PRESS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

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LSSU student sees green in E. coli research

Sault Ste. Marie, MI - Alisha Freeman, from Holland, Mich., a graduating senior in Lake Superior State University's biology program, will be going home not just wiser but somewhat wealthier as well.

Freeman's senior-year research project received the inaugural Outstanding Biology Project Award, underwritten this year by Bordertown Chiropractic of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Freeman launched into her research thesis - Route of Contamination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Spinach Sprouts - soon after a nation-wide outbreak of the bacterium E. coli.

The outbreak's source was eventually traced to a spinach farm in California where E. coli-tainted water was used for irrigation.

Freeman wanted to determine whether spinach plants take up the bacterium more effectively through their roots or leaves.

She was able to show that while uptake occurs via both routes, the leaves make for a more effective pathway.

Freeman worked under the guidance of Dr. Deb Stai, professor of biology at LSSU.

The $100 award was presented this year by Rachael McCoy and Peter Scornaiencki, partners at Bordertown Chiropractic, PC.

"Bordertown Chiropractic is pleased to offer this award to Alisha," said Dr. McCoy during an awards reception held after a senior research symposium at LSSU on April 12.

"Alisha demonstrates excellence in undergraduate research on a topic of immediate importance to health," added McCoy. "There were many excellent projects, but her work stood out."

Scornaiencki said that their office underwrote this year's award because of the importance of pre-professional undergraduate training.

He did his undergraduate training in human kinetics at the University of Guelph, while McCoy did most of her studies in human biology at LSSU.

Both used their degrees as stepping-stones into the specialty of chiropractic medicine.

Freeman plans an internship in Australia this summer with Humpback whales before settling on any post-graduate school plans.

Her internship is under the auspices of the Pacific Whale Foundation.

"I'll be studying the reproductive and calving practices of Humpback whales from the Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia area," says Freeman. "It involves a lot of photography and a lot of time on a boat in the middle of the Pacific."

Hands-on research experiences are the hallmark of LSSU's programs in the Department of Biological Sciences.

In addition to classroom experiences, all students complete an independent senior research project.

Freeman's project, as well as the projects of all 15 students that presented at the research symposium, exemplify LSSU's approach to undergraduate education.

Read more about this year's research results in chemistry and biology by pointing your web browser to http://www.lssu.edu/whats_new/articles.php?articleid=1489

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Pictured: - Not many college graduates get money for schoolwork, but Alisha Freeman, center, is an exception.

She received an inaugural cash award for excellence in senior research from Doctors Rachael McCoy and Peter Scornaiencki of Bordertown Chiropractic in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

(Photo by John Shibley)