SENIOR INTEGRATED BIOLOGY POSTER SESSION - HOMINID EVOLUTION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 KEAN 127, 9 A.M. TO 11 A.M. NERMEIN A. ABOUSHADY Proconsul: superfamily Homonoidea Proconsul is a genus from the superfamily Homonoidea. It has four species including Proconsul africanus, Proconsul nyanzae, Proconsul major, and Proconsul heseloni. All four species are very similar but differ in body size. Proconsul was estimated to have lived 23 to 14 million years ago during the Early and Middle Miocene era. The fossils of Proconsul were found in Rusinga Island, Mfangano Island, and Lake Victoria all in Kenya beginning in 1920. Some were also found in Napak, Uganda. Based on the compacted soil throughout the years where the fossils were found, the most likely habitats where Proconsul lived were vegetated and grassy woodlands near streambeds and volcanoes. Proconsul species have similar characteristics to apes, monkeys and even humans such as having the same dental formula, 2:1:2:3; having no tail similar to apes; and having a similar wrist anatomy as monkeys, giving them the ability to be tree-dwellers. There is no exact explanation as to why Proconsul became extinct, but from fossil excavations, it was discovered that the genus might have suffered a flood and a volcanic explosion because the fossils were found all clustered together with ash-filled lava flows between the bones. In conclusion, Proconsul is a genus with four slightly different species but all have similar characteristics. Proconsul was from the Early and Middle Miocene era and is the precursor to humans and apes having similarities to both. ELVINAS DEMERECKAS Cro-Magnon Ice age or glacial age is a period of long-term reduction in the temperature that started around 2.6 million years ago during the early Proterozoic Eon. The earliest known Neanderthals lived through many climate swings, between 128,000 and 28,000 years ago. They mastered the ability to adapt with the help of a basic survival kit: fire, skin cloaks, stone tools and weaponry. However, around 30,000 years ago, Neanderthals became extinct as a new species emerged - Cro-Magnons or early Homo sapiens. In 1868, Cro-Magnon remains were found by geologist Louis Larlet in Les Eyzies, France. The remains displayed classic modern human characteristics, such as a high, vertical forehead and large cranial capacity. Further studies showed that Cro-Magnon superior intellectual abilities and advanced tools gave them an edge to thrive in bitterly cold, hostile conditions with constant competition for food and shelter during the Ice Age. There are some speculations that suggest interbreeding between Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon; Sriram Sankararaman et al. discovered that modern day humans carry 1-4 % of Neanderthal genes which carry the code for proteins in cells. Research done by Anders Eriksson et al., on the other hand, implied that this admixture theory was inconclusive. Further study is needed. In addition, Cro-Magnons development of primitive technology, an early advancement in agriculture, and social values gave rise to modern humans and their genes are still dominant among modern Europeans today. 28 l KEAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DAYS 2014 JOSEPH DIMARIA Homo neanderthalensis: 350-70,000 YA Hominid, Homo neanderthalensis lived from 350-70k years ago during the Paleolithic Era. They are relatively recent ancestors of modern humans and share many of the same features. Though fossils show that Homo neanderthalensis had differences in both teeth and ear structure, the size of both the post skeletal structure and skull, as well as other characteristics are similar yet still distinctly different. The vast amounts of fossils can also tell us about growth rates of Homo neanderthalensis, tool use, diet, and whether or not certain activities such as burying of dead or cannibalism occurred. Studies also show that Homo sapiens may have had competition with Homo neanderthalensis, and that they may have competed through warfare. Further study has gone so far as to begin to estimate the cognitive ability and personality traits of the Neanderthals. Finally, one of the most important things that must be discussed about Homo neanderthalensis is whether or not modern humans evolved from them. There are two different theories about this: one is that Homo sapiens interbred with Homo neanderthalensis and eventually became one species, and the other is that Homo neanderthalensis were a completely separate species, with Homo sapiens eventually outperforming them contributing to their extinction. Currently this second explanation has more evidence, but further study is required. This paper will explore all of the above topics in order to bring about an understanding of how the Homo neanderthalensis lived, adapted, and evolved, as well as the differences between itself and modern humans. CHRISTIAN ERAZO The Laetoli Footprints Three and a half million years ago, two early humans marched along the long paths of Laetoli, Tanzania, leaving behind their footprints on the wet ash product of eruptions of the Sadiman volcano. In 1978, the discovery of these footprints impacted the field of human origin, providing factual records of bipedalism and human-like characteristics of early hominids. The 25 to 27 meter long