Juniata College Excellence in Science

EXCELLENCE IN

SC I ENCE with a liberal arts foundation

hy is Juniata among the best colleges in the nation for serious science students?

Juniata’s science faculty are committed to the success of their students, preparing future science researchers, medical practitioners, and industry leaders through a combination of integrated scientific curriculum, independent and guided student research, international experience, and nationally acclaimed teaching.

“It’s really encouraging that professors let us know of all these (scholarship) opportunities.They don’t let us sell ourselves short because we are at a small liberal arts college. Having all this experience and accumulating all those hours in the lab lets us learn that there is a difference between research where you’re just following someone’s instructions, and research where we learn to think for ourselves and work through a problem.”

—Caitlyn Bowman ’12, biology

Photo by Tim Carn ’12

Hollings Scholarship: Caitlyn received $8,000 and chose a paid internship at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in summer 2011. Caitlyn is currently enrolled at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Juniata is recognized nationally for its science program. The College was cited in Loren Pope’s Colleges that Change Lives for its success in educating women in science. Our community has produced a Nobel Prize winner, six Fellows of the National Academy of Sciences, and scores of other physicians, scientists, and engineers who occupy leadership positions around the world.

Earning an education in the sciences at Juniata develops not only professional competence, but leadership ability, the capacity for broad thinking, cultural awareness, and experience in scientific research and thought in a variety of contexts.

Dr. William Phillips ’70, is a fellow at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Md., where he regularly accepts Juniata students as interns and undergraduate researchers. A College Park Professor at the University of Maryland, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997. Dr. Phillips also joins five other Juniata alumni on the National Academy of the Sciences, and is one of 80 Academicians of the Pontifical Academy of Science.

“Juniata is a community that deeply values its members, that has at its core an ethos valuing education over training, inner substance over outer appearance, caring for others over concern for self, faith along with knowledge. Juniata College is an excellent academic institution, but many schools can make the same claim. Very few have the spiritual strength to match the intellectual strength.”

—Bill Phillips ’70, Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics, 1997 Juniata College 1

interaction and collaboration While studying the sciences at Juniata, students encounter interdisciplinary thinking and research early and regularly.

Juniata students understand and value this approach. Graduating into a world facing challenges and rapid change in biotechnology, information technology, environmental resource challenges and scarcity, and huge geopolitical challenges in innovation, Juniata scientists emerge ahead of their peers.

Similar to a major, Juniata’s program of emphasis (POE) is a more flexible system in which you structure academic interests to make you more marketable for careers and graduate school.

Students in the sciences have used the POE to combine study in biology, chemistry, physics, geology and environmental science with information technology, ethics, economics, languages (particularly Spanish and German), and business.

In 2010, Juniata created a network of liberal arts colleges to form a new arm of the Genome Consortium for Active Teaching that provides access to sequencing technology to undergraduates and faculty. Access to such technology for undergraduates at any college is very unusual.

“No one ever discouraged me from pursuing multiple disciplines, and it has made my perspective stronger and broader. I am a stronger biologist and anthropologist because I am able to see both from many perspectives. The reality of the situation is this: if you can demonstrate you are willing to follow your ideas down the rabbit hole, if you have a plan, professors are willing to accompany you and contribute.

Juniata’s intellectual lineage follows me and I’m proud to carry it.”

—Nicholas Sepúlveda ’10, biology and anthropology

Photo by Edward Sinnes ’12

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Fulbright Fellowship: Nick studied at the University of Iceland, Rekjavik, as part of his master’s degree research on the history of whaling in medieval Iceland. Nick is currently employed as a chemistry lab technician at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

“I really became interested in research through attending the Liberal Arts Symposium my freshman year. All of the students were really excited to talk with me about their posters and they all encouraged me to get involved in research. The NSF is interested in both research and the broader impacts of your potential career.

I can certainly attest that this place truly changes lives.”

—Katerina Korch ’12, chemistry

Photo by Jeff Bruzee ’14

Fulbright Fellowship: Received a NSF-GRFB, the first Juniata undergraduate to receive such an honor. Katerina is currently pursuing her doctorate in chemical catalysis at the California Institute of Technology.

Some examples of interaction: • Physics students combine POEs with mathematics, computer science, and information technology. Faculty are developing a combined chemistry and physics course related to the mechanics of chemical instrumentation.

• Juniata’s environmental sciences faculty include geologists, ecologists, biologists, information technologists, and chemists, and the College’s Raystown Field Station provides faculty and students a residential and collaborative environment for learning and research.

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impressive results All environmental science graduates in the past five years seeking professional positions related to their degrees were hired within weeks of graduation.

In environmental sciences, more than 85% of graduates who have applied to graduate schools in the past five years have been accepted with full funding.

