360 0 NEWS AND VIEWS
BRYANT
OCTOBER 2011
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ATHLETICS UPDATE Bryant athletics making big strides
FAMILIES
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ALUMNI PROFILE A passion for start-ups and technology
FOR STUDENTS AND
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FACULTY PROFILE Prof believes in experiential learning
Bryant adopts test-optional policy
A Bryant students and faculty bring a rich variety of cultures and backgrounds to the campus community.
fter much research and discussion, Bryant has adopted a test-optional admission policy, a growing trend among some of the most respected academic institutions nationwide. Beginning this fall, students no longer need to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission to Bryant, though they may certainly choose to do so. The university has long taken a holistic approach to its admission process, assessing the whole student rather than focusing on standardized test scores. The strength of each applicant’s academic record, especially participation in AP, honors, or International Baccalaureate
(IB) course work, carries significant weight. Other factors in Bryant’s admission decisions include recommendations, co-curricular activities, community involvement, writing ability, and other achievements. “The test-optional admission policy allows interested students to take the first step in owning their education,” says Lorna Hunter, vice president for enrollment management. “We believe that self-directed students who are passionate about the potential of a college education will thrive at Bryant – and beyond.” continued on page 8
Of Bradford assays and dot blots
A
sk Kristie Aicardi ’12 (Blackstone, MA) how she spent her summer vacation and her answer may astound you. The senior biology major passed on fun in the sun to take part in a serious research project – research that could one day help save lives. With funding through a $200,000 Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) grant, Aicardi, a commuter student, worked closely with Bryant Assistant Professor of Chemistry Christopher Reid, Ph.D., on a collaborative project with researchers at Women & Infants Research Center and Brown University. Their goal: identify antigens to ultimately produce a therapeutic antibody treatment for premature infants infected with Candida albicans, a serious infectious disease in neonatal intensive care units. Aicardi spent 35 hours each week in Bryant’s state-of-the-art labs, running protein gels, Bradford assays, Western blots, and dot blots to verify if her protein
extractions reacted positively with the antibodies that recognize C. albicans. “Every day was always full of surprises,” she says. “I learned what it’s really like to work in a lab and felt privileged to do so one-on-one with Professor Reid. He is a mentor with years of knowledge and experience, but he is so down-to-earth and helpful.” Preliminary research began in the spring semester in Reid’s Organic Chemistry class, where Aicardi teamed up with three other students on solvent extraction methods with C. albicans cells. It was in that class that Aicardi became aware of the grant-funded research project and the paid position of student research assistant. She’ll continue in that role part-time throughout the fall semester. “It has been my pleasure to watch Kristie’s confidence grow in the lab,” says Reid. “She has learned a great deal in a very short time and has acquired continued on page 8
Kristie Aicardi ’12, spent her summer taking part in a research project that could one day save lives.
R OCTOBE
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