Orland Park student recognized at SXU Honors Program Conference

Craig Sonneveld examines circadian rhythms

Chicago (May 8, 2008) Craig Sonneveld was awarded top honors for his paper examining circadian rhythms last month at Saint Xavier University’s Sixth Annual Honors Program Conference.

The event showcases the research and creative senior projects of honors students who began their work in their junior year. The projects engage issues from a wide spectrum of disciplines, including biology, communication, education, literature, philosophy, communication sciences and disorders, music, nursing and political science.

Sonneveld, a biology major from Orland Park, explored the roughly 24-hour cycles in the biological, physiological and behavioral processes of organisms in his paper titled “Chronobiology: The Heart of the Clock.”

Sonneveld discusses possible reasons for what triggers these rhythms and cites experimental data supporting one particular hypothesis. He then examines a specific case of how natural rhythms in the human body alter the effectiveness of heart medication.

“We all are deeply impressed with the time and effort that went into these challenging presentations, particularly Craig’s,” said Judith Hiltner, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the Undergraduate Honors Program. “His work challenges people to re-evaluate their ideas about circadian rhythms.”

The SXU Honors Program offers an enriched academic experience to talented and highly motivated students. Honors students may pursue any undergraduate major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Education, Management and Nursing.

For more information on the Honors Program, visit www.sxu.edu/honors, or contact Hiltner at (773) 298-3230 or hiltner@sxu.edu.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Rick Ducat
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu