STUDENTS

STUDENTS SPEND SUMMER RESEARCHING IN NORTH CAROLINA

LSMSA students Acacia Coker (’20), of Zachary, and Sara Mixon (’20), of Lake Charles, spent the summer in North Carolina assisting graduate students and conducting research under two Duke University School of Medicine professors in oncology and virology. Coker studied the Epstein-Barr virus and the genetics of its proliferation, while Mixon worked to determine ways for increasing a tumor’s responsiveness to radiation through oxygenation.

The opportunity for LSMSA students to conduct research in North Carolina was the idea of Dr. Micah Luftig (’94), treasurer of the LSMSA Foundation Board of Trustees and associate professor of molecular genetics and microbiology at Duke University’s virology lab. Travel support for the research was provided by the LSMSA Foundation.

This research opportunity was made available in conjunction with the North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics’ Summer Internship Program, a six- week residency providing enrichment opportunities for high school students.

Acacia Coker (’20), right center, and Sara Mixon (’20), right, get to know students from other schools during the NCSSM Summer Internship Program.

Dr. Chris Hynes, Sam Konur (’20), Dr. Michele Stover, Sara Mixon (’20), Lucy Silverman (’21) and Paige Delsa (’21) attend chemistry presentations.

FACULTY AND STUDENTS ROAD TRIP TO KANSAS FOR CHEMICAL SOCIETY CONFERENCE

Thanks in part to support from the LSMSA Foundation, several students and faculty made a 10-hour drive from Natchitoches to attend the MidWest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society at Wichita State University in October. “I was extremely fortunate to be able to present my first professional poster alongside college undergraduates, where it received great feedback,” said Sam Konur, the only presenting high schooler. “In addition, we were able to learn about molecular machines from the 2016 Nobel Prize in chemistry winner, Sir Francis Stoddart. It was a truly unique, educational opportunity.”

STEPPING BACK IN TIME AT WHITNEY PLANTATION

Dr. Casey Green (’05) and Dr. Kelly Lankford accompanied a group of history students to Whitney Plantation in Edgard, Louisiana, where they toured the 1,700-acre property. Students visited many of the original buildings and newer memorials honoring the more than 350 slaves who lived and worked on the plantation since its founding in 1750. Whitney Plantation was a major producer of sugar and rice in the South and tells the history of slavery in Louisiana. The LSMSA Foundation provided partial funding for the trip through its Student Enrichment Fund.

LSMSA JUNIORS ENCOUNTER 80+ UNIVERSITIES AT BATON ROUGE COLLEGE FAIR

LSMSA juniors met with representatives from more than 80 colleges and universities at the National Association of College Admissions Counseling college fair at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge. Prior to the event, students enjoyed an evening meal hosted by Baton Rouge-area alumni and parents at the Jimmie Davis House near the Louisiana State Capitol. Funding for travel and meals was provided in part by the LSMSA Foundation’s Student Enrichment Fund.

LSMSA SCIENCE SPEAKER SERIES BRINGS EXPERTS TO CAMPUS

LSMSA’s annual Science Speaker Series continued in the fall with chemists, biologists, and engineers visiting the campus to engage with students. Fall alumni speakers included Barksdale Air Force Base physicist Dr. Elizabeth Scherrer (’03), Engineer Clay Barrilleaux (’89), and Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry Chemist Emily Harrelson (’09). Additional speakers were Anna Dugas with the physics department at Northwestern State, the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training’s Dr. Catherine Cooper, Nicholls State Science and Technology Dean Dr. John Doucet, LSMSA biology instructor Dr. Karen Stirrett, and Proctor and Gamble Process Engineer Jennifer Sanchez. Since Dr. Robert Dalling established the series in 2006 to help students gather information about careers in the scientific field, more than 150 speakers have visited campus.

If you are interested in contributing to tomorrow’s scientists by participating in the series, contact LSMSA senior lecturer of chemistry and student research advisor Dr. Christopher Hynes at (318) 357-2551 or chynes@LSMSA.edu.

SGO representatives join Dr. Steve Horton in recognizing local veterans.

LSMSA HONORS FIVE VETERANS DURING ANNUAL VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

Five local veterans representing each branch of the military were honored during LSMSA’s annual Veterans Day program in Treen Auditorium: Army Maj. Kenneth Bates, Natchitoches; Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew Dranguet, Natchitoches; Air Force Lt. Col. Keith Tonnies, Bossier City; the U.S. Public Health Service’s Dr. Margaret WheatCarter, Monroe; and keynote speaker Navy Fire Controlman 2nd Class Paul Carter (’91), McKinney, Texas. The presentation also included a screening of a World War II documentary developed by former faculty and students.