Three 黑料科 students joined 4,500 students and faculty members from across the country to present their research at the National Conference on 黑料科 Research (NCUR) in Pittsburgh, PA in April.

• Risa Palmer 鈥�27 presented her poster titled 鈥淓ffects of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) on Differentiated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell (dVSMC) Wound Recovery.鈥�
• Keiryn Sandahl 鈥�27 shared her paper, 鈥淧reserving a Faith in Humanity.鈥�
• Riley Van Heukelum 鈥�27 discussed his research on 鈥淩eception of Video Games over the Past Forty Years.鈥�

鈥淭hese three students were nominated from across campus and worked diligently to present their research to a wide audience clearly, concisely, and compelling,鈥� said Laurie Dashnau, Ph.D., professor of English and director of the Writing Center, who accompanied the students to the conference. 鈥淥ur students attended all kinds of oral and poster presentations, too, including research-informed ones in dance and music and about social advocacy. It was a wonderful time of sharing, learning, and developing professional skills.鈥�

Each student conducted their research under the guidance of esteemed Houghton faculty members, including associate professor of Biology Ransom Poythress, Ph.D., professor of History Chris Esh, Ph.D., professor of Philosophy Benjamin Lipscomb, Ph.D., professor of English Susan Bruxvoort-Lipscomb, Ph.D. and assistant professor of Physics Katrina Koehler, Ph.D..

黑料科 welcomed students and faculty from five regional institutions for the 2024 Penn-York 黑料科 Research Conference. The event, co-chaired by Houghton faculty Mark Borchert, Ph.D. and Laurie Dashnau, Ph.D., demonstrated the University’s ongoing commitment to undergraduate research.

Regional Collaboration

The November gathering brought 35 students and 10 faculty members to Houghton’s campus, representing Alfred University, St. Bonaventure University, PennWest University, St. John Fisher University and University of Pitt-Bradford. Houghton’s Eli Knapp, Ph.D. delivered the keynote address, “Shacking Up with [Aldo] Leopold: Research as the Ultimate Inclusive Sport.”

The presentations showcased the depth and variety of undergraduate research opportunities available at Houghton, where students work closely with faculty mentors to pursue their academic interests.

“Participating in the post-pandemic revival of this conference鈥攚hich Houghton has been affiliated with since 2005 and which last occurred virtually in 2020鈥攚as extremely gratifying,” remarked Dashnau. “We already are looking forward to taking many Houghton students to next year’s conference, which will be hosted at the University of Pennsylvania at Bradford.”

David Brubaker, M.D., has been chosen as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for the 2024-25 academic year. The , administered by the U.S. Department of State, will allow Brubaker to teach at in southwestern Uganda.

Brubaker, an assistant professor of biology and the director of Health Services at 黑料科, was drawn to this opportunity to contribute to Bwindi Hospital鈥檚 Christ-centered ministry focused on improving the health and dignity of the Batwa people, who were displaced when their forest home was designated as a protected habitat for mountain gorillas in 1991. The invitation to teach at Bwindi came from Dr. Scott Kellermann, co-founder of the Bwindi Community Hospital, during a visit to Houghton in early 2023. 鈥淗is description of how they are strategically training health care workers to meet medical needs and increase access to care in an underserved area of Uganda was compelling,鈥� said Brubaker. 鈥淚 was excited by his suggestion that, given my 15 years of teaching Anatomy and Physiology and medical background, I could be involved in that work.鈥�

Brubaker will support the and Uganda College of Health Sciences-Bwindi training programs by teaching Anatomy and Physiology in collaboration with Ugandan faculty. This situation was made possible through the Fulbright award.

鈥淭he Fulbright Scholar program has been considered one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the country since its founding in 1946,鈥� said David Davies, provost at Houghton.

Dr. Brubaker鈥檚 selection as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar is a tremendous honor and a testament to his excellence as a scholar and educator. He is a blessing to the 黑料科 community, and I am confident God will use him to bless the people of Uganda in the coming academic year.

David Davies, Provost

The application process for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award was rigorous and involved submitting a project proposal, supplemental essays and letters of recommendation. Brubaker鈥檚 application was reviewed by a committee of peers and approved by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Brubaker expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Ugandan colleagues, broadening his understanding of tropical medicine and public health, and learning more about the Batwa story. His dedication to education and commitment to addressing healthcare inequities make him an ideal candidate for this prestigious fellowship.

鈥淢y experience has been that any time I have the privilege of engaging in a cross-cultural context, it opens my eyes to the needs and lives of others, broadening my perspective and opening unexpected doors. It makes my world larger and deepens my understanding of others, and in doing so enriches my life, often in ways not easily articulated or even specifically recognized in the moment,鈥� continued Brubaker. 鈥淢ostly, I feel grateful–for the honor of being selected, for the chance to share this experience with my family, for supportive and encouraging colleagues both here and in Uganda, for the privilege of collaborating with brothers and sisters in the Lord who are dedicated to seeing and advocating for a people group which has been marginalized over the years, and for the way I can see the Lord鈥檚 hand at work in my life through what has been an unconventional career path to prepare me for this particular work.鈥�

David Brubaker, M.D., Assistant Professor of Biology and Director of Health Services at 黑料科.

黑料科, New York鈥檚 leading evangelical Christian university, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new major in Forensic Science. This innovative program combines the natural sciences with criminal investigation, providing students with a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of science, faith and restorative justice.

“Our new Forensic Science program builds on Houghton’s historic strengths in both the natural and social sciences to offer an education that equips students for success in this exciting and growing field,” said David Davies, provost. “These courses, coupled with our innovative humanities and religion courses, will ensure that our graduates have the skills to combine scientific analysis with moral and ethical reasoning to develop critical and creative responses to the range of forensic science issues encountered in today’s world.”

Under the guidance of experienced professors, students will evaluate physical evidence, develop the ability to use quantitative and qualitative tools and delve into the physical and ethical challenges of the criminal justice system.

“Forensic Science program is a natural outgrowth of Houghton’s focused excellence in the natural sciences in combination with our firm Christian foundational pursuit of truth, righteousness, and justice,” explained Ransom Poythress, associate professor of biology.

By combining amazing lab experiences, deep Biblical discussions, and real-world internship opportunities, it’s a perfect major for our students to demonstrate their already nationally recognized critical analysis abilities, high integrity, excellent communication, and Christ-like love.

Ransom Poythress, Associate Professor of Biology

Located less than an hour away from one of New York State’s few crime labs in Olean, NY, Houghton offers students the chance to not only engage in hands-on labs and experiments but also apply for internships in research and crime labs. This proximity to real-world forensic science facilities enhances practical learning experience and prepares students for future careers in the field.

黑料科’s Forensic Science program is now accepting applications for the upcoming academic year. Prospective students interested in pursuing a career at the intersection of science and justice are encouraged to visit the university’s website for more information.

黑料科 assistant professor of biology, Daniel Hammers, published a new article with the assistance of student Emily Wahlenmayer 鈥�24. The article, titled “,” was published in the Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. This open-access review article may influence the development of effective treatments for infections caused by Streptococcal bacteria as it explores the relationship between bacterial peptides and their impact on host immune systems.

The research conducted by Hammers and Wahlenmayer sheds new light on the interactions between Streptococcal bacteria and their hosts, particularly humans. By delving into recent literature, the article highlights the significant effects and activities of a class of molecules called peptides. While these peptides are primarily known for their antimicrobial activities, the research reveals several ways bacteria are able to interact with their hosts through the use of these peptides.

This publication is the latest supporting example for Houghton’s reputation for excellence in research and collaboration between faculty and students. Houghton students enjoy these unique opportunities compared with peers from other institutions, ranking 32 percentage points higher than the average at other Christian colleges for working with a faculty member on a research project based on the most recent National Survey of Student Engagement.* This includes recent advancements in Alzheimer鈥檚 research, experiments conducted at the Laboratory of Laser Energetics and research at the Los Almos Laboratories in New Mexico. As Houghton continues to make strides in scientific discovery, the University remains committed to its core values of student-centered teaching aimed toward making a positive impact on society.

Hammers and Wahlenmayer鈥檚 research and publication were made possible by awards from the 黑料科 Biology department, a grant from the Faculty Development Committee and an award from the Provost鈥檚 Office at Houghton.

*Compared to other members of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, NSSE 2023 Snapshot听

Recently, 41 high school students from homeschool groups and Christian schools attended a Saturday Lab event hosted by 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 Sigma Zeta club. Members of Sigma Zeta helped the students perform labs in the areas of chemistry, biology, and physics where they explored pH using a universal indicator and pH meters, identified bacteria through gram staining, and used Geiger counters to examine materials for radioactivity and exponential decay in M&Ms.

At the end of the day, the high schoolers voted on their favorite lab. Although chemistry came out on top, students said they enjoyed getting to eat the extra M&Ms at the end of the physics lab. Karen Torraca, professor of chemistry and faculty advisor for Sigma Zeta, oversaw the lab.

鈥淭he Sigma Zeta Lab Saturday was a great experience for students to learn about pH, bacteria, and radioactivity in fun and hands-on ways. It was exciting to see labs full of high school students on a Saturday afternoon, eager to learn about the beauty and wonder of God鈥檚 creation.鈥澨� 听 听-Karen Torraca

The Sigma Zeta club is a national honors society that promotes excellence in the natural sciences, computer science, and mathematics at Houghton. Sigma Zeta hosted its first lab event in 2014 as a way for high school students to experience what a college lab is like, and to give members the opportunity to teach some of the interesting labs they have learned during their time at Houghton. The Sigma Zeta students organize the event by setting the date, planning the labs that they want to do, and teaching the labs to the high school students.

Eli Knapp 鈥�00, professor of ecology, contributed to a about the incentives behind elephant poaching in African countries.

In 2017, Knapp co-authored a survey that asked Tanzanians who lived on the perimeter of one of the country鈥檚 many national parks why they illegally killed wildlife.

鈥淚t鈥檚 my own small contribution to help spread the word about two beleaguered populations that need assistance: East Africa鈥檚 rural poor and the African elephant,鈥� said Knapp. 鈥淲e鈥檙e in this together, people and wildlife; diminishing one diminishes both. So we have to find a way to coexist. I鈥檝e long agreed with the notion that ultimately conservation is about people. My research鈥攁nd this article鈥攕hows exactly that.鈥�

Houghton Graduate Ronald Lott 鈥�20 has been recognized as Student Doctor of the Year by Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). LECOM recognized Lott to be an outstanding student, serving as a student doctor within his community. He participated in several research projects at LECOM such as COVID-19-induced myocarditis and Arnold Chiari Malformation associated Juvenile Scoliosis. The selection committee also acknowledged Lott as someone who embodies all the great qualities of a future outstanding osteopathic physician, with a positive attitude that brings out the best in everyone.

Lott gained early acceptance into LECOM through an accelerated program at Houghton that enables students early access to medical school by meeting certain academic requirements. While attending Houghton, Lott participated in Science Honors, was part of the Varsity Baseball team, and served as a student leader.

鈥淩onnie was an exceptionally delightful student. He was exuberant, encouraging, diligent, and cheerful. He was kind and respectful and I think every Professor was thrilled if they looked at their course roster and saw that Ronnie was signed up. He was a real blessing to me, to the Bio department, and to the Institution.鈥�

Ransom Poythress, Associate Professor of Biology

Ronald Lott has also been nominated for National Student Doctor of the Year.

黑料科 student club, Sigma Zeta, hosted a Saturday lab event for high school students on November 19th. Students from homeschool groups, Cuba-Rushford, Fillmore and Cornerstone Christian School completed three different labs in the areas of chemistry, biology, and physics. The labs for this semester鈥檚 event were examining the triple point of carbon dioxide using dry ice, dissecting a sheep eyeball, and learning about momentum with carts and tracks. The Sigma Zeta Houghton students guided the high school students through each exercise.听

One student said, 鈥淭he teachers were wonderful! They were very helpful and friendly. We were kept engaged throughout the labs, and I would come again.鈥�

鈥淭he Sigma Zeta Lab Saturday event enables high school students to get hands-on lab experience in a university setting,鈥� said Karen Torraca, professor of chemistry and faculty advisor for Sigma Zeta. 鈥淲ith the help of 黑料科 students who are passionate about science and math, participants are able to connect with science in fun and meaningful ways,鈥澨�

The Sigma Zeta club is a national honors society to promote excellence in the natural sciences, computer science, and mathematics at Houghton. Sigma Zeta started putting on these lab events in 2014 as a way to allow high school students to experience what a college lab is like. The Sigma Zeta students organize the event by setting the date, planning the labs that they want to do, and teaching the labs to the high school students. These events give the Sigma Zeta members a great opportunity to teach some of the interesting labs that they have learned, and help high school students get a better understanding of some of the different areas of science.

Blake Eby 鈥�23 and Dr. Paul A. Martino, professor of Biochemistry, represented 黑料科 at the 2022 Alzheimer鈥檚 Association International Conference. They presented a poster entitled 鈥淒rug Repurpose Screening Identifies Regorafenib As Potential Amyloid-Beta Aggregation Inhibitor.鈥� The poster and research presented included contributions听 by Blake Eby and Dr. Paul A. Martino, as well as Skye Chapel 鈥�23, Evan Kasper 鈥�23, Gabriella Mancini 鈥�21, Isaiah Miller 鈥�23, Liam Fisher 鈥�24, and Prof. Carmen McKell, associate professor of Data Science, who were not in attendance at the conference.听

Dr. Martino mentioned how proud he was of the group who worked on the presentation and being able to see the final results saying, 鈥淭his was the summation of a large effort on our part and it was amazing to see how we fit into the massive effort to study Alzheimer’s Disease.鈥�

This research began in the summer of 2021 as part of the Shannon Summer Research Institute. The project was a collaboration between Biochemistry and Data Science students. The students conducted their research over the course of 10 weeks with the mentorship of Dr. Martino and Professor Mckell, and major support from alumni, Robert Van Dyk.