Emily Nickoloff, Ashley Franklin, Alexa Hartman and Brittany Hollister (left to right)

Four science students presented their summer research at the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society's Annual Meeting and International Research Conference in Raleigh, NC on November 12, 2011. Ashley Franklin (Class of 2012) presented a poster titled "Beta-Catenin Down Regulates Inha Leading to Granulosa Cell Tumor Formation" based off of work she performed at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Alexa Hartman (Class of 2013) presented a poster titled "Yeast as a Model System for Mitophagy in Familial Parkinson's Disease" based off of work she performed through the Rollins College Student-Faculty Collaborative Program working with Assistant Professor Susan Walsh.

Brittany Hollister (Class of 2012) presented a poster titled "Development of a Calcium-Dependent Gaussia Luciferase" based off of work she performed at the University of California, San Diego. Emily Nickoloff (Class of 2012) presented a poster titled "Effects of the Hormone Melatonin and Caffeine on the Mitochondrial Function of a Neuronal Cell Line Modeling Alzheimer's Disease" based off of work she performed at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.

All four students are associate members of the Rollins chapter of Sigma Xi. Associate Membership is available to any individual who has, through initial research achievement in a field of pure or applied science, shown an aptitude for research, as evidenced by independent investigation ordinarily resulting in a written report. Associate membership is offered to encourage young investigators with promise to continue careers in research. Each spring, the Rollins chapter of Sigma Xi holds a banquet to celebrate students receiving this honor. There are seventeen current students in this honor society, representing physics, chemistry, biology and psychology.