In 2013, 77 science students presented at Juniata’s Liberal Arts Symposium, and 12 science students presented at the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research, only one of several conferences, many of which are discipline-specific, at which students regularly present.

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View our students’ national and international awards listing at: juniata.edu/studentawards

43% of Juniata students who study the natural sciences go on to seek graduate degrees.

On average 35% of Juniata students graduate with degrees in the natural sciences. Women represent 55%.

An average of 50 science students conduct research on campus during the academic year, and approximately 35 students engage in research at Juniata during the summer.

90% of our first time applicants to medical schools were accepted and 85% of our first time applicants to health profession occupations were accepted over the last five years.

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student and faculty research Juniata has been sending students to NCUR, a national meeting devoted to undergraduate scholarship in all fields, and we are often one of the largest groups, especially after correcting for college size. Between 10 and 20 Juniata students usually attend the spring American Chemical Society meeting, presenting their work.

Our academic-year science research programs at times enroll as many as 50 students at once—an impressive number for a college the size of Juniata. Juniata’s summer research programs have financially supported between 20 and 25 researchers per summer for the last decade, and our new National Science Foundation-funded “Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math” program will help us recruit the most talented students from community colleges with strong science programs by funding their research experiences.

Juniata undergraduates in science benefit from active researchers on the faculty, an emphasis on hands-on learning in the lab and the field, and encouragement to present their findings. It is not uncommon for students to appear as co-authors on research published with their professors, or to present independently at conferences.

Access to Hands-on Experience with Advanced Equipment Such as:

300 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer laser-induced breakdown spectrometer microplate fluorescence/luminescence spectrophotometer scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive spectrometer and cathodoluminescence unit spinning disc confocal laser scanning microscope flow-through respirometry systems for aquatic and terrestrial organisms 6 Distinction in Science

Biology Faculty research at Juniata spans the three broad areas of the biological sciences: Ecologists (field biologists) study how organisms (plants and animals) interact with, and are impacted by, their environment. Physiologists study biological systems within an organism, including neurobiology and immunology. Cell and Molecular Biologist study chemical processes within cells meditated by proteins and nucleic acids, using the tools of genomics and bioinformatics. Juniata’s faculty often collaborate on projects, as knowledge across these broad disciplinary areas is needed to effectively address research questions about biological systems.

Chemistry Current chemistry research tends to fall into one of two categories—synthesis of novel materials and laser-based spectroscopic analysis. Juniata has ongoing projects in the development of new coordination compounds that have interesting magnetic properties (single molecule magnets for use in memory storage devices, MRI contrast agents for medical imaging), biological activity (chemotherapy drugs), or catalytic activity (organic synthesis). Juniata also focuses on applications of Raman spectroscopy (identification of pigments in works of art and archeological artifacts) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (analysis of minerals of economic importance and items of forensic interest).

Environmental Science Environmental science focuses on investigating the physical, chemical, biological and climatological factors that regulate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Faculty research centers on topics such as the impact of exotic plant and animal introductions, characterizing multidimensional species relationships, and identifying the abiotic components that structure the distribution of organisms on land, rivers and oceans. Students are exposed to a variety of environmental processes and issues. Special emphasis is placed on integrating interdisciplinary concepts to mitigate pollution, increase sustainability, as well as provide and evaluate alternative energy sources.

Geology One of our foremost geology researchers is routinely engaged in the identification of extensive underground copper deposits based on the analysis of surface geology (a very inexpensive and non-destructive means of testing for subsurface copper deposits without drilling or surface mining. A second researcher is engaged in identifying brachiapod fossils and establishing a time/geographic baseline of changes in the gradients (how, when and where life evolved on the planet)).

Physics Each of our physicists has different research interests and engages students in research; including projects focused on adding to the list of known delta Scuti stars binary solar systems, testing the capability of passive radiation detectors to detect illicit nuclear material in support of national security efforts and developing a next generation of lasers.

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hands-on learning “Juniata has transformed me. I came here as a biology major and only wanted to take biology classes until I took a communication class to fulfill a Juniata requirement and then I took an organic chemistry course to complete my pre-medicine prerequisites. Now I have a biology POE with dual secondary emphases in chemistry and communication, an unusual combination that has allowed me to learn more about myself and what I love.”

—Clarissa Diniz ’14, biology with secondary emphases in chemistry and communication Best Poster Award: Clarissa received the DanaFarber/Harvard Cancer Center Award for Best Poster Presentation at the New England Science Symposium in 2013, held at Harvard University.

Photo by Sungouk Park ’14

“The individualized education you get at Juniata is extremely valuable, especially for learning skills at the undergraduate level that translate into success at the graduate level.”

