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Discussing research opportunities and connecting with experts and graduate schools were the highlights for the University of North Georgia (ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½) students who attended the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Conference (SEACSM).

Students Kolbi Tucker, Madalyn Brown, Seth Weedy, Jake Parham, Katelyn Bridges, Adrien Buttram, Ashton Culpepper and several faculty members attended the conference Feb. 14-16 in Greenville, North Carolina.

"This process has instilled within me a deep admiration and desire for research and analysis and has tremendously affirmed that I am pursuing the right degree," said Buttram, a 21-year-old junior from Cornelia, Georgia, pursuing a degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science.

Dr. Supriya Reddy, an assistant/associate professor in kinesiology at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ who worked with Buttram, said her ability to network led to other research opportunities with faculty at Georgia Southern.

"This will be invaluable as she continues to pursue graduate programs in Physical Therapy," Reddy said.

Kolbi Tucker, who graduated in December with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology with a concentration in health and Fitness, expanded her research network, too, thanks to Dr. Jason Casey, assistant professor at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½.

"Getting to know a professor and make a connection with someone who works for a Division 1 school was really cool to me and made me hopeful for a possible future working with him," the Athens, Georgia native said.

The conference is designed to acclimate students to their chosen field while providing opportunities to learn about current research projects in disciplines such as exercise science, kinesiology and sports medicine. Students also learned proper techniques to present findings from their own research endeavors and expanded their networks.