Lallaman, students survey fish communities

Biology summer intern Sarah Fanning holds a large northern pike sampled from Sand Lake, Minn.

Over the summer, Josh Lallaman, Ph.D., (Biology) was awarded two contracts to survey Minneapolis/greater metro area lakes.  Summer biology interns assisted with surveying the fish communities in Sand and Long Lakes (Washington County).

Additional biology student volunteers will be assisting with surveying common carp populations in Spring, Arctic, and Cedar Lakes (Scott County) in September. These contracts are a result of collaboration with Saint Mary’s biology alumnus Mike Majeski, who currently works for the environmental consulting firm Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.

Student researchers present at Scholars at the Capitol Feb. 22

Three students from Saint Mary’s, along with their faculty advisors, will head to the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, Feb. 22, to present the results of their independent research and creative scholarship at the annual Minnesota Private College Scholars at the Capitol event.

The Minnesota Private College Council hosts this event in an attempt to publicize and celebrate the achievements of just a few of the many thousands of students who attend private schools of higher learning in Minnesota, and to share research that may have long-term implications for Minnesotans.

This event will showcase current research projects completed by approximately 40 undergraduate scholars from Minnesota private colleges and universities. Saint Mary’s students attending this year’s event include:

• Grace Christensen and Paige Jensen, presenting on “The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Glycerol Monolaurate on TPA-Induced Inflammation in Mus Musculus.” Their faculty advisor is Dr. Jeanne Minnerath.

• Alex Braun, presenting on “The Effects of Atrazine on BMP4 Protein Levels in Liver and Serum Isolated From Phasianus Colchisus and Gallus Gallus.” Her faculty advisor is Dr. Debra Martin.

The Minnesota Private College Council represents 17 respected liberal arts colleges and universities with 60,000 students. These institutions award 30 percent of the baccalaureate degrees in the state.

Congratulations to nine Mayo Innovation Scholarship winners

Team one consisted of Boya Hu (Business), Melissa Wolf (Pre Physical Therapy), Caitlin O’Conner (Biochemistry), and Brittany Peterson (Business). They are joined by Dr. Debra Martin and Dr. Shelly McCallum.



Team two consisted of Thomas Briese (Biochemistry), Aga Kadej (Business), Emily Friedl (Computer Science), Matt Wilgenbusch (Business), and Phillip Thomas (Biology). They are joined by Dr. Randy Krainock, Dr. Ann Smith and Dr. Shelly McCallum.



The SMU Business and Biology Departments would like to congratulate the 2009-10 Mayo Innovation Scholarship award winners upon completion of their outstanding project work.

Four science students, four business students and one computer science student presented at The Mayo Innovation Scholars Program. The program is an opportunity for undergraduate science and business students to work along side an MBA student to research a project submitted by Mayo Clinic professionals through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Properties. SMU was awarded two projects this year.

Team one consisted of Boya Hu (Business), Melissa Wolf (Pre Physical Therapy), Caitlin O’Conner (Biochemistry), and Brittany Peterson (Business) and team two consisted of Thomas Briese (Biochemistry), Aga Kadej (Business), Emily Friedl (Computer Science), Matt Wilgenbusch (Business), and Phillip Thomas (Biology). Drs. Randy Krainock and Debra Martin were the faculty mentors for the science students, Dr. Ann Smith was the mentor for the Computer Science student and Dr. Shelly McCallum was the faculty mentor for the business students.

Both teams presented their work to the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property on March 12.

The Mayo Innovation Scholarships are available to junior and senior business and science students with applications requested in the fall semester.

SMU is fortunate to be one of a select number of private Minnesota Colleges eligible for participation in the Mayo Innovation Scholarship program.

Nationally recognized poster comes from new program

Beth Seebach (Psychology) and Cherie Smischney (2008 alumna) will be presenting a poster on “Body Image” at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in Toronto. This is research from the Body Image Collaborative Research lab. The Collaborative Research labs were started in Fall of 2007 in the Psychology Department to allow students to gain research skills by working collaboratively with faculty members and other students in designing and conducting research. Current labs are exploring Body Image and Exercise; Alcohol Use in College Students; Parenting Style and Alcohol Use; and Aggression.

