Shows
Gator TAILSTemperature extremes and innate immunity in birdsAs the Earth's climate changes, species will be exposed to different thermal environments from the ones in which they evolved. This not only includes changes in average temperatures (e.g., warmer winters), but more variable temperatures (e.g., a 70F day in the Spring followed by a 30F day). To some degree, organisms can cope with these temperature changes because of their physiological systems... but the degree to which variable temperature might cause short- or long-term effects in wild organisms is still poorly understood. Professor Jennifer Houtz (Biology) and her students study some of these physiological mediators of stress...
2025-02-0710 minGator TAILSUsing Mobile Retina Screening to Catch Eye DiseasesProfessor Mahita Kadmiel's (Biology and Biochemistry) research program focuses on hormonal regulation (and dysregulation) of the eye. Although most of her research is done in the laboratory setting at Allegheny College, she is actively involved with collaborative research with Erie Retina Research Center. Some of this collaborative work involves mobile screening of patients for eye diseases, with the aim of increasing access to care for patients who might not routinely visit an ophthalmologist. In this episode, I chat with Ngwe Leku ('27; Biochemistry major and Global Health Studies minor) and Mitchell Devore ('26; Biochemistry major and Psychology minor) about...
2024-12-0512 minGator TAILSThe Philosophy of Fred Rogers (of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood)It’s been a quite a while since I’ve thought about Prince Tuesday, Mr. McFeely, and the other fictional characters in one of my favorite childhood TV shows: Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Bridgette Reeb (’25), a student in our Philosophy Program, has spent time during the last 2 academic years under the mentorship of Prof. Irem Kurtsal thinking about Fred Rogers… specifically, about some of the virtues and ethics associated with the philosophy of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. In this episode, Bridgette and I chat about how she began to view Fred Rogers as a philosopher and how some of the principles from his philoso...
2024-10-1412 minGator TAILSAssessing Brook Trout Populations in NW PAThe Watershed Conservation Research Center (WCRC) engages in strategic conservation activities related to land and water resources in the upper Allegheny River basin, focusing on the French Creek Watershed. The co-directors Profs. Casey Bradshaw-Wilson and Kelly Pearce, along with numerous other staff scientists, work with Allegheny students and community partners to conduct research projects during the summer and academic year. Listen in to the 1st episode of Season 3, where Prof. Venesky and Marrin Crist (a student in the Department of Environmental Science and Sustainability) chat about one of the projects that Marrin did during as part of our Summer Research Program in
2024-09-0411 minGator TAILSMice, Ticks, and Lyme Disease in PALyme Disease (caused primarily by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi) is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. In 2022, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ranked #2 in the number of reported cases of Lyme Disease in the United States. Lyme Disease is of interest to biologists, epidemiologists, and health professionals because of the complex ways in which wildlife and ecological variables interact to affect human disease risk. Alexis Furbush ('24) spent 8 weeks during the Summer of 2024 as part of a grant-funded research team trapping mice and collecting ticks in Crawford and Mercer Counties in Pennsylvania. Listen in to this episode as...
2024-03-1110 minGator TAILSEthics and Aesthetics in the Contemporary Field GuideField guides are utilized by professional scientists, citizen scientists, and members of the general public to assist in the identification of living (and non-living) parts of our environment. In addition to providing users with images and descriptions of the things that are viewing, some field guides provide information about these items that relate to their historical or cultural significance. Milo Watson (’26) worked on a project during the Summer of 2023 with Associate Professor John Miller (in the English Department) to survey the aesthetics of field guides, how they present information, and the various ways that field guides discuss (or don’t discu...
2024-02-0911 minGator TAILSInequality and Structural Transformation in AfricaWhen the economies of countries grow, they experience a shift (or a transformation) in the makeup of their economy as jobs shift to meet the new economic demands. Economics major Zachary Wyse ('25) and Professor Stephen Onyeiwu (Andrew Wells Robertson Professor of Economics) spent part of the Summer of 2023 exploring the pathways through which inequality influences how, and whether, Africa might achieve structural transformation. Listen in to this episode to hear about their summer research!
