From Adirondack Glaciers to Bronze-Age Microbiomes, Six Science Research Topics That Kept Fellows Fascinated All Summer
Every year, inquisitive students spend their summers at St. Lawrence, working alongside faculty mentors and diving deep into the topics that spark their curiosity. Whether in the field or lab, summer research fellowships make it possible for students with an interest in hard sciences—like chemistry, biology, or math—to gain hands-on experience and communicate their findings.
What can glacial striations in the North Country tell us about climate change? How can a better understanding of how cancer cells multiply help us develop new chemotherapeutic solutions? What can we learn about past civilizations from the extracted dental plaque of Bronze Age skeletons?
These are just a few of the questions our students asked this summer. They shared their discoveries, challenges, and valuable takeaways, as well as how they made the most of their extra time in the North Country.
Edward Habeck ’24
Hometown: Morrisville, Vermont
Majors: Biology and Anthropology double major
Project title: Human Oral Microbiome Observed in Bronze Age Skeletal Remains from Tell Leilan, Mesopotamia
How would you describe your research to someone who is new to the topic?
I extracted bacterial DNA from the calcified dental plaque of Bronze Age Mesopotamian skeletons. My aim was to develop an accurate profile of the human oral microbiome from individuals of this time period. Nearly every organism on Earth has a unique microbiome influenced by its environment, diet, and other factors. These microorganisms prime our immune systems, help us break down and utilize certain nutrients from food, and even protect us from dangerous pathogens. Studying our essential and ubiquitous interactions with microbes only draws us closer to understanding what it truly means to be human.
What about this topic sparked your curiosity?
I've always held immense excitement and a deep fascination for the structure, function, and study of DNA. As an undergraduate, I've developed a passion for microbiology. I absolutely love studying the world which we cannot always see without dedicated instruments, yet one which influences so much of our lives.
Human diversity is truly a beautiful attribute of our species, one that demonstrates our resilience and adaptability to countless distinct environments. Preserved fragments of ancient DNA act as complex and detailed records of this diversity, allowing us to compare past and modern populations and unlock the secrets behind our ever-changing existence.
Who was your faculty mentor and what were the benefits of working closely with them?
Associate Professor of Biology Lorraine Olendzenski. I know the opportunity to develop a close relationship with my mentors would be otherwise impossible at many larger institutions. It’s allowed me to receive extremely specialized training in my greatest interests.
Was there a moment when you felt particularly challenged during your research? How did you overcome it?
Throughout our preliminary research, Professor Olendzenski and I realized that the methodology we initially planned to use needed to be modified. To carry out effective DNA extraction for very small pieces of genetic material, we required new solutions to carefully remove outside contaminants and gather adequate data. Though these changes appeared daunting at first, learning to adapt and problem-solve through additional research proved especially useful.
What do you feel you’ve gained as a result of doing research as an undergraduate?
I'm eternally grateful for the chance to demonstrate my joy and passion for scientific research through a project pertaining to my interests. My experience in a laboratory setting will be advantageous in my pursuit to attend graduate school, and I feel significantly more prepared for rigorous and focused hands-on research in any applicable field.
What would you say was your greatest discovery? This could be something you learned about your research or yourself.
I've accepted that science is not a predictable discipline, particularly delicate research of this kind. I learned that keeping an open mind leads to innovation and makes it possible to work through setbacks. Open-mindedness is one of the greatest skills I've acquired as a scientist.
I’ve been reassured that there’s still so much work to do in developing a methodology for better understanding the human microbiome—both in the past and present. The opportunity to work directly with bacterial DNA extraction only reinforced my love for microbiology and paleogenetics. I now know that a field of this kind is genuinely right for me, and I’m beyond excited to continue working with bacteria in the future!
Leah Biwot ’24
Hometown: Kitale, Kenya
Majors: Chemistry and Sociology double major
Project title: Synthesis of Threading Intercalators to Target DNA in Cancer Cells
How would you describe your research to someone who is new to the topic?
My research is focused on making larger compounds (i.e., acridines) from small molecules like aniline that could be used to study and understand how cancer cells multiply. The synthesized compounds have mutagenic ability and could therefore potentially be used as the basis for making chemotherapeutic agents.
What about this topic sparked your curiosity?
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. About 39.5% of the U.S. population receives a diagnosis at some point in their lifetime. Therefore, research on selective anticancer drugs and solutions has been of interest to a lot of researchers, including myself.
Who were your faculty mentors and what were the benefits of working closely with them?
Professor and Chair of Chemistry Samantha Glazier and Associate Professor of Chemistry Samuel Tartakoff. Working closely with them has allowed me to better understand new techniques and instruments, like the Schlenk Line, fluorimeter, and NMR machine. I have also gained more confidence in writing literature analyses and lab reports.
Was there a moment when you felt particularly challenged during your research? How did you overcome it?
I felt challenged every day in the lab. The reactions I tried involved complicated mechanisms that I have never come across in any of my classes. Sometimes the proposed procedures from online sources did not work, which was very frustrating. Since my research also involves new compounds that have never been synthesized before, it was quite challenging to design mechanisms that work. However, with the help of my mentors and intense research, I have managed to make most of them work.
