Science at CSP

🌟 Exciting news! Heather Vande Kieft, a proud alum of CSP's biology program who graduated in 2019, has been honored with the prestigious Iowa Immunization Champion Award for 2024! 🏆 Currently the pharmacy manager at Hy-Vee in Sioux Center, Iowa, Heather received this national recognition from the Association of Immunization Managers and the CDC for her outstanding efforts in promoting immunizations in her community. Among numerous health professionals and advocates across Iowa, she truly stands out for her significant contributions to public health. Join us in congratulating Heather on this incredible achievement! 🎉👏
https://www.facebook.com/share/PWfKzNRQFksayRsN/

Siouxland pharmacist wins Iowa Immunization Champion award A Siouxland pharmacist is being honored with a national award for going above and beyond in promoting immunizations in her community.

Abby Lewerenz is the winner of our Science Department Service Award! She is a double major in biology and chemistry, with a minor in quality science. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year and then go to graduate school in biology.

She says, "The Science Department at CSP has played an incredibly meaningful and impactful role on my undergraduate journey. Through the department, I have been involved as a lab assistant, research student, Tetra Delta member, tutor, and even an presenter! The faculty here have not only opened up doors for me on campus, but also off campus, as I was able to participate in two summer research programs because of recommendations from faculty. I cannot emphasize enough how much the faculty here means to me, and I truly hope to keep the connections I've made after I graduate. Every day, I am reminded of the dedication, love, patience, and expertise each member brings to the department, and I feel immensely lucky to have them as mentors. Without the Science Department at CSP, I would not feel nearly as prepared to take on life after graduation as I do now, so truly, thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Abby, thank you for tutoring everybody! You have done so much to help things click for science students and we really appreciate all your hard work.

It's "award season" in the Science Department and we're excited to spotlight some outstanding students. 😄

This is Danni Sharum, the winner of this year's Paul W. Stor Chemistry Award, which is a scholarship awarded to juniors with science majors. Danni is a double major in Biology and Chemistry planning to become a physical therapist.

She says, "The science department has created an amazing environment for students to grow academically and personally. Being a student athlete can be difficult due to changing schedules, but my professors have been so helpful in making sure I understand material and don't feel overwhelmed. I got involved in the science department by becoming a learning assistant and by becoming an officer in Tetra Delta; both of these have allowed for me to connect with fellow classmates and with my professors."

Next Wednesday, 4/24, at 10:30am on the first floor of the science building, will be hosting the Science Department Spring Poster Session. Come and learn about student research, Cell Biology course mini project, and Microbiology student-researched topics!

Our Science Department Spotlight this week is Gaokalia Vang. Gaokalia is a Biology major from Cottage Grove, Minnesota. She is planning for a career in forensic biology and hopes to pursue her pilot's license and fly for fun. She enjoys fishing, playing the guitar and drums with friends, watching sunsets, and discovering new scenic places. She says, "I chose CSP because it felt really cozy compared to other campuses I've toured in the past. I also liked that this school isn't very big, which makes it easier to build connections with those around us. The mascot is also very cute."

The Science Department is hosting a Zoom meeting next Wednesday (10:30-11:00am) for students interested in a paid summer research opportunity with the director of Graduate Program events. https://med.umn.edu/gps/undergraduate-research/life-sciences-summer