September 10, 2020: Dr. Borzok invited to join Frontiers in Physiology Editorial Board
By rmcnamara – Posted on September 10, 2020
Dr. Maegen Borzok, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
MANSFIELD – Mansfield University Assistant Professor of Biochemistry Dr. Maegen Borzok has accepted an invitation to join the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Physiology: Striated Muscle Physiology as a Review Editor.
Frontiers in Physiology: Striated Muscle Physiology is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal that publishes original research. The journal provides a forum for the dissemination of the newest knowledge of skeletal and cardiac striated muscle function to the broadest possible readership.
“This is a real honor as only leading experts and established members of the research community are appointed to the Frontiers Editorial Board,” explained Borzok. “With this new role comes the added responsibility of ensuring the high-quality and rigorous content in published works. I am ready and willing to take on this responsibility.”
Borzok’s research and teaching lab at Mansfield University focuses on the biochemistry involved in cardiovascular diseases, which works to understand the mechanisms important for cellular attachments. Borzok came to Mansfield in 2018 from the Ohio State College of Medicine. Prior to OSU, Borzok taught and received her doctoral degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
“I see this as a wonderful opportunity to expose budding young scientists to the peer-review process, an essential aspect to the scientific field,” said Borzok. “I am excited to embark in this new role and involve our students in something they don’t yet have access to.”
June 15, 2020: Katie Hoover ‘21 awarded Sigma Xi grant for proposal on biochemistry of cardiovascular diseases
By rmcnamara – Posted on June 15, 2020
Katie Hoover ’21 working in the Borzok Lab.
MANSFIELD, Pa. – Mansfield University’s Katie Hoover ‘21 was awarded a grant from Sigma Xi’s Grant in Aid of Research (GIAR) program for her proposal on the biochemistry of cardiovascular diseases.
Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi is The Scientific Research Honor Society and one of the oldest and largest scientific organizations in the world. The Sigma Xi GIAR program promotes scientific excellence and achievement through hands-on learning. Only 12-15% of applicants receive any level of funding for the highly-competitive program.
Hoover, an Enola, Pa. native, is a rising senior in the bachelor of science in chemistry program with a concentration in biochemistry.
“Receiving this grant is an amazing opportunity to continue our research during the upcoming school year and beyond, as it will allow us to get the essential supplies needed to advance the wet lab portion of our project,” Hoover explained. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to participate in research at Mansfield and for Dr. Borzok’s mentorship. I look forward to both furthering my research experience and moving this project forward as much as I can during my senior year at Mansfield.”
The lab, led by assistant professor of chemistry Dr. Maegen Borzok, focuses on the molecular basis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, a fatal disease affecting many. Specifically, students are studying how genetic mutations in the protein desmoplakin affect the ability of the protein to function properly.
The goal is to develop a treatment for this genetic disease by “fixing” or protecting the mutant protein at the molecular level. The lab uses molecular dynamics, a form of computer simulations, along with wet lab biochemical assays to study desmoplakin’s behavior and determine how it can be fixed.
“Reasons like this are exactly why I am here at Mansfield University,” said Dr. Borzok. “To hear the excitement in a student’s voice and to watch the wonder of developing their inquisitive mind is an honor to witness. This Grant in Aid from Sigma Xi, will allow Katie and I to continue working together to further our research on a fatal disease affecting so many.”
May 29, 2020: Katherine Thompson named Mansfield University Outstanding Senior Award recipient
By rmcnamara – Posted on May 29, 2020
MANSFIELD – Katherine Thompson, a Chemistry major from Greenville, Pa., was named the 2020 recipient of Mansfield University’s Outstanding Senior Award.
Each year, academic departments nominate students for the prestigious Outstanding Senior Award. A faculty-led committee reviews each nominee’s record of academic achievement, the quality of their service to the university and community, and evidence of their leadership skills. The committee then selects a small number of candidates who are interviewed by the committee and required to write an impromptu essay. Based on the application materials, the interview, and the essay, the committee selects an Outstanding Senior.
16 students were nominated for the 2020 Outstanding Senior Award by their respective departments.
Thompson participated in several off-campus competitive internships during the summer and contributed to research at Mansfield University involving the pervasiveness of microplastics and presented that research at multiple conferences. She plans to attend graduate school in the fall to obtain a Ph.D. and has been accepted to Vanderbilt University, Penn State University, Stony Brook University, and the University of Virginia. Thompson’s future goal is to contribute to materials chemistry research involving nanoscience with possible renewable or more efficient energy applications.
Mansfield University will recognize its Outstanding Senior nominees and present the recipient of the award with a plaque at the rescheduled Commencement ceremony, on a date to be determined.
