Research Experiences
for
High School Science
Teachers
Summer 2001
Advanced Research/Advanced
Technology Programs
Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board
June 2001
Supplemental Grants for High School Science
and Mathematics Teachers B Summer 2001
Projects at ...
start on page ...
Baylor College of Medicine ................................................................. 1
The Advanced Research and Advanced Technology Programs
were created by the Texas Legislature in 1987 as competitive
grants programs for faculty members at Texas institutions of
higher education. More than 400 research projects are funded
each biennium in a number of different disciplines and
research areas.
Lamar University................................................................................. 1
Rice University.................................................................................... 2
Southern Methodist University............................................................ 3
Southwest Texas State 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.
It is hoped that this program will build linkages between high
school teachers and university research faculty, give the
teachers experiences that they will carry back to their
classrooms, and result in increased interest in science and
engineering among high school students.
Forty-four teachers participated in research projects in summer
2000. 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.
Tarleton State University .................................................................... 4
Texas A&M University ........................................................................ 4
Texas A&M University at Galveston ................................................... 5
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station ............................................... 6
Texas Engineering Experiment Station .............................................. 7
Texas Tech University ........................................................................ 8
University of Houston ....................................................................... 10
University of Houston-Clear Lake ..................................................... 12
University of North Texas ................................................................. 13
The University of Texas at Arlington ................................................ 14
The University of Texas at Austin..................................................... 15
This document lists the teachers and faculty members
participating in the program during summer 2001, and briefly
describes the work that each teacher will do.
The University of Texas at Dallas ..................................................... 16
The University of Texas-Pan American ........................................ 17
In summer 2001, 46 teachers are working on projects at 15
different universities, four health-related institutions, and two
experiment stations. Teachers are engaged in a wide variety
of different activities ... from computer modeling to sample
preparation to doing measurements on various scientific
instruments.
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center ................ 18
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ............ 19
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio ..... 19
ADVANCED RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS
SUMMER 2001
Teachers and Professors
Chad Sopata
Biology teacher
YES College Preparatory School
Houston
Prof. Charles L. Densmore
Department of Molecular
Physiology and Biophysics
Baylor College of Medicine
Bonnie J. Ardoin
Chemistry teacher
Westbrook High School
Beaumont
Prof. Daniel H. Chen
Chemical Engineering Department
Lamar University
Teacher activity as described by grantee
Polyethyleneimine Gene Therapy Given by Aerosol: A Novel Treatment for Pulmonary
Metastases
Mr. Chad Sopata, a high school science teacher from the Houston area, will be returning to conduct
research to complement the anticancer gene therapy studies that we proposed in our Advanced
Technology Program grant. Since the grant funding initiated last year, we have already obtained very
promising findings regarding the effectiveness of an aerosol tumor suppressor gene therapy against
osteosarcoma in a mouse model and have submitted some of these findings for publication. Chad will
primarily characterize several new osteosarcoma cell lines in mice. He will be involved in animal studies
and will also help in tissue culture and formulation efforts. His previous efforts have already helped this
project significantly and his future efforts will be very valuable to our study and will likely provide him with
an excellent, well-rounded research experience that he can take back to the high school classroom.
Super-Porous Titania/NLO-Coated Fiber Optic Photoreactor for Environmental Applications
The high school teacher will work with two research assistants, under the supervision of the principal
investigators, on the synthesis of xerogel/aerogel TiO2 on optical fibers, measurement of light
transmittance through TiO2-coated optical fiber, and measurement of photocatalytic oxidation efficiency
of a selected volatile organic compounds in air. The research activities need strong chemistry
knowledge and laboratory experiences. The participant will have the opportunity to learn and use a fiber
optic spectrometer, GC-FID, and GC-MS. It is estimated to take two weeks in each of the above four
research tasks and one week to write a final report. The participating high school teacher will learn from
the laboratory work, interact with research personnel, and have the opportunity to contribute to this hightech research area in air pollution control. This research experience will have a significant impact on
high school science teaching.
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Janice Lack
Chemistry teacher
Central High School
Beaumont
Prof. Xing Fang
Civil Engineering Department
Lamar University
Stephanie P. Driscole
Chemistry teacher
Westbrook High School
Beaumont
Prof. Malur N. Srinivasan
Department of Mechanical
Engineering
Lamar University
Robert Sauer
Physics and Chemistry teacher
Clements High School
Sugar Land
Prof. Walter G. Chapman
Department of Chemical
Engineering
Rice University
Internet- and Component- Based Modeling System for Lake Water Quality and Fish Habitat
Projections
Water quality and fish habitat projections in lakes require complex numerical models that integrate
various physical and biochemical processes, e.g. hydrodynamics, air-water surface exchange, and
biochemical reactions. The objective of this research is to develop a modeling system, which can be
accessed by users via the Internet. The system is designed for three user levels: (1) general audience,
more specifically, high school science class students, (2) inexperienced, and (3) experienced water
quality modelers. Ms. Lack will review literature dealing with lake ecology, limnology, lake water quality,
water chemistry, global warming impacts on aquatic systems and numerical modeling systems. Based
on her understanding of what is taught in high school science classes, she will assess and assemble
information that should be presented on the Internet for high school science students to learn water
quality models for lakes. She will learn advanced Web technology and organize information on the
Internet in HTML/DHTML format with multimedia images. She will participate in research group
meetings with collaborating investigators at the University of Houston and Southwest Texas State
University.
Mechanochemical Synthesis of Nanocomposite Materials for Superior Mechanical and Chemical
Behavior
Ms. Driscole will participate in the laboratory characterization of new nanocrystalline materials being
produced by mechanochemical synthesis. Ms. Driscole will apply anodic stripping electrochemical
methods (ASME) for the quantitative analysis and chemical characterization of the samples. In addition,
she will participate in electron microscopic and x-ray diffraction analyses of the samples. She will help
interpret the results and, if time allows, will help write the publication(s) resulting from this work. Ms.
Driscole has been trained as an electrochemist and will acquire new knowledge about ASE and the
diffraction and microscopic methods.
Mechanisms and Kinetics of Gas Hydrate Decomposition
Gas hydrates are, quite literally, self-assembled nano-structures formed by the cooperative hydrogen
bonding of water molecules to form cages that encapsulate gas molecules. Naturally formed gas
hydrates represent a vast, untapped energy resource.
In this project, we are using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and molecular simulation
to determine the mechanism of hydrate formation and decomposition. Mr. Sauer will be involved with
performing NMR experiments and analyzing the results of these measurements to determine the
diffusivity of guest species in the gas hydrate melt. This data will provide information about gas hydrate
stability and decomposition. As the experiment evolves, Mr. Sauer will also be involved with making
modifications to the equipment including the electrical circuitry and the temperature control system.
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Robert B. Croman, Ph.D.
