FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 11, 2016
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Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115
GLENVILLE, WV - On Saturday, October 1, 2016, eleven members of the Alpha Iota Chapter of Chi Beta Phi and two other members of the Glenville State College community attended the 69th National Conference of Chi Beta Phi. The conference was hosted by the Zeta Chapter of the organization at the Eshelman Science Center on the Davis & Elkins College campus in Elkins, West Virginia. The faculty members of Alpha Iota Chapter present were Larry Baker (Associate Advisor of the Chapter), Wenwen Du, Kevin Evans, Jeremy Keene, and Paul Peck (Chapter Advisor). Student members who attended the conference were Brianna Caison, Samuel Canfield (Chapter President), Tara Evans, Carrie Huffman, Kelly Weaver, and Zachary White. Professor Alan Daniel and Chris Carver from Glenville State College also attended the afternoon session of the conference.
During the morning session the chapters present gave reports on their activities for the past year. National officers were also elected for two-year terms. The conference then witnessed a presentation by Professor Renaud Stauber of the Davis & Elkins College mathematics department entitled ‘Piezo-electric polymers: Making a space antenna with Saran-Wrap and double-sticky tape.’
In the afternoon session, 22 presentations of student research were made. Glenville State College students gave six of these presentations, the most by any chapter present.
Caison presented ‘Psychological Pain in the Praying Mantis, Tenodera Sinensis.’ Her research mentor was Professor Daniel. The presentation received a third place award.
Her research took place over a six week period during the summer. “In studying the simplified nervous system of mantids, we can look at things like depression and opioid dependency. We can then hope to use the information on a larger scale as a model for human problems,” Caison said.
She plans on joining the Navy after graduation and eventually becoming a surgeon. Caison credits her advisor and other professors at GSC with helping her work toward achieving her goals. She said they also give the campus and the Science Hall, where she has spent countless hours completing research, a special feel. “They make it a home away from home,” she added.
The five other GSC students also spoke about their various research projects at the conference.
Canfield presented ‘Bellamya chinensis and Lymnaea stagnalis mortality in the presence of Macrobdella decora.’ He worked with Todd Crowl and Kristin Bahleda at the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center East during the summer of 2016.
Evans presented ‘anti-Markovnikov Hydrobromination of Alkenes.’ Professor Evans was her research mentor. Her research was funded by the West Virginia Space Grant Consortium.
Huffman presented ‘Evolutionary Analysis of Monopyle (Gesneriaceae) from Central America.’ Her research was under the direction of Professor Keene and was funded by the West Virginia Space Grant Consortium.
Weaver presented ‘Optimizing the Reaction Conditions for the anti-Markovnikov Hydrobromination of Alkenes.’ Professor Evans was her research mentor. Weaver’s research was funded by the West Virginia Space Grant Consortium.
White presented ‘Water Use of Mature Oak Trees.’ Glenville State College Professor Rico Gazal was his research mentor. White’s research was funded by the West Virginia Space Grant Consortium.
“The faculty in the Science and Mathematics, Land Resources, and Social Science Departments at Glenville State College are doing an excellent job providing our students with opportunities to participate in STEM-related research. Our faculty are also doing an excellent job helping the students attend professional meetings, such as the Chi Beta Phi National Conference, where the students can present their research experience and results to a broader audience. This is something our faculty are passionate about as evidenced by the number of faculty who went on a Saturday with our students to the Chi Beta Phi National Conference,” said Department Chair and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Gary Morris.
In the award ceremony at the end of the conference, GSC’s Alpha Iota Chapter was recognized as the Most Improved Chapter. All presenters received a presentation award. National President Bill Pohley announced that Alpha Iota Chapter will host the 70th National Conference of Chi Beta Phi on the Glenville State College campus next fall.
Chi Beta Phi is a scientific honorary for undergraduates. An affiliate of The American Association for the Advancement of Science since 1935, the object of the organization is to promote interest in science and to give recognition to scholarly attainment in science. Members participate together in events of scientific interest and wholesome fellowship. Membership is open to honor students in various scientific disciplines and to faculty members at colleges with local chapters. Alpha Iota Chapter at Glenville State College was chartered in 1964 and has been continuously active since then.
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