IRSC Biology Student-Researchers Present at the Florida Capitol
IRSC Biology Student-Researchers Present at the Florida Capitol
February 13, 2020 Robert Lane
Indian River State College (IRSC) Biology student-researchers traveled to Tallahassee to present their research at the inaugural “Undergraduate Research Posters at the Capitol” hosted by the Florida Undergraduate Research Association (FURA). Accompanied by Dr. Jim Agnew, Biological Sciences Master Instructor, four high-achieving IRSC baccalaureate-level students had the opportunity to directly engage in the political process and elevate the visibility of undergraduate research happening across Florida and at IRSC.
Undergraduate researchers from each university and college in Florida gathered in the Florida State Capitol Complex in downtown Tallahassee February on 9–10 to present their student research in poster format and interact with legislative members from their representative districts and throughout the state. Participants also met with other students from colleges and universities across the state in attendance to share their research projects.
The following IRSC student-researchers shared these presentations at the FURA event:
Crissy Massimino, Fort Pierce—“Molecular Evolution of Yellow Genes in Diaphorina citri Reveals Duplications and
Losses”
Jared Herrick, Sebastian—“Compounds in Saw Palmetto Fronds Exhibit Antibiotic Activity Against Staphylococcus
aureus”
Alexander Mahieu, Port St. Lucie—“Metagenomic Profile of the Old Vero Ice Age Site”
Zachary Roy, Palm City—“Variation in Cutaneous Sensitivity during Ultra-marathon Competitions”
“The opportunity to apply knowledge gained of the techniques and methods modeled in the classroom to probe cutting-edge research questions is where real learning happens,” shares Dr. Anthony Dribben, IRSC Assistant Dean of Mathematics & Natural Sciences. “These four students serve as great representatives of the quality research that IRSC Biology students are doing. I am proud of the amazing job they did presenting in Tallahassee.”
Students who pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at IRSC gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories working on equipment that includes a real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) machine to analyze gene expression, evos fluorescence microscopes for cell imaging, bioinformatics software to analyze complete genome sequences, and spectrophotometers for kinetic analysis of enzyme activity in the bio chemistry course. Rigorous coursework readies students for careers in areas that include agriculture, human and veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, ecology and conservation, molecular and cellular biology, and biotechnology.
FURA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the understanding of research and creative activity across all disciplines. FURA promotes the creation of new undergraduate research opportunities and unites like-minded faculty and administrators across the state to support this high-impact educational practice.
