Contents
Senior Plans
Prairie Burn
The New Marine Tank
Awards and Recognition
Senior Reflections
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Senior Plans |
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| David Liebenson – I will be continuing my research at Rush University Medical Center next year while applying for medical school. Katelyn Kubat – will be working at a physical therapy clinic in Burnsville for a year (Minnesota Sport and Spine) with an Olaf Alum as a clinical assistant while I apply to physical therapy grad school. Paige Holum – I will be attending the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Ali Seline – I’m going to med school next year, probably at the university of iowa. Sam Grasso – I’ll be attending Des Moines University pursuing a doctor of osteopathy (DO) degree. Hannah Rosenthal – I will be working as a medical scribe and volunteering for the year. I am planning on applying to medical school in the fall for next year. Sarah Mitchell – I’ve been enrolled in a PhD program in ecology and evolutionary biology at Iowa State. Frances Xin – I will be entering a Cancer Biology/Biomedical Studies graduate program (Ph.D.) at the University of Pennsylvania this fall. Lauren Kurtz – I am entering a year of service with the St. Joseph Workers Program in the Twin Cities. After that, I hope to attend medical school. Huong Vu – I am attending the College of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota next fall. Sarah Aune – I will be working in Minneapolis or Madison, WI. I will start the medical school application process after building on my work experience. Christina Benjamin – My plans for after graduation: scribing, applying to DO schools, and volunteering. Eric Emmons – I will be volunteering in Ecuador teaching English. I plan on applying for graduate programs in neuroscience while I am abroad, which I will hopefully begin Fall 2013. Minh Phuong Thi Tran – I will be in the Integrated Biosciences M.S. program at the University of Minnesota-Duluth next fall. There I hope to work on a mycobacteria sporulation project where we attempt to induce spore formation in mycobacteria; this is to observe the bactreia’s persistence in low oxygen levels. Julianne Heil – After graduation plans include working at Gustavus’ Tennis and Life Camps over the summer, then working for LifeTime Fitness as a personal trainer while applying to medical school! Dana Fjare – I have an RA with the university of Alaska fairbanks working on my masters in ecology studying nitrogen and carbon cycling in arctic streams. Emily Rosenberg – I will be attending the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Nick Kang – I will be working at Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services in Baltimore before beginning my Masters of Public Affairs program at Maxwell School (Syracuse University). Lauren Piper – I will be moving to San Francisco to become the Advocacy and Education Intern for the national office of FACE AIDS. Elisabeth Vreede – I’m hoping to find a job in healthcare or industry and plan to pursue a graduate degree (PhD or MD) in the near future. Ultimate goal is to get involved in clinical research. Ryan Timmerman – to work for AmeriCorps and Montana State Parks at Chief Plenty Coups State Park in Pryor, MT as a naturalist. Vanessa Kleckner – I will be going to medical school (either the University of MN or Washington University in St. Louis). Lisa Drewry – Fulbright year in Germany, doing research at the University of Würzburg, then the Molecular Microbiology & Microbial Pathogenesis PhD program at Washington University in St. Louis. Cecilia Noecker – I will be spending next year at the National Institute of Public Health in Cuernavaca, Mexico, researching the epidemiology of dengue virus infection on a Fulbright grant. The following year, I will enroll in the Genome Sciences Ph.D. program at the University of Washington – Seattle to study computational biology and genomics. James Noneman – I will be joining the Navy as an Officer. Haley Appleman – I have an internship in the Mammal Nursery at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. Kyle Cassling – I’ll be attending the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine. Claire Weiss – My plans are to student teach in India at Woodstock International School. Rachel Wieme – I will be going to graduate school at Washington State University in the department of Crop and Soil sciences. Rick Shimshock – I am planning on taking a year off and applying to grad schools next year. I would like to eventually do research concerning cellular biology/microbiology. Patrick Boland – Gap-year in medically-related career before medical school. Amy Chatelaine – I will be in Washington, DC, exploring the intersections of public health, social justice, and ministry through the program Discipleship Year. In addition to living in an intentional community (similar to Lutheran Volunteer Corps), I will be a full-time volunteer with Joseph’s House, a hospice house for homeless men and women in the final stages of AIDS and cancer. Kayla Schmidt – I’ll be attending nursing school next year. Allyson Connor – I will be attending medical school next year, either at Creighton University or the University of Michigan. Trevor Romsdahl – I will be going to graduate school at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln for biochemistry. Caitlin Harper – I will be spending the month of June traveling and enjoying some rest and relaxation. In July, I will travel to Panama with Global Medical Brigades prior to starting as a first year medical student at Mayo Medical School. Laura Van Leuven – I plan to move back home and work as a medical scribe in Madison while I apply to medical school. Alexandra Thomas – I will be starting in a PhD program at Northwestern University in Chicago. It is a biomedical research program (the Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences). Kateri Salk – I’ll be attending Michigan State University, where I’ll be working my way to a Ph.D in Zoology with a doctoral specialization in Environmental Science and Policy. Tana Lucksanapiruk – medical school in Australia. Adam Starr – I’m going to Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Julie Dahl – I’ll be in Yellowstone this summer doing raptor research. Kristen Latta – I will be working for a year at United Hospital in the Jesse E. Edwards Cardiovascular Registry as a Pathologist Intern and applying to medical school. Chloe Brennan – I’m working for McGraw-Hill Higher Education as a Digital Implementation Consultant. Lauren Saunders – I will be a lab tech in the Bautch Lab at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Additionally, I will apply to graduate school next fall for developmental biology. Megan McGovern – I am excited to begin my life as an Ole alumn while taking a year off to gain patient care experience and then applying for Master of Public Health/Physician Assistant dual degree programs. |
Prairie Burns |
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by Christina Herron-Sweet ’12 and Rachel Wieme ’12If you smelled fire late last week or noticed the charred grass out on our prairies, do not be alarmed! The natural lands workers set fire to our prairies on purpose! On Thursday and Friday of last week Curator of Natural Lands Kathy Shea and former Curator Gene Bakko organized two controlled burns in the prairies that were restored in 2001 and 1989 (near the composter) and another patch near the STOGROW farm. Fire is a natural disturbance in prairie ecosystems. The native plants have evolved to withstand occasional fire, with adaptations such as deep roots that can survive surface burns. These burns help keep out invasive species from the prairie, as well as eliminating the accumulated organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. We try to burn our prairies every few years. The 1989 prairie was burned in ’93, ’99, ’03 and ’07, and the 2001 prairie was burned in ’04, ’07 and ’10. Burns can be conducted in the spring or fall, and conditions must be perfect in order to insure the safety of the burn. Take a look at some of the action: 
Fire is a natural disturbance for prairies, which helps keep them “healthy” (it helps prevent trees and other non-prairie species from taking over.) In the picture on the left, Rachel models safe burn protocol: she is wearing her fire suit, a scarf to cover her mouth and nose against the smoke, and she is setting fire to the grass downwind of her as she walks in a straight line to get the fire going. Ideally the wind will move the fire across the grass until it hits a fire break. The image on the right shows the fire is carefully controlled using fire breaks and attentive helpers with rubber flappers or water sprayers.
The area in the image on the left may look bleak at the moment, but soon it will be covered in fresh green shoots taking advantage of the unobstructed sunlight now that the debris has been cleared! Thanks to everyone who helped out to make this burn possible! |
The biology department has a brand new marine aquarium in the 2nd floor atrium of Regents Hall. The aquarium is 180 gallons and boasts an impressive set of blue energy efficient LED lights which is in accordance with other energy efficiencies in Regents Hall. The purchase of the tank was initiated by an anonymous donation. Additional funds were obtained from several campus sources including the biology department, the Marie M. Meyer Distinguished Professorship, Pat Ceas and the Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The tank is a learning resource for the students and an aquarium club is already up and running with more than 20 students. To be a part of the aquarium club and learn about marine aquarium ecology and maintenance email Dave Burton (burton@stolaf.edu). Special thanks to Dave Burton, Pat Ceas, Devin Lackie, Gregg Menning and Todd Code for setting-up the tank.
