| September 20, 2006 | Vol 8. No. 3 |
National Science Foundation Supports Sheets’ Research
H. David Sheets, PhD, professor of physics, is a recipient of a research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The three-year, $20,870 grant supports an interdisciplinary research project in which Sheets and paleontologists from three different universities will study the development of a select trilobite species (A. konincki). Trilobites are long-extinct, hard-shelled creatures that once existed in the Earth’s seas. Sheets’ will use the NSF grant to develop statistical tests and specialized software to examine several different hypotheses about the developmental process in A. konicki. The research aims to provide a better understanding of the species’ genetic mechanisms and its evolution.
Sheets will also present research at the 118th annual meeting of the Geological Society of America which will be held in Philadelphia, PA from October 22-25. Sheets presentation is entitled An Initial Approach to the Estimation of Uncertainty in Biodiversity Estimates Obtained From Composite Sections, With an Example from the Hirnantian Mass Extinction. Approximately 6,200 geologists are expected to attend the meeting.
Biology Course Selected as Best Practices
The Department of Biology Course Introduction to Cellular and Subcellular Biology (BIO 101) has been identified as one of the top examples of best practices in a national study of biology courses conducted by the Center for Educational Policy Research (CEPR) on behalf of the College Board. At Canisius, the course was collaboratively developed by the following faculty members: Robert J. Grebenok, PhD, associate professor of biology, Susan M. Aronica, PhD, associate professor of biology, Elizabeth Hogan, associate professor of biology, Barbara Hanson, associate professor of biology and John Kalb, assistant professor of biology.
The CEPR study sought to identify best practices in college courses that could inform the redesign of AP courses in biology. In addition to being designated a best practice course overall, BIO 101, specific elements of the course were designated by CEPR as exemplary.
Vehar to Perform New Works
Persis Parshall Vehar, Canisius College Composer-in-residence, will premiere several of her latest works this fall and winter. On September 28, flutist Carol Wincenc, soprano Laura Aikin and pianist Persis Vehar will premiere her song cycle, RADIANCE, for the Western New York AIDS Community Services Benefit sponsored by Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS in New York City. KADDISH – IN MEMORIAM of WARREN BENSON (for double choir) will premiere in Ithaca on October 8 when sung by the Ithaca College Choir, Dr. Lawrence Doebler, conductor. On December 2, the Alden, New York Ecumenical Choir will premiere a Christmas anthem, GLORIA, which was commissioned for Advent. Astiz Gives Presentation in Argentina
M. Fernanda Astiz, PhD, assistant professor of education, gave a presentation on the use of mixed research methodologies in comparative education studies for the Argentinean Comparative and International Education Society. Her presentation, entitled Metodolog Mixtas de Investigacin Educaciomparada, took place on May 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Astiz also recently published an article entitled “School Autonomy in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina: Evidence from Two School Districts” in the journal Comparative Education, Vol. 42 (2) pp. 203-223 (2006).