TIFTON – Cody Mock, a wildlife major from Coolidge, and Kyle Parris, a wildlife major from Cleveland, captured the top prize in the “Lightning Talk” presentations during the recent Student Engagement Programs (STEPS) symposium at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Mock and Parris spoke on their research on “Late Winter and Spring Roost Ecology of Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat.”  They received mentored support from Dr. Vanessa Lane and Dr. Jason Scott.  

Hannah King, a biology major from Tifton, won first place in the symposium poster competition with her research on the “Physiological Comparisons Observed Between Alternanthera philoxeroides (Alligator Weed) and Nasturtium officinale (Watercress.)”  She worked closely with Dr. Christopher Beals in her research project.

Thirty-two students who represented all four schools of study at ABAC and eight different majors participated in the symposium by conducting research with assistance from experienced professors.

“We had an extremely successful first year with great participation from students and spectators,” Dr. Jordan Cofer, assistant vice president of academic affairs, said.  “We hope in the future to continue to support mentored research at ABAC and to continue to grow the STEPS Symposium.”

Amanda Mohammed, a social and community development major from Snellville, placed second in the “Lightning Talks” with her presentation on “E-Health Literacy: Perceptions Among ABAC Nursing Students.”  She received assistance from Troy Spicer to conduct her research.  

Jana Register, a history and government major from Tifton, placed third with her presentation on “Mildred Lewis Rutherford:  A Georgia Daughter’s Lost Cause.”  Dr. Russell Pryor assisted her during the research process.

Hannah Dinkins, a wildlife major from East Bend, N.C., placed fourth with her presentation on “Agriculture and Natural Resource Education Evaluation.”  She received help from Kelly Scott and Dr. Jason Scott to conduct her research.

Spencer Forbes, a wildlife major from Gainesville, and Shannon Swearingen, a wildlife major from Ocala, Fla., came in second in the Poster Session with their research on the “American Kestrel Nest Box Monitoring Program.”  Dr. William Moore assisted them during the research stage.  Delaney Foster, a crop and soil major from Perry, came in third with her research on “The Effects of Light Emitting Diodes on Lactuca sativa (lettuce) Indoor Production.”  She worked closely with Dr. Bizhen Hu and Dr. Ray Smith on her research.