Research Experiences
for
High School Science
and Math Teachers
Summer 2003
Advanced Research Program/
Advanced Technology Program
Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board
July 2003
1
Supplemental Grants for High School Science
and Math Teachers - Summer 2003
Projects at ...
begin on page ...
Baylor College of Medicine ................................................................. 1
The Advanced Research Program and Advanced Technology
Program (ARP/ATP) were created by the Texas Legislature in
1987 as competitive grants programs for faculty members at
Texas institutions of higher education. Approximately 400
research projects are funded each biennium in a number of
different disciplines and research areas.
Lamar University................................................................................. 1
Midwestern State University ............................................................... 2
Rice University.................................................................................... 2
Southern Methodist University............................................................ 3
In January 1999, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board extended the programs to provide small supplementary
grants to existing grantees who employ high school science
and mathematics teachers to work on these projects during the
summer. The grants are used by research faculty members
primarily to pay for the teachers’ salaries for the four to nine
weeks they will work in the university laboratories and to cover
costs for laboratory supplies and travel.
Southwest Texas State University ...................................................... 4
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station ............................................... 5
Texas A&M University ........................................................................ 7
Texas Engineering Experiment Station .............................................. 8
Texas Tech University ........................................................................ 9
This program helps build linkages between high school
teachers and university research faculty, gives the teachers
experiences that they will carry back to their classrooms, and
results in increased interest in science and engineering among
high school students.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ............................... 10
University of Houston ....................................................................... 11
University of North Texas ................................................................. 13
University of North Texas Health Sciences Center ......................... 13
Forty-seven teachers participated in research projects in
summer 2001 and 47 participated in summer 2002. At the end
of the summer, almost all of the responding faculty researchers
and high school teachers judged the program to be excellent
or good.
The University of Texas at Arlington ................................................ 14
The University of Texas at Austin ..................................................... 15
The University of Texas at Dallas ..................................................... 17
This document lists the teachers and faculty members
participating in the program during summer 2003, and briefly
describes the work that each teacher will do.
The University of Texas-Pan American ............................................ 18
This summer, teachers are working on projects at 15 different
universities, six health-related institutions, and two experiment
stations. Teachers are engaged in a wide variety of different
activities ... from computer modeling to sample preparation to
using various scientific instruments for making measurements.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston..................... 20
The University of Texas at San Antonio ........................................... 19
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center .................. 21
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas .... 22
West Texas A&M University............................................................. 22
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TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD
ADVANCED RESEARCH PROGRAM/ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE AND MATH TEACHERS
SUMMER 2003
Teachers and Professors
Jessica Zenker
Life Science and Algebra teacher
YES College Preparatory School
Houston
Charles Densmore
Professor
Department of Molecular Physiology
and Biophysics
Baylor College of Medicine
Bonnie J. Ardoin
Chemistry teacher
West Brook High School
Beaumont
Daniel H. Chen
Professor
Chemical Engineering Department
Lamar University
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Polyethyleneimine-Gene Therapy Given by Aerosol: An Effective Treatment for Pulmonary
Metastases
Ms. Zenker will play an important role in our TDT project aimed at developing aerosol gene delivery
technology for clinical application in the treatment of lung cancer in human pediatric patients. This
technology uses a tumor suppressor gene (p53) and/or a cytokine gene (IL-12) in a unique and patented
nonviral formulation which appears to be highly effective in animal tumor models while exhibiting very
low toxicity. Ms. Zenker has worked with our collaborator on this grant, Dr. Genie Kleinerman of the
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and is already familiar with some of the methodology that will be used.
She proved to be a valuable addition to our collaborative effort and would therefore be an even more
valuable component of our research team this summer. Ms. Zenker has expertise in areas of molecular
biology that will enable her to continue work on redesigning the plasmids we are using in an effort to
increase the persistence of gene expression. Such an improvement could potentially make the
difference between success and failure in our planned pediatric cancer trials. She will also be involved
with animal tumor and tissue culture studies, preclinical toxicity studies and aerosol particle size studies.
These studies should enable Ms. Zenker to transfer her research experience to the classroom.
Super-Porous Titania/NLO-Coated Fiber Optic Photoreactor for Environmental Applications
Ms. Ardoin will work with two research assistants, under the supervision of the principal investigators, on
the coating of aerogel TiO2 mixed with a nonlinear optical crystal (BaTiO3 or LiB3O5) on optical fibers,
and measurements of photocatalytic oxidation of butyraldehyde in air. These research activities need a
strong chemistry knowledge and laboratory experience. Ms. Ardoin will have the opportunity to learn and
use analytical instruments such as a Nova surface analyzer, UV-Viz spectrophotometer, X-ray Diffraction
(XRD), GC-FID, and GC-MS. It is estimated that each of these tasks will take four and a half weeks.
Ms. Ardoin will learn from the laboratory work, interact with research personnel, and have the opportunity
to contribute to this emerging technology in air pollution control. Her experiences are expected to have a
significant impact on her high school science teaching.
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Teachers and Professors
Cerise Wuthrich
Algebra and Computer Science
teacher
Archer City High School
Archer City
Nelson Luiz Passos
Professor
Computer Science Program
Midwestern State University
Debbie Trahan
Mathematics teacher
Mayde Creek High School
Houston
Richard Baraniuk
Professor
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department
Rice University
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Flexible Integrated Caching Approach (FICA) for Efficient Content Delivery in Wireless Internet
The research project involves the use of WEB through wireless devices. Ms. Wuthrich participated in
this research last summer when she developed WEB pages based on the new WML mark-up language
and studied the applicability of such pages to cell phones. During that period she co-authored two
papers (one already accepted for a conference). In this new proposed participation, Ms. Wuthrich will
study the use of WML on Palm devices, monitoring the access to those WEB pages, and developing online and off-line applications to be used by students. This data will be later added to her previous results
in the simulation of WEB caching as described in the main research project. Expected results include
the preparation of the teacher for work with PDAs in complement to her previous training in cell phone
applications. Ms. Wuthrich will also have direct participation in the main research topic by proposing
new applications, algorithms and making observations to be used in future papers describing the
research results.
Delivering High Perceptual Quality Real-Time Video Over Wireless Networks
The purpose of my ATP project with Ed Knightly at Rice has been to develop technology and a testbed
for a new real-time video delivery system. We have made much progress, and a prototype is currently
under test. Our experimentation with real-time video delivery has convinced us of its great potential in
education contexts, such as distance education. In this summer project, I propose that Debbie Trahan,
a teacher at Mayde Creek High School, experiment with this new technology by integrating her teaching
materials for advanced placement high school courses into the Connexions system, a multimedia
educational project that I started in 1999. Her work will support the important goal of testing the
efficiency and effectiveness of the new video delivery system in an educational setting (scheduled for
Mid-03 in our proposal research time table).
Ms. Trahan will be using the Content Commons to create lesson plans for use in pre-advanced
placement high school mathematics courses. Students who take pre-advanced placement mathematics
courses generally tend to attempt advance placement calculus courses in high schools. Advanced
placement courses are college-level courses taught in high schools. Ms. Trahan will be able to share
these lesson plans with a larger community of pre-advanced placement and advanced placement
teachers through her presentations during the school year. Furthermore, they will be available over the
internet for other teachers to use with their students.
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Teachers and Professors
Shonda Majors
Anatomy, Physiology, and Biology
teacher
Houston Christians High School
Houston
Michael Liebschner
Professor
Department of Bioengineering
Rice University
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Novel Scaffold Design and Evaluation Technique for Engineering Bone Replacement Tissue
Tissue engineering techniques generally require the use of porous scaffolds, serving as a threedimensional template and providing the necessary support for cells to attach, proliferate, and maintain
their differentiated function. Its architecture defines the ultimate shape of the new grown tissue. A
relationship exists between tissue micro-architecture and mechanical usage in bone tissue. It is
however unknown how this architecture differs between species and how it correlates, i.e., with animal
weight and activity level. Knowledge about the evolution of bone micro-architecture could potentially
revolutionize the design of engineered bone replacement tissue and give insight into the importance of
bone micro-architecture.
