Dr. Sydney Sklar Elected to the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration

Dr. Sydney Sklar

Joliet, Ill. – Sydney L. Sklar, Ph.D., Professor and Department Chair of Recreation and Sport Management at the University of St. Francis (USF) has been elected as a Fellow into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (the Academy). Sklar was inducted at the Academy’s General Membership Meeting October 9, 2024. Bill McAdam, Executive Director of the Downers Grove Park District and a double alumnus of USF (’89 and ’98), nominated Sklar for the honor.

The Academy is an organization of distinguished practitioners and educators who are leaders in the parks and recreation profession. To be elected into the Academy, the individual must have served for at least 15 years in a high level of administration in a park and recreation agency or as a recognized educator in parks and recreation administration, or they must manage a park and recreation department for a community with a population of more than 500,000. They also must have demonstrated outstanding leadership in professional organizations through service, writing or speaking, and they must have displayed a deep interest in advancing public parks and recreation. The Academy is limited to 137 active members.

“I’m grateful for the invitation to join this group of champions for parks, recreation, and quality of life in their local communities and nationally. It is the honor of my life to be asked to join this group of change makers. Now more than ever, we need to preserve and protect natural spaces which lift up the human spirit, and steward the resources and programs needed to improve and enhance the quality of life in our communities,” Sklar offered.

“AAPRA advances knowledge and practice in the park and recreation profession. The opportunity to serve this mission is a privilege, and I am honored to represent USF on this national stage. I look forward to using these experiences to enhance the education and professional networks of Recreation and Sport Management students at USF as they prepare to lead the profession into the future,” he added.

Established in 1980, the Academy was formed to advance knowledge related to the administration of recreation and parks; to support and encourage scholarly efforts by both practitioners and educators; to enhance the practice of park and recreation administration; to promote broader public understanding of the importance of parks and recreation to the public good; and to conduct research, publish scholarly papers and/or sponsor seminars related to the advancement of park and recreation administration.

“The Class of 2024 is a great addition to the Academy,” said President Tracey Crawford, Executive Director of the Northwest Special Recreation District in Rolling Meadows, Ill.  “The Academy is honored to induct Dr. Sydney Sklar into its ranks. The Academy represents a diverse group of professionals and educators – all with superior career experience and a dedication to improving the quality of life through the provision of high-quality parks and recreation opportunities. We welcome Dr. Sklar as a member of the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration.”

More information on the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration is available at www.aapra.org.

About Dr. Sydney Sklar

Dr. Sydney Sklar is Professor and Chair of Recreation and Sport Management at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill. Dr. Sklar completed his Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance with the University of Florida, where he specialized in therapeutic recreation. His research interests include outdoor adaptive sports, therapeutic recreation education, youth development, and therapeutic adventure. His publications include chapters in therapeutic recreation textbooks and articles in journals such as the Therapeutic Recreation Journal, World Leisure Journal, Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, and International Journal of Servant Leadership. He has conducted numerous presentations at local, state, regional, national, and international conferences.

Dr. Sklar served six years on the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions, and three years as its Chair. During his tenure as Chair, he led the Council’s transition from its status as a subsidiary of the National Recreation and Park Association to that of an independent organization. He is a past Associate Editor and Guest Editor for the Therapeutic Recreation Journal and a past Director At-Large for the National Therapeutic Recreation Society. In his home state of Illinois, Dr. Sklar serves on the Board of Regents for the Illinois Park and Recreation Association Pro-Connect Peer Mentoring program, and he is a past Education Director for the Illinois Recreational Therapy Association. He currently heads up a statewide task force to recruit future college students to therapeutic recreation baccalaureate programs.

Prior to earning his doctorate, Dr. Sklar served as a recreation therapist at Shands at Vista Mental Health Center (Gainesville, Fla.) and Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (North Aurora, Ill.). He earned his M.S. in Recreation Administration at Aurora University, and his B.A in English/Communications at Albright College; and he holds current certifications as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Wilderness First Responder. Dr. Sklar is also a performing rock n’ roll guitarist and budding music producer. An avid outdoor recreation enthusiast, he enjoys going on wilderness adventures with his family. His wife, Bev Sklar, is a literacy coach with the Joliet Elementary School District. His son, Frank (23), is an adaptive ski instructor in Colorado, and his daughter, Etta (20), majors in Outdoor Education Leadership at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF Announces 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) will honor five outstanding alumni through the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards program in San Damiano Hall on Saturday, September 28, as part of the University’s 2024 homecoming festivities. Five awards were presented to USF alumni, including The Presidential Alumni Award, the most prestigious of the Distinguished Alumni Awards, and one award from each of the university’s four colleges in highlight of the diverse disciplines of a comprehensive university. The event also included the recognition of this year’s honored year alumni (the CSF/USF of 2023, 2019, 2014, 2009, 2004, 1999, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979, 1974 and prior).

