Tami C. Steveson, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences

Since coming to BGSU in 2002, I have mentored 13 undergraduate students in my laboratory. I chair the departmental Honors program, in which undergraduates earn Honors by writing a proposal, performing a research project, writing a thesis and presenting a public presentation of their findings. Since BGSU is located in a rural area, many of our students have no prior understanding of what a research scientist does, how to become one, or that it is something women can do - thus I try to be a positive role model in this regard. Students participating in SETGO will work directly with my Ph.D. students and me on two different projects currently underway. This affords my graduate students the opportunity to learn how to mentor students. The goal of the first project is to understand how a crucial enzyme in the modification of neuropeptides is affected when organisms are exposed to environmental contaminants. The second project examines how a copper-transporting protein functions in endocrine cells. Both projects have aspects in which the active involvement by young investigators will be promoted. Students will be trained in the scientific method to gain an understanding of how questions or hypotheses are developed and tested. Each undergraduate will be expected to present his/her work at conferences and the data obtained will be published in peer-reviewed articles. One of the students who graduated in May 2007 with her B.S. degree, Mieasha Hicks, was a participant in the STARS program whose goal is to increase the exposure of minorities to science.

Project titles:

• The role of polychlorinated biphenyls in the disruption of a crucial hormone modification pathway
• The localization and function of the copper-transporting Menkes protein in pituitary

tcsteve@bgsu.edu
(419)372-9156 411
Life Science Building