For Immediate Release: July 8, 2013

SACKVILLE, NB — The Mount Allison University campus is buzzing with activity with a record number of students working as summer researchers in many disciplines.

Over 50 second, third, and fourth-year undergraduate students, as well as some graduate science students, are working side-by-side with their professors in laboratories and in the field.

“Student research activity is an important educational component for many at Mount Allison,” says University provost and vice-president, academic and research Dr. Karen Grant. “Along with gaining valuable hands on experience, many of our students serve as co-authors on research publications with their professors. This is not normally done at the undergraduate level and serves as a unique learning experience for Mount Allison students.”

Student research positions are funded through the Mount Allison internal summer student research awards, as well as several external organizations including the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (Research Assistantships Initiative), the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust, the New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network; the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Foundation.

Some Mount Allison summer research projects for 2013 include:

Mount Allison biology student Amelia MacDonald, right, examines inhabitants from a mudflats sample from the upper Bay of Fundy. MacDonald assessing the impacts of invasive green crabs in the area.

Biology student Amelia MacDonald of Dartmouth, NS will be assessing the impacts of invasive green crabs on mudflats of the upper Bay of Fundy. The European Green Crab is very invasive and has altered the ecological balance of many eco-systems where it has established populations. This crab was recently found in parts of the Bay of Fundy, raising concerns for local ecosystems, including invertebrates, flatfish, and migrating shorebirds. MacDonald’s field research will help determine if there is an established breeding population and give biologists a better understanding of the current status of green crabs, potential effects of this species, and resource management in the upper Bay of Fundy. MacDonald is the recipient of an NSERC undergraduate student research award and will be completing her work with biology professor Dr. Diana Hamilton and adjunct professor Dr. Dave Drolet from the department of fisheries and oceans.

Mount Allison psychology student Danielle Biss, seated, and psychology professor Dr. Louise Wasylkiw are studying the readiness of post-secondary education and working on the development of a screening tool.

Psychology student Danielle Biss of Etobicoke, ON is studying the Readiness of post-secondary education – development of a screening tool, working with supervisor and award-winning professor Dr. Louise Wasylkiw. Life skills such as financial management, planning, and making meals are commonly acknowledged as important skills for the transition to post-secondary education and independent living but are not formally measured. This research project will seek to establish a scale of readiness for high school students, their parents, teachers, and guidance counselors. Biss was awarded a research grant from the New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network for her project. See more about their study at www.personalitylab.ca

Mount Allison religious studies student Lucas Cober, left with religious studies professor Dr. Fiona Black is studying contemporary illustrated Bibles and issues representing the scared

Religious studies student Lucas Cober of Sackville, NB will be working with 2013 Mount Allison Tucker Teaching Award recipient Dr. Fiona Black on his research project entitled Worth a thousand words? Contemporary illustrated Bibles and issues representing the scared. There is a long history in Christianity of illustrating biblical stories. While addressing illiteracy, images can also influence and add meaning to text. Cober will study graphic art Bibles in comparison to their written text, looking specifically at the Manga Bible. Cober has received an internal summer student research award from Mount Allison.

Mount Allison chemistry student Jessica Miller works in the ‘glove box’ in Dr. Steve Westcott’s chemistry lab. Miller will be examining boron and platinum as novel approaches to the treatment of breast cancer as her summer research project.

Chemistry student Jessica Miller of Dieppe, NB will be examining boron and platinum as novel approaches to the treatment of breast cancer with chemistry professor and Canada Research Chair in Boron Chemistry Dr. Steve Westcott and biology professor Dr. Vett Lloyd. Miller’s research project draws on previous work looking at cisplatin, an alkylating agent, used to treat cancer of the bladder, ovaries, and testicles but also has dangerous side effects. She will examine the development of platinum-based complexes, with increased solubility as an additional treatment for cancer cells, focusing on breast cancer. Miller is the recipient of a research grant from theBeatrice Hunter Cancer Research Foundation.