogical practices available through the Alcorn Digital Learning Lab, such as 3D printing and augmented or virtual reality platforms (developed in collaboration with Director of Digital Pedagogy Professor Amanda Bosch).
- Three student researchers, Ally Fredrick, Yahaira Galan Cruzes, and Ana Price, presented their funded research at the North Carolina Academy of Sciences (NCAS) conference this past April, accompanied by their faculty mentors, Drs. Abdelmesih, Jacobson, and Witalison. Each student was awarded Yarbrough Grant Funding through NCAS last August for their proposed research (Faculty Advisors: Drs. Abdelmesih, Jacobson, and Witalison).
- Ally Fredrick was awarded 3rd Place Honors at the 2024 NCAS conference for the John Bowley Derieux Research Award in Molecular Cell Biology.
- Delilah Hatheway, a first-year student, and sophomores Sam Taylor and Katie Clark worked collaboratively on a project inspired by their ENV 1404 Environmental Field & Skills Laboratory course with Faculty mentor Dr. Sue Calcagni, titled "Leaf No Trace: Potential Implications of Non-native Leaf Litter on Dissolved Oxygen in Aquatic Systems." This project yielded high-quality results and was accepted for presentation at the Southern Regional Honors Council Conference in April 2024. Delilah Hatheway and Sam Taylor attended to present their excellent work.
- This May 2024, two faculty mentors attended and supported four students who presented their research at the biennial National βββ (TriBeta) Biological Honor Society Conference in Columbus, GA: Karen Gonzalez, Jacy Noble, Daniel Ruiz, and Dymond Thames (Faculty Advisors: Drs. Hartwig and Witalison).
- Karen Gonzalez won national recognition with 3rd Place Honors with the John C. Johnson Poster Presentation Award in the Biomedical Science category at the TriBeta National Convention in Columbus, Georgia, for her research entitled ‘Examining the Potential Antimicrobial Activity of Azelaic Acid on the ESKAPE Pathogen Panel.’
- Additionally, in fall 2023, 8 faculty members (Drs. Jay Bolin, Suzanne Bowser, Francisco Camacho, Luke Dollar, Carmony Hartwig, Joe Poston, Amanda Rushing, and Erin Witalison) supported 25 students in their presentation at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS) at Wingate University. Of the 19 student presentations, 16 were poster presentations, and 3 were oral presentations.
- Students presenting at SNCURCS 2023: Damir Zababuryn, Abigail Hemric, Robert Johnson, Evelyn Kauserud, Katelyn Crabb, Jacy Noble, Kasey Hahn, Miles Lester, Mercedes Barker, Stephanie Quintanilla, Tina Emmanuel, Paul Dekester, Mariah Lambert, Ally Fredrick, Salem Fleming, Daniel Ruiz, Dylan Cienfuegos, Hunter Sjobom, William Mayfield, Tobias Mielke, Brian Kaelo, Nate Bruce, Matthew Peeler, Mitchell Bobrek, and Berta Vidal Carnero.
- At the 50th annual National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) conference in fall 2023, the Student Program was chaired by Dr. ChaMarra Saner, who organized a series of student-centric events. These programs included "Overcoming Barriers to Success in STEM," which addressed challenges unique to underrepresented groups, and "Awakening Your Why," a session exploring vocation and values. Additionally, she curated career-focused programs like "Strategic Approaches to Entrepreneurship" and "Switching the Script from Student to Professional." The program was designed to encompass critical areas such as wellness/self-care, mentoring, professional development, and career transitions, providing comprehensive support and guidance to students navigating their STEM journeys.
- Rushing, Witalison, and Hartwig attended the American Society for Microbiology Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE) conference in Phoenix, AZ, to network with other teaching professionals in Microbiology. This valuable teaching-focused conference inspired them to infuse new pedagogies into their spring 2024 and other future courses, as well as an accepted presentation by Dr. Amanda Rushing for this upcoming November 2024 conference in Pittsburgh, PA.
- A total of 11 students were supported in their Research and Conference attendance by the Catawba College IMPACT (Inspiring Meaningful Pursuits that Accelerate Co-curricular Transformation) grant fund.
- Student researchers and Faculty mentors were supported through a variety of additional Grant sources, including the Catawba College Professional Development Grant, the TriBeta Biological Honor Society Research Grant, the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) Research Grant, and the North Carolina Academy of Science (NCAS) Yarbrough Grant. These students also presented their work on the Inaugural Day of Scholarship during the annual Catawba College Research & Creativity Symposium (CRCS).
