BioSynthesis

BAHS Faculty spent a day preparing for the upcoming academic year on a day-long retreat. Topics under discussion include curricular issues, assessment, program revisions, semester events and activities, recruitment, and strategic planning.

Entering BAHS students were given a hearty welcome at a reception hosted by the College of Science and Technology.   Students and faculty were treated to Italian ice on a beautiful evening in front of  Hartline. Thank you to the dean's office for this fun gathering!

BAHS faculty, staff and students welcomed admitted students and their families at Husky Decision Days in spring 2018.   Informal sessions were held in the areas of Allied Health, Medical Imaging, Environmental Biology, Pre-medical Sciences, and Molecular Biology.  Future Huskies had the opportunity to chat with current students and to tour our laboratories and our confocal microscope facility.  The program included information on the 3 + 2 program that culminates  in a bachelor's and master's degree in biology, opportunities for study abroad opportunities for research in Greece, and student research posters.

Stephanie demonstrates how to conduct reaction time experiments.   BAHS shared the wonder of scientific discovery with students at two camps this summer. Area middle school students conducted experiments in neuroscience, special senses, and reflexes  at The Great Stem Adventure Camp. The Gear-Up STEM Camp introduced high school students from Allentown and Harrisburg to the the respiratory system, circulatory system, sensation, and animal diversity.  Sharing the joy of biology with these lively and enthusiastic ccampers were Drs. Surmacz, and Nolt, Mrs. Diltz, and graduate assistants Stephanie Busczkowski, Samantha  Maywald, Kate Freeman, Jerome Betz III. Jerome enjoys conducting reaction time experiments at camp.

Congratulations to our BAHS seniors who graduated with honors.  Academic achievement awards are based on the following GPAS: Summa Cum Laude:  3.95-4.00 Magna Cum Laude:  3.75 - 3.94 Cum Laude: 3.50 -3.74 Honor graduates were recognized at the Spring College of Science and Technology Honor Symposium and Awards  Dinner. Summa Cum Laude: Emily Ashberry, Nathan Feiertag, Jade Hensinger, TIffany Mulligan, and Adrienne Yordy. Magna Cum Laude: Madison Aungst, Tonya Copella, Valerie Davi, Emily Noll, Samantha Sharo, Brina Jo Sotelo, and Michaela Wagner Cum Laude: Emily Barrett, Cassandra Becker, Sarah Cantymagli, Tessa  Eckman, Kyle Flannery, Grace , Lindsay Gehman, Jade Hoffman, Lily Mehalick, Benjamine Paul, Madison Quinn, Marcus Roberts, Erin Smith, Morgan Stauffer, Kari Wells, and Samantha Yuschock. Scenes from the CoST Honor Symposium:

Dr. George Davis, associate professor of BAHS,  and his colleague  Dr. Mark Stocksdale, professor of Chemistry at Earlham College,  received a patent entitled "Compositions and Methods for Delivery of Molecules to Plants”  The focus of this project is to effect plant growth, development, or senescence by engineering plants to express antibodies against transporters, receptors, or signals received between the cell wall and cell membrane (induced autoimmunity). This technique would permit food crops like tomatoes and soybeans to be grown successfully in alkaline soils where iron is not readily available. This is important because about 1/3 of suitable cropland has inadequate levels of iron. The plants are genetically engineered to express an iron transporter that takes up needed iron. To learn more about the patent and how its applications see:   https://ipnavigator.psu.edu/ip_item/compositions-and-methods-for-delivery-of-molecules-to-plants/ . 

Polemonium vanbruntiae (Bog Jacob's Ladder  or Appalachian Jacob's-Ladder) Dr. George Chamuris, Professor in BAHS, is currently working on a preliminary inventory of the vascular plant species at Ricketts Glen State Park. To date 345 species (not including grasses) have been documented.  This summer a species considered critically imperiled in Pennsylvania was encountered in the Park. Dr. Doug Gross, retired PA Game Commission ornithologist informed Dr. Chamuris of his encounter with the species, who then confirmed the identification and documented the occurrence with photographs. Polemonium vanbruntiae , Bog Jacob’s-Ladder or Appalachian Jacob’s-Ladder, is a member of the Polemoniaceae (Phlox family). It is considered globally vulnerable with a moderate risk of extinction. The species is critically imperiled in New Brunswick, Maine and Pennsylvania, imperiled in Vermont, Maryland and West Virginia, threatened in Quebec and vulnerable in New York. Historical reports

Caps off to our BAHS seniors who graduated at the Commencement Ceremony on the Academic Quad on  May 12, 2018!  We are all very proud of you! Congratulations on this great achievement and best wishes for continued success in your next adventure. Stay in touch! Jonathan Adamchick BS Health Science, Pre-Physician Assistant Mary Anthony BS Biology, Environmental Biology Gean Pierre Arcos BS Biology, Pre-Medical Science Emily Ashberry BS Biology Madison Aungst BS Biology,  Pre-Medical Science Amber Bogdanowicz BS Biology,  Molecular Biology Cameron Brown BS Health Sciences, Pre-physical Therapy Daniel Brown BS Health Sciences , Pre-physician Assistant Samantha Campbell BS Health Sciences, Pre-physician Assistant Sarah Cantymagli BA Biology, Natural History David Carney