Research is undoubtedly a major aspect of what UConn has to offer for both students and faculty.?This part of the university's educational life can be seen in its "Extensive" ranking, meaning that not only students, but professors, are actively involved in research in their respective fields of study.?UConn's Comparative Pathology Seminar Series shows just how closely linked education and research can be, by allowing students to witness some of the research done by faculty and members of the UConn community.
In yesterday's portion of the series, titled "Aquatic Wildlife and Human Health: Contaminants, Immunity, and Infectious Disease," students had the unique opportunity of learning of some of the research done by Dr. Milton Levin. Levin has been at UConn for eight years and has been a post-doctoral fellow since he received his Ph.D. in pathobiology in 2004.?He is currently a candidate for assistant professor of the department.
In his lecture, Levin revealed the results of his graduate research, as well as his current research goals.?He began the lecture with the problems addressed by his research.
"Environmental contaminants are ubiquitous around the world and have been a source of increasing concern," Levin said.
In his research, he has attempted to address this problem by finding the impact of certain chemicals on mammals.?His research has focused on studying the effects of such environmental contaminants both in vitro and in vivo.
He has also observed that exposure to certain toxins can be safe to some species, while not others, showing that the current mouse model does not necessarily give an accurate representation of how humans or marine mammals will react when exposed to similar toxins.?In this aspect of his research, he has concluded that the "current risk assessment approach needs to be improved."
Levin did not only show students his past research - he explained his "research vision" for current and future research, which he says will include a "multi-disciplinary approach," combining "immunology, toxicology, molecular biology, pathology, and epidemiology."
For students, this unique learning experience and exposure to innovative research ideas has provided a completely different view of scientific discovery in the classroom. For some, it was a way to be exposed to today's important scientific issues.?
Lindsay Leka, a 7th-semester pathobiology and veterinary sciences double major, saw the seminar series as "a way of sharing research developments " to make changes, to make developments in science."?
Leka said that today's seminar exposed her to "environmental pollutants, which is an everyday problem."
The seminar series was also seen as an important tool to expose students to what is occurring in the field.?
Benjamin March, a 5th-semester animal science major, said it was "good to see cutting edge research."
This unique class was especially relevant for March, who is currently writing a research essay on the topic presented by the lecture.
Contact Kaitlin Archambault at Kaitlin.Archambault@UConn.edu
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