biology | North Central College

O’Connor coauthors study related to development of Parkinson’s

Christopher O’Connor, visiting assistant professor of biology

Christopher O’Connor, North Central College visiting assistant professor of biology, is coauthor of a study about a key protein in Parkinson’s disease.

Christopher O’Connor, North Central College visiting assistant professor of biology, is coauthor of a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine study about Parkinson’s disease and how a protein in the disease acts like a virus.

The study was published April 25 in the journal PLOS ONE by virologist Edward Campbell, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine, and colleagues.

Wesley Sorrill earns Outstanding Major in Biology Award

Wesley Sorrill received the Outstanding Major in Biology Award during the 2013 Honors Convocation at North Central College.

Wesley Sorrill, son of Liz and Stacy Sorrill of Naperville, was awarded the Outstanding Major in Biology Award during Honors Day May 14 at North Central College.

A senior, Wesley is majoring in biology at North Central College. He is a graduate of Wheaton North High School. Wesley’s name has regularly appeared on the Dean’s List.

A transfer student and a veteran, formerly with the U.S. Air Force, he will pursue an M.D. degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine.

North Central honors Priscilla Ferch ’80 Gallagher with Outstanding Alumni Award

Priscilla Ferch ’80 Gallagher, Outstanding Alumni Award

North Central College to honor legal expert Priscilla Gallagher with a 2012 Outstanding Alumni Award during Homecoming Convocation Oct. 26.

North Central College is honoring Priscilla Gallagher of Chicago with a 2012 Outstanding Alumni Award.

Gallagher and five others will be honored during the College’s Homecoming Convocation at 4:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville.

North Central honors Fred Janzen ’85 with Outstanding Alumni Award

Fred Janzen ’85, Outstanding Alumni Award

North Central College to honor professor and scientist Fred Janzen with a 2012 Outstanding Alumni Award during Homecoming Convocation Oct. 26.

North Central College is honoring Fred Janzen, Ph.D., of Ames, Iowa, with a 2012 Outstanding Alumni Award.

Janzen and five others will be honored during the College’s Homecoming Convocation at 4:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville.

Students, faculty collaborate in summer-long research

Associate Professor of Biology Jonathan Visick and Juan Perez ’13

This summer, North Central College students participated in hands-on research on campus, working one-on-one with faculty and collaborating with other students.

For eight weeks this summer, North Central College students participated in hands-on research on campus, working one-on-one with faculty and collaborating with other students. Some 38 students and 12 faculty advisors took part in the College’s Summer Undergraduate Research Colloquium (SURC). Their work represented a range of academic disciplines with students majoring in biology, computer science, biochemistry, psychology, chemistry, English literature, radiation therapy, athletic training, theatre, human resource management and Spanish.

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.

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.

North Central College honors J. Charles Eldridge with Outstanding Alumni Award

North Central College is honoring J. Charles Eldridge of Wake Forest, N.C., with a 2011 Outstanding Alumni Award.

This is the third of five weekly installments profiling individuals who will receive Alumni Awards & Recognition on Nov. 11 during North Central College’s Sesquicentennial Homecoming Celebration.

Oct. 18, 2011—North Central College is honoring J. Charles Eldridge of Wake Forest, N.C., with a 2011 Outstanding Alumni Award.

North Central College biology alumna featured for work with Indiana DNR

Biology alumna Jenny Orsburn works as a program specialist for the Lake Michigan Coastal Program of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Jenny (Kintzele) Orsburn, who earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from North Central College in 2001, works as a program specialist for the Lake Michigan Coastal Program of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Orsburn’s work recently was featured in the (Michigan City, Ind.) News-Dispatch.

North Central College biology alumna making career in avian research

Dana Ripper, a 1998 biology alumna of North Central College, is making a career of avian research, conservation and education.

The Naperville Sun recently featured Ripper and her work with the Missouri River Bird Observatory, an organization she co-founded.