47th Annual South Carolina

DoD Junior Science and Humanities

Symposium

January 26th, 2018UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH

CAROLINA

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Forty-Seventh (47th) Annual South Carolina

Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Friday January 26, 2018

University of South Carolina – Columbia

Agenda7:05 – 7:55

Registration - Continental Breakfast8:00 - 8:25

Welcome & Opening Remarks – Russell House TheaterVP for Undergraduate Studies & Dean Dr. Sandra Kelly Office of the ProvostUSC / Dean Arts & SciencesLt Col Marc A. Langohr, USAF Representing US MilitaryDepartment of Military Science ~ US Navy/Marine/Air Force ROTC~ USCDr. Don Jordan - Center for Science Education – USC

8:30 - 9:45 Rooms: RH Theater; RH 322/326; RH 315; RH 305; RH 303: RH 203; RH 205;First Round Student Presentations

Student Presentations in competition for awards from USC College of Arts and Sciences.

9:45 - 10:05Refreshment Break - Room 204

10:10 - 11:05 Rooms: Same as first roundSecond Round of Student Presentations

11:30 - 12:40 Banquet – Keynote:

Dr Scott GoodeChemistry Department, USC

Title: Cooking Chemistry and the Rise of Homo Sapiens

1:00 - 1:45Finalists Presentations –Russell House Theater

Student Presentations in competition for scholarships and travel to the 56th National JSHSMay 2 – 5, 2018 Hunt Valley, Maryland

1:45 - 2:00Refreshment Break - Room 204

2:00 – 2:45Finalists Presentations (Continue) – Russell House Theater

2:45 – 3:05 Judges Room. RH 201 / Five Member Finalist Panel for 2018 are: Dr. Scott Goode, Chemistry; Dr. Jeff Wilson, Physics; Dr. Gwen Geidel, Environmental Science, Dr. Dwayne Porter, Public Health & Dr. John Grego, Statistics 3:05

Awards Ceremony –Russell House TheaterDepartment of Military Science / Dept of Navy/Marines/Air Force USCDean, Arts & Sciences/ FT Jackson Army RepresentativeCollege of Arts & Sciences --- Closing Remarks

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Junior Science & Humanities SymposiumJanuary 26, 2018

Morning Sessions 1 – 6: Russell House STUDENT / TEACHER / GUEST

Morning Session Presentation Audience Judging FormsPlease consider the following points as you listen to today’s presentations:1. How well was the research problem stated?2. Were the important variables identified, measured and discussed? 3. Was the procedure described in sufficient detail?4. Did the evidence presented justify the conclusion? 5. Was the presentation well structured?6. How well did the presenter deal with questions?

Rank the Morning Presenters 1 – 7Based on these questions, please select the Top presenters whom you feel have done the best in all categories. Indicate a first, second, third choice, and so on by marking a one(1), two(2), and three(3), etc. under the names

of the presentations you have selected.SESSION #1https://goo.gl/forms/PrvffOBQnxjo1Lq52

SESSION #2https://goo.gl/forms/GPEdqTMJyL8sku013

SESSION #3https://goo.gl/forms/9dTaBnJluIkVzg6H2

SESSION #4https://goo.gl/forms/VvlCXU8bKXBJCIj73

SESSION #5https://goo.gl/forms/9lajEC5xcpVQj0ex1

SESSION #6https://goo.gl/forms/fguLxYmjIRhtjJzN2

Please use the QR Code or URL corresponding to each session to record your vote electronically

The votes will be tabulated in Google Forms and distributed to the Judges at the end of each Session

Your vote may help to select the winners.4

Session # 1 Russell House TheaterSemifinals Round-National Awards

8:30 - 8:45 – Isak Jatoi - Spring Valley High SchoolA novel approach in the utilization of the extract of Melaleuca alternifoliaas a potential topical treatment of cutaneous Aspergillus ustus infections

8:50 - 9:05 – Lauren Chen - Dutch Fork High SchoolIdentification of microRNA as blood biomarkers to predict breast cancer recurrence

