Biology students awarded research scholarships

Four 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, their proposed projects and their research advisers are (from left): Katie Stolz, “The Effects of In Utero Exposure to Atrazine on the Methylation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene in the Hippocampus of Mus Musculus,” (Dr. Debra Martin); Aleah Bingham, “The Changing of Diet and the Impact of Cuticular Hydrocarbons on a Single Colony of Formica Obscurpies,” (Dr. Moni Berg-Binder); Jacquelyn Bongard, “The Effects of Splenda on Interleukin (IL)-2 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α Production by Splenocytes from Mus Musculus,” Dr. Jeanne Minnerath; Madelyn Stiehl, “Using Blood Sex Steroids to Determine Reproduction Status of Paddlefish (Polyodon Spathula) in the Upper Mississippi River,” Dr. Josh Lallaman.

Science students present research at 7 Rivers

Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, Dan Carroll, Cody Gill, Jaci Bongard, Amy Zawacki, Brandon Larsen, Sami Amatuzio, Kelsey Haugh, Dr. Debra Martin, Dr. Matt Rowley

Seven Saint Mary’s biology and chemistry students presented their research projects at the 7 Rivers Undergraduate Research Symposium held Nov. 14, at Viterbo University.

The students, advisers, and their poster titles are: Samantha Amatuzio (Dr. Debra Martin) “Muscle Strength of Contraction and Fatigue rate of Mus Musclus When Treated with Creatine Mono-Hydrate”; Jacquelyn Bongard (Dr. Jeanne Minnerath) “The Effects of Splenda on Interleukin (IL)-2 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α Production by Splenocytes from Mus Musculus”; Daniel Carroll (Dr. Minnerath) “The Impact of Sucralose Consumption on Spatial Memory in Mus Musculus”; Cody Gill (Dr. Martin) “The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Serum Testosterone Response in Mus Musculus”; Kelsey Haugh (Dr. Matt Rowley) “The Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Serum Testosterone Response in Mus Musculus”; and Brandon Larsen (Dr. Martin) “Glutathione S-transferase Expression in Livers of In Utero Exposed Mus Musculus”; Amy Zawacki (Dr. Minnerath) “The effect of Splenda, Containing Sucralose, on the Humoral Immune Response in Mus musculus.” Sami Amatuzio brought home a Best Poster Award.

150 attend annual picnic of the sciences

The Biology, Chemistry, and Physics departments held their fourth annual Fall Picnic on  Sept. 5th. Approximately 150 students, faculty, and staff joined together to celebrate the start of the academic year. Everyone enjoyed the burgers, brats, hotdogs and watermelon, as well as the liquid nitrogen ice cream! The science departments host the picnic each fall to welcome new and returning students to Saint Mary’s campus. Special thanks to members of the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics clubs for helping with preparations for the picnic. Additionally, thanks are given to the Maintenance Department for providing the tables, chairs, and grills.

Saint Mary’s to host special science events April 26

On Saturday, April 26, Saint Mary’s will host the 81st Minnesota Academy of Science annual meeting and the 26th Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium in conjunction with the NC3 District annual meeting of Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society.

Students from colleges and universities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa will present their research in the fields of cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, earth science, ecology and environmental science, economics, engineering, math and computer science, physics, neuroscience, organismal and physiological sciences and social sciences. The keynote speaker will be Kevin Kenow, research wildlife biologist from the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, who will speak about Minnesota loons. The cost of attending the entire conference (does not include lunch) is $10, and those who are interested in attending may contact Dr. Debra Martin at dmartin@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s to host regional science, engineering fair

The 61st annual Southeast Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, in the gymnasium.

The regional fair is a joint venture between SMU, Winona State University and community members, and the two colleges alternate hosting the event. Approximately 120 students from regional middle school and high schools will participate in the fair. These schools will include La Crescent Middle School, Bluffview Montessori School, Winona Middle School, Cotter Junior High and Cotter High School, Cochrane-Fountain City High School, Luck High School, Chatfield Schools, Shattuck St. Mary’s and Winona Senior High School.

The student exhibits are open to the public from 3 to 5 p.m. An awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Students are chosen to advance to either the Minnesota Academy of Science or the Badger State Science fairs. One senior-level project is chosen to advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Chemistry Club presents ‘The Science of Rock ’n’ Roll’

Dr. Ning Fang, U.S. Department of Energy and Iowa State University, will present “The Science of Rock ‘n’ Roll: Single Molecule and Nanoparticle Imaging in Biophysical, Surface, and Photocatalysis Studies” at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Room 301, Hoffman Hall. The event is sponsored by the Chemistry Club.

The research in the Fang Laboratory aims to open up new frontiers in chemical and biological discovery through the development and use of novel optical imaging platforms, which provide sub-diffraction-limited spatial resolution, high angular resolution, excellent detectability, and/or nanometer localization precision for single molecules and nanoparticles.

