Thirty-two research projects conducted by Clarion University students were on display
during the Undergraduate Research Conference held in Carlson Library. The presentations
were part of Academic Excellent Week programs.
Undergraduate students in any major or program at Clarion University may apply for
up to $500 in funds from the Office of the Provost to support independent research
or a scholarly project to be conducted in collaboration with a faculty mentor. These
grants are competitive and a review committee evaluates proposals.
Research is defined in a broad context to include any scholarly, creative, entrepreneur,
or civic activity. It is not limited to the traditional concept of laboratory studies
in sciences.
Academic Excellence Week also includes: Faculty and Staff Scholarship Recognition,
Senior Honors Program presentations, Academic Convocation, and Graduate Research Conference
and Outstanding Graduate Student Reception.
Presenting research were:
Gemma Asche, Kristina Eggleton, Alex McCormick, Kirwyn Sutherland, and Alexandra Wesley,
"The Isolation and Characterization of Blue Tongue Virus (BTV)-17 variants: Screening
non-cytopathic mutants, molecular biology/biotech." Gemma Asche, Kristina Eggleton,
and Alex McCormick, are Clarion University graduates who started the research prior
to their graduation.
Sutherland, a senior biology major, is a son of Kirwyn Sutherland of Philadelphia
and is a graduate of George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science.
Wesley, a junior molecular biology major, is a daughter of Vicki Deschambeau of Oil
City and is a graduate of Oil City High School.
The study focused on the production and isolation of non-cytopathic mutants and characterizing
them at the molecular level. Non-cytopathic mutants are variants of the virus that
infect vero cells but do not kill them. In performing the Hemadsorption inhibition
Spot Assay, cells that come in contact with BTV can be partitioned into three different
categories: infected and killed, infected and not killed, and not infected
Kathryn Aurand, C. M. Scott, and Haley White, "Biochemical analysis of ADD66 in regards to the UPRE and Hac1p affinity."
Aurand, a sophomore biology major, is a daughter of Jan Aurand of Whitmore Lake, Mich.,
and a graduate of Ladywood High School.
White, a junior biology major, is a daughter of Mary White of Morrisdale and is a
graduate of West Branch High School.
There are many diseases such as liver and lung disease as well as certain forms of
cancer that are linked to protein misfolding while the proteins are being transported
through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This protein misfolding ultimately causes
cell stress and possibly cellular death. The focus of the research was to further
elucidate the regulation of gene expression during ER stress.
Garrett Beatty, Samantha Cooney, and Bridgett Shaw, "Effect of Ambient Air Temperature
on Maggot Mass Temperature." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Andrew Keth, biology.
Beatty, a sophomore biology major, is a son Bonnie Beatty of Rochester Mills and is
a graduate of Punxsutawney High School.
Cooney, a junior molecular biology major, is a daughter of Wendy Cooney of New Castle
and a graduate of Laurel High School.
Shaw, sophomore biology major, is from Industry and is a graduate of Ambridge High
School.
The study focused on fly development as a vital part of forensic science in determining
time since death. It is widely recognized that carrion-insect development is directly
affected by the ambient air temperature. To study this, maggot masses were reared
in the lab simulating those seen on decomposing bodies. Feeding and other aspects
of metabolic activity generate heat within the mass, even when ambient air temperatures
decline. In this way, a mass of ectothermic animals is able to function temporarily
as an endothermic unit.
Jordan Blair and Shanna Bowersox, "Manganese Toxicity and Sub-lethal Effect of Increased
Manganese Concentration on the Commom Creek Chub (Semotilus Atromaculatus) and the
Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys Atratulus)." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Valerie Bennett,
biology.
They also presented "MDR1 drug resistant gene: Techniques for isolation of DNA from
various sample types."
Blair, a junior biology major, is a son of Mary Blair of Rimersburg and is a graduate
of Clarion High School.
Bowersox, a senior biology major, is a daughter of Terri Bowersox of New Bethlehem
and is a graduate of Redbank Valley High School.
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a deleterious side effect of surface mining that plagues
watersheds in many counties in Pennsylvania. With new technological advances, the
Department of Environmental Protection has been able to produce many passive treatment
facilities that raise the pH of many affected streams by using water and metal filtration
mechanisms. Using stream collected fish from historically AMD unaffected streams,
they sought to determine a correlation between manganese concentrations and metabolic
rates.