What do you feel you’ve gained as a result of doing research as an undergraduate?
My writing and presentation skills have improved through writing research reports and presenting posters in front of other researchers and faculty members. I have gained confidence working in the lab and am now fully equipped to handle toxic and dangerous chemicals. Thanks to my safety training, I am now able to protect myself and the people I work with inside and outside of the lab.
What would you say was your greatest discovery? This could be something you learned about your research or yourself.
While working with the compounds I synthesized, I realized that most of my compounds couldn't be tested with DNA because they were barely soluble in water. This led me to try making my compounds charged so they become more polar and therefore, more soluble in water. I was successful after a couple of trials, which meant I could test the compounds with DNA to better understand drug interactions.
What did you get to do on campus during the summer that you don't normally get to during the school year?
I have had a chance to participate in in-person and virtual meetings where I get to share my research with other undergraduate students across the U.S. I also had time to bake a lot, try cooking dishes from various cultures, go swimming with my friends, participate in church events, and play volleyball with other students doing research this summer.
Sofia Zareizadeh ’26
Hometown: Fasa, Iran
Major: Undeclared
Project title: Do Glucocorticoid Stress Hormones Act Synergistically with the T3 Thyroid Hormone in Xenopus Laevis Metamorphosis?
How would you describe your research to someone who is new to the topic?
This summer, I studied the effects of thyroid hormones and stress hormones on tadpole development during metamorphosis.
What about this topic sparked your curiosity?
I became interested after reading about Associate Professor of Biology Alexander Schrieber's recent research and learning more about metamorphosis.
Who was your faculty mentor and what were the benefits of working closely with them?
It was valuable to work so closely with my mentor, Professor Schrieber. He provided guidance and explanations when needed. It makes a big difference to have one-on-one time with a faculty mentor, especially as a first-year student.
Was there a moment when you felt particularly challenged during your research? How did you overcome it?
Photographing each tadpole would be tiring, but I worked with a lab partner who could take over and help. Communication is very important in a lab environment.
What do you feel you’ve gained as a result of doing research as an undergraduate?
Besides gaining life skills like time management, this research opportunity has helped me to explore my interests in depth and better understand if biology is a course of study I would like to pursue in the future.
What would you say was your greatest discovery? This could be something you learned about your research or yourself.
When comparing photographs of the tadpoles, we noticed how hormonal treatments for a short time can make huge differences on the physiques of the frogs.
What did you get to do on campus during the summer that you don't normally get to during the school year?
I also completed a short-term internship with UNICEF and outside of my research, I took advantage of exploring the amazing nature around campus with my friends.
Tye Royal ’25
Hometown: Malone, New York
Major: Mathematics major
Project title: Making an Enigma Machine
How would you describe your research to someone who is new to the topic?
My research consisted of building an Enigma machine, which encrypts and decrypts secret messages. It's known for its use by the Germans during World War II. The original machine was all mechanical and electrical because that was the standard in the early- to mid-20th century. My job was to create a fully functioning Enigma machine that still implements some of the original design.
What about this topic sparked your curiosity?
I learned about the machine in secondary school after watching a film called Imitation Game, and I was fascinated by its complexity.
Who was your faculty mentor and what were the benefits of working closely with them?
My mentor was Assistant Professor of Mathematics Gabriel Dorfsman-Hopkins. Being able to ask questions and consult a new perspective thoroughly enhanced my experience. There were many moments of uncertainty when it was beneficial to just think and talk through different ideas to figure out what the best path forward would be.
Was there a moment when you felt particularly challenged during your research? How did you overcome it?
Understanding how the rotors worked was particularly challenging. The original machine has three rotors that turn, which aid in the process of encrypting/decrypting a message. There are many more small details that are vital for the rotors to function properly. The mechanical design is simple enough because it's like putting a Lego set together, but we used code to implement the rotors, which added another challenge. Overcoming this required looking at how the physical machine moved and translating that motion into a mathematical framework.
What do you feel you’ve gained as a result of doing research as an undergraduate?
I've learned that plans are only plans. It's good to generally understand what a project will look like, but you must be able to think on your feet.
What would you say was your greatest discovery? This could be something you learned about your research or yourself.
Initially, I didn't think the machine would be that hard to construct, but upon further review, it became quite complex. I had to understand mechanical, electrical, and new coding languages that I had never dealt with before. My "aha!" moment is you may not be completely qualified for the task at hand, but you shouldn’t always let qualification requirements deter you.
What did you get to do on campus during the summer that you don't normally get to during the school year?
I spent time training for the upcoming Cross Country season. In my free time, I enjoyed our weekly barbecues at the townhouses.
Molly Jane Doyle ’25
Hometown: Hailey, Idaho
Major: Geology and English double major
Project title: Estimating Basal Conditions of the Laurentide Ice Sheet Through Striation Analyses: Taclville, New York, Western Adirondacks
How would you describe your research to someone who is new to the topic?
