George Armah '08

The evolution of vertebrae and fish locomotion are perfect for introducing students to research, according to Rob Root, associate professor of mathematics, because they address interesting biological questions and require a breadth of mathematics. “I really enjoy the opportunity to include students in my research,” says Root. The results from the project were presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.

“The EXCEL program gives students a glimpse of what learning and research is about,” adds George Armah ’08, who is pursuing a B.S. in mathematics and an A.B. with a major in computer science. “After learning enough about a specific subject, you get to a point where you are in a position to contribute to [that] body of knowledge. EXCEL is the catalyst that makes this possible.”

Armah is treasurer of ACACIA (Africans Creating African Consciousness and Interest Abroad), past president of Lafayette African and Caribbean Students Association, and a McKelvy Scholar.