THE SALEM STATE BIOLOGIST
FALL 2020
THE SALEM STATE BIOLOGIST FROM THE CHAIR
CONTENTS FALL 2020 From the Chair
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42nd Darwin Festival – February 8-12, 2021
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Faculty News
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Welcome 2 My Membership in the Northeast Faculty Leadership Program (NFLP)
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The Liberian Experience, a 2020 Covid-19 Perspective
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Covid-19 Generates Challenges and Opportunities 3 Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology at Salem State 5 Biology Retirements 2019
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Publications in the Biology Department
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Alumni News
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Welcome to the Fall 2020 issue of our newsletter, the Salem State Biologist. This is my first introduction to the newsletter and the most unique from all the others. As I read previous newsletters describing life in the Biology department, this year has been like no other. As you know, since March 2020, our department, our campus, our lives have been turned upside down as we adjust to the realities forced upon us. But I must say, our staff and faculty, and you, our students, have met these challenges with grace and courage. We know from campus surveys that students are feeling overworked and “overzoomed”. And even though we have a way to go, there is light at the end of this very long, very dark tunnel. The development of vaccines using mRNA technology are showing extreme promise. There is hope. With the vast majority of courses that have gone remote, there isn’t much to report life on campus. I see some masked students in the halls but it has felt surreal. Busy without the bustle. About half of our labs are meeting in person and have adjusted to physical distancing. Hopefully, the Spring semester will be more “normal” since we were proactive in our planning. We have greatly reduced the number of students per lab and increased the number of lab sections. You should notice an improvement to your lab experience with these changes. Our team is planning for the next Darwin Festival but will be held remotely – the show will go on! Read on to see what is afoot in our department. It may be quiet in the halls, but we are still moving forward to help you prepare for your goals. Thank you for your efforts, your ambition, and your understanding. See you on the other side. Stay well. Be safe. David Mercer
42ND DARWIN FESTIVAL – FEBRUARY 8-12, 2021
The pandemic has made the last Darwin Festival, our 41st, seem a long time ago. I clearly remember sitting with Dr. David Mercer in Slater Lecture Hall watching the video “Spillover: Zika, Ebola, and Beyond”. Everyone knew of the latest emerging virus, SARS-CoV-2, but we did not expect that, a month later, we would be in lockdown and Earth would be experiencing a major pandemic.
The biology department at Salem State University seeks to foster in its students an understanding of the human organism as an interactive member of an enormous and diverse biological community.
All smiles at the end of alumna, Ms. Sotheany Leap’s talk. Pictured (left to right): Dr. Paul Kelly, Dr. David Mercer, Dr. Lynn Fletcher, Ms. Sotheany Leap, Dr. Gwen Scottgale, Dr. Nelson Scottgale, Mr. Alex Tran.
This has changed our planning for our 42nd Darwin Festival that will run in the form of 10 webinars, two a day at 11am and 2pm. We will also have a list of streaming videos that students can select from. Invitations are out to guest speakers and we are excited about our next festival!
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THE SALEM STATE BIOLOGIST
FALL 2020
FACULTY NEWS WELCOME “Ola Pessoal”! My name is Laura Laranjo, and I am the newest Assistant professor in the Biology department. I joined SSU last September and it has been an incredible experience – it already feels like home! I was born and raised in Brazil and came to the US when I was 15. I graduated from UMass Lowell with my Bachelor’s in Biology and from Brandeis University with my PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology. At UMass Lowell I worked in a neurobiology lab and during the summer I was part of an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) internship. While in school I joined a team of teachers and we started to teach Biology at local middle schools and high schools. Research and teaching are what inspired me to pursue my PhD. While at Brandeis I taught many classes, mentored several groups (including Posse scholars, SACNAS, REU…) and conducted research in a genetics lab. In lab I discovered how curious I am about DNA mutations. I studied a specific class of mutation created during DNA replication and have made contributions to the field with my publications. In my lab here at SSU I work with a team of incredible students who are just as curious as I am, and our goal is to continue to test FDA-approved drugs for their ability to cause specific types of DNA mutations using bacteria as our model organism. This semester we are collaborating with a lab at Framingham State University to write and publish a review on Oxidative
Stress Response. I am also quite interested in educational research. I love discovering new tools and better ways to teach and learn! My other passion is in outreach. Coming from an unprivileged background, I make it my mission to encourage those who want to pursue science, but do not feel worthy of it. I live by the quote “Be who you needed when you were younger” When I am not at work, I love to spend time with my family – specially with my baby boy Lucas (born June 2019). I love the ocean, to walk on sand, to make Brazilian barbecue, and to sing. As a family we also play in a band and have a lot of fun! My goal is to continue to teach, mentor, and research in lab and in the classroom, to provide to all my students the best teaching experience possible. I am incredibly blessed to be in a team of supportive colleagues and amazing students working with me in the classroom and in the lab. Feel free to email me to introduce yourself and to chat about science/ career goals/research and more.