Ms. Majors will be involved in characterizing bone micro-architecture from different species by using
cored bone specimen in a micro computed tomography system available in our laboratory and different
imaging software packages for analysis. She will also be involved in making scaled models of those
bone specimens using rapid prototyping and subsequent mechanical testing. Because of her training in
anatomy, physiology, and biology, Ms. Majors can translate the knowledge she gains through this study
directly into her classroom. Several bone diseases such as osteoporosis directly modify bone microarchitecture. Osteoporosis affects about 30% of our population over the age of 50 years and models
generated with the rapid prototyping machine can be used in class for demonstration purposes.
Robert B. Croman
Physics teacher
Plano West Senior High School
Plano
Radovan Kovacevic
Professor
Research Center for Advanced
Manufacturing
Southern Methodist University
Development of Information System for Hybrid Rapid Manufacturing Process
The goal of this proposal is to develop an information system for the Hybrid Rapid Manufacturing
Process. This system will consist of a number of modules, such as: a solid data exchange module
based on a donated ACIS 3D Geometric Modeler package, an on-line slicing module, a processplanning module, a process-sensing and control module, and a module for automatic generation of
welding torch paths and milling head paths. The completion of this work will lead toward the first fullscale rapid manufacturing system for building parts with features that cannot be readily produced by
other methods. As the project involves various aspects of engineering science and practice in
nontraditional manufacturing processes, welding, design, computer control systems, interfacing,
sensing, signal processing, and control, Dr. Croman will be exposed to the related concepts, principles,
methods, software and hardware, and software development. Dr. Croman will work with a research
team that consists of eight Ph.D. students, two post-docs, and a research engineer. The Principal
Investigator is motivated to help Dr. Croman in transferring his research experience to his classroom
activities. Dr. Croman has been collaborating with the Principal Investigator since 2000.
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Teachers and Professors
Matt Holmes
Biology teacher
Lanier High School
Austin
Caitlin Gabor
Professor
Department of Biology
Southwest Texas State University
Teresa A. Taylor
Biology teacher
Smithson Valley High School
Spring Branch
Joseph R. Koke
Professor
Department of Biology
Southwest Texas State University
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Species Recognition Versus Mate-Quality Recognition
Mr. Matt Holmes will return to continue working on the videotaping and video analysis project that he
worked on last summer. Mr. Holmes was able to video interactions between fish in the water in some of
the populations that we tested, but due to the flooding that occurred last summer, the water was too
murky to permit taping in other populations. Mr. Holmes will continue this video process this summer.
After the taping is finished Mr. Holmes will be reviewing the data in the tapes and recording the following
information for each focal male: (1) the male’s size class, (2) the number of specific males in the
vicinity, (3) the number of females within two body lengths from the focal male, (4) the number of mating
attempts (thrusting) and (5) aggressive interactions. Mr. Holmes’ previous efforts have already helped
this project significantly and his future efforts will be very valuable to our study and will provide him with
an excellent, well-rounded research experience that he can take back to his classroom.
Microarray-Based Neuropathology Studies
Ms. Taylor will determine the microscopic and molecular changes that occur in animal cells in response
to bacteria, with the intent of learning what signals are sent between host and potential pathogen. This
work will support the mail goal of the project, to develop a cell-based microarray system capable of
detecting the presence of neural and other pathologies. Initial investigations will be done in an
earthworm model; earthworms harbor symbiotic bacteria in their nephridia (kidney-like structures). The
host (earthworm) somehow selects the appropriate species of soil bacteria to “infect” its nephridia,
rejecting all others. Understanding this selection mechanism and the signaling behind it will yield
fundamental clues about the nature of pathogenesis and what signals to look for with a microarray
sensing device. We expect the structural changes that occur upon infection to educate our search for
signals. In addition, because this summer research is based on earthworms and relatively inexpensive
reagents and equipment, it will be easily transferable to the high school science laboratory.
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Teachers and Professors
Leanne Teneyuque-Rios
Chemistry teacher
San Marcos High School
San Marcos
Linette M. Watkins
Professor
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
Southwest Texas State University
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Biodesulfurization of Recalcitrant Organosulfur Compounds
The overall goal of Leanne Teneyuque-Rios’ summer research project will be to generate a recombinant
library of enzymes with enhanced specificity for one and two ring recalcitrant organosulfur compounds.
This coincides with the goal of the Advanced Technology Program supported project to find engineered
bacteria that are able to remove these compounds from crude oil. Using DNA shuffling techniques, Mrs.
Rios will recombine the genes from the IGTS8 bacteria and the genes from the A3H1 bacteria to form a
novel library of enzymes. She will then use a growth-based assay to identify bacteria with enhanced
activity toward the one and two ring recalcitrant compounds. She will work directly with the principal
investigator to learn the techniques needed for this project, specifically, DNA shuffling and highthroughput screening.
Mrs. Rios has previous experience in an academic research lab and will be able to use her previous
knowledge of cell culture and molecular biology techniques to significantly contribute to the development
of this research project. Furthermore, she will be able to take this knowledge back to her high school
classes so that ultimately the students in her Chemistry classes will benefit from this research
experience.
Mary Booth Lyle
Biology and Chemistry teacher
La Grange High School
La Grange
Patrick W. Dunne
Professor
Department of Veterinary
Anatomy and Public Health
Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station
Generating Conditional FMDV Resistance in Cattle by Inducible Ribozyme Degradation of IRES
RNA.
Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is the cause of a highly contagious disease of cattle and other
cloven-hoofed animals. The FMDV genome is a single-stranded RNA that is translated to produce a
protease-processed polyprotein in infected tissue. The translation of the viral genome is directed by a
conserved virus sequence termed an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that guides host ribosomes to
express virus proteins. To prevent the spread of the disease to animals following initial virus exposure,
the goal of this project is to express catalytically active antisense RNA (ribozymes) that disrupt the
FMDV IRES element in livestock. Using an inducible promoter to drive expression of the ribozyme
transgene, animals can be protected rapidly by feeding inducer-containing feed. The first step in
achieving this goal is to synthesize a DNA copy of the IRES element based on published sequence data.
Using six 107 base-pair oligonucleotides spanning the Pan Asia strain IRES element as templates, we
have now synthesized de novo the complete IRES fragment by PCR. The complete IRES was then
subcloned in-frame to a luciferase reporter gene. Our next step is to synthesize anti-IRES ribozymes
and siRNAs using the cloned IRES as template and test their antiviral activity in cell culture.
Mary Lyle will participate in the testing of one or more ribozyme and/or siRNA expression cassettes for
their efficacy in inhibiting FMDV IRES-mediated expression of the luciferase reporter. Ms. Lyle will add
to her store of knowledge of recombinant DNA techniques as well as her knowledge of enzyme activity
analysis.
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Teachers and Professors
Jasson Conner
Chemistry, Wildlife and Agriculture
teacher
Amarillo Center for Advanced
Learning
Amarillo
L. Wayne Greene
Professor
Amarillo Research Center
Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station
Judy Taylor
Anatomy, Physiology and
Biology teacher
Stephenville High School
Stephenville
James P. Muir
Professor
Stephenville Agricultural Experiment
Station
Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Conservation of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Open-Lot Cattle Feedyards
Mr. Conner who is supported by this grant will assist graduate students and research staff at the Texas
Agricultural Research Center in Amarillo to conduct a final feeding study that will finalize the data
collection, analysis and reporting for this project. Mr. Conner is responsible for teaching high school
animal science and chemistry at the Amarillo Area Center for Advanced Learning, which is part of the
Amarillo Independent School District. He will be introduced to environmental problems facing the beef
cattle feeding industry in the Texas panhandle and introduce these problems and solutions to his
classes. He will study methods to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus excretion in concentrated animal
feeding operations along with nutritional feeding management techniques to improve water, soil and air
quality. His daily work will consist of assisting existing personnel in completing an experiment designed
to reduce the supplemental protein (nitrogen) in the diet without reducing the economics of animal
production. This will be done by dietary treatments that increase the efficiency of nutrient use, thereby,
reducing excess amounts being excreted to the environment. Mr. Conner will be involved with the daily
care and management of feedlot animal subjects and collection of samples for laboratory analysis.
Sustainable Cultivated Pasture Systems for Texas Meat Goats
Judy Taylor will be invited back to complete her work with previously unstudied native legumes of the
Texas Cross Timbers. Utilizing plant samples collected in previous years, she will compare in sacco
degradability of various beneficial (crude protein and acid detergent fiber) and anti-quality (lignin and
condensed tannins) plant components in both a typical browser (goats) and a grazer (steer). Results will
assist us in understanding the dynamics of ruminant digestibility of browsed legumes and how these
dynamics can be utilized to protect native Texas germplasm from extinction from domesticated
herbivores.
In addition, Ms. Taylor will run statistical analyses on data collected the previous years and publish these
results in the Native Plant Journal. These will likely encompass two articles, one dealing with the
seed/foliage trade-off involved in herbivory of native legumes while the other will focus on herbivore
dynamics as indicated from in sacco degradability in rumen-fistulated animals.
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Teachers and Professors
Glenda Overfelt
Biology and Chemistry teacher
Del Rio High School
Del Rio
Ranjan S. Muttiah
Professor
Blackland Research & Extension
Center
Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Hydrology and Salinity Monitoring and Modeling Along the Middle Rio Grande
The objective of the proposed work by Glenda Overfelt, a science teacher from Del Rio High School, is
to separate local climatic influences on the inflows to Lake Amistad. In addition to being meritorious by
itself, determining the influence of local variability on the flows and lake levels will help the Advanced
Technology Program project which seeks to determine local and regional influences on flow regimes into
Amistad. Specifically, the following questions will be addressed: 1) how are daily streamflows into Lake
Amistad responding to local daily rainfall variability, and 2) how are the lake levels in Amistad responding
to variability of inflows. Lake Amistad receives inflows from the Rio Grande, Pecos, and Devils rivers.
The primary contributors to Rio Grande and Pecos flows are the snow melt in Colorado, and New
Mexico, respectively. Baseflow from the Edwards aquifer is the main contributor to flows of the Devils
river.
Rain gauges within a 500 km footprint of the lake will be obtained from the National Climatic Data Center
(NCDC)-National Weather Service (NWS) website, and a nominal year of rainfall (50% exceedence
probability) and wet year (95% exceedence) will be identified for each rain gauge. The nearest stream
gauge to each NCDC-NWS weather station will be identified using maps such as stream networks,
gauge loci, and Digital Orthophoto Quads (DOQQ) generated in a Geographic Information System
(GIS). Stream gauge data are readily available from the International Boundary Commission (IBWC),
and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) websites. Daily lake levels are available from the IBWC.
Standard statistical hypothesis tests, and newer variance tests using wavelets will be employed to assign
statistical significance between rainfall, inflow, and lake levels.
Robert E. Richards
Physics, Chemistry and Biology
teacher
Bryan High School – Silver Campus
Bryan
Real-Time Drought Assessment and Forecasting System for Texas Using GIS and Remote
Sensing
Mr. Richards will be assisting with data collection and processing for this project. Also, statistical
analysis of data during the post-processing phase will be extremely important, and a valuable
contribution to the research.
Raghavan Srinivasan
Professor
Forest Science
Texas A&M University
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Teachers and Professors
Tami Dudo
Algebra and Calculus teacher
A&M Consolidated High School
College Station
K. T. Hartwig
Professor
Department of Mechanical
Engineering
Texas Engineering Experiment
Station
James Bassett
Geometry and Precalculus teacher
A&M Consolidated High School
College Station
Jyh-Charn Liu
Professor
Computer Science Department
Texas Engineering Experiment
Station
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Manufacture of Improved Thermoelectric Materials
We plan for Ms. Dudo to assist on our TDT project in two areas. In the first case, she will do threedimensional geometric modeling of extrusion billet losses after multi-pass equal channel angular
extrusion (ECAE). This is important because of industry’s desire to maximize fully processed material
yield. Several different multi-pass extrusion schedules are being considered for industrial processing
schedules. The route that minimizes billet losses and also accomplishes the best micro-structural
refinement in the fewest number of passes (least number of handling steps) will be the most
economically attractive. The results of this work will be of practical benefit to the industrial co-sponsors
(Marlow Industries, Dallas, Texas) and will be publishable.
The second area of work will be the preparation and characterization of bulk Bi2Te3 following
consolidation of powdered precursor materials. Most Bi2Te3 materials used for thermoelectric devices
by Marlow’s competitors are prepared following a powder metallurgy route. It would be of interest for us
to examine the microstructure of such material consolidated via ECAE. As an extension of this powder
metallurgy approach, we plan to prepare a batch of nano-structured starting powders, using high energy
ball milling, to see if consolidation of such materials gives any thermoelectric performance advantages.
The results of this second study will hopefully shed light on special benefits gained from ultra-finegrained bulk Bi2Te3 alloys.
On the Statistical/Bio-Physical Extraction of Textural Features of Imagery Databases
A major research opportunity for Mr. Bassett to participate in our project is geometric modeling of the 3D images of living cells, which are acquired by high resolution imaging systems in the veterinary school.
As a part of the effort to create texture-based imagery databases, the slice-scanned 3-D images need to
be reconstructed, so that users can visualize the physical shape, look, and measurement of the cell,
from inside to outside.
The original research team will work on image processing methods to segment major landmarks of cells,
and Mr. Bassett will be asked to use his expertise to create different affine transforms, and their
corresponding mappings to a regular display screen. The research team will work with Mr. Bassett to
select the proper implementation tools to visualize the cell from different angles, and he can take the
resulting work back to his classroom for teaching purposes, and inspire students to see the values of
geometry and other related math to real life applications.
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Teachers and Professors
Sonja Crowell
Chemistry teacher
Lubbock High School
Lubbock
Dominick J. Casadonte, Jr.
Professor
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
Texas Tech University
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Enhanced Degradation of Environmental Contaminants Using Pulsed and Heterodyne
Sonochemistry
Ms. Crowell will examine the effects of multifrequency heterodyne sonication on the oxidative
degradation of acid orange, a common textile colorant and industrial pollutant. Through the work which
Ms. Crowell will perform we will be able to determine the extent to which multifrequency sonication
enhances the production of hydroxyl radicals (a leading oxidant in the sonochemical degradation of
environmental contaminants in aqueous media), as well as whether or not there is a particular
combination of frequencies which leads to optimum heterodyne sonochemistry.
Lee Franks
Physics, Geology and Astronomy
teacher
Lubbock High School
Lubbock
Physical Simulation of Extreme Winds from Thunderstorms
Chris Letchford
Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
Texas Tech University
A parametric study of weak links will be undertaken as a qualitative measure of where fixity strength may
be optimized.
Brett Peikert
Physical Science and Physics
teacher
Trinity Christian High School
Lubbock
Dual Readout Calorimetry for High-Quality Energy Measurements
Richard Wigmans
Professor
Department of Physics
Texas Tech University
Mr. Franks will construct a model house with variable-strength electromagnets simulating fixity of various
building components and cladding. The model will be tested in the TTU Wind Tunnel to determine
failure mechanisms and wind speed that will cause cladding and overall failure.
In the framework of this project, a large scientific instrument is being constructed at Texas Tech
University. This instrument is intended for detecting high-energy elementary particles such as protons,
electrons and pions with high precision. In the summer of 2003, this instrument will be extensively
tested in particle beams provided by the Super Proton Synchrotron at CERN.
Mr. Peikert will participate in the preparation of the detector for these tests. He will assist in the data
taking at the accelerator and he will also participate in the analysis of these data.
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Teachers and Professors
Tobi McMillan
Anatomy, Physiology and Chemistry
teacher
Lubbock-Cooper High School
Lubbock
Lorenz O. Lutherer
Professor
Department of Physiology
Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Clinical Trial of Oral Interferon Alpha in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
This project involves a capital phase II clinical trial of an experimental drug for possible treatment of a
rare disease that compromises the exchange of gases in the lungs. Life expectancy after diagnosis is
4.5 years, and there is no objective evidence that any current treatment increases either the time of
survival or quality of life. In this study subjects are treated with the study drug and periodic assessment
made of their pulmonary function and progression of their disease. Ms. McMillan, under supervision of
the Principal Investigator and the clinical research nurse, will interview potential subjects, explain the
study to them, maintain contact with newly enrolled subjects, observe the various tests being done, and
be involved in data collection and data analysis.
During the previous summer, Ms. McMillan had the opportunity to interact with subjects prior to and
during the early stages of treatment. This summer, in addition to working with newly enrolled subjects,
she will have the opportunity to work with subjects she interacted with last summer who have now
completed one year of treatment and who are continuing treatment for a second year because they
showed no progression of their disease. In contrast to the very preliminary results that she obtained last
summer, she will now be able to describe in her classroom some full sets of data suggesting efficacy of
the treatment as well as the next stage in the process of obtaining FDA approval. Thus, Ms. McMillan
will be able to work on data covering the entire initially projected duration of treatment and participate in
the writing of an initial report on the study. She will also be able to participate in writing grant
applications for an additional multi-center study. Last summer, on days that no subjects were scheduled
for clinic visits, she was involved in some ongoing animal studies exploring the mechanisms for the
respiratory responses observed in the subjects in order to compensate for the impaired gas exchange in
their lungs secondary to their disease. Those studies have been completed, and this summer she will
have the opportunity to participate in the next set of experiments designed on the basis of the results of
the previous study. Again experience with the animal studies will enhance her knowledge of physiology
and understanding of what she sees in the human subjects.
Gary Fortenberry
Biology and Chemistry teacher
Monterey High School
Lubbock
David C. Straus
Professor
Department of Microbiology
and Immunology
Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center
Detection of Airborne Mycotoxins Produced by Fungi in “Sick Buildings”
Research in our laboratory has examined the role of microbial contaminants in buildings reported to
have indoor air quality (IAQ) problems. We have shown that in over 95 percent of “sick” buildings, fungi
growing on wetted building surfaces have been the principal source of the problem. Most notably,
Penicillium, Aspergillus and Stachybotrys species have been found growing in heating, ventilation and
air-conditioning systems and on building surfaces. These fungal species produce a number of potent
mycotoxins. In order to better understand the role of mycotoxins in “sick” building syndrome, we
propose the following objectives that Mr. Fortenberry will learn: 1.) how to work with these fungi; 2.) how
to work with these mycotoxins; and, 3.) how to detect their presence. Mr. Fortenberry worked in my
laboratory last summer and as a result has his name on a submitted paper “An investigation into
techniques for cleaning mold contaminated home contents” by S.C. Wilson, T. Brasel, C. Carriker, G.D.
Fortenberry, M.R. Fogle, J. Martin, C. Wu, L. Andriychuk, E. Karunasena, and D.C. Straus.
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Teachers and Professors
Steven Statt
Environmental Science teacher
Alief Elsik High School
Houston
Shankar Chellam
Professor
Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering
University of Houston
Belinda Stanley
Biology and Chemistry teacher
St. Thomas’ Episcopal School
Houston
Diana Chow
Professor
Department of Pharmacological and
Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Houston
Wiley P. Schuller
Physics and Chemistry teacher
Robert E. Lee High School
Houston
Alex Freundlich
Professor
Texas Center for Superconductivity
and Advanced Materials
University of Houston
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Nanofabrication and Performance Evaluation of a New Class of Membrane Filters for Water
Purification
Mr. Statt will learn and implement techniques for the cultivation of at least three different
microorganisms: Bacilu subtilus, Serratia marcences, and Brevundimonas dimunita.
Mr. Statt will perform filtration experiments to quantify the microorganism effects on membrane fouling
during drinking water filtration. He will also train on and use a scanning electron microscope, a phase
contrast microscope and other tools (including a shaking incubator, high speed centrifuge, and
generalized sterile laboratory techniques).
Chemoprevention of Skin Cancers by Novel Derivatives of Tempol in Mice and Cultures
There will be two types of experiments that Ms. Stanley will perform with the support of this grant. The
first set of experiments involves the immunohistochemical (IHC) stainings of skin samples harvested
from acute short-term UV–irradiated hairless mice. The UV–induced damages with and without the BETOPS treatment will be evaluated comparatively by expression of tumor suppression gene, p53, TUNEL,
PCNA, Bcl-2, Bax, Fas/Fas-ligand, and sunburn cells, using established IHC kits.
The second set of experiments involves chronic long-term UV irradiation, three times weekly, in hairless
mice. The UV-induced damages in the skin and the tumor development with and without BE-TOPS
treatment will be monitored as a function of time in weeks. The chemopreventive and therapeutic
potentials against the tumor development will be assessed with BE-TOPS treatment employed during or
after irradiation, respectively. The above listed IHC studies will be performed on the skin samples
harvested at various time points. In addition, the tumor incidence and multiplicity in each group of 10
mice will be evaluated.
Radiation Tolerant and Ultra Efficient Multijunction Quantum Well Solar Cell for Spacecraft
Wiley Peyton Schuller will be involved with the fabrication and testing of the advanced solar cell devices
for space application. He will be exposed to a large variety of device processing techniques such as
photolithography and vacuum evaporation and will support the illuminated and dark current voltage and
capacitance-voltage analysis effort. The proposed teacher training research work includes the collection
of the experimental data.
11
Teachers and Professors
Frank Butcher
Physics teacher
Deer Park High School – South
Deer Park
Charles Horton
Professor
Texas Center for Superconductivity
and Advanced Materials
University of Houston
Tricia N. Aguas
Physics and chemistry teacher
John H. Reagan High School
Houston
Alex Ignatiev
Professor
Texas Center for Superconductivity
and Advanced Materials
University of Houston
Jennifer Kuhl
Chemistry teacher
St. John’s School
Houston
Karl Kadish
Professor
Department of Chemistry
University of Houston
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Novel High Efficiency Thermophotovoltaic Device for Direct Heat to Electricity Conversion
Mr. Butcher will be involved with the fabrication and testing of the advanced thermophotovoltaic (TPV)
device and will be exposed to a large variety of device processing techniques such as photolithography
and vacuum evaporation. The proposed teacher training/research work includes the synthesis of the
experimental data.
Thin Film Optical Detector for Retinal Implantations, a “Bionic Eye”
Ms. Aguas will participate in the fabrication process of the detector in the Bionic Eye project as follows:
1. Photolithography
Activities in this process include spinning time, pre-baking of the photoresist, uv exposure and
development
2. Transferring to a polymer carries
Activities include wet etching of the fabricated devices for transferring them from the original
substrates to a polymer film.
3. Preparation for implantation
Activities include cutting the polymers with the devices to proper sizes (2 X 1 mm) for
implantation.
Redux Properties of Electroactive Porphyrin-Based Components for Molecular Electronics
The goal of this project is to carry out electrochemical and spectroscopic measurements on a series of
progressively more and more complex porphyrin-based molecules that can be used as components in
molecular electronics. These studies begin with “simple” mono-porphyrins containing fused aromatic
rings and then progress to systems containing 2,3, 4 or more porphyrin macrocycles linked together by
various spacer groups. Ms. Kuhl will contribute to the project by helping to make electrochemical and
spectroscopic measurements on the different component species under different solution conditions and
in the presence of different complexing ions which may coordinate to the metal centers of the porphyrins
being investigated. She should also be able to carry out measurements of equilibrium constants for
ligand binding at the metal centers of the compounds and to investigate complexation of different metal
ions by the fused phenanthrolene groups on some of the compounds to be electrochemically
characterized. Her assistance in these areas will be a valuable addition to the project and will provide
her knowledge which can be used to enhance her classroom teaching during the following Fall
semester.
12
Teachers and Professors
Clyde A. Price
Chemistry, Integrated Physics, and
Environmental Systems teacher
John M. Reagan High School
Houston
David Starikov
Professor
Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center
University of Houston
Sean Eyre
Calculus and Physic teacher
Kaufman High School
Kaufman
Jose Perez
Professor
Department of Physics
University of North Texas
Jo-Ann S. Yannazzo
Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry
and Microbiology teacher
North Side High School
Fort Worth
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Self-Aligned Multi-Color Photodetectors Based on III Nitrides for Advanced Flame/Fire Detection
Mr. Price has previously worked on several nitride group projects. He is familiar with the group’s goals
and has shown excellent hands-on experience and skills. Mr. Price will continue to work on this project
providing design and assembly of small equipment parts for the processing and characterization of the
nitride-based fire/flame detector prototype. This equipment will include the system for deposition of
transparent electrically conductive tin oxide layers by spray pyrolysis and modification of spectral
measurement system.
Self-Assembled Silicide Nanostructures for Integrated Optoelectronics
Mr. Eyre will work within the Semiconductor Physics Laboratory at the University of North Texas and will
become acquainted with the synthesis, processing and characterization of semiconductors. He will also
participate in a semiconductor seminar series, and will meet with researchers from semiconductor
industries in the North Texas region. He will use this exposure with both the university and industry to
provide career guidance and enhancement at Kaufman High School. This will also expose the high
school students to university and industry level research and career concepts in the world of physics.
Function and Regulation of Polycystin-2 in C. Elegans – A Model for Polycystic Kidney Disease
Research will include testing chemicals on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to observe their effect
on intracellular calcium ion channels. Fluorescent techniques will be used to quantitate the amount of
calcium ions inside the cells.
Peter Koulen
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and
Neuroscience
University of North Texas Health
Science Center
13
Teachers and Professors
Edward McGinley
Anatomy, physiology, gerontology,
and pharmacology teacher
Green B. Trimble Technical High
School
Fort Worth
Sajal K. Das
Professor
Department of Computer Science
and Engineering
The University of Texas at Arlington
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Flexible Integrated Caching Approach (FICA) for Efficient Content Delivery in Wireless Internet
Mr. Edward McGinley is a Health Science Technology teacher as well as a trainer of Emergency Medical
Technicians (EMTs). His association in our Texas ARP-funded project will be extremely useful in
validating telemedicine applications of the wireless internet. The ongoing project is about efficient
content delivery to users of the wireless internet on their handheld devices. EMTs (and of course victims
of accidents and disasters) would benefit greatly if all the required information (such as medical history,
traffic scenario, advice from medical specialists, etc.,) were available on a handheld device via the
wireless internet. Through this grant we will be in a position to develop a prototype for telemedicine
applications of the wireless internet. More importantly, Mr. McGinley will transfer the knowledge
acquired to his students and this, in turn, will result in the acceptance of technology by future EMTs.
During the five weeks of the grant period, it is envisioned that the following objectives will be achieved:
1. Mr. McGinley will be given hands-on experience with wireless internet and content delivery on
handheld devices.
2. Mr. McGinley will talk to us about the issues and challenges of EMTs and how they can benefit
from information technology.
3. The development of a simple prototype on the application of wireless internet.
Jay B. Atman
Physics teacher
James Martin High School
Arlington
Suresh C. Sharma
Professor
Department of Physics
The University of Texas at Arlington
Newly Discovered Radiation Detector: Nanometer Size Liquid Crystal Droplets in Polymer
Mr. Atman was the recipient of the “Supplemental High School Teacher Grant” on the same project
during the summer of 2002. He did an excellent job in learning about the research project, carrying out
optical characterization of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) cells, and carrying the enthusiasm of
his research experience back to his students at the high school. He even got his AP-Physics class
involved in some aspects of the research in my laboratories.
Mr. Atman will participate in research (along with one graduate student, one postdoctoral research
associate, and one undergraduate) on the optical characterization of the PDLC’s and their development
as radiation detectors. He will gain invaluable experience with laser spectroscopy, physics of radiationinduced phenomena in materials, and data acquisition/analysis techniques. This grant will also provide
an opportunity for Mr. Atman to participate in the preparation of manuscripts that will be submitted with
his co-authorship for publications.
14
Teachers and Professors
Terry Frentrop
Physics teacher
The Academy of Irving ISD
Irving
Panayiotis S. Shiakolas
Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering
The University of Texas at Arlington
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Manufacturing of Affordable Single Use BioMEMS
Mr. Frentrop will be working with a team consisting of two professors, 3 Ph.D.s, 4 Masters, and 3
undergraduate students researching and developing a hot embossing microfabrication manufacturing
system for the fabrication of single-use, inexpensive bio-sensors.
Mr. Frentrop will familiarize himself with the project objectives and the usage of the main equipment: a
femtosecond laser with a 3-degree of freedom moving platform (a laser will be used as a CNC machine
tool to generate a mold), and a hot embossing micro-manufacturing system on a material testing
machine (to create the part from the mold) and the LabView software for local and internet-based
control. A number of auxiliary high technology equipment and subsystems (motion, heating, cooling,
etc.) will provide a unique environment for Mr. Frentrop to be exposed to and understand these
technologies and contribute to the current research being performed.
Mr. Frentrop will be employed in a research and development environment that emphasizes an ultimate
goal of conveying a manufacturing process to the real-world and will contribute to the project in activities
as noted. He will receive hands on experience that can be transferred back to the physics classroom
and lab. He will be able to communicate to students, real-world applications of higher level research and
design. Exposure with LabView will allow the teacher to evaluate the possibility of utilizing LabView at
the secondary level, which allow students to remotely access and control labs of their design. He will be
researching the development of a postprocessor based on mold features to drive the laser for machining
the mold. In addition, Mr. Frentrop will participate in the design of experiments to identify the influence of
process parameters on the quality and performance of the biosensor and eventually modify the process
parameters to meet performance requirements.
Dean Mohlman
Biology teacher
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School
Austin
Stephen F. Martin
Professor
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
The University of Texas at Austin
Probing the Structural Basis for Enzyme Specificity
Mr. Mohlman will carry out experiments involving site-directed mutagenesis to prepare transformants of
PLCBC having altered specificity profiles. He will purify protein and grow crystals for X-ray
crystallographic studies of complexes of the mutants with non hydrolysable substrate analogues to try to
obtain insights regarding the structural basis for the specificity of PLCBC. During the course of this work
he will learn and apply standard biochemical techniques involved in mutagenesis, protein expression and
purification.
15
Teachers and Professors
Charlotte May
Calculus and Algebra teacher
Bowie High School
Austin
Christine E. Schmidt
Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Electronic Nanoparticle-Tissue Composites for Targeted Biomolecular Delivery
With the rapid development of nanoelectronic fabrication and nanostructure synthetic techniques, there
exists a unique opportunity to interface living cells with electronic materials technologies for potential
medical and sensing applications, as well as new fundamental physiological studies that probe the
nanoscale features of cellular processes. This ARP project specifically aims to interface semiconductor
nanocrystal quantum dots with cellular tissues through cell-receptor mediated molecular recognition to
surface-functionalized quantum dots. The goal is to optically induce an electronic response in the
nanocrystals that translates into a cellular response, such as the release of a desired chemical.
Dr. May, a high school math teacher, will work with Professors Schmidt and Korgel and a graduate
student to estimate the quantitative relationship between the electric field generated within the
nanocrystals and the intensity of the cellular response. These calculations will be very important for
optimizing the nanocrystal properties, such as size and surface chemical modification, as well as the
binding location on the cell itself.
Chris Cotter
Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry,
Geology, Physical Science,
Environmental Science and Math
teacher
Akins High School
Austin
Dying Stars, Living Planets
Don Winget
Professor
Department of Astronomy
The University of Texas at Austin
This is the first search sensitive enough to detect planetary systems dynamically similar to our own. Mr.
Cotter will be a co-author on the research we carry out this summer. He will participate in the full
spectrum of scientific research from planning to publication, and co-author the scientific papers we
submit based on our research.
Chris Cotter will serve as collaborator on this research project. He will carry out observations of white
dwarf stars at The University of Texas’ McDonald Observatory using the Argos CCD prime-focus, highspeed photometer and assist in the reduction, analysis and interpretation of the data. The goal is to
discover new pulsating white dwarf stars and use variations of the pulse arrival times to search for reflex
orbital motion as a signature of extrasolar planets.
16
Teachers and Professors
Richard Sulfstede
Chemistry teacher
The Colony High School
The Colony
Kenneth J. Balkus, Jr.
Professor
Department of Chemistry
The University of Texas at Dallas
Jay Ingram
Chemistry teacher
North Garland High School
Garland
Juan E. Gonzalez
Professor
Department of Molecular and
Cell Biology
The University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Nanostructured Hybrid Membranes for High Temperature Fuel Cells
As part of a collaborative effort with Los Alamos National Labs to provide fresh concepts in Fuel Cell
Technology, we have proposed to develop novel, high-temperature, polymer-electrolyte membranes.
These next generation fuel cells will perform well at temperatures in the 150-180oC range where CO
tolerance is substantially improved, minimize fuel crossover and water transport for direct methanol fuel
cells, and will be tolerant to impurities in the feed stream. As part of this effort Mr. Sulfstede will conduct
the synthesis and characterization of proton conducting polymers within the pores of functionalized
mesoporous molecular sieves. Mr. Sulfstede will be exposed to contemporary organic and inorganic wet
chemical methods as well as state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. These novel materials will be
incorporated into a test fuel cell as flat membranes either in the form of polymer composites or as free
standing films. A fuel cell test station will be used to evaluate the membrane conductivity via impedance
measurements.
Host-plant Interference in Sinorhizobium meliloti Quorum Sensing
In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that many important bacterial activities such as motility,
and the synthesis of exoenzymes, exopolysaccharides, surfactants and antibiotics are regulated in a
population density-dependent manner. These activities are essential for the effective colonization and
pathogenesis of animal or plant hosts. Density-dependent regulation of gene expression (“quorum
sensing”) involves the production, release and detection of small, extra-cellular signal molecules termed
autoinducers.
In our laboratory we study the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between the leguminous plant Medicago sativa
(alfalfa) and the Gram-negative bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. We have demonstrated that S. meliloti
produces a variety of N-Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signals, the most common autoinducers
produced by Gram-negative bacteria.
We have obtained strong evidence that alfalfa indeed produces AHL-mimic compounds. These
compounds affect the expression of quorum-sensing regulated genes in two commonly used reporter
strains (Chromobacterium violaceum and Agrobacterium tumefaciens). Furthermore, we have
demonstrated that these plant-produced AHL-mimics alter the pattern of autoinducer production in S.
meliloti. Ms. Dingrando will examine (in close collaboration with the Principal Investigator) the effect of
alfalfa AHL-mimics on the S. meliloti quorum-sensing systems as well as their role in overall S. meliloti
gene regulation. It is exciting to consider the possibility that many eukaryotic hosts could be capable of
interfering with the quorum-sensing behavior of associated pathogenic/symbiotic bacteria. The
proposed study will provide a better understanding of the symbiotic/pathogenic relationships between
prokaryotes and their eukaryotic hosts and could potentially provide tools for the control and
manipulation of such relationships.
17
Teachers and Professors
Lee R. Silva
Biology teacher
Clark High School
Plano
A. Dean Sherry
Professor
Department of Chemistry
The University of Texas at Dallas
Nilda N. Camarena
Chemistry and Physics teacher
Nikki Rowe High School
McAllen
Hassan Ahmad
Professor
Department of Chemistry
The University of Texas-Pan
American
Teacher activity as described by grantee
MT Contrast Agents: A New Paradigm in Molecular Imaging
The goal of this research is to develop a new type of MRI contrast agent that “responds” to various
biological events inside the human body. We have recently discovered a new class of lanthanide
complexes wherein a Ln3+-bound water molecule is in slow exchange with bulk water. Last summer we
designed and began the synthesis of a tetra-amide macrocyclic ligand containing two appended
peptides that could form a compact folded structure above a Ln3+-bound water molecule. The goal of
this summer project is to finish the synthesis of this molecule and begin its characterization, as well as
the synthesis of a modified design with a different protein motif attached to the macrocycle. Peptides will
be synthesized on an automated peptide synthesizer using standard Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis
protocols. Purification will be carried out using reverse phase HPLC. Circular dichroism will be used to
characterize the secondary structure and folding properties of the purified peptides. We will then test the
hypothesis that water exchange with bulk solvent can be altered by enzymatic cleavage of those peptide
chains, thereby exposing bound water to bulk solvent. This will be detected using magnetization transfer
NMR techniques.
Biological Activities of Citrus Flavonoids
Mrs. Nilda Camarena, a chemistry and physics teacher has an excellent educational background. She
has had undergraduate research experience and plans to pursue a master’s degree in chemistry. Her
knowledge and lab experience will help her assist us in the isolation and characterization of the
gluthathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes. The tissues extracted from animals which are
administered with citrus flavonoids will be used to isolate the isoenzymes. A new approach using
reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), will be applied to isolate the closely related
and small amounts of GST that may have high carcinogenic activities. The patterns of GST isoenzymes
from tissue of control and experimental animals will reveal which of the isoenzymes is specifically
induced by the flavonoids. The functional and immunological characterization of these isoenzymes will
reveal their significance in metabolism of carcinogens.
This experience should significantly enhance her ability to convey the importance and realities of
chemical and/or biochemical research to her students at the high school. The research experience will
also give her a competitive edge for her future master’s endeavors and directly benefit the ATP grant.
18
Teachers and Professors
Abraham Frias
Physics and Chemistry teacher
Harlandale High School
San Antonio
Dibyendu Sarker
Professor
Department of Earth and
Environmental Science
The University of Texas at
San Antonio
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Geochemical Fate and Bioavailability of Arsenic in Pesticide-Applied Soils: Phase 1: In-Vitro
Study
Years of widespread application of arsenic (As)-based pesticides have increased the background
concentrations of As in agricultural soils, such as the cotton fields of Texas. Due to rapid encroachment
of suburban development on former agricultural lands, soil ingestion from incidental hand-to-mouth
activity is now an important issue in assessing human health risks associated with exposure to this
Group-A carcinogen. Studies suggest that arsenic bioavailability in soils is generally significantly less
than 100 percent, the default value currently used for many baseline risk assessments. Apparently, this
practice seriously over-estimates the potential risk associated with the ingestion of As from soil, thereby
elevating the remedial costs. The huge expense associated with conducting case-specific in-vivo
bioavailability studies (animal models) dictates use of this overly-conservative (and unrealistic)
approach; if an appropriate in-vitro method is identified that simulates the in-vivo data, then it might be
possible to inexpensively generate reliable, case-specific risk numbers for As-enriched systems.
Ongoing research funded by the ARP-2001 program has been instrumental in developing an in-vitro
technique that is currently being tested for a variety of soils. Mr. Abraham Frias, who is a minority
(Hispanic) graduate student at UTSA and a high school science teacher in San Antonio, will work on the
cotton soils of Texas, which have been reported to have much higher background concentrations of As
due to repeated applications of As-based pesticides over the years. He will try to dissect the relationship
between soil-speciation of As and As bioavailability in the Houston Black soil series (the State soil of
Texas, most commonly used for growing cotton) amended with one inorganic and one organic arsenical
pesticide (as a function of pesticide loading rate) using our in-vitro model.
This project will start in Summer 2003 when approximately 60 percent of the work will be completed; Mr.
Frias will volunteer his time in December 2003 to finish the remaining work (final analysis after 5 month
soil equilibration). This project will contribute towards the M.S. thesis requirements (in environmental
science) of Mr. Frias who will be trained in state-of-the-art analytical techniques available in the
Environmental Geochemistry Lab at UTSA. These activities will also allow him to show his high school
students the relevance of chemistry to modern environmental problems, and give him the opportunity to
participate as an important member of a “real” science team. If amenable, Mr. Frias will organize a field
trip to bring his students to our facilities after completion of the project to demonstrate how scientific
research is done using modern analytical technology.
19
Teachers and Professors
Deborah Baker
Biology and Geology teacher
Clear Lake High School
Houston
Ashok K. Chopra
Professor
Department of Microbiology and
Immunology
The University of Texas Medical
Branch at Galveston
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Alteration in Bacterial Virulence and Host Responses Under Simulated Microgravity
Ms. Deborah Baker recruited under the ATP grant will learn microbiological, tissue culture, and
molecular biological techniques. More specifically, Ms. Baker would learn to grow human pathogenic
bacteria, such as Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli under normal gravity (2D) and
microgravity (3D) conditions using NASA-developed bioreactors. In a similar fashion, she will learn to
culture host cells, such as macrophages and epithelial cells under 2D versus 3D conditions as well as to
coculture bacteria and host cells under these two conditions. She will also be exposed to and perform
molecular biological techniques such as plasmid DNA isolation, FNA isolation, and Southern and
Northern blot analyses. In addition, she will be trained in performing 2-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis
to examine these proteins of bacteria that are differentially expressed under 2D versus 3E conditions.
We believe that Ms. Baker will become familiar with the techniques within 2 weeks. For the next 4
weeks, she will be independently performing 2D electrophoresis of S. typhimurium under 2D versus 3Dgrown bacteria and analyzing the data using computer-driven software. She could reach a point during
this time where it would be possible to identify 1-2 proteins that are differentially expressed under these
two conditions in collaboration with our proteomics core facility. Ms. Baker will use the last 3 weeks in
our genomics core facility to learn S. typhimurium microarray analysis.
The Principal Investigator’s laboratory has these microarrays based on the genome sequence of S.
typhimurium. Ms. Baker will be involved in isolating RNA from Salmonella under 2D- versus 3D
conditions and to examine differential expression of Salmonella genes under these two conditions in
collaboration with our genomic core facility. These are cutting-edge tools that teachers should learn in
order to better train students in high school.
20
Teachers and Professors
Shawna Hampton-Riddle
Chemistry teacher
Ball High School
Galveston
Randall M. Goldblum, M.D.
Professor
Department of Pediatrics
The University of Texas Medical
Branch at Galveston
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Phylogenetic Approach to the Treatment of Pollen Allergy
The overall objective of this project is to test the hypothesis that probing the biodiversity of plants will
identify natural sources for antigenic extracts that will improve immunization against pollen
hypersensitivities. Ms. Hampton-Riddle’s activities will be related to specific objective 2 in our proposal
(identify variants of Jun a 3 that have non-conserved amino acid variations ions in the lgE binding sites
(epitopes), and use homology modeling to determine which are likely to alter the 3D structure of one or
more lgE epitopes). During the first year of this proposal we have cloned and sequenced over 100 of the
phylogenetic homologues of the mountain cedar allergen Jun a 3. Shawna Hampton-Riddle will first
analyze the sequences of the Jun a 3 homologues to identify those that contain non-conserved amino
acid substitutions, using programs within the GCG suite. Next she will identify those variants with amino
acid substitution within or near identified lgE epitopes. Working with our collaborators in the Sealy
Center for Structural Biology, Ms. Hampton-Riddle will identify those variants with the highest probability
of having large changes in the physico-chemical properties of one or more epitopes. If time permits, she
will also work with Dr. Catherine Schein to develop a 3D computer model of a variant and compare it to
that of the sensitizing (Jun a 3) allergen. During this same time period, others in the lab will be
expressing allergen variants and testing their binding of lgE from allergic patients. Thus, Ms. HamptonRiddle will have an opportunity to learn computational and experimental approaches for identifying and
testing variant structures for biological activity. This experience will provide a wealth of examples, which
she can take back to her classroom to show how chemistry can be used to develop new technologies for
treatment of common illnesses.
Donald Winsor
Biology teacher
Dulles High School
Sugar Land
Flotillin-2 in Metastic Melanoma
Madeleine Duvic
Professor
Department of Dermatology
The University of Texas M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center
One of the goals of the ARP-funded project is to inhibit the expression of Flotillin-2 in melanoma cell
lines and Dr. Winsor will assist us in achieving this goal. He will work directly with Dr. Madeleine Duvic
learning new techniques in molecular and cell biology. Specifically Dr. Winsor will learn how to transfect
cells using a vector with antisense Flotillin-2, check the level of protein expression, and create stably
transfected cell lines.
Dr. Winsor is a high school teacher of honors and advanced levels biology with an exceptional
educational background. He has prior experience at the Texas Medical Center.
In addition to contributing to the success of the ARP-funded project, the techniques learned and the
knowledge gained will be beneficial to Dr. Winsor in teaching his advanced biology curriculum.
21
Teachers and Professors
Ward S. Coats
Chemistry teacher
Hillcrest High School
Dallas
Teacher activity as described by grantee
A Test for HERG Blockers Based on Heterologous Expression in C Elegans
Dr. Coats will investigate aspects of gene expression in animals using current molecular biological,
genetic and physiologic techniques.
Leon Avery
Professor
Department of Molecular Biology
The University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center
Tom Johnson
Algebra teacher
Amarillo Area Center for Advanced
Learning
Amarillo
Reducing Odors and Flies at Texas Cattle Feed Yards
Tom Johnson will assist in collecting data and analyzing samples to determine the effectiveness of
Zeolite in cattle food as an odor control and anti-dust agent for Texas feedlots.
David B. Parker
Professor
Division of Agriculture
West Texas A&M University
Leslie Harman
Biology and Chemistry teacher
Happy High School
Happy
Greta Schuster
Professor
Division of Agriculture
West Texas A&M University
Reducing Odors and Flies at Texas Cattle Feed Yards
Ms. Harman will assist in several research projects. The first will be in the evaluation of biotic and
abiotic factors associated with stable fly dispersal. He will also be involved with the evaluation of the
significance of stable fly dispersal among CAFO’s and other environments in the Texas Panhandle. This
study will be conducted during June and August. Releases will be conducted twice in each month, once
at the beginning and at the end of the month. This will allow us to observe dispersal activities during low
vs peak activity and at different temperature and moisture conditions. For these studies two commercial
CAFOs will be used: One will be located 5 miles east of Hereford, Texas with a 50,000 head capacity
with surrounding feedyards about 10 to 15 miles to the east, west, south, and north. (This yard is 45
minutes west of West Texas A&M University). The second feedyard is 45 minutes southeast of West
Texas A&M University with 50,000 head capacity, with the nearest feedyard located 20-25 miles away.
This feedyard is 5 miles from the nearest town, Tulia, Texas.
The second project will include determining the chronological and physiological age profiles of stable
flies as these relate to the flies’ population dynamics and how environmental conditions may have an
effect on the Texas High Plains population.
22
Summary of 2003 Supplemental Grants Awards and Participants
Supplemental Grants to High School Science and Math Teachers - Summer 2003
Awards by Program and Year of Original Award
1999 Projects
Program
Number of
Awards
ARP
ATP
TDT
Totals
Dollars
Awarded
Dollars
Awarded
Number of
Awards
Dollars
Awarded
0
15
$113,400
15
$113,400
$8,100
28
$198,000
29
$206,100
0
2
$ 16,200
2
$ 16,200
$8,100
46
$227,600
47
$335,700
$
1
Totals
Number of
Awards
$
1
2001 Projects
Projects selected in the 2001 Advanced Research Program and Advanced Technology Program (ARP/ATP) grants competition were
eligible to receive Supplemental Grants to High School Teachers for summer 2003. Additionally, three projects funded in 1999 that
received no-cost extensions were also eligible to participate. Technology Development and Transfer (TDT) grants are made in the
ATP to commercialize research discoveries.
Four of the teachers participating in this summer research program have a doctoral degrees, 16 have master’s degrees (including 9
Master of Science degrees), and 27 have bachelor’s degrees (including 21 Bachelor of Science degrees). The doctoral degrees were
awarded in applied mechanics, mathematical education, biochemistry, and microbiology. The master’s and bachelor’s degrees were
awarded in various areas of science, math, physics, education, and engineering.
23
Supplemental Grants to High School Science and Math Teachers – Summer 2003
Gender of Participants by Program
Teachers
Investigators
Program
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
ARP
11
4
15
13
2
15
ATP
13
17
30
27
3
30
TDT
0
2
2
2
0
2
Totals
24
23
47
42
5
47
Technology Development and Transfer (TDT) grants are made in the ATP to commercialize research discoveries.
The participating teachers are split evenly between male and female, while the majority of the investigators are male.
Nineteen of the teachers also participated in the 2002 supplemental grants program. Five of the teachers participated in both the
2000, 2001 and 2002 programs and one participated in all four years of the program. Fourteen of the teachers will be working with
the professor who supervised their research during the summer of 2002. Six of the professors with 2002 supplemental grants also
received 2001 grants. Two of the professors have participated in all five summers.
24
Name Index
Aguas, Tricia N.................................. 12
Ahmad, Prof. Hassan ........................ 18
Ardoin, Bonnie J. ................................. 1
Atman, Jay B. .................................... 14
Avery, Prof. Leon .............................. 22
Baker, Deborah ................................. 20
Balkus, Prof. Kenneth J. ................... 17
Baraniuk, Prof. Richard ....................... 2
Bassett, James.................................... 8
Butcher, Frank................................... 12
Camarena, Nilda N. .......................... 18
Casadonte, Prof. Dominick J. ............. 9
Chellam, Prof. Shankar ..................... 11
Chen, Prof. Daniel H. .......................... 1
Chopra, Prof. Ashok K. ..................... 20
Chow, Prof. Diana ............................. 11
Coats, Ward S................................... 22
Connor, Jasson ................................... 6
Cotter, Chris ...................................... 16
Croman, Robert B. .............................. 3
Crowell, Sonja ..................................... 9
Das, Prof. Sajal L. ............................. 14
Densmore, Prof. Charles .................... 1
Dudo, Tami .......................................... 8
Dunne, Prof. Patrick W. ...................... 5
Duvic, Prof. Madeleine ...................... 21
Eyre, Sean......................................... 13
Fortenberry, Gary .............................. 10
Franks, Lee ......................................... 9
Frentrop, Terry .................................. 15
Freundlich, Prof. Alex ........................ 11
Frias, Abraham.................................. 19
Gabor, Prof. Caitlin.............................. 4
Goldblum, Prof. Randall M., M.D. ..... 21
Gonzalez, Prof. Juan E. Gonzalez .... 17
Greene, Prof. L. Wayne ...................... 6
Hampton-Riddle, Shawna ................. 21
Harman, Leslie .................................. 22
Hartwig, Prof. K. T. .............................. 8
Holmes, Matt ....................................... 4
Horton, Prof. Charles ........................ 12
Ignatiev, Prof. Alex ............................ 12
Ingram, Jay........................................ 17
Johnson, Tom ................................... 22
Kadish, Prof. Karl .............................. 12
Koke, Prof. Joseph R. ......................... 4
Koulen, Prof. Peter ............................ 13
Kovacevic, Prof. Radovan................... 3
Kuhl, Jennifer .................................... 12
Letchford, Prof. Chris .......................... 9
Liebschner, Prof. Michael ................... 3
Liu, Prof. Jyh-Charn ............................ 8
Lutherer, Prof. Lorenz O. .................. 10
Lyle, Mary Booth ................................. 5
Majors, Shonda ................................... 3
Martin, Prof. Stephen F. .................... 15
May, Dr. Charlotte ............................. 16
McGinley, Edward ............................. 14
McMillan, Tobi ................................... 10
Mohlman, Dean ................................. 15
Muttiah, Prof. Ranjan S. ...................... 7
Muir, Prof. James P............................. 6
Overfelt, Glenda .................................. 7
Parker, Prof. David B. ....................... 22
Passos, Prof. Nelson Luiz ................... 2
Peikert, Brett ....................................... 9
Perez, Prof. Jose............................... 13
Price, Clyde A.................................... 13
Richards, Robert E. ............................. 7
Sarker, Prof Dibyendu ....................... 19
Schmidt, Prof. Christine E. ................ 16
Schuller, Wiley P. .............................. 11
Sharma, Prof. Suresh C. ................... 14
Schuster, Prof. Greta ........................ 22
Sherry, Prof. A. Dean ........................ 18
Shiakolas, Prof. Panayiotis S. ........... 15
Silva, Lee R. ...................................... 18
Srinivasan, Prof. Raghavan ................ 7
Stanley, Belinda ................................ 11
Starikov, Prof. David ......................... 13
Statt, Steven ...................................... 11
Straus, Prof. David C ........................ 10
Sulfstede, Richard L. ......................... 17
Taylor, Judy ......................................... 6
Taylor, Teresa ..................................... 4
Teneyuque-Rios, Leanne ................... 5
Trahan, Debbie ................................... 2
Watkins, Prof. Linette M. ..................... 5
Wigmans, Prof. Richard ...................... 9
Winget, Prof. Don.............................. 16
Winsor, Donald ................................. 21
Wuthrich, Cerise ................................. 2
Yannazzo, Jo-Ann S. ........................ 13
Zenker, Jessica ................................... 1
Related documents available from the Division of
Finance, Campus Planning and Research:
Research Experiences for High School Science
Teachers, Summer 2002
Follow-Up Report on the Summer 1999 Supplemental
Program to Provide Research Experiences for High
School Science and Math Teachers, June 2000
For further information about this program, contact:
Advanced Research Program/Advanced Technology
Program Fiscal Year 1999 Progress Report with a
Special Report on Texas-Mexico Border Research
1998 – 2000
Dr. Linda Domelsmith
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Division of Finance, Campus Planning and Research
P.O. Box 12788
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 427-6150
Advanced Research Program/Advanced Technology
Program, 2003 Program Announcements
E-mail: linda.domelsmith@thecb.state.tx.us
Advanced Research Program/Advanced Technology
Program, Report of Awards, May 2002
Information is also available on our website:
http://www.arpatp.com
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board does not discriminate on
the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or
disability in employment or the provision of services.
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