KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 4, 2026

Kennesaw State University biology student Pedro Santos’ research project on muscular degeneration in fruit flies won the top prize at the 2026 Birla Carbon Scholars Symposium.

Now in its 13th year, the symposium marks the completion of an intensive summer research program that allows students to apply their studies toward sponsored projects under the guidance of Kennesaw State faculty scholars.

“Providing these types of opportunities is a high priority at Kennesaw State University and in the College of Science and Mathematics,” said Heather Koopman, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM). “Participation in undergraduate research gives our students the valuable experience needed to succeed, and these discovery opportunities help students integrate learning, expand their understanding of the sciences, and develop their professional identity over their time here at KSU.”

Working in the laboratory of Professor of Developmental Biology Anton Bryantsev, Santos sought to understand the mechanisms behind age-related muscle degeneration. He put fruit flies through physical tests to measure the effects of exercise on muscle degeneration and lifespan. The study could have human applications by reinforcing the importance of physical activity through the years.

“We want to understand what mechanisms are behind, how muscles actually deteriorate with aging – that’s called sarcopenia – and some other problems that come with aging,” said Santos, who is also enrolled in the KSU Journey Honors College. “With this project, we hope to link this using different flies to humans in the future, learning these factors there are behind, all this degeneration that happens in the muscles in hopes of preventing this degeneration with exercise.”

This year’s scholars, their majors and faculty mentors included:

• Sienna Bennett, biochemistry; Justin Varholick, assistant professor of biology
• Levi Brigham, biochemistry; Soon Goo Lee, assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology
• Dakota Carey, physics; Kiran Prasai, assistant professor of physics
• Lawrence Harmon, physics; Mahmoud Asmar, associate professor of physics
• Kai Ives, physics; Andreas Papaesthathiou, associate professor of physics
• Aldair Palma, physics; Chetan Dhital, associate professor of physics
• Austin Salehi, biology; Michael Stollenz, professor of inorganic chemistry
• Skylor Seetaram, biochemistry; Carl Saint-Louis, associate professor of organic chemistry
• Eva Simpson, biochemistry; Eric Albrecht, associate professor of biology
• Madeline Smith, biology; Whitney Preisser, assistant professor of ecological and organismal biology
• Pedro Santos; biology, Anton Bryantsev, professor of developmental biology
• Kylie Speer, biology; Dongyu Jia, associate professor of molecular and cellular biology

This summer also featured the inaugural cohort of Birla Carbon International Scholars. Thanks to an additional donation of $184,000 over two years from Birla Carbon in 2025, the College of Science and Mathematics piloted the Birla Carbon International Scholars Program in Spring 2026. Nine students conducted research during the spring semester with a KSU CSM faculty mentor before a six-week summer study abroad experience at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Goa in Goa, India. While in India, students continued their research with a Birla Institute of Technology and Science faculty mentor and learned more about the community’s culture. All the students’ travel expenses were paid for by Birla Carbon.

“The Birla Carbon/Kennesaw State partnership is important on many different fronts,” said Jing Pan of Birla Carbon Americas. “Most importantly, this partnership provides an opportunity to develop tomorrow’s scientific leaders. When talented minds can conduct research and present their work to experienced professionals, they will grow and develop in significant ways. With Kennesaw State University providing the foundation and Birla Carbon’s assistance, the two entities are creating opportunities that have expanded beyond our own expectations.”

The Birla Carbon International Scholars, their majors, and faculty mentors included:

• Raphael Nelson and Lucas Ruth, physics; Chetan Dhital, associate professor of Physics
• Sanaa Harden, David Roque, Emilio Mesa, biology; Nyriah Johnson, biochemistry; Dongyu Jia, associate professor of molecular and cellular biology
• Samya Doggett, biology; Joshua Lee and Bennett Robertson, biochemistry; Bharat Baruah, professor of chemistry and biochemistry

Since 2014, funds provided by Birla Carbon have enabled 129 Birla Carbon Scholars to participate in research. This year marks the 13th cohort of scholars, and Birla Carbon representatives said the company looks forward to the continued partnership as well as the Symposium, a yearly event to showcase young scientists.

Along with the $4,500 stipend each scholar received, Santos received an additional $2,000 in travel funds to present his research at a national or regional conference.

– Story by Dave Shelles

Photo by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.