MY MEMBERSHIP IN THE NORTHEAST FACULTY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (NFLP) by Ethel J. Gordon, PHD
The process all began in April of 2019 when our Dean, Gail Gasparich, received a letter from Northeastern University describing a novel leadership program subtitled “Faculty Success Through Diversity,” and describing the sparsity of underrepresented minorities (URM) in administrative position in four-year institutions. Northeastern University (NU) cited a study by the American Council on Education that found persons of color occupied only fourteen (14) per cent of such positions. These findings motivated Administrators at NEU to collaborate with leaders from other area schools and to write the grant proposal that is now funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation targeting tenured Underrepresented Minorities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The Program defines Underrepresented Minority as Black/ African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, or Alaskan and Pacific Islander. Members of the collaboration include Boston University, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, Suffolk University, Tufts University, and University of Massachusetts Boston. After reviewing the program goals, the schedule, and the established leadership of the partner institutions, Dean Gasparich felt it would be an advantage for Salem State to participate and nominated me as our inaugural representative. It was an honor to be nominated, and so I said “yes”. But acceptance meant more than agreement. I needed to write my acceptance letter, submit a detailed CV, and commit to the Program’s complex schedule. In addition, recruits agreed to meet at several academic locations in Boston, initially for full day workshops. We read the Strengthfinder 2.0 book by Tom Rath 2
and completed a “Clifton Strengths Assessment” based on the book. Our discussions often began before breakfast and went through lunch, with specific workshops or activities for each day. The program launched at the start of our spring semester 2020, which meant that I would miss the first full week of classes. I converted my classes to a hybrid model where I scheduled in-class quizzes, discussions, and concept mapping for live classes, but recorded lectures and used Canvas messages for travel days. I was concerned about how my classes would adjust to the new format. We, the inaugural recruits, learned about skill building. We learned about Leadership Framing and Teamwork. We had a series of presentations on “How the University Works.” I felt that I had suddenly been immersed in an intense graduate course on Academic Administration and Finances. The program includes networking, identifying opportunities, reflection, skill building, university finances, and a cohort challenge. The cohort challenge is a small group in-depth study of topics important for all universities in our area. I chose the topic: Global University Partnerships in Teaching and Research and formed a cohort with others of similar interests. As our cohort study advanced, we scheduled meetings before the regular sessions, or at the end of the day’s formal activities. Each cohort was to have submitted a White Paper on the research topic in mid-March and a final presentation to area deans and provosts in April 2020. But then the pandemic hit and changed life for everyone.
THE SALEM STATE BIOLOGIST
FALL 2020
THE LIBERIAN EXPERIENCE, A 2020 COVID-19 PERSPECTIVE Jevin Corrado and Joseph Buttner THE LIBERIAN EXPERIENCE
Initiating in 2011, students and faculty at Salem State University (SSU) have participated in an evolving Liberian Experience. Faculty from Interdisciplinary Studies, Education, Nursing and Biology Departments have visited Liberia multiple times as part of a collaborative initiative with people and groups in Liberia to help secure a sustainable peace. Nearly three dozen students from multiple majors and institutions have accompanied SSU faculty to assist with nurturing a sustainable peace, pursue personal Independent Studies, and gain insight into a vastly different culture and clime. Despite two pathological outbreaks, Ebola in 2014-2015 and the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, the Liberian Experience continues.
AQUACULTURE AND A SUSTAINABLE PEACE
Prerequisites to a sustainable peace include dependable access to education, health care, nutritious food, and personal income. Aquaculture, the cultivation of aquatic organisms, helps to achieve food security and generate income, particularly in upcountry (rural) Liberia.
Figure 1. In 2013, Ganta residents harvested fish by traditional methods in a pond, more accurately a marsh, constructed originally for irrigation purposes. Water level in the pond was lowered and fish harvested during the dry season. The pond filled naturally and was colonized haphazardly by fish during the rainy season.
