COST Research Day 2019

Research Day began in the morning with Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Research Day.  The keynote "The Importance of Search in Research", was given by Mr. Duane Greenly '72.  He spoke on the importance of curiosity in research and that your academic experience is more than just classroom knowledge.  The day continued with a poster session in Andruss library where 58 students presented their research and were judged by a panel of alumni and faculty.  The following is a list of winners.

2019 COST Research Day - Graduate Students Winners

Top Prize in Graduate Clinical Practice or Lab-Based Research:

From Biology and Allied Health Sciences:  Ian Whiteside – “Investigating the Effects of BORIS Expression on Telomere Regulation and Stability”.   Advisor: Dr. Kate Beishline

Top Prize in Graduate Field-Based Research:

From Instructional Technology: Maurice Robinson, Jacob Hare, and David Moerman,– “Geisinger-Advanced ID Module Development”.  Advisor: Dr. R. Lynn Hummel

Graduate Student First Prize  (highest two graduate scores outside of Category Top Prizes)

From Communication Sciences and Disorders: Taylor Chestnut and Kylie Connell – “Assessing Test Specific Diagnostic and Management Value of the Audiological Test Battery” – Advisor Dr. Mohsin Shaikh

From Exercise Science: Luke Strong – “Influence of Testing Sequence on an Adult’s Ability to Achieve Maximal Aerobic and Anaerobic Power” – Advisor Dr. Luke Haile

Graduate Student Honorable Mentions (highest four graduate scores outside of Category Top Prizes and First Prizes)

From Biology and Allied Health Sciences: Kyle Flannery - “Assessment of Language Development Milestone in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder”.     Advisor: Dr. Abby Hare-Harris

From Exercise Science: Tatum Mack - “Gender Comparisons of Rate of Neuromuscular Fatigue and Performance across Handle Types during Seated Row Exercise”.  Advisor: Kyle Beyer

From Exercise Science: Meghan Magee - “Effects of a Single Dose Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplement on Aerobic and Anaerobic Performance in Men”.  Advisor: Kyle Beyer

From Exercise Science: Shawn Reese – “Relative Fatigue, But Not Muscle Swelling, is Affected by Maturity Status in Youth Male Athletes”:  Advisor: Kyle Beyer

2019 COST Research Day - Undergraduate Student Winners

Top prize in Undergraduate Clinical Practice-Based Research:

From Nursing:  Lauren Varner and Kate Jones – "Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit Setting: the use of Client-Centered Diaries".  Advisor: Dr. Lori Metzger

Top Prize in Undergraduate Field-Based Research:

From Physics: Jarret Willis – “Investigation of Potential Sources of Release of Fission Products in the Environment in the Absence of Nuclear Incidents”. Advisor: Dr. Naz Fallahian

Top Prize in Undergraduate Lab-Based Research:

From Physics: Ian Birdwell – “Cosmic Ray Activity at the Dusk of the 24th Solar Cycle”.  Advisor: Dr. Nathaniel Greene

Top prize in Undergraduate Literature Review-Based Research:

From Instructional Technology: Christopher Haefner – “Technical Leadership Analysis: Process Improvements Within Automated Manufacturing”.  Advisors: Drs. Julie Ambrose & Helmut Doll)

Top Prize in Undergraduate Mathematics or Digital Sciences-Based Research:

From Digital Forensics: Zachary Prebosnyak – “Smart Devices and Dumb Criminals”.  Advisor Dr. Scott Inch)

Undergraduate Student First Prize (highest six undergraduate scores outside of Category Top Prizes):

From Biology and Allied Health Sciences: Amanda Aulenbach – “Algal Community Composition in a Natural vs. Artificial Wetland”.  Advisor: Dr. Lauri Green

From Environmental ,Geographical, and Geological Sciences: Lauren Barrett – “Initial Geochemical Assessment of Shanerburg Run Near Worlds End State Park, Sullivan County, PA”.  Drs. Cynthia Venn and Christopher Hallen

From Biology and Allied Health Sciences: Mikayla Ulicny – “Evaluating the Neurological Phenotype of 15q13.3 Deletions”.  Advisor: Dr. Abby Hare-Harris

