Shayna McHugh '05, Julie Rizzo '03 and Jakub Sroubek '05 participated in Hamilton College's Summer Science Research Program, which enables students to work with Hamilton professors on current science research each summer. McHugh, Rizzo and Sroubek took part in a study initiated by Silas D. Childs Professor of Chemistry Robin Kinnel. The study examines sponges from Guam and Palau for possible anti-cancer and anti-biotic compounds.
McHugh, whose work focused on sponges from Guam, concentrated on finding the anti-cancer and anti-biotic compounds and then isolating them. She found the work to be a great experience in practical chemistry work and while she is unsure of her future career goals, she is glad to have been exposed to research and very much enjoyed her experience.
Rizzo's work varies slightly from McHugh's. While both women are looking for anti-cancer compounds, Rizzo is focusing on isolating a pure sample of the anti-cancer compound and locating previously undiscovered compounds with similar anti-biotic or anti-cancer effects. Rizzo will most likely continue her current research as her senior thesis project in the upcoming academic year.
