Seven B-W students have been named Summer Scholars for 2008. The program, now in its fifth year, enables students to pursue a research or creative project of their design under the supervision of a faculty mentor. They live in community throughout the summer and regularly share their varied research projects with each other, with the faculty mentors and with other students and faculty involved in summer research.
The program, originated and led by professor Andrew Mickley, is made possible with the generous support from the McGregor Fund.
Jennifer Jamison, a junior biology and chemistry major from Streetsboro, will work with professor Jacqueline Morris on her continuing research related to multiple sclerosis. Specifically, Jamison will study the role of two proteins, WDR33 and WDR36 which, when mutated, alter myelination in zebrafish. These proteins are part of a family of proteins which interact with proteins in cell communication as well as other cellular processes. Her goal is to determine when and where these proteins are expressedin the zebrafish embryo during development. The information gained fromher research will advance our understanding into the role these novelproteins play during myelination.
LeeAnne Kosovich, a junior religion and political science major, will combine her major interests and work with professor Tom Sutton to examine the influence of religious affiliation on political engagement in the United States. She will look at many areas from voting to running for an elected position.
Amy Lagzdins, a junior majoring in communication disorders, will study the effectiveness of using literacy in intervention with nonverbal children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication methods. As a part of her study, she will develop activities for two groups of six nonverbal children at B-W's Summer Augmentative Communication Program at the Speech Clinic. She will work with professor Colleen Visconti.
Michele Nelson, a junior biology major from Portage, Michigan, will work with professor Chris Stanton at Dike 14 in Cleveland. Formerly a dredge dump site, it has developed into a wildlife haven. As part of ongoing studies at the site, Nelson will record all of the species of reptiles and amphibians (and their densities) that are found there. This group is sensitive to environmental change and is essential for a complete food web. The information will help to understand the species' richness in the area and help educate the public about this ecosystem.
Wilfried Nonguierma, a senior majoring in mathematical economics, will work with professor Param Srikantia on a project dealing with the economic development of Africa. An international student from Burkina Faso, Nonguierma is familiar with the African context. By exploring indigenous African alternatives to western methods, he plans to articulate the beginning of a blueprint that integrates the best of western and African traditions to create communities of abundance in Africa.
Sara Tackett is a sophomore English and education major from Perry. She will work with professor Jack Winget to research and write a play entitled, “The Birch Trees: A Preservation of Legacies,” about the experiences of victims of the Holocaust and their families. After participating in Winget’s production of "A Nightmare of Crime," she was inspired to continue her education and discussion about the Holocaust.
Justin Washburne, a junior English major from Cleveland, will work with professor Nancy Wurzel on a project entitled “Freud, Fitzgerald and the Flapper," a study on the interplay between the psychology of Sigmund Freud and the novels of F. Scott Fitzgerald and how this interaction reshaped gender conceptions in the early 20th century.
275 Eastland Rd.