Physics teacher
Plano West Senior High School
Plano
Prof. Radovan Kovacevic
Research Center for Advanced
Manufacturing
Southern Methodist University
Linda Colman
Chemistry and Physics teacher
Cuero High School
Cuero
Prof. Lance L. Lambert
Department of Biology and Natural
Resources
Southwest Texas State University
Teresa A. Taylor
Physics, Chemistry and Biology
Teacher
Smithson Valley High School
Spring Branch
Prof. Joseph R. Koke
Department of Biology
Southwest Texas State University
Development of Hybrid Rapid Prototyping Process Based on 3D Welding and CNC Milling
Dr. Croman will work with a research team that consists of three Ph.D. candidates and a post-doctoral
student on the project “Development of Rapid Prototyping Process Based on 3D Welding and CNC
Milling.” Dr. Croman will have an excellent opportunity to experience modern methods of processing
and control to gain an understanding of the physics of the involved process, and to participate in the
development of complex machine design. This exposure will provide Dr. Croman impetus for
addressing more challenging cross-disciplinary manufacturing development problems.
Refining the Geologic Time Scale: Integrated Biostratigraphy, Chemostratigraphy, and
Sequence Stratigraphy
Ms. Colman has a M.S. degree in Chemistry. She will serve as the chemistry liaison between the
biostratigraphy group here at Southwest Texas State University, and my co-investigator’s
chemostratigraphy group at The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, she will participate in all
aspects of sample preparation, microfossil extraction and initial identification (sorting), and assist in the
integration of bio- and chemostratigraphic databases. She may also participate in field collection of
samples. We have acquired access to subsurface cored rock on which she will perform analyses. The
goal is to give Ms. Colman practical experience applying chemistry data within a larger study that
incorporates that data with those of different sciences that emphasize a different procedural approach.
We expect to benefit from Ms. Colman’s chemistry background.
Rapid Repair of Chronically Severed Spinal and Sciatic Axons in Mammals
The overall goals are to rapidly reconnect in vivo the cut ends of rat spinal and/or sciatic axons and then
to increase the tensile strength of the fusion site using a hydrogel so that reconnected axons are not
mechanically pulled apart once the animal emerges from the anesthetic. The teacher’s part of this
project is to use microscopy to demonstrate morphological patency of the reconnection and to determine
the effects on the axonal and myelin cytoskeletons. The teacher, Ms. Taylor, because of her MS degree
in cell biology and experience with microscopy, is qualified to participate in this work and will productively
contribute to it.
Her specific project will be to remove intact, injured, and injured-repaired sciatic axons from rats, and
then specifically stain the separate cytoskeletal components (microfilaments, microtubules, intermediate
filaments) using selective fluorescent probes. This project will answer the question “how is the axonal
cytoskeleton affected by the injury-repair events?” Ms. Taylor will work with a graduate student who is
examining the patency of reconnected axons using fluorescent membrane and cytoplasmic marker
dyes. The addition of Ms. Taylor to this project will allow us to proceed more rapidly during the summer
months and help fulfill the goals of this ATP-funded project.
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Judith A. Koke
Biology teacher
Smithson Valley High School
Spring Branch
Prof. Linette M. Watkins
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
Southwest Texas State University
Determination of the Structure of 2-(2’-Hydroxyphenyl)Benzenesulfinate Desulfinase
The overall goal of Mrs. Judith Koke’s summer research project will be to test new expression systems
for the dszB gene encoding for the protein 2-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)benzenesulfinate desulfinase. One of
the overall goals of this ARP-funded project is to increase the yield of the protein after purification, and
Mrs. Koke’s summer research will be directed at achieving this goal. She will work directly with the
principal investigator learning new techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry. Specifically, Mrs.
Koke will learn how to isolate the dszB gene from Rhodococcus strain IGTS8, run restriction digests of
the gene, express the gene in bacteria and test the level of protein expression. Several different
systems will be used to express the dszB gene and the level of protein expression using each method
will be compared.
Prior to receiving her teaching certificate, Mrs. Koke worked as a laboratory technician for 20 years. Her
previous laboratory experience will enable Mrs. Koke to quickly learn the new techniques in molecular
biology and biochemistry and be a productive member of the research group. In addition to contributing
to the success of the ARP-funded project, the techniques learned and the knowledge gained by Mrs.
Koke will be incorporated into the curriculum of her Biology classes and her students will ultimately
benefit from this research experience.
Kathleen Huckabee
Biology and Chemistry teacher
Stephenville High School
Stephenville
Prof. Philip Sudman
Department of Biological Science
Tarleton State University
Gary L. Adam
Statistics and Algebra teacher
Anderson High School
Austin
Prof. James Matis
Department of Statistics
Texas A&M University
Microsatellite Analysis of Attwater’s Prairie Chickens
Mrs. Huckabee will be assisting with all aspects of the laboratory work necessary for completion of the
research associated with this grant. Specifically, she will be learning the techniques involved with DNA
extraction, polymerase chain reactions to amplify microsatellite loci within Attwater’s Prairie Chickens,
and both agarose and acrylamide electrophoresis to visualize the allelic variation within these birds for
these specific genetic loci. Once she has mastered these techniques, Mrs. Huckabee will be given a set
of samples and given the opportunity to genotype these individuals.
Analysis of a Statistical Host-Parasite Model for Bees and Mites
This ARP project deals with stochastic host/parasite models for bee/mite interactions. Most population
kinetic models, including ours, assume homogeneous kinetic transition rates, i.e. that all bees and mites
are subject to the same kinetic rates. An important objective is to implement a heterogeneous rate
assumption. A precursor step is to introduce a probability distribution for a kinetic rate in classical
compartmental models, where births are not present. We have abundant data on such models as
applied to ruminant nutrition. This supplemental grant would hire Mr. Gary Adam, the teacher, to help
organize a workshop where AP students would develop models with heterogeneous rates. Students
would then test such models using nonlinear least squares for their applicability to experimental data in
ruminant nutrition. The overall objective is to involve high school AP students with cutting-edge research
publishable in scientific journals.
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Tonya Gerdes
Algebra, Geometry, Math and
Statistics teacher
Bryan High School
Bryan
Prof. Joseph E. Pasciak
Institute for Scientific Computation
Texas A&M University
Daniel J. Hochman
Chemistry teacher
Ball High School
Galveston
Prof. John R. Schwarz
Department of Marine Biology
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Numerical Modeling of Subsurface Flows in Porous Media
We propose to have Ms. Gerdes involved with graphics development for the visualization of results
obtained in this project. Visualization of complex behavior provides the modelers with insights both
involving the correctness of models as well as the properties of the physical systems being studied.
There are a variety of graphics tools available in Matlab, Maple as well as web-accessible public domain
products. Ms. Gerdes’ task will be to experiment with these tools in order to assess their behavior when
applied to the large data sets generated by the flow models of the project.
Vibrio Parahaemolyticus and Texas Oysters: Biology and Public Health Significance
Mr. Hochman will obtain hands-on training and experience as an active participant in both field and
laboratory studies of the Seafood Safety Laboratory. The Laboratory’s research revolves around ATP,
Texas Department of Health, and industry-sponsored research grants. We are studying the presence
and distribution of pathogenic bacteria in Texas oysters and methodologies to lower the risk of disease
to the consuming public. We have focused our studies on two naturally occurring bacteria, Vibrio
vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Both bacteria are pathogens that are present at high levels
during the warmer months and are not the result of pollution of any kind.
