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Summer
of Discovery
By Lisa Bechler
For many college students,
summer is a time to travel, work, volunteer or
just kick back and relax. But for more than half
of Bryn Mawr science majors, it’s an opportunity
to participate in a mentored, independent research
project. The 12-year-old Undergraduate Summer
Science Research Program is designed to enrich
the academic experience of students in biology,
chemistry, computer science, geology, math, physics
and psychology (see "Foundations
for the Future: Mentoring Undergraduates in Science
Research," Bryn Mawr S&T,
April 2001).
Faculty in each discipline
mentor students for 10 weeks of hands-on, laboratory-based
research. In addition to 40 hours of lab time
each week, students attend seminars and present
their research to faculty and other students.
The 2001 summer program included 39 research projects
conducted by 45 undergraduates and 20 faculty
members. The program is supported by funding from
nonprofit foundations, corporate donations, and
endowments established by alumnae and friends
of the College, as well as the College’s
own funds.
The projects highlighted here
give a representative overview of the mentored
research pursued by undergraduates, and what the
students have learned from their hands-on experience
at the bench.
Synthesizing
Cofactors
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(From
left) Laura Snyder ’04, Sharon
J. Burgmayer and Ria Sankar ’02
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In plants, animals and humans,
molecules called molybdenum enzymes enable life-sustaining
functions. These enzymes consist of protein plus
smaller complexes called cofactors. Under the
guidance of Sharon J. Burgmayer, professor of
chemistry, six summer research students have worked
on synthesizing molybdenum cofactors in order
to study their behavior, a project that has potential
medical implications. "Certain defects in the
enzyme can cause health problems, and that’s
where the research is headed," explains Laura
Snyder ’04. She and Ria Sankar ’02 have
focused on synthesizing a particular type of cofactor
thought to be important in transporting electrons.
Sankar, who has invested several
years in the project, considers the summer research
program to be a unique learning experience. "This
is the first time I’m doing a lot of the
research on my own," she says. "It’s
exciting to start seeing things come together."
Burgmayer is equally enthusiastic
about the program. "In some ways, I think mentored
research the most important aspect of a science
student’s education," she comments. "In research,
you encounter the unknown and see the scientific
method in action. It also teaches students how
slowly things can move in bench research and how
many things can fail, helping them gain the skills
needed to be a successful researcher."
Understanding
Anxiety
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Huma
Rana ’02 (l.) and Earl
Thomas
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When life gets overly stressful,
some people turn to anti-anxiety medications such
as Valium, which belongs to a class of drugs known
as benzodiazepines. While benzodiazepines are
highly effective at decreasing anxiety, scientists
don’t know conclusively how or why they work.
"We think drugs such as Valium activate the brain’s
own built-in mechanism for reducing stress and
anxiety, called the lateral septum," explains
Professor of Psychology Earl Thomas.
Thomas mentored Huma Rana
’02, who studied the effect of administering
benzodiazepines into the lateral septum, and measured
the corresponding cell activity of an anxiety-causing
structure called the amygdala. "Understanding
the anxiety mechanism in the brain will help us
determine when and why malfunctions occur, as
well as how we can more effectively treat anxiety,"
Rana explains.
Rana’s project complements
a broader pool of scientific research being conducted
on the lateral septum. As for her summer in the
lab, Rana found it invaluable. "There was so much
information to sponge up that you don’t get
in the classroom," she says. "I learned a tremendous
number of skills, as well as how to think critically
and constantly question things. I also discovered
a lot about myself and the amount of work I can
do."
Developing
Photocatalysts
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Jihean
Lee ’02 (l.) and Edward
Wovchko
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The idea of using light as
an energy source in chemical reactions isn’t
new, but it has yet to be fully explored as a
viable alternative to traditional, heat-driven
chemical processes. In the lab of Edward Wovchko,
assistant professor of chemistry, two summer research
students investigated this concept at a basic
level. Maria Bienkowski ’02 and Jihean Lee
’02 used infrared spectroscopy and ultrahigh
vacuum techniques to analyze what happens when
ultraviolet light is cast on supported rhodium
metal, a substance found in catalytic converters.
"This provides a site for catalytic CO oxidation,"
explains Bienkowski. "These reactions occur at
lower temperatures because we’re using light
rather than heat." The implications for this type
of research are far-reaching, especially in the
development of solar-driven, commercial synthetic
processes, which have the potential for dramatic
energy savings.
Wovchko believes the summer
research program gives undergraduates a jump-start
on their chosen profession. "The students get
hands-on training with physical chemistry methods
and gain experimental design skills that they’ll
use throughout their scientific career," he notes.
For Bienkowski, building the
instrument used in their research was the most
enjoyable and challenging aspect of the project.
"It helped me understand how the chemistry actually
works. A lot of undergrads don’t ever have
that opportunity."
Measuring
Cell Cycles
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(From
left) Graduate student Mopsie Pepper,
Janine Fuertes ’02, Margaret
Hollyday, Cameron Braswell ’02
and Christine Farrenkopf
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The development of the spinal
cord and brain involves a complex cycle of cell
replication and division leading up to the birth
of neurons. How long cells cycle and what they
do during that cycle is of interest to Margaret
Hollyday, professor of biology, and her summer
research students, Cameron Braswell ’02,
Janine Fuertes ’02, graduate student Mopsie
Pepper and Haverford College senior Christine
Farrenkopf. "We know that cortical neurons are
born much later than spinal neurons," says Hollyday.
"We’re interested in learning about this
pattern of embryonic development, which could
help us better understand birth defects and mental
retardation."
According to Braswell, such
knowledge also lays the groundwork for future
strides in medicine. "Down the line, others can
use our research to figure out how to regenerate
nerves," she comments.
Farrenkopf believes the project
may influence her professional aspirations. "In
this field, new discoveries happen every day,"
she says. "I’ve really enjoyed the research,
and think it might be something I want to pursue."
For Fuertes, a math major
with a minor in biology, it was the camaraderie
she enjoyed most. "The team aspect of our neurobiology
research is something you don’t find in the
field of math. Here, we help each other out."
About the Author
Lisa Bechler is a communications
consultant for clients in the high technology,
health care, pharmaceutical, financial services
and higher education sectors.
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