Shannon Schmidt to present biology research at national conference

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PELLA, (02/04/2013)(readMedia)-- Shannon Schmidt, a senior biology major at Central College, and a native of Waukee, Iowa, will be presenting at the 2013 National Council on Undergraduate Research conference, held at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in April.

Schmidt is part of a team of four students working with biology faculty members Ellen Du Pre and Nicole Palenske to study the effects of the chemical tricosan on heart rate. Their research was selected for the conference out of more than 3,500 submissions from colleges across the country.

"This is very exciting," said Du Pre. "The work of these Central College students has been recognized for its unique contribution to this field of study."

Triclosan is used in disinfecting soaps, and it has made its way into tap water systems. In preliminary research, blank and the other students have learned that when zebrafish are exposed to certain levels of the chemical-specifically the levels found in drinking and surface water- heart rate goes down significantly. This may be linked to a decrease in metabolism, which some scientists have suggested may be a contributing factor for some of the high childhood obesity rates in the U.S.

The Central students chose to study the effects of triclosan on zebrafish because the tiny fish are transparent and their heart beats can easily be counted under a microscope.

"It does make me nervous," Du Pre said. "I don't think people realize all the chemicals we are being exposed to. I don't think our bodies are prepared to deal with them all."

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics.

Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.

PHOTO CAPTION: Shannon Schmift (right) looks on as Dr, Nicole Palenske counts the heart rate of zebrafish swimming in water contaminated with triclosan.