Tiered Mentoring: Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences

[Past Projects]

Dr. John Senko and Melissa Mulford

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Research Area: In the Carajas region of Brazil, banded iron formation (BIF) and its cap rock of canga are highly resistant to erosion and are poorly soluble. Despite this, over 3,000 caves have formed at their interface (one of these caves is shown in the photo). Our previous research has shown that microbial communities from these caves include bacterial species capable of Fe(III) reduction and the community is capable of extensive Fe(III) reduction. We hypothesize that microbial Fe(III) reduction transforms the insoluble Fe(III)-oxides into soluble Fe(II), which is then mobilized out the system, allowing caves and voids to form. We believe the Fe(II) may be stabilized in solution by a chemical interaction with silicates from the BIF. We are currently studying the process of Fe(II) and Si mobilization through microbially driven iron redox reactions and the effects dissolved silica has on iron redox reactions. We use bacterial cultures grown in both anaerobic and aerobic conditions with iron and silica. We then analyze these cultures with geochemical and biological analyses. You will learn many skills including but not limited to: microbial culturing and analyzing techniques, geochemical analysis methods, data processing methods, and experimental design.

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Click here to learn more about Dr. Senkos’ lab.

[Past Projects]

Dr. Adam Smith and Grant Gilmore

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Human cells produce hundreds of different lipid species, and the lipid complements of even closely related cells are diverse. Membrane lipid compositions are also highly susceptible to external inputs, especially cholesterol, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and gangliosides. In animal models, deprivation of ω-3 PUFAs leads to neurodevelopmental deficits in the offspring. However, the biomolecular connection between lipid composition and cellular function is not well-understood. In this project the student will conduct experiments to determine how lipid content is coupled to membrane protein function. Cultured cells will be supplemented with different lipid inputs, and the effects on membrane proteins will be measured using quantitative biophysical methods. This project is part of a collaborative research grant focused on neurological pathologies associated with brain lipid composition.

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Click here to find out more about Dr. Smith’s research.

[Past Projects]

Dr. Todd Blackledge and Kate Karkosiak

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Spiders’ egg sacs are made up of multiple types of spider silk and offer protection to developing embryos and spiderlings. Egg sacs exhibit extreme diversity across species in shape, color, texture, and placement, and little is currently known about the importance of these variations for appropriate spider development. I am interested in studying the effect of egg sac variations on the insulative properties, permeability, and other protective mechanisms of egg sac silk barriers related to their environmental or predatory threats.

Skills you will acquire: Knowledge about spider biology Knowledge about spider silk Field experience Research experience Scientific reading/writing

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Click here for more information about Dr. Blackledge’s research.

[Past Projects]

Dr. Henry Astley and Kaelyn Gamel

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In the Astley lab, our primary focus is in the field of biomechanics, where we integrate animal biomechanics and morphological features. Specifically, this project transpires to study salamander behavior and how the axolotl interacts with its environment during underwater walking.  The neotenic salamander displays variable locomotive behaviors while interacting with the varying bottom substrate. Tests will be attained on different experimental substrates such as rocks, sticks, sand, other debris. Dependent on the length of availability of the mentee,  potential robotic design can be incorporated within the study.

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Primary Goals: 1) Quantify and understand locomotive behaviors of the Ambystoma Mexicanum(Axolotl) on different substrate. 2) Design an interchangeable robot that test different morphological features on varying substrates You will gain skills and exposure in one or more of the following (No prior knowledge needed):

• Animal handling: axolotls and other amphibians.
• Experimental setup: 3D design, 3D printing, and simple robotic circuits.
• Integrating videography and Computer Science(Matlab) to digitizing and solve for inverse dynamics.
•  A variety of qualitative and quantitative questions regarding comparative evolution and comparative biomechanics.
• Data and Statistical analysis.
• Weekly chances to meet with Astley lab to delineating published scientific papers.
• Involvement in the biological community outside of the university such as opportunities to travel to scientific conferences and present scientific data.

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Click here for other information about Dr. Astley’s lab.

