NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY CONCENTRATION CONGRATULATES NEW GRADUATES

Congratulations to the Salem State University Nuclear Medicine program graduating class of 2023 pictured with new NMT Clinical Coordinator Michael Soden (SSU NMT 2018 alumni). Class of 2023 is the largest group the NMT program has had in over 10 years. The Nuclear Medicine field is growing and in need of certified technologists. The class of 2023 had job offers starting in January, 4 months prior to graduating! Congrats NMT class of 2023!

Bio461 Dna Fingerprinting Course Making Strides

Professors Thea Popolizio and Tess Killpack developed a new course for Biology students titled “Introduction to DNA Barcoding.” DNA barcodes are designated DNA regions that are found in all organisms of a given taxon (plants, animals, fungi), but the precise sequences are unique from species-to-species, and therefore can serve as species identifiers. DNA barcoding is a powerful molecular technique used in diverse fields such as ecology, conservation, and forensics, to determine the identity of living specimens. Through the course students gain training in lab techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and Gel Electrophoresis. Amplified DNA from the samples is sent for Sanger sequencing. Students receive the results and are trained in bioinformatics techniques to analyze the sequences and make an identification. Students apply their DNA barcoding knowledge and skills to original student-designed research projects in their areas of interest, including food and nutritional product forensics, biodiversity surveys, and ecological research.

Dr. Tess Killpack June 2023

Undergraduate Research Day May 2023

Salem State Research Day took place on Monday, May 8, 2023 in the O’Keefe Center. The event was buzzing with excitement celebrating the scholarly and creative activities of our students. Congratulations to all the Biology students who presented posters and thank you to their dedicated faculty mentors!

Cam Boisvert - “Mining Genomes for Transcription Factors Involved with Cilia Assembly” (Mentor: Dr. Jason Brown)

Robyn Cashins - “Independent Study in Aquaponics” (Mentor: Dr. Joe Buttner)

Seen Around

Dr. David Mercer (Chair of Biology), Alumna Sydney Addorisio, Dr. Ryan Fisher, and Dr. Marilyn Francis – visiting Tufts University Biology Labs, May 2023

Biology faculty and PULSE Ambassadors during a workshop in May 2017

Iyannah Tillman and Genesis Najarro - “Research in Biology: A Search for Antibiotics in our Coastal Marine Setting” (Mentor: Dr. Amy Sprenkle)

Iyannah Tillman and Genesis Najarro explaining their project

Kriza Baldow - Discovery and Annotation of Microbacterium foliorum Actinobacteriophages and Statistical Analysis of the Percentage of Genes with No Known Function across the E Cluster” (Mentor: Dr. Amy Sprenkle)

- “Effect of Vermicompost on Tomato Plant Growth” (Mentor: Dr. Ryan Fisher)

Michael

Lindsay Aubin and Samantha White - “Using DNA Barcoding as Evidence to Detect “Fish Fraud” in Local Restaurants” (Mentor: Dr. Thea Popolizio)