Students to be featured in Big River Magazine

Big River Magazine, which is published in Winona, will run an article on students’ research on the Mississippi River in their June/July issue and two senior biology majors, Mark Ross and Clint Nienhaus, will be featured. For more info, go to www.bigrivermagazine.com.

Kowles to present in Rochester

Dr. Dick Kowles, professor emeritus in Biology, will give a talk to the LIFE (Learning is Forever) program at the Rochester Community College today, Friday, March 22.  The title of the two-hour presentation is “Imperfect Chromosomes and the Consequences.”  Kowles will discuss how chromosome mishaps can result in sterility, spontaneous abortions, genetic syndromes and even cancer.

Kowles to present in Rochester

Dr. Dick Kowles, professor emeritus in Biology, will give a talk to the LIFE (Learning is Forever) program  at the Rochester Community College on Friday, March 22.  The title of the two-hour presentation is “Imperfect Chromosomes and the Consequences.”  Kowles will discuss how chromosome mishaps can result in sterility, spontaneous abortions, genetic syndromes and even cancer.

Science students attend convention

Fourteen biology students and one chemistry student attended the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) /NC-3 Beta Beta Beta convention that was at Saint Olaf College on April 21, in Northfield, Minn.

Two students were recognized for their paper presentations by being honored with the Beta Beta Beta Frank G. Brook Awards for best paper (oral) presentation. The students were: second place: Cassandra Hulett, “Age, Size, Distribution and Abundance of Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) in Gilmore Creek” (Dr. Phil Cochran, advisor); and third place: Danielle Strebel, “Anti-anxiety and Anti-depressant Effects of Boswellia Extract GNG On Mus Musculus” (Dr. Debra Martin, advisor).

Additionally, an SMU student won the best paper presentation for her section by MAS: Grace A. Christensen, “The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Glycerol Monolaurate on TPA-Induced Inflammation in Mus Musculus” (Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, advisor).

Also attending from SMU were Alex Braun, “The Effects of Atrazine on BMP4 Protein Levels in Liver and Serum Isolate from  Phasianus Colchisus and Gallus Gallus” (Dr. Debra Martin, advisor); Samantha Dahlstrom, “The Effects of Glycerol Monolaurate on TNF-α Production in J774A.1 Murine Macrophage Cells” (Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, advisor); Paul Dettling, “The Effect on Body Composition by the Administration of Yohimbine-HCL to Mus Musculus” (Dr. Randy Krainock, advisor); Kristine Guse, “The In-uteral Effects of Atrazine on the Offspring of Female Mus Musculus Exposed During Pregnancy” (Dr. Debra Martin advisor); Erika Hurley, “The  Effects of Atrazine on Reproductive Organs of Phasianus Colchicus” (Dr. Debra Martin, advisor); Meghan Jensen, “Survey of Fossils Found in Francis Creek Shale Near Mazon Creek, Illinois” (Dr. Phil Cochran, advisor); Paige Jenson, “Development of an Immunological Laboratory Exercise Measuring Cell Proliferation and Cytokine Production” (Jeanne Minnerath, advisor); Michael Mockler, “Distribution of Northern Brook Lamphrey (Ichthyomyzon fossor) in the Upper Iowa River Drainage” (Dr. Phil Cochran, advisor); Felicia Schneider, “The Susceptibility of Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli to the Disinfectants Lysol, Thieves, Melaleuca Oil and Vinegar” (Dr. Jeanne Minnerath advisor); Jill Spitzmueller, “Liposomol Temozolomide for the Treatment of Brain Tumors” (B. Anderson and Z. Hilt, University of Kentucky, advisors); Lauren  Ulbrich and Margaret Conway, “The Antibacterial Effectiveness of Various Mouthwashes on Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Streptococcus Mutans on Toothbrushes”  (Dr. Jeanne Minnerath, advisor).

Thanks for help with regional science fair

On March 2, SMU hosted the Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Dr. Debra Martin, SMU site director, would like to thank all the people that helped to make this a wonderful opportunity that allowed local middle school and high school science, math and engineering students to showcase their research. A special thank you to the IT Department for helping set up the AV equipment, to the information desk for assisting with room reservations and set-up, the librarians for use of the class rooms, the athletic department for the use of the gyms, the VPAA office for the judges' luncheon and all the teachers and students who assisted with the judging of the projects. Your help made this community event memorable.

SMU hosts regional science, engineering fair today

The 59th Annual Southeast Minnesota, Western Wisconsin Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held today, Friday, March 2, in the gymnasium.

Approximately 120 students from eight regional schools will participate in the fair including: La Crescent Middle School, Bluffview Montessori School, Winona Middle School, Cotter Junior High, Cochrane Fountain City High School, Chatfield Schools, Shattuck St. Mary’s (Faribault) and Winona Senior High School.

The Student Exhibits are open to the public from 3 to 5 pm. The award ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium.