GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College student Korinna Sherman ’18, of Poland, Ohio, will spend the summer at the University of South Florida working with Theresa Zeziewicz, M.D., and a team of researchers doing a clinical study of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
Sherman is an undergraduate member of the biochemistry program at Thiel College. The position is a result of her work on a Greenville Neuromodulation Center Faculty/Student Research Institute project she conducted last summer with Assistant Professor of Psychology Laura Pickens, Ph.D. ’06; Associate Professor of Neuroscience Greg Butcher, Ph.D.; and neuroscience major Evan Youker ’18, of West Lafayette, Ohio. The project provided Sherman and Youker experience in animal care and handling, drug and behavioral testing, histology, microscopy, and data analysis.
“Our research last summer played a huge part in me getting this opportunity. [Zesiewicz] was impressed with what we had done at Thiel and everything I learned,” Sherman said. “This isn’t an actual undergraduate program, and she usually does not take in undergrads to work on her research team. Dr. Zesiewicz had me send her my resume and information on my past research experience/science courses taken and then offered for me to come spend time working with them this summer.”
Last year’s faculty/student research project centered around the impact of adolescent nicotine exposure on adult memory and spatial learning ability.
Zesiewicz is a leading scientific researcher and a frequently cited expert in the field of movement disorders. A professor in the University of South Florida Neurology program, she is the director of the USF Ataxia Research Center, the Frances J. Zesiewicz Center and Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease, and the James A. Haley Veterans’ Administration Parkinson’s Disease Clinic.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.