By the time Mackenzie Meier crosses the graduation stage later this month, she will have logged more than 5,000 hours at work, earned the highest academic honors, and finished college early — all while carrying a full course load. For the ����vlog���� senior from Knoxville, Ark., ambition has never been something you talk about; it’s something you do.

Meier will graduate on Dec. 20 with a major in biology (wildlife) and minors in art and environmental studies — and with Summa Cum Laude honors (3.85 and higher cumulative grade point average).

A graduate of Lamar High School, Meier started Ozarks in the fall of 2022 with a semester of credits already secured, helping her to graduate in three and a half years. Her first day at Ozarks was also her first day starting her new job at Walmart. Since then, she has worked between 26-32 hours a week while juggling the everyday rigors of college — finals, research projects, scholarly papers, homework and study sessions.

“I brought to college with me the dedication and work ethic that I cultivated while in high school,” said Meier. “I’ve always held myself to a high standard and I think that’s where most of my motivation comes from. I’m not looking for gratification or a pat on the head from anyone else but myself. I started at Walmart the same day I started college, so I’ve not gone a day in higher education without other obligations. Overall, I’ve worked close to 5,000 hours while in school. It’s meant I’ve had to prioritize my time and be responsible with how I spend it. It’s not always an easy thing to do because it means choosing schoolwork over time with friends sometimes — but not every time.”

Working through college has allowed Meier to graduate debt-free.

“That is such a blessing and it allows me to focus on my future with a lot less stress,” she said.

Meier said that from a young age she knew she wanted to pursue a profession connected to wildlife welfare and conservation. 

“It’s something I’ve always felt strongly about,” she said. “One night in 2022, I saw a mother mountain lion and her cub cross my driveway while I was looking out the window brushing my teeth and that’s when I knew for certain that I wanted to pursue a career in wildlife welfare. Our everyday lives intersect with animals more often than we could ever imagine. And since they can’t speak up for themselves, that responsibility falls on us as society.”

Classes and research projects with U of O biology professors such as Dr. Christie Sampson and Dr. Frank Knight have only intensified her desire to pursue that career path.

“Ozarks has fueled this interest by providing access to brilliant professors like Dr. Sampson and Dr. Knight,” Meier said. “They each bring a lot to the table when it comes to experience and knowledge. Every semester they continue to stoke the fire as their passion for biology — and all it encompasses — is contagious.” 

While wildlife biology and art may seem like an odd academic couple, it was a natural pairing for Meier. 

“I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and in nature, so studying wildlife biology just seemed like the natural thing to do,” she said. “I chose art for a minor because it’s something I’ve enjoyed for years now as well. I love the process of planning something out and creating in front of me what I see in my mind. It balances well with biology because they each use different sides of the brain.”

Fittingly, she was able to connect her science and art interests in a senior art practicum earlier this semester.

“I’m using the sun to expose photographs that I took on a photo trip to California onto leaves,” she said. “It’s a really cool process that combines the powers of photosynthesis with photography.”

She said one of her favorite classes at Ozarks was a ceramics course, which inadvertently helped teach her a valuable life lesson.

“I’ve loved so many classes at Ozarks but one that I would take again if I had the opportunity would be ceramics,” she said. “I loved getting my hands dirty, both metaphorically and physically, in the medium. It’s a process that takes time to develop and I loved how clay acts like it has a mind of its own. I would have an idea of what I wanted to create, but sometimes the clay had a different idea. It taught me how to be flexible and open to new things, which is exactly how the science world works. The class may have been an art class, but it paralleled beautifully with biology by illustrating how ever-changing the natural world is, even if confined to a clay-form inside a studio.”

While Meier isn’t exactly sure where her professional future is headed, she knows it will most likely include animals, nature and art.

“I plan on shadowing my uncle in taxidermy and, if I end up liking it, I may pursue that and specialize in small animals-birds-fish,” she said. “If it turns out to be something I don’t fall in love with, I’d like to end up working with big cats, either at a refuge or some other form of conservation application. I like the idea of taxidermy: how it combines art and biology and how it can be used for education. However, I’m not sure how I feel about working with carcasses over live animals.  Either way, I’m remaining open to any opportunity that comes my way. I’m just eager to get out there and start getting my hands dirty.”

Meier called her time at Ozarks “a whirlwind.”

