Brief History

The CSB/SJU Biology Department airborne pollen and mold research project was conceived by Dr. Stephen Saupe in the late 1990's.  Using a combination of funds from the CSB/SJU Bailey Herbarium and department, Dr. Saupe purchased a rotorod sampler in the summer of 2000.  Unfortunately the sampler essentially sat in the box until spring 2002 when Dr. Saupe offered a mini-course on pollen biology.  Matt Clark (SJU '03; Psychology), Chauntae Ruppe (CSB '03; Biology), and Lisa Sterling (CSB '03; Biology) met regularly to set up the sampler and begin to learn its operation. 

The following spring (2003), while on a sabbatical leave of absence, Dr. Saupe was certified as a pollen counter at a workshop offered by MultiData Corporation.  During the following summer (2003), Sarah Hegg (CSB '05; Natural Science, pictured at right) served as a summer researcher and began to make daily pollen counts and established this website.  Pollen sampling continued sporadically during the fall (2003) and in the spring semester of 2004, Dr. Saupe offered another pollen class (pictured below) to generate more interest in pollen sampling and continue with counts.  The course was taught for one credit and the participants learned the basics of pollen identification, operation of the rotorod sampler, and procedure for making daily pollen counts.  The basics of pollen production, release, and pollination were also reviewed to provide a background for the class.  The group made some pollen counts and their data were incorporated into our web site.

Pollen Class 2004 (left to right): Danielle Vlazny, Laura Wilant, Mark Zenzen, Andy Audette, Mary Cox, and Joshua Suckow

The project continued during the summer of 2004.  Dr. Saupe received a Rooney grant (St. John's internal biomedical grant program) and selected Brian Hoffman (SJU '05, Biology, below right) and Mark Zenzen (SJU '05, Biology, below left) to continue the research.

Mark Zenzen (June 2004)		Brian Hoffman (June 2004)