Local residents Alexander Ewers and Samuel Gifford receive summer research awards at Olivet

BOURBONNAIS, IL (04/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Olivet Nazarene University recently announced the student and faculty recipients of research awards in mathematics, physical sciences, biological sciences and engineering for summer 2013.

Alexander Ewers of Bourbonnais, a freshman majoring in biology, will be working with Dr. Janna McLean, biology professor and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, on the research project "Determination of the mutant gene responsible for third leg malformation during the morphogenic period of Drosophila melanogaster in Gene Line L(2)K10209."

Samuel Gifford of Bradley, a junior majoring in actuarial science, will be working with Dr. Dale Hathaway, mathematics professor and department chair, on the research project "An analysis of probability distributions arising in credibility theory."

Gifford and Ewers are two of only five students selected for Olivet's 2013 Elbert Pence and Fanny Boyce Undergraduate Summer Research that pairs students with faculty mentors. Honoring two former Olivet professors, Elbert Pence (physics) and Fannie Boyce (mathematics), this full-time, 10-week program is funded by alumni and friends of Olivet.

"The quality of research done by our past participants has been superb," said Dr. Max Reams, chair of Olivet's Department of Physical Sciences and award committee chair. "Students have presented their work orally on campus, during Olivet's Homecoming weekend, and at professional meetings. We are looking forward to the results of this year's research projects."

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three additional sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

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Contact:

Laura Warfel

Public Relations Specialist

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Ill.

www.olivet.edu

815-928-5403

lwwarfel@olivet.edu