St. Thomas University Moving Forward With Cutting-Edge Undergraduate Science Research

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Sep 11, 2012, 05:31 ET

MIAMI, Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Miami's St. Thomas University continues to prove it means business in developing tomorrow's scientists. September 7 celebrated the fourth Undergraduate Summer Research Institute's symposia, a student success to remember for many years. Its Carnival Cruise Lines Science and Technology Building, opened summer 2008, houses ten research laboratories where undergraduate students have the opportunity to gain in-depth research experience alongside their professors.

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The School's program is geared towards minorities and first generation college students in response to the shortage of minorities studying and working in the science field. The hands-on research experience places them in an excellent position to gain entrance into graduate, or professional Schools, or to directly enter the workforce in South Florida. Most students in the nation do not have this research opportunity until they reach graduate school.

The University's Summer Research Institute has become a growing initiative that reaches a record of 66 undergraduate students and 10 participating professors. Outstanding oral and poster presentations showcased the School's summer researchers. STU School of Science Dean, Dr. Wim. F.A. Steelant, Assistant Dean Rev. Alfred Cioffi, Dr. Jeff Plunket, Dr. John Abdirkin, Dr. Pilar Maul, Dr. Adrienne Vynne, Dr. A. Varela and Dr. David Quesada were among faculty leaders responsible for the panelists' success.

Science panels included: Primary Adult Zebrafish Brainstem Cultures: an in vitro Tool to Study Neuronal Interactions With Inhibitory Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; the Other Side of Cancer Progression; An Exploration Through Virtual Simulation of Critical Care and Diagnosis of a Patient Using a SimMan - Morphine Overdose Scenario; Grid-Tie Mobile Solar Power System with Battery Backup; Measuring Green Area on the St. Thomas University Campus by Satellite Imaging; Computer Software Application Development; USDA, APHIS, Animal Care, Smithsonian National Zoo; Atmospheric Physics in Urban Areas and its impact on Human Health and Wind Tunnel Calibration and the Boundary Layer. A

A list of student participants can be made available. For additional information on St. Thomas University and to connect with its School of Science as well as with its Scholarship teams that include full-ride nursing scholarships, please contact STU Chief Marketing/Communications Officer Marivi Prado, [email protected]

SOURCE St. Thomas University