Sarah Groves, Genique Nicholas And Zola Roper Are UVI Research Day Winners

The University of the Virgin Islands announced on Tuesday the winning students of the 5th annual UVI Research Day.

The Office of Research and Public Service and the Eastern Caribbean Center hosted the event in April on the St. Thomas Campus and Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix as an open forum for students, faculty, and staff to discuss a myriad of topics that affect the community. Each research presentation involved a poster display and invited discussion about a specific topic.

Genique Nicholas emerged as the Research Day winner on UVI’s Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Nicolas, an undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry, presented “Antioxidant Activity in Fresh Herbs.” This research involved the best source of antioxidants in fresh herbs which can be used to prevent degenerative ailments including cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Zola Roper was named the Research Day Winner on the St. Thomas Campus.  Roper, an undergraduate student majoring in Marine Biology, examined the “Elysia Crispate, the Lettuce Sea Slug,” and its preference to associate with one of two types of green algae.

Graduate student award winner, Sarah Groves, presented the study “Physical Drivers of Community Structure and Growth of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Surrounding St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands.” Groves’ area of study involved Marine Environmental Science.

Frank Mills, Ph.D., vice provost for Research and Public Service and chair of the annual Research Day Committee applauded the students’ efforts. “As chair of the UVI Research Day Committee, I wish to extend my congratulations to the winners of this year’s Research Day Award, and to compliment them on the outstanding research work they have accomplished which can only enhance the applied knowledge base of UVI and the community it serves.”

Each poster was judged by at least three judges, who are mostly faculty with experience in statistical or basic research methods. Each contestant was judged on 12 items, including the quality of the poster figures and graphs, hypothesis, statement of purpose, knowledge of the research subject, and evidence in support of the conclusions.Each winner will be presented with a $500 award. This year 35 poster presentations, demonstrations, and roundtable discussions took place on the Sheen Campus and 77 on the St. Thomas Campus.

From 2012 to 2017, UVI has been following its strategic plan titled “Pathways to Greatness.” One of the goals of the “Pathways to Greatness” plan is the expansion of innovative research by getting faculty and undergraduate students involved in an effort to achieve greatness. With this goal in mind, UVI Research Day has now become a cornerstone for the University.

Feature Image: From left to right: Sarah H. Groves, Genique Nicholas and Zola Roper.

Image Credit: UVI.