Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Biographies

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


Who are you? What makes you tick? What brought all of us to this time and place together? In March, we will be making presentations to the community to share our research experiences. Our program book will contain a biography about each of you. Your task is to write that biography. Please post it here. It is always interesting to learn about the people we are in class with every day.

Samples:

Igor Zelenberg is a senior at Stamford High School. He swims for the varsity team during the winter and plays tennis for the varsity during the spring. This year Igor competed in the 2003 Intel Talent Search and was named a National Semifinalist in the Siemens Westinghouse Math, Science, and Technology Competition. Igor is eagerly awaiting college admission responses. He plans to study Biomedical and Chemical Engineering.

Katelyn Imbornoni is a senior at Stamford High School. Katelyn’s interests in the environment and science in general led to her joining the Research Program last year. In school, Katelyn is involved in many clubs such as Interact, Tri-M (a national music honors society), and is a proud member of the SHS Madrigals Singers. Next year, Katelyn will be pursuing a degree in Elementary Education although she is still unsure as to what school she will be attending.

Frank LaBanca, a Biology Teacher, directs the Applied Science Research Program at Newtown High School. He has taught Biology, Marine Biology, Advanced Placement Biology, and Science Research for the past eleven years. Previously he worked at the University of Connecticut in the Berg Bacterial Genetics Laboratory. His primary project was a mapping strategy for the HLA-C region of the immune system for the Human Genome Project. He has published articles in Biotechnology and Biology Education in Gene, The American Biotechnology Laboratory, The American Biology Teacher, The Science Teacher, The Connecticut Journal of Science Education, and The Natural Selection. Mr. LaBanca is a field consultant for BSCS (Biological Science Curriculum Study) in Colorado, a Chair Judge for the New York Academy of Science’s Science and Engineering Fair, an advisory board member of the Connecticut Science Fair, and an executive board member of the Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Mr. LaBanca has been recognized nationally as a GTE G.I.F.T. (Growth Initiatives for Teachers) Fellow, a RadioShack National Teacher for Excellence in Science, Math, and Technology, the Teachers Insurance Plan Teacher of the Year, and a National Education Association Innovation Grant Recipient.

2005 Interview Series #3: Dr. Paul Mangiafico

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


Dr. Mangiafico is a physician with the Mount Kisco Medical Group . Read his education bio here.

He states:

“I am 42, and one of the docs that still loves Medicine. I work with the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts, and have also spent time in several other schools talking with students. I am an Internist and work in NY state in private practice; primarily General medicine, Internal medicine, and Geriatrics.

I will come in with some general examples and topics to discuss on how science applies to human anatomy and physiology, as well as interesting medical careers topics. Many people do not know how broad the medical sciences are, as well as the vast differences between clinical, academic, and research practices. I believe that when most people think of medicine, they think of what I do; clinical practice seeing patients: preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease and injury. Obviously the part that I think is fun, but there is a lot behind the scenes going on.”

Get some info about the career of a medical doctor at http://www.aamc.org/students/considering/careers.htm
Read what a parent wrote and responses received for a child who was contemplating a career in medicine. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=287766

Using the information above as well as your own interests and further research, compose appropriate, relevant questions to ask Dr. Mangiafico when he visits us on November 10th. Questions should be conceptual, in-depth, and original (do not repeat other students’ questions). Post them here so we can share our ideas and thoughts.

Our interview will conclude with the “Big10.” . . . a series of rapid-fire, quick-response questions based on The Pivot Questionnaire. You will probably recognize them as similar to the 10 questions James Lipton asks of his interviewees on the television program Inside the Actor’s Studio.

01. What is your favorite word?
02. What is your least favorite word?
03. What turns you on creatively?
04. Who has made the biggest impact on your life? (name and relation)
05. What is your favorite scientific word?
06. What sound or noise do you love?
07. What sound or noise do you hate?
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
09. What profession would you not like to do?
10. What phrase or message should all people know?

2005 Interview Series #2: Dr. Lisa Kaplan

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


Dr. Lisa Kaplan is currently the director of the Biology and Enviromental Sciences Programs at Post University in Waterbury. She received her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. She studied under Dr. Joseph Crivello. Below is the abstract from her dissertation

Title: CHARACTERIZATION OF CYTOCHROME P-450IIE1P ACTIVITY, HEPATOTOXICITY, AND CELL PROLIFERATION AS COMPONENTS OF CARCINOGENESIS IN FISH OF THE GENUS POECILIOPSIS
Author(s): KAPLAN, LISA ANN ELIZABETH
Degree: PH.D.
Year: 1991
Pages: 00159
Institution: THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT; 0056
Advisor: Major Adviser: J. F. CRIVELLO
Source: DAI, 52, no. 12B, (1991): 6255
Abstract: Several species from the fish genus Poeciliopsis differ dramatically in their response to the carcinogen N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). Differential induction of tumors among genotypes exposed to NDEA may, in part, result from differences in carcinogen bioactivation, extent of hepatotoxicity, and induction of cell proliferation to replace damaged hepatocytes.

Biochemical evidence (inhibition by carbon monoxide and requirement of molecular oxygen and NADPH) suggests that a microsomal cytochrome P450IIE1 enzyme catalyzes the metabolism of NDEA to acetaldehyde and other intermediates in Poeciliopsis. A radioactive assay was developed to measure acetaldehyde formation in liver microsomal preparations. Differences in maximal basal activity and thermal optima (25$spcirc$C-30$spcirc$C) were found among genotypes. Western Blots, using anti-rat P450IIE1 antibodies, detected a 55-60kd band in fish and rat liver microsomes, but none in muscle microsomes.

Northern Blots, using a 49mer probe specific for rat P450IIE1, detected a 3.3kb mRNA from liver of one synthesized and two wild-type hemiclones; no bands were detected from muscle RNA. S1 Nuclease Protection Assays revealed an mRNA protected by the 49mer against nuclease digestion that could be either induced or suppressed depending on dose and exposure to ethanol. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), using gene specific primers, amplified a 300bp fragment. The putative amino acid sequence from this cDNA had 40% homology with rat P450IIE1.

The presence of cytochrome P450IIE1 activity in liver is, by itself, not sufficient to produce tumorigenesis; there must be cells susceptible to the activated carcinogen. Cells appear most susceptible to damage during their replicative phase. Although adult liver parenchyma is fairly stable, it retains the ability for substantial regeneration. Damage from chemical insult has been found to initiate a toxic response in Poeciliopsis liver. Histological examination of liver after carcinogen exposure revealed diffuse and localized necrosis, loss of tissue architecture, condensation of nuclei, and, in some instances, increased vacuolation of hepatocytes as early as one day post-treatment. Although lymphocytic infiltration was absent, macrophage activity was observed on different days after exposure. Extensive cell proliferation usually began two days post-treatment and continued for up to 12 days.

Read her statement of research at:
http://207.16.80.151/kaplan/page3.html

Read her current personal profile
http://207.16.80.151/kaplan/page4.html

Read about her teaching experiences
http://207.16.80.151/kaplan/page5.html

Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Crivello had a partnership for a number of years conducting research in association with Connecticut High Schools. The program was funded by the Long Island Sound Licence Plate Fund and was called The Estuary Watch Program. Students would collect data from different Long Island Sound Salt Marshes in Connecticut, provide data, with more sophisticated research taking place in Dr. Crivello’s lab. Read about this program at http://estuary.uconn.edu

If you would like to find out more about some of Dr. Kaplan’s published research, search Google! Scholar using “LAE Kaplan” for your search parameters.

Using the information above as well as your own interests and further research, compose appropriate, relevant questions to ask Dr. Kaplan when she visits us on October 25th. Questions should be conceptual, in-depth, and original (do not repeat other students’ questions). Post them here so we can share our ideas and thoughts.

Our interview will conclude with the “Big10.” . . . a series of rapid-fire, quick-response questions based on The Pivot Questionnaire. You will probably recognize them as similar to the 10 questions James Lipton asks of his interviewees on the television program Inside the Actor’s Studio.

01. What is your favorite word?
02. What is your least favorite word?
03. What turns you on creatively?
04. Who has made the biggest impact on your life? (name and relation)
05. What is your favorite scientific word?
06. What sound or noise do you love?
07. What sound or noise do you hate?
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
09. What profession would you not like to do?
10. What phrase or message should all people know?

Kelly L’s Choice Project

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


Kelly has created a robotics website. Please check it out and provide feedback.

www.angelfire.com/ct3/robotics_project

Feedback should include:
What you like
What needs to be clarified
Questions you have
Suggestions and/or other comments

2005 Interview Series #1: Richard Reilly

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


Richard Reilly is not a scientist. He is an entrepreneur. He recently started a company www.biodieselwarehouse.com. This company is web-based and sells parts necessary for a home user to set up a biodiesel “refinary” in their home. This conversion technique is called “the appleseed process.” The biodiesel fuel can be used to run a diesel engine car or mixed up to 20% in home heating oil. Richard estimates that it costs approximately $0.70 per gallon to make biodiesel. This is a far cry from the approximately $3.00 people are currently paying at the pump.

Using the information above as well as your own interests and further research, compose appropriate, relevant questions to ask Mr. Reilly when he visits us on September 29. Questions should be conceptual, in-depth, and original (do not repeat other students’ questions). Post them here so we can share our ideas and thoughts.

Our interview will conclude with the “Big10.” . . . a series of questions based on The Pivot Questionnaire. You will probably recognize them as similar to the 10 questions James Lipton asks of his interviewees on the television program Inside the Actor’s Studio.

01. What is your favorite word?
02. What is your least favorite word?
03. What turns you on creatively?
04. Who has made the biggest impact on your life? (name and relation)
05. What is your favorite scientific word?
06. What sound or noise do you love?
07. What sound or noise do you hate?
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
09. What profession would you not like to do?

10. What phrase or message should all people know?

Problem Finding

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


Having trouble finding a problem? You probably are focusing to narrowly. Try the Osborne-Parnes Creative Problem Solving Process Manual.

Interests in science

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


In 100 proofed, succinct words: What are your interests and/or passions in science? What makes this (these) areas of study exciting? Have they impacted you as an individual?

ISEF Forms 2006

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


UPDATED! FORM 1, 2, & 3 AVAILABLE
Click for the following ISEF forms in .pdf format

Abstract
Form 1
Form 1A
Form 1B
Form 1C
Form 2

Form 3

Careers in Science

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.


Degrees in science are now considered valuable to enter a variety of professional fields. What are some of the unique benefits of pursuing a career or degree in science?

Some additional information:
http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2005-08/news_stories_high.htm

Welcome

Author: Frank LaBanca, Ed.D.

Welcome to the applied science research discussion blog. Questions will be posed for students to analyze and reflect as it relates to their research.

FL