DMC student Elizabeth Rocklage places first during recent American Society of Microbiology Texas Branch Spring state meeting
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April
2024
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22:04 PM
Europe/Amsterdam
Biotechnology major participated as one of 88 college, university presenters overall and earned top prize among undergraduate students who presented research posters in Bacteriophage Microbiology category
Article by Melinda Eddleman
Competition included postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students representing 31 different higher education institutions from across Texas. Only five were community colleges.
DMC Biotechnology major Elizabeth Rocklage_American Society of Microbiology Award_March 2024.jpeg
Of the 88 presentations made by student participants, 59 were undergraduates who gave poster presentations, and one student winning the top prize in the Bacteriophage Microbiology category was Del Mar College (DMC) Biotechnology major Elizabeth Rocklage for her research, “The isolation and characterization of the bacteriophage Erock.”
The competition was held last month by the American Society of Microbiology Texas Branch during their Spring state meeting in Cedar Hill, Tx.
Rocklage vied for the award not only against three other DMC students in the same category––Sierra Martinez, Teresa Sanchez and Catherine Wright––she also competed against 25 other students representing Baylor University, LeTourneau University (Longview), Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas.
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This experience has helped me build confidence as a speaker and as a scientist. Once I graduate from Del Mar, I plan to transfer to a four-year university and continue my undergraduate research experience. Attending and being placed in two conferences during the past academic year have improved my ability to get into the programs I would like to [complete].
Elizabeth Rocklage, Biotechnology major
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Most of all, experiences like these are a major boost for students’ communication skills, people skills and overall confidence as young scientists.
Dr. Daiyuan “Daisy” Zhang, Professor of Biotechnology
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Elizabeth Rocklage_DMC Biotechnology major_ASM Award__March 2024
Del Mar College (DMC) Biotechnology major Elizabeth Rocklage poses in front of her scientific poster that coupled with her presentation earned her first place in the Bacteriophages Microbiology category during competition at the American Society of Microbiology Texas Branch Spring state meeting in Cedar Hill, Tx., in March. Rocklage was among 29 college and university undergraduate students, including three other DMC Biotechnology majors, who competed in the category. The competition was the second that the sophomore presented her research, “The isolation and characterization of the bacteriophage Erock,” (Credit: contributed)
About Del Mar College
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.
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