The University of the Virgin Islands Emerging Caribbean Scientists Programs announce the winners of the Fall Research Symposium held Sept. 23, on the St. Thomas campus.

Eddie Parish and Afiya Fredericks received the Senior Research Awards for their outstanding work. Parrish presented "Macroalgal Substrate Affects Movement of the Long Spined Sea Urchin Diadema antillarum." Fredericks presented "The Effect of Monetary Rewards and Punishments on Stimulus-Response Learning."

The ECS Committee acknowledges the excellent work of two first-time presenters, Cherissre Boateng and Maisha Frederick. Boateng presented "Identifying Relationships between Scleractinian Coral Families Using the Nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA gene." Frederick presented "Effects of muscarinic agonists on central control of rhythmic bursting of a small, peripheral motor circuit in the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus."

Entries were evaluated based on visual material, scientific content, oral presentation, and ability to answer questions about the science. There were a total of 35 entries.

Winners will receive special awards and honors at UVI's Spring Academic Awards Ceremony. To learn more about the students' research, visit http://ecs.uvi.edu/ and click on Research Symposium.