GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Three students from Wayne Community College recently took their research skills to the university level, presenting environmental findings at the research showcase hosted by University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Students Tracy Hu, Miyah Saunders, and Katelyn Xivir joined WCC Chemistry Instructor Brian Duffy to present research completed through UNCW’s Community College Undergraduate Research Experience (CCURE) program.
The CCURE initiative is designed to give community college students hands-on undergraduate research opportunities before transferring to four-year institutions. The 16-week course allows students to conduct applied research while being dually enrolled through UNCW at no cost to participants.
For their project, the WCC team focused on the health and environmental condition of the Neuse River as it flows through Wayne County. With guidance from Amy Long, the students learned to use specialized field equipment and conducted extensive testing at two popular boat ramps along the river.
Their research included studying nutrient levels, physical water parameters, soil and biological samples, and the presence of macroinvertebrates — organisms commonly used to help determine water quality and pollution levels.
“This opportunity provided our Wayne Community College students a unique experience to conduct experiments and learn more about a central component of Wayne County, the Neuse River,” Duffy said. “It is also exciting for us as a community college to offer this experience for our students to build their résumés and advance their college careers.”
More than 200 students from community colleges across North Carolina and from UNCW participated in the showcase.
“The ability for Tracy, Miyah, and Katelyn to present their findings on such a high level with university students was a great experience,” Duffy added.
