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Pictured students who attended the Emerging Researchers Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, are with Ms. Ashley Moreno (in the middle won second place in Undergraduate Poster Presentation in Biological Sciences-Plant Science

Eleven Fort Valley State University (FVSU) students recently presented their research at the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Atlanta, GA. The Scholars in STEM and two faculty members attended the conference, with one student earning awards.

The Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Center for STEMM Education and Workforce (CSEW) Programs, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for STEM Education (EDU). It aligns with the updated 2026 NSF priorities. The conference aims to provide professional development for all undergraduate and graduate students from colleges and universities studying any STEMM discipline, including minorities, individuals with disabilities, and women.

Junior Ms. Ashley Moreno won second place in the biology category for her poster presentation, including the travel award. The 21-year-old plant science-biotechnology major and STEM Scholar said her research focused on “Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)”. "My professors, Seema Dhir and Suma Busak, wanted to improve plant regeneration and genetic transformation using a single cell to produce the transgenic Alfalfa,” she explained.

Ashley said, “I have been working with Dr. Sarwan Dhir, a Professor in the Plant Biotechnology group, who has mentored me since my freshman year. This experience has greatly contributed to my academic and personal growth. 

She added, winning second place was a bittersweet moment for me. While I was proud of my accomplishment, it also showed me how close I am to fully be achieving my dreams in healthcare and STEM. That experience reminded me that with hard work, dedication, and confidence, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. It pushed me to reflect on how far I’ve come and motivated me to continue striving for even greater success.

After graduation, the FVSU Wildcat desires to pursue a master’s degree to become a physician assistant, where she can make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. “This experience has reinforced my passion for the field and my determination to keep moving forward toward my goals”.

Ashley, who grew up in Mexico, said there are many opportunities at FVSU. “You must be open and willing to network and talk to your professors,” she advised.

Six other plant science biotechnology majors who received the travel awards were also invited to present their summer internship research work.

Seniors Demitrius Craig and Zarian Vilsaint say that attending the conference was overall a “very worthwhile bonding experience”. “The conference was a lot of fun, and worth it to go and make some connections and experience a bunch of really interesting research from people all in different stages of their careers”. “There were so many undergraduates there, I met so many, and I made a lot of friends. It felt like there was a community.”

Many biotechnology major undergraduates, faculty and staff represented FVSU by presenting their innovative research at the conference.