VWHS alum Pratt wins national award

VW independent staff/submitted information

HILLSDALE (MI) — 2026 Hillsdale College graduate Connor Pratt won a national award for his biology research from the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society at its biennial national convention in May. Five Hillsdale students also took home prizes at the district convention in April.

“Hillsdale College trains students to think clearly, research carefully, and communicate well, which are essential skills in any scientific endeavor,” said Andrew Russell, associate professor of biology and faculty adviser to Hillsdale’s TriBeta chapter. “Hillsdale students do high-level original research even as undergraduates, and it is exciting to see their work recognized.”

Hillsdale sent 11 students to the district convention at Wittenburg University on April 18, where they presented their research from the past year. Of the 12 prizes awarded, Hillsdale students took home five.

In the organismal, ecology, and environmental biology category, Ellie Payne won first place for her oral presentation, and Emory Braswell won second.

In the molecular, cellular, microbiology category, Connor Pratt and Lydia Colby won first and second place respectively for their oral presentations, and Erika Mogelvang won third place for her poster presentation.

Hillsdale’s chapter, Iota Psi, also took home awards for most participants from a member school and farthest distance traveled to attend.

Pratt and Payne took their first-place presentations to the national convention at Florida State University May 27-31, where Pratt won the Frank G. Brooks Award for Excellence in Student Research, which is given for the best oral presentations at the convention.

“My research examined how surface roughness influences bacterial biofilm formation on different implant materials, with potential implications for improving long-term patient outcomes,” Pratt explained. “Being awarded first place at both the district and national levels was a humbling experience and a rewarding recognition of the effort behind this project.”

Pratt also wrote a thesis on his research, which fulfilled the requirement for a biology major at Hillsdale.

“I have an increased appreciation for the process of scientific discovery, and I am grateful for the mentorship and support I received at Hillsdale College, especially from my research advisor, Dr. Andrew Russell,” Pratt said. “Hillsdale has provided me with the foundation to continue growing as a scientist and future physician.”

In addition to his studies, Pratt, a 2023 Van Wert High School graduate and football standout, was a member of the Hillsdale football team and played in 41 games over four years.

Hillsdale College offers biology as both a major and a minor. All students majoring in biology conduct independent research projects, with access to equipment often only available in graduate programs. Biology labs are taught by professors, not teaching assistants, and many students have the opportunity to work with faculty members on research. The College’s biology facilities include an arboretum, a greenhouse, a natural history museum, multiple on-campus laboratories, and a field research laboratory in northern Michigan.