College of Sciences

Deep Dive Into Shark Ecology Provides Path to Conservation

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:22:41 +0000

Deep Dive Into Shark Ecology Provides Path to Conservation admin Thu, 07/24/2025 - 14:22

Few animals captivate people’s imagination like sharks. From the enduring cultural legacy of Jaws, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, to the continued popularity of the Discovery Channel's Shark Week, now in its 37th year, media portrayals of the apex predator can shape public perception, illuminate their role within Earth's ecosystems, and influence conservation efforts.

For Cameron Perry, every week is shark week. The Georgia Tech alumnus earned his Ph.D. in ocean science and engineering in 2024 and now leads the whale shark and manta ray initiatives at Georgia Aquarium.

As a 6-year-old listening to his mother read him Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and imagining the creatures Captain Nemo encountered, Perry had dreams of exploring the oceans for himself. When he saw his first whale shark in Georgia Aquarium's 6.3-million-gallon tank, he set out to learn as much as he could about the gentle giants and help to conserve the endangered species.

Perry's research has taken him around the world to observe whale shark behaviors in St. Helena and the Galapagos Islands, working to understand their migration habits, reproduction, and global ecology. While most people won't encounter sharks daily as he does, Perry sees the aquarium as well as the media as effective tools in showcasing sharks in the proper light.

"They are kind of mysterious and unknown. For many people, they've never encountered sharks in their lifetime, and part of that captivation could lead to fear, but education can turn that fear into wonder and awe. There's a narrative that these animals are mindless eating machines, but the more you learn, you realize that's not the case," he said. “These creatures have existed for 400 million years; they're older than trees, and understanding their role on our planet is important to changing the narrative around sharks."

Perry likens sharks to the white blood cells of the ecosystems in which they live, as they help prevent the spread of disease through the consumption of dead or diseased prey, contribute to population control, and provide balance to the ocean's biodiversity.

Understanding Our Role

While at Georgia Tech, Perry worked alongside Regents’ Chair and Harry and Anna Teasley Chair in Environmental Biology Mark Hay, whose research has highlighted the role that sharks, and other large predators, play in habitat regulation within coral reefs. Hay explains that overfishing and other human activities have decimated shark populations in certain parts of the world, significantly affecting coral reefs and the populations that rely on them.

As the manager of a freshwater beach in Kentucky in 1975, Hay saw firsthand the impact that Jaws had on the beachgoing public at the time — including his lifeguards.

“I had about 25 lifeguards, and I made them swim a mile every day on our buoy line. After we all went to see Jaws, about half of them refused to swim the mile for over a week. They'd look at me and say, 'You can fire me. I'm not going in,' and I'd laugh and say, ‘We're in freshwater. Jaws isn't in there.’"

Hay said that while the movie remains a favorite of his, its depiction of sharks isn't representative of their behavior in the wild, as shark attacks are often accidents, not predatory actions. Like Perry, Hay believes that education can help protect sharks and bring a renewed focus to solving the ongoing issues facing the oceans.

"These ecosystems are degrading, and it's us that's doing it. What I am trying to do in my teaching is to go beyond cataloging the demise and take a more Georgia Tech-type approach by saying, 'If the bridge is broken, we have to be the ones to rebuild it,'" he said.

Hay keeps a saber-toothed tiger fossil on his desk as a constant reminder to himself that "everything I study was shaped by what used to be here," and how understanding nature can help preserve it for the future. Sharks are a captivating species, and both Perry and Hay stress that continued research and a commitment to education are the key to their conservation.

Subtitle

Experts say that more accurate depictions of sharks can help protect them and highlight their role in global ecosystems.

Summary sentence

Experts say that more accurate depictions of sharks can help protect them and highlight their role in global ecosystems.

Summary

Experts say that more accurate depictions of sharks can help protect them and highlight their role in global ecosystems.

Dateline

Thu, 07/24/2025 - 12:00

Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu

Contact

Steven Gagliano – Institute Communications

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Keywords

Sharks

Whale Sharks

conservation

College of Sciences

go-researchnews

News room topics

Earth and Environment

Categories

Digital Media and Entertainment

Environment

Life Sciences and Biology

Research

Mercury ID

683257

Source updated

Thu, 07/24/2025 - 14:21

From Poetry to Polymers: How the Pursuit of a Creative Path Led to Electrochromic Materials

admin — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:54:59 +0000

From Poetry to Polymers: How the Pursuit of a Creative Path Led to Electrochromic Materials admin Fri, 06/06/2025 - 10:54

Eric Shen, a research engineer in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, loves art and science in equal measure — and believes it’s possible for creatives to build STEM careers that foster joy. In the latest installment of the “Unexpected Paths” series, Shen discusses his work with color-changing windows and why he continues to be at Georgia Tech after over a decade.

