Six Students Receive Grants for Undergraduate Research

Six Westminster College students have received grants to further their undergraduate research from the Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

"Enhancing opportunities for undergraduate research is an important component of the work of the Drinko Center in enriching undergraduate education," said Dr. Virginia Tomlinson, Westminster College associate professor of sociology and director of the Drinko Center. "The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students to conduct research and to present their research at regional and national conferences. So far this year six students have been awarded research grants."

The Westminster College students who have received awards include:

Gibsonia, PA
Bryan Bischof is a son of Steve Salvatora and Diana Salvatora, New Kensington. Bischof, a junior mathematics major, is a graduate of Valley High School. Bischof used the grant to present his research on "Blowing a Breaker: Lights Out in Many Dimensions" at the MathFest 2006 National Mathematics Association of America Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Pittsburgh, PA
Allison Baker is a daughter of Reid and Robyn Baker. Baker, a senior biology major, is a graduate of Plum High School. Baker will use the grant to further her research on "The Effects of Trait Anxiety on an Individual's Response to a Physiological Stressor."

Cranberry Twp., PA
Andrew Starosta is a son of George and Linda Starosta. Starosta, a senior chemistry major, is a graduate of Seneca Valley High School. Starosta will use the grant to further his research on "Investigation of a New Methodology for the Synthesis of Radiolabeled Photoaffinity Analogues."

New Castle, PA
Ryan Barnes is a son of Mark and Linda Barnes. Barnes, a senior biology major, is a graduate of Laurel High School. Barnes will use the grant to further his research on "Genetic Variation of Bluegill, Lepomis Macrochirus, Populations in Two Western Pennsylvania Reservoirs."

Murrysville, PA
Katie Meadows is a daughter of Wendy Meadows. Meadows, a senior molecular biology major, is a graduate of Penn Hills High School. Meadows will use the grant to further her research on "A Lethal Injection?' - Assessing the Effects of Increased Docosahexaenoic Acid Plasma Membrane Composition on Thimerosal Toxicity."

Canton, OH
Amy Wirtz is a daughter of Lynn and Tom Wirtz. Wirtz, a senior chemistry
major, is a graduate of Canton McKinley High School. Wirtz will use the grant to further her research on "Extraction and Analysis of Lactic Acid from Fermentation Broth with Ionic Liquids Extractants."

The Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was developed to advance world-class teaching at Westminster and enrich K-12 education through outreach programs for area educators.

Contact Tomlinson at (724) 946-6097 or e-mail tomlinvm@westminster.edu for more information.

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