5-20-05
Biology Student Wins Phi Beta Kappa Thesis Award
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Susan Ellis, a Schreyer Scholar majoring in biology, has received the University-wide Phi Beta Kappa Thesis Award for 2005. Ellis received the award at a reception on May 13 at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center at the University Park campus. Each year the Penn State Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa awards a thesis prize of $1,500 to a meritorious research project completed in an eligible field by a Schreyer Honors College Scholar as his or her senior thesis. Ellis's work, titled "Changes in Maternal Time Allocation over the Course of Incubation in House Wrens," was recognized by Thomas O. Beebee, president of the Lambda Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, as "a fine thesis that has greatly impressed our faculty." |
Ellis's thesis advisor, Dr. Margaret Voss, was not at all surprised to hear of Ellis's success. "Susan is clearly one of the most motivated and talented undergraduates I have ever worked with. She is also a wonderful person who has an extremely bright future ahead of her." Voss outlined Ellis's awards and presentations, including presenting her thesis research at the Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Conference in spring 2003 and the Beta Beta Beta District Research Conference in spring 2004. She also presented her work at Cornell University in April 2004.
In July of 2004, Ellis took her research to Jyvaskyla, Finland, and presented it at the International Society for Behavioral Ecology. "She was the only undergraduate to formally present her research," said Voss, "and as a result she met several famous and influential scientists who expressed interest in her work and appreciation for her motivation and professionalism."
Ellis will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall to work on her Masters of Science degree in statistics and a Ph.D. in wildlife management. Her thesis work at Behrend has resulted in co-authorship of two papers that will be submitted to scientific journals this summer.
The biology program at Behrend includes six options: general biology, ecology, molecular biology and biochemistry, genetics and developmental biology, medical technology option, and the pre-professional option.Undergraduates have ample research opportunities due to the small campus size and access to both Behrend's Arboretum and Lake Erie. The program offers excellent, award-winning faculty, renovated laboratories, and new equipment.