Since 2002, over fifty Lake Forest College students have presented at Argonne, but 2011 saw more students presenting at this venue than ever before.

“The Argonne Undergraduate Symposium in Science,” said Professor and Chair of Biology Anne Houde, “provides an excellent opportunity for students to share their scientific research with an extramural audience, obtain feedback from other students and scientists, and hone their presentation skills.”

The Lake Forest students’ research was conducted at the College, McHenry County Prairie Conservation District, and through the LFC-RFUMS summer fellows program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Two students conducted research as first-year Richter Scholars. All fourteen students are preparing for scientific careers and plan to pursue a Ph.D., M.D., or graduate degrees in life sciences or health professions, or to become science teachers in the K-12 system.

“A major focus of our college’s science programs is to provide our students hands-on research experiences as early as possible and then provide them diverse opportunities for professional communication,” adds Chair of Neuroscience Shubhik DebBurman. “Thus, its not surprising that an increasing number of sophomores and juniors are presenting alongside seniors at Argonne, preparing them well for future national and international meetings when they are seniors.”

The following presentations were given by Lake Forest College students, along with other student co-authors and faculty sponsors:

• Amanda Allred ‘14 presented Richter summer research - “DOES TELOMERE LENGTH CHANGE DURING SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT?” (Professor Karen Kirk, Biology)

• Katrina Campbell ‘14 presented Richter summer research - “IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC AMINO ACIDS IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE PROTEIN ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN THAT CONTROL ITS TOXIC PROPERTIES” with research from Keith Solvang ‘11 (Professor Shubhik DebBurman, Biology)

• Arielle Nguyen ‘13 - “IDENTIFICATION OF MUTANT CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS ALLELES THROUGH SNP MAPPING” (Professor Pliny Smith, Biology)

• Ashley Reich ‘13- “CO-REGULATION OF MIRNA BIOGENESIS AND PRE-MRNA ALTERNATIVE SPLICING” (this work was done at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, under the supervision of Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy Michelle Hastings)

• Kaila Stephens ‘13- “KNOWLEDGE, A KEY TO SUPPLEMENT ADHERENCE IN PEDIATRIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE” (This work was done at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, under the supervision of Professor of Psychology Rachel Greenley)

• Pascal Accoh ‘12- “PERIADOLESCENT ACTIVATION OF THE CB1 CANNABINOID RECEPTOR PREVENTS THE NORMATIVE DEVELOPMENTAL FACILITATION OF PARVALBUMIN-POSITIVE INTERNEURONS IN THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX” with research from Natalie Simak ‘11 (Professor Lynn Westley, Biology; this work was done at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, under the supervision of Professor of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology Kuei Y. Tseng)

• Daniella Brutman ‘12- “APOER2 ALTERNATIVE SPLICING IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE” (Professor Shubhik DebBurman, Neuroscience; this work was done at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, under the supervision of Professor of Cell Biology and Anatomy Michelle Hastings)

• Jordanah Evans ‘12 - “POTENTIATION OF REGULATORY VOLUME DECREASE BY A P2-LIKE RECEPTOR IN AMERICAN ALLIGATOR ERYTHROCYTES”  (Professor Doug Light, Biology)

• Emilee Gaulke ‘12 - “THE RESPONSE OF ANT DIVERSITY TO PRAIRIE RESTORATION EFFORTS” (Professor Sean Menke, Biology)

• Allison Hamel ‘12 - “ASSESSMENT OF ANT ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY PATTERNS IN RESTORED TALL GRASS PRAIRIES” (Professor Sean Menke, Biology)

• Kristina Johnson ‘12- “DOES CHRONIC STRESS CAUSE CHANGES IN EMOTION-RELATED BEHAVIORVIA ACTIVATION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM” (Professor Matt Kelley, Neuroscience; this work was done at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, under the supervision of Professor of Cell & Molecular Pharmacology Amiel Rozenkranz)

• Annabel Naditz ‘12 - “THE ROLE OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 IN REGULATORY VOLUME DECREASE BY AMERICAN ALLIGATOR ERYTHROCYTES”  (Professor Doug Light, Biology)

• Pete Sullivan ‘12- “INHIBITION OF PHOSPHODIESTERASE 10A MODULATES LEVODOPA-INDUCED DYSKINESIAS IN A DOSE-DEPENDENT MANNER IN PARKINSONIAN RATS” (Professor Shubhik DebBurman, Biology; this work was done at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, under the supervision of Professor of Neuroscience Anthony West)

• Shabana Yusufishaq ‘12- “OXYTOCIN: AN AID TO POOR SOCIAL LEARNING IN ISOLATION-HOUSED RATS?” (Professor Anne Houde, Biology; this work was done at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, under the supervision of Professor of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology Amiel Rozenkranz)

Argonne testimonies:

Kristi Johnson ‘12, Neuroscience and Psychology, presented her senior thesis research:

“I am currently applying to grad schools, so I know that research will be part of my career and life. The research that I have performed in my undergraduate career is absolutely crucial. Having experience at a conference at such a well regarded place, like Argonne gives me the experience and confidence I need for my future. I think there are two main reasons I succeeded at Argonne.  The first reason is the classes that I have had at the school that has taught me to properly create a powerful powerpoint to convey the needed information concisely and correctly.  Secondly, the connection that Lake Forest College has formed with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.  It has given me research opportunities and resources that undergrads at large universities rarely have”.

Shabana Yusufishaq ‘12, Biology and Education, presented her senior thesis research : “Presenting at Argonne is beneficial in two ways. One, presenting in front of and listening to others present helps us realize our strengths and weaknesses as communicators. Two, the presentations we give to one another provide for dialogue and this dialogue enriches our scientific knowledge. As a student at LFC there are high expectations of me, so I know that I should go into any situation with my best foot forward. However, I would not have been able to do this without the help of Dr. Rosenkranz and Professor Houde. As a prospective teacher, undergraduate research only enhances the way I look at science and as a result the perspective through which I will teach my students”.

Lake Forest College is a national liberal arts institution located 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. The College has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 72 countries.