9:10 - 9:25 – Jenny Yao - Academic Magnet High SchoolEngineering Metabolically Viable Silicon Nanowired Stem Cell Spheroids for Human Cardiac Regeneration

9:30 - 9:45 – Pallavi Rao - Spring Valley High SchoolThe effect of monosodium glutamate on planarian memory retention

9:45 - 10:05 - Refreshment Break: Room 204

10:10 - 10:25 – Samantha Devapiriam - Academic Magnet High SchoolIsolation of Two Novel Mycobacteriophages With Host Mycobacteriophage Smegatis

10:30 - 10:45 – Abhijith Nair - Spring Valley High SchoolThe synergistic effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) and artemisinin on the Plasmodium mortality rates of Physarum polycephalumand cell motility/chemotaxis of Dictyostelium discoideum utilized as an amoebic host

10:50 - 11:05 – Sam Kavarana - Academic Magnet High SchoolEffect of Epidermal Growth Factor Levels in Heart Transplant Patients Experiencint Rejection

End of Session # 1 [Competing for National Awards]

Audience Judging Form:https://goo.gl/forms/PrvffOBQnxjo1Lq52

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Session # 2 Russell House Room 322/326Semifinals Round-National Awards

8:30 - 8:45 – Zachary Kochert - Center for Advanced Technical StudiesOptimizing Designs of Multi-Layer Microbial Fuel Cells

8:50 - 9:05 – Elizabeth Shytle - Spring Valley High SchoolThe relationship between race of shooter of mass shooting, number of victims, number of fatalities, and location of mass shootings on number of tweets posted by a gun advocacy group

9:10 - 9:25 – Landon Walters - Academy for Arts, Science, & TechnologyColor Psychology in Film

9:30 - 9:45 – Ben Eisinger - Hilton Head Preparatory SchoolA Study on Sustainable, Environmentally-Friendly Alternative Insulators

9:45 - 10:05 - Refreshment Break: Room 204

10:10 - 10:25 – Gillian Patton - Spring Valley High SchoolThe effect of nonassociative learning cognitive processing on amyloid-β plaques in Caenorhabdiis elegans

10:30 - 10:45 – Rachel Stratton - Hilton Head Preparatory SchoolBPA vs. BPS: What's In Your Water?

10:50 - 11:05 – Caitlin Kunchur - Dutch Fork High SchoolExposure Response and Noise in a Digital Imaging System

End of Session # 2 [Competing for National Awards ]

Audience Judging Form:https://goo.gl/forms/GPEdqTMJyL8sku013

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Session # 3Semifinals Round-National Awards

8:30 - 8:45 – Abhimanyu Sailesh - Blythewood High SchoolThe effect of flavonoid galangin on the cell viability and toxicity of MC-7human breast cancer cells exposed to PAHS

8:50 - 9:05 – Kristina Trifonova - Spring Valley High SchoolAssessing the adsorption capacities of biochars made from hyperaccumulators compared to wood waste biochar

9:10 - 9:25 – Oluwatobi Ariyo - Ridge View High SchoolSelective Inactivition of Drug Seeking Neuronal Ensembles in Cocaine Addicted Rats within Discrete Choice Operant Chambers

9:30 - 9:45 – Pranav Guntupalli - Spring Valley High SchoolThe Effect of Varying Magnesium Nitrate and Temperature Levels on the Growth of Chlorella sp.

9:45 - 10:05 - Refreshment Break: Room 204

10:10 - 10:25 – Jareer Imran - Spring Valley High SchoolThe Relationship Between the Economic Status of a Populations and the Indoor Air Quality at the School Serving the Population

10:30 - 10:45 – Vamsi Gorrepati - Spring Valley High SchoolThe effect of acetominophen (analgesic) and diphenhydramine (antihistamine) on the nociception response of Caenorhabditis elegans,heart rate of Eisenia fetida, and the mortality of both E. fetidaand C. elegans

10:50 - 11:05 – Maeghan Ainsworth - Center for Advanced Technical StudiesAnalyzing the Effect of Weather on Solar Evacuated Tubes

End of Session # 3 [Competing for National Awards ]

Audience Judging Form:https://goo.gl/forms/9dTaBnJluIkVzg6H2

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Session # 4 Russell House Room 305

8:30 - 8:45 – Jared Bell & Ronnie Powers – Chapin High SchoolThe Perfect Crutch

8:50 - 9:05 – Sara Taylor - Chapin High SchoolDesigning a Sharable Toothpaste Top

9:10 - 9:25 – Chrishtopher Gleaton - Chapin High SchoolReinventing the Swin Parka

9:30 - 9:45 – Luke Summer - Chapin High SchoolAttachable and Detachable Key/Card Holder for Phone Case

9:45 - 10:05 - Refreshment Break: Room 204

10:10 - 10:25 – Isaac Vardi - Center for Advanced Technical StudiesCleaner Diesel Emissions via Particle Filtration

10:30 - 10:45 – Jasmine Hughley - Spring Valley High SchoolThe Effect of Different Earbud Tips on the Pressure of Sound Transmitted

End of Session # 4

Audience Judging Form:https://goo.gl/forms/VvlCXU8bKXBJCIj73

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Session # 5 Russell House Room 303

8:30 - 8:45 – Sonali Patel & Athreya Murali - Heathwood Hall Episcopal SchoolThe Effect of Different Heavy Metal Acetate Solutions on the Inhibition of the Catalase Enzyme

8:50 - 9:05 – Brandon Snyder - Center for Advanced Technical Studies

The Effects of Weather Conditions on Solar Photovoltaic Panels

9:10 - 9:25 – Amelia Robinson-Brown - Heathwood Hall Episcopal SchoolThe Effect of Concentration of CO 2 on the Average Rate of Photosynthesis in Spinach Leaf Disks

9:30 - 9:45 – Brianna Rau - Academy for Arts, Science, & TechnologyThe Effects of Animal Products on the Human Body

9:45 - 10:05 - Refreshment Break: Room 204

10:10 - 10:25 – Fanny Cheung - Academic Magnet High School Genome Annotation for Muscle Protein Genes in Ladona Fulva and Their Expression in Flight Muscles

10:30 - 10:45 – Lucas Tomita - Hilton Head Preparatory SchoolA Comparative Study of Different Plant and Limestone Combinations, and their Ability to Naturally Mitigate the Harmful Effects of Ocean Acidification on Coastal Coral Reef Health

End of Session # 5

Audience Judging Form:https://goo.gl/forms/9lajEC5xcpVQj0ex1

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Session # 6 Russell House Room 205

8:30 - 8:45 – Sasha Gibson, Niara Pressley, & Zaria Thompkins – Hemingway High SchoolOh, It Burns!

8:50 - 9:05 – Brianna Smalls - Woodland High SchoolDon't Bee A Hater, Save the Pollinators!

9:10 - 9:25 – Teja Madison, Na'Shawn Starling, & Samyra House – Scotts Branch HSHow long does it take to remember something?

9:30 - 9:45 – Shateeka Brunson, Jazlyn Bowman, & Zamaria House – Scotts Branch HSFlavor in the middle or just on top?

9:45 - 10:05 - Refreshment Break: Room 204

10:10 - 10:25 – Tayonna Brailsford, Tyleiesha Gibson, & Franklin Thompson – Scotts Branch HSHow does smell affect taste?

10:30 - 10:45 – Keyoina Anderson, Shakeriah Dow, Keylondria Parker – Scotts Branch HSDenaturing Proteins

End of Session # 6

Audience Judging Form:https://goo.gl/forms/fguLxYmjIRhtjJzN2

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Keynote PresentationOpening Remarks: Don Jordan, DoD SC JSHS Director

Invocation Prayer: Rev Andy L Weems, USC Collegiate Minister

Lt Col Marc Langohr, US Airforce ROTC

Dr. John Kaup, Furman University – Director of SCAS Junior Academy

Dr. Oscar Lopez – USC Science & Engineering Fair Director

Dr. Duke Brantley, Earth Sciences and Resources Institute JSHS Director 2019

Introduction of Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Steve Morgan, Chemistry Department / Arts & Sciences

US Department of Defense (DoD) South Carolina

Junior Science & Humanities Symposium Keynote Presentation

Dr Scott GoodeChemistry Department, USC

Title: Cooking Chemistry and the Rise of Homo Sapiens

United States Military RepresentativesUSC ROTC / Military Science, US Navy – Marines, U.S.