The 2024 USF Distinguished Alumni Award winners include:

Presidential Alumni Award – Diane Habiger ‘77

Diane Habiger

Diane Habiger was born and raised in Joliet—a total product of Franciscan education. She first enrolled at then-College of St. Francis (CSF) in 1962, as she entered the Postulancy of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and moved into the Motherhouse, where she later became a novice. After much prayer and contemplation, Diane chose to leave the Novitiate—grateful for the growth and friendships established during her time spent there.

Due to many life experiences that caused pauses in her studies, Habiger graduated from CSF in 1977 with a B.A. in English. Her professional life included time spent as a service representative for Manpower, Intl. and as a software instructor and consultant for Inacomp Computer Center. In 1985, she and her husband, Bill, started Lincolnshire Properties, a property management and development company that at one time owned and operated commercial and residential properties in Joliet, Naperville and Plainfield. The first “executive suite” of offices in Joliet was opened in 1994, offering not only offices but services included in the rent. The offices were destroyed by fire in 2001 and the concept was continued with the opening of Lincolnshire Business Center, which is still in business today under new ownership.

Habiger has been active in the community, serving on the boards of Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Joliet Catholic Academy, Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home and Joliet Rotary Club. At USF, Habiger has been a member of the Board of Trustees at since 2008. She has served on the board’s Academic Affairs Committee, Building and Grounds Committee, Mission Fulfillment Committee and Trusteeship Committee, which she has chaired for several years. She served on the Presidential Search Committee in 2013, a highlight of her time on the Board of Trustees, which resulted in the hiring of the 9th president of USF, Dr. Arvid Johnson. She and Bill served as chairs of Caritas 2013, and co-chaired the Centennial Caritas in 2020 with Ed and Gloria Dollinger. She and Bill also co-chaired USF’s Centennial capital campaign with the Dollingers, helping to raise funds for student scholarships.

In 2000, Habiger received the inaugural Marx Gibson Community Leadership Award which is presented annually by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry in conjunction with the University of St. Francis. In 2016, she and her husband received Lewis University’s De La Salle Award, and in 2021, received The Community Foundation of Will County’s Philanthropy Award. In 2016, Habiger received the Athena Award, presented by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, In 2020, she was inducted into the Joliet Catholic Academy Hall of Fame for Business and Industry.

Diane and Bill have been married for over 51 years and are the parents of Scott Habiger, David (Sharon) Habiger and Kathleen (George) Panagopoulos. They have four granddaughters, Tyler (Shane) Conlin, Carolyn and Hannah Habiger and Jacinda Dorian.  They also have two grandsons, Peter and Liam Panagopoulos, and one great grandson, Lucas Haldrath. Diane was a longtime member of St. Jude Parish in Joliet, but joined Queen of Apostles Church after St. Jude’s was closed.

College of Arts & Science Alumni Award – Charles Szoke ‘78

Chuck Szoke

Chuck Szoke graduated with a B.A. degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the College of St. Francis in 1978 and an M.S. degree in Public Service Management from DePaul University.

He retired from his 40-plus year career at the end of January 2019—all of it invested with the Channahon Park District. The Illinois special district is located 50 miles southwest of Chicago and serves approximately 17,000 residents. During Szoke’s tenure, the Park District expanded from one park location to 25 parks and over 520 acres with two community centers, a nationally recognized 18-hole golf course, an outdoor aquatic center, and expansive natural areas. A recipient of the National Gold Medal Grand Award, the District is an Illinois Distinguished Accredited agency. His career accomplishments were recognized in 2019 by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association with the with the Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award.

Szoke holds board positions with the People for Channahon Parks Foundation, and Reclaimed, a local, faith-based not-for-profit. Volunteer roles include membership in the Rotary Club of Channahon-Minooka and Honor Flight Chicago.

