Student’s research in national spotlight

Brian Culp, a geology and planetary geoscience science major, will present his research on “Integration of Quickbird Satellite Imagery and GIS to Map Subzones within a Salt Marsh near Wallops Island, VA” in Washington, D.C., on April 12 to 13. His research was one of 74 chosen out of more than 700 reviewed for the Council of Undergraduate Research “Posters on the Hill” event.

The purpose of Culp’s research is to highlight the importance of undergraduate research, which he will have an opportunity to promote first-hand this week meeting face-to-face with several Congressional legislators. Cynthia Venn and Michael Shepard, of the Department of Geography and Geosciences, were co-authors on Culp’s research, which will be among the many student research projects featured in BU's inaugural Research Day on April 29.

Future scientists compete in Science Iditarod

BU's 2011 Science Iditarod was held on Friday, April 15, with teams of high school students converging on campus for a quiz-bowl competition in geosciences, biology, chemistry and physics. Teams included North Schuylkill Area, Upper Dauphin Area, Wyoming Area, Lourdes Regional, Western Wayne Area, Bloomsburg Area, Mt. Carmel Area, Pittston Area and local home-schooled students.

Students get in-the-field education

 
A group of health physics, engineering technology and physics students toured the 150-year-old Benton Foundry this fall, where they learned technical aspects of gray iron, ductile iron and austempered ductile iron.

The group also received a presentation on CAD drawings, 3D modeling and solidification analysis, as well as a lab presentation on testing and analysis. Joining the trip were Timothy Gildea, Jason Derr, Eric Wieand, Michael Dutko, Juan Castaneda and John Huckans, assistant professor of physics and engineering technology.

Nanotechnology students making the grade

Jackie North and Andrew Sibley, seniors in the chemistry and biochemistry department, are completing 18 credits this summer at Penn State University as part of BU’s new nanotechnology track. Nanotechnology is the study of the controlling of matter on an atomic and molecular scale.

Student group honored for community work

Kristina Kachur, Dan Downing, and Lauren Robinson, members of BU’s Geography and Planning Society, accepted a certificate of appreciation from the Town of Bloomsburg at an Arbor Day ceremony for the bare root tree planting the society did last fall. This is Bloomsburg’s 15th year as a Tree City USA. Group photo
 

BU team to conduct summer research

 
Ju Xin, associate professor of physics, Andrew Gerhart, and David Moyer, sophomores in BU’s engineering science 3+2 program, recently won a competition to participate in the Faculty and Student Team (FaST) program.

The team will conduct a 10-week summer research project at Brookhaven National Lab, Long Island, N.Y. The program is jointly sponsored by Department of Energy and National Science Foundation.

COST honors high achievers

BU's Physics and Engineering Technology Department recently inducted five new members into the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society. In order to be considered for Sigma Pi Sigma, students must have at least a 3.2 GPA in upper level physics classes. New members include Jason Vognetz, Tyler Latsha, Eric Otruba, Alex Hallden-Abberton and Aaron Ohl.

Also pictured: Mike Dutko, winner of Outstanding EET student, and Andrew Gerhart, winner of Levi-Gray Scholarship, who were honored at the College of Science and Technology (COST) symposium.

Student research showcased at conference

Members of BU’s National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Research Committee recently presented three research projects at the 2010 PSHA Convention in State College. Faculty advisement was provided by Pamela Smith and Thomas Zalewski.

 
Students presenting research include Sarah Kitko, Erin Lolley, Stephanie Marcino, Carolyn Novaleski, Leeanna Erway, Chip Benedict, Leeann Koch, Kristin Horan, DJ Tanney, Katlin Fleischut, Stefanie Williams, Stefanie Chaffee, Meredith Pfister, Britani Bartello, Kristi Sekulski, Marian Shovlin, Michelle Griffin, and Carolyn Novaleski. Photo gallery ...

Nursing students “Hunt for Health”

BU’s Department of Nursing held a health fair at Sullivan County High School, hosted by 37 senior nursing students covering topics based on the needs of the county after conducting a community-wide assessment. Students, 7-12 grade, participated in games, a scavenger hunt and enjoyed healthy food choices.

Physics student lands scholarship

 
Eric Otruba, a junior physics and health physics major, was recently awarded a $1,500 scholarship from the local American Nuclear Society chapter.

Otruba, a dean’s list student, is pictured with (L-R) Tim Rausch, chief nuclear officer and senior VP of PPL Susquehanna; David Simpson, health physics program coordinator and associate professor of physics and Jeff Helsel, plant manager for PPL Susquehanna.

Students help locals maintain health

Students from BU’s adult health development program led exercises recently at the Columbia-Montour Aging Office’s day program at St. Luke’s Church. The course is offered by the department of exercise science and taught by Leon Szmedra.

The course matches BU students as training partners with adults ages 50 and over to help them maintain their strength, flexibility and quality of life. (Pictured) Samantha Oman, an ASL/English interpreting major, lifts weights with her training partner Angela.

Student programmers put to the test

More than 175 students representing 40 teams from regional high schools competed March 30 in the 15th Annual High School Programming Contest, hosted by BU’s mathematics, computer science and statistics department in the Kehr Union Ballroom.

Student teams tackled a series of computer programming problems with varying difficulty. Winning teams were determined by how many problems they solved within three hours. Photo gallery

Students clean up local riding trails

BU’s Geography and Planning Society recently helped clear and prepare horse riding trails at EOS Therapeutic Riding Center, Bloomsburg, for the upcoming season. EOS is a non-profit organization where kids and adults with special needs can ride horseback and develop skills and friendships.

New student group making strides

A new BU chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has been formed to promote industries relating to electricity and provide a network for those in the field. IEEE, dating back about a century, is a globe-spanning institution with 375,000 members in 160 countries, making it the largest professional organization in globally.