Student biologists leave winning mark at annual PASSHE conference

A group of biology majors from Commonwealth University-Mansfield with an emphasis in cell and molecular genomics presented research at the recent Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists (CPUB) 56th Annual Meeting, including two taking home first place awards.

Four additional Mansfield biology majors earned second place in their respective research categories. CPUB was held this year on Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg’s campus.

Kristen Fulford, a senior biology-cell and molecular genomics major, received the Outstanding Student Award for Mansfield — an honor given annually to a student at each PASSHE school. She also won first place with her oral platform presentation in Undergraduate and Graduate Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Fulford, who is set to graduate Magna Cum Laude in May, has been a very active student at Mansfield including being a four-year member of the Mounties women’s basketball team and a tutor for various biology and physics courses. She’s participated in STEM outreach events including “Bio on Wheels” for elementary school students and Wellsboro’s “Hometown Science Festival” for local community members, as well as serving as co-president of Mansfield Future Healthcare Professionals club — with which she helped carry out Mansfield’s Crucial Catch cancer awareness events in partnership with the American Cancer Society and the NFL.

Emma Wonsick, a junior biology-cell and molecular genomics major, was Mansfield’s other first-place finisher, winning for her completed work poster in Undergraduate Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Additional Award-Winning Mounties

• Devin Andrews, a sophomore biology-cell and molecular genomics major, presented a work in progress poster and was awarded 2nd place in Undergraduate Cellular and Molecular Biology.
• Sadie Beers, a senior, biology-cell and molecular genomics major, gave an oral platform presentation and was awarded 2nd place Undergraduate Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology.
• Delaney Clark ’24, continuing education in biology and fisheries, presented a completed work poster and was awarded 2nd place in Undergraduate Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology.
• Kayla Howell, a senior biology-cell and molecular genomics major, presented a completed work poster and was awarded 2nd place in Undergraduate Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Jay Diya, a senior biology-cell and molecular genomics major, and Kylie Bornman, a junior biology-cell and molecular genomics major, also attended CPUB representing Mansfield. Diya gave an oral platform presentation, while Bornman presented a work in progress poster.

CPUB was founded in 1973 as an organization to provide support for the teaching and research activities of faculty in the biological sciences from the fourteen state-owned universities in the State System of Higher Education. Its activities have included scientific meetings, symposia, and institutes for the enhancement of the professional development of its members and associates. It also provides a forum for graduate and undergraduate students for the presentation of their research.