March 2014

Map of 2014 Magellan Project destinations.

MagellanMessenger

Welcome to the ninth issue of the Magellan Messenger, the e-newsletter that strives to connect the W&J community and friends of the College with the Magellan Project.

In February, dozens of W&J students submitted applications for 2014 Magellan research awards. The Magellan Committee spent the past several weeks reviewing these applications and recently notified students of the results. The March issue of the Messenger is dedicated to highlighting some of the students whose projects are being funded. Currently, we have distributed 45 awards, but we expect this number to increase over the next month because we are still awaiting applications for the internship awards that are funded through Magellan. Recognizing that different companies make their internship decisions at different times, this year we moved to a rolling deadline for those applications.

Based on the research awards, students will be traveling to 32 different countries and 18 states. This list includes several new Magellan destinations, such as the United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Sweden, Myanmar, and Hawaii. The April issue of the Messenger will feature a complete list of all the research and internship projects, but for now, I hope you enjoy reading the following proposals as much as the Magellan Committee did.

Brianne

Brianne Bilsky, PhD, Class of 2005

Magellan Project & Fellowships Coordinator

Peer-Assisted Learning Director

Washington & Jefferson College

bbilsky@washjeff.edu

A Look at Animal Behavior in Ecuador

Sydney Frank, Class of 2017

For my Magellan Project, I will be traveling to Ecuador. There I will study animal behavior, a subject that has fascinated me since I was a small child. I will compare the behavior of wild species, rescued and captured species, and domesticated species near Puyo. For the vast majority of my time in Ecuador, I will be in the middle of the jungle, volunteering with a rescue organization, Sacha Yacu. As part of my work with this organization, I will be able to observe different types of animal behavior first-hand. I expect to see a range of behavior in the ways the animals interact together, when isolated, and with people. With this knowledge I will be able to better understand how an animal's upbringing influences its behavior.

Starting my journey on May 19, I will travel by plane to the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre) in Quito, Ecuador. From there, I will travel to the city of Puyo and then to Sacha Yacu, which is about an hour from Puyo. I will spend the night in a hostel upon my arrival, since traveling after my flight would be dangerous in complete darkness; sunset in Ecuador is around 6 pm year-round. I will arrive at the rescue midday on May 20, and from there I will take note of multiple species each day, recording traits/aspects of their behavior in a notebook in addition to taking photographs as often as possible. I will extensively study the species I encounter while at the rescue, as I will have access to these animals for roughly five hours a day for the course of the four weeks that I plan to be there. I expect to see a range of behavior among those who were captured by illegal traffickers, found injured, taken as unwanted or illegal pets, and those who were found/confiscated as babies--all of which are in the care of the Álvarez family who owns and runs Sacha Yacu. I will record which category of upbringing each animal at the rescue falls under and study their behavior for comparison to the others at the rescue, animals in the city of Quito, and animals at the Quito Zoo. This knowledge will help me to determine how both the instincts of animals and their learned behavior have been affected by the life they were taken from before rehabilitation at Sacha Yacu.

During weekdays of my project I will be responsible for the collection of food, upkeep of habitats and cages, and the feeding of many different animals at the rescue. Every day, I will record animal eating habits, aspects of personality, interactions with other animals and with volunteers for later analysis. I know from my research already that some monkeys will only eat from the few female volunteers at Sacha Yacu while others never eat from volunteers at all. I'd like to know if such behaviors have any correlation with the life the animals lived in the past. During weekends in Quito, I will take note of the eating habits and human interaction of animals found in the city for comparison. In addition, I plan to take a couple day trips to the zoo in Quito so I can study similar aspects of behavior in a larger variety of animals. There, I will have access to a number of knowledgeable staff members who can give me some background on the animals at the zoo as well as some of their behaviors in addition to what I can observe.

Studying animal behavior will help me on my way to becoming a veterinarian. This project will give me so many different kinds of experiences that will prove very useful not just on my track to becoming a vet, but also in becoming a part of the global workforce--becoming a responsible and self-sustaining adult. During my time in Ecuador, I will use the ever-improving skills I've learned in the first few months on my own in college. I've learned to communicate better, observe carefully, prioritize, and analyze well. I will use these abilities to work through problems I may encounter on my Magellan and to learn as much as possible about a variety of animal species and how (or if) their behavior correlates with the way they were raised. The ability to exercise my newfound independence and responsibility is a priceless opportunity that I think will benefit me substantially. These skills will be tested as I find my way to different planes, buses and taxis; through the jungle; and through my interaction with strangers who will not likely speak the same language I do.

In addition, my expanding knowledge of plant and animal species from Biology 102 here at W&J will definitely come in handy on my journey. The information I am learning now will help me to better understand the world around me when I travel; I will be able to recognize animals and understand them at a level more advanced than that of where I was before starting this course. In the future and after taking higher levels of biology courses in college, I could possibly travel to other areas of the world to observe different species affected by other environmental and human pressures. I think an interesting project could be observing domesticated species in different places around the world to find how socioeconomics and cultural norms play into the lives of animals like dogs, cats, horses, and cattle.

Sacha Yacu is a place that I found to make such a huge impact in the local community and is a place I will very gladly donate my time. While working with this worthy organization, I will gain experience with animals and people, as well as learn to truly navigate and survive in a foreign place for the first time. I know I will make a difference for these animals and for a rescue organization that relies primarily on volunteer service to sustain their operation. I also hope to promote awareness regarding threatened wildlife when I return home from my journey. I look forward to being able to share my experiences with others who are interested in broadening their horizons with the chance to travel and do research or participate in an internship.

Effects of Climate Change on Different Ecosystems

Grace McCarthy, Class of 2017

For years now we have been lectured about climate change and how we, the human race, have been killing our very own planet. We have been told that through burning fossil fuels, fertilizing lawns, and releasing greenhouse gases we have been poisoning the Earth and harming many ecosystems. We know that every action has a consequence; what we didn't know, however, is that our actions have far more negative consequences than we could have ever imagined. Typically when thinking about climate change we think about the Earth's temperature rising, but there is so much more to it than that.

Due to the rising air temperatures, ocean temperatures also increase. Warming ocean water is a great threat to many aquatic ecosystems like the coral reef ecosystem. Also as a result of ocean temperatures rising, polar ice caps melt, causing an increase in the ocean levels. Not only are the ocean levels rising, but the water also is becoming more acidic due to farmers using an absurd about of fertilizers.

Outside of the aquatic ecosystems, climate change also poses many threats to terrestrial ecosystems. Along with an increase in temperature, scientists have noted an increase in carbon dioxide emissions. Subsequently, there have been changes in vegetation composition, mostly favoring woody plants. This then increases the frequency of wildfires. Wildfires cause many animals to lose their habitat, forcing them to find somewhere else to live.

All of these negative effects of climate change seem overwhelming, but the fact is we have only been told about these effects. Imagine seeing them firsthand. Many people, like me, live in the same area their whole lives and never experience all of the Earth's different ecosystems. Therefore, it is nearly impossible for them to see, or even understand, all the effects of climate change. This has even caused many people to claim that there is no such thing as climate change or say that it isn't that big of a deal. That is why, through the Magellan Project, I want to conduct research on climate change and its different effects on ecosystems.

I believe that this is an important topic to research because the world needs to know the harm the human race is causing the earth. However, it is not enough to tell people. They need to be shown, and this research project would be the perfect way to gather the evidence to convince the world we need to change our ways. Australia is the perfect location to conduct this research because it's the home of hundreds of different ecosystems.

During my stay in Australia, I will be studying three of the continent's main ecosystems: coral reefs, deserts, and mountains. At each ecosystem I will be observing the effects of climate change. For instance, in the coral reef ecosystem I will be looking for evidence of coral bleaching (when coral loses its natural color), and coral diseases like white band, black band, and plague. These are results of warming ocean waters, an effect of climate change. In the desert, I will be looking for available ground water because increased temperatures coupled with decreased rainfall results in decreased availability of shallow groundwater supplies. When I find shallow groundwater, I will be testing it for water-borne diseases, which tend to result from abnormally high temperatures for a long period of time due to climate change. Lastly, in the mountains I will be surveying the biodiversity. One of the consequences of climate change is many terrestrial species will move to higher grounds. Therefore, if I note that with increasing elevations comes increasing biodiversity, then it will be evidence that climate change has been affecting the ecosystem.

My research, however, will not only be based on my observations. I will be visiting national parks and their education centers to gather additional information and talk to park rangers about their observations over the years. I will also be sharing my observations with various experts who can inform me of what my findings prove. For instance, I will be meeting with Jen Dryden, Acting Manager for Climate Change & Ecosystems at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, who will be able to talk to me about my findings at the Great Barrier Reef as well as other researchers' findings. She will also be able to provide insight into what exactly these findings tell. In addition, I will be visiting several research stations to talk to researchers who have been studying the ecosystems over several years.

I have always been a person who dreams about making a difference in the world. Through this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I believe my research will give me the power to make at least a small difference. Throughout this journey I will be keeping a blog about my findings. Here people will be welcomed to comment on my research, give suggestions, propose ways to help save the environment, and simply spread awareness. Hopefully then, with the help of the Magellan Project, I will be able to convince people to be more self-aware of how we are treating our planet.

Study of Catholic Bio and Medical Ethics

Courtney McCoy, Class of 2016

"The Church is likewise conscious of the responsibility which all of us have for our world, for the whole of creation, which we must love and protect," stated Pope Francis in a recent papal audience address. In everyday life, we practice a certain unwritten moral code that we follow for the love and protection of greater humanity. This moral code develops substantial relevance during times of patient vulnerability that physicians universally encounter, leading to the creation of medical ethics. Medical ethics are standards of conduct that physicians are expected to follow for the betterment of patients, society, other health professionals, and self. My Magellan project will focus specifically on Catholic bio and medical ethics. My project will take me to Rome, Italy and Vatican City to gain a better understanding of this topic.

My fascination with ethics developed during my junior year of high school when I took a class on this subject. We did not spend as much time as I would have liked to on the topic, but I always wanted to study it in more depth. For the first time, I realized that most ethics cases show complexity beyond black and white, right and wrong. Ethical dilemmas require an analysis of small details and the weighing of pros and cons. Solutions to ethical dilemmas may appear proper in one context, yet may be considered unnecessary and drastic in another context. When reading about and studying ethics, I realized that topics could become confusing and ambiguous. The teaching may be clear, but the rationale behind the teaching or what to do in a more complicated situation may not be so obvious.

Catholicism is centered at the Vatican; thus many experts on this topic are located here. Talking with experts in the Vatican will make these uncertainties and exceptions in ethical dilemmas clearer. My research will be conducted through interviews at Vatican offices such as the Pontifical Council of Sciences, professors at universities in Rome, and with cardinals. I also will visit the Vatican library to study important church documents and publications that influence biomedical ethics. First, I will investigate the process behind developing general church doctrine and dogma, what influences the development of church teachings, and how the Catholic Church gains authority to enforce these teachings. Additionally, I will investigate the basic principles of ethics and how medical and bioethics differ from other areas of ethics.

This research will serve as a foundation for the rest of my Magellan project. I will divide my exploration of medical ethics and bioethics into three categories including beginning of life issues, end of life issues, and issues related to scientific research. The exploration of each category will include looking at what the church teaches, the rationale behind church teaching, the history of the teaching, and its social and cultural impact. After I've gained an understanding of bio and medical ethics teachings, I will interview the general public at the Vatican to determine their opinion on certain ethical issues. This method will provide for a wide sampling of opinions of how Catholic biomedical ethics is viewed due to the fact that a very diverse population travels to the Vatican from varying cultures and faith backgrounds. I also plan to attend events at the Vatican, such as a mass at St. Peter's Basilica and the weekly papal audience, to gain a better understanding of the Catholic culture that governs the ethical teachings.

At W&J, I am majoring in biochemistry with a concentration in pre-health. My plan after graduation is to apply to osteopathic medical or podiatry school. Doctors have the great privilege and responsibility of being let into their patients' lives in a very personal way. This includes consoling a person in some of their hardest times. A physician must not take this task lightly. In order for a trusting patient-physician relationship to develop, there must be a great understanding of medical ethics. My Catholic faith is a very important aspect of who I am. I want to serve others through the science of medicine but also make sure that my practice aligns with my faith and conscience. This Magellan project also will help me to look at the bigger picture that faith and religion play in healthcare. The osteopathic philosophy states the importance of treating the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Understanding a patient's faith tradition can make an astronomical difference in the way a treatment turns out. It also shows respect for the patient because they are viewed as a whole person, leading to a better practice of medicine and doctor-patient relationship.

A Study of Instagram's Impact on Its Users and Photography

Caulin Grant, Class of 2015

The Magellan project I want to undertake is a cross-country exploration of the effect that the mobile application, Instagram, has had on photography and the app's 250 million users. By meeting with professional photographers and amateurs alike, I will be able to further advance my knowledge of the art of photography and continue pursuing my dream of becoming a professional photographer. My Magellan project has three aspects. First, I would like to discover the impact that Instagram has had on professional photographers by meeting with these individuals and interviewing them. Second, I then would like to pick each and every one of their brains about the art of photography in order to further advance my knowledge of how to be an effective visual storyteller. Lastly, I would like to continue to grow as a photographer, using the images I photograph along the trip to tell the story of my journey. Along with the goals of this trip, I will keep a journal, which will be accessed through my personal website on a blog. Each day I will write about the people I meet and the places that I discover. The final way I will document my trip is by sharing my photos on my personal Instagram feed and organizing them by a hashtag I created, #CaulinsMagellan.

A final component to my project is possibly having the opportunity to tour the Instagram headquarters in San Francisco, California. I have become very good friends with a few users that are close with the community team at Instagram, and they are working on allowing me to take a tour when I arrive. Once there, I hope to tell the story of the Magellan Project, the awesome opportunity that W&J offers to its students, and attempt to get the College more national attention.

