Monell Science Apprenticeship Program

Growing Roots in Science

Summer 2014 Program

Report to the Community

Monell Chemical Senses Center

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Overview

The Monell Center is proud to report on the 33rd annual Monell

Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP). This seven-week

internship continues to inspire young people to pursue science

education and careers in the biomedical sciences by providing

every apprentice with high quality, hands-on learning experiences

in a professional laboratory setting.

Our mission is to provide Philadelphia area students – especially

those from groups underrepresented in the sciences –

opportunities to engage in real scientific discovery via laboratory-

based biomedical research. This mission is rooted in a commitment to the Philadelphia community and to

training the next generation of scientists and STEM professionals.

The 2014 application pool was very competitive: we received over 240 applicants and accepted a total of

nineteen apprentices (also known as SAPlings). These high school and undergraduate students spent the

seven weeks (June 23 – August 8, 2014) working in Monell’s laboratories, alongside Ph.D. and M.D.-level

scientists. Sixteen of the students were residents of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

The MSAP Executive Committee

is committed to providing each

student with a unique summer

internship experience. Unlike

other internships, MSAP employs

a mentor-apprentice model that is

designed to provide SAPlings with

high quality technical training,

science education, accessible

role models who can help guide

apprentices in their academic and

professional pursuits.

The Committee carefully matches

each SAPling with a full-time

scientist mentor, and apprentices

work closely with the primary

investigator and lab staff on an

independent research project.

Each apprentice conducts their

own research while immersed in a

rich, hands-on learning

environment that fosters technical

skill-building and developing a

thorough understanding of basic

scientific principles.

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SAPling High Schools

W. B. Saul High School

Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia

George Washington Carver High

School

Central High School

J. R. Masterman High School

Murrel Dobbins High School

Arts Academy of Benjamin Rush

Creative and Performing Arts High

School

SAPling Colleges

West Chester University of

Pennsylvania

University of the Sciences

Temple University

Allegheny College

Barnard College

Apprentice success hinges on proper education and training, and

mentors, in conjunction with Monell’s Human Resource

Department, are responsible for ensuring that apprentices receive

appropriate training and follow all safety procedures.

Apprentices are lab staff and attend and contribute to lab meetings

and other routine laboratory activities. Mentors also hold individual

meetings with SAPlings, usually on a weekly basis, to track their

progress. Many mentors make an effort to meet at least once a day

to answer questions and provide guidance. We require a minimum

of two one-on-one meetings per week with the principle

investigator.

As supervisors, mentors answer daily activity questions, assist with

day-to-day problems, and confirm that lab notebooks are used

correctly. Other lab members, such as postdoctoral fellows and lab

technicians, contribute to SAPlings’ overall mentorship throughout

the seven weeks.

Providing apprentices with proper supervision and resources

ensures that they have a complete understanding of the

hypotheses and research objectives of their individual projects and of the mentor’s larger research program.

These are critical to apprentices’ learning and understanding and are reflected in their Capstone Presentations.

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Funding

It is our great pleasure to thank those who made the 2014 Monell Science Apprenticeship Program possible.

Many individual gifts help make this program possible, including gifts from Monell’s leadership, staff, and

MSAP alumni. Organizations, agencies, and individuals who donated to MSAP 2014 are listed below. First-

time donors to the program are listed in bold; alumni donors are listed in italics.

The Monell Circle ($1,000+)

Robert Bedoukian, Bedoukian Research, Inc.

The Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation

The Ellis Trust for Girls

The Franklin Institute STEM Scholars

Program

The Christopher Ludwick Foundation

National Institutes of Health – National Institute

of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Slidemakers

The Subaru of America Foundation

Individual Donors

David Adams

Osama Ahmed

Donna Antonucci

Angelica Au

Gary Beauchamp

Paul Breslin

Carol Christensen

Bill Clark, Animal Specialties and Provisions

Victoria Grant

David Kennedy

Daniel & Deborah Knox

Susan Knox

John Lepri

Robert Margolskee

Renee Marton

Harold McDaniel

Lisa Norris

Mehmet Hakan Ozdener

Valentina Parma

Johannes Reisert

Dwight Riskey

James Russell

Lindsey Snyder

Jenifer Trachtman

Karen Kalun Yee

The Students

Name: Sadeeq Abdullah

School: University of Pittsburgh, Bradford Mentors: Dr. Johannes Reisert & Dr. Michelle Dibattista

Project: How The Olfactory Bulb Got its Axons

“I learned that studying olfaction can result in discoveries

that can be applied to other biological functions.”

Name: John Cherry

School: Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School Mentor: Dr. Glen Golden

Project: Measuring a Ferret’s Ability to Discriminate Between Similar Odors

“Now I have a better understanding of the research

process and how scientific publications are written.”

Name: Chelsey Deal School: W. B. Saul High School

Mentors: Dr. Michael Tordoff

Project: The Effects of Ivermectin on Taste Preferences “I learned how to design experiments and collect data.”

Name: Denise DeFelice School: Phil-Mont Christian Academy

Mentor: Dr. Pamela Dalton & Christopher Maute, M.Ed.

Project: Stress Reduction and Effects on Mood

“I learned so much about the research process, statistical

analysis of data and how to write a scientific paper.”

Name: Arnelle Downing School: J. R. Masterman High School

Mentors: Dr. Michael Tordoff

Project: Narrowing the Confidence Interval of a QTL on

Chromosome 2 and Chromosome 17

“I love doing research in the Program, and every year I

love it more and more.”

Name: Nicolas Freeman

School: Stone Bridge High School Mentor: Dr. Joel Mainland

Project: Predicting Odor from Receptor Responses

“In addition to learning new lab skills, I also co-authored a paper based on the research I did in the program.”

Name: Kathryn Greene School: Temple University

Mentor: Dr. George Preti & Dr. Katharine Prigge Project: Body Odor Variation Due to Age and Gender

“I discovered that I enjoy doing research and answering questions through the research process.”

Name: LaToya Irvin

School: Murrel Dobbins High School Mentor: Dr. Paul Breslin

Project: Influence of Adaptation on Sweetener

Concentration-Intensity Functions

“I really enjoyed learning new things and working with my

lab mates.”

Name: Sara James School: George Washington Carver High School

Mentors: Dr. Pamela Dalton & Dr. Jessica Gaby

Project: Perception of Individual Differences in Body Odor

“MSAP expanded my knowledge and was like a second home.”

Name: Kristofer James

School: George Washington Carver High School Mentor: Dr. Paul Breslin

Project: Sweet Taste Adaptation and Time-Intensity

Functions

“Working with human subjects on my research project

was my favorite part of the program.”

Name: Enlylh King School: Creative and Performing Arts High School

Mentor: Dr. Hong Wang

Project: Expression of Bitter Taste Receptors in Mouse and Human T-cells

“I learned a lot about statistics, data analysis, and the

molecular biology of the immune system.”

Name: Christina Labows

School: Strath Haven High School Mentor: Dr. George Preti & Dr. Katharine Prigge

Project: Bioaccumulation of Limonene in Cerumen

“My mentors provided excellent guidance, and we worked

together on a manuscript that will be submitted for publi-

cation.”

Name: Dominick Palma School: Central High School

Mentors: Dr. Peihua Jiang

Project: Glucokinase (hexokinase 4) Regulator in Order

Carnivora

“MSAP allowed me to devote my time to deeply

understanding a topic of my choice.”

Name: Jovanna Pope School: Barnard College

Mentor: Dr. Valentina Parma

Project: How Well Can Children Smell? Exploring Olfac-tory Skills in a Subset of Children in Philadelphia, PA

“I really enjoyed working with the children that were part

of my laboratory’s study.”

Name: Nadia Scott

School: University of the Sciences, Philadelphia Mentor: Dr. Alexander Bachmanov & Dr. Hakan Ozdener

Project: Characterization of Immortalized Human Fungi-form Taste Papillae (Ulduz) Cells

“I had more responsibility this year and wrote my own

protocols.”

Name: Nirvine Simon

School: West Chester University of Pennsylvania Mentors: Dr. Hong Wang

Project: Expression of Taste Signaling Proteins in Human

and Mouse B Cells

“In addition to learning new lab skills, I also co-authored a

paper based on the research I did in the program.”

