102 Roudebush Hall • Phone: 513-529-3600• Fax: 513-529-3762

FYRE First Year Research Experience
Faculty Project Summaries

First Year Research Experience (FYRE) is a program intended to provide first year students with opportunities to engage in research and to establish early contact with faculty mentors. All options require students to enroll in a one credit seminar each semester, EDL 280, and to participate in the Miami's spring semester Undergraduate Research Forum sponsored by the Office for the Advancement of Research (OARS).
How do students get involved? Read the FYRE Program Details for 2011-2012 and then contact Martha Weber, Undergraduate Research Director at weberme@muohio.edu or call her at (513) 529-3600.

How Do Miami Faculty Get Involved in 2011-12?
During the Summer of 2011 we are recruiting Miami faculty to work with interested first year students. Email or call Martha Weber, OARS Undergraduate Research Director at 529-3600 to ask about joining FYRE.

Below is a list of Sample Faculty Project Profiles from FYRE
Botany
Dr. John Z. Kiss kissjz@muohio.edu http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/Tropi/index.html	Gravitropism in higher and lower plants, space biology. Download the flyer FYRE-kiss_j.pdf Contact Dr. Kiss for project details.
Dr. Chun Liang liangc@muohio.edu http://www.conifergdb.org http://www.bioinfolab.org	Project Title: Bioinformatics Software Engineering and Data Mining Bioinformatics is essentially a discipline that bridges computer science, statistics and biology and utilizes various computational tools to explore interesting biological phenomena. Download the flyer FYRE-Liang.pdf 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 Projects 1) Microbiology research opportunity: Effects of temperature on Escherichia coli evolution 2) 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
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. 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. 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.
Chemistry Biochemistry-Middletown
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.
COMPUTER SCIENCE & SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
Dr. Chun Liang liangc@muohio.edu http://www.conifergdb.org http://www.bioinfolab.org	Project Title: Bioinformatics Software Engineering and Data Mining Bioinformatics is essentially a discipline that bridges computer science, statistics and biology and utilizes various computational tools to explore interesting biological phenomena. Download the flyer FYRE-Liang.pdf Contact Dr. Liang for project details.
Educational Psychology
Dr. Amity Noltemeyer anoltemeyer@muohio.edu	Download the flyer FYRE-Noltemeyer.pdf I am seeking an undergraduate student to assist with research examining the implementation and outcomes of Response to Intervention (RtI), a schoolwide improvement initiative designed to enhance the outcomes of students and schools.
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dr. Yu T. Morton mortonyt@muohio.edu www.users.muohio.edu/mortonyt/	Download the flyer FYRE-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
Family Studies and Social Work
Dr. Elise Radina radiname@muohio.edu	Download the flyer FYRE-Radina.pdf Current project areas: 1) the experiences of spouses/romantic partners of women with breast cancer related lymphedema (i.e., secondary lymphedema - swelling that can occur in the arm, neck, chest, and back following treatment for breast cancer), 2) the experiences of parents of young children who are born with lymphedema (i.e. primary lymphedema - swelling that can occur in the lower extremities), and 3) family quality of life and personal coping for male breast cancer survivors
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. Ellen Currano currane@muohio.edu	Download the flyer FYRE-Currano.pdf Why are African forests uniqe? I am interested in how African forests evolved over the last 65 million years. How did past climate changes affect African plant and insect communities? Did geographic changes, like the formation of the rift valley, have a major impact on forest evolution?
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. Mark Krekeler krekelmp@muohio.edu	Download the flyer FYRE-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. Susan Cross Lipnickey lipnicsc@muohio.edu	Download the flyer FYRE-Lipnickey.pdf Project Title: Implications of Alcohol and Other Drug Related Offenses for College Students Project description This long-term study looks at patterns of arrest among Miami University students for alcohol and other drug offenses. The next step is to conduct interviews of those who have been arrested to learn how effective the court and university-imposed sanctions are and how we might use that information for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
Mechanical and Manufacuturing Engineering
Dr. Amit Shukla shuklaa@muohio.edu	Download the flyer FYRE-Shukla.pdf PROJECT 1: Nonlinear dynamics of hypersonic aircraft structures This project involves simulation and experimentation of the effect of thermal and acoustic loading on aircraft structures to predict their life and reliability. PROJECT I1: Nonlinear dynamics of Human Postural Control We are developing diagnostic and prognostic models to predict the effect of disease and aging on human posture to help doctors in treating various balance disorders.
Microbiology
Dr. Luis A. Actis actisla@muohio.edu	Molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesisContact Dr. Actis for project details.