From Communication Sciences and Disorders: Amanda Rowe – “Effect of Speech and Language Difficulties on Pre-Literacy Skills”. Advior: Dr. Shelley Scarpino

From Biology and Allied Health Sciences: Rachael Ryver – “Investigating the Presence of Synapsin Proteins in Hamster Sperm”.  Advisors: Drs. William Coleman and Jennifer Venditti

From Biology and Allied Health Sciences: Julia Smith – “The Effect of Anandamide on Zebrafish Activity”.  Advisor: Dr. Candice Klingerman

Undergraduate Student Honorable Mentions (highest nine undergraduate scores outside of Category Top Prizes and First Prizes):

From Communication Sciences and Disorders: Monica Amarante – “Survey of Diagnostic Tinnitus Services Provided by Pennsylvania Audiologists”.  Advisor: Dr. Thomas Zalewski

From Environmental ,Geographical, and Geological Sciences:  Martina Irinka Bennick – “Determining the Origin of Intracameral Deposits in Orthoceras” Drs. Cynthia Venn, Adrian VanRythoven, and Alan Gishlick

From Biology and Allied Health Sciences: Andrew Cross – “Assessing Oxidative Stress in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) After Exposure to Neonicotinoid Insecticides”.  Advisors:    Drs. John Hranitz and Cynthia Surmacz

From Biology and Allied Health Sciences: Morgan Ilgenfritz – “Investigating the Functional Role of GABAergic Signaling at the Lumbricus Terrestris Neuromuscular Junction Using Synaptogreen C4 Dye and Confocal Microscopy”.  Advisor: Dr. William Coleman

From Exercise Science: Allison McCracken –“Effect of Postural Influence on the Assessment of Body Composition When Using Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis”. Advisor: Dr. Joseph Andreacci

From Biology and Allied Health Sciences: Jessica Paoletti – “Feeding Competition between Avian Insectivores in Manmade Wetlands”. Advisor: Dr. Lauri Green

From Physics: Katelynne Pursel – “Delta Scuti/Gamma Doradus Hybrids”.  Advisor: Dr. Peter Stine

From Communication Sciences and Disorders: Peter Rigel – “Development of a New Measure of Phonological Complexity in Bilingual Children”.  Advisor Dr. Shelley Scarpino

From Chemistry and Biochemistry: Daniel Staros – “Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Human Salivary Amylase Inhibition by Sucralose and Potential Effects on Sugar Metabolism”.  Advisor: Dr. Kristen Lewis

 

Nursing DNP Research Day

Maroon and Gold Excellence Award Winner Leeann Koch

Leann Koch will be awarded the Maroon and Gold Excellence Award at the 2019 Alumni Awards Dinner on May 4, 2019. Dr. Koch received her undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 2010 from BU and her doctorate of Audiology in 2017 from BU. The Maroon and Gold Excellence award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past 15 years and have excelled in at least one of the following areas: significant accomplishments in his or her profession, outstanding service to Bloomsburg University and/or Alumni Association, and/or contributions to humanity.

Leeann M. Koch '10 / '17 Au.D. is currently a Clinical Audiologist and manager of the Audiology Department for the private practice of Dr. Samuel V. Rizzo where she conducts audiological testing, develops treatment plans, and provides counseling for infants and adults. She is a member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association and has presented at the annual ASHA Convention.

As part of her personal mission to “give the gift of hearing to as many people around the world as possible”, Koch has traveled to Guatemala with Entheos Cooperative and several Navajo Reservations in Utah with the Sound of Life Foundation to provide hearing health care to those without access. She also assisted in the creation of the non-profit A&E Hearing Connection, which aims to provide audiological assessments and hearing aids to those unable to afford those services.

Koch has volunteered as a guest speaker for the Bloomsburg University Graduate School in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, is a 3rd-year Site Supervisor for audiology doctoral students and provides off-campus mentoring and practical field experience and clinical hours for doctoral students in the BU Audiology Doctoral Program. She also volunteers at the VA Hospital in Wilkes-Barre and teaches martial arts at Emerald Dragon Karate.

