(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Nov. 19, 2012) - - - Columbia State Community College associate professor of biology, Mandy Carter-Lowe, was inducted into the Tennessee Academy of Science's presidency at the annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 16. The meeting, held at Vanderbilt's Student Life Center, marks the organizations Centennial Celebration.

Carter-Lowe assumes her new role as president of the academy while also serving as the group's chair of publicity and research committee, having previously chaired its math and science teaching section. A native of Mayfield, Ky., she earned her Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry from Murray State University and her Master of Science in biology from Middle Tennessee State University.

The Tennessee Academy of Science was founded in 1912 to provide direction for Tennesseans on a number of scientific issues. Through its symposia, ongoing programming and affiliations with two national societies and seven additional Tennessee societies, the Academy provides a wide array of expertise, current events and resources to professionals in the scientific teaching and research communities.

The year's keynote address, "From Water Bears to Whale Sharks," was given by Diane Nelson, Ph.D., professor emeritus of East Tennessee State University. Nelson is an internationally recognized marine biologist who, with colleague Eugenie Clark, Ph.D., has extensively studied behaviors of fish. Nelson's underwater photography has been included in textbooks and museum collections.