Brockport Foundation Summer Undergraduate
Research Program Annual Report 2010
About the Program The 2010 Summer Undergraduate Research Program supported 16 students who received stipends provided by the Brockport Foundation. These stipends allowed students to focus on scholarly research without the pressure of working another summer job. The College also provided support for housing the summer scholars with no additional cost to the students.
Contents Letter from the Provost............................................... 1 Danielle Gentile ’11....................................................... 2 Jenna Wiemer ’11.............................................................. 3
Matthew Augustyn ’11 .................................................. 4 Alex Krolikowski ’11 ...................................................... 5 Edward Wesolowski ’11.................................................. 6 Jacob Beyer ’12.................................................................. 7 LeighAnn Larkin ’12........................................................ 8 Paul Bauch ’11................................................................... 9 Katrina Haude ’12.......................................................... 10 Krasimira Dimitrova Filcheva ’11.............................. 11 Kathleen Barra ’11........................................................ 12 Rebekah Edgell ’11 ....................................................... 13 Casey O’Mara ’11............................................................ 14 Sarah McMillen ’11 ..................................................... 15 Luke Krembs ’12.............................................................. 16 Rebecca Bernacki ’11 .................................................... 17
Anne E. Huot, PhD
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Undergraduate research is critically important to preparing students to gain entry to the country’s most prestigious graduate programs. By providing a challenging educational experience, these students were able to actively collaborate and interact with faculty in ways traditional classroom practices cannot supply. Additionally, each student must submit their research to a regional or national conference. These students have demonstrated their initiative and commitment to their educations and their areas of study, and will realize the value the program offers when it comes time to apply for graduate programs or enter their careers. With this work, these students have earned a distinct advantage over their peers. I must take time to thank the Brockport Foundation for funding this program, the existence of which would not have been possible without that support. Please take the time to read the stories of these extraordinary students. I hope you are as inspired as I am by their achievements and proud of how well they represent The College at Brockport.
When the Summer Undergraduate Research Program was first conceived, our goal was to create a sustainable and visible program that supports the engagement of undergraduate students in the scholarly and creative work of our faculty. As you will read in the following pages, the reality for our students confirmed our vision of this program’s promise and underscores our commitment to student success. It also increases The College at Brockport’s visibility and national reputation as a premier undergraduate institution. This past spring, 16 undergraduate students in disciplines ranging from philosophy to environmental science to history were awarded funding through the Brockport Foundation Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Students applying for support were required to submit a proposal outlining the plan for scholarly work with supporting documentation on how the research would contribute to the respective discipline and how the results might be disseminated.
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Danielle Gentile ’11
“The Roles of Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Attractiveness in Perceived Sexual Fluidity”
“This valuable opportunity will help me to gain experience working in a research lab with a faculty advisor, which will be an integral part of graduate work. Continuing my education in psychology is so important to me because I have a true passion for the subject, and believe that I can make a positive impact on other people’s lives.” Junior Danielle Gentile ’11 is interested in what makes people tick. A double major in psychology and health science and a member of Delta College, Danielle choose to enroll at The College at Brockport because, “I could tell that the students were hard working and motivated and that they were involved in other things beyond academics. Choosing Brockport just felt right,” she says. Working with her faculty mentor, Jennifer Ratcliff, PhD, has been an inspiration for Danielle. “She loves to teach. She loves her students. She said she chose Brockport because she gets to From the faculty advisor…
have more one-to-one time with students. I want to be like her,” Danielle says. Danielle is participating in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program for the second year and the experience continues to be an important part of her Brockport experience. “It’s been my first big step toward becoming a professional. It makes me feel like what I’ve studied is going to be applied. I feel like I could go to school for the rest of my life and be really happy,” she adds.
A research experience provides an opportunity for students to decide if they are really interested in research. Sometimes students discover a passion for research that they did not know they had, or they learn that they are not as interested in research as they thought. Also gaining admittance to graduate school is enhanced immeasurably by research experience. — Jennifer J. Ratcliff, PhD, assistant professor of psychology
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Jenna Wiemer ’11
Phospholipid Biogenesis in Trypanosoma Brucei: Demonstration of TbLPN Enzymatic Activity
“I enjoy the satisfaction you feel when your hard work has paid off and you got the results you were hoping for and can move forward.”
African Sleeping Sickness has long been the scourge of people and livestock in Sub-Saharan Africa and Jenna Wiemer wants to do something about it. The disease, which threatens more than 60 million people, is the focus of research being conducted by Wiemer’s mentor, assistant professor of biology Michel Pelletier, PhD. Wiemer’s summer research will, according to Pelletier, “become an integral part of a research publication that I am in the process of writing.”
