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

Groups holds vigil for death row inmate

By Marcus Crawford
Beth Kelley Zorbanos, Deb Weiler and Nancy McNair stand at the arch with their signs.
(Photo/Marcus Crawford)

ATHENS, Ga. – While recent graduates grinned and posed in front of the historic arch, a dedicated few gathered to support a man with little to smile about.

On Tuesday, May 19, 2009, members of Amnesty International and the Athens, Ga., chapter of Women in Black, an anti-war group, braved the unseasonably cold weather in order hold a vigil for Troy Davis. Davis, a Georgia death row inmate, was convicted on Aug. 28, 1991 for murdering Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail.

The vigil, which lasted from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., coincided with a similar demonstration at the state capitol in Atlanta.

Charles Gardner, a local carpenter and a University alumnus, was among the Athenians who participated in the Global Day of Action for Troy Davis.

“I don’t know if this does any good, standing here with this sign,” Gardner said “But it maybe does more good than sitting at Starbucks, drinking coffee”.

Since Davis’ conviction, new evidence has surfaced that may prove his innocence. According to Amnesty International, seven of the nine eyewitnesses who testified in the Davis case have recanted their testimony and signed affidavits to that effect.

Due to a lack of physical evidence tying him to the crime, the grounds for Davis’ conviction lie almost entirely on eyewitness testimony.

The eyewitness recanted testimony, which came to light after Davis had been convicted, has not been presented before an appeals court. Under the 1996 Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, it has become more difficult to introduce new evidence post-conviction. Thus the Georgia Supreme Court has refused to grant Davis a new trial.

The magnitude and circumstances of the case have garnered worldwide attention. From Baltimore to Brussels, thousands of people around the world participated in demonstrations decrying Davis’ death sentence.

For Laura Tate Kagel, an Amnesty International member and a State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator for Georgia, publicity is integral to saving Davis from his fourth execution date in two years.

“I think it’s going to be a huge embarrassment for Georgia if he’s executed with the world watching,” said Kagel.

Beth Kelley Zorbanos, a self proclaimed peacemaker and member of both Amnesty International and Women in Black, argued that the Davis case was symptomatic of larger societal issues. Like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, she believes that the death penalty is counter-productive to a healthy global community.

“It doesn’t fix anything, it doesn’t heal anything,” Zorbanos said. “It just snuffs out another life.”

The 30-day stay of execution issued to Davis by the 11th Circuit Court expired last week. His attorneys and supporters are currently attempting to file a final appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. Amnesty International is also organizing a petition campaign in Savannah, Ga. in order to voice public outcry to the incoming district attorney.


EDITED BY: Jordan Stepp

Correction: Misspelled Charles Gardner's name on second reference.

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

Group Seeks Retrial for Troy Davis (Brief)

by Marcus Crawford

Timothy Leech holds a sign and his son David at a vigil for Troy Davis on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (Photo/Marcus Crawford)

On Tuesday, dozens of University of Georgia alumni flocked to the historic arches during a vigil for Troy Davis, a Georgia death row inmate. Unfortunately for Davis, the bulk of these UGA graduates were simply there to be photographed in their caps and gowns.

Members of Amnesty International and the Athens chapter of Women in Black, an anti-war group, braved the unseasonably cold weather in order to show support for Davis. The vigil, which lasted from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., coincided with a similar demonstration at the state capitol in Atlanta.

Troy Davis was convicted of murdering Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail in Aug. 1991.Since his conviction, new evidence has surfaced that may prove Davis'innocence. According to Amnesty International, seven of the nine eyewitnesses who testified in the Davis case have recanted their testimony and signed affidavits to that effect.


Editor: Jordan Stepp
Sources: Charles Gardner, Carpenter, Athens, Ga.,
Amnesty International