By Mac Weekly Staff

The Minnesota State Senate’s Higher Education Committee paid a visit to Macalester
Thursday, Jan. 25 to meet with faculty, students and staff. The
Committee, which sets higher education policy and budget, viewed
several faculty-student presentations on collaborative research.

Senators posed questions to the students including why students chose
to attend Macalester, as well as how students plan to use the skills
they have gained here in the future. Sophia Kast ’08
presented with Professor Kristi Curry Rogers of the Geology
Department on fieldwork concerning dinosaurs in Madagascar, and on
Kast’s research regarding climate changes and corresponding soil
composition in Madagascar. Susan Brown ’07 presented with Chemistry
Professor Rebecca Hoye on Brown’s research on synthesizing
biologically active compounds isolated from natural sources. Emily
Kushner ’07, along with Professors Dan Hornbach of Biology, and
Kelly MacGregor of Geology, spoke about her studies of the St. Croix
River, which concern sediment movement and subsequent mussel
development after the St. Croix Falls dam. Professor Julie Dolan of
the Political Science dept. presented with students Alissa Ridenour
’07 and Clare Ryan ’08, reviewing their participation with the
Chuck Green Civic Engagement Fellowship last year. David Chrastek
’07, who will participate in a poster session at the Capitol on
Feb. 14, spoke briefly about his research into the structure and
function of a protein.

Following the
presentations, senators visited several lab facilities in Olin-Rice
and dropped by the Civic Engagement Center for a brief tour and
discussion before returning to the Capitol
HATTIE STAHL