Alexander Petrocellini ’23 presents his research at the 2023 ESA conference
Six Elizabethtown College students, accompanied by Associate Professor of Biology Dr. David Bowne, recently attended the annual conference of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) at the University of Delaware.
At the conference, Alexander Petrocellini ’23 won the best undergraduate poster award for his research, “The antidepressants, sertraline and fluoxetine, have opposing effects on aggression in subordinate rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus).”
“Presenting at ESA was a great experience,” Petrocellini said. “It helped boost my interpersonal and scientific communication skills, which will help me become a better clinician in the future.”
His research uncovered how pharmaceutical compounds, which end up in bodies of water, affect crayfish behavior, which he hopes will impact how scientists understand the effects of these compounds on biodiversity.
Ireland Keeney ‘23 and Jessica Gutekunst ‘24 with their poster at the annual ESA conference
Petrocellini conducted his research over two years as his Honors in the Discipline in Biology under the advisement of Etown Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Anya Goldina.
Ireland Keeney ‘23 and Jessica Gutekunst ‘24, alongside Dr. Bowne, who advised their research, presented their poster “The effects of floodplain restoration on biodiversity.” Their research, which was conducted as part of the 2022 Summer Creative Arts and Research Program (SCARP), evaluated the success of three restored wetlands and their positive effects on a variety of species.
“To explain one’s research to others and get their feedback is one way that science progresses,” Bowne said. “Students are becoming part of a broader community, meeting and learning from people with similar interests but different backgrounds and experiences.”
In addition, Etown students Amanda Kauffman ’25, Melissa Fitzgibbon ’23 and Jay Diaz ’26 attended the conference.
About the Ecological Society of America (ESA)
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1915. The organization “advances science and practice of ecology and supports ecologists throughout their careers.” The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the ESA hosts an annual conference for students to present research.
