Susanna Barrett SC ’19 has always been interested in DNA. This love developed at a young age, when Barrett was able to engage in DNA research as a high school student. Now a senior at Scripps College, Barrett has spent her time on campus working on her biochemistry major, in
Tag: Science
High-speed imaging: Science that might just save the world
Films like “Armageddon,” “Deep Impact,” and the aptly named mini-series “Asteroid” all tell the fictional story of a deadly asteroid impact. In reality, the chance of an asteroid impact is slim. However, Philip Choi, Pomona College professor of physics and astronomy, has been paying more attention to that chance. “There’s
Combatting exclusivity in STEM fields
For many students, STEM fields feel exclusive, and for good reason. Oftentimes, students have poor experiences in high school and feel they need to catch up after their first day in college STEM courses. Other students say they don’t feel welcome because they believe they don’t fit a certain mold
Students weigh in on ‘Keckxit’
When Bethany Reim PZ ’19 first heard about Claremont McKenna College’s decision to leave the Keck Science Department, commonly referred to as “Keckxit,” she thought it was a joke. After realizing the news was real, she felt a mix of emotions — fear, confusion, and betrayal. “I took it as
Can oceans forecast the future of climate change?
A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a global body that assesses science related to climate change, found that Earth’s temperature is projected to increase a staggering two degrees Celsius by the end of the century. The report found that if human emissions were immediately reduced to
Connecting chemistry and the arts: Gillian Holzer explores Margaret Fowler Garden’s wall painting
Gillian Holzer SC ’19 has a passion for art history. As an intern for Zebala & Partners this past summer, she was able to explore this passion further and combine it with another love: chemistry. “I took an upper division art history course my first semester and general chemistry, and
CMC to withdraw from Keck Science Department, create own department
Claremont McKenna College has decided to withdraw from the W.M. Keck Science Department to create its own science department, according to a Pitzer College administrator and multiple professors present at faculty meetings where the decision was announced Wednesday. Scripps College and Pitzer will continue to have a joint science program,
Shakeout: Preparing for the next great California earthquake
It’s not a question of “if,” but “when.” Southern California is overdue for a large earthquake. Scientists have determined that the likelihood of a magnitude 7.5 or greater earthquake, occurring in the next 30 years, is 46 percent. The chance of a 6.7 magnitude or higher earthquake is over 99
Is ‘Pseudonocardia’ the next superhero?
At the W.M. Keck Science Department, professor Ethan Van Arnam’s lab is working with real-life superheroes. Located on the second floor in a newly remodeled lab, members of this group work with leaf-cutter ants. While these insects might not seem particularly exciting, the bacteria that grows on their backs are
Seeds: An untold story
Seeds form the base on which all the food we consume is built. They come in an array of sizes, shapes, and varieties. We depend on them for survival. Yet, seed biodiversity is decreasing. Last Thursday, the Pomona College Museum of Art screened the documentary “Seeds: The Untold Story,” which