Austin Peay State University’s ‘phage hunters’ join front lines of medical research
November 8, 2019
Clarksville, TN – The 10 Austin Peay State University (APSU) students in Dr. Sergei Markov’s junior- and senior-level biology classes this semester are taking advantage of a unique research opportunity that could help lead to medical breakthroughs.
Heath Simpson shows his Petri dish during a recent phage hunter class at Austin Peay State University. (APSU)
Austin Peay State University Graduate Student Megan Hart First Recipient of Robert M. Hatcher Scholarship
August 28, 2016
Nashville, TN – Megan Hart, a graduate student at Austin Peay State University, is the first recipient of the Robert M. Hatcher Memorial Scholarship.
The $1,000 scholarship is named in honor of Bob Hatcher, who served the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for 38 years including serving as the Non-Game and Endangered Species Coordinator from 1987 until 2001.
Megan completed her bachelor’s degree in biology in 2015 with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She is pursuing her master’s degree in biology, focusing on conservation and wildlife biology.
Megan Hart has received the honor of being the first recipient of the Robert M. Memorial Scholarship. To Megan’s right is Mr. Hatcher’s wife, Betty. Also pictured from left are the Hatchers’ daughter, Terri Hatcher Goodwin, TWRA Executive Director Ed Carter, the Hatchers’ son, Jerry, TWRA Bird Conservation Coordinator, David Hanni, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation Executive Director, Julie Schuster, and TWRA Biodiversity Division Chief, Bill Reeves. The presentation was made on the campus of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville.
APSU alumni Lynn Von Hagen pursues research opportunity in Kenya
February 28, 2016
Clarksville, TN – As a young person, Lynn Von Hagen dreamed of working with animals. She donated to conservation groups and gave her time and talents to Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, a domestic animal rescue organization in Hendersonvillem TN.
However, as is the case for many people, Von Hagen was forced to postpone her dreams of pursuing studies in zoology, ecology and animal biology and concentrate on earning a living.
Austin Peay Lynn Von Hagen dreamed of working with animals and now that dream is taking her to Kenya.
APSU students help restore endangered ecosystems
February 28, 2015
Clarksville, TN – In January, seven female Austin Peay State University students traveled south to help restore a disappearing ecosystem in Texas’ West Gulf Coastal Plain.
The students, all geology and biology majors, spent five days hiking through the swampy terrain of the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary, planting some 11,000 longleaf pine trees.
Austin Peay student Brianna Turnbo and Courtney Grisham plants trees in Texas while on winter break from APSU. (Lisa Tucker)
Esteemed biologist Hayes to speak at APSU April 7th
March 25, 2014
Clarksville, TN – Have you ever heard of atrazine? It’s a popular, but potent, weed-killer, and chances are, there are traces of this chemical contaminant in your body.
In the late 1990s, the agri-chemical giant Syngenta hired Dr. Tyrone Hayes, professor of integrative biology at the University of California at Berkley, to make sure atrazine was safe for the public. [Read more]
APSU receives National Science Foundation grant to award scholarships for military and community college students in STEM disciplines
September 1, 2012
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN – Three Austin Peay State University professors are on the lookout for community college students, active duty military personnel, veterans and dependents interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in the science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) disciplines.
That’s because the National Science Foundation is awarding them more than $500,000 over the next five years to offer scholarships for qualified students in those areas.
Dr. Karen Meisch, associate professor of biology, Dr. Cindy L. Taylor, professor of biology, and Dr. Nell Rayburn, professor of mathematics, were recently awarded a National Science Foundation grant to offer scholarships to students looking to study STEM subjects. (Photo by Beth Liggett/APSU Staff)
APSU employees share their accomplishments
August 1, 2012
Clarksville, TN – Several faculty and staff members at Austin Peay State University announce their recent professional and scholarly activities.
Dr. Chad Brooks, associate professor of biology, co-authored an article about an amphibian-lethal virus in west Tennessee, and the article is published in the latest edition of Herpetological Review. The title of the article was “Further presence of ranavirus infection in amphibian populations of Tennessee, USA.” [Read more]
Three APSU students earn NSF scholarships for field study course in New Mexico
April 13, 2012
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University geosciences major Kayla Pendergrass and biology majors Megan Hart and Rob Shepard have been awarded full scholarships to attend the 22nd Annual North American Dendroecological Fieldweek (NADEF) held at the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico.
These scholarships, funded by the National Science Foundation, cover the cost of tuition, room and board, equipment and laboratory consumables and transportation during the 10-day course. [Read more]
Austin Peay State University professor awarded $75K state grant to study health of Red River Watershed
February 3, 2012
Clarksville, TN – On a spring afternoon in 2010, Dr. Jeff Lebkuecher, professor of biology at Austin Peay State University, waded into a creek to collect algae floating in the water and growing on rocks.
The samples were placed in test tubes, and back in his lab inside the APSU Sundquist Science Complex, Lebkuecher noticed that the algae were thriving. This was not good news for the creek. [Read more]
New minor at APSU to help pre-professional health students prepare for graduate programs
October 7, 2011
Clarksville, TN – When a student comes to Austin Peay State University wanting to be a doctor, he or she can pretty much major in any field. Typically, students enroll in biology, chemistry or psychology programs, but a few have been known to get degrees in subjects such as English or history.
“But they have to fulfill a number of prerequisites in order to go to med school,” Dr. Cindy Taylor, professor of biology, said.
Those prerequisites include several courses in science-related fields, such as biology and chemistry, and many professional health graduate programs mandate that students complete a certain number of volunteer hours and job-shadowing experiences before they apply for admission. [Read more]
