This past January 4th, Middletown High School’s Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) college Biology class, under the guidance of adjunct professor and MHS biology teacher Shawn Haener, traveled to the beautiful SUNY New Paltz campus to spend an exciting day long workshop studying Molecular Biology. This rigorous genetics based program was run by the wonderful team of Dr. Dennis Moran and Arnold Nemerofsky. Both men are experienced veteran professors of the SUNY New Paltz Biology Dept. The day’s events allowed students to work hands-on with some great genetics equipment. They performed gel preparations, restriction enzyme digests, DNA argarose gel electrophoresis, staining, and gel analysis.

As the importance of DNA science and genetics continues to grow, it is essential that we introduce it to our young college students. Establishing an interest today could spark the beginning of an exciting and rewarding career in the ever expanding field of genetics.