Archived Research Grants
The following students were awarded undergraduate student research grants from the Fisher College.
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2023 – 2024
“Rosselia and Depositional Processes in the Juniata Formation”
Student: Bilel Abderrahim
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Hawkins (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Tunable Dye Laser for Optical Scattering Spectroscopies”
Student: Foysal Ahmed
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Utilizing Planaria as a Model Organism to Investigate the Bacterial Virulence Factor
TCPC”
Student: Victoria Akingbehin
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Behavioral Effects of Natural Compounds Using an Insect Model”
Student: Rasha Alzyoud
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Identifying the Role of Apoptosis in Sea Anemone Fission”
Student: Sydney Bayne
Student: Trinity Mays
Mentor: Dr. Wilbur Ryan (Biological Sciences)
“Uncovering the Hidden Heroes of Dung Beetle Dynasty: A Metagenomic Study of Rood
Ball Microbiomes”
Student: Preeti Biraji
Mentor: Dr. Anne Estes (Biological Sciences)
“Population Genetics of Northern Map Turtles”
Student: Aislinn Bloom
Mentor: Dr. Steve Kimble (Biological Sciences)
“Does a Potential Termite Recognition Molecule Vary in Fungal Pathogens?”
Student: Makaelan Bond
Mentor: Dr. Mark Bulmer (Biological Sciences)
“Skewing of UV-induced Cell Death Pathways Using TLR4 Ligands”
Student: Sumra Chaudhry
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Fluorescence Imaging of Single-Particle Dynamics at the Oil-Water Lateral Interfaces”
Student: Mac Crimmins
Student: Mary McDonald
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Identifying Counterfeit Semaglutide”
Student: Amina Daniels
Mentor: Dr. Kelly Elkins (Chemistry)
“Analyzing the Impact of HLA-C on the KSHV Viral Lifecycle”
Student: Miriam Diallo
Mentor: Dr. Elana Ehrlich (Biological Sciences)
“Water Soluble Magic Numbered Gold Nanoclusters for Cancer Therapy”
Student: Zara Freeland
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Identification of Bacteriophage Alexphander's Immunity Repressor”
Student: Margaret Galo
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Hancock (Chemistry)
“Non-Destructive DNA Quantification on Au25 and Plasmonic Gold Nanoclusters”
Student: Steven Gerguis
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Developing a Bispecifc T-cell Engager to Eliminate Anti-FVIII B-cells”
Student: Eber Guzman-Cruz
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“The Search for Metal-insulator Transition in Fe-B Compounds”
Student: Lukas Hamann
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Investigating Nonspectral Color Discrimination in Sugar Gliders”
Student: Morgan Hawkins
Mentor: Dr. Harald Beck (Biological Sciences)
“qPCR Assay Exploring Planarian Ability to Clear Escherichia Coli in the Presence of Protein TcpC”
Student: Lenora Ingram
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating Small Proteins in a ΔlonclpP Mutant in E.coli”
Student: Nicole Kahler
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“The Investigation of Fga during the Course of Murine Endotoxemia.”
Student: Annie Keele
Student: Rachel Kramer
Student: John Scoffone
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Analyzing the Gut Microbiome of Captive Polar Bears”
Student: Dajaha Kenney
Mentor: Dr. Peko Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Detection of Salmonella in Lettuce Using Mouse Toll-Like Receptor 4”
Student: Areej Khan
Student: Jisela Ramos
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Understanding Metal Ion Influence on MeR/DinB-like DNA Binding Protein of Mycobacterium
Alexphander”
Student: Lea Kosanovic
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Hancock (Chemistry)
“The Effects of Salt Concentration on the Expression of TcpC, a Virulence Factor Found
in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli”
Student: Tatah Lamin
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Digital Twins Research”
Student: Samuel LaPree
Mentor: Dr. Akshita Maradapu Vera Venkata Sai (Computer & Information Sciences)
“One Microbe's Waste is Another Microbes's Meal: How do Bacteria Interact to Degrade
Cellulose in the Bull-headed Dung Beetle?”
Student: Chloe Mateleska
Mentor: Dr. Anne Estes (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating Protein Localization in the Liver of Endotoxemic WT and TLR4-/- Mice”
Student: Glory Omodia
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Structural Characterization of the TIR Domain of TirB, a D. discoideum TIR Domain Containing Protein”
Student: Ayotunde Omomo
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“The Quantification of Organic Smokeless Powder Analytes using Gas Chromatography
with a Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer”
Student: Mackenzie Overholser
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Effects of Fluorination on CMn03 Thin Films”
Student: Madison Previti
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Toll-Like Receptor Four and Sepsis-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Murine Endotoxemia Models”
Student: Cristal Salgado
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Total Synthesis of Acremostrictin”
Student: Olivia Sipes
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“Au25 Nanocluster Modification with Anthracene-Based Ligands”
Student: Desmond Smith
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Using Negative Photoresist in Fabrication of Silicon/Titanium Interface for Study
of Interfacial Electromagnetic Waves”
Student: Thomas Snarski
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Analysis of Variation of DNA Methylation Between Smokers, E-cigarette Users, Occasional Users
and Non-users Employing PCR High Resolution Melt”
Student: Madison Strasser
Mentor: Dr. Kelly Elkins (Chemistry)
“Comparison of Fluorination Effects on La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 and CaMnO3”
Student: Luke Thress
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Measuring Germinal Center Activation to Evaluate Efficacy of Allergy Immunotherapy”
Student: Nathan Usi
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Amide Semi-Reduction”
Student: Grace Vaillancourt
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“sORFs as Genes Encoding Small Proteins in Lonclp Mutants”
Student: Samantha Walunas
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Gold Nanoclusters Synthesized with an Electroactive Ligand”
Student: Jakob Winterle
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Metabolic Characterization of Anaerobes in the Onthophagus taurus Microbiome”
Student: Aron Winton
Mentor: Dr. Anne Estes (Biological Sciences)
“Ingestion Rate Variation Among Distinct Species of Habitat Mimicking Ecomorph Praying
Mantises and Relations to Nandible Morphology”
Student: Marlena Wood
Mentor: Dr. Chris Oufiero (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2022 – 2023
“The Effects of TcpCon Model Systems Dictyostelium discoideum”
Student: Victoria Akingbehin
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating the Relationship Between NADase and Ubiquitin Ligase Activity in TcpC”
Student: Zachary Alexander
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)s
“Investigating Seasonal and Yearly Variations in the Intestinal Microbiome of African
Elephants (Loxondonta africana)”
Student: Alexandra Amos
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating Pgam2 at Transcription Level Of Septic Mice”
Student: Hiba Awan
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Characterization of RpfB Riboswitch”
Student: Swadha Bhatt
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Single Particle Tracing Investigations of the Evolving Network Structure during Cross-linking
Poly(thylene glycol)-based Hydrogels”
Student: Rukhma Butt
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Using a qPCR Array to Determine Pathway Regulation Activated During Septic Shock”
Student: Phoebe Calkins
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Electronic Transport Properties of the Superconducting TiN-based Multilayers”
Student: Adrian Campbell
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Search for ENZ Behavior in Fe-B Compounds”
Student: Nathaniel Christopher
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Effects of TcpC's NADase Activity on Inhibition of Innate Immune Signaling”
Student: Britney Erickson
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Reactivity of Parabens Towards Free Chlorine”
Student: Kelsey Evans
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Water Soluble Magic Numbered Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications”
Student: Zara Freeland
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Model System of Innate Immunity in Planaria Organisms”
Student: Sarah Hamilton
Mentors: Dr. Jack Shepard and Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Population Genetics of Northern Map Turtles (Graptemys geographica) in the lower Susquehanna River”
Student: Kaija Harlow
Mentor: Dr. Steve Kimble (Biological Sciences)
“Evaluation of Dematin Expression in Endotexemic WT and TLR4 KO Mice”
Student: Junela Hunat
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“THeat shock and lonclp genetics altering effects on Escherichia coli”
Student: Chauncey Liffiton
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Electrochemistry Study of Gold-Nanoclusters: Effects on Methylene Blue Dye”
Student: Everette McDuffie
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Detection and Validation of Short Open Reading Frames in Escherichia coli”
Student: Grace Morris
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Simple Preparation of Primary Amines via Copper Catalysis”
Student: William Schmidt
Mentor: Dr. Gus Bakhoda (Chemistry)
“Gill Morphology of White Perch (Morone americana) Exposed to Hypoxia at Three Different Salinities”
Student: Riley Scott
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson ((Biological Sciences)
“SERS Analysis of Organic Compounds in Gunshot Residue Using a Portable Raman Spectrometer”
Student: Taylor Shafrovich
Mentors: Dr. Mary Devadas and Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Examination of Small Protein Accumulation During Conditions with Decreased Degradation
Rate”
Student: Sampada Shrestha
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Total Synthesis of Cladosporitide A”
Student: Olivia Sipes
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“Synthesis and Characterization of Biicosahedral Au24Co Nanoclusters”
Student: Desmond Smith
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Detection of Proprogation of Electromagnetic Surface Waves Along the Silicon-titanium
Boundary”
Student: Daryna Soloviova
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Development of a Test for a Oathogen from the Middle East ”
Student: Larissa Speaks
Mentor: Dr. Kelly Elkins (Chemistry)
“Predation in the Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus): Effects of Prey Size on Prey Capture and Diet Determination through eDNA ”
Student: Mary Sullivan
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Oufiero (Biological Sciences)
“Bimetallic Superatom Bi-icosahedron Au25 Clusters: An Optical and Electrochemical
Study”
Student: Samantha Topka
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devdas (Chemistry)
“Synthesis of Fungal Metabolite, Prunomarin A”
Student: Matthew Vollmuth
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“Synthesis of Mixed Bi-Icosohedron Nanoclusters with Increased Fluorescence”
Student: Samantha Topka
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Comparison of the Effects of Amino Acid Mutations on NADase Activity of Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii TIR Proteins”
Student: Tamara Vallejo-Schmidt
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating the sORFs yjjY, bdm_osmC_2, thrW_ykfI_1, and ynef_yneG_0 as Potential
Genes Encoding Small Proteins”
Student: Samantha Walunas
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Using Galvanic Exchange to make Gold based Ferrofluids for Biological Applications”
Student: Maria Webster
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“The Influence of Mandible Size on Prey Handling Time ”
Student: Marlena Wood
Student: Elizabeth McMillan
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Oufiero (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2021 – 2022
“Comparing Methods of Measuring Sodium Ion Concentrations in Solution”
Student: Adelabu Afe
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Single Particle Tracking in Poly(ethylene glycol): How the Water Content Defines
the Transport in Hydrogels”
Student: Ahmed Ahmed
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Polorization Reflectometry for Multilayered Metamaterials”
Student: Javier Arteaga
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Higher Resolution Imaging and Analysis of Nonlinear Effects of Transmission of Infrared
Light Through Ferrofluids as a Gravity Analog”
Student: Nathaniel Chritopher
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Kinetics of Halosalicylate Chlorination at Low pH”
Student: Jacob Damrow
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Quantifying Active Halogen Residuls Using TMB”
Student: Vicent DiPietri
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Complement Immune Response Activation in TLR4 Knockout Cells”
Student: Mehnaz Falguni
Student: Phoebe Calkins
Student: Anique Aaron
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating Competition Between Fungi and Termites”
Student: Joseph Fowler
Mentor: Dr. Mark Bulmer (Biological Sciences)
“Water Soluble Bimetallic Gold Nanoclusters”
Student: Zara Freeland
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Synthesis and Characterization of Fe(acac)3 and Co(acac)2 Ferrofluids for Sensing
Applications”
Student: Zolani Grady
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Termite Social Defenses Against Pathogens”
Student: Samantha Greenbaum
Mentor: Dr. Mark Bulmer (Biological Sciences)
“Investigation of DMTN Gene Expression Using a Cell Culture Model of Endotoxemia”
Student: Junela Hunat
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Effect of Specific Amino Acid Mutations on AbT1R NADase Activity”
Student: Abra Koudjra
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Base Substitution and Structure/Dynamics of Fis-DNA Complex”
Student: Hannah Littlle
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Hancock (Chemistry)
“Factors Affecting the Transition and Stabilization of B to A DNA”
Student: Tsion Mekonnen
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Electromagnetic Surface Waves at Gold-Silver Interface”
Student: Cody Miller
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Synthesis of Halichonic Acid A and Halichonic Acid B”
Student: Emma Niner
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“The Molecular Response of Alternative Pathways Activated During Septic Shock”
Student: Kathryn Nunez
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“The Role of Exposure Route on the Toxicity of PFOS to the House Cricket”
Student: Alex Pellegrini
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Salice (Environmental Science & Studies Program)
“Designing and Building Semi-Natural Amazonian and North American Freshwater Ecosystem
Exhibits”
Student: Brianna Porter
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Oufiero (Biological Sciences)
“Quantification of Air Pollutants Found in Tree Leaf Samples”
Student: Solangel Senzano
Mentor: Dr. Kathryn E. Kautzman (Chemistry)
“SERS Detection of Gunshot Residue Using a Portable Raman Spectrometer”
Student: Taylor Shafirovich
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis and Dr. Mary Sajini Devdas (Chemistry)
“Photolithography for Gold-Silver Interface”
Student: Daryna Soloviova
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Synthesis of Mixed Bi-Icosohedron Nanoclusters with Increased Fluorescence”
Student: Samantha Topka
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Mechanically Optimizing Light Scattering Optomechanics”
Student: Cedric Wang
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Utilizing Galvanic Exchange to Synthesize Gold Based Ferrofluids”
Student: Maria Webster
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Generation of Structurally Diverse Lipid A”
Student: Zachary Williford
Student: Michael Lukianenko
Student: Michel Kane-Jackson
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2020 – 2021
“Method Development for the Quantification of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons”
Student: Jessica Bodner
Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Kautzman (Chemistry)
“HPLC Quantitation of Furanocoumarins in Dietary Supplements”
Student: Miriam Bregman
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Impact of Furin on the Cytotoxicity of Anti-CD22 Recombinant Immunotoxins Derived
from Pseudomonas exotoxin A”
Student: Kavitha Brunner
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Effect of Photomagnetic Dyes on the Magnetization of FeCo Ferrofluid Nanoparticles”
Student: James Bryant
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Presence of Autophagic Proteins in Human Cytomegalovirus Particles”
Student: Jessica Caple
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Single-particle Tracking of Microsphere Diffusion in Poly(ethyleneglycol) Hydrogels”
Student: Elizabeth Casillas
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Gold Cluster Doped Semiconductors for Art Conservation”
Student: Allejandra Chavez
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Halogenation of Product Characterization of Agricultural Dichloroacetamide Safeners”
Student: Bryce Collingwood
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Performance Evaluation of Corrosion Inhibitors for Oxidative Systems”
Student: Max Denn
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Bromination of Halosalicylates: Kinetics and Product Characterization”
Student: Olivia Driessen
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Imaging Single-particle Dynamics in Poly(ethylene Glycol): Does Size Matter?”
