Additional WISE/REWU Projects

Effects of Speed on the Hindlimb Movements of the Lizard Anolis sagrei
Student: Christine Louie
Mentor: Bruce Jayne, UC Department of Biological Sciences
Project summary:  Louie used a special video setup to understand how lizards that live in trees are able to move along round perches at high speed. Unlike lizards that normally live on the ground, Louie found that the tree-dwelling lizard Anolis sagrei did not change the way it ran significantly from moderate speeds to high speeds. The lizard did increase its stride length and frequency, however, as expected. Anolis sagrei belongs to a large and diverse group of arboreal lizards, so Louie’s work is helping to develop a model for studying locomotor function in this group.

Predicting the Freezing Point of Novel Mixtures
Student: Emily Martini
Mentor: Frank Pinski, UC Department of Physics
Project Summary: Martini is helping UC physicists write a computer program that can simulate the freezing of complex mixtures under various conditions. She uses a sophisticated technique known as the “Monte Carlo method” to make the program work. The program calculates the pressure or volume of the system as conditions change. From the results, the researchers are able to figure out whether the mixture would be a solid or liquid under the given conditions. Computer simulations save time and money in research and allow scientists to explore many more variables than they could easily do in a laboratory experiment.

Reducing the Death Rate from Sepsis
Student: Jaclyn Brandewie
Mentor: Sandra Degen, Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Project Summary: During sepsis, endotoxins released by bacteria cause systemic inflammation, coagulation and organ failure in the body. As the 11th leading cause of death, sepsis has mortality rates ranging from 28-50 percent. Prothrombin is a key component in blood coagulation, and lowering its activity could aid in the survival of sepsis. Brandewie has been working on a rodent model to determine whether animals with lower levels of prothrombin activity are protected from the lethal effects of sepsis.

Genetics Education for College Undergraduates
Student: Jennifer Wagner
Mentor: Carl Huether, UC Department of Biological Sciences
Project summary:  Wagner is examining undergraduate human genetics courses offered throughout the country. Using several lists of institutions, she’s been identifying human genetics courses designed for non-science majors.  From this information, she is trying to estimate the number of these courses and the number of students taking them. Her project is focused on genetic literacy which affects decisions about health, politics, and even food.  Using the information from the research, she hopes to be able to suggest improvements regarding genetics education so that genetic literacy in the general public will increase.

Student: Mary Frances Locke
Mentor: Peter Nagy, UC Department of Aerospace Engineering
Project summary: Locke is conducting nondestructive tests on samples of nickel-base superalloys that have been strengthened with a process called “shot peening” to reduce the risk of cracking and failures from metal fatigue. Nickel-base superalloys are used in the aerospace industry primarily for turbine engine blades.  The results will help to determine whether a material is fit for use or needs to be replaced/repaired.

Student: Melanie Rogers
Mentor: Monica Mitchell, Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Project summary: Rogers has been working with Cincinnati Public Schools and Children’s Hospital Medical Center to evaluate “Books in Action,” a pilot program to improve literacy in preschool and kindergarten children. Rogers analyzed preliminary data from the first year of the program, comparing the literacy scores in children who participated and in a control group that did not. The information will be used to revise the program for the second two years of the study. Previous studies have shown that effective literacy programs may significantly reduce the magnitude of problems of poverty, crime, drug abuse, unemployment and welfare dependence. 

Student: Nicole Reinert
Mentor: Mark Schulz, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Nuclear Engineering
Project summary: Reinert is working in the College of Engineering’s Smart Structures Bio-Nanotechnology Lab, trying to make artificial nerve sensors from microscopic structures called “carbon nanotubes.” Her project involves finding ways to improve the strength of the nanotubes properties and to carry electricity. Carbon nanotubes are already being used in high strength composites, sensors, electronics, batteries, fuel cells, and catalysts. They are a popular material, because they have superior properties but are extremely lightweight. Future applications include sensors for the aerospace industry and drug delivery in medicine.