2006 Kentucky NSF EPSCoR Research Scholars Program (RSP)
Effect of Fertilizers and Thermal Oxidation on Soybean Lipids
Faculty Mentor: Cecelia Yappert
Award Length: August 2006 - December 2007
EPSCoR Support: $15,000
Student: Josh Campbell
Institution: University of Louisville
Hometown: Monticello, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
Student: Marcello Cavitt
Institution: University of Louisville
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
Student: Nichole Sonderman
Institution: University of Louisville
Hometown: Independence, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
Student: Roslyn Steinmetz
Institution: DuPont Manual High School
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Classification: High School
This project investigates the possible improvement in the use of soybean oils as alternative and renewable fuel. Three sub-projects performed in this investigation are: a) optimize the analytical approaches for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of triacylglycerides, phospholipids and galactolipids in soybeans from various geographical regions in Ketucky, b) study the effect of inorganic fertilizers with different levels of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium on lipid composition and metabolism, c) monitor the effect of thermal oxidation of soybean oil (as in recycled oils) on its lipid content and composition. Mass spectrometry will be the main analytical tool to be used in these projects.
Update: Marcello graduated from UofL with a BS degree in Chemistry. He has started his Ph.D. program in Chemistry at the University of Michigan. He has expressed his appreciation for the research experience made possible by the KY NSF EPSCoR RSP Program and his RSP mentor, Dr. Yappert. Congratulations and good luck Marcello!"
Nichole Sonderman and Josh Campbell have been accepted to the University of Louisville Medical School.
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Determining Age and Growth in Commercially Important Coral Reef Fishes using Otolith Metrics
Faculty Mentor: Charles Acosta
Award Length: June 2006 - May 2007
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Ana Hernandez
Institution: Northern Kentucky University
Hometown: Covington, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
Few age estimates exist for the commercially-important fisheries of Belize which possesses the second largest coral reef ecosystem in the world. This research will provide accurate growth data for use in population stock assessments for these species. Otolith ring pattern and microchemistry analyses are known to be highly accurate but are also costly and time-consuming. My evaluation of the mass-age and ring pattern-von Bertalanffy model relationships will provide important insights into the comparative accuracy of these methods. Finally, assessment of the utility of the ESEM EDX detector will determine whether this method is a relaible alternative for rapid elemental analysis.
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Remediation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Waste Water using Cyclophanes
Faculty Mentor: Thandi Buthelezi
Award Length: November 2006 - May 2007
EPSCoR Support: $4,784
Student: Chris Davies
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Hometown: Frankfort, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
Researchers at WKU are investigating host-guest interaction of newly synthesized cyclophanes (as the host) and various Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (as the guest molecule). Specific techniques applied are fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy, in hopes of decreasing the PAH in waste waters. The goal of this research is to successfully bind PAHs to cyclophanes and to remove the host-guest pair from contaminated samples, therefore reducing the overall concentration of PAHs [Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons].
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Dependence of Aggregates upon Forest History
Faculty Mentor: James Fox
Award Length: June 2006 - May 2007
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Michelle Sliter
Institution: University of Kentucky
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Classification: Graduate
This project aims to characterize sediment aggregates (groupings of fine inorganic/organic sediments that reside in a river system) that are transported within forested watersheds in Eastern Kentucky and to relate aggregate characteristics to land management history. Sediment aggregates will be sampled from three forested watersheds in Eastern Kentucky within the upper portion of the Kentucky River Basin with different land management histories and at different rates of streamflow. Microscopy techniques and statistical analysis are used to analyze the results.
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Integration of Nanomaterials into Microfluidics for Sensor Applications
Faculty Mentor: Cindy Harnett
Award Length: September 2006 - December 2007
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Eugeniya Moiserra
Institution: University of Louisville
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Classification: Post-doc
The goal of the project is to grow nanomaterials directly within microfluidic channels by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system. The same microfluidic channels can be used to deliver coatings and samples to the sensor-skipping the packaging and alignment steps which now prevent these next-generation sensors from being produced quickly and reliably.
Watershed-Scale Effects of Best Management Practices
Faculty Mentor: Alice Jones
Award Length: June 2006 - September 2007
EPSCoR Support: $4,980
Student: Michael Albright
Institution: Eastern Kentucky University
Hometown: Brodhead, KY
Classification: Graduate
The goal of this project is to develop a water quality monitoring network within the Brushy Creek subbasin, and to take samples monthly for one year. This will establish baselines from which to conduct further studies of the relationship between site-scale adoption of Best Management Practices and changes in water quality at the watershed scale. The water quality monitoring network will consist of 12-15 surface water sites and 12-15 groundwater sites spatially distributed to capture variation in water quality throughout the watershed.
Back to TopWoody Plant Regeneration
Faculty Mentor: Melinda Wilder
Award Length: June 2006 - December 2007
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Emily Clemmons
Institution: Eastern Kentucky University
Hometown: Richmond, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
The aim of this study is to determine the response of woody stem vegetation to timber harvest, eight years post-harvest. Such information is lacking for the Knobs Region of the Commonwealth. Information generated by this study can provide land managers with an insight into what species respond favorably to timber harvest activities and what species respond negatively to the practice. Land managers will be able to use the information generated by this study to better understand the woody plant succession pattern which will occur in the Knobs Region of Kentucky following timber harvest and how, or if, the resulting vegetation compliments proposed management plans and goals.
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