footprint trail was the product of a combination of events. First, the volcanic eruptions resulted in a cloud of lava that mixed with rainfall of the season producing a perfect environment to capture the so-called Laetoli Footprints. Later the footprints were sealed with another cloud of ash that allowed them to be preserved until the prestigious British paleoanthropologist Mary Leaky and her team discovered them in 1978. Assumptions of who made these footprints and the analysis of the morphological composition of the tracks led scholars to conduct different studies and analyses. In addition, different multi-methods and experiments recreating scenarios that may have occurred 3.6 million years ago were carried out. Finally comparison of the footprints with apes and modern humans were made with the intention to unveil the qualitative significance of the tracks. FEKRESIASSIE ESHETIE Australopithecus anamensis Australopithecus anamensis is the earliest species of this genus to have been found. Fossils credited to A. anamensis have been recovered from sediments dating between 3.9 and 4.2 mya at the sites of Kanapoi and Allia Bay in northern Kenya. A. anamensis is still poorly known in comparison with 29
other early hominid species, but the material discovered so far displays primitive features along with more characteristics of typical later Australopithecus species. This mix of features suggests that A. anamensis belongs near the ancestry of this genus. Australopithecus species differ noticeably from existing African apes and ancestral hominids such as Ardipithecus, Orrorin and Sahelanthropus. The earliest described Australopithecus species is A. anamensis, probably ancestor of A. afarensis and newly discovered fossils from the Middle Awash study area that extend the known A. anamensis range into northeastern Ethiopia. The new fossils are dated to about 4.1 4.2 mya. They include dental remains, the largest hominid canine so far recovered, and the earliest Australopithecus tibia. The tibia fossils are of particular importance because they demonstrate that this species walked bipedally. A. anamensis is represented by fossils of the mandible (lower jaw), maxilla, and a single temporal bone. Like the teeth, these skull fossils bear many primitive, ape-like features. The dental arcade is generally U-shaped when viewed from above, with the molars and premolars located directly behind the canines. This ape-like shape contrasts with the more parabolic-shaped dental arcade found in A. afarensis and later hominids. These findings support the distinctiveness of early A. anamensis fossils relative to earlier hominids and to the later Australopithecus afarensis. Finally, the environments in which A. anamensis lived have been reconstructed as woodland. Combined with evidence from other early pedal hominid species such as Ardipithecus kadabba and Ar. ramidus, these environmental reconstructions argue strongly against the once widely-held idea that bipedalism initially evolved and flourished in open savanna environments. FRANCE FUNG Homo heidelbergensis Homo heidelbergensis were inhabitants of Europe dating back to 700,000-200,000 years ago. The name was established due to the lower jaw that was discovered upon digging from a gravel pit at Mauer (near Heidelberg, Germany). Originally, when the early fossils of this species were found, they displayed traits similar to those of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. The mandible of Homo heidelbergensis was identified through the absence of the first two left molars and premolars. This fossil was located in Mauer, a location where fossils found were incredibly difficult to date. However, an educated guess was made estimating the jaw of Homo heidelbergensis fossil as the oldest dated human fossil from Europe, about half a million years old. In addition, Homo heidelbergensis was described as a human ancestor that possessed a larger braincase and flatter face when compared to earlier humans. Characters of Homo heidelbergensis species was its short and wide body that allowed them to conserve heat and adapt to cold climates. Also, they were found to be the first human species to hunt large animals for food using wooden spears. Homo heidelbergensis used fire in this time period and was also the first species to put together a shelter at the site in Terra Amata, France. A few of the fossils belonging to the Homo heidelbergensis category include Ceprano, Kabwe 1, and Petralona 1. KAREN GIRALDO Recent Homo neanderthalensis: 350-70,000 YA Homo Neanderthals lived between 28,000 and 300,000 years ago. The word neanderthalensis arises from the location in which the first specimen was discovered in 1856, the Neander Valley in Germany. Fossils remains of this species have been found in Europe and the Middle East. The Neanderthals had a unique anatomy, lifestyle, and many different theories of why they became extinct. Although the Neanderthals have similar features to Homo sapiens, there are some significant differences. The Neanderthals were shorter, but had a more robust skeleton and muscular body than modern humans. These features were evolutionary adaptations to the cold environment. The brain size was larger than the modern human brain, averaging 1500 cubic centimeters. This goes along with their muscular body and adaptation to the cold