Published:
- by Mount Saint Mary College
Summer studies revealed: Students to present original research at the Mount

Suparna Bhalla, associate professor of Biology at the Mount, oversaw Sabina Zarod of Poughquag, N.Y. on the project, “Investigation of the Antiproliferative Effects of Trans-cinnamaldehyde on HeLa cells.” 

From advances in healthcare to mixing Mathematics and Mother Nature, Mount Saint Mary College students will showcase their summer research on Thursday, October 3 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Aquinas Hall Atrium.
 
The college is located at 330 Powell Avenue, Newburgh, N.Y. The public is invited to attend this free event.
 
Nearly two dozen students will present their Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) findings in poster format, featuring a plethora of subjects. For example, Elizabeth Halpin of LaGrangeville, N.Y., under the guidance of James Moran, associate professor of Biology, will present “A study of the Immunostimulatory Capacity of OxyVita Blood Substitute.” When perfected, the OxyVita blood substitute could decrease the need for blood donations. Since it does not require refrigeration, it could be used in hospitals, combat situations, during power outages, and more.
 
Charles Benfer of Milton, N.Y. and Vita Bosco of Chester, N.Y., both Mount Mathematics majors on the Education track, and faculty mentor Mike Daven, professor of Mathematics, once again fused numbers and nature: the group worked on a follow-up to their SURE work from the previous summer, designing new “sensory garden” math trails.
 
Other SURE projects on display will include “A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of the Area Surrounding Crystal Lake in Newburgh, N.Y.,” by Alexandra Steinberg of Chester, N.Y. and faculty mentor Tom Sarro, professor of Biology; “Early Modern Recipe Books and a Correlation in the Changing Tastes of Freshwater Fish and the Decline of the Sturgeon Population During the English Civil War,” by Victoria Kuhr of Holbrook, N.Y., Annalise Hansen of Newburgh, N.Y., and faculty mentor Rob Wakeman, assistant professor of English; and “Examination of Employer-Desired Skills from College Graduates and How Colleges are Developing These Skills,” by José Colotlacuateco of Monticello, N.Y. and faculty mentor Tony Scardillo, assistant professor of Marketing. 

At 6 p.m., SURE keynote speaker Scott Gerber, co-director of the Center for Tumor Immunology Research at the University of Rochester, will present “From Mentee to Mentor: An Unorthodox Journey Towards Developing Novel Cancer Therapies.” Seating is very limited for this presentation.
 
Gerber will detail the many twists and turns he encountered as a cancer researcher, from his time as a student through becoming head of a laboratory that is focused on developing innovative treatments. Gerber is a recipient of numerous federally funded grants exploring novel cancer therapies aimed at stimulating the immune system to find and destroy tumors.

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