[Past Projects]

Dr. Steve Weeks, Gabrielle Russell and Reid Schuchter

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Stream restoration is a growing practice, as people have understood the important ecosystem services that streams provide us. This research project will be comparing the salamander communities between restored and non- restored streams. As a tiered mentor student, you would assist in the collection of the salamanders and learn the Ohio EPA’s methodology for doing so. We will also be surveying stream’s hydrology (flow) and geomorphology (physical channel features). There will also be opportunities to learn larval and adult salamander ID, aquatic macroinvertebrate ID, data analysis and see some of the area’s beautiful metro parks!

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Click here for more information on the Weeks lab

[Past Projects]

Dr. Steve Weeks and Gabrielle Russell

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To understand climate change’s potential impacts on stream biodiversity in northeast Ohio it is necessary to understand differences between perennial (i.e., streams that do not dry) and intermittent (i.e., streams that dry) headwater stream aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. This is because climate change is likely to increase the presence of intermittent headwater streams due to increased drought in the summer. By identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates not present at intermittent headwater streams, we can learn which aquatic macroinvertebrates are most at risk due to drought. We will also examine the various habitats that they use to withstand drought conditions.

As a tiered mentor student, you would assist in the collection of the aquatic macroinvertebrates and learn the Ohio EPA’s methodology for doing so. We will also be surveying stream’s hydrology (flow) and geomorphology (physical channel features). There will also be opportunities to learn aquatic macroinvertebrate identification, data analysis and see some of the area’s beautiful metro parks!

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Click here for more information on the Weeks lab

[Past Projects]

Dr. Brian Bagatto & Katie Duval

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We are working towards understanding how different levels of macronutrients may impact the physiology of zebrafish. More specifically, we want to first see if when presented with foods that have different levels of major macronutrients (carbohydrate, fats, protein), will the fish choose one over the others or show any type of preference. From there, we want to specifically feed some fish one diet while others receive the alternative options and then run tests to understand how those feeding choices impact their behavior, how many eggs females will produce, the developmental rate of offspring and their cardiovascular development. Zebrafish are a great model organism for this type of research because of the ease of raising them, high fecundity, and the ability to observe the development of the cardiovascular system at the beginning of their lives, to name a few. This project is currently still being developed so potential students would experience the importance of trouble shooting in science research.

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Click here for more information on Dr. Bagatto’s lab.

[Past Projects]

Dr. Richard Londraville and Kathryn Bisaha

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The Londraville lab studies the interactions between leptin, endospanin and their functions in zebrafish. In this project we will be studying the relationship between bone resorption/remodeling and obesity through the use of a zebrafish model. Through analysis of zebrafish scales, we can learn how diet impacts bone mineralization. You will gain hands-on experience in the following areas: zebrafish handling and care, ImageJ analysis and molecular techniques such as calcein staining and fluorescent microscopy.

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Click here for more information on Dr. Londraville’s lab.

[Past Projects]

Dr. Todd Blackledge and Alissa Coonfield

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Web-building spiders perceive their surroundings primarily through vibrational cues. Based on the characteristics of these cues, the spider can determine the location and source of the vibrations—predators, environmental threats, prey, or mates—and react accordingly. In order for spider to perceive these cues, however, the vibrations must travel quickly and effectively through the silken snares they construct.

I am studying the transmission of vibrational information in spiderwebs. In my research, I aim to explore how vibrations are effectively transmitted through different silks and web architectures. Further, I want to know how vibrations with different characteristics elicit different behaviors in spiders. We can then explore how the spider’s behavior may influence perception of different stimuli and better understand the interplay of behavior, perception, and the material properties of spiderwebs. Benefits of working on this project:

• Hands-on experience with both lab- and field-based experimentation
• Introduction to high-speed videography and vibration-monitoring techniques
• Become well-versed in spider behavior, perception, and web structure
• Develop an understanding of the physics of sound
• Apply statistical analyses to biological data
• Potential for presentation in professional setting and/or publication

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Click here for more information about Dr. Blackledge’s research.

[Past Projects]

Dr. Randall Mitchell and Cynthia Yoder

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The Mitchell lab studies various ecological questions, from plants to animals and the human interactions with the environment. For this project, we will be studying lead in soils and the earthworm populations within, specifically the species diversity and densities, and applying ArcGIS as a program to understand the geographic nature of the project.

In this project we will be conducting hands-on field work to collect samples and data throughout the city of Akron and into surrounding areas. You will learn soil and worm sampling methodology, sample preparation and preservation, and applied scientific work, along with soil processes and more.

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Click here for more information about the Mitchell lab.