LR students earn honors at 2026 NCAS meeting

Lenoir-Rhyne University students presented original research and earned statewide recognition at the 122nd annual meeting of the North Carolina Academy of Science (NCAS), held April 24–25, 2026, at Elon University. The conference brings together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and researchers from across North Carolina to share research findings, exchange ideas and engage in scientific collaboration.  

Students from the College of Natural Science and Mathematics represented Lenoir-Rhyne at the meeting, presenting research in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, medical studies and environmental science.  

Twenty-one LR students attended the conference, ten of whom presented their research. Six presenters received awards for the quality of their oral presentations, highlighting the strength of undergraduate research at the university.  
 
Michael Stiff, Ph.D., professor of biology at Lenoir-Rhyne University and a member of the North Carolina Academy of Science board of directors alongside fellow LR biology professor Carly York, Ph.D., praised the students for their preparation and professionalism.  

“I am immensely proud of our students and the way they represented Lenoir-Rhyne at this year’s North Carolina Academy of Science meeting,” Stiff said. “Their professionalism, curiosity and commitment to research were evident throughout the conference.”  

Stiff also emphasized the role faculty mentorship plays in supporting undergraduate research opportunities at LR.  

“Faculty in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics are intentional in nurturing curiosity-driven, original undergraduate research,” he said. “I want to express my appreciation for my colleagues who mentored these student researchers and for the faculty and staff members who helped organize the trip for a record number of Lenoir-Rhyne undergraduate researchers.”

The John Bowley Derieux Research Awards  

Presented to recognize outstanding undergraduate research presentations across disciplinary categories at the NCAS annual meeting.  

• Anna Alexander (Biology) – Bacteriophage and surfactant mediation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in vitro: A potential therapeutic strategy for cystic fibrosis  

  1st Place, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology    

• Cem Bedward (Biochemistry) – Comparison and analysis of chemical stability of name brand and generic non-opioid analgesics    

  2nd Place, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Science Education    

• Grace Chatham (Biology) – Cryopreservation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts at -80°C    

  2nd Place, Physiology and Biotechnology

• 

  Lindsey Corwin (Biology) – Quantification of Mitragynine in Maeng Da and Borneo Kratom Strains: Analysis of Kratom Leaf Color and Strain using GC-MS and GC-FID    

  1st Place, Physiology and Biotechnology    

• Naomi Manea (Biochemistry) – Comparative analysis of carvacrol content in oregano oils and efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa    

  3rd Place, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology    

• Homer Drexel Short (Biology) – The effects of Rhizophagus irregularis co-culture with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) on resistance to cadmium chloride in soil    

  3rd Place, Botany, Zoology, Ecology and Environmental Science    

Student Presenters  

• Mallory Evitt (Biology) – Growth of Fusobacterium nucleatum and methods for bacteriophage recovery    
• Davis Hull (Biology) – Antimicrobial activity of cranberry, kiwi and green-tea extracts against selected oral bacteria    
• Connor Lachesky (Medical Studies) – Effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on climbing performance post-concussive damage in Drosophila melanogaster    
• Connor Lail (Biochemistry) – Quantifying PCB contamination in soil via Soxhlet extraction and GC-ECD detection optimization    

Student Participants (Future Presenters) 

Lenoir-Rhyne University juniors attended the NCAS meeting to observe presentations, support their peers and gain experience ahead of future research presentations as seniors.  

• Jacob Chapman (Chemistry)    
• Richard Aron (Biology)    
• Anna Buchert (Biology)    
• Kelvyn Gabriel-Ramos (Biochemistry)    
• Kaleb Mills (Biochemistry)    
• Eve Neild (Biochemistry)    
• Sarah Oetting (Biochemistry)    
• Elise Prouty (Biochemistry)    
• Elijah Roberts (Biochemistry)    
• Kaleigh Sloop (Biochemistry)    
• Adriana Tomlinson (Biochemistry)    

Collegiate Academy Leadership (CANCAS)  

Lenoir-Rhyne University students also played a prominent role in leadership within the Collegiate Academy of the North Carolina Academy of Science (CANCAS), which represents undergraduate researchers across the state. Officers are elected annually at the NCAS meeting.  

For the 2026–2027 term, LR students hold several leadership positions, including Eve Neild, president; Kaleigh Sloop, secretary; Sarah Oetting, co-vice president; and Elise Prouty, historian. Parker Moffa of Campbell University serves as co-vice president.