Wiemer, who one day plans to manage a clinical medical laboratory or work for a pharmaceutical company studying infectious diseases, views the summer research experience as important to her Brockport educational experience. “I’m learning new laboratory techniques and combining that with the independent research experience will be very helpful as I pursue my career,” she says. Weimer is also gratified by what her research might do. “The mechanisms I’m working on may become a very attractive target for a new drug design,” she adds.
From the faculty mentor…
“Jenna is a very serious and methodical student who makes sure that she understands every experiment, and that every step is well planned and designed.” — Michel Pelletier, PhD, assistant professor of biology
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Matthew Augustyn ’11
“Assessing Information Technology Needs of Local Micro-Enterprises Through an Inductive Approach”
“I am very excited about this research opportunity. It will help me develop core skills and give me practical experience that will be vital in ‘real world’ business situations.” Small businesses or “micro-enterprises,” business ventures with fewer than five employees, are quintessentially American and have spawned countless American success stories, while comprising nearly 90 percent of all US businesses. Think of Steven Jobs and Steve Wozniak and the iconic garage workshop in Los Altos, California, that grew to become Apple Computer, Inc. Matthew Augustyn is hoping to find how information technologies can help more micro-enterprises succeed. His
summer research will include an assessment of information technology’s impact on the economic, social and human development of micro-enterprises. He also will be acting locally, identifying Brockport-area small businesses that would benefit from an information technology intervention. “I really enjoy interacting with people. And there’s a great sense of pride when you help someone who is struggling. The summer research project will advance my own skills while, at the same time, helping others,” he says.
From the faculty mentor…
“Matthew has plans to go into the information systems industry and to earn his MBA. His summer research project will integrate his classroom work with practical experience and make him more competitive in the job market and in the graduate school application process. — Mehruz Kamal, PhD, assistant professor of computer science
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Alex Krolikowski ’11
“The Role of Expectations in Attributions of Pride in Outgroups”
“Psychology has helped me cultivate and expanded understanding of individual behavior and the extreme variability of the term ‘normal.”
For his summer research project senior psychology major Alex Krolikowski ventured outside the laboratory into the field in order to explore the concept of ”normal.” His work will support the ongoing research of his mentor, associate professor of psychology Jennifer Ratcliff, PhD, whose research focuses on how people develop and maintain their attitudes, both positive and negative, toward marginalized groups. Krolikowski will specifically look at how people in the majority perceive pride displays by members of minority or marginalized groups. “Analyzing human behavior makes this research interesting.
Even though the results may not fall in line with what was predicted, they often lead to insights that provide the basis for future experiments,” he says. Krolikowski plans to attend graduate school following his Brockport experience to pursue an advanced degree in school psychology in order to work with children with developmental disabilities. “Dr. Ratcliff has been the most influential person I’ve encountered on my educational path. She has helped me excel in areas I otherwise would not have been able to,” he says.
From the faculty advisor…
“Alex’s enthusiasm for the research process is impressive. He is probably the most intellectually gifted student I have worked with thus far.”
— Jennifer J. Ratcliff, PhD, assistant professor of psychology
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Edward Wesolowski ’11
“Identifying Optimal Dietary Requirements for Salmonid Aquaculture”
“I am struck by the responsibility of research. To have published research as an undergraduate would be an awesome accomplishment and a great honor.”
You’ve seen the bumper stickers… “A bad day of fishing is better that a good day working.”… “I fish. Therefore, I lie”… “Got fish?” Well, Edward Wesolowski is helping to ensure that plenty of good fishing days await future anglers. Working with his mentor, associate professor of environmental science and biology Jacques Rinchard, PhD, Wesolowski’s research evaluated how a specific group of nutrients affected the growth, health and survival of juvenile salmon, the second most cultured fish in the US and an economically important species for both the food and sport fishing industries. From the faculty mentor…
Like most of the summer research undergraduates, Wesolowski has his sights set on continuing his education in graduate school and to find a career as a fisheries biologist. “My Brockport professors are helping stay on the road to success,” he says.
“During his internship, Ed demonstrated high commitment to his research. I saw him grow and mature as he took charge of the project. He will have the opportunity to present his summer research at the American Fishery Society annual meeting in Pittsburg. The internship gave him definitively hand-on experience and hopefully boosted his confidence for graduate school” — Jacques Rinchard, PhD, assistant professor of environmental science and biology
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Jacob Beyer ’12
“Intergalactic MgII Absorbers in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Catalog”
“It was fun to find something that no one else had found and know that it might lead to something great.”
