Job and internship search tool available to AU students and alums

Are you looking for a job or internship?  Plan to do so in the future?  Then check out a valuable search tool available to Ashland University students and alumni.  CareerShift aggregates job and internship opportunities from a large number of online sources, allowing you to search them in one place and save your research.  There is also a tool for finding contact information for people at various companies and institutions.

All you need to sign up is your Ashland email address.

Environmental Lecture highlights Global Shipbreaking Industry

Colby Self, Director of the Green Ship Recycling Campaign with the Basel Action Network of Seattle, gave the third talk in this year’s Environmental Lecture Series on Chemical Pollution in a Global Economy. His lecture, titled “Away is a Place”, highlighted the global trafficking in electronic waste and ships that are recycled by crude methods that result in severe environmental contamination and dangerous toxin exposures to workers in countries such as Bangladesh, India and China. The photo below (copyright YPSA 2009) shows shipbreaking workers at Chittagong, Bangladesh. AU’s Environmental Lecture Series is in its 20th year. The lecture series was designed to support the Environmental Science program by allowing students, faculty and members of North Central Ohio communities to interact with leaders in environmental science and policy. This year’s series is supported by a grant from the Lubrizol Foundation and additional support by Ashland University.

Ashland science students in the NCAA basketball tournament

Beth Mantkowski in a second round victory against Quincy

Daiva Gerbec cuts down the net

The Ashland University women's basketball team won a school record 31st straight game this week as they defeated Wisconsin-Parkside to move on to the NCAA Division II elite eight in San Antonio, Texas next Tuesday.  Contributing to the team's breakout season are two science majors, Beth Mantkowski (Biology; pictured above) and Daiva Gerbec (Biochemistry; pictured to the right).  Mantkowski hit a crucial jump shot and two big free throws in the closing minutes of the game to help seal the victory.

Check back next week for updates on the women's team, as well as other science majors who are competing in national athletic competitions.

Photos from the Ashland Collegian.

Microbiologist publishes new book chapter on viruses and nanotechnology

Paul Hyman, Assistant Professor of Biology, recently published a chapter in the new book Advances in Applied Microbiology.  His chapter, entitled "Bacteriophages and Nanostructured Materials", reviews the ways that scientists are using a group of viruses called bacteriophages to produce nanomaterials.  Dr. Hyman says that:

A number of groups are attempting to use genetic engineering technology to modify bacteriophages to produce proteins that will have altered properties useful for materials applications in nanotechnology. These applications include sensors for pathogen detection; high density magnetic materials for computers; and improved catalysts for chemical synthesis or miniature batteries. I have reviewed these various approaches in this article. While there have been many patents filed around these techniques, to date it does not appear that any have been commercialized. I also examine what the possible challenges for the commercialization of using bacteriophages and their proteins to create novel biomaterials might be.

Dr. Hyman involves Ashland University science students in his research on bacteriophages.  A recent graduate and former research assistant, Shane Bemiller, will be starting his doctoral studies this Fall, and two other students are currently working in Dr. Hyman's lab.  Check back for more news on their findings.

Two biology faculty selected for University Mentor Award

Recipients of this year's Ashland University Academic Mentor Award were recently announced, and the list contains two members of the Department of Biology/Toxicology.  This award is given to faculty, administrators and staff after recommendation by an Ashland student.

Dr. Dick Stoffer

Dr. Steve Fenster

Dr. Dick Stoffer was nominated by senior environmental science major Mary Cargill, who writes that "As an adviser, professor and friend, Dr. Stoffer has been a large part of my academic success because he's always willing to help me in anyway he can.  With all his knowledge and experiences, he is an excellent resource to have in terms of guidance and also an exceptionally kind man who wants nothing but the best for his students."

Senior biology major Charlie Davis nominated Dr. Steve Fenster for this year's award, writing that he "has been a positive influence on my academic and personal growth here at AU, along with contributing to my graduate school admission process. Dr. Fenster is a great professor inside and outside the classroom, which is why he deserved the Mentor Award."

This is Dr. Stoffer's second Academic Mentor Award, which has also been given previously to Biology faculty Andrew Greene and Mason Posner.

Microbiologist and students publish paper on honey

Dr. Andrew Greene

Dr. Andrew Greene in the Department of Biology/Toxicology recently published a study in the journal Bios on bacterial contamination in honey.  The research involved three students: Amy Breslin (Biology '10), Brandi Meyer (Biology '09) and Wendy Dria (Biology '11), as well as Dr. David Vanata from the Department of Health Sciences.

Dr. Greene and his students showed that locally produced honey contained higher levels of bacteria than commercially blended honey.  They also used molecular techniques to examine the diversity of bacteria in both honey types, and determined that the bacteria involved where not introduced by human handling.  Future studies will be needed to determine if locally produced honey presents any increase in health risk.

Research Experience for Undergrads @ The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology Department at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville will once again offer a special summer program for undergraduates interested in research. The aim of this Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is to provide hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate students majoring in the sciences, with an introduction to cutting-edge research in the broad area of “Sensing and Signaling”. The team of REU investigators represents a multidisciplinary ensemble of Cell Biologists, Geneticists, Biochemists, and Biophysicists who are taking modern approaches to the analysis of how signals are perceived and transduced in myriad biological systems.
This opportunity is available to Sophomore and Junior undergraduate science majors, with preference for Juniors. REU Fellowships will be awarded to qualified students on a competitive basis. Each Fellowship will include a $5,000 stipend as well as an allowance for cost of living, travel, and research supplies. Please visit the program website for more information on this research opportunity and how to apply. The deadline to submit application is March 30, 2012.