“It’s gone by so fast and I’ve learned so much,” she said. “Because of work, I haven’t gotten super involved on campus. I was an Ozarks Experience Mentor (OEM) my sophomore semester and I really enjoyed that, which surprised me given my introverted nature. I’ve gone on a couple trips with the photography professor, Margo Duvall, and those have been some of my favorite memories. Last spring we went to California to photograph the redwoods and Yosemite after studying the f/64 group of photographers in class and it was such a surreal experience. It was definitely something I could have only gotten to be a part of because of Ozarks. “

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When ����vlog���� biology majors Jessie Wright (pictured, right) and Savea Cunningham (left) stepped into the labs at Louisiana State University this summer, they weren’t just participating in an internship—they were stepping into the frontlines of groundbreaking medical research. Over six weeks, the two Texas natives immersed themselves in studies that deepened their scientific knowledge, strengthened their career aspirations, and offered them a glimpse of the real-world impact of biology beyond the classroom.

Wright, a senior from Decatur, Texas, and Cunningham, a junior from Lake Jackson, Texas, served internships at the National Hansen’s Disease Program (NHDP) lab on LSU’s Baton Rouge campus. Their work placed them in the heart of research into Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria that causes leprosy.

One of their primary projects examined whether armadillo livers could provide a reliable source of M. leprae for research. By enumerating bacterial counts in liver samples taken at different stages of infection, they were able to help determine the viability of the bacilli.

“Our results showed that armadillo liver samples were an accurate way to measure bacteria counts in armadillos,” Wright explained. “There was a strong correlation between early dissemination of armadillos and higher M. leprae viability counts.”

They also worked on a project testing the effectiveness of a new compound against M. leprae infection using radio respirometry.

For Cunningham, the LSU experience was an exciting expansion of research she had begun at Ozarks under Professor of Biology Dr. Frank Knight, who is considered one of the country’s top scholars in armadillo research.

“This past year, I worked with Dr. Knight to test the gut microbiomes of armadillos and their offspring,” she said. “That work was fascinating, but we were limited by what we could do in a small lab. At LSU, I had the chance to move beyond step-by-step kits and really engage with the chemical processes and designed procedures. That strengthened not only my knowledge of biology, but also my understanding of the chemistry required for this kind of research.”

Wright agreed, saying the internship gave her invaluable perspective.

“I was introduced to some of the tools science has provided us to combat and investigate concerns on the molecular level,” she said. “This experience exposed me to the rewarding aspects of long-term research and its real-world implications. It also gave me a deeper appreciation for how concepts from the classroom connect to the medical field.”

Both students came away from the summer with sharpened goals. 

Wright, who plans to attend medical school, said the internship reinforced her passion for medicine and research.

“I strive to be a physician who not only treats patients but also values research that can advance modern-day medicine and practices,” she said.

Cunningham said the experience solidified her desire to pursue graduate studies in molecular or microbiological research.

“This opportunity not only benefited me academically, but it gave me valuable connections to researchers and potential inclusion in a published article,” she said. “Long term, I hope to build a career in bacterial or viral research similar to what I experienced at NHDP.”

Their participation was made possible through the University’s Student Enrichment Fund (SEF), which provided financial support for the internship.

“Receiving the scholarship ultimately made this opportunity possible,” Wright said. “I am eternally grateful for experiences that enrich my understanding of medicine and science.”

Cunningham echoed that sentiment.

“This trip was only possible through SEF funding, and it benefited me in numerous ways,” she said. “It has not only impacted my future, but also contributed to the broader research into leprosy.”

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Dr. Shalini Tiwari has joined the ����vlog���� faculty as an assistant professor of biology, beginning in the Fall 2025 Semester.

Tiwari has most recently served as a post-doctoral research associate with South Dakota State University and Oklahoma State University. She also served a post-doctoral fellowship at the School of Life Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India.

“I’m excited to begin my journey as assistant professor at ����vlog���� and am looking forward to inspiring curiosity, building connections, and growing alongside my students,” Tiwari said.

She was born and raised in Uttar Pradesh, India, a state renowned for its rich cultural heritage and as a hub of research institutions, according to Tiwari.

“My entire educational journey, from schooling to my Ph.D., was rooted in this vibrant state, where I developed my passion for biology and research,” she said. 

As a teaching assistant, she has taught plant stress physiology, genetic engineering, plant-microbe interactions and molecular biology. Some of her research has focused on molecular adaptation mechanisms in plants under salt stress, “a crucial area in the context of climate change-induced environmental challenges.”

