BioSynthesis

            The BAHS chapter of Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society hosted this year’s annual Northeast District 2 Tri-Beta Convention on Saturday, March 23, 2019 in Hartline Science Center. Tri-Beta is an honor society for students dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological sciences and extending the boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. The chapter welcomed nearly 100 attendees from 14 regional colleges and universities including Cedar Crest College,  College of Saint Elizabeth,  Drew University,  Elizabethtown College,  Hood College,  Ithaca College,  Johns Hopkins University,  Lincoln University, Misericordia University, Moravian College, St. Lawrence University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, The College of New Jersey, Moravian College, St. Lawrence University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, The College of New Jerse...

Kyle Masuteller and Kayla Sompel discuss the Biology  pre-medicine program with our visitors. BAHS faculty and students met with accepted students and their families during Husky Decision Days on March 23 and April 6. Students had the opportunity to learn about various biology and allied health program and to tour the facilities. BAHS students were on hand to discuss student life and their experiences at BY. Thanks to all of the BAHS students who came out meet and greet our future Huskies.    Kate and Samantha discuss our 3 + 2 Master's Program. Enjoying some pizza at Husky Decision Day

 The BU chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the biology honor society, hosted Mock Interview Sessions on April 8, 2019 for a dozen students pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, and physician assistant studies.  Each student participated in an individual interview and a group interview conducted by the following BAHS faculty members:  Dr. Kate Beishline, Dr. Abby Hare-Harris,  Professor Deborah Heitzman, D r. Judith Kipe-Nolt, Dr. William Schwindinger, Dr. Cindy Surmacz, Dr. Kevin Williams, and  Dr. Marianna Wood . Afterwards, faculty shared interviewing tips and suggestions. A lively and informative discusion followed on how to handle challenging questions on some of the current hot button topics in health care. Taking part in Mock Interviews were Lauren Bunnell, Lizmeidy Hernandez, Kyle Mausteller, Vitoria Nery, Amy Rader, Luke Rodgers, Taylor Runkle, Rachel Ryver, Kayla Sompel, Fiath Varner-Bruno, and Eric Williams. 

Dr. Steven Rier Dr. Steven Rier recently presented a seminar at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, MI, at the invitation of the Institute for Great Lakes Research. The Institute consists of a multidisciplinary team of scientists that examines environmental issues related to the Great Lakes. Dr. Rier's seminar was entitled  “ Understanding the functional roles of algal-dominated biofilms in natural and disturbed streams." Dr. Rier is an alumnus of Central Michigan University, earning his  B.S. and M.S. in Biology in 1992 and 1994, respectively.  

Fifty years ago today, April 26, 1969, Hartline Science enter was dedicated.  The campus now had a new state-of-the-art science classroom and laboratory facility. Hartline Science Center was named in honor of the Hartline family: Professor Daniel S. Hartline, chair of the biology department from 1897-1935;  his wife Harriet Keffer Hartline, a member of the biology faculty; and his son Haldan Keffer Hartline, a 1920 graduate of the college prep program at the Bloomsburg State Normal School and 1968 Nobel laureate in medicine for his work on the mechanisms of vision.  Below is the description from the dedication day program. Below is the photo that appeared in the Morning Press on April 28, 1969, showing Dr. Haldan Keffer Hartline and his wife Mary Elizabeth outside Hartline Science Center at the dedication.    Hartline Science Center then  ..... and now..... Source: Thank you to Robert Dunkelberger,  Bloomsburg University Archivist...

 Eleven undergraduate and graduate students and three faculty members from the Biology and EGGS department traveled to Washington D.C. on March 25,, 2019. Students met with Dr. Christopher Mah, a Research Associate in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Dr. Mah studies the evolution, ecology, and biology of echinoderms and is the world’s leading expert on sea star identification and classification. Dr. Mah gave the students a personalized tour of the national archives of invertebrates within the National Museum of Natural History. Students were able to learn about the process of identification and classification new invertebrate species. Dr. Mah’s blog on echinoderms was of particular interest to the students and can be found here:  http://echinoblog.blogspot.com/ . Dr. Christopher Mah, Smithsonian  National Museum of Natural History BAHS students in Washington, DC

Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society joined in the fun at the Siblings' and Children's Carnival in the Academic Quad on Saturday, April 6.  In keeping with this year's theme "Roongo in the Jungle,"  Tri-Beta provided  "Explorers of the Jungle," a game for children complete with a bone dig,a Roongo skeleton, and a palm tree. Leading the exploration were Tri-Beta members from left, Elizabeth Kester, Michaela Roth, Katie Gresko, and Allison McCracken .  Tri-Beta co-advisers are Drs. Hare-Harris and Surmacz.

The BAHS club headed to the Bloomsburg Children's Museum on Saturday April 13, 2019 for an encore of their popular   "Grossology Labs," this time with a fetal pig dissection. on April 13, 2019.     Students learned about basic anatomical directional terms, body cavities, and body systems and had the opportunity to explore the basic organ systems.   BAHS club members who participates included: Shana Bordner, Diana Sanchz-Perez, Casey Donahoe, Spencer Blank, Juliette Gudknecht, and Stephen Tapsak . The co-advisors of the BAHs club are Drs. Angela Hess and Jennifer Venditti.   The BAHS club's Grossology labs have been featured in the Press Enterprise. 