Air Force

Lt Col Marc Langohr12

LTC Barry Hale

11:30 – 12:40: Lunch – Russell House BallroomFriday, January 26, 2018

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Dr. Scott GoodeCollege of Arts & Sciences

Distinguished Professor EmeritusDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry

University of South Carolina

Dr. Scott Goode earned a B. S. Chem. from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Michigan State University. He joined the faculty of the University of South Carolina in 1974. Dr. Goode’s USC career includes being twice named Distinguished Honors Professor, Fellow of South Carolina Honors College, the Amoco Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award, the Ada Thomas Advising Award, the Michael J. Mungo Award for Teaching, the University of South Carolina Service Award, and was nominated by USC as Governor's Teacher of the Year. In his career, he taught 6,995 students. Along with 24 undergraduates who performed research in his lab, he mentored 21 Ph.D. students, 7 M.S. students 2 Postdoctoral researchers and 19 students who earned the Master of Arts in Teaching. He has been active professionally, received the Society for Applied Spectroscopy Award for Service to the Society, and is a member of the ChemMatters Editorial Advisory Board. He has a number of leadership responsibilities in the American Chemical Society (ACS). Dr. Goode chaired the Communications Subcommittee of the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety; served on the ACS Task Force for Developing Safety Education Guidelines; received the SC Section of the American Chemical Society Distinguished Service Award; and was honored as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society. Most recently, he was the program chair for the 2016 South Eastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, in Columbia. He organized the 1190 presentations, including one given by a Nobel laureate, in 47 symposia presented to over 1600 scientists.Dr. Goode directed energetic well-funded research programs in analytical spectroscopy, chemical safety, and chemical education during his 43 years at the University of South Carolina. He authored or co-authored six books, over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, gave 235 presentations, and appeared in court 65 times as an expert witness on analytical chemistry. He visited Ukraine to develop research projects with Ukrainian scientists responsible for Chernobyl cleanup. Dr. Goode is still active at USC, chairing the USC Chemical Safety Committee and helping to design the new Chemistry Instructional Lab Facility, scheduled to open August 2019.

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Dr. Scott Goode

1:00 - 2:45 - Finalists Presentations – Russell House Theater

Student Presentations in competition for scholarships and travel to the 56th National JSHS convention in Hunt Valley Maryland, May 2 – 5, 2018

1:00 - 1:15 – Presentation 1 – Winner from Session I TBA

1:15 - 1:30 – Presentation 2 – Winner from Session I, TBA

1:30 - 1:45 – Presentation 3 – Winner from Session II TBA

1:45 – 2:00 – Refreshment Break - Room 204

Finalists Presentations ( Cont. ) - Russell House Theater 2:00 - 2:15 – Presentation 4 – Winner from Session II TBA

2:15 - 2:30 – Presentation 5 – Winner from Session III TBA

2:30 - 2:45– Presentation 6 – Winner from Session III TBA

The Twenty-One (21) Semifinalists are:Isak Jatoi – Spring Valley High SchoolLaruen Chen – Dutch Fork High SchoolJenny Yao – Academic Magnet HSPallavi Rao – Spring Valley High SchoolSamantha Devapriram – Academic Magnet HSAbhijith Nair – Spring Valley High SchoolSam Kavarana – Academic Magnet High School

Zachary Kochert – Center Advanced TechnologiesElizabeth Shytle – Spring Valley High SchoolLandon Walters – Academy for the Arts, Science, & TechnologyGillian Patton – Spring Valley High SchoolRachel Stratton – Hilton Head Prep High SchoolCaitlin Kunchur – Dutch Fork High SchoolAbhimanyu Sailesh – Blythewood High School

