More than 20 successful science alumni representing six decades returned to campus to present their research and share their experiences during the 2019 Science Celebration last weekend.
Highlighting the two-day celebration was a keynote address from Dr. Mark Peeples, 鈥74, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University and the principal investigator at the Center for Vaccine & Immunity at the Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children鈥檚 Hospital.
One of Heidelberg鈥檚 most accomplished science alumni, Mark spoke about 鈥淭he Red Hot Search for an RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccine.鈥 But first, he talked about the path leading to his career as a full working scientist that began in Frost Lecture Hall 鈥 the same space where he delivered his keynote 鈥 during a virology class being taught by Dr. Bob Murray in 1970. Now retired, Bob was in attendance for Mark鈥檚 talk on Saturday.
Inspired by 鈥橞erg science professors such as Dr. George Barlow, Dr. Percy Lilly and Dr. David Baker, Mark has graciously shared his expertise as a mentor to students and colleagues around the world and a leader in his research field. He has hosted Heidelberg students in his lab, providing a powerful learning experience for them, and has mentored others in internships and other research opportunities.
Today, there are only two groups of researchers working on RSV, Mark said. RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes cold-like symptoms that can be serious for infants and older adults. He has committed the last seven years to understanding RSV and working on making a vaccine.
Mark gave a history into RSV and efforts to create a vaccine that date back at least 65 years. The first came in the mid-鈥60s, but ended up making children sicker, so 鈥渢he whole field chilled at that time.鈥 A National Institutes of Health lab continued the work, and it was there, during a sabbatical 24 years ago, where Mark first became interested in RSV.
Currently, there are about 70 different types of RSV vaccines in various stages of clinical trials. The process is complex, requiring researchers to find ways to increase antibody production, increase vaccine production and decrease side effects in patients, Mark explained. His team of collaborators are applying novel molecular approaches to RSV with promising results.
鈥淲e still haven鈥檛 solved the problem but we鈥檙e getting closer,鈥 he said.
Mark dedicated his keynote to his late classmate and dear friend, Janice Beyerle, 鈥74.
Alumni return for sharing
The Science Celebration presentations were a great mix of young alumni currently in grad school or just beginning their professional journey and alumni established in their careers or even retired. They presented their research during sessions on Saturday. Also featured was Heidelberg鈥檚 Chemistry Club as well as two current student presenters 鈥 Amanda Sugrue and Madison Flory. Dr. Karen Estridge also presented about the birth of the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.
Here are the alumni who were presenters during the Science Celebration:
- Allison Perry, 鈥17 (University of Cincinnati medical student)
- Caleb Gerber, 鈥19 (current 鈥橞erg MBA student)
- Marilyn Berry DuFour, 鈥82 (Senior Environmental Specialist, City of Toledo)
- Melissa Kerr, 鈥18 (Research Institute at Nationwide Children鈥檚 Hospital)
- Kaylee Wilburn, 鈥17 (Bowling Green State University graduate student)
- Rosemary Roof Teresi, 鈥02 (Field Medical Director for Pfizer)
- Lauren Stainbrook Dyer, 鈥14 (Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant)
- Geoff Clay, 鈥11 (Supervisor, Analytical Chemistry, Charles River Laboratories)
- Michael Fallon, 鈥13 (Technical Trainer, Charles River Laboratories)
- Danielle Howard, 鈥14 (Certified Physician Assistant, OSU Wexner Medical Center)
- Patricia Speck, 鈥61 (Retired Veterinarian, Farmer)
- Lillian Lupinacci Jordan, 鈥78 (Physician, Pittsburgh Healthcare System)
- Sara Creque Thomas, 鈥99 (Unit Manager, Michigan DNR Fisheries Division)
- Rufus Chaney, 鈥64 (Environmental Agronomist)
- Rebecca Bean, 鈥17 (Certified Physician Assistant)
- Danielle Blum, 鈥17 (Brown University Ph.D. student)
- Beth Toot-Levy, 鈥01 (Geosyntec Project Scientist)
- Kelly Berger Morse, 鈥08 (Cancer Genetics Program Coordinator and Licensed Counselor, ProMedica)
- Claire Chandler Hoffman, 鈥16 (OSU Ph.D. student)
- Kiera Malone, 鈥19 (University of Vermont Ph.D. student)
- Shelby Kluck, 鈥17 (Ashland University nursing student
- Lillian White, 鈥16 (Wright State University medical student)
- Jeffrey Gordon, 鈥13 (Ecologist/Malacologist, Lawhon & Associates)