SRU biology majors earn three CPUB first-place awards

April 24, 2019

Twelve Slippery Rock University students recently presented research at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists meeting at Edinboro University, including three students who won first-place awards.

Annette Choi, a senior biology major from South Korea, won first place for her poster presentation, "Utilizing live-cell imaging in Drosophila cells to identify stressors that induce protein misfolding." Kathryn Skolnick, a senior dual major in biology and chemistry from Fairport, New York, won first place for her poster presentation, "Examination of HSF activation in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Model for TPI Deficiency." Ryan Riegel, a senior biology major from Centre Hall, won first place for his poster presentation, "Analysis of the Role of Melatonin in Tissue Regeneration in Drosophila melanogaster."

CPUB is an organization that supports teaching and research of faculty in the biological sciences at institutions in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. More than 150 students from 12 PASSHE universities presented research in poster or platform sessions at the CPUB meeting.

Other SRU presenters included:

• Hannah Adams, a sophomore biology major from Hawthorn.

• Gabrielle Bachtel, a junior biology major from North Canton, Ohio.

• Luke Gregory, a senior biology major from Murrysville.

• Joshua Jones, a senior biology major from Butler.

• Emily Lackner, a senior biology major from Pittsburgh.

•  Emily Reed, a senior biology major from Volant.

• Austin Shirk, a junior biology major from Elizabethtown.

• McKenzie Mountain, a junior biology major from Edinboro.

• Victoria Pasquale, a senior biology major from Salt Point, New York.