MAS Summer Student Science Symposium attracts researchers from across state to ��

Ashli Brown-Johnson, an associate professor in ��’s Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, speaks about her research at the Mississippi Academy of Sciences Summer Student Science Symposium, held Thursday [July 11] at ��. Brown-Johnson is also the Mississippi State Chemist and director of the Mississippi State Chemical Lab. (Photo by Logan Kirkland)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Distinguished scientists and students from across the Magnolia State gathered at �� Thursday [July 11] for the third annual Mississippi Academy of Sciences Summer Student Science Symposium.

The symposium featured keynote speeches from leading scientists in government, industry and academia, as well as a student poster presentation and competition. The symposium attracts student researchers across all branches of science to present their research findings and interact with their peers in the scientific community, as well as explore career options.

Scott Willard, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and symposium co-chair, said bringing together students and scientists from different areas of the state is energizing for �� faculty and students.

“�� has had a long history in supporting the Mississippi Academy of Sciences both by hosting the organization’s annual meeting in the past and, more recently, hosting the summer science symposium two years running,” Willard said. “Many of our faculty participate in a material way as MAS officers, co-hosts and chairs, and as judges for an event that benefits the professional development of students. The research presentations help participants hone their scientific communication skills. It’s a great sharing of knowledge and the high quality of research we are doing here in the Mississippi.”

The symposium is chaired by Sukumar Saha, a research geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. Along with Willard, �� Bagley College of Engineering Dean Jason Keith serves as symposium co-chair. Keynote speakers included representatives from ��, Jackson State University, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, HORNE Cyber, Cotton Incorporated, and the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology.

Major sponsors for the event include the �� Office of Research and Economic Development, �� Office of the Provost, Mississippi Research Consortium, USDA-ARS Southeast Area Director’s Office, Cotton Incorporated, �� Bagley College of Engineering, �� Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

The Mississippi Academy of Sciences encourages communication among scientists and works to ensure excellence in research, education and application. For more information, visit .

�� is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

��