She earned her Ph.D. in 2019 from the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute at the University of Lucknow in India. During her Ph.D., she contributed to projects aimed at understanding the functional role of rhizobacteria in salt stress tolerance in rice.��

Tiwari said her teaching style “centers around creating an engaging, interactive and inclusive learning environment.”

“I emphasize practical, hands-on learning to help students connect theoretical concepts with real-world applications, such as analyzing environmental samples in metagenomics courses.”

She is a member of the American Society of Plant Biologists and the American Society for Microbiology.

Outside of academia, she enjoys exploring nature through trekking and travel, reading nonfiction, and staying connected with music. 

“Gardening is also grounding passion that keeps me in tune with the natural world,” she said. “I find joy in painting and drawing, creative outlets that offer a peaceful and fulfilling balance to my work. I also practice yoga regularly to support mindfulness and overall well-being.”

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Dr. Darrin Hunt, assistant professor of biology at ����vlog����, is the lead author of a new scholarly article on invasive mussels in streams in the journal Hydrobiologia and will discuss his research during a webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Hunt’s article appeared in the July edition of the peer-reviewed aquatic biology journal and is titled, “Investigating the effects of dreissenid mussel shells in streams post invasion.” The second author on the article is Dr. Donna R. Kashian, professor of environmental science at Wayne State University.

Hunt will present his research in a webinar for Invasive Mussel Collaborative at the organization’s quarterly webinar, scheduled for 9 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 30. For more information or to view the webinar, visit .

The abstract for Hunt’s article reads:

“The ecological impact of dreissenid mussel (e.g., quagga and zebra) populations and their empty shells on native fauna in large rivers and lakes has been extensively studied. However, there is limited information on their effects in small wadable streams. Although established mussel populations in these systems are uncommon, their shells are found in high densities in benthic environments and may adversely impact stream communities. Shell densities were quantified using quadrats in two wadable streams to assess impacts on native benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. Eight reaches of each river were sampled, four with dreissenids and four without, totaling 16 locations.”

“Macroinvertebrate and fish communities were characterized using diversity and environmental tolerance indices. Shell densities were significantly higher in dreissenid-invaded sites compared to sites with only native bivalves in both rivers. Dense shell beds had degraded biological conditions with fewer sensitive macroinvertebrates, but bed density did not affect overall macroinvertebrate or fish diversity. These findings differ from lake and large river studies, which found a greater impact of dreissenid shell deposition on macroinvertebrate and fish diversity than we observed in small wadable streams. Thus, a different approach to management and restoration may be necessary to maintain a natural community composition in wadable streams.”

The full article in Hydrobiologia can be found .

Hunt joined the U of O faculty in 2023. A freshwater ecologist, he has done extensive research on how biotic communities respond to broad-scale anthropogenic stressors like urbanization and climate change. Specifically, he has studied how stream benthic macroinvertebrate communities are impacted by habitat changes caused by invasive bivalves in urban and rural environments of temperate and tropical climates. Some of his research interests include stream ecology, urban ecology, freshwater biology, invasive species management and green stormwater infrastructure.

He earned his Ph.D. from Wayne State in biological sciences and urban sustainability.

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A group of ����vlog���� faculty and students are taking part in a coordinated, multi-year research project that is examining the effects of an event that hasn’t occurred since Thomas Jefferson was president of the United States.

The event is being called the Great Southern Cicada Emergence. The research project is examining the impacts of two broods of periodical cicadas — brood XIII, a 17-year brood that is emerging in Iowa, and brood XIX, a 13-year brood emerging in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and east of the Mississippi River drainage. This type of double brood emergence event hasn’t happened in the same region since 1803.

Faculty and students from U of O are working with faculty and students from several other universities throughout the region to study if this periodical cicada emergence is impacting fish ecology of river and stream fishes on a large spatial scale.

U of O assistant professors of biology, Dr. Darrin Hunt and Dr. Christie Sampson, are leading the University’s efforts in the project. Students Jonathan Firra and Isaiah Dial as well as professors Dr. Amy Oatis and Russell Jones have also assisted with the project.

“Throughout May and June, trillions of periodical cicadas from two groups – Brood XIII and Brood XIX – will be and are emerging across 15 U.S. states,” Hunt said. “This event only transpires every 221 years and provides a fleeting opportunity to study their effects on recipient ecosystems. Our goal is to characterize and quantify the consumption of cicadas by fishes during this rare event.”

