BioSynthesis

Fifteen BAHS students spent the afternoon on November 3 brushing up on their interview skills at Tri-Beta's MOCK INTERVIEW sessions. Students had the opportunity to have two interviews conducted by faculty. This was great preparation for interviews for medical imaging and laboratory science clinical programs, professional schools, graduate schools, and jobs. Following the interviews, students and faculty met for a debriefing to discuss the interview process and to enjoy some snacks. Student participants were Madison Aungst, Heather Beattie, Jamie Davis, Daniel Deignan, Nathan Feiertag, Dhir Gala, Lindsay Gehman, Joseph Kennard, Elizabeth Kester, Ben Paul, Samantha Romania, Michaela Roth, Erin Smith, Max Strickland , and Rachel Sullivan. Faculty interviewers were Dr. Bell from Chemistry and Biochemistry and BAHS faculty members: Drs. Beishline, Hare-Harris, Green, Kipe-Nolt, Coleman,  Schwindinger, Wood, Klinger, Brubaker, Williams, and Surmacz.   The event was hosted by T...

Dr. Kate Beishline Dr. Kate Beishline, BAHS assistant professor, and her collaborators  Olga Vladimirova, Stephen Tutton, Zhou Wang, Zhong Deng, and Paul M. Lieberman , have  published a paper entitled " CTCF Driven TERRA Transcription Facilitates Completion of Telomere DNA Replication"   in Nature Communications. Telomeres function as a protective nucleo-protein structure at the ends of linear chromosomes. They are composed of tandem TTAGGG nucleotide repeats bound by a series of specialized proteins meant to protect this repeat DNA and maintain its structural integrity. Transcription of telomere repeats can initiate at subtelomeric repeat elements generating a long non-coding RNA, telomere repeat encoding RNA (TERRA) who’s function is not fully understood. The essential genome regulator CCCTC-binding factor, CTCF, is a sequence specific DNA binding factor that has been implicated in maintaining telomere stability and regulating TERRA transcription throu...

Alexandria Ostman Alexandria Ostman , a pre-veterinary science major and vice-president of the BAHS club,  has received two grants, a BU Professional Experience Research grant and a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists Undergraduate Research Grant. Allie is conducting research with her mentor Dr. Kevin Williams. The aims of her research are 1) to determine how hydraulic conductance is increased following clipping in a variety of plant species; 2) to determine if changes in hydraulic resistance influence the photosynthetic physiology of the leaf in a manner similar to conventional water stress; and 3) to compare the responses of plant species with different mechanisms of cicatrix formation and/or tolerance to herbivory. Poinsettias excrete a latex sap that may quickly clog damaged leaf tips and prevent water loss. Poinsettia responses to clipping will be compared to sunflowers that lack that ability. 

Congratulations to nine BAHS sophomores who were recognized by the interdisciplinary honor society Phi Kappa Phi for outstanding academic achievement in their freshmen year. The award recipients received certificates at a ceremony and reception on Nov 10, 2017. Award recipients include: Lauren Bunnell (Health Sciences), Ethan Fiedler (Health Sciences), Emily Hacken berg (Medical Imaging) , Lizmeidy Hernandez (Health Sciences), Alexis Jasman (Health Sciences), Nina Litz (Medical Imaging), Nathan Reynolds (Health Sciences), Kathryn Sherry (Biology), and  Mikayla Ulicny (M edical Imaging.)

BAHS students took a Husky Career Road Trip on October 25, 2017, sponsored by BU's Alumni and Professional Engagement. The group headed to Geisinger Medical Center Laboratories in Danville, PA to learn about opportunities for careers in medical laboratories. The group took a tour of Geisinger's state of the art clinical laboratories and and learned about job opportunities at Geisinger.  Participating in the road trip were Caitlyn Barr, Bailey Hoyt, Casey Klinger, Marissa McCann, Miranda Payeskie, Julia Peters, Abigail Pool, Casey  Steward, Taylor Stierle.  Besarta Vukaj, Emily Weaver, and Alexander Wehr .  Dr. Karl Henry accompanied the group. 

The BOO-ology Department celebrated Halloween with costumed faculty and a Spooktacular  Bake Sale  that was no tricks and all treats. Check out the festivities below! Jade Hensinger and Jonathan Adamchick sell ghoulish delights at the Tri-Beta Bake Sale.    Bill Nye, aka Dr. Hare-Harris T. rex (also known as Dr. Henry ( visits Hartline Lobby.

BAHS major and Homecoming King Max Strickland  with Homecoming Queen Maggie Anthony Congratulations to BAHS' own Max Strickler on being crowned as BU's 2017 Homecoming King. Max is majoring in Health Sciences, pre-physical therapy option, and minoring in psychology. Max recently completed a patient ambulation internship at Geisinger Medical Center. Max has been an Orientation Workshop Leader (OWL) since 2015 and has served as its vice-president and president. He has conducted community service and served as a mentor in his role as a Board of Governor's Scholar. Max plans to become a physical therapist.

