Published January 4, 2023
MONROE, LA – ULM Biology undergraduate Subash Sapkota was awarded a research grant from the Beta
Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) National Biological Honor Society. Sapkota, a native of Nepal,
is a double major in Biology and Mathematics at ULM and is a member of the ULM Honors
Program.
The title of the proposal funded is – “Use of Machine Learning in the Identification
of Invasive Aquatic Species and Harmful Algae in the Water Bodies of Northeast Louisiana.”
Sapkota will be conducting this research working in the Plant Ecology Laboratory under
the guidance of Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee, who serves both as the Faculty Advisor
for the Nu-Gamma Chapter at ULM and Sapkota’s research mentor. Sapkota will receive
over $1,100 to help complete this project.
“Through this research, I hope to gain knowledge and skills to continue higher education
upon graduating from ULM. The funds provided will help me conduct my research and
help solidify my base for higher education. I hope to inspire other undergraduate
students to reach out for assistance to conduct their own research”, said Sapkota.
“This is a great source of encouragement for all undergraduates and an example of
the various opportunities that are available as they pursue their academic goals.
As the advisor for the honor society, I feel humbled and rewarded to be leading a
group of excellent students who call ULM their home”, said Bhattacharjee.
"The members of the Nu-Gamma chapter of Tri-Beta wish to congratulate Subash on his
grant award. This award exemplifies the merit and intellectual capabilities of the
members of Tri-Beta here at ULM", said Niles Majeste, the President of the Nu-Gamma
Chapter of Tri-beta.
“This award is characteristic of Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee’s support and mentoring
of undergraduate students and their research,” says Dr. Anne Case-Hanks, the Director
of the School of Sciences.
Each year, the national office of the Beta Beta Beta awards research grants for meritorious
undergraduate research proposals. These grants support undergraduate research and
are designed to introduce undergraduate students to the basic process of research
and research funding.