Hartline Science Center Dedicated 50 Years Ago

Pages from the April 26, 1969, dedication program for the new science center and residence hall on the Bloomsburg campus.

50 years ago today, the Hartline Science Center and Elwell Residence Hall were dedicated. Hartline, which opened that January, culminated many years of work to once again have a state-of-the-art science classroom and laboratory facility on campus, which had first occurred with the opening of Science Hall in 1907. Elwell, which opened the preceding fall, was built on two empty lots the then Bloomsburg State Normal School (BSNS) purchased in 1888. For nearly 80 years this land had sat vacant of all but grass, trees, flower beds, and the occasional garden planted by children from the campus training school. It now held the largest dormitory on campus, one built to hold the growing student body of Bloomsburg State College in the 1960s.

Nobel Prize Winner in Medicine and 1920 BSNS graduate Dr. Haldan Keffer Hartline and wife Mary Elizabeth

 in front of the Hartline Science Center, in a photograph published in the April 28, 1969 Morning Press.

 Information from Robert Dunkelberger, Bloomsburg University Archivist and Historian

Digital Forensics Certificate Program Featured

Bloomsburg Universities Digital Forensics certificate program is currently featured on the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) webpage.

The text from the page states,
"Bloomsburg University offers the only digital forensics certificate program in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and one of the only bachelor level digital forensics certificate programs in the country. Completing the program will qualify the certificate recipients to apply for abundant employment opportunities in the cybersecurity and digital forensics fields.

The digital forensics certificate program is fully online allowing you to attend classes from anywhere in the world and complete the following course work based on your schedule. The curriculum is divided into six courses and can be completed in about one year.

The curriculum covers in-depth topics and provides hands-on exercises.

Digital forensics certificate students will:
Analyze file systems found on hard drives and other digital media
Recover deleted pictures, documents, and internet activity
Trace network activity to find weaknesses and compromises
Determine system and network vulnerabilities
Discover ways to protect systems and data from hackers
Utilize industry standard forensic software to analyze digital media images

The main focus of the digital forensics certificate is supporting the national mission to educate and train the Nation’s future cybersecurity workforce. The digital forensics certificate program offers the rigorous training necessary to immediately join the workforce. Bloomsburg University has excellent and well-known faculty members with practical experience and deep knowledge in this field of study. For those interested in a degree program, in addition to the online certificate program, Bloomsburg University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Forensics."

BU Master's in Nursing program featured in Dixon Center Newsletter

Bloomsburg University now offers Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, and Community Health Specializations as graduate programs at the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.  The new programs were featured in the Dixon Center Newsletter.  Text from the article can be read below.

"Bloomsburg University’s Graduate Program is pleased to extend their graduate program offerings at the Dixon University Center! Bloomsburg University’s Department of Nursing is recognized as a leading accredited program known for both academic excellence and for facilitating the adult learner to achieve their professional goals. The progressive, challenging curricula — along with distinguished experienced faculty — provide vital knowledge and skills to develop competence in the multifaceted roles of advanced nursing practice.The curricula is offered in a blended program format, with core courses being offered in an online format while clinical courses in each specialty are offered face-to-face on the campus of Bloomsburg University, and now Dixon University Center, (except for the nurse anesthesia program where clinical and specialty courses are offered on the Geisinger Medical Center campus). Graduate students employ leadership behaviors as they engage in responsive, accountable, and autonomous practice designed to meet the needs of society. MSN Programs offered at DUC:• Nurse Practitioner• Nursing Administration• Community Health Specialization. For more information on any of the Bloomsburg University Graduate Nursing Programs, please contact Dr. Kim Olszewski, Graduate Program Coordinator, at kolszews@bloomu.edu or 570-389-4613"

Hawk Mountain Field Trip

Students from four EGGS and BAHS programs visited Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, in Kempton, PA on April 19th; which ended up being the best day for migratory raptor sightings thus far this season. The count of raptors seen from the North Lookout sight was 162 individuals across ten species; including a juvenile eagle and multiple kestrels (a species on the decline in the United States).