Awards and Recognition |
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 Biology Major Fulbright Award RecipientsLisa Drewry (Biology research, Germany)Jonathan Henn (Ecology, Argentina) Jamie Mosel (Ecology, Japan) Cecilia Noecker (Public Health, Mexico)Minnesota Academy of Science Annual Meeting and Winchell Undergraduate Symposium AwardsWinchell Oral Presentation Award – Christina Herron-Sweet An Analysis of Allochthonous and Autochthnonous Contributions to Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Diet Using Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Carbon Stable Isotopes Tri-Beta 2nd place Johnson Award for poster presentation – Sarah Mitchell Congratulations to others of you who may have also received awards that the department isn’t aware of! |
Senior Reflections |
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| Jamie MoselAs the days once again grow long, I am reminded that my time at St. Olaf is drawing to a close. After four years of classes, and endless hours of studying and planning for the future, it is surprising just how quickly the future becomes the present. Many say that the purpose of college is its transformative potential. While I am certainly testament to just such a transformation, I believe that students must also direct their actions responsibly and open-mindedly. It is not, as some assume, a passive transformation. It has been my goal, these four years, never to forget that education is a privilege. Although St. Olaf students are notoriously hard workers, I encourage my classmates to step outside of themselves; that is, to take a step back from the daily, and to reflect upon the larger effects of their decisions. So frequently, we are taught to learn, but not to think. At St. Olaf, I have sought every day to think for myself, and to remember the value of my own abilities. In those tender first months as a student, I had little idea of what I wanted to become. Yet I have never doubted, no matter the field of study, my obligation to use education responsibly–to think critically, to act respectfully, and to work towards positive change in the world. I think that, rather than focusing narrow-mindedly upon what we wish to “become”, it is far more important to remember who we are.My coursework as a double major has given me a unique perspective. I study history, and I study biology because I am curious about this earth, and the stories are one and the same. At St. Olaf, I have been fortunate indeed to combine both my passions. I am frequently found crossing between Regents and Holland, but in my mind there has never existed a barrier between the two. Too often, I think, we assume that science exists in a vacuum, or that history has little to do with our conversations with the earth. Through combining the two, I hope to most effectively work against the many environmentally destructive practices our society has developed. In part because of this aim, I am particularly drawn to ecology, and I am happiest illuminating the interconnectedness of life. The chance to learn from a host of enthusiastic professors here at St. Olaf has helped me to navigate my own beliefs. When I first decided to become a biology major, I was admittedly intimidated by science, which I perceived to be far too complex for someone simple like myself. However, that feeling of deep enchantment, which takes hold whenever I ponder the intricacies of this earth, overcame my intimidation. Now, at the end of my undergraduate career, I am keenly aware of my obligation as a scientist and as a historian to act with respect, towards both humans and fellow organisms.After graduation, I am honored by the opportunity to apply the skills I have acquired at St. Olaf. Through the Fulbright Program, I will be traveling to Hokkaido, Japan to research the ecological effects of global warming on northern ecosystems at the University of Hokkaido Silviculture and Forest Ecology Lab. At the end of one journey, I am at the start of another. Such, I think, is life–a continuum of journeys, a continuum of learning. With a curious mind, and a compassionate heart, I believe that though the problems facing this earth are daunting, these past four years have strengthened me for the challenge. The best advice that I can give my fellow students is this: love life, and act always with respect, compassion, and humility. When I look at the stars above me, the life around me, and the earth beneath me, I cannot help but be humble, and grateful to live in such a fascinating world.
