WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 25, 2016 — West Liberty University is turning heads in the world of science. Recently its Chi Beta Phi chapter was awarded the Most Outstanding Chapter at its national meeting held on the campus of Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, W.Va.
“Our membership is growing and our students are doing well,” said Dr. Theunis van Aardt, assistant professor of chemistry and faculty advisor to the honorary. “The science faculty is proud of its students and the work they do. Considering that Chi Beta Phi is a national honor society and this is the group’s annual conference, this is incredible!”
Additionally, two student presenters, Katelyn “Katie” Yauch and Taylor Rogerson, earned second and third place honors, respectively, for their work.
Yauch’s presentation is titled “Ecology of Ammonium Oxidizing and Nitrite Oxidizing microorganisms in Namibian Coastal Upwelling Zone at different depths,” and the study was done in the laboratory of Dr. Evan Lau.
A senior pre-med major, Yauch also is secretary of WLU’s Chi Beta Phi and is from Pittsburgh. She hopes to become a physician one day.
Rogerson’s presentation, “Intra-erythrocytic Francisella tularensis are protected from acidic pH – implications on enhancing colonization of ticks,” looks at highly infectious bacterium that causes the disease, tularemia. Humans acquire tularemia through inhalation, oropharyngeal exposure, or tick bites. The study is part of the work done in the laboratory of Dr. Joe Horzempa, WLU associate professor of biology.
A senior human biology major, Rogerson is from Wheeling and plans to apply to physician assistant graduate school after graduation. She also is the treasurer for the WLU’s Chi Beta Phi honor society, known as the Rho Chapter.
“I thought the conference was a great learning experience that provided me with the opportunity to talk about the research I have been conducting, as well as learn about research other students are working on nationwide,” said Rogerson.
A total of five WLU students presented and seven attended the conference on Oct. 1. Austin Cusick of Shadyside, Ohio, the president of WLU’s Chapter of Chi Beta Phi and senior pre-med major, also attended the conference.
Chi Beta Phi is an interdisciplinary scientific honorary for undergraduates. An affiliate society of The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) since 1935, it seeks to promote interest in science and to gain recognition for scholarly scientific attainment.
Member colleges include: Randolph-Macon College, Va.; Hampden-Sydney College, Va.; University of Charleston, W.Va.; Davis & Elkins College, W.Va.; Marshall University, W.Va.; Limestone College, S.C.; The University of Mary Washington, Va.; University of Memphis, Tenn.; Columbia College, S.C.; Lynchburg College, Va.; Lenoir-Rhyne University, N.C.; Franklin College, Ind.; Keuka College, N.Y.; William Carey College, Miss.; Newberry College, S.C.; Glenville State College, W.Va.; Athens State College, Ala.; State University of Oneonta, N.Y.; St. Francis College, N.Y.; University of Rio Grande, Ohio; Arkansas College, Ark.; Molloy College, N.Y.; Rust College, Miss.; Shenandoah University, Va. and the University, Ala.
For more information on the College of Science, led by Dean Dr. Robert Kreisberg, please call 304-336-8062.