Class of 2022 Graduates of Magis Honors Program

Five members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2022 graduated from its Magis Honors Program in STEM. The program, which began as a pilot program in the fall of 2017, combines the development of STEM knowledge and research techniques with programing to further the students’ understanding of the impact science has on society. The University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM was officially approved as the University’s fifth honors program in 2019.

The Magis Honors Program offers talented students a more intense, interdisciplinary experience of research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Courses taken over four years at Scranton combine a series of seminars on STEM and society with humanities courses. With guidance by faculty mentors, the students in the program develop, present and defend a thesis based on their individual research projects. In addition, the program requires participation in annual community service projects as well as professional development programs.

The following members of Scranton’s class of 2022 graduated as members of the Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Justine E. Duva, Glenmoore, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology major. Duva worked with faculty member Maria Squire, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on a thesis titled “The Effect of acetaminophen on the tibiae of C57/BL6 male mice.”

Michael W. Laabs, Scranton, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major. Laabsworked with faculty member Marc Seid, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on a thesis titled “Effects of nicotine on recruitment time and recruitment response in the ant Pheidole dentata.”

Margaret R. McGrath, Drexel Hill, graduate, summa cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Undergraduate Honors Program and the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. McGrath worked with faculty member Chris Howey, assistant professor of biology, on a thesis titled “The effects of ambient light at night on the stress response in green anoles (Anolis carolinensis).”

Cameron J. Shedlock, White Haven, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience major and member of the University’s Undergraduate Honors Program. Shedlock worked with faculty member Katherine Stumpo, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, on a thesis titled “Characterizing pancreatic xenograft tumor response to gemcitabine treatment with imaging mass spectrometry.”

Sarah V. White, Brooklyn, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. White worked with faculty member Anne Royer, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on a thesis titled “Quantifying geographic variation and color variation in populations of Mimulus ringens with divergent life histories.” White was also the recipient of a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship at Scranton.

Janice Voltzow, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Biology Department, serves as the director of the Magis Honors Program in STEM.