- On-campus CRCS Research Awardees included 3 Natural Science students: Hunter Sjobom (Mentor: Dr. Rushing), Michaela Lantz (Mentor: Dr. Rushing), and William Mayfield (Mentors: Drs. Bolin and Dollar).
Quotes from Students:
Hunter Sjobom
“I enjoyed my research project a lot. By the end of the semester, I spent so much time working on it and presenting the research that I really believe the work was one of the defining parts of my Senior year.”
Brian Kaelo
“My independent research study on lion lights deepened my understanding of lions' social life. It helped mitigate human predator conflicts with big support from my professors and colleagues from Catawba College.”
William Mayfield
“Engaging in independent research and presenting my findings has been incredibly important for me. It has not only deepened my understanding of feral swine but also created many professional partnerships and connections. These experiences have been invaluable in shaping my academic and professional journey."
Jacy Noble
“Being able to pursue research at Catawba makes me feel accomplished while also giving me a break from the structure of everyday classes. I enjoy getting personal with a topic I find interesting and gaining important lab skills in the process. Being a Pre-Vet student, I believe the research I do at Catawba helps me to stand out and is a good representation of higher-level learning. This next semester, I plan to start my own research that is specific to veterinary medicine , and I am grateful that Catawba and its professors are making that possible.”
Karen Gonzalez
"The independent research experience provided me with the right balance of support and expertise from advisors, along with the freedom to explore a genuine interest and aim to make a meaningful contribution through sharing my findings."
Quotes from Faculty:
Dr. ChaMarra Saner
“Engaging in research empowers students to explore their academic passions beyond the classroom, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. Attending conferences further amplifies this experience by allowing students to share their discoveries, connect with experts, and immerse themselves in a community of like-minded scholars. These opportunities not only enhance students' academic and professional growth but also inspire them to become lifelong learners and contributors to their fields.”
Dr. Joe Poston
“Student research projects provide space for students to experience profoundly deep learning about scientific discovery. When students design an investigation, collect and analyze the data, and present their results to an audience, they gain confidence that allows them to visualize their future as a scientist.”
“As a mentor, I assist students with all phases of a project. We troubleshoot when things go wrong, and we celebrate when things go right! I find these to be the most meaningful and rewarding relationships I develop with my students, because research advisees stay in touch with me for many years after they graduate.”
Dr. Erin Witalison
“Our students are amazing! The Biology conferences are wonderful opportunities to shine and show off all of their hard work in the laboratory. I am so proud of our hard-working, dedicated research students.”
“Independent study research experiences at Catawba are such unique and valuable opportunities for our students to get firsthand experience using all of the state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and technologies that we have available on campus. These research experiences are able to provide real-world applications of what they learn in their laboratory courses, which prepares them for numerous careers in Biology and graduate school.”
Dr. Amanda Rushing
“Undergraduate research cultivates critical thinking skills while allowing students to learn and apply practical skills. These high-impact experiences foster creativity and curiosity by empowering students to ask questions and contribute fresh perspectives to the scientific community.“
“It’s wonderful that our students have the opportunity to share their work with other members of the scientific community. In watching them present, you really see how excited they are to talk about their research experiences at Catawba.”
Dr. Luke Dollar
“Not just gaining knowledge, but creating knowledge through research and sharing that first-hand is a real differentiator for Catawba students. We prioritize as many experiential and travel-based educational opportunities as possible - literally chasing and expanding horizons. Our amazing faculty have envisioned what would have been our own “dream” college experience…and we deliver that to students every day.
In ENV, one of our biggest metrics of success is seeing just how many of our graduates go on to gainful and productive employment in our discipline - a testament to the effectiveness of our HIPs! We strive to put “if we can dream it, we can achieve it” in effect every day.
Traditional classroom learning is really well done at Catawba. One of the things that sets us apart is that we also move the needle in the real world as well. In the Sciences, our “Impact Initiatives” combine classroom and laboratory learning with real-world application, making measurable differences for both students and the community.”
Dr. Andrew Jacobson
"Student research challenges students to engage with the material they are learning in class, and then to flip it upside down, turn it inside out and find a way to refocus that material into a question they can then pursue the answer to. We encourage student research as it shows a completely different level of mastery with the material."
Dr. Carmony Hartwig
"In the Natural Sciences, and across all disciplines on our campus, students present their work alongside larger institutions competitively and with unparalleled professionalism."
"I am deeply appreciative of the gifts that our college has received to help us build state-of-the-art research facilities that will help us, as faculty mentors, train the next generation of scientific leaders for years to come. Our faculty have stellar expertise, and the good work that our students do with their mentors and peers reaches far beyond our campus community."