climate. Moreover, their skull had a very unique shape. It was long and low, with a rounded brain case. It also had a posterior bulge called the occipital bun and a depression for the attachment of their strong neck muscles. Another distinguishable feature was their thick but rounded brow ridge with a flat forehead. The eye sockets were large and rounded and the nose was very large. In addition, their jaws were larger and more robust than those of modern humans. Their long limbs allowed them to store more heat and survive cold weather. Furthermore, the Neanderthals made tools and built fire for warmth, cooking, and protection. They also may have worn clothing wrapped around their body. Their form of shelter consisted of caves or open-air shelters which they built. Interestingly, among this population, the dead were buried but there is no evidence of any ritualistic behavior. Based on fossil analysis, the Neanderthals ate excessive meat and their skeletons also show the effects of a diet with nutrient deficiency. Overall, there have been various theories on what happened to the Neanderthals. Interestingly, the Neanderthals shared Europe with Homo sapiens for 10,000 years. Arising from this fact is the theory that both species may have interbred. Hence, genetic studies have shown some Europeans having a small percentage of the Neanderthalensis genome. The other theory is that Homo sapiens may have replaced the Neanderthals through warfare. In addition, fossils show that the life span of the Neanderthals was about 30-35 years. Therefore, their reproductive success and survival rates are poor compared to Homo sapiens. Finally, due to the higher metabolic rate, Neanderthals required more food, which made it more difficult for survival during the Pleistocene Era. EJEMEN IHIONKHAN Australopithecus afarensis Australopithecus afarensis (A. afarensis) is one of the earliest hominids to have evolved from the common ancestor of apes and humans. This hominid existed around 3.5 million years ago during the Plio- Pleistocene era and has become one of the most important fossils in evolutionary history. Fossils from this group were found in numerous sites all over East Africa further confirming the fact that humans originated from Africa. Lucy, a member of this group and the most popular hominid ever, was also the most documented fossil due to the almost complete partial skeleton. Bipedal motion seems to have evolved first with this species as their ancestors previously had walked on all fours exhibiting quadrupedal locomotion. Changes in bone structure and orientation of the foot and spine in early hominids brought about bipedal locomotion and therefore provided room for the hands to be used for other crucial survival skills. DANIELLE LYON Homo sapiens Homo sapiens are primates of the family Hominidae and the only extant species of the genus Homo. Homo sapiens are distinguished from other primates by their bipedal locomotion, and especially by their relatively larger brain. By exploring the fossil record we are able to examine the evolving characteristics, 30 l KEAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DAYS 2014 31
the differences in tools use, the significance of arts and rituals, and the migration of Homo sapiens around the continent. Homo sapiens began to emerge about 27-28KYA. Specific characteristics were increased cranial capacity, much smaller brow ridges and a positive chin. Many fossilized Homo sapien skeletons were found by paleontologists and archeologists. These fossils supported the characteristics of Homo sapiens and helped researchers distinguish differences between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. But the recent discovery of a new species, Homo floresiensis with a dwarfed skeletal structure, brought much controversy to the Homo sapiens debate. Since Homo sapiens cranial capacity increased, so did their ability of logic and the capability of creating new things. They brought in an abundant diversity in tools: bones and stones for harpoons, stone flakes, pointed blades, as well as the use of common stone tools such as hammers and choppers. The main use of these tools was for hunting, protection, creating arts and crafts and skinning animal fur for clothing and warmth. In addition to their increased cranial capacity, Homo sapiens aspiration for arts and crafts was very significant. They used crafts for personal adornment as well as for ritual burials. As time went on, Homo sapiens needed to migrate due to the glacial maxima which occurred approximately 26-18KYA and Homo sapiens arrived in the Americas about 11KYA. As animals began migrating eastward, humans followed travelling across Beringia, a land bridge between Siberia and North America. When they arrived in the Americas, Homo sapiens began to spread and colonize. HARVEY MINANO Aegyptopithecus Zeuxis Aegyptopithecus zeuxis existed 35-32 million years before the present during the Oligocene period. The fossil was located in the Jebel Qatrani Formation within the Fayum Province of Egypt. Aegyptopithecus zeuxis (A. zeuxis) is Latin and translates to ape from Egypt (Andrews & Stringer, 1989. A. zeuxis dental formula was 2:1:2:3 on both the upper and lower jaws. From dental microwear and microstructures on the molars, implications for diet were made. A. zeuxis was most likely a frugivore. The