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updated August 11, 2009
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Research Projects Allow Students to Explore Scientific Areas
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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students and faculty have made
several significant scientific discoveries this summer through projects
supported by the Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative (IRC) and
Joseph and Reba Weaver undergraduate research programs.
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Summer Researchers: On campus this summer to work on
Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative and Weaver undergraduate
research projects have been (front) Mathematics Professor Yosi
Shibberu, Chemistry Professor Mark Brandt, Carly Baehr, Suzanne
Kissel, Ashley Brockhaus, Leah Howard, Scott Small of the Joint
Replacement Surgeons of Indiana Research Foundation and Mathematics
Professor Allen Holder; (second) James Zhou, Kirk Thompson and
Jeanie Sozansky; (third) Josh Andreas, Adam Markley and Jenn
Fischer; (top) Anthony Pearce, Evan Jones, David Cooper and Applied
Biology and Biomedical Engineering Professor Peter Coppinger. |
The IRC strives to enhance the undergraduate education experience by
supporting research experiences and ancillary activities, through a
vigorous laboratory research program.
Interdisciplinary research,
teamwork and expanding communication skills are other program benefits,
along with increasing a student’s motivation to pursue graduate studies.
This summer’s 10-week IRC program continues through Aug. 21, with
supervision by Applied Biology and Biomedical Engineering Professor
Peter Coppinger and Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Mark Brandt.
Other faculty members serve as mentors for the projects. The IRC program
is supported by the Lilly Endowment Inc.
Chemical engineering majors Josh Andreas and Ashley Brockhaus,
biomedical engineering major Steven Chase and chemistry major Joseph
Barlan joined Chemistry Professor Rebecca DeVasher in developing a
cost-effective way to get 5-iodovanillin to react with phenylboronic
acid in the presence of a palladium catalyst to produce
6-hydroxy-5-methoxy-1,1’-biphenyl-3-carbaldehyde.
Traditionally, the reaction requires the use of volatile organic
compounds as solvent, a nitrogen atmosphere and high temperatures.
DeVasher notes that the students’ method allows the reaction to occur
without the use of organic solvent, in an oxygen (ambient) atmosphere at
reduced temperature. The combined starting materials cost $7.54 per gram
and product patent references suggest the final cost of the new material
is approximately $300 per gram.
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Laboratory Learning: Carly Baehr, a junior chemistry major, has
worked with Mark Brandt, associate professor of chemistry, on
projects throughout the summer in advanced chemistry laboratories at
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. |
This students’ reaction and others will be implemented into Rose-Hulman’s
organic chemistry curriculum as a part of the Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry’s Green Chemistry experience.
In other summer projects, biomedical engineering student Leah Howard has
investigated pelvic loading before and after total hip arthroplasty. The
insertion energy required to seat the acetabular cup is being examined
for different cup designs and orientations. This project is done in
conjunction with the Joint Replacement Surgeons of Indiana Foundation,
based in Mooresville, Ind.
Adam Markley, a chemical engineering major, hopes to isolate and
identify viruses that could be contributing to the decline of amphibian
populations, specifically examining Iridovirdae, a manipulative family
of viruses. Members of this family are large, enveloped virus with
icosahedral nucleocapsids containing double stranded DNA genomes adapted
to conquer with assault by replication. Markley’s tasks this summer have
included isolating and indentifying viruses in existing populations,
testing the limit of detection in those samples, and making sure
laboratory experimental protocols run smooth.
Greg Zynda, a mathematics student, has applied mathematical theories and
practices to better understand and solve problems in the biological
world.
Mechanical engineering major Kyle Wilson investigated the effects of
laser excitation on the infrared spectra of ethanol. It is hoped that
this research will indicate a correlation between incident beam power
and un-excited ethanol temperature.
Jeanie Sozansky, an applied biology student, is studying family
background and use of hormonal contraceptives in women’s preferences for
mate selection. Her research has included surveys and personal
interviews.
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Chemistry Discovery: Rebecca DeVasher (left), assistant professor of
chemistry, examines the results of research conducted this summer by
students Josh Andreas, Ashley Brockhaus, Joseph Barlan and Steven Chase
which will be implemented into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s
organic chemistry curriculum. |
Chemical engineering major Jenn Fischer developed a protocol to
synthesize biodegradable PLGA nanospheres for drug delivery purposes.
The biocompatibility, resorbability and degradation rates of these
nanospheres make them ideal candidates for applications in cancer
therapy and the controlled delivery of vaccines.
David Cooper, a chemistry major, performed molecular dynamics
simulations on the ligand binding domain of the estrogen receptor alpha.
This study will determine what effect small alcohols located inside the
protein have on the proteins ability to stay dimerized. He is also
examining the kinetics of the dimerization of the estrogen receptor and
some drug design to determine the optimal molecule that will bind inside
the cavity.
Morgan Fiedeldey, a chemical engineering major, and Morgan Roddy, an
engineering physics major, investigated the “Design, Simulation and
Fabrication of an Electrically Small Antenna using Metamaterials.”
Eric Schepman, a mechanical engineering major, is examining “Titanium
Milling Volumetric Wear Experiments.”
Biomedical engineering student Michael Volitich is studying a
“Comparison of Photoelastic and Strain Gage Measurement Techniques in a
Total Joint Replacement Biomechanics Model” through the Joint
Replacement Surgeons of Indiana.
Projects in the Weaver Undergraduate Research program will continue
throughout the 2009-10 academic year, supported by $2,500 grants. The
program also covers student wages, summer campus residential costs, and
supply and material expenses.
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