Montana State University Billings Research Symposium

The Montana State University Billings Research Symposium presents an incredible opportunity for secondary science teachers to engage in authentic scientific research through the Murdock Charitable Trust Partners in Science Program. This initiative allows participants, known as Partners, to collaborate closely with academic researchers, referred to as Mentors, over two consecutive summers. Each Partner will be fully immersed in a faculty-mentored research laboratory, which is dedicated to conducting original scientific research. The faculty mentors involved in this program hold Ph.

D. degrees in their respective fields, ensuring that participants receive expert guidance and mentorship throughout their research experience.

The research opportunities available are diverse and are centered around a unifying theme of ecosystem health and sustainability. Each mentor has designed unique projects that span various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, microbiology, botany, and bioinformatics. For instance, Madison Collins focuses on Infectious Disease and Antimicrobial Discovery, where Partners will work on discovering novel antimicrobial agents from Montana soils.

Jason Comer’s project on Botanical Systematics and Community Genomics allows Partners to investigate plant community dynamics and their responses to environmental changes through hands-on fieldwork and next-generation DNA sequencing. Michael Cuddy's research involves Water Quality and Environmental Chemistry, emphasizing field sampling and chemical analysis of pollutants, while Hashini Herath explores Organic Synthesis and Green Chemistry, specifically the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from food waste.

Additionally, Dr. Richard Warner delves into Cancer Biology and Molecular Methods, providing Partners with insights into cancer research and advanced molecular techniques. Finally, Daniel Willems offers a focus on Biochemistry and Molecular Dynamics, where Partners will study molecular interactions and contribute to innovative biomedical research technologies.

Through these projects, participants gain valuable experience and contribute meaningfully to the field of scientific research.