recovery of a complete female cranium from the Jebel Qatrani Formation in 2004 made it possible to compare cranial capacities of males and females while also confirming that this species was sexually dimorphic. A. zeuxis also was an arboreal quadruped which is defined as animals that use all four limbs in walking and running on tree limbs. Their locomotor behavior was that of a slow deliberate climber up and around trees. Analyses of ulna and phalanges of A. zeuxis support these claims (Fleagle, Simons, & Conroy, 1975 and Hamrick, Meldrum, & Simons, 1995). Overall, this research implies that Aegyptopithecus zeuxis was indeed an early ancestor of hominoids and also should be included in hominid evolution. Further research and advanced technology will certainly increase current knowledge about A. zeuxis. STEPHEN MOLL Homo erectus: 2.0 1.6 MYBP Home erectus is one the oldest known early humans to have existed. Many species around this time were known to live and climb trees. This species adapted to a life living on the ground possessing modern human-like body proportions with short arms and elongated legs compared to the size of the torso. This gave them capabilities to walk, possibly long distances. Fossils are found in Europe, India, Africa and East and West Asia, proving that they were able to migrate on foot. Compared with earlier fossil humans, Home erectus had expanded braincases relative to the size of the face. The first complete skull was found in Dmanisi. This skull challenged names of different Homo species. The difference in skulls between Homo erectus and other Homo species is the same as modern human skulls are to one another today. Scientists are now thinking that rather than separate species, the human ancestors found in Africa from the same time period may simply be variants of Homo erectus. The most complete fossil individual of this species is known as the Turkana Boy, a well-preserved skeleton minus hand and foot bones, dated around 1.6 million years old. Homo erectus is considered to have been the first species to have expanded beyond Africa. These fossils spread over two continents and indicate that they are the longest-lived early human species. DIEGO MORALES Australopithecus africanus Australopithecus africanus (A. africanus) was the first of the pre-human ancestors to be discovered. It lived between 3.3 and 2.1 million years ago. In 1924, a fossil was rescued from a limestone quarry at Taung in South Africa and sent to Australian, Raymond Dart. Dr. Dart was a Professor of Anatomy in nearby Johannesburg. The now-famous Taung Child skull had a mixture of human-like and apelike features. Dart believed it to be an early ancestor of humans and in 1925 he gave his man-ape a new species name, A. africanus. This species probably used simple tools such as sticks found in the immediate surroundings and scavenged animal bones. Stones may also have been used as tools, however, there is no evidence that these stones were shaped or modified. Over 2.5 million years ago, this species occupied an environment in South Africa in which there was a mixture of woodland and savannah grassland. Then 2.5 million years ago, the climate became drier and savannah grasslands spread. In addition, analysis of tooth wear patterns suggests that A. africanus had a diet that included fruit and leaves. Chemical analysis of the teeth also suggests that some meat was included in the diet but not in significant amounts. It is likely that A. africanus may have scavenged for meat rather than hunted. SHAMIKA MUMFORD Paranthropus robustus Paranthropus robustus is one of the three hominids from this genus. Paranthropus was originally found in Kromdaai, South Africa in 1938 by Richard Broom. Later fossil sites are only in South Africa in Kromdaai, Swartkrans, Drimolen, Gondolin and Coopers. Since then 130 different Paranthropus robustus individuals have been found. Anthropologist Richard Broom knew he made a breakthrough in evolution when he discovered this hominid. The distinct features of the skull including robust mandible and zygomatic arches gave the Paranthropus robustus its name. Other features such as their thick enamel and sagittal crest show that P. robustus had a very sturdy jaw capable of chewing hard objects but their dentition also shows that they ate more vegetative food rather than meat. These early hominids rarely lived past 17 years of age. They walked upright and had very high sexual dimorphism. Living in open woodlands and savanna areas Paranthropus robustus had to fight for survival with one of their known predators, the leopard. Paranthropus robustus is an important species in paleo-anthropology history. This species raised many questions on hominid evolutionary lines and was present at a time when stone tools became much more common. In the end, it seems that the rare chance of P. robustus survival past 17, climatic and/or environmental shifts and predators may be the reasons for Paranthropus robustus extinction. 32 l KEAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DAYS 2014 33
