Biology Department
Biology Department News 2001 -2002
May 2002
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Graduating Southwestern Biology Students Receive Accolades
The biology, marine biology, and biochemistry programs presented Bachelor's degrees to 26 students on May 11. The accomplishments of this graduating class are outstanding. They included two of the campus' six Masterbuilders, one out of four 4.0 valedictorians, five members of Who's Who Among College Students, two members of the Order of the Mound, and eight members of Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society. Four of our seniors graduated with Magna Cum Laude distinction, 2 with Summa Cum Laude, and 4 with Cum Laude. -
Biology Alums visit Campus as part of Science Advisory Council Meeting
In April, the Science Advisory Council met with faculty and staff to discuss the future of the Natural Science Division. There were informative discussions on our pre-med program, expansion of the biology faculty, and efforts to increase field experiences for biology students. The highlight of the meeting was the induction of the 2002 members of the Science Hall of Fame: Harlan E. Lenander '47, LeRoy A. Spitze '39, Dee F. Taylor '40. See linked article for more information on each of the inductees. - Southwestern Biology Students Dominate BBB District
Convention
Moundbuilders made a very impressive showing at this year's BBB District Convention held at Reis Biological Field Station in Steelville, MO. Although we were the smallest school in attendance, we brought the largest delegation of students as well as traveling the furthest distance. In addition, Southwestern biology students swept the John C. Johnson Research Poster competition, taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Places. Rachel Copeland received first place for her poster entitled "The Effects of Plant-Derived Smoke on Big Bluestem." Ali Wait received second place for her poster entitled "C-terminal mutations in IpaC from Shigella flexneri eliminates its invasion function." And, Carina McGowan received third place for her poster entitled "Distribution rates of luciferin injected transgenic mice." Rachel's first place showing means that she will be presenting her poster at the Biennial National Beta Beta Beta Meeting this summer in San Antonio, TX along with Paul Mages who received first place honors for his research presentation last year.
- Senior Research Projects.
Two biology seniors completed research projects during their final year at Southwestern College. Those students with an asterisk by their name completed their research projects in fulfillment of the requirements for departmental honors.- James Larson*. Salinity influenced differences in the herpetofaunal assemblages of the Slate Creek Wetlands of Kansas
- Rachel Copeland.
The Effects of Plant-Derived Smoke on Big Bluestem
- Dr. Carroll Mann Leaves Southwestern College
Visting Professor Carroll Mann is leaving Kansas for New Jersey after finishing his year long stay at Southwestern College. Dr. Mann taught Botany, Microbiology, and Wetlands Ecology during his time with us. This summer will be busy for Carroll as he will be marrying his fiancée, Lea, and helping her and her son, Patrick, move from Florida to their new home in New Jersey where Carroll will be teaching in the fall at Camden County College. Carroll can be reached at carroll2136@earthlink.net.
- Mossman Reconstruction on Pace for Completion by
Fall 2002
The final stages of the reconstruction of Mossman, which began in mid-October, will be completed this summer as the old biology and chemistry labs are being torn down for new faculty offices and classrooms for Humanities and Social Science, Nursing, Business, Computer Science and Mass Communications. A state-of-the-art nursing program facility will be housed in the upper floor. Mossman, which is connected to the new Beech Science Center and Mabee Laboratory Complex by a glass walkway, will follow the architectural and design schemes of Beech.One unfortunate victim of the construction was the ocean mural located in the stairwell, some of which had to be be destroyed during construction with the remainder being mistakenly painted over. A number of small chunks from the mural were saved from the rubble for posterity. Click here to see some of images from this mural.
Feb 2002
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Southwestern Biology Students Receive Undergraduate Research Grants
One of our biology students, Rachel Copeland received a research grant to help in the completion of her senior research project on prairie burn ecology. The grant was awarded by Beta Beta Beta, the National Undergraduate Biology Honor Society. For more information, please read the linked article. - BBB Initiation - Southwestern's chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the
Biology Honor Society, held its annual initiation in January. A total
of 8 members were initiated including active members
Kristin Kraemer, Casey Dreitz, Aron Fast, Niki Nicholas, Elda Perales, Jake
Steventon, Sarah Kimball, Margo Straub, and Kristi Weaver as well as associate
members Nathan Blue, Raelynn Adelhardt, Marie Moses, and Alissa Hoffman.
- Biology Faculty Member Patrick Ross Receives Ph.D.
Patrick Ross traveled back to the University of California-Santa Barbara over Christmas Break to take care of a bit of unfinished business. Although Professor Ross had completed his Ph.D. research before coming to Southwestern, he had not yet finished writing his dissertation. We are all elated that he is Phinally Done as are his long suffering family and friends. We welcome the newly crowned Dr. Ross to the faculty.
- Southwestern College Honors Science Alumni at the
Inauguration of the Science Hall of Fame
As part of this past fall's Homecoming celebration, Southwestern College chose to honor some of its distinguished science graduates of years past through the creation of a Science Hall of Fame. The accomplishments of ten inductees from the fields of chemistry, meteorology, biology, agriculture, physics, and medicine were celebrated during the festivities. The inaugural class for the Science Hall of Fame consisted of Lloyd M. Bertholf '21, Etcyl H. Blair '47, Hobart Paul Boles '39, Sven Ebbesson '57, Neil L. Frank '53, Asher D. Kantz '43, Lewis G. Longsworth '25, John Lawrence Oncley '29, R. Stephen White '42, and Wayne E. White '27. Click on the link to see more information on each of the inductees.
Sept 2001
- Southwestern Biology Department welcomes new visiting faculty member, Dr.
