June 19, 2017

Mold colony after four weeks of growth.

Mesalands Community College is pleased to announce that Natural Science students Samuel Johnson and Ryan Pottenger, recently presented their research on “Cultivation and Identification of Antarctic Mold” at the 2017 Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative (CCURI) Colloquium in Minneapolis, MN. Upon examining an ice core from Antarctica, the students may have uncovered prehistoric mold.

“I was very excited to have my students’ research project accepted by CCURI, and the National Science Foundation provided their funding for travel,” said Gretchen Gurtler, Director of the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum and Natural Sciences Laboratory.

About CCURI

The colloquium is designed to provide community college students who are conducting undergraduate research the opportunity to share research, develop professional meeting skills, and network with students from across the country, according to CCURI.org.