Hunt said he first learned about the research project from a colleague at University of Central Arkansas who he knew through a professional organization, the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS). Hunt then connected with Dr. Rich Walker from Upper Iowa University, who is the principal Investigator on the project. Walker is a native of nearby Scranton, Ark., who earned his master’s degree at UCA.  Earlier this spring, Hunt and Walker began working on a plan to investigate the impacts of periodical cicadas in Arkansas.

“This simultaneous emergence of periodical cicada broods, having respectively spent 17- and 13-years accumulating energy underground, represents a substantial and infrequent translocation of biomass and nutrients,” Walker said. “Periodical cicadas have been shown to influence nutrient cycling in soils, and more recently been shown to disrupt trophic dynamics through shifts in bird foraging. However, empirical evidence of the importance, fate, and consequences of these large pulses of terrestrial resources to aquatic ecosystems remains limited. Therefore, this year’s dual-brood emergence presents a rare opportunity to explore research questions that deepen our understanding of how aquatic ecosystems respond to a large but infrequent pulse of terrestrial resources.”

The project includes, examining stream “drift” to estimate the availability and quantity of periodical cicadas that are in stream systems; sampling fish communities, and inspecting gut contents, blood and tissues for evidence of periodical cicadas; and asking local anglers to submit fish carcasses so that the team can inspect gut contents, blood and tissues on a larger scale.

“This emergence event could provide a pulse of nutrients if periodical cicadas are falling into rivers and being utilized by fish as a food resource,” Hunt said.

In the past couple of weeks the group has been gathering samples from rivers and streams throughout the Ozarks National Forest and Ouachita National Forest.  Hunt said the results of the study could have numerous implications.

“If insectivorous/generalist fish are using periodical cicadas as a food resource, this abundant resource could enhance fecundity, and increase brood size later in the year,” Hunt said. “Additionally, periodical cicadas could temporarily alter the stream food web by replacing ordinary fish food resources. Those prey organisms could now remain in the ecosystem where they can have dramatic, landscape level impacts on food webs both in and out of the stream. This project provides a unique opportunity to investigate linkages between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.”

Walker added that the investigation into the effects of a dual-brood cicada mass emergence on aquatic ecosystems “promises important outcomes for both the natural sciences and the general public.”

“This unprecedented study, spanning multiple states, holds the potential to uncover invaluable insights into the intricate dynamics between terrestrial resource pulses and aquatic ecosystems,” Walker said. “The knowledge gained from this research will contribute to broader ecological theories and enhance our ability to predict the effects of similar future events and provide a baseline to compare the future effects of climate change. Understanding how these events shape populations and communities will have implications for conservation and ecosystem management.”

Hunt said the opportunity for Ozarks faculty and students to work on a large-scale project like this is a huge benefit.

“The faculty and students have been hugely supportive of this effort,” Hunt said. “Their participation, across disciplines, has been helpful both in offering new perspectives and extra hands. Involvement with this project allows U of O faculty and students to work with other universities to answer novel questions about how a rare event impacts a biotic community, in this case fish. It also provides an opportunity for us to reconnect with our natural resources in Arkansas and beyond.”

Walker agreed, saying the study “will offer students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on, place-based research, building career-ready skills in collaboration, oral and written communication, computational thinking, experimental design, and critical thinking that prepares aspiring scientists. “

Hunt is encouraging local anglers to donate fish guts or fish species caught between May and November of 2024 in rivers or streams in the Ozark Mountains or Ouachita Mountains region. For more information on how to donate either whole fish or stomachs from the fish, please contact Hunt (dhunt@ozarks.edu) or Sampson (csampson@ozarks.edu).

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While Biology and Photography might seem like contrasting and divergent academic interests, ����vlog���� senior Kathy Nash has found a way to combine the disciplines quite harmoniously.

Nash, a senior biology major from Torrance, Calif., recently completed an ambitious independent photography project titled, “Echoes of Beauty: Capturing the Changing Ecology of New Mexico’s Landscapes.”

Nash’s project—funded through the University’s Student Enrichment Fund—was inspired by the late Carroll Rowbotham’s black and white “Beauty and Awe of the West” exhibit that is permanently featured in the University’s Robson Library. Rowbothan, a 1957 alumnus of Ozarks and an accomplished artist and photographer who died in 2015, captured numerous images of the New Mexico landscape in the exhibit, which he donated to the University in 2004.

