Honors students receive Emeritus Society awards
PULLMAN, Wash. – The WSU Emeritus Society, as is its annual tradition, has selected four outstanding undergraduates to receive $500 awards for their contribution to WSU research.
Recipients were selected based on their research efforts, the passion shown in their area of expertise, and their promise of future contributions to the research community. Following are the 2017 award winners. Hannah Booth, Madison Armstrong, and Heather Young are WSU Honors Students
- Hannah Booth, a senior in neuroscience, studied the effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on morphine-induced behavioral effects in mice. Booth did her research with Dr. Raymond Quock to determine if hyperbaric oxygen was an effective aid for treatment of opioid addiction. The results of this initial trial were inconclusive. Booth hopes to continue her education and experience in the field of medicine by becoming a physician’s assistant. Her plan for the immediate future is to get experience in the medical field, staying on the Palouse for at least one more year.
- Madison Armstrong, a sophomore in biology, worked with Mark Dybdahl on an invasive species, the New Zealand mudsnail. Her aim in this project was to determine whether phenotypic plasticity might play a role in the success of invasive species. The ultimate purpose is to gain insight on how to control invasive species that cause ecological disruption. She plans to finish her undergraduate degree at WSU, then pursue her Ph.D. in a similar area of study.
- Heather Young, a junior in animal sciences, changed her area of interest from general veterinary practice to the study of veterinary medicine of large animals after working with cows on campus during her freshman year. Young’s passion for the welfare of animals in the dairy industry started early in her program and has led her into engaging research experiences. Her project, with Dr. Amber Adams-Progar, compared two housing systems for dairy calves on their physiological responses during hot weather. Young plans to continue sharing her experiences by presenting her research at the American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting this summer.
- Aaron Appleby, a senior in organic agriculture systems, worked with John Reganold. Aaron was concerned with the lack of research that has been done on certified organic herbicides. He designed a study to test weed control by four organic herbicides compared to hand weeding. One organic herbicide, applied every two weeks, was as effective as hand weeding. Appleby noted that there are very few sustainable ways to control perennial weeds that are affordable for farmers because organic herbicides do not translocate within the plant. He plans to continue his research and deepen his expertise in this area to help farmers find sustainable and affordable organic herbicides.
For more information on the WSU Emeritus Society, see its website here.
By Sammi Mischkot, graduate assistant, Emeritus Society