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Fort Valley State Students Win Research Awards at National Conference

Fifteen students from Fort Valley State University (FVSU) recently presented their research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Atlanta, Georgia.

This conference in STEM aims to support undergraduate and graduate students in enhancing their science communication skills and gaining a better understanding of how to prepare for science careers in a global workforce. More than 1,200 students attended this year’s event. Seven Wildcats earned AAAS travel awards, which covered all their expenses for attending the conference.
Four FVSU undergraduates won first and second place awards in the Mathematics and Computer Science and Biological Science categories. 

Laila Harris-Smith took home first place for her poster presentation in the Biological Science category. The Plant Science/Biotechnology major presented her research on the induction and development of somatic embryos in vitro cultures of Medicago sativa (alfalfa). Comfortable and excited to share her research, the sophomore said it was an enjoyable experience.
“The ERN conference was a wonderful opportunity that helped me grow into a presenter and grow my network. Because of this event, I look at the science industry in a new light,” Harris-Smith said.

Latvia Powell, who won second-place awards, said the conference was inspiring and unforgettable.
“It fueled my passion for research, connected me with brilliant minds and reminded me why I love science,” she said. “Winning an award made me grateful and encouraged me to expect the unexpected, especially within my research.” Powell is studying plant regeneration in valerian, a medicinal plant.
After graduation, Powell and Harris-Smith plan to pursue a master’s degree and doctorate to continue their research work in the health care and STEM workforce.

Willoughby Caine, who won second place for an oral presentation in the Computer Science Undergraduate category, expressed gratitude for gaining many tools to use in the future, including artificial intelligence.

“I also received the award for First Place Poster Presentation in Mathematics and Statistics, which has motivated me to continue with my work and will hopefully speak to the substance of my research as I apply to graduate schools in the coming semester,” Caine said.

Lauren Morton, a graduate student in Plant Science/Biotechnology, presented her research on hemp genetic transformation. She appreciated the opportunity to network at the conference.
“Attending a scientific conference as a student is an investment in my future,” Morton said. “It is a platform to connect with other emerging scientists, explore ongoing research and cultivate skills that will benefit me in my future career.”

Sarwan Dhir, Ph.D., FVSU professor of Plant Science/Biotechnology and director of the Center for Biotechnology, said this huge distinction reflects the students’ backgrounds and showcases their commitment to academics and community service.

“We are very proud of all who represented FVSU so well at this year’s ERN,” Dhir said. “They have exhibited scholarly excellence and are extremely involved on campus, making them role models for others.”
Participation in the ERN Conference in STEM was supported by multimillion-dollar grants from the NSF HBCU-UP (HRD-2011903), S-STEM (DUE-1834046) and the Department of Education MSEIP (P120A2000016) at FVSU.
 

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