In Talcville (30 minutes south of campus) there is an outcrop of exposed bedrock from around 100,000 years ago when the Laurentide ice sheet covered the east side of the continent. The bedrock is typically hidden by many layers of earth, but due to mining for talc in the area, there is a spot where I can study the rocks upon which the glacier rested. I studied the tiny scratches, or glacial striations, that the glacier left. These striations make it possible to map the flow of the ice sheet, figure out where it came from and where it went, and to note the impact of climate change.
What about this topic sparked your curiosity?
I have always been curious about how our world works and, growing up in an area of the country where most of the water flows from glaciers, this topic has been particularly interesting. When my advisor approached me about this, it instantly became something I needed to do, as it combined my curiosity for the function of the planet as well as my passion for climate studies and advocacy.
Who was your faculty mentor and what were the benefits of working closely with them?
Working with Associate Professor of Geology Alexander Stewart was incredibly beneficial. I got an inside look at what it is to be a real scientist working in the field—my dream since I was a child. He gave me guidance when I needed it, but he also knew when to let me figure things out on my own.
Was there a moment when you felt particularly challenged during your research? How did you overcome it?
One massive challenge that I didn’t anticipate was the weather. I’d learned how to work in the rain in geology labs during the semester, but I didn’t fully understand how to overcome challenging conditions until I was conducting my own research in the field.
At first, severe smoke caused by wildfires in Canada prevented me from being outside. To adapt, I completed GIS training and data entry so that the day was not entirely lost.
The second time I had to admit defeat was when it started downpouring on me while I was working on a sloped rock area—wet rocks are much more slippery than they look. After that, I brought my raincoat with me even on cloudless days. I also underestimated that heat would be an issue. After a few sunburns and a single heat stroke incident, I always brought extra water and invested in the highest SPF sunscreen I could find.
What do you feel you’ve gained as a result of doing research as an undergraduate?
I was able to get to know myself more than I thought I would while being in the field on my own and controlling the structure of my research. I learned so much about my motivators, how I work best, and my limits.
I also really valued the extra time I had to explore my surroundings. Sometimes, it’s important to indulge your childlike fascination. Being able to climb trees or collect samples not directly related to my research made me appreciate the more serious work I was doing. Outdoor work should be enjoyable, and finding a balance between structured work and exploring off-script was important for me.
What would you say was your greatest discovery? This could be something you learned about your research or yourself.
I found a vein of what appeared to be labradorite during one of my random sample collection periods. This led me to find so many other minerals within the rocks I was working with and expanded my limitation on what I expected there to be. From there, I was able to start observing different types of albites and mica in samples that I had previously considered to be the talc-tremolite schist that makes up the majority of the outcrop.
What did you get to do on campus during the summer that you don't normally get to during the school year?
Being on campus during the summer was one of the most valued experiences in my life. I adore this campus during the school year, but living on my own in the Townhouses was an incredible shift. Since I had more free time, I explored more of the surrounding area, made new friends, and learned a lot about living independently. I feel like I know this place so much better now and have formed an even deeper connection to it.
Al Logan ’25
Hometown: Monrovia, Liberia
Major: Biomedical Sciences major
Project title: Estimating the Concentration of and Characterizing Microplastics in Freshwater Clams’ Tissue in St. Lawrence Rivers
How would you describe your research to someone who is new to the topic?
My research focuses on estimating and characterizing microplastics concentration in clam tissue in local St. Lawrence rivers. Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces that are less than 5 mm (about 0.2 in.) in size. They can acquire toxic chemicals from the environment, which makes them very harmful to humans and other organisms.
What about this topic sparked your curiosity?
There’s little we know about microplastics despite the threat they pose to global ecosystems. Several studies have linked the ingestion of microplastics to issues like reduced growth rate and reproductive complications in animals, which could potentially collapse an entire ecosystem. I’m interested in adding to this body of research.
Who was your faculty mentor and what were the benefits of working closely with them?
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Amanda Oldacre. It was quite helpful to have a mentor to guide me through the initial stages of the research, especially in answering questions I wouldn't have figured out by myself.
Was there a moment when you felt particularly challenged during your research? How did you overcome it?
A significant challenge during the experiment was ensuring that the microplastics present in the tissue samples were from the river from which they were collected. Since most water pipes are made from PVC, the tissue samples could get contaminated by the water we were using. To overcome this, Professor Oldacre and I performed a control experiment with just distilled water to see if there were any microplastics present.
What do you feel you’ve gained as a result of doing research as an undergraduate?
I have gained some valuable lab skills, and I have learned to communicate my ideas and findings to other scientists in my research community.
What would you say was your greatest discovery? This could be something you learned about your research or yourself.
We noticed that microplastics were found in bodies of water that were distant from human settlements and had little plastic pollution. One explanation for this is atmospheric deposition. Because they are so small, they may be easily carried by the wind and deposited in those environments.
What did you get to do on campus during the summer that you don't normally get to during the school year?
I enjoyed opportunities to play basketball with some of the staff on campus.