The MDR1 gene codes for a large trans-membrane protein, the P-glycoprotein. The protein
is a vital part of the blood-brain barrier and functions by transporting several types
of drug substances from brain tissue to capillaries. They analyzed degraded samples
to determine the possibility of their use for research of the MDR1 gene. DNA was extracted
from freshly collected buccal swab samples, partially degraded tissue (liver and spleen),
and blood samples using DNA extraction solution.
Kenneth Bonus, "Sustainability and ethics in business." Sponsoring faculty members,
Dr. Gustavo Barboza, administrative science. Bonus, a senior management/accounting
major, is a son of Elaine Bonus of Butler, and is a graduate of Butler High School.
The term sustainability can be defined as the capacity to maintain a certain process.
This process includes making profits, treatment of people, and preserving the environment.
With businesses growing faster than ever, it is becoming increasingly difficult to
continue to increase profits while taking the other factors into consideration. This
research addressed ethics and corporate social responsibility programs, which greatly
contribute to the goal of sustainability.
Joe Cairone, James Martin, Peter Johnson, Kevin Hart, Alexandra Tyler, and Michael
Seabright, "Factors which effect biofilm formation in vitro by a uropathogenic strain
of E. coli." Sponsoring faculty member Dr. Doug Smith.
Cairone, a senior molecular biology major, resides in Clarion and is a graduate of
Crystal Lake South High School.
Martin, a junior molecular biology major, is a son of Robert Martin of Erie and is
a graduate of McDowell High School.
Johnson, a junior biology major, is a son of Susan Johnson of Canfield, Ohio, and
is a graduate of Canfield High School.
Hart, a freshman molecular biology major, is a son of Cindy Hart of Nazareth and is
a graduate of Pen Argyl High School.
Tyler, a freshman biology major, is from Philadelphia and is a graduate of St. Huberts
Catholic High School for Girls.
Seabright, a senior molecular biology major, is a son of Cindy Seabright of Oil City
and is a graduate of Franklin High School.
In order to effectively investigate biofilm formation by a uropathogenic hospital
strain of E. coli in connection with chronic urinary tract infections, this research
developed a simple, inexpensive, highly repeatable and easily interpretable assay
for biofilm formation. The research also investigated the effects of basic variables
such as incubation time, pH, carbon availability, and protein availability on biofilm
formation in vitro.
In addition, Martin, Cairone, Hart, Tyler, and Johnson, "Isolation of Potential Biofilm
Inhibitors in Male Urine." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Doug Smith.
The research focused on the use of ammonium sulfate fractionation to separate out
components of the urine and reintroduce them into a simplified bioassay, in which
some faractions have demonstrated strong anti-biofilm activity. Once isolated, it
is hoped the agent can be identified from among several candidates and its efficacy
examined quantitatively under a variety of physiological conditions.
Joy Carey, "The case for the Amero." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Rod Raehsler,
economics. Carey, a senior international business major, is a daughter of Charles
and Molly Carey of Lancaster and is a graduate of Manheim Township High School.
The project focused on the economic development of Mexico, and what it would take
for the proposed union in North America to be approved. She examined the complex history
that Mexico has faced, and reasons why the nation faces challenges in becoming advanced;
analyzed how the roles of international trade will change for North America once the
common currency (the Amero) is introduced; and trends of globalization.
Ashley Connor, "Impact of hip-hop: Past and present." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr.
Scott Kuehn, mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies. Connor, a junior
mass media arts, journalism and communications studies major, is a daughter of Cornelia
Connor of Pittsburgh, and is a graduate of Woodland Hills High School.
Being a Bakari Scholar, Connor focused on Hip Hop and its impact on society. From
her love of soul music, she decided to research the influence of early soul artists
on present day soul artists, comparing the 1960s soul star Aretha Franklin to the
present day R&B sensation Beyonce Knowles. She compared the music and lyrical content
of both artists and show how original soul artists have had an influence on today's
hit music.
Alysha Cypher, Adam Zenone, and Aiden Simpson, "Importance of intact forest corridors
to the dispersal and distributions of fisher (Martes pennanti) in the Allegheny Plateau.
Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Andre Keth, biology.
Cypher, a freshman, biology major, is a daughter of Gary Cypher of Cabot, and is a
graduate of Knoch High School.
Zenone, sophomore biology major, is a son of Angela Zenone of Patton and is a graduate
of Cambria Heights High School.
