Award winners announced from regional science, engineering fair at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — One hundred and forty two students competed at the 61st annual Southeastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin Regional Science and Engineering Fair, hosted by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in conjunction with Winona State University on Feb. 28.  Students from nine local schools participated including: La Crescent Middle School, Winona Middle School, Bluffview Montessori School, Cotter Junior High, Chatfield Middle School, Chatfield High School, Cochrane-Fountain City High School, Cotter High School and Winona Senior High School.

Advancing to the International Science and Engineering Fair (May 11-16 in Los Angeles, Calif.) is Lucas Derbyshire from WSHS with his chemistry project “Optical Activity of Saccharides.” Alternate projects to ISEF were first observer Michael Oldendorf from C-FC High School with a project in Botany on “Effect of Indolebuytric Acid on Germination Rate” and second observer Matthew Dietz from Chatfield High School with a project in Medicine and Health on “ The Effect of Cell Density and Growth Supplements on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Attachment and Growth on an Artificial Matrix.”

Students who will be advancing to the State Science & Engineering Fair on March 30-April 1 for the Senior Division are: Shae Alcamo, Dicey Spring, Lucas Derbyshire, Ivan Kovala, Lucas Larson and Emma Walsky from WSHS; and Luke Dietz, Justin Friedrich and Matthew Dietz from Chatfield High School. Those advancing to the Junior Division are Max Derbyshire, Armon Parsi, Anthony Trombetta and Austin Weatherhead from Winona Middle School; Lincoln Salisbury from Chatfield Middle School; Julie Walker from Cotter Junior High; and Ella Baudek, Hannah Clarkin, Alex Bourdreau, Payton Dryden, Russell Drye, Garrett Fields, Molly Franzose, Keaton Keip, Michael Luoma, Grant Nutter, Jenny Olson, Connor Siegersma, Paige Pasvogel and Anastasia Veselovsky from La Crescent Middle School.

Students from Cochrane-Fountain City High School that will be participating at the Badger State Science Fair, to be held March 22 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, are Anna Hoesley and Michael Oldendorf.

In addition to projects, students also will be presenting research papers. Advancing to state for the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium competition at the senior level are: Matthew Dietz and Justin Friedrich from Chatfield High School and Lucas Derbyshire from Winona Senior High. Students who will be advancing to state for the junior level are Austin Weatherhead, Parker Hawkinson, Anthony Trombetta, Max Derbyshire, and Evan Ferstl from Winona Middle School and Bennett Gathje from Chatfield Middle School.

Special awards were also given out.  The awards and the recipients are:
  
US Air Force:  Dylan Celius (Winona Middle School), Zach Roline (Chatfield Middle School), Nathan Graff and Connor Zukowski (Cotter Junior High)
                          
American Psychological Association: Jenny Olson and Connor Siegersma (La Crescent Middle School)                  
                      
Bartlett W. Foster Award: Luke Dietz (Chatfield High School) and Max Derbyshire (Winona Middle School)

Broadcom MASTERS: Anthony Trombetta and Max Derbyshire (WMS), Michael Luoma, Grant Nutter, Payton Dryden, Keaton Keip, Paige Pasvogel (La Crescent MS) and Julie Walker (Cotter Junior High)

Genius Olympiad International High School Project Fair on Environment: Payton Dryden (La Crescent Middle School) and Anthony Trombetta (Winona Middle School)
                      
Mu Alpha Theta: Sang-Hyuk Lee (Cotter High School)                      
                      
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Mitchell Williamson (Winona Middle School)
                                      
U.S. Metric Association: Shae Alcamo and Dicey Spring (Winona Senior High)

U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize: Emerald Thompson-Jereczek (Cochrane-Fountain City High School)

Winona State University Department of Chemistry Excellence in Chemistry Award: Lucas Derbyshire (Winona Senior High)
          
The fair committee would like to thank science and engineering contingent of the region for volunteering to be judges. 

Saint Mary’s to host regional science, engineering fair

WINONA, Minn. — The 61st annual Southeast Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, in the Saint Mary’s University gymnasium. The regional fair is a joint venture between SMU, Winona State University and community members, and the two colleges alternate hosting the event. Approximately 120 students from regional middle school and high schools will participate in the fair. These schools will include La Crescent Middle School, Bluffview Montessori School, Winona Middle School, Cotter Junior High and Cotter High School, Cochrane-Fountain City High School, Luck High School, Chatfield Schools, Shattuck St. Mary’s and Winona Senior High School. The student exhibits are open to the public from 3 to 5 p.m. An award ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium. Students are chosen to advance to either the Minnesota Academy of Science or the Badger State Science fairs. Additionally one senior-level project is chosen to advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Saint Mary’s offers two new majors in partnership with Mayo

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is announcing two new majors in collaboration with the Mayo School of Health Sciences.

