by
Kathryn Sandretto '01
Last Friday, April 7, more
than fifty MHC science students gathered to present their independent
research at the twenty-fifth annual science symposium. The symposium showcased
students' theses and independent work and provided an opportunity for
scientists and nonscientists alike to see a variety of research
possibilities. From rat pregnancy to metal composition, there was a
wide variety of subject matter, reflecting the range of student
interests. Participants presented work in biology, chemistry,
biochemistry, neuroscience, physics, computer science, and earth and
environmental studies. "The student presentations were very well done
this year," says Rachel Fink, associate professor of biology. "The
only frustrating part of science symposium is wanting to be at two
different talks at the same time." Alson Burke '00 traveled the
furthest to conduct her research, collecting Trinidadian guppies from
six sites in Trinidad during the summer of 1999. The male guppies
have colorful patches that allow them to attract mates. Working with
Stan Rachootin, professor of biological sciences, Burke is trying to
understand how asymmetry between the right and left side of these
guppies affects their ability to live and reproduce. Presumably, high
symmetry in a male indicates good health--females, at least, seem to
prefer more symmetrical males. Scientists have found that up
to 99 percent of genes are not specific to one organism. Vonnie Lee
'00 has built on previous research in this area in her work with Amy
Frary, visiting assistant professor of biological sciences. Using
gene databases, Lee has identified a genetic marker that is present
in a wide variety of plants, from the tomato plant to rice. Genetic
markers are useful to geneticists in a number of ways, including
constructing genetic maps and determining the relationship between
two species of plants. Erika Haga '00 is interested
in how genes control color vision in women. Women with two genes for
red-green color blindness are always affected with color blindness,
but women with just one abnormal gene usually appear to have normal
vision. Haga has shown, however, that women with only one abnormal
gene can also be color-deficient, if not color-blind, especially in
the periphery of their vision. Haga has done her work with Susan
Barry, associate professor of biological sciences. These women were just a few
of the many students who have spent the past summer and two semesters
engaged in intensive research, a vital part of their science
education at Mount Holyoke.
Katharine Nelson '00,
working with Helen Leung, associate professor of chemistry, and with
a UMass chemistry lab, is studying the properties of surfaces that
allow water to roll off them instead of being absorbed. Through her
work, Nelson hopes to construct a surface that would "shed" water
even better than current surfaces. She believes that this type of
surface would have many commercial applications, from preventing rain
from freezing on an airplane wing to making a better raincoat.
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