During my trip, I intend to travel to various places, spending at least a day in each of them. The list includes (in order of arrival): St. Louis, MO; Amarillo, TX; Albuquerque, NM; The Grand Canyon; San Diego, CA; Maui, HI; Death Valley National Park; Yosemite National Park; San Francisco, CA; The Redwood Forest; Walla Walla, WA; Spokane, WA; Yellowstone National Park; Denver, CO; St. Louis (again, as a rest stop); and Cincinnati, OH. In each of these places I have prepared a meeting with some of the most popular, active users on Instagram and will interview and explore with each person for at least a day. The reason behind the flight to Maui is to meet a professional photographer out there whom I have been communicating with for over a year. Mackenzie takes beautiful photos of the landscapes that define Hawaii and has received high praise for her work. It is unlike anything anyone would find here in the continental United States. I am one for adventure and being able to explore Hawaii and also learn the culture there would only benefit me as I expand my horizons beyond the continental United States. Traveling to a unique place such as Maui would open the door to another fascinating location that would challenge me to improve my photography skills and allow me to make a great connection in building my network of future resources.

This Magellan will allow me to discover the true effect that Instagram has had on the photography community--from amateurs to the professionals who use it to market their work. I will interview these people and compile a journal of each of their journeys and how they have benefitted from the app's creation. I will also use them as resources to continue learning about what makes a professional photographer a professional photographer. Furthermore, being able to travel across the country will offer me an opportunity that I would never be able to experience any other way--exploring the beautiful scenery at every stop, capturing those moments, and adding them to the personal portfolio I continue to build to one day use when I apply for professional photography opportunities.

To see some of Caulin's work, visit his website .

Poverty Down Under

Jessica Dance, Class of 2015

On June 1, 2014, I will be embarking on my journey to the country down under: Australia. While most of my peers will be enjoying their summer vacation in the states, I will be enjoying half of my summer vacation in the winter weather of Sydney studying poverty. Although it will be winter in Australia during my research study, I am looking forward to learning about a new culture and region.

While I was planning my project, several people asked me the question, "Why do you want to go to Australia?" and my answer has been: "I want to go to Australia to study the poverty that exists and compare it to poverty that exists in the United States." Many people have the misconception that Australia does not struggle with poverty; however, this is false. Unfortunately, I have been one of those people. Indeed, poverty in Australia is a major issue, especially amongst people aged 15-25. Although poverty in the United States is higher than poverty in Australia, poverty in Australia is higher than poverty in the United Kingdom. After reading a few articles on poverty in Australia, I have realized that children suffer the greatest as a result of the impoverished conditions. Additionally, people who are homeless, ill, and victims of discrimination, are the individuals who most frequently end up in poverty.

As part of my study, I will be meeting with a few professors from the University of Sydney, and also meeting the organization, Homelessness NSW. After emailing several employees at the University of Sydney, I received responses from two professors who focus on the sociology of welfare, inequality and difference, poverty and other modern problems, and an anthropological focus on poverty in developing countries. After contacting both professors, Dr. Robbie Peters and Dr. Alec Pemberton, they were extremely thrilled to set up a meeting with me to answer any questions I had regarding poverty and social issues that contribute to poverty in Australia. However, I did not stop there; I contacted the CEO of the organization Homelessness NSW, Gary Moore, and also the policy and research officer, Digby Hughes. As the name suggests, Homelessness NSW is located in New South Wales. Homelessness NSW advocates for and provides leadership on homelessness issues across the entire area of New South Wales. They also support effective and sufficient service delivery to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In his response to me, Mr. Moore stated, "I am happy to meet with you when you are in Sydney and arrange through one of our member services for you to meet with some of their homeless or at risk of homelessness clients." Furthermore, Mr. Hughes responded with the following, "Thanks for the contact. I would be very interested in meeting with you when you are in Sydney. The issues around poverty are one of the major causes of homelessness in NSW." All in all, the individuals I contacted will be instrumental in helping me obtain information that is needed to compare poverty in the United States to poverty in Australia. Also, as I travel around the city of Sydney, I would like to talk to individuals who are living on the streets.

In addition to being asked why I want to go to Australia, people have also been asking me why I want to study poverty. I want to study poverty because it has been an issue in the world since the beginning of time. Today poverty is still a major issue and is rapidly getting worse. Additionally, several people may wonder how the United States can be amongst the richest nations of the world, but still contain 47 million people who live in poverty. Therefore, I would like to study why a wealthy country such as Australia struggles with helping people who are impoverished and why children make up the majority of the impoverished/homeless population.

Issue 9