Student: Kathryn Foreman
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Immunological Profile of CD-1 Mice in an Adjuvanted Vaccine Model”
Student: Phuc Gin
Student: Kerri Keenan
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Novel Application of qPCR Melt Analysis Following BRED”
Student: Feben Habtehyimer
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Hancock (Chemistry)
“Magnetic Properties and Losses of Iron/Cobalt-based Ferrofluid”
Student: Kent Hess
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Method Validation of Portable Raman Spectrometer for Gunshot Residue”
Student: Shawn Hess
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Magnetic Metal-doped Monolayer Protected Gold Nanoclusters”
Student: Nicole Hondrogiannis
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Performance Evaluation of Corrosion Inhibitors for Oxidative Systems”
Student: Hanna Hudson
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Immunological Profile of CD-1 Mice Vaccinated with Ova-BECC438”
Student: Kerri Keenan
Mentor: Dr. Erin Harberts (Biological Sciences)
“Bacteriophage Treatment as a Potential Method to Clear Cell Culture Infection”
Student: Oliva Konen
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis of Air-stable Gold-coated Iron Cobalt Nanoparticle-based Ferrofluid for
Chemotherapy”
Student: Lynn Krushinski
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Utilizing Gold Clusters in the Detection of Dopamine and Serotonin”
Student: Genaro Lavarias III
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Process Optimization for Tuning the Oxygen Stoichiometry”
Student: Caleb Maddux
Student: Jennifer Scheiderer
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Effect of Sequence on the Binding of YdaO Riboswitches”
Student: Maya Mastronardo
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Factors Affecting the Transition from B-DNA to A-DNA”
Student: Tsion Mekonnen
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Role of Electron Mediators in Microbial Fuel Cell Output”
Student: Caden O'Connell
Mentor: Dr. Anne Estes (Biological Sciences)
“Total Synthesis of Strychnuxianal”
Student: Neechi Okwor
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“Quantitative Analysis of Nonlinear Effects of Transmission of Infrared Light Through
Ferrofluid, as Gravity Analog”
Student: Jonathan Perry
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Synthesis of Iron-Alloy Nanoparticle Based Ferrofluids for Mechanical and Biomedical
Utilization”
Student: Alexandra Reifer
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Effect of Sequence on the Conformation of YdaO Riboswitches”
Student: Amber Rogers
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Safety and Efficacy of Antiherpetic Microneedles”
Student: Lauren Sadowski
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Development of an Anti-LMP2 Disulfide Stabilized Recombinant Immunotoxin Based on
Pseudomonas exotoxin A”
Student: Ruby Sprehe
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Electrochemistry of 6-(Ferrocenyl)Hexanethiol-coated Gold Nanoclusters”
Student: Nathaniel Stevens
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Discrimination of Organic and Non-organic Green Coffee Using UPLC-MS”
Student: Brianna Stang
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Stitzel (Chemistry)
“Investigating the Survival of Herpes simplex Viruses on Toothbrushes”
Student: Chad Suissa
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis of Mixed Bi-Icosohedron Nanoclusters with Increased Fluorescence”
Student: Samantha Topka
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Investigating the Survival of Herpes simplex Viruses on Plastic Straws”
Student: Rista Upadhyay
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Determining Effects of Deicing Salt on Baltimore Country Department of Public Works
Surface-Water Reservoirs”
Student: Kathleen Usary
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2019 – 2020
“Genetic Analysis of Gopher Tortoises from Barefoot Beach, Florida”
Student: Kalekidan Abera
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Winters (Biological Sciences)
“Single-Molecule Studies of Ionic Interactions of Lithium Ions in Poly(Ethylene Oxide)”
Student: Kanika Ajmani
Student: Rose Willis
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Electrochemical Investigations of Linkage Isomerism in Ruthenium Sulfoxide Complexes”
Student: Connor Barrett
Mentor: Dr. Timothy Brunker (Chemistry)
“Optimized Protocol for Automated Sexual Assault Sample Cleanup”
Student: Alison Bender
Mentor: Dr. Kelly Elkins (Chemistry)
“Sorghum and Carcinogen Metabolizing Enzymes in Colon Cancer Cells”
Student: Heather Buck
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Antibiotic Resistance in Bacterial Isolates from the Gut Microbiome of the Dung Beetle
Onthophagus taurus”
Student: Kylie Brandt
Mentor: Dr. Anne Estes (Biological Sciences)
“Kinetically Controlled Synthesis of Quantum Sized Gold and Gold-Iron Nanoclusters
for Biological Applications”
Student: Pierce Brown
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Mutations to Improve the Cytotoxicity of Recombinant Immunotoxins”
Student: Keeley Butters
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating Human Cytomegalovirus G Protein Coupled Receptor Encoded by US27’s
Role in Autophagy”
Student: Jessica Caple
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Structural Characterization of the Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Tir5 Domain-containing Protein”
Student: Destiny Carpenter
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Halogenation of Dichloroacetamide Safeners-kinetics”
Student: Bryce Collingwood
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Let’s Help the Snails Build a Phylogenetic Tree”
Student: Taylor Crider
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Winters (Biological Sciences)
“Performance Evaluation of Corrosion Inhibitors for Oxidative Systems”
Student: Max Denn
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Bromination of Halosalicylates: Kinetics and Product Characterization”
Student: Olivia Driessen
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Quantifying Insect Diversity within Deer Exclosures”
Student: Mia Dubin
Mentor: Dr. Harald Beck (Biological Sciences)
“Structural Characterization of the TIR Domain of TIR B, a D. discoideum TLR Domain Containing Protein”
Student: Sarah Elsayed
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Low Concentration Co-Analysis of Antiherpetic Through Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography
and Mass Spectrometry”
Student: Nicholas Giannasca
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Effects of Petroleum Production Water on Metabolic Rate and Thyroxine Regulation
in Wood Frogs Lithobates sylvaticus”
Student: Matthew Godbey
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Salice (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis of Aristoquinoline”
Student: Priyansh Gujarati
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“Tuning Wavelength to Improve Nanoparticle Detection Via DLS”
Student: Daniel Guzman
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Determination of Optical Constants of Superconducting Metamaterials with Polarization
Reflectometry”
Student: Kent Hess
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Using Longitudinal Synoptic Sampling Methods to Understand Total Solute Inputs in
Maryland Streams”
Student: Kathleen Hohweiler
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Electrochemical and Optical Properties of Ligand-Exchanged Gold Nanoclusters”
Student: Nicole Hondrogiannis
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Determination of the ”Origin of Honey Samples via Trace Mineral Analysis and ICP-MS”
Student: Priscilla Hounkponou
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Stokes (Chemistry)
“Effects of TirB on Dictyostelium discoideum Cells”
Student: John Jones
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Selenium-mediated Epigenetic Regulation of Selenoprotein Expression in Colon Cancer”
Student: Zeguela Kamgate
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Graphene Oxide Based Metal Hybrid Systems: Sensing Capabilities”
Student: Hadi Kelani
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Iron/Cobalt-based Ferrofluid as Hyperbolic Metamaterial”
Student: Will Korzi
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Generation of a Model Cell Line Expressing CD22 for the Study of Recombinant Immunotoxins
in Tissue Culture”
Student: Samantha Kouneski
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Chemistry)
“Synthesis of Air Stable Gold Coated Iron and Cobalt Nanoparticle Based Ferrofluids”
Student: Lynn Krushinski
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Electrochemical Analysis of Organic and Water-soluble Gold Nanoparticles”
Student: Genaro Lavarias
Student: Nathanial Stevens
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Stereotypic Behavior in Mammals at the Maryland Zoo”
Student: Zenobia McCants
Student: Molly Minnick
Student: Rachel Prosser
Mentor: Dr. Harald Beck (Biological Sciences)
“Comparative Genomics of Seven Bacillus Isolates from Dung Beetle Larvae”
Student: Alison Moss
Mentor: Dr. Anne Estes (Biological Sciences)
“Study of Nonlinear Effects of Transmission of Infrared Light”
Student: Jonathan Perry
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Quantitation of Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine in Kratom”
Student: Kira Piccone
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Characterization of an Endonuclease VII in the Genome of Mycobacteriophage Ph8s”
Student: Kate Riccardino
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Hancock (Chemistry)
“Super Atom Clusters of AU: Synthesis and Optical Characterization”
Student: Nicholas Ruszala
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Formation of Trihalomethanes via Halogenation of Natural Organic Matter Precursors”
Student: Marella Schammel
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“YfaT Characterization in Escherichia. coli”
Student: Katrina Schmidt
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Effect of High-polyphenol Sorghum Extracts on Catalytic Activity of Selenoproteins
in Colon Cancer”
Student: Ashish Singh
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Characterization of the Small Protein CydX Through Short Open Reading Frame Substitution
in E. coli”
Student: Bradley Stansbury
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Termite Antifungal Protein Activity as a Mechanism Against Their Entomopathogens”
Student: Alanna Stefano
Mentor: Dr. Mark Bulmer (Biological Sciences)
“Discrimination of Organic and Non-Organic Green Coffee Using UPLC-MS”
Student: Brianna Stang
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Stitzel (Chemistry)
“Single-Molecule Studies of Ionic Interactions of Lithium Ions in Poly(Ethylene Oxide)”
Student: Michaela Sumilang
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Characterization of MerR-like Gene Product from Alexphander”
Student: Melissa Temkov
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Hancock (Chemistry)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2018 – 2019
“Bromination Kinetics and Reactivity of Salicylic Acids”
Student: Garrett Alexander II
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Structural Characterization of Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylo-coccus aureus TIR Protein”
Student: Ahmed Al Khafaji
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Effect of Ions on the Conformation and Stability of an RNA Riboswitch”
Student: Bryan Bahoua
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“SERS Detection of Nerve Agent Simulants”
Student: Dustin Baird
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Investigating Human Cytomegalovirus G Protein Coupled Receptor Encoded by US27 Role
in Autophagy”
Student: Soumia Bekka
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Development of a Mitochondrial DNA Assay for SNP Screening Using PCR High-Resolution
Melt Curves”
Student: Allison Bender
Mentor: Dr. Kelly Elkins (Chemistry)
“HPLC Quantitation of Furanocoumarins in Dietary Supplements”
Student: Miriam Bergman
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Single-Molecule Tracking Studies of Lithium Ion Diffusion in Poly(Ethylene Oxide)”
Student: Benjamin Bilik
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Characterization of the Small Protein CydX Through Short Open Reading Frame Substitution
in E. coli”
Student: John Biondi
Student: Bradley Stansbury
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Kinetically Controlled Synthesis of Quantum-Sized Gold Nano-clusters for Biological
Applications”
Student: Pierce Brown
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Dietary Polyphenols and Sulforaphane: Impact on Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, and
Metastasis in Colon Cancer”
Student: Christopher Burkhardt
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Dietary Micronutrients: Impact on Hallmarks of Colon Cancer”
Student: Michelle Darkwa
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“In Vivo Release Study of Matrix-Based Antiherpetic Intravaginal Ring”
Student: Amanda Evans
Student: Jennifer Suon
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“A Dietary Study of a Maryland Population of Northern Map Turtles Upriver of the Conowingo
Hydroelectric Dam”
Student: Matthew Gacheny
Mentor: Dr. Richard Seigel (Biological Sciences)
“Low-Concentration Analysis of Acyclovir through Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography
and Mass Spectrometry”
Student: Nicholas Giannasca
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Single-Molecule Investigations of Molecular Partitioning into Poly(Ethylene Oxide)
Films”
Student: Priyansh Gujarati
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Hexanethiolate Protected Super Atom Clusters of Gold: A Kinetic Study”
Student: Nicole Hondrogiannis
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Synthesis and Optical Properties of Gold Nanoparticles Using Anthracenethiol Ligand”
Student: Brianna Hutson
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Increasing Viscosity to Slow Down the Nanoparticles for Size Characterization Using
Dynamic Light Scattering”
Student: Hristo Ivanov
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Synthesis of GOx-Metal Nanoparticle Hybrids for Sensing and Catalytic Applications”
Student: Hadi Kelani
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Chemical and Absorptive Properties of Atmospheric Aerosols”
Student: Zackary Kinlein
Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Kautzman (Chemistry)
“Furin Gene Expression Systematically Reviewed via qPCR”
Student: Oliva Konen
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Using Polarized Reflectometry for Determination of Optical Anisotropy of Multilayered
MgB2-based Metamaterials”
Student: Will Korzi
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Synthesis of Air Stable Iron and Cobalt Nanoparticle Based Ferrofluids”
Student: Lynn Krushinski
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Measuring Force of a Single-Beam Optical Trap for Manipulation of Gold Nanostructures”
Student: Kameron Langford
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Chemical Identification of Cocoa Geographic Origin Using UPLC-MS”
Student: Gabrielle Lembo
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Stitzel (Chemistry)
“Developing Long-Acting Implants for Breast Cancer Prevention”
Student: Chloe Lissauer
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Diphthamide-deficient Elongation Factor 2 in HeLa Cells”
Student: Elliot Lowe
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating the Survival of HSV-2 on Various Fomites”
Student: Ricardo Mack
Student: Imani Pearson
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Characterizing Storm Event Concentration-Discharge Relation-ships Using High-Frequency
Data”
Student: Melinda Marsh
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Phenotypic Characterization of Bacterial Isolates from the Gut of Dung Beetle Onthophagus taurus”
Student: Alison Moss
Mentor: Dr. Anne Estes (Biological Sciences)
“Bromination and Chlorination Kinetics of Dichloroacetamide Herbicide Safeners”
Student: Mark Niedzwiecki
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy of Steric Interactions in Type‑I Collagen”
Student: Jainik Patel
Mentor: Dr. Khanh-Hoa Tran-Ba (Chemistry)
“Creation of a Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) pUS27-GABARAP Expressing Cell Line to
Screen for Novel Antiherpetic Drugs”
Student: Kiam Preston
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating the Relationship Between Furin Cleavage and Cytotoxicity in a Recombinant
Immunotoxin Based on Pseudomonas exotoxin A”
Student: Danielle Reifer
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Establishing Baseline TSS and DOC Prior to Stream Restoration”
Student: Nicole Reifer
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Bushey (Chemistry)
“Effect of Urban Sedimentation on Blacknose Dace Feeding Performance”
Student: Oliva Saliger
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
“Breaking the Lag Phase: Demography of an Invasive Tree in Arboreta”
Student: Laura Schammel
Mentor: Dr. Laura Gough (Biological Sciences)
“Comparing the Bromination Kinetics of Dimethenamid in Natural and in Synthetic Waters”
Student: Marella Schammel
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Effect of Sequence and Length on M. tuberculosis Riboswitches”
Student: Spiridon Sevdalis
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“The Presence and Persistence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Microbiome of
WildCaught Onthophagus taurus”
Student: Sarah Smith
Mentor: Dr. Anne Estes (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis of Ultra-Small Cysteine-Capped Gold Nanoparticles by pH Switching of theAU(I)-Cysteine
Polymer”
Student: Stephanie Spickard
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Structural and Electrical Properties of Oxygen Deficient Strontium Titanate Films”
Student: Francis Walz
Student: Azriel Weinreb
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Identification and Characterization of Small Proteins in Streptococcus pneumoniae”
Student: Yishak Woldetsadik
Mentor: Dr. Mara Shainheit (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2017 – 2018
“Dissecting the Catalytic Fragment of Pseudemonas Exotoxin A”
Student: Alec Ahearn
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Chemistry)
“Vibrating Sample Magnetometer for Materials Characterization”
Student: Bryan Augstein
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Effect of flgA Reinsertion into E. coli on Cell Motility and Erik Signaling within D. discodeum”
Student: Harpal Bains
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Chemical Weathering of the Mount Washington Amphibolite and Hollofield Layered Ultramafite”
Student: Luke Barragan
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Metal Nanoparticles for Heavy Metal Sensing Using Raman Spectroscopy”
Student: Landon Bechdel
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Three-Dimensional Analysis of Combination Drug Therapy for Herpes Simplex Virus 1”
Student: Soumia Bekka
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Determination of Nicotine Content in Dokha by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry”
Student: Amanda Belunis
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Stream Restoration Monitoring”
Student: Christopher Bower
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Effect of SELENOF-Expression on Selenium-Mediated DNA Methylation”
Student: Veronica Canarte
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Affordances of an iPad-based Physics curriculum: Prospective Teachers’ Physics Conceptual
Understanding and Technology Self-efficacy”
Student: Matthew Conway
Mentor: Dr. Deepika Mennon (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Spectral Characterization of Pterin Molecules: Implications for Detecting Life on
Mars”
Student: Christopher Cook
Mentor: Dr. Amy Williams (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Selective Quantification of Chlorine and Bromine in Water Using Halogen Trapping
Agents”
Student: Ryan Dias
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Determining Ancient Tectonic Processes in East Africa via Rhenium-Osmium Isotope
Analysis on Mantle”
Student: Alexandra Ducatte
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Nelson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Does the Reappearance of a Dorsal Fin in the Black Ghost Knife Fish (Apteronotus albifrons) Affect Swimming Kinematics and Sprint Speed?”
Student: Mary Eisinger
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Oufiero (Biological Sciences)
“Determining the Safety and Efficacy of Antiherbetic Rings In vitro”
Student: Amanda Evans
Student: Nicholas Giannasca
Student: Stacy Overby
Student: Jennifer Suon
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Comparison of Swabs at Absorbing and Releasing Blood for DNA Analysis”
Student: Karrah Findley
Mentor: Dr. Kelly Elkins (Chemistry)
“Total Synthesis of Ineariifolianone”
Student: Ian Gilbert
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“Chemical Clues Associated with Death as Odorant Stimuli in the House Cricket, Acheta domesticus”
Student: Luam Haile
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis and Optical Characteristics of Magic Numbered Gold Nanoparticles”
Student: Brianna Hutson
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Synthesis and Characterization of a Graphene Oxide -Ag and Pd Nanoparticle Hybrid
System for Catalytic Applications”
Student: Hadi Kelani
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Potential Epigenetic Regulation of Selenoprotein Expression”
Student: Olivia Konen
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Measuring Hydrogen Gas Generation Using TiO2 - Gold Cluster System”
Student: Thomas Kountz
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Synthesis and Characterization of Vanadium based Type II Metamaterial Superconductors”
Student: Kameron Langford
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Petrographic and Chemical Analysis of the Baltimore Mafic Complex Serpentinites”
Student: Jeremy Leierzapt
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Nelson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Developing Long-Lasting Implants for Breast Cancer Prevention”
Student: Chloe Lissauer
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Pre-restoration and Post-restoration Analysis of Rural to Urban Stream Sediments:
Particulate Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus”
Student: Christopher Manning
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Microtexture Characterization in Hydrothermal Sinter Cores from Alaska”
Student: JoAnna Guadalupe Marlow
Mentor: Dr. Amy Williams (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Cooperative Concentration-Discharge Hysteresis Patterns for Two Urban Watersheds
in the Maryland Piedmont”
Student: Melinda Marsh
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Factors Controlling the Selectivity and Rate of Alkylbenzene Bromination by Aqueous
BrCl and Related Brominating Agents: Influence of Steric and Electronic Effects”
Student: Kayla Martin-Cutlet
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Genotyping of Lithobates sylvatica by Sequencing of Microsatellite Loci”
Student: Jacob Mitchell
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Effect of Early Angiogenic Activation During the Avascular Regenerative Period in
Larval Axolotls”
Student: Rodrigo Montoro
Mentor: Dr. Renee Dickie (Biological Sciences)
“Minimization of the Pseudomonas Exotoxin A Catalytic Domain via N-Terminal Substitutions”
Student: Nicolas Philip
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Combination of Sulforaphane and Selenium on DNA Methylation in Colon Cancer Cells”
Student: Sarah Price
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Furin Mutant Sequencing”
Student: Danielle Reifer
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Studies on Chemical Fate of Carbamate Pesticides in Tropical Freshwater Systems”
Student: Michael Rivera
Mentor: Dr. Clare Muhoro (Chemistry)
“Bromination Kinetics in Natural Waters: How Useful Are Data Collected in ‘Clean’
Systems”
Student: Marella Schammel
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Fabrication of Tin Calcium Fluoride Hyperbolic Metamaterial Superconductors”
Student: Sabrina Searfoss
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Exploring the Bromination Kinetics of Anisole and Salicylic Acid in Natural Water
Systems”
Student: Tyler Swanson
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Development of a Plasmon-Enhanced Single-Beam Optical Trap for Controlled Manipulation
of Metal Nanostructures”
Student: Timothy Szekerczes
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
“Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt Nanoparticles for Ferrofluid Applications”
Student: Emmanuelle Nzouatcham Talsa
Mentor: Dr. Mary Sajini Devadas (Chemistry)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2016 – 2017
“Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles for Heavy Metal Sensing using Plants at Towson
University”
Student: Landon Bechdel
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Detection of Escherichia coli with a Plasmonic ELISA”
Student: Thomas Boise
Mentor: Dr. Kelly Elkins (Chemistry)
“Determining the Minimum Catalytic Fragment of Pseudomonas exotoxin A Domain III”
Student: Earl Brooks Jr.
