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Posters at the Capitol

Every year since 2006, the State of Tennessee has hosted "Posters at the Capitol" at the State Capitol in Nashville. This year's event will take place on February 14 and continues to underscore the vital role of STEM research in advancing scientific and technological progress within our state and the nation. "Posters at the Capitol" brings together some of the brightest undergraduate minds from eight public universities across Tennessee, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their innovative projects. The participants from Tennessee Tech, accompanied by Dr. Lenly Weathers, the Director of the Office of Creative Inquiry, will be presenting their cutting-edge research to state legislators, policymakers, and academic leaders, as well as to Governor Bill Lee.

Advocating for STEM Education and Research

More than a showcase, "Posters at the Capitol" is an interactive forum where students engage in critical discussions with lawmakers. They advocate for the continued support of STEM education and research, demonstrating the direct impact and importance of Tennessee Tech's research initiatives in shaping the future of our state and beyond.

Our Representatives

The following Tennessee Tech students will be presenting their research, representing the intersection of academic rigor and real-world application:

  • Anna Brown, under the mentorship of Dr.  Jane Liu, will present her research on "Snap-Through Buckling and Energy Dissipation of Viscoelastic Metamaterial Arch-Shells," a study with potential applications in enhancing the safety and efficiency of architectural and aerospace structures. From Riceville, she will showcase her findings to Representative Mark Cochran and Senator Adam Lowe.
  • Claudia McDavid, guided by Dr. Jeffrey Boles, will present her research on the "Utilization of APCI-Mass Spectrometry for Field Identification of Opioids," which promises to enhance on-site drug analysis for law enforcement and public health officials. Hailing from Kingsport, she will discuss her work with Representative John Crawford and Senator Jon Lundberg.
  • Justin King, with Dr. Mostafa Rahnama as a mentor, will present "Examining the Mechanisms of Telomeric Position Effect (TPE) in Pyricularia oryzae", research that has significant implications for understanding crop disease resistance and improving agricultural yields. Justin, a Gainesboro native, will present to Representative Michael Hale and Senator Paul Bailey.
  • Jake Officer, collaborating with Dr. Ismail Fidan, will introduce the "GE2 (Golden Eagle Green Enabled) Manufacturing Initiative." From Sparta, Jake will highlight the environmental and economic benefits of his research to Representative Paul Sherrell and Senator Paul Bailey.
  • Braden Moore, under the mentorship of Dr. Hannah Kinmonth-Schultz, will explore the question, "Do CO2-induced Sugar Changes Influence the FLC Gene and Flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana?" This research is pivotal for advancing our understanding of plant biology in relation to climate change, with implications for agriculture and ecosystem management. From Spring Hill, he will convey the significance of his findings to Representative Scott Cepicky and Senator Joey Hensley.