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THE TIMES-DELPHIC
FEB. 28, 2013 | Page 4
Features Student Life
Labs host experimental studies for sciences Metabolism, energy gels research conducted by students
Emily Sadecki
ing how well various energy supplements work while you are getting your sweat on. Wechsler said the study consists of a base trial where the participant is put on a treadmill as the lab assistants gradually increase the speed. The information
Staff Writer emily.sadecki@drake.edu
Within the walls of Harvey Ingham, Olin, Cline and Fitch, Drake University faculty and students are hard at work in labs experiencing science hands-on by investigating current scientific questions from the effectiveness of energy gel packets to the effects of blood donation on blood flow. Aside from teaching, professors in the Drake science depart— Jacob Vandervaart, Drake sophomore ment have individual research projects that they are working on, which many students choose to participate in. gained from this is then used in a Junior Kaila Wechsler is workformula to determine the paraming with Kimberly Huey, associate eters for the next two trials. professor of health sciences, in In the next two trials, the parstudying how energy gels affect ticipant takes an energy packet fuel metabolism during exercise, before they start and then bikes or to put it in simpler terms, test-
for an hour, with the lab assistants taking respiratory, glucose and lactose measurements while they are riding. “This is my first time doing research at all so that in itself is exciting,” Wechsler said. “This one in particular is pretty interesting because I work out a lot so it is interesting to see whether or not these gels have any effect on your performance. Also, Dr. Hue is pretty brilliant.” In another study, students are working with Associate Professor of Biology Charisse Buising to study the effects of blood donation on aortic blood flow, by doing measurements while students are in three different positions after giving blood. Drake students who are interested can participate in these and other research endeavors by get-
“Research is interesting because it is not you sitting in a lecture. In experiments, you are finding out for yourself.”
Study Abroad
Luke Nankivell | photo editor
STUDENT-ASSISTED RESEARCH allows for hands on experiences while still taking classes. ting in contact with the students involved. For the energy gel study contact Kaila Wechsler (kaila. wechsler@drake.edu) and for the blood donation study, students can contact Meryl Brune (meryl. brune@drake.edu). Jacob Vandervaart, a sophomore biochemistry, cell and molecular biology student, is planning on going into research as a career path. Vanderwaart’s major interest is working in areas of bioinformatics, which adds aspects of computer science to the world of biology. “Research is interesting be-
cause it is not you sitting in a lecture,” he said, “in experiments you are finding out for yourself.” When Buising was asked what she enjoyed about working with students in research, she said it’s for “those aha moments.” “I like to see them discover their potential and where they can go with it,” Buising said. “There is a lot of freedom during that opportunity that allows them to not be constrained. You really get to see their creative activity with how they solve a problem.”
Column
Studying abroad at sea: Magician performs
Students learn while on the ocean Latest news from SAB Katie Ericson
Staff Writer katie.ericson@drake.edu
Each semester we have to say goodbye to several students. Not because they are graduating, but because they are studying abroad. With so many programs in so many countries, studying abroad is now a huge part of the college experience. There are many different options and it can be difficult to choose between them. One has stood out to many students. Semester at Sea is a non-profit study abroad program through the University of Virginia that has students do exactly that — study while traveling across the sea. Established in 1963, the program offers fall, spring and summer voyages ranging from 25 to 100 days and travels around Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. While on board students have a wide range of choices for classes. From biology to religion to drama, there is a course for every major and every student. Approximately 30 professors travel with each ship and tailor the courses to the voyage to include class trips and excursions (called field labs and programs respectively) relevant
to the subject matter. Junior Savana Dale went on a trip with Semester at Sea in May 2011. For 27 days she studied the politics and economics of Central America while traveling through the Bahamas, Trinidad and To-
“You get to travel to and experience so many different countries. You are able to see many different cultures and people.” — Savana Dale, Drake junior
bago, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize. “You get to travel to and experience so many different countries. You are able to see many different cultures and people,” Dale said.
However, since this trip was under a month long, Dale did say that she did not see as much of the cultures as she would have liked to. “The semester long voyages get to spend like a whole week in each country where I only spent two to three days in each,” she said. Dale explained that this did not leave her or her classmates much time to experience each country. Summer programs for all study abroad providers are typically shorter than those of semester long voyages. As a result, Dale was limited to taking one course. On a longer voyage, students can take up to 12 credit hours. With an offering of 75 different courses, these hours can be easy to fill. Yet she still loved her experience and now is Drake’s Semester at Sea ambassador. If interested in the program, you can contact Dale at savanna.dale@drake.edu. She also had some advice for students: “You will never get another opportunity like that in your lifeand what better time to do than when you are still in college?”
Snow Ordinance Reminder:
Taylor Rookaird Columnist Wondering what fun and exciting things are happening around campus? Stay in the loop with what’s going on every week from the Student Activities Board. Are you starting to the feel the mid-semester crunch? Now is the time that exams, projects and papers tend to take over our lives. So take back your free time with two awesome upcoming events. Sunday, magician Nate Staniforth will be on campus in connection with the Chicago Bus Tour Weekend. Staniforth has performed on many university campuses, and it is considered a “campus invasion.” With magic, music and some multimedia, this is no traditional magic. He will be
performing at Sussman Theatre at 9 p.m. The weekend of fun will continue on into Monday night as we welcome Aman Ali, to Pomerantz Stage. Ali is an award-winning storyteller hailing from New York City. His conversation will touch on some of his experiences traveling, and his upbringing as a Muslim born and raised in the United States. Ali has also been featured on media outlets such as CNN, HBO and NPR. First-year students, keep your eyes peeled for a programming survey and more information about how and where to take it. This is your chance for you to have your voice heard in the events that SAB plans. Last, are you looking for a way to get involved with campus programming? The Homecoming Executive Board has some open positions they are looking to fill. Contact Mark Reiter (Mark.Reiter@drake.edu) or Vivianna Lopez (Vivianna.Lopez@drake.edu) if you or someone you know is interested!
Rookaird is a sophomore public relations major, PR Chair for SAB and can be reached at taylor.rookaird@ drake.edu.
Remember that when a Snow Ordinance goes into affect (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) you have to move your car depending on what day it is. So, if it’s an even day (like today, Feb. 28) you will have to park on the even side of the street. If it is an odd day (March 1) you will park on the odd side of the street. Failure to comply will result in your car getting towed. Remember Bulldogs, constant vigilance when the snow falls.
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