Beginning as early as this fall, Saint Mary’s students can pursue majors in Radiography and Echocardiography. Radiography is a highly sophisticated medical technology using x-rays, and echocardiography involves sonography of the heart. Both programs are designed so that students study two years at Saint Mary’s and then finish their degrees after studying two years at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

According to Dr. Jeanne Minnerath of the SMU Biology Department, “these are exciting additions to our collaboration with Mayo for in-demand healthcare fields.” Saint Mary’s is the only private college in Minnesota to partner with Mayo in these programs. Saint Mary’s also has affiliated programs with Mayo including Nuclear Medicine Technology, Cytotechnology, and Medical Laboratory Science.

Book signing with Kowles offered Wednesday at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Dr. Richard Kowles, author of “The Wonder of Genetics: the Creepy, the Curious and the Commonplace,” will do a book signing 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Saint Mary’s University’s Fitzgerald Library.

A Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in Biology at Saint Mary’s, Dr. Kowles drew upon his lifelong career in teaching (38 years at Saint Mary’s and 14 at the high school level) to make the complexities of genetics both humorous and understandable this new book.

Dr. Kowles, known internationally for his research in genetics, points out in his book that genetic twists can truly be found everywhere.

Dr. Kowles will make a few brief comments and answer questions, followed by a book signing. Refreshments will be served.

“The Wonder of Genetics” — Dr. Kowles’ fourth book— was published on Oct. 29. It is available by contacting Prometheus Books, 800-421-0351; on Amazon.com; at Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstores; and at other local bookstores and online retailers.

Kowles publishes book about wonder of genetics

WINONA, Minn. — Dr. Richard Kowles makes the complexities of genetics both humorous and understandable in his new book, “The Wonder of Genetics: the Creepy, the Curious and the Commonplace.”

Dr. Kowles, a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in Biology at Saint Mary’s University, drew upon his lifelong career in teaching (38 years at Saint Mary’s and 14 at the high school level) to answer such questions as, “Why do some people look like their relatives, while others don’t?” and “Why are some of us male and others female?”

“I wrote the book as a challenge because most people (and publishers) refuse to believe that genetic concepts can be explained to the average public; hence, I took on the challenge,” he said. “Consequently, it is a trade book geared to the general public and also to non-biology majors in college. Prometheus (the name of the publisher), in Greek mythology, means ‘inventive’ and ‘daring.’ How fitting for such a book.”

Kowles, known internationally for his research in genetics, explains that genetic concepts tend to be almost everywhere. The book deals with topics like: the genetic differences between males and females, the potential effects of radiation on the human genome, eating irradiated or genetically modified foods, cloning, genetic therapy, stem-cell research, nature vs. nurture, and how genes are related to many diseases, psychological disturbances and possibly other behaviors. Dr. Kowles concludes by addressing common misconceptions about genetics and emphasizing the discipline’s potential for curing some diseases, extending the human lifespan, enhancing medicine and agriculture, and generally improving society.”

And he accomplishes all of this with some tongue-in-cheek humor.

"Good teaching is to transplant what is in your head into the head of others with understanding — whether they are college students or the general public. And humor never hurts,” Dr. Kowles said. “Some ‘zingers’ are indeed embedded in the book.”

“The Wonder of Genetics” — Dr. Kowles’ fourth book— was published on Oct. 29. It is available by contacting Prometheus Books, 800-421-0351; on Amazon.com; at Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstores; and at other local bookstores and online retailers.

Saint Mary’s hosts Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Biology Department will host the 36th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology on Friday, April 16, in the Adducci Science Center.

Students from Saint Mary’s and other colleges and universities in the tri-state region will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:20 a.m. and continue until the 11:45 a.m. lunch break; presentations will then continue from 2 to 4 p.m.

The symposium presents all attendees the opportunity to experience the process of open collegial assessment of experimental findings, the opportunity to encounter discoveries from a variety of scientific disciplines, and an excellent environment to develop personal contacts and acquaintances.