"It is not only a joy but an honor to work alongside our students and be a witness to their growth as individuals and as future colleagues. It is a true testament to not only the character of our students but also their faculty mentors, who put so much care, attention, and work into helping our students participate in these transformative experiences. I am so appreciative to the Catawba College IMPACT fund and outside agencies, such as TriBeta, NCAS, and NCICU, that help our students to not only be able to conduct their research but present their findings to the broader scientific community."
Research Grant Awards (2023-2024)
- Hunter Sjobom (Mentor: Dr. Rushing)– TriBeta Research Award (Fall 2023)
- Michaela Lantz (Mentor: Dr. Rushing)– NCICU Research Award (Spring 2024)
- Samantha Giraldo (Mentor: Dr. Rushing) – NCICU Research Award (Spring 2024)
- Austin Wise (Mentor: Dr. Poston) – NCICU Research Award (Spring 2024)
- Karen Gonzalez (Mentor: Dr. Hartwig) – NCAS Yarbrough Research Grant (Summer 2024)
- Marit Reckmann (Mentor: Dr. Hartwig) – NCAS Yarbrough Research Grant (Summer 2024)
- Vanessa Ruiz Marin (Mentor: Dr. Francisco Camacho) – NCAS Yarbrough Research Grant (Summer 2024)
Presentations and Workshops (Fall 2023 – Spring 2024)
State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS – November 11, 2023)
Oral Presentations
Damir Zababuryn and Eric Hake. Evolution and Effects of Economic Theories on International Trade
Abigail Hemric and Joe Poston. Marbled Salamander Population Dynamics in Catawba College’s Ecological Preserve.
Robert Johnson and Joanna Trammell. Industry growth potential for a post covid era.
Poster Presentations
Evelyn Kauserud and Suzanne Bowser. Main Street Marketplace: Purpose of Food Pharmacy Program to address nutrition insecurity.
Katelyn Crabb, Jacy Noble and Erin Witalison. Exploring the impact of antibiotics on veterinary probiotic viability.
Kasey Hahn and Francisco Camacho. Open Wide, What’s Inside – The Oral Microbiome.
Miles Lester, Erin Witalison, and Carmony Hartwig. Effects of Streptococcus salivarius M18 probiotic supplement on the human oral microbiome.
Tobias Mielke and Jay Bolin. The impact of feral hogs on the forest understory in the North Carolina Piedmont.
Mercedes Barker, Stephanie Quintanilla, Joe Poston and Francisco Camacho. Metagenomic approach to eDNA.
Tina Emmanuel, Dymond Thames, Ana Price, Yahaira Galan Cruzes, Ben Bielby and Carmony Hartwig. Identification of Soil Microbiota Strains with Poly-3-hydoxybutyrate (PHB)-Degrading Capabilities.
Paul Dekester and Suzanne Bowser. Effects of Pre-Sleep Casein Intake on Athletes’ Recovery According to Whoop Band Data.
Mariah Lambert, ChaMarra Saner. Investigation of effects of decomposing bodies on plant growth and mineral content using HPLC and ICP.
Ally Fredrick, Jacy Noble, and Erin Witalison. Effect of UV Radiation on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.
Daniel Ruiz, Tina Emmanuel, Dylan Cienfuegos, and Carmony Hartwig. Real-life Zombies: Cordyceps in our Backyard?
Salem Fleming, Emma Halstead, Arilyn Lynch, Madison Kluge, Matthew Rodriguez, and Jay Bolin. Ashes to ashes: documenting the annual decline of a green ash-dominated swamp in the NC Piedmont since 2019.
Hunter Sjobom and Amanda Rushing. The HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor alters host cell metabolism.
William Mayfield, Tobias Mielke, Brian Kaelo, Nate Bruce, Andrew Jacobson and Luke Dollar. Development and early implementation of a new feral swine population control program in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin.
Brian Kaelo and Andrew Jacobson. Examining the impact of flashing lights on livestock predation.
Berta Vidal Carnero and Sheila Brownlow. How Name Popularity and Physical Attractiveness Jointly Influence Trait Judgments.
American Chemical Society (ACS – March 17-21, 2024)
Oral Presentation
ChaMarra Saner. Analysis of the durability of ceramic glazes to acid leaching of metal ions; a real-world application for the Analytical Chemistry lab.
Poster Presentations
Maria Benigno, Chloe Crane and ChaMarra Saner. Empowering the Future: Chemistry’s Healing Power in Action.