Mr. Hochman will learn proper procedure for collection/transport of field samples and the
measurement/recording of required data. He will work side-by-side with Laboratory personnel in
designing and implementing new state-of-the-art techniques for detecting and analyzing bacterial
pathogens. These techniques included: DNA base sequencing of isolated strains of both Vibrios to
ascertain the gene(s) responsible for the pathogenic process, and two electrophoretic techniques (PFGE
and DGGE) which provide data that can lead to a determination of where specific Vibrio strains
responsible for human illness originated in the harvest area. A written report of the summer’s activities
and plans for implementing acquired knowledge in Mr. Hochman’s classes will be required.
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Judd E. Moody
Computer Science teacher
Caldwell High School
Caldwell
Prof. William Ellis
Department of Animal Sciences
Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station
Enhancing Efficiency of Ruminant Protein Utilization and Recycling to Minimize Environmental
Impact
This project is a joint effort involving several graduate students with four to six undergraduates assisting.
Each student will be assigned responsibility for summarizing, interpreting, and publishing discrete
segments of the results. Four segments of the project are currently ongoing: 1) ruminal amino acid
metabolism, 2) microbial colonization of feed particles, 3) yield of rumen efflux protein as escaped
dietary and rumen microbial protein, and 4) kinetics of feed fiber and protein digestion. The evaluation
of these segments will be primarily reductive in that the objective will be defining underlying
mechanisms. Additionally, the principal investigator and project collaborators will be responsible for an
inductive evaluation of the total data and the development of a mechanistic system for feedstuff
evaluation aimed at minimizing environmental impact of ruminants.
It is in this latter area that Mr. Moody’s computer programming knowledge will assist us with extensive
computer modeling and data analysis. Mr. Moody will continue the work he began the previous summer
as well as assisting as needed in the collective research effort so as to become familiar with all aspects
of the ongoing research process. These activities will give Mr. Moody experience dealing with the
continually evolving nature of live animal research and project design. This experience can then be
transferred into more genuine real-world activities in his high school classroom.
Wayne John Tollett, Jr.
Chemistry and Physics teacher
A&M Consolidated High School
College Station
Prof. Edgar Meyer
Department of Biochemistry and
Biophysics
Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station
Termitinator – Design of a Structure-Based Biocontrol Agent for Termites
Mr. Tollett will join me in preparing molecular models of biological macromolecules for classroom
teaching. These models consist of two parts, small atomic models (“CPK”) which are commercially
available and uniquely constructed, scaled models of biological receptors. The macromolecular model is
made with a cnc milling machine using a computer program I have developed and is built out of slabs of
wood which are machined and subsequently glued together to make a 3-dimensional model. An
example of such a model can be found at: http://www.tamu.edu/struct/research/molecularsculptures/acs-OPH/oph-wild.htm
Specifically, we will build models of the active site of the cellulase enzyme from termites, which we have
determined crystallographically (thanks also to the support afforded by this grant). We are currently
sampling various cellulase inhibitors to determine which might be effective as a biological control. With
Mr. Tollett’s help, we will use models as well as biochemical (enzymological) data to study the structurefunction relationship of this novel insect enzyme.
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Judy Taylor
Anatomy, Physiology, and Biology
Teacher
Stephenville High School
Stephenville
Prof. James P. Muir
Research and Extension Center
Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station
Demian Morquin
Algebra teacher
McAllen High School
Mc Allen
Prof. Sheng-Jen (Tony) Hsieh
Department of Engineering
Technology and Industrial
Development
Texas Engineering Experiment
Station
Native or Naturalized Legumes and Nutritional Supplements for Pasture and Range-Based Goat
Nutrition
Mrs. Taylor will continue her work from last summer. This will involve continued collection of native
legume germplasm and cultivation of these in a field nursery. This cultivation will include reproductive
characterization, herbage yield measurements and seed collection. In addition, material collected last
summer will be analyzed in the laboratory. Analyses will include neutral and acid detergent fibers, lignin,
nitrogen, phosphorus and tannin concentrations in herbage material. She will also compile data from
last summer and run analyses of variance and mean separations on yield data as well as eventual wet
chemistry results. This will culminate in the production of an article for presentation at a national
meeting and publication in a botanical journal.
A Generic Thermal Signature Library for Circuit Card Inspection
Mr. Demian Morquin will assist Dr. Sheng-Jen (Tony) Hsieh in development of a prototype thermal
signature library for use in printed circuit board inspection. Maintaining a library of thermal signatures of
card components is a cost-effective solution in cases where a family of similar products exists, products
have a short life cycle, and/or an entire new or good card is not available. Foreseeable benefits of this
research include: (1) productivity improvement in circuit card maintenance, (2) cost savings in that new
thermal signature specifications will not have to be constructed for every newly designed board, and (3)
improved circuit card quality and increased U.S. industrial competitiveness.
Mr. Morquin will assist in (1) reviewing the literature on approaches to detecting stress failure defects; (2)
conducting experiments for thermal signature abstraction from printed circuit boards; and (3) performing
a discriminative analysis of various computational approaches to thermal signature boundary
recognition. These approaches include neural networks, genetic algorithms, and statistical theory.
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Tobi McMillan
Biology, Anatomy, Physiology,
Physics and Chemistry teacher
Lubbock-Cooper High School
Lubbock
Prof. Randy Allen
Department of Biological Sciences
Texas Tech University
Sonja Crowell
Chemistry and Physical Science
Teacher
Lubbock High School
Lubbock
Development of Stress Tolerant Cotton Seeds
Ms. McMillan will work on developing novel screening approaches to identify genes involved in regulating
stress tolerance in plants. We anticipate that these assays will be applicable to high school student lab
projects. Mutagenized seed populations will be exposed to non-damaging stressful conditions to induce
acclimation. After the acclimation period, plants will be exposed to severe stress conditions and plants
that show inability to acclimate to stress will show signs of damage. These plants will be isolated and
self-pollinated to produce seeds. Analysis of the stress acclimation responses of these secondgeneration plants will confirm the heritability of the putative mutation and complementation analysis will
be carried out to identify alleles. This approach is applicable to the high school setting since it requires
only short-term stress treatments that can be carried out in a simple incubator or water bath. In addition,
the experiments are not “canned” with a predetermined outcome. The outcomes are novel and could
result in the identification of important new genes for the study of stress acclimation in plants that could
potentially lead to scientific publications and possible long-term research projects in collaboration with
university laboratories.
Room Temperature Ionic Liquids – Novel Media for Chemical Separations
Mrs. Crowell will be involved in the preparation of new ionic liquids and determination of their physical
properties. She will be working side-by-side with one of the two graduate students engaged in this
Advanced Research Program project.
