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ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø freshman biology major Nicholas Leonard of Kilgore, Texas, was awarded the 2nd place Orville Wyse Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement for his research and presentation recently at the American Society for Microbiology Texas Branch Conference in New Braunfels, Texas.

Leonard is the first LETU student to receive an award at this highly competitive conference.

"This recognition is a remarkable accomplishment, especially considering Leonard was competing against a considerable number of upperclassmen students in his division," said Greg Frederick, professor and chair of LETU's Department of Biology and Kinesiology.

Leonard's research investigated the synteny, or sequence and arrangement, of the genomes of viruses that infect and kill bacteria. He focused in closely on the variability within genes which are involved in the viruses' abilities to infect various host bacteria.

Other LETU students who attended and presented their research included freshman science education majors Annabelle Malinowski of Mansfield, Texas, and Junia French of Longview, Texas. All three freshmen students presented their research in the most competitive division of the undergraduate research presentations.

ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø is the premier Christian polytechnic university in the nation where educators engage students to nurture Christian virtue, develop competency and ingenuity in their professional fields, integrate faith and work, and serve the local and global community. LETU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a range of disciplines and delivery models at LETU's residential campus in Longview, Texas, and in hybrid and fully online options at centers in Dallas and Houston.