University of South Alabama chapter of Phi Kappa Phi

The University of South Alabama chapter of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society is proud to recognize Dr. Peter Wood, professor in the Department of Music, as its Artist of the Year and Dr. Sean Powers, professor in the Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences, as its Scholar of the Year for 2025-2026. They gave brief presentations on their creative and research activities during the initiation event on November 5, 2025.

Dr. Peter Wood has been teaching for over 30 years and is currently in his 21st year as professor of trumpet at the University of South Alabama. The recipient of the Andy and Carol Denny National Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011 and the USA College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award in 2007, Dr. Wood has also served as publications editor for the International Trumpet Guild, overseeing production of the ITG Journal and serving on the ITG Board of Directors since 2013. He recently launched a Trumpet Pedagogy YouTube channel, which aims to assist trumpet teachers and students worldwide. Dr. Wood is a member of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Sean Powers joined the faculty in 2003 and was appointed chair in 2013. He serves as the Angelia and Steven Stokes Endowed Professor in Environmental Resiliency and Director for the Stokes School of Marine Sciences and is also a Senior Marine Scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. He received a B.S at Loyola University in biology and chemistry, an M.S. degree from the University of New Orleans in biology, and a Ph.D. in biology and oceanography from Texas A&M University. His research focuses on marine fish and invertebrates and their habitats to help direct conservation and restoration efforts of Alabama’s recreational and commercial fisheries. The ultimate goal of his research program is to provide scientifically sound information to direct conservation and restoration efforts of marine fisheries and their habitats.

Congratulations to the newest Phi Kappa Phi members who were recognized at the recent initiation that took place on November 5, 2025.

The University of South Alabama Phi Kappa Phi chapter presented two research poster awards at the 27th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium on October 23. We would like to congratulate the winners for being selected out of the 96 projects presented at the symposium.

Outstanding Poster Award - Edgar Escalante
Poster of Excellence - Mary Helene Marmande

Edgar is a Biomedical Science student and worked with Dr. Terrence Ravine and Dr. James Davis this summer. His project is titled "Synthesis and antimicrobial testing of novel boronium-based salts as replacements for quaternary ammonium compounds in disinfectants."

Mary Helene is a Chemistry student and worked with Dr. Amy Arnold at Penn State College of Medicine this summer. Her project is titled "Differential Expression of cardiac renin-angiotensin system components in obesity and potential implications for blood pressure control."

Our South Alabama chapter's lead Student VP, Anita Nguyen, traded her usual scholarship awards for a crown as Homecoming Queen 2024. Phi Kappa Phi is proud to recognize high achieving, well-rounded students like Anita.

Congratulations Anita!

Biomedical sciences student Anita Nguyen was awarded the 2024 Marion B. Sewers Distinguished Scholarship for Undergraduates. The award is given to students who demonstrate an interest in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology and enhance the diversity of science, according to the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

Read more 📰
https://medschoolwatercooler.blogspot.com/2024/08/biomedical-science-student-earns.html

Meet recent South graduate Julia Nelson who earned a national Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship. We are so proud of our chapter members!

South Alumna Receives Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Julia Nelson, a University of South Alabama mechanical engineering graduate, has been selected as a 2024 Phi Kappa Phi recipient. She is one of 54 students nationwide receiving an $8,500 fellowship for graduate study. Nelson will begin pursuing her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech thi...

Check out our very own Anita Nguyen, a Pioneer Award winner, recognized nationally for her leadership and achievements!
https://www.phikappaphi.org/grants-awards/pioneer/2024-pioneer-recipients?

www.phikappaphi.org

Look at these Phi Kappa Phi members excelling!

Today our University of South Alabama chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi initiated >110 new student members representing the top 7.5% of juniors and top 10% of seniors and graduate students across all disciplines. Also recognized were our Artist of the Year Susan Fitzsimmons, Scholar of the Year Kevin West, and our national Marcus L Urann Fellowship awardee Ivy Nguyen.