NatSci’s 13th annual Classes Without Quizzes held at WKAR Studios
Michigan State University’s College of Natural Science (NatSci) held its 13th annual Classes Without Quizzes (CWQ) on April 22, at WKAR Studio A in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building—a new venue for the event.
More than 100 alumni, friends and guests attended the event (a hybrid of in-person and online). CWQ gives participants a chance to meet with NatSci faculty members and students, while getting an insider’s look at some of the latest research activities being undertaken on the MSU campus.
The event consisted of three presentations by MSU faculty members.
Matt Schrenk, associate professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, presented “Extremophiles and the Search for Life on Earth and Beyond.” Shrenk’s lab explores life in extreme habitats, the extraterrestrial habitats where they may also reside and the possibility for life in space.
Julia Ganz, assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, presented “Gut Feelings: How the ‘Brain in the Gut’ Develops.” Using zebrafish, her lab studies the genes that regulate the development of the enteric nervous system to learn about diseases of the human gut.
Ben Orlando, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, presented “A Gaze through the Electron Lens: Visualizing Molecular Machines in Three Dimensions.” Using cryo-electron microscopy, the Orlando lab is gaining an understanding of how these molecular machines function—which could lead to the identification of new targets for drug therapy.
Two Dean’s Research Scholars—Sean Crowley, biomedical laboratory science; and Madeleine Russell, microbiology—also presented their research to the audience.
Dawn Polanco (B.S., zoology, ’83). Credit: Harley J. Seeley
Many of the attendees—ranging in age from high school students to grandparents—were return visitors to CWQ.
Dawn Polanco (B.S., zoology, ’83) of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., attended for the second time. She was at the event several years ago for the first time.
“I wish I hadn’t waited so long to come back,” she said. “I really enjoy the research presentations—they are scientific, but not over my head.”
Tassos (B.S., mechanical engineering, ’88) and Wendy Valtadoros of Ann Arbor, Mich., also attended for the second time.
“Last year, we were so interested in the topics. And the presentations were really engaging,” said Wendy, a Purdue mechanical engineering graduate (1991). “We were looking forward to coming back again this year.”
Tassos (B.S., mechanical engineering, ’88) and Wendy Valtadoros. Credit: Harley J. Seeley
“It’s also amazing to see the undergrad students doing these types of research projects,” said Tassos, who works for DTE Energy, about the Dean’s Research Scholars presentations.
Their daughter, Lydia Valtadoros, is a Dean’s Research Scholar majoring in physiology and data science. She intends to graduate in 2024.
“We’re really happy she has access to this type of program. It’s a great opportunity,” Wendy said.
Ethan Deborski, a sophomore at Bay City Central High School in Bay City, Mich., attended Classes Without Quizzes for the first time.
“My grandfather, Gary, saw the event advertised a few months ago, and he asked me to come along,” said Deborski, who is interested in attending college to pursue a career in astrophysics.
If you missed the event or are interested in reliving the experience or sharing it with others, CWQ 2023 was recorded and is available for viewing on NatSci’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7OGXzDehNY. You can watch past presentations that were live-streamed online here.
The 14th annual Classes Without Quizzes will be held April 20, 2024, and is open to all MSU alumni and friends.
For more information, or to be added to the mailing list, contact Sara Ford, alumni relations coordinator, at fordsar2@msu.edu.
Banner image: College of Natural Science Dean Phil Duxbury kicks off the 13th Annual Classes Without Quizzes event at WKAR Studio A in MSU's Communication Arts and Sciences Building—a new venue for the event. CWQ gives participants a chance to meet with NatSci faculty members and students, while getting an insider’s look at some of the latest research activities being undertaken on the MSU campus. Credit: Harley J. Seeley