Simpson, sophomore biology major, is a son of Michael Simpson of Ridge Summit and
is a graduate Waynesboro High School.
Habitat loss and over-trapping eliminated the fisher from Pennsylvania by the early
1900s. In December 1994, fishers were released into Sproul State Forest in Clinton
County. Since that time, over 160 have been reintroduced in the Commonwealth. Forested
corridors linking the Allegheny National Forest to the Clarion River corridor have
been identified. This study tested the hypothesis that fishers utilize those corridors.
Continuing studies will examine the importance of those corridors to fisher dispersal
and distribution in the Allegheny Plateau region.
geisler, rose
Courtney Davis, Jessica Geissler, David Rose, and C. M. Scott, "Identifying cis-acting
transcriptional elements involved in the regulation of ADD66 during times of ER stress.
Davis a sophomore biology major, is a daughter of John Davis of Blairsville and is
a graduate of Blairsville High School.
Geissler, a senior molecular biology major, is a daughter of Jill Geissler of Portersville
and is a graduate of Lincoln High School.
Rose, a junior molecular biology major, is a son of Roger Rose of Gallitzin and is
a graduate of Bishop Carroll High School.
Chronic protein misfolding may contribute to diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF),
Alpha-1 Trypsic Disorder (ATD), and Alzheimer's. ER-associated degradation (ERAD)
is the constitutive mechanism a cell follows to combat misfolded protein accumulation
in the secretory pathway. When this is insufficient, a secondary pathway, the unfolded
protein response (UPR) is activated to further assist in degradation of accumulated
proteins. Antitrypsin Degradation Deficient 66 (ADD66) is a proteasome assembly chaperone,
which is induced to higher levels during periods of cell stress via the UPR. It is
believed that a novel nucleotide sequence upstream of the ADD66 gene's coding region
may be responsible for its regulation during ER stress. If this is correct, it could
have implications for a cohort of genes induced by the UPR and give further insight
into the UPR's mechanisms. Ultimately, this allows new insight into the regulation
of various genetic disorders that run throughout the ER and the secretory pathway.
Michael Deibert, "Study abroad semester in Lille, France." Deibert, a senior theatre
major, is a son of Bradley and Lenore Deibert of Greensburg and is a graduate of Hempfield
High School.
Deibert received the International Scholar Award to help support his study abroad
semester in Lille, France, during Spring 2008. His presentation gave a brief synopsis
of my semester abroad in terms of academic and social life. It also outlined the many
benefits that he derived.
Brandon Doverspike, "Comparaison of the Viability and Differentiation of Hematapotetic
Stem Cells Cultured in Static Flasks Vs. A Rotary Cell Culture System." Doverspike,
a junior biology major, is a son of Debra Doverspike of New Bethlehem and is a graduate
of Redbank Valley High School.
Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC's) are multipotent stem cells that are capable of differentiating
into multiple blood cell types that include monocytes, leukocytes, erythrocytes, etc.
Due to the HSC's accessibility and multipotency, they have been researched extensively
and used in stem cell treatments to help cure leukemia, neuroblastoma, and Hodgkin's
disease. In order for transplantation to be effective, HSCs must differentiate into
the type of cell that is needed for the patient. In the research, HSC's were grown
in two different vessels, rotary cell culture systems (RCCS) and a static cell culture
system, to see which system had the most viable cells after seven days of growth.
The results from the experiment indicated that viability was greater in the RCCS when
compared to the static cell culture system and showed that the HSCs had greater proliferation
in the RCCS. In addition, the environment of the RCCS (cells being in constant motion)
as opposed to that of the static cell culture system was better suited for HSC growth
and viability.
Dayan Edirisinghe, "Tsunami experience from Sri Lanka." Sponsoring faculty member,
Jim Rose, art. Edirisinghe, a junior information systems major, is a son of Daya and
Kanthi Edirisinghe of Sri Lanka.
His art work represents the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami which was the most devastating
natural disaster in history, with more than 98,000 were people killed throughout 11
countries. Sri Lanka was the second most devastated country following this natural
disaster. I am a student from Sri Lanka who has had a first-hand experience of a tsunami.
Megan Harrison, "How do students perceive hip-hop music?" Sponsoring faculty member,
Dr. Marite Haynes, psychology. Harrison, a senior psychology major, is a daughter
of Sue Harrison of Jackson Center and is a graduate of Lakeview High School.
