CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For the past year, Diana Black, a senior biology major at West Virginia University, has been fixated on sorghum.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For the past year, Diana Black, a senior biology major at West Virginia University, has been fixated on sorghum.
Haven't heard of the crop-like plant that resembles sugarcane? Black hadn't either, until she began researching how sorghum could become a viable alternative-energy source for Appalachia a little more than a year ago.
Sorghum, a major grain crop that requires little water, possesses traits for biofuel production and could help prevent soil erosion and clean up chemicals from polluted mine sites, Black said.
"If we can get sorghum to grow there and it can take out harmful chemicals from the land, the plant could help the economy on what used to be poisonous mine sites," said Black, pointing to a diagrammatic breakdown of her research on a poster behind her.
Black was one of about 100 students from universities across the Mountain State who set up shop Thursday in the state Capitol Rotunda to showcase their undergraduate research projects to citizens and state legislators as part of the 9th annual Undergraduate Research Day. The event allows students to talk to politicians who provide funding for higher education research.
"Today is a day to recognize that research is key in the educational community," said Paul Hill, interim chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission. "It recognizes hands-on learning and reminds leadership in the state that research is a key part of the educational puzzle."
Marilynn Burkowski, who is studying how invasive plant species are threatening the forests of West Virginia, said her research addresses a major problem in a state that heavily relies on its native resources.
"Invasive species pose a huge threat," said Burkowski, a senior at Glenville State College. "They displace native species that are already here and can cause a lot of damage to the timber industry."
One such non-native predator is tree-of-heaven. Burkowski said the plant is a nightmare for the timber industry because it grows rapidly and produces a toxin that prevents other species from growing near it.
"Our institutions of higher education continue to develop scientific studies and research that benefit the nation with new knowledge while providing educational and economic development opportunities to our citizens," said Kay Goodwin, secretary of education and the arts. "I strongly support these institutions in their efforts to make West Virginia and the nation a better place in which to live."
Reach Amy Julia Harris at amy.har...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4814.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For the past year, Diana Black, a senior biology major at West Virginia University, has been fixated on sorghum.
Haven't heard of the crop-like plant that resembles sugarcane? Black hadn't either, until she began researching how sorghum could become a viable alternative-energy source for Appalachia a little more than a year ago.
Sorghum, a major grain crop that requires little water, possesses traits for biofuel production and could help prevent soil erosion and clean up chemicals from polluted mine sites, Black said.
"If we can get sorghum to grow there and it can take out harmful chemicals from the land, the plant could help the economy on what used to be poisonous mine sites," said Black, pointing to a diagrammatic breakdown of her research on a poster behind her.
Black was one of about 100 students from universities across the Mountain State who set up shop Thursday in the state Capitol Rotunda to showcase their undergraduate research projects to citizens and state legislators as part of the 9th annual Undergraduate Research Day. The event allows students to talk to politicians who provide funding for higher education research.
"Today is a day to recognize that research is key in the educational community," said Paul Hill, interim chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission. "It recognizes hands-on learning and reminds leadership in the state that research is a key part of the educational puzzle."
Marilynn Burkowski, who is studying how invasive plant species are threatening the forests of West Virginia, said her research addresses a major problem in a state that heavily relies on its native resources.
"Invasive species pose a huge threat," said Burkowski, a senior at Glenville State College. "They displace native species that are already here and can cause a lot of damage to the timber industry."
One such non-native predator is tree-of-heaven. Burkowski said the plant is a nightmare for the timber industry because it grows rapidly and produces a toxin that prevents other species from growing near it.
"Our institutions of higher education continue to develop scientific studies and research that benefit the nation with new knowledge while providing educational and economic development opportunities to our citizens," said Kay Goodwin, secretary of education and the arts. "I strongly support these institutions in their efforts to make West Virginia and the nation a better place in which to live."
Reach Amy Julia Harris at amy.har...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4814.
