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2007 Kentucky NSF EPSCoR Research Scholars Program (RSP)
Arsenic Concentration and Mobility in Poultry Amended Agricultural Soils
Faculty Mentor: David Atwood
Award Length: February 2008 - March 2008
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Kristen Bird
Institution: University of Kentucky
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
This project will focus on determining the arsenic content of Karnak and Belknap soils and the characterization of colloidal suspensions derived from these two soils. Preliminary work has demonstrated that the arsenic found in agricultural field effluent is being carried by colloids. Overall, the project will provide a determination of arsenic contamination at various sites in the state of Kentucky with a fundamental understanding of origin and mobility of this contamination.
Silicon Nanoparticles
Faculty Mentor: Eric Conte
Award Length: May 2007-December 2007
EPSCoR Support: $10,000
Student: Morgan McGray
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Hometown: Elizabethtown, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
Student: Robert Derrek Brown
Institution: Western Kentucky University
Hometown: Bowling Green, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
Morgan McGray and Robert (Derrek) Brown along with faculty mentor, Eric Conte conducted 10 weeks of research on silicon nanoparticles at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNNL). Silicon nanoparticles are a preferred type of nanoparticle, because of their high thermal stability. The high thermal stability will be useful for eventual applications requiring higher temperatures such as gas chromatographic columns and preconcentration devices. The team worked under the direction of the PNNL's materials scientist Dr. Marvin Warner. These silicon nanoparticles will be modified with functionalities specific for the detection of terrorist agents such as trinitrotoluene (TNT). This work will eventually lead to the development of sensors, in addition to gas chromatographic columns and preconcentration devices, for the detection of terrorist agents.
Characterization of Cancer-Preventive Selenium
Agent(s) in Soybeans
Faculty Mentor: Teresa Fan
Award Length: March 2007 - December 2007
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Kathleen Marshall
Institution: University of Louisville
Hometown: Leitchfield, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
This research project begins to address the role of active Se agents in cancer prevention by investigating 1) the distribution of Se in low and high molecular weight (i.e. proteins) fractions in Se-enriched soybeans; 2) fractionate proteins by their molecular sizes; 3) profile proteins in terms of their Se content. The main analytical tool to be employed is the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrument recently established in the Center for Regulatory and Environmental Analytical Metabolomics (CREAM) at the University of Louisville. This instrument allows both the analysis of total Se in different fractions and identification of individual selenoproteins separated by gel electrophoresis (pioneered in this laboratory).
Impact of Oxide/Aqueuos Interfaces on Biofilm Formation: Probing the Role of Siderophones
Faculty Mentor: Heather Bullen
Award Length: May 2007 - December 2007
EPSCoR Support: $4,865
Student: Whitney Schmidt
Institution: Northern Kentucky University
Hometown: Alexandria, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
This research is aimed at understanding the role of siderophores produced by bacteria in the attachment process. Biofilms form when bacteria stick to surfaces. Examples of biofilms include plaque on teeth, films that clog pipes, and bacterial infections. Further, they cost the nation billions of dollars a year. It is important to understand how bacteria attach to surfaces so that new strategies can be developed to prevent or minimize biofilm formation.