Gator TAILS Podcast
Gator TAILS (Talking About Inquiry, Learning, and Scholarship) is a podcast that explores the many flavors of research, scholarship, and creative work at Allegheny College, home of the Allegheny Gators. Allegheny College has a longstanding tradition of undergraduate research that dates back to the college’s founding in 1815 and our award-winning research program is woven into the fabric of the Allegheny experience. Your host, Dr. Matt Venesky, will talk with current undergraduate students at Allegheny and chat about the research and scholarship that they are involved in while attending Allegheny. You’ll hear from students across all disciplines, all academic years, and at various stages of their project as we discuss what it means to participate in research and creative expression at Allegheny.
Season 3 of Gator TAILS will drop in September 2024! If you are new to the podcast, you can use the toolbar on the right to catch up with Season 1. Alternatively, you can use the links below to listen to, and subscribe to, Gator TAILS from your favorite podcast platform.
Interested in Participating?
Are you a current Allegheny student interested in participating in this podcast? If so, Dr. Venesky would love to chat with you! Complete this Google Form (which contains a brief questionnaire and also a media release) and Dr. Venesky will be in contact with you.
Your Host
Matt Venesky is an Associate Professor of Biology and the Director of the Office of URSCA (Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities) at Allegheny College. Matt is an infectious disease ecologist who studies host-parasite interactions at different ecological scales, including the organism (e.g., stress physiology, metabolic ecology, and nutrition), populations (e.g., the distribution and abundance of parasites within different environments), and ecological communities (e.g., how parasite-infected hosts affect the structure and function of communities). Most of the research in my lab uses amphibians and the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (the fungus that causes the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis) as a study system; however, he also works with snails and their trematode parasites as well as ticks and the bacterium that causes Lyme Disease.
Click below to hear Matt talk about his vision for Gator TAILS.
Season 1
Amphibians are one of the most threatened vertebrate groups on the planet. In fact, a 2004 global assessment (by Baillie et al, 2004) found that nearly one-third of the world’s amphibians are threatened with extinction. Emerging infectious diseases, along with other factors, have been implicated in the decline of global amphibian populations. Emma Yesko (’23; Biology) a student in the lab of Dr. Matt Venesky, conducted a summer research project in which she tried to determine what caused an amphibian die-off in a pond at Allegheny College’s Bousson Environmental Research Reserve. Listen in as Emma discusses the work that she did during the summer and her plans for the future.
All of us are now familiar with rapid COVID antigen tests: a single line indicates no active infection whereas a double line indicates a positive infection. How do these test cards actually work and what type of chemistry is involved in this type of test? This, and numerous other biochemical and medical applications, use chemical surface reactions like those on the COVID antigen test card. One of type of surface reaction is attaching proteins to surfaces to act as a recognition system for a biosensor. Bill Nese (’23; Chemistry) a student in the lab of Dr. Alice Deckert, conducted a project in which they investigated surface reactions when a silver nanoparticle reacts with imidazole. Understanding the mechanism and rate constant for the reaction between a silver nanoparticle surface bound NHS ester and imidazole could hypothetically be determined at various concentrations of imidazole. Broadly speaking, this research allows scientists to better understand protein attachment and aid the design of numerous types of biosensors.
Imagine what it is like to Direct a play… as a student! In this episode, Victoria Smith (’23; Theatre and English double-major) and I chat about her experience as the Director of a play titled “It’s Not All About Sex (Or Is It?)“. This play (written by Professor Emeritus Josh Searle-White) was performed at the Meadville Community Theatre March 11-13 of 2022. The Meadville Community Theatre was founded in 1967 and is the oldest continually running community theater in Meadville. “It’s Not All About Sex (Or Is It?)” explores relationships, sexuality, and consent in our modern world. Victoria shares her thoughts on the play itself, how she got into theatre, and the coursework and preparation that goes into Directing a play [as a student]. Victoria and I also chat about the many ways in which students across all academic disciplines participate in theatre.
