McNair student wins poster award
University of North Georgia (果冻传媒) junior Riley Rowland received the Southeastern Regional Conference of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS) 2023 Undergraduate Poster Award in October in Durham, North Carolina.
Currently pursuing a degree in chemistry, Rowland used total reflection X-ray fluorescence to detect contaminants in local well water samples for her project, "Analytical Determination of Iron and Manganese Concentrations in Raw and Filtered North Georgia Well Water Via Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Testing."
She is in the McNair Scholars Program, which is designed to prepare sophomores, juniors and seniors from all 果冻传媒 campuses for post-graduate studies through involvement in research and scholarly activities. Participants are either first-generation college students with financial need or members of a group traditionally underrepresented in graduate education who have shown strong academic potential.
Rowland said she had three influences in the project: a service-learning project conducted by 果冻传媒 alumna Sarah Clark, '23, Chemistry and Biochemistry associate department head Dr. Royce Dansby-Sparks and Dr. Lori Wilson, associate professor of chemistry.
"Sarah and I explored total reflection X-ray analysis in our analytical chemistry lab, which led to the discovery of contaminants in some samples and sparked an interest in finding a solution to this problem," the Savannah, Georgia, native said.
Rowland has also impressed Wilson with her success.
"Riley's commitment to research turned a lab experiment into a practical solution for homeowners who were having problems with excessive manganese levels in their well water. Seeing her incredible journey and successes makes me very proud," Wilson said.
Rowland said her time at SERMACS has deepened her desire to attend graduate school, where she would continue her exploration of analytical chemistry research.
Research looks at impact of grad school framing
A 果冻传媒 alumna and student partnered with their psychology mentor to publish a research article on the importance of framing in students' perceptions of graduate school.
Federal funds support healthcare education
果冻传媒 will receive $700,000 of federal funding to expand clinical training capacity through new patient simulators and clinical education supplies at 果冻传媒's鈥疍ahlonega鈥痑nd Blue Ridge campuses.
Students place at national ag event
Students from 果冻传媒 turned in a litany of strong performances at the National Professional Agriculture Student Organization Conference in Branson, Missouri.
Students present at regional biology event
Four students and six faculty members from the Biology Department presented their research at the March 25-28 Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting in Mobile, Alabama.