Name: Khalia Thompson School: Allegheny College

Mentor: Dr. Robert Margolskee & Dr. Karen Yee

Project: Identifying Receptor Expression Enhancing

Proteins in Taste Cells

“I know I’ve gotten a lot out of this program and feel that

I’ll be ahead of my peers in my math and technical skills.”

Name: Owain Thorogood

School: Haverford High School

Mentor: Dr. Hong Wang Project: Lipopolysaccharide Induces Increased Expression of

Sweet Receptors in Mouse Macrophages

“This was an invaluable experience: I never liked molecular

biology, but the hands-on research changed my mind.”

Name: Samantha Trinh

School: Arts Academy of Benjamin Rush Mentor: Dr. Casey Trimmer

Project: Blocking Odor Perception at the Receptor

“I did things I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do, like clone cells and present my first scientific poster.”

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The Program

The foundation of the MSAP experience is conducting hands-on

bench research alongside professional scientists. However, each

year the MSAP Executive Committee carefully plans additional

enrichment activities designed to supplement the apprentices’

laboratory work.

A popular seminar series has been a key part of the program for

several years. This year, the series focused on exposing

SAPlings to the breadth and depth of scientific research, with

speakers from fields ranging from botany to pharmacology.

Speakers included individuals who use science every day in their

work, but in very different ways. Clinical research Cornelius Pitts, PharmD; Rachel Harris, PhD (University of

Tasmania); Naa Oyo Kwate, PhD (Rutgers University) and others shared their experiences pursuing careers in

science.

Each year, Postdoctoral Fellows organize enrichment activities including a ‘brown bag’ discussion of how to

read and prepare scientific articles, journal clubs featuring in-depth discussions of select scientific articles, and

a day of “open labs” during which apprentices can observe the various biomedical disciplines practiced in

Monell’s labs.

Open lab day is very popular among the apprentices who often have wider interests in other branches of

biology or are interested in learning new techniques not typically used in their mentors’ laboratories. Monell’s

Postdoctoral Fellows demonstrated a wide variety of laboratory techniques.

Postdoctoral trainees also learn how to communicate their work and skills to students via this exercise. This

year, students could choose from six demonstrations, with each apprentice attending two thirty-minute demos,

such as: olfactory assessment in humans, measuring the body’s reactions to odors, Y-maze running and

mouse odor perception, High Through Put robotics, biosensors and odor discrimination.

Last year, MSAP introduced a professional development

component to the enrichment programming. The apprentice

response was so positive that it has become a critical part of

MSAP’s enrichment activities. The professional development

seminar and lunch included an instructional lecture and role-play

activities aimed at helping SAPlings build interview and

communication skills. Alumnae Stacey Lytle participated in the

seminar, relating her experience applying and interviewing for jobs

in the research and medical field after receiving her degree.1

Two new seminars were added to MSAP enrichment activities this

year: “science communication” and “how to create and present a scientific poster.” Apprentices learned to

package and communicate their science to different kinds of audiences. Science writer Bob Holmes also gave

a brief talk on his career and fielded questions from the apprentices, several of whom reported that they were

unaware of a career path in science journalism or other science-related careers.

1 Stacey attended MSAP in 2013 and graduated from Widener University with a Bachelor’s degree in biology. After

graduation she applied widely in the tri-state area, was invited to 15 interviews, and received 6 job offers. Stacey is currently the Research Specialist in the Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine.

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Jovanna Pope, Junior

The second seminar reviewed the elements of a successful scientific

poster and provided apprentices with a template for their own

posters. Taken in tandem, these seminars were designed to better

prepare SAPlings to create and present their posters at the

Capstone Presentations, a conference-style event where

apprentices present their research and results.

We typically have a few apprentices elect to stay at Monell for the

remainder of the summer after the MSAP ends. These apprentices

may continue their work at Monell throughout the school year. Many

of the 2014 SAPlings expressed great interest in returning to the

program next year.

