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From: Peter Chung, Chemistry, Music & Bioethics Major.
Professor Yiping Han, Project Mentor, Summer 2006
Brief description of project:
Fusobacterium nucleatum is a long filamentous, Gram-negative oral anaerobe associated with various human diseases. Studies of F. nucleatum have been impaired due to lack of effective genetic tools. We report here development of a gene-disruption procedure using a novel sonoporation approach. Sonoporation is an ultrasound-mediated macromolecule delivery method initially developed for mammalian cells, but had never been tested in bacteria. Using sonoporation, we successfully inactivated the fadA and retC genes in F. nucleatum 12230, a strain previously known to be refractory to genetic manipulation. Suprisingly, in both cases, sonoporation of suicide plasmids carrying an erythromycin resistance cassette inserted into the targeted gene produced double-crossover, rather than single-crossover, allelic exchange mutants. Sonoporation may be a powerful genetic tool for one-step construction of double-crossover gene disruption mutants in bacterial.
How did you find your position?
You get the opportunity to work with very experienced, one of the top researchers in their fields. You not only learn laboratory techniques but more importantly, life lessons and values that might be relevant to your future career. Their advice are also extremely helpful in deciding your career path.
What advice do you have for students interested in UR-CE?
It is an excellent opportunity to discover what you like and don't like. It would give a better idea of what you want to do after college and it's never too early to think about your plans after graduation because it will come before you know it. Also, take full advantage of the experience. Most importantly have fun or at least try!!!
From: Raymond Choi, Chemistry major.
Professor Mark Smith, Project Mentor, Summer 2005
Brief description of project:
My project involves identifying aberrant cell cycle proteins, such as EDG-1 and FKHRL1 (which have been previously shown to be upregulated in breast cancer tissue), by using immunohistochemical staining techniques and western blotting. Furthermore, I use double staining techniques to determine whether markers representative of different phases of the cell cycle are mutually exclusive or if they co-exist.
How did you find your position?
I went online and looked at various departmental websites to see what kind of research was available. Luckily, I knew that I was interested in Neuroscience, so that helped me narrow down what was available in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and pathology. I emailed about 10 professors, and received about 6 replies and interviewed with these 6 professors. While I interviewed with them, I knew that they were choosing me, but at the same time I was choosing them, too. So I picked my position based first and foremost on what kind of research the lab was involved in, then based on what kind of personnel worked there and what kind of person my mentor was.
What advice do you have for students interested in UR-CE?
I think one of the most important things is to take the initiative to contact these professors, and carefully select who you think fits you best. ….And of course, once you are in the lab, taking the time to learn the techniques and what not is important, but ultimately push to work on your own project. To mature as an independent, critical thinker is just as important as learning science.
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From: Hunter Ewen, Music and Mechanical Engineering majors from Lexington, Kentucky. Professor Gary Ciepluch, Project Mentor. Summer 2005
Brief description of project:
Composed an 18 minute piece of classical music for concert wind band.
What are the benefits of your involvement with your UR-CE project?
Gives me the time to truly focus on this project. Teaches me more about the interplay of band instruments in a very “hands on” way. Allows me to develop a finished product (with the help of Case and CIM faculty, Music department equipment and resources, and Case printing services), which will be one of the cornerstones of my graduate school applications. Gives me an opportunity few undergraduates would be allowed to participate in.
How did you find your position?
I have worked with Case faculty on new compositions before.
What advice do you have for students interested in UR-CE?
This is one of the many opportunities that Case offers to help us make the transition from students to professionals. No matter what your interests are, this is a wonderful way for you to find and explore your passions.
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From Steven Folz, Biomedical Engineering Major from Walla Walla, WA.
Professor Harihara Baskaran, Project Mentor. Summer 2005
Brief description of project:
I investigated the effect of shape and size on cell island growth kinetics. Specifically, I carried out time-lapse microscopy of individual islands of various shape and characterized their motility and proliferation through image analysis and mathematical modeling. In addition, I investigated the effect of various growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins on size and shape-dependent keratinocyte micro-island growth. I determined the effect of hepatocyte growth factor and epidermal growth factor, and fibronectin and collagen on the growth characteristics of these islands.
What are the benefits of your involvement with your UR-CE project?
