Ava Chrisler is a Biology and Biochemistry double major and plans to graduate in the Spring 2020. Her directed research projects focus on the role of corticosterone-binding globulin and the mobilization of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol in response to acute challenges (stressors) in a breeding population of White-crowned Sparrows. She spent the summer of 2018 conducting research at Tioga Pass Meadow, in Mono County California. And has also conducted three semesters of directed research in the Malisch Lab. Chrisler plans to attend veterinary school after she graduates from SMCM and plans to specialize in equine veterinary medicine.

Selected conference presentations:

• Chrisler, A., Antunes, I., M.G. Kimball, and J.L. Malisch. 2020. Modeling glucocorticoid physioloy, glucose mobilization, and return rate in migrating Mountain White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual Meeting. Austin, Texas.
• Chrisler, A., Grant, M.G. Kimball, D. Capasso, E.E. Johnson, and J.L. Malisch. 2019. Predictors of glucocorticoid and glucose mobilization in response to an acute handling challenge in Mountain White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual Meeting. Tampa, Florida.
• Kimball, M.G., A. Chrisler, A.W. Grant, and J.L. Malisch. 2019. Acute stress and glucose mobilization in Mountain Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual Meeting. Tampa, Florida.

Livia Schuller is a Biology major planning to graduate in Spring 2019. Her St. Mary's Project will investigate the effect of migration distance on body condition and the physiological response to acute challenge (stressors) in White-throated Sparrows that are over-wintering at St. Mary's College of Maryland. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a PhD in animal genetics with a focus in genetic susceptibility to disease.

Daniel Capasso is a Biology major and has conducted several directed research projects at SMCM and was a member of the Tioga Sparrow Research Team in 2018. He plans to graduate in the spring of 2020 and go to veterinary school following graduation. Danny loves dogs and plans to go into private practice as a small animal veterinarian.

Selected conference presentations:

• Chrisler, A., Grant, M.G. Kimball, D. Capasso, E.E. Johnson, and J.L. Malisch. 2019. Predictors of glucocorticoid and glucose mobilization in response to an acute handling challenge in Mountain White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual Meeting. Tampa, Florida.

Avery Grant is a gradaute student in Jenny Ouyang'a Lab at the Unviersity of Nevada, Reno. Avery is a collaborator of the Malisch Lab and spent the summer of 2018 as a member of the Tioga Sparrow Research Team collecting data for her master's thesis.

Selected conference abstracts:

• Grant, A.W., J.L. Malisch, M.G. Kimball, and J. Ouyang. 2019. Glucocorticoid physiology, territory size and number of chicks fledged: Untangling the relationship between corticosterone and reproductive success. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual Meeting. Tampa, Florida.
• Kimball, M.G., A. Chrisler, A.W. Grant, and J.L. Malisch. 2019. Acute stress and glucose mobilization in Mountain Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual Meeting. Tampa, Florida.
• Chrisler, A., Grant, M.G. Kimball, D. Capasso, E.E. Johnson, and J.L. Malisch. 2019. Predictors of glucocorticoid and glucose mobilization in response to an acute handling challenge in Mountain White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual Meeting. Tampa, Florida.

Jenna Pastel is a Biology and Environmental Studies double-major and a Mathematics minor planning to graduate in Spring 2019. Her St. Mary's Project will establish an efficient and organic rooftop garden on campus at SMCM. Jenna is also on the varsity women's soccer team and a member of the rock climbing club. After graduation she will work at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in the nutrition lab and also plans to go to graduate school in animal nutrition.

Zoe Grabenstetter is a Biochemistry major and Applied Mathematics minor and plans to graduate in the Spring 2020. Their current research involves studying the mathematical relationship between avian stress responses and variables such as: barometric pressure, temperature, snow fall, and other climate factors. This model will eventually be used to apply predictive climate change data sets to determine the effect of climate change on stress response. Zoe plans on attending graduate school for a PhD in biological mathematics with a focus in biomedical or ecological mathematics.

Hannah Porter is a Biology Major, Environmental Studies and Music Minor with a planned graduate date of Spring 2019. Her St. Mary’s Project will examine deep brain stimulation and fetal mesencephalic tissue transplantation as a potential treatment plan for Parkinson’s patients and the ethical concerns associated with replacement treatment options. She has spent over two years working for Tidewater Physical Therapy in the Delmarva region. Hannah plans to attend a physical therapy (DPT) or a physician assistant program after she graduates SMCM.

Hannah Rothback is a senior Biology Major at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Her St. Mary’s Project will examine relative stress across several college majors as measured by salivary cortisol. The study will also assess temporal stress relating to the academic timeline of a traditional undergraduate college. Hannah hopes that her research may potentially identify specific at risk groups for chronic-stress health related issues, which may be the first step towards improving student quality of life. Hannah is an active member of the rock-climbing, windsurfing, and dance clubs on campus, and enjoys giving her housemates private violin concerts in her free time. She will graduate SMCM in May 2019 and is excited to matriculate into dental school in the Fall. Hannah eventually wants to work in public health dentistry, with a focus on pediatric care.