Read the article here »

Summary sentence

Eric Shen loves art and science in equal measure — and believes it’s possible for creatives to build STEM careers that foster joy.

Summary

Eric Shen loves art and science in equal measure — and believes it’s possible for creatives to build STEM careers that foster joy. Learn about his unexpected path to becoming a research engineer in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Dateline

Wed, 05/28/2025 - 12:00

Keywords

cos-community

College of Sciences

School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

News room topics

Campus and Community

Categories

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Research

Student and Faculty

Mercury ID

682584

Source updated

Fri, 06/06/2025 - 10:54

Georgia Tech to Strengthen Nation’s Faculty Development in Geospace Science

admin — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:30:33 +0000

Georgia Tech to Strengthen Nation’s Faculty Development in Geospace Science admin Tue, 05/20/2025 - 12:30

Georgia Tech’s Colleges of Engineering and Sciences have been chosen by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to hire a new faculty member focused on solar-terrestrial science and space weather research. The NSF is prioritizing a national need in geospace physics and selected Georgia Tech from a pool of national universities.

“Space weather has many societal implications, including dangers to the power grid, the aviation sector, satellite lifetimes, communications, and navigation,” said Morris Cohen, professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and the grant’s co-principal investigator. “However, the number of qualified graduating students interested in this area is not sufficient to meet the future demand. This is especially true as the generation of professionals trained during the space race of the 1960s and ‘70s continues to retire.”

NSF will fund the position for five years and $1.5 million. The grant is led by Susan Lozier, dean of the College of Sciences and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair. She and Cohen are joined by Raheem Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering and Southern Company Chair, and Glenn Lightsey, the John W. Young Chair in the Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering (AE).

The two Colleges relied heavily on their strength in space research and Georgia Tech’s culture of multidisciplinary collaborations in the NSF application. These traits will allow Georgia Tech to conduct a unique search process. Instead of one unit making the hire as is typical in higher education, leaders from four schools will team up with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) for the search process. It’s an approach that addresses a nationwide problem in the field.

“Decades ago, space physics largely fell within electrical engineering,” Beyah said. “These days, it’s highly interdisciplinary and typically has no true home — faculty are often scattered across aerospace engineering, applied physics, and earth sciences.”

Beyah said that a few universities have a large cluster of space physics faculty as a result. Many others have none. He said this limits the pipeline of future space science professionals because a substantial fraction of students has little or no exposure to the field.

Georgia Tech is right in the middle, with a presence in solar-terrestrial science and space weather research but not a large cluster of faculty members. The new hire will allow Tech to reach more students interested in the field. Georgia Tech also pointed to its Vertically Integrated Projects program as a mechanism to get many new students involved in the new hire’s research.

According to Lozier, solar-terrestrial science and space weather encompass at least four buckets: advanced theory and simulations that span the extremes of physics; big data and machine learning; innovative tools to collect new types of measurements; and operational needs in industry and defense, which motivate translation of research into real-world practice.

“This breadth has hampered faculty growth in this area, as it has other interdisciplinary research fields like quantum computing and neuroscience,” Lozier said. “These areas straddle pure science and engineering, which often are separate in university hierarchy. We believe these interdisciplinary aspects of geospace science should be celebrated. More importantly, we believe they can be turned into a strength.”

Representatives from AE, ECE, GTRI, the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and the School of Physics will form the hiring committee. The hire will complement Georgia Tech’s February announcement of a new Space Research Initiative. Once the NSF-funded position is filled, the Colleges will collectively fund and search for a second faculty member in the field.

Subtitle

With NSF support, Colleges of Sciences and Engineering will collaborate to hire a researcher focused on solar-terrestrial science and space weather.

Summary sentence

With NSF support, Colleges of Sciences and Engineering will collaborate to hire a researcher focused on solar-terrestrial science and space weather.

Summary

With NSF support, Colleges of Sciences and Engineering will collaborate to hire a researcher focused on solar-terrestrial science and space weather.

Dateline

Wed, 05/22/2024 - 12:00

Contact

Jason Maderer
Director of Communications
College of Engineering

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Keywords

College of Sciences

college of engineering

Geospace Science

space weather

go-researchnews

Research Horizons

Categories

Engineering

Physics and Physical Sciences

Research

Student and Faculty

Mercury ID

674860

Source updated

Fri, 05/24/2024 - 15:24

2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Award Recipients

dgivens8 — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:23:29 +0000

2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Award Recipients dgivens8 Fri, 04/25/2025 - 11:23

This year's Provost's Academic Excellence Award recipients include Alexander Divoux from the College of Sciences, Isabella Baker from the College of Design, Camryn Bryant from the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Aubrey Charron from the Scheller College of Business, and Andrew DiBiasio from the College of Computing.

Established in 2021, the Provost’s Academic Excellence Award was created to recognize the remaining finalists of the Love Family Foundation Award. Each recipient is a graduating senior and represents the most outstanding scholastic record from their college. Finalists receive a $2,000 award, generously sponsored by the Love Family Foundation, and recognition at the annual Student Honors Celebration.

Alexander Divoux is a mathematics and computer science student in the College of Sciences. Alexander has conducted research in combinatorics and wishes to continue math research in external probabilistic combinatorics and structural graph theory. He is also fluent in Chinese and actively studying Japanese as a part of the Japan Student Association. Alexander plans to pursue a PhD in mathematics at Princeton University after he graduates. “I am deeply honored to have received this award, and am incredibly grateful to my family, friends, and mentors for their continuous support. Throughout my time at Georgia Tech, I have been shaped by the outstanding guidance generously offered by this amazing community. A special thanks to Dr. Tom Kelly and Dr. Xingxing Yu for nurturing my curiosity and growth in mathematics. Georgia Tech has been a place of constant discovery and inspiration, and I am both excited and proud to carry that spirit forward in all that comes next.”

Isabella Baker is an architecture major in the College of Design and is minoring in Environmental Science. Isabella was awarded “Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher” for her work on photogrammetry in Italian ornamentation. She aspires to contribute to environmentally conscious urban development through interdisciplinary collaboration and research. Isabella notes, “The future of sustainable architectural design is promising, and I am committed to contributing to climate change mitigation through innovative and responsible design solutions.” Isabella will be returning to Georgia Tech to obtain her Master’s in Architecture. “Receiving this award is a deeply meaningful way to conclude my undergraduate experience at Georgia Tech. I’m especially thankful to the School of Architecture for creating space for me to explore the areas of the field I am most passionate about while learning alongside inspiring peers and faculty. I’ve found the collaborative environment at Georgia Tech extremely supportive and exciting, and through my minor, research, and student-led initiatives, I have grown as both a designer and individual. Special thanks to Dr. Danielle Willkens and Julie Kim for their invaluable support and guidance. I’m looking forward to carrying forward everything I have learned at Georgia Tech as I take the next steps in my studies and career.”

Camryn Bryant is currently a literature, media, and communication student in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Camryn was a recipient of the Gold OMED Tower Award which celebrates the academic achievements of Georgia Tech students. She is the founder of an online fashion magazine and has been involved in several organizations on campus including filmmaking, investing clubs, Society of Women in Business, and Girls into Venture Capital. One day, Camryn hopes to build her dream career that blends her love for film, fashion, and finance – combining creativity, style, and strategy. After graduation, Camryn will be working as a Financial Analyst for the Wealth Management Division at Goldman Sachs. “As a student in Ivan Allen College, I have learned a variety of tangible skills — from analyzing films to writing white papers. But ultimately, the most important thing I’ve learned is the value of community. I am blessed to have the support of my family, friends, and educators during this chapter of my life. My communities, both at home and on campus, have shown me that anything is possible with hard work, commitment, and faith. I am extremely honored to represent Ivan Allen College in this way and can’t wait to give back to Georgia Tech as an alumna. Go Yellow Jackets!”

Aubrey Charron is a business administration major in the Scheller College of Business. Aubrey interned at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on the Arthur M. Blank Transition Team as they worked to open the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital. She also was a campus tour guide and won Tour Captain of the Semester in 2024. Aubrey hopes to pursue a career in hospital administration and would like to get her Master of Healthcare Administration in the future. “I am honored to represent the Scheller College of Business and grateful to the Love family for making this award possible. As I found my footing both at Georgia Tech and as a young adult, there have been countless reasons to laugh, celebrate, and even cry. In every moment, I have been able to turn to the Undergraduate Program Office, Professors Bill Todd and Tim Martin, my incredible friends and family, and countless others for support and guidance. Scheller has become my home over the past four years. Thank you, Scheller– I’ll forever be your biggest fan!”

Andrew DiBiasio is a computer science major in the College of Computing. Andrew is a teaching assistant for CS 1332 where he strives to provide mentorship and guidance to students. Andrew is interested in facing real-world problems, one example of this is a tool he made that track room utilization on campus, addressing enrollment issues. Andrew will be returning to Georgia Tech to pursue a Master’s of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in Machine Learning. “I’m deeply honored to receive this award and want to express my gratitude to my family and friends for their support, and the faculty and staff of Georgia Tech’s College of Computing for their guidance throughout this incredible four-year journey. I want to issue a special thank you to Dr. Mary Hudachek-Buswell for her exceptional support, as this recognition wouldn’t have been possible without her. Lastly, I'd like to thank Dr. Offerson, who has served as a role model throughout my time at Tech, for motivating me to always put my best foot forward.”

The Office of Undergraduate Education is proud to celebrate these exceptional students and looks forward to their continued success in their academic and professional pursuits.

Summary sentence

Alexander Divoux, a mathematics and computer science major, is among the recipients of the 2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Awards.

Summary

Alexander Divoux, a mathematics and computer science major, is among the recipients of the 2025 Provost's Academic Excellence Awards.

Dateline

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 12:00

Associated importer

Keywords

College of Sciences

School of Mathematics

academic excellence

cos-community

Categories

Student Honors and Achievements

Mercury ID

682045

Source updated

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 11:21

Sciences Scholars Named University Center of Exemplary Mentoring Program Fellows

dgivens8 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:04:41 +0000

Sciences Scholars Named University Center of Exemplary Mentoring Program Fellows dgivens8 Wed, 04/16/2025 - 13:04

Five Ph.D. scholars from the College of Sciences are the newest members of the Georgia Tech University Center of Exemplary Mentoring (UCEM) Ph.D. Fellowship program, which now includes the College’s Center for Promoting Inclusion and Equity in the Sciences (C-PIES).

“This is the first year the College of Sciences has been involved with UCEM, and it will be very impactful for the professional development for these students,” says Lewis Wheaton, C-PIES director and professor in the School of Biological Sciences. “The process for selection was highly competitive and these students really demonstrate strong scientific ability, have compelling research, and are having a powerful impact in the college community and beyond.”

The new UCEM/C-PIES Fellows:

The Georgia Tech UCEM Ph.D. Fellowship program has the goal of increasing the number of outstanding engineering, science, and computing Ph.D. students from underserved populations. The program seeks to support students from backgrounds that include African American/Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander. The Georgia Tech UCEM Ph.D. Fellowship provides three years of support for students who have recently completed the Ph.D. Qualifying/Preliminary exam.

C-PIES at the College of Sciences works in collaboration with the College of Engineering and the College of Computing — through the Georgia Tech Underrepresented Minority (URM) Graduate Leadership Initiative — to support the Expand Access focus area of the Institute’s strategic plan for graduate student enrollment and retention.

Meet the College of Sciences UCEM Fellows

Sarah E. Gonzalez

“I was excited and relieved to find out I was a UCEM Fellow. As everyone knows, being a grad student isn’t the most financially stable position, so anything extra is a big help,” Gonzales says.

Gonzalez researches in the lab of Associate Professor Elisabetta Matsumoto, studying knitted fabrics and their mechanical behavior. “She is my biggest supporter at Georgia Tech. We have a very tight-knit and supportive research group.”

Danielle Grau

“I was shocked and elated when I received the email with the news, and excited about the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious fellowship,” Grau says. “I am excited to see what opportunities and relationships it will forge in the future.”

Assistant Professor Alexander Robel is Grau’s thesis adviser. “I am extremely grateful and appreciative for all the support, guidance, and encouragement he has given me throughout my time at Georgia Tech. He's a phenomenal mentor and advisor, and I wouldn’t have had any success without him.”

Sierra A. Knavel

“I was enthusiastic to hear about receiving the award,” Knavel says, “and eager to join a community that wants to help each other succeed while at Georgia Tech.”

Knavel, whose research interests include low-dimensional topology, has Professor John Etnyre as an adviser. “He is the reason I can say I'm in the math Ph.D. program, and that I know I belong here.”

Tony Lemos

“When I applied to the UCEM fellowship, I had doubts that I was accomplished enough to be chosen for this fellowship,” Lemos says. “When I received the email announcing that I had been selected for this award, it was a great surprise, and I was immediately filled with immense gratitude. I am very thankful to be one of the students to receive this gift that will help me become the first in my family to obtain a doctoral degree.”

Lemos is a research assistant in the biophysics lab of Professor Harold Kim, who is his adviser. “He has been a great mentor who helped me get this far at Georgia Tech. He is a great role model that showed me what it means to be an effective scientist. He also challenged me to grow in areas I was uncomfortable with in the lab. I am thankful for his mentorship and unending support.”

Autumn Peterson

“I was super excited to hear that I was named a UCEM Ph.D. Fellow,” Peterson says. “Mentorship has always been important to me. I would not be in the position I am in now without mentors who have supported me throughout my academic career. I am looking forward to strengthening my mentorship skills and serving as a role model for aspiring scientists coming from underrepresented backgrounds like I do.”

Peterson’s adviser is Associate Professor William Ratcliff, who is also Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences. ‘I want to thank him for his immense support throughout my academic journey. I would also like to thank Anthony Burnetti, a senior research scientist in the Ratcliff lab. Both Ratcliff and Burnetti are both extremely supportive, kind, and knowledgeable, and I am grateful to have them as mentors.”

Earlier this year, Peterson and Ratcliff were co-awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellowship for Advanced Study.

“We are so proud of our UCEM/C-PIES Fellows," says Lea Marzo, C-PIES Program Operations Director. "The students selected for this fellowship are brilliant researchers and we are delighted that Georgia Tech’s Office of the President is making an investment in their success. We cannot wait to see what the future has in store for these fellows."

Subtitle

With goals to boost science, engineering, and computing Ph.D. researchers from underserved populations, UCEM grows in 2023 to include students from Schools of Biological Sciences, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics

Summary sentence

Summary

Dateline

Tue, 10/10/2023 - 12:00

renay.san@cos.gatech.edu

Contact

Writer: Renay San Miguel
Communications Officer II/Science Writer
College of Sciences
404-894-5209

Editor: Jess Hunt-Ralston

Keywords

College of Sciences

School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

School of Biological Sciences

School of Mathematics

School of Physics

UCEM (University Center of Exemplary Mentoring) Ph.D. Fellowship

C-PIES

Center for Promoting Inclusion and Equity in the Sciences

Lewis Wheaton

Danielle Grau

Sierra Knavel

Tony Lemos

Autumn Peterson

Categories

Institute and Campus

Student and Faculty

Student Honors and Achievements

Mercury ID

670327

Source updated

Tue, 10/17/2023 - 17:49

Georgia Tech Celebrates Two Goldwater Scholarship Recipients

dgivens8 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:17:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Celebrates Two Goldwater Scholarship Recipients dgivens8 Wed, 04/16/2025 - 11:17

Georgia Tech is proud to announce that two of its outstanding students have been awarded the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship for their exceptional academic achievements and dedication to STEM research. The recipients, Matthew Rohan and Anirudh Sriram, have demonstrated remarkable potential in their respective fields.

Matthew Rohan, a B.S. in Chemistry student graduating in 2026, has been recognized for his commitment to studying and applying physical chemistry towards future innovation. Matthew's journey at Georgia Tech has been marked by his passion for chemistry and his drive to contribute to scientific advancements. This summer, he will be returning to work at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Fuels & Energy Branch, where he will study deposition chemistry in jet fuel.

Matthew's advice to new students is to find something that is both interesting and fulfilling. Reflecting on his experience applying for the Goldwater Scholarship, Matthew shared, "The application process gave me the chance to reflect on my current progress and further develop my application for graduate school. I am both humbled and honored to be among the recipients."

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship has provided Matthew with the confidence and support to continue his academic pursuits in chemistry.

Anirudh Sriram, a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering student graduating in 2026, aims to advance precision medicine in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on the safety and scalability of immunotherapies through computational modeling. Anirudh's dedication to innovation via research has driven him to pursue skills within his field that he is passionate about.

Anirudh applied for the Goldwater Scholarship because it aligns with his passion for research and provides access to critical funding, mentorship, and a network of like-minded individuals. This summer, he will continue working on a project regarding gene expression analysis in various cancer tissue samples. Anirudh believes this experience will validate his research approach and open doors to collaborate with top-level researchers and scientists.

Anirudh's advice to new students is to find what they are passionate about within their field of study and pursue skills within that space.

Congratulations to Matthew Rohan and Anirudh Sriram on their well-deserved recognition. We look forward to their continued contributions to the scientific community.

If you are interested in applying for the Goldwater Scholarship, visit success.gatech.edu/prestigious-fellowships.

Summary sentence

Chemistry major Matthew Rohan and biomedical engineering major Anirudh Sriram were awarded the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship for exceptional academic achievements and dedication to STEM research.

Summary

Dateline

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Georgia Brunner
Prestigious Fellowships Advisor
gbrunner6@gatech.edu

Associated importer

Keywords

College of Sciences

cos-students

Goldwater Scholarship

School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Categories

Institute and Campus

Student Honors and Achievements

Mercury ID

681837

Source updated

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 11:17

CoS Graduate Researchers Earn Travel Grants

dgivens8 — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 21:20:37 +0000

CoS Graduate Researchers Earn Travel Grants dgivens8 Thu, 03/20/2025 - 17:20

Six College of Sciences graduate students were awarded $1,000 in research travel grants after presenting their research at the 16th annual Career, Research, Innovation, and Development Conference (CRIDC) poster competition. The grants will cover expenses related to research trips or travel to other conferences (domestic or international).

Eighty-four graduate students from across the Institute participated in the poster competition, presenting their research to faculty and staff judges.