It was a great way to get involved with all the different stages and intricacies of a research project. I was introduced to numerous experimental techniques and equipments that not only prepares me for graduate school, but also makes me a better candidate.
How did you find your position?
I was friends with an undergraduate biomedical engineering student who did her senior project with Dr. Baskaran. I was very interested in her research and she introduced me to Dr. Baskaran, whom took the time to teach me the necessary tools for research. Soon after, I began a project of my own in his laboratory.
What advice do you have for students interested in UR-CE?
I think the most important thing you can do as an undergraduate is get involved as soon as you can. Many professors are looking for students to continue research that a senior has started during their senior project and if you take the initiative then there are lots of opportunities out there. I would also recommend attempting to continue the position during the summer as it is amazing at what you can accomplish when it is the only thing you focus on.
From: Matthew Hagy, Polymer Science and Engineering major from Greensburg, PA. Professor Elena Dormidontova, Project Mentor. Summer 2005
Brief project description:
Studied reversible polymerization through computer simulations. Investigated analytic theory of such systems.
What are the benefits of your involvement with your UR-CE project?
I was able to extend the theory of linear associating reversible polymerization. I learned a great deal about statistical physics and computer simulations.
How did you find your position?
I participated in EMAC 125 Freshman Research, and was introduced to the project.
Have you presented this project?
Poster Presentation: Second Annual Northeast Ohio Polymer REU Symposium at Case this summer; REU Summer Symposium 2005 Presentation: Cleveland ACS 2005 Award for Cleveland ACS New Surface Technologies Undergraduate Research Award.
What advice do you have for students interested in UR-CE?
Explore various areas and focus on the one that interests you.
From: Aaron Johnston-Peck, Materials Science and Engineering major.
Professor David Schwam, project mentor, Summer 2005.
Project description
It was an investigation of rapid prototyping of sand casting molds. I evaluated the dimensional accuracy, repeatability, and surface finish of the castings produced from molds printed on a three-dimensional printer.
What are the benefits of your involvement with your UR-CE project?
I learned a great deal about the rapid prototyping field and metallurgy. I learned the experience of being able to run experiments, analyze the data, and adjust the experiments accordingly.
How did you find your position?
I sent out an email to the Materials Science Department, and Professor Schwam responded.
What advice do you have for students interested in UR-CE?
Get involved. Send out as many feelers as you can; someone is bound to respond and it is definitely worth the time.
From: Kiedra J. Kincaide, Biology/Pre-Med Major from Fisk University participating in the Summer 2005 Undergraduate Research Program.
Professor Christopher Cullis, Project Mentor.
Brief description of project:
The objective of our research was to isolate microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from the Flax genome, and use the information surrounding the SSRs to test the polymorphic information content of the SSRs. Those that are found to be polymorphic will be used to anchor the current molecular map of Flax which is presently constructed from random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers.
What are the benefits of your involvement with your UR-CE project?
My involvement in the UR-CE project has broadened my knowledge of both science and the medical field. The seminars were very insightful and helpful. I received excellent advice and answers regarding many of the common experiences and misconceptions about medical school.
How did you find your position?
I am a student in the Academic Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) Summer Undergraduate Research Program. My program assigned me to a research lab.
What advice do you have for students interested in UR-CE?
I would advise for any student in the science field to take advantage of summer research programs and any available opportunity to conduct research. It is an experience like none other, and it can be very rewarding.
From: Christopher Muscatello – Physics Major – Three Different Research Experiences
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Experience I:
I attended the University of Michigan’s Space Physics Research Laboratory after sophomore year. I worked closely in the experimental astrophysics laboratory under the guidance of Dr. R.P. Drake and Korbie Dannenberg. The main research interest of the group was studying the propagation of shock waves through the interstellar medium. Before I joined the group, several designs for experimental targets had been rendered on the computer. My first task was to master the art and science of micro-machining. Since the goal of the research was to simulate astrophysical shock waves in the laboratory, rescaling dimensions required experimental targets that were on the order of 100 microns in size. Once all the components were fabricated, the target had to be assembled according to precise specifications using a set of movable stages. Dozens of miniscule targets were required and, as with any other research project, deadlines quickly approached.
I traveled with the group to the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester on the experiment day. I had never been in such a tense setting with so many professionals. At the end of the day I felt a sense of personal accomplishment as our hard work resulted in usable data.
