Student Success

Pictured (sitting, left to right): Jenna St. Pierre (Columbia) and Johana Fernandez-Solano (Culleoka) work in the biology lab with Dr. Elvira Eivazova (standing), Columbia State assistant professor of biology.

Students Garner Tennessee Academy of Science Awards

Columbia State biology students published research with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics Evolutionary Science program.

The research was later presented by Jenna St. Pierre, Columbia State student, and Ximena Leon, Columbia State alumna, at the 129th Tennessee Academy of Science meeting, where they placed first in the microbiology poster presentation category. Johanna Fernandez-Solano, Columbia State student, placed second in the chemistry poster category. Greg Markov, Columbia State alumnus, placed first in the microbiology oral presentation category. Columbia State was the only community college that competed at TAS. Other competitors were from four-year universities and other research and science facilities across Tennessee.

Columbia State undergraduate biology research students discovered eight novel bacteriophages. The phages they discovered were then sent off to HHMI to be analyzed and logged in an international database, which the students are now using for gene annotation. “This project means a lot to me because during my first semester I had no idea what I wanted to do with biology,” said Jenna St. Pierre, Columbia State student. “After taking two research courses with Dr. Eivazova, I fell in love with research and the community that we have. This has impacted my education immensely. Few community college students can say they have undergraduate research experience under their belt.”

The rise of antibiotic resistance has fueled interest in bacteriophages as means to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. Bacteriophage discovery is led by HHMI and carried out by students motivated by the idea that their phages may be used to help others. In the process, students gain valuable experience in evidence-based learning.

Greg Markov (Franklin) placed second in the microbiology oral presentation for phage genome annotation. Johana Fernandez-Solano (Culleoka) placed second in chemistry at the 129th meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science. Fernandez-Solano presented research she conducted while participating in a summer research program at Old Dominion University. During the program, she studied the development of biochar and whether or not ozone-treated biochar is able to help dissolve phosphorus in the soil and potentially be used as a soil amendment.

Pictured (left to right): Jenna St. Pierre (Columbia) and Ximena Leon (Lewisburg) placed first in microbiology for phage discovery at the 129th Tennessee Academy of Science. Not Pictured: Tessa Coté (Mt. Pleasant) and Greg Markov (Franklin).

“Columbia State students are making important contributions to science by discovering, analyzing and annotating new bacteriophages. The HHMI phage collection is the largest in the world. The collection is largely generated by students across the nation, motivated by the idea that their phages may be used for therapeutic purposes.”

Abigail Haney Named

Outstanding Student of the Year

Columbia State named Abigail Haney the 2019-2020 Carolyn Allred/Lewis Moore Outstanding Student during a virtual presentation in May 2020.

“Today is a change in presentation but not in distinction,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “Today we honor five students who have been nominated for the Carolyn Allred/Lewis Moore Outstanding Student Award, the most prestigious and distinctive award a student can receive at Columbia State. Each student has an outstanding record of accomplishment, and are all deserving of the honor.”

Every year, Columbia State faculty nominate the finest of our students for this award. Criteria include outstanding academic achievements, extracurricular activities and dedicated service to Columbia State and our communities.

“This award represents all that I have worked so hard for over the last three years. I strive to achieve the highest standards in all that I do and the Outstanding Student Award really is the epitome of excellence,” Haney said. “I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been given to serve my community and for the chance to be recognized for all of the blood, sweat and tears that have gotten me to this point.”

During her time at Columbia State, Haney served as president of the Student Nurses Association and the nursing class representative. The Columbia resident led many efforts including, a record-setting fundraiser for the SNA. Haney has been a tutor in the Tutoring and Learning Center for pre-nursing courses, anatomy and physiology I and II, and microbiology.

“When I first applied to Columbia State, I was a first-time college student pursuing my second career,” Haney said. “I was unsure if I was ‘cut out’ for college or if I would ever accomplish what I set out to do. I am proud to be a Columbia State alum because this experience has shown me what I am capable of and that with hard work and determination, anything truly is possible.”

Other Outstanding Student nominees included Benjamin Edwards (Lawrenceburg), Liam Pangelinan (Nolensville), Tristen Peters (Columbia) and Dakota Villers (Nashville). Mathematician Carolyn Allred-Winnett and historian/political scientist Dr. Lewis E. Moore were two of Columbia State’s first faculty members.

With their fellow pioneering colleagues, Allred-Winnett and Moore established a standard of excellence for teaching, scholarship and service–a proud Columbia State tradition that continues today.

Abigail Haney

Amiee Sadler Represents Columbia State On TBR Presidents’ Council

Columbia State Student Government Association secretary/treasurer, Amiee Sadler, was selected as the Tennessee Board of Regents Presidents’ Council community college liaison where she served as a voice for community college students.

“Being on the TBR Presidents’ Council gave me the opportunity to represent community college students across the state,” Sadler said. “This position has given me the chance to utilize the skills from my classes and apply them in real-world situations. I have had the opportunity to network with other student leaders and share best practices to make sure our students have the best chance for success. I love the opportunity I’ve been given to speak for all of us.”

As community college liaison, Sadler sat on the executive council and helped lead community college discussions among peers. She also voices concerns and successes from this sector with the larger presidents’ council.

“Columbia State prepared me for this position by having professors and staff that consistently pushed me beyond my comfort zone and encouraged me to use my voice for good,” Sadler said. “Classes like Introduction to Government and Introduction to Communication gave me the base knowledge to make informed decisions and how to articulate them.”

Amiee Sadler

Students Attend

Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature General Assembly

Columbia State students attended the 50th General Assembly of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville.

TISL draws college students from institutions across the state to participate in a mock legislature where they have the opportunity to participate on an executive council, act as representatives, senators, lobbyists or media team members. Students can also participate in the Appellate Moot Court Collegiate Challenge where they can argue

Pictured (left to right): Patrićyonna Rodgers (Brentwood), Kaitlyn Galloway (Leoma), Jenna St. Pierre (Columbia), Amiee Sadler (Nashville), Kristyn Kephart (Lawrenceburg), Elise Bakken (Smyrna) and Derek Dismukes (Spring Hill).

appellate cases or serve in leadership positions as justices.

Jenna St. Pierre (representative and head delegate), Elise Bakken (representative), Derek Dismukes (senator), Kaitlyn Galloway (lobbyist), Kristyn Kephart (deputy clerk of the House), Patrićyonna Rodgers (editor/ reporter), and Amiee Sadler, (assistant secretary of state) represented Columbia State at TISL.