Grambling State University - Tiger Yearbook (Grambling, LA)

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way Dr. Foster heads project. Ulysses works with computer project. 236 Classes

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Cars, Cars And More Cars Automobile dealers showed off their flashy pro- ducts to Gramblinites on several different occasions last school year. . = 4 : i Porter Chevrolet, Pontiac ¢g 7 PPoesseesia® and Cadillac hit the campus first with a special fall demonstration. The company promoted GMAC’s College Graduate Financing Program. The plan featured low down payment, low interest and affordable rates. During the spring Joe Mallard Ford-Lincoln- Mercury staged its tradition- al ‘“‘Head Start Day’’ on campus. Students viewed the latest Ford Motor Co. ve- hicles. Be see Bs oe oe Ba oe a Ra % oa % $ % % 3 3 tS % Look at that engine! Sse MELE La iS Sterns SYN EECCECOS er as LINES RCO NIT = : Financing advertised. Photos by DERICK YEARBY WE — — — LEG BS i

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oS nr cmeNeN aN | By Faculty-Student Team How does nuclear radiation affect the various parts of the human body? Although much research has been conducted on this subject, there is still much to be learned. In the GSU Physics Department a select group of individuals is trying to expand man’s knowledge in this area of bio-physics. Sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the investigative project is entitled, “Induced Nuclear Radiation Dose in a Simulated Standard Man with Implications on Aircrew Survivability.” Heading the effort is Dr. Bessie R. Foster, professor of phy- sics. Three physics majors are also engaged in the research which is a follow-on project initiated in the 1985 Summer Faculty Research Program at the Air Force Weapons Lab (Kirtland AFB, N.M.) Student participants include Dollie Howell, a senior from Grambling; Arlisa Labrie, a senior from Opelousas; Ulysses Johnson, a senior from Greensboro, Ala. These undergraduates are conducting their research as part -of a special class—‘‘Projects in Physics.” “We are engaged in this study to form a more accurate “picture of long and short term effects to exposure of nuclear radiation,’ explained Johnson. Actually, much of the work is done through computers. “It takes a limited knowledge of computer programming to carry out the research,” noted Ms. Labrie. All of the student scientists are familiar with FORTRAN and BASIC. Each student studies different areas of the body. Johnson is analyzing the pituitary glands, lungs, liver and testes while Ms. Labrie is looking into the muscles, pancreas, skeleton and Ms. Howell researches the subject. Effects Of Radiation Studied Arlisa goes over the latest findings. blood. The brain, heart, kidneys and adrenal glands are the areas of concentration of Ms. Howell. “‘We are collecting information from previous radiosensitivity experiments through the use of computers. In addition, we are also making tests of our own using certain amounts of different body elements and specific gravities in order to see if our find- ings agree with previous experiments,’ Johnson added. According to Dr. Foster, the students collect and analyze base line data with conventional methods and via computer pro- gramming. Her main research thrust is to specify biological — parameters (determining characteristics) for various organs and tissues as they relate to radiosensitivity, and to make an assessment as to aircrew survivability in the induced radiation field. Other aspects of the research are being conducted on a collaborative basis at the Air Force Weapons Lab in Albuquer- que. Following graduation, Ms. Howell plans to teach. “This project is giving me a lot of practical experience that I will be able to share with my students once I enter the field of educa- tion,” she related. Johnson feels that he is getting a valuable insight into radi- ation physics as a result of this project. He plans to go into a branch of bio-physics after graduation. Ms. Labrie noted that this project is really showing her how interrelated the areas of physics are. Classes 237