From THE LOAD, May 4, 1982
Research Presented at Student Symposium
by Nina Paul ’82
Early on a hot Saturday morning, students, faculty, staff, administrators, family and friends came to the Natural Sciences building to attend the first annual Student Symposium. On April 24, twenty-four science students, most of whom are seniors, from Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Mathematics, and Psychology departments presented their research. The guest lecture was provided by Purchase alumnus, Dr. David Groopman.
The purposes of the symposium were to laud all Senior science students, provide students with experience in scientific speaking, inform juniors about research available to them, and expose the campus community and industrial affiliates to the breadth of science student research. Dean of Natural Sciences, Dr. James Utter, introduced President Grebstein for a welcome address, who upon receiving applause, joked “This has been the first place I’ve been where no one has booed. Wait until you get to know me better.” Grebstein then expounded the advantages of a liberal arts education, and praised the L&S department, calling it “the best kept secret around.”
Each student spoke for fifteen minutes, using slides, transparencies, and blackboards to illustrate their points, and then ran a five-minute discussion. There were six sessions, with four papers each, chaired by Drs. Lee Ehrman, Suzanne Kessler, Andrew Klemer, Martin LeWinter, Nicole Schupf, and Joseph Skrivanek.
Speakers and Their Topics
Mathematics: Most of the mathematics presentations were computer and business related. Database theory, management information systems, and microcomputers were discussed by J. Seeman, D. Russo and R. Zuckerman respectively. S. Green presented “Circles and Tangents (Analytic Geometry and the Problems of Tangency).”
Animal Behavior: Biology students D. Meringolo and M. Gentilluci discussed reproductive advantages and mating successes of different insect, Drosophila, populations. Reproductive success and territorial behavior of campus mockingbirds was studied by L. Pearson, of environmental science. D. Caubisens, of Psychology, researched time discrimination in chickadees and nuthatches.
Biochemistry: The red blood cells of rabbits were the basis of ganglioside composition and biosynthesis studies respectively by J. Bonforte, Biochemistry, and R. Vitti, Chemistry. A. Glass, Chemistry, looked at patterns of gangliosides in rabbit and goldfish retina. S. Loggins, chemistry, sponsored by Clairol, studied the binding area of a layer of skin using thermal analysis.
Biology students N. Paul, J. Luban, and B. O’Loughlin, used rats to study the effects of a whole antibody, a part of an antibody, and an antibody-antigen byproduct in the brain.
Literature reviews: J. Fink, biology, did an extensive literature review on “Theories of Aging.” Another review was prepared by L. von Mechow, Environmental Science, on the “Toxicity of Plastic Bottles as Beverage Containers.” She looked at FDA and other studies on the carcinogenicity and toxicity of plastic particles which migrate into soda and other beverages. She found that “recent test data could be interpreted as evidence for positive carcinogenic effects but were disregarded by the researchers and by the FDA.”
Environmental Science: A. Seeley used a dietary analysis to estimate human exposure to flouride. C. MacDonald found that road salts can leech into nearby waters, creating environmental problems. The role of carbon availability in a regulation system of a blue-green alga was studied by J. Grover.
Psychology: Two Psychology majors, C. Schaeffer and L. Nirenberg looked at brain hemispheres to understand depression and reading disability in humans. Trends in personality research and pain were analyzed respectively by L. Chidseyand B. Moss. Moss’ “Pain: Symptom, Syndrome or Stigma,” was a “critique of the medical profession’s current attitudes towards pain and pain management.” During her talk, the guest speaker, Dr. Groopman, seemed both amused and agitated, and a heated discussion between the two followed with Dr. Groopman vigorously defending his profession.
Dr. Groopman spoke about both his days at Purchase, when there were “few buildings except the mansion” and his present career as an emergency care doctor. He felt that his education at Purchase had provided him with a broad biological background, and exposed him to philosophical and bioethical issues. He ended his talk with advice to students on the pursuit of happiness through satisfying inner needs as well as through career goals.
The First Science Student Symposium ended successfully as speakers received positive feedback on their research presentations, and interested people who attended, walked away having learned some of the “best kept secrets around.”
—Nina (Paul) Borinsky ’82 (Biology)