2019 Academy Proceedings

Abstract

The one hundredth and sixteenth annual meeting of the North Carolina Academy of Science, Inc. was held at University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) located in Wilmington, North Carolina, March 22 and 23 of 2019 with the Collegiate Academy (CANCAS) joining the Senior Academy.Activities Friday, March 22 took place at the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus in the Fisher Student Center (FSC) and the Burney Center. The meeting began with the Finance and Strategic Planning Committee meeting at 1:00 p.m. in FSC Masonboro Island Room 2011 followed by a Senior Academy meeting of the Board of Directors from 2:00–5:00 p.m. in the FSC Saffo Room 2009. Registration for the Academy Annual Meeting ran from 5:00–7:30 p.m. in the lobby of neighboring building, the Burney Center. The poster session was held in the Burney Center and the conference reception with food provided for guests and presenters from 6:00–7:30 p.m. There were fifty-five posters representing research in the areas of Ecology, Zoology, Botany, & Earth Science; Cell & Molecular Biology, Microbiology & Physiology; Chemistry, Physics, Science Education, & Public Health. Students were present to answer questions and discuss their findings throughout the evening. Judges for the CANCAS posters met prior to the session and after the session in Fisher Student Center Saffo Room 2009. The poster session was followed by opening and welcoming remarks in the Burney Center. Welcome remarks were given by Associate Dean for Student Success, Policy, and Undergraduate Scholarship, Dr. Jess Boersma, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Aswani Volety, UNCW, both integral members of the Local Arrangements Committee, and Dr. Jean Luc Scemama, President of NCAS. The keynote presentation followed, and was given by Dr. Stuart Borrett of UNC Wilmington entitled “Benefits of University Research: Examples from Ecosystem Science”. Dr. Borrett's presentation inspired and excited the audience to continue engaging in research, and was a wonderful kick off to the weekend events.On Saturday, March 23, activities were held in the Burney Center and the Fisher Student Center. Registration was held in the Burney Center Lobby from 7:30–11:30 a.m. Exhibits and tables of vendors, meeting sponsors, and the graduate school fair, which provided information about several graduate programs in North Carolina, were also available in the Burney Center Lobby from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There were twenty-eight Collegiate Academy oral presentations given in three sessions, two morning sessions, 9:00–10:00 a.m.; 10:15–11:15 a.m.; and one afternoon session, 1:30–2:30 p.m., all in the Fisher Student Center. Oral session one consisted of three concurrent groups: Ecology, Botany, & Zoology 1; Mathematics & Artificial Intelligence; and Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, & Physiology 1, for a total of ten presentations. Oral session two consisted of three concurrent groups: Ecology, Botany, & Zoology 2; Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics & Science Education; and Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, & Physiology 2, for a total of eleven presentations. Three poster presentations by high school students, members of the Student Academy, were on display from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. with presenters standing by their posters from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.At the conclusion of morning presentations, lunch and remarks were available in the Burney Center from 11:30–1:15 p.m. A Judges’ Meeting was held to determine CANCAS Derieux awards for the morning presentations.Oral session three was held from 1:30–2:30 p.m., and consisted of three concurrent groups: Ecology, Botany, & Zoology 3; Microbiology; and Psychology & Science Education; and included Faculty & Graduate Student Presentations, for a total of seven presentations.From 2:40 to 3:40 p.m. the Senior Academy Annual Business Meeting & Board of Directors Meeting and the Collegiate Academy (CANCAS) Business Meeting ran concurrently. The Senior Academy met in FSC Masonboro Island Room 2011 and CANCAS met in FSC Wrightsville Beach Room 2017. From 3:45–5:00 p.m. meeting attendees were treated to a reception and awards ceremony in Burney Center.The two-day annual meeting was attended by 153 people.President Jean-Luc Scemama called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m. with thirty people in attendance.The minutes of the 2018 Business meeting were presented and approved.Jean-Luc Scemama presented in lieu of Alan Goble, head of the nominating committee, the slate of officers for 2019–2020: President (2019–2020): Jean-Luc Scemama (East Carolina Univ.)President-elect (2019–2020) Lei Zhang (Winston Salem State Univ.)Vice President (2019–2020): Taek You (incumbent; Campbell Univ.)Treasurer (2019–2022): Edson Luiz B. Justiniano (East Carolina Univ.)Elected Member (2019–2022) Michael Stiff (Lenoir Rhyne Univ.)A motion was made to vote for the slate by acclimation. The motion was seconded and the slate of officers was passed by acclimation.Slate of non-elected positions include: Bryden Research Grants Committee Chairperson (2019–2022) Dr. Helen Caldwell (Lenoir-Rhyne University)Graduate Counselor (1 yr term) no candidates yetParliamentarian (no term defined) no candidates yetLocal Arrangements Chair 2020 Dr. Judy Moore (Lenoir-Rhyne University)Reports:President: Dr. Jean-Luc ScemamaRecognized work on designing and maintaining new website: https://www.ncacadsci.org/Finance Committee: Dr. Eid HaddadFundraising campaign has begun — mailed out to other institutionsA motion was made from the committee to increase membership dues in 2020 to the proposed dues (below), was seconded and passed.Membership Type2019 MembershipMember 2020Undergrad Individual$15$15Undergrad Group$100$100Graduate Student$20$30K–12 Teacher$20$30Regular Member$50$65Patron Member$75$90Emeritus$30$30Life Member$750 (1x)$750 (1x)Honorary00Treasurer: Dr. Shana McAlexanderReport: The Treasurer role has grown to be too much for one person. I highly recommend moving some financial duties to committees where they are responsible for related activities.Report on current financial position. This meeting has 153 attendees; 160 pre-registered on Eventbrite, 20 of those did not show; 13 registered on-site.Treasurer's Report — Shana McAlexander2018 Reporting — Bank balances and total net worth (*not including NCSAS):2019 Reporting — Balance as of March 22, 2019Shana McAlexander distributed copies of the proposed budget for 2020.Proposed 2020 Annual BudgetThe 2020 budget was approved unanimously.Journal Editor: Dr. Mark McCallumDr. David Judge is the Executive Director of the Journal. Dr. Mark McCallum is the Managing Editor (contact about publications). If you are willing to serve as a reviewer, please let him know. Please encourage colleagues to submit; there are short communications available for undergraduate projects. Since the journal is a continuous publication there is a quicker turn-around time. If any award-winning students submit, they get the first three pages free.Resolution of ThanksResolution of Thanks for University of North Carolina, Wilmington (Resolutions for 116th Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Academy of Science at University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Wilmington, NC) — Dr. Eric Anderson. Resolution passed by acclimation:“Whereasthe 2019 Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Academy of Science at UNC-Wilmington has been a great success;Whereasthe members of the Academy and other attendees appreciated and were inspired by the ingenuity and industry of senior members and students conducting scientific investigations, summarized in their oral and poster presentations.Whereas, the venue offered an environment conducive to intellectual, social and professional interactions, networking, and enjoyment of good food and refreshments;WhereasDr. Stuart Borrett expanded our understanding of the benefits of University research in his keynote address; andTherefore, be it resolvedthat the North Carolina Academy of Science expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to the University of North Carolina Wilmington, to Dean Dr. Aswani Volety and Associate Dean Dr. Jess Boersma, Dr. Jeanne Persuit, Ms. Cathy Murphy, and Ms. Jena Guthrie.”Presentation of CertificatesPresident Jean-Luc Scemama announced members of the Board who are either stepping down or completing a term of office and who will receive certificates of appreciation:Managing Editor of JNCAS: Dr. Mark McCallumVice President: Dr. Taek YouImmediate Past President: Dr. Alan GobleTreasurer: Dr. Shana McAlexanderElected Member: Dr. Judy MooreLocal Arrangements Committee: Dr. Jess Boersma, Amelie Brogden, Cathy Murphy, Dr. Aswani Volety, Gena Guthrie, and Jeanne PersuitMembership Committee Chairperson: Dr. Scott JohnsonEducation Committee Chairperson: Dr. Linwood CokerCANCAS President: Jawuanna McAllisterExecutive Editor of JNCAS: Dr. David JudgeStrategic Planning Committee Chair: Dr. John KneselBryden Research Grants Committee Chair: Dr. Lei ZhangScience and Public Policy Committee Chair: Dr. Dennis McCrackenGraduate Counselor: Dr. Randall HayesWebmaster: Jessica McCannHistorian: Dr. Lisa KellyParliamentarian: Dr. Francie CuffneyPlaque of AppreciationDr. Taek You announced the continuation of presidency to Dr. Jean-Luc Scemama. A plaque of appreciation was presented for his service as 2018–2019 and Dr. Jean-Luc Scemama requested not to receive a plaque next year.The meeting adjourned at 3:25 P.M.New CANCAS Officers and Campus Liaisons (2019–2020)President: Trina Phan, NC State University; trinapphan@gmail.comVice President: Daisy Fry-Brumit, NC State UniversitySecretary: Sarah Leon, Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityHistorian: Osvaldo Rodriguez, Wake Technical Community CollegeCampus Liaisons:Juri Kim (jkim@ncwc.edu); NC Wesleyan UniversityArlenea Mena (amrodriguez4@my.waketech.edu); Wake Technical Community College Brock Johnston (bajohnston@my.waketech.edu); Wake Technical Community CollegeJordy Featherstone (jfeatherstone746@my.pfeiffer.edu); Pfeiffer UniversityKathryn Davis (kddavis009@st.nashcc.edu); Nash Community CollegeCameron Rushford (rushford.17@students.ecu.edu); East Carolina UniversityEmily Maxfield (emily.maxfield@my.lr.edu); Lenoir Rhyne UniversityInstitutions with Group Membership:Wake Technical Community CollegeEast Carolina UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at PembrokeCampbell UniversityNorth Carolina Wesleyan CollegeGuilford CollegeElon UniversityCANCAS continues to recruit student campus liaisons from CANCAS member institutions; if interested, contact Dr. Dan Stovall (dstovall@ncwc.edu) or Laura Reichenberg (laura.reichenberg@pfeiffer.edu). The 2019 CANCAS Workshop will be held at Pfeiffer University, Saturday, October 26.NC Wesleyan College hosted the Undergraduate Research Workshop of the Collegiate Academy of the NC Academy of Science (CANCAS) on Saturday, November 3rd. At the Workshop, students interacted with peers from diverse backgrounds, scientific disciplines, and institutions. Students from NC Wesleyan College, NC State University, Campbell University, Wake Technical Community College, and Nash Community College attended the event.The Workshop featured a panel discussion and breakout sessions! Panelists included Ph.D. students from various disciplines, including Genetics, Physics, and Chemistry. Dr. Greg Burhman, the coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Biochemistry Master's Program at NC State University, also joined the panel, along with Erin Helbling, the Director of Admissions of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. In the breakout sessions, undergraduates explored various relevant topics. For example, Dr. Jason Emory (Pfeiffer University) led a workshop for students on how to develop their resume/CV and interviewing skills. Dr. Karen Guzman (Campbell University) taught students how to design and deliver effective scientific oral and poster presentations. Dr. Meredith Rowe (Gardner-Webb University) facilitated her attendees’ scientific writing skills. And, Drs. Heather Louch and Daniel Elias (NC Wesleyan College) helped students explore the role and value of diversity and inclusion in science.CANCAS thanks NC Wesleyan