Student Showcase

Here are our student presenters!

Biology: Alyssa Pold

Biography: I grew up in Acworth, GA, I am a 4th year biology major, I will be pursuing a master's degree in microbiology starting Fall of 2025.

“Bacteria on the Half Shell: Analysis of Vibrio spp. Bacteria in Oysters from Georgia's Coast”

Description: As Georgia expands its oyster mariculture industry, it is imperative to consistently assess the safety of harvests for consumers. To address these concerns, long-term collections of oysters from Georgia's coast have been conducted, and it has been shown that some concentrations of bacteria within these oysters not only exceed the FDA thresholds for safe consumption but also show antibiotic resistance.

Chemistry & Biochemistry: Alexander Smiarowski

Biography: I am a current senior in Chemistry at the University of North Georgia - Gainesville Campus. After I receive my bachelor's degree this fall, I plan to attend graduate school to work on my PhD. I will be the first in my family to do so and am so proud of it. I would love to contribute to the understanding we have of the world around us by working in Analytical Chemistry as it relates to the environment around us.

"Joro Spider Silk: How These Golden Webs Paved a New Way To Analyze Fatty Acids"

Description: Spider silk is prized amongst material scientists for both its strength and flexibility. However, surprisingly the composition of spider silk is relatively unknown. The Joro Spider (Trichonephila clavata), an invasive species of spider to Northern Georgia, has taken over autumn scenes with their large webs. This plentiful golden silk provides an easy way to study the composition of this novel material. During our examination of lipids within the spider silk, we discovered a novel, cheaper, and faster method of analysis of fatty acids than is currently employed in most research laboratories. This new process reduces the amount of time and work needed to analyze each sample allowing for the future of fatty acid analysis to arrive sooner.

Physics & Astronomy: David von Meyer

Biography: I am a current Junior at UNG studying astrophysics. I plan on going to grad school to obtain a Ph.D. In physics. My career goal is to work with undergraduate students teaching astronomy and physics and conducting research in computational atomic astrophysics.

“The Cosmic Fingerprints of Dying Stars: Unlocking the Secrets of Planetary Nebulae”

Description: When stars like our Sun reach the end of their lives, they shed their outer layers into space, creating beautiful glowing clouds called planetary nebulae. These nebulae contain chemical clues about the life cycle of stars and the history of our galaxy. By studying the light they emit, scientists can identify different elements and understand how stars contribute to the cosmic 'recycling' of matter. This research explores how adding heavier elements to simulations changes our predictions of these glowing patterns, helping us uncover more about the evolution of stars, galaxies, and the universe itself.

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