BioSynthesis

Students in Biology 301, Introduction to Health Care Practice, are practicing recording vital signs before going to Geisinger Medical Center for their clinical experience.  Biology 301 students will spend 400 hours at Geisinger working as nursing assistants.  Biology 301 is a new health science elective for students pursing admission to a Physician Assistant graduate program . Dr. Jennifer Venditti developed the course and is the course instructor.

The Biology and Allied Health Club visited Mrs. Long’s class at Danville Primary Elementary School twice in May to teach students about DNA.  During the first lesson, students learned about DNA structure and built DNA models using candy!  The second lesson involved extracting DNA from a banana.  Lessons were conducted by the club advisors ( Dr. Hess and Dr. Venditti ), Dana Frobese (club President), and Andrew King (graduate student).

BU hosted over 250 students in grades 5 to 9 for the Great STEM Adventure camp . BAHS held sessions for the  Investigators , a group of seventh and eighth graders, that included experiments in scientific inquiry, forensics, neuroscience, sensation, human physiology, and microscopy. Highlights included mapping your brain's homunculus, using microscopes to solve crimes, and following the trails of termites. Leading the way were biology master's students Kirk Jeffreys, Brad Ohlinger, Jamie Shinskie and Andy King, education graduate student  Jennifer Momenzadeh, and Dr. Surmacz.   A great adventure was had by all! Checking out blind spots and dominant eyes! Kirk leading investigations on receptor distribution, Brad, Jenny and the Investigators Forensics! Examining exhibits from the crime scene. Jennifer, Brad and Jamie and campers explore the microscopic world.

          Ten BAHS medical imaging majors received their diplomas in radiologic technology at the graduation ceremony on June 17, 2016  at the Hood Center for Research at Geisinger Medical Center.  The ceremony was led by program director Kenneth Roszel, a Bloomsburg University alumnus  (B.S. and M.S.) and attended by Drs. Judith Kipe-Nolt , BAHS allied health coordinator, and Dr. Barry Nolt , medical imaging and internship advisor. Dr. Cynthia Surmacz delivered the commencement address.  The following BAHS students received their pin, diploma, and some fun parting gifts: Kiana Bellesfield, Troy Dorman, Kristin Ezzyk, McKensie Haines, Eric Hendrickson, Amanda Layton, Emily Sylvester, Justin Winn, Kelly Wrzesinski, and Keena Zalar.            Geisinger's School of Radiologic Technology first opened in 1948 and was closed in 1997. The program re-opened in 2002, under the direction of Mr. Roszel.  Over the ...

Brooke Esbenshade and friend. photo courtesy of: Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, FL www.dolphins.org Brooke Esbenshade , a December 2015 graduate with a B.S. in Biology, conducted a 4 month training internship at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Florida following graduation. Brooke’s responsibilities include serving in the volunteer office, learning about animal care and training, maintaining sea lion and bird habitats, observing swims, and feeding and training dolphins, sea lions, and birds alongside the professional trainers. Brooke reports that this was “an awesome experience!” As a result of this wonderful experience, Brooke is now employed full-time by the Dolphin Research Center. Congratulations Brooke!

Dr. Clay Corbin's Field Zoology class is spending the week at the Chincoteague Field Station in Wallops Island, VA. At left, Ben Paul and Mike Russell check out the pelagic birds, while Dave Carney looks on. Looks like fun! Field Zoology (Biology 252) studies animals (mainly vertebrates) with emphasis on field observation, animal identification, field research techniques, and data collection and analysis. The class visits field sites to gain experience with field methods and data collection. . 

Kurt Knepley, Dr. Coleman, and Kirk Jeffreys Dr. William Coleman has been mentoring two research students this summer.  Kurt Knepley , a B.S. Biology- molecular option student, is conducting an independent research project (Biology 390) investigating the distribution of synapsin proteins within the earthworm nervous system using immunohistochemical techniques.  He will also be investigating the possible interaction of synapsin III with Rab3a using an immunofluorescence colocalization assay.   Kurt was awarded an Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activities (URSCA) award for his summer research.  Kirk Jeffreys  is a  graduate student in the M.S. Biology program.  Kirk is investigating vesicle cycling and vesicle pool dynamics using the fluorescent styryl dye Synaptogreen within the earthworm nervous system as part of his thesis research. 