2024-01-2311 minGator TAILSWhat are the impacts of expanding a public transit system in a major metropolitan area?Beatrice is from Toronto, Ontario -- one of the fastest growing cities in all of North America. As cities grow, most residents are typically added to the surrounding suburbs which creates a bit of a problem: how do cities efficiently move people from further distances into the city center? To accomplish this, public transits (such as the Toronto Transit Commission) consider adding to the existing network of transit lines. Although these additions are done to create more efficient travel, there are negative consequences to building new transit lines. Beatrice's research addresses this topic and she spent the Summer of 2023...
2023-11-2912 minGator TAILSGenetics and DevelopmentYou've probably heard that DNA contains the genetic code -- the "instruction manual" (if you will). Within DNA, some of these segments of A's, T's, G's and C's found in a certain order contain the instructions (= genes) to create proteins -- the macromolecules that actually "carry out" the instructions of DNA. Researchers, such as evolutionary developmental biologists, study how genes relate to the process of organismal development and how that process (and the underlying genetic code) is similar, or different, across different species. In this episode, I chat with Nickel Spartz ('26) about the research that he conducted with...
2023-10-2311 minGator TAILSUsing Podcasts to Drive Gen Z EngagementBintou Fofana is a senior at Allegheny College, where she is pursuing a degree in International Studies with an area focus on West Africa. She is double minoring in Political Science and French. At Allegheny, Bintou is involved in numerous activities/organizations, including the Center for Political Participation and she is part of the Global Citizens Scholars’ Program. Bintou is also a podcaster and her podcast, “Things Just Got Spicy”, just finished its 3rd season. In the summer of 2023, Bintou worked on a student-faculty collaborative research project with Prof. Ishita Sinha Roy on podcasting and building gen-z political engagement. Listen in to o...
2023-09-2612 minGator TAILSInstitutions and Interests that Shape the Policy ProcessAllegheny College's Law and Policy Program provides students with opportunities to explore their interests in politics and prepare them for the kinds of work they want to pursue after graduation. This program is open to students majoring in any academic discipline at Allegheny College. In January of 2023, Prof. Brian Harward and some staff members in the Center for Career and Professional Development took 12 Allegheny students to Washington DC to participate in a 9-day seminar called "Institutions and Interests that Shape the Policy Process" where students learned from top policymaking experts during rigorous academic seminars on critical elements of the...
2023-09-0511 minGator TAILSThe Crawford County Health Needs AssessmentFor a number of years, Dr. Becky Dawson ('00) has partnered with the Meadville Medical Center on a number of projects associated with public health and epidemiology. One of these projects has been assisting in the Crawford County Health Needs Assessment. This is an ongoing research project aimed to assess the health in Crawford County by collecting, analyzing, distributing and using valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data to improve community health. During the Summer of 2022, Skyler Masse (Biology) and Emily Spitz (Biochemistry) were part of a team of students that worked with Dr. Dawson on this, and other...
2023-04-1011 minGator TAILSArt Galleries at Allegheny and BeyondThe Art Department at Allegheny College has a rich tradition of helping students learn to contextualize artworks, understand the connection between art and history, and showcasing original pieces of art in the Allegheny Art Galleries. Allegheny students and faculty also have opportunities to collaborate with art galleries and museums in the surrounding area during which students gain valuable exposure to regional artists and can assist in local art exhibitions. In this episode, I chat with Haley Fabich (L) and Erin Magnus (R) about their involvement in some projects and internships at the Erie Art Museum.
2023-03-2211 minGator TAILSUsing Glucocorticoids to Treat Eye DiseasesGlucocorticoids are steroid hormones that occur naturally in vertebrates and regulate many aspects of an organisms physiology. They are also widely used for the treatment of inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and even in some cancers. In this episode, I chat with Lottie Mateyak ('23; Biology) about a research project that she conducted with Dr. Mahita Kadmiel, Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Allegheny College. The big aim of the project is to understand how researchers can use glucocorticoids as part of the treatment of eye diseases but minimize the negative side effects that glucocorticoid use can have. Listen in a...