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Acquisition and Interpretation of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectra of
Complex Organic Molecules using the JEOL 400MHz Spectrometer”
Student: Hannah Burdge
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“A Metagenomic Analysis of the Feline Microbiome in Relation to Diet and Probiotic
Supplementation”
Student: Eric Dales
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Prospective Science Teachers' Understanding of 3-Dimensional: Successes and Challenges”
Student: Lyvia DaSilva
Mentor: Dr. Deepika Menon (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Method Development for Selective Quantification of Chlorine and Bromine in Water
Samples”
Student: Ryan Dias
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Sulfides in Spinel of the Ethiopian Rift Valley”
Student: Zachery Dick
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Nelson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Quantifying Carbon Species form a Rural to Urban Gradient”
Student: Seth Dobbis
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Determining the Efficacy of Antiherpetic Vaginal Rings in vitro”
Students: Jensen Dunkling, Jennifer Suon and J. Brian White
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Phytochemical Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles using Extracts from Plants on TU's
Campus”
Student: Victoria Fusco
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Analysis of Drug Release and Viral Supporesion of Implant Devices through Plaque
Assay and High Performance Liquid Chromatography”
Students: Ariel Gordon and Ricardo Mack
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Onset of Angiogenesis in Regenerating Salamander Tails”
Student: Christopher Goss
Mentor: Dr. Renee Dickie (Biological Sciences)
“Development and Characterization of Dynamic Light Scattering Instrumentation to Determine
Nanoparticle Size”
Student: Samuel Harding
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Identification of the Cell Wall-associated Pneumococcal Protein Aminopeptidase N
as a Potential Target Degraded by the Neutrophil-derived Serine Protease, Neutrophil
Elastase”
Students: Scott Haynes and Charmaine Nganje
Mentor: Dr. Mara Shainheit (Biological Sciences)
“Population Demographics of Spotted Turtles in Central Maryland”
Student: Hunter Howell
Mentor: Dr. Richard Seigel (Biological Sciences)
“Characterization of Escherichia coli yfaT, a Gene Predicted to Function in Host-pathogen
Interactions”
Students: Jorden Lane
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis and Characterization of Vanadium-based Type II Metamaterial Superconductors”
Students: Kameron Langford and Timothy Szekerczes
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Petrographic Analysis of the Baltimore Mafic Complex”
Student: Jeremy Leierzapf
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Nelson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Investigating Surface-associated Choline Binding Protein on Streptococcus pneumoniae
as Potential Targets that are Degraded by Neutrophil Serine Proteases”
Student: Rachel Lent
Mentor: Dr. Mara Shainheit (Biological Sciences)
“Comparison of Gut Microbiomes between Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamandars throughout
Metamorphosis”
Student: Elizabeth Lyons
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Factors Controlling the Regioselectivty and Rate of Arene Bromination”
Student: Kayla Martin-Culet
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Analysis of Swordtail Fish DNA Using PCR to Detect Genetic Variation in Microsatellite
Loci”
Student: Crishia Martinez
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Electronic Behavior of Coumarin-labeled Quantum-sized AU Clusters”
Student: Angela Meola
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Synthesis of Methyl-naphthalene Sulfonyl Chlorides as Precursors to Chiral Sulfoxide
Ligands”
Student: Courtney Miller
Mentor: Dr. Timothy Brunker (Chemistry)
“Determination of Relative Proportions of Lithobates catesbeiana eDNA in Environmental
Water Samples”
Student: Jacob Mitchell
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“ICP-MS Detection Limits for Heavy Metals in Cocoa Liquors”
Student: Luke Monroe
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Stitzel (Chemistry)
“Chemical and Absorptive Properties of Atmospheric Aerosols”
Student: Ana Morales
Mentor: Dr. Katheryn Kautzman (Chemistry)
“Regulator RNA MTS 2282 ("B11") in Mycobacterium tuberculosis”
Student: Zelle Ndika
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“1870s/1880s and HSE Abundances of Boninites from the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Forearc, IODP
Expedition 352”
Student: Daniel Niles
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Nelson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Relationship between the 15kDa Selenoprotein and Colon Cancer Regulatory Genes
in Colon Tumorigenesis”
Student: Angelica Patterson
Mentor: Dr. Petra Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“Elucidation of Human Cytomegalovirus HCMV) US27 Protein-protein Interactions”
Student: Kiam Preston Jr.
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating the Role of Surface-associated Exoglycosidases StrH, NanB, and BgaA
in the Resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae to Killing by Neutrophil Serine Proteases”
Student: Christine Qabar
Mentor: Dr. Mara Shainheit (Biological Sciences)
“Using a CRISPR-Cas9 System to Alter His-715 of eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 (eEF2)”
Student: Jack Sanford
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Fabrication of Hyperbolic Metamaterial Superconductors”
Student: Sabrina Searfoss
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Towson University's Impact on the Water Quatlity of Local Streams”
Student: Derek Seibel
Mentor: Dr. Amy Williams (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Studies of the Reversible Hydroboration and Isomerization of Linear Alkenes using
Bulky Azaferrocene-boranes”
Student: Deanna Sersen
Mentor: Dr. Timothy Brunker (Chemistry)
“Bioenergetic Response to Stress: Lipid Content in Surface Water and Caddisfly Larvae
Across an Urban to Rural Gradient”
Student: Madison Smith
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Salice (Biological Sciences)
“Determination of Cocoa Chemical Signatures Using LC-MS”
Student: Paige Sudol
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“Detection and Quantification of Lithobates sylvaticus in Environmental DNA Samples
Using Species Specific Primers”
Student: Hassan Syed
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Regiospecific Rates and Steric Effects of Phenyl Ether Bromination by Aqueous Free
Bromine”
Student: Garrett Taggert
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Does Aquatic Hypoxia Affect Predation Intensity of Juvenile Striped Bass (Morone
saxatilis)”
Student: Anthony Tritz
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
“The Use of ddRADseq, a Partial Genome Sequence Technique, to Identify Polymorphic
Microsatellite Loci”
Student: Alexandra Vlk
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis and Characterization of a Graphene Oxide-metal Nanoparticle Hybrid System
for Dual Sensing Applications”
Student: Shelby Weatherbee
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Total Dissolved Silica in Stream Waters Across a Forested to Urban Gradient”
Student: David Wessner
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Evaluating Chloramphnicol as an Agonist in Recombinant Immunotoxin Mediated Cell
Death”
Student: Yu Yi Zhu
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2015 – 2016
“Characterizing Small Protein yoaX”
Student: Charles Allen
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Gas Chromatographic and Mass Spectroscopic Study of Desomorphine Attribution”
Student: Kayli Antos Mentor:
Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Characterizing of Small Protein YnfX in Escherichia coli”
Student: Andrea Bempong
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Quantification of Antiviral Efficacy of Anti herpetic Drug Released from Implant
Devices through Plaque Assay and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography”
Students: Kaitlyn Biles and Ariel Gordon
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Quantification on Inorganic Salt Aerosols around Towson, Maryland”
Student: Max Bloomberg
Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Kautzman (Chemistry)
“Comparison of Detection of Food-borne Pathogens by a PCR HRM Assay to a Rapid, Commercial-off-the-Shelf
Water Test Kit”
Student: Thomas Boise
Mentor: Dr. Kelly Elkins (Chemistry)
“Water Quality of Natural Springs on Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania”
Student: Tim Bredder
Mentor: Dr. Amy Williams (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Total Synthesis of Pyrophen and Campyrones A-C”
Student: Hannah Burdge
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“Investigating Choline Binding Proteins and Bacteriocins as Potential Targets on Streptococcus
Pneumoniae that are Degraded by Neutrophil Serine Proteases”
Students: Cory Casal and Rachel Lent
Mentor: Dr. Mara Shainheit (Biological Sciences)
“Pyroxenite Xenoliths of the East African Rift”
Student: Alexander Cox
Mentor: Dr. Wendy Nelson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Water Geochemistry from a Rural to Urban Gradient”
Student: Seth Dobbis
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Expression and Purification of Diphthaminde-modified Human Elongation Factor 2 from
HEK293 Cells”
Student: Nathaniel Donahue
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Optimum Solvent and Extraction for Aerosols”
Student: Stacey Dougher
Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Kautzman (Chemistry)
“Next - Generation Sequencing Analysis of the Impact of Urbanization on Coyote Gut
Microbiome”
Student: Ashley Firesryche
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Coyote Diet Comparative Analysis using Next - Generation Sequencing”
Student: Bruno Franco
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Confirming the Synthesis of Intragenic S.P. DsbB”
Student: Andrea Haupt
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“A Biochemical Approach to Identify Cell-wall Associated Proteins on Streptococcus
Pneumoniae that are Degraded by Neutrophil Serine Proteases”
Students: Scott Haynes and Charmaine Nganje
Mentor: Dr. Mara Shainheit (Biological Sciences)
“A Small Protein within Escherichia coli's Glutamine Synthetase”
Student: Jeffrey Hilditch
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Population Demographics of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) in Central Maryland”
Student: Hunter Howell
Mentor: Dr. Richard Seigel (Biological Sciences)
“Quantum Mechanical Tunneling Applied to Frustrated Total Internal Reflection”
Student: Nathan Hull
Mentor: Dr. Jia-An Yan (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Determining the Existence of Intragenic Small Proteins”
Student: John Kelly
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Opto-Electronic Properties of Monolayer-Protected Gold Clusters Functionalized with
a New Fluorescent Ligand”
Student: Thomas Kountz
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Using Acrylamide Gels to Determine the Allelic Diversity of Wood Frog Loci”
Student: Jessica Krummel
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“The Detection and Testing of Primers for Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction:
Detection of the American Toad (Anaxyrus americanum)”
Student: Melissa Lanborn
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters, (Biological Sciences)
“Investigation of the Magnetoresistance in Strained Thin Films of Electron-doped and
Hole‑doped Perovskite Manganites”
Students: Bridget Lawson and Samuel Neubauer
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Characterization of the Small Protein DsbB*”
Student: Christina Lein
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Characterization of the Role of yiaX in the Cell”
Student: Jordan Lingo
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Development of Mitochondrial DNA Primers Specific to Genetic Loci in Cope's Gray
Tree Frog for use in Quantitative PCR”
Student Elizabeth Lyons
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Are the Athletic Ones the Handsome Ones? Linking Female Preference to Locomoter Performance
in Xiphophorus montazumae”
Student: Rachael Mady
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Oufiero (Biological Sciences)
“Determination of Cocoa Liquor Provenance Using Fatty Acid Signatures”
Student: Sara Maloney
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Stitzel (Chemistry)
“Proposed Synthesis of Cleroburyin A”
Student: James Mease
Mentor: Dr. Keith Reber (Chemistry)
“Development of Primers for Identification of Lithobates catesbeiana in Environmental DNA Samples”
Student: Jacob Mitchell
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Properties of Atmospheric Aerosols Released During Biomass Burning”
Student: Ana Morales
Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Kautzman (Chemistry)
“Characterization of Virulence Factors in Escherichia coli that Promote Intracellular
Survival Following Phagocytosis by Dictyostelium discoideum”
Student: Phillip Phan
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Stereospecificity in the B-to-Z DNA Transition”
Student: Kelsey Polak
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Determination of Drug Release Kinetics of Antiherpetic Vaginal Rings in Simulated
Vagina Fluid”
Students: Jaspreet Samra and J. Brian White
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Using a CRISPR - Cas9 Knockout to Evaluate the Role of Ferin in the Intoxication
Pathway of Pseudomonas exotoxin A”
Student: Jack Sanford
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Chromatographic Investigation of the Interaction between the Polymorphic Compound
mCyPU and Tailored Surfaces”
Student: Brandon Smiddy
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“Development of Ruthenium Complexes of Chiral Sulfoxide Ligands as Redox and Light-Activated
Molecular Switches”
Student: Cassidy Stout
Mentor: Dr. Timothy Brunker (Chemistry)
“Determination of Cocoa Liquor Provencance using Elemental Signatures”
Student: Paige Sudol
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“Identification and Development of Lithobates sylvaticus Specific Primers for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)”
Student: Hassan Syed
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt Nanostructures and Its Catalytic Applications”
Student: Sarah Talamantez-Lyburn
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Identification and Testing of Polymerase Chain Reaction Primers for NextGeneration
Sequencing Analysis of Environmental DNA”
Student: Jill Taylor
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Population Diversity Analysis by Identification of Polymorphisms in the Wood Frog
Genome Using ddRADseq, A partial Genome Sequence Technique”
Student: Alexandra Vlk
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Chromatographic Investigation of the Interaction between the Polymorphic Compound,
mNPU and Tailored Surfaces”
Student: Taylor Watts
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“Synthesis of a Graphene Oxide-Metal Nanoparticle Hybrid System for Use as an Electrochemical
Sensor”
Student: Shelby Weatherbee
Mentor: Dr. Mary Devadas (Chemistry)
“Functional Analysis of Small Protein BybC in Escherichia coli”
Student: Jacob Wieland
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Magnification with Transformation Optics Lenses”
Student: William Zimmerman
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Designing an RNA Model for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis ydaO Riboswitch”
Student: Yongyun Zhou
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Combination Therapy to Enhance the Efficacy of Recombinant Immunotoxins: Evaluating
the Role of Mitochondrial Translation in Toxin-mediated Cell Death”
Student: Yuyi Zhu
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2014 – 2015
“Species and Strain Identification of Metarhizium Fungi through Culture-Dependent and Independent Methods”
Student: Tyler Biles
Mentor: Dr. Mark Bulmer (Biological Sciences)
“Quantifying Carbonaceous Contributions to Light-Absorbing Atmospheric Aerosols”
Student: Amanda Brock
Mentor: Dr. Beth Kautzman (Chemistry)
“Evaluation of a Biodegradable Penciclovir Matrix Delivery System for the Long Term
Reduction in HSV-2 Reactivations in Guinea Pig Model”
Students: Hannah Burdge and Maria Palitino
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Major and Minor Element Analysis of Ocean Island Basalt Sulfide Inclusions from Reunion
Island”
Student: Brett Caldwell
Mentor: Dr. Michael Mengason (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“How do Male Mountain Bluebirds Discover that their Eggs have Hatched”
Student: Chelsea Connor
Mentor: Dr. Scott Johnson (Biological Sciences)
“Determining How Teachers' Attitudes about Mathematics Professional Development Impact
the Changes They are Willing to Make”
Student: Britaney Cosner
Mentor: Dr. Honi Bamberger (Mathematics)
“Comparing the Effects of Various Neutral Diol Osmolytes with Trisethylenediaminecobalt
on the Transition from B-DNA to Z-DNA”
Student: Aloise Diedrich
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“The Occurrence of Micro-Bead Pollution in Baltimore Harbor”
Student: Jeremiah Feldstein
Mentor: Dr. Gregory Shofner (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Effect of Prophylactic Treatment of Penciclovir on Genital Herpes in Cotton Rats
(S. hispidus)”
Student: Jacqueline Hanfman
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies, (Biological Sciences)
“Application of the Brine Shrimp Lethality Tests to Electronic Cigarette e-liquids
and Produced Aerosols: A Toxicity Study”
Student: Jonathan Jopse
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Interaction of Tir Domains in Dictyostelium discoideum”
Student: Charrika Kelly
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Using Trace Element Chemical Signatures to Determine Cocoa Liquor”
Student: Ravleenkaur Khalsa
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“Determination of Cocoa Liquor Provenance Using Fatty Acid Signatures”
Student: Sara Maloney
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Stitzel (Chemistry)
“Do Parent Male Mountain Bluebirds Control the Time of Nest-Leaving in their Offspring”
Student: Andre Nguyen
Mentor: Dr. Scott Johnson (Biological Sciences)
“Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci Identification in Wood Frog Populations”
Student: Erika Lugo
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Refolding of Unmodified Human Elongation Factor 2 for the Vitro Reconstruction of
Diphthamide Synthesis”
Student: Nirja Patel
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Geochemical Analysis of the Weathered Products of the Mt. Washington Amphibolite
and Hollofield Ultramafite in the Piedmont near Baltimore, Maryland”
Student: Lisa Perrin
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Transition of B-to-Z DNA in the presence of Alcohol Osmolytes and Salt”
Student: Kelsey Polak
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Antiviral Efficacy and Quantification of Antiherpetic Drug Released from Devices
Created by a Novel Drug Delivery Method: Volatile Acid Solvent Evaporation (VASE)”
Students: Amandeep Samra, Kaitlyn Biles, Thamar Eitienne and Benjamin Harding
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“The Formation of Vesicle Minerals of Summit Rock, Oregon”
Student: Matt Schuetzle
Mentor: Dr. Gregory Shofner (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Development and Characterization of Dynamic Light Scattering Instrumentation to determine
Nanoparticle Size”
Student: Thomas Sebastian Jr.