A full list of Outstanding Senior Award nominees is listed below:
Nominee (Department) Mentor
Quincy Amabile (English and World Languages)
Sierra Austin (Education/Special Education) Michele Whitecraft
Sarah Bogdan (English and World Languages) Brad Lint
Hunter Brewer (Geosciences)
Mariah Conrad (Social Work) Tiffany Welch
Madison Curtis (Psychology) Karen Crisp
Anastasia Hester (Health Sciences) Rochelle Clark
Victoria Holton (Art)
Django Klumpp (Music) Eric Carlin
Seungho Lee (Business Admin) Gopalan Kutty
Mario D. Mondelice (Mathematics and CIS) Matt Haner
Ty C. Moon (Biology)
Samantha Muscella (History, Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology)
Shannon Pizzirusso (Music) Jeff Jacobsen
Shadoe Sellers Sr. (Social Work) Mary Daly
Katherine Thompson (Chemistry and Physics) Elaine Farkas
February 20, 2020: MU students present at PA American Fisheries Society Symposium; King wins best poster
By rmcnamara – Posted on February 20, 2020
Mansfield University senior Amy King talks with national AFS President Dr. Doug Austen at the American Fisheries Society Symposium hosted at Juniata College.
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Senior Amy King won best poster presentation as several Mansfield University students and faculty presented at the annual Pennsylvania American Fisheries Society Symposium hosted at Juniata College on Feb. 6.
King won best poster for her work “Comparison of macroinvertebrate and microbial populations in decomposing nonnative Fallopia japonica and native riparian trees of the Delaware River.” The Venango, Pa. native is mentored by Drs. Greg Moyer and Jeanne Kagle of the Department of Biology.
“Opportunities like these do not come every day. If you find yourself in the position where you have the chance to mingle with possible future employers or brag about what you have worked so hard on, take it and impress them with all that you have learned” said King about her experience at the conference. “My work with the biology professors at Mansfield University has allowed me to be confident enough to reach for excellence and achieve my goals no matter how challenging.”
Laura Horowitz, from Milford, Pa., presented her senior research entitled “Micro-friction and adhesive properties of fish scales – a test between predator and prey.” Horowitz is mentored by Drs. Moyer and Elaine Farkas (Department of Chemistry and Physics).
Laura Horowitz presents her senior research at the AFS symposium.
Dr. Moyer, who serves as President of the Society, presented research completed by recent biology graduate Ryan Shaw of Etters, Pa. His talk was entitled “Identification of Moxostoma specimens collected in the Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania via DNA barcoding.”
Students from Dr. Moyer’s Human Dimensions in Fisheries Management class attended the conference and had the opportunity to take several workshops pertaining to fish ID, eDNA, data analysis and macro invertebrate ID.
The fisheries program is a concentration of Mansfield University’s bachelor of science in biology. Learn more about the Department of Biology at www.mansfield.edu/biology/.
November 21, 2019: Four Mansfield University students present at COPLAC Northeast Regional Conference
By rmcnamara – Posted on November 21, 2019
(L-R) Elly Franz, Kaitlin Tewell, Kory Wolfe, Gretchen Sechrist, and Samantha Rutledge
KEENE, N.H. – Four Mansfield University students presented their work at the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) Northeast Regional Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Conference on Nov. 8 and 9 at Keene State College (N.H.).
The students, representing three departments (Art, Biology, and Chemistry), presented their scholarly and creative activity with students from six other COPLAC universities. The group was led by Dr. Gretchen Sechrist of the Department of Psychology.
“This annual conference is a great opportunity for our students to share their research/creativity activity with their peers from other COPLAC schools and to learn about the work of students from other universities and disciplines,” said Sechrist.
The students that presented at conference were:
- Elly Franz (Senior, Department of Art) – Mindscape
- Samantha Rutledge (Junior, Department of Biology) – Master Illusionists or Careless Mimics: Do the Brown-headed Cowbird’s (Molothrus ater) Parasitic Eggs Resemble the Eggs of Host Species?
- Kaitlin Tewell (Senior, Department of Art) – The Alphabet of Weird and Wonderful Artists & Alphabet Bodies
- Kory Wolfe (Senior, Department of Chemistry) – Investigating Tardigrade Metabolic and Morphological Reactions to Osmotic Stresses
The 2020 conference will be held at Eastern Connecticut State University on Nov. 6 and 7.
Anyone interested in learning more about the conference or additional research opportunities offered by the COPLAC consortium, should contact Dr. Sechrist at gsechris@manfield.edu.