Carroll Mann
A new face has appeared in the Beech Science Center this fall. It belongs to our newest faculty member, Dr. Carroll Mann, who most recently had been a faculty member at the University of South Florida. Carroll has research experience in microbial and plant ecology, particularly in association with freshwater aquatic habitats. His doctoral work addressed aspects of nutrient processing at the microbial level in wetland ecosystems. Carroll has taught a variety of courses particularly in the area of environmental studies. This year, he will be teaching Botany, Microbiology as well as a new course entitled Wetlands Ecology in the Spring Semester. Carroll will also be contributing to the LAS program with a class entitled "Plants, Places, and People." He is accompanied by his dog, Mud, and cat, Sadie.
- Biology and Biochemistry Students Participate in Summer Research/Educational
Activities
- Margo Straub was awarded an REU fellowship at Bowling Green University in Ohio to conduct research in the area of genomics and bioinformatics.
- Carina McGowan was also awarded an REU fellowship at Bowling Green University in Ohio to conduct research on bioluminescent markers for use in studies on the genetic control of circadian rhythms in mammals.
- Karra Jones was awarded an REU fellowship at Harvey Mudd College in California.
- Pam Brown was awarded an REU fellowship at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois to study the effects of habitat fragmentation on the biology and genetics of a prairie wildflower.
- Rachel Copeland was awarded an REU fellowship at Emporia State University in Kansas to conduct research on patterns of genetic diversity in the weedy species, Lespedeza cuneata.
- Ali Wait was awarded an REU fellowship at the University of Kansas in Lawrence to participate in a project examining the genetic basis of invasiveness and pathogenicity of Shigella flexneri.
- Randall Walz was awarded an REU fellowship at Western Washington University (Shannon Point Marine Center) on the distribution and dispersal of marine larvae.
- Craig Lang conducted workshops and other activities throughout the summer at the Sedgwick County Zoo, including the Junior Zookeeper and Junior Curator programs.
- Tanner Lundy conducted research on avian mortality associated with communications towers in Cowley County. His work on tower kills is funded in part by a grant from the Kansas Ornithological Society.
- Hannah Wolcott participated in a research project with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to help combat the invasion of zebra mussels into Kansas. They are monitoring boating patterns in order to track possible invasion routes for this introduced species.
- Paul Mages, Matt Harris, and Nathan Eckert worked on fish survey crews in Kansas gathering baseline species assemblage and water quality data for the Kansas Division of Wildlife and Parks and the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Mandy Strano spent the summer at the Oregon Institute for Marine Biology taking classes on Invertebrate Zoology and Marine Birds & Mammals.
- Casey Dreitz spent her summer participating in the University of
Kansas School of Medicine Primary Care Summer Mentorship program. This program
provides undergraduates interested in medicine the opportunity to receive a wide range of
experiences in the medical care field.
- Casey Dreitz and Emily Bauer, Junior Biology Majors, Win Prestigious Award from University of Kansas
Medical Center
Every year, the University of Kansas Medical Center accepts up to six students from rural areas of Kansas into its Scholars in Primary Care Program. This year, two of the selected students were from Southwestern College: Casey Dreitz and Emily Bauer. The Scholars in Primary Care Program provides these select students with a longitudinal premedical curriculum through mentoring with physicians and community health research. Recipients are guaranteed admission into the University of Kansas School of Medicine if they successfully complete all of the requirements of the course. Of the 30 students that have been accepted into this program since its inception, four of them have been Southwestern students, a remarkable achievement given our size relative to the KU and KSU applicant pool.
- Graduates Continue Their Education in Science.
This fall, a number of our biology and biochemistry graduates will be continuing their education at institutions of higher learning across the country. Students beginning graduate work in biology include Jonathan Conard '00 (Kansas State University), Nathan Eckert '01 (Southwest Missouri State University), Dustin Wilgers '01 (University of Texas at Arlington), and Jonathan Conard '00 (Kansas State University). Kevin Warner '01 is enrolled in the MAE program at Southwestern College and is assisting with the first year of our new Athletic Training Program.
A number of other recent alumni are beginning graduate work in the field of medicine including three Moundbuilders at the University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City: Matt Harris '01, David Elliott '01, and Spencer Duncan '01. Brandy Richardson '01 is starting the Master's Program in Occupational Therapy at Texas Women's University. Randi Thompson '01 will begin her 1st year of the Master's Program in Forensic Science at the University of Central Oklahoma.
- Southwestern Graduates Putting Their Biology Degrees to Work.
Several of our recent alumni have become involved in a variety of science related careers.
- Ashley Helfrich '01 is working as a research associate for Abbott Laboratories in McPherson, KS
- Paul Mages '01 is involved in an Environmental Education internship at Seacamp located on Big Pine Key in Florida
- Beth Kramer '01 is teaching Environmental Education in China as part of her 2-year commitment to the Peace Corps.
- Jesse (Brass) Fisk '99 and Heath Hamilton '99 have both finished their Medical Technologist certification and are working for hospitals in Bismarck, ND and Wichita, KS; respectively.
- Ann Hawley '99 is working to further the education of young girls in Morocco through the offices of USAid
- Mandy O'Brien '99 is working as a mass spectroscopist at Penn State University.
- Marisa (Ford) Hodges '99 is completing an internship with the Cetacean Behavior Research Laboratory at San Diego State University.
- Kelly Powell Wheatley '98 is working as a physical therapist in Champaign/Urbana, IL
- Laura Wollard '98 is teaching biology at Arkansas City High School.
- Jennifer Love '98 is Coordinator for Healthways at
William Newton Hospital in Winfield, KS.