Congratulations to the poster competition winners from the College of Sciences:

Isabel Berry, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

A second-year Ph.D. student in computational chemistry, Berry works in the Sherrill Group.

“My research focuses on advancing computational quantum mechanical (QM) methods to feasibly model biological systems,” says Berry. “A specialized QM method developed in our group, F-SAPT, has the potential to reveal why certain drug molecules are favored over others, advancing the field of rational drug design. If we can accurately model protein-ligand interactions using quantum mechanics, it could ultimately pave the way for integrating these methods into computer-aided drug discovery workflows.”

Gretchen Johnson, School of Biological Sciences

Johnson is working on a Ph.D. in ocean science, studying how corals respond to environmental stressors as part of the Kubanek Group.

“Corals can't move,” says Johnson. “Instead of hiding when it is hot or bright out, they must respond physiologically. I use a technique called metabolomics to study the cellular physiology of corals and look for metabolic changes over time. Understanding what makes a coral more resistant to stress is useful for protecting and restoring coral reefs."

Shreya Kothari, School of Biological Sciences

Kothari conducts research for the Kubanek Group and is pursuing a Ph.D. in biology. She attempts to discover natural dispersant-like biomolecules helpful for oil spill remediation.

“While some microbes can degrade and clean up oil from the contaminated sites, the process is often slow,” says Kothari. “However, dispersant-like biomolecules can speed up oil degradation by breaking oil into smaller droplets and increasing its availability to oil-degrading microbes. I aim to determine the chemical structure and function of such biomolecules and test their effectiveness in treating real-world environmental spills by applying them in small-scale experiments that mimic oil spill conditions. These biomolecules may offer an eco-friendly alternative to toxic chemical dispersants and improve existing bioremediation strategies to mitigate environmental damage caused by oil pollution."

Monica Monge, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

As part of her Ph.D. studies, Monge works in the Garg Lab and focuses on understanding marine bacteria community dynamics.

“I am specifically trying to decipher how disease-causing bacteria (pathogenic) and bacteria that doesn’t harm its host (commensal) communicate with one another via chemical signals and the metabolic changes resulting from those interactions,” says Monge. “My ultimate goal is to identify beneficial traits from commensal bacteria that we can leverage to alleviate coral diseases.”

Sidney Scott-Sharoni, School of Psychology

Scott-Sharoni is earning a Ph.D. in engineering psychology and works in the Sonification Lab.

“My research focuses on human interaction with AI technologies,” says Scott-Sharoni. “Specifically, I examine how different features of AI agents, such as anthropomorphism and social intelligence, impact how people psychologically perceive and behave in collaboration with these agents. This work helps improve the effectiveness of AI systems by aligning them to human social and cognitive expectations, leading to better joint performance and proper trust.”

Maggie Straight, School of Biological Sciences

A third-year Ph.D. student studying ocean science and engineering, Straight conducts research in the Kubanek Group.

“Sometimes I consider myself a microbial spy as I listen in to the chemical conversation between microbes and analyze how each microbe is affected by the interaction,” says Straight. “My current work is focused on the interaction between two types of marine microbes, bacteria and microscopic algae. By understanding how bacteria can be good or bad for algal growth, I hope to shed light on the mechanisms by which bacteria can help algae form algal blooms, including harmful algal blooms. This understanding could help scientists predict the beginning and ending of harmful algal blooms and keep beachgoers and shellfish farms safe from harmful algae.”

Subtitle

CoS Graduate Researchers Earn Travel Grants

Summary sentence

The College of Sciences proudly recognizes the six graduate scholars awarded $1,000 in research travel grants during the Career, Research, Innovation, and Development Conference (CRIDC) poster competition.

Summary

Dateline

Thu, 03/20/2025 - 12:00

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

Contact

Laura Segraves Smith, writer

Keywords

cos-community

student honors

graduate student research

College of Sciences

Categories

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Education

Life Sciences and Biology

Research

Student Competition WInners (academic, innovation, and research)

Student Honors and Achievements

Student Research

Mercury ID

681260

Source updated

Thu, 03/20/2025 - 17:19

College of Sciences Students Earn Walk-on Stamps President’s Scholarships

dgivens8 — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 16:44:41 +0000

College of Sciences Students Earn Walk-on Stamps President’s Scholarships dgivens8 Tue, 11/19/2024 - 11:44

Three College of Sciences students with aspirations of making a difference in medicine were selected as recipients of the prestigious Stamps President’s Scholarship. Though this scholarship is typically given to 40 exceptional incoming first-year students, a select few second- and third-year students are chosen to receive the honor for exemplifying the program’s pillars of scholarship, leadership, progress, and service.

