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Latest News
Taking science beyond the classroom
August 3, 2006
Four Ave Maria University undergraduates spent the greater part of their summer vacations working on biological research projects ranging from isolating marine microbes that may produce antibiotics to studying molecules that inhibit proteins needed for HIV replication.
"A summer research program is really a hallmark of a high-quality science program," said Dr. James Peliska, professor of chemistry and biology and chair of the Department of Biology and Chemistry at AMU. "You need to have a rigorous research program in order to provide students with the breadth of opportunities they need to go on to graduate school or medical school."
Students Anthony Jay and Joreen Belocura worked directly with Peliska on compounds that inhibit the activity of the enzyme HIV reverse transcriptase, which plays a key part in the HIV infection process. Corinne Mannella and Catherine Spevak worked with Dr. Ernesto Quintero, associate professor of biology, on sediment samples from the nearby Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, isolating microorganisms that could produce new antibiotics.
Belocura believes that the experience gave her insight into the responsibilities of those in the biological and medical fields.
"I came away from the research with a very real idea of the difficulties facing researchers today," she said. "I also came to a greater understanding of the value of human life: if you get into research without an aim to help your fellow man, you will never succeed."