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Effects of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor-2 Kinase siRNA Silencing on the Cytotoxicity
of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A”
Student: Jamy Therres
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Applications of Silver Staining Analysis Technique to the Wood Frog Project”
Student: Alexandra Vlk
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Chromatographic Investigation of the Interaction between a Polymorphic Compound and
Tailored Surfaces”
Student: Taylor Watts
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“The Role of Dictyostelium discoideum G protein in Signaling and Bacterial Responses”
Students: Theresa White
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“A Tale of Two Snails”
Student: Chelsea Winters
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Winters (Biological Sciences)
“Decreased Micro-Nutrients in Soil Due to Road Salt Addition”
Student: Gregory Woodward
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Nanoparticle Size Dependence of Transition Temperature of Metamaterial Superconductor”
Student: Kathryn Zander
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Role of Annealing in Nanoparticle-based Metamaterial Superconductors”
Student: William Zimmerman
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2013 – 2014
“Evolution of Gene Expression Validated Using the rtPCR Technique”
Students: Candice Amo-Adade and Jessica Foley
Mentor: Dr. David Hearn (Biological Sciences)
“Cross-Linker Effect on Molecular Imprinted Polymer Sensors”
Student: Daniel Baumann
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Stitzel (Chemistry)
“Characterizing the Expression of the puuP_puuA_1 Protein”
Student: Daniel Bennett
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Regioselective Bromination of Phenylalanine: Quantifying Reaction Rates Under Controlled
NaBr + NaOCL Conditions”
Student: Mark Bickley
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Development of Numerical Methods to Study Image Formation of Electron Scattering”
Student: Stephen Blama
Mentor: Dr. Jia-An Yan (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Transformation of an Herbicide's Active and 'Inert' Ingredients under Simulated Environmental
Conditions”
Student: Mark Burton
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Characterization of Small Protein argF_ISC1_3 in Escherichia coli”
StudentS: Baboucarr Ceesay and Kenneth Harris
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Elongation Factor 2 Levels and Immunotoxin Activity”
Student: Anne Chamoun
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“The B-Z-DNA Transition Under Elevated Temperatures and Osmotic Stress” Maimouna Cisse
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Analyzing and Manipulating Small Protein Expression in elba_ycgX_11”
Student: Aileen Delgadillo
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“The Evolution of Viviparity in Squamate Lizards and the Effect of Reproductive Mode
on Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism”
Student: Julia Dottle
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Oufiero (Biological Sciences)
“Effects on Surfacing Behavior of a Facultative Air Breather, Panaque maccus, in the Presence of the Predator”
Student: Molly Fisher
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
“Characterizing of caiT_fixA_0 Small Protein in Escherichia coli”
Student: David Fricker
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Characterizing Microsatellites in the American Toad”
Student: Allyson Genson
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Development of a Simple, Quantitative Assay for Unlabeled Acyclovir in Clinical Samples”
StudentS: Benjamin Harding and Kevon Sampson
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Isolation and Characterization of a Small Putative Protein Encoded by the torR_torC_0
Gene in Escherichia coli”
Student: Shawn Hirsch
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“The Differences in Locomotion Between Species of Cichlids from Lake Mawai with Various
Habitats and Diet”
Students: Shannon Horan and Nicole Staton
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Oufiero (Biological Sciences)
“Directed Evolution of a Small Protein”
Student: Aqsa Jamil
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Electronic Cigarette Aerosol Analysis: Instrumentation and Method Development”
Student: Jonathan Jopse
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Hondrogiannis (Chemistry)
“Investigation of Expression Patterns in Small Protein dadX in Escherichia coli”
Students: Megan Karanfil and Kelsey Shiflett
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Mineral Content and pH of Soil Sampled in the Glen Woods and Its Effect on Land Snails
Found”
Student: Shivani Kharod
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Winters (Biological Sciences)
“Analysis of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in US28 and Enhanced Binding Affinity of Viruses
to the Mutant Strain Compared to the Wild-Type”
Student: Laura Kretzer
Mentor: Dr. Elana Ehrlich (Biological Sciences)
“Experimental Demonstration of Luneburg Lens Waveguides”
Student: David Lahneman
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Planetary Accretion from E-Chondrites”
Student: Elizabeth Leidich
Mentor: Dr. Gregory Shofner (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Transformation of the MYB13 Gene”
Student: Sarah Lynch
Mentor: Dr. David Hearn (Biological Sciences)
“Effect of p53 Inhibition on Appendage Regeneration in Salamanders”
Student: Katelyn Marshall
Mentor: Dr. Renee Dickie (Biological Sciences)
“Transforming Brassica-Observing the Impact of Changes in Gene Expression in Wood
Development”
Student: Kristina Martin
Mentor: Dr. David Hearn (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating the Function of coaE_guaC_O in Escherichia coli”
Student: Taylor Mcllquham
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Turning Off the GPA: A Furin's Involvement in the Intoxication Pathway of Recombinant
Immunotoxins Based on Pseudomonas Exotoxin A”
Student: Bryan Miller
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Analysis of Cullin 5 Expression in Breast Cancer”
Student: Ninna Nana
Mentor: Dr. Elana Ehrlich (Biological Sciences)
“Does Social Status Influence Air-Breathing Behavior of a Facultative Air Breather,
Panaque maccus?”
Student: Cheyenne Owens
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
“Purification of Unmodified Human Elongation Factor 2 in Vitro Reconstitution of Diphthamide
Synthesis”
Student: Nirja Patel
Mentor: Dr. John Weldon (Biological Sciences)
“Chromatographic Investigation of Humic Substance Adsorption on Calcite”
Student: Carrie Reed
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“The Effects of Osmolytes and Transition Metal Complexes on the Conformational Transition
from B-DNA to Z-DNA”
Student: Daniela Rey-Ardila
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Flavonoids as a Tool to Investigate Regulation of Thioredoxin Reductase 1 and the
15kDa Selenoprotein in Colon Cancer”
Student: Lauren Rosso
Mentor: Dr. Peko Tsuji (Biological Sciences)
“A Novel Approach to Quantify Halide Concentration in Drinking Water and Related Matrices”
Student: Nicholas Sapienza
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Cloning and Characterization of CMV US28 Variants”
Student: Rebecca Silver
Mentor: Dr. Elana Ehrlich (Biological Sciences)
“Characterization of zupT_ribB_0 in Eschericha coli”
Student: Ying Tan
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Reactivity of Anisole and Bromoanisola Regiosomers Towards Brominating Agents in
Solutions of NaBr+ Free Available Chlorine”
Student: Daniel Victor
Mentor: Dr. John Sivey (Chemistry)
“Measuring Nanoparticle Size Using Dynamic Light Scattering”
Student: Thomas Volpe
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Structural and Electrical Properties of Thin Films of Electron-Dopes Mixed Valent
Rare Earth Manganites”
Student: Zoey Warecki
Mentors: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani & Dr. Grace Yong (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Structural Characterization of TIR Domain of Dictyostelium discoideum”
Student: Theresa White
Mentor: Dr. Michele Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Analysis of Cullin 5 Expression in Breast Cancer”
Student: Sarah Wicks
Mentor: Dr. Elana Ehrlich (Biological Sciences)
“Identification and Characterization of a Small Protein in Escherichia coli”
Student: Justin Willstaedt
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Decreased Plant Micronutrients in the Critical Zone Due to Halite Addition”
Student: Gregory Woodward
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Metamaterial Rout to High Temperature Superconductivity”
Student: Kathryn Zander
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The role of Dictyostelium discoideum TirA in Signaling and Anti-Bacterial Responses”
Student: Ava Zapf
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2012 – 2013
“Characterization of Small Escherichia coli Proteins”
Student: Fatimeh Abuikhdair
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Fabrication of Tapered Waveguides via Photolithography”
Student: Todd Adams
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova, (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Ferrofluids as Hyperbolic Metamaterials”
Student: Evan Bates
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Structural Characterization of TIR Domain of TirA, A TLR in Dictyostelium discoidium”
Student: Michael Berlett
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“The Effect of Relative Hydrophobicity of Osmolytes in the B-to-Z DNA Transition”
Student: Maimouna Cisse
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Development and Characterization of Dynamic Light Scattering Instrumentation to determine
Nanoparticle Size”
Student: Christopher DiFatta
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“CaMnO3-x: A Biomimetric Catalyst for Water Splitting”
Student: Tyler Goehringer
Mentor: Dr. Grace Yong (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Comparative Structural Macroanalysis of the Middle to Upper Solariun”
Student: James C. Gossweiler
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Effects of Hypoxia on Fitness in Juvenile Striped Bass, Morone saxatiles”
Student: Raven S. Gossweiler
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
“Characterization of the Small Protein yciX-can1 in Escherichia coli”
Student: Matthew Howard
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Quantifying Land Use and Lithology Across USGS Gaged Catchments in the Maryland Piedmont
Region”
Student: Katherine Hresko
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Spiropyran Dyes: A Comparison of Two Synthetic Methods”
Student: Navdeep Kaur
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Stitzel (Chemistry)
“Small Pool Analysis for Microsatellite Mutations in Spotted Salamanders”
Student: Brianna Lynn
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Investigation of the Relationship between Tetradentate Aminosulfoxide Ligand Structure
and Geometric Isomerism in their Ru(II) Dichloride Complexes”
Student: William Nagel
Mentor: Dr. Timothy Brunker (Chemistry)
“Provenance Determination of Dark Chocolates using Organic and Trace Element Chemical
Signatures”
Student: Naissem Le Nodjinam
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Stitzel (Chemistry)
“Trace Mineral Chemical Composition and Distribution in Common Carbonate Aquifer Materials
and Contribution to Risks in Carbon Capture and Sequestration”
Student: Allison Rico
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Effects of Photolithography Processes on the Properties of Manganite Thin Films”
Student: Christopher Rubin
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Developing Thin Films of La1-x-yCaxPbyMnO3 for Uncooled Bolometer Application”
Student: Evan Schulz
Mentor: Dr. Grace Yong (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Behavioral Olfactory Responses of House Crickets to Plant Volatiles”
Student: Harlan Shafer
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Dictyostelium discoideum TirA Stimulates Generation of Reactive Oxygen in Response to Bacteria”
Student: Kierra Stephens
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Analysis of Reproductive Behavior in Male Spotted Salamanders”
Student: Katherine Sunderland
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Multiple Paternity Testing in Housed Southern Stingrays (Dasyatis amaericana) by Examination of Microsatellites”
Student: Joseph Szewczyk
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Designing a Ribosomal RNA Model for Understanding the Effects of Mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis”
Student: Amber Truitt
Mentor: Dr. Ana-Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Analysis of Circulating Strains of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in Mali”
Student: Sarah Wicks
Mentor: Dr. Elana Ehrlich (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2011 – 2012
“An Investigation of Leaf and Stem Anatomical Features in Chrysothamnus. Do Anatomical Features Inform Evolutionary Relationships among Species?”
