IMAGE OF RESEARCH 2021 WINNERS

First Place

Kristy M. McAndrew, Master’s, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Title: “A picture’s worth 16,659 bugs”

Description: Insects are all around us, and their activities facilitate day-to-day operations of the natural world. This is easily seen through bees pollinating plants and dung beetles rolling away organic waste to break down and return to the soil. However, many insects work behind the scenes, contributing in ways unseen. Pictured here is a method to sample some of these unseen insect workers. These Berlese funnels suspend dead wood and use a hot light bulb to drive insects out of the dead wood they live within, allowing researchers to examine and identify these insects contributing to wood decomposition. In the process a display of lights is produced – drawing the attention of many passing by, causing many confused double-takes, and opening the door to discourse between scientists and citizens (citizens in Honduras in this case). Sorting of insects from this photo is ongoing, but to date 16,659 insects have been accounted for.

Second Place

Jessica N. Leesburg, Master’s, Department of Geosciences, College of Arts and Sciences

Title: “A Photographic Journey through the Beauty that is Sweeting’s Pond”

Description: My research involves an Anchialine Lake located in Eleuthera, The Bahamas named Sweeting’s Pond. Containing the worlds known densest population of seahorses, it is currently proposed to become a Bahamian National Park to protect them. This unique site also contains exposures of fossilized corals, caves, and other karst features. My research aims to visually document the unique site and use resulting images to produce a virtual package that can further education and public awareness surrounding the need to protect Sweeting’s Pond. This image connects to my research because it is a compilation of photographs showcasing the process I used to capture its unique wildlife and geology in descending order from the sky, through the lake, and into the underground caverns. It showcases many of the unique features that warrant its need for protection and I hope that this image captures all the layered beauty that can be found there.

People’s Choice

Jannatul Ferdush, PhD, Department of Geosciences, College of Arts and Sciences

Title: “Hypothetical consequences of elevated CO₂ under different factors in soil”.

Description: The soil profile was divided into three layers depending on soil inorganic carbon (SIC) distribution in three vegetations; grassland, cropland, and forest emphasizing different climatic and non-climatic factors. The atmospheric CO2 dissolves in soil water and generate acidity by free protons when the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), pH, and water content control the reaction rate. The pCO2 is higher in the forest than others since the higher root and microbial biomass increase CO2 by respiration. The root biomass improves CO2 and water diffusivity, leading to soil acidity. Soil cations are depleted during acidification and may precipitate carbonate minerals, resulting in a greater SIC sink to waterbodies. In cropland, fertilization can deteriorate this scenario by accelerating soil acidity. However, liming can act as a buffering agent. The grassland is the most undisturbed system where soil acidification might be less. Finally, acid rain influences this situation by adding more acidity.

2021 HONORABLE MENTIONS

Name: Zully E. Contreras-Correa
Level: PhD
Department: Animal and Dairy Sciences

Title: Placenta: The tree of life

Name: Sierra Malis
Level: Master's
Department: Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures

Title: Like Child, Like Mother: A tethered relationship

Name: Amberly Dennis
Level: Master's
Department: Animal and Dairy Sciences

Title: The Effect of Maternal Melatonin Supplementation on Uteroplacental Hemodynamics

Name: Alana J. Turner
Level: PhD
Department: Kinesiology

Title: Disability Doesn't Define Ability

Name: Ira L. Parsons
Level: PhD
Department: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture

Title: Smart Livestock - Using smart collars to improve livestock management for regenerative agriculture

Name: Mariana Santos-Rivera
Level: PhD
Department: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology

Title: Novel approach for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) diagnosis

Name: Hannah Freeman
Level: Master's
Department: Kinesiology

Title: Virtual Reality and Postural Control: An Emerging Form of Rehabilitation

Name: Holly Todaro
Level: Master's
Department: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture

Title: What Birds Do You Hear? What Plants Do You see?

Name: Sachini Kodithuwakku Arachchige
Level: PhD
Department: Kinesiology

Title: Fall Prevention in the Occupational Settings

Name: Shaylin Williams
Level: PhD
Department: Engineering Education

Title: Transforming Lives Through Reforming Engineering Education

Name: Matthew Taylor
Level: Master's
Department: Plant and Soil Science

Title: No, It's Not a Greenhouse

Name: Angel Jimenez
Level: PhD
Department: Geosciences

Title: Phosphate Minerals: The dumpster for nuclear waste?

Additional information about The 2021 Image of Research Competition can be viewed in this press release!

2021 Image of Research Event Summary with all photos