Faculty, students present 15 papers at state science meeting

The presenters and a summary of their papers follow:

--Jennifer Balmat, formerly of Florida and now of Chadron, gave two papers pertaining to geological studies she has conducted at the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill Site northwest of Crawford. Co-authors include Dr. Mike Leite, professor of geoscience.

--Josh Balmat, Jennifer’s husband, spoke about the decline of the aquifer in Box Butte County. Leite also assisted with this paper.

--Hannan LaGarry, an adjunct professor in geoscience at CSC and a former field geooloist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, made two presentations about geological research he had conducted in northwestern Nebraska. While mapping the Panhandle he has determined that some of the previous nomenclature should be revisited. The papers were co-authored by his wife, Leigh Anne.

--Dr. Ron Weedon, professor of biology, gave a history of natural products medicines he has collected from old-time pharmacies in the region. Leslie Stewart-Phelps was the co-author.

--Shannon Anslover, a senior from North Platte, spoke about the genetics of a bird species.

--Sara Blood, a senior from Alliance, gave a biological assessment of Trunk Butte Creek west of Chadron. A CSC science professor Dr. Barbara Hayford, assisted with the research and the paper.

--Dr. Joyce Hardy, professor of science, made plant community comparisons of the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill Site and two neighboring drainages in Dawes County.

--Susan Rolfsmeier, a botanist for the High Plains Herbarium, discussed plants and the bedrock on which they grow.

--Steven Rolfsmeier, Susan’s husband who also helps with the herbarium, spoke about research he has conducted of bur oak forest at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice.

--Holly Sukup, a senior from O’Neill who has been studying medicinal plant possibilities with the assistance of Dr. Ron Weedon, gave a paper about plants that appear effective in treating drug-resistant staph infections. Another student, Pamela Johnson of Columbus, has been involved in the study.

--Kelsey Stevens, a senior from Yankton, S.D., presented research about “purple gut,” a gastrointestinal disease found in cattle in four Great Plains states. The disease is caused by a pathogenic microbe, Clostridium perfringens. Avery Paulson, a CSC science professor, participated in the research.

--Daniel McDermott, a junior from Merna, gave a paper about his study on whether cows can pass a protective substance to their calves that will prevent purple gut. Paulson also was involved in the research and co-authored the paper.

--Dr. Chris McAllister, assistant professor of biology, spoke about a species of milliped that has been found in several states, including South Dakota and Wyoming, for the first time.