These awardees were recognized at the 9th Mini-Symposium for Young Investigators meeting that took place on March 11, 2025 at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in NYC. Our very own Yiran “Tayor” Han (MBBC/ECON) was one of two pre-doctoral students who were recognized for delivering the best oral presentation at the mini symposium. Taylor was awarded the first-place pre-doctoral award which included a $200.00 cash prize!
Taylor is also coauthor on a published manuscript that came out this week in the Journal of Bacteriology (also attached). First author is Middlebury recent graduate Myrto Ziogas (MBBC), and other Middlebury coauthors include Igor Todorovic (MBBC) Katie Kraczkowsky (NSCI), and Taylor Han (MBBC/ECON double).
Myrto Ziogas (MBBC’22) delivered an oral presentation at the 8th Mini-Symposium for Young Investigators in New Orleans, LA. Myrto’s talk, titled “Characterizing a Novel SloR Recognition Element in the S. mutans mntH Promoter” won first place in the “Best Student Presentation” category.
Myrto graduated from Middlebury College in 2022 with a major in MBBC. Since graduation she has been working as a laboratory technician in the Boston area. Currently, she is deciding where she wants to go to graduate school since she has been accepted to the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology graduate program at Duke University, and to similar programs at UC-Davis and University of Southern California.
In June 2022, research students India Drummond (MBBC ’21.5), Emily Bulczynski (MBBC ’22) and Jenny Pushner (MBBC ‘21.5) traveled with Professor Grace Spatafora to the American Society for Microbiology meetings in Washington, D.C., to present the results of their senior work.
Also in attendance was Spatafora researcher Ali DePaolo (MBBC ‘23). Their posters received many visitors including Middlebury College alumni Emily Putnam (MBBC ‘10), Julia Schwartzman (MBBC ‘09), and Daniel Tetrault (MBBC ‘2020). While not attending the meetings a good time was had by all at the National Mall.
Remarks and awards for Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry department seniors and their families.
Remarks and awards from 2:45-3:15 pm.
Location: McCardell-Bicentennial Hall, Great Hall
Middlebury College
“Sensory systems to self-driving cars: science at the intersection of mechanism, theory, and opportunity.”
“Bioinspiration” can be defined as the development of novel materials, devices, and strategies inspired by examples found in biological systems. In this presentation, Dr. Schweikert will tell stories about the little-known sensory capabilities of marine animals, how different senses permit survival in the marine world, and what we might stand to gain from their study.
McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220
Open to the Public
McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220
Open to the Public
McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220
Open to the Public
McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220
Open to the Public
McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220
Open to the Public
McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220
Putting ecosystem science in Earth system models
This presentation will examine the problem of improving Earth system prediction from the perspective of adding new mechanistic understanding of ecosystem processes. The difficulties of spatial scale and process resolution, and some solutions, are addressed through examples including the representation of coupled carbon and nutrient dynamics, prediction in the extreme environment of the Arctic tundra, and resolving the interface between land and ocean in coastal wetlands.
McCardell Bicentennial Hall 220
Open to the Public
Ancilleno Davis, Michelle LeFebvre, and Alexis Mychajliw in conversation
Ancilleno Davis is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at the University of the Bahamas and Faculty Programs Coordinator of UB North Field Station. He grew up on New Providence Island in The Bahamas and has visited more than 13 countries and territories to deliver scientific talks or presentations on ecology and conservation.
Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103
Open to the Public
Join us to learn more about the chemistry major!
McCardell Bicentennial Hall Tormondsen Great Hall
Closed to the Public
