As the academic year nears its end, a season of celebration begins. Students from across the Institute were recognized for excellence this year at the annual Student Honors Celebration on Wednesday, April 10. Several College of Sciences students were recognized.
See the full list of student awardees from across the Institute.
View photos from the Student Honors Celebration — and more spring events around the College of Sciences.
Institute Awards
Provost’s Academic Excellence Award
Hope Hazelton
Psychology MajorZikang Leng
Physics and Computer Science Dual Major
Outstanding Tutor Award
Harrison Banks
Physics Major
Outstanding Learning Assistant Award
Ellia Kelso
Biology Major (Pre-Med)
College of Sciences Awards
A. Joyce Nickelson and John C. Sutherland Prize
Lance Lampert
Mathematics and Physics Dual Major
The Joyce Nickelson and John C. Sutherland Undergraduate Research Award is presented by the College of Sciences to a student who has engaged in scholarship at the interface of physics and mathematics.
Lance Lampert entered Georgia Tech as a graduate of Syosset High School, in Syosset, New York. This May, he will graduate with dual degrees in Physics and in Mathematics. Lampert has research experience in the School of Physics with both Professor Dragomir Davidovic and Professor Colin Parker, and with the GTRI Quantum Systems Division.
In summer 2022, Lampert participated in the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program at the University of Michigan, and he spent last summer as a researcher at the CERN in Switzerland where he worked on advancing the measurement of the gravitational acceleration of antimatter. Lampert will embark on graduate study in physics this fall, and is currently deciding between multiple offers of positions.
Roger M. Wartell, Ph.D., and Stephen E. Brossette, M.D., Ph.D. Award for Multidisciplinary Studies in Biology, Physics, and Mathematics
Brittany Ahn
Neuroscience Major, Mathematics Minor
The Roger M. Wartell and Stephen E. Brossette Award is presented to a student who has engaged in scholarship at the interface of the life sciences with physics or mathematics.
This May, Brittany Ahn will graduate with a degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Mathematics. At Georgia Tech, Ahn engaged in research in the Computational Industrial Design Lab, the GTRI Electrical-Optical Lab, and the Mathematical Neuroscience Lab with Professor Hannah Choi.
Last summer, Ahn participated in the NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology Research Experience for Undergraduates program at Northwestern University, during which she modeled the effect of temperature on neuronal action potential dynamics.
Ahn has served as a teaching assistant in both industrial systems engineering and the neuroscience program, a math tutor, and as a volunteer with the Atlanta Science Festival and the Special Olympics. This fall, Ahn will enroll in the doctoral program in Computational Neuroscience at Boston University.
Robert A. Pierotti Memorial Scholarship
- Callie Goins
Chemistry Major, Materials Science and Engineering Minor Emily Melvin
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences MajorMichelle Seeler
Biology Major, Spanish Minor
The College of Sciences presents the Robert A. Pierotti Memorial Scholarship to top graduating seniors. This year there are three recipients.
Callie Goins will graduate with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Materials Science and Engineering. Prior to attending Georgia Tech, Goins attended River Ridge High School in Woodstock, Georgia, and dual enrolled at Kennesaw State University.
For the last three years, she has conducted research in the laboratory of Professor John Reynolds, leading to her undergraduate thesis titled “Investigating IR Switching of Dioxythiophene-Based Conjugated Polymers.”
Goins has also completed summer internships with Alcon and with Parker Lord, and served as a teaching assistant in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Goins appears as a co-author on peer reviewed articles in the journals Materials Advances and ACS Materials Letters and on a number of conference presentations. She is the recipient of the American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry.
Professor Reynolds shares that “Callie has always demonstrated a tremendous enthusiasm for learning … She is a student who loves scientific discourse and takes advantage of every opportunity that she gets to share her research.” This fall, Goins will embark on graduate studies; she is currently choosing between a number of opportunities.
Emily Melvin will be among the first graduates of the new Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences B.S. degree (AOS). Melvin’s degree will include the AOS research option, also offered through the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.
Melvin hails from Marstons Mills, Massachusetts. She has served as an intern with Brookhaven National Laboratory and at the Naval Research Laboratory where she worked on simulations of the proposed flight plans to explore the marine atmospheric boundary layer. Beyond academic work, Melvin has volunteered as treasurer and marketing manager of The Dance Company at Georgia Tech, a group of Tech students who love to dance and perform.
Melvin plans to attend graduate school in atmospheric sciences and is currently selecting a program of study.
Michelle Seeler grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She is graduating with a degree in Biology, a minor in Spanish, and completion of the research option. For the last two years, Seeler has worked with Professor Julia Champion on the targeted delivery of therapeutics.