The new Scholars include School of Biological Sciences/School of Modern Languages student Sonali Kaluri, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry student Seth Kinoshita, and School of Biological Sciences student Medina McCowin.

As part of the program, the selected students will receive a full-ride scholarship, special mentoring, and travel opportunities.

About the Scholars

Sonali Kaluri is a third-year student double majoring in biology and applied languages and intercultural studies (with a concentration in Spanish). Deeply passionate about women's health, she has researched clinical considerations of treating liver disease in pregnant women and the impact of a virtual lactation program on maternal and infant health outcomes at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. In her spare time, she volunteers at the Winship Cancer Institute and the March of Dimes and is a member of the Yellow Jacket Fencing Club.

“I hope to attend medical school and pursue a career in academic medicine after graduation from Georgia Tech,” says Kaluri. “My research experience has made me acutely aware of the gaps in medical knowledge regarding the different ways disease processes affect women, and I hope to become an advocate for change through research and clinical practice!”

Seth Kinoshita is a third-year biochemistry major with a minor in health and medical sciences. As an undergraduate research assistant with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, he focuses on a novel drug delivery structure that can be surgically inserted to decrease recovery time and minimize invasiveness for tendon injuries. His work has been published in several academic journals. He serves as an undergraduate research ambassador and a pre-health mentor — and spends his free time with Sympathetic Vibrations, Georgia Tech's male a cappella group. Kinoshita also works as the medical coordinator for Aurora Day Camp, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings.

"After graduation, I want to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. in regenerative orthopedic medicine to bridge my tendon repair research with direct implementation into patients,” says Kinoshita. “I aim to develop innovative treatments that can restore mobility in the extremities and improve the quality of life for patients with musculoskeletal disorders."

Medina McCowin is a third-year biology major researching cancer treatment methods in the Sulchek BioMEMS and Biomechanics Lab. She also worked for Lachance Laboratories as an undergraduate researcher, investigating cancer genetics. Active on campus, she is the biology representative for the Georgia Tech Undergraduate House of Representatives and president of the Georgia Tech Public Health Student Association. McCowin has also held several leadership roles with the Georgia Tech American Medical Student Association.

“In the future, I hope to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. and become a pediatric oncologist and cancer treatment researcher, focusing on improving pediatric cancer treatments,” says McCowin. “Working in the healthcare field and experiencing personal loss has taught me that empathy and compassion are the most important factors in becoming a doctor. As a doctor, I want to contribute to the advancements of pediatric medicine, but also be dedicated to improving the emotional and mental well-being of my patients and their families.”

Subtitle

Summary sentence

Sonali Kaluri, Seth Kinoshita, and Medina McCowin have been selected as walk-on recipients of the prestigious Stamps President's Scholarship, recognizing their exceptional academic accomplishments, leadership, and dedication to service.

Summary

Sonali Kaluri, Seth Kinoshita, and Medina McCowin have been selected as walk-on recipients of the prestigious Stamps President's Scholarship. Chosen for their academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to service, they will receive full scholarships, mentoring, and unique growth opportunities.

Dateline

Tue, 11/19/2024 - 12:00

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

Contact

Writer: Laura S. Smith
College of Sciences

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

Keywords

student honors

cos-students

go-bio

College of Sciences

Categories

Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Life Sciences and Biology

Student Honors and Achievements

Student Research

Mercury ID

678523

Source updated

Tue, 11/19/2024 - 11:42

Georgia Tech Chemistry Students Place Second in Competitive VIP Poster Contest

dgivens8 — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 14:38:41 +0000

Georgia Tech Chemistry Students Place Second in Competitive VIP Poster Contest dgivens8 Wed, 08/14/2024 - 10:38

Students from the College of Sciences competed in the statewide Vertical Integrated Project (VIP) Innovation competition, hosted by the VIP Consortium this spring. The team, made up of two undergraduate students, Diya Godavarti and Waynell Simbafo, and one chemistry graduate student who served as a mentor, John Pederson, placed second overall in the poster category. Their poster on modeling chemical exposure in the workplace focused on socioeconomic disparities in potentially toxic environments.

“Placing second speaks volumes for Georgia Tech and the capabilities and abilities of these students,” says Pamela Pollet, faculty with the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Pollet served as the team’s faculty advisor along with Jenny Houlroyd, manager of Occupational Health Services at Georgia Tech.

Each year, the VIP poster competition challenges undergraduate students from throughout Georgia to use their different majors, mindsets, and abilities to solve a real, universal problem. The goal is to give students experience in a field of study and in working together to solve a seemingly complex problem. Georgia Tech’s team, which was pre-selected by faculty and jury members, was one of approximately 70 teams eligible to participate at the statewide competition held in March.

