GCSU Biology graduate students recognized for excellence at National Conference

Two, second-year MS Biology graduate students received awards for excellence at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting last week in San Antonio, Texas. Megan Martin received an Outstanding Poster Presentation award in the Environmental and Engineering Division, while Muzila Nchimunya was awarded a Geology and Health Scientific Division’s Research Award (one of two they gave out this year). 

Both students, mentored by Dr. Sam Mutiti, traveled to Zambia this past summer to conduct their research. Megan’s work was on phytoremediation in Kabwe, Zambia, funded by the National Science Foundation International Research Experiences for Students, and titled "Assessing the Role of Deep Tiling in The Phytoremediation of Lead and Copper Contamination in Kabwe, Zambia.” Muzila’s research was part of the Aquatic Sciences Center Summer Fellowship and an Academic Affairs Small Research Grant project. Her GSA title was “Impacts of Neighborhood Type Geology and On-site Sanitation Systems on Groundwater Quality.” 

The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a global scientific society with members from academia, government and industry in more than 100 countries. (Source: GSA website.)