Student Beats Out Competition for One of Eight Spots in National Science Foundation Research Program

Instead of spending her summer at the nearest beach or pool, Philadelphia University Biochemistry student Marcell Vasquez ’09 is wading in a different body of water, Philadelphia’s Tinicum Marsh.

Since the beginning of June, as part of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (REU), an undergraduate-research program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Vasquez has been studying the presence of flame-retardant chemicals in the marsh and their accumulation in fish and other organisms at the Academy of Natural Sciences’ (ANS) Geochemistry Division of the Patrick Center for Environmental Research in Philadelphia.

Encouraged to apply for the program by Philadelphia University Associate Professor of Chemistry and ANS Research Scientist Jeff Ashley, an associate of the Academy for more than eight years, Vasquez beat out nearly 150 students for one of eight positions to participate in the ten-week, intensive, scientific-research internship.

“Marcell was selected from a pool of very qualified candidates from around the country,” said Prof. Ashley, who is advising Vasquez in her studies along with ANS Senior Scientist David Velinsky. “She is one of our shining stars who already conducts research with graduate-level skill and knowledge.”

Located near the Philadelphia airport, the Delaware River estuary is home to many animal species and organisms, which Vasquez eagerly assesses in the Academy’s lab. She notes their food preferences, paying close attention to the discovery of flame retardants, which are typically found in manufactured goods such as carpets and computers, and evaluates their ability to impact the food chain. Interested in how life is affected by man-made chemicals, Vasquez likes the hands-on aspect of her internship, which applies concepts and theories she has learned in class. “I like how I get to work on something that can possibly alter the way humans interact with the world,” said the 21-year-old Camden, N.J., resident.

Before presenting her final research findings to ANS on Aug. 10, Vasquez will travel in August to Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences to analyze the samples she has gathered so far. Her research is funded by a grant awarded to Philadelphia University from Pennsylvania Sea Grant, an organization administered by Pennsylvania State University that promotes the ecological and economic sustainability of Pennsylvania's coastal resources through research and outreach.

REU supports active participation by undergraduate students in several areas of research, funded by NSF; REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program.

Above: Biochemistry student Marcell Vasquez ’09 assesses the food preferences of a fish caught from Philadelphia’s Tinicum Marsh as part of her summer-long Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (REU) internship with the Academy of Natural Sciences.