Nov. 3, 2006
Contact: Gordon Ovenshine: 724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY CHEMISTRY MAJOR PLACES FIRST                                   

AT NATIONAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – For her biochemical research, Slippery Rock University chemistry major Amanda Henry placed first in the biochemical science category at the Ninth Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences.

Held in October at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 160 students from across the U.S. participated. The symposium showcases undergraduate research in chemistry, biology and biochemistry.

Henry, of Renfrew, won for a poster presentation on her yearlong research into how viruses and cancer affect human cells. She used a sodium solution (sodium butyrate) to study the activity of enzymes, searching for a way to slow cancer cell growth. 

“Hopefully, in the far future my research will be able to be applied to real cancer cells,” said Henry, who hopes to earn a doctorate in biochemistry.“Scientific know-how helps us make decision about health standards, health policy and regulations. We applaud Amanda’s research and are pleased she received recognition from the symposium,” said SRU’s Dr. Susan Hannan, interim dean for the College of Health, Environment and Science. “SRU stresses the importance of undergraduate student research, especially with faculty.”

SRU offers a major and minor in chemistry as well as majors in chemistry with  concentrations in biochemistry or the environment. Henry, a junior, enrolled in the biochemistry track.

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