In 2012, it was determined that many Liberians maintain personal gardens and embrace small-scale agriculture, readily ingest fish as a source of critically needed animal protein, are receptive to learning about and pursuing pond aquaculture as an aquatic garden, and that SSU possesses the expertise to help Liberians enhance aquaculture production. The ongoing aquaculture training program based at the Ganta United Methodist Mission, Nimba County, Liberia has involved three phases: first, to determine what aquaculture infrastructure and experience exists; second, to enhance existing infrastructure; and third, to train people to grow fish, animal protein, more effectively (Figures 1, 2, 3). SSU Biology students have participated in all phases: Lawrence Gleekia 2012, 2013; Tom Pedulla 2013, 2014; Nadine Budrow 2013, 2014; Mirna Portilla 2014; Mike Potter 2018; Angella Bellarose 2019; Jevin Corrado 2020.
COVID-19 GENERATES CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
During Spring Break in March 2020, we originally planned to visit Liberia to assess efficacy of pond management at Ganta, but the covid-19 pandemic aborted our visit. So alternate venues were identified and pursued to provide a meaningful Liberian Experience to SSU students and to assist with management of the pond at Ganta. We, (Biology student, Jevin Corrado and Biology faculty, dr joe) initiated a collaborative effort with our colleagues in Liberia to assess status of aquaculture at Ganta and provide technical guidance. The effort employed electronic exchanges: telephone, email, and Zoom. The approach worked because previous visits by SSU people to Liberia and Liberians to SSU had established personal contacts, trust, and rapport. Images taken and provided by colleagues in Liberia proved particularly effective to convey information as time and culture differences complicated real-time dialogue. Figure 3. In 2018, the fish pond was sampled under the supervision of SSU Biology major, Mike Potter, and dr. joe. After pond modification, its area and volume had increased. An inflow gate (visible in the upper left) and discharge gate had been added. A seine is now used to collect and harvest fish at any time, not just during the dry season, without overly stressing them or lowering water. Techniques to manage the pond more effectively have been developed and embraced.
Figure 2. In 2016, with support from the U.S. Department of State and Fulbright Program, the “marsh� at Ganta was modified into a 0.5 acre fish production pond that could be managed more effectively, while still providing water for crop irrigation. All work was done by hand and coordinated by dr. joe (center).
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THE SALEM STATE BIOLOGIST
WHY JEVIN JOINED THE 2020 LIBERIAN EXPERIENCE — A PERSONAL ASIDE
I (Jevin) became interested in the on-going Liberian Experience as a student enrolled in Fish Biology, instructed by dr. joe during fall semester 2019. Dr. joe announced to the class that a meeting about the Liberian Experience was coming-up and if anyone was interested, they should attend. I enjoyed the work I was doing in Fish Biology and felt that this could be a chance to acquire more experience, use the skills I was then learning to make a difference, and broaden my cultural and professional horizons. While the idea of being a part of the Liberian Experience was exciting to me, it also proved daunting; I had never left the country and was concerned if I would be able to finance it. I didn’t even have a passport and was admittedly somewhat anxious. With the help of Dr. Buttner and other faculty (Drs. Greg Carroll, Interdisciplinary Studies; Alan Shwedel, Education; David Mercer, Biology) involved in the experience, I was able to secure enough funding as well as obtain all the necessary materials and confidence to travel to Liberia. Unfortunately, due to the on-going and evolving covid-19 pandemic the trip was canceled. However, the faculty and students who were planning to go to Liberia remained determined to connect and work with Liberians remotely. Dr Butner and I cooperatively defined a project where we analyzed data collected from the Ganta pond before and after modification. Our working, null hypothesis was that pond modification and management training had no impact on fish production.
Other 2%
Fish Abundance, 2013
African Pike 2%
FALL 2020
Fish Abundance, 2019
Catfish 16%
Catfish 45%
African Pike 41%
Tilapia 53%
Tilapia 41%
Fish Abundance, 2020
African Pike 14%
other 7% Catfish 32%
Figure 4. Fish composition in the Ganta pond was consistently dominated by tilapia (a mid water omnivore), catfish (a benthic omnivore), and African pike (an ambush predator). These fish composed >93%, by number. After pond modification, proportion of fish as tilapia and catfish increased as so did fish diversity (presence of other fishes). Abundance of the ambush predator, African pike, decreased.
Tilapia 47%
Figure 5.Winston Guanu proudly displays an African catfish (Clarius sp.) that he and fellow Liberians at the Mission harvested from the Ganta Pond in April 2020. A tote with other fishes (primarily tilapia and African pike (Hepsetus sp) also harvested is visible in the lower right.
