February 19, 2026
Contact:  Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations

MOUNT OLIVE – University of Mount Olive (UMO) Agriculture and Biological Sciences students Harley Marie Haley of Goldsboro and Christian Gray of Chinquapin have been awarded a TriBeta Research Grant to support undergraduate research examining wildlife ecology in southeastern North Carolina.

The funded project, titled Seasonal Shifts in White-Tailed Deer Density During the Rut: A Comparison of Agricultural Fields and Bait Sites in Southeastern North Carolina, investigates how deer populations fluctuate across different habitat types during the rutting season. The study focuses on understanding spatial and seasonal patterns in white-tailed deer density, with implications for wildlife management, conservation, and disease monitoring.

Both students are active members of TriBeta, the National Biological Honor Society, and have played an important role in strengthening student-led scientific engagement on campus. Their research is being conducted with faculty support from Biology Professors Dr. Jared Locklear and Sarah Jackson.

The pair will present their findings at two major scientific conferences this spring. They will share their research at the National TriBeta Convention, May 27–31, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida, representing UMO at the national level. The pair will also make an oral presentation on their results at the UMO research symposium this semester

“Harley and Christian have worked diligently to help grow both the Science Society and TriBeta at the University of Mount Olive,” said Dr. Locklear. “Their research demonstrates that students can successfully conduct meaningful scientific studies in areas they are passionate about while learning more about their local environments and habitats.”

Dr. Locklear also emphasized the broader impact of the project on undergraduate scholarship. “We have a continued commitment to expanding student research opportunities at UMO,” he said. “Projects like this highlight the level of inquiry our students are capable of achieving.”

For Haley, the grant represents an opportunity to showcase both her research and the university beyond campus. “I am very grateful to have received this grant and excited for the opportunity to represent the University of Mount Olive at both the regional and national level,” said Haley. “Presenting our work at the Association of Southeastern Biologists conference and the National TriBeta conferences this spring allows us to highlight our university and promote the value of biological research and student involvement.”

Gray noted that his personal background has shaped his interest in wildlife research and conservation. “As a hunter, I understand the importance of wildlife conservation and the need for accurate information about local fauna, including population densities and overall health,” said Gray. “This research reflects an area I am passionate about and is something I plan to continue pursuing in the future.”

The research aligns closely with ongoing regional interests in wildlife health and management. According to Jackson, the work also supports long-term goals related to disease ecology in eastern North Carolina.

“We have a strong interest in understanding chronic wasting disease and other infectious agents affecting wildlife in eastern North Carolina,” said Jackson. “This project represents an important step toward expanding student-driven research in these areas.”

Both students plan to continue pursuing careers rooted in biological and environmental sciences. Christian Gray intends to attend graduate school in Wildlife Biology and Natural Resources, with a long-term goal of continuing ecological research. Harley Marie Haley, who will graduate in Spring 2026, has been accepted into veterinary school and plans to pursue a career as a large-animal veterinarian.

Through faculty mentorship, grant support, and hands-on field research, the University of Mount Olive continues to foster experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for advanced study and professional careers in science and natural resource management.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.