Sarah Mitchell For myself and many other biology majors, the most influential aspect of the biology department here at St. Olaf has been the ability to develop relationships with the faculty. The professors in our department are amazingly devoted to their work; their help, advice, and endless banter (hello, Professor Schade) have been invaluable for my personal and intellectual growth over the past four years. My personal journey at Olaf has been heavily influenced by my research experiences with Steve Freedberg. Due to these experiences, I have been able to confidently formulate my career goals, gained valuable lab and field skills, and (most importantly) had direct access to a knowledgeable, committed, and humorous mentor. As part of my summer research, Professor Freedberg, myself, and one other student (Katie Halvorson in the summer of 2010, Megan Welk in 2011) would drive down to Weaver Dunes two or three times a week to trap turtles. Only recently did I realize how much I learned on those trips. When he wasn’t belting the (incorrect) lyrics to pop songs such as “You Belong With Me”, Steve would quiz us on bird identification, go into rants about Minnesotan food, talk about possible directions we could take our research, or provide random but edifying mini-lectures on topics ranging from science & society to techniques for analyzing microsatellite regions of DNA. Our days on the Mississippi were spent carrying out extensive trapping efforts and using radio telemetry to track movements of softshell turtles. These experiences, in addition to providing me with a great tan and a lot of fun memories, solidified my tentative ambition to become an evolutionary biologist. Exploring the natural world has always been an emotionally and spiritually fulfilling experience for me; when I realized it could be intellectually productive as well, I knew I had found a career I could be passionate about. The process of applying to graduate programs over the last year has given me ample opportunity to reflect on my growth as a scientist and a person over my time at Olaf. I have found that a truly distinguishing factor in development here has been my access to professors such as Steve Freedberg, Stephanie Schmidt, Jean Porterfield, and many others. The opportunity to do so much undergraduate research is in itself a huge benefit of a St. Olaf education, but the ability to form a mentoring relationship with professors like Steve is an outstanding advantage of our education at Olaf. Whether I need help editing a paper, choosing a graduate program, writing a statement of purpose, analyzing data, or figuring out how to feed myself when I no longer have access to the caf (heaven forbid), I know I can turn to Steve, and I know many other students who have had similar relationships with other professors. I’ve been incredibly blessed to be included in a department that provides such excellent opportunities to its undergraduates and employs professors that are truly committed to the success and growth of their students. Thank you! Adam Starr Unlike many liberal arts students, I came to St. Olaf with a very clear idea of what I wanted to major in. My initial interest in majoring in biology was due to two factors: I was interested in medicine and growing up in the Minnesota “lake culture” piqued my interest in ecology. I feel lucky that my interests encompass the breadth of the St. Olaf biology major. As I progressed from one biology course to the next, a clear pattern emerged: the St. Olaf Biology Department is FULL of great professors. Each of my professors was a great teacher and was passionate about his or her field of study. It’s no wonder that biology is the most popular major at St. Olaf. Some of the most memorable experiences I’ve had as a bio major at St. Olaf were the opportunity to go on the Peruvian Medical Experience and working in the summer research program with Kim Kandl. The Peruvian Medical Experience was an eye-opening endeavor that taught me valuable lessons that extend beyond biology and medicine. My summer research experience was an engaging program in which I learned something new every day and enjoyed the opportunity to do hands-on biology. In addition to Peru and summer research, I will fondly remember the day to day encounters with St. Olaf bio professors in lectures and labs, such as the time when Jean Porterfield convinced half of my genetics class that G6 is a phase of the cell cycle and that slizzard is a protein. On the other hand, I’ll always regret the fact that I didn’t take more courses in ecology. I feel confident that the St. Olaf biology major has provided me and my classmates with a strong foundation on which to build upon in future study or employment. As news spreads of the future plans of my fellow senior biology majors, whether it be graduate school, professional school, service programs, or entering the work force, I am constantly impressed by their achievements and am proud to have studied alongside so many great people! |
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