Prof. Richard A. Bartsch
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
Texas Tech University
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Dianna B. Thames
Chemistry and Physics teacher
Ralls High School
Ralls
Prof. Thomas E. Gill
Department of Geosciences
Texas Tech University
Geochemical Fractionation of Dust at the Surface of a Wind Eroding Playa
Ms. Thames will perform analysis and interpretation of data collected in this project. She will work with
the principal investigator and the research assistant on a variety of activities, and these project staff will
fully brief her on the background and motivations of the project and the results to date. By summer
2001, a large amount of results of geochemical analyses of soil and dust samples will be available. Ms.
Thames will enter these data into a database and organize the data by sample type, site and date. She
will use statistical analysis and data correlation techniques to investigate whether trace elements,
especially heavy metals and potentially toxic materials, are present or correlated in certain classes of
dust and soil samples. She will prepare graphs and charts illustrating the findings. As feasible, Ms.
Thames will also learn laboratory techniques of geochemical analysis and assist the principal
investigator and/or research assistant in sample preparation and analysis techniques. These activities
will allow her to show her students the relevance of chemistry to modern environmental problems, and
allow her the opportunity to participate as an important member of a “real” science team. If amenable,
Ms. Thames will organize a field trip to bring her students to our facilities in the future (during the
upcoming academic year, after her summer employment has ended) to show them how scientific
research is done.
Jennifer Cook
Geometry and Algebra teacher
Coronado High School
Lubbock
Characterizing Turbulence During Extreme Wind
Prof. Richard E. Peterson
Department of Geosciences
Texas Tech University
An important activity is field measurements of strong to severe weather phenomena. We have a mobile
network of instrument suites. Ms. Cook will be involved in many phases of this. She will learn about the
instruments that are mounted on racks to go atop automobiles as well as those on mobile 30-foot
towers: calibration, recording, depiction, and analysis of the data. As weather events develop, she can
participate in the actual collection of data for winds associated with cold fronts, deep cyclones,
thunderstorm outflows and perhaps the near vicinity of tornadoes. Late in the summer she may wish to
participate in gathering data from landfalling hurricanes affecting the Gulf Coast. In the event of
damaging events she will be invited to participate in formal damage surveys – for which Texas Tech is
particularly recognized.
The activities of the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center are varied and depend in part on
weather developments in the area. Ms. Cook will be able to participate in most of the work.
During quiescent periods, Ms. Cook will have the opportunity to interact more closely with those carrying
out specific studies using the previously acquired wind data. These involve mathematical modeling and
statistical analyses which are aimed not only at better understanding and meteorology, but also providing
useful representations for engineering applications.
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Rubeth Griffing
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Teacher
O’Donnell High School
O’Donnell
Prof. Edward L. Quitevis
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
Texas Tech University
T.E. Hughes
Physics teacher
Memorial Senior High School
Houston
Prof. Edgar A. Bering, III
Physics Department
University of Houston
W. Peyton Schuller
Physics and Environmental
Science teacher
John H. Reagan High School
Houston
Prof. Pen Chu Chou
Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center
University of Houston
Vibrational Dynamics of Microconfined Liquids
The teacher will participate in Raman spectroscopic studies of liquids confined in nanoporous glasses.
The teacher will fabricate these glasses using the sol-gel method. She will characterize the porosity of
the sol-gel glasses using a gas-sorption apparatus and then polish the glasses to high optical quality.
After soaking the glasses in various organic liquids, she will study the vibrational dynamics of bulk liquids
and liquids confined in these nanoporous glasses using laser Raman spectroscopy. A comparison of
the Raman spectroscopic results for bulk and confined liquids will lead to a further understanding of the
effects of confinement on the dynamics of liquids.
Thrust and Exhaust Diagnostics for the Variable Specific Impulse Plasma Rocket
Mr. Hughes has an MS degree in mechanical engineering, with experience in the areas of fluid
mechanics and heat transfer. Our project entails development of instruments to diagnose the exhaust
plume of a rocket engine that is under development. We anticipate that Mr. Hughes will be able to make
significant contributions to a number of areas in our project. Our existing probe diagnostic instruments
are beginning to experience problems with the temperatures reached in high power operation. Mr.
Hughes has experience with heat transfer and refractory materials that we will be relying on to help us
improve the high temperature capabilities of our instruments. In addition, we are presently engaged in
designing thermal isolation for the flight model. We hope that he will be able to make inputs here as
well. Finally, we are in the process of designing and assembling the multi-anode array model that is the
real endpoint of the project. Mr. Hughes will be able to help us with several aspects of the mechanical
engineering of this version.
Development of Thick Film Superconducting Tapes for High Current Applications by Ph4
MOCVD
High temperature superconducting wires are being developed for industrial application through the
integration of thick film deposition of YBa2Cu3O7-X superconducting ceramic with flexible metal
substrates. Metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is used to grow the thick YBCO films
and the buffer layers required to protect the YBCO from contamination by the metal substrate during
growth. Optimization of the growth processes and of the interfaces between the metal, the buffer layers
and the YBCO films will be undertaken through evaluation of film properties by low temperature
resistivity and critical current measurements, and through x-ray diffraction measurements of film
crystalline quality.
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Jeffrey S. Herbst
Chemistry teacher
Terry High School
Rosenberg
Prof. Alex Ignatiev
Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center
University of Houston
Beverly M. Brown
Algebra, Geometry and Math teacher
Sterling High School
Houston
Prof. Ioannis Kakadiaris
Virtual Environments Research
Institute
University of Houston
Thin Film Optical Microdetector in Optical Implantation
Ceramic thin film optical microdetectors have been developed for implantation into eyes with retinal
blindness. The microdetectors are fabricated in a thin film heterostructure composed of an oxide
detector region and conducting contact layers. They are patterned photolithographically and are
transferred to a carrier membrane for surgical implantation into the eye. The program is collaborative
with The University of Texas HSC at Houston Department of Ophthalmology. Optimization of the thin
film heterostructure and its optical properties will be undertaken by x-ray diffraction measurements and
by optical response measurements. These will be integrated with the optimization of the lithographic
patterning needed to fabricate small ~10 m detector arrays that will be ready for surgical implantation.
Motion Estimation and Control Algorithms for Robotically-Assisted Surgery
The objective of this interdisciplinary project is to develop the required theoretical and computational
tools that will enable image-guided robotically-assisted MIS on a beating heart. In particular, we seek to
develop the coordinated computer vision and robot control algorithms to perform heart motion estimation
(nonrigid motion estimation in general), precise surgical instrument pointing, and motion tracking for
endoscopic surgery on a beating heart.
Ms. Brown will assist in developing an improved mathematical model for ECG-based prediction of the
three-dimensional motion of a patient’s beating heart. It is expected that she will also assist in the
computer implementation and simulations of the model.
This research will help her illustrate the application of mathematics to problems with high societal impact
that could also serve as highly motivating paradigms for her students. Since motion prediction and
estimation is a focus of our research group, it is expected that Ms. Brown will be able to participate in
this effort on a continual basis.