Dr. Thomas Klinger So… what did you do in Panama?... While in Panama, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Haris Lessios, a Senior Researcher at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.  I was invited to join Dr. Lessios's ongoing investigations of the Molecular Evolution of Sea Urchins.  My contribution was documenting thermal tolerances of Caribbean and  Pacific sea urchins.  Worldwide, seawater temperatures are rising in tropical coastal environments.  Because of this year's El Niño, the effects of grossly elevated temperatures on the Pacific coast of Panama are starkly apparent.  However, changes resulting from the more incremental increases in water temperature on the Caribbean coast are also very visible.  While collaborating with Dr. Lessios's laboratory, I did most of my work at the Naos Marine Laboratory (officially, the Labortorios de Biología Molecular y Evolución ) just outside of Panama City.  Naos has a wonderful open-air aqu...

Jean-Nicole Place , a BS biology major and chemistry minor, recently attended the National Biennial Convention of Beta Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society at Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She was awarded first prize (the John C. Johnson Award) for her poster entitled “Methylation of GNG7 in Human Breast Cancer” in the cell, organismal and developmental biology category. Dr. William Schwindinger is her research mentor. Jean is a past URSCA recipient and secretary of our local Beta Beta Beta chapter. She is an office and lab worker in the Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences. Jean-Nicole qualified to attend the national convention after receiving first prize at the Northeast District   Convention in March at Ursinus College. She has also presented her work at the College of Science and Technology Research Day. Congratulations, Jean!

Lauren Chamberlin The Frederick R. Maue 1976 Scholarship was established by Dr. Maue, an alumnus and local physician, to assist B.S. Biology majors in the pre-medical sciences option  Lauren Chamberlin has been named the first recipient.    Lauren  is a B.S. Biology major, pre-medical sciences major and chemistry minor. Lauren has previously earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in family, youth and children from Bloomsburg University. Lauren is a member of the pre-medical sciences club and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She is the incoming president  of Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society. Lauren has experience in counseling  and working with psychiatric patients. She has conducted research   in the field of synaptic transmission in the laboratory of Dr.  William Coleman.

Nathan Feiertag Jade Hensinger Nathan Feiertag of Emmaus, PA and Jade Hensinger of Kempton, PA were named recipients of the Biological and Allied Health Science Scholarships. Nathan is a biology major, pre-medical sciences option, and member of BU's men's basketball team. He is a member of the pre-medical sciences club and participated in the Health Science Living and Learning Community. He has volunteered for the Big Event and the United Way. Nathan has coached and been a guest speaker at youth basketball camps and clinics.  Jade is a Health Sciences major, pre-physician option.  Jade is the match secretary of the women's rugby team. She is a member of Developing Ambitious Student Leaders, Students Saving Sheltered Animals, the BAHS Club and participated in the Health Science Living and Learning Community.

Torrey Brubaker Torrey Brubaker , a medical laboratory science major from Richfield, PA, has been awarded the James E. Parsons Scholarship. The scholarship was established by Dr. Parsons, retired professor of microbiology, faculty emeritus, and former director of the medical laboratory science program at BU. Torrey is an active member of the BU community, serving on the executive board of Colleges Against Cancer, volunteering with the Big Event and the College of Science and Technology Career Day, and earning certification levels 1 and 2 by the Center for Leadership and Engagement.  Torrey is a member of Students Saving Sheltered Animals, the Health Sciences Living and Learning Community, and the BAHS Club. She is a student worker at Kehr Union. Torrey is conducting cancer research in the lab of Dr. Angela Hess. 

Emma Hecker Emma Hecker, a medical imaging major from Fairview, PA has been awarded the James E. Cole Scholarship. The award was established by Dr. Cole, professor emeritus, former chairperson of the Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences, and honorary alumnus. Dr. Cole was instrumental in establishing allied health programs in the department. This year's recipient, Emma Hecker, is a member of the Health Sciences Living and Learning Community, She has participated in Colleges Against Cancer and has conducted community service activities as an active member of Developing Ambitious Student Leaders, earning Leadership 1 Certification.

Three BAHS students, Lauren Chamberlin, Kurt Knepley, and Jonathan Perez , have been named recipients of the Dr. Stephen E. Schell Award. This award was generously established by  Dr. Stephen E. Schell, MD (BS Biology, 1975), a board certified otolaryngologist and graduate of Temple University School of Medicine. Funding provided by the award assists pre-medical science students in preparing for osteopathic or allopathic medical school by helping to defray the cost of a preparatory course or materials for the Medical College Admission Test. Lauren Chamberlin Lauren is a B.S. Biology major, pre-medical sciences major and chemistry minor. Lauren has previously earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in family, youth and children from Bloomsburg University.Lauren is a member of the pre-medical sciences club and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She is the incoming president  of Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society. Lauren has experience in counseling  and...

Drs. Hess and Venditti check out the 6th grade  Science and Technology Fair at Bloomsburg Middle School.  BAHS faculty members Drs. Angela Hess, Jennifer Venditti and Cynthia Surmacz headed to the Bloomsburg Middle School on May 12 to serve as judges at the annual 6th grade Science and Technology Fair. Students had the opportunity to share the results of their independent investigations on topics that ranged from tornado behavior and automobile design to plant growth and . robotics.This was a great opportunity for the 6th graders to discover science. The Science Fair is organized by Ms. Carrie Hoover, 6th grade science teacher and BAHS alumna.   

Congratulations to the following BAHS majors who earned a 3.5 GPA or above and were named to the Dean's List for spring 2016.  Congratulations! Ramona Adrien Health Sciences BS, pre-physical therapy Alina Allgyer Biology BA Nicholas Angeny Health Sciences BS, pre-physical therapy Elijah Anseaume Biology BS Darianny Antonio Medical Imaging BS Nicholas Apfelbaum Biology BS, environmental biology Brandon Arnsberger Biology BS, pre-medical sciences Emily Ashberry Biology BS Brandon Ball Biology BS, environmental biology Emily Barrett Medical Imaging BS Lauren Barrett Biology BS, environmental biology Carrie-Anne Barry Biology BS, pre-medical sciences Sarah Bartra Health Sciences BS, pre-physician assistant Christopher Bastardi Health Sciences BS, pre-physician assistant Hanan Ben Nacef Health Sciences BS, pre-physical therapy Jerome Betz Biology BS,...

Congratulations to the our BAHS spring and summer 2016 graduates! Congratulations and stay in touch! Check out scenes from our post-graduation reception in Hartline Lobby, sponsored by the Biology and Allied Health Club and Tri-Beta: BA Biology Meagan Beekler Evan Marynka Michael Russell Michael Stianche BS Biology Carrie-Anne Barry Avery Bingaman Victoria Campbell Stephanie Evans Michael Hardler Kaitlyn Hitchiner Jordan Kropf Tyler Kuchar Lexie Mendall Michael Moniger Michael Noll Jean-Nicole Place Matthew Swift Justin VanDerMolen BS Health Sciences Nicholas Angeny Ashley Barba Christopher Bastardi Rebecca Bodwalk Mikal Britt Kahli Castagnera Corey Conville Arjun Dalsania Sean DeBarberie James DeGori Alexis DeGrandis Kelly Deiter Sharnise Dozier Leslie Flippen Dana Frobese Katelyn Garbrick Carli Gillotti Alexander Gosch Lindsay Johnson Ryan Karpinski Robert Lewis III Thomas Marshall Natali...