ALEXANDRA MURRILO Australopithecus africanus Australopithecus africanus (A. africanus) was the first of the pre-human ancestors to be discovered. It lived between 3.3 and 2.1 million years ago. In 1924, a fossil was rescued from a limestone quarry at Taung in South Africa and sent to Australian, Raymond Dart. Dr. Dart was a Professor of Anatomy in nearby Johannesburg. The now-famous Taung Child skull had a mixture of human-like and apelike features. Dart believed it to be an early ancestor of humans and in 1925 he gave his man-ape a new species name, A. africanus. This species probably used simple tools such as sticks found in the immediate surroundings and scavenged animal bones. Stones may also have been used as tools, however, there is no evidence that these stones were shaped or modified. Over 2.5 million years ago, this species occupied an environment in South Africa in which there was a mixture of woodland and savannah grassland. Then 2.5 million years ago, the climate became drier and savannah grasslands spread. In addition, analysis of tooth wear patterns suggests that A. africanus had a diet that included fruit and leaves. Chemical analysis of the teeth also suggests that some meat was included in the diet but not in significant amounts. It is likely that A. africanus may have scavenged for meat rather than hunted. ADRIAN RIVERA Homo erectus Put modern clothing on Homo erectus, and it would be challenging to spot this hominid apart from the current species of Homo sapiens. The evolutionary tree of H. erectus ranges from 2.0-0.4 MA with individual species located in parts of Africa, all throughout China, and arguably even Europe. For that reason H. erectus is characterized as a highly variable species, with individuals ranging in height, bone mass, and other characteristics. Distinctions between fossils from different areas can be seen, for example, fossils found in Africa suggest a larger body size while fossils from China and Indonesia suggest the opposite. Some key fossils that show geographical diversity are D3444, KNM-ER 1808, KNM- WT 15000, and Trinil 2. D3444 was that of an elderly Homo erectus. The skull was found with all teeth missing and a badly deteriorated jaw. This is evidence of nutrient deficiency and possibly rickets disease. KATHLEEN ROSETE Paranthropus boisei Human evolution is a natural, ongoing phenomenon in which modern day humans have inherited traits from their ape-like ancestors that have assisted them in adapting to the environment. With the help of archeological evidence, researchers are able to find the pieces to the missing links in human history and have a better understanding of how modern day humans evolved. There are four hominid groups that are all linked to the evolution of modern day humans; those include the Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, Paranthropus, and Homo. Each genus has specific physiological and behavioral traits that modern day humans have genetically developed in order to survive. With the help of archeological evidence, researchers are able to have a better understanding of human evolution and are able to fill the missing pieces in hominid history. One hominid species in particular, the Paranthropus boisei, has unique craniodental features that differentiated them from all other hominid species. They had a robust cranial skull, with a small frontal bone, and protruding zygomatic arches which caused this species to have a dish-shaped face. The Paranthropus boisei were also known for their powerful jaws due to their megadont premolar teeth. This enabled them to feed on a variety of foods. With recent fossil excavations, researchers are able to learn more about the Paranthropus boisei s robust physiology in correlation to its bipedal locomotion and arboreal behaviors. The anatomy of Paranthropus boisei and adaptive behaviors proves evidence of how modern day humans have inherited certain traits from their ancestors in order to become well adapted to their environment. DIANA SALAS Paranthropus aethiopicus Paranthropus aethiopicus is recognized from a time span between 2.3 and 2.8 million years ago. The meaning of its name is ape that lived alongside humans, from Ethiopia. French paleoanthropologists Camille Arambourg and Yves Coppens first proposed the name Paranthropus aethiopicus in 1967, when they found a toothless incomplete mandible. Their discovery was ignored since many paleoanthropologists believed that a single incomplete mandible was not enough to name a new species. It was not until 1985, when Alan Walker and Richard Leaky discovered the famous black skull that the classification of Paranthropus aethiopicus re-emerged. The black skull is the most informative fossil of P. aethiopicus since it is the most complete one. Two skulls, an incomplete mandible (Omo 18), and various teeth fragments are also attributed to P. aethiopicus. The black skull has the smallest adult hominid brain ever found, the largest sagittal crest found in the human lineage and it also has an extremely large area in the back of the mouth for molar teeth. The sagittal crest indicated that they had a very strong jaw. No postcranial bones are directly attributed to Paranthropus aethiopicus but there are some unidentified fossil bones of consistent body size from the same deposits and time intervals in which the Paranthropus aethiopicus skull and teeth were found. Many features of the black skull are quite similar to A. afarensis, so therefore P. aethiopicus may be a descendent of this species and it is most likely the ancestor of the robust species found later in Eastern Africa, P. boisei. The existing