September 23, 2009 – Our Town – OWU

George ’61 and Patsy Belt ’63 Conrades talk with Heather Derry ’10 about her research.

Photo by Jeff Bates

Science Matters
Summer Science Research Symposium fills atrium

Ohio Wesleyan’s 17th annual Patricia Belt Conrades Summer Science Research Symposium (SSRS) offered something for practically everyone’s scientific interests. More than 40 Ohio Wesleyan SSRS researchers were positioned close to their research posters, which filled the atrium of the Schimmel/Conrades Science Center last Monday during the noon hour. Summarizing their 10-week research projects via these posters and conversations with interested students, faculty, staff members, and friends, the OWU researchers patiently explained the methodology and findings of their work to scientists and non-scientists alike.

For those who have ever wondered just how long to keep cosmetics such as eye shadows, mascaras, and the like, senior Devinda Hiripitiyage’s research project on “Post Consumer Contamination of Cosmetic Products in the United States” may shed some light on some of the many varieties of microorganisms that dwell in these products and can cause skin and eye infections.

Professors Harry Bahrick, Lynda Hall, and Melinda Baker pictured here with Sarah Marous ’11 and Yan Dong ’11.

Photo by Jeff Bates

Memory buffs had the opportunity to talk with Sarah Marous ’11 and Yan Dong ’11 about their research on “The Effect of Number of Cues and Age on Stability of Recall,” and yes, the hypothesis that accessibility of knowledge becomes more unstable with age, appears to be true. The good news, however, is that an increasing number of information cues appears to improve memory recall. As  students explained research methodologies and findings, their professors occasionally added further commentary.

“My student, Chloe Hamrick ’10 was a fantastic researcher,” says Laura Tuhela-Reuning, zoology professor and coordinator of the SSRS. Their research on “Characterization of the Motility and Chemotaxis of Bacillus app. Isolated from Songbird Plumage” has opened up a whole new area of research in the ongoing study of feather degradation—providing evidence that “ bacteria in songbird plumage can exhibit chemotaxis (bacteria that swim toward a food source) and may be able to move toward areas of feather damage.

Thirteen OWU students were inducted into Sigma Xi.

Photo by Jeff Bates

Joining the large crowd in the science center atrium were 30 high school students visiting OWU for the Office of Admission’s “Consider Science” program, as well as George ’61 and Patsy Belt ’63 Conrades, who visited with this year’s SSRS students and professors. And new this year was the announcement of 13 students who were inducted into Sigma Xi, the science research society. They are: Robert Earnest Anthony, Sarah E. Bonnett, Rita E. Cook, Sarah A. Cook, Annie V. Edwards, Kelly Lynne Haines, Chloe Farris Hamrick, Yasawantha Devinda Hiripitiyage, Alex Ryan Howe, Kevin M. McGowan, Jessica Kathleen Miller, Andrew P. Riley, and Patricia J. Troy.

OWU President Rock Jones welcomes students, faculty and staff members, and friends to the SSRS.

Photo by Jeff Bates

“We are proud of what happens in our classrooms and laboratories as we share the best examples of that work at today’s Summer Science Research Symposium,” says President Jones. “Congratulations to our students who have completed their work.”

– Pam Besel