Fourteen University of the Virgin Islands undergraduate students from the College of Science and Mathematics attended the annual Emerging Researchers National Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in February 2014 in Washington, D.C.

Out of hundreds of presentations from students representing universities from around the country, Jamila Martin, a UVI senior majoring in applied mathematics, won first place for her poster presentation on the nutrient concentration of the bioluminescent lagoon on St. Croix.

Bernard Castillo, a UVI assistant professor of chemistry who mentored Martin as they worked on the bioluminescence project, said he was proud of Martin and pleased to showcase UVI’s research skills to other colleges and universities throughout the nation.

“You don’t have to go away to the mainland to get a good research experience,” he said. “We actually have it here.”

Thousands of students, faculty and staff from institutions of higher learning around the nation attended the ERN conference.

While at the conference, UVI students participated in professional development activities, went to a graduate school workshop and obtained information about STEM opportunities at the exhibit hall. There were also plenary lecture sessions.

To attend the conference, UVI students had to participate in a competitive selection process. Ten UVI students’ abstracts were accepted for poster presentation for their research projects. Tasha Corneille, a senior biology major, was chosen to attend after giving an excellent oral presentation.

Visit the ERN Conference website at www.emerging-researchers.org for more information.