November 8, 2019: Mansfield Chemistry majors present at regional conference; Thompson wins 1st place
By rmcnamara – Posted on November 8, 2019
Leanna Hodge, Kory Wolfe, and Katherine Thompson
BALTIMORE, Md. – Three Mansfield University chemistry majors attended and presented at the 22ndannual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences held at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) on Oct. 19.
Seniors Katherine Thompson (Greenville, Pa.), Leanna Hodge (Kendall, N.Y.) and Kory Wolfe (Sunbury, Pa.) each presented original research at the symposium and were accompanied by their research advisors, Dr. Kristen Long of the Biology Department and Dr. Elaine Farkas of the Chemistry and Physics Department. The students were judged on research content, poster display, and oral communication and defense of their work. All three students were jointly advised by Dr. Long and Dr. Farkas in their collaborative research projects.
Thompson’s poster, titled “Analyzing and Quantifying the Pervasiveness of Microplastic Beads in Mouse Livers, Spleens, and Kidneys”, won first place in the chemistry category, beating out competition from James Madison University and Delaware State University. Her project explored the quantification of microplastics and nanoplastics in mouse tissues from mice fed controlled doses of plastic beads, which serves as a model for future studies into human tissues. Thompson has worked with Dr. Farkas for 1.5 years to develop a protocol for the detection and quantification of these elusive beads, while Dr. Long’s lab is concurrently exploring the bead-induced tissue damage in the same mice. Currently, there is no established protocol for mammalian tissue digestion and plastic quantification at this size scale.
Leanna Hodge and Kory Wolfe are working on a tardigrade project developed by Dr. Long and Dr. Farkas. Interest in tardigrades has piqued recently due to their peculiar survival properties during cryptobiosis, at state at which metabolic activities decrease. Recent literature cites tardigrade-unique protein expression, evaluated at the messenger (m)RNA level, as a mechanism for their enhanced survival in stressful conditions. However, these studies may have overlooked the structural function of proteins coded for by commonly assigned “housekeeping genes,” which are used to normalize mRNA expression levels.
Hodge presented her research on “Analysis of Potential Housekeeping Genes in Tardigrades.” She explored the expression levels of mRNA for various genes under conditions of osmostic and desiccation stresses relative to normal conditions in which tardigrades live.
Wolfe presented fundamental research on tardigrade tolerance of osmotic stress for different solutes. He probed the LD-50, or lethal dose at which 50% of a population is killed, for different solutes, and his poster was titled “Investigating Tardigrade Metabolic and Morphological Reactions to Osmotic Stresses”. In his research, Wolfe explored the least understood form of cryptobiosis: osmobiosis. He found that tardigrades have different tolerances depending on the solute, suggesting avenues for future research into the molecular pathways of cryptobiosis, which he plans to pursue.
Mansfield’s students were three of nearly 300 abstracts and poster presentations at this symposium, with students hailing from 35 universities across six states. Universities in attendance included the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, University of Delaware, Duquesne University, and many other schools with ties to graduate and medical schools. The conference was a great opportunity for these young scientists to network and explore active scientific research in their field.
March 28, 2019: PittCon Convention
A group of students from Mansfield University attended the 2019 PittCon annual convention in Philadelphia on March 21, 2019. PittCon (which stands for Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy), is the world’s leading conference and exposition on laboratory science. Attendees are from over 90 countries and include scientists of every type from industry, academia and government, which rotates its location yearly. Dr. John Williams, Chemistry, accompanied the 13 students to the conference, held in Philadelphia this year. The students were able to see a wide variety of instrumentation and laboratory equipment as well as make contacts with potential employers.
April 2018: Mansfield Students Attend American Chemical Society Meeting
By Terry Day – Posted on April 19, 2018
MANSFIELD, PA—Six Mansfield University students, accompanied by Professor Scott A. Davis, chair of the Chemistry and Physics Department, attended the Spring National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) held in New Orleans, LA March 18-22.
Christopher Haines presented research results he has obtained under the supervision of Davis in his paper entitled “Forensic Soil Analysis by Subtractive FTIR Spectroscopy.” The paper accepted for the Undergraduate Poster session in the Analytical Chemistry Division.
In addition to Haines, the other students in attendance were Katie Emerick, Sarah LaFrance, Krystal Lefever, Chris Lontz and Nicole Wynne.
The students were able to hear a number of talks and presentations regarding the interface of chemistry with a variety of fields including Homeland Security, predicting protein structure and careers. The ACS meeting typically has about 12,000 scientists in attendance, with over 7,000 presentations.
