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Kylie Orris, Jadyn Henry and Jayleigh Peuster
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Jayleigh Peuster, Jadyn Henry and Kylie Orris
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Kylie Orris and Jadyn Henry
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Kylie Orris and Jayleigh Peuster
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High School Students Studying in WIU Labs Win Top Awards at State Conference

April 19, 2019

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MACOMB, IL -- High school students working in Western Illinois University biology and chemistry labs won top awards at the Illinois Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and the Illinois Academy of Science Region 10 Exposition in March.

Kylie Orris, a Southeastern High School senior, received IJAS Region 10 "Best of Show – First Place." She will travel to the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, AZ to present her research entitled, "Effect of Fungicide on Fungal Communities Associated with Glycine max Roots." In addition, she won the U.S. Air Force Award and the Navy Award.  

Jayleigh Peuster, a Southeastern High School senior, received IJAS Region 10 "Best of Show – Second Place."  She will travel to the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix to present her research entitled, "Effect of Pleosporales Fungi on Commercial Crop Germination and Growth." In addition, Peuster received the Association for Women Geoscientists Award, the U.S. Air Force Award and the Navy Award. At the Culver-Stockton Science Fair, Peuster received the "Best Overall Botany" award.

Jadyn Henry, a Southeastern High School sophomore, received the first place award at the Illinois Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. She received a $2,000 scholarship and will travel to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Albuquerque, NM to present her research entitled, "Effect of Thermophilic Bacteria and Fungi on Glycine max Germination and Growth." Henry also received IJAS Region 10 "Best of Show – Third Place." She will travel to the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix as an alternate. In addition, she won the U.S. Air Force Award.

Orris, Peuster and Henry are working in the WIU Biology Department and are mentored by WIU Associate Professor Andrea Porras-Alfaro, doctoral candidate Terri Billingsley Tobias and graduate student Maria Romero-Jimenez. They are a part of the University's RISE program, and their research is funded by a National Science Foundation grant.

Emily Oliver, a Southeastern High School junior, conducted her research in the WIU Chemistry Department with Associate Professor Brian Bellott. Oliver received IJAS Region 10 "Best of Show – Third Place." She will also travel to the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, AZ as an observer. Oliver received the American Meteorological Society Award and the Stockholm Water Environment Award for her research entitled, "Effect of Different Filters on Phosphate Levels."

Working in the laboratories at WIU provides opportunities for these students to not only use state-of-the art lab equipment they wouldn't have access to in the high school setting, but also to benefit from support and mentoring as they work alongside experts in the field.

"I really enjoyed my time working at the WIU Fungal Ecology Lab," said Henry. "I learned new lab techniques and skills that will be very beneficial to my future work in college."

"I loved my experience at Western Illinois University; the professors and students were very welcoming and pleasant to be around." said Peuster.

For more information about the opportunities available in the WIU College of Arts and Sciences, visit wiu.edu/cas.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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