Mariah Lambert, ChaMarra Saner. Investigation of effects of decomposing bodies on plant growth and mineral content using HPLC and/or ICP.
Hunter Sjobom and Amanda Rushing. The HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor alters host cell metabolism.
Mercedes Barker, Stephanie Quintanilla, Joe Poston and Francisco Camacho. Metagenomic approach to eDNA.
Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB – March 20-23, 2024)
Oral Presentations
Abigail Hemric and Joe Poston. Marbled Salamander Population Dynamics in Catawba College's Ecological Preserve.
Daniel Ruiz, Tina Emmanuel, Dylan Cienfuegos and Carmony Hartwig. Real-life Zombies: Cordyceps in our Backyard?
Kaycee Doherty and Joe Poston. Habitat use and morphology of wintering sparrows in the North Carolina Piedmont.
Poster Presentations
Tobias Mielke, Andrew Jacobson, William Mayfield, Luke Dollar, Brian Kaelo, and Anlso Fowler.
Drone-based Thermal Imaging Techniques and Tools for Feral Swine Population Management in the NC Piedmont.
Austin Wise, Krista Yantis and Joe Poston. Does adding a plastic film to windows reduce the likelihood of fatal impacts by birds?
Ally Fredrick, Jacy Noble, and Erin Witalison. Effect of UV Radiation on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. Ally Fredrick won 3rd Place Honors in the John C. Johnson Award for Poster Presentations in Molecular and Microbiology.
Tina Emmanuel, Dymond Thames, Ana Price, Yahaira Galan Cruzes, Ben Bielby and Carmony Hartwig. Identification of Soil Microbiota Strains with Poly-3-hydoxybutyrate (PHB)-Degrading Capabilities.
Miles Lester, Erin Witalison, and Carmony Hartwig. Effects of Streptococcus salivarius M18 probiotic supplement on the human oral microbiome.
Salem Fleming, Emma Halstead, Arilyn Lynch, Madison Kluge, Matthew Rodriguez, and Jay Bolin. Ashes to ashes: documenting the annual decline of a green ash-dominated swamp in the NC Piedmont since 2019.
Tobias Mielke and Jay Bolin. The impact of feral hogs on the forest understory in the North Carolina Piedmont.
Hunter Sjobom and Amanda Rushing. The HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor alters host cell metabolism.
Alli Eudy, Kirill Camp, Nathan Beasley, Lejla Mehmedovic, Samantha Giraldo, Vanessa Ruiz Marin, Miles Lester, Natalie Bradford, Leah Allen and Francisco Camacho. Mouthful of Mysteries: Characterizing the Oral Microbiome through Oxford Nanopore Next Generation Sequencing.
Workshops
Carmony Hartwig, Zachary Trivett, and Andrew Jacobson. Honey, I Blew-Up the Molecules: 3D Printing as a Multi-faceted and Multi-disciplinary Pedagogical Practice.
Mac Alford, Lytton Musselman, and Jay Bolin. Fulbright Opportunities for Biologists.
North Carolina Academy of Science (NCAS - April 5-6, 2024)
Poster Presentations
Ana Price, Andrew P. Jacobson. Is the red fox afraid of a tiger? Examining responses of native mesopredators to a variety of native and exotic scents.
Ally Fredrick, Jacy Noble, Erin Witalison. Effects of UV Radiation on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. Ally Fredrick won 3rd Place Honors for the John Bowley Derieux Research Award in Molecular Cell Biology.
Yahaira Galan Cruzes, Andrew P. Jacobson, Bahy Abdelmesih. The efficiency of plasma-activated water as a fertilizer compared to store-bought fertilizer.
TriBeta National Convention 2024 (May 29th – June 2nd)
Oral Presentation
Daniel Ruiz, Tina Emmanuel, Dylan Cienfuegos and Carmony Hartwig. Real-life Zombies: Cordyceps in our Backyard?
Poster Presentations
Karen Gonzalez and Carmony Hartwig. Examining the Potential Antimicrobial Activity of Azelaic Acid on the ESKAPE Pathogen Panel. Karen Gonzalez won 3rd Place National Honors in the John C. Johnson Award for Poster Presentations in Biomedical Science.
Jacy Noble, Ally Fredrick, and Erin Witalison. Effect of UV Radiation on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.
Tina Emmanuel, Dymond Thames, Ana Price, Yahaira Galan Cruzes, Ben Bielby and Carmony Hartwig. Identification of Soil Microbiota Strains with Poly-3-hydoxybutyrate (PHB)-Degrading Capabilities.
