Notes from the Chair

ENV students volunteer

Double Helix

I love a good party. And I love, of course, biology. A combination of the two makes me giddy. A couple of years ago, I decided that the last day of class before finals needed to be more festive. My students work really hard and learn so much, so why not celebrate? I concluded that an ugly Christmas Sweater, speed-dating “cocktail” party complete with evites, Christmas decorations/music, dimmed lights, snacks, and sparkling grape juice chilled in a lab ice bucket would fit the bill. A student’s “ticket” into the party was a typed response to about 20 prompts I assigned, including information about the discipline (Cancer Biology or Immunology) that they felt everyone in the world should know, concepts in the course that they found difficult but now understand, and epiphanies about biology that they had during the semester. The speed-dating component consisted of each student sharing a response with a fellow student in the class one-on-one for two minutes and then switching to another peer to share a different response. The goal was for everyone to talk to everyone while taking snack breaks to hang out. The party concluded with a class discussion/reflection of what everyone shared and common themes we saw. Good times. Despite the fun of the party, one of my favorite aspects of this activity is my reading of all of their respons-es following the party, alone in my office, when I should instead be writing final exams or grading labs from October. The creativity, maturity, and excitement of their responses continue to move and inspire me, including the most recent responses I received this past month from my fall 2018 Cancer Biology students. Studying biology is challenging and successes can feel infrequent. Like most things, however, it is a jour-ney and we are changed throughout it, usually for the better. As I look at the following pages of this news-letter, I see students and faculty at different stages in their individual journeys, some just starting off in biology at Belmont, others engaging in their senior research at the end of their time in our department, and still others out there in the world as graduates and professionals making a differ-ence for others. The growth I see in my students in one semester is reflected in these stories of growth and change. How lucky we are to have interests, ca-reers, and lives that revolve around pursuing curiosity, tackling difficult problems, and making a difference in the world. It is indeed a reason to celebrate…cheers!

Dr. Matthew Heard’s Introduc-tion to Environmental Science classes participated in a volun-teer service event at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary on Novem-ber 24 and 26. Students helped to remove invasive species and clean up the native plant education gardens. In total, 42 stu-dents volunteered over the two days.

Inside this issue:

SfN Conference TAS

2

3

SURS 4

Alum Update 5

Special points of interest:

Research students at conferences -

TAS

SURS

SfN

THS

Biology Department Newsletter

Fall 2018

Volume 14, Issue 1

Dr. Jennifer Thomas Professor and Chair of Biology

Volume 14, Issue 1 Page 2

SfN 2017 Society for Neuroscience

Each year about 30,000 Neuroscientists gather to discuss the recent discoveries, training and funding initia-tives. This year, the conference was held in San Diego, California from November 3-7. Dr. Lori McGrew and six Belmont undergraduate students representing Biology, Neuroscience and Psychology, presented posters and participated in a variety of meeting events. The opening panel discussion “Music and the Brain” included Jazz musician, Pat Metheny, SfN President, Dr. Richard Huganir, and Neurosurgeon, Dr. Charles Limb. The effects of music on brain activity have be-come an increasingly popular area of research. Some important take-aways from this session were that brain activity is different when a musician is playing a piece of music as written in comparison to brain activity that results when a musician is improvising. Focusing on playing music as it is written requires the musician to engage in a high level of self-monitoring, inhibiting any impulses to stray from the pre-determined notes. Improvisation, on the other hand, results in an increase in circuits that control self-expression

and the inhibition of self-monitoring circuits. Neuroscientists are inter-ested in understanding the control of these brain areas in order to better help those who struggle with disorders that involve those circuits including impulse control disorders, vocal and motor tics and autism spectrum disorders. An-other important lecture provided updated information on “Bidirectional Interactions between the Brain and Implantable Computers” given by Dr. Eberhard Fetz. Dr. Fetz discussed the benefits and problems that arise due to neural plas-ticity associated with implanted devices. One significant benefit is that people learn to better control prosthetics as they practice and fine-tune the neural circuits that interface with the machine. However, when the neural implants are downstream in the circuit, neural plasticity can cause a decrease in response. The dynamic nature of the circuits will be critical for continued advancement in implanted electronics. One over-arching theme for much of the research presented this year focused on gender-dependent differences in research studies. This is due to the Na-

tional Institutes of Health formal policy issued in 2016 which mandated that research data account for sex as a biology variable. Some exam-

ples presented include: female rats show different patterns in traditional tests of anxiety behavior when compared to male rats, female rats show no increase in metabolism in response to caffeine administra-tion (male rats do), and estrogen receptors interact with oxytocin receptors during stress responses. Col-lectively, these studies demonstrate the importance of considering sex as a biological variable and sug-gest that some research paradigms may undergo revision based on the results. In addition to studies with humans and rodents, there were also many studies presented in which Danio rerio (zebrafish) served as the model organism. These studies were of particular interest to Dr. McGrew and her stu-dents since they utilize Danio rerio for their research. Some studies showed the interaction between excitatory and inhibitory circuits, helping to explain the duality of the fear response. Freezing is the result of the inhibitory circuit while erratic movements result from the activation of the excitatory circuit. Both can occur when the fish are frightened and the predominant effect seems to depend on the Danio’s surroundings and other fish in the shoal. The group came away with a number of insights and ideas to investigate upon their return.

