School of Biology Undergraduate Research Option Theses
The Research Option offers students majoring in biology the opportunity for a substantial, in-depth research experience. Students are strongly encouraged at the end of their experience to work with their faculty mentor to develop a journal publication or conference presentation on the research in addition to the actual thesis.
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Recent Submissions
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Hsp90 and the Evolution of Novel Cellular Differentiation
Cellular differentiation is a prerequisite for complex multicellular life, yet little is known about how it evolves de novo. Several mechanisms may explain how early multicellular organisms evolved to perform cell-specific ... -
The True Cost: An Analysis of Course Registration Patterns in the College of Sciences
In the United States, less than half of college students who enroll in a STEM program will graduate with a STEM degree (Chen 2013). Attrition rates are disproportionately high for marginalized students, leading to a ... -
Prediction and Visualization of RNA Secondary Structures
Non-coding RNAs play key roles in cellular systems such as transcription and translation. Computational predictive methods provide insight into the secondary structures of non-coding RNAs from diverse organisms for which ... -
Metagenomic evaluation of the caddisfly-associated microbiome and its implications for nutrient cycling in montane streams
Anthropogenic excess nitrogen in the environment has many negative impacts on environmental and human health, including eutrophication, pollution, and loss of biodiversity. River systems carry the burden of regulating this ... -
Analysis of Tympanum and Columella Constructions in the Family Incilius (Anura: Bufonidae: Incilius)
Toad ears are usually composed of a tympanic membrane, tympanic annulus, columella, and inner ear, and vary greatly across species. In order to investigate the state and evolutionary history of ears within the toad family ... -
Effects of Muscle-Based Control and Electrical Stimulation of Residual Sensory Nerve on Biomechanics of Locomotion with Transtibial Prosthesis
This study examines the use of muscle activity and nerve stimulation for trans-tibial prosthetic control. We tested various modes of an osseointegrated prosthesis – in a cat subject – that varied in their implementation ... -
Interaction between Burkholderia ceoncepacia and Staphylococcus aureus in Presence of Meropenem
In recent decades, chronic pulmonary infections have become the leading cause of death among patients with cystic fibrosis. Despite the large number of available studies that explore the effects of single-species bacterial ... -
Reproduction and recruitment in perennial Vespula squamosa yellowjacket was colonies
Many people are all too familiar with social wasps of the genus Vespula, more commonly known as yellowjackets. What many people may not know is that recently, the nesting behavior of these wasps has begun to shift from a ... -
Modeling health and developmental effects of particulate matter exposure using C. elegans
Particulate matter (PM) is air pollution comprised of tiny particles suspended in the air. Exposure to PM is a major global health concern, contributing to 9 million deaths annually. Fine PM can break down protective ... -
Single-cell RNA Sequencing Analysis and Experimental Designs to Investigate the Role of Nitric Oxide Signaling in Progenitor Cell Survival in Ciona
The tunicate Ciona is a marine chordate whose biphasic life cycle, relatively simple transcriptome, and ability to be genetically manipulated via electroporation makes it an ideal model for studying phenomena of neurodevelopment ... -
A preliminary investigation into the role of Sipa1l in bipolar tail neurons of Ciona robusta
Bipolar tail neurons (BTNs) in Ciona robusta offer a unique chance to assess regulatory networks that give rise to cell behaviors during development. Like most cells within the embryo of Ciona robusta, BTNs develop following ... -
Purification of N-glycosylated E-Cadherin Proteins through Biotinylation Isolation of E-cadherin protein for glycomics study through biotin affinity purification
In this study, we use Xenopus embryos to study the dynamics of neural crest cell migration. This process is important in embryonic development because it initiates the differentiation process of the embryo as a whole. The ... -
Analysis of Neural Stem Cells and Neurospheres
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are important multipotent adult stem cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various cell types present in the central nervous system. Studying the characteristics of NSCs and their ... -
Neuroprotective Effects of Voluntary Exercise in a Mouse Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Aerobic exercise is a promising rehabilitation intervention for the central and peripheral nervous systems. We previously reported neuroprotective effects of voluntary exercise in inherited and acute damage animal models ... -
An investigation into the multiple Type VI Secretion Systems of Enterobacter cloacae
Enterobacter cloacae is a Gram-negative, opportunistic bacterial pathogen that is commonly acquired by patients in hospitals. The Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) is a harpoon-like apparatus that injects toxins into the ... -
Ischemia induces changes in SOD activity and neuromuscular regeneration
Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is characterized as a neuromuscular disorder of aging that develops due to an occlusion of blood flow to the affected lower limbs. Following ischemic injury, disruption of vasculature interrupts ... -
Single particle cryo-EM structure elucidation of a Photosystem II complex mimicking a critical step in photoinhibition
Photosystem II (PSII) is an essential protein in the photosynthetic process that houses the oxygen evolution center, which is responsible for producing most of the oxygen in the atmosphere. In order to better understand ... -
Investigating effect of oxidative stress during in vitro myogenic differentiation
Stem cell research has been developing new ways to understand the mechanism behind aging in muscles as well as ways to prevent debilitating symptoms of it. In this study, Pax7-CreER-Sod1 floxed cells were used to model ... -
Investigation of the Role of Hyaluronan in Neural Crest Cell Migration, Adhesions, and Morphology
Xenopus laevis neural crest cells are a common and useful model for studying cell migration in many contexts, including developmental biology, cancer, and other basic science. This study examines the role hyaluronan (also ... -
Optogenetic Manipulation of Caenorhabditis elegans Pharyngeal Muscles Inhibit Food Consumption
Obesity, a complex condition that arises from a host of interwoven environmental, cultural, social, and genetic factors, is associated with many devastating diseases. However, resolving the intricacies of obesity-related ...
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