Six students receive Tribeta research grants

Saint Mary’s University biology students, from left, Maria Borgerson, Nicole Haese, Ben Linder, Melanie Tyler. and Lori Brunner, received Beta Beta Beta research scholarships.

Six biology students were awarded the National Biology Honor society Beta Beta Beta Research Foundation research scholarships. Students submitted a proposal for their senior research project outlining the objectives of the research and a budget. The students and their research advisors are Maria Borgerson, (Dr. Debra Martin); Nicole Haese (Dr. Jeanne Minnerath); Ben Linder (Dr. Debra Martin); Melanie Tyler, (Dr. Martin); and Lori Brunner, (Dr. Richard Kowles). Dr. Martin is the Beta Beta Beta faculty advisor.

Mayo Clinic seeks volunteers for genetic study Nov. 13

Mayo Clinic is seeking volunteers for a study that determines how the genetic makeup of heart, lung, and blood pressure receptors influence blood pressure regulation from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Toner Student Center.

The study is necessary to describe the importance of gene variation in heart and lung function. To participate in the study, volunteers need to donate a blood sample for genetic determination. The sample is 4 teaspoons. The genetic makeup of certain receptors will be determined over the subsequent months. Depending on genetic makeup, volunteers may be eligible for studies, which may include arm or leg blood flow measurements, medication administration, exercise (handgrip, leg extension, or bicycling), breathing maneuvers, nerve measurements, or dietary salt manipulation.

For time and inconvenience, a monetary compensation stipend will be offered for all studies. Volunteers may not be on regular prescription medications, except contraceptives.

Pre-registration will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10. in the Toner Student Center. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is preferred.

To pre-register in advance call 255-6938 or e-mail: Engrav.pamela@mayo.edu.

Annual research symposium set for Nov. 1 in Minneapolis

The Ed.D. in Leadership program at Saint Mary’s will host the fifth annual EDD Research Symposium at the Minneapolis campus on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saint Mary’s annual research symposium attracts numerous members of the SMU community, including current doctoral students, faculty, and graduates of the program. This event highlights the accomplishments of our recent graduates, allows current students to receive valuable feedback from their peers, and provides an opportunity for Saint Mary’s students to share their accomplishments with a wider professional audience.

The keynote speaker at the symposium luncheon this year is expected to be Brother Michael Collins, president of De La Salle High School in Minneapolis. Brother Michael is a renowned Lasallian leader who has served the Christian Brothers in key leadership positions for many years. He has served on the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s for 29 years and has been a strong supporter of the provision of higher education to adults in the Twin Cities. In addition, Brother Michael has been the recipient of numerous awards recognizing his contribution to the continuing dialog on educational access and inclusion.

If you have any further questions contact Britt Bakken at bbakken@smumn.edu or Ext. 5127.

Nienaber interviewed on Vatican Radio

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) saw first beam on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Two Jesuit physicists (John Cunningham of Loyola University Chicago, and Paul Nienaber, the chair of physics at Saint Mary’s) were interviewed by Vatican Radio and discussed the implications of this milestone.

The story was aired Wednesday and may be heard on the web at www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=229665.

Library announces library website, other changes

The new library website will be available next week. Get more information.

The Fitzgerald Library catalog, MnPALS, gets a new look and a name change. Read more.

Check out the new music database, Naxos.

A new database, Campus Research, is available for social sciences and business researchers. Read more.

Biology alum publishes paper on lampreys

An SMU alumnus who majored in environmental biology, Devin D. Bloom ‘04, has co-authored a recently published paper (2008. Alternative reproductive behaviors in lampreys and their significance. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 23:437-444) based in part on research completed for his undergraduate thesis at SMU. His research helped reveal that spawning brook lampreys in the Whitewater River engage in a sort of ménage à trois, by which a pair of lampreys during the mating act may be encircled by a second male attempting to “sneak” fertilizations of eggs. This has implications for our understanding of how lamprey species evolve.