Student: Scottie Berk
Mentor: Dr. Roland Roberts, (Biological Sciences)
“Temporal Variation in the Structure of Aquatic Turtle Populations”
Student: Nathan Byer
Mentor: Dr. Richard Seigel (Biological Sciences)
“Fine Structure of Olfactory Antennal Sensory Organs of the Cricket, Acheta domesticus”
Student: Curtisha Charles
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“The B-to-Z form DNA Transition”
Student: Charlotte Chaze
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“The Role of Chemical Denaturants and Helix Stabilizers in Inducing Conformational
Transition from B-to-Z DNA”
Student: Charlotte Chaze
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Seed Dispersal Pathways of Wavy Leaf Basket Grass”
Student: Ken Compher
Mentor: Dr. Vanessa Beauchamp (Biological Sciences)
“Optically Pumping a Dye for Resonance Raman Spectroscopy”
Student: Michael DeRito
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Development of Design Techniques for Accessible Data Visualization for the Blind:
The Weather Map Project”
Student: Rhian Driscoll
Mentor: Dr. Suranjan Chakraborty (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Biochemical Characterization of Small Cytochrome Oxidase Proteins”
Student: Caitlin Fagan
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Solidago sempervirens L.”
Student: Nyshia Garcia
Mentors: Dr. Rolland Roberts & Dr. Larry Wimmers (Biological Sciences)
“Effects of Thermal Annealing Process on Magnetoresistance of Rare Earth Manganese
Oxide Thin Films”
Student: Tyler Goehringer
Mentor: Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Neural Origins of Intraspecific Variance in Hypoxia Tolerance of Juvenile Striped
Bass (Morone saxatilis)”
Student: Andrew Gschweng
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
“Investigation into the Essential Amino Acids for Small Protein Ybgt Function in Escherichia coli”
Student: Brittany Haynes
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“A Mammal Species Survey at Eden Mill Nature Center”
Student: Rachel Herbert
Mentor: Dr. Harold Beck (Biological Sciences)
“Fledging Behavior of the Mountain Bluebird”
Student: Rachel Herbert
Mentor: Dr. L. Scott Johnson (Biological Sciences)
“Cross Species Microsatellite Evaluation: The Case of Simarouba amara and Ailanthus altissima”
Student: Leteisha Hunt
Mentor: Dr. Roland Roberts (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis of Phosphanyl(Organyl)Boranes and their uses as Ligands In Transition Metal
Complexes”
Student: Anthony Jiang
Mentor: Dr. Clare Muhoro, (Chemistry)
“Structural Characterization of Dictyostelium TIR Domain-Containing Proteins”
Student: Krista Johnson
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder, (Biological Sciences)
“Determining Drug Output in Two Types of Silicone Implant”
Student: Nicole Johnson
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies, (Biological Sciences)
“Invasive Ecology of Oplismenus H. undulatifolius (Wavy-Leaf Basket Grass) Based on Mycorrhizal Associations in Northern Maryland Deciduous
Forests”
Student: Cody Kepner
Mentor: Dr. Vanessa Beauchamp, (Biological Sciences)
“Biochemical Characterization of the Small Cytochrome Oxidase Protein YccB”
Student: Meighan LeGrand
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Investigation of ADAD1 for Use in a Multiplex Real Time PCR Assay for the Detection
of Sperm in Forensic Samples”
Student: Carlo Mercado
Mentor: Dr. Cynthia Zeller (Chemistry)
“Dendrochronology of Heavy Metal Contamination of Extinct Palmerton, Pennsylvania
Zinc Smelting Site”
Student: Elizabeth Myers
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Can Female Mountain Bluebirds Control the Hatching Times of their Eggs”
Student: Felicia Napolillo
Mentor: Dr. L. Scott Johnson (Biological Sciences)
“Soil Speciation within Palmerton, Pennsylvania Zinc Smelting Site's Air Shed”
Student: Julie New
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Titanium (II)-Catalyzed Hydroborations of Novel Unsaturated Heteroatomic Substrates”
Student: Abdulafeez Oluyadi
Mentor: Dr. Clare Muhoro (Chemistry)
“Effects of Base Substitutions on the Stability of Kissing Loop Complexes”
Student: Monica Padgett
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Identification and Quantification of Anthropogenic Aerosol Compounds and Levels in
Towson, Maryland”
Student: Kumaran Ramakrishnan
Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Kautzman (Chemistry)
“Carbon Cycling in an Urban Environment”
Student: Michael Reed
Mentor: Dr. Joel Moore (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Palepathology of Cetacean Vertebra from Pope's Creek, Calvert County, Maryland”
Student: Allison Ricko
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Filer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Pulse Laser Deposition (PLD) of Y2Ba4Cu8O16 (Y248) Epitaxial Thin Films”
Student: Evan Schulz
Mentor: Dr. Grace Yong (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Role of Dictyostelium TirA in the Signal Transduction Response to Bacterial Prey”
Student: Bivor Shrestha
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Detection of Misidentified Plants in the San Juan Estate Cocoa Collection”
Student: Michael Smith
Mentor: Dr. Roland Roberts (Biological Sciences)
“DNA Barcoding Polygyrid Land Snails within the Order Stylommatophora using Mitochondrial
Gene 12S”
Student: Thomas Swauger
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Winters (Biological Sciences)
“The Effects of Urbanization on the Hydrology of Upper Herring Run Watershed”
Student: Michael Thorpe
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Filer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Exploring the Utility of Microsatellites for Unraveling Evolutionary Relationships
Among Species of Lorandersonia”
Student: Joseph Walburn
Mentor: Dr. Roland Roberts (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2010 – 2011
“Identification of Dictyostelium discoideum”
Student: Naomi Ampofoh
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder, (Biological Sciences)
“Visual orientation behavior of gypsy moth larvae to emissive colors”
Student: Katelyn Bettie
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields, (Biological Sciences)
“Biochemical purification of cytochrome bd oxidases with the small proteins YbgT and
YccB”
Students: James Burton and Robert Hanna
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm, (Biological Sciences)
“Effects of variable stem length on RNA flexibility”
Student: Gordon Crews
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto, (Chemistry)
“Synthesis of Boron Nitride nanotubes via chemical vapor deposition and arc discharge”
Students: Michael DeVanzo, Gene Shanholz and Joshua Tyler
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Inveestigating the impact of caffeine on FOS protein expression in the nucleus accumbens
of the rat”
Student: Paulomi Dholakia
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Duncan-Vaidya (Biological Sciences)
“Strain relaxation and low field magneto-resistance in ultra thin manganite films”
Students: Gilles Dongmo-Momo and Cacie Hart
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani, (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Magneto-resistance studies of strained manganese oxide thin films”
Students: Gilles Dongmo-Momo and Cacie Hart
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani, (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Identifying the bacteria associated with the Dung Beetle, Onthophagus taurus”
Student: Karla Feeser
Mentor: Dr. Ann Estes, (Biological Sciences)
“Germination and competitiveness of Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius, new invader in Maryland forests” Megan Ghothane
Mentor: Dr. Vanessa Beauchamp, (Biological Sciences)
“Effects of thermal annealing process on Rare Earth manganese oxide thin films”
Student: Tyler Goehringer
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Investigation into the role of small proteins YbgT and YccB in cytochrome oxidase
activity in Escherichia coli”
Student: Brittany Haynes
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Hemm (Biological Sciences)
“Ellicott City Granite: cause of foliation and feldspar lath alignment”
Student: Lindsay Keeney
Mentor: Dr. Rachel Burks Rea (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Short term ingestive feedback mechanisms in gypsy moth larvae”
Students: Madiha Khalid and Jillian Sanford
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“How do environmental conditions affect animal reproductive strategies? Insight from
a study of Tree Swallows breeding under extreme conditions”
Student: Dovid Kozlovsky
Mentor: Dr. L. Scott Johnson (Biological Sciences)
“Effect of mutation in the binding of Kanamycin to Mycobacterium tuberculosis”
Student: Ying Li
Mentor: Dr. Ana Maria Soto (Chemistry)
“Determination of Nitrogen and Phosphorus surface runoff and groundwater leaching
of a Tall Fescue lawn with an application of granular 14-2-14 on lawns of varying
slope”
Student: Gregory Lomb
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Filer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Titanium (II)-catalyzed hydroborations of novel unsaturated heteroatomic substrates”
Student: Abdulafeez Oluyadi
Mentor: Dr. Clare Muhoro (Chemistry)
“Quantifying Bumblebee (Bombus so.) population decline through microsatellite date”
Student: Travis Poulsen
Mentor: Dr. David Hearn (Biological Sciences)
“Strategies for breeding in an unpredicatbel and harsh environment: Do Tree Swallows
set up some of their offspring to die?”
Student: David Satterfield
Mentor: Dr. L. Scott Johnson (Biological Sciences)
“Measurement of nano-structured graphitic carbon using micro-Raman spectroscopy”
Student: Logan Scheel
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Caffeine-induced reinstatement of sucrose seeking in rats”|
Student: Catherine Vogel
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Duncan-Vaidya (Biological Sciences)
“Improved synthesis of Penciclovir [PCV; 9-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxymrthtlbut-1-yl)guanine]”
Student: Steven Whitt
Mentors: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences) & Dr. Lev Ryzhkov (Chemistry)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2009 – 2010
“Homeland Security: Chlorine Transportation Optimization for the Chemical Security
Analysis Center”
Students: Jonathan Howe, Derek Morgan, Patrick O'Neill, Michael Orlitzky, Solomon
Stein, Samantha Stevenson and Alana Thompson
Mentors: Dr. Sergiy Borodachov & Dr. Alexei Kolosnikov (Mathematics)
“The Effect of Deterrents on Gypsy Moth Food Consumption: A Behavioral Investigation”
Students: Nnenna Aginam and Jillian Sanford
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Detection of Misidentified Plants in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad”
Student: James Bardsley, III
Mentors: Dr. Roland Roberts & Dr. Larry Wimmers (Biological Sciences)
“Isolation and Identification of Termite Fungal Pathogens”
Student: Roxann Cavey
Mentor: Dr. Mark Bulmer (Biological Sciences)
“Micro-Raman Spectroscopy and AFM Studies of Atomically-Thin Graphite”
Students: John Hasslinger and Kevin Mead
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“000100100 Questions”
Student: Michael Matthews
Mentor: Dr. Darush Davani (Computer & Information Sciences)
“Sensitivity of B-to-Z- DNA Transition to Macromolecular Crowding”
Student: Crista Nguemeta
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Phylogepgraphy of Arabidopsis Lyrata ssp. Lyrata Inferred from the Distribution of G3pdh Haplotypes among Populations in the Eastern
United States”
Student: Abdulafeez Oluyadi
Mentor: Dr. Roland Roberts (Biological Sciences)
“Development of Chiral Azaferrocenes”
Student: Benjamin Roembke
Mentor: Dr. Timothy Brunker (Chemistry)
“Do Mammals Utilize Storm Water Retention Ponds as a Surrogate for Natural Wetlands?”
Student: David Satterfield
Mentor: Dr. Harald Beck (Biological Sciences)
“Identification of Peptides which Effectively Modify Calcite Crystal Growth”
Student: Stephanie Stanley
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“Evaluating Water Chemistry in Rural and Urban Watersheds on Trace Metal Uptake in
Black Nose Dace Otoliths”
Student: Elluz Chong Qui
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Effect of Susbtrate and Thickness Variation in the Properties of Rare Earth Manganese
Oxide Thin Films Used for Infrared Detectors”
Students: Gilles Dongmo-Momo and Dou Dou Qian
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Autonomous Helicopter Software”
Student: Lynn Durholz, Josh Giltinan and Logan Scheel
Mentor: Dr. Darush Davani (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Assessing the Influence of Road Salting Techniques on Surface Water Chemistry in
the Red Run Watershed, Maryland”
Student: Kristen Lazzeri
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Effect of the Conformational Flexibility between Monodentate Ligand and Bidentate
Ligand in B-to-Z-DNA Transition: Role of Hydration”
Student: Crista Tiyouh Nguemeta
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Investigating the Impact of Caffeine on Sucrose Self-Administration in Rats”
Student: Edward Retzbach
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Vaidya (Biological Sciences)
“Identification of the Function and Mechanism of Autophagy in Dictyostelium discoideum”
Student: Lauren Winter
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating the Impact of Short-term and Chronic Caffeine Effects on Anxiety”
Student: Whitney Marie Wolfgang
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Vaidya (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2008 – 2009
“Transition Metal Complexes and the B-to-Z- DNA Transition: Investigating the Role
of Charge and Hydration”
Student: Ira Ashman
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Detection of Misidentified Plants in the International Cocoa Genebank, Trinidad”
Student: James Bardsley, III
Mentors: Dr. Rolland Roberts & Dr. Larry Wimmers (Biological Sciences)
“Oolitic Limestone Bed within Appalachian Acadian Flysch”
Student: Alison Bradford
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Filer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Detection of Illicit Synthetically Prepared Hormones Found in Ground Veal”
Student: Shawn Callahan
Mentor: Dr. James Saunders (MB3)
“Avoidance of Chemical Cues by the Northern Two-Lined Salamander, Eurycea bislineata”
Student: Lisa Chicarella
Mentor: Dr. Donald Forester (Biological Sciences)
“Evaluating the effects of roadway derived Zn on the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, in an urban soil”
Student: Elluz Chong Qui
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Characterizations of Three Spiroplasma Strains Isolated from Leafhopper Insects”
Student: Grace Demehin
Mentor: Dr. Gail Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
“Synthesis of an Isotopically Labeled Acyclovir to Study Pharmacokinetics in Mice”
Student: Daniel Dougher
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“How are Arthropod Decomposer Communities Affected by Varying Deer Densities?”
