Biology students earn best poster honor
University of North Georgia (UNG) students Atticus Tomcho and Mary Dickens teamed up with their advisor, Dr. David Patterson, to win the best poster award in the Earth Sciences section at the 100th annual Georgia Academy of Science Conference. Tomcho and Dickens are each pursuing a degree in biology.
The event was held March 3-4 at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. UNG had a total of 10 posters and one oral presentation reflecting the work of 16 students and 15 faculty members.
Tomcho, a senior, and Dickens, a sophomore, presented their project "Late Pleistocene ecosystem evolution in southeastern North America: A transdisciplinary approach using fossil American alligator enamel isotopes." Their work explored contemporary biological responses to climate change and human population expansion by comparing alligator teeth from 60,000 years ago to modern alligator teeth.
"It feels very good to win and see all the work paid off. I'm excited to see where it goes from here," Tomcho said. "I'll plan on using this to apply for graduate school, where I want to study biology, maybe the paleo or wildlife ecology route."
In addition to Tomcho’s and Dicken’s two-hour presentation, the students were also able to listen in on several talks, network with experts in the field, and gain valuable insight on the activities students interested in graduate school should be working on to meet their goals.
UNG Remembers Day is set for April 29
UNG Remembers Day events will help the university honor the memory of students who passed away during the 2025-26 academic year.
Blythe heads to South Korea as FEA awardee
Ava Blythe, who is pursuing a degree in chemistry, was awarded the FEA scholarship to study in South Korea, making her the 14th FEA awardee at UNG.
Cyber students take national title in D.C.
An eight-student team from UNG earned a national championship in the Department of War Chief Information Officers Cyber Workforce Competition at the National Defense University in late March.
Student gains feedback on innovation at USG event
UNG grad student Aliou Aboubakar Mouhamed competed at the USG Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition held April 6-7 at Kennesaw State's Marietta Campus.