FYRE First Year Research Experience
Faculty Project Summaries

FYRE Program Details

Program Overview
Student Information
FYRE Program_09_Application.pdf

FYRE Application For Spring Round 2 will be available November 1, 2009.

Get the FYRE Project Summary sheets pdf file from links below (scroll down).

Botany Dr. John Z. Kiss kissjz@muohio.edu Gravitropism in higher and lower plants, space biology Contact Dr. Kiss for project details. Dr. Chun Liang liangc@muohio.edu Bioinformatics; plant genomics, Biological databases and data mining Contact Dr. Liang for project details. Dr. Nichola P. Money moneynp@muohio.edu Mechanisms of fungal growth, reproduction, and pathogenesis Contact Dr. Money for project details. Dr. Richard C. Moore moorerc@muohio.edu Download the flyer FYRE-Moore.pdf Research Relevance: As an evolutionary geneticist I combine the fields of genomics, developmental genetics, and molecular biology to discern the molecular mechanisms underlying the origin and evolution of morphological diversity. Available Projects: The evolution of plant sex chromosomes The evolution of recently duplicated genes Dr. Martin Henry (Hank) Stevens stevenmh@muohio.edu Download the flyer FYRE-Stevens.pdf Possible Projects1) Microbiology research opportunity: Effects of temperature on Escherichia coli evolution 2) Plant chemical ecology: Seasonal and species-level variation in plant nutrient content 3) Plant biofuels research opportunity: Heat content of different plant species from different locations Michael A. Vincent vincenma@muohio.edu and R. James Hickey hickeyrj@muohio.edu Download the flyer FYRE-Vincent_Hickey.pdf Possible Projects 1) Flora of the Bahamas project 2) Reexamination of the taxonomy of flowering plant or fern genera or species complexes 3) Floristic projects on natural areas in SW Ohio Chemistry Biochemistry Interested in joining a student led Chemistry Team to work on the Study of Proteins Involved in Regulation of Heterocyst Differentiation. Download the flyer FYRE-CHM-Team.pdf for details. Contact Matt Smola smolamj@muohio.edu and interview the team. Dr. Michael W. Crowder crowdemw@muohio.edu Mechanistic and structural characterization of metalloenzymes Contact Dr. Crowder for project details. Dr. Carole Dabney-Smith smithac5@muohio.edu Download the flyer FYRE-Dabney-Smith.pdf Biochemistry Research 1) Protein transport across thylakoid membranes Student involvement: You will use a variety of biochemical and molecular biology tools, such as creating genetic variants and protein expression and purification, to investigate protein:protein interactions in thylakoids. You will present your results at professional meetings and publish your work when it is complete. Dr. John W. Hawes hawesjw@muohio.edu Evolutionary relationships in proteins structure and function Contact Dr. Hawes for project details. Dr. Michael A. Kennedy Michael.Kennedy@muohio.edu Download the flyer FYRE-Kennedy.pdf Chemistry Research 1) Structural Biology of Regulators of Heterocyst Differention in Ancient Cyanobacteria 2) Metabonomics Study of the Role of Pathogenic Bacteria in a Mouse Model for Nectrotizing Enterocolitis, a Disease that Affects Pre-Term Human Infants 3) A Mouse Model Study to Develop a NMR Method for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer Dr. Christopher A. Makaroff makaroca@muohio.edu Download the flyer FYRE-Makaroff.pdf Biochemistry Research Molecular and cellular biology of meiosis and chromosome structure Structure/function relationships in metallo-hydrolases Students will learn and use a wide variety of techniques in biochemistry, cell, molecular, and structural biology to understand relationships between protein structure and their biological function Dr. Susan S. Marine mariness@muohio.edu Download the flyer FYRE-Marine.pdf Available Project: Caffeine and Theobromine in Chocolate Students will use a series of solvent extractions to isolate the chemicals of interest from the chocolate, sublimation to purify standards, and HPLC to analyze the sample extracts. You will present your results at professional meetings and publish your work when it is