In summer 2022, Seeler conducted research at the Jackson Laboratory (JAX) biomedical research institution, and she spent the summer of 2023 at Harvard Medical School. She served as the founding president of the March of Dimes at Georgia Tech, and as president of the Support Health and Education for Women initiative at Georgia Tech.
Professor Champion notes that “Michelle is an intelligent, motivated, a dedicated researcher and effective communicator, and she has an innate desire to use her talents to help patients in the future — especially women who have been underserved by current research efforts and spending.” After graduation, Michelle plans to enroll in the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences at University of California, San Francisco.
The rate of animal extinctions has accelerated in recent years, such that the calculated average rate of vertebrate species loss over the last century is 72-100 times greater than expected from natural background rates. As field biologists we are now witness to the underlying mechanisms driving this sixth mass extinction during our scientific lifetimes. This affords a unique opportunity to predict and perhaps mitigate paths leading to further accelerated species loss. In this talk, I examine how evolutionary processes in animal design, that is, how animals are built, conspire with modern anthropogenic pressures to challenge the survival of large carnivorous mammals from Arctic narwhals to African lions. We have found that marked morphological and physiological modifications that allowed large carnivores to develop into apex predators, may now result in exceptional biological vulnerability to human-induced disturbances. Furthermore, these same unique physiological attributes provide clues about limitations to our survival as human biology faces novel threats ranging from extreme noise to the Covid pandemic.
Hosted by Mark Hay
Event Details
Soil-borne Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) pathogens disrupt rhizosphere and endophytic microbial communities as they invade roots and fatally wilt plants. RSSC pathogens secrete antimicrobial toxins using a type VI secretion system (T6SS). To investigate how evolution and ecology have shaped pathogen T6SS biology, we analyzed the T6SS gene content and architecture across the RSSC pangenome and their evolutionarily relatives. Our analysis reveals that two ecologically similar Burkholderiaceae taxa, xylem pathogenic RSSC and Acidovorax, have convergently evolved to wield large arsenals of T6SS toxins. To understand the mechanisms underlying genomic enrichment of T6SS toxins, we compiled an atlas of auxiliary (“aux”) T6SS toxin clusters. In the atlas, we classified 25 types of aux clusters with toxins that predominantly target lipids, nucleic acids, or unknown cellular substrates. The aux clusters were in diverse genetic neighborhoods and had complex phylogenetic distributions, suggesting frequent horizontal gene flow. Phages and other mobile genetic elements account for most of the aux cluster acquisition on the chromosome but very little on the megaplasmid. Nevertheless, RSSC genomes were more enriched in aux clusters on the megaplasmid. Secondary replicons like megaplasmids often evolve more rapidly than the more evolutionarily stable chromosome. Although the single ancestral T6SS was broadly conserved in the RSSC, the T6SS was convergently lost in atypical lineages with vectored transmission. Overall, our data suggest dynamic interplay between the lifestyle of soil-transmitted RSSC lineages and the evolution of T6SSs with robust arsenals of toxins.
Hosted By William Ratcliff
Event Details
The lanthanides (Lns) are a group of 15 metallic elements from La to Lu. They are critical players in our modern lifestyle (think: mobile phones, catalytic converters, and light bulbs), and stand to play an even more outsized role in the green economy of our future (think: magnets, batteries, and catalysts). Until about 10 years ago, the Lns were thought to be biologically irrelevant. The last decade, however, has seen a complete reversal of this perspective. Lanthanides are essential for some methanotrophic metabolisms and Ln-binding proteins have been discovered in a variety of different bacteria. A common effect of the Lns identified in biochemistry thus far is the exquisite sensitivity of biochemical traits – from specific activity to binding affinity – to the identity of the Ln in question. These traits have already been exploited in biomolecule-based separation processes for Lns on the benchtop, raising hopes that a biotechnological solution to a Ln-supported green economy is in the cards. Despite this promise, it is still not known how the Lns cause such pronounced differences in biochemical behaviors. This effect is especially peculiar in the face of the overall chemical similarity of the Lns. In this talk, I will show that geochemical theory for Ln partitioning between minerals and melts offers a potential mechanistic explanation for the exceptional sensitivity of biochemical traits to Ln identity. I will focus primarily on the thermodynamics of lanmodulin (a Ln-binding protein) and the kinetics of methanol dehydrogenase (which contain a Ln in its active site), though I will survey other biomolecules (for example, ribozymes) where this theory may find application.
Hosted by Raphael Rosenzweig
Event Details
Georgia Tech unveiled its first Climate Action Plan (CAP), an actionable road map for halving Institute emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It provides strategies for mitigation, adaptation, climate education, and research, while finding equitable, cost-effective solutions.
The CAP is a deliverable of Sustainability Next, Georgia Tech’s 10-year strategic sustainability plan, and it is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Institute’s strategic plan, and the Comprehensive Campus Plan.
“As one of the world’s leading research universities, Georgia Tech has the opportunity, and the obligation, to create and share solutions that can help curb climate change and mitigate its harmful impact on our planet and our lives,” said President Ángel Cabrera. “Our Climate Action Plan is bold and ambitious, aiming for 100% clean ground transportation by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2050. These goals are not easy, but they reflect the seriousness of the challenges before us.”
The CAP was led by Georgia Tech’s Office of Sustainability, with engagement across the campus community. The CAP Advisory Task Force, comprising experts and Institute leadership, helped guide the effort. Nine working groups in key focus areas developed climate action strategies, and additional stakeholder outreach with students, staff, faculty, and the Atlanta community took place at workshops, events, town halls, and webinars.
The plan’s nine focus areas and guiding principles are:
Community, Equity, and Accessibility: We seek to ensure that fair and just climate policies and strategies are in place at Georgia Tech and that they prioritize affordable climate change solutions that support our internal and external community.
Building Energy: We are committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Renewable Energy and Offsets: We prioritize clean energy technologies to eliminate emissions.
Mobility: We optimize campus mobility through a variety of transportation modes that are accessible, affordable, and low- to no-emissions, considering environmental and human health impacts when determining and implementing transit and land use actions.
Materials Management: We support a thriving circular economy that focuses on upstream systems for achieving zero waste, ensures sustainable procurement, and supports our local community.
Water Management: We adapt our water infrastructure to be resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Education: We prepare all students, regardless of discipline, to address climate-related challenges in their personal and professional lives.
Research: We expand support for faculty, staff, and students to advance innovative research and projects to address climate-related issues.
Carbon Sequestration: We leverage the natural and physical resources of our campus to sequester and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The plan has 30 strategies for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and advancing climate research and education. The most ambitious strategies include:
Transition to electrification of combustion-based heating systems.
Increase energy efficiency in building operations.
Increase on-site renewable energy production, and procure energy generated from renewable and zero-emissions sources.
Transition the campus vehicle fleet to zero-emissions vehicles and increase sustainable and affordable commuting options.
Implement blackwater reuse systems and increase water efficiency and conversation.
Become a Zero Waste campus.
Prioritize climate education across Georgia Tech’s curriculum.
Identify and shape future climate research opportunities in which Georgia Tech aspires to lead.
“Georgia Tech is committed to sustainability and the environmental stewardship of our campus community,” said Jennifer Chirico, associate vice president of Sustainability and chair of the CAP Advisory Task Force. “The CAP was developed in partnership with leadership and with our own experts from within Georgia Tech. As we move toward implementation, it will require a whole-community approach, and we will continue to work together to reach our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”
To read or download the full plan, visit the Office of Sustainability’s webpage here. If you are interested in participating in an implementation committee, please fill out the form on the CAP website.
April is Earth Month at Georgia Tech. Coordinated by the Office of Sustainability and hosted by partners across campus, it extends the Institute’s observance of Earth Day (April 22) by showcasing campus sustainability efforts and providing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to learn and take action.
This year’s Earth Month holds special significance, as Georgia Tech will soon publish its first Climate Action Plan, a road map for reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
“Earth Month presents us with a unique time to honor and safeguard our environment together,” said Vanessa Suarez, sustainability coordinator in the Office of Sustainability. “It's an opportunity for all of us to be inspired and make a positive difference, both locally and globally; a reminder that collective changes yield significant impact.”
Events will be hosted by organizations and departments across campus during the month to learn, celebrate, and share best practices.
Featured Event: Earth Day Sustainable Org Fair and Celebration
Wednesday, April 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design
This signature event will feature sustainability-focused departments and student organizations, Earth Month BYO T-shirt screen printing and other textiles, and free King of Pops popsicles. Sign up here to table.
Earth Month Bird Walk – Lullwater (Emory)
Friday, April 5, 10:25 a.m. – 12:35 p.m., Lullwater Preserve, 1463 Clifton Road
Hosted by Georgia Tech Birdwatchers with support from the Office of Sustainability, attendees can observe and learn about birds with club experts at the scenic Lullwater Preserve near Emory’s campus. Binoculars provided.
For registration and additional information, click here.
Saturday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tech Green
Come get your hands dirty to make our campus green and beautiful at the 25th annual Tech Beautification Day, a volunteering event hosted by the Student Government Association and Infrastructure and Sustainability. The event is capped at 300 volunteers, so sign up today!
For registration and additional information, click here.
Global Media Festival Film Screening: ‘Bigger Than Us’ Documentary + Live Q&A
Sunday, April 7, 2:30 – 5 p.m., John Lewis Student Center, Cypress Theater
Bigger Than Us follows Melati Wijsen, an 18-year-old Indonesian activist fighting plastic pollution in her country as she expands her impact by collaborating with activists across the globe. The screening will be followed by a live virtual discussion with the film’s director, Flore Vasseur.
This event is part of the Global Media Festival, taking place March 29 – April 7 and exploring themes around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The festival is co-sponsored by the School of Modern Languages; the Atlanta Global Studies Center; the School of Literature, Media, and Communication; and the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems.
For registration and additional information, click here.
EcoCommons Tour
Wednesday, April 10, Noon – 1 p.m., The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design
The 80-acre EcoCommons is one of Georgia Tech’s most impressive sustainability features. Institute Landscape Architect Jason Gregory will lead attendees on a tour to learn about the native performance landscape adjacent to The Kendeda Building.
Carbon Reduction Challenge Info Session – Virtual
Thursday, April 11, 11 – 11:50 a.m., Online
The Carbon Reduction Challenge is a competition focused on empowering students to become part of the climate change solution. Join the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business for a virtual information session to learn more about participating in the challenge this summer.
For registration and more information, click here.
Climate FRESK Workshops
Thursday, April 11, Noon – 3:30 p.m., Kendeda Seminar Room 118
Monday, April 15, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Kendeda Seminar Room 118
Thursday, April 19, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., O’Keefe Building, third floor, Sunroom conference room*
Climate FRESK is an internationally recognized workshop based on scientific reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that teaches the fundamental causes and effects of climate change through a collaborative and engaging game. The Office of Sustainability will host three FRESK Workshops throughout April.
*The workshop on April 19 is co-sponsored by the Georgia Tech French Club and will be held partially in French.
For more information and registration, click here.
BBISS Seminar Series: Neha Kumar
Thursday, April 11, 3 – 4 p.m., Hybrid Event – Online and BBISS Offices, 760 Spring Street, Suite 160
Neha Kumar is an associate professor in the School of International Affairs and the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. She will present a new paper that describes opportunities for human–computer interaction to reimagine the design of sociotechnical systems toward advancing sustainable, just, and humane futures.
For more information and the event link, click here.
Atlanta Global Studies Symposium: Languages of Sustainability and the Global South
Friday, April 12, 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Main Auditorium, Technology Square Research Building
Hosted by the Atlanta Global Studies Center and with support from the Emory University Office of Global Strategy and Initiatives, the symposium will present initiatives that promote global education, language learning, sustainable development, and community engagement. Partners, faculty, students, community organizers, K-12 teachers, and the public are welcome.
For more information and registration, click here.
Frontiers in Science: Climate Action
Thursday, April 18, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., The Dalney Building
The College of Sciences will convene 100 campus and community stakeholders to discuss groundbreaking research on climate change, challenges, and solutions. More than 25 speakers and panelists from across Georgia Tech and Atlanta will share their work and ideas to address major climate and community challenges. Frontiers will also feature leadership keynotes, a student video showcase with scholarships, networking lunch and reception, and a Strategic Energy Institute interdisciplinary seed grant challenge for assistant professors.
Attendance is by invitation, and registration is limited.
To suggest participants, please contact: events@cos.gatech.edu.
Carbon Reduction Challenge Spring Showcase
Friday, April 19, 2 – 4 p.m., The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design
Eight teams composed of students enrolled in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 3111, “Energy, Environment, and Society,” will present their final semester-long Carbon Reduction Challenge projects. The projects show more than 9 million pounds of carbon dioxide reductions annually while generating yearly savings of over $500 million in energy bills and carbon sequestration. Attendees can enjoy snacks and drinks and vote for their favorite project.
For more information and registration, click here.
Tuesday, April 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Hybrid/Scheller College of Business, Room 4426
A partnership between the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and CREATE-X, Sustain-X is a Sustainability Next and Georgia Tech strategic plan project. With events occurring on the fourth Tuesday of every month, this session will examine social and environmental entrepreneurship and how to access resources for projects.
For more information and to register, click here.
Interdisciplinary and Critical Approaches to Sustainability
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Atlanta Global Studies Center will present a conference entitled “Sustainability in a Planet of Diverse Knowledges and Persistent Inequalities.” The event features Georgia Tech faculty panels and keynotes from Nelson Maldonado-Torres and Jessica Hernandez on “Colonial and Decolonial Sustainabilities” and “Indigenous Science: From Local to Global Context,” respectively.
