Fellowship Funds Pollution Research

An Undergraduate Research Fellowship from American Society for Microbiology funded research by Katie Schrack '03 last summer on the relationship between mercury pollution and antibiotic-resistant bacteria at Onondaga Lake in Syracuse, N.Y. A neuroscience major, Schrack is continuing her research in an honors thesis under the guidance of Laurie Caslake, assistant professor of biology. Schrack presented earlier findings last year at ASM's 102nd General Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"I will present my work again this spring at the ASM meeting in Washington, D.C.," says Schrack. "Also, Dr. Caslake and I will travel to present my work at Drexel College of Medicine's Research Day. It's very satisfying to produce results and share them with others interested in this area of research."

"Katie was one of only 26 students nationwide to receive a National Research Fellowship," says Caslake. "She's done exceptional work."

Schrack taught Spanish to elementary school children through an internship last fall. The prior semester, she took courses in London and interned with National Health Service Confederation. She learned about the British health care system by attending meetings and brainstorming sessions, conducting research, and organizing seminars on orthopedic care and patient safety.

A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Senior Class Fund Drive Committee, and Lafayette Society for Neuroscience, Schrack also plays club and intramural soccer.