2023-03-0110 minGator TAILSThe Vocal Performing Arts @ AlleghenyEvelyn Griffith ('24) is a double major in Computer Science and English Creative Writing and also a soprano vocalist at Allegheny College. In November of 2022, Evelyn performed a Junior Vocal Recital (one of many possible Performance Opportunities for Allegheny Students through our Music Department) in the Ford Memorial Chapel. Prior to her recital, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Evelyn about a number of topics ranging from singing as a child to what it means to be a student vocalist. In addition to our conversation, I had the chance to sit in and record one...
2023-02-1316 minGator TAILSClimate Change & Phenology in High Elevation StreamsThe plants and animals that inhabit most ecosystems experience phenological changes (i.e., cyclical and seasonal changes in their physiology, anatomy, or behavior). In fact, those of us who live in the temperate zone are familiar with a common phenological change: watching the leaves of deciduous trees change colors and drop during autumn. Climate change is altering the timing and patterns of precipitation and temperature and these changes can have profound effects on the phenology of organisms. In this episode, I chat with Rachel Walters (’23; Biology) who participated in a summer research project at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Co...
2023-01-2009 minGator TAILSInterning at the Gettysburg National Military ParkThe Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most influential battles within the American Civil War -- it marked the turning point of the war and ended Confederate general Robert E. Lee's attempt to invade the North and eliminating the possibility that the Confederate States of America would become an independent nation with the Union victory. Michael Gartland (’23), a History major and English minor, spent part of the Summer of 2022 as an intern at the Gettysburg National Military Park and worked on a research project in which he used an online database to find and catalogue over 200 soldier pension file...
2022-12-0911 minGator TAILSThe Glaciers Edge: Eco-Tourism in NW PennsylvaniaIf you’re not familiar with NW Pennsylvania, this part of the country is beautiful! In fact, there are numerous natural resources and outdoor recreational areas that are within a 45-minute drive of Meadville. Ray Colabawalla ('25) and Hunter Goerman ('25) spent their summer traveling across parts of PA working on a project in conjunction with Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Professor Ishita Roy (Dept. of Communication, Film, and Theatre), and local community partners trying to assess the possibility of establishing a formal connection between the large swath of public and private lands and other assets in a north-south corridor in We...
2022-11-1812 minGator TAILSIt's Not All About Sex (Or Is It?)In this episode, Victoria Smith ('23) discusses her experience as the Director of a play titled "It's Not All About Sex (Or Is It?)". This play (written by Professor Emeritus Josh Searle-White) was performed at the Meadville Community Theatre March 11-13 of 2022. The Meadville Community Theatre was founded in 1967 and is the oldest continually running community theater in Meadville. "It's Not All About Sex (Or Is It?)" explores relationships, sexuality, and consent in our modern world. Victoria shares her thoughts on the play itself, how she got into theatre, and the coursework and preparation that goes into Directing a...
2022-11-0112 minGator TAILSThe Chemistry Behind COVID Tests & Other Surface ReactionsAll of us are now familiar with rapid COVID antigen tests: a single line indicates no active infection whereas a double line indicates a positive infection. How do these test cards actually work and what type of chemistry is involved in this type of test? This, and numerous other biochemical and medical applications, use chemical surface reactions like those on the COVID antigen test card. One of type of surface reaction is attaching proteins to surfaces to act as a recognition system for a biosensor. Bill Nese (’23), a student in the lab of Dr. Alice Deckert, conducted a project in...
2022-10-1412 min
Gator TAILSExploring an amphibian die-off in PAIn this episode, Emma Yesko ('23) discusses her summer research project at Bousson Environmental Research Reserve, a property owned by Allegheny College. Emma discovered a die-off of tadpoles in a pond and she conducted a multi-week field study to try to determine what factor(s) might be associated with the mortality event.
2022-09-3009 min
Gator TAILSIntroducing... Gator TAILSGator TAILS (Talking About Inquiry, Learning, and Scholarship) is your one stop shop to hear about the exciting research, scholarship, and creative work done by current Allegheny College students. In this introductory episode, you'll meet the host -- Dr. Matt Venesky (Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities at Allegheny College) and hear a brief introduction about the concept of the Gator TAILS podcast.
For more information about this podcast, visit this link or click here to find out more information about Allegheny College.
2022-08-2501 min