Pollet says the student’s poster, which combined chemistry, chemical safety, and social justice, was born from their interest in examining chemical exposure dangers for those who are not equipped to recognize such hazards.

“There is some social injustice in this context because the people who are most exposed to chemical dangers are often the people who don’t have the education to recognize the hazards and often are the most socioeconomically vulnerable,” Pollet explains.

Godavarti, a second-year student in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, says the team was proud of the bigger goal of the project — and its alignment with Georgia Tech’s mission. “We wanted to bring awareness about the impact of chemical exposure and what can be done to prevent dangerous levels of exposure. It was interesting to think about this from a business perspective in the idea of how we can apply these models to help people.”

The VIP chemical equity initiative received a Center for Teaching and Learning Undergraduate Sustainability Education Innovation Grant to continue the research this upcoming academic year, and will welcome both new and returning students.

Subtitle

Summary sentence

A Georgia Tech team placed second in the statewide Vertical Integrated Project Innovation competition for a poster modeling chemical exposure and socioeconomic disparities.

Summary

A Georgia Tech team placed second in the statewide Vertical Integrated Project Innovation competition for a poster modeling chemical exposure and socioeconomic disparities.

Dateline

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 12:00

acook304@gatech.edu

Contact

Writer: Amanda Cook
Communications Specialist II
College of Sciences

Keywords

College of Sciences

Georgia Tech Vertically Integrated Projects

3D chemical mapping

computer modeling

cos-community

School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Categories

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Education

Institute and Campus

Research

Student and Faculty

Student Competition WInners (academic, innovation, and research)

Student Research

Mercury ID

675799

Source updated

Wed, 08/14/2024 - 10:36

Isabel Berry Earns Prestigious Department of Energy Fellowship

dgivens8 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 17:07:41 +0000

Isabel Berry Earns Prestigious Department of Energy Fellowship dgivens8 Thu, 07/18/2024 - 13:07

Chemistry Ph.D. student Isabel Berry has been named a U.S. Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellow (DOE CSGF).

The program trains emerging leaders in computational science, providing opportunities and funding to students pursuing doctoral degrees in fields that use high-performance computing to solve complex science and engineering problems.

“I am honored to receive this fellowship,” says Berry. “In addition to the support for my Georgia Tech studies, I’m especially excited to participate in the three-month practicum where I’ll collaborate with leading DOE scientists.”

According to the DOE, the practicum takes place at one of 21 DOE laboratories or sites across the country, offering the fellows insights into how their scientific interests can translate to research areas important to the nation.

At Georgia Tech, Berry is a graduate research assistant for the Sherrill Group, spearheading research on using quantum mechanics and high-performance computing to understand how drug molecules bind to proteins.

“Computational chemists are always trying to balance speed and accuracy. My current research focuses on accuracy–modeling proteins with thousands of atoms to understand why some drugs work better than others,” explains Berry. “One of the practicum benefits will be access to the DOE’s supercomputers. I’m looking forward to learning how these incredible computers can help us further implement data-driven approaches to screen potential drug candidates (small molecules) even more rapidly.”

The fellowship is renewable for up to four years. As of September 1, 2024, the DOE CSGF will have onboarded more than 675 students across 34 cohorts representing 84 Ph.D. institutions. There are a record 40 incoming fellows for 2024-2025, with Berry the sole recipient from Georgia Tech.

"Izzy is an amazing student. She came to Georgia Tech with a B.S. in Chemistry and minors in computer science, applied math, and physics—as well as research experience in computational biophysics,” says David Sherrill, Regents’ Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the School of Computational Science and Engineering who oversees Berry’s work. “She is exactly the kind of interdisciplinary student the DOE wants to recognize with their Computational Science Graduate Fellowship. I'm thrilled she's received this prestigious recognition."

Summary sentence

Berry, a Chemistry Ph.D. student, is one of 40 students in the U.S. to receive the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship awarded to emerging leaders in computational science.

Summary

Berry, a Chemistry Ph.D. student, is one of 40 students in the U.S. to receive the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship awarded to emerging leaders in computational science. She is the sole student from Georgia Tech to earn the distinction this year.

Dateline

Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:00

laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu

Contact

Laura S. Smith
Communications Officer II
College of Sciences

Associated importer

Keywords

computational science

computational chemistry

super computer

College of Sciences

School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

cos-students

Categories

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Education

Research

Student Honors and Achievements

Student Research

Mercury ID

675499

Source updated

Thu, 07/18/2024 - 13:06

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College of Sciences Students Earn Walk-on Stamps President’s Scholarships

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Georgia Tech Chemistry Students Place Second in Competitive VIP Poster Contest

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Isabel Berry Earns Prestigious Department of Energy Fellowship

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