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

2017 Apr 27

Rafael Hamawi , of Waterbury, was one of 90 students selected to present an original academic research project at Assumption College's 23rd Annual Undergraduate Symposium, held April 24-25 on the College's Worcester Campus.

The undergraduate symposium serves to highlight the 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 2019, presented "Ultraviolet Light Resistance of High Altitude Halophilic Archaea". This project analyzed the bacteria halophilic archaea. Hamawi and his classmate hypothesize that strains of the genus Halobacterium recently isolated from the Salar de Uyuni in the Andes Mountains woulld be more UV-resistant than halophilic archaea that were isolated near sea level, such as Halobacterium sp. NRC-1. They characterized growth rates of the recently isolated strains and then commenced with UV sensitivity assays. If the students' prediction is supported by the results, future experiments will explore specific mechanisms involved in promoting enhanced UV resistance, such as DNA protective and repair mechanisms. The findings in our study will further the scope of astrobiology. .

"The Symposium is one of my favorite moments of the academic year, as it highlights the quality of our students' work and research," said Louise Carroll Keeley, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. "This is an occasion of great pride not only for our students and their families, but for the entire Assumption community-especially the faculty advisors who lend their expertise to the students as they puruse research that helps them grow intellectually."

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