Student History Research Symposium is April 19 at SMU

Seniors from five area universities will present the results of their historical research at the Student History Research Symposium on Saturday, April 19, at SMU. The event — free and open to the public — is sponsored by the history departments of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Saint Mary’s University, Viterbo University and Winona State University.
In addition to the student presenters, Dr. Kirsten Fischer, associate professor of history at the University of Minnesota, will make a presentation on “Religion and the Founders: A Conversation about Original Intent.”

Saint Mary’s and Winona State have co-sponsored a student research symposium for eight years, with UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University joining last year. This year they welcome UW-Eau Claire to the event. Each school asks senior history majors — and at Winona State, law and society majors — to write a senior thesis based on their original research of a historical question of their own choosing. In this way, the students actually do the work of historians, and in the process, deepen their research, writing and speaking skills.

All symposium sessions will be held on the third and fourth floors of Saint Mary’s Hall. The symposium opens at 9 a.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall (Room 332) with a short welcoming ceremony and coffee. At 9:15 a.m., students will present their research in concurrent sessions of three students each. At 10:30 a.m., a complimentary brunch will be served in the Common Room, followed by a second session of concurrent panels at 10:45 a.m. and Dr. Fischer’s talk at noon. The last round of student presentations run from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. For further information, contact Dr. Tycho de Boer at Ext. 6995 or tdeboer@smumn.edu.

Student History Research Symposium is April 19 at SMU

Seniors from five area universities will present the results of their historical research at the Student History Research Symposium on Saturday, April 19, at SMU. The event — free and open to the public — is sponsored by the history departments of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Saint Mary’s University, Viterbo University and Winona State University.

In addition to the student presenters, Dr. Kirsten Fischer, associate professor of history at the University of Minnesota, will make a presentation on “Religion and the Founders: A Conversation about Original Intent.”

Saint Mary’s and Winona State have co-sponsored a student research symposium for eight years, with UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University joining last year. This year they welcome UW-Eau Claire to the event. Each school asks senior history majors — and at Winona State, law and society majors — to write a senior thesis based on their original research of a historical question of their own choosing. In this way, the students actually do the work of historians, and in the process, deepen their research, writing and speaking skills.

All symposium sessions will be held on the third and fourth floors of Saint Mary’s Hall. The symposium opens at 9 a.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall (Room 332) with a short welcoming ceremony and coffee. At 9:15 a.m., students will present their research in concurrent sessions of three students each. At 10:30 a.m., a complimentary brunch will be served in the Common Room, followed by a second session of concurrent panels at 10:45 a.m. and Dr. Fischer’s talk at noon. The last round of student presentations run from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. For further information, contact Dr. Tycho de Boer at Ext. 6995 or tdeboer@smumn.edu.

Kowles and Minnerath research accepted for publication

Drs. Dick Kowles and Jeanne Minnerath have collaborated with the University of Minnesota over several years on a large research project. Recently the resultant research article has been accepted for publication in the journal “Maydica.” The article describes the expression of maize genes and enzyme activity for efficient photosynthesis in oat plants. Matt Walch, a Saint Mary’s alumnus, is also a co-author on the paper.

Goodall Institute director to highlight SMU biology research symposium today

The Biology Department and Biology Club will host the 35th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology today, April 4, in the Adducci Science Center.

Students from Saint Mary’s and other colleges and universities in the tri-state region will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the 11:45 a.m. lunch break; presentations will then continue from 2:15 to 4 p.m.

This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Anne Pusey, director of the Jane Goodall Institute’s Center for Primate Studies at the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Pusey will present “Friends or foes? Social relationships among female chimpanzees” from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

Dr. Pusey studied juvenile and adolescent development in the Gombe chimpanzees in the 1970s, then spent more than 10 years studying the social behavior of lions in the Serengeti. At the Jane Goodall Institute’s Center for Primate Studies, Dr. Pusey’s research group is computerizing and analyzing the data from Jane Goodall’s 46-year study of Gombe chimpanzees.

The public is invited to attend Dr. Pusey’s lecture, as well as the student presentations, free of charge.

