April 16, 2026
A Virtual Conference
Organized by
Tennessee Association of Science Department Chairs
Walters State Community College, TN
Sponsored by
Virginia Research Institute, USA
Conference Proceedings Link
Zoom Link:
Conference Proceedings
Program
8:00 am – 8:05 am: “Introduction” - Dr. Mary Griffin Ph.D. – Chair of the Conference, Tennessee Association of Science Department Chairs, TN
8:05 am – 8:20 am: “Welcome” - Dr. Brock L. Fisher Ph.D. - Vice President for Academic Affairs, Walters State Community College
8:20 am – 8:40 am: “TASDC Vision” - Dr. Eugene de Silva, Ph.D. FRSA - President Tennessee Association of Science Department Chairs, TN
8:40 am – 9:00 am: “Our Commitment to Research” - Dr. Matthew Smith Ph.D. – Dean of Natural Sciences, Walters State Community College, TN
9:00 am – 9:30 am: “ Mindfulness and Mental Resilience: Eastern Practice and Western Science" - *Guest of Honor* - Dr. N. S. Cooray Ph.D. - Professor - Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR), International University of Japan
Undergraduate Student Speakers
9:30 am – 9:50 am: “The Role of Physics in Medicine" - Lilly Linam, TN eCampus, TN
9:50 am – 10:10 am: “Physics in Human Movement: Applications in Physical Therapy, Healthcare, and Sports" - Sydnie Quarles - TN eCampus, TN
10:10 am – 10:30 am: "Impact of seed-borne endophytes on germination rates in Mungbean (Vigna radiata)" - Noah Welch and Matthew Drisko - Walters State Community College, Niswonger, Greeneville, TN
10:30 am – 10:50 am: “The Physics of Medical Imaging Science" - Leah Kelley - TN eCampus, TN
10:50 pm – 11:10 am: “The Physics of Motors" - Alexander Palmer - TN eCampus, TN
11:10 am – 11:30 am: " The Physics of Roller Coasters " - Jesse Johnson - TN eCampus, TN
11:30 am – 11:50 am: “The Physics of Knee Injuries" - Bailey Smith , TN eCampus, TN
11:50 am – 12:10 pm: “The Physics of Survival: High-Velocity Impact Mitigation in Professional Motorsports" - Kathryn Grace Boggs , TN eCampus, TN
12:10 pm – 12:30 pm: “The Physics of Dental X rays and Diagnostic Imaging" - Alexandria Ogle, TN eCampus, TN
12:30 pm – 12:50 pm: "Fueling the Future: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Uranium-235 in Civilian Nuclear Reactor Plants" - Taylor Ray Talley, TN eCampus, TN
12:50 pm – 1:10 pm: "The Application of Physics in Lasik Treatment" - Anthony Laboy, TN eCampus, TN
1:10 pm – 1:20 pm: “Vote of Thanks” – Dr. Lisa Eccles, Ph.D., M.S., DLM(ASCP), C(ASCP), TN e-Campus Developer and Mentor, Phi Theta Kappa Advisor.
Judge: Prof. Elena Owen MS.