Smithsonian’s curator of parasitic worms and researchers from Canada and Mexico discovered the first new medicinal leech species in North America in decades — in southern Maryland. Research zoologist Anna Phillips first became interested in working with parasites as an undergraduate student at Appalachian State University, where she applied for a selective research internship with programs on many species.

More than 100 ponds and landfills containing coal ash lie in areas FEMA has designated as high-risk flood zones, according to a POLITICO analysis. Adding climate change to the mix presents “a major issue,” said Ellen Cowan, a scientist at Appalachian State University who has studied coal ash spills across the country.

Appalachian State University made this list of university disability programs that The Mighty’s community recommends for students choosing their college experience.

“A chance meeting at a conference in October 2016 with author and climate activist Jeff Biggers, who for years has been sounding the call for more climate storytellers, inspired me to establish and co-lead the Climate Stories Collaborative.” — Laura England.

Taking a break from his math professor duties at Appalachian State University, Witold Kosmala traded calculus lessons for a violin to join three generations of his family to play with the Millennial Choirs and Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York City earlier this month.

As you approach the entrance of Lexington Health Care Center on Cornelia Street, you will be greeted with the sight of bright flowers and comfortable benches that would make you want to sit down and chat for a while with residents of the nursing home. This welcoming environment is thanks to the center’s administrator, Appalachian State University alumna Heather McGroarty ‘18.

Dr. Andrew Koricich, assistant professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies, is quoted on the increasing partisanship of education. He says the political idea that taxes shouldn’t be raised for something that benefits individuals fails to recognize how society benefits from teachers, doctors, lawyers and other jobs that require a college education.

Thanks to a team from Appalachian State University, visitors at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, located off the Blue Ridge Parkway, will have the opportunity to learn more about the history of the park’s Flat Top Manor.

The youngest student at Appalachian State University last year was 5 years old. She’s not a prodigy — at least, not as far as anyone knows so far. She’s not even working on her bachelor’s degree. She’s a kindergartner who became a Mountaineer by way of her lab school: Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork.