Biology students earn awards at 2026 Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting

The Marshall University Department of Biological Sciences traveled to Mobile, Alabama, last week to attend the 2026 Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) annual meeting. Faculty and students represented MU with a strong showing of research presentations.

The department delivered 11 total presentations at the conference, including six oral talks and five poster presentations. Nine of the presentations were led by students, highlighting the department’s emphasis on undergraduate and graduate research.

All student travel expenses were covered through competitive travel and research awards. Funding support came from the Association of Southeastern Biologists, the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society (SABS), and the Susan Weinstein Research Award. Every participating student earned at least one award during the meeting.

Students from the Pamela Puppo Lab included Erica Edinger, who won the conference t‑shirt design competition; David Nathaniel Cyphers, Noah Adkins, and Clara Minnich, who each received SABS travel awards; and Minnich, who also earned the Best Oral Presentation in Botany award. Students from the Kyle Palmquist Lab included Zak Bartholomew, recipient of an ASB research award, along with Catie Schwartzmann, Dave Boak, and Emma Crouch, all of whom received SABS travel awards.