The Bloomsburg University chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the biology honor society, welcomed new members at its initiation ceremony in 108 Hartline Science Center on October 22, 2017. Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) is a society for students dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 175,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 430 chapters have been established throughout the  United States  and  Puerto Rico . The mission of Tri-Beta is:  1) to stimulate scholarship; 2) to disseminate scientific knowledge; and 3) to promote biological research (www.tribeta.org)   Tri-Beta Officers, 2017-2018) The ceremony was conducted by Tri-Beta officers  President Jerome Betz, Vice-President Nathan Feiertag, Secretary Jade Hensinger, Treasurer Jamie Davis , and  Historian, Adrienne Yo...

Dr. Cindy Surmacz Dr. Cindy Surmacz was invited to serve on a panel at Graduate and Post-Doctoral Career Day at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA on October 21. The day-long event was attended by 120 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from biomedical programs at both the Hershey and University Park campuses. Panelists represented careers as diverse as academic research, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, education, public health, science communication, science policy, non-profits,  and science administration. Dr. Surmacz served on a panel of faculty from liberal arts colleges. She is a 1983 alumna from the Department of Physiology.

Dr. George P. Chamuris, Professor Dr. George Chamuris presented the inaugural lecture of the new dean's lecture series, "Science at Bloom" on October 19, 2017. Dr. Chamuris's talk, was entitled "The Plants of Ricketts Glen, A Preliminary Vascular Flora." Ricketts Glen State Park lies on over 13,000 acres in  Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan counties. It contains over 20 miles of hiking trails  and is home to   the  Glens Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark, and 22 named waterfalls. Through the use of beautiful photography, Dr. Chamuris  provided the audience with a "virtual hike" of the flora found on the primary trails in the park.  The audience was provided with Dr. Chamuris's publication Hiker's Guide to the Trees, Shrubs and Vines of Ricketts Glen State Park, now in its 6th edition. The Guide can be accessed at: http://department.bloomu.edu/biology/Ricketts Check out the web page pf Dr. Chamuris's Flora of Ricketts Glen P...

Day 1 Dr. George Davis shared photos of transgenic tomato plants from his laboratory. The top photo shows plants  at day 1 grown in iron deficient Hoagland's solution at pH 7.4. Iron was provided as 10 µM FeCl 3 /15 µM avenic acid. Sample 13 (the top plant) has been transformed with an iron/avenic acid transporter isolated from roots of iron starved oats. Avenic acid Sample 14 (the lower plant) is untransformed. The bottom photo shows the tomato plants at day 14. Note the iron deficiency chlorosis in new leaves in sample 14. Avenic acid is the phytosiderophore synthesized by oats. Our synthetic form was made by our colleague, Dr. Mark Stocksdale, Earlham College Day 14

Pre-Medical Sciences Seminar, Interdisciplinary Studies 300, is a one-credit seminar course that guides students in preparing for application to schools in the medical professions, including allopathic and ostepathic medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, chiropractic, optometry and podiatry.  During the seminar, students will prepare application materials, such as a resume and personal statement, and discuss topics pertinent to the application. The course is recommended for juniors or seniors who are preparing for professional school in medical fields. Pre-requisites: at least 60 earned crests. The course is being taught by Dr. William Schwindinger and is offered on Mondays 5 to 5:50 pm in 119 Hartline. The course is offered each spring semester. Please see Dr. Schwindinger for more information.

Want to learn about laboratory careers? Want to learn about career opportunities at Geisinger  Medical Center? If the answer is YES,  come and take a Husky Career Road Trip to the Geisinger Medical Center Laboratories in Danville PA on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2017.  Geisinger Medical Laboratories operates with state -of-the art technology and information systems to provide laboratory services throughout Central and Northeast PA.  Here's the schedule of events: 9:15 a.m. Depart campus from Fenstemaker Alumni House 9:45 a.m. Arrive at Geisinger Danville Campus Medical Laboratory Building Agenda: ·          Breakfast items provided ·          Students will be split into two different groups upon arrival ·          10:00 a.m. o     Group 1 will conduct a tour of Geisinger’s state-of-the art Medical Laboratory o ...

What year was the Human Genome Project Completed?  How many trees are needed to make a ton of paper? On what continent was the potato first cultivated. What are the scientific names of the five common model organisms in biology? The answers to these and other questions were pondered by ten teams of students and faculty vying for bragging rights at Tri-Beta's first biology trivia contest of the academic year on October 11, 2017.  The winning team of Dan Stevens, Maddie Aungst, Nate Feiertag and Dr. Davis narrowly edged out the team of Jerome Betz, Dan Deignan , and Dr. Nolt,  clinching victory during the final round. The group enjoyed pizza, snacks, and fun. A good time was had by all! Stay tuned for upcoming biology trivia events. Biology Trivia Teams doing battle!

