 Participation in research is an invaluable way to learn how the process of scientific investigation works. All biology majors have some research experience, and they often use it as the basis for their junior or senior seminar papers. Some students conduct their research with biology faculty members on the Converse campus, while others carry out their research at other colleges and universities around the nation as they participate in a variety of programs such as the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF-REU). Although most students do research, those who earn a BA degree may choose to take BIO 480, Research Methods in Biology, to fulfill the research requirement.
The Converse biology program is rich in tradition as many of its
students have won awards at state, regional, and national conferences.
Ongoing Research
Frances Cate '04The broad-leafed flora of the Upper Cretaceous Middendorf Formation, Chesterfield County, SC.
Frances is teaming with Dr. Jensen as the research is performed in the field and on the Converse campus.
Gretchen Williams '04The prevalence of deer liver fluke infections in Upstate, South Carolina deer populations.
Under the guidance of Dr. Steele, research for this project is being performed on the Converse campus.
Sarah Murray '04 and Leah Stokes '04The roles of progesterone and its antagonists in breast cancer and its treatment.
Funded by the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU), this project is guided by Dr. Chen, and performed at the Greenville (S.C.) Cancer Research Facility.
Research by the Class of 2003
Toni Hicks '03Histological study of the affect of
Ascocotyle (Digenea:Heterophyidae) infection on the heart morphology of the fish host
(with Dr. Steele). The research was funded by SCICU. Its findings were presented at the Council of Undergraduate Research Posters on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., the SCICU symposium, and at the South Carolina Academy of Sciences (SCAS). Toni collaborated with Dr. Steele as research was carried out on the Converse campus and at Spartanburg Memorial Hospital.
Holly Gilmore '03Cretaceous plants from the Middendorf Formation of Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
Holly teamed with Dr. Jensen in carrying out research on the Converse campus and in the field in Chesterfield County. The results were presented at the SCAS.
Rebekah Gillespie '03Anatomy of the Lower Devonian plant,
Crenaticaulis verruculosis, from Quebec, Canada.
Rebekah worked with Dr. Jensen on this research at Converse College.
Avery Tomlinson '03Comparative histological and histochemical studies of the larval tapeworms,
Cyclustera ibisae and Glossocercus caribaensis (Cestoda:Cyclophyllidea).
Avery teamed with Dr. Steele in carrying out research on the Converse campus and in the field at Hobcaw Barony (Georgetown, S.C.). The results were presented at SCAS.
Brooke Lown '03 A comparison of different regimes to use statin pharmaceuticals in treatment of hypertension.
Brooke collaborated with a physician and performed research in a clinic in Lexington, S.C.
Amanda Mullinax '03Occurrence of Potential Vectors of Heartworm in Cherokee County, SC.
Amanda teamed with Dr. Steele and representatives of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control in performing research in the field and on the Converse campus.
Recent Research
Projects
 Marlee Beckham
'02The prevalence and intensity of dilepidid metacestodes (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) in the Mummichog
(Fundulus heteroclitus) and the Striped Killifish
(Fundulus majalis). The project was funded by SCICU, and its findings were presented at the SCICU symposium and at SCAS, where it won the Special Award in Invertebrate Studies. In conducting the research at Hobcaw Barony (Georgetown, S.C.) and on the Converse campus, Marlee collaborated with Dr. Steele.
Crystal Palmatier '02Immunolocalization of ecdysis-triggering hormone of inka cells in
Cotesia congregata larva. This project was funded through the University of California system, and its findings were presented at the Entomological Society of Americas annual meeting. The research was directed by Dr. Nancy Beckage, and performed in her laboratory at the University of California, Riverside.
Katherine Strong '02Relationships between equine choke and allergic responses.
This research was funded by SCICU. Katherine teamed with Converse faculty and a veterinarian in conducting the research on the Converse campus.
Jessica Hundley '01Further description of the acanthocephalan,
Hypoechinorhyncus thermaceri, a parasite of the hydrothermal vent zoarcid fish,
Thermarces cerberus. The research was funded by Converse College, and it was presented at the National Council of Undergraduate Research.
The research was performed on the Converse campus.
Kenya Fernanders
'01Hemolymph proteins of
Armadillidium vulgare (Crustacea) parasitized by
Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus (Acanthocephala). Funded by SCICU, this project was presented at the SCICU symposium and at the SCAS, where it won first place in its division. Kenya carried out her research at Converse.
Christine White '99Histological alterations of equine placenta due to Fescue toxicosis.
This project, funded by SCICU, was presented at the SCICU symposium and SCAS, where it won 3 awards. The research was performed at Converse.
|
