Students to present research at national conference
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Caitlin Rinz
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Jacalin Shealy
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Rinz’s and Shealy’s abstract submissions were chosen among thousands submitted by undergraduates. The two seniors will join students from colleges and universities across the country as they present research through posters, oral presentations, visual arts and performances.
“Being able to take my research to NCUR,” said Rinz, “will be a great opportunity for me to get feedback about my methods and results as well as learn about research being done at other schools.”
Rinz is researching an enzyme needed to use fat as an energy source, called medium-chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase. Working with the Greenwood Genetics Center, she is screening the South Carolina population to find out what percentage has a deficiency of the enzyme and what percentage is a carrier for the condition.
The biology and Spanish double major began her research last summer during PC’s Summer Fellows program.
Likewise, Shealy researched her topic, Elective Cosmetic Surgery: Ethical Concerns for a Beauty-Driven Society, during the Summer Fellows Program last year. The biology and philosophy double major, however, first became interested in cosmetic surgery when she interned at an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice during her sophomore year.
“I was able to observe first-hand many cosmetic surgical procedures,” Shealy said, “and at the time I thought that I wanted a career as an Oral/Maxillofacial surgeon.”
Her focus changed after she researched the ethics of elective cosmetic surgery from technical and philosophical approaches. Shealy is currently applying to graduate school to study healthcare ethics and bioethics while she continues her research.
“I build on all of my previous research,” she said, “but continue along the line of considering what actually is beauty, and how is the self connected to ideas of beauty.”
By presenting at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Rinz and Shealy will have their research published and distributed to institutions of higher learning across the country.
posted by Stacy Dyer '96