Quite likely the most globally-networked raptor sanctuary in the world, the 2,600 acre site offers on-site environmental education, leadership and team building programs, and volunteer stewardship opportunities. Their Acopian Center for Conservation fosters young and seasoned researchers alike through their international trainee and field biology activities (reaching as far as the Arctic).

Bloomsburg University students specifically learned about raptor migration patterns, biology and identification, while being exposed to research methods including trapping, banding, telemetry and mapping. During the day, Hawk Mountain employees were sure to point out each potential associated career, and ways in which those careers could be obtained through education, networking, trainee and internship programs, and volunteer opportunities.

We thank Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and specifically educators Jamie Dawson and Andrea Ambrose, for a fantastic day!

Biochemistry Student Presents at Intecollegiate Student Chemists Convention

Taylor Runkle, junior biochemistry major, presented her research at the 83rd Annual Intercollegiate Students Chemists Convention on April 6, 2019 at Gettysburg College  Taylor has been mentored the last two semesters by Dr. Ellen Kehres, assistant professor, who also attended the conference, and Dr. Michal Borland, associate professor, in the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.  Her talk, "Comparative Efficacy of Selenium-Analog PPARb/G agonists in Human Malignant Melanoma" conveyed the results of research that has been supported by a COST Research Professional Experience Grant (PEG) and a Society of Toxicology (SOT) Undergraduate Faculty Grant (Borland).

The Intercollegiate Student Chemists (ISC) Convention is one of the oldest, continuously meeting annual conventions of its kind in the United States. It is intended to recognize and reward meaningful undergraduate research in the chemical sciences, providing a forum for students to give oral presentations of the results of their research. The conference this year was attended by 46 students from 21 universities and colleges.  The keynote speaker was Dr. Vincent Venditto from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, who spoke about the use of liposmes in drug delivery.  Next year's conference will be held at Franklin and Marshall College.

2019 Science Iditarod

Overall 1st place team, Chemistry round, and Physics round winners: The Ball Bearings from Shamokin

The 2019 Science Iditarod was held last week on the Bloomsburg University campus. Local high schools sent teams of four students to compete in the quiz competition. Four separate quiz rounds consisted of questions from the Geosciences, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. This year saw a smaller crowd than in years past, with 10 teams from 6 different schools. Winners were recognized in each category with a plaque. The“Gold” team from Wyoming Area won both the Geosciences and Biology rounds. “The Ball Bearings” team from Shamokin won both the Chemistry and Physics rounds.

The points earned in each round were tallied and the top two teams advanced to the Super Round where the overall winner would be crowned. The overall 3rd place winner was team “A” from Wallenpaupack, the overall 2nd place winner was the “Gold” team from Wyoming Area and the first place team was “The Ball Bearings” from Shamokin. Each of the top 3 teams won a trophy, and individual medals. The team members of first place team also each received a $1000 scholarship to attend Bloomsburg University. Bloomsburg University is proud to sponsor this event to encourage high school students in the sciences and plans to offer the contest again next year.

Overall second place, Geosciences round, and Biology round winners: The Gold team from Wyoming Area

Overall Third Place winners: Team "A" from Wallenpaupack

BU's 24th Annual Computer Programming Contest

60 teams from 20 high schools competed in BU's 24th Annual ACM High School Programming Contest on April 9, 2019. This contest is coordinated by Dr. Drue Coles, professor of Mathematical and Digital Sciences, and supported by the MADS department, with prize donations made by Solution and Develpment Firm LLC. The contest consists of ten computer programming problems ranging from elementary to difficult. The teams are composed of up to four students and two computers. Each team can use the programming language of their choice to solve the problems.  The winner is determined by the highest number of problems solved, with ties broken by time of completion for the last correct solution. This year, the first place was Team 1 from State College with 10 problems solved. Second place was #Hornets from Emmaus with 7 problems solved. Third place was HexaHornets from Emmaus with 7 problems solved. All results from the competition can be found here.  Interested in computer programming?  Try your skill on the 2019 Problem set.

First place: State College- Team 1

Second Place: Emmaus - #Hornets

Third Place: Emmaus - HexaHornets