[484] MTSU Students Take Their Research To Washington D.C.

May 4, 2010
CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

MTSU STUDENTS TAKE THEIR RESEARCH TO WASHINGTON D.C.

Among 75 in the nation, they are the only two selected from the state of Tennessee
MURFREESBORO—Middle Tennessee State University seniors Merranda Holmes and Shannon Murphy were among 75 undergraduates from across the United States—and the only two students from Tennessee—who were selected to display their biology research during the Posters on the Hill event last month in Washington, D.C.
The women, accompanied by their mentor, Dr. Stephen Wright, MTSU professor of biology, presented their work to members of Congress and other government officials.
“There were about 300 entries, and I was a little nervous because they accepted only two from each state,” Murphy said.
“We were both doing our Honors thesis on the same general topic but were working separately,” Holmes added. “We brought our work together and had so much information we had trouble getting everything on the poster.”
The women submitted their work last November and received notification of their acceptance in
February of this year. Murphy’s research was titled “A Label-Free Method for Detection and Differentiation of Bacillus spp Endospores,” and Holmes’ research was titled “The Production, Quantification and Fluorescent Detection of Anthrax-Simulating Endospores.”
“MTSU has been an amazing experience,” commented Murphy, who, along with Holmes, will graduate May 8. “Being part of the biology department and Honors College has given me the opportunity to do so many things that I otherwise would not have been able to do.”
Holmes agreed. “Being in the Honors College with smaller classes, everyone knows the teacher. That’s how I got to know Dr. Wright and do the research.”
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PHOTO: From left: Shannon Murphy, Merranda Holmes
PHOTO #2: From left: Shannon Murphy, Dr. Stephen Wright, Merranda Holmes