complete. Dr. David L. Tierney dtierney@muohio.edu Download the flyer FYRE-Tierney.pdf Research in the Tierney lab focuses on how biology uses transition metals First year students can be directly involved in the preparation of compounds and in the early stages of their characterization. Electrical and Computer Engineering Dr. Yu T. Morton mortonyt@muohio.edu Download the flyer FRYE-Morton.pdf The overall objective of Dr. Morton’s research program: to develop very accurate and robust GPS receivers for a wide range of applications in navigation, precision agriculture, animal tracking, intelligent vehicle systems, robotics, and remote sensing of the earth atmosphere. Project 1: Software-defined radio Project 2: GPS Multipath Characterization and Mitigation for Intelligent Vehicle Systems Project 3: Atmosphere remote sensing using GPS www.users.muohio.edu/mortonyt/   Geology   Dr. Mike Brudzinski brudzimr@muohio.edu Download the flyer FRYE-Brudzinski.pdf Earthquake Hazards Research Sample Project Titles: 1) Investigating earthquake patterns in southern Mexico to identify long-term hazards 2) Examining newly discovered deep tremor signals that may help forecast earthquakes 3) Determining motion at plate boundaries where faults accumulate elastic energy Dr. Haiiang Dong dongh@muohio.edu Download the flyer FRYE-Dong.pdf How and why microorganisms and geological media (rocks, minerals, water) interact? Project Titles: 1) Life in extreme environments– microbial ecology and ecosystem functions in hypersaline lakes and desert environments 2) Nanoscience and nanotechnology – Effects of nanoparticles on biological systems 3) Clean up of contaminated soils in our nation! Dr. Willam K. Hart hartwk@muohio.edu Download the flyer FRYE-Hart.pdf Research on Volcanoes and their products Project Titles: 1) The origin of basalt volcanism in the northwestern United States 2) Explosive volcanic eruptions and human evolution Dr. Mark Krekeler krekelmp@muohio.edu Download the flyer FRYE-Krekeler.pdf Project Titles: 1) Investigation of unusual phosphorescent calcite... 2) Recycle high value material from disposable batteries 3) Investigation of Yucatán beach sand Kinesiology and Health Dr. Jeffrey A. Potteiger potteija@muohio.edu Whole human substrate metabolism during different metabolic conditions Contact Dr. Potteiger for project details. Microbiology Dr. Luis A. Actis actisla@muohio.edu Molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis Contact Dr. Actis for project details. Dr. Rachael Morgan Kiss morganr2@muohio.edu 44 Pearson Hall 529-5434 Research areas: (1) Diversity and function of micro-eukaryotes in extreme environments (2) Adaptation of photosynthetic processes to permanently low temperature environments. (3) Development of cold tolerant algal strains for biomass and biofuel production in non-temperate climates Current Student Opportunities: You will be involved in working with Cold Tolerant Ohio (CTO) algal strains to test their candidacy for efficient producers of biomass and biofuel under variable climate conditions. Projects will be associated with a new outdoor facility for large-scale testing of algal strains in outdoor conditions. Contact Dr. Morgan Kiss for project details. http://www.cas.muohio.edu/micro/people/morgan-kiss.html Physics Physics faculty researchers invite you to a poster session Weds, Sep 2 at 4 pm in the ground floor of Culler. There will be snacks and chances to speak with the physics faculty informally. Dr. Samir Bali balis@muohio.edu http://www.cas.muohio.edu/~balis Download the FYRE-Bali-pdf Here’s your chance to find out how we use lasers to create the Coldest Matter in the Universe... and then ... build a designer crystal. Build a high-power laser system for which the wavelength is tunable. Implement different schemes for precision frequency-locking of lasers Build a state-of-the-art spectrum analyzer that can resolve optical wave lengths 10 million times better than the human eye Watch a video of Dr. Bali’s research @ Behind the Red Brick Dr. Jennifer M. Blue bluemj@muohio.edu http://www.users.muohio.edu/bluejm/ Download the FYRE-Blue.pdf