Don’t miss Cierra Keith’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

Cierra Keith (Oklahoma City, OK) will present ” Heritability vs. Flexibility: How Plastic are the Physiological Mechanisms Underlying Behavior?” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

How Plastic are the Physiological Mechanisms Underlying Behavior?

Project Description

A grand challenge in evolutionary biology is the conceptual integration of environmentally induced phenotypic plasticity into our understanding of trait evolution. Behaviors, and the mechanisms that underlie them, are perfect examples of traits with an unresolved mixture of heritable variation and flexibility. Metabolic scope, the difference between base and peak metabolic rate, is a variable physiological trait reflecting the energy an individual may mobilize at any given time that determines a host of behavioral repertoires (Plaistow & Siva-Jothy, 1996) and may especially be important in shaping energy budgets in resource-limited environments. To disentangle the effects of plasticity and heritability on metabolic scope, we use four populations of Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana), livebearing fish from southern Mexico, adapted to all combinations of sulfidic vs. nonsulfidic and cave vs. surface streams that vary in energy availability. Common garden raised fish from these populations were subjected to different food treatments (high vs. low) to test whether there are heritable differences in metabolic scope or differences in metabolic scope plasticity in response to energy availability among locally adapted populations.

Project Mentor

Michael Tobler

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013

Don’t miss Susan Pham’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

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Susan Pham (Oklahoma City, OK) will present “Synthesis of Eumelanin Dimers” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

Can we develop a method to make synthetic eumelanin dimers?

Project Description

Melanin is a natural pigment found in many organisms. Eumelanin is a type of melanin which is responsible for the dark brown to black colors found in the eyes, skin, and hair of animals. Eumelanin acts as a natural photoprotector of the skin; it protects from harmful radiation and can prevent skin cancer. The lack of eumelanin can result in the condition known as albinism, which induces a lack of color. Eumelanin is known to be a complex cross-linked polymer composed of two building blocks or monomers, a molecule that can bind through a chemical bond to other molecules. They both contain an indole–an organic compound. Here, we present the synthesis of biindoles using iron chloride hexahydrate and ultrasonication. The indole monomer which is similar to those found in natural eumelanin was used as the starting material for the synthesis of a eumelanin dimer, two monomer units attached through a chemical bond. The indole monomer was grinded with iron chloride hexahydrate, then sonicated to form the dimer. A method for forming synthetic, controllable eumelanin dimers is prevalent in trying to understand the cross-linkage found in naturally occurring eumelanin.

Project Mentor

Toby Nelson

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013

Don’t miss Joshua Brown’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

Joshua Brown (Rowlett, TX) will present “Increasing Shelf Life of Packaged Meat” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

What is the best combination of gas or gases produce maximum shelf life of Beef and pork?

Project Description

We received different packaged meats, such as ground beef, steak, pork chops, and pork steak from a packer. For each type of meat there were different types packaging–low oxygen, high oxygen, bi gas, etc. We then tested oxygen concentration of each package. Over a course of three days, we color-scored the meat, observed discoloration and quality graded them.

Project Mentor

Renee Kinsey

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013

Don’t miss Daniel Anderson’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

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Daniel Anderson (Tulsa, OK) will present “Evaluating the Standardization of Lean Auditing Methodologies in Manufacturing” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

Is there a methodology that exists for lean auditing and certification of the facility? And if they do exist, what are they and what performance metrics do certifications use?

Project Description

Lean manufacturing is a collection of industrial engineering methods packaged together that increases value to customer and reduces/eliminates waste in an organization. Clients go through a lean transformation but are unable to maintain the improvement process over long term. There are lean certifications for managers, but not for an organization or a facility. As soon as these certified managers leave the organization for better prospects, all the lean effort put forth is either at a standstill or starts a downward trend.

