FALL 2004 DYSONA Publication of the news Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace University The Power of Tea Schiffenbauer’s student research team finds white tea effective in fighting germs f you happen to walk by the biology enhanced the anti-viral and anti-bacterial department at four o’clock one afternoon effect of these oral agents. In addition, they Iand see professors and students taking found that the white tea extract exhibited a tea break, don’t be surprised. an anti-fungal effect on both Penicillium INSIDE Tea is a healthful drink, with many studies chrysogenum (the source for penicillin) and showing that its antioxidants may help lower Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast). Graduate Students Study Abroad the risk of certain forms of cancer. Now Learning and teaching informed by research at Oxford University research at Dyson College adds to the list of the benefits of tea.According to recent studies The results of this study,“Anti-viral,Anti- by the biology department on the downtown fungal and Anti-bacterial Effects of White Pace Students Participate in 2004 Tea,” were recently presented by the Pace Presidential Conventions student research team at the 104th General Meeting of the American Society for Micro- Florence L. Denmark Awarded Gold biology in New Orleans, Louisiana. Medal Award for Life Achievement Schiffenbauer’s present research team in Psychology in the Public Interest includes six Pace students:Tiffany Decuir, Tatyana Krieger, Lena Bovkoun, Katleen Bateau, Rosa Siragusa, and Jigar Gandhi. Dean’s Message “Without the tremendous work on the students’ part, this research would not be Jacobs Papers Project Awarded possible,” says Schiffenbauer.“They deserve $100,000 Grant a lot of credit for these findings, and for the From left: Prof. Schiffenbauer, Tiffany Decuir, Tatyana idea to test the extract against pathogenic Meet Jigar Gandhi ’05 Krieger, Lena Bovkoun, Katleen Bateau, and Jigar Gandhi microbial organisms.” Manhattan campus, researchers found that “Study after study with tea extract proves MPA Launches New Environmental an extract derived from white tea inactivated Management Track viruses and destroyed bacteria that cause strep- that it has many healing properties. This tococcous infections, i.e., strep throat, is not an old wives’ tale, it’s a fact.” Save the Date for the Ninth Annual pneumonia, and cavities in teeth. —Milton Schiffenbauer Dyson Distinguished Achievement “Past studies have shown that green tea Scientific research for the greater good Awards Benefit Reception— stimulates the immune system to fight disease,” says Milton Schiffenbauer, a micro- March 31, 2005 Since the study’s findings were presented, biologist and professor in the biology Schiffenbauer has received many inquiries Tribeca Rooftop department and primary author of the from other toothpaste and mouthwash manu- New York, New York research.“Our new research shows white tea facturers, such as Tom’s of Maine, to test their extract (WTE) can actually destroy in vitro products with WTE. Because white tea the organisms that cause disease. Study after extracts are a natural substance, the potential study with tea extract proves that it has many applications of this research are far reaching. healing properties.This is not an old wives’ “We can easily envision that, in the not-too- tale, it’s a fact.” distant future, white tea extracts will be found Schiffenbauer’s student research team’s on the market in toothpaste and mouthwash study found that the anti-viral and anti-bac- products, to help prevent disease and cavities, terial effect of white tea (Stash and Templar) and to kill germs that cause common infec- is greater than that of green tea, and, notably, tions,” says Schiffenbauer. Dyson College of Arts and Sciences that white tea extract may help inactivate Look for articles this fall in Redbook and bacteria, viruses, and fungi that affect humans. Fitness magazines about the team’s research. Where creative minds, The team also tested white tea extracts by For more information, contact Schiffenbauer critical thinkers, and adding them to toothpastes (Aim,Aquafresh, at (212) 346-1968. I instinctive leaders are made. Colgate, Crest, and Orajel) and found it Graduate Students Study Abroad at Oxford University Faculty Book Notes Unique master in public administration seminar course offers access to Oxford Mary M. Timney, Chair and Pro- fessor of Political Science, had her leven students traveled to Oxford area of interest from multiple dimensions, book Power for the People: Protecting University this July as part of their and gain new insights about their own form States’ Energy Policy Interest in an Era E“Seminar in Government Manage- of government and potential areas of of Deregulation published by M.E. ment” course in the master in public improvement in their own work and lives,” Sharpe (2004). administration (MPA) program. Students says Nickerson. majoring in any one of the program’s four Prior to the trip, Nickerson arranges for Janetta Rebold Benton, Profes- tracks—health care administration, govern- most students to interview an elected