Nash went to northern New Mexico for a week in December to recreate many of Rowbotham’s photographs for her “Echoes of Beauty” exhibit, which will be displayed in the Mabee Administration Building later this semester.

Nash, who transferred to Ozarks from Los Angeles Harbor College as a junior, said her “Echoes of Beauty” project represented a unique opportunity to achieve several goals.

“As I near graduation, this project represents more than another academic or artistic project; it’s a tangible contribution to the ����vlog���� and future generations,” Nash said. “Through the“Echoes of Beauty” project, I hope to leave behind a visual story that honors the legacy of Mr. Carroll Rowbotham and highlights my passion for ecology and conservation. This is my way of ensuring that the beauty and importance of the Western United States are not just remembered but deeply felt and understood. This project, for me, is not only about leaving something behind; it’s about inspiring others to see, appreciate, and protect the natural environment that holds a special place in my, and many others’ heart.

Nash was first introduced to New Mexico through a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) project last summer from the U.S. National Science Foundation. Her 10-week REU was in Sevilletta National Wildlife Refuge, where she studied a hemiparasitic plant known as Castilleja integra, or Indian paintbrush. She studied how the plant affects plant community composition across ecological gradients and whether the presence of a hemiparasite impacts the presence and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) within plant roots.

“The photography project was particularly important to me because it allowed me to explore the natural beauty of New Mexico, where I did my REU, while also sharing my decade-long passion for photography,” Nash said.

Nash said while it would seem like photography and biology are completely different fields, she has found that they work nicely together.

“My passion for photography began 10 years ago when I was 13,” Nash said. “I remember using my little point-and-shoot camera to go out and take photos of people, places, and, more commonly, plants. Once I began my college career, I found that my passion for photographing nature can support and be supported by biology via encouraging myself and others to look more closely at the natural world around us.”

Nash said the “Echoes of Beauty” project has helped to rekindled her passion for photography.

“Since beginning college four years ago, I have often found myself pushing photography to the back burner in order to immerse myself in my education,” she said. “However, this new project allowed me the time and space to dedicate myself to photography for a full week, ultimately reconfirming my passion for photography and inspiring me to incorporate it more into my life while still furthering my education in biology.”

Nash received some good news earlier this semester when she learned that had been selected to receive a prestigious post-baccalaureate position through the National Science Foundation with a professor at Oklahoma State University. At OSU, she plans to work with Dr. Noha Youssef to further her research skills and learn more about anaerobic fungi (phylum Neocallimastigomycota), environmental genomics, and freshwater algal blooms.

She plans to pursue a career combining her love for science and conservation, “in a way that is approachable to the general public.”

“Specifically, I would love to be able to share my passion for fungi and their ecological significance with the general population, ultimately fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of the smaller members of ecological communities,” she said.

Though she’s only been at Ozarks for two years, she credits her professors for helping her take the next step to graduate school.

“My time at Ozarks honestly has flown by,” Nash said. “I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderfully kind and intelligent people while also participating in unique experiences, such as going to Yellowstone for human-wildlife conflict research and to New Mexico for my photography project. Further, all of my professors have been extremely supportive and have gone above and beyond to help me succeed both during and after my time at Ozarks. Finally, my advisor and professor, Dr. Christie Sampson, has been one of the most inspiring and supportive people I have met thus far in life. All of these things combined ultimately leave me with a feeling of utmost gratitude to U of O for accepting me and supporting me over the past two years.”

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A group of ����vlog���� biology students were recognized recently in a NASA-supported national competition for their research project to help grow food on Mars.

The team, Ozarks on Mars, received a best in show award for fall 2023 in the undergraduate/professional plant growth division of the Plant The Moon and Plant Mars Challenge, which is sponsored by the Institute of Competition Sciences (ICS) and NASA.

Ozarks on Mars was made up of seven students in the fall semester’s biology capstone class — Roberca Chery, Patrice Dames, April Gomez, Dylan Herring, Jessie Berth, Alexandra Kasper, and Benjamin Stormes — as well as their coach, Dr. Christine Sampson, assistant professor of biology. Their project was titled, “The Effects of Azotobacter and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Red Globe Radishes.”

