Columbia State Students Publish Research in National Science Journal

Issue #352

13 Feb

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌤️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Mostly cloudy w/ high of 51 & low of 46

📰 Columbia State Students Publish Research in National Science Journal

🚨 MCFD Rescues Occupant of Flipped Car on Culleoka Highway

📌 2/21: State Eggs and Issues, Hosted by Maury Alliance and Breakfast Rotary

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

❤️ Looking For Things To Do in Columbia on Valentine’s Day? Click Here

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

❤️ Friday, February 14th ❤️

Saturday, February 15th

Columbia State Students Publish Research in National Science Journal

Columbia State Community College students recently showed outstanding academic achievement after having their research published in a nationally-recognized scientific journal.

Seven students in Associate Professor Dr. Elvira Eivazova’s Honors General Biology research courses used samples to discover and characterize bacteriophages (viruses that only infect bacteria that live on grass). The discovery was made on the Columbia State campus and then imaged at the Middle Tennessee State University electron microscopy facility (MIMIC). These bacteriophages are entirely unique and had not yet been seen, categorized or researched by any laboratory or research institution in the United States.

The full-length research article was published online in the peer-reviewed scientific journal PubMed in December 2024.

The article, “Complete genome sequence of Microbacterium foliorum singleton phage Magritte,” was written and researched by Eivazova, along with Columbia State students Jenna St. Pierre from Maury County, Miriam Galindo from Williamson County, James Bautista from Marshall County, Annaleisa Matzirakis from Williamson County, Madalyn Falletti from Lincoln County, Elynor Fix from Williamson County and Levi Fritsch from Maury County.

“Columbia State students are making important contributions to science by discovering, analyzing and annotating new bacteriophages,” said Eivazova, Columbia State associate professor of biology and Tennessee Board of Regents High Impact Practices ambassador. “Our students are the best!”

This achievement marks the first time the Columbia State Biology Department has published a full-length research article in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Several of the student co-authors have since graduated and are continuing their education at four-year institutions.

James Bautista is studying aerospace engineering and Madalyn Faletti is studying biology at the University of Alabama, Huntsville. Elynor Fix is a pre-health professions major at Vanderbilt University. Miriam Galindo is studying business at the Middle Tennessee State University Honors College. Annaleisa Matzirakis is studying biotechnology at Auburn University. Jenna St. Pierre completed a bachelor's degree in anthropology at Middle Tennessee State University

Levi Fritsch is currently enrolled at Columbia State pursuing an Associate of Science degree in computer science.

Columbia State offers two research classes taught by Eivazova. They include Honors and Introduction to Biology Research.

Undergraduate research is one of the High Impact Practices (HIPs) of teaching and learning that shows significant educational benefits for students who participate. The Tennessee Board of Regents’ current goal is to embed HIPs into all academic pathways to allow students to experience at least two HIPs before they complete an associate degree.

The article is also listed online in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

MCFD Rescues Occupant of Flipped Car on Culleoka Highway

From Maury County Fire Department’s post…

Monday morning at 01:33am units were alerted for an MVA involving a vehicle into a creek on Culleoka Highway. Responding units: Rescue 21, Deputy 20, Chief 20. 

Units arrived to find a vehicle had struck a bridge and flipped into a small creek with one occupant trapped. Rescue 21 put their hydraulic tools to work, quickly removing a door. A stokes basket was used to remove the occupant from the creek. 

Chief 20 established an LZ at Station 23 (Culleoka) for Vanderbilt LifeFlight.

2/21: State Eggs and Issues, Hosted by Maury Alliance and Breakfast Rotary

Please join us at the Maury County Memorial Building, located at 308 W. 7th Street in Columbia on February 21st for the Annual State Eggs & Issues event, hosted by Maury Alliance and Breakfast Rotary, where you'll have the unique opportunity to hear our state legislators share their legislative priorities for 2025.

This year's event includes an engaging panel discussion with Senator Dr. Joey Hensley, Representative Scott Cepicky, and Representative Kip Capley. Followed by a Q&A. To submit a question or topic in advance for consideration, please email [email protected] by February 14th.

Register Here. Deadline is February 14th.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, February 13th

Oliver Pigott, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Mexican Grill, 6-9 PM
Admiral Radio, Cherry Theater, 7 PM
Murphy Ridge, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, February 14th

Annie Moses Band, Packard Playhouse, 6-7 PM
Open Mic, Grinder's Switch, 6-8 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary's Irish Pub,7-9 PM
Lynn Marie & E3, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Grace West Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, February 15th

Tarryn Aimee, Puckett’s, 10 AM-2 PM
Annie Moses Band, Packard Playhouse, 6-7 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band, McCreary's Irish  Pub, 7-9 PM
Kristy Cox, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Box of Rox, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, February 16th

Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM

(Sponsor)

Two Months of VidAngel Filtering?
Practically Free.

Some things are just better in pairs—peanut butter & jelly, Jim & Pam, and, best of all, you & filtering. For 2 days only, you can get two months of filtering for just $2 per month. Now you can enjoy your favorite shows without any of those… unwanted surprises.

So go ahead, pop the popcorn, grab a seat on the couch, and enjoy filtering your way. Why? Because you're worth it. And also, we like you (but not in a weird way).

Use Code: Deeper

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk