The College honored students and faculty at the annual Academic Awards ceremony on Friday, April 29, at the Brooks Science Center auditorium. Each prize recognizes excellence in scholarship, achievement, or teaching, and the event is a celebration of the outstanding students and faculty at Wilson.
We are proud to list the awardees:
Nicholas Mattson received the Outstanding Peer Teacher Award.
Jordan Yeager was awarded the Class of 1957 Civic Engagement Award for a student who exemplifies civic engagement at Wilson College through involvement in volunteer roles on and off-campus.
Mia Harris was awarded the Edward and Sarah Anderson Psychology Prize. The Wilson College Psychology Club established this award in recognition of Professors Edward and Sarah Anderson for their devotion to psychology while professors at the College. It recognizes a graduating senior for outstanding scholarship in psychology. The psychology faculty selected the recipients in consultation with the Dean of the College.
Rachel Staley and Simone Karustis received the Sophie’s Six Award, in memory of Sophie Grace Martin, awarded to seniors majoring or minoring in psychology or a related field and with an intended career in counseling.
Elizabeth Rentsch (performance) and Madeline Neway (scholarship) won the James Applegate Award. Established in honor of James Applegate, Ph.D., Dean Emeritus and Emeritus Professor of English, it is awarded to a student or students with an interest in and appreciation of drama and theater.
The Donald Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching went to Daniela DiGregorio and Alan Jeff Rock.
Mariah Kiefer received the Lucy Bremmer Global Citizenship Award for a student or students who participate in the service-learning component of the Global Citizenship Initiative. This award is to offset expenses associated with travel to another country for the awardee.
Daeshaun Johnson won the Alice Brumbaugh Award for Sociology, awarded to a sociology student in honor of Professor Brumbaugh. It was created in her honor in 1998 by fellow faculty member and sociologist Carolyn Zeleny.
Amanda Smida won the Carolyn Zeleny Prize awarded to a sociology student in the junior or senior class in honor of Professor Emerita of sociology Carolyn Zeleny. It is awarded for academic excellence and/or community service. The winner is selected in consolation with the sociology faculty.
Judith Wolf received the General Chemistry Achievement Award for outstanding achievement in general chemistry.
Katie Riley and Lydia Story received the Barsy-Colgan Academic Research Gift Award. The Student Research Day Committee presented the two students with this award to support their academic research. They were selected by the committee after submitting a proposed budget, timeline, and cover letter describing their project or conference and how it would benefit both their academic careers and Wilson College
Anaida Fahradyan won The Marel Harlow Cheng Memorial Prize. This award recognizes a student who has done well in international studies or has made noticeable contributions to international understanding.
Nicholas Mattson won the Regina Shaputnic Cuomo Mathematics Award. In memory of Regina Shaputnic Cuomo, class of 1961, it is awarded to a student or students pursuing a major in mathematics who exhibit outstanding ability.
Ella Hawbecker was awarded the Robert Shannon McElwain Prize, established by the gift of his daughter, the late Mary Belle McElwain, class of 1895. It is awarded to the best student in mathematics in the first-year class.
Lydia Story won the prestigious Margaret Criswell Disert Honors Scholarship. Established in 1993 in memory of Margaret Disert, Dean Emerita, of the class of 1920, it is awarded to a rising senior who has, in the judgment of the Selection Committee, submitted the proposal for Senior Advanced Study and Research considered most worthy of support. Outstanding achievement in this project will merit the awarding of Honors in the Major upon graduation.
The Joan M. Thuebel ’52 Earthwatch Prize sponsors students and faculty members to participate in an Earthwatch Institute project of their choosing. 2023 recipients were Myla Owens and Kendi Long.
Eryka Sager was awarded the Estep-Lawson Memorial Prize. Established through gifts in memory of Jean McSparran Estep of the class of 1929 and Beverly Bell Lawson of the class of 1958, it is awarded to a senior graduating with a major in Liberal Studies who demonstrates excellence and leadership across the disciplines.
Paige Schade won the Donna Gomer VMT Award. It was established by Donna Gomer ’98 in 2004 to be awarded to a CCE student displaying excellence in their field of study in Veterinary Medical Technology.
Kelly Lepouski received the Davison Greenawalt Grove Award, in honor of Davison Greenawalt Grove, Professor Emeritus of Biology. Established by Dr. Carol Sachs Scatarige, a member of the class of 1968, and the Wilson College Science Club, it is awarded to a member of the junior or senior class participating in research in the area of Physical and Life Sciences. Candidates are nominated and selected by a committee composed of the Science Faculty and one Science Club representative not currently involved in research.
The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) has awarded their Outstanding Senior Award for 2023 to Michael McGee.
Madison Ross received the Richard C. Grove Award in Business and Economics. Established in honor of Richard C. Grove, Board of Trustees from 2010-2016, it is awarded to a student who demonstrates outstanding ability and has distinguished themselves academically in accounting, business administration, financial mathematics, or economics.
Anaida Fahradayan won the William P. Van Looy Business Prize. It was established in 1990 by Priscilla Van Looy and Ellen Van Looy Reed of the class of 1953, in memory of William P. Van Looy, businessman and community servant. It is awarded to the junior or senior business and economics major who has demonstrated excellence in business studies and service to the Wilson College and the larger community. The business and economics faculty select the recipient.
Melissa West received the Dorle Haas Memorial Prize, endowed by the members of the class of 1946, in memory of Sister Dorle Haas, member of the Order of the Little Sisters of Jesus. It is awarded to a senior for outstanding service within the greater Chambersburg community. A committee appointed by the president selects the winner.
Rebecca Galvin was awarded the Gloria Randle Scott-Frances Richards Hesselbein Prize for Exemplary Volunteer Leadership, established by Gloria Randle Scott, former member of the Board of Trustees and recipient of an Honorary Degree. This is awarded to that member of the senior class who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service during their four years at Wilson College.
Aaron Rein won the Joanne Harrison Hopkins Literary Achievement Award, endowed by classmates and friends of the late Joanne Hopkins, class of 1957. The prize is for the finest piece of imaginative literature in fiction, poetry, or drama produced during the academic year.
Natalie Beckner was awarded the William and Ivy Saylor Prize. Endowed by Raymond W. Britcher and established through the Academy of American Poets, the prize supports young poets through a program established by the Academy of American Poets at colleges nationwide. Winners receive a cash prize and a one-year membership in the Academy.
Andrea Sandoval received the Helga Rist Prize awarded in honor of Jose Cordova and Beate Schiwek to a dedicated, successful, American foreign language student who has demonstrated integrity, promise, and potential.
Anaida Fahradyan received the Josef Michael Kellinger German or Foreign Language Award in honor of Josef Michael Kellinger, Ph.D., Professor of German. His wife, Cesi Kellinger, and their daughters award it to a student who has demonstrated excellence in German or foreign language studies.
Ryan Reinhardt received the Mary-Eleanor Maule Travel Grant for travel planned in support of a student's study in Spanish, which is awarded from the proceeds of the Mary-Eleanor Maule Memorial Fund. The recipient must be a member of the incoming junior or senior class or graduating senior selected by the Dean of the College in consolation with the Spanish faculty.
Moriah Steinberger was awarded The Lt. Colonel William A. Knaus Award for Veteran’s Service. This award recognizes a senior student who is a veteran with high academic achievement. Awarded in memory of Lt. Colonel William A. Knaus, father of President Barbara K. Mistick, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. He received two Bronze Stars for his service and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel at the time of his discharge.
Megan VanScoyoc received the Mildred Franklin Prize for excellence in classical languages. Endowed by the late Mildred Franklin, Professor Emerita of classical languages, it is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated proficiency in Latin or Greek and has shown understanding of the literature and thought of the ancient civilizations.
William Merk won the Helen Adams Nutting History Prize for a junior or senior who has demonstrated outstanding ability in the field of history. Established in memory of Helen Adams Nutting, Professor Emerita of history, it is maintained by alums and students of Wilson College.
Lydia Story won The Alta Lindsay McElwain Prize given to a first-year student who shows excellence in Latin or Greek studies.
