Williams Student Honored for Biology Presentation

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WILLIAMSTOWN - Kimberly Elicker, member of the Williams College class of 2009, was awarded the prestigious undergraduate student poster presentation award by the American Association of Anatomists in recognition of her work on the "Characterization of the Zebrafish Small Heat Shock Protein Family." She was awarded the distinction during the annual meeting of the Society of Experimental Biologists. Her research with Lara D. Hutson, assistant professor of biology, was published in the November journal Gene. Elicker's research focuses on the small heat shock family of proteins that are produced by cells in response to environmental stressors such as sudden temperature elevation, infection, heavy metal or alcohol exposure, or excess UV light. Humans have 10 known heat shock proteins, but many of the exact functions of these genes remain unknown. Although her research aims to address human diseases, Elicker and her research partners, Tomoki Kurihara, class of 2007, and assistant professor of biology Lara Hutson, have used the zebrafish in order to closely examine these genes. Elicker said, "we use zebrafish because their embryos are transparent, so we can stain them and analyze them in real time without the need to fix or section." She presented the results of her research at the experimental biology meeting on April 31, 2007, where she received the poster presentation award. For Kim Elicker, exploring the heat shock proteins of one species of fluorescent fish is more than an academic interest. Elicker said, "my uncle was recently diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease," a human neurodegenerative disease linked to one of the human body's heat shock proteins. For Elicker, this family connection inspires her "to delve deeper into the mystery of these genes, their function, and their mechanism of causing human disease." Because of this drive, Elicker has decided to continue her research this academic year in Professor Hutson's lab as a Williams College Undergraduate Research Fellow. When she's not in a classroom or biology laboratory, Kimberly Elicker spends her time leading a new student group known as the Williams Organization for Cancer Awareness and Prevention (WOCAP), which hosted Williams' first Relay for Life on Oct. 12. She also plays the French horn in the symphonic winds and the mellophone in the marching band. Elicker finds time to promote environmental activism as an active member of the Thursday Night Group as well. Elicker was born and raised in York County, Pa. She attended South Western High School before joining the Williams student body in fall 2005. She was drawn to Williams for its integrated science program but has come to most appreciate the college's emphasis on undergraduate education. "I've attended conferences where [me and my fellow Williams students] were the only undergraduate students present. The graduate students that we talked to were amazed that we were only undergraduate freshman," said Elicker. "It's then when [I] realized just how lucky [I was] to be an undergraduate at Williams ... the opportunities are just wonderful." Elicker is a junior biology and mathematics double major.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Cozy Place to Be

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Are you looking for a move-in ready home close to the downtown area? Then this just might be the house you're looking for.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 193 Cold Spring Road.

This 1950 single-family has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house is 2,184 square feet on a little less than an acre of land. The price is $469,900.

The house not only comes with a 3.5-car basement garage but also a detached two-car garage with additional storage space above. The house includes the kitchen appliances like the dishwasher, range, and refrigerator, and has a fireplace, screened porch, and back deck. The home is also generator-ready.

We spoke to Suzette Lyons with Burnham and Gold Real Estate, which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Lyons: Location, location, location!! This property is a short distance from downtown Spring Street. It's nestled conveniently away from the road and provides substantial privacy. Plus, the home has a well-maintained exterior and interior.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home? 

What a gem! The workmanship is lovely and shows the home has been loved. There is an abundance of space with four bedrooms for family or work/home office space.

The opportunities are endless.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history? 

The home was built in the mid-1950s by the owner of Yeadon Farm Dairy on the edge of the farm, now the Thornliebank/Buxton Hill neighborhood, with lumber cut from the property.

Along with thick plaster walls and ceilings on the first floor, quality craftsmanship is abundant throughout.

The house has been owned by the same family who built it and the grandson has made every effort to match the original design and style with all of the renovations, including custom-milled natural woodwork for the private second-floor primary bedroom suite. Family pride in ownership is evident in every space of this well-constructed and maintained house now waiting for a new family to call it "home."

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for? 

This home appeals to many buyers. There are four bedrooms sufficient for a full-time family, singles or second homeowners. Opportunity for in-law suite. Also, ample room for a home/office business. Lots of storage space with 3 1/2 garages and additional storage space above the oversized two-car garage.

Are there any standout design features? 

Lots of personal touches with natural woodwork throughout, freshly painted light colors to maximize natural light, new flooring in several rooms. Spacious four-season room for relaxing or home/office use. Also, offers a beautiful primary suite on the second floor.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space? 

A peaceful retreat in the woods. Cozy up to the fireplace on winter nights, enjoy the morning coffee on the back porch or the four-season sunroom. Spend the afternoon gardening in your beautiful yard and connecting with nature. A pet-friendly home offering a fenced yard and durable flooring. A family friendly home directly on the school bus routes.

How would you describe the atmosphere or feel of this home? 

The home has a welcoming feel with natural elements offering a place of comfort and belonging.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 
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