This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Fourteen Lafayette students presented their research with biology faculty mentors during the 80th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science March 26-28 at the Radisson Hotel, Monroeville, Pa.
Four biology majors shared results from cancer-related research conducted under the guidance of Robert Kurt, assistant professor of biology, a leading cancer researcher who has received National Science Foundation and Department of Defense grants totaling more than $350,000 since 2001: Rachel Harris ’04(Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), “Elucidating the Role of KC in Murine Breast Cancer;” Charles Lemken ’06(Emerson, N.J.), “The Effect of RANTES (CCL5) on Gene Expression in T Lymphocytes;” James Lepre ’05 (Carbondale, Pa.), “Enhancement of Anti-Tumor Immunity by Inhibition of Tumor-Derived CCL-2 and CCL-5;” Michelle Marinucci ’05 (Cinnaminson, N.J.), “Examining the Role of Tumor-Derived CCL2 and CCL5 in Metastatic Activity in vitro;” and Kerry Stormes ’04 (Nanuet, N.Y.), “Effects of the Chemokines MCP-1 and RANTES on the Metestatic Ability of 4T1 Mammary Cancer Cells.”
Two biology majors presented breast-cancer-related research conducted under the mentoring of Shyamal Majumdar, Kreider Professor of Biology: Alissa Romano ’04 (Abington, Pa.), “In Vitro Apoptotic Death Induction in Mouse Breast Cancer Cells Treated with Anastrozole and Tamoxifen;” and Julie Xanthopoulos ’04 (Lewistown, Pa.), “An In Vitro and In Vivo Examination of the Growth Inhibitory Response of Mouse Mammary Carcinoma Cells to Anastrozole, Tamoxifen and the Combination.”
Three students presented research concerning microorganisms and their relationship to the biological health of lakes, which they conducted with Laurie Caslake, assistant professor of biology, who recently received a National Science Foundation grant for interdisciplinary research: neuroscience major Stephanie Giordano ’05 (Blauvelt, N.Y.), “Analysis of antibiotic resistant environmental isolates for the presence of class 1 integrons;” biology major Colleen Fitzpatrick ’04 (Springfield, Pa.), “Analysis of broad-spectrum mercury resistant isolates from Onondaga Lake;” and biochemistry major Jessica L. Schneck ’04 (Walnutport, Pa.), “Genetic variability of Flavobacterium columnare.”
Two biology majors explained research on cichlid fish conducted with Wayne Leibel, associate professor and head of biology: Adam Lindsay ’04 (Carlisle, Pa.), “The Significance of Female Ventral Coloration on Male Mate Choice in the Topaz Cichlid, d, Archocentrus septemfasciatus,” and Kristen Koenig ’04 (Ringoes, N.J.), “Sexual Dimorphism in the Skull of the Dwarf Cichlid Fish, Apistogramma nijsseni.”
Elizabeth Ponder ’04, a double major in biochemistry and cultural biomedicine, reported on research involving parasites, which she conducted with Bernard Fried, Kreider Professor Emeritus of Biology, entitled “Effects of Copper Sulfate on the Survival and Infectivity of the Cercariae of Echinostoma caproni and E. trivolvis.”
Biology major Regina Lamendella ’04 (Staten Island, N.Y.) shared results from research conducted with Lorraine Mineo, instructor in biology and lab coordinator, entitled “A Comparison of Drought and Excessive Precipitation on Water Quality of Two Selected Tributaries.”
A national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette also sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Thirty-eight students will present at the next annual meeting in April. Over the past five years, more than 130 Lafayette students have presented results from research with faculty mentors, or under their guidance, at the conference.
A National Leader in Undergraduate Research. Julie Xanthopoulos ’04 made presentations on her collaborative research with Shyamal Majumdar, Kreider Professor of Biology, at two annual meetings of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.