Students Participate in Summer Research Internships
From left, Jacob Keefner, an MSC engineering student from Valley Falls, Alexander Adhyatman, a physics and mathematics major from Stony Brook University, and Matthew Civiletti, of Cazenovia, MSC assistant professor of physics, team up on a summer research project titled, “Modern Constraints on Single-field Inflation Models in Light of Planck 2015 and BICEP2.”
Margaret Collins, an individual studies student from Morrisville, right, and Nathan “Gabe” Armatas, of Skaneateles, former MSC assistant professor of chemistry, meet to discuss their summer research internship project titled, “Mass Balance Assessment of Chloride in Cazenovia Lake Watershed Using STELLA and Modelling Software.” (Photos by Franci Valenzano, Public Relations Associate)
By Franci Valenzano, Public Relations Associate
(Morrisville, NY – Sept. 2015) It wasn’t the usual summer for Margaret Collins. The Morrisville State College student took a break from her part-time job scooping ice cream and bagging sugary confections to learn about chloride mass balance in lakes.
For 10 weeks, Collins, an individual studies student, was immersed in a paid research internship that measured chloride levels in Cazenovia Lake.
It was a rewarding tradeoff for the Morrisville resident, one of 66 SUNY students selected to participate in summer research internships in Neuroscience, Energy & the Environment (STEM), through the SUNY Networks of Excellence.
The program, administered by the Research Foundation for SUNY, involves students conducting research alongside faculty members to gain hands-on experience in their fields of study. Students received a stipend for their participation.
Collins teamed up with Nathan “Gabe” Armatas, former MSC assistant professor of chemistry, from Skaneateles, who rose to the volunteer opportunity to mentor her through their project titled, “Mass Balance Assessment of Chloride in Cazenovia Lake Watershed Using STELLA and Modelling Software.”
Also selected from MSC was Jacob Keefner, an engineering student from Valley Falls. Keefner and Alexander Adhyatman, a physics and mathematics major from Stony Brook University, worked with Matthew Civiletti, of Cazenovia, MSC assistant professor of physics, on a project titled, “Modern Constraints on Single-field Inflation Models in Light of Planck 2015 and BICEP2.”
Their project focused on cosmology (how the universe evolves over time on a large-scale) and inflation research.
“The SUNY Networks of Excellence allow us to offer students unique opportunities to be on the cutting edge of new research and innovation. The research these students are a part of has the potential to transform highly specialized fields. These unique summer internships prepare SUNY students for college and career success,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher.
“Working together with faculty on a research project can be a life-changing opportunity for students—opening their eyes to new fields, new ideas, and the potential for discovery,” said Alexander N. Cartwright, SUNY provost and executive vice chancellor, and interim president of the Research Foundation for SUNY. “The summer research programs offered through the networks are part of SUNY’s applied learning commitment, preparing students for success in today’s global economy.”
They also offered a chance for Collins, Keefner and Adhyatman, to broaden their horizons outside of the classroom.
“Dr. Civiletti presented this (internship program) in class and it seemed like a great opportunity to expand my education,” Keefner said. “It opened up a lot of new interests and things I would not have been exposed to otherwise.”
“This research program was a way for me to gain insight into what I may be doing in the future as a career,” Adhyatman said.
As for Collins, “It was a test to see if I wanted to pursue research and hard science,” she said.
Students spent a portion of their time working independently on their projects and the rest meeting with faculty who mentored them throughout the program.
“The important aspect of student research is it is independent, flexible and self-driven,” Armatas said.
“It was fantastic working with Dr. Armatas,” Collins said. “Every question I had, he helped me find the answers.”
In addition to assistance from professors, students relied on research and other sources, including valuable laboratory lessons.
“I already had a guide when it came to performing filtrations,” Collins said. “We had done this in one of our labs so I had the background knowledge and skills to be able to do it.”
Students agree the summer program augmented their educational experience in multiple ways.
“This was a great opportunity for me,” Collins said. “Anyone who has a chance to do an internship should do one. It was a chance for me to get a taste of what I could do and what my experience could evolve into.”
“This involved a lot of critical analysis and immersed me into the field and helped me grow as a physicist,” Adhyatman said.
It also helped to enhance their resumes. “I want to build up a good research resume for grad school,” Adhyatman said.
