Marist College Biology Students Highlight the Research Collaborations with their Professors

Marist College does not allow its small population to prevent undergraduate biology students from finding research opportunities. By collaborating with professors on research projects, students gain hands-on experience, learn the necessary techniques and substantiate their résumés for graduate school applications. 

“I think it’s really good that a school that’s on the smaller side, like Marist, is facilitating undergraduate research for its students because I don't think that’s really an opportunity that other students at smaller programs have,” said Jack Wimmershoff ‘22. His research with Dr. Dennis this past spring involved studying two proteins, LC3 and p62, that are involved in the process of autophagy, which is when the cell degrades and recycles cellular waste.

Likewise, Julianna Lindquist ‘23 explained that one of her main reasons for choosing Marist was because she knew she would have opportunities for research. She conducted research with Dr. Espinasa in both the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters and found it to be one of the best learning experiences. 

The COVID-19 pandemic ruined most research plans. Students missed a majority of their labs due to remote classes. Fortunately enough for Lindquist, she was still able to perform some of these labs because of her research collaboration. Her experience with Dr. Espinasa allowed her to retain the necessary research skills that she would have learned in the classroom had COVID-19 not soiled the academic calendar.  

In the fall 2020 semester, Lindquist researched cave fish and how being blind heightens their other senses. She studied a new species of cave fish and focused on cave fish brain dissections in the spring 2021 semester. This research led Lindquist to be published. 

“The students at Marist are getting published and that’s huge because not a lot of undergrad students get published,” Lindquist said.

Similarly, Rachel Tocci ‘22 did research with Dr. Dennis throughout the 2020-2021 academic year, as well as during the summer 2021. Tocci focused on analyzing cell trafficking patterns and how cells trafficking in AP-3 deficient cells affect the pigmentation in an individual's skin which is partially related to albinism. 

In an effort to advance undergraduate scientific research opportunities, Dr. Megan Dennis, Marist’s assistant professor of Biology, was awarded a $379,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2019. Dr. Dennis’s research focuses predominantly on Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.

Working alongside Tocci in the summer of 2021, Eliana Assaf ‘23 recognizes just how involved the students are in the research process. She explained how they analyzed cells by staining them with dye, placing them on a coverslip, and peering at them through a microscope. The research students then take images of the cells to then study the images up close.

 “So it was like from start to finish I learned how to do everything,” Assaf said. “I was really expecting to do the bare minimum. I didn’t realize how much she [Dr. Dennis] relied on her students.”

Catherine Gallagher ‘23 is also eager to start her research with Dr. Dennis this fall. She found this opportunity by simply asking her professor. “To have these research opportunities, it’s best if you’re close with your professor because then they’re more willing to help you out. If they know who you are and they know that you’re a good student and that you work really hard, then they’re more willing to give you those opportunities.”

A photo of the cave fish during a brain dissection through a microscope. Source: Julianna Lindquist '23

Each student is taken under the professor’s wing and taught various techniques and background information. Once the professor is confident that the student is capable of completing research with less guidance, researching becomes an independent experience. The responsibilities of the students include running the lab, collecting data and analyzing the results collaboratively. 

“You don’t really learn too much when you keep asking, “Should I do this? Should I do this?” Sometimes you just need to trust yourself,” said Tocci. Tocci conveyed how rewarding it is when an experiment goes well. “You're not doing it for a class. You’re doing it for yourself and to show yourself that you’re really into the world of science because those are your own results. It’s not you analyzing someone else’s work.”

Classroom labs are typically designed for students to complete a specific task. However, research allows students to see everything involved, from start to finish. Students can demonstrate a well-rounded education with actual lab experience rather than solely listening to lectures.

To make research opportunities more readily available, students should remain close with their professors because the professors need someone in the lab that they can trust. The data collected by students is what the professors are basing their papers on. It’s a big responsibility and undertaking, but one that is an unmatched experience.

Tocci plans to continue her research with Dr. Dennis this year and to hopefully present to the science department and possibly small conferences. 

“The fact that I’ve made such a close connection with my professors and that I have these opportunities really justified my decision to come to Marist and makes me really happy about my decision,” said Tocci. 

One of the cave fish Julianna Lindquist '23 studied during her research with Dr. Espinasa. Source: Julianna Lindquist '23