Water, Birds, Landscape: Gordon Scientists Showcase Research at Upcoming Sigma Xi Gathering

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT
Natalie Ferjulian
Office of College Communications
978.867.4249
[email protected]

WENHAM, MA—Six professors and 12 students from Gordon College will present research on a range of topics with members of Sigma Xi, the North Shore Chapter of the Scientific Research Society. Other members of the chapter include Endicott College and Salem State University. 

The Sigma Xi North Shore Chapter will gather for its second annual conference on February 26, 2011 at Endicott College in Rose Performance Hall, 376 Hale Street in Beverly. Presentations will be from 10:30–12:30 p.m., followed by lunch and poster presentations from 1:30–3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The North Shore chapter of Sigma Xi is part of more than 60,000 members in over 100 countries that make up the research group which sponsor projects and collaborations around the world through grant awards, publications, and program development.

“We have a wide variety of topics being presented by Gordon students and faculty members,” says Greg Keller, associate professor of biology at Gordon and  Sigma Xi North Shore Chapter vice president. “I’m excited about the opportunity to share research with other scientists in the area.”

Gordon faculty and student projects include: the effects of rejection on religious belief; the effects of humans on passerine birds; the effects of landscape on small mammals in Massachusetts, and the use of micro-tools to study individual cells. In addition to project presentations, posters will be on display that explore topics such as aluminum concentrations in vernal pool water; phenolic polymerization; spatial distribution of aid recipients in Kenya; the effects of water quality on salamander breeding, and the effect of hurricane Earl on invertebrates and algae along the North Shore.

Keller will join Gordon professors Jonathan Gerber, assistant professor of psychology; Craig Story, associate professor of biology; Dwight Tshudy, associate professor of chemistry; Mike Veatch, professor of mathematics, and Dorothy Boorse, associate professor of biology as they present their research.

 

“We also have quite a few students in the sciences who are very dedicated to their research projects,” says Rob Ainslie ’11, a biology major from Coatesville, Pennsylvania. “This is a great opportunity to present our findings and make connections with other researchers.”

In addition to Ainslie, other Gordon students participating include Jonathan Harris ’11, a biology major from Troy, New York; Eric Lindemann ‘11, a biology major from Oxford, Connecticut; Andrew Worth ‘11, a chemistry major from Gales Ferry, Connecticut; Kristen Entwistle ’11, a chemistry and biology double major from Canton, Ohio; Kenneth Preedom ’12, a biology and chemistry double major from Rutland, Vermont; Hang Yang ’11, a mathematics major from Hacienda Heights, California; Rachel Keller ’11, a biology major from Wethersfield, Connecticut; Ken Hallenbeck ’11, a biology and philosophy double major from Bedford, New Hampshire; Seth Gerard ’12, a biology major from Palmyra, Pennsylvania; Spencer Lord ’12, a biology major from North Stonington, Connecticut; Kelcy Rich ’11, a biology major from Hudson, Massachusetts. 

All presentations work towards the mission of Sigma Xi, which is to “enhance the health of the research enterprise, foster integrity in science and engineering, and promote the public’s understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition.”

 

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Gordon College is a multidenominational Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston’s North Shore, offering majors in 38 fields with graduate programs in education and music education. Gordon is nationally recognized for excellence in academics and in character building, and ranks as one of the nation’s top Christian colleges. www.gordon.edu

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