DSU’s TriBeta Biological Honor Society chapter receives national recognition

MADISON, S.D. - For the first time in university history, Dakota State University's Pi Chi Alpha chapter has been named an Outstanding Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) Biological Honor Society Chapter and awarded the Lloyd M. Bertholf Award for Chapter Excellence for the 2024-2025 academic year by the TriBeta National Executive Committee.

The student members have made their mark on campus, as the national award celebrates their involvement in scientific research, campus and community engagement, and conventions at the district, regional, and national levels.

"This is the first time we ever applied for this award, and we are honored to be recognized," said Dr. Andrew Sathoff, Math and Science professor and TriBeta faculty advisor. "And this is the first time we've ever been recognized by the national TriBeta Society in any form, too. So, we know our efforts are pretty good here and that we're one of the top chapters across the country."'

Some research projects that led to the award recognition were co-vice president Kierra Miller's dinosaur research titled "Investigating the Energetics and Feeding Ecology of a Range of Azhdarchid Pterosaurs" and Emelye (Emme) Josko's research titled "Natural Bone Human Educational Skeletons: Investigating Restoration and Ancestry." Josko presented her human skeletal reconstruction project and DNA analysis at the National Conference on Science Education in Philadelphia as an undergraduate student amongst graduate students and professors.

Campus and community outreach is another major pillar of the award. The chapter was recognized for its events, including blood drives, tree planting, research seminars, and events for young learners. The chapter led a Women in Science Event for 8th-grade girls and had Chemistry professor Dr. Jeffrey Elbert assist in a couple of "Lab Learning" events for local 5th graders where they had the opportunity to make slime, observe live animals, and watch chemical reactions.

"The people who are actually planning these things are about four or five of us in total," Chapter president Derek Moreno said. "We're doing all the work to plan everything and get things organized. Our goal is large outreach, not just on campus, but off campus too."

The Bertholf Award, established in 1961, honors chapters with the Outstanding Chapter distinction and is awarded to 10% of all 650+ chapters each year. DSU's chapter accomplishment will be further celebrated through a feature in TriBeta's "BIOS" publication, as well as posted on their national website.

"This prestigious recognition is a testament to the exceptional dedication and hard work of you, your chapter officers, and your student members," said Iris Daly, executive director of the TriBeta Biological Honor Society. "Earning this honor requires a remarkable commitment to excellence in scholarship, scientific engagement, and chapter leadership."

While the TriBeta Biological Honor Society has been around since 1922, DSU's chapter is one of the younger chapters in the nation, being officially recognized in 2021.

"I think it's nice to be recognized for the hard work we do. Not only on campus, but it also lets us get our foot in the door. Maybe we can hold some type of event (on campus) for TriBeta in the future," Moreno said.

The chapter is currently wrapping up research on microplastics and shifting its focus to research on saving alfalfa crops in South Dakota. Bacteria are infecting alfalfa in the area, and the chapter is working to combat them. The students are testing to find phages, or viruses, that kill the bacteria and could serve as potential treatments. The treatment options they are working on will be a biocontrol, a natural enemy, meaning no herbicides, pesticides, or anything chemical.

"We push each other to be productive. So, it's work, but it doesn't feel like it's work, and we're doing something good," chapter co-vice president Amelie Steins said.

Congratulations to the student leaders and members raising the bar with their dedication and commitment to the chapter, supported by professor and faculty advisor Dr. Andrew Sathoff.

Support DSU's TriBeta chapter by donating blood this Thursday, Aug. 27, from noon to 6 p.m. at Living Hope Wesleyan Church, located at 520 3rd St NW, Madison, SD 57042.

Chapter Members (from left to right):

Dr. Andrew Sathoff - Faculty Advisor, Associate Professor/Director of Undergrad Research/Dept. Chair - Math & Science

Amelie Steins - Senior, biology, minors in bioinformatics and chemistry

Derek Moreno - Chapter President, 5th year senior, biology major, chemistry minor

Caleb Shaw - Senior, biology major, chemistry minor

Hamzah Elsayed- First year, biology major, minors in bioinformatics and chemistry