Tricia N. Aguas
Biology teacher
John H. Reagan High School
Houston
Prof. Shangqing Liu
Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center
University of Houston
The Development of a Novel Room-Temperature Electrically-Induced Resistance Effect in CMR
A newly discovered electric pulse-induced resistive change in thin film colossal magnetoresistive
materials is to be investigated as to the effect’s basis and properties. Thin films of PrCaMnO 3 will be
developed in various thicknesses and over various deposition temperature ranges to allow for improved
characterization of the effect and a better identification of the basis for the effect. Samples will be made
to test the application of the resistance change effect to resistive non-volatile computer memory.
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Alan Price
Chemistry teacher
John H. Reagan High School
Houston
Prof. David Starikov
Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center
University of Houston
Hardened Integrated Multifunctional Sensors for Characterization of Environmental Effluents
Mr. Alan Price has extensive expertise in both physics and geology. This expertise will be used to
extend the applications of the optoelectronic sensor developed in the Advanced Technology Program
project for down-hole characterization and characterization of construction materials. Mr. Price will
perform necessary literature searches and help perform laboratory experiments to achieve results in
these research areas.
During his work on the project in Summer 2000, Mr. Price made a significant contribution to modification,
organization and maintenance of the laboratory equipment used on the project. During the 2001
Summer, Mr. Price will continue to work closely with the principal investigator and other personnel to
achieve the project goals.
Gary W. Himmler
Math, Physics, Chemistry and
Computer Science teacher
Lutheran South Academy
Houston
Prof. Kenneth W. White
Department of Mechanical
Engineering
University of Houston
Tom Landgraf
Psychology teacher
Clear Lake High School
Houston
Prof. Linda G. Bell
Department of Behavioral Science
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Scale-Up of Ceramic Composite Components for Advanced Mining and Aerospace Applications
Mr. Himmler will support our scale-up efforts through completion of the following projects:
1) Develop reliability models for the 80% Si3N4 material developed for optimum properties in large
thicknesses.
2) Work with undergraduate students to collect necessary mechanical property data to validate the
model.
A Longitudinal Study of Marriage from Midlife to Old Age
Mr. Tom Landgraf will study the fundamentals of family psychology, a relatively new sub-discipline within
psychology that is not included in most texts. He will participate in research by learning the global coding
system for describing family interaction processes. Then he will code videotapes of family research
data. Besides being beneficial to the research project, this activity will benefit the teacher by sensitizing
him to various family system processes (communication, parenting skills, etc.) which should prove
valuable not only for enhancing the psychology curriculum, but also for more effective student motivation
and management.
12
John Mark Williams
Chemistry teacher
Denton High School
Denton
Prof. Terry Golding
Department of Physics
University of North Texas
John-David Rocha
Chemistry and Physics teacher
Skyline High School and Career
Development Center
Dallas
Prof. Alan P. Marchand
Department of Chemistry
University of North Texas
Physics of Kinetic Confinement in Semiconductor Quantum Wells
Mr. Williams will assist in preparing and growing semiconductor materials in our laboratory. This will
familiarize him with the chemical processes and technology involved in the next generation of
semiconductor nano-devices. In the later part of his sojourn, Mr. Williams will prepare class outlines and
possibly a video to be used in the classroom to introduce the high school students to nano-technology.
Our long-term aim is to provide a greater exposure to the students of this very important technological
area and to encourage the students to visit or even work in our laboratory on campus for work or preuniversity experience.
Novel Cage Crown Ligands for Waste Remediation: Toxic Heavy Metals in the Rio Grande River
Our Advanced Technology Program-sponsored project involves the design and synthesis of novel cageannulated crown ethers, cryptands and related ligands for use as selective heavy metal ion complexants
and transport agents. The long-range objective of this study is to develop new methods for
environmental remediation in the Rio Grande Valley region that utilize our new host systems to extract
heavy metals from aqueous solutions (e.g., contaminated river/stream water and/or groundwater).
As part of this project, it is necessary for us to design “host” molecules that are capable of selective
recognition, complexation, and transport of specific heavy metal cations that have been identified as
important Rio Grande valley pollutants. In this connection, Mr. Rocha will perform molecular mechanics
calculations and also semiempirical and ab initio molecular orbital calculations to model host-guest
interactions between our cage-annulated crown ethers/cryptands (hosts) and a variety of heavy metal
ions (guests), particularly with mercury, Hg(II) and silver, Ag(I). It is anticipated that the results of Mr.
Rocha’s studies will lead us to identify candidate host systems whose selectivity and avidity toward Hg(II)
and Ag(I) are predicted computationally to be especially pronounced and which therefore warrant further
investigation. Based upon the results of Mr. Rocha’s calculations, we will then proceed to synthesize
these new target host systems and to test them by using liquid-liquid extraction and electrospray
ionization-mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) techniques that are described fully in our Advanced Technology
Program proposal.
13
John Davis
Chemistry and Physics teacher
Kennedale High School
Kennedale
Prof. Carl J. Lovely
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
The University of Texas at Arlington
Novel Approaches to Bioactive Aminoimidazole Natural Products
Our group has been engaged in the development of efficient methods for the preparation of complex,
bioactive imidazole-containing natural products and congeners. In the course of these studies, it has
been determined that vinylimidazoles are excellent substrates in the Diels-Alder reaction, a superior
method for the construction of polycyclic molecules. With the support of this grant supplement, we
would like to extend this reaction to a solid phase format for eventual use in the assembly of
combinatorial libraries.
It is intended that Mr. Davis will extend this reaction, using methods already established in our group, to
solid support. This activity will expose Mr. Davis to a variety of synthetic methods as well as to the
relatively new area of solid phase organic synthesis. Identification of suitable protocols will provide us
with the tools to develop these reactions for the preparation of numerous biologically active molecules in
an expedient fashion.
If time permits, any libraries that are prepared will be evaluated against a 60-cancer cell line panel. In
the long term, it is anticipated that this research will form the foundation for applications to the National
Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society and the Department of Defense (Congressionally
Directed Medical Research Program).
Rodney M. Bond
Calculus, Physics, Algebra and
Computer Science teacher
Lamar High School
Arlington
Prof. Jianzhong Su
Department of Mathematics
The University of Texas at
Arlington
Mathematical Analysis of Fluid Fingering Problems in Porous Media
Mr. Rodney Bond will contribute substantially to our research on the fluid fingering problem. He has a
solid background in differential equations, physics and computing. Mr. Bond will undertake the following
activities: (1) Investigation of both short-term and long-term behavior of the interfaces of Hele-Shaw flow;
(2) Computer simulation of Hele-Shaw flow under various boundary conditions; (3) Comparison of the
fingerings in Hele-Shaw flow and Reaction flow; and (4) Incorporation of the moving grid technique to
computer simulation of fluid fingering.
Mr. Bond will participate in weekly departmental seminars and meet with the principal investigator
regularly to discuss the progress of the research projects. Also Mr. Bond will be provided with an office
and access to computational facilities in the department to assist his research activities. In all, Mr. Bond
will bring his expertise and contributions to this project.
Meanwhile, his experience in this summer project will also help to bring him closer to the frontier of
applied mathematics research which in turn benefits the high school students that Mr. Bond teaches
during the regular school year.
