Eighty-four undergraduates present summer research

LAWRENCE  Each summer, undergraduate students from around the world join current University of Kansas students in conducting research with KU faculty. Eighty-four of these students presented their research last month at the KU Summer Undergraduate Research Poster Session at The Commons.

“This year’s Summer Poster Session was a wonderful mix of KU students and students from other universities who have spent their summer conducting research. The presentations give these students the opportunity to share their findings with the larger KU community,” said John Augusto, director of KU’s Center for Undergraduate Research.

Presenters included students taking part in the following programs:

• Beckman Scholars Program
• Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) Scholars Program
• McNair Scholars Program
• National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Programs sponsored by the following units:
  • Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS)
  • Department of Chemistry
  • Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
  • Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
• National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program sponsored by CReSIS
• Office for Diversity in Science Training programs
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Program
• Undergraduate Research Award recipients

The poster session was sponsored by KU’s Center for Undergraduate Research.  Students who presented their work are listed below, along with their hometown, home institution, project title, faculty mentor and department:

In-state students

Butler

• Preston Dennett, Augusta, KU, “A Role for piRNA in Chromosome Disjunction in C. elegans, ”Lisa Timmons, molecular biosciences

Douglas

• Bradley Harris, Lawrence, KU, “Development of Rapidly Gelling Hyaluronic Acid Gels by Click Chemistry, ” Stevin Gehrke, chemical & petroleum engineering
• Colby Barrett, Lawrence, KU, “5-Membered Ring Closure via Intramolecular Nucleophilic Attack by Nitrogen Ylides on C=C Bond of Cyclopropenes, ” Michael Rubin, chemistry
• Devany West, Lawrence, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “Understanding the Development of the Mechanical Properties of Biopolymer Hydrogel Networks,” Stevin Gehrke, chemical & petroleum engineering
• Dominique LeBeau, Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University, “Caenorhabditis elegans Cell-Adhesion Molecule, Syg-2, Interacts Genetically with Wnt Pathway Components to Control the Anteroposterior Neurite Growth of the VD GABAergic Neurons,” Brian Ackley, molecular biosciences
• Jaeki Shin, Lawrence, KU, “Blood Group CHARMM Simulation,” Wonpil Im, molecular biosciences
• Nicole Humphrey, Lawrence, KU, “Competing Values: Prioritization of Social Equity Among City Administrators,” Shannon Portillo, School of Public Affairs and Administration
• Samantha Beauchamp, Lawrence, KU, “Finding Downstream Binding Targets of C. elegans EXC-7 Protein,” Matthew Buechner, molecular biosciences
• Venkata Malladi, Lawrence, KU, “CHARMM Simulations of the Neo-Lacto Series,” Wonpil Im, molecular biosciences

Ellis

• Laurissa Marcotte, Hays, KU, “Characterizing the Electromagnetic Properties of Fiberglass/Epoxy Composite Materials,” Emily Arnold, aerospace engineering, CReSIS

Finney

• Alyssa Cole, Garden City, KU, “African-American Women and the Vietnam War,” Clarence Lang, African & African-American studies

Johnson

• Emmaline Lorenzo, Leawood, KU, “Quantum Yields of a Photochromic Molecule at Photostationary State,” Christopher Elles, chemistry
• Monica Ketchum, Leawood, KU, “Effect of Buffer on the Interaction of Synthetic Lung Surfactant Protein, MiniB, with Cholesterol, at Air-Buffer Interface,” Prajnaparamita Dhar, chemical & petroleum engineering
• Dalton Leprich, Lenexa, KU, “Microbial Colonization of Teeth May Predict Susceptibility to Recurrent Dental Caries,” Brendan Mattingly, undergraduate biology
• Sean Holloway, Mission, KU, “Wideband Radar Simulator for Evaluation of Direction-of-Arrival Processing,” John Paden, electrical engineering & computer science, CReSIS
• Dharam Patel, Olathe, KU, “The Production, Purification, and Post Translational Modification of PvdJ Module 2 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,” Audrey Lamb, molecular biosciences
• Kayla Wilson, Olathe, KU, “The Role of Fasciclin III (Fas3) in Drosophila Melanogaster Septate Junction Structure and Function,” Robert Ward, molecular biosciences
• Marilyn Barragan, Olathe, KU, “Rheology of Cartilage for Hydrogel Precursor,” Michael Detamore, chemical & petroleum engineering
• Austin Feathers, Overland Park, KU, “Conformal Dual-Band HF/VHF Radar Antenna System Design for Implementation on a Small UAS,” Stephen Yan, electrical engineering & computer science, CReSIS
• Emily Binshtok, Overland Park, KU, “The Therapeutic Value of Anti-Metastatic MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer,"  Liang Xu, molecular biosciences
• Gabriel Alaniz, Overland Park, KU, “Diversifying Audiences in Mainstream Regional Theaters: a Kansas City Case Study,” Nicole Hodges Persley, theatre, American studies
• Justin Massey, Overland Park, KU, “Protein-Protein Interaction Screens in Chlamydia Trachomatis Using the Bacterial Two Hybrid System,” P. Scott Hefty, molecular biosciences
• Karie Robertson, Overland Park, KU, “Inhibiting Biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Novel Compounds,” Mario Rivera, chemistry
• Rana Aliani, Overland Park, KU, “The Effects of nfm-1 on Migration of Q Neuroblasts in Caenorhabditis elegans,” Erik Lundquist, molecular biosciences
• Suwoo Kim, Overland Park, KU, “Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Gangliosides in Homogenous POPC Bilayer,” Wonpil Im, molecular biosciences
• Zachary Hills, Overland Park, KU, “Purification and Post-translational Modification of PchF, a Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase Involved in Pyochelin Biosynthesis,” Audrey Lamb, molecular biosciences
• Alexandria Roy, Shawnee, KU, “miR-137 Mediated Knockdown of Krüppel-Like Factor-4 (KLF4) in Breast Cancer, ” Liang Xu, molecular biosciences
• Blaine Ragsdale, Shawnee, KU, “Building Normative Cerebral Blood Flow Maps for Healthy Adults Using Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) Magnetic Resonance Imaging,” Lila Chrysikou, psychology
• Sam Peterson, Spring Hill, KU, “In Vitro Iron Transfer between a High Affinity Non-Absorbed Iron Chelator and Deferasirox,” Cory Berkland, pharmaceutical chemistry

Leavenworth

• Kynser Wahwahsuck, Leavenworth, Haskell Indian Nations University, “Identifying the Active Site Base Residue in Lysyl Oxidase-Like 2,” Minae Mure, chemistry

Miami

• Anatole Telegin, Paola, Ottawa University, “Comparisons of Petal Cell Size between Sister Species of Genus Penstemon Using Fluorescent Microscopy,” Lena Hileman, ecology & evolutionary biology

Reno

• Abbey Whisler, Hutchinson, KU, “A Graphical User Interface and Database Management System for Documenting Glacial Landmarks,” John Paden, electrical engineering & computer science, CReSIS

Saline

• Carrie Albers, Smolan, KU, “Peptide Synthesis of Cyclic DTPPV,"  Teruna Siahaan, pharmaceutical chemistry

Sedgwick

• Cornelius Baker, Wichita, KU, “Self-Reports of the Effects of Race/Ethnicity on Diagnosis of Clinical Depression,” Stephen Ilardi, psychology
• Eva Mohr, Wichita, KU, “Characterization of a targeted platinum chemotherapy for head and neck cancers,” Laird Forrest, pharmaceutical chemistry
• Jacob Chamberlin, Wichita, KU, “High School Athletes’ Perceptions of the Climate in Their Off-Season Training,” Mary Fry, health, sport & exercise science
• Joshua Schroeder, Wichita, KU, “Poly N-Vinylformamide Double Networks and Charge Complexations,” Stevin Gehrke, chemical & petroleum engineering
• Michael Cory, Wichita, KU, “Towards Small Molecule Rescue of the Lac Repressor via Computational Approaches, ” John Karanicolas, molecular biosciences
• Ricardo Gonzalez, Wichita, KU, “Detection of Peroxynitrite in Macrophage Cells Using HKGreen-3 and Microchip Electrophoresis with Laser Induced Fluorescence,” Susan Lunte, chemistry

Shawnee

• Ian Turnbow, Topeka, KU, “Alcohol, Anxiety, & Hispanic Males: Patterns of Student Alcohol Consumption at the University of Kansas,” Tamara Baker, psychology

Wyandotte

• Jacob Peterson, Bonner Springs, Colorado State University, “Taxonomic Relatedness and Interspecific Relations between Key Atlantic Species and Their Correlation to Patterns of Population Synchrony,” Daniel Reuman, ecology & evolutionary biology

Out-of-state/International/Unknown

• Alicia Brown, Page, Airzona, Haskell Indian Nations University, “Pramiplexole Increases Progressive Ratio Breakpoints for Probabilistic and Certain Reinforcers,” David Jarmolowicz, applied behavioral science
• Jennah Seaver, Bishop, California, Haskell Indian Nations University, “Analyzing the Efficacy of the Addition of a Survival Unit into the Science Program 'Ice, Ice, Baby' to Promote Environmental Awareness on Behalf of the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets,” Cheri Hamilton, CReSIS
• Justin Jacobs, Long Beach, California, California State University, Long Beach, “Phylogenetic Analysis of the Mantidactylus lugubris Complex with the Description of a New Species Endemic to Ranomafana National Park,"  Richard Glor, ecology & evolutionary biology
• Judith Flores, Vista, California, California Sate University San Marcos, “Optimizing Microsphere Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators for Sensing,” Robert Dunn, chemistry
• Nizhoni Woodie, Montrose, Colorado, Haskell Indian Nations University, “The Expression and Function of CYCLOIDEA-like Genes in a Radial Symmetric Flower, Solanum lycopersicum,” Lena Hileman, ecology & evolutionary biology
• Luanne Hale, Northglenn, Colorado, KU, “Evaluation of Sensory Reinforcement in Rats when Primary Reinforcers are Delayed,” David Jarmolowicz, applied behavioral science
• Ishan Nag, Middlebury, Connecticut, Western Connecticut State University, “Analysis of the Ability of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Mutants to Store Iron,” ”Mario Rivera, chemistry
• Jeff Cole, Cave Spring, Georgia, Samford University, “Molecular Evolution of Sperm Protein Genes in Danaus Butterflies,” Jamie Walters, ecology & evolutionary biology
• Drew Cesta, Downers Grove, Illinois, Elmhurst College, “Development of a Diagnostic Agent to Detect Neuroinflammation in the Brain of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced Mice,” Teruna Siahaan, pharmaceutical chemistry
• Jordan Compton, Homewood, Illinois, Grinnell College, “Palladium-catalyzed Decarboxylative Dearomatization,” Jon Tunge, chemistry
• Domenic Boe, Calmar, Iowa, Wartburg College, “Toward Mercapto-Terminated Linear Azulenic and Biazulenic Linkers Relevant to Molecular Electronics,” Mikhail Barybin, chemistry
• Bailey McLernon, Attleboro, Massachusetts, Framingham State University, “Organocatalytic Debenzylation of Secondary Amines, ”Michael Clift, chemistry
• Ryan Hamelin, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Fitchburg State University, “Non-Resonant Excitation of Photochromic Molecules in the Plasmonic Field of Gold Nanoparticles,” Chris Elles, chemistry
• Diana Schreier, Apple Valley, Minnesota, Drake University, “A Comparison of the Expression and Activity of Drug Transporters Among Various Cellular Models and Human Liver Tissues,” Michael Wang, pharmaceutical chemistry
• Jeremy Barnes, Buckner, Missouri, Park University, “Modeling Excited States of Large Molecular Systems Using Hybrid QM/QM Methods with Point Charge Embedding,” Marco Caricato, chemistry
• Amr El Afifi, Kansas City, Missouri, KU, “The Organization, the Activist, and the Other: Violence and Public Opinion in Egypt, ”Mike Wuthrich, global & international studies
• Rebecca Flournoy, Kansas City, Missouri, Tulane University, “Effects of Land-Use History on Biogeochemical Processes in Surface vs. Deep Soil from the Calhoun Experimental Forest,” Sharon Billings, ecology & evolutionary biology
• Kyle Monize, Liberty, Missouri, KU, “Ligand-Binding Requirements of an Unusual LuxR Homolog in the Human Pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei,” Josephine Chandler, molecular biosciences
• Cody Schultz, O'Fallon, Missouri, Truman State University, “Determining the Size and Location of Lysyl Oxidase-Like 2 (LOXL2) in Breast and Breast Cancer Tissue Samples,” Minae Mure, chemistry
• Gregory Reeves, Pleasant Hill, Missouri, KU, “The Role of Transposable Elements in the Neural Degeneration of Drosophila (Fruit Flies),” Stuart Macdonald, molecular biosciences
• Jacob Stops, Pryor, Montana, KU and HaskeDavido, molecular biosciences
• Aidan Dmitriev, Lakewood, New York, KU, “Characterization of the Lipooligosaccharide Transport System of Chlamydia Trachomatis,” Scott Hefty, molecular biosciences
• April Arquilla, Youngstown, Ohio, College of Wooster, “The Role of Visual Signals in Drosophila Biarmipes Courtship,” Jennifer Gleason, ecology & evolutionary biology
• Hanna Dornhofer, Portland, Oregon, Reed College,” Stand Dynamics in a Mature Oak-Hickory Forest of Northeastern Kansas: Human Disturbance Can Cause Ecological Succession,” Bryan Foster, ecology & evolutionary biology
• Hannah Ashberry, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, Millersville University, “AFM Based Fabrication of Gold Nanowires through Electroless Deposition,” Cindy Berrie, chemistry
• Natalie Venette, Forney, Texas, Missouri State University, “Does Synergism between Telomeric and Non-Telomeric P Elements in Drosophila Melanogaster Amplify piRNA Pools to Protect Against P Element Mediated Germline Sterility,” Justin Blumenstiel, ecology & evolutionary biology
• Mia Furgurson, Dallas, Texas State University, “Neurological Study of Zebrafish Using Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry,” Michael Johnson, chemistry
• Katie Smith, Midvale, Utah, University of Utah, “Pathogenesis of Type III Secretion System Effector IpaD in Shigella,” Wendy Picking, pharmaceutical chemistry
• Sumar Quint, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Winona State University, "  Microfluidic ELISA Array Chip for Multiplexed Biomarker Detection,” Yong Zeng, chemistry.

