IMPORTANT NOTE: These are the archived stories for Belmont News & Achievements prior to June 26, 2023. To see current stories, click here.

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Students Present at Undergraduate Research Conference

Paul Chenoweth
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Butler_Apr15On April 10, sixteen Belmont biology, biochemistry and molecular biology and neuroscience students attended the 27th Annual Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.  954 people attended the conference and participated in more than 500 presentations. Participants represented 58 colleges and universities in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Belmont faculty members Mike Pinter (mathematics), Rachel Rigsby (chemistry/physics), Roger Jackson and Jennifer Thomas (biology) also attended, and Thomas served as a session chair.

Students gave the following oral presentations:

  • “Determining the Effects of Invasive Plant Species on Soil Environments with C. Elegans Chemotaxis Bioassays”: John Holt (Robert Grammer, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “Bacterial Fight Club: Two-Component Signaling Cascades and Type VI Secretion System Cross-Interactions Benefit Bacterial Fitness”: Himesh Zaver (Jennifer Thomas, Kristen Guckes and Maria Hadjifrangiskou (Vanderbilt University), Faculty Sponsors)
  • “Genetic Manipulation Increases Rates of DNA Exchange in the Bacterium Acinetobacter Baumannii”: Justin Smith (Jennifer Thomas, Michael Noto and Eric Skaar (Vanderbilt), Faculty Sponsors
  • “Chemotaxis Response in Caenorhabditis Elegans to an Olfactory Repellent Paired With Nicotine”: Amanda Bigness (Robert Grammer, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “The Effect of 6-OHDA on SKN-1 in Parkinson’s”: Rezzan Hekmat (Nick Ragsdale, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “HPV-Positive Cervical Cancer Cells Show Generally Reduced Levels of IFN-Alpha”: Sarah Bonaparte (Jennifer Thomas, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “The Evaluation of Interferon-Beta Levels in HPV-Positive Cervical Cancer Cell Lines”: Olivia Ford (Jennifer Thomas, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “Appetite Suppressing Effects of Nicotine on Caenorhabditis Elegans Chemotaxis to E. Coli”: Khang Tran (Robert Grammer, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “The Anxiogenic Effects of 5-APB and Dark RageTM (Pre-Workout) on Danio Rerio”: Jaime Wesley (Lori McGrew, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “Effects of Subtoxic Levels of Triclosan on Working Memory and Anxiety Levels in Danio Rerio”: Hensley Barnes (Lori McGrew, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “The Effects of Anxiolytic Medication on Memory Formation in Stress Induced Danio Rerio Specimens”: Iqra Wahid (Lori McGrew, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “The Effects of Different Dosages of α-Lipoic Acid on the Chemotaxis of Caenorhabditis Elegans at Various Stages of Adulthood”: Alicia Hsu (Robert Grammer, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “The Effect on Danio Rerio Memory after Chronic Exposure to WIN 55,212-2 Mesylate”: Cassie Wyatt (Lori McGrew, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “Preferred Microhabitat Conditions of Vaejovis Carolinianus in a Middle Tennessee Cedar Glade”: Chelsea Lee (Steve Murphree, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Isolate on Belmont University’s Campus is Negative for PBP2a as the Mechanism of Resistance”: Rebekah Shepherd (Jennifer Thomas, Faculty Sponsor)
  • “Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Exotoxin Found in Methicillin-Sensitive and –Intermediate Staphylococcus Aureus Samples on Belmont University’s Campus”: Jordan Helms (Jennifer Thomas, Faculty Sponsor)


Lang Accepted Into The Institute for Responsible Citizenship’s Washington Program

Paul Chenoweth
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Justin LangBelmont psychology major Justin Lang was recently accepted into the Washington Program of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, a premiere organization for some of the nation’s top African American male college students.

The program runs through June and July and is a two-summer commitment. During the first summer, students focus on classes, internships, meetings with inspirational leader, and bonding with the other young men in their cohort. Professional development, character development, mentorship and graduate school preparation are priorities for the second summer, although students work full-time at internships.

Joining other undergraduates from universities such as Harvard, Yale, New York University and others, Justin will participate in a full-time internship over two consecutive summers. This summer he will be interning with the Children’s Defense Fund.

Students Present at the Middle Tennessee Psychological Association

Paul Chenoweth
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(L to R) Krista Beebe, Dr. Jones, Dr. Yandell, Justin Lang, Leah Rose, Dr. Bailey, Stephanie Cooper, Dr. Giordano, Julisa Nunez, Brittany Redd, Alexandria Gumucio, Heather Dudley and Dr. Shen-Miller.
(L to R) Krista Beebe, Dr. Jones, Dr. Yandell, Justin Lang, Leah Rose, Dr. Bailey, Stephanie Cooper, Dr. Giordano, Julisa Nunez, Brittany Redd, Alexandria Gumucio, Heather Dudley and Dr. Shen-Miller.

Belmont faculty members and students from the Department of Psychological Science attended the annual conference of the Middle Tennessee Psychological Association held at MTSU on Saturday,  April 25. Faculty attendees included Drs. Linda Jones, Pete Giordano, Seraphine Shen-Miller, William Bailey and Lonnie Yandell. The conference provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to present their research to colleagues from other colleges and universities.

The following research papers were presented by Belmont students:

  • “Loving My Future-Self: The Effects of Perspective-Taking on Ageism”: Stephanie Cooper (Dr. Yandell, Faculty Advisor)
  • “Eye Gaze and the Perception of Emotional Facial Expressions”: Brittany Redd (Dr. Yandell, Faculty Advisor)

The following research posters were presented by Belmont students:

  • “An Exploratory Study of Helping Behavior of Rats”: Heather Dudley, Krista Beebe, Alexandria Gumucio, Brittany Redd, Stephanie Seeley and Elizabeth Wilson (Dr. Bailey, Faculty Advisor)
  • “Scents and Scintillation: The Effects of Lemon and Peppermint Essential Oils on Working Memory and Alertness”: Stephanie Cooper, Matthew Maloney and Jacob Huffman (Dr. Yandell, Faculty Advisor)
  • “The Influences of Emotional Advertising on Willingness to Donate to Abused Animals”: Leah Rose, Chase Mackey and Miller Spivey (Dr. Bailey, Faculty Advisor)
  • “College Students’ Eating Behaviors, Influences, and Perceptions of Healthy Eating”: Justin Lang (Dr. Jones, Faculty Advisor)
  • “The Development of the Women’s Attitudes Toward Masculinity Inventory“: Heather Dudley, Savannah Johnson, Tanisha Williams, Savannah Ladage, Abigail Marchese and Elizabeth Wilson (Dr. Pete Giordano, Faculty Advisor)
  • “The Effects of Method of Information Presentation on Recall”: Julisa Nunez, Samantha Gould, Miranda West and Sarah Balding (Dr. William Bailey, Faculty Advisor)

O’Brien Performs at ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ Gala at Smithsonian

Paul Chenoweth
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The "Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Victory Gala" is held at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC on thursday, May 7, 2015. The Gala is being held the night before an exceptional flyover of the National Mall by historic WWII aircraft. (James R. Brantley)
The “Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Victory Gala” is held at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC on thursday, May 7, 2015. The Gala is being held the night before an exceptional flyover of the National Mall by historic WWII aircraft. (James R. Brantley)

Curb College music business instructor Dwayne O’Brien was recently invited to perform his song, “We Remember,” as the featured soloist at a gala dinner as part of the Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Victory Capitol Flyover. The three-day event included one of the most diverse arrays of World War II aircraft ever assembled flying above the skies of Washington, D.C. in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

The dinner, held at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, featured combat heroes sharing their personal stories of experiences in the European and Pacific theaters. O’Brien, a pilot himself, wrote “We Remember” as a a tribute to military aviation, and his video for the song has been viewed nearly 3 million times on YouTube. The video was played as O’Brien, co-founder of country band Little Texas, sang along to those gathered at the Arsenal of Democracy gala.

Occupational Therapy Students and Faculty Published in Journal

Paul Chenoweth
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AssistiveTechnologyA 2014 thesis project by three students in Belmont University’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program was recently published in Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology.  Co-authored by Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Dr. Teresa Plummer, the project studied the impact of mobility assistive technology devices on participation for individuals with disabilities.

The research team included Jordan Carver, recent OTD graduate, Ashley Ganus and Jon Mark Ivey, 2004 OTD graduates. Ann Eubank, a Nashville area occupational therapist and social worker associated with Belmont’s School of Occupational Therapy, was an additional co-author.

Belmont Honors Chief of Police Anderson with Doctorate of Humanities

Paul Chenoweth
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AHP_8642Belmont recognized Nashville Chief of Police and Belmont alumnus Steve Anderson during Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. spring commencement ceremony with an honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree. Honorary degrees have been presented by American colleges and universities since 1962 in recognition of meritorious humanitarian service, as well as scholarly and creative attainments. Belmont has bestowed this award selectively as the highest honor conferred by the University.

Chief Anderson graduated from Belmont in 1979 with a degree in criminal justice, went on to graduate from Nashville School of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree, served in the United States Air Force and ultimately went on to serve the Nashville community as a public servant. A 40-year veteran of the Metro Nashville Police Department, Chief Anderson served in a number of roles prior to his 2010 appointment as Chief of Police. He was an administrative assistant to three former chiefs, led the Administrative Service Bureau, Investigative Service Bureau and Field Operations Bureau, served as a law instructor at the MNPD Training Academy and provided on-site legal advice to the SWAT Team.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said the University is proud of the impact Chief Anderson has made on the greater Nashville community and is honored to provide him with a second Belmont degree.

AHP_8677“The strong relationships Chief Anderson has built with neighborhood and communities, his commitment to protecting those who are threatened by domestic violence and his voice of reconciliation to people who feel disenfranchised are clear demonstrations of his remarkable concern for others,” Dr. Fisher said. “The high standard of professional excellence and emphasis on education in the Metro Police culture, along with the dramatic reduction of crime in Nashville, speak to the strong leadership Chief Anderson has provided within the department and the Nashville community.”

“I am sincerely humbled that the great school I attended as Belmont College in the 1970s, and from where I graduated 36 years ago while a police officer, has chosen to honor me at the 2015 spring commencement,” Chief Anderson said.  “Just as Nashville and the police department have significantly grown and evolved over the past four decades, so, too, has Belmont.  The education I received here helped prepare me for the constant challenges of a law enforcement career.  I am proud to be a Belmont graduate, and I am proud of what this university means to Nashville.”

Chief Anderson’s contributions to Nashville are plentiful as he has overseen unprecedented growth in Metro’s police department, forged strong and lasting partnerships with key members of the community and significantly reduced the city’s crime statistics since beginning his position as Chief in 2010. Additionally, Chief Anderson has been honored with a number of awards including the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TCAP) President’s Award, TCAP’s Middle Tennessee Chief of the Year and the Statewide Voice for Victims Award during National Crime Victim’s Week.

Alumna Selected to Attend Teaching Conference by Gates Foundation

Paul Chenoweth
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Lori Rucker, a 2011 graduate of Belmont’s Master’s of Arts in Teaching program, was recently nominated and selected to attend the Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers Conference (ECET² ) by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

ECET²’, a conference aiming to celebrate effective teachers and build a strong network of teacher leaders who will work together to elevate the practice and profession, will feature workshops focused on teacher leadership development and teaching practice. All attendees will be asked to share take-aways with teachers back home, in collaboration with colleagues from the conference.

 

Larkin Signs with Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Paul Chenoweth
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Achievers.Larkin
(From L-R) Sony/ATV Creative Manager Ed Williams, Songwriting Chair at Belmont University James I. Elliott, Maddie Larkin, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Troy Tomlinson

Belmont University sophomore songwriting major Maddie Larkin signed a publishing contract with Sony/ATV Music Publishing after participating in the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business’s “All Access” program.

President and CEO of Sony ATV Music Nashville Troy Tomlinson said,“We were truly impressed with the level of talent of the Belmont students. Maddie’s abilities and commercial appeal moved us to sign her to a publishing deal and begin what I suspect will be a long time relationship and many years of success.” 

The “All Access” program was developed to give Belmont students the opportunity to present their music to the world’s leading music publisher. Students were able to submit two music videos to the Sony/ATV Creative team, who then selected six students to perform live for the team in Columbia Studio A on February 23. The “All Access” program will continue in the upcoming school year.

Larkin feels incredibly honored to be chosen. “I am so grateful to be joining the Sony/ATV team! Since I first started coming to Nashville to write when I was 15, I have dreamed of being able to call Sony my home. Thank you to God, my family and everyone that has believed in me. I feel so blessed,” she said.

To see more from Maddie Larkin, click here or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Biology Students Study Animal Behavior with Nashville Zoo

Paul Chenoweth
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Zoo-120For the students in Belmont Biology Professor Dr. John Niedzwiecki’s Animal Behavior course, spending hours each week at the Nashville Zoo was not a way to avoid studying, but a large part of their coursework. As a semester-long lab project designed to give students the opportunity to observe and research animal behavior in a hands-on way, students were paired in groups of two, assigned an animal to work with and together, came up with a testable hypothesis to study.

The teams worked with a variety of animals including kangaroos, elephants, red pandas, bongo bongos and night active amphibians, among others. Once students received their assignments, they met with the animal’s keepers to begin the scientific process. Topics of study were varied and included social groupings, dominance, alertness and environmental effects on animal behavior.

Senior biology major Lindsay Millward worked with kangaroos throughout the semester and, with partner Mallory McDonald, studied specific grouping behaviors within the zoo’s interactive exhibit.  Because the kangaroo exhibit is structured similarly to the zoo’s petting zoo, the team was able to interact with the animals one-on-one.

Millward said the opportunity to take learning outside the classroom was an invaluable one, as she and McDonald actively saw lecture topics illustrated in animal behavior and strengthened their understanding of course materials. This learning lab allowed Millward to further investigate a career in zoology, one that has become more interesting as a post-graduate option. “The project fit seamlessly with our in-class topics and further developed my understanding of animal behavior,” Millward said. “I also further strengthened my skills in the research process and scientific method.”

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Botany Students Deliver Arboretum Samples to Sam Davis Home

Paul Chenoweth
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SDH-Arboretum.samples.delivery.30Apr2015-004aProfessor and Chair of the Biology Department Dr. Darlene Panvini taught a botany class in Fall 2014 that visited the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation in Smyrna multiple times as part of the class’s service learning component. The students collected leaf samples from more than 40 trees on the property to apply for arboretum certification with the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. Panvini’s Fall 2012 botany class did similar work to advance the arboretum on Belmont’s campus towards reaching certification by the Nashville Tree Foundation.

Linday Millward and Joanna Sorrell, Belmont students, accompanied Dr. Panvini on April 30 to present all of the identified, pressed tree samples for the 41 tree to Director of Collections and Education Alex Collins. The pressed tree samples will be stored in an herbarium cabinet that the Belmont Biology Department donated to the plantation last August.

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