Szoke has served as an adjunct instructor in the Recreation & Sport Management program at the University of St. Francis. He has presented at annual park and recreation conferences in Illinois and Colorado, and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Conference. Chuck had governance and instructional roles with professional development schools offered with NRPA and North Carolina State University at the Oglebay National Training Center in Wheeling, West Virginia.

He has also served on numerous community-based and professional boards and committees during his career and in retirement. Szoke continues to stay committed to individuals and agencies seeking to advance their services in public parks and recreation. He and his wife, Donna, a retired Channahon School District 17 teacher, have resided in Channahon since 1984 and raised two sons. 

College of Business & Health Administration Alumni Award – Hon. Vincent Cornelius ‘86

Hon. Vincent F. Cornelius

Hon. Vincent F. Cornelius is a leader of the legal profession and the broader community. Raised and educated in Joliet, Judge Cornelius was elected to serve as the 140th president of the Illinois State Bar Association. He has also served as Chancellor of the Academy of Illinois Lawyers, and as President of the Illinois Bar Foundation.

Judge Cornelius built his career and reputation by defending the rights of Illinois citizens and serving many communities. For his efforts, he was recognized by Best Lawyers in America, the National Bar Association, Leading Lawyers, and Super Lawyers, to name a few. In 2018 he was elected to serve as a Circuit Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Will County.

Judge Cornelius is a proud graduate of Joliet Catholic Academy. He is a member of its Hall of Fame for Business and Industry and a recipient of its Career Achievement Award. He holds a Degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Francis and a Juris Doctor Degree from the Northern Illinois University College of Law.  He has served as Chairman of NIU College of Law Board of Visitors and he has been honored with the College of Law’s Outstanding Alumni Award.   

Judge Cornelius is a seasoned board director, serving on governor’s commissions, legislative committees, and Supreme Court commissions, as well as university, hospital, corporate and religious institution boards. He currently serves on the Boards of the Illinois Judges Association, the Illinois Judicial Council, Silver Cross Hospital, NIU College of Law, Joliet Catholic Academy, Calvary Church of Naperville, and the Advisory Board of the Diamond Youth Foundation.

While a student at USF, Judge Cornelius was captain of the men’s basketball team and president of the Black Student Union. He was named a National Catholic Basketball Tournament Academic All American (1985), and he was included in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (1986). He is a recipient of the USF Joann Placher Distinguished Alumni Award, the USF Martin Luther King Jr. Journey Award, and he was recently inducted into the USF Augustus Tolton Society. Judge Cornelius has served as vice-chairman of the USF Board of Trustees and he was honored to give the winter commencement address for the USF class of 2012.   

Judge Cornelius is a recipient of the NAACP Medgar Evers Award, and the Black Bar Association of Will County’s  Seeker of Justice Award. He was recently inducted into the 2024 class of the Illinois Black Hall of Fame. He is a frequent keynote speaker. He has been married to his wife, Zina, for thirty-three years and he is the proud father of two adult children. He is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

College of Education Alumni Award – Dr. John Greenan ’02, ’05, ‘18

John Greenan graduated from St. Raymond in 1993 and Joliet Catholic Academy in 1997 before attending the University of St. Francis as an undergraduate student from 1997-2001. He graduated in December of 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. During this time, Greenan played basketball and was also a student assistant basketball coach.

Greenan then earned his Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Francis in 2004. He returned later to earn his Doctor of Education Degree from USF in Educational Leadership in May of 2018.

Currently, Greenan is in his 23rd year in education at Lockport Township High School. He started as a Social Studies teacher (9 years), then became boys’ basketball coach (12 years), Dean of Students (6 years), Assistant Principal for Leadership, Student, and Building Operations (2 years) and Principal (5 years). This year is Greenan’s first year as Assistant Superintendent for Personnel in Lockport Township High School District 205.

Leach College of Nursing Alumni Award – Cherlonda Howard ‘19

Cherlonda Howard was born in Harvey, Illinois, and raised in University Park. From an early age, she had a deep passion for health care, driven by her desire to serve others and make a meaningful difference in her community. Guided by her faith, a cornerstone in her life, she pursued her undergraduate studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in Community Health, emphasizing health promotion. Her dedication was recognized when she was named NIU’s Outstanding Women Student in 2003.

