The Northeast Texas Community College Biology Department is pleased to announce that it was recently represented at the Southwestern Association of Parasitologists (SWAP) conference.
Dr. Chris McAllister (NTCC Biology) and two NTCC biology independent study students, George Burrows and Michael Rodriguez, attended the 57th annual meeting of the SWAP at the West Bay Resort, Kingston, Oklahoma, April 11-13, 2024. The students each gave a presentation and Dr. McAllister gave two presentations.
Most importantly, Michael Rodriguez (pictured) received a research grant from SWAP for his proposed study entitled, “Myxozoan Parasites (Cnidaria: Myxobolidae) from Select Fishes of Northeast Texas.” Little is known on the subject and the goal is to publish the results in refereed scientific journals which could include the description of new species.
Attendance at a scientific meeting was a first for the students while Dr. McAllister has been attending SWAP since 1986. Burrows is planning to attend Texas A&M University in the Fall and complete his undergraduate studies with a goal of going to medical school. Rodriguez plans to attend Texas A&M-Commerce in the Fall and pursue a master’s degree in wildlife conservation.
To learn more about biology classes at NTCC, visit www.ntcc.edu/biology.