International/Unknown hometowns

• Bonnie Cobb, University of Saint Mary, “Effects of Condition on Courtship Success, ” Jennifer Gleason, ecology & evolutionary biology
• Jack Rogers, KU, “Effect of Polymer Conformation on Mechanical Properties of Double Network Gels,” Stevin Gehrke, chemical & petroleum engineering
• Sylvia Nunez, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, “Evolution of Salinity Tolerance in an Invasive Cnidarian,” Paulyn Cartwright, ecology & evolutionary biology
• Luisa Cardoso, Salvador, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil, “Reactivity of a Series of Mn(IV)=O Complexes,” Timothy Jackson, chemistry
• Dongyu Li, Harbin, KU, “Relational Mobility, Cultural Orientation, and Intimate Relationships,” Glenn Adams, psychology
• Esha Abbi, Dublin, Dublin City University, “Development of a Method for Monitoring ATP and its Metabolites as Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injuries by Capillary Electrophoresis," Susan Lunte, chemistry
• Shoichi Tachiyama, Tokyo, KU, “Mutation, Expression, and Purification of PcrG for EPR Studies,” Roberto De Guzman, molecular biosciences
• Gladys Saruchera, Harare, Mount Holyoke College, “Development of a Hyaluronic Acid and Epidermal Growth Factor Conjugate For Cosmetic Applications, ” Laird Forrest, pharmaceutical chemistry.