Emma Parks and Percy Ackerman won most outstanding poster for the psychological sciences division.
By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Scientific minds from across the state met recently here at Young Harris College for the 102nd annual Georgia Academy of Science conference hosted by YHC on March 7-8.
Around 200 professionals, instructors, and graduate students involved with the academic science community met for the two-day conference, which focused on all facets of scientific study, ranging from biology and chemistry to psychology and mathematics. The conference also provides students with opportunities to report on research they are conducting for peer review.
“The conference was very successful, from attendance to the quality of presentations and every facet of the event,” said Paul Arnold, professor of Biology at YHC. Arnold and Dr. Jennifer Schroeder, professor of Biology, and Director of Study Away, chaired YHC efforts to organize the annual event.
“The support we received from YHC is what made this all possible. We couldn’t have done it without the College’s help,” Schroeder added.
The Georgia Academy of Science is part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Sara Helm was awarded most outstanding talk for the psychological sciences division.
The event kicked off with a keynote lecture from Dr. Bonnie K. Baxter, a Professor of Biology and Director of Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster University. Baxter spoke on the “Great Salt Lake: From Earth to Mars.”
Baxter researches the lake’s extreme microbiology, especially the foundation of the ecosystem – the algae and cyanobacteria that feed the brine shrimp and flies. She has published scientific articles on the lake’s extreme biology, the first academic book on the biology of Great Salt Lake, and the first children’s book about this lake.
The conference also included several presentations from students studying science at colleges and universities throughout Georgia. YHC had 8 students who presented their work over the two-day event. In addition to research presentations, posters were on display at the conference, held in the Maxwell Building and Rollins Campus Center at YHC.
The following students presented in the Biomedical Science Section:
- John Ray – research supervisor: Dr. Andrea Kwiatkowski
- Montana Owens – research supervisor: Dr. Linda Jones
- Chloe Schmidhuber – research supervisor: Dr. Jennifer Schroeder
- Victoria Shanahan – research supervisor: Dr. Jennifer Schroeder
- Elizabeth Hernandez: research supervisor: Dr. Paul Arnold
“GAS was a great way to network and meet students from other schools in Georgia,” Owens said about her experience. “I presented on the effects of zebrafish development from cannabinoid exposure. It was a great opportunity to finally present research I have been working on for the entirety of my senior year thus far. I presented to an audience of both familiar and unfamiliar faces, so it was a great way to connect with the community of YHC and other institutions.”
Emma Parks and Percy Ackerman were recognized for most outstanding poster for the Psychological Sciences division (research supervisor: Dr. Benjamin Van Dyke), and Sara Helm was recognized for most outstanding talk for the Psychological Sciences division (research supervisor: Dr. Amy Boggan). It is the first time YHC psychology students have participated in the Georgia Academy of Science Annual Meeting.
“The conferences are great because they bring together all the colleges and universities in the state as well as professionals in the field to discuss scientific research,” Schroeder said. “We’ve had representatives from the Department of Forestry and the Department of Natural Resources attend the event.”
YHC previously hosted the conference in 2017, as the event rotates around the state each year. Next year’s event will be at Georgia Gwinnett College.
“I can’t say enough about the YHC community and how it stepped up to support this event,” Arnold added. “From the facilities to the food to our own Faculty who played vital roles in the event. The team here at the College really helped to make this event successful.”
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts; Humanities; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Professional Studies. Approximately 1,400 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the Conference Carolinas. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
