Many people, especially the elderly, rely on assistive devices such as canes and wheelchairs to achieve mobility in their daily lives. However, these devices can only function in a limited range of terrain, making it difficult or impossible for individuals who rely on them to access certain areas. Hiking trails are particularly difficult due to the unpredictable, unstructured, and complex terrain. In this project, you will work with Natraverse founder & Biomimicry Fellow Colleen Unsworth and Dr. Henry Astley to develop assistive devices (a cane and mobile chair) which use inspiration from nature to improve access to complex terrain.
Benefits:
Learn principles of biomechanics and terrestrial locomotion
Learn 3D Printing
Learn about motor actuation and control
Develop new technology to help people
Learn about the biomimicry entrepreneurship process
Conduct interdisciplinary field work in partnership with Wil Hemker of UA Research Foundation and the Department of Chemistry to validate spectroscopic measurements of soil organic carbon in agricultural edge of field vegetation. The project will compare spectroscopic probing with traditional soil core sampling, and explore the possibility of obtaining data on physical properties of soil with additional instrumentation. Fall/winter sampling is weather dependent and requires physical activity such as carrying equipment, walking, standing, and working outdoors.
The Weeks lab is interested in exploring sex chromosomal evolution in a crustacean species, Eulimnadia texana, commonly known a clam shrimp found in vernal pools.
Why clam shrimps?
Most of the animals, especially including mammals and humans, are at an advanced stages of chromosomal evolution. Therefore, it is difficult to study sex chromosome evolution in these species. Clam shrimps, on the other hand, are in an early stage of sex chromosome evolution. This allows us to see into the stages of sex chromosome evolution at a stage when theory suggests such chromosomes will begin to degrade.
Clam shrimps are androdioecious (males + hermaphrodites) and have a WZ sex-determining system which prevents major chromosome degradation by expressing both sex chromosomes in homozygous form (WW and ZZ). This keeps the W chromosome from degrading. Hence, Clam shrimp are an excellent model system to investigate how advanced degradation develops in other species, such as humans.
Project details:
We have a whole genome sequence of clam shrimp. The genome is like a book and the chromosomes are its chapters. We are specifically interested in one chapter: the sex chromosome. We are using bioinformatic pipelines to analyze genomic data specifically related to sex chromosomes in order to test hypotheses of sex chromosomal evolution. Sex chromosome evolutionary theory predicts that a high proportion of repeat sequences/Transposable Elements (TEs) should accumulate on incipient sex chromosomes. An important next step would be to annotate this genome content in terms of repeat sequences. The proposed clam shrimp genome-wide TE analysis will: 1) identify novel TEs and enhance the genome-wide content annotation; 2) improve our understanding of the processes of sex chromosome degradation in E. texana; and 3) substantially broaden our understanding of sex chromosome evolution in animals overall.
Benefits for the student:
Learn how to access and utilize databases such as NCBI, Blast, ClustalW, and Structure.
Understand how sequence homology relates to evolution.
Learn how to manage and automate big data using a unix platform and python programming language.
Learn how to analyze and visualize data using R programming language.
Understand the power of Bioinformatics.
Qualifications:
We seek undergraduate students who are interested in bioinformatics to study sex chromosome evolution from any major who is willing to learn the above skills.
Click here for more information on the Weeks lab
Background:
Banded iron formations (BIF) are the world’s largest and most widespread source of iron. The Carajas BIF of Brazil is associated with the presence of a high-grade iron ore and extensive cave development. The formation of these caves appears to be through microbial iron reduction and silica mobilization. The role and importance of silica in the formation of these caves is still unknown, so that is what we are trying to uncover.
Figure 1: Banded iron formation (BIF) sample. https://kids.britannica.com/students/assembly/view/107856.Current Research Projects:
We are studying the process of silica mobilization through microbially driven iron redox reactions and the effects dissolved silica have 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.
Figure 2: Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 growing on hematite, using iron as an electron acceptor. https://www.livescience.com/28163-bio-batteries-one-step-closer.htmlSkills you will develop:
Culturing bacteria · Growing bacteria in anaerobic conditions and using an anaerobic chamber · Creating bacterial growth media · Methods of geochemical analyses · Using a centrifuge, autoclave, pH meter, pipettes, spectrometer, ion chromatographer, microscope · You will begin to gain an understanding of the complex relationships between microbial life and geological processes.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Senkos’ lab.
Biomimicry is an interdisciplinary design process in which biologists become an active member of a design team, exploring biological strategies to inform innovative and potentially sustainable design solutions. In a world in which sustainable design has taken a front seat across many industries the potential of biomimicry is huge. Yet access to specific design tools and biologists within these contexts is limited.
To promote the adoption and implementation of biomimicry for sustainability within these environments this research is focused on three core areas:
1) Integrating training opportunities to promote a sustainable mindset
2) Promoting the creation of sustainable products and brand through innovation workshops within academic, industrial, and natural settings.
3) Creating cross-institutions collaborations between industries and biological institutions, Zoos and Natural History Museums, to drive scaled impact.
You will gain skills and exposure in one or more of the following:
Biomimicry design thinking methodology and tools
Curriculum design & development for environmental sustainability
Education and workshop facilitation experience with academic and industrial audiences, potentially settings.
Exposure to a variety of qualitative and quantitative social science research skills from online surveys to in-depth interview techniques and data analysis.
Interdisciplinary communication and networking skills across disciplines such as biology, engineering, design, and psychology.
