Virginia Junior Academy of Science annual meeting at VCU declared best ever

By Mike Frontiero and Jonathan Dahl

Virginia Junior Academy of Science officials are crediting Virginia Commonwealth University for making its latest annual meeting of aspiring science students the best in the organization's 63-year history.

Susan Booth, the Academy's director, welcomed the support VCU offered in hosting the meeting and said she looked forward to returning for future meetings. "From the moment we first set foot here, VCU has supported us non-stop," she said. "Parents and teachers who have been coming to these meetings for many years have told us this one was the best ever, and I agree."

About 1,000 middle and high school students and their teachers from across the state were welcomed by VCU President Eugene P. Trani. "This opportunity for students to share their research efforts with other members of the scientific community is a privilege not only for them, but for VCU," he said. "We are proud of the state of the art facilities available to our undergraduates, and we welcome the opportunity to share these facilities with middle and high school students across America."

The students were selected by their teachers to attend the prestigious meeting and present science projects to their peers and for judging. They are considered some of Virginia's best and brightest upcoming scientists.

The students had the opportunity to speak to 380 senior scientists attending the 82nd annual meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, which was held concurrently at VCU. They also heard presentations from VCU chemistry professor and Nobel prize winner John B. Fenn, VCU emergency medicine professor Joseph P. Ornato, and Virginia Chief Medical Examiner Marcella F. Fierro.

VJAS President Ashley Morgan, a senior at Atlee High School in Hanover County, enjoyed seeing Dr. Fenn discuss the research on mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization that won him the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2002 and international acclaim. "His speech was really interesting," she said. "He also told us that he made many of his professional contacts at meetings like this one."

David Gibbs, a sophomore at H.B. Woodlawn High School in Arlington co-authored a presentation for judging on an effective method of preventing the spread of smallpox. He was impressed with VCU's facilities, particularly the Center for Life Sciences, Siegel Center and residence halls. "I like that you can plug your laptop computer into Internet and data ports in the science classrooms," he said.

For her research paper about the effect of different salinities on the growth of phragmites versus cordgrass, VCU offered Chesapeake Bay Governor's School senior Candice Carver a full scholarship, which covers in-state tuition and fees and is renewable for three additional years. More than 200 papers were presented.

"We are delighted that this year's meetings at VCU turned out so well," said Dr. Thomas F. Huff, vice provost for VCU Life Sciences. "I do think that a number of Virginia's best science students have had a wonderful experience and have gained an accurate understanding of the many things that VCU could offer them in furthering their education."