Central College students complete summer research

PELLA — Central College welcomed 24 students for summer undergraduate research projects on campus through the Summer Undergraduate Research program which gives students the opportunity to conduct research with a faculty mentor.

Among students taking part were Olivia Bohlen, of Belle Plaine; Lauryn Veneman, of East Amana; and Gabrielle Fye, of Brooklyn.

Bohlen, a kinesiology major. Bohlen continues to work with Sara Shuger Fox, associate professor of kinesiology, said a press release from Central College.

Bohlen is completing a comparative study on Blue Zone research collected in Italy, Greece and Costa Rica. Bohlen is the daughter of Todd Bohlen, a 1988 Central graduate. Her research was funded by the Franks-Mahmood Fund and the Moore Family Foundation endowment.

Fye, a biology major, completed research alongside Paulina Mena, Ruth and Marvin Denekas Endowed Chair in Science and Humanities and professor of biology. Fye is continuing Mena's research begun two summers ago mapping DNA of native bees in Big Rock Park, Pella.

Fye’s summer undergraduate experience was funded by the Arthur J. Bosch Endowment for Student Research.

Venema, a history major, researched the history of Central College and Pella during and after World War II with Lori Witt, associate professor of history.

Venema is the daughter of Micah Hershberger Venema, a 1994 Central graduate. Her summer undergraduate experience was funded by the Arthur J. Bosch Summer Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship.