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EURP Faculty Research Interests
Dr. Rich Bennett - Biology
Mustard gas is a chemical weapon with a history dating back nearly 100 years. It is considered
by many to be the most dangerous chemical weapon in existence due to its ability to harm
individuals, including those wearing a gas mask, and its ease of synthesis. Its acute effects
include painful blisters and respiratory lesions. Chronically, individuals that survive acute
attacks often suffer from life-long respiratory and ocular complications, including lung cancer.
It has also been shown that mustard gas can induce cancers in non-respiratory locations as well,
indicating that mustard gas can act systemically as well as locally.
A common characteristic of many cancers is the appearance of multiple centrosomes
(centrosome amplification) in cancer cells. Centrosomes are small organelles that guide
chromosomes toward spindle poles during mitosis. Normally, the number of centrosomes is
tightly regulated by a protein called p53 so that only two centrosomes are present during
mitosis. If this regulation is disrupted, cells can enter mitosis with more than two centrosomes,
and chromosomes can be segregated unequally, causing chromosome instability and cell death.
However, some genetic instability can give cells a growth advantage which is thought to lead to
cancer progression.
In my lab, we study the effect of a mustard gas surrogate (2-chloroethyl ethylsulfide) on
centrosome number. We have shown that 2-CEES induces centrosome number in cells and that
this leads to chromosome instability. We are currently studying the role of p53 in 2-CEESinduced centrosome amplification. In these studies, we will be transfecting animal cells in
culture with DNA that expresses the p53 protein and determining how that changes
centrosome number. We will also be studying the roles of glutathione (GSH) and Trolox, both
antioxidants, in mitigating centrosome amplification in these cells. The techniques we will use
include, but are not limited to, cell culture techniques, animal cell transfection, Western blots,
immunofluorescence staining and microscopy, et al.
Dr. Julian Davis - Engineering
Lycaenid butterflies have a drawn out hind wing anal angle set of set of markings on their
hind wings that includes eyespots and lines that converge toward the base of a set of delicate
tails that emerge from the tornus. Lycaenids with these markings may move their wings back
and forth along the anterio‐posterior axis in the saggital plane. In conjunction with these
movements, the tails are often crossed and exhibit a “flickering” motion as they move past each
other. In addition, the tails sometimes appear to “bounce” out of phase with the movements of
the wings.
These movements, along with highly contrasting white marks at the tips of the tails are thought
to enhance the effectiveness with which the tails mimic antennae. Collectively, these markings
and behaviors comprise the “false head” of these butterflies; the notion that these behaviors
serveto mimic heads as a response to predators is known as the false head hypothesis.
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Dr. Brandon Field - Engineering
I have been a part of a three-faculty research team with Jul Davis and Eric McCloud for several
years now to have EURP students examining the false-head hypothesis on several species of
local butterflies. This summer, we hope to expand the field work that we have been doing for
the past three summers: catching, marking, releasing, and re-capturing the butterflies in several
different locations (on campus and along the Burdette Park walking trail south of Broadway) to
determine the dynamics of the local population. In addition, we have been conducting wing
strength experiments and vibrational mode analysis of the wing structures to increase our
understanding of the relationship between form and function of the wings.
Dr. Priya Hewavitharangage – Chemistry
The objective of my proposed research is to develop novel fluorescent molecules that can be
used in Photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is a technique that used in destroying cancer cells
using nontoxic light-sensitive compounds that become toxic to targeted cell upon exposure to
light. BODIPY molecule was selected as the light sensitive molecule due to its superior
properties.
The synthesis involves basic as well as advanced organic synthetic techniques such as air-free
and Schlenk techniques. Molecules will be characterized by 1H, 13C, 19F, 11B NMR, UV/Vis, GCMS
and fluorescence spectroscopy. PDT activity of new BODIPY compounds will be studied using
human osteosarcoma (bone cancer) cells.
Dr. Jason Langley – Kinesiology and Sport
My laboratory is focused on the physiological testing of athletes and the creation of new
performance tests for all populations. The primary areas of interest are body composition
measurement, power analysis, maximal oxygen uptake, lactate threshold, agility, speed, and
strength development.
The development of highly reliable and valid testing models within the field of strength and
conditioning is minimal. Without sport and gender specific tests that are also developmentally
appropriate coaches often choose from a small list of popular tests that are not applicable to
their population.
My goal is to develop and determine the reliability and validity of tests targeted in the area of
agility. Until recently many of the tests developed required no reaction instead having
participants run around a set of cones as fast as they could. The tests lack reliability study and
without reaction should not be considered agility and therefore in valid. They also look nothing
like sporting activities.
The specific project will be carried out using college aged students, possibly athletes using the
Fusion Sport Smart Speed Gate system. We are one of less than ten universities in the US to
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have the system. The student(s) will be involved in the entire test design, data collection, and
analysis processes.
