Summer lab student a 'bright spot'

By Lindsay Dobras

Student worker Lauren Badger inputs data after assisting in various nutrition-related experiments. (Photo/Lindsay Dobras)

ATHENS, Ga. – Instead of choosing teeny bikinis and sunless tanners, Lauren Badger chooses to spend her summer in a white lab coat.

Badger, a dietetics major from Hilton Head Island, S.C., works afternoons as a student assistant in the University of Georgia science nutrition labs. Badger helps Dr. Dorothy Hausman, Associate Research Scientist from Watkinsville, Ga., with experimental analysis and data reading.

Hausman’s research involves getting data from human blood samples in order to measure the nutritional content. For her most recent analysis, Badger assisted Hausman in testing samples of blood to determine how many of the serums contained calcium and how much of it was present. Their results get sent to another lab, which then uses the data to complete nutrition-related studies.

Hausman explains the tasks she assigns her student workers depend on their interests, competency, and availability. She said Badger is her best student worker and really enjoys having her in the lab.

“Lauren is a very dependable and conscientious,” Hausman said. She jokes that Badger is easily amused and explains that she serves as a “bright spot” in the lab.

Lauren Badger (left) assists graduate student Alyson Haslam and Associate Research Scientist, Dr. Dorothy Hausman in testing human blood samples for calcium at the Boyd Graduate Research Center on Tuesday May 20, 2009. (Photo/Lindsay Dobras)

As a dietetics major, Badger hopes to become a registered dietitian. According to Badger, dietitians work as nutrition ‘personal trainers.’ They perform nutrient assessments and work with individuals to help create a health plan that works for them. In order to help those at risk for health problems, they will look at assessments and determine if nutrient supplements are needed.

Badger plans to attend grad school next fall and hopes to eventually work for the FDA. She explains that her work with the school has prepared her well for the future and has opened up new career possibilities.

“I never knew I wanted to work in a lab,” she said, “but working for Dr. Hausman has really opened my eyes to the possibility of it. Dieticians have a lot of different choices for a career path, and now I have the experience if I ever want to continue with this in the future.”

If Badger attends UGA for grad school, she has the option to continue work with Hausman in an assistantship program. One of her co-workers, who currently participates in the program, tells Badger the research has played a role in shaping her future goals.

“It is nice to experience what real research is like,” said Alyson Haslam, a graduate student in nutrition science from Watkinsville, Ga. “The assistantship has given me a lot of hands on experience that may help me in the future.”

After working in the science lab for more than a year, Badger has grown to love the experience and hopes to continue working in the lab until she graduates next spring. Badger said she has been inspired by Hausman and Haslam and considers them to be both her mentors and close friends.


EDITED BY: Jordan Stepp

More pets need homes in rough economy

By Marcie Opraseuth

Gwen, a short-haired Tortie, was given to the AAHS because her owner could no longer take care of her. (Photo/Marcie Opraseuth)

ATHENS, Ga.—Today’s economy has affected businesses nationwide, including animal shelters, which have seen an increase in pet owners giving up their animals because they can no longer afford them.

Fewer people are adopting these pets, which is putting an enormous strain on animal shelters everywhere. Athens Area Humane Society has implemented adoption and fostering programs to alleviate the overflow of animals.

“It’s sad to see even more helpless animals lose their home because of the economy.” said Paul Schofield, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, “It’s important to get as many pets adopted as possible.”

The AAHS shelter is off Beaverdam Road, where only cats and small animals can be adopted. Larger animals, such as dogs can be rescued at the adoption center in Athens.

AAHS’s fostering program allows volunteers to take care of small pets such as cats, hamsters or rabbits in their own home.

According to Becca Willard, a foster parent for AAHS, applicants must meet a few requirements: attend orientation, have permission from your landlord, undergo an inspection of the home and own a fire extinguisher.

Fostering a cat or small animal can last from a couple weeks to a few months, depending on the reason. Cats that need socializing with humans stay longer in the foster home. In other cases, the cat may only stay a few days, while going through a transition period to a new home.

During the time volunteers foster these animals, they must keep a log of the animal’s health. This includes any eating or behavioral problems. The AAHS will come to the foster home and administer any shots the animal might need.

The Fostering program saves animals’ lives. It gives the animals time to become suitable for adoption. To volunteer as a foster parent visit the AAHS website www. athenshumanesociety.org.

AAHS has an adoption center located at Pet Supplies Plus on Alps Road, where potential pet owners can go to adopt cats or dogs.

The adoption center has been at Pet Supplies Plus for a little less than a year, according to Jess Prosser, general manager of Pet Supplies Plus. A lot of people come to the adoption centers, which brings in business for the store.

Adoption hours for Pet Supplies Plus are on Monday through Friday, 1p.m. to 7p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 12p.m. to 6 p.m.

Edited By: Jordan Stepp

Federal aid not enough to help growing need

by Sara Spigener

Athens-Clarke County is slated to receive $38,325 in emergency food and shelter aid, but local agencies fear that this will not be enough to meet the area’s growing need.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is distributing funds made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Several agencies are vying for a piece of this stimulus money because they worry that donations will not be able to keep up with the steady increase in need in Clarke County.

Many agencies cite the economy as the primary reason for the sharp increase in need over the last eight to 10 months. People are seeing their work hours get cut, and many are losing their jobs altogether. While donations are holding steady for now, the agencies fear that they will not be able to meet demand in the near future without an increase in aid.

“People who have worked their whole lives are now needing assistance,” said Kim Ramos, director of the Athens Emergency Food Bank.

-Edited by Bailey Keiger