THE STUDY
Fish sampling/harvest information collected before pond modification (March 2013) and after pond modification (March 2019; April 2020) were compared (Figure 4). Sampling/harvest was conducted by Liberians and supervised by SSU faculty/students on-site (2013, 2019) or electronically (2020). During all years, fish populations were dominated by tilapia, catfish, and African pike (Figure 4). Larger and more fish were harvested after pond modification (Figures 5, 6). Fishes collected were readily accepted and ingested by Liberians.
WHAT WE LEARNED
From a personal perspective a meaningful, gratifying Liberian Experience was realized without visiting Liberia and without physically interacting with the people, pond, and environment. Skills learned at SSU were used to generate knowledge, enhance understanding, and create a better reality for all participants. This project shows that SSU faculty and students can pursue collaborative research, spawn meaningful experiences, and make positive contributions even when separated by the Atlantic Ocean and challenged by a pandemic. 4
Total Harvest 225 200
197
175 Number of FIsh
Information generated from analyzing data collected from fish sampling and harvest before and after pond modification has proven broadly valuable. Aquaculture facilitated by SSU has had a positive impact on fish production and yield from the Ganta pond. Perhaps more important, pond management has been transferred to Liberians with some degree of success. Management and training that initiated during on-site visits, have continued and grown through use of electronic guidance in 2020. Through our collaborative interaction, Liberians have enhanced their food security and overall quality of life.
150 125 100
122
75 50
49
25 0
2013
2019
2020
Figure 6. Total number of fish collected during harvests (2013 and 2020) increased after pond modification. Sampling (2019) was conducted to assess fish condition and yielded only a partial harvest; these data are not comparable to those collected in 2013 and 2020, when essentially a complete harvest occurred.
THE SALEM STATE BIOLOGIST
MICROBIOLOGY, VIROLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY AT SALEM STATE Amy B. Sprenkle, PhD
In this time of COVID-19, it is more important than ever to find reliable information so that one may enjoy learning and understanding rather than fear. Engaging in any one of the courses in Microbiology at Salem State can help you along that path. For instance, you would learn that Dr. Amy Sprenkle and Cassandra Kysilovsky at the SEA-PHAGES Symposium. COVID-19 means Coronavirus Disease that began circulating globally in 2019, and SARS-CoV2 is the name of the virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus 2) causing COVID-19. BIO 215 Microbes and the Immune System (3 credits, SR) will give you all the background you need to know without the concern of an in-person lab to attend. It will also teach you to assess the information that is out there to see which is authoritative and which is nonsense. One of the more fascinating things about COVID-19 is why different people react differently to the same virus. The answer lies in each individual’s immune system, which is a very complicated topic, but one that lies on that path of learning and understanding to overcome fear in BIO 215. I hope that if people with come into my courses as ‘germophobes’, they will leave as superorganisms; that is, one with their resident microbes and the knowledge that without them, they would not be long for this Earth. BIO 304 Microbiology and Its Applications (4 credits with lab) is the introductory microbiology course for anyone with a semester of Biology and a semester of Chemistry. The lab is hands on practice of aseptic technique, and develops of deep understanding of what it takes to grow bacteria in the lab, and how to make sure bacteria don’t grow where you don’t want them to, since microbes are ubiquitous! The lab also uses the Tiny Earth curriculum; tagline ‘Studentsourcing Antibiotic Discovery’. The student’s participation in this global research community introduces the student to the process of science as a collaborative, iterative project aimed toward solving an important problem: the lack of antibiotics to treat antibiotic-resistant infections. Students bring in their own soil sample, find bacteria in those soil samples by growing them safely in the lab, then identifying them and asking whether they make antibiotics. Antibiotics are made by microbes to inhibit the growth of other microbes to help them compete for resources in their environment. Human medicine simply figured out how to isolate those compounds and use them to treat infections. But microbes are ancient, elegantly evolved organisms and they have their own defenses against this ongoing biological warfare, hence the problem with drug resistant infections. Another authentic research project that students may join in the microbiology curriculum at Salem State is the SEA-PHAGES program. Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomic and Evolutionary Science has three components: Phage Discovery semester (BIO 132 lab), Bioinformatics semester (BIO 318 Virology and Bioinformatics) and the SEA-PHAGES Symposium, where students from all over the world attend a meeting to learn from others and share their results. Cassandra Kysilovsky (BS BIO 2019) and Dr. Amy Sprenkle attended the SEA-PHAGES Symposium in June 2019(see photo above), and hope that as COVID-19 subsides, attendance at a future symposium will be possible. We are on track to contribute at least two novel actinobacteriophages to the database this fall, and will annotate their genomes in BIO 406 Adv. Micro in the spring. Finally, BIO 317 Methods in Biotechnology (4 credits with lab) can help you learn about how therapeutics to combat COVID-19 are actually made, and students learn to grow cells that are host to viruses so they can be studied safely in vitro and used to manufacture therapeutics and vaccines.
