THIBODAUX, La. — The Louisiana Academy of Sciences recognized multiple Nicholls State University students and faculty during their 96th annual meeting held on March 12.
Held virtually due to lingering concerns about COVID-19, the organizers invited scientists from across the state to attend and present their research.
Nicholls award winners include:
- Bincy Biju, a junior biology major from Houma, and Collin Toups, a senior biology major from Thibodaux, tied for first place undergraduate poster. Biju’s research was titled, “Water Quality and the Presence of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in the Bayou Terrebonne Watershed” and Toups’ research was titled, “Presence of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic-Resistant Genes in the Migratory Birds of Louisiana.”
- Taylor Andrzejak, a marine and environmental grad student from Thibodaux, and Derek Sallmann, a marine and environmental grad student from Waukesha, Wisconsin, tied for first place graduate oral presentation. Andrzejak’s research was titled, “A Comparison of Water Quality, Microbial Ecology, and Antibiotic Resistance of Public Boat Launches in Southeastern, Louisiana” and Sallmann’s research was titled, “Toothy Filter Feeder? Evidence of Alligator Gar Feeding on Zooplankton.”
“The Academy is the oldest and largest science organization in the state,” said Dr. John Doucet, dean of the College of Science and Technology and past president of the Academy. “For 96 years it has supported the professionalization of college and university students by offering a venue to present and discuss their original work before faculty, industry, and fellow students. The fact that so many Nicholls students receive awards for their outstanding work is a testament to their grit and good work as students as well as the quality of their research mentors from our faculty.”
The Louisiana Academy of Sciences was established in 1927 and is the state’s premier organization for scientists, university science faculty, and university science students. The goals of the Louisiana Academy of Sciences include uniting the scientists of Louisiana to encourage research and education in all branches of science, publishing and disseminating scientific material and being an active voice representing science in both higher education and K-12 in Louisiana.
For more information on the Department of Biological Sciences, visit nicholls.edu/biology.
To view the students’ research as well as other research by Nicholls Students, visit the Scholars Expeaux 2022.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 9, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Jerad David, Director of Communications, 985.448.4303 or jerad.david@nicholls.edu
