Advancing STEM research requires building connections between contributors.
The 2021 Missouri Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (MOLSAMP) Undergraduate Research Symposium, which took place April 9-11, allowed participating STEM scholars to present their research and extend their networks.
Eight students from the Missouri State University MoLSAMP program and First Year Scholars program participated in the symposium.
Three earned awards for their research presentations.
Explore the Missouri State MoLSAMP program’s efforts
The participants
The students from the programs who participated at the symposium include:
Dorian DeHart
DeHart presented “Temperature and Discharge Monitoring of Springs and Streams to Approximate Water Drainage Basins in The Springfield Plateau, Missouri.”
His faculty advisor is Dr. Mélida Gutiérrez, professor of geology.
Ramona Gomez
Gomez presented “Water Quality Analysis of the Springfield Plateau Aquifer.”
Her faculty advisor is Gutiérrez.
Mikala Meadows
Meadows presented “Synthesis and Characterization of Oximates of Pt-group Metals.”
Her faculty advisor is Dr. Nikolay Gerasimchuk, professor of chemistry.
Vanessa Morales
Morales presented “Plant Host Specialization by Bees and Implications for Conservation.”
Her faculty advisor is Dr. Avery Russell, assistant professor of biology.
Daniel Padilla
Padilla presented “Synthesis of Tunable Mesoporous Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Biological Applications.”
His faculty advisor is Dr. Adam Wanekaya, department head of chemistry.
Kaylene Reyes
Reyes presented “Transgressive Segregation of Leaf Shape in Grapevine.”
Her faculty advisor is Dr. Laszlo Kovacs, professor of biology.
Judging
Gutierrez and Drs. Kyoungtae Kim, associate dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS), and Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi, assistant professor of electrical engineering, participated in the symposium as volunteer judges for the poster session.
Dr. Steven Senger, associate professor of mathematics, also served as a panelist for the symposium’s breakout session on finding a work-life balance.
Learn more about the undergraduate research symposium
The award winners
Reyes earned 1st place for her presentation. She received a $200 award.
DeHart earned 2nd place for his presentation. He received a $150 award.
Morales earned honorable mention for her presentation. She received a $50 award.
Congratulations, all!