To the casual observer it looked like Jacob Beyer was having a boring summer, sitting hour after hour in front of a computer screen reviewing columns of numbers. But for Beyer it was anything but boring. He, along with co-investigator LeighAnn Larkin, was reviewing data collected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Telescope looking for quasar spectral signals suggesting the presence of undiscovered galaxies in the expanse of intergalactic space between the quasar and the Sloan telescope.
Beyer sees himself as a mathematician with an interest in astrophysics and, at the moment, he plans to further his education at the graduate level in mathematics before returning to physics and continuing his interest in ‘finding out the ‘why’ behind the ‘how.’
From the faculty mentor…
“Graduate schools are looking for students who were involved in research as undergraduates. A research experience, such as our Summer Undergraduate Research Program, can spark a student’s interest in a field, and goes beyond what appears on a transcript.” — Eric Monier, PhD, associate professor of physics
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LeighAnn Larkin ’12
“Intergalactic MgII Absorbers in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Catalog”
“I want to be a scientist and there’s no time like the present to act on your dreams and goals.”
LeighAnn Larkin ’12 spent her summer looking back in time collecting and analyzing information that arrived at her computer after zipping through space for billions of years. To do this, she spent weeks reviewing 10,000 spectra of quasars collected since 2000 by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescope. The information will provide insights into the early history of the universe and of how galaxies form and evolve. Larkin brought an impressive list of experiences to her summer project. She had studied pulsars at the Kit Peak Observatory in Arizona. She took pictures of galaxies with the New Mexico Skies telescope operated from her home computer and she had traveled to Pasadena, California, to work with galactic data collected with the Spitzer Space telescope. And that was just some of what she did during high school.
Since then says Larkin, “I have wanted to be involved in astronomy research and, through the summer research program I was given the opportunity.” It was an opportunity that bore fruit early. Her mentor, Eric Monier, PhD, felt that an object she discovered warranted further investigation and the administrators of the Hubble Space Telescope agreed and Monier is scheduled for time with the Hubble this year to further investigate Larkin’s discovery. Ultimately Larkin hopes to complete her degree in physics at The College at Brockport and then to continue her education at the graduate level, focusing on astronomy or astrophysics. “Astronomy is the reason I majored in physics and this summer research opportunity fits perfectly into my plans for the future,” she says.
From the faculty mentor…
“Based on her academic record and organizational skills, LeighAnn has the ability to make a significant contribution to my work while at the same time furthering her interests in astronomy.”
— Eric Monier, PhD, associate professor of physics
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Paul Bauch ’11
“Thin Films and Superconductivity”
“Research is challenging and exciting. I enjoy a sense of pride whether our results are minor or an exciting new finding.” Paul Bauch started out to be an engineer because he was interested in how mechanical things worked. He’s still interested in how things work but he found that he preferred to understand nature’s mechanics at a more fundamental level. Bauch’s research explores the properties of two superconducting metals and their behavior in extremely lowtemperature environments. His work will be contributing to research investigations being conducted by his two mentors, physicists H. Trevor Johnson-Steigelman, PhD, and Mohammed Z. Tahar, PhD.
In addition to learning more about thin films and superconductivity, Bauch also will be contributing to his own career ambitions. “In a technical field, advanced learning beyond the required coursework is valued by future employers or graduate schools,” he says.
From the faculty mentor….
“Paul has taken courses from both of us and proven to be a solid student and we are convinced that he has the ability and desire to become an excellent researcher.”
—H . Trevor Johnson-Stiegelman, PhD, assistant professor of physics, and Mohammed Z. Tahar, PhD, associate professor of physics
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Katrina Haude ’12
“The Function of GRK2 on Internalization and Desensitization of Enzymes Linked to MelaninConcentrating Hormone”
“Through the summer research program I was able to experience the research laboratory environment for 40 hours-a-week. It was a great experience and I’m glad I didn’t pass it up.”
Globally, more than 1 billion adults are overweight and at least 300 million are clinically obese. The health, economic, and social impact of obesity is, well… enormous. Katrina Haude spent the summer helping her mentor, assistant professor of biology Laurie Cook, PhD, piece together how a biochemical pathway that controls appetite works. Abnormalities in the same pathway also have been linked to certain cancers.
“When you’re doing basic research you sometimes don’t have immediate answers to explain problems you encounter. You have to think things through carefully. It takes patience,” Katrina says.