According to the event’s website, “returning humans to the Moon and planning to go to Mars is challenging in many ways. One of those challenges is how to feed your crew. Using local resources on the Moon could greatly enhance our capabilities to explore our celestial neighborhood. This begs us to ask the question, can you plant the Moon? Can we plant Mars? Can you grow crops in lunar regolith, a fine grained dusty covering of rocks and minerals spread across the surface of the moon? Can we grow food sustainably on the surface of Mars? What nutrients, fertilizers, or other modifications to the regolith are needed to grow nutrient rich, sustainable food sources for future astronauts? Understanding how we can use lunar soil to grow crops is one of the next great steps in supporting our return to the Moon! Through the Plant the Moon and Plant Mars Challenge, you can help NASA scientists and the academic community at large learn the best crop conditions to make this happen.”

Sampson said the students “did an amazing job working to bring their individual strengths together to implement a successful project.”

“This is exactly the type of research being conducted in university and government labs trying to address the challenge of sustaining life in space,” Sampson said. “The judges were very impressed with their work, and suggested the students should pursue publishing their results.”

Sampson said she and Dr. Derek Warren, assistant professor of biology, chose the overall project, but that the specific experiment was driven by the students’ interests.

The Ozarks team decided to study the Scarlet Globe Radish because of its “fast growth period, high soil and drought tolerability and health benefits.” The team focused on the additives azotobacter, a nitrogen fixer used commonly as a biofertilizer, and mycorrhizal fungi, a symbiotic fungus with the purpose of improving water and nutrient intake.

“The students worked in groups to build the project, from deciding what type of plants would be grown, to the experimental design, to the additives that we would be testing,” Sampson said. “For example, a couple of students were really interested in azotobacter and mycorrhizal fungi, and understanding how those could improve crop growth in Martian soil, so they took the lead on growing and adding that to our growth media. Other students focused on monitoring crop growth, and data management.”

This is the first year that Ozarks has participated in the challenge, Sampson said.

“Derek and I saw another university presenting their work from this competition at the Tri Beta conference last year in Dallas and thought it would be a great project for our biology capstone students,” Sampson said. “This is actually only the first phase: the plan is that I will work with the students the first semester to grow crops under different conditions, and then the students in his capstone course during the spring semester will look at the nutritional content of the plants we grow.”

The Ozarks on Mars team submitted its research in early December and found out that they had received the best in show award on Jan. 12.

“Overall, this type of project demonstrates how interdisciplinary the field of science is, which is something we strive to prepare them for here at Ozarks,” Sampson said. “The students exceled at researching some of the latest ideas and methodologies and putting them to work in their study design.”

More information about the Plant the Moon and Plant Mars Challenge can be found at

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Spouses Dr. Darrin and Whitney Hunt have joined the ����vlog���� faculty, beginning the 2023 Fall Semester.

Whitney joins Ozarks as an assistant professor of sociology and Darrin as an assistant professor of biology. ��

The Hunts, who met as undergraduate students at Wayne State University in Michigan, are moving from New York, where Whitney most recently served as a visiting assistant professor at Colgate University and Darrin was a full-time lecturer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Born and raised in Ohio, Whitney spent much of adulthood and higher education in Michigan, earning her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D. in sociology from Wayne State. Her areas of specialty include, gender and sexuality, race/ethnic studies, science and technology, and media and culture.

“I am thrilled to be part of a University community whose mission has always been centered around diverse and inclusive praxis,” Whitney said.

Whitney also has teaching experience as an instructor and lecturer at Monroe County Community College, University of Michigan and Wayne State University, where she was a recipient of the Dr. Sumareh Award for student teaching and activism.

Darrin was born just outside Detroit and earned his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. from Wayne State. His dual title Ph.D. is in biological sciences and urban sustainability. His areas of academic interests include, aquatic ecology, community ecology, invasive species biology and urban environmental system.

A stream ecologist and invasive species biologist, Darrin said “growing up in the Great Lakes region, where over 180 invasive species have established in its lakes, rivers and wetlands, has informed my research.” ��

“We are looking forward to starting at the ����vlog���� this fall,” Darrin said. “Both of us are interested in guiding students towards great careers and preparing them for professional school opportunities.”

The Hunts have two dogs and a cat — Freya, Fred and Frank. Outside of academia, they both enjoy running, hiking, kayaking, listening to music, and spending time with their animals.

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����vlog���� senior Kñeisha McDonald will begin pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences in the fall, the next step in a science journey that began when she was a small child growing up in The Bahamas

McDonald, a biology major from New Providence, The Bahamas, will graduate on May 13 with Summa Cum Laude honors (GPA of 3.85 or higher). In August, she will enroll into the Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences at West Virginia University with a focus on immunology and microbial pathogenesis.

