- Biology students offered summer research opportunities
- Barone named associate fellow at Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics
- John H. Meisch named Alumnus of the Year
- Newsmakers
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Biology students offered summer research opportunities
As many of their peers put away their pens, brought back their books, packed up their cars and headed home for the summer, two St. Bonaventure University biology students began their 10-week stint as the 2008 Borer Summer Research Scholars.
On May 12, soon-to-be juniors Tommy Zaikos and Allison Gould undertook their respective research projects under the advisement of two university biology professors.
Zaikos, of Toronto, Ontario, will focus on determining the specific binding site of a monoclonal antibody that causes platelet activation. Platelets are the blood cells responsible for the clotting of blood; decreased platelet concentration causes excessive bleeding and inappropriate platelet activation can lead to strokes. Insights into the mechanisms of platelet activation could lead to better drugs for treating and preventing these types of ailments.
“I am very excited to be a part of the research field and experience, and to know, first-hand, how research is conducted in a practical and professional sense. Moreover, I look forward to working in our brand new laboratories in the new Walsh science building,” said Zaikos, son of Jim and Mary Zaikos.
Zaikos, who maintains a 4.0 GPA, is under the direction of Dr. John Kupinski, associate professor of biology.
Gould, of Nazareth, Pa., will be studying embryonic mammary gland development, specifically how parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) regulates the transcription factors LEF1 and MSX2. PTHrP is a key protein involved in the formation of the mammary gland and also has been associated with breast cancer. Understanding the function of PTHrP and how it regulates these molecules may facilitate a better understanding of the role of PTHrP during mammary development and cancer, and potentially provide new drug targets for treating cancer.
According to Gould, this study is important to “find out what is necessary for development, because then we may be able to determine that cells lacking these specific proteins can cause developmental failure … Mutations in genes that code for these specific proteins could be an underlying cause in breast cancer development,” said Gould, daughter of Robert and Lois Gould.
Gould, who maintains a 3.963 GPA, will study under the direction of Dr. Julie Hens, assistant professor of biology. Hens is hoping for results that could potentially lead to publications as well as obtaining preliminary data for grants.
“I have had [Allison] for two courses, and she has shown a lot of promise in understanding the molecular mechanisms in development and seems to have a good grasp on techniques used in this type of research, which will help her if she decides to do research when she becomes an M.D.,” Hens said.
“Personally, I am looking forward to gaining more experience in the laboratory setting; specifically, developing my techniques through a hands-on approach to theories learned in the classroom,” Gould explained.
Both Zaikos and Gould will continue their education at medical school. They have been accepted to the George Washington University Medical Center Early Assurance Program.
The Dr. Arnold T. Borer Summer Fellowship Program was made possible in 1992 through a major gift to the University by Gertrude Borer and her son, Francis “Frank” E. Borer, ’69. The fund was established in honor of her late husband, Arnold. Borer Fellows are chosen because they have achieved the highest science and math GPAs and have a potential interest in biomedical research.
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Barone named
associate fellow with Oxford Centre for Animal
Ethics
Andrea Barone, the educational coordinator for the School of Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University, has been appointed an associate fellow by the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics in Oxford, England.
The Centre’s
associate fellows are academics and researchers of all disciplines with a
record of research and publication in the field, or who are currently in
the process of making such contributions. Fellows are supported by the
Centre in their publication and teaching missions, take part in
international conferences and seminars, and have access to the Centre’s
unique library and databases.
The first
international academy of its kind, the Centre is dedicated to encouraging
academic research into animal ethics, and improving public debate on the
subject. It believes there is a strong, rational case for the respectful
treatment of animals, and that academics should be in the forefront of
making that case.
Appointment as a
fellow is by invitation or nomination only, and selections are made after
a rigorous selection process. Barone, a Secular Franciscan, was nominated
by Rev. Andrew Linzey, director of the Centre, after discussing her
particular interest: exploring a contemporary understanding of animals as
it relates to the Franciscan mission of “Justice, Peace, and the Integrity
of Creation.”
“Being nominated
by Rev. Linzey has been an honor and a vote of confidence, [as] he is the
pre-eminent theologian in the field of animal ethics today,” Barone said.
Linzey, an Anglican priest, and the first theologian to hold a post in
Animal Theology at Oxford, has been on the forefront of pioneering a bill
of rights for animals in the U.K. In 2001, he was awarded a Doctor of
Divinity by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest award the bishop
bestows, and the first time it had been awarded for work involving
animals.
Barone holds a
bachelor’s degree in English from St. Bonaventure, and master’s degrees in
English and humanities from SUNY Buffalo and SUNY Fredonia, both awarded
summa cum laude. Her articles, interviews, and poetry have been published
in journals that include The Cord, Array, Metropolitan, and St. Andrew’s
Press.
The School of
Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University is part of the Franciscan
Institute, an international leader in the field of Franciscan teaching,
research, and publication.
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John H. Meisch named Alumnus of the Year
St. Bonaventure University named John H. Meisch of Rushville, N.Y., the William P. “Stax” McCarthy Alumnus of the Year during the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, held June 6-8 on the University’s campus.
