Austin native Matthew Morriss presents at Murdock College Science Research Conference

WALLA WALLA, WA (11/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Austin Native Matthew Morriss recently presented his findings on the neurology of drug abuse at the Murdock College Science Research Conference at Whitman College.

Morriss recently went to Mongolia for four weeks over the summer in which he worked on a project that looked at glaciation in a particular drainage in Central Mongolia. Working with samples from numerous moraines (linear ridges left at the edges of ice during a glaciation), he attempted to further constrain the timing of Pleistocene glaciation, which in turn could lead to highly important advances in research regarding glacial advances during the past 140,000 years.

Morriss is the son of James and Cindy Morriss from Austin, Texas. He is a 2009 graduate of St. Stephen's Episcopal School.

At Whitman, Morriss is a senior Geology major, active in Whitman's Outdoor Program (leads climbing trips and is a climbing instructor), and enjoys backcountry skiing.

Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash., is honored to attract students who represent the Whitman mosaic- down to earth, high achievers with diverse interests.Whitman is the premier liberal arts college that combines academic excellence with an unpretentious Northwest culture and an engaging community. An independent, non-sectarian residental college, Whitman fosters intellectual vitality, confidence and leadership in its 1,450 students. Also noted for its commitment to environmental principles, Whtiman is characterized by intellect, down-to-earth sensibilities, collaboration over competition and active lifestyle.