Here’s your chance to find out Physics Education Research Recent Student Projects • Interview students about the purpose of lab • Survey students about their teaching preferences • Analysis of critical thinking lab reports • Analysis of student preconceptions in astronomy Dr. Paul K. Urayama urayampk@muohio.edu Download the FYRE-Urayama.pdf Research Field - Biophysics at High Pressure Use pressures that would crush a submarine to explore pressure effects on microorganisms and biomolecules, simulating deep sea or even extraterrestrial conditions. Our work focuses on developing and applying metabolic sensing and advanced microscopy imaging technologies to high-pressure physiology. Students might be involved in all stages of the research process - from envisioning and designing experiments, to building equipment and taking data, to analyzing and presenting results at talks and in papers. My goal is to open opportunities. Visit the lab's website http://www.users.muohio.edu/urayampk to see current and past members, what they're doing, and where they are now. Dr. Michael J. Pechanpechanmj@muohio.edu Website Download the FRYE-Pechan.pdf Research: magnetic materials. We are currently studying: 1) vortex states in 300 nanometer (nm) diameter ferromagnetic dots coupled by ferromagnetic bridges of width ranging from 0 to 60 nm. We are also 2) investigating spatial variations (anisotropy) in the magnetic states of these coupled nano-dots. Zoology Dr. David J. Berg bergdj@muohio.edu Download the FYRE-Berg.pdf Project Titles: 1) Identification of invertebrates from spring habitats in the Chihuahuan Desert 2) Use of DNA barcoding to identify cryptic species of desert invertebrates 3) Development of microsatellite DNA for population genetics of endangered species Dr. Phyllis Callahan callahp@muohio.edu Neural regulation of anterior pituitary function Contact Dr. Callahan for project details. Dr. Katia Del Rio Tsonis delriok@muohio.edu Cellular and molecular events that take place during tissue regeneration Contact Dr. Del Rio Tsonis for project details. Dr. Joyce J. Fernandes fernanjj@muohio.edu Cell Interactions during neuromuscular development; Regulation of muscle size Contact Dr. Fernandes for project details. Dr. Paul A. Harding hardinpa@muohio.edu Molecular and Cell Biology: Growth hormone, Growth factors Contact Dr. Harding for project details. Dr. Susan Hoffman hoffmasm@muohio.edu Molecular Evolution in Mammals Contact Dr. Hoffman for project details. Dr. Paul F. James jamespf@muohio.edu Molecular Physiology; Membrane Transport; Sodium Pumps Contact Dr. James for project details. Dr. James M. Janik janikjm@muohio.edu Neural regulation of anterior pituitary function Contact Dr. Janik for project details. Dr. Kathleen A. Killian killaka@muohio.edu Synaptic plasticity and integration, neural basis of behavior Contact Dr. Killian for project details. Dr. David G. Pennock pennocdg@muohio.edu Cellular/molecular biology; microtubule-based motility Contact Dr. Pennock for project details. Dr. Michael L. Robinson robinsm5@muohio.edu Cell signaling events in lens development Contact Dr. Robinson for project details. Dr. Paul Schaeffer schaefpj@muohio.edu Download the FYRE-Schaeffer.pdf 1) Molecular biology of cardiac hypertrophy 2) Patterns of energy use in lizards 3) Muscle energetics in migrating & Ohio resident birds 4) Molecular biology of obesity and diabetes Dr. Yoshinori Tomoyasu tomoyay@muohio.edu Download the FYRE-Tomoyasu.pdf Establishing an alternative gene disruption method in a beetle Tribolium Students will learn basic molecular biology techniques such as PCR, DNA purification, RNA synthesis, and also beetle manipulation. Dr. John H. Vaughn vaughnjh@muohio.edu Molecular evolution of genes and their introns- plasticity and integration Contact Dr. Vaughn for project details. Dr. Craig Williamson Craig.Williamson@muohio.edu Ohio Eminent Scholar of Ecosystem Ecology, aquatic ecology Download the flyer FYRE-Williamson.pdf Possible projects: 1) Ecology of Ultraviolet Radiation in Lakes 2) Ecology of UV and Infectious Disease in Lakes Summer research opportunities in alpine lakes