From 12:45 to 2 p.m., Saint Mary’s alumnus Dr. John Stegeman will present the R.V. Kowles Lecture in the Common Room, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall. Dr. Stegeman is a senior scientist and the director of the Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health. With an extensive list of publications, Dr. Stegeman has served in a multitude of capacities for National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He also recently participated in an expert panel discussion during the first UN World Oceans Day. He will present “Enzymes, Chemicals and Environment: Exploring the Evolution and Diversity of Cytochrome P450 Genes, and the Implications.”

The public is invited to attend the lecture, as well as the student presentations, free of charge. Morning refreshments will be provided.

Four Saint Mary’s students complete projects in the Mayo Scholars Program

Saint Mary’s University students, from left: Amanda Christman, Bethany Kaufmann, Holly Schuh and Dan Murray participated in the Mayo Scholars Program in 2007-08, sponsored by the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property.

WINONA, Minn. — Four Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota students received the educational opportunity of a lifetime through the Mayo Scholars Program. For the past five months, these students contributed to innovative medical research, associated with the world’s most prestigious health care system.

The Mayo Scholars Program, now in its second year, offers an opportunity for selected MBA students and undergraduate science and business students to research projects submitted by Mayo Clinic professionals through the Mayo Clinic Office of Intellectual Property.
The program connects students from biology, chemistry, math, physics, pre-med and business and helps prepare them for careers in hospitals, medical research institutions and health care agencies. Forty-five students from nine Minnesota Private College Council schools participated in the program.

Saint Mary’s program participants included: Amanda Christman, a senior majoring in marketing, international business and Spanish from St. Joseph; Bethany Kaufmann, a junior biology: pre-physical-therapy and biochemistry major from Green Bay, Wis.; Dan Murray, a senior marketing and management major from Rochester; and Holly Schuh, a senior visual arts: business major and biology minor from Altura.

The team of four students were chosen by SMU faculty in early October. For the next five months, the teams worked on research focusing on “Treating Digestive Motility Disorders,” under the guidance of team leader Leo Evans from Augsburg College and Mayo Licensing Manager, Leif Nelson. Saint Mary’s faculty advisors were Dr. Tom Marpe, Business Department, and Dr. Randy Krainock, Biology Department.

The group presented their findings March 12 in Rochester.

“The Mayo Scholars program provided an intense, real-life experience that will have positive and beneficial repercussions for my planned future in global health. The research was very interesting and rewarding, and I am very thankful for the given opportunity,” Schuh said.
Other research topics included “Predictive Markers for Parkinson’s,” “Instrumentation for Ultrasound Guided Surgery,” “Fabrication of Enhanced Tissue,” and “Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters.”

Students have the option of earning credit for the experience, either as an internship or independent study. They also receive a $1,000 stipend.

“The students gained a wonderful experience that pushed them outside their comfort zone,” said Marpe. “They gained much in their research skills and poise and confidence in making public presentations.”

Flea market, creek cleanup part of SMU Earth Week

WINONA, Minn. — The Student Activities Committee and the Biology Club of Saint Mary’s University are planning and participating in several Earth Week activities for students including an Adopt-a-Highway cleanup, a medallion hunt, bike tune-ups, a canoe trip and car emissions tests.

Saint Mary’s students are also joining with students from Winona State University and Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical for the second annual Spruce-Up Winona Day on Wednesday, April 25.

The public is invited to participate in two additional activities in honor of Earth Week. A flea market will be held on campus from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 27, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28. The community is invited on campus for this fun way to recycle.

Additionally, SMU is once again sponsoring a 2-mile section of Gilmore Creek. The annual creek cleanup is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. Gloves and bags will be provided. Faculty, staff and students will meet at the information desk, located in the Toner Student Center, at 3 p.m. for instruction. Anyone who would like to sign up or receive more information can call Deb Nahrgang at (507) 457-6966.

Research symposium in biology is April 20 at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Biology Department and Biology Club will host the 34th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology on Friday, April 20, in the Toner Student Center.

Undergraduates from Saint Mary’s and from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis.,, will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the 11:45 a.m. lunch break; presentations will continue from 2:15 to 4 p.m.

At 1:15 p.m., a DVD presentation featuring Dr. Charles Muscoplat, vice president for Statewide Strategic Resource Development and McKnight Presidential Leadership Chair, will be held in Figliulo Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Dr. Muscoplat can no longer attend the symposium in person. His talk is titled: “Nutrigenomics: How the Chemicals and Genes in our Food Affect the Chemicals and Genes in our Body.”

The public is welcome to attend any of the presentations.