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Schedule of Events

Date Time Event

Mon. June 23 9:00 - 10:30 AM Program Kickoff and Welcome

Tues. June 24 10:00 – 12:00 PM Safety Training Session

Thurs. June 26

11:00 – 12:00 PM

Lecture 1: Rocky Parker, PhD – Postdoctoral Fellow, Monell Center

Title: Science as Process and Scientific Literacy

4:00 – 5:00 PM Ice Cream Social

Tues. July 1 12:00 – 1:00 PM Pizza Luncheon

Wed. July 2 12:00 – 1:00 PM Journal Club with Monell Postdoctoral Fellow: Rocky Parker, PhD; Kate Prigge, PhD; and

Casey Trimmer, PhD

Thurs. July 3 11:00 – 12:00 PM

Lecture 2: Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, PhD – Rutgers University

Title: Two decades of research on insect-plant interactions and

applied chemical ecology: Lessons learned

Thurs. July 10 11:00 - 12:00 PM

Lecture 3: Simeon Kotchoni, PhD – Rutgers University

Title: Discovering your potential: A road map to your success

Fri. July 11 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Enrichment Seminar: Christopher Maute, M.Ed. – Lab Manager, Monell Center

Title: Science Communication

Wed. July 16 12:00 – 1:00 PM Journal Club with Postdoctoral Fellows: Kate Prigge, PhD; and Casey Trimmer, PhD

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Thurs. July 17 11:00 – 12:00 PM

Lecture 4: Cornelius Pitts, PharmD

Title: Discussion on Careers in Health Science

Fri. July 18 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Enrichment Seminar: Nuala Bobowski, PhD – Postdoctoral Fellow,

Monell Center

Title: Creating and presenting a scientific poster

Thurs. July 24 11:00 – 12:00 PM

Lecture 5: Paul Breslin, PhD – Director, MSAP; Member, Monell

Center

Title: A primer on the science of the chemical senses

Fri. July 25 11:00 - 12:00 PM Professional Development Luncheon

Mon. July 28 11: 30 – 12:00 PM

Lecture 6: Rachel Harris, PhD – University of Tasmania

Title: Sex, Lies and GC-MS: Chemical Communication and

Reproduction in an Egg-laying Mammal, the Echidna

Thurs. July 31 11:00 – 1:00 PM

Lecture 7: Naa Oyo Kwate, PhD – Rutgers University

Title: A simple, straightforward guide to…. becoming a

physician…..a clinical psychologist….studying social determinants of

health

Fri. Aug. 1 11:00 – 12:00 PM Open Labs

Thurs. Aug. 7 3:00 - 5:00 PM Capstone Presentations: Apprentice poster presentations of research experiences.

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Jovanna Pope and her mentor, Dr. Valentina

Parma

Capstone Presentations

The Capstone Presentations mark the end of the program.

SAPlings present the results of their research and learning to

family, friends, and fellow scientists at a conference-style poster

session. This year the event was attended by over 100 people,

including the apprentices’ families; Monell scientists and staff; the

Honorable Representative James Roebuck; Rafaela Torres,

Director of the Ellis Trust for Girls; Don McKinney, Philadelphia

Math + Science Coalition; and Dr. Idris Stovall, Director of STEM

Youth and School Programs at The Franklin Institute.

The Capstone celebrates the apprentices’ accomplishments during a summer full of hard work and discovery.

It is a very proud moment for the apprentices, their mentors, and especially their families. Each apprentice

creates a scientific poster using the data they have analyzed, graphed, and tabulated. The posters describe

their hypotheses and results, and SAPlings give oral presentations in a conference-style environment to the

Capstone guests. This year MSAP received an in-kind donation from a local printer, Slidemakers, who

produced the posters at a discounted rate. SAPlings were allowed to keep their posters after obtaining their

mentors’ approval.

This event is an excellent opportunity for apprentices to exercise their science writing and presentation skills

and learn how to deliver their results to a diverse audience. Apprentices also learn how to engage in academic

exchange by demonstrating that they understand: i) their hypothesis, ii) why the research question was asked,

iii) whether their data support their hypotheses, and iv) what this work means in the broader context.

The caliber of this year’s projects and the depth of understanding the

apprentices exhibited during their presentations was palpable. Judges

for the annual “Sense-sational Science Award” reported that it was

more difficult this year to identify the best performing presenters.

The fourth annual “Monell Sense-sational Science Award,” for best

project, was chosen by a panel of Monell staff. This year’s recipient

was Ms. Jovanna Pope. Her project was entitled “How Well Can

Children Smell?: Exploring Olfactory Skills in a Subset of Children in

Philadelphia, PA.”