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Biology Department News & Notes

Bio Students Awarded First-Place Commendation

Laurie Delatour and Melissa Toledo won the top distinction for the presentation of their research at a research symposium in October. The research students of Dr. Jeffrey Erickson attended the 14th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, and co-presented a poster entitled: “Serotonin, SIDS, and the maturation of cardiorespiratory control: The effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on postnatal survival in the serotonin-deficient Pet-1 knockout mouse.” Their research was also presented more recently at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington DC. Congratulations to all!

Two Biology students win Research Awards

Two Biology students were recently awarded Phi Kappa Phi Student-Faculty Research Awards. For outstanding research work, awards were presented to Julie Steinway for her work with mentor Dr. Amanda Norvell; and to Kinisha Gala, for her work with Dr. Tracy Kress. Kudos to all.

Bio student wins first place in “Behavior” at research symposium

While biology major Laurie Delatour’s conduct and comportment were undoubtedly beyond reproach at the 5th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium held on April 16th at William Paterson University, it was the presentation of her research that won her first place in the “Behavior” category at the event. Laurie has been working in Dr. Jeffery Erickson’s neurobiology lab, and presented her work via a poster entitled “The effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on postnatal breathing in 5-HT-deficient Pet-1 knockout mice: Exploring a potential link to SIDS.” Dr. Erickson is very pleased that the symposium recognized her work, as she has been extremely engaged in the research – not to mention, a well-behaved researcher! Our congratulations to Laurie.

Biology students are “honorably mentioned” by Goldwater Scholarship

Biology major Daniel Markowski and Mathematics/Biology double major Edward Lee were both recently selected as honorable mentions for this year’s Goldwater Scholarship. Congratulations are extended to Daniel and his mentor Don Lovett, and to Edward and his mentor Leona Harris.

The Goldwater is a prestigious award, and the acknowledgment of Daniel and Edward as applicants of honorable mention is significant. We are all very proud of their significant achievements.

Women in Science’s “Amazing Summer Experiences” coming Jan 26

The Women in Science “Amazing Summer Experiences” Event will be held Wednesday January 26th at 12:30 in the Biology Lounge. This is an informal setting at which women science students showcase their work and share with other students the types of opportunies available. Hear students tell of their research work in the rain forest of Australia, on seismology at Harvard University, on wildlife management in Kenya, on stickleback fish in Alaska, and many others! Find out how YOU can get involved in similar types of exciting summer research opportunties. Refreshments will be served. See you there!

Biology Student Wins Competitive Scholarship

Stephanie Stranz, a biology secondary education major, was recently awarded a scholarship of $5,000 for undergraduates pursuing a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. The award is from the Armed Forces Comunication and Electronics Association (AFCEA). Only about 35 students nationwide receive this competitive scholarship, and Stephanie was the only recipient in the state of New Jersey. Congratulations, Stephanie!

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