If you have an interest in the field of biomimicry and its potential to promote environmental sustainability, then this is a great opportunity for you. Any undergraduate student from any major who is willing to learn and explore is invited to apply. Please note that given the current situation regarding coronavirus much of this work can be completed virtually and all measures will be taken to ensure an effective and enjoyable learning experience for all.
For more information here is a newsletter that shine some light on the type of work that has been done recently at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. If this has caught your attention please feel free to reach out to Sarah McInernery at ssm70@zips.uakron.edu.
Click here to learn more about the Niewiarowski lab
This study will use a thermal camera mounted to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to study white-tailed deer populations and migration patterns in conjunction with Bath Nature Preserve and the Summit Metroparks. While drones are a big part of the study, other methods for mapping deer will be utilized as to have something to compare the drone sampling method to.
Why Use a Drone?
The main advantages of this method of sampling is that it should be less prone to human error. Instead of a compass, protractor and rangefinder that are required for distance sampling (them method most commonly used), the drone can collect all the necessary data instantly and more reliably. Deer have developed a camouflage that makes it difficult to locate them in some environments. The thermal camera above the tree line with its line of sight not inhibited by trees take away any doubts that a researcher may have in locating and identifying the white-tailed deer. Also, the locations will be georeferenced and digitized and in GIS software any time after the fact.
For more information on this project email Stuart Davis at spd34@zips.uakron.edu.
Click here for other information about Dr. Mitchell’s lab.
For millions of years, Lechuguilla Cave has been geologically isolated, and the microbes living within it have had little to no exposure to the surface. As a result, the microbes in the cave have had to develop unusual metabolic and competitive strategies. The goal of this research is to cultivate the microorganisms that live within Lechuguilla Cave and study their adaptations to the cave environment. We will explore these adaptations by investigating methods to increase cultivation efficiency, screening isolated strains for antibiotic production, and studying the metabolism of strains that we believe are involved with biomineralizing barite (barium sulfate). Overall, this project aims to increase our understanding of the microbial ecology of Lechuguilla Cave and its potential for novel metabolisms and antibiotics.
Click here for more information about Dr. Barton’s lab
Our lab studies the development of circuits in the retina. During development, an interconnected layer of the retina called the starburst amacrine cell layer fires bursting patterns. These patterns occur for 10-12 days. A specific interest to me is the how potassium and calcium conductance plays a modulating role in these bursting patterns, and how those bursts can pass on information. To better understand conductance, we are exploring the expression of ion channel proteins and genes, as well as visualizing their location, and using agents which inhibit those channel activities.
To study this, we use many typical molecular biology methods like immunohistochemistry, western blotting and quantitative PCR. With western blotting we can get an idea of the change in protein expression and monitor the presence of a protein in the retina. With Immunohistochemistry we can get a better look at the localization of a certain protein. I am looking for students that can help me by learning these techniques. These techniques are very valuable for careers in medical research and various other biomedical studies.
Fig 1. Retinal Lysate Western Blot of Beta ActinFig 2. Immunohistochemistry:
Blut DAPI
Red Choline Acetyl Transferase
Green Small Conductance Potassium ChannelClick here for more information on Dr.Renna’s lab.
In the Biodesign Lab, we are studying the ability to design, prototype and evaluate biomimetic innovations to restore natural habitat complexity at Lake Erie. We are testing complex root shapes mimicked after native coastal forests in the region. Other root forms may be considered and explored, such as those mimicked after mangroves or coastal wetland plants.
We create 3D root models using photogrammetry and a variety of 3D software programs. We 3D print these roots using different materials for materiality and constructability exploration. Possible lab visits to Cleveland State University and Kent State University to conduct lab-scale wave attenuation and sediment depositional prediction studies may be arranged. Field work will be done in the spring to obtain adequate rootwads for imaging. The goal of the project is to contribute to the understanding of the functionality of root systems for soil stabilization through imaging, 3D information and analysis of root traits. This knowledge is then translated to innovative structural designs for coastal protection that are prototyped and evaluated using the above experimental tests.
3D models developed via Autodesk ReCap Photo from images taken in the field in March-April 2019
You’ll gain skills and exposure in one or more of the following:
Structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry
3D modeling and printing
Materials investigation
Communication skills with a diverse array of disciplines: engineers, architects, biologists and designers
We hope students will have prior experience with 3D modeling and design, but this is not a requirement to apply. We are interested in undergraduate students from any major that are willing to learn and explore. Work at the interface of engineering, design and biology to improve the coastal ecology of Lake Erie with a Biomimicry Fellow.
3D printed PLA root structures from UA Makerspace
White oak Solidworks root model – from Liang T, Knappett JA, et al. 2017 paper in LandslidesAdditional Background:
According to the United Nations, 40% of the world’s population lives within 100km of a coastline and this number is projected to increase. Coastal protection structures, typically made of rock, steel and concrete, are used to protect homes and businesses from waves, storm surges and flooding. On Lake Erie’s shoreline in Ohio, 80% of the shoreline is protected with these simple and rigid materials.
Example of revetment – provided by ODNR
Example of seawall provided by ODNR
Worldwide, shoreline hardening destroys the land-water interface and nearshore habitat complexity, key to many significant transitional ecosystems and nursery habitat for fish, birds and other species. These natural coastal ecosystems also often act as protective barrier from waves, storm surges and flooding.
Natural shoreline example – Downed tree with root overhang in Sandusky Bay – August 2018
Check out some examples of creative infrastructure and restoration efforts in marine environments for more inspiration: ECOncrete, Reef Design Lab, TetraPOT and Cemex.
Click here for more information on Dr. Gruber’s lab.
