MESA, Arizona -- May 12, 2025 -- Eleven Mesa Community College (MCC) students receive honors for undergraduate research presentations at two prestigious regional academic events.

Seven MCC Honors Program students presented their original research at the Western Regional Honors Council (WRHC) Conference, held in April at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado. Each research-based honors project was selected through a competitive process that required students to submit an abstract summarizing the project’s purpose, context, methods and conclusions.

“Watching our students compete with students from 54 other institutions was an incredible experience,” said MCC Communications faculty and Honors Program Co-chair Blake Wolf. “Watching them speak with confidence, engage with thoughtful questions, and represent MCC with professionalism was a powerful reminder of their academic excellence and dedication. Beyond presenting, our students gained valuable insight into the broader academic community, learned from others’ perspectives and returned inspired to continue growing as scholars.”

The WRHC is a professional organization of faculty, administrators and students dedicated to advancing undergraduate honors education. It represents honors programs and colleges across a 13-state region.

Presenters and their topics include:

• Hanna Cook Southern-Border Ecology: The Ecological Impact of Border Wall Construction
• Cyanne Beasley Death Classification
• Toni-Ann Gardner The Hidden Challenge of Gender Interactions in Survivor
• Katherine Ware An Investe Emergence of Unique Language on Social Media and Its Implications
• Ethan Motta USA 2023 Electrical Industry Analysis
• Toluwalase Adeniyi How Statistical Methods Can Be Applied to Improve Decision-Making and Problem-Solving in Everyday Situations like Personal Finance, Health Care, and Business Management
• Dre Hoover Body Composition Assessments in Premenopausal, Postmenopausal, and Menopausal Women: Which Is the Most Valid? (Poster Presentation)

Four additional MCC students, Jack Eggen, Ameliz Price-Dominguez, Jay Mathur and Subodh Balenalli, earned first place in the undergraduate poster category at the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science (ANAS) meeting, held April 12 at ASU-West in Glendale.

Their research focused on the discovery and isolation of a novel bacteriophagea virus that infects bacteriafrom Arizona soil. Environmental soil samples were collected from various locations, including the MCC Arboretum and sites in Flagstaff, then isolated, purified and analyzed the samples.

The project was conducted as part of MCC’s Introduction to Biotechnology course, launched in Spring 2025. The course is part of the national undergraduate research program SEA-PHAGE (Science Education AlliancePhage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science), in collaboration with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

“This course attracts students from a wide range of majorsbiology, microbiology, pre-health and computer science,” said Francesca De Martini, Ph.D., chair of MCC’s Undergraduate Research Initiative Committee Chair. “This interdisciplinary environment fosters collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking, while also introducing students to essential laboratory skills such as aseptic technique, serial dilutions, plaque assays and molecular work.”

“These skills are invaluable for students pursuing careers in healthcare, microbiology and computational biology,” she added.

ANAS supports science education in Arizona and Nevada through awards, grants and scholarships for outstanding teachers and students. Twenty-five institutions participated in this year’s event.

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu

Mesa Community College (MCC), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary during 2025, is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving over 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. For nearly 60 years, MCC has been a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges. The MCC American Indian Institute supports students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. MCC's diverse student body includes hundreds of international students. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education and training. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional lands of the O'odham, Piipaash, and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.