Seniors Present Research at Pennsylvania Academy of Science

The following Wilson students presented research: Kotcha Mangkalaphiban of Thailand; Jessica Meck of Huntingdon, Pa.; Martina Mellott of Mercersburg, Pa.; Ashley Perkins of Singlehouse, Pa.; and Allison Shastay of Bedford, Pa.

Meck, who is majoring in biology, placed second in the oral presentation category for her research project, “The Effects of Temperature on the Competitive Interactions between Pseudogymnoascus destructans and Native Cave Fungi.” Last year's winner of Wilson’s John D. Rose Award in Environmental Studies, Meck is the recipient of an Outstanding Research Grant from the Pennsylvania Academy of Science in support of her undergraduate research.

Shastay and Mangkalaphiban also received PAS Outstanding Research Grants.

PAS judged oral presentations and posters, and provided monetary awards for the top three places in each category. Oral presentations were assessed in categories for scientific merit ­- ranging from experimental methodologies to analysis of results - and presentation qualities, including visual impact and fielding of questions. The overall score was reflective of all subcategories

This is the fourth year for the award competition and the fourth year that a Wilson student has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Academy of Science for excellence in the oral presentation category.