Chapman University – Fall 2015
The Science Blender (Honors 389) is an interdisciplinary class focused on solving grand challenges using critical thinking and problem solving skills. The class is split into three groups, and each group contains four to five students. Throughout the semester, the groups have to determine what the knowledge gaps are within the grand challenge, the roadblocks, and develop prospective solutions. Students in the class come from different disciplines, allowing for a variety of approaches to solutions.
Marco Saglimbeni
My name is Marco, and I am a junior Biological Sciences major at Chapman University. To me, this grand challenge is important because our bodies evolutionarily developed in a specific way that gave humans the best chance for survival. Now, with so much processed and fast food being sold, as well as the access to almost any type and any amount of food, our bodies were not designed for this type of consumption. Solving this grand challenge will help create a healthier world, and in turn help cut down on the number of diseases that arise from poor nutrition.
Nilsha Khurana
My name is Nilsha, and I am a Sophomore, Biological Sciences major, Music minor at Chapman University. Some of my family members are obese, and as a result, have developed diseases that are extremely harmful to the body. This grand challenge is important to me because individuals need to be aware of the effects of poor nutrition. Nutrition is crucial for one to live a long, content life.
Savannah Schwager
My name is Savannah, and I am a Freshman Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Science major at Chapman University. This grand challenge is important to me because many of my family members have extensive health problems due to obesity and poor nutrition. As I’ve come in contact with others, I’ve realized that most individuals do not know the harm poor nutrition presents to their bodies. Bringing awareness to this issue and solving it is necessary to fight the seemingly endless battle with diseases related to poor nutrition.
Kayla Ziegler
My name is Kayla and I’m a junior Computer Science major. I have done data 
mining research in the general medical field and the topic is interesting to me because of the capability computers have to help with this nationwide problem that has developed extensively in recent years. Technology is progressing at an impressive rate on a daily basis so there is plenty of untapped potential in its application. I look forward to seeing what the coming years hold for technology-related applications in the medical field.
Melinda Sherrill
Melinda is a Software Engineering major and English minor at Chapman University. With family roots stemming from Type II diabetes, she strongly advocates for a healthier community. She enjoys finding unique and alternatives ways to make remaining healthy and active pleasurable. When she is not conducting research, she thoroughly loves drafting connections between the poetics of literature and computerized algorithms.
Science Blender 