News

Senior Research Science Forum To Be Held on April 15

posted Apr 04, 2005 in CAMPUS EVENTS

The Natural Science Department of McPherson College will host the annual Senior Project Research Forum at Melhorn Hall on Friday, April 15 at 2 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.

2005 Senior Science Forum Program(.pdf)

According to Dr. Karrie Rathbone, assistant professor of biology, “These students have designed and performed research to expand and exhibit their problem solving skills. Critical thinking is necessary to be successful in any career and our liberal arts program accentuates this process with student-guided research. A real advantage to students at McPherson College is that, unlike students at large schools, our researchers are able to utilize specialized equipment in their projects.”

The Research Forum will showcase the results of four years of student’s study, with their research being the capstone of their experience. Seven seniors will present their senior research project:

Joe Blas, Sumner, Wash., a double major, is pursing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Biology. The title of his research project is “Expression and Purification of Tumor-Suppressor Protein Tip30 for Structural Studies by NMR Spectroscopy.”

“The Design and Synthesis of Pyrazine Ligands Suitable for Molecular Weaving with Octahedral Metal Ion” is the title of the project to be presented by David Cockriel, McPherson. David will graduate with a bachelor of science in Chemistry.

Dean Feasenhiser, Fruitland, Idaho, will receive his B.S. in Agriculture Science. The title of his presentation is “The Effects of Organic Selenium on Rumen Volatile Fatty Acid Production in Continuous Culture.”

Jenny Harper, Grimes, Iowa, will present her project titled ‘Influence of Lactose Utilization and Population Dynamics of Eschericia coli var. mutabilis.” Harper’s degree will be a B.S. in Biology.

Dave Hoffman, McPherson, also pursuing a B.S. in Biology, will present his project titled “Human Performance Assessment Using the DYFORMON Exercise System.”

Danielle Lucore, Springfield, Mo., a candidate for a B.S. in Biology, will present her research project entitled “The Mutagenesis of Benzo(a)pyrene on Yeast.”

The title of Tau Lyn (Johnston) Snell’s project is “Synthesis and Characterization of a Cross-Bridged AMD 3100 analog.” Ms. Snell, who is from McPherson, will be receiving a B.S. in Biology degree.

“We’re very proud of the work that this group of students has done. Each project has exhibited unique challenges and the students have met those challenges head on.” Rathbone said. “We hope many from the community will come, not only to support these men and women, but to see the excellent educational opportunities that McPherson College can provide.”

For further information please contact Karrie Rathbone at 241-0742 ext. 1204.