McDonald remembers the moment when her passion for science and health was first ignited.

“At a young age, I can recall finding a textbook about medicine in my childhood home,” she said. “At first, I was drawn to the vibrant images used to illustrate various body systems but, after a while, I became enthralled by the descriptions and images of infectious diseases included in the book.  So much so that I often found myself retelling the cases to my family and friends in all their gory details.”

Once McDonald arrived at Ozarks, her passion for science and research was enhanced, particularly by a couple of “Virus Hunter” classes during her sophomore and junior years

“These classes were my introduction to fieldwork and carrying out experiments that included microorganisms,” she said. “As a student in research-based courses like ‘Virus Hunters: Molecular Ecology’ and ‘Virus Hunters: Bioinformatics,’ I had the chance to study the environment and genomes of bacteriophages where my enthusiasm for research was first sparked.  Often, I found myself working on coursework well beyond class time and even served as a research laboratory assistant for both classes.”

Her love for research only intensified during several research experiences she had while a student at Ozarks.

“In the summer of 2022, I was able to solidify my decision to become a scientist after being a summer undergraduate research fellow in the Arkansas INBRE program at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville,” she said. “The summer prior, I interned at a clinic in New Providence researching health literacy and knowledge in hypertensive patients and knew that my experiences in this program would be positive additions to the skills I had developed already. For 10 weeks, I worked on my project investigating the photo-thermal properties of gold nanocages for their potential use in photothermal therapy eight hours a day gaining valuable insight from my mentor, Dr. Jingyi Chen. When the fall semester began, I continued to be a part of a student research team, led by Dr. Frank Knight and Dr. Derek Warren, examining how armadillos can act as model organisms for studying human mineralization pathologies. These experiences during my time at Ozarks have helped me to realize how fulfilling it is to be able to work on a project and present your findings to others.”

Her professors also helped when it came time to search for and apply to graduate programs.

“When I began applying to graduate schools last semester, my professors proved to be empathetic and a great resource,” she said. “From helping me choose which programs would be a good fit for me, answering my seemingly perpetual questions about the application process, to writing excellent letters of recommendation, my professors were an incredible asset to have.”

McDonald was accepted into several graduate programs throughout the country but chose WVU, which is offering a fellowship that includes three scholarships that also cover relocation expenses and professional development/technology support. She will serve as a biomedical science recruitment liaison for the department.

“Receiving this fellowship made all the hard work at Ozarks worth it,” she said. “I see it as a reward that has manifested itself into a stepping stone for starting a career in research which is what I aspired to do over the course of my time at Ozarks.”

McDonald, whose long-term professional goals include being a research scientist and professor, said she takes pride in knowing she is one of just a few Black women in STEM-related fields.

“I am proud to know that I could enter a STEM field and be able to make substantial progress,” she said. “I am also proud to know that I might be a role model to future generations of young women who want to follow a path similar to the one I took.”

McDonald said it is hard to believe that her time at Ozarks is coming to a close.

“Ozarks has impacted me by providing an environment in which I could thrive,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunities I have received to be a student leader while mentoring younger students and participating in research. Moreover, I relish in the relationships I was able to build with the faculty and staff members here as they have shaped me into the global citizen I am today.”

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Six biology students from ����vlog���� recently attended the South Central Regional Tri-Beta Convention in Cedar Hill, Texas.

The students who attended included (pictured, from left) Faith Duran, Emily Spillers, Josue Maldonado Paredes, Joseph Chrisman, Victoria Lopez and Jayden Glover.

Five of the U of O students presented research projects at the convention, with Lopez earning a second place in her poster session and Glover taking third place in her poster session.

Lopez’s poster was titled, “Macrophage Inflammasomes Trap Shigella flexneri,”�� and examined macrophage innate immune signaling against intracellular pathogens.

Glover’s presentation was titled, “The Antimicrobial Effects of Essential Oils From Brewer Spent Grains and Spent Hops.” The study characterized the essential oil profile then determined toxicity and antimicrobial capacity of essential oils extracted from brewer spent grain.

“Having students attend the annual Tri-Beta conference allows Ozarks’ biology students to show off their independent research projects, see the wide range of research topics available in the biological sciences and practice their professional communication skills,” said Dr. Derek Warren, assistant professor of biology. “It also allows them to connect with students and faculty from other undergraduate universities.”

Tri-Beta is an honor society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 626 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

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