FALL 2020
BIOLOGY RETIREMENTS 2019 We saw three stalwarts retire from our department in 2019. Dr. Alan Young (started here in September 1991) retired at the end of summer 2019, while Drs. Joe Buttner (began in September 1997) and David Tapley (started in September 1998) retired at the end of December 2019. Each provided an update of what they are up to now.
DR. JOE BUTTNER:
“Some view retirement as the penultimate life phase before compost or a time to aestivate on a sofa before the television. Not I. Retirement is time earned to pursue and realize “want to” rather than “have to.” A world of aspirations and opportunities beckon. Since “retirement” two grant proposals have been scribed and several courses instructed. Two 10 inch+ sunfish were caught, released, and my bucket-list accordingly edited. To maintain an energetic schedule, aerobic exercise is diligently pursued multiple times weekly. More germane, I have been afforded time to get involved. I may have exited the 60s, but now as I revisit the 70s it is again time to assert my constitutional rights in the streets and at the polls. Either you are part of the solution or part of the problem, there is no middle ground.”
DR. DAVID TAPLEY:
“Truthfully, I didn’t feel “retired” until summer, since I taught a ¾ course load in Spring 2020 during which, as we all know, COVID struck. So, it was a busy semester for me. I cannot imagine how busy it was for faculty with full teaching Dr. David Tapley with his dog. loads, including labs, or for the students, whose academic lives were disrupted and infused with uncertainty. Before Covid struck, I had been planning a lengthy road trip over about two months, which has been postponed until next year, assuming the pandemic subsides. I will be getting my kicks by heading West on Rt. 66, visiting friends in California, and returning on Rt. 6. Yes, I’m a ‘shunpiker’. I’ve been referring to continued
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THE SALEM STATE BIOLOGIST this as my “666” road trip and I very much look forward to it. I had planned to rescue a dog or two after completing this trip, but since it was postponed, I decided to start the process last summer. It took several weeks, but in October my application to adopt was approved by the Northeast Animal Shelter. Two weeks after meeting Zoé and Maggie, two ten-year-old, mixed-breed (part Chihuahua) sisters, I was allowed to foster them, pending resolution of some medical issues for Maggie. Those have now been addressed, so last week I finalized the adoption process of these two sweet pups. Bonus: they are good travelers on longish road trips, so they will be fine companions for my “666” road trip, whenever it may happen. Honestly, rescuing these two sweet pups is the highlight of my retirement so far.”
FALL 2020
PUBLICATIONS IN THE BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT Faculty and students had success in publishing the following this academic year:
Peer Reviewed Journals Picariello T, Brown JM, Hou Y, Swank G, Cochran DA, King OD, Lechtreck K, Pazour GJ, Witman GB. A global analysis of IFT-A function reveals specialization for transport of membrane-associated proteins into cilia. (2019) J Cell Sci. 2019 Jan 18. pii: jcs.220749. doi: 10.1242/jcs.220749. Tess L. Killpack, Sara M. Fulmer, et al. 2020. Increased Scaffolding and Inquiry in an Introductory Biology Lab Enhance Experimental Design Skills and Sense of Scientific Ability. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 21(2): 21.2.56. DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.v21i2.2143. Tess L. Killpack and Laverne C. Melón. 2020. First-Day Info Sheets: A Tool to Prompt Semester-Long Inclusive Teaching. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 21(1):21.1.14. DOI: 10.1128/jmbe. v21i1.1983. [Contribution to special Issue on “Inclusive Education”] Laura T. Laranjo, Chloe C. Greppi and Melissa S. Kosinski-Collins, 2020. An Upper-Level Biology Course Designed To Develop Science Communication in STEM Majors by Examining the Biotechnology Industry. The American Biology Teacher 82 (6): 1-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2020.82.6.1 Alan M. Young and James A. Elliott, 2020. Life History and Population Dynamics of Green Crabs (Carcinus maenas). Fishes 5(4): 1-42. DOI:10.3390/fishes5010004
Faculty and Student Presentations in Biology Department Acheampong, Ellen presented her work with Dr. Jason Brown, “Isolation and characterization of mutants defective in cilia regeneration in Chlamydomonas reindhartii ” for which she won the NEAS President’s Award for best student poster. 58 th Annual Northeast Algal Symposium. Delissio, L. 2019. Significant contributions of Victorian-era women botanists in Essex County, MA . Sigma Xi North Shore 2018 Symposium. Salem State University, Salem. (poster) Delissio, L. 2019. Shifting seasons: The impact of climate change on an important plant family in Essex County, Massachusetts. Earth Week at Salem State University, Salem. (short talk and panel discussion) Killpack, L.T., “The Development of a Tool to Assess Student Growth in Experimental Design Skills in an Introductory Biology Course” at Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER) annual meeting. Minneapolis, MN. 2018. Poster presentation.