Project Mentor

Rajesh Krishnamurthy

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013

Don’t miss Kimberly Rogers’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

Kimberly Rogers (Mannford, OK) will present “Genetic Control of Shattering in Foxtail Millet” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

Are the same domestication genes involved in the non-shattering phenotype in Foxtail Millet as in Rice and Maize?

Project Description

Seed covered inflorescences were examined for the phenotype of seed shattering. This examination was done by pulling the seeds off under a microscope to see where the seed broke off from and if it formed a clean chalice shape or if it was rugged or if no break off point was found. Correlation analyses between the phenotypic variation and genotypic variation derived from single nucleotide polymorphism markers were analyzed to determine which genotypic markers were significantly associated with changes in seed shattering. The position of the genotypic markers on a genetic map was examined to identify candidate genes responsible for those important domestication phenotype.

Project Mentor

Andrew Doust

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013

Don’t miss Bailey Bruns’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

Bailey Bruns (Tulsa, OK) will present “The Tracking and Analysis of Falling Particles” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

How does a minuscule particle react as it and other members fall through a Newtonian Fluid?

Project Description

My part in Dr. Clark’s research project has largely consisted of researching and learning how to use different particle-tracking software. I specified in my project question that I studied particles in Newtonian fluids, because this area has not been previously studied. My focus was to learn and understand, for both myself and Dr. Clark, the software so that next fall when we begin working with non-Newtonian fluids and more complicated systems, we will already know how to use the computer software.

Project Mentor

Peter Clark

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013

Don’t miss Samuel Morse’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

Samuel Morse (Shattuck) will present “The National Identity of Kazakhstan” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

How do the various nationalities inside Kazakhstan think of each other.

Project Description

We will be determining how intermingled the various groups of Khazakhstani citizens think of each other, with survey questions like “Would you marry somebody of this nationality?”. Also, we will be testing the strength of Islam in the various regions.

Project Mentor

Dr. Reuel Hanks

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013

Don’t miss Megan Nolte’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

Megan Nolte (Plano, TX) will present “Shigella Invasion of Human Intestinal Cells” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

How does Shigella control its type III secretion system to allow invasion of human cells?

Project Description

Shigella is a gram negative, rod shaped bacterium that causes shigellosis, a form of dysentery. The bacteria multiply intracellulary in the epithelial cells of the intestinal tract, leading to tissue destruction and shigellosis (dysentery). Shigella invades cells, kills macrophages, and replicates in the epithelial cells. Through our research project, we are working to determine how Shigella controls its type III secretion system. The goals of the project are to purify the protein, do biochemical analysis, and determine how it works.

Project Mentor

William Picking

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013

Don’t miss Jodi Vinyard’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

Jodi Vinyard (Stillwater, OK) will present “Button Load Cells in a Horse Shoe to Measure the Forces on the Hoof.” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

How is the hoof damaged in a walk, trot, and canter due to the different pressures on one part of the hoof?

Project Description

I have put five load cells in a plastic horse shoe that is screwed onto an aluminum shoe that is nailed onto the horse’s hoof. These load cells measure the forces on the hoof in a walk, trot, and canter. The load cells measure anywhere from 500 to 2000 pounds. The testing is done on a horse treadmill.

Project Mentor

Michael Davis

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013

Don’t miss Lydia J. Bruce’s presentation at the FRS Colloquium on April 12, 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim O'Neil

Lydia J. Bruce (Wichita, KS) will present “Gene Therapy ” at this year’s Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium on April 12, 2013.

Project Question

Is there a way to correct the DNA of cancer or other diseased cells?

Project Description

Gene therapy is the science of replacing defected or mutated sections of DNA with normal genetic sequences in order to correct genetic disorders. This project focuses on producing an optimum carrier for the healthy genetic material. This carrier must be able to pass through the body unharmed, penetrate diseased cells, and transfer the correct DNA into the cell.

Project Mentor

Dr. Joshua D. Ramsey and Adane Nigatu

Freshman Research Scholars Colloquium
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom, Stillwater, OK 74078
For more information, visit FRS Colloquium 2013