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University of North Georgia (1688¿ª½±Íø) student Tyler Simpson and his research mentor, Dr. Levi "Zane" Miller, won a Best Poster Award at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Southeast Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC) hosted Jan. 31-Feb. 1 by Kennesaw State University. It was the largest SURC event in its 54 years of existence.

Simpson and Miller's work focused on seeking out a filtering option that is more cost-effective at pulling all the pollutants out of water.

Simpson, a senior from Dawsonville, Georgia, is pursuing a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. Hearing from others at SURC helped him realize he is on the right track.

"It was a really good feeling to go and have people that are not only interested in what you're doing, but they also give you feedback," Simpson said.

Simpson also wrote a successful Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities mini-grant application to support the research he and Miller are conducting. Miller said Simpson's curiosity and genuine interest in the research set him apart and have allowed him to also begin mentoring other students in the research process.

"He's performing at the level I would expect of a second-year graduate student," Miller said.

Simpson is grateful for the chance to work with Miller.

"He's been extremely supportive and is always pushing me to make sure I'm doing the best work I can," Simpson said.

Student Elijah Langston also presented at the conference with Dr. Royce Dansby-Sparks, associate department head and professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, on their research project "electrochemical detection of stress hormone cortisol with aptamer biosensors for electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance applications."