Commencement 2007 - Villanova University

and could imply the potential non-pointand point sources of this pollution.Also working on the research at theVCE were its director, Dr. Rominder P.S.Suri, associate professor of civil and environmentalengineering; Hongxiang Fu, apost-doctoral fellow; and MagdalenaMona Velicu, a research associate.“These contaminants include overthe-counterhealth and beauty care products,which occur in the water supply insmall amounts that are difficult to detectbut can have significant effects on theecosystem,” Dr. Suri noted. “One widelynoticed impact has been the feminizationof male fish and appearance of dual-sexfish in nearby rivers.” Suri and the VCEhave received funding from industry andfederal and state agencies in support ofresearch and treatment methods, includingthe use of ultrasound to break upthese compounds.Andaluri is a student in the College ofEngineering’s new interdisciplinary doctoralprogram. “I came to work on theseprojects at Villanova because of the reputationof the VCE and its innovativework,” he said. “The support for my workhas helped me, and I hope to use what Iam learning to help solve some of themost pressing issues for the environment.”This doctoral program, which began in2003, builds on Engineering’s undergraduateprogram, which U.S. News & World Reportranked No. 9 in the country.Each year, more Villanovans haveturned out for the Walk Against Hunger.The funds the walkers raise (includingthe $2,700 raised by the Villanovansduring the walk) go to the Greater PhiladelphiaCoalition Against Hunger,which distributes the money to agenciesin the five-county southeastern Pennsylvaniaand southern New Jersey area.These agencies, staffed primarilyby volunteers, provide 100 communityfeeding programs, including free emergencyfood packages and home-deliveredmeals and hot meals, and fund the purchaseof food service equipment.For Villanovans, the event also kickedoff Greek Week, during which fraternityand sorority members raise funds for theirchosen philanthropies. On April 16, attheir Can Castle drive, they collectednearly 10,000 cans of food for the PhiladelphiaChapter of ShareFoods, anotherorganization that combats hunger. OnApril 17 at Skit Night, they donatedthe proceeds from their performances tothe Philadelphia coalition.Astronomy Student Studiesat Vatican ObservatoryBY TAINAH MICHIDA ’08 A&SRobert Zellem ’08 A&S was oneof 27 students from 23 nations tobe selected competitively for thisyear’s prestigious Vatican ObservatorySummer School (VOSS). Zellem, one ofthe three Americans chosen, is an astronomyand astrophysics major at VillanovaUniversity with minors in physics, mathematicalsciences and classical studies.This year’s VOSS program, held fromJune 9 to July 6, focused on extrasolar planetsand brown dwarfs. Participants attendedlectures, conducted research making use ofthe Observatory’s two telescopes and otherresources, and took field trips.A Presidential Scholar, Zellem firstheard of the VOSS as a freshman in hisdifferential equations course. However,believing he still lacked “college credentials,”he decided to wait to apply.“In the meantime, I put a link toits Web site on my desktop, where itreminded me over the next two years ofthis goal,” Zellem explained.As a junior, after accumulating experienceand training, Zellem felt confidentenough to submit an application. “I knewI had a good chance due to my educationhere at Villanova,” he said. “I knew thatI had the background necessary to contributeto the Vatican Observatory. Specifically,I had faith in my substantialtraining at the hands of the astronomydepartment’s elite faculty.”With the assistance of Dr. Jane Morris,director of the Office of UndergraduateGrants and Awards, Zellem applied andwas accepted.“I immediately jumped up in the air anddanced around my room for the next halfhour, smiling and whooping. I stayed uplate that night poring over the Web site,”Zellem explained, describing his reaction tothe much-awaited acceptance e-mail.“I could not believe that I was accepted,”he added. “And yet, looking back at all ofthe training and support I have received atVillanova, it makes sense.”The Vatican Observatory organized itsfirst summer school in 1986, and hosts itevery other year. The Observatory invitesapproximately 25 young scholars to CastelGandolfo in Italy, where they study withits world-renowned faculty. A maximumof three students are accepted from acountry, and one-third come from nonindustrializednations.Castel Gandolfo, about 18 miles southof Rome, is the Pope’s summer residence.The town’s church, designed by GianLorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, wasdedicated to St. Thomas of Villanova.Tainah Michida ’08 A&S is pursuing a doublemajor in communication and sociology, with aJapanese minor. She is an intern in the Officeof Communication and Public Affairs andlooks forward to a career in journalism.Summer 2007 41