Student: Daniel Ellis
Mentor: Dr. Harald Beck (Biological Sciences)
“Genetic Analysis of Gopher Tortoises from Moody Air Force Base”
Student: Oluwarotimi Folorunso
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Sinclair (Biological Sciences)
“Development of Perovskite Manganite Thin Films for Uncooled Night Vision Sensors
and Other Room Temperature Applications”
Student: Bao Ha
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Effect of Magnetic Field on Photoinduced Effects in Bi0.4Ca0.6MnO3”
Student: Benjamin Hofmanng
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Building NXT Robot To Communicate With Existing Robots”
Student: Seungmin Kang
Mentor: Dr. Darush Davani (Computer and Information Sciences)
“The Fabrication of a Vector to Report HHV-6 Infection of Oligodenrocytes Using Fluorescence
Microscopy”
Student: Eric Legenzov
Mentors: Dr. Barry Margulies & Dr. Larry Wimmers (Biological Sciences)
“Determining the Sensitivity of Gustatory Neurons in the Maxillary Styloconic Sensilla
of Gypsy Moth Larvae”
Students: Timothy Martin and and Khalid Srour
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating the Impact of Binge Eating on Anxiety in a Rodent Model”
Student: Heidi McGee
Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Vaidya (Biological Sciences)
“Multi-Modal Communication Between Robots”
Student: Richard Murphy
Mentor: Dr. Darush Davani (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Isolation and Amplification of the psaI-R75 - accD Chloroplast Gene for Phylogenetic Inference among Species of Chrysothamnus”
Student: Helen Naylor
Mentor: Dr. Roland Roberts (Biological Sciences)
“Growth of Juvenile Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) Along an Urban to Rural Gradient”
Student: Jennifer Rollins
Mentor: Dr. Joel Snodgrass (Biological Sciences)
“A Veterinary Use for Subcutaneous Implants to Treat FHV-1”
Student: Samantha Semenkow
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Development of an Easily Implemented Quantitative Assay for Unlabeled Acyclovir in
Clinical Samples”
Student: Carmine Sonzone
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Improving the Phage Display Technique for Identifying Calcite-binding Peptides”
Student: Stephanie Stanley
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“Is Flow Preference of Individual Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) Dependent on Performance Ability or Environmental History?”
Student: Nicole Williamson
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2007 – 2008
“Heteroepitaxy of Peroskite Metal Oxides Thin Films on Silicon: The Effect of Thermal
Stress”
Student: Sanjay Adhikari
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Sediment Delivery Into the Confluence of Potomac & Shenandoah River”
Student: Daniel Benbow
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Filer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Effects of White-Tailed Deer on Leaf Litter Ant Communities”
Student: Adam Busy
Mentor: Dr. John LaPolla (Biological Sciences)
“The Behavioral Effects of Chronically Elevated Stress Hormones”
Student: Charles Chambers
Mentor: Dr. Jack Shepard (Biological Sciences)
“Fluid Inclusion Analysis of Massive Anhydrite From the Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea”
Student: Michael Cotter
Mentor: Dr. David Vanko (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Investigation of the Oxidation Growth Kinetics of Doped (La0.67Ba0.33MnO3) and Undoped (LaMnO3) Perskovite Films using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) lithography”
Students: Michael Earle and Marc Schneider
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Identification of TirA-associating Proteins in Dictyostelium discoideum”
Students: Mike Elwarner, Jessica Leuschner and Leila Logue
Mentor: Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“How are Arthropod Decomposer Communities Affected by Varying Deer Densities?”
Student: Daniel Ellis
Mentor: Harald Beck (Biological Sciences)
“Identification of Novel Gene Products Involved in Bacterial Recognition by Dictyostelium discoideum”
Student: James Foley
Mentor: Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Exploration and Analysis of Transition Metal Complexes: The roles of Charge, Hydrogen
Bonding, and Stereochemistry on the stabilization of Z-DNA”
Student: Bao Ha
Mentor: Dr. Richard Preisler (Chemistry)
“Identification of the Mechanism for Chiral Modification of Calcite Morphology by
Aspartic Acid Enantiomers”
Student: Sausan M. Jaber
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“High Temperature Electronic Transport Properties of Bi1-x (Sr1- y Cay)x MnO3”
Student: Khim B. Karki
Mentors: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“An External Morphological Investigation of the Labial Palp Organ”
Student: Neal Karlin
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Assessing the Presence of Antimony in Storm Water Retention Basin Soils in the Red
Run Watershed, Owings Mills, Maryland”
Student: Meaghan Kimmitt
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences)
“Has Evolution Occurred in Ragweed in Response to Urban Environments”
Student: Tiha Long
Mentor: Dr. Larry Wimmers (Biological Sciences)
“Analysis of Microbial Communities Present During Post-Harvest Fermentation of Trinidadian
Cocoa”
Student: Ashley Kurzweil
Mentor: Dr. Joy Watts (Biological Sciences)
“Sensory Coding of Stimulants and Deterrents by Gypsy Moth Larvae: SA Neuropsychological
Investigation”
Students: Timothy Martin and Khalid Srour
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Effects of Predicted Sea Level Rise on Block Island”
Student: Vivian L. Moran
Mentor: Dr. David Vanko (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Decreasing Stereotypic Behaviors in Captive Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) with the Use of a Modified Foraging Enrichment Device”
Student: Shannon Murphy
Mentor: Dr. L. Scott Johnson (Biological Sciences)
“Nest-site Selection by Northern Two-lined Salamanders (Eurycea bislineata)”
Students: Schyler Nunziata, Emily Anderson and Christine Chun
Mentor: Dr. Donald Forester (Biological Sciences)
“Investigation on Processes of Degradation of N-Methyl Carbamate Pesticides under
Environmental Aquatic Conditions”
Student: Demar R.G. Pitter
Mentor: Dr. Clare Muhoro (Chemistry)
“A Controlled Method of Raising Blacknose Dace, Rhinichthys atratulus, in the Laboratory”
Student: Jessie Salmon
Mentor: Dr. Joel Snodgrass (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating the Microbial Diversity in the GI Tract of the Wood Eating Catfish”
Student: Damian Smoot
Mentor: Dr. Joy Watts (Biological Sciences)
“A Novel Chromatographic Approach to Select Effective Peptide Modifiers of Calcium
Carbonate Crystal Growth”
Student: Tissa J. Thomas
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry)
“Effects of Post-Deposition Thermal Annealing on the Properties of ‘CMR Manganite’
Thin Films”
Student: Gene VanMeter
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Grease Wipe: A Class Characteristic”
Student: Derrek Windsor
Mentors: Dr. Ryan Sours (Chemistry) & Dr. Dana Kollmann (Sociology, Anthropology and
Criminal Justice)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2006 – 2007
“Calibration of Magnetic Force Between Atomic Force Microscope Tip and Titanium Current
Nano-Ring”
Students: Sanjay Adhikari and Carey Baxter
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Examination of the Properties of CMR Thin Films under Different Deposition Properties
of the Development Manganite Sensors”
Student: Sanjay Adhikari and Katie Walker
Mentors: Dr. Raj Kolagani & Dr. Grace Young (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Characterization of Dictyostelium discoideum Acyloxaycl Hydrolase Gene”
Students: Daniel Cassily and Dave Samaroo
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Study of I-V Characteristics in La0.7-yPryCa0.3MnO3 Thin Films”
Student: Anthony Davidson, III
Mentor: Dr. Raj Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Enzymes of Energy Supply and Spring Swimming Performance of Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) at Two Levels of Training”
Student: Alex Fishman
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
“Measuring the Flux of Roadway Derived Metals in the Red Run Watershed, Owings Mills,
Maryland”
Student: Robert Flora
Mentor: Dr. Stephen Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Analysis and Characterization of a Novel Arabidopsis thaliana N-Methyltransferase”
Student: Kathleen Ketchum
Mentors: Dr. Cynthia Bolognese (Chemistry)
“Determination of the Rate of Guanosine from a Silicone Implant”
Student: Rachel Stephens-Kuester
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Population Structure of Solidago sempevirens: An Obligate Halophyte Distributed Along the Chesapeake Bay”
Student: Wanda Massey
Mentor: Dr. Roland Roberts (Biological Sciences)
“Genetic Diversity of terrestrial Snail, Ventridens ligera, Populations of Plummers Island”
Student: Rebecca McConnell
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Sinclair (Biological Sciences)
“Characterization of Dictyostelium discoideum Receptor/Lys M Domain-Containg Protein”
Student: Uju Nnameka
Mentor: Dr. Michelle Snyder (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating Vulnerabilities of Bluetooth Technologies”
Student: Michael J. Orr
Mentor: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Processing of Gustatory Information by Taste Organs in Gypsy Moth Larvae: An Electrophysiological
Study”
Student: Nick Rich
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Sensory Complement Belt”
Student: Julius Schlosburg
Mentor: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Catalytic Hydroboration of Vinyphosphines as a Route to Phosphany(organyl)boranes”
Student: Sonia Thangavelu
Mentor: Dr. Clare Muhoro (Chemistry)
“A New method to Treat Herpesvirus Infections”
Student: Rachel Zinsou
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2005 – 2006
“Are activities of enzymes supplying immediate energy to muscle related to sprint
swimming performance in blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus)”
Student: Angela Amato
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
“Feeding Stimulant Mixtures on Deterrency in Gypsy Moth Larvae”
Student: Nicole Arnold
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Identification of non-biting midgen (Cricotopus sp.) from Baltimore area streams,
for use in the development of a DNA sequence catalog”
Student: Daniel Cassilly
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Sinclair (Biological Sciences)
“Analysis of In Vivo Acyclovir Release in Murine Models Using High Pressure Liquid
Chromatography”
Student: Jason Cochran
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Development of NSMO thin films on Silicon for X-Ray Detector Applications”
Students: David Cox and Rajeh Mundle
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Study of Magneto resistance in La. PR. Ca3MnO3 thin films”
Student: Anthony Davidson
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Potential role of Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF) in Mediating Stress Potentiated
Anxiety in Rats”
Student: Maudlyn Etekochay
Mentor: Dr. Jack Shepard (Biological Sciences)
“Extinction Patterns of the Frasnian-Famennian Boundary”
Student: Jamie Fleming
Mentor: Dr. Jon Filer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Structural Analysis of Soapstone in Montgomery and Howard County Quarries”
Student: Brandon Glass
Mentor: Dr. Rachel Burks (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Nanolithography Using the AFM”
Students: Kyle Hall and Matthew Sneider
Mentor: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Compositional Analysis of Perovsike-Maganese Oxide Thin Films Using X-Ray Fluorescence
(XRF) Spectroscopy”
Student: Andrew Hurst
Mentors: Dr. Rajeswari Kolagani and Dr. Steve Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Effect of Uptake Route on Bioaccumulation of Trace Elements in Larval Amphibians”
Student: Katherine Jackson
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Casey (Chemistry)
“Development and In Vitro Evaluation of a Transdermal Acyclovir Patch”
Students: Lucia Principe and Seyed Tofighbakhsh
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Investigating Phylogenetic Relationships among Species of Chrysothamnus: An Evaluation of the Phylogenetic Utility of Seven Nuclear Genes”
Student: Jonathan Soistman
Mentor: Dr. Roland Roberts (Biological Sciences)
“Effects of a Wetlands Drawdown on an Aquatic Snake”
Student: Nicole Wright
Mentor: Dr. Richard Seigel (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2004 – 2005
“Inertial Navigation Systemy”
Student: Jonathan Buck
Mentor: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Setting up an Infrastructure for PYRO Robotics Experiments Based on the PYRO Software
Package”
Student: Matthew Brake
Mentors: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Characterization of a Novel Spiroplasma Strain & Design of Spiroplasma Specific PCR Primers”
Student: R. Thomas Koerbe
Mentor: Dr. Gail Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
“RNA Analysis & Differential Gene Expression in Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus): Effects of Urbanization”
Student: Elizabeth Tall
Mentor: Dr. Gail Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
“A Novel Therapy for Herpesvirus Infections”
Student: Michael Carr
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
“Photoinduced Resistivity Changes in Bi0.4Ca0.6MnO3 Thin Films”
Student: Robert Kennedy
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Relaxation of Photoinduced Effects in Bi0.4Ca0.6MnO3 Thin Films”
Student: Robert Kennedy