Kaitlyn O'Shea was awarded the Wilson College Nursing Clinical Leadership Award. It is given annually to a student who demonstrates outstanding overall ability to excel in their clinical work within the nursing program.
Vanessa Efelomo George and Aura Langley were awarded the Wilson College Nursing Department Award. It is given to students who have demonstrated continuous support of the nursing department through hard work and effort that echoes the department’s philosophy.
Amber Ausherman received the Wilson College Nursing Leadership Award for a student who has demonstrated nursing leadership abilities both outside and inside the classroom.
Marielis Lopez received The Suzanne Blumenthal Prize in Healthcare and Medical Humanities for a graduating senior studying Healthcare and Medical Humanities for academic excellence in the disciplines of both healthcare studies as well as the humanities.
Ariel Noel, Lydia Story, and Hannah Aument received the Wilson College Organic Chemistry Award – an anonymously supported award given to a student or students in organic chemistry who have the highest grades earned for the year. The award funds a reference book of the student’s choice.
Annmarie Batey was awarded the Nicky Hoffman Reich Award, given annually to the Wilson student whose work with animals shows commitment to their humane treatment.
Katie Riley was awarded the John D. Rose Award in Environmental Studies. Established in 1995 by family and friends in memory of Wilson student and naturalist John Rose, it supports those who share his enthusiasm and love of the wilderness and natural world and promotes a tradition of dedication to wildlife and its conservation. The award is given to an outstanding junior majoring in environmental studies or biology to fund a summer research project or internship in some area of environmental studies, ecology, or conservation biology.
Connor Bowers and Abby Sentz received E. Grace White Summer Scholarships for the most outstanding junior students in the area of biology. The scholarships are to be used towards an approved summer laboratory.
Rose Runyan (not pictured) received the E. Grace White Prize, awarded to a senior whose major is biology or biochemistry and who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and plans a career involving the biological sciences. The prize is endowed by a bequest from the eponymous Professor Emerita of biology.
Jarret Gelsinger was awarded the Margaret Strode Haines Award, which recognizes a student with outstanding qualities of scholarship, interest in the humanities and strength of body, mind and spirit.
Julia Johnson and Kobe MacPherson (not pictured) received the Mary Beers Sheppard Prize. Established by Benjamin M. Sheppard in memory of his sister who was of the class of 1895. It is awarded to members of the senior class who, in the judgment of the English faculty, have shown the keenest understanding and appreciation of literature.
Anika Eigen-Zucchi received the Virginia Dodd Cooper Prize. Established by a number of her former students in memory of Virginia Dodd Cooper, Professor Emerita, it is awarded to a senior graphic design or web design student who has demonstrated excellence in the field and all of their academic work.
Julia Johnson was awarded the Wilson Glencairn Bowlby Equestrian Award, presented to a graduating senior who has excelled in her academic work and equitation. The recipient, selected by the equestrian studies faculty, has her name engraved on a plaque mounted on the base of a sculpture donated to the College by nationally recognized sculptress Glencairn Bowlby.
Jarrett Gelsinger received the Wilson College Fine Arts Prize, awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in both art history and studio art.
Today is Teacher Appreciation Day, a day to celebrate the amazing teachers who work tirelessly to educate our children. Teachers deserve our gratitude and appreciation, so we are spotlighting Teacher Certification Pathways completer and Master of Special Education student, Jacob Warner.
This is what Jake’s college supervisor, Dr. Wendy Royer says about Jake in the classroom with students:
"Establishing positive relationships with students is a priority for Jake. He works hard to create a safe learning environment, encouraging his students to take risks. Jake consistently brings contagious enthusiasm to his lessons."
Thank you to Jake and all the teachers who make a difference in our lives!
Graphic design major, Jeremiah Carter-Johnson '23, served as a graphic art intern at Virginia Union University’s Intercollegiate Athletics and Community Wellness division. While there he developed promotional materials for the men’s and women’s basketball teams that were used on the internet, email, communications, and social media. It was a great experience that will serve him well as he embarks on his chosen career path.
The Honorable Elaine Chao, the 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and the 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, will address the graduating class of 2023 at Wilson’s 153rd annual commencement ceremony Sunday, May 14.
Secretary Chao is the first Asian American woman appointed to the Cabinet of the United States and is the longest-serving Cabinet member since World War II, having served under two Presidents. She was born in Taiwan, came to this country at the age of eight, and became a U.S. citizen at the age of nineteen. She earned a bachelor’s in economics from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA from Harvard Business School and has received 37 honorary doctorate degrees.
“It is an honor to have Secretary Chao join us for this important day in the lives of our graduates,” said Wesley R. Fugate, Wilson’s president. “Secretary Chao’s life and career are the embodiment of the American dream and are an inspiration to all of us. I am excited for her to share her wisdom, accrued through decades of service to our country and at the highest levels of the private and nonprofit sectors, with our graduates as they, too, head out into the world to make a positive difference.”
Chao’s career has been distinguished and varied. Some of the highlights include being President and CEO of United Way of America, Director of the Peace Corps, Deputy Maritime Administrator, Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission, and a banker with Bank of America and Citicorp. Currently, she serves on the board of Kroger and several technology companies. She has also been a director and trustee on many nonprofit boards, including Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, United Way Worldwide, Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee of Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28), and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Advisory Board.
Learn About Swift Foxes, Clean and Sustainable Energy, Armenian Refugee Resettlement, Gypsy Moths in Michaux Forest, and Much More at Wilson’s 14th Annual Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day
Our 14th annual Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day is Friday, April 28, and is free and open to the public. Enjoy beverages and light snacks while you experience some of the fantastic research and creative projects our students have done this year with the guidance of their faculty mentors. From ways to block cancers from metastasizing to paternal bonds in Shakespeare’s plays, Wilson students have contributed to our understanding of science, medicine, art, and civilization. The student researchers will present their research in person or display it on posters in the library’s Lenfest Learning Commons and the Brooks Science Center. Seventy-five students representing multiple disciplines will present their work.
The live oral presentations will explore the likely spread of tick-borne diseases in Pennsylvania, poems about heartbreak, nursing students’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and much much more. Presentations at the Brooks Science Center auditorium will kick off at 9 a.m. with a welcome address by President Wesley R. Fugate. Presentations in the library’s Lenfest Learning Center will kick off at 9 a.m. with an address by Dean of Faculty Elissa Heil. After a break for lunch around noon, oral presentations will resume in the Brooks sudatorium at 1.30 p.m. They will conclude with this year’s Disert Scholar Morgan Wineburg presenting her research on the effects of a beta blocker on glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) migration and cytotoxicity.
Visitors can view the research posters displayed in the front lobbies of both the Library and Brooks Science Center. The research will cover subjects as wide-ranging as organic waste composting, horse bedding, mange in red foxes, treatments for various diseases, and the war on drugs. The student researchers will be available to discuss their projects and answer your questions between noon and 1.30 p.m. at both locations.
Louise Barsy Colgan ’80 and Sean Colgan are generously endowing student research grants and underwriting the “Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day” to honor two Wilson College alumnae—Louise Barsy Colgan and her mother, Helen Yeager “HiY” Barsy ’44. The Colgans hope their support encourages students to passionately pursue their interests and to follow the patterns of the universe’s minute and immense handiwork. For a complete schedule, go to wilson.edu.
Saturday night, members of Wilson's Muhibbah Club put on various performances after a cultural dinner. The international group is known for promoting cultural awareness and celebrating diversity. A portion of the proceeds from the evening are being given to Habitat for Humanity.
Son Huasteco Dance by Claudia Martinez Taba (Mexico) and Tiyas Chakraborty (India)
Son Huasteco is a form of traditional Mexican music that takes its name from the region known as "La Huasteca", in the Northeastern area of Mexico. This type of music is performed by three musicians that play three string instruments a violin, a jarana and a quinta huapanguera. "La petenera" is one of the most popular songs of Son Huasteco and other traditional Mexican music.
Poem "America" by Claude McKay read by Ryan Reinhardt (US)
Claude McKay was a Jamaican American poet who lived from 1890-1948. He was a prolific writer during the Harlem Renaissance writing primarily about race during the 1920s in America.
