News Release
Recognized by USA Today Seth A. Townsend, a Johns Hopkins University senior from Skaneateles, N.Y., has been named to the second team of USA Today's 2004 All-USA Academic Team, the daily newspaper's annual recognition of the academic performance and leadership of a select group of college and university students. Townsend, a 22-year-old biomedical engineering major, is one of three undergraduates at Johns Hopkins to be named to the team this year and is one of 21 Johns Hopkins students honored by USA Today in the past 13 years. This year, the newspaper's panel of educators considered approximately 600 nominees with at least sophomore standing from four-year institutions nationwide. Twenty students each were named to the first, second and third teams; 22 other students were chosen as honorable mentions. "I was very grateful to be able to represent Hopkins for this award," Townsend said. "It's a great honor to be selected." He graduated in 2000 from Skaneateles High School in his hometown of Skaneateles, N.Y. "I'd never had any research experience before coming to Hopkins," he said. "I feel like I've developed the skills and passion here to continue that work. My faculty advisers, Artin Shoukas and Dan Berkowitz, have been good about giving me the right balance of guidance and independence while working on my research." This research included studies of changes that occur to the cardiovascular system during aging and when astronauts spend time in outer space. Townsend is also leading a team of 10 undergraduate biomedical engineering students who are designing a real-time urinalysis system to detect the onset of acute renal failure, a device that may someday save lives. Outside the classroom, Townsend has served as a tutor and organizer in a program that matches Hopkins undergraduates with local elementary school students who need help learning math and with reading. He also serves as assistant captain of the men's ice hockey team at Johns Hopkins. After commencement in May, Townsend plans to continue his studies to earn a doctorate in biomedical engineering. For information or digital images of Townsend, contact Phil Sneiderman at 443-287-9960.
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