Dr. Marco Lara Gracia - Engineering
RESEARCH AREA:
Production Systems & Quality Control.
OBJECTIVE:
Learn and apply Quality Management concepts and principles of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
to define the optimal parameters of operation of production systems.
METHOD:
The standard research method will be used in conjunction with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), a
statistical technique commonly used in the design of industrial processes. The overall steps of
the standard research method to be used are: 1) Definition of hypotheses of interest, 2) Run
experiments to test hypotheses, and 3) Document research and results achieved.
PLAN OF WORK:
1. Provide the student with the necessary background on ANOVA and Quality
Management to successfully conduct his/her research.
2. Design and analyze the results of experiments involving factors such as flow rate,
temperature, and pressure.
3. Run the designed experiments using the FESTO’s MPS PS Compact Workstation.
4. Conduct sensitivity analysis to identify the optimal levels of the factors involved in the
experiment.
5. Conduct post-ANOVA analysis to verify that the results achieved are valid.
6. Document research in a written report.
7. Present research to the EURP group.
Dr. Eric McCloud – Biology
I have been a part of a three-faculty research team with Jul Davis and Brandon Field for several
years now to have EURP students examining the false-head hypothesis on several species of
local butterflies. In summer 2014, we hope to expand the field work that we have been doing
for the past three summers: catching, marking, releasing, and re-capturing the butterflies in
several different locations (on campus and along the Burdette Park walking trail south of
Broadway) to determine the dynamics of the local population. In addition, we have been
conducting wing strength experiments and vibrational mode analysis of the wing structures to
increase our understanding of the relationship between form and function of the wings.
Dr. Jeff Seyler - Chemisty
Iridium Pincer Catalysts: Based on a tridentate phosphine ligand, these pincer complexes have
been shown to function as dehydrogenation catalysts of organic substrates. The objective of
this project involves the synthesis of a novel ethynyl substituted phosphine and its iridium
complex. Computational models will be used to evaluate the complex and its reaction with
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simple substrates. The project will include the use of inert atmosphere techniques and product
characterization with FT-NMR and IR instruments.
Dr. Kelly Sparks – Teacher Education
The purpose of this research project is to investigate motivations for learning science between
and among students enrolled in introductory laboratory science courses. This research will
investigate similarities and differences in motivations between and among these courses. Data
will be collected using the Science Motivation Questionnaire (Glynn, 2011) with students
enrolled in introductory science courses, including chemistry, physics, and biology. Data
obtained from questionnaire responses will be subject to statistical analyses to gain an overall
perspective of groups being examined and to determine whether significant differences exist.
Dissemination for this research will include presentations at regional conferences and articles
submitted to science education journals.
Dr. Becky Sparks-Thissen - Biology
My long term scientific interests are to understand host-virus interactions at the molecular
level. Viruses are made up of genetic material (RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein coat. As
a virus particle, they do not have any ability to make proteins or replicate. To replicate, the
viral particle must first enter the host cell and release its genetic material. The genetic material
can then be copied and viral proteins synthesized. These proteins then self-assemble around
the genetic material to form the viral particle. The particles must then exit the cell, often by cell
lysis. The proteins responsible for replication and production of viral proteins are either
provided by the host or encoded in the virus genome. Since the virus encodes relatively few
genes (ranging from 10-200, depending on the virus), the contributions of viral genes to viral
replication is relatively well understood. In contrast, the contributions of cellular proteins are
not well understood.
I have chosen to study the interactions between the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (E.
coli) and the viruses that infect it (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T7). E. coli is normal component of the
human microflora and plays an important role maintaining human health. The bacteriophages
that infect E. coli are also a normal component of the normal human microflora and likely play
an important role in maintaining genetic diversity amount bacterial strains. This genetic
diversity plays a role in maintaining their interactions with their host, including humans
We began a set of studies to identify additional genes that might be important for T2, T4 and/or
T7 replication. Our studies indicated that a transposon insertion into the yhiM gene prevents
replication of T2, T4, and T7. YhiM is a conserved inner membrane protein (Rudd 2000).
Several studies have shown that this gene is transcriptionally upregulated under conditions of
cellular stress (Tucker 2002 ,White-Ziegler 2009, Hayes 2006, Altuvia 1997) Our work suggests
that this protein is required for the survival of E. coli in low pH conditions, although the
mechanism that YhiM uses to mediate this survival is unknown (Nguyen 2012). Additional
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work has suggested that YhiM is also important for growth in high sucrose conditions
(unpublished observation). I am interested in understanding how YhiM is involved in mediating
growth under conditions of cellular stress.
My goals for this project are to:
1) Determine whether YhiM is involved in growth in other cell stress conditions including
high salt and high temperature
2) Determine whether YhiM mutants have decreased expression of cellular proteins
involved in cell stress including the alternative sigma factor, RpoS.