GREETINGS
By Scott Gabriel, PhD
Interim Assistant Dean
A warm spring greeting to each of you from the upper floors of the Reinhart Center.
As I write this, students are headed into final exams. These last days of the spring semester are always filled with recording milestones our students have achieved throughout the year, and I am grateful that you can hear about some of those high-water marks of our students in these articles. Viterbo students each year apply and are accepted into a wide range of health programs and our alumni base of practicing health care professionals continues to grow. The success of current and former students is something we are proud of and continue to work to expand.
The relationships that are formed here at Viterbo and how those relationships animate our students and faculty undergird our success. In fact, discussions held at our recent Scholars Day senior presentations or the observed energy in our prospective students that attended the Health Science Scholarship event, left me feeling energized, hopeful, and excited about the future of our students. Thank you for the ways you contribute to the energy and success of our work with students at Viterbo, whether you are regional partners of our STEM program, alumni, advisory board members, or prospective students. If you would like to learn more about how you can contribute to this work, please reach out to me, I would welcome the opportunity to connect.
SPOTLIGHT ON SENIORS
Olivia Abernathy:
Q: What are your plans for after graduation? A: Following graduation I will be attending Northwestern Health Sciences in Bloomington, Minn. for a pre-health post-baccalaureate program.
Q: What is one other thing you are looking forward to? A: I am looking forward to continuing my education and discovering where my true passions lie in the medical field.
Q: What will you miss the most? A: One thing I will miss about Viterbo is the many candid conversations with friends and faculty in the Reading Room.
Q: What did you present at Scholars Day? A: Comparative Analysis of Undergraduate Science Education: Blended vs Traditional Courses
Brianna Houle-Varsoke:
Q: What are your plans after graduation? A: My plans after graduation are to take a gap year and continue to work at Mayo Clinic here in La Crosse, and then go to PA school.
Q: What is one other thing you are looking forward to? A: I am also looking forward to having the time to travel.
Q: What will you miss the most? A: I will miss the professors the most! Having that personal connection with all science faculty was something that was really important to me, and I was lucky to have had that connection.
Q: What did you present at Scholars Day? A: Intermittent Fasting and Metabolic Effects
Kaitlin Schiferl:
Q: What are your plans for after graduation? A: I will be attending physician assistant school at Union College in Lincoln, Neb.
Q: What is one other thing you are looking forward to? A: I'm looking forward to one last summer of freedom and many mini vacations with family and friends.
Q: What will you miss the most? A: I will miss the people and professors that helped me succeed throughout my four years here.
Q: What did you present at Scholars Day? A: Oncolytic Reovirus Inhibits Breast Cancer Aggressiveness
Kirsten Weik:
Q: What are your plans for after graduation? A: I will be attending Marquette Pre-Dental Post Baccalaureate Program after graduation. Once completed, I will hopefully begin my education at the Marquette Dental School.
Q: What is one other thing you are looking forward to? A: I am looking forward to living in a new city. I enjoy watching baseball, so I hope to attend several Brewers games!
Q: What will you miss the most? A: I am going to miss my friends and professors with whom I made great connections with over the last four years.
Q: What did you present at Scholars Day? A: Effects of Dental Hypersensitivity Comparing a Professional Agent and a Control - Meta Analysis
Easton Halverson:
Q: What are your plans for after graduation? A: I plan on heading to physician assistant school at Union College in Lincoln, Neb.
Q: What is one other thing you are looking forward to? A: I'm looking forward to having one last full summer break until I graduate from PA school.
Q: What will you miss the most? A: I think the thing I miss most will be all the amazing connections I have made while at Viterbo with faculty in the sciences and staff in the res life community.
Q: What did you present at Scholars Day? A: Olmesartan and Captopril’s Promising Potential in Diminishing Fibrotic Activity of Radiation Induced Pulmonary Myofibroblasts
COLLEGE VISIT
A group of science majors recently visited St. Catherine University, University of Minnesota, and Bethel University in the Twin Cities to explore their graduate school options. During the visits, the group received tours of the campuses and related buildings, led by admissions staff or current graduate students. They specifically visited the science department buildings and were impressed by the laboratories and equipment available to graduate students. Additionally, some students had the opportunity to meet with faculty members from the department they were interested in.
Overall, the graduate school visit was a valuable experience for the science majors. They were able to learn about the graduate programs at each university and compare the resources, research opportunities, and community among the graduate students.
I enjoyed how the trip was set up because there were many options to choose from for schools to tour. I also appreciated how Dr. Gabe came with us to Bethel and St. Kate's considering the PA group was larger. Personally, I enjoyed the camaraderie with the other science majors. I have recently decided to switch my major from nursing to biochemistry and it was beyond helpful to gain insight to the stem programs from the people that are already in them. - Emma Schoen
SURF PROJECTS
Megan Huss, a third-year student at Viterbo University, is conducting a summer research project with Professor Luke Bussiere on Oncolytic Reovirus Modulated Angiogenic Inhibition in Breast Cancer. This research project aims to provide support of current clinical trials utilizing reovirus therapy (Pelareorep) as a treatment for breast cancer patients. The study focuses on how reovirus modulates angiogenesis, which is the process by which new blood vessels form and is a critical factor in the progression and spread of cancer. By studying this modulation, the researchers aim to identify how the reovirus may inhibit breast cancer progression.
Huss is interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling after her undergraduate studies. This research project aligns with her interests in genetics and cancer research. Huss's involvement in the project provides her with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a research laboratory and to develop skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. Overall, this project has the potential to contribute to the development of new treatment strategies for breast cancer and to provide valuable research experience for Huss as she pursues her future career goals.
Here are the other SURF projects this summer:
- Alex Boardman (Lawrence) - BDNF and NMDA/AMPA Expression in Enriched Environment Exposed Rats and the Resiliency Development against Stressors that Affect Neuron Management and Plasticity.
- Marin Jacobson (Gabriel) - The characterization of the ykkCD Operon in B. subtilis.
- Mikaela Kennedy (Lawrence) - Chronic stress and environmental enrichment on Social behavior.
- Emma Miller (Mayne) - Comparing T cell activation using Microbial, Peptide, and Protein Antigens.
- Alexandria Powell (Morgan-Bathke) - The Effects of Exercise on Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Variables in Previously Sedentary People.
- Amanda Tranberg (Lawrence) - How Chronic Unpredictable Stress Affects Hippocampal Versus Non-Hippocampal Learning.
- Jerica Mueller (Bussiere) - Identification of antibiotic producing microbes.
- Sabrina Darden (Bersagel Braley) - CNAs, Religion, and COVID: “From Whence Does Their Help Come?”
- Mira Kendall (Emily Dykman) - Investigating the Correlation Between Religious Affiliation and an Individual’s Perspective on Bioethical Concerns.
Ethin and Isabelle (Ferm) Kiekhafereach graduated from Viterbo in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree after both having majored in biology. Following graduation, Ethin pursued his Doctor of Optometry degree at Michigan College of Optometry and is now completing a residency in ocular disease at Associated Eye Care in Stillwater, MN. Isabelle pursued her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and is currently completing her clinical year of rotations at the University of Minnesota. She will graduate in May 2024 and plans to practice small animal medicine in the twin cities metro area. After having met at Viterbo in Fall 2014, they were married in June 2022 in Yosemite National Park. In their free time, they enjoy binge watching reality TV together, spending time outside hiking and camping, or just hanging out with their dog and two cats.
Kristin Munger, PA-C is a highly skilled physician assistant who graduated from Viterbo University in 2018. She then went on to earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Carroll University. As someone who grew up in Eau Claire, Kristin is thrilled to be back in the area to practice orthopedics and sports medicine.
As a physician assistant, Kristin's primary goal is to help patients achieve their optimum level of functioning. She works closely with the orthopedic and sports medicine team to provide individualized care to each patient. Kristin believes that it is essential to listen carefully to her patients and make sure that they feel heard, understood, and informed about their condition and treatment options. She was a four-year member of the Viterbo Women’s Soccer Team, so working in orthopedics seemed to be a perfect fit.