—Andrew Maul ’14, biology

Photo by Krista Leibensperger ’12

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Howard Hughes Medical Institute– Exceptional Research Opportunities: This award provided Andrew with a summer research fellowship with a HHMI scientist in 2013. The program selects motivated undergraduate students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences or from disadvantaged backgrounds for outstanding summer research experiences that encourage them to pursue academic careers in science.

“At Juniata, I’ve had a lot of hands-on experience in lab, both in the classroom and through internships. My adviser, Professor White, offered me a research internship after my freshman year, and I worked in his lab again after my sophomore year. Our labs are not set up as ‘recipe labs’ where we are given instructions step-bystep to meet a goal. Instead, we are given an objective and the materials and told to ‘do it.’

This way, we can learn from mistakes and strengthen our critical thinking skills and research abilities.”

—Kenny Goodfellow ’11, physics and mathematics Goldwater Scholarship: Kenny received $7,500 to apply to his undergraduate or graduate tuition.

Kenny is currently pursuing his doctorate in optics at the University of Rochester.

Photo by Alison Rihs ’11

“I like the way Juniata emphasizes the importance of internships as a way to get experience in the field. I think the faculty and administration take pride in their students and look for ways to show off our achievements. So many professors were interested in how my grant was going.They were so proud of me and so proud of the work of all their students that it can’t help but boost your confidence.”

—Talia Valencia ’12, wildlife conservation

Photo by Alison Rihs ’11

African Wildlife Foundation: As an intern, Talia wrote a grant for the Disney Company’s Friends For Change: Project Green. Talia’s grant won first prize after people voted online, raising $100,000 to establish a bonobo reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Talia is currently employed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission as a turkey biologist aide.

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distinctive opportunities Juniata’s campus and programming provides a number of distinctive opportunities for science students.

The Remote Field Course Juniata’s Remote Field Course (RFC) is a classroom experience culminating in a two-week field experience in which students complete modules in a combination of ecology, geology, environmental science, physics, education and/or psychology. Participants, refer to it as “the experience of a lifetime,” as they gain unparalleled hands-on experience with the Southwestern desert as the background (southeastern Utah, northern Arizona, and southwestern Colorado).

On the RFC, geologists encounter outcrop exposures that extend for miles, rich mineral resources, and useful examples of local geology’s profound impact on land use.

Environmental scientists explore the interrelations between rich natural resources, fragile environments and human population growth. Ecologists encounter a diversity of ecosystems unrivaled in the inland U.S., and physicists visit Trinity, site of the first nuclear explosion; tour historic Lowell Observatory; and walk deep into a Cold War era nuclear missile silo.

Study Abroad in India

Juniata students can study abroad in India for a semester or a year, investigating several aspects of environmental science and Indian culture. Courses include scientific offerings such as: natural resource management, marine science, islands and reefs, coastal zone management and estuaries.

Cultural topics include: art and sustainable development, the heart of India, and culture, class and gender. Some highlights include diving off the coast of the Andaman Islands and participating in local and regional development alongside participating artists.

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The Juniata Vineyard and the Chestnut Orchard Student initiative and faculty research have met recently on two projects new to Juniata’s campus, each providing learning and experimental experiences for students. The College’s vineyard is a project led by professors Norris Muth, a botanist and biologist, and Peter Baran, a chemist, with the intent to produce fruit and opportunities for the study of plant physiology, genetics, ecology, and more. The chestnut orchard, started by professor Uma Ramakrishnan, an ecologist, as part of a national effort to re-introduce disease-resistant American Chestnuts into North American forests, is an experimental project providing environmental science students the ability to undertake projects related to the care and conditions of the trees.

Raystown Field Station Situated on 365 acres of land on the shore of Raystown Lake, Juniata’s Raystown Field Station provides exceptional hands-on opportunities for Juniata students and faculty in environmental research and education. Students gain experience in environmental education and service by offering environmental education opportunities for visitors to Raystown Lake. Located 30 minutes from Juniata’s main campus, the facility includes its own harbor; Shuster Hall, a green-certified multipurpose building; and two residential lodges.

During the Sense of Place residential semester, students live and take classes exclusively at the field station. More than 15 courses in seven different departments use RFS throughout the year, for courses such as hydrogeology, limnology, conservation biology, and vertebrate zoology. Students have hands-on research opportunities in a wide variety of fields, including water quality, wildlife management and vertebrate ecology.

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achievements In 2012, Juniata received a $1 million Howard Hughes Medical Institute research grant to provide apprentice-based undergraduate research experiences. Juniata’s curriculum combines instruction in science and the humanities to teach students to integrate ideas across disciplines.

