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Medical researcher and alumna Sherie Kendall to address science fair Saturday
March 29, 2004 | |||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.—University of Kentucky post-doctoral scholar Sherie L. Kendall, Ph.D., will revisit her alma mater, IU Kokomo, on Saturday, April 3. She’ll address close to 100 junior high and high school students competing in the 16th Indiana State Science and Engineering Fair. Visitors are welcome to view exhibits between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., in the Kelley Student Center, but are asked not to disturb the judges. Representatives of Haynes International, Inc., and Delphi Electronics and Safety will judge the fair projects, along with faculty and staff from the School of Arts and Sciences Michael Finkler, Ph.D.; Kasem K. Kasem, Ph.D.; Sharon Calhoon, Ph.D.; and Sara Deyo. Sponsored by the Science Education Foundation of Indiana, the fair was brought to IU Kokomo campus through the efforts of Senior Lecturer in Chemistry Marcia Gillette, Ph.D., and Chairperson of the Department of Natural, Information and Mathematical Sciences Robert Roales, Ph.D. In her luncheon speech to science fair participants, Sherie Kendall wants to encourage them “to persist” in science studies. “Science is difficult, but worth the effort because the findings of research support advances in quality of life for everyone through improved health care and economic development,” she said. She will recall her own science fair experience, as an eight grader in Pompano Beach, Florida. “My project explored the effect of differing light wavelengths on the growth of corn plants. I learned about the importance of having a lab notebook and the appropriate experimental controls.” While a resident of Marion, Kendall obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology through IU Kokomo in 1993. She earned a doctorate in medical neurobiology from the IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, in 2001. Currently, she is enrolled in Career Training in Therapeutics and Translational Research at the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine. “This program of postdoctoral training is supported by the National Institutes of Health specifically to train clinical researchers,” Kendall said. “Dr. Tom Kelly in the Department of Behavioral Sciences is mentoring me in a project to investigate the role of estrogen in amphetamine abuse.” The research project will form the basis for a grant application, which Kendall hopes will support a continuing career in research. Ironically, Kendall originally left college and her interest in science behind in the 1960s. Decades later, she enrolled at IU Kokomo as a business major, thinking to further her work in real estate asset management. IU Kokomo’s Marcia Gillette and Professor of Botany Gary Dolph helped Kendall reconnect with science and fostered her interest in research. “Importantly, they insisted that I seek a summer internship experience,” she said. “Dr. Robert Roales served adroitly as my academic advisor.” On May 1, the IU Kokomo Alumni Association will present its Distinguished Service Award to Gillette, in recognition of her 28 years of teaching and involvement in student science fairs. Kendall wholeheartedly agreed that Gillette deserves the service award. “Marcia made chemistry interesting and fun,” Kendall said. “However, Marcia is the kind of teacher who doesn’t limit her attention in the classroom to just presenting the subject matter. She ‘sees’ her students.” Gillette noticed how anxious Kendall would become while taking tests. “Marcia guided me through an adjustment to the situation in a way that enhanced my scholastic progress. I will always appreciate her special attention.”
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