Professors also benefited from the experience.
“Problem-solving is something I try to emphasize in the classroom, because any real-world application of physics requires this skill,” Civiletti said. “This program helped me learn to teach this skill more effectively, which I can apply to the classroom and to research.”
Student participants are required to complete program surveys and submit a final report and may be invited to present or speak about their experience at various events.
Theater Department, SGO to present “The Importance of Being Earnest”
The Morrisville State College Theater Department and Student Government Organization (SGO) will present Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” in the Little Theatre of the John W. Stewart Center for Student Activities (STUAC) on Oct. 23, 24 at 8 p.m.; Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.; and Oct. 29, 30, 31 at 8 p.m.
The production is a comedic adventure of two dashing young bachelors and the outrageous deceptions they find themselves in over love. Pandemonium ensues when these two would-be Earnest’s find themselves face to face and in the predicament of explaining who they really are.
General Admission is $8 and $3 for students. Tickets for the performances will also be sold at the door.
Professor, Clinton resident selected to the New York Council for the Humanities Public Scholars
Morrisville State College professor and Clinton resident Wyatt Galusky has been selected to the New York Council for the Humanities Public Scholars.
Galusky is associate professor and chair of the Humanities Department and coordinator of the science, technology, & society program at MSC.
The newest of the Council’s programs, Public Scholars consists of 31 leading public humanities figures who will travel across New York State delivering presentations that encourage both curiosity and collaborative, informal learning on topics that will be used as a way to explore some aspect of pressing contemporary significance.
“The Public Scholars combine a depth of expertise with a deep commitment to community dialogue and education,” said Sara Ogger, executive director of the New York Council for the Humanities. “The program is at the forefront of a growing public humanities movement.”
Galusky’s research explores the various ways in which technologies mediate between humans and the natural world, including domesticated food animals and public engagement with science and technology. His presentations will include “Technology as Responsibility: Failure, Food Animals, & Lab-grown Meat,” and “The Dream of Total Control: Science Fact, Science Fiction, and the Transformation of the Animal Body.”
Galusky earned a Ph.D. in science & technology Studies from Virginia Tech, and has a master’s degree in environmental ethics from the University of North Texas.
Students help run show, harness another Standardbred yearling sale
Morrisville State College student Alexis Cook, (left) an equine science western major, from Martville, leads a yearling into the show ring during the annual Standardbred yearling sale.
A yearling gets groomed prior to Morrisville State College’s Annual Standardbred Yearling Sale. (Photos by Franci Valenzano, public relations associate)
Morrisville State College held its twenty-sixth annual Standardbred yearling sale, taking in close to $1 million.
The event drew a record crowd of potential buyers, sellers, trainers and owners from across the Northeast. MSC’s sale is the only one of its kind in New York State held on a college campus.
A total of 62 yearlings, including 18 owned by the college, were sold at an average of $15,540, up 43 percent from last year’s average bid of $10,715. The sale topper was Royal Pinot, who sold for $55,000.
Adding to the allure of groomed horses up for sale was the professionalism, enthusiasm and teamwork of MSC faculty, staff and students. All of the college’s nearly 250 equine students had their hand in some aspect of the sale and played an integral role in its success.
Alexis Cook, an equine science western major from Martville, was among them. Clad in a professional black suit, she and four others led the yearlings into the sale ring.
In another barn, Amber Pruchnik, an equine breeding student, from Conn., was showing horses to potential buyers and answering their questions.
Students also prepped the horses before they headed to the show ring, bedded stalls, groomed, helped set up the business office, braided manes and put a coat of shiny black polish on yearlings’ hooves.
Throughout the sale, potential buyers scanned their sale catalogs intently as bid spotters kept track of those who raised their hands and shouted out amounts.
The sale is an all-around great experience for students, allowing them to learn in a real-life business setting. It’s also a momentous time for students as they have played a large role in the MSC-owned yearlings’ lives—many who have helped foal and raise them. They even have a hand in naming them.
The college’s Standardbred sale is a major industry-based entrepreneurial activity for its equine programs and a vehicle to showcase the campus and its array of equine programs, which are known throughout the industry in addition to the college’s top-notch equine facilities. Profits go toward general maintenance and enrichment of the college’s equine programs.
For more information visi twww.morrisville.edu.