Published May 26, 2022
A University of Louisiana Monroe biology graduate student received the prestigious
E.P. Odum Award at the 83rd annual meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists
in Little Rock, Ark.
Given annually for the best student oral presentation on ecological research, the
award was given to Paurava Thakore, a native of Dayton, Ohio, for his presentation
titled, “Loss of relict oak forests along coastal Louisiana: A multiyear analyses
using Google Earth Engine.” The research highlights the impact of changing climate
and major hurricanes on the Chenier forests along coastal Louisiana.
“We have collected data on the cheniers for close to a decade and the changes we notice
are disturbing to say the least,” said Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee, who serves as faculty
advisor for Thakore. “Paurava has also won other awards and I am honored to have him
as a graduate student in my lab. His achievements have made all of us extremely proud.”
More than 568 participants joined Thakore at the conference. The award was conferred
by the Southeast Chapter of the Ecological Society of America. It is the highest award
conferred to a student presentation by the chapter.
“I’m honored to receive this award, and I hope these findings are used to practice
the preservation of this unique ecosystem,” Thakore said.
Another ULM biology graduate student, Nelle Jenkins from Tolar, Texas, was awarded
the Dr. A. Floyd Scott Student Oral Presentation Award. This cash award is given to
the best student oral presentation in herpetology at the ASB annual meeting.
“I am honored to be the chosen recipient of this award; the caliber of research at
this conference was phenomenal. I was so thankful to be a part of this group,” Jenkins
said.
Jenkins studies wildlife disease ecology in ULM Biology Professor Dr. Kim Marie Tolson’s
research laboratory. Her presentation was titled “Investigation of a shell-rot disease
affecting freshwater turtles in a northeast Louisiana bayou,” which characterizes
an, as yet, undiagnosed disease in turtles of Bayou DeSiard.
“This recognition exemplifies the dedication of the biology faculty and the amazing
work our graduate students are pursuing,” said Dr. Anne Case Hanks, director of the
ULM School of Sciences.
