Biology Students Named Borer Scholars
Three St. Bonaventure University biology students have been selected as the Dr. Arnold T. Borer Summer Research Scholars for 2010.
Tiffany Barkley, Kirsten Norrell and Andrew Nguyen will spend 10 weeks of the summer working on various research projects under the advisement of three university biology professors.
Barkley, a third-year biology major and political science minor from Mansfield, Texas, will focus on the development of mammary glands in mice. Barkley will be characterizing changes of the mammary gland due to the loss of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). CTGF is a protein that is essential for the growth of new blood vessels.
“By studying CTGF in the mammary gland,” said Barkley, “the study hopes to elucidate the functional implications of cancerous cell growth and metastasis.”
Barkley will study in the laboratory of Dr. Julie Hens. Barkley will attend LECOM Medical School in 2011 and hopes to one day work in politics.
Norrell, a third-year biology major and Spanish minor from Pittsburgh, Pa., will be conducting research under the direction of Dr. David Hilmey. Among other things, Norrell will be focusing on research pertaining to vitamin B6.
“I have done research in the past, so I already know that I enjoy it,” said Norrell, “I’m just excited to be exposed to a different area of research and to learn about a different approach to studying biological systems.”
Norrell plans to attend George Washington University School of Medicine through St. Bonaventure’s Franciscan Health Care Professions program.
“I don’t know yet how research will fit into my career plans as a clinician,” said Norrell, “but as I have experienced research more I have gained a better idea about how I want to incorporate it into my studies throughout medical school and afterwards.”
Nguyen, a second-year biology major from Huntington Beach, Calif., will be conducting research on algae. Under the direction of Dr. Fred Harrington, Nguyen will be analyzing photosynthesis and its energy pathways, which ultimately lead to the production of starch or triglycerides.
“The ultimate goal,” said Nguyen, “is to convert the triglyceride products into bio-fuels as an alternative means of energy in order to preserve scarce raw materials.”
Nguyen was accepted into the dual admissions program between St. Bonaventure University and George Washington University School of Medicine in 2008. Through the program, Nguyen is guaranteed a spot in the medical school after his undergraduate studies.
Dr. Eleanor H. Green, interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said the opportunity granted to these students will be invaluable.
“The scholars will no doubt benefit tremendously from their experiences this summer,” said Green. “They will join the ever-growing list of outstanding students who have participated in the Borer Summer Research program.”
The Dr. Arnold T. Borer Summer Fellowship Program was made possible in 1992 through a gift to St. Bonaventure University from Gertrude Borer and her son, Francis E. Borer, ’69. The fund was established in honor of her late husband, Arnold. Borer Scholars are selected because they have achieved exceptional science and math GPAs and have potential career interests in the field of biomedical research.
Tiffany Barkley, Kirsten Norrell and Andrew Nguyen will spend 10 weeks of the summer working on various research projects under the advisement of three university biology professors.
Barkley, a third-year biology major and political science minor from Mansfield, Texas, will focus on the development of mammary glands in mice. Barkley will be characterizing changes of the mammary gland due to the loss of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). CTGF is a protein that is essential for the growth of new blood vessels. “By studying CTGF in the mammary gland,” said Barkley, “the study hopes to elucidate the functional implications of cancerous cell growth and metastasis.”
Barkley will study in the laboratory of Dr. Julie Hens. Barkley will attend LECOM Medical School in 2011 and hopes to one day work in politics.
Norrell, a third-year biology major and Spanish minor from Pittsburgh, Pa., will be conducting research under the direction of Dr. David Hilmey. Among other things, Norrell will be focusing on research pertaining to vitamin B6. “I have done research in the past, so I already know that I enjoy it,” said Norrell, “I’m just excited to be exposed to a different area of research and to learn about a different approach to studying biological systems.”
Norrell plans to attend George Washington University School of Medicine through St. Bonaventure’s Franciscan Health Care Professions program.
“I don’t know yet how research will fit into my career plans as a clinician,” said Norrell, “but as I have experienced research more I have gained a better idea about how I want to incorporate it into my studies throughout medical school and afterwards.”
Nguyen, a second-year biology major from Huntington Beach, Calif., will be conducting research on algae. Under the direction of Dr. Fred Harrington, Nguyen will be analyzing photosynthesis and its energy pathways, which ultimately lead to the production of starch or triglycerides. “The ultimate goal,” said Nguyen, “is to convert the triglyceride products into bio-fuels as an alternative means of energy in order to preserve scarce raw materials.”
Nguyen was accepted into the dual admissions program between St. Bonaventure University and George Washington University School of Medicine in 2008. Through the program, Nguyen is guaranteed a spot in the medical school after his undergraduate studies.
Dr. Eleanor H. Green, interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said the opportunity granted to these students will be invaluable.
“The scholars will no doubt benefit tremendously from their experiences this summer,” said Green. “They will join the ever-growing list of outstanding students who have participated in the Borer Summer Research program.”
The Dr. Arnold T. Borer Summer Fellowship Program was made possible in 1992 through a gift to St. Bonaventure University from Gertrude Borer and her son, Francis E. Borer, ’69. The fund was established in honor of her late husband, Arnold. Borer Scholars are selected because they have achieved exceptional science and math GPAs and have potential career interests in the field of biomedical research.
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