Greybull research students successful at Regional Fair

While retirement shifted Joel Kuper out of the classroom, he maintained his involvement with the GHS research science program and the students in the class found success once again at the Northern Wyoming Regional Science Fair on Thursday, Jan. 23.

“Science research is something that I have been involved with for nearly 40 years, and I wanted to still have some involvement in the amazing work these students do each year,” said Kuper.

Greybull had a small showing at the fair, with only four students fielding completed research. But their small numbers did not indicate that they would fail to find success. 

Senior Grainger Russell was one of the big winners from the night. Grainger’s research on investigating the impact of kratom usage on the development of mouse brain cells was the 2025 Grand Champion project and will advance to the Regeneron ISEF in Columbus, Ohio, in May. Grainger also received the Society for In-vitro Biology certificate. And he received the Regeneron biomedical sciences award, which included a $350 cash award, as well as placing first in biomedical sciences. 

Senior Gabriel VanderPloeg was also the recipient of multiple awards, one of which was the Runner-Up Grand Champion and status as the ISEF alternate. Additionally, Gabriel was the Ricoh Sustainable Development award winner and received first place in the area of energy and technology. Gabe’s research focused on the application of waste polymers as an alternative to more expensive commercial insulation.

Not to be outdone by the seniors, juniors Caden Thacker and Vanessa Vicencio also were recognized by the judges. Caden received awards from the Association of Women Geoscientists, the NASA earth sciences award and the award from the Water Environment Federation. The water award qualifies Caden to submit her project for possible selection as the Wyoming representative at the US National Junior Water prize competition this coming summer. Caden also placed first in the category of Earth & Environmental Sciences with her research on the impact of coal fly ash leachates on the freshwater food chain and the potential for bioaccumulation in Daphnia. 

Vanessa also received a first place award, this time in Microbiology, for her work on reducing the presence of common soil and lawn fungi through the application of extracts from common regional plants.

All four projects will now advance to the Wyoming State Science & Engineering Fair in early March at the University of Wyoming.