Today@Sam Article

Microbiologists To Share Work At SHSU-Hosted State Conference

Oct. 23, 2015
SHSU Media Contact: Chelsea Keller

Sam Houston State University has been chosen for the second time to host the fall meeting of the American Society for Microbiology Texas Branch, on Oct. 29-31.

microbiology slideThe American Society for Microbiology brings together scholars in the science of microbiology and in areas such as the environment, ecology, health, and medicine.

Madhusudan Choudhary and Todd Primm, associate professors in the department of biological sciences at SHSU, have been appointed co-chairs for the organizing committee in charge of putting together the event this year.

“SHSU has really great microbiology and microbial genetic computer science programs, so it is quite the honor to host the meeting at SHSU,” Choudhary said. “Having the honor to host this conference will give SHSU the opportunity to show off their graduate program and laboratories.” 

This year, roughly 200 people are registered for the conference, many of whom are undergraduate or graduate students looking to compete in an oral presentation or a poster contest on a study they have done in a certain concentration of microbiology. 

Each category awards a $100 first and $50 second place winner.

“The students don’t participate only for the money; it is more for the recognition they receive within the science community. Even being able to present their work is an great opportunity,” Choudhary said.

Briana Burton, associate of microbiology and chemistry at Harvard University, will give the keynote speech on “Genes without Boarders.” 

Because hosting the conference is such an honor for the university, the College of Sciences Dean John Pascarella and biological sciences department chair Chad Hargrave will welcome guests on Oct. 29, and provost and vice president of Academic Affairs Jaimie Hebert also will speak at the event’s banquet Oct. 30 in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom.

The last day of the conference will consist of educational sessions that focus on teaching and the methodology used in the classroom. Later in the day, short presentations called “microbrews” will talk about classroom and laboratory learning activities.

For more information, contact Choudhary at 936.294.4850. 

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