USM School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Today was the last day of our 10-week summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program on Gulf Coastal Plain Ecology, and students presented their findings in a poster symposium. Excellent work, students and mentors!

Cool stuff from the USM Shark Research Program. That one dot on the Jourdan River near I-10 though.........😳

Congratulations to Dr. Jen Lamb, Professor of Biology at St. Cloud State University, and USM biology alum on having her paper selected the Best Paper Award for the International Journal of Herpetology!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1659556392843349&set=a.504981574967509

Big congratulations to St. Cloud State University researchers for earning international recognition!

A study led by Jennifer Lamb, Matthew Davis and collaborators received the Best Paper Award from the International Journal of Herpetology for their research on biofluorescence in salamander eggs, embryos and larvae.

The award recognizes research that advances our understanding of amphibian development and highlights the innovative work happening at St. Cloud State.

Read more: https://www.stcloudlive.com/news/local/st-cloud-state-salamander-study-earns-international-best-paper-award

Last post from USM's first study abroad course to Africa! To conclude their studies, they visited another solar farm, took a game drive at Etosha National Park, played in the sand dunes of the Namib Desert along the Atlantic Ocean, and saw the enigmatic gymnosperm 𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑎. What are the connections between climate, energy, mining, and biodiversity? Ask one of our BEES students!

Yea though I walk through valley of south Mississippi summer, I will fear not! Cause 20’ Frankenstein’s are dropping at At Home and Spooky Hollow is only three months away!!

And first post from Namibia! Students are wrapping up their 3-week study abroad course on Energy and Natural Resources in Africa in Namibia. A solar farm, desalinization plant, Etosha National Park, the Atlantic sand dunes, and the mysterious plant 𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑎 are all on the schedule. But first, a day of rest and getting to know Namibia.

Last post from Zambia from the Energy and Natural Resources study abroad program. Now off to Namibia!

Our faculty and students in Africa have almost completed their journey through Zambia. After visiting several mines, they went to a 6000-year-old archaeological site, visited the water management lab of Dr. Kawawa Banda at the University of Zambia (UNZA), had a surprise visit from Max Arcand of the U.S. Embassy in Zambia and Dr. Karlene Jennings, the Regional Public Engagement Officer for Central Africa, and toured the Kafue River Gorge hydroelectric power station. Tonight, they are staying on the banks of Lake Kariba, the world's largest man-made reservoir by volume, and tomorrow will spend their last day in Zambia at Victoria Falls / Mosi oa Tunya. They will then travel to Namibia for the last week of the course.

Another update from our faculty and staff in Africa! After leaving Mulungushi University, they traveled to the Copperbelt along the border of the DRC and visited two mines and one in development: Konkola Copper Mine (underground) in Chililabombwe, Sentinel Copper and Nickel Mine (open pit) near Kalumbila, and the future KoBold mine in Chililabombwe. They also had a little fun at Mutanda Falls.

Congratulations to Dr. Kaitlin Baudier as a recipient of a Gold Leaf Award from USM's Gold Leaf Society!