Delaware Valley University Student Wins Award for Research
Ashlynn Masters ’22, a Delaware Valley University student, won second place in a poster competition at the Northeastern Plant, Pest and Soils Conference, which was held in Philadelphia in January. There were 55 posters in the competition from undergraduate and graduate students.
"I was very excited as I learned that Ashlynn had been awarded second place in the poster competition at NEPPSC,” said Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Elizabeth Skendzic, who was the faculty adviser for Masters. “It was the first time she participated in this type of event and a great opportunity to interact with undergraduate and graduate students from regional universities. I am glad that DelVal encourages research and prepares students for experiences like this."
For her student research project, Masters studied three different pathways for photosynthesis. She collected data for the project in the campus greenhouse using a handheld device that connected to a mobile app on her phone.
“I think it’s important that we are getting to do hands-on research instead of just reading a book,” said Masters. “This project opens the door for many research projects I could do in the future.”
Five students from DelVal participated in the American Society for Horticultural Science poster session at the conference. DelVal Assistant Professor of Plant Science Dr. Adrienne Kleintop chaperoned the students. In addition to Masters, the group included Brandon James, Alex Chabot, Keir Owens and Emily Sorrentino.
Some of the participating institutions included Iowa State University, Cornell University, Rowan University, North Carolina State University, Rutgers University and Penn State.