Howard began her professional journey as an IT project manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield, where she mentored underserved high school graduates through the IC Stars program. This initiative aimed to empower talented graduates who couldn’t afford college by providing them with opportunities for career advancement. Despite her success in this role, Howard felt a calling toward nursing and serving people directly. She returned to school in 2012, earning her nursing degree from Prairie State College in 2014. She began her nursing career at Little Company of Mary on the Neuro and Stroke floor, earning the Daisy Nursing Award in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

In 2016, Howard decided to advance her career by enrolling in USF’s Nurse Practitioner program. However, just four months before completing the program, she suffered the heartbreaking loss of her mother—her biggest supporter and best friend. Despite this devastating blow, she remained steadfast in her commitment to her studies, honoring the promise she made to her mother and graduated in 2019 as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

She began her career as a Nurse Practitioner at Advocate Aurora Health Care in 2019 in the Immediate Care Clinic. She also started her DNP at USF but paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a front-line health care provider during this challenging time, Howard demonstrated unwavering resilience and commitment to her patients, later transitioning to Family Practice in 2021. In the summers, she volunteers at Advocate Wrigley First Aid.

Howard’s passion for teaching led her to start tutoring nursing students at her alma mater, Prairie State College, in 2021. She has had the privilege of helping two nursing classes graduate and enter the profession. Additionally, she mentored Nurse Practitioner students from the University of St. Francis and was honored to celebrate their graduation in 2024.

Currently, Howard works full-time as a Family Nurse Practitioner as she completes her certification in obesity medicine.

She is launching her Medical Weight Management Clinic with Advocate South Holland this month. She also serves on the Local Practice Management Committee (LPMC) with Advocate, where she collaborates on initiatives to improve safety, health outcomes, patient experience, and provider engagement.

Howard is dedicated to giving back. She volunteers by offering free physical exams and school supplies for her community. She is active in Advocate Aurora Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She plays a vital role in the Advocate Gives campaign, which focuses on improving access to primary care, behavioral health, community safety, housing, food security, and workforce development.

Cherlonda aspires to finish what she started in 2019 by returning to the University of St. Francis and completing her Doctoral Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Cherlonda is married to her supportive husband, Gerry Howard, and together, they share one fantastic son, three bright and radiant daughters, and three lovable fur babies. Her family is her anchor, providing her with the love and support she needs to pursue her professional and personal goals.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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Singer, Songwriter Aiofe Scott Returns to USF on September 19

Joliet, Ill. – Award-winning folk singer and songwriter Aiofe Scott returns to the University of St. Francis (USF) on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the Sexton Auditorium (Moser Performing Arts Center) as part of the University’s Music at Moser series. The Dublin, Ireland-based performer who was born into the legendary Black Family, is an established artist in her own right and is at the very pinnacle of Ireland’s traditional and folk music scene. Scott will be joined by Andy Meaney, her longtime collaborator, for this night of music from the Emerald Isle.

General admission tickets cost $15 each (USF students with a valid ID are admitted free of charge) and can be purchased in advance at stfrancis.edu/music-at-moser, or reserved in advance by phone at 815-740-3367 or by email to kmacek@stfrancis.edu. Walk-ins are welcome, but ticket availability cannot be guaranteed because concerts often sell out. Visit stfrancis.edu/music-at-moser for upcoming shows.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF Alumni Art Exhibition Open through October 3

USF Alumni Art Exhibition

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) Art Gallery welcomes the community to enjoy its newly-opened USF Alumni Exhibition. The exhibition, which is open through October 3, 2024, follows other recent exhibitions including Roger Carlson: INNOCENT DAWN and Paul Erschen: LEACH FIELD.

