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FSC professor awarded grant
for summer research

LAKELAND, Fla. (April 29, 2003) - Florida Southern College biology professor Dr. Nancy M. Morvillo has received three grants totaling $16,000 to fund a summer research program. Funding was provided by The Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland, the Heritage Rose Foundation of Dallas, Texas, and the Charleston Horticultural Society of Charleston, S.C.

Morvillo will work with FSC students Mary Caroniti, a senior, and Anji Lewis, a sophomore, to study the genetics of roses. They will compare different species of roses using procedures similar to those used in human DNA fingerprinting. "Hands on, original research is a superb way for students to experience and learn the theoretical and practical applications of genetics," Morvillo said. "It gives them a greater appreciation and understanding of how science is done."

The students will also give presentations at the Heritage Rose Foundation annual meeting, which will be held at FSC in November. "This subject is of extreme interest to many horticulturalists, as there is confusion over the origin and relatedness of many historic roses," says Morvillo. "Our analysis allows for genetic evidence to determine how closely related different species are, rather than relying on anecdotal or possibly incorrect historic evidence."

About Florida Southern College
Florida Southern is a four-year, private, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and a master of business administration degree accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Lakeland, Fla., the college is home to the largest, single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

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