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SU students dominate Ag research paper competition

Southern University students earned first, second and fourth place position in the oral undergraduate research competition at the 27th annual Minority in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Conference held recently in Atlanta.

 

The winning Southern students, called the Ag STARS (Shaping Tomorrow’s Agricultural Research Scientists), were chosen from a field representing 14 teams, including those from Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, The Ohio State University,  the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Fort Valley State University and Southern Carolina State University.

The winning paper was titled: “An Empirical Analysis of Factors Influencing Gasoline Consumption in the United States.” The second place paper was titled “Food Label Use and Perceptions of Weight Status Among Selected Group of University Students.”

The 1st place team members were Delane Ross, a junior animal science major from Woodville, Miss.; Karl Harnsberry, junior, agricultural economics, Opelousas; Domicka McKeey, junior, Plant and Soil Sciences, Zachary; and Shaina Craige, junior, animal science, Eight Mile, Ala.

The 2nd place group included Andrea Bridgewater, junior, animal science, Tallulah; William Lavergne, agricultural economics, Opelousas; and Andria Smith, sophomore, agricultural economics, Salina, Kan.,  Finishing 4th were; Lillian Profit, junior, animal science, Monroe; and Patience Muse, sophomore, agricultural economics, Greensburg.

Ag STARS members must maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of 2.50 and above and must be majoring in or intend to major in agricultural economics, animal sciences, or plant sciences. Each participant is required to attend weekly mentoring sessions, and in turn, receive a $1,000 stipend per semester.

The program’s primary goal is to use interdisciplinary research in the food and agricultural sciences to enhance participants’ critical-thinking, analytical, writing, and oral communication skills. The Ag STARS Program is funded by a grant under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Capacity Building Grant Program.

Dr. Patricia E. McLean-Meyinsse is the principal investigator for the grant; she was also the faculty advisor for the students’ research papers.   

(Pictured on the front of the webpage, from left to right are, Delane Ross, Adria Smith, Lillian Profit, Patience Muse, Karl Harnsberry, William Lavergne and Andrea Bridgewater.)