Southern Miss Set to Host Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting

For the first time in school history, The University of Southern Mississippi will serve as the host site for the 75^th Annual Mississippi Academy of Sciences (MAS) Meeting set for Feb. 17-18 at the Thad Cochran Center.

More than 400 research projects will be presented by a wide range of scientific educators, researchers and industry experts. The annual MAS conference represents the largest gathering of active scientific investigators in Mississippi.

“Hosting a prestigious meeting of this type is very important for recruitment of students and raising the profile of Southern Miss as a major research institution in Mississippi,” said Dr. Mohamed O. Elasri, associate professor of Biological Sciences at Southern Miss and current MAS president. “This allows other top researchers in the state to see the Southern Miss campus and the state-of-the-art research conducted here.”

A multitude of exhibits will be on display in conjunction with research updates from faculty and students throughout the Mississippi scientific community. Elasri points out that the meeting will also feature cutting-edge symposia on topics such as infectious diseases and genomics.

The annual Dodgen Lecture, which serves as the keynote address, will be presented by Laura Folse, director of science and technology for British Petroleum's Gulf Coast restoration effort. Folse will offer reflections on the role of science and scientists in the energy industry and discuss the repercussions from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill last April.

“Her lecture is both timely and relevant for scientists and the general public in our region and the rest of the nation,” said Elasri.

For more information about the annual MAS meeting contact Elasri at 601.266.6916 or visit www.msacad.org/