As a liberal arts college in the Holy Cross tradition, Saint Mary’s promotes educating the mind but not at the expense of the heart. The College teaches and empowers women to become leaders, citizens of the world, and critical thinkers. Saint Mary’s students have many opportunities to participate in research across all academic disciplines and professional programs.
Research by Saint Mary’s students and faculty
“Development of Rainbow Quantum Dot Solar Cells”
Yaqi Song ’17, Samantha Ayala ’19, and Matt Becker, Assistant Professor of Physics
Yaqi Song ’17 shows one of the rainbow quantum dot solar cells
Sam Ayala ’19, Yaqi Song ’17, and professor Matt Becker work in new laboratories in Science Hall.
“The Effects of Climate Change on Boreal Forest Birds at their Southern Periphery”
Kathryn Marshall ’17 and Joel Ralston, Assistant Professor of Biology, field research in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
“Dynamics of Flight and Echolocation in Mexican Free-Tailed Bats Emerging from Large Maternal Colonies in Kansas, New Mexico and Texas”
Cassi Mardis ’17, Stephanie Dreessen ’17, and Laura Kloepper, Assistant Professor of Biology
Cassi Mardis ’17, professor Laura Kloepper, her dog, Kaipo, and Stephanie Dresseen ’17 outside of a cave in Atena, KS.
During the summer of 2016, the research trio embarked on an eight-week summer trip to study the dynamics of flight and echolocation on Mexican free-tailed bats. As noted in a pre-trip blog post, “Three girls, a dog, the open road, and some bats…what could possibly go wrong?” Well, on July 20 the “bat mobile” had three flat tires and just one spare, plus the crew was 60 miles from cell service. Still, so much went right during their adventure! Catch their ups and downs on their blog, Twitter, and Instagram.
“Constructing Sexuality and Fetishizing Women in American History: Debunking Myths in Popular Culture from Pocahontas to First Wave Reformers”
Ali Tipton ’18, Adrienne Whisman ’17, and Katlynn Dee ’17, Seneca Falls Dialogue Conference, October 2016
Ali Tipton ’18, Adrienne Whisman ’17, and Katlynn Dee ’17 were encouraged by Jamie Wagman, assistant professor of history and gender and women’s studies, to do collaboratory research and present over their fall break in Seneca Falls, New York.
Professor Jamie Wagman, Adrienne Whisman ’17, Katlynn Dee ’17, and Ali Tipton ’18 at the Seneca Falls Dialogue Conference in October 2016.
“What is it Like to be a Thing? Creative Research into Object-Oriented Ontology”
Elise deSomer ’17 and Krista Hoefle, Associate Professor of Art
DeSomer created 15 conceptual scenes that tease the eye and bend the mind. Check out her work in this online gallery.
The PADs Project at Saint Mary’s College
The US Patent Office issued US Patent No. 9,354,181 to researchers at Saint Mary’s College and the University of Notre Dame for a Paper Analytical Device (PAD). It was the first time the College applied for and received a patent. The inexpensive paper-based tool has many uses, including the ability to detect low quality pharmaceuticals that could compromise the health of people, especially in developing nations where counterfeit drugs are prevalent.
Summer 2016 PADs research group
Saint Mary’s received its second patent, US Patent No. 9,555,274, issued on January 31, 2017. The patent lists Toni L.O. Barstis as an inventor and also Mary Bevilacqua ’12 of Denver, CO, who assisted in the research as an undergraduate.
Summer 2016, student-faculty teams conducted PADs research funded by the Marjorie A. Neuhoff Summer Science Research Communities, the Jen and Pat Prikkel Fund at the Mathile Family Foundation, as well as a Lilly Undergraduate Research Grant.
Projects included:
“Sampling and Analysis by Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry of Potentially Counterfeit Medicines and Validation of PAD Analyses”
Taylor Lashbrook ’17, Gina Pernesky ’17, and Christopher Dunlap, Associate Professor of Chemistry
“The Collection and Analysis of Antibiotic and Anti-worming Medicines from Nepal Using Chemical PADs and Instrumental Analysis”
Natalie Hartman ’16 and Toni Barstis, Professor of Chemistry
“Chemical PAD Prototype Development”
Eli Barstis (Hamilton College) and Toni Barstis, Professor of Chemistry
“Computer-assisted Image Analysis for PADs”
Catalina Vajiac ’18, and Ian Bentley, Assistant Professor of Physics
“The Development of a Prednisone Sensing Bio-PAD”
Kaitlyn Morris ’17, Megan Eggebrecht ’17, and Don Paetkau, Associate Professor of Biology
“The Development of Micro Bio PADs for the Summer 2018 Assessment of Water Quality in Nepal”
Alyssa Wyatt ’18 and Reena Lamichhane Khadka, Assistant Professor of Biology