December 16, 2011
Newburgh, NY -
Francesco Criscuolo of Middletown, NY, a biology/chemistry major
at Mount Saint Mary College, studied sea urchins – often referred
to as the “hedgehog of the sea.” The prickly looking animal – an
echinoderm related to the starfish – usually lives near rocky
shores where it feeds on seaweed and other organic material.
Julia Karsten, a junior biology/physical therapy major from
Forest Hills, NY, explains how UV light negatively affects the
percentage of sea urchin eggs fertilized, to Carl Hoegler,
associate professor of biology at Mount Saint Mary College in
Newburgh, NY. Karsten and her group were part of Investigating
Research On Campus (iROC), a seminar series designed to encourage
college wide exchange of research ideas in an informal discussion
format. Mount faculty and students from all disciplines use this
forum to present their results and findings. From left: Tom Alessi
of Westwood, NJ, biology/physical therapy; Shannon Attebery of
Fishkill, NY, biology/education; and Ryan Churchill of Beacon,
biology/physical therapy. Through a special agreement with New York
Medical College (NYMC) Mount students can earn a bachelor of arts
degree in biology and a doctorate in physical therapy from
NYMC.