Two Hastings College students showcased their original research at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, which was held in late April in Lincoln, Nebraska. Science faculty members Dr. Jason Carbaugh, Dr. Brad Dinardo and Dr. Brad Peterson attended the event, supporting student presenters and participating in conference activities.
Milly McClure, a math and physics major from Liberal, Kansas, delivered a talk on “Single-Laser System for Simultaneous Locking to Cooling and Repump Transitions in Rb-87.”
McClure’s project seeks to streamline laser cooling, a process essential for trapping and manipulating cold atoms. In this process, gas atoms are cooled to temperatures a few thousandths of a degree above absolute zero. Traditionally, two separate lasers are needed for laser cooling. McClure’s approach uses a single laser source, paired with an electro-optic modulator (EOM) to produce the same effect, making it more cost efficient. This advancement will provide a significant step toward the end goal of laser cooling. Laser cooling is useful for atomic clocks, quantum computing and precision measurements.
Anya Myers, a wildlife biology major from Overland Park, Kansas, presented a poster titled “Isopod Interaction with Pea Plant Growth.”
Myers explored the ecological relationship between isopods and pea plants. Isopods are terrestrial crustaceans that feed on decaying organic matter and enrich soil with nutrients such as nitrogen and beneficial microbes. Her experiment investigated whether the presence of isopods would positively impact the growth of Alaskan pea plants. She established controlled environments, introducing 12 isopods to the experimental group, and measured the mass of roots and stems separately after a growth period. The research aims to clarify how isopods contribute to plant health and soil fertility.
In addition to student presentations, Peterson concluded his term as president of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences at the meeting, and Carbaugh served as a session chair for one of the biology presentation sessions.
The Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting brings together scientists, educators, and students from across the state to share research and celebrate scientific achievement.
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Discover more at hastings.edu.