Kristina Trifonova – Spring Valley High SchoolOluwatobi Ariyo – Ridge View High SchoolPranav Guntupalli – Spring Valley High SchoolJareer Imran – Spring Valley High SchoolVamsi Gorrepati – Dutch Fork High SchoolMaeghan Ainsworth – Center for Advanced Technical StudiesBen Eisinger – Hilton Head Prep High School

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South Carolina DOD JSHS SymposiumFriday, January 26th, 2018

USC Russell House

The National JSHS is scheduled May 2 – May 5, 2018 in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

The Junior Science and Humanities SymposiumDoD SC (JSHS) Program Summary

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) program is jointly sponsored by the United States Departments of Army, Navy and Air Force, in cooperation with leading research universities throughout the nation.

The primary aims of JSHS are to promote original research and experimentation in the science, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level, and to publicly recognize students for outstanding achievement. The JSHS provides a forum for high school students to present the result of their original research. Students who participate in the Symposia also have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas, interact with practicing researches, and explore future academic and career opportunities.The Department of Defense (DOD) JSHS program is run by The Academy of Applied Science in Concord NH. Doris Ellis Cousens is the National Director of JSHS programs.

The 2018 DoD South Carolina Director is Dr. Don M. Jordan, Center for Science Education, Sumwalt Room 321, University of South Carolina, Columbia SC 29208. Phone: 803 777-7007 and email: djordan@sc.edu Web: www.cas.sc.edu/cse/jordan

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2018 Written Paper Judges

Dr. Alan WaldmanDr. Christine LotterDr. Lewis BowmanDr. Richard ShowmanDr. Langdon WarnerBeth BairPearl FernandesDr. Scott GoodeDr. Susan RichardsonDr. Jim PrivettQian WangAllison RiceDr. John BowlesCatherine MatthewsDr. Jeffery WilsonDr. Oscar LopezDr. Milind PurohitMajor Ken AllenLTC Keith McManusMAJ Gabe LuceroDr. Michael SchillaciDr. Steffen Strauch

Dr. Gwendelyn GeidelDr. Duke BrantleyDr. Camelia KnappDr. Camelia KnappBryan HallEd DickeyDr. Paul HousleyDr. Janet FisherDr. Michael WyattDr. Giuseppe GuminaDr. Vikas SehdevDr. David MottDr. Craig MaylathDr. Ronnie HornerDr. Don StoweDr. Anne BezuidenhoutLTC Barry HaleAugie GrantCAPT Rickson EvangeslistaLt Col Marc LangohrMAJ Gregory SablanCPT William Meier

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Morning Session Judges

Session IDr. Lewis Bowman

Dr. Giuseppe GuminaDr. David Mott

MAJ Justin Montogomery

Session IIBryan HallLt Col Marc

LangohrDr. Vladimir

GudkovTameria Warren

Session IIIAlison Rice

Dr. Duke BrantleyDr. Anne

BezuidenhoutLTC Barry Hale

Session IVDr. Oscar Lopez

Catherine MatthewsMilan Dhameja

Session VDr. Vikas Sehdev

Dr. Langdon Warner

Session VIBeth Bair

Linda Sinclair

Finalist JudgesDr. Scott Goode, Chemistry, USCDr. Jeffery Wilson, Physics, USC

Dr. Gwendelyn Geidel, Environmental Science, USCDr. Dwayne Porter, Public Health, USC

Dr. John Grego, Statistics, USC

Special GuestsDr. Sandra Kelly, Provost & Vice President for Academics

Andy Weems, Baptist Collegiate MinistryDr. John Kaup, Furman University, Director of SC Junior Academy of Science

Barry Hale, Military Science, USC ROTCLt Col Marc Langohr, Dept. of Military Science, USC

Robert Thunell, Associate Dean, Arts & SciencesDr. Bert Ely, Director of the Center for Science Education

Dr. Oscar Lopez, USC Science Fair Director, Center for Science EducationDr. Phil Astwood, USC Center for Science Education, Geology former Director

JSHSDr. Joe Johnson, USC Physics Department former Director JSHSDr. Rudy Jones, USC Physics Department, former Director JSHS

Center for Science Education Staff and Volunteers:Don Jordan

Susan JordanJerry Branch

Jan ScottSean Shuttleworth

Gabrielle HerrinKristin Jackson

Isaac JonesKelly NguyanJudson Arnett

Michael KhushfSteven McGownFrank Thomas

Kingston Armstrong

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South Carolina’s 2017 JSHS Winners

By Dr. Don M. JordanProfessor USC

Eight South Carolina Students will represent the state of South Carolina at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) at the San Diego CA April 26 – 29, 2017.

The JSHS program is jointly sponsored by the United States Departments of Army, Navy and Air Force, in cooperation with leading research universities throughout the nation.

The primary aims of JSHS are to promote original research and experimentation in science, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level, and to publicly recognize students for outstanding achievement. xxxxxxx of yyyyyyyyy High School will lead the entourage of students to the National Symposium in 2017.

Brittany Holden, Dutch Fork High School, Michelle Spigner from Spring Valley High School and James Morris of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School are chosen to receive the 2017 Department of Defense South Carolina JSHS Teacher Award in recognition of educational excellence in the sciences.

Eric Chen is a senior in the STEM Magnet program at Dutch Fork High School. He spent the last year researching the effect of stromal cells on tumor cell growth, mentored by Dr. Peisheng Xu, in the School of Pharmacy at University of South Carolina. In addition to biology, he is also highly interested in computer science, and hopes to be a leader in interdisciplinary

fields like computational biology. Outside of school, he volunteers to spread interest in IT through IT-oLogy, and coaches the Dutch Fork High School Science Team. He is also co-captain of the Dutch Fork High School Swim Team, and participates in the South Carolina State Math team.Jenning Chen is currently a senior in the Discovery magnet program at Spring Valley High School. Over the past summer, she engaged in pure math research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, studying combinatorial geometry and alpha-Hölder continuity for curves within the unit square. In pursuit of her passion for mathematics, Jenning plans to major in computer science and economics. She is an active member within the mathematics community, competing in both national and state events, and also serves as Math Team Captain and NHS President within her school. In her free time, Jenning enjoys photography, coding, tennis, nature, and piano.

Sarah Davis is a homeschooled high school senior in Greenville. Her passion for sciences prompted her to investigate current biomedical research breakthroughs. Her most recent internship was at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute where she conducted research under the direction of Dr. Deborah Galson and Dr Quanhong Sun. Sarah was delighted to discover the

inhibition of TBK1 and IKKε by Amlexanox synergizes with Bortezomib to reduce myeloma cell growth. Interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, Sarah hopes to continue researching for the promotion of health and prolonging of lifespan. In addition to having a zeal for the sciences, Sarah is an avid musician, playing her violin in chamber groups and orchestra and singing in choirs. Sarah also tutors, volunteers at the hospital, and is active in her church.Wenxin Fan is a senior in the Discovery science and math magnet program at Spring Valley High School. Her research was on the effects of emodin on macrophage-cancer cell interaction. She is very passionate about science and she is especially interested in biology. She enjoys playing guitar, tennis, and reading. She is proud to be on the National Youth Advisory Board for the Souper Bowl of Caring. She is also proud to be a part of math, science, and

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(DOD) South Carolina JSHS program is under the College

of Arts & Sciences USC, Center for Science

Education. The director of the South Carolina JSHS is Dr. Don M. Jordan, Center

for Science Education, Sumwalt Room 321,

University of South Carolina, Columbia SC 29208. Phone:

803 777-7007 and email: djordan@sc.edu

national honors society. She hopes to be a biology major in college, and she intends to pursue a career in the healthcare field.