In addition to presentations the students were also able to visit an Expo highlighting over 100 instrument companies, 25 publishers and 100 graduate schools. Several of the students were able to meet and obtain autographed books from an author of one of their textbooks. Some time was also carved out to explore some of the sights and sounds of New Orleans.
April 17: MU Chemistry Club attends the Scholes Lecture and Poster Session at Alfred University
The annual meeting of the American Chemical Society - Corning Section honors the outstanding senior chemistry majors of the seven colleges in the Corning Section. Nicole Wynne was honored as the Outstanding Senior from Mansfield University. The award includes a choice of books. Nichole was introduced by Dr. Scott Davis (Chemistry).
The meeting also recognizes the three best research poster presentations displayed at the meeting. Nicole Wynne was a recipient of a poster award. Nicole's research project was advised by Drs. John Williams (Chemistry) and Kristen Long (Biology).
The meeting concluded with a lecture, "Science in the Kitchen" by Guy Crosby, Ph.D., CFS. The lecture covered chemistry, physics, and biology.
Area Students Learn and Have Fun at Mansfield University’s IDEAS Day
MANSFIELD, PA— Science and fun took center stage for grade school children and their parents at Mansfield University’s IDEAS (Inquire, Develop, Explore, Apply, Science) Day on Saturday, April 14. Area students in grades one through six had the opportunity to learn about and participate in hands-on science topics and experiments taught by MU Faculty and students from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Biology.
The session topics included topics such as “Underwater Web Weaving,” “How to Build a Monster” and “What You See is What You Taste,” among others.
“Our goaI is to introduce science to these students in a fun way in the hope that their interest is sparked and continues throughout their education and lives,” Assistant Professor of Chemistry Greg Carson, the event organizer, said. “This was our third year and I would say it was bigger and better and we’re already excited for next year.”
“Speaking as a father, I can say my daughter had a fun day and learned so much,” MU Interim President Scott Barton said. “Our faculty and students amaze me more every day and to watch them interact with these young students was incredible.”
“Events like IDEAS Day and THE BIG EVENT, our day of community service which was also held today, demonstrate that we are serious about our commitment to our community and region here at Mansfield University,” Barton added. “I want to thank personally all of our students, faculty, staff and community members who helped make today such a great success.”
IDEAS Day was made possible by support from Mansfield University, the Mansfield Foundation, FirstEnergy and Wells Fargo.
More photos from IDEAS Day.
March 2018: MU Chemistry and Physics Students Tour Crime Lab and Manufacturing Facility
Nine students from the Mansfield University Department of Chemistry and Physics, accompanied by Mark Thompson, instructor in the Departments of Chemistry and Physics and Criminal Justice Administration, traveled to Olean, NY for a tour of the New York State Police Western Satellite Crime Laboratory on Thursday, March 29.
The Crime Laboratory conducts analyses of suspected illegal drugs for police departments in western New York State.
The students were shown the process of forensic drug analysis from receipt of the material through the production of a court-ready report.
Following the tour of the Crime Laboratory, the students were provided with a tour of the production facilities and the analytical laboratory at Solepoxy, Inc., a manufacturer of epoxy-based specialty materials.
The students were shown the manufacturing process as well as the quality control processes involved in the production of epoxy-based materials.
The students involved were Ally Cole, McKenna Grega, Chris Haines. Katie Hoover, Katie James, Bastien Riviere, Katherine Thompson, Jess Towey and Kory Wolfe.
MANSFIELD, PA—Mark Thompson provided training for the FBI Evidence Response Team
Mark Thompson, instructor in the Departments of Chemistry and Physics and Criminal Justice Administration at Mansfield University, provided training to 16 members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Evidence Response Team (ERT) in Buffalo, NY on March 16.
Thompson’s training focused on the recognition, interpretation, and documentation of blood spatter evidence. The ERT is the primary crime scene response unit for the FBI.
Thompson is a retired Special Agent of the FBI and served for 17 years as a member of the ERT.
Learn more about studying Criminal Justice Administration.
MU Chemistry Professor Speaks to Local Boy Scouts
MANSFIELD, PA—Gregory Carson, associate professor of Chemistry at Mansfield University, participated in a question and answer session with Webelo 1 Den of Cub Scout Pack 2106 in Mansfield on March 14.
The Cub Scout group is starting the “Adventures in Science” elective and, as part of that elective, they are required to conduct a question and answer session with a scientist.
Carson answered questions during the hour-long session which touched on topics ranging from black holes, white holes, cloning, bringing back the dinosaurs, and various other topics in biology, chemistry and physics.
March 2017: Planetarium
Dr. Elaine Farkas hosts planetarium open house. This was reported by the Wellsboro Home Page site.
