Student Research

Nhat-Anh Ngo started with an interest in hematology and a desire to gain research experience. With help from a professor at St. Scholastica, Anh spent a recent summer at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she worked on "The Effects of Androgen Ablation on Vascular Integrity in Human Prostate Xenografts Measured by Fibrinogen Leakage." In simpler terms, the study tested the ideal time to administer a new drug aimed at preventing prostate cancer from recurring after undergoing the common treatment of Androgen Ablation. Anh worked on a segment of the study dealing with proteins from the blood-clotting system - just one piece of a larger study that's been in progress for years, a study that could someday save lives.

"The project that I did is a branch of the main project that Dr. Smith and Dr. Reisner and their graduate students have been working on for years at Chapel Hill. I have presented my research at the Summer Pre-Graduate Research Experience poster session and the McNair poster session. And Dr. Smith and his team recently submitted a portion of the study to the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, and I am listed as one of the co-authors. I would tell other students that if they want to do research, they should start talking to their professors, because they will help you through the process."
-Nhat-Anh Ngo '05, Biochemistry and Biology. Entering medical school, fall 2007

"We really emphasize the importance of research at St. Scholastica, and so the McNair Program has been excellent for us. It's designed for students who are in places where it'd be difficult to do research. In Anh's case, she was able to spend a summer at the University of North Carolina where she learned new procedures that she wouldn't have here. Such advanced study offers preparation for graduate school and a future profession in the sciences." -Paul Stein, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry, St. Scholastica

What is it like to be a Native American woman during the third trimester of pregnancy or first weeks after giving birth? Having worked as a birth attendant for a Native American family service center, Papalotl Almanza Lopez already knew some of the challenges that Native women face within the health system. But she was inspired to do more, and as a nursing student at St. Scholastica she was able to do that through the McNair Scholars Program. Lopez recently spent six months traveling to an Ojibwe reservation where she interviewed mothers, grandmothers and various health care personnel. She found that despite improvements in the past 20 years, Native American healthcare is still in trouble. Participants described a lack of communication, referrals and commitment to long term health care visions among health care providers on the reservation. She has since shared her findings with health care providers at the reservation, and plans to submit the paper for presentation at the Native Nurses conference.

"Pregnancy and birth: Is it different for women on a reservation?" "I learned so much about my own strengths and weaknesses, and what it really takes to do research - and do it well. McNair is very supportive of the needs of first-time researchers. I can't imagine going to grad school without this research experience!"
- Papalotl Almanza Lopez '05, Nursing

"Papalotl used me as a sounding board throughout her project, and I think her research findings are first-rate. The McNair Program is an excellent opportunity for students because research is a very valuable way of learning. It fosters career development and helps students prepare for graduate studies."
- Mary Tanner, Ph.D., R.N., Professor of Nursing, St. Scholastica

Travis W. Johnson's interest in the medieval world began while taking a survey course in British Literature at St. Scholastica. The professor's enthusiasm ignited a passion in Johnson, particularly for Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales. Additional classes hooked him on the character of the Pardoner, and so Johnson took that interest to a new level, immersing himself in Chaucer's text, as well as the writings of past scholars. Johnson's resulting paper, "The Pardoner's Intent," acknowledges previous scholarly work while advancing his own theories on the character. He presented a version of that paper at the Medieval Association of the Midwest's 2004 Conference at Northern Michigan University, and has been invited to submit the paper for possible publication in "Publications of the Medieval Association of the Midwest," a peer-reviewed journal in medieval studies.

"St. Scholastica is a top-notch institution when it comes to research. Before, I didn't have a clue with regards to research or graduate school. Now, I feel like I truly have the skills necessary for me to succeed in pursuing an advanced degree. St. Scholastica allowed me the opportunity not only to obtain the invaluable experience of scholarly research but educated me on the possibilities of graduate school."
-Travis W. Johnson '04, English
Enrolled in Ph.D. program at the University of Iowa.

The opportunity for doing undergraduate research is great at St. Scholastica. If students have the energy, curiosity and drive, we're glad to work with them. Our role is primarily research coaching while the student works to develop and complete the research project. In Travis's case, we met regularly to talk about his research and to review his drafts. His project was outstanding undergraduate work, and I think he's going to excel in graduate school."
-William Hodapp, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English, St. Scholastica