Four SMU students complete projects in the Mayo Scholars Program

Photo caption: Saint Mary’s University students, from left: Amanda Christman, Bethany Kaufmann, Holly Schuh and Dan Murray participated in the Mayo Scholars Program in 2007-08.

Four SMU students received the educational opportunity of a lifetime through the Mayo Scholars Program. For the past five months, these students contributed to innovative medical research, associated with the world’s most prestigious health care system.

The Mayo Scholars Program, now in its second year, offers an opportunity for selected MBA students and undergraduate science and business students to research projects submitted by Mayo Clinic professionals through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property.

The program connects students from biology, chemistry, math, physics, pre-med and business and helps prepare them for careers in hospitals, medical research institutions and health care agencies. Forty-five students from nine Minnesota Private College Council schools participated in the program.

Saint Mary’s program participants included: Amanda Christman, a senior majoring in marketing, international business and Spanish from St. Joseph; Bethany Kaufmann, a junior biology: pre-physical-therapy and biochemistry major from Green Bay, Wis.; Dan Murray, a senior marketing and management major from Rochester; and Holly Schuh, a senior visual arts: business major and biology minor from Altura.

The team of four students was chosen by SMU faculty in early October. For the next five months, the teams worked on research focusing on “Treating Digestive Motility Disorders,” under the guidance of team leader Leo Evans from Augsburg College and Mayo licensing manager, Leif Nelson. Saint Mary’s faculty advisors were Dr. Tom Marpe and Dr. Randy Krainock.

The group presented its findings March 12 in Rochester.

“The Mayo Scholars program provided an intense, real-life experience that will have positive and beneficial repercussions for my planned future in global health. The research was very interesting and rewarding, and I am very thankful for the given opportunity,” Schuh said.

Other research topics included “Predictive Markers for Parkinson’s,” “Instrumentation for Ultrasound Guided Surgery,” “Fabrication of Enhanced Tissue,” and “Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters.”

Students have the option of earning credit for the experience, either as an internship or independent study. They also receive a $1,000 stipend.

“The students gained a wonderful experience that pushed them outside their comfort zone,” said Marpe. “They gained much in their research skills and poise and confidence in making public presentations.”

Student History Research Symposium is April 19 at SMU

Seniors from five area universities will present the results of their historical research at the Student History Research Symposium on Saturday, April 19, at SMU. The event — free and open to the public — is sponsored by the history departments of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Saint Mary’s University, Viterbo University of La Crosse, and Winona State University.

In addition to the student presenters, Dr. Kirsten Fischer, associate professor of history at the University of Minnesota, will highlight the day with her presentation, “Religion and the Founders: A Conversation about Original Intent.”

Saint Mary’s and Winona State have co-sponsored a student research symposium for eight years, with UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University joining last year. This year they welcome UW-Eau Claire to the event. Each school asks senior history majors — and at Winona State, law and society majors — to write a senior thesis based on their original research of a historical question of their own choosing. In this way, the students actually do the work of historians, and in the process, deepen their research, writing and speaking skills.

All symposium sessions will be held on the third and fourth floors of Saint Mary’s Hall. The symposium opens at 9 a.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall (Room 332) with a short welcoming ceremony and coffee. At 9:15 a.m., students will present their research in concurrent sessions of three students each. At 10:30 a.m., a complimentary brunch will be served in the Common Room, followed by a second session of concurrent panels at 10:45 a.m. and Dr. Fischer’s talk at noon. The last round of student presentations run from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.

For further information, contact Dr. Tycho de Boer at Ext. 6995 or tdeboer@smumn.edu.

Goodall Institute director to highlight SMU biology research symposium April 4

The Saint Mary’s University Biology Department and Biology Club will host the 35th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology on Friday, April 4, in the Adducci Science Center.

Students from Saint Mary’s and other colleges and universities in the tri-state region will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the 11:45 a.m. lunch break; presentations will then continue from 2:15 to 4 p.m.

