Wittenberg Magazine P.O. Box 720 Springfield, Ohio 45501-0720
Phone: (937) 327-6141 Fax: (937) 327-6112
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Around Myers Hollow
Sophomore Discovers New Species Unexpected outcomes have generated positive results for Jacob Ark ’08 of Springfield, Ohio. In October, Ark received a first-place award at an undergraduate student paper competition during the Ohio Valley Entomological Association’s annual meeting in Cincinnati. The competition was a first for the biology major, who presented groundbreaking research about the discovery of the first mite defense secretion. The research provides evidence of an alarm pheromone in a terrestrial mite. Ironically, Ark’s research developed out of a different study he intended to investigate over the summer, the water balance of adult ticks. He was the only first-year student allocated a $2,300 summer grant for research. Upon discovering mites in the Hobson Atrium of Wittenberg’s Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center, however, the direction of the research took an unanticipated and exciting turn. Further exploration of the mites, which were a previously unidentified species, allowed Ark to learn how they differentiate between other mite species. He invested more than 60 hours a week in the research. “I just felt that strongly about the project,” said Ark, who presented his findings in another competition that included nearly 60 other students, representing universities across the Midwest. “Winning the competition helped remind me why I do what I do,” Ark said. “It helped redeem long lab hours, missed social events, and it made me feel good to represent my lab, the biology department and Wittenberg.” Ark thanks Jay Yoder, associate professor of biology, for supporting him. “Dr. Yoder has been the biggest contributor in creating research opportunities,” he said. — Sarah Gearhart ’06
Wittenberg Magazine P.O. Box 720 Springfield, Ohio 45501-0720 Phone: (937) 327-6141 Fax: (937) 327-6112 |
|