Three Southwestern Oklahoma State University biology students at Weatherford recently received funding from the Beta Beta Beta (Tribeta) National Biological Sciences Honor Society to support their ongoing research projects.
Recipients were Bryler Atchley of Clinton, Hannah Budde of Edmond (Santa Fe High) and Denton Parsells of Oklahoma City (Bethany).
The students wrote research proposals based on projects they have been working on with faculty mentors. Atchley and Budde are mentored by Dr. Regina McGrane, and Parsells is mentored by Dr. Rickey Cothran. Drs. McGrane and Cothran are both faculty in the SWOSU Department of Biological Sciences
Atchley’s proposal was: “Evaluating the mechanism of syringafactin antimicrobial activity.”
Budde’s proposal was: “Investigating the effects of a bactericidal biosurfactant on human pathogen colonization of economically important plants.”
Parsells’ proposal was: “Sexual selection in response to varying levels of cultural eutrophication.”
Proposals described the students’ research questions, objectives and methods. Students can use the awarded funds to buy supplies, support a stipend, and/or travel to scientific meetings. As a requirement of their award, students will present their research findings at either the regional or national TriBeta convention.