Jensen Dinir "Lewanay Waziri" Dance by Tayyaba Shahid (Pakistan)
Attan is the traditional dance originating from the tribal Pashtun regions of North Western Pakistan. It is conducted in weddings, engagements, and other informal gatherings. The dancers gather in a circle, and are followed by music which starts slow at first, and then gradually speeds up.
Song "Tumi Sondharo Meghamala" ("Night Flowers") by Rabindranath Tagore sung by Tiyas Chakraborty (India)
A Song of Love. Tagore is describing the beauty of the blooming night flowers. He dedicated the song to his wife and lover who lived a thousand miles away From him at that time.
"Parmani" Dance by Anaida Fahradyan (Armenia)
Armenian women's lyrical solo folk dances are noted for their expressive and lyrical use of the hands, arms, and upper body, combined with unique traveling steps that evoke images of delicate beauty, embodying elements from nature.
Dance to "Candy" by H.O.T. and "Permission to Dance" by BTS performed by Eunbi Lee , Mingyo Jung, Gayoun Cho, Hyunju Lee, Seongyeon Cho, Jungin Yang, Jooyoung Jang, Jeonghyun Cho (South Korea)
These songs represent the K-pop genre and are composed of the Korean language. The song "Candy" by H.O.T was selected as the most popular song at the time when K-pop was first popularized.
"Permission to Dance" is a song by BTS that has been nominated for a Grammy Award every year. These songs show the evolution of K-pop from the beginning till now, when it's more famous.
The first annual Wilson College ArtsFest was a huge success! Campus was immersed in dance, design, visual art, and song over three days. Here are just a few photo snippets of the events.
Musical Beauty: A Social Art Collaboration
Open Choir Rehearsal
Work in Progress Choreography Showing
Gallery Crawl
Open Mic Poetry Reading
Coffeehouse Cabaret
Liquid Spine: Art as Activism Film Screening & Talk Back
Mike Bloomford’s Open Studio
A SHADOW THAT BROKE THE LIGHT
Mariah: Acts of Resistance Film Screening & Talk Back
Empathy Lab Immersive Installation
Create Your Own: ArtsFest 2023 T-Shirt Press, Shirt Making, & Button Making
Over spring break Chaplain Derek Wadlington led an Alternative Spring Break service trip to New Bern, NC. The trip partnered with Lend A Hand, the Camp Hill based volunteer agency from Carlisle Presbytery. Teaming with Chaplain Derek was Crystal Lantz, Director of International Scholar Services, and six others: Claudia Tabbas, Fulbright Scholar and Spanish TA; James Pasaribu ’22; Carly Ashway ’24; Heather Judge ’26; Tiyas Chakraborty ’27; and Marta Davidova ’27.
The group, along with eleven volunteers from Lend A Hand, worked on about half a dozen homes doing projects ranging that included roof repair, drywall and insulation replacement, subfloor and floor replacement, plumbing, drywall mudding, priming, and painting. Plus a number of other random tasks. The group volunteered with the Craven County Disaster Recover Alliance, a non-profit that spans three counties in the New Bern area providing repairs to homes of those in need. It was a very successful trip – as a group, the Wilson/Lend A Hand team logged over 860 volunteer hours.
Everyone on campus is feeling smarter after Brain Awareness Week! Brain Awareness Week is a global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science.
Monday kicked off with a Brain Scavenger Hunt. Brains could be redeemed for raffle tickets to be entered into a drawing for Target gift cards.
Shannon Murphy, Licensed Professional Counselor, shared a presentation "Intro to Art Therapy".
She answered questions such as "What is art therapy?, How does it help?, and Who benefits?"
The Kona Ice truck was parked in front of Lenfest on Wednesday for a Brain Freeze Fundraiser.
Hennessy Strine '25 and Lesley Rodriguez '25 shared posters on "The Zombification of the Brain"
Mia Harris '23 and Simone Karustis '23 led a Kahoot! Brain Tease at lunch on Friday.
Thanks goes to the Wilson College Psychology Club for a week of brainy events to support brain science.
Seven Wilson College seniors presented the results of their research at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (PAS), held March 17-19 at Gannon University, Erie, PA.
The students began their projects in the spring of their junior year by writing a research proposal based on a specific question that they were interested in studying. In the fall semester, they completed the lab work and collected data. This semester they have been focused on data analysis, writing a thesis and preparing to communicate their results at PAS. All students represented Wilson College with confidence, poise and professionalism. The biology, biochemistry, and chemistry faculty are proud of the students’ efforts in the laboratory/field and their dedication in preparing for the meeting. They look forward to sharing their results on campus during Student Research Day.
The Pennsylvania Academy of Science judged oral presentations and posters and provided a monetary award for the top three places and honorable mentions in each category. Oral presentations were assessed in categories for scientific merit (ranging from experimental methodologies to analysis of results) and presentation qualities, including visual impact and fielding of questions. The overall score was reflective of all subcategories.
Two Wilson students received awards at PAS for their oral presentations. Rose Runyon, senior biology major, received the 3rd place award for her presentation entitled “Development of a method for rapid boldness scoring of individual swift fox (Vulpes velox) during husbandry visits and assessment of its applications across varying populations”. Rose’s research was funded in part by the John D. Rose Award in Environmental Science and the E. Grace White Summer Scholarship. She conducted the research in collaboration with graduate student Kimberly Todd at the National Zoo Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). Rose was also awarded the Joan M. Thuebel ’52 Earthwatch Prize to go on the South African Penguins expedition to Robben Island in Cape Town, South Africa. The expedition focused on recovering the population of South African penguins, an endangered species, in this area. She is currently employed as an intern at NZCBI.
Morgan Wineburg, senior biochemistry major, received an honorable mention her presentation on “Effects of the Beta Blocker Propranolol on Human Glioblastoma Migration and Cytotoxicity”. Morgan’s project was partially funded by a Student Research Award 2022. She is the 2023 Disert Scholar and plans to attend medical school.
Five other seniors in biology also presented their research results at PAS. Kelly Lepouski gave an oral presentation for the project titled “Effects of combination treatments of epigenetic inhibitors (Belinostat and 5-Azacytidine) on human glioblastoma cells”. The remaining four students participated in a poster session
• Alexis Alleman “A study of musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by Lyme disease patients”
• Camryn Mountz “Gypsy Moths (Lymantria dispar) Ovipatory in Michaux State Forest based on Tree Species and Age”
• Kara Rosander “Comparative Study of the Effects of Precipitation on Microplastics in the Conocoheague Creek” recipient of the E. Grace White Summer Scholarship.
• Ryder Wallace “Multifactor Analysis of The Spread of Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis) Borne Diseases in Pennsylvania” recipient of the John D. Rose Award in Environmental Science and the E. Grace White Summer Scholarship
The faculty and students wish to thank Wilson College for supporting this research, which is an integral component of the curriculum for biology, biochemistry, and chemistry majors. The three semester research sequence prepares students to enter the job market or to pursue graduate or professional education.
