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Courtney Howard Represents WKU at HHMI Science Education Alliance Symposium

July 9, 2010 | News, People, Students, Summer, WKU | No Comments

Courtney Howard
Courtney Howard

Courtney Howard (Hardin, ‘11) recently returned from the 2nd Annual Science Education Alliance Symposium at the Janelia Farm campus of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in Ashburn, Virginia. There, she presented her research work and the research work of the inaugural class of WKU’s HHMI’s Science Education Alliance National Genomics Research Initiative course.

After a full-year experience in the nationally-sponsored research program that is overseen at WKU by Drs. Rodney King and Claire Rinehart from WKU’s Department of Biology, Howard was asked by her instructors to represent WKU, since it was her virus that was completely sequenced and annotated.

Last fall semester, Howard isolated a novel bacterial virus from a soil sample she collected from her home in Radcliff, KY, naming the virus “Backyardigan” after a television show she used to watch as a kid.

Dr. King described the research work Howard undertook during the fall semester after this initial collection. “She grew large numbers of the virus in the lab and examined its structure using an electron microscope. She then isolated the DNA from the virus and characterized it by cutting it with special enzymes called restriction endonucleases. The pattern of DNA fragments generated from this treatment was then examined and compared to other viruses isolated by her classmates and by other NGRI participants located throughout the country. Courtney’s viral DNA preparation passed rigorous quality control tests and it was chosen to have its DNA sequence determined,” he said.

During the spring semester, the WKU Genome Discovery class identified all the genes contained in the DNA sequence of the virus.

Howard is already looking forward to what may happen next. “I had a wonderful experience at the conference. It renewed my interest in research. As a matter of fact Dr. Rinehart and I are currently discussing ways to extend my phage research. Listening to the presentations opened our eyes to other possibilities and things we can do to learn more about my phage,” she said.

The slides from Howard’s talk, titled 007: A Lysin to Kill in my Backyardigan, are available at the following weblink: http://www.hhmi.org/seawiki/download/attachments/11993294/23_WEKU.pdf

For more information, contact Derick Strode at (270) 745-6565.

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By Corey Alderdice

Students Find Comfort During Academy Transition in Family at Home, Schneider Hall

August 28, 2009 | News, Parents, Student Life | No Comments

Howard Twins

by Elaine Flynn, Academy Avatar

With Adventure Week, a new class enters the halls of Gatton Academy. Within this group of students, some may feel like they packed too much, others are still finding their place, and then there are a handful of students who were prepared by an older sibling.

The 2008-09 school year marked the first occasion in which siblings attended the Gatton Academy: Jenny and Jason Ludden.  Jenny, a 2009 alumna, noted having a brother in the program did not significantly alter her experience.  “Jason and I have always gotten along really well so being at the academy with him wasn’t a big deal,” she said.  “I encouraged him to apply.”

She went on to mention how they attended a few classes together and how useful it was to be able to study with each other.  No matter how unusual for the second year of the program, no one expected what was to come next.

The entering Class of 2011 features three students with siblings that have graduated from the Academy:  Michael Bowie, Corban Coffman, and Josh “Moose” Song. This year has also taken another step or two in family relationships at the Academy by having cousins, Tejas Sangoi and Paras Vora.

Perhaps most unique of all are twins Brittany and Courtney Howard.

These sisters have both chosen to attend the Academy out of their love for math and science. Between sharing a room, class schedule, friends, and talents they love, Brittany and Courtney have an interesting year ahead of them.

Yet, it didn’t just start this week, it started during the application process. Brittany and Courtney knew that there was a possibility that only one of them would make it into the Academy. However, they hung onto hope that they wouldn’t have to deal with that situation.  They did know that if it happened they would remain supportive of each other.  When the mail finally arrived after interview weekend, Brittany’s and Courtney’s hope was rewarded with both receiving letters of acceptance.

They will now experience the challenge facing all first-year Academy students: having a roommate.  However, when asked about sharing a room this year, Brittany commented, “When we were little we shared a room, but when our older sister left for college I got her room.”

They may even fight from time to time but, “We are just like any other siblings,” Courtney expressed.

When asked about the effectiveness of familiar support from siblings, Tim Gott, the Academy’s director, believes having a family member around can provide a special, additional layer of support in the transition to life in Schneider Hall. “The biggest factor is that having prior experiences eliminates some of the fear factor,” he said.  “Parents are much more comfortable and siblings have the inside stories to help make them comfortable. Not to mention having some textbooks and materials.”

As the semester begins, all Academy students will find themselves working hard, yet having the tight relationships will continue to keep them together and strong. Whether it is a twin, a sibling, a cousin, a friend from a home school, or friends made here, if any student wishes to succeed in this atypical high school, then they will need each other.

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By Corey Alderdice