Patients who see Kristin can expect a compassionate and empathetic approach to care. She is committed to building strong relationships with her patients and is equally passionate about providing follow-up care and post-operative support to ensure that patients continue to make progress towards their health goals.
Kristin's extensive training and education have equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to diagnose and treat a wide range of orthopedic and sports-related injuries. She is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in her field to provide the most effective and innovative treatments to her patients.
We're excited to welcome Valeria Stepanova to our Chemistry department. Stepanova brings a wealth of experience, having previously taught at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Hamilton College, Wagner College, and University of Minnesota, Crookston, Minn.
Stepanova explains "In my group we study and derivatize one of the most interesting and potentially significant small molecule structural scaffolds – contained in the natural product molecule, curcumin. Curcumin is a main constituent in the spice turmeric isolated from the Curcuma longa plant."
The current market for curcumin production generates billions in revenue and is projected to grow; however, significant lipophilicity of curcumin substantially limits its pharmacological applications. Stepanova's team designs and synthesizes novel curcumin-inspired therapeutics and, through collaborations, investigate their biological properties. They use XRD and computational methods to assess QSAR of our produced structures. Using heteronuclear and 2D NMR, they investigate mechanisms of the reactions producing curcumin analogs to develop greener routes to their industrial production. Students acquire intensive training in organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, 3D structure analysis and theoretical modeling. In addition to her work in research and mentoring students in her lab, Stepanova will be teaching the Organic Chemistry courses for majors and non-majors and is an advocate and practitioner of active learning approaches to learning.
AWARD WINNERS
Scott Gabriel, chemistry, was named the 2023 Teacher of the Year at the annual Viterbo University Rose Awards ceremony May 4. He is pictured below with Dillon McArdle who was awarded the Employee of the Year.
A student who nominated him for the award wrote,
“Professor Gabriel is an amazing teacher and motivator for the students in his classes and the science programs in general. He is always trying to push his students to make the most of their abilities, and he inspires confidence their future endeavors will be successful.”
Michael Konkel has been awarded the Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award for the College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences for his exceptional teaching abilities. His teaching methods involve hands-on and active learning to engage students in the classroom and laboratory. He draws complex chemical structures on the board, conducts experiments in the lab, and uses models to help students understand the course material. Additionally, he incorporates practical applications of chemistry to make the subject matter more accessible to majors and non-majors.
Konkel's students report that he is patient, kind, compassionate, knowledgeable, and passionate about course material. They appreciate the extra time he provides outside of class to help them, the fun they have in class, and the significant improvement in their understanding of the subject under his instruction. He is known to work one-on-one with students in the Reinhart Center Reading Room or in his office to help them with homework problem sets. The student who nominated him stated,
His door is always open to students and colleagues, and he is often the first to volunteer to help someone in need.
IN THE NEWS
Chris Mayne, a Biology faculty member, was in the news. He collaborated with the Local Lupus Alliance (LLA) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) to create educational materials for people with lupus who are trying to get pregnant. This collaboration has resulted in the development of comprehensive educational materials that are now available for individuals with lupus who are considering pregnancy. Mayne's work with LLA and ACR has been featured in the news, highlighting the importance of this educational initiative. This collaboration is a significant step in addressing the concerns and needs of individuals with lupus who are navigating pregnancy, and it underscores Mayne's dedication to improving the lives of people with lupus.
PRE-HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD
A continued thank you to Viterbo’s Pre-Health advisory board for their support:
Paul Molling, DO - Mayo Clinic Health System
Jacob Erickson, DO - Sports Medicine - Mayo Clinic Health System
Adam Zart, PharmD - Sterling Pharmacy
Christina O'Neill, DVM - Companion Animal Care Center in Winona
Melissa Naylor, PA-C - Mayo Clinic Health System
Averi Kotnour, PA-C - Gundersen Health System
Chris Suilmann, PT - Twin Cities Orthopedics in Burnsville, Minn.
Randall Nall, MD - Covenant Medical Center