April 13, 2017

Chambersburg, Pa. — Five Wilson College students presented the results of their research and two were recognized with research grants at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, held March 31 to April 2 at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.  

The following students presented research: seniors Gaser Ahmed, a citizen of Egypt living in Chambersburg; Anna Harutyunyan of Armenia; and Vanessa Lybarger of Bedford, Pa.; and juniors Ahmed Alshahrani of Saudi Arabia and Tracy Dile of Orrstown, Pa.
 
Ahmed and Harutyunyan were awarded a PAS Outstanding Research Grant for their projects.

Ahmed, who is majoring in biology and chemistry, presented his research project, Analysis of the Effects of Gluten Proteins and Low-Gliadin Wheat Products on Celiac Disease in NOD-DQ8 Mice. This study was performed to determine the effects of gluten, gliadin, glutenin and low-gliadin products on the progression of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of a wheat gluten protein called gliadin; as well as to determine whether there is a maximum amount that is safe to consume in a mouse model prone to developing the disease. Results of the study will provide further information about the immunotoxicity of gliadin and glutenin, and the safety of consumption of low-gliadin products, which may set the stage for application in humans.

Ahmed received Wilson’s E. Grace White Summer Scholarship last year in support of his undergraduate research and also has received several Wilson chemistry awards. He was selected to participate in the 2016 Summit Health Summer Work Experience program.  

Anna Harutyunyan of Armenia, who is majoring in biology and chemistry, presented a research project called Synthesis and Effects of Fe-AZT and Pd-AZT on Viability of Human Hepatocytes and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer, is the fifth-most common cancer and third-most common cause of cancer mortality around the world. It is difficult to treat due to early metastasis and progression. Harutyunyan’s study investigates the potential toxicity of an iron derivative of the AIDS drug AZT (Fe-AZT) in a cell culture model by analyzing cell viability. Results could provide evidence for using this compound as an anticancer treatment for liver cancer.

Harutyunyan received Wilson’s E. Grace White Summer Scholarship last year in support of her undergraduate research and also was a recipient the college’s Margaret Criswell Disert Honors Scholarship.

The students were accompanied to the PAS annual meeting by Wilson professors Deborah Austin, Brad Engle, Dana Harriger, Andrea Nagy, Christine Proctor and Brad Stiles. Five other students also attended the PAS meeting.

Students will share the results of their research during Wilson’s annual Student Research Day on April 28.

PAS judged oral presentations for scientific merit ¬- ranging from experimental methodologies to analysis of results - and presentation qualities, including visual impact and fielding of questions.

This is the sixth year for the award competition.

MEDIA CONTACT:    
Cathy Mentzer, Manager of Media Relations
Phone: 717-262-2604
Email: cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu

__________________________________

Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 34 majors and master’s degrees in education, educational technology, special education, the humanities, accountancy, management, nursing, fine arts and healthcare management for sustainability. Wilson is committed to providing an affordable education that offers value to its students beyond graduation.

Located in Chambersburg, Pa., the college has a fall 2016 enrollment of 1,098, which includes students from 18 states and 16 countries. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.