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Meet Morgan Willis

Job Title & Employer
Young Scientist Program student, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
Major/Program
Biological Sciences
Minor
Chemistry with a concentration in Environmental Science
Graduation
April 2020
College Activities
Honors Program and Point Park University Women's Soccer Team
Scholarships
Presidential, Athletics and Simmons Family scholarships
Hometown
Bridgeport, W.Va.
High School
Bridgeport High School
Now Living In
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Hobbies & Interests
Soccer, art, music, botany, microbiology and cooking

"Morgan first applied for and obtained the position of honors assistant and worked with me on providing social media services for several nonprofit initiatives of Blue Marble Space. She was exceptionally independent, mature and diligent, and worked with our Blue Marble colleagues on One Flag In Space and SciWorthy awareness programs. Morgan’s demonstrated drive, commitment and her biology background and interests made her a great fit for the Young Scientist Program with another initiative, the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, where she worked with other scientists on ethical aquaponics."

Brendan Mullan, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and assistant director of the Honors Program

"I find the small class sizes at Point Park University incredibly beneficial to me because I believe it makes learning more personal. Through this, I’ve learned how to communicate well with my professors and peers so that we can all perform our best."

Morgan Willis

How did you become involved with Blue Marble Space Institute of Science's Young Scientist Program?

Through Point Park University’s Honors Program, I acquired an apprenticeship with Dr. Brendan Mullan, who is a part of the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science. I worked with him and several other people from the organization, and they recommended I apply.

What was the most fascinating part of your research studying aquaculture and aquaponics?

Pictured is biological sciences major Morgan Willis presenting her research. Photo by Amanda DabbsThe most interesting thing I found through my research was that environmental pollutants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, were already dangerous to fish and the organisms that ate them, but they are also believed to accelerate the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria, creating more issues than I previously thought.

What factors made you choose Point Park University and our biological sciences major?

I chose Point Park because of its small class and university size and because Pittsburgh was a big change of pace for me. Coming from a small town in West Virginia, I wanted to experience the city life.

How have our faculty and classes impacted you?

I find the small class sizes at Point Park University incredibly beneficial to me because I believe it makes learning more personal. Through this, I’ve learned how to communicate well with my professors and peers so that we can all perform our best.

What are your career goals?

I would like to get my master's degree and a Ph.D. in fields relating to botany, plant biochemistry and/or agriculture, with a focus on using plants in sustainable manners.

Connect with Morgan Willis


More About: Honors Program, student athletes, biology, research, School of Arts and Sciences