College for hosting this successful event! We're also grateful to the fantastic panelists and breakout facilitators for their time, and most of all the students for their on-going passion for scientific progress! If you would like to learn more about CANCAS or get involved, please contact one of our co-directors or student officers! We hope to see everyone at the NCAS Annual Meeting in March!Bryden Graduate GrantsCongratulations to Spero Gbewonyo at NC A&T University for winning a 2018–2019 Bryden Graduate Grant for the project entitled “Low Thermal Conductive Carbon Fibrous Material from Electrospinning” and is overseen by Professor Lifeng Zhang. Tyler J. Carrier (Advisor: Dr. Adam Reitzel) at UNC-Charlotte received an honorable mention for the project entitled “Life as a larva in a microbial soup.”NCAS Annual Meeting (March 22 & 23, 2019 University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina)Derieux Awards:Oral Presentation AwardsEcology, Botany, & ZoologyFirst Place: Sydney Solomon (Elon University). The impact of early adult diet on the reproductive development of two hybridizing species of insect.Second Place: Alina Iwan (Elon University). Studying the functions and contexts of vibrational communication in Neotropical katydids.Third Place: Beverly Anaele (NC Wesleyan College). Can a natural plant product, such as the American beautyberry, repel and alter mosquito behavior?Cell & Molecular Biology, & PhysiologyFirst Place: Jawuanna McAllister (NC Wesleyan College). Effect of caffeine on PALLD expression and GBM cell invasion.Second Place: John Amodeo. (Lenoir-Rhyne University). Influence of Reactive Oxygen Species on the Fibrillization Rate Beta-Amyloid Peptide.Third Place: Kaitlan Smith (UNC Pembroke). Testing natural extracts to treat early indicators of dementia in a rat model.Microbiology, Chemistry, Physics, & MathematicsFirst Place: Spencer Winspear (Campbell University). Preliminary mechanistic study on the halogenation of vanillin using bleach and sodium halide salts.Second Place: Josh Marek & Daisy Fry-Brumit (NC State University). Influences of the SERT gene-environment interaction on stress recovery in Drosophila.Third Place (tie): Amanda Ritz (Campbell University). Electrochemical detection of methylisothiazolinone in dish soaps.Third Place (tie): Madelyn Suddreth (Lenoir-Rhyne University). The effects of brewing technique on caffeine and chlorogenic acid content in Starbucks’ Sumatra coffee.Poster Presentation AwardsEcology, Zoology, Botany, & Earth ScienceFirst place: Connor Whiffen (Elon University). Copulation control in the squash bug (Anasa tristis).Second place (tie): Samantha Gaskins (Nash Community College). Is 80 yr enough time to display character displacement in salamanders?: A case study.Second place (tie): Nima Hajhashemi (UNC Greensboro). The cost of autogeny in sandflies: does egg production without blood-meal reduces fitness?Third place (tie): Samantha Fisher (UNC Wilmington). Developing a polar science curriculum.Third place (tie): Colton Crenshaw (UNC Pembroke). Quantity and anti-microbial properties of essential oil production in medicinally valued plants exposed to varying photoperiods.Cell & Molecular Biology, Microbiology & PhysiologyFirst place: Micaela Robson (Campbell University). The microbiome that exists on the human skin in the axillary region contributes to malodor.Second place: Kyle Weidner (East Carolina University). Comparing Siderophore Production in Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Brucella abortus.Third place: Benjamin Britt (Campbell University). Overexpression and purification of carbonic anhydrase.Chemistry, Physics, Science Education, & Public HealthFirst place: Jeremy Walker (Campbell University). Development of a pedagogical substitution reaction involving halogenation of alcohol substrates.Second place: Junior Babaloa-Davies (Shaw University). Creating a realistic membrane to be used in structural studies related to Alzheimer's.Third place: Marina Maddaloni (Campbell University). Pedagogical labs highlighting the connection between chemical processes and artistic applications.Published on July 22, 2022