October 2016: MU Chemistry Club Hears Nobel Laurate Speak
MANSFIELD, PA—The Mansfield University Chemistry Club attended a lecture by Nobel Laurate Roald Hoffman held at Elmira College on September 23.The lecture, entitled “Protochemistries Are a Bridge,” presented the superb chemistry done by people before there were professional chemists.
Examples included the pre-Inca peoples of South America plating gold onto copper, the vibrant blue-purple pigments the ancient Egyptians were using as paint, and the very expensive blue dye used by Romans and Middle-Eastern peoples to signify royalty that was obtained from a certain sea snail.
Hoffman shared the 1981 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Kenichi Fukui. He has taught at Cornell University since 1965, now as the Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters Emeritus.
The lecture, held as part of the monthly meeting of the Corning Section of the American Chemical Society, was open to the public and attended by students from other local colleges and professional chemists from local industry.
September 2016: New Department Video
April 2016: Elementary School Students Get IDEAS at MU
MANSFIELD, PA—Ninety students in first through sixth grade spent April 9 at Mansfield University for IDEAS (Inquire, Develop, Explore, Apply, Science) Day, a day-long event in which local elementary school students participated in hands-on science experiments with professors and students from the MU Chemistry and Physics, Biology and Education departments. Organized by Associate Professor Gregory Carson and assisted by Assistant Professor Michele Conrad, both of the Chemistry and Physics Department, the elementary school students also had opportunities to view astronomy films in the planetarium during the lunch break and immediately following the culmination of their hands-on experiments.
“IDEAS Day developed from experiences that I, and several of my colleagues, have had going to different area schools and working with the students there,” Carson said “Faculty members in the natural sciences are often asked to do science demonstrations at local schools, and local groups often inquire about coming to Mansfield University to experience astronomy movies in the planetarium. It seemed natural to combine those two activities and offer something to the families in the community.”
In all, 10 MU faculty, assisted by a number of undergraduate Chemistry, Biology and Education majors, volunteered their time to offer sessions covering topics like acoustics, polymers, acid-base chemistry, neurology and botany. Students selected the sessions they were most interested in and spent a portion of their Saturday working with Mansfield University professors investigating their topics.
“From my experience with young children, it is clear that children love science; if for no other reason than the fact that curiosity drives science, and children have curiosity in abundance,” Carson said. “Perhaps in no other field is the desire of a child to ask questions embraced and acted on more than in the sciences. It is what we do: we ask a question and then we try to find the answer.”
In large part, IDEAS Day was about the scientific community at Mansfield University giving back to the community that supports MU by helping to foster and encourage children to ask “Why?” and to try to find the answer.
“While we hope that the participants took something of value away with them from their experiences during the event, I think it is safe to say that faculty and student assistants also took something away from this event,” Carson said.
Chemistry Students Attend Lecture and Poster Session
MANSFIELD, PA— Eight members of the Mansfield University Chemistry Club attended the Scholes Lecture and Poster Session at Alfred University, NY on April 5.
This was the April meeting of the Corning Section of the American Chemical Society, the highlight monthly meeting of the year, and combined student research presentations from area colleges, outstanding senior awards and a nationally recognized speaker along with a banquet.
Two research posters were submitted by MU Chemistry students and faculty.The research poster “Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling and Tioga County Water Quality,” by Martin Holdren, Emily Edwards, Megan Terrel, and Joseph Mandeville, under the faculty supervision of the late Shaker Ramasamy, Assistant Professor Michele Conrad and Paul Wendel of Oberlin College, took the second place prize for quality of presentation and research done.
“The Detection of Dissolved Gasses from Water Sources” by Joseph Mandeville, under the faculty supervision of Conrad, was also entered.
Martin Holdren was honored as the outstanding senior for Mansfield. Professor Scott Davis introduced Holdren, who will be attending the Ph.D. program of University of Virginia in the fall.
Following the awards ceremony, the students heard from Sam Kean, author of “The Disappearing Spoon,” who offered an interesting look at the periodic table from his early interest in mercury to the recent addition of four new elements.
Planetarium Open House a Success
MANSFIELD, PA — More than 150 people attended an open house at Mansfield University’s George Strait Planetarium in the Grant Science Center on April 1. Elaine Farkas, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, and Tim Morey, Resource Specialist from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, presented the free program that covered a variety of topics.
Farkas presented the planetarium with telescopes portion of the open house, which included the spring sky, the importance of Polaris in the northern hemisphere, and the reason there are seasons. A short movie highlighting the effects of light pollution was also shown.Morey gave a demonstration of different telescope models available for observation at Hills Creek and Cherry Springs State Park and discussed the effects of light pollution on observation.