Additionally, Juniata’s faculty and students in the natural sciences have had projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Army Research Office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Distinguished Women in the Sciences Heidi M. Cullen, Ph.D. ’92 Chief Executive Officer and Director of Communications, Climate Central, Princeton University; Former Host, “Forecast Earth with Dr. Heidi Cullen,” The Weather Channel; Former Scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research and the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction.

Ann M. Hardy ’76 Chief Epidemiologist, Illness and Disability Statistics Branch of the National Center for Health Statistics.

Peggy D. McCardle ’69 Associate Chief in the Child Development and Behavior Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Miriam Smith Wetzel, Ph.D. ’52 Faculty Member, Harvard Medical School; Member of the team that developed the medical school curriculum.

Leader in Medical Education Ronald R. Blanck, D.O. ’63 Retired Surgeon General of the U.S. Army; Appointed by the Secretary of Defense to chair the Board of Regents, Uniformed Services University—Military Medical School; Member of the VA Advisory Committee on VA Disability Compensation and Related Benefits.

Inventor of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance “spin-echo” Pulse Method Erwin L. Hahn, Ph.D. ’43 Professor Emeritus, University of California at Berkeley; One of five Juniata alumni members of the National Academy of Sciences; WOLF Foundation Prize in Physics winner, 1983-4; Inventor of the “spin echo“ method of nuclear paramagnetic resonance, the science leading to the MRI instrument.

Top Chemist David M. Hercules, Ph.D. ’54 Centennial Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University; Honoree (number 57), the Top 100 Chemists in the World by American Chemical Society; Recipient, the Alexander von Humboldt Prize.

Architect of Genetically Improved Strain of Pacific Salmon William K. Hershberger, Ph.D. ’63 Director, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture.

Senior Research Fellow Eric C. Jensen, Ph.D. ’77 Senior Research Fellow, the Lilly Research Laboratories of Eli Lilly and Company.

Educational Leader Michael J. Klag, M.D., M.P.H. ’74, H. ’08 Dean of The Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University.

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See more Juniata’s alumni achievements at: Juniata.edu/about/alumni

Contributor to Understanding of How Cellular Behavior is Controlled John Kuriyan, Ph.D. ’81 The Chancellor’s Professor of Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; One of five Juniata alumni members of the National Academy of Sciences; Winner, Merck Award for exceptional achievements in and contributions to structural biology from The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

Academic Pathologist James L. Madara, M.D. ’71 President, The American Medical Association; President, American Board of Pathology; Former Chief Executive Officer, University of Chicago Medical Center; Vice President of Medical Affairs and Dean, Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago.

Paul Allen Chair in Anesthesiology Gregory L. Stahl, Ph.D., F.A.H.A. ’84 Distinguished Professor, Harvard Medical School; Professor, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass.; Principal Investigator, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine.

Outstanding Researcher and Lecturer on Cancer Gerald N. Wogan, Ph.D. ’51 Underwood-Prescott Professor Emeritus of Toxicology and Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; One of five Juniata alumni members of the National Academy of Sciences; Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology, 2005; Charles M. Mott Prize for his contribution to the prevention of cancer, 2005.

Expert in Surface Science Chemistry John T. Yates Jr., Ph.D. ’56 Former R.K. Mellon Professor of Chemistry and Physics, and Professor of Chemistry, University of Virginia; Former Founder and Director of Surface Science Center, University of Pittsburgh; One of five Juniata alumni members of the National Academy of Sciences; Winner the American Chemical Society Arthur Adamson Award for contributions to surface chemistry, 1987.

Goldwater Scholars The premier undergraduate scholarship for outstanding sophomores and juniors in science, math, and engineering. Three hundred are awarded annually based on personal diversity, academic achievement, research experience, and career plans.

2010 Kenneth M. Goodfellow ’11 2009 Brandon S. Moyer ’11 2008 Travis D. Hull ’09 2008 Zachariah A. Page ’10

2006 Meara C. Kauffman ’07 2004 Leslie A. Vogt ’05 2004 Caitlan M. Zlatos ’06 2002 Cathleen A. Hewlett ’03

1999 Lisa N. Petrella ’00 1998 Sharon Simpson ’99 1997 Stephen J. Eikenberry ’98

“You can go to faculty with an idea or question or desire to apply for a fellowship, and once you ask they will really go out on a limb to help you get it. I am very interested in ocean acidification, and I am hoping this will give me the opportunity to do research and (gain) more of an understanding of how the phenomenon will affect us in the future.”

—Cara Mayo ’13, environmental science

Photo by Jeff Bruzee ’14

EPA-GRO Scholarship: Cara will receive $40,000 in tuition assistance over two years. She also received a paid summer internship within the Environmental Protection Agency.

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1700 Moore Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652 1-877-JUNIATA • 814-641-3420 admissions@juniata.edu • juniata.edu

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