Abstracts (in alphabetical order)
Alexis Alleman A study of musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by Lyme disease patients According to the CDC, Lyme disease is the number one tick-borne vector disease in the United States with approximately 20 to 30 thousand people diagnosed per year. Most cases of Lyme disease go undiagnosed for a period of time because the symptoms are associated with other conditions, such as general aging and arthritis. Early diagnosis is important because treatment is more effective in early stages of the disease; therefore, it is important to develop new tools that can help physicians identify the presence of Lyme disease sooner. The purpose of this study was to observe whether there is a relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and the pain thresholds of patients diagnosed with Lyme disease. An IRB-approved anonymous survey was distributed by a physician who is known to specialize in treating Lyme disease. Survey results were analyzed to determine what musculoskeletal symptoms were experienced as well as the pain threshold severity. Using NCSS, it was determined that there is insufficient statistical significance to begin developing an evaluation tool for musculoskeletal symptoms and pain thresholds that could be used by physicians as an indicator to test for Lyme disease before ruling out other diagnoses. A much larger data set would need to be collected to determine the potential of an evaluation tool Research Advisors: Deborah Austin and Kathryn Sarachan
Kelly Lepouski Effects of combination treatments of epigenetic inhibitors (Belinostat and 5-Azacytidine) on human glioblastoma cells Many cancers, including glioblastoma (GB), are difficult to treat, have low survival rates and high recurrence rates, and develop resistance to conventional treatments. Genetic and epigenetic factors play a role in these undesired outcomes. Recent research has identified epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation, histone modification and small noncoding RNAs (miRNAs), that are altered in many cancers. Some of these changes in the cancer epigenome can be reversed with epigenetic inhibitors, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) leading to new therapeutic approaches. The use of single inhibitors has shown limited clinical success; however, combination therapies have shown more positive results. This study tested the cytotoxicity of belinostat (an HDACi) and 5-azacytidine (a DNMTi) alone and in combination on human glioblastoma cells. Glioblastoma cells were plated in 96-well plates containing 10,000 cells per well, and the % cell viability was determined using an MTT assay. Dose response curves were generated (0 to 10 µM concentrations) using six different treatment conditions: no treatment, media, DMSO, HDACi alone, DNMTi alone, and HDACi and DNMTi combined. Belinostat and 5-azacitidine were both shown to be cytotoxic to GB cells in a dose-dependent manner. Belinostat was more effective than 5-azacitidine. A synergistic effect was also observed when the drugs were used in combination. Combination therapy using both belinostat and 5-azacytidine could represent a promising treatment for glioblastoma in the future. Research Advisors: Brad Engle and Kathryn Sarachan
Camryn Mountz Gypsy Moths (Lymantria dispar) Ovipatory in Michaux State Forest based on Tree Species and Age Gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar) are an invasive species that defoliate forests across North America. The USDA estimated that industry, agriculture, and land management stakeholders spend $26 billion annually trying to control invasive species across the country. Gypsy moths complete holometabolous stages with an annual life cycle whose larvae feed on hardwood vegetation, and possess few North American predators or parasites to control their spread. Gypsy moths threaten many native trees along the east coast, causing mass defoliation which decreases tree species biodiversity. Approximately 150 different species of trees have been identified to be susceptible to gypsy moths, the main target being Oak species. This study seeks to observe the relationship between the presence and number of egg mass and tree maturity and species within Michaux State Forest, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Preliminary results indicate Gypsy moths prefer depositing egg masses on adult Chestnut Oaks. Research Advisors: Jeffrey Bardwell and Sherri Buerdsell
Kara Rosander Comparative Study of the Effects of Precipitation on Microplastics in the Conocoheague Creek Water pollution is a significant global issue. It is estimated that 14,000 people die each day from water pollution worldwide. Pollutants can enter the air, soil, or water and change their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, which can cause harm to humans and aquatic life. Microplastics are plastic particles that are less than 0.5 mm and these can enter water sources, specifically the creek by surface water runoff after heavy rain, wastewater (treated and untreated), industrial effluent, degraded plastic waste, and atmospheric deposition. Microplastics pollute the environment and waterways because they take up to thousands of years to chemically degrade. In the environment, they can act as vectors for harmful containments like heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and bacteria. The small size of microplastics allows them to easily be ingested. The Conococheague Creek is the source of drinking water for Chambersburg. This study investigated whether the introduction of microplastics into the Conococheague Creek is correlated with precipitation. Two sites along the Conococheague Creek were selected-one upstream from Wilson College and one downstream. Although the results show no statistical significance between precipitation and microplastic concentration, a significant difference was identified between fibers and both films and fragments (p<0.025). Research Advisors: Deborah Austin and Sherri Buerdsell
Rose Runyan Development of a method for rapid boldness scoring of individual swift fox (Vulpes velox) during husbandry visits and assessment of its applications across varying populations The swift fox (Vulpes velox) is a canid species that inhabits the northern Great Plains region of the United States and Canada and faces continuous threats to population expansion and growth. Subsequently, the Fort Belknap Department of Fish and Wildlife and Smithsonian Institution launched a five-year reintroduction plan in 2020 to translocate individuals from established populations in Colorado and Wyoming to the Fort Belknap Reservation in northern Montana. The aim is to create a self-sustaining population that will expand and connect with fragmented northern and contiguous southern populations across the species’ range. During this time, research is being conducted to understand how bold personality affects individual fitness with implications for population-level dynamics. This study aims to create a method for evaluating individual swift fox boldness levels prior to release in the form of a survey that may be completed by technicians in the field. The survey was created based on behavioral observations of videographic data collected during the 2021 translocation, provided by the Smithsonian, and utilizes Likert scale and multiple-choice style questions for easy scoring. However, because the videographic data processed focused solely on a Wyoming release cohort, concern arose for the applicability of this survey across source populations. Therefore, the second part of this study utilizes videographic data from both Colorado- and Wyoming- sourced foxes to compare activity budgets between source populations. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, data analysis has revealed significant differences in the activity budgets between these two populations, which may have implications to their fitness post-release. This study will provide a broad-based methodological tool to assist ongoing research in swift fox recovery. Research Advisors: Sherri Buerdsell and Deborah Austin Research done in collaboration with National Zoo Conservation Biology Institute, Kimberly R. Todd, Nucharin Songsasen, and Hila Shamon
Ryder Wallace Multifactor Analysis of The Spread of Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis) Borne Diseases in Pennsylvania Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis, Class Arachnida) are ectoparasites found throughout the eastern and midwestern regions of the United States and responsible for 95% of vector-borne diseases in the country. I. scapularis prefer feeding on the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) but sometimes parasitize humans. I. scapularis carry an array of diseases such as Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis. This study uses Lyme Disease data to generate historical and future linear regression models, which can then be used to identify future trends for Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis in Pennsylvania. Unlike Lyme Disease, these two diseases are both prevalent in New England and currently spreading south. Using countylevel data, this study aims to understand the conditions that could lead to the spread of Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis across three Pennsylvania counties: Northumberland, Snyder, and Union. Independent variables include I. scapularis populations, human populations, temperature levels, precipitation levels, and currently reported locations for all three diseases in Pennsylvania. The dependent variable is normalized disease presence (frequency of collected potential disease vectored ticks / county population). Using R library packages dplyr, magrittr, stats, and tidyr, a linear regression model shows statistical significance for population (t-statistic: 2.348, p-value = 0.0312) and intercept (t-statistic: - 2.347, p-value = 0.0313) for Union County. This predictive model can be used to create a county-level choropleth map to document twenty-year historic trends of Lyme Disease and forecast future prevalence of Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis in Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties. This model creation can be used by other researchers; civilians; and people at risk of Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, or Babesiosis to warn about potential locations susceptible to the spread of these diseases. Research Advisors: Jeffrey Bardwell and Brad Engle
Morgan Wineburg Effects of the Beta Blocker Propranolol on Human Glioblastoma Migration and Cytotoxicity Approximately 250,000 people in the world are diagnosed with glioblastoma annually and 200,000 die from the disease. It is the deadliest form of brain cancer, with the average age of incidence peaking at 75-84 years. One important factor in the clinical outcomes of cancer is migration. Glioblastoma has a high rate of migration causing the cancer to become metastatic quickly. Studies have shown that beta blockers, specifically propranolol, can attenuate the migration of various pancreatic and cervical cancer cells. This study will assess the ability of propranolol to arrest migration in glioblastoma cell cultures. The experimental groups were treated with 150, 200, and 250 µM propranolol, respectively. Cell cultures were incubated at 37 °C for three hours to allow for cell adhesion to the inserts then treated with propranolol for 24 hours. Each treatment was replicated twelve times. A cell migration assay was used to quantify the degree to which treated and untreated glioblastoma cells penetrate the 8.0µm barrier. Propranolol significantly (p=0.00445) inhibited the migration of glioblastoma cells irrespective of treatment groups. In addition, an MTT assay was done to assess propranolol-induced cytotoxicity at concentrations of 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 µM. Propranolol significantly (p=0.00626) reduced cell viability in all treatment groups. Cytotoxicity increased among the groups as propranolol concentration increased (p=0.0004). Research Advisors: Kathryn Sarachan and Brad Engle
