Biology students complete first research project on North Greenville's campus
By: Press Release
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
|
Senior biology majors Claire Kemp and Candace Lindler have played major roles in conducting the first hard science research project on the North Greenville University campus.
Kemp plans to further her education in medical school. Lindler also plans to attend medical school and specialize in pediatrics. Under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Allen, dean of the College of Science and Math, Kemp and Lindler received a $4,000 grant from South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU). With the grant, they researched the female reproductive system, more specifically, the migration of white blood cells, called eosinophils, into the uterus under the specific control of the female hormone, estrogen.
They believe that the migration of these cells could be involved in infertility and/or cancer of the female reproductive trait. The project began in June of last year and has continued up until this point.
"We spent the summer repairing old equipment and establishing a research facility. This project required a lot of preparation, but has set the stage for future research," said Kemp.
The procedure for conducting the research was complicated and very time consuming as they have put in numerous hours a week in addition to their strenuous class load.
"It has been challenging to keep up with school and research, but the experience has prepared me for future challenges in my professional career," said Lindler.
Both students have maintained a 3.75 GPA or higher while completing this project. Assisting Kemp and Lindler, were fellow senior biology majors Phil Skitt and Britney Kasey.
On March 9, Kemp and Lindler already presented some of their research for the SCICU at the BMW plant. They presented more of their research to the Southeast Biology Association on April 19. This presentation is entitled "Investigation of an Estrogen Regulated Chemotactic Factor Using a Unique in situ Model."
In addition, senior biology majors Josh Prince and Preston Moore, and Laura Brookshire, junior biology, under the supervision of Dr. Chris Eddy, will be presenting an abstract entitled "Development of an Inexpensive Method for Analysis of DNA by Agarose Gel Electrophoresis" at the same conference. Also, Dr. Kristen Van den Meiracker is supervising two students, Jonathan Tedeton, senior biology, and Sandi Batson, junior biology, in a research project on freshwater sponges. Poster presentations will be on display in the foyer of the Todd Dining Hall this week.
"I am extremely proud of these two young ladies who have been able to balance their load, private lives, as well as be responsible for the first hard science research on this campus. This is just the beginning research of what the College of Science and Math will be conducting that makes North Greenville truly a University," said Allen.
The Undergraduate Research program has now expanded to 15 researching associates and continues to increase each semester.
Be the first to comment on this story