AURA 2005 UND Project Titles & Mentors
UND Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences
Paul A. Kucera
Box 9006, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-6342
Fax: 777-5032
pkucera@aero.und.edu
Project Title: Evaluation of In Situ and Remote Sensing Observations of the Atmosphere Research in the Northern Plains
The Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of North Dakota has established an extensive atmospheric
research site in the Northern Plain to compliment its recently upgraded (January 2004) C-Band polarimetric Doppler
weather research radar, which is located on top of Clifford Hall. The atmospheric research site is located about 65 km
south-southeast of Grand Forks. The research site resides on the Nature Conservancy Glacial Ridge Prairie Restoration
Project, a 24,000 acre property that is currently being restored to natural prairie and wetlands from existing farmland. The
extensive area of the property provides a unique opportunity to study atmospheric processes over a variety of temporal
and spatial scales. The facility will include a dense network of rain gauges, several raindrop/snow size counters, a vertical
wind profiler, snow sensors, microwave radiometer and a surface weather station to monitor environmental conditions.
The research facility is designed to compliment existing hydrologic research activities at Glacial Ridge and will be a key
to better understanding the relationship between the atmosphere and precipitation processes in the Northern Plains.
The student will assist in developing a climatological observation database for detailed studies of how atmospheric
conditions relate to the variability of precipitation by evaluating the field and radar observations. The student will gain
experience testing, calibrating, deploying, and evaluating a variety meteorological instrumentation both in the laboratory
and in the field. Also, the student will be exposed to weather radar operations along interpreting weather radar data.
UND Dept. of Biology
Dr. Brett J. Goodwin Box 9019, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-2757
Brett.goodwin@und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Insect Movement Behavior In Heterogeneous Prairie Landscapes
Fax: 777-2623
Habitat loss and fragmentation has become ubiquitous and is considered a driving force behind current extinction rates.
To understand how species are to survive in such fragmented landscapes it is necessary to understand how individuals
move between isolated habitat patches. The ability to move between patches of habitat is a function of both the spatial
structure of the landscape and the movement behavior of the organism moving. In this project, a suite of phytophagous
insects associated with two native, patchily distributed prairie plants (goldenrod and stiff sunflower) will be used as a
model system to address how movement behavior and landscape structure interact to determine interpatch movements.
For each insect species studied we will: (1) measure movement behavior in response to landscape elements (e.g., patches
of different vegetation and the edges between them); (2) assess the impact of weather conditions on movement behaviors;
(3) use the observed movement behavior to parameterize an individual-based, spatially explicit computer simulation
model to assess the impact of movement behavior and landscape structure on displacement and redistribution of
individuals in landscapes; (4) field test the model predictions using mark-release-resight experiments.
UND Dept. of Biology
Dr. Peter Meberg
Box 9019, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-4674
Peter_meberg@und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Regulation of synaptic function by the actin cytoskeleton
Fax: 777-2623
Actin dynamics play an important role in the developmental outgrowth of neurites, the formation of synapses, and the
modulation of synaptic activity at mature synapses. In addition, actin may play a significant role in neurodegenerative
diseases, since actin depolymerization can protect against excitotoxicity, and epilepsy-induced sprouting of mossy fibers
may be due to the reengagement of developmental growth mechanisms. The actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) and
cofilin family of proteins (AC) are important regulators of actin dynamics whose activity can be regulated by
phosphorylation. AC is localized to synapses and growth cones in neurons, and AC over-expression increases actin
turnover and neurite outgrowth. We recently found that AC activity is increased after kainate-induced seizures in regions
of the hippocampus that undergo epileptogenic morphological changes, and have begun to investigate the signal pathways
involved in the activity/phosphorylation regulation of AC proteins. Our next steps are to determine how changes in AC
activity influence synaptic transmission. It will be determined if increased or decreased AC activity affects F-actin
distribution and turnover, spine morphology, excitotoxicity, and calcium signaling. AC activity will be altered in a cell
culture system by recombinant adenovirus-mediated expression of mutant forms of ACs and LIM kinase, the AC kinase,
or by siRNA inhibition of AC protein expression. Additional work is planned to investigate synaptic activity-induced
changes in the activity of other actin-binding proteins.
UND Dept. of Chemical Engr.
Dr. Michael D. Mann Box 7101, Grand Forks, DN 58202
777-3852
Fax: 777-3773
mikemann@mail.und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Development of Techniques for Quantifying Sugar Yield when Making Ethanol from Corn Stover
The UND Chemical Engineering Department is establishing a relationship with Purdue University for the development of
new methods to harvest and process biomass. The harvesting methods, being developed at Purdue, include turning corn
stocks/stover into a pumpable slurry that can subsequently be transported at relatively low costs by pipeline. It is
expected that preprocessing of the corn stover will make it a premium feedstock for developing biorefineries. UND’s role
in the development of this process is characterization of this feedstock to determine if it truly is a suitable feedstock for
production of sugars and ethanol. The team would like to generate some preliminary data that can be used to help
enhance the chance of developing successful proposals. As a part of this ARUA program, biomass samples will be
obtained and methods developed to determine the yields and quality of sugars that can be produced from corn stover.
Primarily, batch fermentation tests will be used to estimate yields, product composition, byproduct quality, and reactor
sizes for commercial refineries. The AURA student will adapt methodology developed by the National Energy
Renewable Laboratory to equipment available at UND. This project falls under the activities of SUNRISE (The
SUtainable eNergy Research, Infrastructure and Education Initiative).
UND Dept. of Chemical Engr.
Dr. Darrin Muggli
Box 7101, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-2337
Fax: 777-3773
Darrin_muggli@und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Using Novel Transient Reaction Techniques to Study Fuel-Cell Catalysts
The goal of producing fuel-cell powered vehicles depends on discovering an effective means of delivering hydrogen to the
fuel cell. Currently, the most promising hydrogen source would be one that will utilize the current gasoline delivery and
storage infrastructure. Methanol is an ideal choice for this because of its high hydrogen-to-carbon ratio. The key to the
success of this endeavor rests on designing an adequate catalyst that will produce effectively hydrogen from methanol.
Rather than engaging in a trial-and-error approach to catalyst search, our method will involve first understanding how
methanol forms hydrogen on current catalysts so that our development of improved catalysts will be guided by knowledge
rather than by chance.
The key to determining how methanol reacts on current hydrogen-producing catalysts is to analyze the surface processes
on ‘real’ catalysts at reaction conditions. Currently, researchers use single-crystal studies to monitor surface reactions, but
applicability is limited because ‘real’ catalysts are composed of many phases and crystal planes. Moreover, single-crystal
studies are performed under ultra-high vacuum so that extrapolating data to typical industrial pressures is tenuous. On the
other hand, studies of ‘real’ catalysts at reaction conditions are carried out at steady state by flowing reactants through a
catalyst bed while monitoring the effluent. This produces little information about the fundamental surface processes
because reactant adsorption, surface reaction, and product desorption occur simultaneously. This study proposes to utilize
transient techniques, developed by the PI to study photocatalysis, to study the fundamental surface processes of hydrogen
production from methanol.
UND Dept. of Chemical Engr.
Wayne Seames
Box 7101, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-2858
Wayneseames@mail.und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Constructing a High Temperature Materials Test Chamber
Fax: 777-3773
Novel combustion systems are the focus of a great deal of current research. One area of research is developing more
efficient and effective ways of liberating the energy from existing conventional fuels such as coal and fuel oil. Other
research is looking at liberating energy from novel fuel sources such as biomass, municipal sewage, and municipal wastes.
Still further research is looking at space-based combustion environments. One factor common to all of these areas is the
need to assess the performance of materials of construction for high temperature applications. The combustor is a high
temperature, corrosive environment and most fuels generate solid deposits that exacerbate corrosion problems.
The goal of this project is to build a high temperature materials test chamber to investigate material performance in
combustion and gasification environments. This externally heated chamber will be connected to an existing simulated gas
system to replicate high temperature combustion environments. Test coupons will be inserted into the chamber for use in
material performance studies. Project challenges include the ability of the chamber to withstand frequent thermal cycling,
the ability to make a gas-tight chamber that can also be easily accessed for cleaning and test coupon insertion/retraction,
and the ability to control the temperature and gas composition environment within the chamber accurately. You must be
mechanically inclined and willing to get dirty to complete this project.
UND Dept of Chemistry
Dr. Ewan Delbridge
Box 9024, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-2495
Fax: 777-2331
edelbridge@chem.und.edu
Project Title: Synthesis and Characterization of Macrocyclic Ligands for Attachment to Lanthanide
This project is concerned with synthesizing a series of different lanthanide catalyst precursors. All lanthanide catalysts
synthesized will be used to polymerize lactide to polylactide. These studies are of broad interest because virtually all
currently used polymers are derived from a finite resource – fossil fuels. To continue to meet the growing need, finding
alternative polymers that are derived from renewable resources is a priority. One such polymer, polylactide (a polyester)
is biodegradable and has several potential medical applications. Although polylactide has been shown to adopt many
different geometrical structures (which greatly affect its properties), much has yet to be learned about how these different
structures are obtained. Catalyst design is imperative to understanding the mechanism of polymerization which, in turn,
affects the structure of the polymer. Lanthanide metal selection, along with ligand modification, will be used to
systematically modify catalyst properties. Detailed studies evaluating catalyst performance and polymer microstructure
will illuminate some of the mysteries of the polymerization mechanism. It is envisaged that an intimate understanding of
the catalyst requirements will be gained from these studies. In addition, vital information gathered about polymer structure
will be used as feedback to further improve, or fine-tune, catalyst precursor design.
UND Dept. of Electrical Engr
Dr. Hossein Salehfar,. Box 7165, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-4432
Fax: 777-5253
hsalehfar@und.nodak.edu
Dr. Michael Mann
UND Dept. of Chemical Engr. Box 7101, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-3852
Fax: 777-3773
Mikemann@mail.und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Developing an Experiemental Data Base from a 500 kW Fuel Cell for use in Model Verfication
Various researchers within the UND School of Engineering and Mines have been working to develop a viable program in
hydrogen energy. One program supporting that effort is a project designed to address the issues required for the
development of distributed wind-hydrogen energy systems. One of the current activities has focused around developing a
computer model to simulate the operation of a PEM fuel cell. This model will be incorporated into a larger model that
integrates wind, electrolysis, hydrogen storage, fuel cell, and a diesel generator to supply electrical power to a distributed
load. The researchers would like to use their existing Ballard 500 kW fuel cell to gather data under a wide variety of
simulated and experimental conditions to verify that the fuel cell model is accurate. The student will be responsible for
gathering and interpreting data from the fuel cell. They will coordinate the experimentation with the modeling group to
ensure that experiments are designed to obtain the proper data, and will work with the modelers in the comparison of the
experimental and simulated data. This project falls under the activities of SUNRISE (The SUtainable eNergy Research,
Infrastructure and Education Initiative).
UND Dept of Mechanical Engr
Dr. Matthew Cavalli
Box 8359, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-4389
Fax: 777-2271
Matthew.cavalli@mail.und.nodak.edu
Dr. William Semke
Box 8359, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-4571
Fax: 777-2271
William.semke@mail.und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Novel Materials for Improved Sensors Metal Centers – Potential Catalyst Precursors
This project focuses on actively controlling the deformation and vibration behavior of polymer composite materials
through the use of piezoelectric actuators. These actuators will be embedded within the composite structure and will
either expand or contract when an electric voltage is applied. The deformation of these actuators depends on the
properties of the applied electric signal and can be used to counteract undesirable deformations and vibrations in the
material. Actively-controlled materials have application in various types of sensors where the relative position of each
component must be known precisely or where the effects of external vibrations must be removed.
Students working on this project can expect to spend time learning about the theories of composite material mechanics
and piezoelectric materials, using these theories to predict the behavior of modified composite structures, and then
verifying their calculations by fabricating and testing composite material samples. As part of the project, the students will
also travel to local composite material manufacturers to gain an understanding for production and application of
composite structures.
UND Dept of Nursing
Dr. Cindy M. Anderson Box 9025, Grand Forks, ND 58202
701-777-4354 Fax: 701-777-4096
cindyanderson@mail.und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Fetal Growth Restriction: Consequences for Future Development of Hypertension
Intrauterine fetal growth restriction has been linked to adverse health outcomes and the development of later disease,
including hypertension. Little is know about the mechanisms contributing to hypertension in individuals with a history of
fetal growth restriction. The objective of this project is to identify functional and biochemical changes for vascular
signaling in resistance arteries of Sprague-Dawley rats born with fetal growth restriction. The central hypothesis is that
resistance arteries of growth-restricted offspring demonstrate enhanced responsiveness due to an altered contractile
signaling pathway, leading to hypertension. Methods for this study involve the surgical induction of reduced uteroplacental perfusion pressure in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats, comprising the experimental group. The control group will
undergo a sham procedure with perfusion to the utero-placental fetal unit unaffected. Offspring in both groups will be
weighed within twelve hours of birth and then weekly until the conclusion of the study. Systolic blood pressure will be
measured weekly beginning at four weeks of age using a tail-cuff apparatus. Animals will be euthanized at 6, 9 and 12
weeks of age. Mesenteric arteries will be isolated to determine expression of vascular signaling proteins (Western blot).
Group differences will be determined by Student’s T-test. At the completion of this project, signaling mechanisms
contributing to enhanced vascular responsiveness and hypertension will be identified. These data will assist in the
identification of populations at risk for cardiovascular disease, to promote the basis of effective interventions to improve
health outcomes for individuals with a history of growth restriction.
UND Dept. of Nursing
Dr. Donna L. Morris
Box 9025
Grand Forks, ND 58202
DonnaMorris@mail.und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Integrative Analysis of Menopause (I AM)
777-4529
Fax: 777-4096
Documentation of the relationship between lifestyle variables, such as physical activity and body composition, and
menopause symptoms could offer important guidelines for women seeking safe symptom relief. The purpose of this
descriptive study was to determine the relationship between a woman’s level of physical activity, body composition, Body
Mass Index (BMI), and menopause symptoms. Other aspects of this study will examine dietary intake and hormonal
profiles.
In the pilot study, female employees from a Midwestern university, ages 42-65, were eligible to participate. Participants
(N=62, mean age 50.2 years) completed questionnaires on menopause symptoms, medical history, dietary intake, and a
physical activity interview. The following measurements were done: height, weight, three-site skinfold, and girth. BMI
and age-adjusted body fat percentage were calculated.
In the preliminary analysis, 29% of participants reported participation in moderate to vigorous exercise a minimum of
three times weekly for at least 30 minutes each time. The remaining 71% reported sporadic, if any, exercise. Mean values
were body fat 29.3%; BMI 29.6; waist 36.9 inches, and hips 43.9 inches. Most common menopause symptoms
experienced were sleep disturbances, sweating, and physical and/or mental exhaustion. Regular exercisers reported fewer
symptoms than less active participants.
Controversy surrounds the effect of exercise and body composition on hormone levels and symptoms during menopause.
Further analysis using step-wise multiple regression will provide additional clarification of the relationship of body
composition and physical activity to menopause symptoms and may provide prescriptive exercise guidelines for reducing
symptoms.
UND Dept. of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Theraptutics
Dr. Jonathan D. Geiger Box 9037, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-2183
Fax: 777-4490
jgeiger@medicine.nodak.edu
Project Title: Aging Effects on Levels/Actions of the Sleep Regulators Adenosine and Glycogen
Sleep disorders, disturbances, and deprivation affect people of all ages, but are common among the aged. The
consequences of such disturbances in sleep are important clinically because of increased morbidity, mortality and
decreased quality of life, and economically because of reduced levels of productivity, decreased levels of learning and
memory, and increased incidences of accidents. Treatments of sleep disorders are made difficult because there are gaps in
our knowledge about the neurobiology of sleep – indeed sleep research has been referred to as a frontier of neuroscience
because even the most basic of questions “Why do we sleep?” is unanswered. One substance increasingly implicated in
sleep regulation is adenosine, an endogenous purine nucleoside. Multiple mechanisms and processes including its
production, metabolism, release, and uptake (transport) regulate the levels of adenosine available to activate cell surface
adenosine receptors classified as A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 on the basis of biochemical and pharmacological criteria and
molecular structures, and changes in these mechanisms and processes with age, almost certainly, change the levels and
actions of adenosine. Once activated, adenosine receptors have prfound effects on many different aspects of neural cells
implicated in sleep regulation and sleep need including excitability and glycogen metabolism. However, at present very
little is known about regulation of brain levels of adenosine in vivo and how this regulation is affected by age. Moreover,
virtually nothing is known about the effects of adenosine on sleep in the aged and how increased wakefulness in the aged
affects levels of adenosine and th expression of its actions. Since the early 1980’s, we have focused our work on
determining the mechanisms by which and extent to which adenosine-enzymes and –transporters control the levels and
actions of adenosine in vivo. The present application will take full advantage of our extensive background in the adenosine
field to test specific hypotheses related to the control of brain adenosine levels as a function of increased age and
wakefulness. Our overall hypotheses are that adenosine is an important regulator of sleep, that with increased age and
wakefulness adenosine levels increase, and that increased levels of adenosine will result in increased levels of glycogen in
specific sleep-related brain regions.
UND Dept. of Pharmacology, Physiology, and, Therapeutics
Dr. Van Doze Box 9037, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-6222
vdoze@medicine.nodak.edu
Dr. James Porter
Box 9037
Grand Forks, ND 58202
porterj@medicine.nodak.edu
UND Dept. of Biology
Dr. Sally Pyle Box 9019, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-3699
Sally.pyle@und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Adrenergic Neuromodulation Multi-Investigator Group
Fax: 777-4490
777-2296
Fax: 777-4490
Fax: 777-2623
The long-term goal of our research is to elucidate the biological effects of norepinephrine, an endogenous
neurotransmitter in the brain. Norepinephrine has been implicated in neural functions as diverse as sleep, learning and
memory, depression and epilepsy. The focus of this project is to examine the effects of norepinephrine on network
activity in the hippocampal CA3 region, an area of the brain important in reinforcing memory processes, as well as prone
to hyperexcitability. Our preliminary evidence suggests that norepinephrine has a biphasic (excitatory/inhibitory) effect
on hippocampal CA3 network activity, which may be mediated by different (beta-1 vs. alpha-2) adrenergic receptors
(ARs). These findings may be extremely important and could account for how norepinephrine both reinforces certain
memory processes and attenuates hyperexcitable episodes in vivo. To test the hypothesis that the inhibitory actions of NE
are mediated via alpha-2 ARs on pyramidal neurons, the following specific aims will be addressed: 1) Identify alpha-2
ARs expressed by hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons; 2) Define the role of alpha-2 AR activation in NE’s modulation
of hippocampal pyramidal neuron excitability. Field potential and infrared-guided cell-attached patch-clamp
electrophysiological recordings, pharmacological manipulation, and single cell RT-PCR methods will be used to achieve
these aims. The results of this project will not only yield information about the underlying mechanisms by which NE
modulates hippocampal neural networks, but will also identify novel receptor targets that potentially could be exploited
pharmacologically. By extension, these studies may also provide insight into how norepinephrine enhances learning and
memory, while inhibiting hyperexcitability.
UND Dept. of Psychology
F. Richard Ferraro
Box 8380, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-2414
F_ferraro@und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Aging, Cognition & Neuropsychology
Fax: 777-3454
For the past 20 years, I have been examining cognitive functions (i.e., memory, language, perception) in younger and
older adults. Results have typically revealed that many cognitive mechanisms remain fairly stable with age. More
recently, I have started to explore these aging and cognition mechanisms from a neuropsychological perspective. In
particular, I have studied how the frontal lobe affects everyday behavior including planning, thinking, and impulsive
decision-making. These studies have started to shine light on the complex interaction between behavior and brain
function. One often neglected area of study in the aging, cognition, and neuropsychological area deal with older adults
from different cultures. More specifically, Native American elderly adults have been a neglected group. In 2002 I edited
a book (Minority and Cross-Cultural Aspects of Neuropsychological Assessment) that began to document in Native
American elderly (and other cross-cultural groups) that lack of research in this area and offered up ways to begin more
systematic and scientific studies into how elderly Native Americans perform on neuropsychological tests and how this
performance relates to eventual dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The present proposal will continue with that effort by
analyzing data already collected as part of a grant examining dementia assessment in Native American elderly.