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South Carolina’s 2017 JSHS WinnersIshita Kapoor is a junior at the Discovery Magnet at Spring Valley High School. Her passion for improving the efficiency of a nebulizer was sparked based on her personal experience. With her invention of an adaptive nebulizer system for improved and efficient aerosol therapy, she hopes to integrate these improvements in day to day use of nebulizers to make lung treatment more affordable and accessible around the world. She has had the honor to represent South Carolina at the National JSHS Competition for the second time in a row. Her goal is to follow a medical science track. She is a member of HOSA, SNHS, MAT, and NHS. She enjoys spending time volunteering at Palmetto Health Hospital as a Junior volunteer, and at the Richland Library. Her interests include playing the piano and flute, swimming, and traveling.

Hillary Melton is a senior in the Biomedical Sciences program at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies in Chapin, SC. She is conducting research on the evaluation of solid material mass casualty decontamination in order to quantify the efficiency of disrobing, emergency, and shelter decontamination scenarios. Hillary enjoys traveling, painting, cooking, and working out. She is an active member in her church's children's ministry. She serves the local community through Beta Club, Junior Civitans, National Honors Society, and Young Conservatives. She is on the Executive Board of her local HOSA chapter, and she looks forward to attending annual State and International Leadership Conferences. Participating in Lexington Medical Center’s Partners Program confirmed her passion for medicine and her plans to attend medical school. Hillary plans to pursue a degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Alabama Honors College.

Sarah Mott is a junior in the Discovery magnet program at Spring Valley High School. She is interested in understanding the effects of stress on the brain and heart. She worked at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Susan Wood to investigate how one’s coping mechanism alters the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the cardiovascular system. It is her hope that this research will one day lead to the development of better strategies to treat stress-induced disease. In addition to her passion for science, Sarah is an avid member of Circle of Friends and student government in her high school. In her free time, Sarah can be found volunteering, reading, or hiking. Sarah hopes to eventually pursue a career encompassing both science and law.

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Athreya Murali is a junior at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, South Carolina. This year, Athreya completed his independent research on variations of the Cantor Fractal. He plans to earn a major in computer engineering with a minor in electrical engineering in college. His goal is to be a computer engineer. Athreya is the president of his school's Science Club, but he also has a passion for the arts alongside his interest in science and mathematics. He has been part of the school a cappella group, The Men in Plaid, since 9th grade. He has sung and played guitar as a member of the Heathwood Coffee House, an open-mic session for high school students. Athreya is also a member of the National Honor Society and the International Culture Club.

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Department of Defense South Carolina2017 Teachers of the Year

Brittany Holden,Dutch Fork High School

I work at Dutch Fork High School and I am the STEM Biology and Research teacher. I also teach a variety of classes such as chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and physical science. I have my undergraduate in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from USC and my master’s in education from USC. Previously I worked in research at USC and have a publication in the journal Gene. (Inhibition of PKR protects against tunicamycin-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells)

Michelle Spigner has been teaching at Spring Valley High School for 14 years. She is heavily involved in the Discovery Math and Science Magnet Program, where she has taught courses for all grade levels. Currently, Michelle teaches Anatomy & Physiology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, and Research II and III. Michelle has actively mentored more than 400 students engaged in extensive scientific research. Michelle truly enjoys getting to know her students, creating an inviting and accepting classroom environment. She tries to make all learning personally relevant by relating course content to real-life experiences. It is an honor to be selected at the 2017 US Department of Defense Teacher of the Year for South Carolina! I look forward to many more years of teaching and mentoring students in their scientific endeavors!

