Dr. Susan Larson, Kelly Schaible '10, Amber Ferris '10 and Dr. Krystle Strand

Delving Into Neuroscience Research

As a psychology major, Kelly Schaible '10, Warroad, Minn., is used to studying and exploring behavior. This summer, however, she pushed herself into the world of genomics with hands-on neuroscience research.

Schaible teamed up with fellow student Amber Ferris '10, a biology major from Hibbing, Minn., psychology chair Dr. Susan Larson and biology assistant professor Dr. Krystle Strand. The interdisciplinary research team examined the behavioral and genomic effects of lupus in mice in hopes that their findings will one day help with a better treatment or even a cure for lupus. Both students are earning minors in neuroscience.

Schaible says this work is preparing her for graduate school in psychology, with a focus on neuroscience.

"Neuroscience is a pretty new program on campus and I'm lucky to be able to take some classes and participate in this project," she says. "And it's really exciting to think our work could help someone else, in this quest to find a treatment." The group's research will continue throughout the academic year.

Symposium Explores Effects of Technology

There is no question that technology has changed the way we think, see and respond to the world. But what exactly are the implications of those changes? What are their advantages and disadvantages?

Join the discussion at this year's Faith, Reason and World Affairs Symposium Sept. 15-16 as we examine the realities around three central themes relating to technology - the evolution of learning, economic implications and the changes in human social interactions.

The keynote presenters include Doug Burgum, former senior vice president of Microsoft; Neil Howe, bestselling author and speaker on generations in America; Dr. Mark Bauerlein, professor of English at Emory University; Gary Small, M.D., director of the UCLA Memory and Aging Center at the Semel Institute; and Dr. Tracy Mitrano, vice president of EDUCAUSE. The schedule also includes 10 concurrent sessions on a variety of technology-related topics.

All sessions are free and open to the public.

Visit www.concordiacollege.edu/symposium for more information.