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2009 Kentucky NSF EPSCoR Research Scholars Program (RSP)
Long-Range Surface Plasmons for Biosensing
Faculty Mentor: Sergio Mendes
Awarded: October 2009
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Courtney Byard
Institution: University of Louisville
Hometown: Hardinsburg, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
Surface plasmon resonance biosensors have become an important tool for characterizing and quantifying biomolecular interactions that is currently widely employed in life sciences and pharmaceutical research. SPR is a label-free, highly sensitive technique that allows for quantitative determination of surface concentration, kinetic parameters, and molecular interactions. My project is to expand on the SPR technology to reach higher resolution using long-range surface plasmon modes and to develop a multiplexed approach for fast-dynamics studies of biomolecular interactions on functionalized surfaces.
CFD Analysis of a Microfluidic Flow Cytometer
Faculty Mentor: Lian Yongsheng
Awarded: October 2009
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Kyle Schmidt
Institution: University of Louisville
Hometown: Gillette, WY
Classification: Graduate
I am working in conjunction with Dr. Cindy Harnett and Adrian Fletcher on developing a microfluidic flow cytometer. My portion of the project is to use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to numerically analyze a microfluidic cytometer. By using computer aided CFD analysis we will be able to optimize the flow rate of the microfluidic cytometer. This optimization will allow maximum diffusion of the fluid containing diseased cells. When there is maximum diffusion within the cytometer the concentration is at a maximum; ultimately giving the best electrical impedance signal. The CFD analysis will also be used to show the heat transfer effects of a diseased cell after being treated with a heat source.
Assessing Climate-Hive Interaction on Eastern Kentucky Surface Mines
Faculty Mentor: Tammy Horn
Awarded: September 2009
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Lizbeth Campbell
Institution: Eastern Kentucky University
Hometown: Elizabethtown, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
My project gathers information about honey bees on reclaimed coal mine sites in eastern KY because a hive's foraging habits, nectar flow, and overall health may lead to a better understanding of changing climate patterns. Unlike other projects that use sophisticated technology, this project uses balance beam farm scales, and I record weekly readings and photograph bloom cycles. This data will be submitted to a national database directed by NASA. With the information collected from volunteers all across the country, NASA may be able to use honey bees to track and predict global climate changes as well as update previous forage maps for beekeepers across the nation.
Pattern Recognition for Cell Diagnostics
Faculty Mentor: Cindy Harnett
Awarded: April 2009
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Adrian Fletcher
Institution: University of Louisville
Hometown: Junction City, KS
Classification: Undergraduate
Flow cytometry is a cell-counting technique that can determine whether an individual has been exposed to a disease. We are developing an inexpensive, portable, electrical impedance based microfluidic flow cytometer. My project is to generate a database of test samples so the software can determine whether an electrical signal originated from a diseased or healthy cell. I am creating a user interface that will allow researchers to visually sort and label cell images. The same labels will be applied to the corresponding electrical signals. In turn, these labeled electrical signals will provide hundreds of example waveforms to train the cytometer software to use the electrical signals alone to perform medical diagnostic tests.
Global Gene Expression in Planta
Faculty Mentor: Michael Perlin
Awarded: January 2009
EPSCoR Support: $5,000
Student: Anna Hellmann
Institution: University of Louisville
Hometown: Lakeside Park, KY
Classification: Undergraduate
Fungal pathogens can cause substantial economic loss due to damage of agricultural crops. Ustilago maydis, the pathogen of corn, causes about two percent loss per year in the United States. My project examines which fungal genes might be important for the severity of such infections. I will use state-of-the-art technologies (e.g., microarrays) to compare expression of all genes in this fungus under different growth conditions. From these experiments we hope to gain insight into genes that affect fungal ability to cause disease.