Fifteen Arcadia University students received Ellington Beavers Awards for Intellectual Inquiry at Honors Convocation on March 27. This award is for student research that best exemplifies the substantial intellectual inquiry inherent in good research. The award was established in 1989 by the leadership of Dr. Ellington Beavers, then Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Matthew S. Bauer, a senior double major in Computer Science and Mathematics, conducted research on “Computability Related to Continuous Systems” and with Dr. Xizhong Zheng, Assistant Professor of Mathematics. Bauer, from Downingtown, Pa., participated in Scotland Preview and the University’s 60th anniversary of study abroad in Paris in 2008.

Heather L. Blevins and Alyson A. McCormick are both recent graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. They investigated “Test-retest reliability of physical performance outcome measures in older African Americans” in their research project with Dr. Kathleen Kline Mangione, Professor of Physical Therapy.

Drs. Jennifer L. Brennan, Amy C. Werner and Stephanie J. Kushman worked on a research project called “Describing ‘Usual’ Therapy Practices Following Total Knee Replacement.” They are graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and worked with Dr. Carol Oatis, Professor of Physical Therapy. Brennan, from Jacksonville, Ore., participated in a pro bono trip to Guatemala and two experiences to Jamaica. “I’ll be moving to Jamaica for at least a year beginning this summer to serve there with the non-profit Friends of the Redeemer United with a fellow Arcadia alum, Dr. Brooke Riley. Kushman, of Louisville, Ky., will be working at A.I. duPoint Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del.

Nolan R. Ciemniecki, a senior Biology major from Haddonfield, N.J., researched “Gene Discovery in Schizocladia Through Expressed Sequence Tags,” working with Dr. Naomi Phillips, Assistant Professor of Biology. Ciemniecki studied abroad in Australia in 2008 and plans to attend a physical therapy doctoral program. 

Lisa C. Durso researched “Deciphering the Negative Feedback Mechanisms of the Interferon-Gamma Response in Central Nervous System Neurons.” She is a senior Biology major and worked with Dr. Wesley Rose, Assistant Professor of Biology. Durso, of Lafayette Hill, Pa., plans on attending Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in July.

Stephanie M. Evans worked on “Investigating the Distinct Negative Feedback Mechanisms Controlling Interferon Gamma Response at the Level of JAK Protein Kinases: A Comparison of Fibroblasts and CNS Neurons,” with Dr. Wesley Rose, Assistant Professor of Biology. She is a senior Biology major and has been accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She studied abroad in Australia at James Cook University.

Jessica E. Grazel, who graduated last spring with a B.F.A. in Painting, worked on “A Blueprint for a Green Arcadia” with Gregg Moore, Associate Professor of Art and Design.

Karen M. Jessup, a biology major, conducted research that made significant contributions to the understanding  of the genetic structure of Timber Rattlesnake populations, working with her research adviser Dr. Lauri Bushar, Associate Professor and Chair of the Biology Department.  Jessup, of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., participated in an ID class on Guatemala and spent spring break working at medical clinics there. She will be attending the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in the fall and plans to become at orthopedic surgeon.

Christopher S. Lewandowski researched “Utilizing Microsatellite Loci to Genetically Characterize Endemic Bioko Primates,” His adviser was Dr. Naomi Phillips, Assistant Professor of Biology. He is a senior in the Biology Department and a member of the Honors Program.

Kim Rainey conducted research investigating the question of “BRCA True Negative Women: Are We Overlooking a Population in Need of Support?” She worked with Dr. Laura Conway, Assistant Professor of Genetic Counseling, and is a student in the Genetic Counseling program.

Kristin E. Zelley focused her research on “Identifying the Unmet Needs of Individuals with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.” Her research adviser in the Genetic Counseling program was Dr. Laura Conway.

Ashley M. Ziegler, a Biology pre-veterinary senior from Doylestown, Pa., explored the “Sexual Cannibalism in the Long-bodied Cellar Spider: A Critical Test of the Food-Limitation Hypothesis.” Her research adviser was Dr. Chad Hoefler, Assistant Professor of Biology. She participated in Spain Preview and plans to attend veterinary school. (Photos)