Five Mississippi State University students are being honored for research reports presented recently at the 11th Southern States Annual Environmental Conference in Biloxi.
Jack Ford of Columbus and Emily Echols of Starkville, and Michael Bestor of Laceys [cq] Springs, Ala., took top honors in the undergraduate division. Receiving two of the top three awards in the graduate division were Chris Allen of Jackson and Arun Subramani, also of Starkville.
The Mississippi State University Technical Assistance Program, a joint project with the state Environmental Protection Council and Department of Environmental Quality to assist industries, businesses and communities with pollution prevention, sponsors the conference.
The yearly gathering focuses on current environmental issues faced by Southern states. The program traditionally draws nearly 1,000 representatives of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies, as well as private industry officials and professional consultants.
Ford, a December cum laude graduate in chemical engineering, took first place for his report on a method for restoring TNT-contaminated sites completed under the direction of chemical engineering professor Mark Zappi. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry M. Ford, he is continuing his chemical engineering study at MSU as a graduate student.
Bestor and Echols shared second-place honors in the undergraduate division.
A junior chemical engineering major whose research was directed by associate professor Mark Bricka, Bestor's presentation focused on the removal of lead contamination from firing ranges. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Bestor.
Echols, a December cum laude graduate in biological sciences/microbiology, reported on her investigations in fire ant control completed under the direction of biological sciences professor Lewis Brown. She is the daughter of Donna South of Starkville and Gary Echols of West Point.
Allen, who received a December master's degree in forest products, took second place in the graduate division for his report on the use of plants to treat soil contaminated by chemicals. His research was directed by professor Hamid Borazjani. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Allen.
Subramani, a master's candidate in chemical engineering, finished third with his presentation on the use of the fibrous plant kenaf as a filter in water treatment systems. The son of Mr. M. Subramani and Mrs. D. Mallika of Chennai, India, he also has worked under the direction of Mark Zappi.