DR. ALAN YOUNG:
“The best part about retirement is being able to do things whenever I want to, including various appointments, errands, conferences and meetings, playing volleyball, visiting my elderly mother on Cape Cod, etc. Another real benefit was my ability to opt out of teaching courses on-line this semester and next. Hopefully I will be able to teach Ecology and Oceanography in-person again next year. Meanwhile I have been busy reviewing manuscripts and writing up research for presentations and publications. The only downside to retirement is that I miss interacting with students and colleagues, but that’s actually due more to COVID than to retirement.” All three are still actively teaching albeit in a part-time capacity. Thank you all for your contributions to making Biology such a passionate, supportive department. 6
Professors Tess Killpack and Thea Popolizio gave several presentations about their work on the ACES grant to redesign the BIO131 lab course. They presented their work “Embedding authentic inquiry and skill-building into Introductory Organismal Biology labs” at the Salem State Pearls and Perils Conference in May 2019, at the MA PKAL Summer Meeting in June 2019, and at the Sigma Xi North Shore Chapter Meeting in February 2020. Darien D. Mizuta, Mark S. Dixon, Edward J. Maney Jr., Mark Fregeau. 2019. Offshore mussel aquaculture: strategies for farming in the changing environment of the Northeast U.S. shelf EEZ. Bull. Jap. Fish. Res. Edu. Agen. No. 49,111–119. “An Update on Results From Offshore Shellfish Aquaculture In Federal Waters Of The Atlantic.” Maney, E. J. Jr, M Fregeau, B. Lee. at Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Exposition and the Milford Aquaculture Seminar. Boston MA January 9 – 11, 2019. “Minimizing Interactions With Protected Species Through Gear Design And Monitoring Efforts At An Offshore Shellfish Farm In Federal Waters In The Gulf Of Maine. ” Maney, E. J. Jr, M Fregeau, B. Lee. at Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Exposition and the Milford Aquaculture Seminar. Boston MA January 9 – 11, 2019. “Permitting An Offshore Mussel Farm In Federal Waters In The Gulf Of Maine: A Case Study. ” Maney, E. J. Jr, M Fregeau. at Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Exposition and the Milford Aquaculture Seminar. Boston MA January 9 – 11, 2019.
THE SALEM STATE BIOLOGIST
ALUMNI NEWS RETURNING TO SSU AS A NURSE PRACTITIONER
My name is Cassandra Joy Soffron and I am a Salem State University (SSU) Biology alumna, and I am now a nurse practitioner. I graduated from SSU Summa Cum Laude in May 2018 with my Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a concentration in Biomedical Sciences, with minors in Chemistry, Physics, and Music. While at SSU, I kept busy working on campus as a biochemistry laboratory supplemental instructor, resident assistant, academic mentor, volunteer at NSMC Salem Emergency Department, and was president of Gamma Sigma Epsilon which is SSU’s Honors Chemistry Society. During three summer breaks and one winter break, I worked at New England Biolabs (NEB) as a student in both the Research and Application/Product Development departments. At NEB, I primarily worked with scientists to develop Next Generation Sequencing products such as oligonucleotide index primers, post-PCR products, purified and developed pseudouridine synthase enzymes for potential future medical use. At the end of every summer, I gave a lecture to the NEB scientists about the progress our lab was making and my contributions to the research. During my Senior year, I wrote my Commonwealth Honors thesis with Dr. Pariser, which was entitled “Music to our ears: cochlear hair cell action upon human perception of music.” My thesis incorporated my passions for biology, physics/fluid dynamics, and music. SSU offered me so many opportunities to grow as a student and a person, and during those 4 years I met amazing study-buddies, friends, and professors who I still enjoy connecting with and learning from. During my undergraduate studies, I knew I wanted to segue into the medical field and spent countless hours researching, networking, and exploring different professional pathways into medicine. I decided becoming a nurse practitioner would be the best fit for me, and continued on to study at Boston College (BC) in the Master of Science Accelerated Nurse Practitioner program from August 2018 to May 2020. I had my final nursing synthesis clinical at the Newton Wellesley Emergency Department where I sharpened my nursing skills, learned time management, and provided fast-paced and quality patient care. This was definitely my most exciting rotation, and I worked extremely hard throughout my program to prove that I was up to the challenge! With certainty, all those hours at SSU and BC spent