2020 Pittsburgh BioBlitz - Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens 
  • This year the event had to be held online, but still had the same goal: getting the community out and exploring the great outdoors! I gave a presentation on water pollution in Pennsylvania and briefly discussed my research in bioremediation. 
The PowerPoint Slides from my presentation on water pollution in Pennsylvania, my research in bioremediation, and a DIY Winogradsky Column Activity! 
valkanas_phipps_bioblitz2020.pdf
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Science in my Backyard Column in the D.U. Quark @ Duquesne University 
  • Creator and author of the column Science in my Backyard which discusses the scientific research occurring at Duquesne. The monthly column features a different graduate student and the research that they are working on. 
"Conservation geneticist uses scat to gain insight on the elusive snow leopard" January 9, 2020
"Message Received: Looking for the cells in the brain that receive pain signals from the bladder" October 25, 2019
Spectrum Newsletter @ Duquesne University
  • As a staff writer for the D.U. Quark, I have the opportunity to write for The Spectrum. The Spectrum is a Duquesne University Bayer School Newsletter that provides update on what is happening in the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. 
 
"New Biology Faculty Member Provides Insights on Viral Infections" Issue #1, Spring 2020
National Center for Science Education "Day in the Life" Video Blog
  • As part of my fellowship with the National Center for Science Education, I participated in a video blog where I recorded entries involving different aspects of my fellowship. I had such a fun time filming this! My favorite part was interviewing other scientist to see why they went into science and what they like to do outside of science.
Infographics 
  • Infographics I have created for my own science outreach events or for the D.U. Quark column, "Science in My Backyard". 
Graphical Abstracts  ​
  • This figure depicts abiotic and biotic geochemical cycling that occurs in abandoned mine drainage, focusing specifically on iron, sulfur, and nitrogen cycling. Solid lines represent abiotic reactions and dotted lines represent reactions driven by bacteria. Graphical abstracts created using biorender.com.  
 
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  • The figure demonstrates the 5 steps in colonization of the epithelial layer by Helicobacter pylori. The steps include 1. neutralizing stomach acid by releasing urease, 2. the release of mucinosa and collagenase to soften the mucosa layer, 3. moving to the epithelial layer, 4. attachment to the epithelial layer through the release of adhesins and subsequent attachment, and 5. the release of toxins that result in tissue damage. Graphical abstracts created using biorender.com.