Belmont University

Kara Garrett, a Belmont University senior neuroscience major and Dr. Lori Mcgrew, professor of biology at Belmont, attended Vanderbilt University's Center for Addiction Research (VCAR) first annual Science Day on October 17. The symposium included presentations by Dr. Stephen Loyd, Tennessee's medical director of the division of substance abuse, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and the neuroscientist who first cloned opioid receptors Dr. Brigitte Kieffer.

For many aspiring scientists, the opportunity to conduct meaningful research often feels like an academic process reserved for graduate students. However, at Belmont University, students like Brady Pinter are proving that substantive, student-led research can commence long before a student receives his or her undergraduate degree.

Belmont students make up half of the cohort for the 2022 fellowship, a year-long program for 10 college students from across Tennessee that equips fellows to advocate for change by connecting their personal experiences to concrete data, policies and practices related to college access. Belmont students who were selected for the fellowship include sophomore biology and chemistry major Autumn Grimsley, sophomore data science major Miracle Awonuga, senior elementary education major Riquera Smith, junior biochemistry and molecular biology major Soziema Dauda and junior social work and photography major Vianney Muniz.

Belmont's College of Sciences and Mathematics hosted its 12th Science Undergraduate Research Symposium (SURS) Dec. 3 featuring more than 55 students. Participants presented research posters in biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, neuroscience, environmental science, chemistry, physics and honors-psychology. An additional 24 individual and group oral presentations in psychology were included in the event.