From the faculty mentor…
“Katrina’s help on this project is much appreciated. We expect that the data obtained in this project will be worthy of publication so there’s a chance that Katrina could be listed as an undergraduate author. The summer research program also fosters the quality of science education and increases the probability that seniors will be employed or enter graduate or professional programs following graduation”
— Laurie Cook, PhD, assistant professor of biology
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Krasimira Dimitrova Filcheva ’11
“Choice-Egalitarianism and Hard Determinism: Assessing the Implications of Free Will Skepticism for Choice-Based Theories of Distributive Justice”
“This program provides and invaluable opportunity to do serious work for which I could not possibly find the time during the school year.”
Krasimira Filcheva is not afraid to tackle life’s difficult questions. For millennia philosophers have asked, “Do humans exercise free will or are their decisions predetermined?” Krasimira is exploring the political implications of this issue as it applies to choice-based theories of distributive justice. If our choices are pre-ordained, how does one defend the unequal distribution of public goods whose inequitable distribution is dictated by free choice?
Deep questions and ones that have not been asked before. They’re also questions that Krasimira knows will need to be investigated for more than a few weeks in the summer. “I hope to pursue a PhD program in philosophy that is closely related to my current investigations in political philosophy. Understanding this topic can have enormous implications on how we structure a just communal life,” she says.
From the faculty mentor…
“Krasimira’s talent is truly exceptional. She is the best student I have ever taught and our research will yield results that have both theoretical and practical significance.”
— Gordon Barnes, PhD, associate professor of philosophy
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Kathleen Barra ’11
“Stereoscopic Measurements of Ionic Liquids and Ionic Liquids/Supercritical CO2 Systems”
“I like figuring out the next step.”
Kathleen Barra likes solving puzzles. Her previous research experiences have included genetic research and investigating why the Horseshoe Crab population is declining on the East Coast. Her summer research project, with associate professor of chemistry Mark Heitz, PhD, will help expand understanding of how ionic liquids (salts in a liquid solution employed as environmentally friendly solvents) operate at the molecular level. Green chemistry, in particular ionic liquids, is an extremely active research area with wide range of applications including pharmaceuticals, as lubricants, and fuel cells. Published papers
in the field have increased from fewer than 100 in 1999, to more than 2,000 in 2009. And it’s likely that Barra’s name will be on one of the papers published in 2011. In addition, her summer research work will form the cornerstone of her Honors Program thesis. “Participating in the summer research program will expand my knowledge of chemistry and prepare me for graduate school,” two essential accomplishments says Barra as she pursues her goal to complete a graduate degree in forensic science.
From the faculty mentor…
“Kathleen is a focused individual who will, no doubt, succeed at whatever she attempts.”
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— Mark Heitz, PhD, associate professor of chemistry
Rebekah Edgell ’11
“Determining Bisexual Gene Location on Drosophila Chromosome 3 Using Meiotic Mapping”
“I enjoy learning about and understanding neurobiology and genetics. In the nature vs nurture argument, we’ve discovered that both play a role.”
For Rebekah Edgell, the Summer Research Program, mapping the location of a gene mutation, is an experience that will help her on many fronts. She will expand her knowledge of genetics, laboratory techniques, conducting independent research and rounding out her graduate school application. But the most important benefit according to Edgell is “gaining the confidence to pick up a project and make it my own and knowing I can overcome whatever problems arise.”
Combine confidence with what her mentor, Huey Hing, PhD, describes as “a hard worker and an extremely fast learner who quickly assimilates the intricacies of experimentation” and you have a researcher whose work “will result in a major step forward in our understanding of the genetics of behavior.”
From the faculty mentor…
“Rebekah is a gifted and hard-working students who rates near the top of the undergraduate students I have known at Yale University, UCLA, the University of Illinois and The College at Brockport. I am impressed with this young scientist.”
— Huey Hing, PhD, assistant professor of biology
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Casey O’Mara ’11
“The Gender Politics of El Mundo Newspaper”
“My interests in history, literature and politics began at Brockport. The Summer Research Program has allowed me to see more clearly what research on a higher level is all about.”
Today, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) is one of Puerto Rico’s three major political parties. To discover how it achieved that status, in particular how it reached out to working-class women during the period between 1938 and 1940, Casey O’Mara, who is fluent in Spanish, is reviewing back editions of the Puerto Rican newspaper El Mundo, looking for insights into the gender politics of the time from the viewpoint of the conservative Puerto Rican newspaper that opposed the PPD platform.
“One of the biggest rewards of doing the research is discussing the material with Professor Macpherson and seeing the enthusiasm she has for the material. The intellectual curiosity is wonderful,” says O’Mara. “I’ve been very lucky in my time at Brockport,” says O’Mara, whose goals include earning a PhD in Latin American studies or Latin American history and ultimately teaching and conducting research at the college/university level.
From the faculty mentor…
“Casey has been a terrific participant in my Modern Latin America class and his summer research experience will give his graduate school applications and resume greater heft.”
— Anne S. Macpherson, PhD, associate professor of history.
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Sarah McMillen ’11
“Perceptions of Recreation and Leisure with the Deaf Culture”
“I am a deaf individual who is rooted in the deaf culture. Much research needs to be done to better understand how the deaf differ from the majority hearing culture.”
Understanding cultural differences is at the core of Sarah McMillan’s research. She’s comparing how members of the deaf culture in the US, who often have difficulty securing employment, view recreation and leisure; to attitudes toward leisure among a sampling of citizens in Bangladesh, where jobs are scarce, work is viewed as sacred, and leisure and recreation is viewed as unnecessary. Sarah is a health science major who also is a scholar in the College’s Ronald McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, which is designed to increase the attainment of PhD degrees by students from underrepresented segments
of society. She plans on continuing her health science education in a doctoral program and ultimately to work with those with disabilities, especially individuals who are deaf and deaf-blind. “Sarah is the type of student who welcomes intellectual rigor and enjoys learning from others who take their studies and their career goals seriously. She is a excellent student with great potential,” says CSTEP/McNair Program director Barbara Thompson.
From the faculty mentor…
“Because Sarah is deaf, she brings an important insight and sensitivity to her review of the literature.”
— Lauren Lieberman, PhD, professor of kinesiology, sports science and physical education
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Luke Krembs ’12
“Mitochondrial Genomic Integrity and the Involvement of the TCA Cycle Protein Aconitase”
“Pioneering in the relatively unknown realm of the mitochondrial genome is exciting and will provide a strong research background to help me achieve my medical school aspirations.”
Luke Krembs is an explorer and charting the terra incognita of human physiology is his goal. His long range goal is to become a physician and the Summer Undergraduate Research Program is providing an important step on the journey. “Classroom work and laboratories are predictable. I want to take what I’ve learned in the classroom and apply it in a setting that makes its application relevant and worthwhile. And although unexpected results can cause frustration, the mystery makes the project all the more intriguing,” he says.
Working with associate professor of biology Rey Sia, PhD, Luke is probing the biochemistry of the DNA found in mitochondria, an important component within cells. Mitochondrial malfunctions have been associated with aging and many age-related diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. While his summer research project will help Kremb’s sharpen his laboratory research skills and enhance his medical school application, his work also could provide information that Dr. Sia can use to better understand the biochemistry of this important molecule and maybe, one day, help treat those diseases.
From the faculty mentor…
As a member of the College’s Science Pre-Professional Committee, I know the importance of research experience for gaining entrance to medical school. Luke’s ability to successfully conduct independent research will make him a strong candidate for entrance into medical school. It also will benefit my scholarship and enhance the reputation of the College.
— Rey Sia, PhD, associate professor and chair, Department of Biology
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Rebecca Bernacki ’11
The Potential Effects of the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid and Beech Bark Disease on Forest Composition and Ecosystem Functioning in the Gosnell Big Wood Preserve (Webster, NY)”
“It is an amazing opportunity to work in a beautiful place and to talk with hikers who ask what I’m doing. It’s really fun to inform the public about what’s going on in the forest that they enjoy.”
The Eastern Hemlock and American Birch trees in the Gosnell Big Woods Preserve in Webster, NY, are not well. Senior environmental science and biology major Rebecca Bernacki is documenting their decline and predicting how the unique and ecologically significant old growth stand will likely change under the stress of several invasive species and, as the Hemlock and Birch trees die, are replaced by other species.
“Rebecca’s work could influence future land use management decisions and potentially reduce the impact of the invasive species,” says her mentor assistant professor Mark Norris, PhD. The summer research program has been an amazing opportunity to learn about something I’m really interested in and to make a difference by doing real research,” she says Rebecca whose academic goals include graduate school in the area of terrestrial ecology.
From the faculty mentor…
“Rebecca is one of the strongest students I have taught. The Summer Research Program will be of great benefit to her and her academic development as well as to my own research.”
— Mark Norris, PhD, assistant professor of environmental science and biology