Providence, R.I.--A Providence College psychology major was one of 11 undergraduate students chosen from more than 1,000 colleges and universities to receive an Undergraduate Research Grant from Psi Chi--the psychology national honor society.

In addition, three biology majors received top honors for oral and poster presentations at the recent Sigma Xi Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., and the 3rd BioNES (Biology New England South) Conference held at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.

Psychology award to fund study on mate preferences
Adam Miller '10 of Kildeer, Ill., will use the $597 Psi Chi grant to fund his study, "An Investigation into the Role of Learning in Mate Preferences."

All undergraduate Psi Chi members are eligible to apply for the research grants. The grants provide funds to defray the cost of conducting a research project by members, who represent colleges and universities across the United States and Canada.

Miller said he is conducting the study "to test prevailing theory in evolutionary psychology concerning how we came to be attracted to certain qualities in potential mates."

"I disagree that evolution alone could be responsible for forming the exact preferences we have at any given moment," he explained. "I see learning as playing a very large role in our formation of mate preferences."

While Miller said he couldn't discuss the exact methodology of an ongoing study, he noted that the money will be used for supplies and to pay PC student-volunteers.

He also credited his sponsor, Dr. Jennifer L. Van Reet, assistant professor of psychology, and other faculty members who have guided him through his time at PC.

"It is a great honor to be performing independent research of this magnitude as an undergraduate," he said. "I can't possibly say enough about the many psychology faculty members who have provided me with such excellent training over the last three years."

Biology students take conferences' top prizes
Shawn Davidson '10 of North Attleboro, Mass., earned a medal for his poster presentation at the Sigma Xi Annual Meeting. Sigma Xi is an international, scientific research society with nearly 60,000 members in more than 100 countries.

More than 230 students presented their research at the conference, representing nearly 100 academic institutions. Medals were handed out in 12 categories to 34 students. Davidson was one of two students to receive the honor in the biochemistry category.

Davidson's poster was entitled "Characterization of the meiosis-specific Mei5 and Sae3 Proteins."

In addition, Eric Feeley '09 of Northborough, Mass., and Breton Roussel '09 of Ivoryton, Conn., won awards for top poster and oral presentation, respectively, at the 3rd BioNES Conference.

Feeley's poster was entitled "Using a Yeast Two Hybrid Screen to Characterize Bax Inhibitor-1 (BXI1), in the Yeast, Saccharomyces." Roussel's oral presentation was called "Autophagy Protects Yeast from Sulforaphane-induced Cell Death Without Involving Apoptosis." 

Both BioNES presentations were co-presented by Rev. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., assistant professor of biology and special lecturer of theology.

"It is always satisfying when the hard work that goes on in the lab gets recognized," Feeley said. "It's nice to represent the lab, and the school as a whole, in these conferences."

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