The award is
named in memory of former annual fund and alumni director William “Stax”
McCarthy, ’72, and is presented to a St. Bonaventure graduate who offers
continued service to the University and captures the spirit of St.
Francis, St. Bonaventure and St. Clare.
Since earning his
undergraduate degree at St. Bonaventure in 1958, Meisch has been an
involved member of the St. Bonaventure University community. If there is a
need on campus, Meisch has always been there to help — including Clare
College, the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts dance and theater
programs, and the Decades for Devereux campaign.
A principal
sponsor of the University’s annual Francis Week celebration, Meisch and
his wife, Kay, have sponsored the Fr. Jerome Kelly Francis Week speaker
for more than a decade. The Meisches are also frequent hosts for alumni
and presidential events at their homes in California and
Rushville.
For several years
he helped to organize and sponsor a brunch in the Los Angeles area, which
was attended by St. Bonaventure staff members.
Meisch completed
his term on the National Alumni Association Board in 2007 but remains an
active volunteer, including supporting the new NetCommunity initiative
that will enable alumni to keep in touch with each other through an online
network. He also is a member of the Seraphim Society and Devereux
Society.
Meisch, who
retired in 1991 from Ridge Lumber in Rochester, has served as parish
council president, finance committee member and is an usher and lector at
St. Mary’s Church in Rushville. He has served on the Granger Homestead
Board, the Sisters of Mercy Advancement Committee, and on the boards of
Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes and Nazareth schools. He has also
assisted with fundraising for the Rushville Lions Club, the Thompson
Hospital Cardiac Rehab Unit and the Sisters of Mercy.
In recognition of
their service to their community, John and Kay Meisch have been selected
to receive 2008 Sharing the Light Awards June 10 from Catholic Charities
of the Finger Lakes.
Established in
1995, the Sharing the Light Award is given to people whose service
contributes to the betterment of communities “and reflects God's healing
light” to those in need of love, kindness, hope and
understanding.
The following are
past William P. “Stax” McCarthy Alumnus of the Year recipients:
1958 Edward H.
Cain, ’27
1959 Edward J. Donovan, ’50
1960 Robert C. Conroy, ’48
1961 Thomas J. Byrnes, ’30
1962 Norbert Humpage, M.D., ’34
1963 James J. McGinnis, ’32
1964 Bernard A. McAleer, M.D., ’19
1965 John S. Wallach, ’26
1966 Charles R. Dineen, ’52
1967 Robert W. McCaslin, ’39
1968 Mark H. Tuohey Jr., ’47
1969 Paul Ryan, ’28
1970 Helen Hannigan, ’36
1971 John Murphy, ’37
1972 Francis Gilroy, M.D., ’53
1973 Fr. Valentine Plevyak, ’40
1974 Hugh J. Shields, ’24
1975 John Lanz, ’50
1976 John Downes, ’35
1977 Edward A. Vena, ’42
1978 Robert R. Jones, ’58
1979 Stephen J. Bedosky, ’27
1980 Edwin D. Green, ’33
1981 J. Eugene McMahon, ’21
1982 Dr. Francis W. Brill,’37
1983 S. John Biviano, ’33
1984 John A. Cirando, ’63
1985 Richard Stearns, ’65
1985 Raymond W. Gawronski, ’55
1986 Daniel M. Delmonico, ’34
1986 Robert J. McCarthy, ’76
1987 Leo E. Keenan Jr., ’47
1987 J. Michael Kelleher, ’67
1988 William E. Swan, ’69
1988 Fr. Daniel Hurley, O.F.M., ’40
1989 Albert D. Cecchi, ’49
1989 Fr. Daniel Riley, O.F.M., ’64
1990 Joseph G. DeMaria, ’50
1990 Raymond C. Dee, ’64
1990 Leslie C. Quick III, ’75
1990 Kevin W. Ward, ’80
1991 Susan R. Green, ’61
1992 John Scarzafava, ’73
1992 John E. Ward, ’42
1993 Robert T. Haenn, ’58
1993 Carl P. Paladino, ’68
1994 Donald Flanagan, Esq., ’54
1995 Joan R. Licursi, ’65
1996 Richard H. Miller, ’51
1996 William J. Gray, ’61
1996 William H. Scott Jr., ’71
1997 Shirley A. Krise, ’57
1998 Carol A. Schumacher, ’78
1998 Michael J. Duffy, ’53
1999 Dolores M. Finch, ’59
2000 Fr. William E. Warren, ’61
2000 Francis J. Kestler, ’65
2001 Robert D. Crowley, ’71
2002 William J. Lawley Sr., ’57
2003 Richard J. Attea, ’58
2004 Claire “Toni” Branch, ’49
2005 Marv Stocker, ’65
2005 Peter G. Mantilia, ’80
2006 Lisa A. Biedenbach, ’76
2006 J. Willard
Taylor, ’56
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Dr. Robert P. Amico, professor of philosophy, presented a paper on “Teaching About White Privilege” at the 21st National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education in Orlando, Fla., May 27-31, 2008.
Dr. Patrick Dooley, Board of Trustees Professor of Philosophy, discussed “Heroic conduct” during a public seminar during one of his Fulbright lectures at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore during the spring semester. Dooley was a Fulbright Fellow at NTU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Read more about his lecture:
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