NVC STEM Students Showcase Research at Texas Conference

From the mysteries of marine life to the potential for human tissue regeneration, students from Northwest Vista College’s Plus+STEM program recently took center stage at the STEM Conference at Texas State University in San Marcos.

Four NVC scholars participated in the event’s competitive poster presentation session, where they translated months of intensive internship research into engaging discussions with fellow scientists and industry professionals.

Zebrafish: A Tiny Key to Curing Osteoporosis

Presenters Mykayla Fenner and Julie Grijalva teamed up to share findings from their prestigious internships with the UT Health Science Center and the UT Health-Mays Cancer Center.

Their research utilized zebrafish as a model organism to study osteoporosis. Why zebrafish? Because these unique creatures possess a remarkable ability to regenerate bone and tissue. By studying how zebrafish heal, Mykayla and Julie are helping unlock new insights into how rare diseases behave and how we might eventually develop better treatments for humans.

Cultivating Healthier Soil in San Antonio

Nathan North brought his research back home to the local landscape. After completing an internship with the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in the Department of Biology, Health, and the Environment, Nathan presented his findings on urban agriculture.

By examining soil patterns at various San Antonio farming sites, Nathan’s work reveals how specific management practices and crop choices impact soil health. His research is a vital step toward building more sustainable and productive food systems right here in our community.

Diving Deep into Marine Behavior

Rounding out our group of presenters was Alexis Ruiz, who conducted his internship research through St. Mary’s University.

Alexis focused his studies on the complex world of marine biology, specifically analyzing shark behavior and how dolphins adapt to life in captivity. His analysis of behavioral patterns and adaptive responses offers a deeper understanding of how we can better care for and protect marine life in controlled environments.