Experience II:
The following summer I participated in research in the University of Toledo’s Physics Department. I worked with Drs. C.E. Theodosiou and Alex Shvydky involving theoretical low-temperature plasma physics with application to plasma display panels and barrier discharges. The approach this group took in advising me contrasted that of UM.
Instead of being instructed to perform a certain task based on established procedures, I was taught the physics of plasmas from the ground up. Much of the preliminary work was pen-and-paper problems concerning kinetic theory and probability theory. Once I was comfortable with the concepts on paper, I would demonstrate my knowledge with a computer program in Fortran. Each new program I developed built upon the previous ones. Learning each of these concepts and programming techniques was important in order to understand the main code from which we would obtain our data.
During the latter half of the summer, we concerned ourselves with studying the effects that various gas mixtures would have on the production of UV radiation in a DC driven gas discharge cell. We revamped an out-dated one-dimensional code with a more rigorous energy conservation algorithm, updated particle cross sections, and new output files. We let the code run for different percentage Ne/Xe mixtures each at varying voltages above the breakdown. Thanks to the Ohio Supercomputer Center and the University of Toledo's Beowulf cluster, we were able to run about 70 jobs in serial for
approximately 80 hours each. By the end of the summer, we were able to obtain data using one secondary emission coefficient of Xe. I am still working with the research group to obtain more data using various other secondary emission coefficients. When the research is complete we plan to eventually publish our findings in both a professional and undergraduate journal.
Experience III:
During my senior year I will participate in research with Drs. Tanmay Vachaspati and Francesc Ferrer here at Case in theoretical cosmology and astrophysics. We will consider the propagation of charged cosmic rays through helical magnetic fields and will determine if the results can be used as a probe of magnetic helicity. Besides the intellectual aspects of the project, I take part in weekly seminars to hone my presentation skills. I am also expected to make several progress report presentations to the senior project committee throughout the year.
From: Nicole Sharp, Aerospace Engineering major.
Professor Ed White Project Mentor. Summer 2005.
Brief description of project:
My project is a study of moths’ odor-sensing abilities. Rather than approaching the question from a biological standpoint, though, I am studying the environment in which the moth tracks scents. Using a wind tunnel and an ion generator to simulate an odor, I measure and analyze the air flow, so that we can construct a picture of the structure a scent takes on in moving air. This understanding of the moth’s environment supplements biologists’ observations about moth tracking behavior to create a clearer idea of how moths locate the origins of odors.
What are the benefits of your involvement with your UR-CE project?
I started my summer work with the idea that I might enjoy pursuing experimental fluid mechanics in graduate school, and I hoped that spending a summer working on a fluid mechanics project would help me test that. In that respect, this summer has been invaluable. Nothing has gone as planned, but, despite that, I’ve found that I love researching in fluid mechanics. I’ve progressed beyond the undergraduate stage of having equipment handed to me with a step-by-step manual on what buttons to press and which data to record. In this project, everything from ensuring that I have the proper equipment to deciding how and what to record has been up to me. The experience and confidence that I’ve gained as a result will be a wonderful asset as I apply for graduate schools this year.
Case teaches you many things in the classroom, but it's in the lab that the many things you learn in class start to make sense. By exercising what you learn in class through undergraduate research, you not only affirm for yourself what you have been taught, you continue learning and you build confidence. Undergraduate research can help you bridge the divide between 'I am an engineering student' and 'I am an engineer'.
How did you find your position?
A day or two after I received an e-mail announcing the SOURCE summer program, I went to my academic advisor, Dr. White, for some advice on searching for graduate schools. Just before leaving, I mentioned SOURCE and asked him to let me know if he knew any professors who might have an appropriate project. “What do you know about odor-tracking and moths?” he asked, and the project and proposal grew from there.
What advice do you have for students interested in UR-CE?
Don’t be afraid to apply[for SOURCE funding] because you think you can’t find an advisor. Go to the professors you know, demonstrate your interest. And when it comes time to write your proposal, consider carefully how you will describe the project you’ve planned. Remember that most of the people who will read the proposal will have little or no experience in your field, so the ability to explain the project, its purpose, and its goals simply and clearly is vital. Above all, your passion for the project should shine through and make your proposal stand out.
