Nine Cor Jesu Students Receive Honors at 2013 St. Louis Science Fair Honors Division

Nine Cor Jesu Students Receive Honors at 2013 Academy of Science–St. Louis Science Fair Honors Division

Cor Jesu Academy senior Allison Gmelich was named a Finalist, and eight Cor Jesu juniors and seniors were named Semifinalists at the Academy of Science – St. Louis Science Fair Honors Division, which was held on February 2, 2013. The Honors Division of the Greater St. Louis Science Fair is designed for high school students, who have performed college-level research.

Finalist Allison Gmelich, whose project, “Genetic Selection for Glucosinolates in Brassica Rapa,” was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and an invitation to bring her project to The Academy of Science – St. Louis Science Fair at Queeny Park to compete for special awards in May 2013.

The following Cor Jesu students earned semifinalist status in the competition and the chance to also compete at the Science Fair at Queeny Park this spring:

Kelsey Keady (junior); Project: “Detection and Quantification of 4-Methylimidazole in Colas”

Ellen Komlos (senior); Project: “The Effects of Soap, Time and Temperature on Hand Washing Efficiency”

Sarah Maciorowski (junior); Project: “Mental/Physical Effects of Energy Drinks Related to Caffeine Concentration”

Cassidy Manns (senior); Project: “Melamine Analysis: Pet Foods”

Claire Mullaney (senior); Project: “Heavy Metals in the New Lead Belt”

Nicole Quinlivan (junior); Project: “Characterization and Studies of Enzymes and Enzyme Inhibitors”

Kate Walter (senior); Project: “Enzyme Inhibition”

Tess Wemhoener (senior); Project: “Effect of Circadian Rhythms and Stress upon Student Performance”

Because of the large number of students taking the Independent Science Research course at Cor Jesu this year, class instructor Bill Joern, Ph.D. asked St. Louis area scientists to serve as mentors to help the students with their respective projects. Four of the mentors – Dr. Travis Frey, Dr. Michael Malone, Bryan Witherbee and Dr. Stephen Duff – work at Monsanto. And the other four mentors – all of whom are Cor Jesu alumnae, Karen Jansen Regina, Carolyn Hilliard, Lauren Goeddel, and Dr. Sarah VanVickle-Chavez – either work at or attend graduate school at Washington University.

“The activity that makes students ‘fall in love’ with science,” stated Dr. Joern, “is the process of discovering new knowledge. This allows them to use their abilities to create something unique, and they become very proud of their accomplishments. They gain a great deal of confidence and satisfaction.”

Cor Jesu Academy students have consistently earned high rankings in the Academy of Science – St. Louis Science Fair Honors Division throughout the years.