MISSISSIPPI STATE – Two Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine graduate students were awarded top honors at the recent MidSouth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Society Conference.

The CVM graduate students placed in poster presentation categories at the MCBIOS conference held at the University of Arkansas. Mais Ammari placed third in the biology section for her work in functional modeling of a virus infecting bovine cells. Lakshmi Pillai was awarded second place in the computational section for her work in developing a new computational tool to assist researchers with functional modeling of their datasets.

Some of the students awarded at the conference will have the opportunity to publish their research in the peer-reviewed conference proceedings.

 “Ms. Ammari is exceptionally bright, talented and hard-working,” said Dr. Lesya Pinchuk, CVM basic sciences associate professor and Ammari’s adviser.  “She has faced multiple challenges in her research, and this recognition is what I consider to be one of the most important accomplishments for her.”

Pillai’s adviser also attributes her student’s success to intelligence and perseverance.

“Ms. Pillai is a relatively new student and has done a phenomenal amount of work in a short period of time,” said Dr. Fiona McCarthy, basic sciences assistant professor at the veterinary college. “The recognition she received at this year’s conference is a reflection of her hard work.”

CVM plans on having representation at next year’s conference in College Station, Texas.

Writer: Karen Templeton
Contact: Dr. Fiona McCarthy, (662) 325-5859 or Dr. Lesya Pinchuk, (662) 325-1436