Rafael Hamawi, of Waterbury, Presents Academic Research Before Assumption College Community at Annual Academic Symposium

2018 May 1

Rafael Hamawi, of Waterbury, was one of 78 students selected to present an original academic research project at Assumption College's 24th Annual Undergraduate Symposium, held April 23-24 on the College's Worcester Campus.

The Undergraduate Symposium showcases the academic research and scholarly achievements of Assumption students working in collaboration with dedicated faculty mentors. These collaborations represent a model for integrating teaching, original research, and the beneficial effects of peer review in promoting intellectual development and professional growth. The symposium provides the campus community with the opportunity to gain a greater appreciation of and applaud the individual and collective accomplishments of the College's faculty and students.

Hamawi, a member of the Class of 2018, presented "Diversity of UV Resistance in Halophilic Archaea". Members of halophilic archaea, like Halobacterium, are remarkably resistant to ultraviolet light (UV). However, it is unclear to what extent other halophilic archaea share this phenotype, despite the common generalization that halophilic archaea are UV resistant. Hamawi tested his hypothesis that strains of halophilic archaea that reside at a high altitude in the Salar de Uyuni in the Andes Mountain would be more UV resistant than strains isolated at sea level. .

"The Undergraduate Symposium is a celebration of learning that provides students the opportunity to present their research, empirical studies, and Honors projects," said Louise Carroll Keeley, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. "The Symposium highlights the research and scholarly achievements of talented Assumption College students working in collaboration with dedicated faculty mentors who together enjoy an intellectually engaging, active, and peer-reviewed teaching and learning experience. The Symposium is an occasion of great pride not only for our students and their families, but for the entire Assumption community."

For more information about Assumption, visit www.assumption.edu.