Several BAHS  faculty members were recognized for years of service to Bloomsburg University at the annual faculty and staff appreciation awards reception. In thanking faculty for their service, President Bashar Hanna quoted Steve Jobs " Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."  BAHS faculty recognized include: Dr Candice Klingerman and Dr. William Schwinding er (5 years of service); Dr. Clay Corbin   and Dr. Kristen Brubaker (15 years of service); and Dr. Cynthia Surmacz (35 years of service,)

Justin Heller, MacKenzie McDowell, and Ben Paul J ustin Heller, MacKenzie McDowell and  Benjamin Paul , BAHS master's students,  presented thesis proposals at the March 22 BAHS seminar. The students proposed  investigations on a diverse group of organisms including  filamentous algae,  macroinvertebrates,  honey bees, and  zebrafish. The  specific   projects  shared include: MacKenzie McDowell :  Fishing for  α -L fucosidase: Evaluating Enzyme Activity and the Reproductive Role in Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ).  Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Venditti Justin Heller:   Acute Alcohol Intoxication in  Apis mellifera (Western Honeybee):  A Molecular Study of Alcohol's effect on Addicsin and Hangover. Mentor: Dr. Kristin Brubaker Benjamin Paul:   Influence of  Cladophora  on the Composition and Spatial Distribution of Macroinvertebrate Commun...

Alex Shaffer, Elyse Shultz, and Tommy O-Rourke BAHS graduate students presented their thesis proposals at the weekly BAHS seminar series on February 22, 2019 in 108 Hartline Science Center.  Tommy O'Rourke, Alex Shaffer , and Elyse Shultz presented a diverse group of interesting research topics that generated a lively discussion. Below are the the titles of their proposed research projects: Thomas O'Rourk e: Tenma's Fury: Modeling a Worst-Case Scenario for an Asian Hornet Invasion in North America. Major professor: Dr. John Hranitz Alexander Shaffer: Investigating the Effects of Caloric Restriction on the Social behavior and Reproductive behavior in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Major professor: Dr. Candice Klingerman . Elyse Shultz :  Investigating the Effect of Beta-Caryophyllene in Multiple Sclerosis-induced Earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris). Major professor: Dr. William Coleman.

Biology, pre-medical sciences major, Kayla Sompel , asks Dr. Borland some follow-up questions after his seminar. The BAHS Seminar Series featured a presentation on  Friday, March 1 by Dr. Michael Borland, associate professor, from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Dr. Borland's talk was entitled "From PPARS to Skin Cancer: A Journey in Molecular Toxicology."   Dr. Borland skillfully wove concepts from biology, chemistry, and biochemistry into his presentation. Dr. Borland's  research is in collaboration with Dr. Ellen Kehres, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and BU undergraduate students.

Samantha Maywald and Victoria Roper BAHS master's students    Samantha Maywald and Victoria Roper presented research posters at the annual conference of the PA Wildlife Society conference in State College, PA.  The theme of the conference was  The Nexus: Bridging Land and Water and featured plenary sessions by    Cindy Adams Dunn, the secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Dustin Shull, a Water Program Specialist with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Water Quality Division. In addition to presenting their research, Sam and Victoria were winners in the PA wildlife society raffle. Sam won a 100 ft deer fence, while Victoria took home a collection of framed wildlife posters! Here are the title of their research presentations: Potential Environmental Predictors of an important West Nile Virus vector (Culex restuans) in Ruffed Grouse Habitat Samantha Maywald, Clay Corbin, John Hranitz, Karl Henry, ...

Back Row:  Justin Blake, Rodney Koch, Dr. Klinger, Caitlyn Collins, Emily Ashberry, Hannah Anderson, Benjamin Paul.  Front Row:  Keara Drummer, Kayla Davis, Dr. Hare-Harris Dr. Klinger's Integrative Invertebrate Zoology class (Biology 410 and 510) traveled to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ. for a tour of the husbandry and research facilities.  BAHS marine biology alumnus Jack Carr hosted the group. Jack currently serves as  the Director of Education and Engagement at the aquarium's  Center for Aquatic Sciences. The mission of the Center for Aquatic Sciences  is to promote the understanding, appreciation and protection of aquatic life and habitats.  The students had a great day touring the aquarium, visiting the penguins, and learning about various career options from Jack Carr.

Eleven BAHS scholar athletes were  celebrated at a luncheon in their honor at Kehr Union. To receive this honor, student athletes must achieve a 3.25 GPA or higher during the past two semesters while competing in a sport. The following BAHS students were recognized:  Zachary Newmyer , Health Sciences (baseball); Megan Brandt , Biology (basketball); Amanda Aulenbauch , Biology (Track & Field); Morgan Ilgenfritz , Health Sciences (Track & Field); Rachel Strockbine , Health Sciences, Pre-physical therapy(Field Hockey); Allison Bardman ,Health Sciences (Lacrosse); Gabrielle Piccolo , Health Sciences-pre-physician assistant (softball); Mackenzie Gebhardt , Health Sciences (soccer); Margaret McDonald , Health Sciences (soccer), Colton Schnars , Health Sciences (swimming); Devon DiCampli , Health Sciences (Tennis). Congratulations to our BAHS scholar athletes for their successes in the classroom and in the field, court, track, pool, etc.....

Arriving in Philadelphia A group of enthusiastic BAHS students and faculty headed to Philadelphia on Saturday, March 2 on a bus trip to the Franklin Institute, a renowned museum named after scientist and statesman Benjamin Franklin.  The group had a great time checking everything out from a giant heart and a featured exhibit on the human brain to a planetarium show and a Viking exhibit on tour from Denmark.  Thank your to the BAHS club, the Pre-Medical Sciences Club, the Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society, and the BAHS fund for sponsoring this trip. Quinn and the BIG HEART We were greeted by the Ben Franklin statue in the lobby of the Franklin Institute Hannah Anderson, Cliff Jones, and Ian Whiteside  Checking out animal heart rates