Environmental journal publishes research article from trio of faculty

After undergraduate and faculty research concluded, a handful of University of North Georgia (UNG) faculty members and students saw their work published in a science journal.

The article "Qualitative and Quantitative Sequestration of Host Plant Carotenoids" published in summer 2019 in "Environmental Entomology." The interdisciplinary research project involved chemistry and biology faculty members, including Dr. Tom Diggs, Dr. Evan Lampert and Dr. Clarke Miller. The students, who have since graduated, were Kieu-Oanh Nguyen and Sayma Al-Rashid.

The research project examined how insects store and use carotenoids, which are yellow to red pigments found in plants and animals.

"They protect plants from ultraviolet damage," Lampert said. "In caterpillars, carotenoids can affect camouflage, susceptibility to infection, lessen damage from UV, and act as antioxidants."

The associate professor of biology explained the review process can be lengthy, and it was nice to see the work in print.

"Peer review is the way we share our research and information with the world," Lampert said.

Miller agreed, noting three faculty peers had to review their content.

"That's the way research is supposed to be done," said Miller, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry.