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Daniel Massa ’08 (Carlisle, Pa.) will present his research on the effects of infection by intestinal parasites at the American Chemical Society Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting at Ursinus College May 16-18. His presentation is part of the Student Award Symposium, sponsored by Chromatography Forum of the Delaware Valley.
Massa’s paper “High Performance Column Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Selected Carboxylic Acids in Biomphalaria glabrata patently infected with Schistosoma mansoni,” was coauthored with Michael J. Chejlava, instrumentation specialist in chemistry; Bernard Fried, Kreider Professor Emeritus of Biology; and Joseph Sherma, Larkin Professor Emeritus of Chemistry.
“My paper is a high performance liquid chromatographic study of the effects of infection by the intestinal parasite Schistosoma mansoni on the carboxylic acid content of the digestive gland-gonad (DGG) complex of the medically important snail Biomphalaria glabrata,” explains Massa, a biochemistry major. “I found that this infection significantly reduces the concentration of four metabolically important carboxylic acids in the DGG tissue.”
Massa’s award for having his paper accepted for presentation consists of an honorarium of $250, partial reimbursement of the student meeting registration fee, and a certificate acknowledging his accomplishment and commemorating the event. Undergraduate students in all classes as well as graduate students with major courses of study in the areas of separation science, medicine, chemistry, biochemistry, and engineering are invited to compete for the award.
Most winners in past years have been graduating seniors or graduate students, so being chosen as a junior is a special honor for Massa.
“I’m proud to have been chosen for this award. It’s a great feeling to see all the hard work that went into this research beginning to pay off.,” he says. “I am excited and a little bit nervous about presenting at this meeting. Public speaking can be intimidating, but this will be a valuable opportunity for me to gain experience presenting to a large audience.”
The paper reports results of the EXCEL Scholars research Massa performed last summer with Chejlava, Fried, and Sherma. Massa’s project was supported by a grant Sherma received from the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation. The researchers have submitted their results for publication in the journal Parasitology Research.
Massa also is performing EXCEL research with Fried and Sherma this academic year, which will continue into the summer. The research is supported by Sherma’s new Dreyfus Foundation Senior Scientist Mentor Grant.
In Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, students conduct research with faculty while earning a stipend. The program has helped to make Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year share their work through articles in academic journals and/or conference presentations.
“I became interested in this topic through talking with Dr. Sherma and Dr. Fried,” says Massa. “What really turned me on to this topic was the fact that it spanned both the chemistry and biology departments, and I would have a chance to do significant work in both disciplines through this one project.”
As Massa prepares for his presentation, he feels confident that Lafayette has given him the tools he needs to succeed.
“Lafayette has certainly helped prepare me for this event,” he says. “Lafayette’s undergraduate research program is truly excellent, and it has given me more opportunities than I ever could have imagined. Right now I have two separate papers that have been submitted for publication in scientific journals, with more on the way. This will be a great asset to my resume when I apply to graduate schools, and for fellowships and jobs.”
Massa is co-chair of the Experience Lafayette Committee, which he has served on since he was first-year student. He also is a member of Concert Choir, and a cappella groups Soulfege and the Chorduroys. He is assistant musical director for the Chorduroys.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Twenty-one students have been accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.