Michelle Spigner,Spring Valley High

School

Jim Morris,Heathwood

Hall

Jim Morris is a 37 year veteran independent school teacher-administrator who joined Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, SC in 1996-1997 after 17 years of service at 4 other NAIS schools. Trained as a research biophysics, Jim worked in medical device design and testing at ECRI, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA and spent many  summers as a Senior Instructor for the North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS). Jim serves Heathwood Hall as Upper School Science Dept. Head, Honors Science Research Program Coordinator, Science Instructor, Senior PEAK Outdoor Instructor, and Robert Clark Greenhouse Manager. Pedagogically, Jim strives to both challenge his students and to demystify science and math for them. He is a strong proponent of learning science by doing science. Jim was honored as the 2007 SC Independent School Upper School Teacher of the year. He has also been recognized by the both the American Junior Academy of Science and the SC Junior Academy of Science for his support and development of superior pre-college scientific talent.  Jim has received recognition from the United States Army, Navy & Air Force for his pursuit of excellence in the sciences and  engineering and mathematics research at the high school level through his students participation in the SC Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.”

Previous winners:2016: Joanne Bedlek-Anslow, Dale Soblo, & Michelle Spigner, all of Spring Valley HS; Katy Metzner-Roop, Academic Magnet HS2015: Lisa Maylath, Chapin HS; Michelle Spigner, Spring Valley HS; Katy Metzner-Roop, Academic Magnet HS2014: Dale Soblo & Lisa Maylath, Chapin HS; Michelle Spigner & Dale Soblo, Spring Valley HS; Katy Metzner-Roop, Academic Magnet HS2013: Michelle Wyatt, Spring Valley HS; Katy Metzner-Roop, Academic Magnet HS2012: Patrick Smallwood & Langdon Warner, Dutch Fork HS2011: Tina Webb, Hilton Head Prep2006-2010: Michelle Spigner, Spring Valley HS

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Duke Brantley, Ph.D., P.G.College of Arts and Sciences

Associate Director – Earth Sciences and Resources InstituteResearch Assistant Professor - School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment

University of South Carolina – Columbia

Dr. Brantley earned his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the University of South Carolina and has been with the Earth Sciences and Resources Institute since 2003. He will be the Department of Defense South Carolina USC Director beginning summer of 2018.

Dr. Brantley is a professor and a researcher in Earth and Environmental Science whose professional skills and expertise include engaging students in science through teaching, mentoring and fieldwork. His research areas include climate change, energy resources, environmental geophysics, and geologic characterization for carbon storage. Dr. Brantley is the Associate Director of the Earth Sciences and Resources Institute (ESRI-SC), a research institute in the School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment. He has taught and mentored over 2000 students and believes in student engagement through experiential learning.

He has a Masters in Earth and Environmental Resource Management, a Masters in Geological Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences. Prior to ESRI-SC, Dr. Brantley cultivated his interest in science with AmeriCorps in Atlanta, GA. During his AmeriCorps service with Southeast Waters Org., his work focused on surface water quality with project partners that include EPA, USFS, City of Atlanta, Georgia Conservancy, CRBI, Oglethorpe University and the Upper Chattahoochee River Keeper among many others. He earned an undergraduate degree in business administration from Presbyterian College, which served him well while he was a stockbroker for two years prior to pursuing his passion for science. Dr. Brantley still has a keen interest in business and feels that his scientific expertise, combined with a business background, is a unique combination that is especially valuable in the energy and environmental arenas.

Dr. Brantley is professionally active in his field of research and volunteers for numerous synergistic activities throughout his community. He is the Vice Chair of the South Carolina Board of Registered Geologist and has a Professional Geologist license. He is Faculty Co-Advisor for the University of South Carolina Geophysical Society Student Chapter and leads several field trips a semester that provides motivated students the opportunity to learn through real world applications and solutions.

Dr. Duke Brantley - Will become the director of the South Carolina Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) beginning in the summer of 2018. JSHS is sponsored by US Department of Defense

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Junior Science & Humanities Symposium

January 26, 2018

JSHS STUDENT PROFILE AND SYMPOSIUM EVALUATION

STUDENT / TEACHER / GUEST

Please take a moment to complete the following surveys to help evaluate the symposium. Your participation is important to the success of the event.

The surveys can be accessed either by the URL or QR code under each heading.

STUDENT PROFILEhttps://goo.gl/forms/gAc3ElORoFbw6NOs2

SYMPOSIUM EVALhttps://goo.gl/forms/LWrIdXhVROXG9dEk1

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