Undergraduate ecology major Isabel Wargowsky received an Award of Merit in the UGA Office of STEM Education’s 2019 Art of STEM competition. Wargowsky, who is pursuing a bachelor of science in ecology, also works as a CURO Research Assistant in the lab of Ricardo Holdo where she studies African savanna ecology. She was recognized for her photograph “Diversity of Roots,” above, which shows root cross-sections from a variety of species of South African trees and grasses.
“The roots were stained with Safranin which allows us to differentiate between the xylem (pink) and phloem (blue) vessels, which transport water and carbohydrates, respectively,” said Wargowsky. “Through investigating the xylem, we can to learn how these different plants use and carry water. This knowledge will help us better understand tree-grass dynamics in African savannas and how these and other grassland ecosystems will be impacted by future changes in climate.”
The Art of STEM competition is intended to highlight the work of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics—the STEM fields—in a way that appeals to scientists and non-scientists alike. It is open to graduate and undergraduate students at UGA.
A panel of eleven judges selected this year’s winning entries, including one Award of Excellence and five Special Merit Awards, based on aesthetic impact, communication, and innovation.
The complete list of award winners is below.
Award of Excellence: “Side-Scan Sonar” by Cortney Bunch, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
Special Merit Award: “Diversity of Roots” by Isabel Wargowsky, Odum School of Ecology
Special Merit Award: “Channeling Andy Warhol for Bat Conservation” by Kristen Lear, Warnell School Forestry and Natural Resources, Integrative Conservation
Special Merit Award: “Lovely Leukocytes” by Alisha Muscatwala, Veterinary Pathology
Special Merit Award: “The Beauty and Precision of Sports Analytics” by Rui Li, College of Engineering School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Special Merit Award: “Polylactide Moon” by Sydney Nuckles, College of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery