LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Kristopher Hawk of Ewing Township, a senior biology major/psychology minor at Rider University, recently presented a poster of his research at the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society meeting at Thomas Jefferson University.

At this meeting, Hawk was awarded the William Potter Student Research Award for outstanding undergraduate research. In addition to the certificate, he earned a cash award.

Hawk's research examines the physiological components of the mind-body connection. His research project involved the study of how stress alters the ability of the immune system to respond to a foreign substance.

In particular, he investigated the hypothesis that the effects of a psychosocial stressor on immunity might be enhanced among patients who are immunosuppressed. In this research, he pharmacologically immunosuppressed mice prior to immunization with a foreign protein and exposure to a behavioral stressor.

He reported at the meeting that the effects of stress on serum antibody titers are enhanced in mice that were administered cyclophosphamide prior to stressor exposure. He also showed that these effects persist for as long as two months after a single stressor.

Hawk conducted his research in the laboratory of Dr. Jonathan Karp, assistant professor of biology and the newest member of the biology department. Dr. Karp's research involves the scientific study of neural-immune communication with emphasis on the effects of behavior on health status and disease susceptibility. This research is being conducted at Rider as part of a new biopsychology major.

Rider University launched biopsychology as an undergraduate major in September in answer to the growing neuroscience and biotechnology industry. In disciplinary in nature, the program benefits students with interest in both biology and psychology -- particularly with interest in brain/behavior relationships. It will prepare students to compete successfully for admission to masters and doctoral programs in physiological psychology, behavioral neuroscience, experimental psychology, psychopharmacology, biopsychology, and animal behavior. It will also give students the technical skills for careers in research and development departments of experimentally-oriented industries and research departments of government agencies and private institutes.