Dr. George Chamuris, Professor The College of Science and Technology will launch its new seminar series, Science at Bloom: The Dean's Lecture Series, on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 7 pm in 108 Hartline. Presenting  the first  lecture is Dr. George Chamuris, professor, Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences. Dr. Chamuris will address " The Plants of Rickett's Glen, A preliminary Vascular Flora, Excluding the Sedges and Grasses."  Dr. Chamuris earned  an  A.A.S. from  Dutchess  Community College, a B.S.from, State University of New York at Albany, a M.S.from James Madison University and a Ph.D.from State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. His  research is in the areas of mycology, botany evolution, and ecology. He teaches classes in Evolution, Cells, Genes and Molecules, Human Genetics, Comparative Biology of Plants, Dendrology, and Evolutionary Genetics. 

BAHS club members shared their knowledge of the skeletal system with area children at Bloomsburg's Children's Museum on Saturday, October 14. The club taught children about the functions of the skeleton and how to identify some bones. Participants had the opportunity to handle real beef bones and to earn about about compact and spongy bone.  One of the highlights was making a macaroni skeleton.  Club members who participated were  Elyse Shultz,  Allie Ostman,   Juliana Hernandez,  Robert Kilpatrick,  Sarah Bainey,  Searah Kennedy,  Sarah Buckley and  Shania Moore .  Advising the group are Drs. Hess and Venditti.

Dan Stevens Ryan Schmeck The College of Science and Technology hosted alumni, students, faculty and staff at a Homecoming Tent Party in the Academic Quad on October 7, 2017. In addition to music, food, and Bounce Houses for the children, CoST ambassadors provided fun, science games for children attending the event.  BAHS majors Justin Heller (Health Sciences), Dan Stevens (Secondary Education Biology) and Ryan Schmeck (Health Sciences) are having fun demonstrating homemade quicksand, fingerprinting, X-ray hands, and "make your own DNA."  Justin Heller and Ryan Schmeck

The Biology and Allied Health panels were packed at the annual College of Science and Technology Career Day on October 6, 2017 at Kehr Union. The event, organized by Dr. Brubaker and moderated by Drs. Hare-Harris and Beishline,   featured 9 BAHS alumni who shared advice to current students. The Biology panel consisted of  Dr. Darrin Doran , a family practice resident physician at Geisinger Wyoming Valley; Michael Lightner , U.S. Park Ranger at Sequoia National Park; Heather Mower , Johnson and Johnson; Missy Tomacavage , Analysis Manager at CNV Analysis, Gene DX, Inc; and Jessica Willis , Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at Lehigh University. Allied Health panelists were Christine Ford , Director of Regulatory Affairs, Vascular and Strategic Projects, Teleflex, Inc; Rachel Kobeski , Physician Assistant, Radiology Associates of Richmond; Mr. Kenneth Roszel , Program Director, School of Radiologic Technology, Geisinger Medical Center; and Andrew Shamberg , Medical Te...

Daniel Deignan Two BAHS students, Daniel Deignan and Nathan Feiertag ,  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. Nathan Feiertag Dan,  a biology, pre-medical sciences major and dean’s list student,  is active in the Pre-Medical Sciences club and served as the public relations officer during his junior year. He is also a member of Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society. He volunteers as a member of the Bloomsburg Geisinger Hospital Auxiliary where he interacts with staff and patients. In addition, Dan is also certified in CPR. Dan is an Eag...

Electives are a great opportunity to explore new fields, pursue a specific interest, or prepare for graduate or professional school. The following biology and health science electives are planned for spring 2018. Consult your curriculum guide or academic advisor to determine which ones count towards your particular academic program. Biology 222 Comparative Biology of Plants, Dr. Chamuris Biology 233 Human Genetics, Dr. Chamuris Biology 333 Molecular Biology, Dr. Davis Biology 343 Immunology, to be announced Biology 361 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Dr. Corbin Biology 411  Radiation Biology, Dr. Fallahian Biology 435 Bioinformatics, Dr. Hare-Harris Biology 442/542 Virology, Dr. Nolt Biology 451/551 Conservation Biology, Dr. Wood Biology 442/542 Virology, Dr. Nolt Biology 456/556 Ecostreams, Dr. Rier Biology 470/570 Medical Parasitology, Dr. Henry Biology 474 Human Physiology, Dr. Coleman Biology 479 Integrated Physiology Lab, Drs Williams and Coleman Biology 489/...