Additionally, the current proposal will request support to collect similar data in non-Native elderly. The PI maintains lists
of hundreds of non-Native elderly (age 55+) who can participate in the same project as the Native elderly, thereby
allowing for Native and Non-Native groups comparisons.
UND Dept. of Physics
Dr. Kanishka Marasinghe
Box 7129, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-3560
Fax: 777-3523
k.marasinghe@und.edu
Project Title: High Energy X-Ray Scattering Studies of the Atomic Structure of a Novel Laser Medium
A family of novel vitreous rare earth-ultraphosphates are being investigated for potential use as a high energy laser (HEL)
medium. In collaboration with scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and the University of MissouriRolla, we are working to produce vitreous rare earth-ultraphosphates whose atomic structure is “fine tuned” for
maximum lasing efficiency. Probing the atomic structure of these materials using High-Energy X-ray Diffraction
(HEXRD) is an important part of this project. HEXRD technique is relatively new and the data analysis process is quite
complex. Hence, there is room and a need for further improvement in both the experimental technique and data analysis
methodology. Over the past few months, researchers at UND and ANL have set out to develop a novel approach to data
analysis that promises to increase considerably the accuracy of structural information extracted from HEXRD data. The
AURA student will work on this exciting and challenging task. The student will first work at UND on existing HEXRD
data and learn the physics behind the technique and data analysis methodology. He or she will then travel to one of the
most modern synchrotron facilities in the world, the Advance Photon Source, at ANL to conduct a HEXRD experiment.
Data from this experiment will be used to validate the novel data analysis procedure being developed by UND and ANL
researchers. AURA student’s involvement in project should make him or her a strong candidate for one of the coveted
DOE Science Undergraduate Internships in 2006.
UND Dept. of Psychology
Dr. Jeffrey Weatherly Box 8380
Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-3470
Jeffrey_weatherly@und.nodak.edu
Dr. Adam Derenne
Box 8380
Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-4215
Adam.derenne@und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Investigating Behavioral Deficits in Mouse Models of Parkinson’s Disease
Fax: 777-3454
Fax: 777-3454
Researchers at the School of Medicine at the University of North Dakota have developed several strains of mice that relate
to the study of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Specifically, there are strains naturally prone to developing PD, that are
susceptible to developing PD when challenged, and that are resistant to developing PD even when challenged. We have
joined in a collaborative effort with these researchers to determine whether these strains show behavioral differences in
learning, memory, and motivation. If so, these differences could potentially lead to the identification of “behavioral
markers” for the appearance of PD and ultimately to preventative measures and/or early detection of PD in humans.
Students with an interest in pursuing a career in neuroscience, behavioral pharmacology, behavioral ecology, medical
research, or psychology will benefit from this experience.
UND Dept. of Psychology
Dr. Jeffrey Weatherly Box 8380, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-3470
Jeffrey_weatherly@und.nodak.edu
Dr. Adam Derenne
Box 8380, Grand Forks, ND 58202
777-4215
Adam.derenne@und.nodak.edu
Project Title: Investigating Behavioral Deficits Produced by Pesticide Exposure
Fax: 777-3454
Fax: 777-3454
The environment in the Northern Plains region, especially North Dakota, makes it unique to the study of
neurodegenerative diseases produced by exposure to pesticides. Researchers at the University of North Dakota Energy &
Environmental Research Center, as well as the School of Medicine, have begun the systematic study of such exposure as
it relates to damage to certain neurological structures and pathways. We have joined in a collaborative effort with these
researchers to determine how exposure to pesticides and the resulting neurological damage relates to behavioral changes
in learning, memory, and motivation. Furthermore, we are especially interested in determining what level of exposure is
necessary and/or sufficient to produce these behavioral differences. The outcome of this research will not only advance
our understanding of how pesticide exposure alters behavior, but may also help to shed light on specific
neurodengenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease, that are related to such exposure. Ideally, our research will
also help identify “behavioral markers” for individuals who may have been exposed to pesticides, which will then serve to
prevent further exposure. Students with an interest in pursuing a career in neuroscience, behavioral pharmacology,
behavioral ecology, medical research, or psychology will benefit from this experience.