|
| Photo by Haden Barkley, '09 |
In fall 2008, senior Dan Raible, a biochemistry major, and junior Daniel Repsold, a biology major, conducted research on the possible effects of exercise on stroke victims' brains. Due to the expensive equipment required, few undergraduates in the U.S. are able to perform such research. Raible was able to obtain a key piece of machinery for the project, an imaging device called a transcranial doppler, from his father, who works for the company that manufactures the device. Raible also conducted an internship last summer with Andrei Alexandrov, a professor of neurology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham who is an international leader in the use of neurosonology and nanotechnology in stroke evaluation and treatment.
Raible and Repsold's findings could help further understanding of the ramifications of moderate exercise on stroke survivors, which is critical because strokes are a leading cause of long-term disability. Raible and Repsold presented their research at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference this spring and have applied to present their project at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Pacific Division's annual meeting in August.
To ensure that such research continues to flourish at Whitworth and to respond to increasing demand for a health sciences major, the university plans to offer bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees in health science in fall 2009. The health science curriculum will include courses in biology, chemistry, medical microbiology, anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, personal and community health, nutrition, evidence-based health science, and a senior seminar.
As the industry continues to grow, careers in health care will be in increasingly high demand, says Mike Ediger, assistant professor of kinesiology & athletics who is helping to head the new program.
|
