Southern Miss Beckman Scholars Earn National Recognition for Research
Tue, 01/20/2026 - 10:32am | By: Gabriela Shinskie
Sophomore Ashe Davis and junior Noah Williamson, students in the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi, continue to earn national recognition for their research after being named the institution’s and Mississippi’s first Beckman Scholars, one of the nation’s premier undergraduate research honors in STEM fields.
As part of the 15-month Beckman Scholars Program, Davis and Williamson have advanced high-impact research projects, securing awards, publications and conference distinctions.
Noah Williamson
Williamson Advances Research on Imperiled Ant Species
Williamson’s research centers on the Florida harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex badius), an imperiled species vital to seed dispersal and soil aeration in hot, sandy environments across the southeastern United States. Limited existing data allowed Williamson to establish preliminary models of the species’ distribution, enabling an understanding of the environmental factors that influence its presence.
Over the summer, Williamson produced two pilot models, surveyed 40 field locations and refined a distribution model that identifies key environmental predictors of species likelihood.
“This research experience will inform my future endeavors in academia, while leaving me with tangible field, lab and academic writing skills. The field work, going out to survey for active mounds, further inspired me to pursue a career in the field of conservation biology, as it reinforced my love for the natural world and all of its wonders,” said Williamson.
Williamson presented these findings at Entomology 2025 in Portland, Ore, a national conference hosted by the Entomological Society of America, earning first place in the poster competition. Williamson also presented a 3,000-word paper at the meeting of the Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers, winning the Undergraduate Student Honors Paper Competition.
Ashe Davis
Davis Contributes to Peptide-Based Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease
Davis’ research examines the use of a phase-separating peptide delivery system for treating Parkinson’s disease. As a Beckman Scholar, she evaluated the cytotoxicity of these treatments and found no adverse effects on cell viability in vitro. She is now assessing the system’s targeted protein degradation capabilities, with continued experimentation planned for this semester.
“Being a Beckman Scholar has been the most rewarding experience of my undergraduate career, and I am excited to continue my research in the coming months,” said Davis.
Davis is the co-author of a recently published paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the world’s most cited and comprehensive scientific journals. Her work, in collaboration with Southern Miss biochemistry professor Dr. Vijay Rangachari, highlights her growing contributions to scientific research.
University Leaders Praise Scholars’ Achievements
Dr. Joyce Inman, dean of the Honors College, said the university is proud of both students’ achievements.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to watch Ashe and Noah thrive in their roles as Beckman Scholars,” Inman said. “They have both illustrated commitment to their research and scholarship, and they have already represented The University of Southern Mississippi on the national stage. We could not have chosen two better candidates to serve as our first Beckman Scholars, and it will be exciting to see them welcome and mentor the two new Beckman Scholars selected this academic year.”
Dr. Sabine Heinhorst, T.W. Bennett professor emerita, who directs the Southern Miss Beckman Scholars Program, echoed the praise.
“We could not have chosen more impressive students to represent Southern Miss than Ashe and Noah,” Heinhorst said. “These two Beckman Scholars are pursuing state-of-the-art research in their respective fields that has been recognized by their mentors and the greater scientific community. My colleagues and I could not be prouder of their accomplishments and look forward to learning of their next achievements.”
The Beckman Scholars Program is a 15-month, mentored research experience supported by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. The program prepares exceptional undergraduate students in chemistry, biochemistry, biological sciences, polymer sciences or related interdisciplinary fields for graduate study and careers in research. At Southern Miss, the program is administered through the Honors College.