studying paid off. Halfway through my master’s program at BC I became a Registered Nurse and worked at Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester, where I cared for and grew fond of elderly patients. So many lessons were learned from my patients, especially to cherish every moment with family and loved ones, and to make meaningful connections with those around you. My Nurse Practitioner clinical rotations were at an internal medicine office and a long-term care facility. I spent over 500 hours precepting and seeing patients on my own before sitting for my certification boards. In May 2020 I graduated with my Master of Science degree, and in July of 2020, I became a Certified Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner! I was also inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, received the Clinical Excellence in Adult Gerontology Award, and the Mary Pekarski Memorial Award. Throughout my clinical experiences I discovered that while I loved spending time with my elderly patients, I enjoyed the visits spent with younger individuals and decided to search for jobs in college health. So many changes happen during college, emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally... you name it. I knew I wanted to be a supportive and welcoming healthcare provider to individuals going through the challenges of young adulthood. My very first instinct was to see if SSU was hiring, and was thrilled when there was an open position. I enjoyed my time at SSU as a student so much and felt this was the perfect opportunity to give back to campus while also growing as a professional. I am now a Nurse Practitioner at Counseling and Health Services and am honored to be part of this incredible SSU community once again.
FALL 2020
WHAT IT’S LIKE DOING A PHD My name is Jesse Moreira and, like many of you reading this, I attended Salem State University as a Biology major. After graduating in 2017, I pursued my master’s degree in Physiology at Boston University, and though not by the most linear path, I am now in the final year of my PhD in Physiology at Boston University. I want to share three things with you about being a PhD candidate.
First, doing a PhD is a highly time-consuming choice as it takes, on average, five years to complete. In undergrad, as well as during the beginning of my MS, I was certain I wanted to go to medical school. However, as I began conducting research during my MS, the idea that I might enjoy doing research full-time as well as teaching began to grow on me. Over many months, and with the helpful advice of my friends, family, and partner, I carefully decided I wanted to try to get my PhD. Although this may seem like a long time to commit to. Someone wise told me before I applied, “in five years, you’re going to be 28 regardless of what you do. Do you want to be 28 with a PhD or without one?” Second, pursuing a PhD required a lot of sacrifice. Having a healthy work-life balance is important, of course, but I have yet to meet a successful PhD student who didn’t spend at least the beginning half of their PhD digging into the literature and studying for advanced coursework on weekends and in the evening after the lab. A PhD requires a certain amount of sacrifice, and to be successful in generating great ideas for research projects and grant proposals, one must be on top of the advancements their field is making. This was difficult, but I made sure to schedule daily time for exercise, calling/seeing friends, and eating balanced meals to make sure I was taking care of myself. Third, while I have highlighted that there are hardships that come with doing a PhD, I must say that pursuing one was the best choice I have ever made! Despite the long nights spent writing grant proposals and manuscripts, and several Sundays taking care of laboratory rats, I have grown into a superb scientist. Since the beginning of my PhD, I have given four oral presentations at national conferences like the American Heart Association Hypertension Scientific Sessions and Experimental Biology (pictured above). I am impacting science: I have published one first-authored paper, as well as three middleauthored papers, and have more first-authored works on the way. I have seen New Orleans, LA, Orlando, FL, Chicago, IL, and Keystone, CO. I have met world-renowned scientists and networked with people I have admired for a long time. Most of all, I have found a true passion for discovery, and sharpened my critical reasoning in and out of work. I am so much better for having pursued my PhD, and I’d encourage anyone curious about the world to consider one; you may change science too! Please, if you’re considering pursuing a PhD, feel free to reach out to me. Dr. Ryan Fisher at the SSU Biology dept. has my contact information and can network us!
