Two students earn TriBeta research grants

Ripon College seniors Natalie Weidner and Sam Differt were awarded TriBeta Research Grants from Beta Beta Beta, the national biological honor society, to support their research conducted in Associate Professor of Biology Robin Forbes-Lorman’s lab.

The TriBeta Research Foundation Program provides financial support for meritorious undergraduate research proposals. After performing research with the grant, students present their results at a district, regional or national TriBeta conference or convention.

Weidner’s research investigates how nicotine and the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 affect activity levels in female rats. She said nicotine is known to enhance dopamine release in the brain, which contributes to its addictive and stimulant properties.

“By using SCH 23390 to block dopamine D1-like receptors, I aim to determine how these receptors contribute to nicotine-induced locomotor activity,” Weidner said. “This work helps clarify the neurochemical mechanisms underlying nicotine addiction and could inform more effective prevention and treatment approaches.”

She began her research this semester for her senior seminar research and thesis.

“I chose this topic because I have always been interested in neurology and the potential of drugs to improve health outcomes,” Weidner said. “I was also excited about the opportunity to work directly with living rats, as studying behavior firsthand helps bridge the gap between laboratory research and human medicine.”

Weidner is majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. She is captain of the swim and dive team; is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Ripon People for Animal Welfare (RPAW); and belongs to the honor societies Beta Beta Beta and Order of Omega (Greek life).

After she graduates, Weidner plans to attend medical school, continue coaching competitive swimming and ultimately become a doctor.

“This research has given me hands-on experience in experimental design, data analysis and critical thinking, all skills that are essential in medicine,” Weidner said. “Most of all, it has reinforced my desire to help others through science and to continue learning about how research can translate into better care for people.”

She said she is grateful for the support and guidance she received from Forbes-Lorman, who encouraged her to apply for the grant.

“Earning this grant means a lot to me because it shows that even at a small school, students like me still have the chance to take on meaningful research and grow as scientists,” Weidner said. “Ripon College has given me the chance to do meaningful research and discover how much I enjoy this kind of work, which has been a really rewarding part of my college experience.”

Differt’s research focuses on how omega-3 fatty acids affect corticosterone, a stress hormone, in female rats. She uses ELISA testing, a widely used laboratory test for detecting molecules in blood, to measure corticosterone, building on the prior research of Allison Martin ’25. Her goal is to determine if omega-3s could serve as a better alternative for managing stress in females.

Differt said she picked her research topic this semester and has already completed most of the research. She said she didn’t want to work with rats directly, but see a different side of biology that she typically doesn’t get to see, which is hormone measurements through the ELISA.

“Winning this grant solidifies the amount of work I do at Ripon College,” Differt said. “It also motivates me to do even more with my research because other people, like the TriBeta research grant committee, believe in my research as well.”

Differt is majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry and psychology. She participates in volleyball, is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, serves on Greek Council and belongs to several honor societies, including Beta Beta Beta, Chi Alpha Sigma (athletics), Laurel Society (senior) and Psi Chi (psychology).

After graduating, she plans on pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy.

“I think this research helps me achieve these goals because it gives me a better understanding of stress and how the body responds in stressful situations,” Differt said. “Also, analyzing data has helped me build strong lab skills and analytical skills, both skills that will be beneficial in physical therapy school.”

Forbes-Lorman said she’s proud of both the students for earning grants to carry out their independent research projects in her lab.

“Working with Natalie and Sam has been a pleasure,” Forbes-Lorman said. “They showed remarkable initiative in designing their studies and in writing their grant proposals. It’s also simply fun to get to know students better through this kind of collaborative research. This funding not only advances their projects but also strengthens our department’s commitment to fostering high-quality undergraduate research.”