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Car Tires as a Source of Zinc to the Environment”
Student: Elizabeth Hamilton
Mentor: Dr. Steve Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Gene Identification in Corals: Understanding Gene Evolution for Cell Survival”
Student: Sovath Chum
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Sinclair (Biological Sciences)
“Determining the Provenance of Sediments Deposited During the Late Devonian Within
the Central Appalachian Basin”
Student: Jason Dinh
Mentors: Dr. Jon Filer & Dr. Steve Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Urban Environment, Global Warming and Genetic Diversity in Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Common Ragweed)”
Student: John Maciolek
Mentors: Dr. Roland Roberts & Dr. Larry Wimmers (Biological Sciences)
“Prehistoric Native American Soapstone Vessels and Quarries In and Around the Patuxent
River”
Student: Laura Cohen
Mentor: Dr. Rachel Burks (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Sentry Unit”
Students: Richard Snyder, James Cox, Katrina Howard and Andrew Ajello
Mentor: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Electrophysiological Responses of Receptor Cells in the Galeal Styloconic Sensilla
of Gypsy Moth Larvae: Tuning, Sensitivity, and Temporal Coding Properties”
Student: Joshua Swearingen
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Taxonomical Analysis of Subfamilies of Robber Flies (Diptera asilidae) Using Molecular Techniques”
Student: Stephen Page
Mentor: Dr. Gail E. Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2003 – 2004
“Near Field Scanning Optical Microscope for Photoinduced Effect Study”
Student: Luis Adalco
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Robot Morphology Studies”
Student: Jeffrey Berg
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani & Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Robot Morphology”
Student: Daniel Bittner
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani & Dr. Goran Trajkovski(Computer and Information Sciences)
“Biological Particle Adhesion and Materials Characterization Using the Inductively
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)”
Students: Michael Buck and Carolyne Gikunju
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Study of Macromolecular Bio-crystals Using Atomic Force Microscopy”
Student: Kevin Bunin
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Effects of Combining Selected Deterrent Phytochemicals on the Feeding Behavior of
Gypsy Moth Larvae”
Student: Don Bunney
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Searching for Potential RNA Interference Targets”
Student: Steven D. Callahan
Mentors: Dr. David Rawn (Chemistry) & Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information
Sciences)
“Fluids Accompanying Tourmaline Growth Within Early Paleozoic Metasediments of the
Maryland Piedmont: Fluid Inclusion Evidence”
Student: Cassandra Cook
Mentor: Dr. David Vanko (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Wireless Interfacing With Brain Stem Robots”
Students: Adam Durana and Kevin Mager
Mentor: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Camera Based Object Identifier”
Students: Gleb Gudzenko and Julius Schlosburg
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani & Dr. Goran Trajkovski(Computer and Information Sciences)
“A Watershed Model for Minebank Run”
Student: Michael Hansei
Mentor: Dr. Brian Fath (Biological Sciences)
“The Geologic Character of the Former Upper Devonian Appalachian Mountain Belt”
Student: Maritza Mejias
Mentors: Dr. Jonathan Filer & Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Rare Earth Element and Trace Element Investigation of the Minerals Within the Loch
Raven Schist”
Student: Francis McCubbin
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
“Pb-Pb Dating of Metamorphic Garnets from the Maryland Piedmont”
Student: Emily Neral
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
“Measurement of Photo-Induced Resistance Change in Thin Films”
Student: Mason Overby
Mentor: Dr. M. Raj Rajeswari (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
“Taxonomical Analysis of Subfamilies of Robber Flies (Diptera asilidae) Using Molecular Techniques”
Student: Stephen Page
Mentor: Dr. Gail E. Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
“802.11G Networking Research and Implementation for the Robotics Laboratory”
Student: Vassilos Pirpiris
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani & Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Victim Acquisition Agent”
Student: Daniel Stamate
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani & Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Victim Acquisition Agent Project, Part 2”
Students: Matthew Roberts and Daniel Stamate
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani & Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Charge Ordering in Bi1-xCaxMnO3 Thin Films”
Student: Luanje A. Tifang
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences)
“Responses of a Headwater Stream Minnow to Various Stream Odors”
Student: Brittany Trushel
Mentor: Dr. Joel Snodgrass (Biological Sciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2002 – 2003
“Screening Deterrent Phytochemicals as Possible Biocontrol Agents Against Gypsy Moth
Larvae”
Student: Kismet-Gerald Tetteh Agbasi
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Effects of Adenosine and its Modulators on Regional Blood Flow”
Student: Haja Fatmata B. Bah
Mentor: Dr. Erik Silldorff (Biological Sciences)
“Imprinting to Chemical Cues: The Basis for Home Pond Selection by Marbled Salamanders
(Ambystoma opacum)”
Students: Jessica Blake and Richard Edmunds
Mentor: Dr. Don C. Forester (Biological Sciences)
“Measuring of Fungal Spore Adhesive Forces using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Techniques”
Student: Michael Buck
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Sources of Late Devonian Sediments in the Appalachian Basin”
Student: John Burkley
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“An Analysis of the Optimal Staffing Level of the Baltimore City Fire Department”
Students: Kristina Diaz, Michael J. Machovec, Peguy Pierre-Louis, Marco Radzinschi,
Melissa Helene Rosendorf and Ian Stalfort
Mentors: Dr. Coy May & Dr. Andrew Engel (Mathematics)
“How Plastic Are Feeding Preferences in Gypsy Moth Larvae?”
Student: Leila K. Dodson
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
“Fluid Inclusions in Anhydrite from the Manus Basin (Papua New Guinea)”
Student: Kathryn Elizabeth Gatton
Mentor: Dr. David Vanko (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Characterization of Biological Materials Using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass
Spectrometer (ICP-MS)”
Student: Carolyne Gikunju
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Linking External Morphology and Sprint Performance in European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)”
Student: Corey A. Handelsman
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
“Underpotential Deposition of Lead Atoms on a Silver Surface”
Student: Lori Korczynski
Mentor: Dr. David Larkin (Chemistry)
“Determining if VirF Positively Activates Transcription of Shigella Virulence Genes
by Direct Interaction with the Alpha Subunit of RNA Polymerase”
Student: Joseph Krecz
Mentor: Dr. Gail E. Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
“Biostratigraphic Correlation of the Middle Devonian Mahantange Formation, Northeastern
West Virginia and Southern Pennsylvania”
Student: Francis M. McCubbin
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Filer (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
“An Investigation of Chlorine Isotope Fractionation in Ordovician Black Shales from
Southwestern Wales”
Student: Patrick Thomas Morton
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
“Thin Film Characterization for Photonic Device Application”
Student: Alozie Ikechukwu Nwoko
Mentor: Dr. Vera N. Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
“Investigation of Virus-like Particles from Spiroplasma Strain 5398 Isolated from
Biting Midges”
Student: Marietta Oduor
Mentor:
Mentor: Dr. Gail E. Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
“Male-Biased Offspring Sex Ratio in the House Wren”
Student: Nicole Pellerite
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
“Establishing a Workbench Setup for Robotics Experiments”
Student: Albert Gary Williams
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani & Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
“Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering from Molecules Adsorbed on Colloids and Nanoparticles”
Student: Ying Lung Tse
Mentor: Dr. Boon Loo (Chemistry)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2001 – 2002
“Time Dependent Stability Studies of Chlorophylls a and b”
Student: Louie Alvano
Mentor: Dr. David Larkin (Chemistry)
“Investigating the Origin of Pegmatites in the Baltimore Area”
Student: Shaun Barrow
Mentors: Dr. Rachel Burks, Dr. Steven Lev & Dr. David Vanko (Physics, Astronomy &
Geosciences)
“Effects of Hydrin Z on Cutaneous Electrical Properties In the Northern Grass Frog
(Rana pipiens)”
Student: Dorothy Ann Borowy
Mentor: Dr. Jerry Robinson (Biological Sciences)
“Measuring Fungal Spore Adhesive Forces Using AFM Techniques”
Student: Michael Buck
Mentor: Dr. David Schaeffer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Soil lead concentrations of Natural and Anthropogenic Origins in Towson Maryland
USA and its Threat to Human Health”
Student: Justin Wayne Custer
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“The Role of Substrate-bourne Chemical Cues During Predator Avoidance by the Two-lined
Salamander”
Student: Jeanette Dawson
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
“Population Genetics of Eurycea junaluska in the Southern Appalachians”
Students: Andrew Eckert and Katie Smith
Mentor: Dr. Gail Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
“The Role of Substrate-borne Chemical Cues During Predator Avoidance by the Pigmy
Salamander”
Student: Matthew Evans
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
“An Experimental Determination of Microcline Dissolution Rates in an Artificial System”
Student: Patrick Hetzel
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Nanomechanical Study of Silicon Using Atomic Force Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction
Techniques”
Student: Jeremy Robinson
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“An Investigation onto the Mineralogy of Asteroid 4 Vesta”
Student: Amy Rosenberg
Mentors: Dr. Steven Lev & Dr. Alex Storrs (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
“Tourmaline Occurences in the Setters Quartzite, Setters Schist, Cockeysville Marble,
and Pegmatite Intrusion”
Student: Eric Watt
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
Undergraduate Research Grants in 2000 – 2001
“The Prevalence of Hematazoa in Cardinalis. Examining the Correlation between Plumage Brightness and Infections”
Student: Ms. Kimberly Briggs
Mentor: Dr. Scott Johnson (Biological Sciences)
“Cloning and Analysis of Plant PM H+-ATPases”
Student: Karen DeFeo
“The Effects of Predatory Fish on the Growth and Survivorship of Eurycea Larvae and Orconectes Crayfish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park”
Student: Victoria Derr
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
“Microhabitat Preferences of Eurycea Larvae, with and without Orconectes Crayfish”
Student: Andrew Eckert
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
“Watershed Urbanization: Effects on Swimming Performance of Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus)”
Student: Portia Gotwalt
“Taxonomical Analysis of Subfamilies of Robber Flies (Diptera asilidae) Using Molecular Techniques”
Student: Anastasia Grigorieva
“Underpotential Deposition of Lead Atoms onto Silver Electrodes”
Student: Desmond Kaplan
“Dietary Analysis of Snakes in the Great Smoky Mountain Range in Correlation with
the Population Density of Streamside Salamanders”
Student: Thomas King
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
“Identification/Classification of Spiroplasma Strain 3597”
Student: Randolph Thomas Koerber
“The Study of Nanomechanical Properties of Silicon by use of Nanoindentation and X-ray
Diffraction”
Student: Josh Robinson
“Trophic Morphology and Resource Use Among Populations of Eurycea Salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park”
Student: Tonya Wolf
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
“Population Genetics Study of Eurycea junaluska Salamander”
Student: Annemarie Zabbara
Undergraduate Research Grants in 1999 – 2000
“Cell Specific Expression Characterization of a Plant Ca 2+ ATPase”
Student: Christina Caplinger
“The Effects of Land Use on Algal Growth: Bioassay of Nutrient Stimulation and Toxic
Effects”
Student: Carl Cappelletti
“Characterization and Classification of the First Spiroplasma Isolated from a Biting
Midge (Forcipomyia gluaca) using Serological and Molecular Techniques”
Student: Adrienne Cottrell
“Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis of Group VIII Tabanid Spiroplasmas”
Students: Abram Geisendorfer, Cheryl Gardyn and Lisa DiStefano
“Cross Species Amplification of Microsatellite Loci in Salamander Genomes”
Student: Chris Hofman
“Development of a Malaria Vaccine Using Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG”
Student: Erin Kelleher
“Kinematic Analysis of Indicators Within the Gunpowder Shear Zone, Eastern Maryland
Piedmont”
Student: Joseph Kopera
“Fiber degradation, energy loss, and digestive physiology of Panaque maccus”
Student: Toba Niazi
“The Use of Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis in Typing Group VIII Spiroplasmas”
Student: Anna Segal, Stephanie Harrod and William T. Foreman