Four NEW mentors join program

Four new faculty mentors joined our program this year. Information about the new projects are highlighted in this week's post. These mentors will work with the ten students participating in this year's REU program. Additionally, two Saturday Academy students involved with the ASE program and one Johnson Scholar from Oregon State University will join REU students.

Professor Sarah Eppley
Ecology and evolution of angiosperms and bryophytes: Current research is centered on investigating 1) the ecological consequences of combined versus separate sexes and sex ratio variation in plants and 2) the interactions between environmental stress and breeding systems in the survival and maintenance of plant populations. Understanding the role of stress, particularly extreme environmental stress, in the ecology and evolution of plant species is critical to our ability to protect rare and endangered plant species and to predict the impacts of climate change on plant communities. Researchers in the lab are using an array of ecological, physiological, and molecular tools to address questions in these areas.

Professor Andrea Goforth
Research in the Goforth laboratory is directed toward the advancement of the field of bionanotechnology by the development of novel, nanometer sized inorganic imaging agents. The primary research efforts are three-fold: 1) optimization of the inorganic core structure for maximal imaging property (e.g., maximal quantum yield and suitable emission characteristics for fluorescence imaging, maximal magnetic moment for magnetic resonance imaging, or maximal X-ray scattering power for computed tomography X-ray imaging), 2) development of surface-tailored inorganic particles for specific targeting and imaging of biological processes, and 3) synthesis of less toxic imaging agents for non-invasive in vivo imaging. Current research efforts are focused on development of fluorescent silicon nanoparticles and bimodal fluorescent/magnetic nanoparticle systems targeted to the cell surface protein 4 1 integrin, believed to be involved in cell-cell adhesion interactions in the formation of new blood vessels and in cancer metathesis.

Professor Rajendra Solanki
Biosensor Research: Dr. Solanki's group has a broad program on developming electrical sensors to detect a wide range of bio-molecules that are responsible for diseases ranging from Celiac to certain kinds of cancer. The REU student will be assigned to engineer DNA (aptamers) or proteins (antibodies) to recognize the presence of a target analyte responsible for one of our target diseases. This work will involve handling of bio-molecules and interfacing them with the sensor, characterization of bio-molecular activity using standard techniques such as ELISA and finally testing the response of the electrical bio-sensor.

Professor Catherine deRivera
Limits to and consequences of biological invasions and how ecological factors affect mating behaviors and reproductive success: She also is interested in the intersection between behavior and invasions. For example, she plans to test whether successful non-native species are more behaviorally plastic than their less successful counterparts or native species. Her research projects, discussed here, can be further developed in multiple ways, and aspects of each are ideal for local research with students.