Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
Issue link: http://dysoncollege.uberflip.com/i/427001
15 Year in Review • 2013–2014 Q. A. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO PACE? My adviser, Dyson Professor Melissa Grigione, and the opportunity to work with her in Patagonia. I came to Pace in the fall of 2014 to begin classes and start preparing for my part of the project in Patagonia. Unfortunately, the start-date for the project was moved back for logistical reasons, and my involvement as a master's student was hindered. Upon realizing this, we decided that it would be best if I returned to the project in Wyoming and conducted analyses here for my thesis work instead. I will remain in Wyoming until I finish my research and travel back to Pace to meet with Melissa. Robert Marvin '14, Maximillian Baria '15, Tyler Brescia '15, Eric Nguyen '16, and Samantha Pace '16, students from the Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, presented posters at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Dallas, Texas, from March 16–20. At the conference, Assistant Professor Elmer-Rico Mojica and the students had the opportunity to meet Donna Nelson, the scientific adviser of the hit TV series Breaking Bad. Extraordinary Science—Nancy Krucher Awarded NIH Grant In March 2014, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded Pleasantville Biology Professor Nancy Krucher a $360,000 grant for her work in breast cancer research. The three-year grant will support a project that uses 3D models of breast cancer tumors to study a mechanism to induce tumor cell death. On Point at the SHARPP Lab A new psychology research lab was established on the Westchester Campus that offers students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience conducting psychological research, and to gain a better understanding of what psychological researchers do. The SHARPP Lab was created for students to study social, health, and relational positive psychology (SHARPP). The lab enables students to learn about the complex interactions between individuals and groups, and how these relationships can affect the health and well-being of the individuals. Students will develop studies, run tests, collect data, and present findings. They will also learn to be part of a research team, developing decision-making and leadership skills. Assistant Professor of Psychology Angela M. Legg oversees the lab. Science Students Break Bad The first chapter of my thesis will address fine-scale habitat selection of mountain lions, specifically addressing their need and access to refugia within their home ranges. Within this ecosystem, mountain lions are subordinate to wolves and bears, and I am interested in assessing the influence these other two dominant predators may have on their fine-scale resource selection and movement patterns. I'll be assessing seasonal differences, differences between gender, etc.