From an early age, Martin Alcantar, ’18, has always been fascinated by the sciences. As he grew, he realized that one of the most interesting branches of science was studying biological processes and the chemistry that drives them. Later, he would find that his work could help alleviate food insecurity. “My specific career path was not chosen with a job in mind, but rather from a want to further my education and gain a higher level of understanding of what drives life,” Alcantar said...
As intergalactic zombies––that eat their sister stars and wander galaxies like the walking dead––neutron stars and black holes have all the makings of a hit movie. Now, there’s a “first-of-its-kind” map showing exactly where these roaming corpses of stars were born and how far they’ve traveled, thanks to a Georgia College professor and a string of physics students over the past seven years. “This type of research is typically done at Harvard or UC Berkeley. So,” Bodaghee said, “it’s...
Its triangular spikes are what make coronavirus such a formidable foe. But they could also be its Achilles’ heel. Georgia College Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. David Zoetewey and three students are working to expose this weakness and prevent the virus’ spear-like mechanism from harpooning into human cells. This research could someday result in a medicine that prevents coronavirus from attaching. “Spike proteins are very important for the virus and its ability to cause infection,”...
As a youth from Lahore, Pakistan, senior Nash Sultan originally looked at universities in the Atlanta area where his uncle lived. Then, he saw photos of Georgia College’s “beautiful” campus and learned of its “great scholarships” for international students. Sultan applied for the dual-degree program that provides a 3-year physics degree from Georgia College, which he’ll receive in May, and an engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology that he’s on track to also get...
Sophia Bonser grew up exposed to the medical field through her mom who is an OBGYN. She always had an interest in healthcare. Initially, she wanted to be a nurse, then a physical therapist. But everything changed when she took her first chemistry class at Georgia College. “I was very nervous about it because my whole experience with chemistry in high school was bad,” she said. Instead of a challenge, Bonser found she did well in the course. So well, she even caught the attention of...
Competence in physics is consistently ranked as the highest need in U.S. school districts, according to the American Association for Employment in Education. Only 35 percent of new physics teachers in middle or high school, however, hold a degree in physics or physics education. More alarming: Nearly one-third of secondary physics teachers take fewer than three college courses in physics. As result, most middle and high school students are taught physics and physical science by teachers...
Like their heroes on TV crime shows, Georgia College students will soon be able to do a little scientific sleuthing of their own. They’ll be able to detect explosive TNT residue, analyze DNA fingerprints, determine drug usage from a strand of hair and identify signatures by the type of ink or pen used. Demand for these kinds of skills is rising, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which projects a 14 percent growth in entry-level forensic science jobs through 2028...
A highly competitive grant—the largest ever received by Georgia College from the National Science Foundation (NSF)—will help students who want to pursue chemistry or physics but lack the financial resources. The NSF recently awarded Georgia College's Department of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy a $650,000 S-STEM grant, covering a five-year period. It provides eligible incoming students up to $8,000 per year, a total of $32,000 over four years, as part of a multi-pronged approach...
With demand expected to increase for pharmacists in Southern healthcare settings like hospitals and clinics—Georgia College is pleased to announce a new accelerated Pathways Program for chemistry majors to transfer to one of three Doctor of Pharmacy schools in the United States. Agreements were recently signed with the University of Georgia (UGA), Auburn University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Students who meet criteria can utilize these pathways—giving...
It takes four pairs of hands to make the light bulb go on. Plus, a little sun and some physics. A group of Georgia College physics majors recently installed a solar panel at Baldwin County High School (BCHS). They represented all four years of college—from freshman to a senior who graduated last May. It was the university’s first off-campus solar project—delayed slightly from the spring, due to COVID-19. “This was the most exciting part for me, seeing the transfer of knowledge from...
