SISTAR expands students' minds
By SARAH NESTOR
News Writer
Participants of the summer 2001 student independent study and research program gave presentations on their work last evening.
The presentations were a part of Saint Mary's Pride Week and showcased the academic talent of faculty and students.
Hayley Dawson and professor Linda Berdayes worked together analyzing different media programs. Dawson worked at home, in Texas, on her project "Mass Media Consolidation: A Case Study of `The Dallas Morning News,'" while Berdyaes worked in South Bend on her research into the paranormal radio show hosted by Art Bell. Together they have created their research project intitled, "Media and Public Discourse: Narrative Diversity in the Era of Media Consolidation."
"It was an opportunity to not only teach Hayley but to also learn from her," Berdayes said.
Angela Cederquist and Kara Eberly collaborated together on the project, "Activation of Transgenic Mouse Macrophages: Which Genes are critical for Killing Bacteria?" Cederquist used cultured mouse cells to test the macrophages' ability to kill bacteria tested by determining the number of bacteria still alive. Continued research is needed because not all results were mached predictions. Eberly and Cederquist strongly recommened the SISTAR Program as it allowed them to buy needed supplies and lab materials.
Lilly Morales and Jeffrey Jacob used their artistic abilities to create a poetry and music collaboration, "Breathing Against a Silent World." Jacob's initiated the project and asked the English department for a reccomended student.
"I was surprised when the English dpeaprtement asked me to do this. To me it's just a way to let things out, writing on paper," Morales said.
Jacobs and Morales already gave a free recital in which Morales read her series of poems and Dr. Jacob's performed his composition, both entitled "Breathing Against a Silent World."
Alissa Blair and professor George Trey collaborated on the project "Philosophy, Emancipation and the Latin American Condition."
They choose to focus on the country of El Salvador and through the grant were able to plan a trip and visited this past summer. Blair focused on the Chrisitan community in El Salvador and the idea of how each person can be emancipoated but also how that one person as a community can be emancipated.
"The SISTAR Program is a great way to expand your mind because you chose your project and the reading and how to go about it. It gives you lots of food for thought," Blair said.
The SISTAR Program offers a grant to four students who work as junior colleagues with members of faculty on research projects during the summer. The student receives a stipend of $3,000 plus free lodging on campus. The SISTAR Program is open to full-time faculty and students in all disciplines.
This year written application must be received in the Center for Academic Innovation by March 4, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. Following the application the SISTAR committee will interview the student and faculty member to assess the project. Contact Patrick White for more information.
"Not only does the student benefit from the faculty member, but the faculty member benefits from the student. It's just not something that stops at the end of the summer, the work will go on," White said.
All News Stories for Wednesday, October 3, 2001