For more information and registration, click here.
BBISS Seminar Series – Fani Boukouvala
Thursday, April 25, 3 – 4 p.m., Hybrid/BBISS Offices, 760 Spring Street, Suite 160
Fani Boukouvala, assistant professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, will present a talk about a new approach for chemical conversion of waste plastics to their original raw materials, including a detailed process modeling of a chemical reactor validated by experimental data, and proceed with simulation of an entire pilot scale facility.
For the event link, click here.
Additional events, volunteer opportunities, and campaigns are posted on the Earth Month calendar. Submit your event to be featured via the Earth Month form.
Join the Office of Sustainability in celebrating Earth Day (a few days early) during our Earth Month 2024 event series! Come explore sustainability-related organizations, departments, and clubs, and enjoy screen printing (BYO shirt, tote, or other item to decorate) and FREE King of Pops popsicles. Groups interested in tabling at the event can register here.
The event will take place on The Kendeda Building patio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17.
About Earth Month at Georgia Tech
The first Earth Day was celebrated nationwide on April 22, 1970 as a call to address pressing environmental issues. Today, we face even more environmental challenges around the globe. Georgia Tech dedicates the month of April to sharing knowledge for advancing solutions. The goals of Earth Month at Georgia Tech are to:
- Share knowledge and provide educational opportunities to students, staff, and faculty on sustainability practices and solutions
- Highlight sustainability successes, achievements, and champions
- Engage with the campus community to work toward long-term sustainability on campus
Event Details
2024 Frontiers in Science: Climate Action Conference and Symposium
Hosted by the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech
Schedule and speakers: cos.gatech.edu/frontiers-climate
The College of Sciences will convene 100 campus and community stakeholders to discuss groundbreaking research on climate change, challenges, and solutions. More than 25 speakers and panelists from across Georgia Tech and the Atlanta community will share their work and ideas to address major climate and community challenges. Frontiers will also feature leadership keynotes, a student video showcase with scholarships, networking lunch and reception, and a Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) interdisciplinary seed grant challenge for assistant professors.
Attendance is by invitation and registration is limited.
To suggest participants, please contact: events@cos.gatech.edu
What to expect:
- 20+ expert speakers and panelists from across Georgia Tech and the Atlanta community discussing groundbreaking research in climate change, challenges, and solutions
- Collaborative scientific inquiry and ideas to address major climate and community challenges
- Networking lunch with climate-centric table topics
- Interdisciplinary seed grant opportunities for faculty
- Video showcase with students and signature alumni
- Networking reception with beverages and light bites
Event Details
Join us for conversation and community
Faculty, staff, and students interested in the Neuro Next Initiative are encouraged to save the date for our upcoming Synaptic Social, a gathering that promises to ignite connections, foster collaboration, and celebrate our shared passion for neuroscience.
Event Highlights:
- Hear from esteemed Georgia Tech neuro faculty from across campus as they share their latest insights and top-of-mind thoughts
- Enjoy light refreshments
- Connect with fellow researchers, students, and staff who share your enthusiasm for unraveling the mysteries of the nervous system
✍️ Sign up here to receive email updates about future Neuro Next Initiatives.
Learn more about the Neuro Next Initiative at neuro.gatech.edu
Event Details
Space is limited. Reserve your seat today!
Join us for a celebration of interdisciplinary space research and exploration occurring on and beyond the Georgia Tech campus. This event will feature A. C. Charania, NASA Chief Technologist and Georgia Tech alum, as the lunchtime keynote speaker.
Agenda*
8:30 a.m. – Networking, coffee, and continental breakfast
9:00 a.m. – Welcoming remarks and Space RI/IRI discussion panel
10:00 a.m. – Session 1: Space Science at Georgia Tech
11:00 a.m. – Session 2: Space Media Roundtable
Noon – Keynote address and lunch: A.C. Charania, NASA Chief Technologist
1:30 p.m. – Session 3: NASA’s Moon to Mars Program Overview
2:15 p.m. – Session 4: GTRI's Space Research Program
3:30 p.m. – Session 5: Commercial Space activities
4:15 p.m. – Closing remarks and look ahead
* Subject to change
Following the symposium, guests are invited to join us for the Yuri's Night Star Party from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Georgia Tech Observatory. Whether you're an avid astronomer or simply curious about the universe, we hope you join us for this family-friendly event.
Learn more about the Space Research Initiative at Georgia Tech.
Event Details
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