Wright and his teammate, Taehoon Song, created their award winning model by combining a popular statistical model (the logistic-growth model) with a popular biological predictor (growing degree days or GDD). The judges appreciated the simplicity and interpretability of this approach, with one remarking that the team provided “a wonderful demonstration of the power of using the simplest possible model that captures the key biological aspects of the question.”
Ferrum College Professor of English and Director of the Boone Honors Program Lana Whited stated, “Josh’s success in this competition obviously required the application of critical thinking skills drawn from multiple academic disciplines and really illustrates the benefits of liberal arts education.”
