ERIE, Pa. — Students and faculty from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford attended and presented their research this week at the Regional Science Consortium at Presque Isle held at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.

                Students presenting were Kenneth Alford, a mechanical engineering major from Braddock; Thomas Burk, a physical sciences major from Greencastle; Dylan Crawford, a pre-dental student from Olean, N.Y.; Kaua Dos Santos Da Silva, a biology major from Williamsville, N.Y.; Madhav Ellini, a pre-medicine student from Bradford; Cassidy Elton, a chemistry major from Landenberg; Madison Foote, a biology major from Titusville; Ridge Gray, a biology major from Phoenixville; Peyton Haight, a pre-pharmacy student from Bradford; and Isaias Sanchez, a biology major from Brodheadsville.

                Faculty presenters were Dr. Oluwabunmi P. Femi-Oloye, assistant professor of biology; Melissa Odorisio, laboratory administrator, and Dr. Femi Oloye, assistant professor of chemistry. Oloye also served as a session chair.

                Ellini, Crawford, Haight, Dos Santos Da Silva and Oloye presented “From Reaction to Mechanism: Student Investigation of Isoamyl Acetate Formation and Characterization.” The students, who are in Oloye’s Organic Chemistry II class, created and tested isoamyl acetate, the chemical that gives bananas their smell. Through this hands-on project, they learned how chemists make new compounds and use modern instruments to identify and study them.

                Elton, Burk and Oloye presented “Investigation of Mixed Pollutant Degradation: A Study on Dye and Amoxicillin under UV and Dark Conditions.” These students studied how light and natural materials can help break down pollutants like dyes and antibiotics in water. Their research explores using sunlight and plant-based catalysts to clean up mixtures of contaminants more efficiently and in environmentally friendly ways.

                Ellini, Alford, Gray, Odorisio, Femi-Oloye and Oloye presented “Assessment of Physiochemical and Microbial Quality of Natural Spring Water in McKean County, Pa.” Students evaluated water from natural springs in McKean County to see how safe it is to drink. They found differences in water quality from place to place and signs of microbial growth within delivery pipes, showing why it’s important to regularly check and protect rural water sources.

                Foote, who swims on Pitt-Bradford’s team, and Femi-Oloye presented “Assessing Bacterial Proliferation in Swim Bags over Time.” She studied how bacteria grew in damp swim bags over the course of a swim season. By tracking bacterial growth at various times, she hopes to learn whether swim bags can become reservoirs for germs and how regular cleaning can help keep athletes healthy.

                Finally, Sanchez and Femi-Oloye presented “Mold in Campus Buildings: Environmental Drives and Mitigation Approaches.” Sanchez investigated mold levels in several campus buildings to better understand how moisture and air quality affect its growth. His research also tests ways to reduce mold and improve indoor air, helping make campus spaces healthier and safer.