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Author: Mayra Leyva
Media Contact: Maddy Elledge
(706) 379-5319, [email protected]

Young Harris College Students Receive Accolades at Georgia Academy of Science

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Several Young Harris College students recently presented their research at the annual Georgia Academy of Science (GAS) at the University of West Georgia.  Among those, four students received top accolades for their presentations.

“Words can’t accurately describe how proud I am of our YHC biological scientists,” said Professor of Biology Dr. Paul Arnold. “This is an amazing group of people who have worked very hard to present their findings at the 95th Annual Georgia Academy of Science Meeting at the University of West Georgia.”

Senior biology major Sarah Gossett, of Tunnel Hill, Ga., on the Best Undergraduate Paper Award in Biology for her talk “Comparison of Spotted Bass Populations Among Three North Georgia Reservoirs.” Program Coordinator of Environmental Science and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Johnathon Davis mentored Gossett throughout her research.

Senior biology major Yazmin Ramos, of Chatsworth, Ga., won Best Undergraduate Paper Award in Biomedical Sciences for her research on “Effects of turf Bead Extract on AHR Activity in Human Liver Cell in the Presence and Absence of Resveratrol and Quercetin.” Ramos completed this research with the support of her faculty mentor Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Jennifer Shroeder.

 Senior biology majors Arielle Charles, of New Port Richey, Fla., and Rachel Lepine, of Ontario, Canada, received one of the Best Poster Awards in the Biomedical Science Section for their research on “Effects of Exposure to Lead (Pb) and Other Divalent Cations on Neuromasts of the Posterior Lateral Line in Embryonic Zebrafish.” Dean of the Division of Mathematics and Science and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Linda Jones mentored these students throughout their research.

A number of students received travel awards that covered the cost of their travel to and from the conference including senior biology major Elizabeth Lowe, of Dallas, Ga., Lucy Avina, of Rome, Ga., and Karly Zacharias, of Hiawassee, Ga.

 “Quite frankly, these are amazing feats,” explained Dr. Arnold. “I wish I could keep these students forever, but I know it is time for them to fly from the YHC nest. I wish them all the success in the world, and I will never forget these wonderful people!”

About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. The College currently has more than 1,100 students across three divisions—Arts and Humanities, Professional Studies, and Mathematics, Science, and Technology. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., has completed major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. Recent LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, new residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. The College is an active member of NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. YHC is among fewer than 300 colleges and universities nationwide named to the 2017-2018 list of Colleges of Distinction and is listed as a “Best National Liberal Arts College” by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit yhc.edu.

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