BotanyMarah Johnston
2026 The Zeller Summer Scholarship in Medicinal Botany
Exploring the Synergy of Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Properties of Appalachian Medicinal Plants
My research investigates Appalachian medicinal plants as potential synergistic treatments for pain and inflammation. Building on my current laboratory experience studying Cannabis sativa, I will prepare and analyze extracts from these botanicals to evaluate their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties using natural product chemistry, metabolomics, and in-vitro assays. This project specifically examines whether combinations of plant compounds work synergistically to enhance pain-relieving effects. Ultimately, this work aims to identify plant-based, non-opioid alternatives to improving pain management while simultaneously addressing substance abuse concerns.
The Zeller Summer Scholarship in Medicinal Botany
To encourage U.S. undergraduate students to expand their knowledge of medicinal botany by pursuing summer study in various projects, courses, and/or internships with supervision and structure.
Learn more See all recipientsDiscover more
Caroline Lavoie
The Garden Club of America Rome Prize Fellowship in Landscape Architecture
Drawing the Invisible Waters: Rome, Memory, and the Embodied City, will trace Rome’s hidden...
Adele Woodmansee
The Loy McCandless Marks Scholarship (an International Scholarship in Tropical Horticulture or Landscape Architecture)
Leveraging barley landrace diversity for adaptation in the High Atlas MountainsI have initiated...
Nicolina Lentine
The Caroline Thorn Kissel Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship
How does artificial salinization impact soil pH?For my experiment, I will examine how adding NaCl...
Chase Wunder
The Caroline Thorn Kissel Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship
Assessing the Movement Ecology of Sheepshead in Response to Their Re-emergence in the Northern...
Sophia Richter
The Garden Club of America Fellowship in Tropical Botany
Effects of large herbivore extinction on Euphorbia in African savannasGlobal declines in large...
Liam Abbey
The Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarships in Horticulture
Drought and its Effects on Oryza sativa 'Kitaake' Expressing CspBDrought experiments are...
Taleigh Adrian
The Garden Club of America Board of Associates Centennial Pollinator Fellowship
Influence of Woody Encroachment on Grassland Butterfly Populations, Including Threatened Dakota...
Daniel Agis
The Joan K. Hunt and Rachel M. Hunt Summer Scholarship in Field Botany
Florida Plant Rescue: Conservation of Matelea floridana, Sideroxylon alachuense, and Verbesina...
Sam Ahler
The Garden Club of America Fellowship in Ecological Restoration
It’s a grass’s world, but does it have to be? Testing contingencies in the heterogeneity...
Mary Badger
The Frances M. Peacock Scholarship for Native Bird Habitat
American Kestrels in Agroecosystems: Effects of Extreme Heat and Land Use on Movement and...
Kelly Baggatts
The Garden Club of America Zone VI Fellowship in Urban Forestry
“Evaluating Urban Food Forestry as a Strategy to Mitigate Food Insecurity and Enhance...
Andrew Balder
The Garden Club of America Award in Coastal Wetlands Studies
Profiling Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamps Along the Northern Gulf CoastThis project will...
Jacob Baldner
The Zeller Summer Scholarship in Medicinal Botany
Conservation Research of Species of Concern in the Darhad Valley of MongoliaThis summer, I will...
Annabelle Ball
The Keller Scholarship in Conservation Horticulture
St. Mary’s University Pocket Prairie ProjectThe Pocket Prairie Project is an 100% volunteer-run...
Tabitha Bartrum
The Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarships in Horticulture
Tuition for Undergraduate Degree at Michigan State UniversityTabitha Bartrum is a first year...
Samuel Bosio
The Garden Club of America Fellowship in Tropical Botany
Local Impacts of Rats on Native Plant Regeneration in HawaiʻiHawaiʻi has disproportionately more...