Five students from the Seneca Valley Center for Biotechnology recently presented their conservation genetics research at the Global Impact Forum, hosted by Penn State University at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh on November 4. The event’s theme, “Workforce Readiness in the Age of AI and Automation,” highlighted the role of innovation and technology in preparing the next generation of scientific leaders.

Seniors Teagan Hmel, Roshini Umesh, Addie Baker, Autumn Zacherl, and junior Chase Lapaglia, along with their advisor and SV Intermediate High School Biology teacher Mr. Thomas Lavelle, are conducting a series of advanced, conservation genetics-themed projects through the Seneca Valley Center for Biotechnology. Their work includes:

• Using environmental DNA to locate invasive carp species and hard-to-find hellbender salamanders
• Genetically identifying all marine fish species along a North Carolina shoreline using DNA
• Discovering local salamander diversity from small volumes of stream water
• Measuring the effectiveness of DNA purity and quantification through alternative biotechnology methods

“It was a pleasure to have witnessed how our students were able to professionally communicate and explain their projects to regional leaders in technology and education,” said Mr. Lavelle. “The feedback from those who conversed with our student technicians was outstanding. People were especially impressed by the degree of the projects’ complexity as well as the students’ adeptness and eagerness to describe them.”

Many of the projects utilize Geneious bioinformatics software to design protocols and analyze genetic data. The results will be shared with local universities and watershed organizations to support ongoing conservation and environmental monitoring efforts.

“It was inspiring to watch our students present at such a high level and hold their own among university researchers and professionals,” said Seneca Valley Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tracy Vitale. “Their work in conservation genetics demonstrates not only scientific skill but also the curiosity, collaboration and communication that define true workforce readiness.”

These authentic research experiences are made possible through the collaboration of university and government scientists, local zoos and funding from the Seneca Valley Foundation (SVF).