Dr. Rachael Morgan Kiss morganr2@muohio.edu 44 Pearson Hall 529-5434 http://www.cas.muohio.edu/micro/people/morgan-kiss.html	Download the flyer FYRE-MORGAN-Kiss.pdf 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.
Physics
Dr. Samir Bali balis@muohio.edu http://www.cas.muohio.edu/~balis Watch a video of Dr. Bali’s research @ Behind the Red Brick	Download the FYRE-Bali-pdf Curious About Lasers? Project Title: The Physics of Lasers and Ultracold Atoms, and BioImaging Here’s your chance to find out how we use lasers to create the Coldest Matter in the Universe.We also use lasers to perform non-invasive sensing of optical properties of biotissue, with unprecedented precision.
Dr. Burcin Bayram bayramsb@muohio.edu http://www.users.muohio.edu/bayramsb/labHome.htm Come and Experience Exciting Research at Dr. Bayram’s Lab.	Download the FYRE-Bayram.pdf Here’s your chance to find out how we use Lasers and Spectroscopic techniques to understand photon-matter interaction. Build a wavelength tunable dye lasers Use lasers in atomic/molecular chamber to excite the electrons into higher energy levels Observe interference effect of light called “quantum beats” Be a part of the ‘atomic beam’ we are building
Dr. Jennifer M. Blue bluejm@muohio.edu http://www.users.muohio.edu/bluejm/	Download the FYRE-Blue.pdf Here’s your chance to find out about 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 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.	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.
Dr. Michael J. Pechan pechanmj@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.
Psychology
Dr. Joseph Johnson johnsojg@muohio.edu http://www.users.muohio.edu/johnsojg/	Download the FYRE-Johnson_J.pdf Research streams appropriate for first-year students: • How the presentation or format of a decision may influence how people go about making a choice and even what they ultimately choose • How decisions we are going to make may be revealed in "predecisional" behaviors, such as gaze or subtle body movements. • How risk perceptions, such as global warming, may be influenced by contextual factors, social influences, or media exposure. • How seemingly "irrational" behavior may be understood in the context of mental processes and individual personality traits
Dr. Jennifer Quinn quinnjj@muohio.edu	Download the FYRE-Quinn.pdf NEUROSCIENCE Possible Project: Memories for events, places, emotions and behavioral consequences are fundamental to our adaptation and survival. Dr. Quinn's lab research interests are in understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of behavior, with an emphasis on those processes that underlie learning and memory.
Dr. Amy Summerville summera@muohio.edu	Download the FYRE-Summerville.pdf Project Title: The Role of Perspective in Regrets of Action and Inaction Researchers have found evidence that people tend to regret their actions (“I wish I hadn’t…”) more than their inactions (“I wish I had…”) in the short term. Recent evidence from our lab suggests that whether Individuals are considering their own actions/inactions versus another person’s actions/inactions may change which of these kinds of regret they pay more attention to. This project will experimentally test that prediction
Psychology-Middletown
Dr. Virginia (Ginger) Wickline wicklivb@muohio.edu	Download the FYRE-Wickline.pdf "At MIAMI UNIVERSITY MIDDLETOWN, I am actively seeking first year students in psychology, special education, or related disciplines to help me with an applied research project that brings university students together with residents in the community with physical and developmental disabilities."
STATISTICS
Dr. Chun Liang liangc@muohio.edu http://www.conifergdb.org http://www.bioinfolab.org	Project Title: Bioinformatics Software Engineering and Data Mining Bioinformatics is essentially a discipline that bridges computer science, statistics and biology and utilizes various computational tools to explore interesting biological phenomena. Download the flyer FYRE-Liang.pdf Contact Dr. Liang for project details.
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. Katia Del Rio Tsonis delriok@muohio.edu	Cellular and molecular events that take place during tissue regeneration
Dr. Joyce J. Fernandes joyce.fernandes@muohio.edu	Download the FYRE-Fernandes.pdf Available for Team research project as well. Two possible project titles are: 1. Re-organization of segmental nerves 2. Glial remodeling during development of the adult motor system
Dr. Paul A. Harding hardinpa@muohio.edu	Molecular and Cell Biology: Growth hormone, Growth factors
Dr. Susan Hoffman hoffmasm@muohio.edu	Molecular Evolution in Mammals
Dr. Paul F. James jamespf@muohio.edu	Molecular Physiology; Membrane Transport; Sodium Pumps
Dr. Kathleen A. Killian killaka@muohio.edu	Synaptic plasticity and integration, neural basis of behavior
Dr. David G. Pennock pennocdg@muohio.edu	Cellular/molecular biology; microtubule-based motility
Dr. Michael L. Robinson robinsm5@muohio.edu	Cell signaling events in lens development
Dr. Haifei Shi shih@muohio.edu	Download the FYRE-Shi.pdf Possible project titles: 1. Sexual dimorphism in the regulation of energy balance: We focus on central and peripheral neuropeptide and signals, as well as gonadal hormones. 2. Contribution of adipose (fat) tissues to glucose homeostasis: We focus on adipogenic and angiogenic characteristics of brown and white adipose tissues
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 JohnVaughn@muohio.edu	Molecular evolution of genes and their introns- plasticity and integration