Artists with works featured in the USF Alumni Art Exhibition include (majors listed in parenthesis):

  • Blake Allen ’03 (Marketing)
  • Jessica Baron ‘13 (Visual Art Education)
  • Roger Carlson ’06 (Graphic Design)
  • Jaclyn Duske ’24 (Art and Design)
  • Meghan Grilli ’24 (Visual Arts Education)
  • Austin Hines ’20 (Studio Art & Design)
  • Kathleen McElligott ’87 (Health)
  • Hayden Minor ’23 (Political Science)
  • Cameron Moore ’20 (Marketing)
  • Veronica Navarrete ‘22 (Graphic Design)
  • Alvaro Robles ’24 (Graphic Design)
  • Joe Santillo ’17 (Art & Design)
  • Lisa Scarcelli ‘94 (Journalism Communications with a concentration in Public Relations)
  • Marguerite Stoiber ’73 (Fine Arts)
  • Cindy Wirtz ’83 (Art/Journalism)

The USF Art Gallery is located at 25 E. Van Buren St. in downtown Joliet, and is open to the public every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on the exhibition or the USF Art Gallery, contact Jennifer Moore, gallery director, at jmoore@stfrancis.edu.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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IDHS Grant Leads to Two New CRSS Success Program Cohorts

USF College of Arts & Sciences logo

Joliet, Ill. – Thanks to another grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Success program at the University of St. Francis (USF) will continue to provide full tuition and wrap-around supports for students who complete its high-quality, recovery support training and supervised practical experience.  

USF’s CRSS program, which launched in fall 2022 with an initial cohort of 19 students, will welcome two new cohorts this coming academic year (up to 20 students each in fall 2024 and spring 2025). The program trains individuals with lived experience of mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance use recovery to leverage their experience to support others facing these challenges. Tuition is free for accepted applicants through June 2025 through the support of over $1.14 million in state grant funding from the IDHS Division of Mental Health.

“Students who have successfully completed the CRSS Success Program at USF have been gainfully employed in the field of behavioral health in a variety of settings, including substance use treatment, community mental health, and other non-profit settings. Training experience both in the classroom and the field practicum prepares students to share their lived experience in a way that promotes hope and change in those they serve, advocates for diverse and marginalized populations, assists in increased access to care/treatment, and reduces stigma around mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders,” said Patricia Ferdon, MSW, LCSW, CCTP, CRSS Teaching Instructor and Internship Coordinator.

For more information on the program, including how to apply for fall registration, visit stfrancis.edu/crss or contact Marcia Van Natta, MHS, BA, CADC, CODP II, CRSS Project Director and Instructor at mvannatta@stfrancis.edu or 815-740-3779. Student applications for the fall 2024 cohort are due by Friday, August 2, 2024. Applications received after this date will be added to a wait list for the spring 2025 semester.

About the CRSS Program

The CRSS program, now in its third year, is housed within the USF Psychology department along with USF’s Substance Abuse Counseling (SAC) program. The SAC program, an addiction treatment program, received full accreditation from the Illinois Certification Board (ICB) in November 2015. In 2023, USF was awarded a $125,000 subgrant through ICB’s Certified Alcohol and other Drug Counselor (CADC) Workforce Expansion Program to provide tuition and wraparound supports to students in the SAC program working towards CADC certification. USF’s CADC program is modeled after its successful CRSS Success program; both of these grants provide financial support to USF students as they work towards CRSS or CADC certification.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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Professor Wittke-Thompson and Five Students Publish Scientific Research Article

Dr. Jackie Wittke-Thompson

Joliet, Ill. – Dr. Jackie Wittke-Thompson, Professor of Biology at the University of St. Francis (USF), and five USF biology majors including Sarah Piane, Victoria Akinwotu Adewale, Alexis Fragoso, Mason Craig, and Genesys Haro, recently had a scientific research article published in microPublication Biology.

The students’ data collection efforts helped to identify the location of a point mutation in the genome in a fruit fly mutant. Data was collected in Fall 2021 in Dr. Wittke-Thompson’s BIOL151 Beginning Investigative Experiences in Biology course, and was a collaboration with four other universities as part of the Fly-CURE program, of which Dr. Wittke-Thompson is a member.

“USF first-year biology majors helped to identify the location of a point mutation in the genome in a fruit fly mutant – using genetic crosses, PCR, and DNA sequencing. The mutation identified is located in the GstE14 gene, which is involved in the regulation of tissue growth,” said Dr. Wittke-Thompson.

Read “Genetic Mapping and Phenotypic Analysis of GstE14E.4.1 on Eye and Antennae Development in Drosophila melanogaster”, which was originally published on April 13, 2024, at https://www.micropublication.org/static/pdf/micropub-biology-001019.pdf.

For more information on Dr. Wittke-Thompson, including links to her other published scientific research articles, visit stfrancis.edu/jacqueline-wittke-thompson.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,300 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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