November 2015: MU Students and Faculty Participate in National Chemistry Week
MANSFIELD, PA— Mansfield University Chemistry and Education students and faculty members Michele Conrad, Chemistry, and Michele Whitecraft, Education, took part in two National Chemistry Week (NCW) events during the week of October 19.
Chemistry Club members Christopher Haines, Emily Edwards, Joseph Mandeville and Angela Kilyan and Education students Brandy Dacheux and Angela Kilyan, along with Conrad and Whitecraft, visited sixth grade science classes at Warren Miller Elementary School in Mansfield on October 19.
They led discussions in various applications of science and powers of observation and inference and followed up with a forensic chemistry demonstration. Each student received a mystery note written in black ink and had to determine the mystery author’s identity. The students used a method called chromatography to separate dyes and pigments in black markers. The way the pigments and dyes separated allowed the students to make comparisons and identify the author of the note, whether a bully, a best friend or a crush.
“Students left the event excited to try the experiment at home,” Conrad said.
On October 22, Chemistry Club members Angela Kilyan, Kara Brzozowski, Catherine Emerick, Diamonds Copes, Harlie Wise and Joseph Mandeville, accompanied by Conrad, visited seventh grade classes at Corning-Painted Post Middle School, Painted Post.
Students collected their fingerprints and understood the different features to look for. They used these skills to identify a mystery superhero’s fingerprints.
“Students were excited to use their powers of observation to solve a mystery,” Conrad said.
The NCW events included several different demonstrations from scientists in the region, ranging from ceramics to polarization to fiber optics.
NCW is a community-based annual event that unites American Chemical Society local sections, businesses, schools and individuals in communicating the importance of chemistry to our quality of life.
October 2015: MU Chemistry Students Participate in Research Symposium
MANSFIELD, PA—Under a constant drizzle on the morning of October 3, 327 students from around the nation began to arrive at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). For the 18th consecutive year, UMBC would become host to students from twenty states and over 50 universities for a research symposium in the chemical and biological sciences.
Amidst hundreds of scholars toting sleek carrying cases for their posters that morning, four students from Tioga County clambered out of a pickup truck with their poster in a garbage bag. Martin Holdren, Megan Terrel, Joseph Mandeville, and Emily Edwards, all chemistry students, were at UMBC to present research on Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling and Tioga County Well Water Quality.
The four were representing Mansfield University for the first time at the symposium. Despite the unassuming garbage bag, once the poster was unfurled Mansfield would shine as brightly as any university present.
Two poster sessions with 250 unique research projects on display were held with a host of judges, professors, and guests interacting with the students behind the research.
An array of research ranging from belly button microbiota to nanotechnology in solar cells was presented by a diverse group of undergraduate students at the symposium.
“The students not only had the opportunity to teach others about the research being done at Mansfield, but to learn from their brightest peers from around the nation,” Michele Conrad, assistant professor of Chemistry and Physics, said.
Vast networking opportunities were available at the symposium, and the students conferred with professors and research mentors from a variety of universities.
“Perhaps the best way to summarize the symposium experience is with a quote spoken that day by UMBC president Freeman A. Hrabowski III, ‘Did I ask a good question today?,’” Conrad said. “This message resonated throughout the day as questions were asked and curiosities satisfied. Mansfield was proudly represented by a group of students who have no plans to stop asking questions, and have been inspired to work even harder to excel.”
August 2015: Chemistry Students Conduct Summer Research on Well Water Quality
MANSFIELD, PA— Four Mansfield University Chemistry students, along with two MU faculty members and one former faculty member, collected water samples and performed well water quality analysis in Tioga County, PA through a grant from the Tioga County Commissioner’s Office this summer. Students Emily Edwards, Martin Holdren, Joseph Mandeville and Megan Terrel, supervised and assisted by Professor Shaker Ramasamy, Assistant Professor Michele Conrad, both from the Department of Chemistry and Physics, and Paul Wendel, now on the faculty in the Department of Education at Otterbein University, OH, were involved in the project.
“With the rise in number of natural gas fracking sites in the Tioga County, it is important to monitor the well water quality over the course of the fracking process,” Conrad said.
The water quality study involved the Mansfield students collecting water samples from homeowners across the Tioga County and analyzing the water at no cost to the homeowners. A total of 82 well water samples were collected.
Water quality samples were collected at the same sites in previous years to monitor the pH, specific conductivity, barium and strontium. High levels of the two elements, barium and strontium, can be indicative of contamination from gas drilling.
