The Asbury University (AU) Shaw School of Sciences recognizes students and faculty who participated in the 2025 Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) annual conference on November 21-22, 2025, in Louisville.
“The KAS represents thousands of scientists and educators across Kentucky, in areas from [literally] anthropology to zoology, and therefore is an excellent body to which our students may present their research,” said AU Department Chair of Biology and Chemistry Dr. Bruce Branan. “Our students have worked long hours on these projects both in the laboratory and in the field, and KAS is a wonderful reward for them to present, to be questioned, and to be celebrated about the hard work and the interesting research they and their faculty advisors have accomplished.”
In the Analytical and Physical Chemistry section, Ethan Sherman ’27 presented a poster titled: “Chromatographic and Infrared Analysis of Molybdenum Octoate.” In the Biochemistry section, Sophia Smallwood ’27 presented a poster titled: “Utilizing Nitrosomanas, Nitrosparia, and Anabaena bacteria as an organic catalysis for a cleaner production of nitrates.”
In the Cellular and Molecular Biology section, Jessica Liu ’26 presented a poster titled: “The effect of excessive intake of EPA/DHA on antimicrobial peptide production in Hydra vulgaris;”
DeAnna Burns ’27 presented a poster titled: “Prediction of functionally relevant structural motifs using deep-learning-based protein structure modeling;” and Karsner Fetter ’26 presented a poster titled: “Studying the Phenotypic Manifestations of CHD7 Mutation.”
In the Ecology section, Jack Johnson ’28 presented a poster titled: “Evaluation of wild hog (Sus scrofa) diet in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park through the use of DNA metabarcoding,” and Caroline Richmond ’27 presented a poster titled: “eDNA metabarcoding-based microbial diversity profiling and simultaneous fecal source tracking in urban lotic systems.”
Faculty in the Asbury Shaw School of Sciences participated in the KAS annual conference. Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Marvin Ruffner chaired and moderated the Ecology section (oral presentations). Assistant Professor of Chemistry Dr. Laura Walther served as KAS secretary.
Professor of Biology Dr. Ben Brammell presented a talk in the Ecology section (“Evaluation of urban ecological restoration through the use of vertebrate eDNA metabarcoding surveys.”), and the KAS recognized him as the newly elected Vice-President of KAS.
“KAS has played a huge role in my career,” Brammell said. “I remember attending my first meeting as an undergraduate student and consider it a pivotal point in my early professional life. KAS does a great job facilitating the careers of young scientists and serves as a tireless advocate for sound science. I am very excited for the opportunity to serve in this role.”
The Shaw School of Sciences includes five departments for Asbury: Biology & Chemistry, Equine Studies, Exercise Science, Mathematics & Computer Science, and Nursing. The School offers 14 majors and six minors, including biology, chemistry, and physics. The Asbury Walt and Rowena Shaw Collaborative Learning Center (Shaw CLC) offers 11 laboratories, with spaces dedicated to eDNA research, cell and molecular biochemistry, ecology and environmental science, physics, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, instrumental analysis, and collaborative innovation.