Students Obtain New Grant for Journey Overseas Projects

Six SUNY Oneonta college students have been immersed in hands-on, grant-funded studying experiences overseas this summer time in topics starting from biology to music below the steerage of school mentors.

The journeys have been made doable by the Tyler Center for Global Studies, which awarded a $20,000 grant to SUNY Oneonta to fund pupil worldwide analysis and artistic actions. SUNY Oneonta was amongst 12 universities throughout the nation to be chosen by the Tyler Center for Global Studies. SUNY Oneonta opened functions to all college students and chosen a cohort of six college students as its top quality of Tyler Fellows. 

Each pupil selected a special vacation spot, spending slightly below per week to greater than a month engaged of their mission. Among their SUNY Oneonta school mentors have been Assistant Professor of Photography Wesley Bernard, Associate Professor of Spanish Maria Cristina Montoya, Associate Professor of Music Adam Kent and Associate Professor of Biology Kiyoko Yokota.

Two of the scholars who accomplished analysis overseas have been Hannah McNally (’26) and Magnus Chenel (’26). McNally, a Digital and Studio Art main, traveled to Ireland for her mission “Chasing the Curse,” the place she spoke with locals concerning the curse of County Mayo’s Gaelic soccer staff. The staff is believed to be below a hex that forestalls them from successful an All-Ireland championship following their 1951 victory, a feat that has persevered regardless of 10 subsequent losses within the finals.

Dr. Kent and Chenel, a Music Industry Major, have been the one faculty-student pair who traveled collectively, venturing to Spain for Chenel’s mission, “Música Española: Bridging the Gap Between Folk and Art Music in Spain.”

“I was so grateful for my student Magnus to receive support from the Tyler Fellowship Program to attend the Burgos International Music Festival in Spain,” mentioned Dr. Kent. “This opportunity to travel and study provided Magnus with several indispensable experiences: Immersion in another culture and language, where he was able literally walk through hundreds of years of history in the old quarter of Burgos; The challenge of an international music program, with students and faculty from around the world, daily concerts, numerous performance opportunities and chances to collaborate.

“Magnus was also enlisted as a stage manager, something that ties in well with his goals as a Music Industry major; A nexus between travel and scholarship, enabling Magnus to study the music of Spain in special workshops I run at the festival, which culminated in a concert of Hispanic music by festival students.”

Now again on campus, college students have been engaged on private reflections about their travels and initiatives, networking with their friends in this system and can take part in a digital Tyler Fellowship convention on Nov. 20. All six Tyler Fellows are additionally presenting their analysis throughout the Student Research and Creative Activity Summer Showcase on campus within the Hunt Union International Lounge from Sept. 22-25, with in-person classes set for Sept. 23 from Sep 11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Conducting Molecular Biology and Neuroscience Research in Japan

Ellie Vogl, a senior majoring in Biology below Dr. Yokota’s mentorship, went to Japan for her mission titled “Evaluating the Role of MARK4 in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Responses in Mice.” Working in Tokyo Metropolitan University’s (TMU) molecular biology and neuroscience labs, she designed and carried out an experiment testing whether or not the absence of a regulatory protein known as MARK4 influenced how lab mice responded to injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a substance that induces illness behaviors and neuroinflammation within the mind.

Over three weeks of trials, Vogl measured the mice’s physique weight, temperature, meals consumption and efficiency on behavioral checks such because the Open Field, Splash, Forced Swim and Social Interaction checks. She additionally carried out dissections to gather mind tissue for microscopy. With steerage from a doctoral pupil, she realized superior lab methods like mind slicing, immunostaining and fluorescent microscopy.

“At the end of my internship at TMU, I analyzed the data I had collected and made a series of graphs to present,” mentioned Vogl. “From this, I gained presentation experience and received feedback on my graphs and data to be used when presenting this fall.”

Outside the lab, she embraced Japanese tradition, touring to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, the place she explored temples, shrines and even hiked Mt. Takao.

This internship allowed me to conduct analysis and acquire technical expertise in another country,”

Ellie Vogl

“This internship allowed me to conduct research and gain technical skills in a foreign country,” mentioned Vogl. “It widened my global perspective, challenged me to navigate another country on my own and taught me about Japanese culture through immersion.”

