Monday, January 30, 2012

Toxicology professor and students publish new paper

Dr. Dawson with students at the 2011 Society of Toxicology
conference in Washington D.C.
Dr. Douglas Dawson, professor in the Department of Biology/Toxicology, and four current and former Ashland students have published a new research article in the journal Toxicology.  The project was a collaboration with Dr. Terry Schultz at the University of Tennessee and Dr. Gerald Poch of the University of Graz in Austria.

The student co-authors are senior Nicole Genco (majoring in Biology and Psychology), 2011 Toxicology graduates Heather Bensinger (hired by the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense) and Daphne Guinn (a first-year Ph.D. student in the Integrated Biomedical Program at the Ohio State University) and 2011 Biochemistry graduate Zach Il'Giovine (a first-year medical student at Wright State University).

You can read more about the unique Ashland Toxicology program, one of only a handful of undergraduate toxicology programs in North America, on our website, or watch this video featuring Toxicology students, graduates and faculty.

Q&A with Kate Bartlett, AU Integrated Science Alumna and Science Teacher at Ashland High School

AU Sciences alumna Kate Bartlett recently answered some of our questions about her career path since receiving her teaching license from AU in 2009. We look forward to featuring AU Science alumni in future blog posts.

Describe your experiences while a student of the science program here at Ashland University.

I was a student at AU as part of the bachelors plus program (Integrated Sciences grades 7-12). Originally I started at the Columbus branch of AU in 2006 and then transferred to main campus during the 2007-2008 school year. Once at main campus I began taking classes such as Physiology, Quantitative Chemical Analysis, Physics and Mineralogy. Compared to my science classes at The Ohio State University (undergrad) the AU classes had a smaller class size, more contact with the professor, co-operative learning groups, and meaningful labs that allowed for a sense of inquiry. It was also a great experience to get to know the research of the professors and have the opportunity to be involved in their research. Another HUGE plus for me was the fact that the professor that taught your class was the same person who instructed your lab section. All of my professors were extremely knowledgeable in their content area and made it tangible for the students. I truly appreciated that their door was always open, even if it wasn’t during posted office hours.

What is your present occupation? What types of things do you do in your work? What interesting projects or significant achievements have you been part of?

I am currently a science teacher at Ashland High School. I am presently teaching Advanced Chemistry, Physical Science and Applied Science. I make a point to differentiate lessons to meet the needs of all of my students and I try to engage students in meaningful labs that build the skills that they will need in college.

What role did your education at AU play in your seeking out your current occupation?

My AU experience has everything to do with my current occupation. It was the connections that I made at AU that helped me to get a good student teaching position where I was able to build labs and lessons off of the principles set for me at AU. I currently try to model the fundamentals of my labs off of what I have learned from my professors at AU. Such as, inquiry based, critical thinking and application of content.

What advice do you have for current AU science majors?

I would like to encourage students to get involved in any extra seminar speakers that are provided to the students through the science departments. I also highly encourage students to get to know your professors. It might be a good way to network, get your hands dirty and have a lot of fun in the process…oh, and you might learn a little too

What career advice can you give to future graduates of the AU science program?

Stay in contact with your classmates and professors. Several of the professors that I had I still keep in contact with, I am still learning from them and look forward to continuing my education with them.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Research Experience for Undergraduates Program

As part of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program through The Ohio State University, Stone Lab’s Research Experience for Undergraduates Scholarship Program brings together students from across the country to learn how to conduct real, in-the-field research alongside top scientists. Over five weeks, participants use scientific equipment, explore the Lake Erie islands, and collect important data to help solve the most pressing issues for the Great Lakes region.

While taking a five-week course at Stone Lab, REU students spend their “non-class” days focused on research. Working closely with their research supervisor, they collect data, learn how to write up their discoveries, and give a final presentation to their peers—learning the research process from start to finish and gaining valuable, professional experience.


During the summer of 2010, Biology major, Katie Huff (AU'11) participated in this program. Visit the Ashland Science News blog to read about her experience.


Please visit the program website for more information on this research opportunity and how to apply. Deadline to apply is February 22, 2012.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Summer research deadlines are looming

Many summer research programs are
funded by the National Science Foundation
There is still time to apply for summer research internships, but deadlines are quickly approaching.  Many programs require application materials, including recommendation letters from faculty, by late January or early February.  This previous post describes how to find these opportunities to get paid to perform scientific research, adding valuable experience for future job searches or graduate school applications.

And if you have found a few programs of interest, why not apply to more?  Getting a summer research position is highly competitive.  You increase your chances of getting accepted if you apply to many programs.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Did you miss our latest Ashland Science Newsletter?

A great way to keep up with news from the AU science departments is through our email newsletter.  If you missed our December issue you can see it here.

And you can sign up for future newsletters with the button below.  Our upcoming spring issue will contain more alumni highlights and news about our graduating class and student researchers.




Wednesday, January 11, 2012

More summer research opportunities

If you are still looking for a summer research internship opportunity, here are a few programs worth a look (deadlines are in parentheses, and the institution or program names have hyperlinks to the program information and application page):

  • Yale University Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena / REU in Material Science (Feb 1)
  • Keck Geology Consortium undergraduate research program in Geology (Feb 3)
  • Georgia Tech undergraduate research program in Chemistry (Feb 15)
  • Penn State undergraduate research program in Chemistry (Feb 29)
  • University of Cincinnati College of Medicine offers two summer experiential programs for academically talented undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine—Summer Surgery Experience (SSE) and Summer Neuroscience Experience (SNE). These fast paced programs each include lab practica, operating room observations, shadowing with faculty, case studies, and presentations from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine faculty (Mar 1)
  • University of North Texas undergraduate research program in Chemistry (Mar 1)