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Biology Student Wins State Research Award

March 03, 2020

Allie Denham of San Antonio, a senior biology major at Angelo State University, won the top prize for her undergraduate research poster at the recent annual meeting of the Texas Society of Mammalogists (TSM) at the Texas Tech University Llano River Field Station in Junction.

Allie Denham celebrates with her Clyde Jones Award. Allie Denham celebrates with her Clyde Jones Award. Denham won the Clyde Jones Award for Best Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation in mammalian molecular biology, evolution and systematics. Her research project is titled “Genetic variation within a species of parasitic nematode, Skrjabingylus chitwoodorum, in skunks.” Her poster beat out multiple entries submitted by students from Texas Tech University, Cameron University and Columbus State University. Dr. Loren Ammerman, ASU professor of biology, is her faculty research mentor.

ASU students Kamren Jefferson of Upper Marlboro, Md., Matthew Hamilton of Seagraves, and Miranda Perry of Hamilton, Ohio, also presented their research projects at the TSM Meeting. Jefferson and Hamilton jointly presented two projects: “Home range analysis of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in Southeastern Texas” and “Rest site selection of plains spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius interrupta) in Southeastern Texas.” Dr. Robert Dowler, professor of biology, is their faculty research mentor. Perry’s project is titled “Milk composition of the pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus),” and Ammerman is her faculty research mentor.

Additionally, Dowler won the Professional Division of the Mammal Track Identification Quiz; and Dianna Krejsa, manager of the Angelo State Natural History Collections (ASNHC), won the Professional Division of the Mammalian Identification Quiz.

Ammerman was also recognized by being named an Honorary Member of the Texas Society of Mammalogists for her decades of contributions, research and mentorship of students. An ASU faculty member since 2002, Ammerman joins Dowler as an Honorary Member of TSM. It was also announced that ASU biology alumna Marcy Revelez will be so honored in 2021. Also a former ASNHC manager, Revelez now works at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga.

Also, ASU biology alumna Dr. Dana Lee, now an assistant professor at Cameron University, was elected to be the next TSM president.