or sor of Fine Arts, had her book ment, nonprofit management, and appointed official on a policy issue or prob- Medieval Mischief:Wit and Humor environmental management—are eligible lem relevant to their areas of interest. In The Art of The Middle Ages pub- to take advantage of this remarkable oppor- Students develop a portfolio that includes an lished by Sutton Publishing, tunity to learn more about the United essay that compares and contrasts the United Gloucestershire (2004), and had Kingdom’s public sector management Kingdom and American local governments, the second edition of Arts and Cul- innovations and the major issues facing an analysis of their policy issue, a reflection ture:An Introduction to the Humanities, local government. on their cultural and historical experience, a two-volume text she coauthored “Because the United Kingdom has been and a synthesis of their key insights. with Robert DiYanni (formerly an active laboratory of experimentation with According to MPA student Carla Prioleau, of Pace), published by Prentice Hall different local public management practices “This trip was a wonderful opportunity (2004). and policies over the last several decades, for me. I interviewed a City of Oxford Martha W. Driver, Distinguished health care official whose job it is Professor of English, and Sid Ray, “It was a fascinating look into how their to promote the city’s available medical Associate Professor of English, services and inform those people who coedited The Medieval Hero on universal health care system benefits the are underserved in the community Screen: Representations from Beowulf entire community and how it is focused on about these services. It was a fascinat- to Buffy, which was published by ing look into how their universal providing preventative health care, not just McFarland & Company, Inc. (2004). health care system benefits the entire caring for the sick.” —Carla Prioleau community and how it is focused on Jean Fagin Yellin, Distinguished providing preventative health care, not Professor Emerita of English, had just caring for the sick.” her biography Harriet Jacobs:A Life The cultural and historical aspects of (Basic Books, 2004) favorably the trip are an ancillary benefit.“Tour- reviewed in the New York Times, ing the city’s museums, historical sites, “‘Harriet Jacobs’:To Be A Slave,” and cultural venues was both enjoyable by David S. Reynolds, this July. and educational,” says Prioleau. An accountant with the Westchester Country Department of Health, Pri- oleau says that she gained a new perspective of the policy side of issues. “Because I deal with the numbers side of programs, I now have gained a Prof. Nickerson and Carla Prioleau greater appreciation for the development students come away with a plethora of of policy and delivery of health care services. information from which they can compare This course has helped me to think more existing American practices and anticipate creatively on the job.” DYSONnews problem areas or strengths of potential The MPA program has sent five groups of EDITOR Angela Nally reform ideas,” says Brian Nickerson, profes- students to Oxford. Says Nickerson,“There sor of political science. is no other MPA program that offers study Dyson News is published Students develop a unique perspective abroad with Oxford University, and very four times each year in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. of the UK’s governance and policy manage- few that have any direct international-based CHANGE OF ADDRESS ment through classroom instruction, experience similar to this.” Office of Alumni Relations including lectures given by Oxford profes- For more information about the MPA One Pace Plaza New York, NY 10038-1598 sors, readings, research, field visits, program, contact Mary Timney, director, at interviews, and actually living within [email protected], or Nickerson at bnick- To submit ideas or comments, contact Angela Nally, at (212) 346-1505 Oxford for two weeks.“They gain an [email protected] the Web site at or [email protected]. invaluable learning experience about their www.pace.edu/dyson/mpa. I 2 Students Participate in Presidential Conventions Washington Center Internship Program awards scholarships to six Pace students n two weeks I saw students go from Students gain real-world experience Networking “ being bright-eyed but reticent to being Lee Pinzow, a political science/history Tackach says Isavvy, networking political animals,” major and Dyson Dean’s Achievement that because of the says Christopher Malone, assistant professor awardee, says,“I was really happy to have been many contacts she made at of political science and Pace faculty liaison chosen to receive the scholarship.” Pinzow, the RNC, she learned what to the Washington Center for Internships along with Yvonne Lews, master of public she wants to do in her future and Academic Seminars. administration student, and Davis John Abra- career.“I met a woman who had ham ’04, political science and CSIS dual her own political consulting busi- major, were chosen for the program at the ness.After learning from her about Democratic National Convention (DNC).