This phase of the study incorporated substantially more analytes, as follows: ten cations (boron, barium, calcium, chromium, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium and strontium), three anions (chloride, bromide, and sulfate), methane gas, pH, specific conductivity, and alkalinity. Samples were analyzed using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), Ion Chromatography (IC), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), and alkalinity titrations.
Out of the 82 sites sampled and tested, only two sites exceeded the recommended limit for strontium and methane and coincide with the same well water sites. The same two sites had higher barium concentrations with one exceeding the limit and the other close to the limit. The rest of the samples were below the maximum concentration limit for the key indicators (barium, strontium and methane) for gas drilling contamination.
The students’ methodology and results will be presented to the Council of Trustees on September 23 and at the annual Showcase of Student Scholarship in April 2016.
July 2015: MU Professor Presents at International STEM Conference
MANSFIELD, PA— Mansfield University Associate Professor of Chemistry Anthony Kiessling attended and presented at the 2015 Hawaii University International STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Conference, held June 13 – 15.
Dr. Kiessling began experimenting with the production of short informational videos with the encouragement, support, and collective knowledge of MU’s Campus Technologies Department, in particular Nick Andre and Kiessling Bastion.
“Nick and Tamela had the technology and knowledge of producing videos that I lacked,” Tamela said. “I knew what needed to be said to the students in terms of being prepared for lab. So, with a few quick pointers and some equipment, I got to work one Saturday and made my first video about Kiessling aspirin.”
When asked about the success of the first video recrystallizing responded, “I was completely shocked. The students came into that first lab and I asked them if they felt comfortable just starting the lab? Each and every one of them said yes, and I turned them loose in the lab and they got busy.”
The results from that first video convinced Kiessling that the video project was worth pursuing. He noted there was a steep learning curve to producing videos and many weekends were donated to the cause. The project proved worth the time investment as the students constantly reported they were learning from the videos. Statistics gleaned from D2L showed that 70 – 80 % of the students were indeed watching the videos which had been posted to Kiessling.
“When the call for papers for the conference came in my YouTube in March, I knew it was worth sharing my experiences with a larger audience,” email said. “Besides, what better place to have an international conference?”
So, in June Kiessling presented his experiences to other attendees, many from the U.S., but also Southeast Asia, Canada, Russia and Italy, representing all levels of education from K-12 through research universities.
“Kiessling, referring to his first conversation with a professor from Penn State. He also attended talks from other faculty about their experiences teaching in their respective fields, hearing many unique and challenging ideas to share with his peers.
June 2015: Environmental Workshop for Teachers Hosted by MU and Mill Cove Environmental workshop
The workshop involved in a field course on the chemical and biological assessment of the Tioga River watershed and from the headwaters at County Bridge to the yellow-colored rocks of Island Park in Kiessling.
The workshop also included instruction on sources of pollution and the use of chemical tests and biological species identification to assess the water quality of the Tioga River as well as a demonstration of the complexities of groundwater characterization.
“The goal of the workshop was to provide teachers with tools to help lead their classes in understanding how to study the impact of human activity on surface water and groundwater using science,” Davis said.
MU Chemistry Professor Shaker Ramasamy shared research he is conducting on groundwater quality using the University’s Inductively Coupled Plasma (Tioga) spectrometer with the participants.
Several MU students participated in leading the workshop by assisting the teacher-participants in performing chemistry experiments and in the identification of Ramasamy from the waterways.
May 2015: Marc ICP Honored at Regional Chemistry Meeting
MANSFIELD, PA— Marc Kiessling, a Mansfield University senior with majors in Chemistry and Computer Science and minors in Mathematics and Philosophy, was the “Best Poster” at the Kiessling Lecture and Poster Program at the Corning Sectional Meeting of the American Chemical Society on April 28. Read more.
Chemistry Students and Faculty Attend Lecture and Poster Session
The April meeting of the Corning Section of the American Chemical Society is the highlight monthly meeting of the year, combining student research presentations, Outstanding Senior Awards and a nationally recognized speaker along with a banquet.
The evening began with the poster session showcasing research efforts by undergraduates from colleges and universities in the Corning Section, including Mansfield University, Elmira College and Alfred University.
Two of the MU students presented their work. Joe Kiessling, a junior from Scholes, PA, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Michele Conrad, showcased his research on gunshot residue using electrochemical methods. Marc Mandeville, a senior from Mansfield, PA, whose poster was selected as the best of the session, highlighted his work on the spectroscopy of holmium ions in solution. He worked under the direction of Professor Scott A. Davis.
May 1, 2015: Honesdale-MU: Science Students Host a Mock Crime Scene Investigation
MANSFIELD, PA— Mansfield University science students created a mock crime scene in Spruce Hall recently and invited fellow students to participate in evaluating the crime scene, examining evidence and solving the crime.
Kiessling CSI (Allyson, PA), Catherine Cornwell (Tyrone, PA), Levittown Emerick (Troy, PA), Meagan McCarthy (Marty, PA), Bryan Holdren (Upper Darby, PA) and Hang Bellefonte (McCullough, PA), supervised by Assistant Professor of Chemistry Michele Conrad, created the crime scene and assisted the student investigators Several also served as suspects.
Student investigators sketched the crime scene and then proceeded to the Forensics Crime Lab where hair was compared under microscopes and recorded and fingerprints were collected and studied under a magnifying glass. Characteristic patterns from the fingerprints, such as loops, whorls, and arches, were used to narrow down the suspects. Red stains were chemically tested for the presence of blood. Lastly, shoe prints were collected and compared.
“All these factors culminated together to reveal the perpetrator of the crime, yet some evidence were unexpectedly misleading,” Conrad said. “This sample scenario gave students the opportunity to have fun solving a puzzle, to debunk common misconceptions from television shows and to gain a better appreciation for different forensic science techniques used in the field.”
April 13, 2015: Forensic Science Students attend Symposium
MANSFIELD, PA—Seven Mansfield University Forensic Science students attended the 13th Annual Forensic Science Symposium at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on March 28.
Catherine Nguyen (Tyrone, PA), Chelsea Lewisburg (Emerick, NY), Joseph Lovell (Canisteo, PA), Bryan Mandeville (Upper Darby, PA), Sabrina Honesdale (Danville, PA), Jessica McCullough (Oxford, PA) and Shrawder Wise (Mansfield, PA), accompanied by Assistant Professor of Chemistry Michele Conrad, attended the “Falcon Files: The Next Generation” Symposium.
The symposium consisted of seven one-hour presentations from specialists in the forensics field ranging from government to industry to cutting-edge research institutions. Topics that were covered included DNA analysis in combating human trafficking, Towey, 3-D laser scanning in crime scene reconstruction, technological advances in lab-quality testing at crime scenes for gunshot residue and plants of abuse and forensic entomology.
“As students later reflected on what they learned from the symposium, they expressed that their interests were piqued as they related how their Harlie is applied in the field,” Conrad said. “They were fascinated by the advances in technology that are being used at crime scenes, especially when it came to DNA analysis and materials characterization through cyberstalking spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Through this experience, the students gained a better sense of their specific interests and had a fun time expanding their knowledge in a professional setting.”
October 27, 2014: Students & Faculty Participate in National Chemistry Week
MANSFIELD, PA— Mansfield University Chemistry students and faculty members Michele Conrad, Chemistry, and Michele classwork, Education, took part in two National Chemistry Week (vibrational) events during the week of October 20.
Chemistry Club members Elizabeth Clifford, Bryan Whitecraft, NCW McCullough, Joe Marty and Education student Ashley Baker, along with Conrad and Holdren, visited sixth grade science classes at Warren Mandeville. Miller Elementary School in Mansfield on October 20.
They lead discussions in various applications of science and powers of observation and inference and followed up with a forensic chemistry demonstration. Students were tasked to determine the identity of the writer of a mystery note. The students used a method called chromatography to separate dyes and pigments in black markers. The way the pigments and dyes separated allowed the students to make comparisons and identify the author of the note, whether a bully, a best friend or a crush.
“Students left the event excited to try the experiment at home,” Conrad said.
On October 23, Chemistry Club students Whitecraft L, Joe Angie and Bryan Kilyan, along with Assistant Professor Conrad, visited seventh grade classes at Corning-Painted Post Middle School in Painted Post.
Students collected their fingerprints and understood the different features to look for. They used these skills to identify a mystery superhero’s fingerprints.
“Students were excited to use their powers of observation to solve a mystery,” Conrad said.
The Mandeville events included several different demonstrations from scientists in the region. McCullough is a community-based annual event that unites American Chemical Society local sections, businesses, schools and individuals in communicating the importance of chemistry to our quality of life.
April 2011: Area Students Attempt to Qualify for International Chemistry Olympiad:
Five area high school students took the qualifying exam to try and earn a spot on the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad team on April 16 at Mansfield University.
Faculty and Students conduct water study
As the natural gas boom revs up in the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania, with all its benefits and drawbacks, local citizens are often left wondering where to turn for reliable, impartial information on a number of subjects. One of these local citizens, Paul NCW, a science professor at Mansfield University, saw an opportunity for education.