fossil record for P. aethiopicus is not sufficient to determine with exactitude aspects such as locomotion and diet but theories exist based on later Paranthropus species and other known facts of the geographical era and time during which they lived. KELLY STOUT Homo habilis This species, one of the earliest members of the genus Homo, has a slightly larger braincase and smaller face and teeth than in Australopithecus or older hominid species. But it still retains some ape-like features, including long arms and a moderately- prognathic face. Its name, which means handy man, was given in 1964 because this species was thought to represent the first stone-tool maker. Currently, the oldest stone tools are dated slightly older than the oldest evidence of the gene Homo. A team led by scientist Louis and Mary Leakey uncovered the fossilized remains of a unique early human between 1960 and 1963 at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. There were many key fossils found leading to the determination of the key features of Homo habilis. Early Homo has smaller teeth than Australopithecus, but their 34 l KEAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DAYS 2014 35
tooth enamel was still thick and their jaws were still strong, indicating their teeth were still adapted for chewing some hard foods. Many scientist think early Homo, including Homo habilis, made and used the first stone tools found in the archaeological record. These tools also date back to about 2.6 million years ago. This hypothesis is difficult to test because several other species of early humans lived at the same time, and in the same geographic area, where traces of the earliest tool use was found. Homo habilis was believed to have lived in small groups for protection and hunting. They spent much of their time bipedal and showed the first signs of having a more developed brain. In conclusion Homo habilis was named due to the creation and use of the first stone tools. They had a slightly larger braincase and smaller faces with bipedal locomotion. STUDENT POSTER PRESENTATIONS BIOLOGY SANA BAIG, DIEGO MORALES Faculty Advisor: Daniela Shebitz An Ethnobotanical Approach to Medicinal Plant Research in the Lowland Wet Forests of Costa Rica Traditional medicine remains the primary drug treatment for 80% of people in developing countries (WHO 2011). Globally, most communities do not have access to what we consider to be conventional medicines and their health is inextricably linked to the availability of medicinal plant resources. The tropical wet lowland forests of the Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge (MNWLR) in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica provide habitat to numerous medicinal plants, yet few have been documented. By virtue of its proximity to the border, this biologically diverse area has a blending of Nicaraguan and Costa Rican cultures. The objectives of this research were: (1) to document the commonly used medicinal plant species in the MNWLR based on local knowledge and (2) to determine if extracts from these medicinal plants used to treat infection would show antifungal and antibacterial properties in laboratory assays. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with seven people who were locally recognized for their knowledge of medicinal plant use. Uses and preparations were discussed for 60 species. Fifteen of the most commonly cited plants were gathered with the local informants from the forests or home gardens. Alcohol and aqueous extractions were made of the plant parts that were specified (leaves, bark, rhizomes, roots, fruit, seeds, sap, or flowers). Extracts were screened against gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, and fungus Candida albicans using triplicate disc diffusion assays. Preliminary results do indicate that many of the plants used locally for medicine do indeed have efficacy in-vitro. This work also includes contributions from Elvin Demereckas, Katherine Andrade, Alessa Vindas-Cruz, and Betsy De La Cruz. Research supported by: National Science Foundation, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program PRISCILLA CUNHA-DE JESUS Faculty Advisor: Claudia Knezek The Effects of Genetically Modified Organisms Genetically modified organisms refer to scientists use of genetic engineering to alter the structure and composition of food. These GM products that can be found in people s local food market are produced by inserting foreign genetic material into a plant or animal using bacteria or what is called gene guns. This allows for a scientist to increase quantities of food production with set traits. Set traits meaning the size, genetic material, shape, or even color of the product of interest. The daily food people consume can contain in itself the potential risk to cause major health problems. This is a main concern for all consumers. Consumers want to be aware of the content in their purchased product. This then brings forth the question of adequate labeling and whether or not to enforce mandatory labeling. In the science field this topic is of increased interest not only for scientists, but also in the biotechnology field because there is a need to keep updated with any recent studies as technology is always growing and 36 l KEAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DAYS 2014 37