Students set to resume summer research work with faculty

Summer research is returning at SUNY Fredonia, with seven undergraduate and graduate students scheduled to gain valuable experience in internships working alongside Department of Biology faculty, thanks to funding provided by the Holmberg Foundation and the Joseph and Jane (Schuster) Biology Endowment for Scholarship and Research.

“It is great to have our summer research program back up and running,” said Department of Biology Chair and Professor Ted Lee, following the cancellation of most projects last summer due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Internships typically last 10 weeks, and most are conducted on campus, though field work at Chautauqua Lake is part of one research project and another will take place at the Tifft Nature Preserve in the Buffalo area.

Participating students, their academic studies, respective projects and faculty advisors who will engage in Holmberg-funded research include:

• Samantha Reed, junior, Medical Technology and Molecular Genetics – “Knockdown of NuMA in oral cancer cells to induce centrosome coalescence and prevent multipolar spindle formation,” Assistant Professor Nick Quintyne;
• Alex Mathewson, junior, Molecular Genetics – “Involvement of Barentsz and Orb in grk mRNA Transition in D. melanogaster,” Associate Professor Scott Ferguson;
• Alberto Gonzalez, graduate student, Biology Multi-Award (B.S./M.S.)  – “Assaying the role of lgr6 in hair cell formation and regeneration in neuromasts of the zebrafish, Danio rerio,” Assistant Professor Jon Kniss;
• Alyssa Fisher, graduate student, Biology – “Effects of artificial light switching on bat acoustic activity,” Associate Professor Karry Kazial;
• Joshua Ninan, junior, Molecular Genetics, minor in Chemistry – “The role of syk pathway in neutrophil extracellular trap formation,” Assistant Professor Emeka Okeke;
• Kasey Crandall, senior, INDS: Environmental Sciences, minor in Biology – “Thermal Stability and Harmful Algal Bloom Surveillance at Chautauqua Lake,” Associate Professor Courtney Wigdahl-Perry.

The student who will engage in Falcone-funded research, along with her project and advisor, is Madison Miller, junior, Biology and Environmental Sciences, minor in Chemistry – “Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms and Nutrient Availability in Chautauqua Lake,” Dr. Wigdahl-Perry.

“The Biology department is very grateful to the Holmberg Foundation and Falcone Endowment for funding these opportunities for students. Being able to do research full-time in the summer is a great opportunity for Fredonia students,” Dr. Lee said.

The Holmberg program and Falcone endowments have been established through the Fredonia College Foundation.