If you’re not familiar with NW Pennsylvania, this part of the country is beautiful! In fact, there are numerous natural resources and outdoor recreational areas that are within a 45-minute drive of Meadville. Ray Colabawalla (at left in the photo) and Hunter Goerman (at right in the photo) spent their summer traveling across parts of PA working on a project in conjunction with Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Dr. Ishita Roy (Dept. of Communication, Film, and Theatre at Allegheny), and local community partners trying to assess the possibility of establishing a formal connection between the large swath of public and private lands and other assets in a north-south corridor in Western Pennsylvania, between the cities of Erie and Pittsburgh. The goal of the broader project (named the “Glaciers Edge”) is to determine the feasibility of creating such linkages through the nine-county area and to boost economic development through the protection and promotion of outdoor recreational assets in this region of Pennsylvania. In this episode, Ray and Hunter chat about their summer experience and how this project would benefit the local, and regional, communities in this area.
he Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most influential battles within the American Civil War — it marked the turning point of the war and ended Confederate general Robert E. Lee’s attempt to invade the North and eliminating the possibility that the Confederate States of America would become an independent nation with the Union victory. Michael Gartland (’23), a History major and English minor, spent part of the Summer of 2022 as an intern at the Gettysburg National Military Park and worked on a research project in which he used an online database to find and catalogue over 200 soldier pension files over the summer to provide information about the lives of Union soldiers that died during the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg and were buried in the cemetery. The ultimate goal of the project, which was part of a larger archival digitization project, was to begin a database that catalogued these soldiers so that Rangers could use these stories for future Anniversary weekends and other events.
The plants and animals that inhabit most ecosystems experience phenological changes (i.e., cyclical and seasonal changes in their physiology, anatomy, or behavior). In fact, those of us who live in the temperate zone are familiar with a common phenological change: watching the leaves of deciduous trees change colors and drop during autumn. Climate change is altering the timing and patterns of precipitation and temperature and these changes can have profound effects on the phenology of organisms. In this episode, I chat with Rachel Walters (’23; Biology) who participated in a summer research project at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado with Dr. Lee (Mick) Demi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Sustainability. Listen in to hear Rachel talk about how she spent her summer in the high-elevation streams of Colorado studying climate-induced changes in river phenology.
Evelyn Griffith (’24) is a double major in Computer Science and English Creative Writing and also a soprano vocalist at Allegheny College. In November of 2022, Evelyn performed a Junior Vocal Recital (one of many possible Performance Opportunities for Allegheny Students through our Music Department) in the Ford Memorial Chapel. Prior to her recital, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Evelyn about a number of topics ranging from singing as a child to what it means to be a student vocalist. In addition to our conversation, I had the chance to sit in and record one of her practices prior to the recital. Listen in to hear our conversation and clips of Evelyn singing. You don’t want to miss this one!
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that occur naturally in vertebrates and they regulate many aspects of an organisms physiology. They are also widely used for the treatment of inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and even in some cancers. In this episode, I chat with Lottie Mateyak (’23; Biology) about a research project that she conducted with Dr. Mahita Kadmiel, Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Allegheny College. The big aim of the project is to understand how researchers can use glucocorticoids as part of the treatment of eye diseases but minimize the negative side effects that glucocorticoid use can have. Listen in as Lottie discusses her work with retinal cells and glucocorticoids during her summer research experience at Allegheny.
The Art Department at Allegheny College has a rich tradition of helping students learn to contextualize artworks, understand the connection between art and history, and showcasing original pieces of art in the Allegheny Art Galleries. Allegheny students and faculty also have opportunities to collaborate with art galleries and museums in the surrounding area during which students gain valuable exposure to regional artists and can assist in local art exhibitions. In this episode, I chat with Haley Fabich (L) and Erin Magnus (R) about their involvement in some projects and internships at the Erie Art Museum.
For a number of years, Dr. Becky Dawson (’00) has partnered with the Meadville Medical Center on a number of projects associated with public health and epidemiology. One of these projects has been assisting in the Crawford County Health Needs Assessment. This is an ongoing research project aimed to assess the health in Crawford County by collecting, analyzing, distributing and using valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data to improve community health. During the Summer of 2022, Skyler Masse (Biology) and Emily Spitz (Biochemistry) were part of a team of students that worked with Dr. Dawson on this, and other, projects. Listen in to hear about the work that Skyler and Emily did on this project!
Season 2
Allegheny College’s Law and Policy Program provides students with opportunities to explore their interests in politics and prepare them for the kinds of work they want to pursue after graduation. This program is open to students majoring in any academic discipline at Allegheny College. In January of 2023, Prof. Brian Harward and some staff members in the Center for Career and Professional Development took 12 Allegheny students to Washington DC to participate in a 9-day seminar called “Institutions and Interests that Shape the Policy Process” where students learned from top policymaking experts during rigorous academic seminars on critical elements of the policy process, observed oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court, and toured key sites including the White House, the Capitol, and the Library of Congress. Listen in to part of the conversation that I had with Lexi Adams and Joe Leszczynski about their trip to DC.