In addition to attending the conference, Dr McGrew and the students were able to present their own posters.

Dr McGrew’s presentation, “Electronics in the Classroom – Use It or Lose It?” was part of the History and

Teaching Theme of the conference. Her poster discussed a variety of applications for integrating phones and

computers into class activities. Dr. McGrew’s students, Nardeen Fayik, Unique Ellis and Brent Hillier, along

with Dr Tim Schoenfeld’s students, Hannah Branthwaite, Aditi Buch and

Jonathan St. Louis, presented posters during the Faculty for Undergradu-

ate Neuroscience poster session. Team McGrew described the effects of

caffeine, apomorphine and blue light on anxiety levels in zebrafish. Team

Schoenfeld investigated the effects of exercise on anxiety in rats along

with the changes in brain structures that occurred in the rats as a

result of depression. Both groups had the opportunity to share re-

search ideas with students and faculty from other institutions during the poster session and, as a result,

further their understanding of their own projects in addition to their knowledge of Neuroscience.

Nardeen Fayik

Jonathan St. Louis

Dr. Lori McGrew

Pictured: Unique Ellis and Brent Hillier

Hannah Branthwaite and Aditi Buch

Page 3 Volume 14, Issue 1

Tennessee Academy of Science Annual Meeting Twenty-two students from Belmont's Biology Department attended the 128th Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science at the Austin Peay University in Clarksville on November 17th. Students, representing majors in Biology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Environmental Science, presented their senior undergraduate research projects in various poster sessions, ranging from Ecology and Environmental Science to Cell and Molecular Biology.

Seven of our Senior research students received recognition for their poster presentations at the

Tennessee Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting.

Samantha Rodriguez and George Bukenya, honorable mention, Ecology and Environmental Science section. Their research is entitled “The Effects of Native and Non-Native Plant Species on CO2 Soil Flux Levels in Relation to Bacterial Community Diversity” Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D. Rachel Hongo, first place, Microbiology section. Her research is entitled “Examining the presence of antibiotic resistant Esche-richia coli in Nashville, TN’s Cumberland River” Faculty Advisor: Matthew Heard, Ph.D. Caitlin Barnes, first place, Botany section. Her research is entitled “Cloud Forest Epiphyte Diversity, Elevation and Climate Change” Faculty Advisor: John Niedzwiecki, Ph.D. Isria Jarrett, third place, Microbiology section. Her research is entitled “Characterization of a Novel Clostridium difficile Virulence Target: A Structural Biology Approach” Faculty Advisors: Darlene Panvini, Ph.D. (Belmont University), Heather K. Kroh, Ph.D. (Vanderbilt Univeristy), and D. Borden Lacy, Ph.D. (Vanderbilt University) Alex Wharton, second place, Botany section. His research is entitled “Stressor Interactions of Acid and Radiation in Native and Invasive Lonicera” Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini Ph.D. Paige Ulrich, honorable mention, Ecology and Environmental Science section. Her research is entitled “Use of Green Roofs by Avian Species and Their Preference in Green Roof Characteristics” Faculty Advisor: Darlene Panvini Ph.D.

Pictured : George Bukenya, Samantha Rodriguez, Alex Wharton,

Caitlin Barnes, Rachel Hongo and Isria Jarrett

Page 4 Volume 14, Issue 1

Fall Semester Biology Speakers

This fall, students and faculty had opportunities to hear

from several speakers this fall:

Vaughn Science Lecture Speaker:

Christopher Murray, PhD.

Assistant Professor

Department of Biology

Tennessee Tech University

“The Interface of Natural Population Dynamics, Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds and Enigmatic Disturbance: Understanding Human- Crocodile Conflict in Costa Rica”

Dr. Joshua Grinath, Postdoctoral Scholar, Middle Tennessee State University

“Indirect ecological interactions: dynamics between plants, ants, and bears” Dr. Joe Deweese, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Science, Lipscomb University “Exploring Topoisomerases: the Unknotters of the Genome.”

Alumni: if you would be interested in talking with current

students about your career path and experiences, please

contact us.

THS Tennessee Herpetological Society

Dr. John Niedzwiecki, and Belmont seniors Tori Hongo, Samantha Chu and Joanna Bellan presented their

research projects at the 24th Annual Tennessee Herpetological Society meeting held September 27- 28 at

the Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis. The meeting, hosted by THS, was open to individuals interest-

ed in Tennessee herpetology and herpetofauna, People attending the meeting included teachers, stu-

dents, resource managers, zoo and aquarium personnel as well as the general public.

