Biology | North Central College

Junior/Senior Scholars summer camp celebrates 25 successful years

Elementary education major Erica Pang '12 teaching second grade

North Central College’s Junior/Senior Scholars summer camp has provided quality learning experiences for students in under-resourced neighborhoods for 25 years.

For 25 years, North Central College’s Junior/Senior Scholars Pipeline to College program has provided a summer camp experience with hours of high-quality learning experiences to help school-aged students in under-resourced neighborhoods advance in their achievement levels.

Biology student Kate Lueders conducts field work in Oregon as a Sea Grant Scholar

Kate Lueders, a North Central College senior majoring in biology, is conducting research and performing field work in Oregon this summer as a Sea Grant Scholar.

June 26, 2012—Kate Lueders, a North Central College senior majoring in biology, is conducting research and performing field work in Oregon this summer as a Sea Grant Scholar.

Lueders is keeping a blog about her experience and writes that she arrived in the Pacific Northwest in mid-June to undergo orientation and safety training. Her work this summer involves the study of nutrient uptake in tidal wetlands.

Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams to address North Central College Commencement

Aaron S. Williams, director of the Peace Corps, will deliver the address June 9 at the 147th Commencement ceremony of North Central College.

Alumni talk with science students about their careers, experiences

Science faculty invite 2005 alumni Naomi Roots and Zach Pratt, Ph.D., to talk with students about post-graduate research, real-world career experiences.

A new tradition—inviting alumni back to campus to talk informally with students—was incorporated as part of programming for Honors Day and the Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research this year.

“Our alumni are an untapped resource for our students and I’m excited about inviting them back to share their experiences with our science students,” said Professor of Biology and Roger and Nadeane Hruby Professor in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Stephen Johnston as he welcomed two North Central College alumni from the class of 2005.

Rebecca Tran earns North Central College's 2012 Outstanding Major in Biology Award

Rebecca Tran of Aurora was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Biology Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

May 17, 2012—Rebecca Tran of Aurora was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Biology Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Tran is a senior majoring in biology with a minor in mathematics. She is the daughter of Louis and Susan Tran and a graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School. After graduating from North Central College in June, she intends to pursue graduate studies in medical school.

Heather Carlson ’91 delivers keynote address at Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research

Heather Carlson '91 delivered the keynote address at North Central College’s 15th annual Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research.

May 15, 2012—If you want to succeed at scientific research, you’ve got to be able to work well with others.

That was the advice North Central College students and others heard May 15 during the keynote address at the College’s 15th annual Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research from professor, pharmaceutical researcher and North Central alumna Heather Carlson ’91.

Ruthig publishes paper on research

Gregory Ruthig, assistant professor of biology

Gregory Ruthig, North Central College assistant professor of biology, co-authored article that has been published in the journal Diseases of Aquatic Organisms.

Gregory Ruthig, North Central College assistant professor of biology, co-authored an article, titled “Fast quantitative PCR, locked nucleic acid probes and reduced volume reactions are effective tools for detecting Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis DNA,” that was published in the journal Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, Vol. 97: 249–253, January 24, 2012.

Deanne Reedquist Sramek '93

Deanne Reedquist Sramek has been a clinical nurse researcher at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY, for seven years. She helps provide staff with the knowledge and resources to access and utilize evidence in their nursing practice. She educates new graduates and nurses on research and evidence-based practice, assists with research projects and practice changes, and mentors undergraduate and graduate students with their projects.

2012 Goldwater Scholar, Maria Gommel

Maria Gommel ’13 has been named a 2012 Goldwater Scholar, the highest national undergraduate award for achievement in math, science and engineering. Gommel is majoring in actuarial science and mathematics and intends to pursue a doctorate in mathematics after graduation.

Building on Momentum: Science

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In the fast-paced world of researching and developing new pharmaceuticals, drug companies often don’t have the time to commit resources to creating new models and technologies. That’s where the research of an academic laboratory, like that of Heather Carlson ’91 at the University of Michigan, can play an important role in developing new therapeutic drugs.