Bintou Fofana is a senior at Allegheny College, where she is pursuing a degree in International Studies with an area focus on West Africa. She is double minoring in Political Science and French. At Allegheny, Bintou is involved in numerous activities/organizations, including the Center for Political Participation and she is part of the Global Citizens Scholars’ Program. Bintou is also a podcaster and her podcast, “Things Just Got Spicy”, just finished its 3rd season. In the summer of 2023, Bintou worked on a student-faculty collaborative research project with Prof. Ishita Sinha Roy on podcasting and building gen-z political engagement. Listen in to our conversation as Bintou and I chat about a number of topics related to podcasting, political engagement, and using tools such as podcasts to help build engaging classroom environments. Also, be sure to check out her own podcast and subscribe to “Things Just Got Spicy”.
You’ve probably heard that DNA contains the genetic code — the “instruction manual” (if you will). Within DNA, some of these segments of A’s, T’s, G’s, and C’s found in a certain order contain the instructions (= genes) to create proteins — the macromolecules that actually “carry out” the instructions of DNA. Researchers, such as evolutionary developmental biologists, study how genes related to the process of organismal development and how that process (and the underlying genetic code) is similar, or different, across different species. In this episode, I chat with Nickel Spartz about the research that he conducted with Professor Brad Hersh studying the development of fruit fly body plans and wings.
Beatrice is from Toronto, Ontario — one of the fastest growing cities in all of North America. As cities grow, most residents are typically added to the surrounding suburbs which creates a bit of a problem: how do cities efficiently move people from further distances into the city center? To accomplish this, public transits (such as the Toronto Transit Commission) consider adding to the existing network of transit lines. Although these additions are done to create more efficient travel, there are negative consequences to building new transit lines. Beatrice’s research addresses this topic and she spent the Summer of 2023 working with Professor Jesse Swann-Quinn in the Department of Environmental Science and Sustainability on a project that examined topics surrounding the expansion of the transit system in Toronto.
When the economies of countries grow, they experience a shift (or a transformation) in the makeup of their economy as jobs shift to meet the new economic demands. Economics major Zachary Wyse (’25) and Professor Stephen Onyeiwu (Andrew Wells Robertson Professor of Economics) spent part of the Summer of 2023 exploring the pathways through which inequality influences how, and whether, Africa might achieve structural transformation. Listen in to this episode to hear about their summer research!
Field guides are utilized by professional scientists, citizen scientists, and members of the general public to assist in the identification of living (and non-living) parts of our environment. In addition to providing users with images and descriptions of the things that are viewing, some field guides provide information about these items that relate to their historical or cultural significance. Milo Watson (’26) worked on a project during the Summer of 2023 with Associate Professor John Miller (in the English Department) to survey the aesthetics of field guides, how they present information, and the various ways that field guides discuss (or don’t discuss) historical, cultural, and political content. Listen in to Milo and I as we chat about his summer research project.
Lyme Disease (caused primarily by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi) is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. In 2022, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ranked #2 in the number of reported cases of Lyme Disease in the United States. Lyme Disease is of interest to biologists, epidemiologists, and health professionals because of the complex ways in which wildlife and ecological variables interact to affect human disease risk. Alexis Furbush (’24) spent 8 weeks during the Summer of 2024 as part of a grant-funded research team trapping mice and collecting ticks in Crawford and Mercer Counties in Pennsylvania. Listen in to this episode as Alexis and I debrief some of the work that she was a part of and to also learn about how she applied her summer research project in disease ecology to her Senior Comp Research in Global Health Studies.
Season 3
The Watershed Conservation Research Center (WCRC) engages in strategic conservation activities related to land and water resources in the upper Allegheny River basin, focusing on the French Creek Watershed. The co-directors Profs. Casey Bradshaw-Wilson and Kelly Pearce, along with numerous other staff scientists, work with Allegheny students and community partners to conduct research projects during the summer and academic year. Listen in to the 1st episode of Season 3, where Prof. Venesky and Marrin Crist (a student in the Department of Environmental Science and Sustainability) chat about one of the projects that Marrin did during as part of our Summer Research Program in 2023.