14
Denise DeMartino
Chemistry teacher
Westlake High School
Austin
Prof. Jennifer S. Brodbelt
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry
The University of Texas at Austin
Novel Caged Crown Ligands for Waste Remediation: Toxic Heavy Metals in the Rio Grande
River
The goal of the funded project involves the synthesis and characterization of novel caged crown ethers
for remediation of heavy metals from contaminated water based on extraction technology. Ms. Denise
DeMartino will use electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry to analyze the heavy metal binding
affinities and selectivities of four new sulfur-containing macrocycles, all designed for mercury extraction.
Counterion and pH effects on selectivity will be examined by varying the types of metal salts used to
produce the free metal ions in solution and by variation of the pH, respectively. Halide, perchlorate,
nitrate and acetate salts will be used for the counterion facet of the study.
It is hypothesized that the hard/soft character of the counterion, in addition to its size, influence the
ligand-metal binding energies, thus altering the observed selectivities of the macrocyclic ligands.
Molecular modeling, via commercially available software methods, will be used to estimate the cavity
sizes of the macrocyclic ligands and the orientation of the sulfur dipoles, both of which influence the
metal binding selectivities of the ligands.
Charlotte May, Ph.D.
Precalculus and Algebra teacher
Westlake High School
Austin
Prof. Robert Flake
Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin
Speedy Delivery – A New Approach for VLSI and Broadband Packaging Interconnect Design
The goal of this project is to investigate applications of the “Speedy Delivery” approach to lossy
transmission line analysis. The initial plan proposed a concentration on simulation of lossy interconnect
design including the effects of frequency-dependent line parameters. The research has progressed
along the productive path of using long lossy transmission lines, including coaxial cable and twisted wire
pairs, to experimentally evaluate the theoretical assumptions of this analytical approach. These lossy
lines have been simulated using the Matlab program to examine the frequency-dependent properties of
these lines and their affect on the Speedy Delivery propagation theory. Dr. May will assist in performing
Matlab simulations of the transmission lines and exporting the results to a spreadsheet for graphical
interpretation. Dr. May has previous experience working with graphical spreadsheets and will acquire
knowledge of the Matlab program.
15
Steve Scott
Chemistry and Physics teacher
Gonzales High School
Gonzales
Prof. John Lacy
Astronomy Department
The University of Texas at Austin
An Investigation of the Physical Properties of Protoplanetary Disks
We envision Mr. Scott participating in numerous activities with us. First, Mr. Scott will gain an overview
of the project, design and use of an astronomical spectrograph for studying molecules in the vicinity of
newly-formed stars by taking our current website and adding descriptions targeted to good high school
science students. Second, he will help document our mechanical design by producing a block diagram
showing how the instrument is connected. If he desires, he can assist with our calculations of how the
parts respond to an external force. A third project is to compile and collate information on molecular
spectroscopy in order to simplify our data analysis.
Certain astronomical targets have numerous molecules and produce complex spectra. We hope Mr.
Scott will be able to assist us in making a simple procedure for identifying the molecule responsible for
each spectral feature. If there is enough time, we will ask him to use the molecular line information to
recommend suitable gases for a wavelength calibration mixture. This would involve calculating
molecular line strengths at a given temperature and pressure and deciding which combination of
molecules gives the best results.
Jennifer Stimpson
Chemistry teacher
Ewell Townview Center
Dallas
Prof. Lynn A. Melton
Chemistry Department
The University of Texas at Dallas
Colorimetric and Fluorescent Diagnostics for Industrial Mixing Processes
Ms. Stimpson will join an active research group in which acid-base, redox, and coordination chemistries
are evaluated to assess their utility in providing reaction-based colorimetric and/or fluorescent
diagnostics. In the initial 1-2 weeks of the grant period, she will receive training on the
spectrophotometer and spectrofluorimeter, which are the primary instruments used to test potential
mixing diagnostics. Once she has those skills, she will work as part of a team on one of the diagnostics
systems which is currently under development. It is likely that she will work on extensions of one of
three current projects: (1) development of procedures for use of an acid-base colorimetric diagnostic at
higher viscosities, (2) a fluorescent reaction zone diagnostic, or (3) a fluorescent “formation of
byproduct” diagnostic system. During the five weeks, she will likely spend a few days at Dow Chemical
Company, Freeport, Texas, in order to learn better how such diagnostics are actually used in an
industrial research laboratory.
16
Lee R. Silva
Biology teacher
Clark High School
Plano
Prof. Gregg R. Dieckmann
Department of Chemistry
The University of Texas at Dallas
Edward N. Wagner, Jr.
Physics and Chemistry teacher
McAllen-Memorial High School
McAllen
Prof. Akhtar H. Mahmood
Department of Physics and Geology
The University of Texas-Pan
American
Modulating Biological Membrane Fusion: Design of Helix-Binding Receptors with Protease
Activity
The goal of the project will be the design of small model -sheet peptides that have a protease site
incorporated on one surface of the sheet. Specifically, one or more peptides corresponding to small sheet domains recently reported in the literature will be reengineered to contain a protease site.
Computer modeling (utilizing commercial software) will be used to identify positions on one surface of
the sheet that have the correct orientation to house a protease site. The protease site will be based on
the active site of serine proteases or metzincins. Mutations will be made in the -sheet sequence to
incorporate the protease site residues. Once the peptide is designed, it will be synthesized on a peptide
synthesizer using standard Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis protocols. Purification will be carried out
using reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Circular dichroism will be used to
characterize the secondary structure and folding properties of the purified peptides. Protease activity will
be monitored using HPLC to watch the change in retention times of substrate peptides as they react with
the model protease.
A Search for Heavy Flavored Baryons and Their Decays
Mr. Wagner will assist the PI in the search for the ground-state spin-excited charmed baryon, the c*0
(composed of one charm and two strange quarks) from the 30TB of CLEO data. Charmed baryons
were produced in abundance about a microsecond after the Big Bang, but have since decayed to
protons, one of the constituents of ordinary matter.
Based on the FORTRAN code developed by the project investigator, Mr. Wagner will first carry out a
Monte-Carlo simulation study in the most prominent decay modes of the c*0 state to get a better
understanding of the physics process and how the CLEO detector responds to that particular process.
At the end of the Monte-Carlo study, he will obtain the width of each decay mode of the c*0 state under
investigation. He will also travel to the CESR-CLEO facility at Cornell University to take data. He will
then work alongside the principal investigator to search for the c*0 from the accumulated CLEO data.
He will analyze this data and interpret the signal using the state-of-the-art analysis packages, PAW ++
and MNFIT. He will display the histogram in terms of the number of events versus the invariant mass of
the particle and plot the distribution by fitting it with a Gaussian curve with a low order polynomial. The
signal peak is identified by looking for an excess number of events or enhancements in a certain mass
region only if the signal peak has at least a three sigma standard deviation.
By participating in this research project, he will also acquire valuable information technology research
experience by analyzing this large amount of complex experimental data on fast UNIX workstation
platforms. In the final part of his research activities, he will write a short paper, summarizing the
research findings and presenting his results at our departmental physics seminar.
