Biology Student Takes Second Place in Research Competition

Whitney Okoe Shines Against Students from Institutions Around the Nation

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – A top Bowie State University undergraduate biology student took second place in a national student research competition with her presentation on research aimed to combat a menace to citrus plants at the 20^th annual National Role Models Conference hosted by Minority Access, Inc.

Whitney Okoe, a senior biology major, presented research on a potential remedy for citrus greening disease, which has threatened to devastate the nation’s citrus industry, especially in Florida. Okoe took home a $700 prize for her outstanding presentation. She was one of 48 undergraduate students, representing colleges and universities from around the country, who presented their projects to a panel of judges in three categories: biomedical sciences, social sciences/humanities and engineering/technology. The students represented institutions that included Rutgers University, California State University and Howard University. Okoe was the only student from Bowie State.

In addition to honing their presentations skills in the competition, Okoe and the other students received guidance from seasoned researchers, mature scholars and their peers. Minority Access, Inc. also distributed summaries of exemplary presentations to prominent pharmaceutical and high-tech firms.

Okoe’s research took place last summer with BSU Assistant Professor Kari Debbink, as part of the university’s Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI). Dr. Debbink’s team investigated a potential remedy for citrus greening disease, which would involve using a harmless virus to deliver a cure to plants infected with the disease. 

###

About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, criminal justice, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit www.bowiestate.edu.