There is not much research on hip-hop music, or how people perceive it, whether they
find the music offensive or find it inspiring and are they talking about the content
or the accompanying music. Harrison felt it was important to know what college students
think about hip-hop because Clarion University holds a hip-hop symposium each year.
In this study, two songs were compared, one likely to be found offensive towards women
and one less likely to be found offensive. One group of participants read the lyrics
and a second group listened to the lyrics with music. This comparison was done because
some people may not realize what the message of the song actually is, instead listening
only to the beat.
Christopher Keener "Effect of Stromal Cell Concentrations on the Proliferation and
Differentiation of Cultured Hematopoietic Stem Cells." Sponsoring faculty member,
Dr. Doug Smith. The project continued researched started by Clarion University graduate
Julie Speicher.
Keener, a senior molecular biology major, is a son of Avis Keener of Ringgold and
is a graduate of Punxsutawney High School.
The research analyzed three types of hematopoietic stem cell cultures: a culture without
stromal cells, a control culture with a natural amount of stromal cells, and a culture
with extra stromal cells added. The reates of differentiation and proliferation of
these cultures were analyzed and tested to determine the effect that sromal cells
have on hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and diffentiation.
Jillian Leitzel, "Exchange program with the University of Malta." Leitzel, a junior
secondary education/social studies major, is a daughter of Samuel Leitzel of Richfield
and is a graduate of Middle-West High School.
Leitzel participated in an exchange program in Malta for Spring Semester 2008. Her
purpose for this study abroad experience was to gain a better understanding of other
cultures and social interactions, so she could then bring these experiences into my
classroom as a future teacher of social studies.
Josh Lindemuth, John Cerutti, and George McNamee, "Are You a Square/Our PCTM Experience."
Lindemuth, a senior secondary education/mathematics major, is a son of Michele Lindemuth
of Brockport and is a graduate of Brockway High School.
Cerutti, a senior secondary education/mathematics major, is a grandson of Herbert
Cereutti of Kittanning and is a graduate of Kittanning High School.
McNamee, a senior secondary education/mathematics major, is a son of Barbara McNamee
of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of North Hills High School.
Levi Miller, Joanna Catalano, and Gregory Goreczny, "Design of a Reliable Model for
the Induction of Superficial Skin Infections in Rats." Sponsoring faculty member,
Dr. Doug Smith.
Miller, a freshman molecular biology major, is from Coopersburg and is a graduate
of Southern Lehigh High School.
Catalano, a freshman molecular biology major, is a daughter of Elizabeth Catalano
of Joppa, Md., and is a graduate of Aberdeen High School.
Goreczny, a freshman biology major, is a son of Carol Goreczny of Oil City and is
a graduate of Oil City High School.
The goal was to successfully infect rat skin with bacteria using a "tape-stripping,"
where the skin in the area to be infected was exposed by shaving to remove the hair.
After cleaning the area, the upper dermal layers were cleared using repeated application
and removal of surgical tape. Next, the gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae
spp. Rhinoscleromatis was applied to the area. The goal was achieved in order to set
a foundation for further research testing the efficacy of an experimental agent in
treating gram-negative superficial skin infections.
Sean McFarland, "Construction and Application of an Electrospray Device in Gene Therapy."
McFarland, a senior molecular biology/biotechnology major with minors in nanotechnology,
chemistry and mathematics, is a son of Jeffrey and Ann Maria McFarland of Macungie
and is a graduate of Upper Perkiomen High School.
Electrospray is a phenomenon that results from the application of an electric field
to fluid contained in a small capillary. The driving electrostatic force incites the
emission of droplets that cycle through phases of evaporation and coulombic explosion,
ideally resulting in the formation of gas-phase ions. Though this technique has found
widespread use in the area of mass spectrometry, it has also been documented to function
in a wide range of other applications including particle deposition and, more recently,
gene therapy. It was the goal of the project to construct a device capable of producing
an electrospray, and then conduct a feasibility study in using it to transform bacteria
to express the easily detectable green fluorescent protein.
Joshua Mutua, "Foreign aid and economic development: In the Case of Kenya." Sponsoring
faculty member, Dr.Sandra Trejos, economics. Mutua, a senior international business
major, is from Kenya.
His research examined the relationship between foreign aid and economic development
in the case in Kenya and also builds on existing literature that expound on the effects
of foreign aid on economic growth, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nandanie Nohar, "A More Acurate Yield to Maturity Formula." Faculty sponsor, Dr. Soga Ewedemi, finance. Nohar, a senior finance major, is a daughter of Kowsilla Nohar of Tannersville and is a graduate of Pocono Mountain East High School.
Shakira O'Neil, "Comparison of the phagocytic clearance of Gram negative bacteria
exposed to SKLU-1 lung carcinoma cells." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Doug Smith.
O'Neil, a senior molecular biology major, is a daughter of Nerrissa Mixon of Philadelphia
and is a graduate of Frankford High School.
The research investigated phagocytosis of Gram negative bacteria exposed to lung cells.
Seven different Gram negative bacteria strains were examined and a gram positive.
The work could lead to the development of a new class of antimicrobial compounds that
enhance the phagocytic clearance of Gram negative bacteria.
Christopher Owens, "Environmental Regulation of diapause and freeze tolerance in Eurosta
solidaginis." Sponsoring faculty member and co-researcher, Dr. Valerie Bennett, biology.
Owens, a senior biology major, is son of Cynthia Owens of Cranberry Township and is
a graduate of Seneca Valley High School.
Two sets of seasonal physical changes are associated with this overwintering. Diapause
is a reduced metabolic rate, cessation of feeding, and arrested development. Freeze
tolerance in Eurosta is indicated by an increased supercooling point as compared to
summer. Several environmental factors have been hypothesized as cues for initiation
of diapause and freeze tolerance in the fall, including temperature, moisture, and
photoperiod. The study holds both short-term and long-term purpose. Galls containing
Eurosta were periodically collected from fields around Clarion from September through
March each year from 2005 to the present. Metabolic rates and supercooling points
of the collected insects were measured, and field temperatures were recorded hourly
by a data logger. Eurosta became freeze tolerant by early-to mid-October each year.
The first notably depressed metabolic rates of each year differed from these dates
by up to two weeks. These compiled data support the hypothesis that diapause and freeze
tolerance are cued separately.
Athena Pack, "Mary McLeod Bethune: A phenomenal woman." Sponsoring faculty member,
Dr. Uraina Pack, English. Pack, a sophomore psychology major, is a daughter of Uraina
Pack of Butler and is a graduate of Butler High School.
Mary McLeod Bethune was a leading African American educator and presidential cabinet
member. Her work on behalf of the African American community and as a representation
of the dignity and refinement of black womanhood worked to transcend racial barriers
caused by the history of slavery. As a black college president and the founder of
Bethune-Cookman College, she earned a place in African American history and the history
of American education. Pack's research discussed Bethune's work in the National Youth
Administration, role as a member of the black women's club movement, and her management
of Bethune-Cookman College.
Caitlin Palko, " Early literacy kits." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Brian Maguire,
education. Palko, a senior elementary childhood education major, is a daughter of
Janice Palko of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of North Hills High School.
Palko's project focused on facilitating early literacy experiences for preschool age
children, so that they can enter kindergarten ready for reading instruction. Through
literacy kits that are brought into the home and completed with their caregivers,
children experienced literacy opportunities that will later help to develop early
literacy skills including: phonemic awareness, print concepts, vocabulary development,
letter recognition and identification, development towards understanding of the alphabetic
principle, and a motivation to read.
Erica Pickett, "Economic structure and race relations in the Dominican Republic."
Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Vince Spina, modern languages. Pickett, a senior Spanish
major, is a daughter of Melissa Pickett of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Schenley
High School.
Pickett's study of the economic structure and race relations in the Dominican Republic
was based on first hand experience in-country. Her research explored the cultural
relationship between natives of the Dominican Republic and their neighboring country
Haiti. The presentation reported the success of the week-long art and literary camp
Pickett was able to run in-country as a direct result of the International Scholar
Award.
Samantha Sears, "The stratigraphy of Millstone." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Susan
Prezzano, anthropology. Sears, sophomore anthropology major, is a daughter of Patricia
Sears of Knox and is a graduate of Keystone High School.
During the summer of 2008 students enrolled in Clarion University's archaeological
field school excavated at Millstone, a multi-component site located in Elk County
within the Allegheny
National Forest. Students excavated four three-meter square units to a maximum depth
of 60 cm. Excavations confirmed previously obtained information that identified the
use of this location for recent (last 50 years) day-use camping and also identified
a mill settlement dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sears' research
project focused on determining the relationship between excavated levels, artifact
distribution, and natural sediments.
Corey Shiner, "Books for soldiers." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. Rod Raehsler, economics.
Shiner, a sophomore liberal studies major, is a daughter of Leslie Shiner of Allentown.
Books for Soldiers was a community service project. The object of the project was
to collect books, DVDs, video games and magazines for soldiers overseas. The books
were collected March 11-12 on campus. All the books went to Operation Troop Appreciation
in Pittsburgh. The books will be sent overseas to National Guard troops serving in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
Kirwyn Sutherland, "Validation of ConSurf as a predicator of functional domains in
proteins." Sponsoring faculty member, Dr. William Barnes, biology. Sutherland, a senior
biology major, is a son of Kirwyn Sutherland of Philadelphia and is a graduate of
George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science.
The ConSurf server is a computational tool designed to identify functionally important
regions of a protein by calculating conservation scores for each amino acid. Although
this strategy is soundly grounded in evolutionary theory, it still remains to be formally
validated. The use of conservation as a predictor of function was tested using the
'hinge' region between the alpha1 and beta2 chains of hemoglobin.
Jason Waltenbaugh, "Essance of Pittsburgh – The Strip District." Sponsoring faculty
member, Jim Rose, art. Waltenbaugh, a sophomore art major, is from Kittanning and
is a graduate of Kittanning High School.
The purpose of the research project was to capture the roots and solid foundations
that hold Pittsburgh together through photojournalism. The focus of his photo essay
was to convey Pittsburgh's early history through the lenses of past photographers
who have captured the essence of what is known as the Strip District. His work was
to continue this legacy and add a whole new perspective on the way this culturally
enriched area is viewed.
Christy Weaver, "Millstone Pennsylvania: Life in a pioneer lumber town." Sponsoring
faculty member, Dr. Susan Prezzano, anthropology. Weaver, a senior liberal studies
major, resides in Reynoldsville with her husband, Kenneth, and is a graduate of DuBois
High School.
In the summer of 2008, excavation was begun on site 36-EL-0204 a small lumbering village
within the Allegheny National Forest. The site had been occupied as a village, according
to census records and historical documentation, from 1856 to approximately 1908, at
which point the mill was closed down. Artifacts uncovered through the course of the
excavation included a great deal of household debris leading the researchers to believe
that the site itself was residential rather than commercial in nature. In addition,
the site also revealed an earlier occupation of late woodland Native Americans as
well as evidence of modern camping activity. The research project is an extension
of that excavation with Weaver setting out to find the historical background of the
site in an effort to corroborate this hypothesis.
Alexandra Wesley and Jessie Hartman, "Genration of New Small Plaque Mutants of Bluetongue
Virus Serotype-17." Sponsoring faculty members Dr. Kate Eggleton and Dr. Doug Smith.
Wesley, a junior molecular biology major, is a daughter of Vicki Deschambeau of Oil
City and is a graduate of Oil City High School.
Hartman, a junior biology major, is a daughter of Brenda Hartman of Mayport and is
a graduate of Redbank Valley High School.
Bluetongue Virus is an arthropod borne pathogen affecting cattle, sheep, and wild
ruminants. The purpose of the research was to successfully propagate the virus in
cell culture in order to gain insight into the mechanism the virus uses to destroy
host cells by apoptosis.
Sarah Yakima and Adrienne Levy, " A taste of Italy and Greece."
Yakima, who received her degree in English from Clarion University in December 2008,
is a daughter of Sue Yakima of Portersville and is a graduate of Slippery Rock High
School.
Levy, a junior sociology/philosophy major, is daughter of Elma Levy of New Bethelhem
and is a graduate of Redbank Valley High School.
Their presentation was a visual representation of the study abroad trip they took with the English Department in May 2008. It included pictures, maps, information about the countries visited, activities and adventures, and general information about studying abroad in another country. This presentation is a result of Clarion's International Scholar Award, which she received in 2008.
Ivan Zhuravlyov, "Preparation and characterization of thin film amorphous alloy."
Zhuravlyov, a freshman physics major, is from East Stroudsburg and is a graduate of
East Stroudsburg High School South.
The goal of this experiment was to create and test Amorphous Alloy Thin film. The
method that was used was evaporation with a Bell Jar Vacuum system, starting by evaporating
aluminum and then Zirconium. After weeks of testing he was successful and approximately
10 samples were produced. He is ready for the next phase, testing to see if the alloy
is indeed amorphous.
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