We have received multiple awards during our existence:
- The Lloyd M. Bertholf award for Chapter excellence
- A national award, was awarded to us in 1970-71 as well as 1999-2000
- The South Central Region, District 2 Chapter Excellence Award in 2001-02
Our Chapter is currently involved in many service programs:
- We assist in animal shelters
- We foster and encourage research for students
- We help students to present research at conferences, and offer free tutoring.
- We also offer a Science Saturday to foster a love of science in 5th grade students from local schools.
To be inducted in the society you must have the following requirements:
1.) Be a major in Biology, Environmental Science, Composite Science with a teaching emphasis, or Pre-Professional program. You can also be a Biology minor.
2.) You must have a 2.75 GPA overall, and a 3.0 GPA in the Biology coursework.
Possible rank within Tri-Beta:
*Rank depends on the amount of Biology coursework one has completed.
Associate: member who has completed the two freshman courses for Biology majors.
Full: member who has completed the freshmen coursework requirement as well as one 300 or 400 level class.
Ph.D., Iowa State University
1. Chemical characterization of antheridiogens and gibberellins of Anemia mexicana. This project involves extraction of biologically active compounds from gametophyte culture media, chromatographic fractionation of extracts and subsequent location of antheridiogens and GAs by bioassay for spore germination in darkness. Fractions with biological activity after HPLC are analyzed with combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry GC-MS.
2. Chemical characterization of antheridiogens of Pteridium aquilinum and Thelypteris kunthii. This project involves extraction of biologically active compounds from gametophyte culture media, chromatographic fractionation of extracts and subsequent location of antheridiogens by bioassay for premature formation of antheridia. Fractions with biological activity after HPLC are analyzed with combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry GC-MS.
3. Experimental studies of gametophyte development and obligate apogamy in Pellaea atropurpurea. Gametophytes are grown from spores on culture media supplemented with different concentrations of several different plant hormones and other compounds.
4. Morphological and molecular characterization of a Thelypteris hybrid from Walker County, Texas.