Coastal Community Interviews within the Dominican Republic

Sean Eaves, a senior majoring in Art and Design with a focus in images, traveled to the Dominican Republic for his mission, “Echoes of the Future: A Photo Essay of the Dominican Republic Coastal Community Project,” below Bernard’s steerage. During his week-long journey, Eaves immersed himself within the nation’s vibrant tradition, experiencing recent native delicacies, distinctive structure, full of life music and dance and the famend hospitality of Dominican communities.

As a part of his mission, Eaves photographed a variety of topics, from grand cathedrals to roaming cats and canines, and performed greater than half a dozen interviews with locals about their day by day lives. Many of the individuals he spoke with relied closely on tourism for revenue, offering him with a singular perspective on the financial and cultural dynamics of coastal communities.

It was actually eye-opening to the truth that interviewing individuals is more durable than individuals make it out to be.”

Sean Eaves

“I really have always wanted to try journalism, but never really had the opportunity,” mentioned Eaves. “This was a great one to go and do for it. It was really eye-opening to the fact that interviewing people is harder than people make it out to be.”

With the help of a bilingual pal for translations, he was in a position to perform in-depth interviews.

“There were definitely barriers I had to get across, but I think that added to the learning experience,” mentioned Eaves. “If I ever go anywhere else, I might have the same problems, but now I have ways to combat issues.”

Wolf Wildlife Sanctuary and Conservation in Portugal

Bernard was additionally the school mentor for Nadia Anchundia, a senior majoring in Digital and Studio Art, who spent two weeks in Portugal partaking in an immersive wolf conservation mission, titled “Understanding Conservation Efforts for Wolves Worldwide.” She stayed at a sustainability-focused hostel and linked with vacationers from all over the world, gaining perception into world views on conservation and group engagement.

At a wolf sanctuary in Mafra, nestled within the Portuguese countryside, Anchundia labored intently with workers to look after Iberian wolves. She participated in day by day duties similar to sustaining enclosures, making ready meals and supporting volunteer actions, all whereas photographing the wolves for her mission. Guided by sanctuary workers, she realized to doc the animals respectfully, capturing their pure behaviors and the sanctuary’s efforts to guard wolves that can’t survive within the wild.

It was so onerous for me at first to get an excellent picture of them, however I took so many in the long run.”

Nadia Anchundia

“Wolves have a very keen sense of smell, so they were definitely questioning who I was,” said Anchundia. “It was so hard for me in the beginning to get a good photo of them, but I took so many in the end. I was like “Oh, thank goodness,” because I didn’t want to scare or stress them out. I care about these animals.”

Anchundia also found time to explore Lisbon’s vibrant culture, visiting beaches, the Tile Museum and experiencing local music and architecture. She also connected with fellow volunteer students and international travelers, broadening her perspective on cultural diversity and conservation practices.

Exploring the Tango Community and Culture of Colombia

Spending nine days in Colombia for her project “Dancing for Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3),” Ali Krebs, a senior majoring in Exercise Science, studied how the tango and other forms of dance support health, social connection and cultural identity. With faculty mentorship from Montoya, her research focused on the tango community in Manizales. 
Krebs interviewed dancers to understand how the dance influenced their lives. Many, particularly retired women, shared that tango was not only a form of exercise but also a way to socialize and maintain emotional well-being. Krebs saw how dance intertwined with everyday life and cultural traditions, even as younger generations leaned more toward salsa and bachata.

This trip showed me how much there is to learn outside the classroom, through culture, conversation,”

Ali Krebs

“I realized that for many people, tango isn’t just about movement. It’s about community, connection, and feeling good in mind and body,” mentioned Krebs. “This trip showed me how much there is to learn outside the classroom, through culture, conversation and simply being present in a new place.”

Krebs additionally traveled by way of Bogotá, Pereira and Salento, taking in Colombia’s breathtaking mountain landscapes on horseback and visiting cacao and low farms to see firsthand how two of the nation’s most well-known exports are cultivated. Along the best way, she linked with Colombian college college students who helped with translation and shared insights into day by day life within the nation.