biology | North Central College

North Central College student attends Archaeological Field School, uncovers burial sites

North Central College anthropology major Jessica Pantel spent the summer excavating and researching ancient civilization and burial sites in Peru.

Anthropology major Jessica Pantel ’13 spent six weeks this past summer participating in anthropological research in the Ancash region of the Andes Mountains in Peru.

Gregory Ruthig joins faculty in biology department

Gregory Ruthig, assistant professor of biology

North Central College appointed five full-time, tenure-track faculty for the 2011-2012 academic year, including Assistant Professor of Biology Gregory Ruthig.

North Central College appointed five new full-time, tenure-track faculty for the 2011-2012 academic year, which starts Sept. 12. Among the new faculty is Gregory Ruthig, assistant professor of biology.

College welcomes new faculty members

Hillary Shulman, Gregory Ruthig, Luke Franks, Hale Ekinci, Sohinee Roy

North Central College has appointed five new full-time, tenure-track faculty for the 2011-2012 academic year, which begins Sept. 12.

Sept. 7, 2011—North Central College has appointed five new full-time, tenure-track faculty for the 2011-2012 academic year, which begins Sept. 12.

Dr. Wentz gives author talk on his new book April 15

Dr. Myron Wentz, author, microbiologist and 1963 North Central alumnus

Award-winning microbiologist Dr. Myron Wentz ’63 and founder of USANA Health Sciences returns to his alma mater as part of book tour for “The Healthy Home.”

March 30, 2011—Award-winning microbiologist Dr. Myron Wentz, founder of USANA Health Sciences, returns to his alma mater North Central College as part of a nationwide book tour of “The Healthy Home,” released in March through Vanguard Publishing. Co-authored with his son Dave Wentz, USANA Health Sciences CEO, the new book offers simple solutions for making homes healthier.

Neuroscientist discusses gender and the brain Feb. 22

Lise Eliot discusses gender and the brain.

Author of “Pink Brain, Blue Brain” and neuroscientist Lise Eliot will give a talk about gender differences and the brain on Feb. 22.

Contact: Nancy Dunker, associate director of public relations, 630-637-5306

Feb. 8, 2011—North Central College welcomes neuroscientist Lise Eliot, author of “Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Differences Grow into Troublesome Gaps and What We Can Do About It,” to speak about gender and the brain.

Eliot will give a free talk at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, in North Central’s Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville.

J. Charles Eldridge, Ph.D. '65

J. Charles Eldridge, Ph.D. co-authored a 480-page book titled “Endocrine Toxicology,” 3rd Edition, published in 2010 by Informa Healthcare. The book emphasizes toxic mechanisms and regulatory issues of environmental pollutants known as endocrine disruptors. He is a professor of physiology and pharmacology at Wake Forest University and regularly consults with chemical manufacturers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on matters of endocrine toxicology.

Michelle Porcellino '05

Michelle Porcellino is a grant writer at North Central College. She joined the advancement team after working two years at the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health Initiative division of biological sciences at the University of Chicago. Previously she was a health communications fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Rockland, MD. She received her master’s degree in technical and scientific communication at Miami University in Ohio. She lives in Orland Park, IL, and may be reached at meporcellino@noctrl.edu.

North Central College alumnus shares tales of neuroscience research with students

A North Central alumnus being recognized for his accomplishments as a student-athlete took time to talk to biology students about his neuroscience research.

Contact: Ted Slowik, Director of PR and Media Relations, 630-637-5307, tjslowik@noctrl.edu

Nov. 1, 2010—A North Central College alumnus being recognized for his accomplishments as a student-athlete took time during Homecoming 2010 to talk to biology students about his neuroscience research.

Alex Knobloch '10

Alex Knobloch ’10 is attending the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD, where he’ll pursue a medical degree through the U.S. Ai

Alex Knobloch ’10 is attending the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD, where he’ll pursue a medical degree through the U.S. Air Force. He hopes to practice family medicine as a primary care physician.“I’ve obtained both the foundational training in biology and the other sciences needed for my medical career while pursuing my love of competitive running and playing with the College’s pep band,” says Knobloch.

Naperville Garden Club awards scholarship to biology major

North Central College junior Shanon Hankin is receiving the Marie Mackenzie and Mary M. Quilty Memorial Scholarship.

Contact: Nancy Dunker, associate director of public relations, 630-637-5306

May 6, 2010--North Central College junior Shanon Hankin is receiving the Marie Mackenzie and Mary M. Quilty Memorial Scholarship from the Naperville Garden Club for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The scholarship assists an academically well-qualified student who is majoring in biology. In addition to her major in biology, Hankin carries a double minor in chemistry and environmental studies.