17
Kathreen Portia Lee
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
teacher
YES College Preparatory School
Houston
Prof. Eugenie S. Kleinerman
Department of Cancer Biology
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
David A. Fink
Chemistry, Anatomy and Physics
Teacher
Houston Christian High School
Houston
Prof. Duen-Hwa Yan
Department of Molecular and
Cellular Oncology
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Polythylenimine Gene Therapy Given by Aerosol: A Novel Treatment for Pulmonary Metastases
Mrs. Kathreen Lee is a high school teacher of biology, chemistry and physics in the Houston area with
an exceptional educational background. She has had some prior laboratory research experience in the
Texas Medical Center (Baylor) and comes with outstanding recommendations. Her knowledge of
molecular biology will help her assist us in our efforts to further optimize the methodology being used to
treat animal models of human osteosarcoma metastases in lung by aerosol delivery of
polyethyleneimine-based formulations of the IL-12 (cytokine) and p53 (tumor suppressor) genes. Her
diverse background will allow her to assist us in several areas of our research, including physical
optimization of the aerosol gene delivery process, the handling of research animals, molecular biology
and tissue culture procedures. She may also help in the PCR analysis of antitumor gene expression in
tumor and nontumor tissues. This experience should significantly enhance her ability to convey the
importance and realities of medical research to her students at the advanced college preparatory high
school where she teaches.
P202, an Interferon-Inducible Protein, in Cancer Gene Therapy
This grant will allow Mr. David Fink to contribute to the Advanced Technology Program project in two
phases:
Phase I – Mr. Fink will become familiar with
(1) the general literature regarding interferon, p202, signal transduction pathways, and gene therapy
in the mouse breast cancer model so that he will have a bird’s eye view of the paths as well as
the final goal of the project,
(2) the basic molecular biology laboratory techniques including gel electrophoresis, DNA, RNA, and
protein manipulations, transfection, and tissue culture techniques so that he will be equipped
with the proper tools for the task; and, last but not least,
(3) the lab personnel and research environment.
Phase II – Mr. Fink will contribute to Specific Aim 2 and 3 of the project
(1) Aim 2 – he may assist in the construction of various p202 expression vectors for the
identification of important domains responsible for p202-mediated anti-growth and/or anti-tumor
activity. He will also assist to functionally characterize these clones using a variety of
biochemical assays, e.g., MIT, FACS, TUNEL, and western blot.
(2) Aim 3 – he may also want to observe and perform (optional) gene therapy experiments in which
we will assist to establish breast tumors in mice and subsequently treat and monitor the tumorbearing mice with p202-based gene therapy.
18
Jennifer L. Jamison
Chemistry teacher
St. John’s School
Houston
Prof. William Margolin
Department of Microbiology and
Molecular Genetics
The University of Texas HSC
at Houston
Marsha Posey
Biology, Physics and Chemistry
Teacher
John Marshall High School
San Antonio
Prof. William P. Clarke
Department of Pharmacology
The University of Texas HSC at
San Antonio
Development of New Assays for Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Drugs against Cell Division
Proteins
Our research project involves understanding how bacterial cell division is controlled, and exploiting the
cell division system in order to develop new antimicrobial targets. Ms. Jamison will be involved in
developing an in vivo assay for cell division inhibition (bacterial enlargement due to failure to divide while
growth still occurs) that can be translated to a high-throughput type of screen. One way this may be
accomplished is by monitoring growing but nondividing cells either by optical density stability or by 90
degree light scattering. In addition, Ms. Jamison will contribute to the project by screening for green
fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions to cell division proteins, as these will serve as useful secondary
screens for division inhibition.
Agonist-Directed Trafficking: A Novel Concept for Drug Selectivity
The general goal of the work will be to explore the capacity of different ligands to promote unique
conformations of the human 5-HT2A and or 5-HT1A receptor. To achieve this goal, receptors will be
expressed in Sf9 cells along with different signaling molecules with which the receptors interact (e.g. G
proteins). Cell membranes containing the receptor and signaling molecules will be isolated using
standard centrifugation techniques. The capacity for different ligands to promote the coupling/activation
of the signaling molecules by the receptor will be studied using a variety of techniques. For example,
activation of G proteins will be done by quantifying the binding of radiolabeled guanosine triphosphate
(GTP[35S]). We expect to find that the relative capacity of different agonists at the receptor to promote
(GTP[35S]) binding to different G proteins expressed in Sf9 cells will differ. Additionally, the capacity of
the receptor to be differentially phosphorylated by protein kinases (such as protein kinase C) when it is
occupied by different ligands will be examined.
The results of these studies will provide evidence for, or against, the hypothesis that ligands can produce
unique receptor conformations. This question is a central question in pharmacology today and the
answer will have direct impact on the development of new, more specific drugs for the treatment of
diseases.
19
Norman K. Foster
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Teacher
Boerne High School
Boerne
Prof. Jose Lopez-Ribot
South Texas Center for Biology and
Medicine
The University of Texas HSC at San
Antonio
Exploring the Phenotypic Traits Associated with the Formation of Candida Albicans Biofilm
Candida Albicans is a human fungal pathogen that now ranks in the top five most frequently isolated
hospital-acquired infections. One of the most frequent causes of Candida infection in patients is the
presence of indwelling medical devices, such as intravenous catheters. These devices can be colonized
by this organism, resulting in the formation of a biofilm. Once a Candida biofilm forms in vivo, it is nearly
impossible to treat with drugs and often the substrate supporting the biofilm must be removed. Removal
can be problematic in many cases due to factors such as patient condition or anatomical location. The
net effect of these biofilms on patient health is increased morbidity and mortality as well as extended
hospital stays, all of which increase medical costs.
We are interested in the factors that allow the organism to initially adhere to the substrate. Early
adhesion is necessary for the initiation of biofilm formation on the surface of biomaterials. As the
outermost part of the cell, the cell wall is the structure that mediates these interactions. This project will
evaluate the adhesive characteristics and bio-film forming ability of different C. albicans knock-out
mutants deficient in specific cell wall proteins with a likely role in adhesion.
Experiments will use our in-house developed, microtiter plate, biofilm model to allow high throughput
screening of a large number of mutants under different parameters of biofilm formation. Strains
defective in adhesion and/or biofilm development will be further characterized by scanning electron
microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques, and molecular techniques. The goal of
this study will be to identify important factors required for adhesion that can be targeted by strategies that
will prevent or reverse adhesion.
20
La Rhonda N. Nolan
Chemistry and Physical Science
Teacher
John Jay High School
San Antonio
Prof. Linda M. McManus
Department of Pathology
The University of Texas HSC at
San Antonio
Selective Tissue Accumulation of Liposomes during Altered Vascular Permeability
The summer research program for Ms. Nolan will include active participation in on-going animal studies
designed to evaluate the accumulation of radiolabeled liposomes in skin following the subcutaneous
injection of various substances which alter vascular permeability. Ultimately, this information will support
the development of targeted delivery of drugs. Experience in animal handling and tissue processing for
light and electron microscopic assessment will be obtained under the direct supervision of the principal
investigator. In parallel, blood sample processing for determination of circulating leukocytes and
platelets will be performed.
Ms. Nolan was engaged in this research program last summer via support provided by this Advanced
Research Program for high school teachers. Thus, she is familiar with the scope of laboratory activities
in this project. As a result, her continued participation will permit expanded laboratory responsibilities
and a tremendous opportunity for a meaningful research experience. In addition, Ms. Nolan will
participate in diverse aspects of data management including data entry and verification as well as the
graphic display of results.
It is anticipated that all of these activities will be useful for this teacher as she returns to the classroom
next fall to teach high school chemistry.
21
Summary of 2001 Supplemental Grants Awards and Participants
Supplemental Grants to High School Science and Math Teachers B Summer 2001
Awards by Program
Number of
Dollars
Program
Awards
Awarded
ARP
20
$147,600
ATP
24
$165,600
TD&T
2
$16,200
46
$329,400
TOTALS
Projects selected in the 1999 Advanced Research Program and Advanced Technology Program (ARP/ATP) grants competition were
eligible to receive Supplemental Grants to High School Teachers for summer 2001.
Two of the teachers participating in this summer research program have doctoral degrees, 20 have master=s degrees (including 9
Master of Science degrees) and 24 have bachelor=s degrees (including 18 Bachelor of Science degrees). The doctoral degrees
were awarded in math education and applied mechanics. The master=s and bachelor=s degrees were awarded in various areas of
science, math, education, and engineering.
22
Supplemental Grants to High School Science and Math Teachers – Summer 2001
Gender of Participants by Program
Teachers
Investigators
Program
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
ARP
8
12
20
17
3
20
ATP
13
11
24
21
3
24
TD&T
2
0
2
2
0
2
Totals
23
23
46
40
6
46
The participating teachers represent both genders evenly, while most of the investigators are male.
Fifteen of the teachers also participated in the 2000 supplemental grants program. Two of the teachers participated in both the 1999
and 2001 programs and two participated in all three years of the program. Thirteen of the teachers will be working with the professor
who supervised their research during the summer of 2000. One teacher has worked with the same professor for all three summers.
Sixteen of the professors with 2001 supplemental grants also received 2000 grants. Four of the professors have participated in all
three summers.
23
Name Index
Adam, Gary L ...................................... 4
Aguas, Tricia N.................................. 11
Allen, Prof. Randy. .............................. 8
Ardoin, Bonnie J.. ................................ 1
Bartsch, Prof. Richard A. .................... 8
Bell, Prof. Linda G. ............................ 12
Bering, Prof. Edgar A., III .................. 10
Bond, Rodney M. .............................. 14
Brodbelt, Prof. Jennifer S .................. 15
Brown, Beverly M. ............................. 11
Chapman, Prof. Walter G. .................. 2
Chen, Prof. Daniel H. .......................... 1
Chou, Prof. Pen Chu. ........................ 10
Clarke, Prof. William P. ..................... 19
Colman, Linda. .................................... 3
Cook, Jennifer. .................................... 9
Croman, Robert B., Ph.D. ................... 3
Crowell, Sonja. .................................... 8
Davis, John ....................................... 14
DeMartino, Denise. ........................... 15
Densmore, Prof. Charles L ................. 1
Dieckman, Prof. Gregg R .................. 17
Driscole, Stephanie P. ........................ 2
Ellis, Prof. William. .............................. 6
Fang, Prof. Xing. ................................. 2
Fink, David A. .................................... 18
Flake, Prof. Robert. ........................... 15
Foster, Norman K. ............................. 20
Gerdes, Tonya. ................................... 5
Gill, Prof. Thomas E. ........................... 9
Golding, Prof. Terry. .......................... 13
Griffing, Rubeth ................................. 10
Herbst, Jeffrey S. .............................. 11
Himmler, Gary W............................... 12
Hochman, Daniel J. ............................. 5
Hsieh, Prof. Sheng-Jen (Tony). .......... 7
Huckabee, Kathleen............................ 4
Hughes, T.E. ..................................... 10
Ignatiev, Prof. Alex. ........................... 11
Jamison, Jennifer L. .......................... 19
Kakaderis, Prof. Ioannis. ................... 11
Kleinerman, Prof. Eugenie S. ........... 18
Koke, Prof. Joseph R. ......................... 3
Koke, Judith A ..................................... 4
Kovacevic, Prof. Radovan................... 3
Lack, Janice. ....................................... 2
Lacy, Prof. John. ............................... 16
Lambert, Prof. Lance L ....................... 3
Landgraf, Tom. .................................. 12
Lee, Kathreen Portia. ........................ 18
Liu, Prof. Shangqing. ........................ 11
Lopez-Ribot, Prof. Jose .................... 20
Lovely, Prof. Carl J. ........................... 14
Mahmood, Prof. Akhtar H. ................ 17
Marchand, Prof. Alan P. .................... 13
Margolin, Prof. William. ..................... 19
Matis, Prof. James. ............................. 4
May, Charlotte, Ph.D. ........................ 15
McManus, Prof. Linda M. .................. 21
McMillan, Tobi. .................................... 8
Melton, Prof. Lynn A.......................... 16
Meyer, Prof. Edgar. ............................. 6
Moody, Judd E. ................................... 6
Morquin, Demian. ................................ 7
Muir, Prof. James P............................. 7
Nolan, La Rhonda N. ........................ 21
Pasciak, Prof. Joseph E. ..................... 5
Peterson, Prof. Richard E. .................. 9
Posey, Marsha. ................................. 19
Price, Alan. ........................................ 12
Quitevas, Prof. Edward L .................. 10
Rocha, John-David. .......................... 13
Sauer, Robert ...................................... 2
Schuller, W. Peyton .......................... 10
Schwarz, Prof. John R. ....................... 5
Scott, Steve ....................................... 16
Silva, Lee R ....................................... 17
Sopata, Chad ...................................... 1
Srinivasan, Prof. Malur N. ................... 2
Starikov, Prof. David. ........................ 12
Stimpson, Jennifer. ........................... 16
Su, Prof. Jianzhong. .......................... 14
Sudman, Prof. Philip ........................... 4
Taylor, Judy. ........................................ 7
Taylor, Teresa A.................................. 3
Thames, Dianna B. ............................. 9
Tollett, Wayne John, Jr. ...................... 6
Wagner, Edward N., Jr. .................... 17
Watkins, Prof. Linette M. ..................... 4
White, Prof. Kenneth W .................... 12
Williams, John Mark .......................... 13
Yan, Prof. Duen-Hwa ........................ 18
Related documents available from the Division of
Finance, Campus Planning and Research:
Research Experiences for High School Science
Teachers, Summer 2000
Supplemental Grants for High School Science
Teachers, Summer 1999
For further information about this program contact:
Follow-Up Report on the Summer 1999 Supplemental
Program to Provide Research Experiences for High
School Science and Math Teachers, June 2000
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
E-mail: linda.domelsmith@thecb.state.tx.us
Advanced Research Program/Advanced Technology
Program, 2001 Program Announcements
Advanced Research Program/Advanced Technology
Program, Report of Awards, May 2000
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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