Sophomore Early Research Program 2011-2012
Natural Science Faculty Projects
Natural Sciences: Projects in Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer
Science, and Neuroscience.
Astronomy
Wendy Bauer
I am working on several projects which use ultraviolet spectra of eclipsing binary systems to
map out the distribution of matter in the expanding winds of supergiant stars. The student
will learn how to use the IDL programming language to work with these spectra.
Biological Sciences
David Ellerby
My research lies at the intersection of physics and physiology, exploring the energetics and
mechanics of animal locomotion. For many animals, effective and economical locomotion is
an essential component of survival and fitness. Students participate in all aspects of the
research program: learning and implementing experimental and analytical techniques;
presenting data at professional conferences and in publications; and contributing to the dayto-day running of the lab.
Andrea Sequeira
Speciation and extinction in island endemics
Galápagos stands at a crossroads: unlike other oceanic archipelagoes it still retains most of its
original species, but ecological degradation is proceeding rapidly. Research in my laboratory
focuses on the population genetics of introduced species and how that affects the survival or
demise of resident endemics in the Galápagos. Sophomore students will be trained in
molecular biology techniques (DNA extraction, primer design, PCR optimization and
genotyping) to characterize introduced and endemic populations from the largest islands of
the archipelago, and will be exposed to a genetic and ecological based approach to
conservation of biodiversity: focus will be on skill building and independent troubleshooting.
Chemistry
Chris Arumainayagam
We propose to study the low-energy (0100 eV) electron-induced decomposition of the
organometallic precursor molecules Mo(CO)6 and MoF6 under ultrahigh vacuum conditions
(p ~ 1  1010 Torr) using post-irradiation temperature programmed desorption (TPD), a
well-established surface science technique, and isothermal electron-stimulated desorption
(ESD) experiments. These studies will allow us to examine the hypothesis that dissociative
electron attachment is the primary mechanism leading to radiation-induced damage in
organometallic precursor molecules relevant to electron-beam-induced deposition (EBID), a
promising technique for fabricating nanoscale structures.
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Don Elmore
Students working in my research lab would learn to use experimental techniques and/or
computational molecular modeling to investigate biochemical processes on a molecular level.
In particular, student projects will study antimicrobial peptides, lipid-binding in the plant
Patellin protein, or bacterial ion channels.
Nolan Flynn
The work study project focuses on making chemically-functionalized metallic nanoparticles.
We will characterize these nanoparticles with a battery of analytical methods, including
spectroscopies and electron microscopy. Following characterization, we will assemble the
nanoparticles in aqueous solution using electrochemical methods.
Adele Wolfson, (Biochemistry)
The focus of research in my lab is enzyme mechanism and regulation. We study the enzyme
thimet oligopeptidase (TOP) as a model of a metalloenzyme with a wide range of distribution
and function. Right now we are particularly studying regulation of TOP in prostate cancer
cells. Students working in my lab have the opportunity to interact with students and faculty in
the chemistry department and biological chemistry and neuroscience programs, to learn
techniques applicable to biochemistry and endocrinology, and see the connections to
problems of medical relevance.
Computer Science
Panagiotis Metaxas
Prof. Metaxas is working on projects related to the reliability of information on the Web and
Online Social Networks. Students will get a better understanding on the issues addressed by
his research, and help evaluate the quality of information that appears on twitter, facebook
and the Web. The job does not require programming ability, though it would be a plus to
have some experience in it.
Neuroscience
Bevil Conway
A position for a Sophomore to conduct research as part of the SERP program is available in
the Conway lab, in the Program in Neuroscience at Wellesley College. The student will help
design and perform behavioral and psychophysical experiments aimed at uncovering the
neural mechanisms of color perception. The lab uses psychophysical, electrophysiological
and computational approaches, although no previous experience is necessary. The lab
provides a supportive environment where all lab members are encouraged to participate in all
aspects of the lab's intellectual life, including presenting at journal clubs and national
conferences, making posters, and writing scientific papers. In addition, lab members are
encouraged to further develop their interests through participation in the Wellesley College
System's Club, a consortium of four labs spanning Psychology, Computer Science and
Neuroscience that are bound by a common interest in system's-level methods and questions.
Marc Tetel
My lab is interested in how steroid hormones work in the brain to regulate gene expression
and behavior. Students use a variety of techniques to investigate hormone function in brain,
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including protein-protein interaction assays and confocal microscopy. In addition to learning
these techniques and conducting experiments, students will assist in general lab maintenance
and organization.
Mike Wiest
In the Wiest Lab we use surgically implanted arrays of tiny electrodes to record the electrical
activities of neurons in rats’ brains while they engage in sensory detection tasks, to try to
understand how the brain creates perceptions. The research student would be responsible for
regular training of a group of rats, and if interested could also help with histological slicing
and staining of brains, neural recordings and data analysis, implantation surgeries, and other
lab activities. Potential educational benefits of this position include learning about animal
behavior, behavioral neurophysiology, the technical computing language Matlab, histological
techniques, surgical techniques, and modern approaches to the scientific study of mental
functions like attention and consciousness.
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