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THE SALEM STATE BIOLOGIST
MY MEDICAL SCHOOL JOURNEY
My name is Webb Camille and my medical school journey began during my Senior year of high school. As part of the Allied Health Academy at Everett High School, I gained my first experiences of patient interaction. I rotated throughout multiple departments at Whidden Hospital, consisting of the blood bank, respiratory emergency, and geriatric psychology. That experience solidified my dedication to health and medicine and established the rest of my pre-med life. Following matriculation at Salem State University, I sought research opportunities to show my commitment to medical science. I began conducting research with Dr. Brown during my Sophomore year, where I began practicing basic laboratory techniques that were taught in my biology lab courses. When the year concluded, I was presented the opportunity to work in the Witman Lab as a research intern at the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) Medical School. There, my goals were to create mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (a one-celled alga) with dysfunction cilia assemble and motility. I continued the summer research into the following fall semester and throughout the rest of my undergraduate career, producing two poster presentations and a research thesis. In between my Junior and Senior years, I was accepted to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at UMASS Medical School. I completed the program with a poster presentation revealing research on polycystic kidney disease caused by a mutated human protein. After graduating early at the end of the fall semester of 2016, I spent the entirety of the spring semester studying for the MCAT. While I took steps to ensure my readiness for the exam, I decided to gain more clinical experience. I began as a greeter in the ER at Union Hospital in Lynn. Subsequently, I began my surgical services internship at Salem Hospital. My role as an intern was to prepare patients for the operating room, observe their procedure, and finally, prepare them for discharge with proper transportation home. This experience gave me insight on the internal mechanisms and social facet of the hospital, where I learned how to care for patients, and communicate in a team of providers. Academic success and professional exposure were critical to my preparedness for the application cycle, but there were other attributes that were equally important. Playing rugby, being an E-board member, working as a server, and working as an administrative coordinator instilled personal skills that enhanced my character and strengthened my application. I applied to medical school in the summer of 2018, receiving two interviews and one matriculation into a pre-matriculation program at UMASS Medical School. I spent the following year completing half of the medical school curriculum and conducting research in Quantitative Health Science looking into vaping cessation programs for adolescents. At the end on the school year, I received my official matriculation into the medical school class of 2023 and publish my first work as a quantitative health investigator. I am currently a second-year medical student applying to matriculate into the MD/PhD program at UMASS Medical School.
AN UPDATE FROM ANA PERULLA
While a Biology Major (2017) at Salem State, I worked closely with Dr. Joe Buttner exploring the world of aquaponics. I designed and built a system that is still being used by students today Ana Perulla (on the right) with and facilitated a Dr. Joe Buttner and Laura Presutti – Commencement, 2017. publication in a scientific journal. This experience allowed me to extend my abilities to create, troubleshoot, and manage life. I had a rewarding time growing vegetables from seed to table and keeping fish alive. I realized that I can do more than previously imagined. Creating was never my strong suit, but developing this system extended my boundaries and allowed me to realize my true potential. After graduation I moved to Milwaukee to manage the largest salt water fish culture facility in the Midwest for a little over a year. I then returned to the East Coast to work as a Fisheries Observer for NOAA. Both jobs proved gratifying and provided skills that I still use today. I currently work as a Molecular Technician at Aurora Diagnostics, a pathology lab in New Hampshire. I operate Roche and Hologic machines to determine if patients have contracted various diseases such as HIV/ AIDS, cancers, and now Covid-19. The skills I learned at Salem State, particularly in Microbiology, are essential for my day-to-day activities. Though I miss working will fish, I am truly enjoying the work I do now. Using my degree to aid others during the pandemic is very rewarding. In the near future, I plan to set up an aquaponics system at home to keep those skills fresh and produce my own vegetables. Salem State opened doors for me and has provided the means to grow, learn and contribute in ways unanticipated as a student.
CAT COVE MARINE LAB – SEAAHEAD REPORT Our Cat Cove Marine Lab, the home of NEMAC (Northeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center), benefited from a report completed by ‘SeaAhead – Bluetech Innovation’ (https://sea-ahead.com/). The report looked at a possible future strategy for aquaculture at the lab. The proposed strategy is focused on three areas: •
An expansion of research and development at the lab
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An increased focus on workforce development
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Moving the offshore mussel farm to commercial operations.
This report highlights the significant future potential of our Cat Cove Marine Lab, at a very challenging time for Salem State University. For the full report, please visit our ‘Biology Beyond the Classroom’ Canvas page at: https://elearning.salemstate.edu/courses/1166744/pages/biologystudent-resources 8
FALL 2020