This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Anne Pusey, director of the Jane Goodall Institute’s Center for Primate Studies at the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Pusey will present “Friends or foes? Social relationships among female chimpanzees” from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

Dr. Pusey studied juvenile and adolescent development in the Gombe chimpanzees in the 1970s, then spent more than 10 years studying the social behavior of lions in the Serengeti. At the Jane Goodall Institute's Center for Primate Studies, which houses data on chimpanzees and baboons, Dr. Pusey’s research group is computerizing and analyzing the data from Jane Goodall’s 46-year study of Gombe chimpanzees.

The public is invited to attend Dr. Pusey’s lecture, as well as the student presentations, free of charge.

Three SMU students show research at Capitol

Three students from Saint Mary’s, along with their faculty advisors, traveled to the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, Feb. 21, to present the results of their independent research and creative scholarship at the annual Minnesota Private College Scholars at the Capitol event.

The Minnesota Private College Council hosts this event in an attempt to publicize and celebrate the achievements of just a few of the many thousands of students who attend private schools of higher learning in Minnesota, and to share research that may have long-term implications for Minnesotans.

The event showcased current research projects completed by undergraduate scholars from Minnesota private colleges and universities. Saint Mary’s students attending this year’s event included:

• Sarah Jo Schroeder, Aurora, Minn., presenting on “The Examination of the Diet of the Freshwater Drum, Aplodinorus Grunniens, for Zebra Mussels, Dreissena Polymorpha, from the Mississippi River.”
• Anna Skonieczny of Freeport, Ill., presenting on “The Effects of Demethylating and Methylating Chemicals on Mitotic Activity of Vicia faba in Different Stages of the Cell Cycle.”
• Laura Eggert of St. Michael, Minn., and former student Victoria Evans, presenting on “The Physiological Responses of Lepomis gibbosus and Mus musculus to Noturus gyrinus Toxin.”

SMU enters Mayo Scholars Program partnership

In June 2007, Saint Mary’s accepted an invitation to partner with Mayo Clinic and other Minnesota private colleges and universities to offer business and science students a unique opportunity to become a Mayo Scholar.

Other participating schools are Augsburg, Carleton, Concordia (Moorhead), Gustavus Adolphus, Macalaster, St. John’s/St. Ben’s, St. Olaf and St. Thomas.

The Mayo Scholars Program offers an opportunity for selected students to research projects submitted by Mayo Clinic professionals through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property. The program is a collaborative effort between Mayo Clinic and Minnesota private colleges and universities. Financial support is provided from the Medtronic Foundation and the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property; administrative support is provided by the Minnesota Private College Council. Student participants may earn academic credit for this experience, with the approval of their department and the program advisors.

Saint Mary’s team members are Amanda Christman, Bethany Kaufmann, Daniel Murray, and Holly Schuh. The Saint Mary’s faculty advisors for 2007-08 are Dr. Tom Marpe (Business Department) and Dr. Randy Krainock (Biology Department). Advisors will work closely with the team on their assigned project, titled “Methods and Material for Treating Digestive Motility Disorders.”

Students will have until March to work on their project, collect research and develop a presentation of their findings. The Saint Mary’s Mayo Scholars Program team will present their final report in March 2008 at the Mayo Clinic. If you have questions about the program, contact one of the advisors mentioned above.

Alcohol, drug survey follow-up

This is a follow-up related to the Alcohol and Drug Survey (printed in Campus Notes Friday, April 13).

A correction to one part of this article is needed for clarification. Surveys were delivered in the spring of 2006 to 716 SMU students and from this pool, 207 were returned, a response rate of 27.2 percent, which IS considered statistically significant.
Read more.This important point highlights the validity of this data and serious attention to which it deserves. To provide more perspective, the response rate achieved by this study was considerably larger then many other national and regional surveys that have been conducted on drug and alcohol consumption patterns throughout the U.S.

Continuing the discussion of how we can address these issues on our campus in a practical and effective way, members of the community are encouraged to be aware of an upcoming article planned to be released in next week’s Campus Notes. Michael O’Friel, AOD education coordinator and counselor, will be discussing the e-CHUG (electronic Check-Up to Go) an interactive web survey that allows college students to enter information about their drinking patterns and receive feedback about their use of alcohol. This is one more tool that can be incorporated into discussions with students on an individual and collective level to help facilitate education about AOD issues. More next week!