Pictured: Tori Hongo,

Samantha Chu and

Joanna Bellan

SURS 2018 Science Undergraduate Research Symposium

In its fifteenth year, SURS was hosted by the College of Sciences and Mathematics. 33 Biology seniors and one ENV senior set up their posters in the 3rd floor atrium area of the Janet Ayers Academ-ic Center. Additional posters and oral presentations in the areas of Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science and Psychological Science were also presented. The keynote address "Mechanisms of Rapid Antidepressant Action" was delivered by Dr. Lisa Monteggia, Professor of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University SURS is the culmination of hours of work done during the summer and fall with advisors and peers and offers these research students the opportunity to show the Belmont community what the sciences are doing. Additional photos can be seen on our Facebook page—Serotonin Helix.

Tori Hongo Samantha Chu Joanna Bellan

Page 5 Volume 14, Issue 1

Alumni Update Prisha Patel (17) recently published a study with Biology Professor Dr. Robert Grammer titled “pH Indi-cation of Respiration and Effects of Different Carbohydrates and Escherichia coli on Respiration Rates in Caenorhabditis elegans.” The study appears in the Journal of Young Investigators, a publication that fea-tures undergraduate research in biological/biomedical sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and en-gineering, psychology and social sciences. The journal also allows students to edit their own submissions for publication with the help of their faculty adviser. Patel and Grammer published the study on Septem-ber 1 with funding from Belmont’s Department of Biology. Megan (DeVries) DeWhatley (12) successfully defended her dissertation at the University of Louisville in November. Her dissertation was titled "Impacts of Ammonia and Temperature on Freshwater Snail Behavior and Physiology". She graduated with her Ph.D. in December. Megan was on the first Biology abroad trip, to Belize, in 2011 and was a talented student all around. The faculty who taught Dr. DeWhatley are very proud and wish her continued success.

Amy Nesius (13) Graduated from UT College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2018 and

received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

Tristan Murray (12) graduated as MSN, CFNP from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden Kentucky.

Jordan Murray (12) graduated from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) in May and received the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

Shaoyun Yang (18) is currently working on her Masters Degree in Anatomical Sciences at Lincoln Memorial University.

Current faculty news

John Halle, PT, PhD, ECS and member of Belmont’s School of Physical Therapy faculty, recom-mended Dr. Lori McGrew for membership in this AACA (American Association of Clinical Anato-mists) based on their collaboration in the anatomy lab. Dr. McGrew was accepted on Aug 20, 2018 and she is looking forward to presenting at upcoming AACA meetings. From their website: “The American Association of Clinical Anatomists advances the science and art of clinical anatomy. It encourages research and publication in the field and maintaining high standards in the teaching of anatomy. Clinical anatomy is defined as anatomy in all its aspects - gross, histologic, developmental and neurologic as applied to clinical practice, the application of anatomic principles to the solution of clinical problems and/or the application of clinical observa-tions to expand anatomic knowledge.”

Dr. Jordan Murray and Tristan Murray, MSN, CFNP

Megan DeWhatley, Ph.D.

Prisha Patel

Dr. Lori McGrew

Amy Nesius, DVM

Biology Alumni Update

Dr. Chris Barton, Assistant Professor and BMB Coordinator

Dr. Robert T. Grammer, Professor

Dr. Matt Heard, Assistant Professor and Environmental Science Coordinator

Dr. Roger Jackson, Lecturer

Dr. C. Steven Murphree, Professor

Dr. Lori L. McGrew, Professor

Dr. John Niedzwiecki, Associate Professor and Gulf Coast Research Lab Coordinator

Dr. Darlene Panvini, Professor

Dr. D. Nicholas Ragsdale, Professor, Pre-Health Advisor and Associate Dean, CSM

Dr. Laura Stephan, Lecturer

Dr. Jennifer T. Thomas, Professor and Chair

Mr. Ray Seely, Laboratory Manager and Biological Safety Officer

Ms. Terri Templeman, Administrative Assistant

We want to hear from you! Please take a moment to fill out the information below and send to us. Name________________________________________________Graduation Year_______________ Address___________________________________________________________________________ City_____________________________State_____________Zip Code________Phone____________ Email address_______________________________________________________________________ Employment____________________________________Title________________________________ Recent promotion, honor, award, family activity?_____________________________________________

Biology Department

Contact Us! Have any comments about the newsletter or the Department?

An alum with an update on activities?

Like further information about the Department, its offerings or activities?

Please contact us by one of the following e-mail addresses or by postal service.

Ms. Terri Templeman, Administrative Assistant, terri.templeman@belmont.edu

Dr. John Niedzwiecki, Chair, john.niedzwiecki@belmont.edu

Department of Biology

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