May 15, 2015
Students win funding for research projects
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Almost two dozen students recently qualified for a Southern Illinois University Carbondale award that funds undergraduate research and creative activities for promising projects and students.
The 23 winning students will receive Research-Enriched Academic Challenge Awards from the university beginning this fall. The REACH award winners will receive up to $1,500 in funding for their projects, along with a paid research assistantship for fall and spring semesters that will pair them with an SIU faculty member as they work on various research and creative projects.
Students submitted a total of 43 projects for funding this year.
The competitive program is open to all disciplines. REACH also supports the university's annual Undergraduate Research Forum, held in late April, during which students present posters describing their research projects.
Winners of this year’s awards are:
Daniel J. Bach, senior in cinema and photography and son of Roy E. and Sally Bach of Batavia. His mentor is Professor Jyotsna Kapur and his research project is titled “The Rainmaker’s Garden.”
John T. Barron, sophomore in physics and son of James T. and Patricia L. Barron of Herrin. His mentor is Associate Professor Saikat Talapatra and his research project is titled “Synthesis of Electrochemical Characterization of Graphene Ink.”
Ariadna Cairo, senior in microbiology and daughter of Jordi Cairo Mercedes Baza of Tarrangana, Spain. Her mentor is Assistant Professor Keith Gagnon and her research project is titled “The Role of Repeat RNA Aggregation in Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
Gisela Cairo, senior in chemistry and biochemistry and daughter of Jordi Cairo Mercedes Baza of Tarrangana, Spain. Her mentor is Assistant Professor Keith Gagnon and her research project is titled “The Role of Repeat RNA Aggregation in Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
Krystal Y. Chung, sophomore in microbiology and daughter of Steve U. and Sharon L. Chung of Santee, Calif. Her mentor is Zhihua Du, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and her research project is titled “Studying the Interaction Between a Viral Core Protein and the Human Protein Caprin-1.”
Nathan D. Colley, senior in chemistry and biochemistry and son of Lonnie D. and Connie G. Colley of Staunton. His mentor is Professor Lichang Wang and his research project is titled “Illinois Coal for Solar Energy Harvesting and Conversion.”
Miranda D. Gibson, senior in psychology and paralegal studies and daughter of Douglas T. and Cathy E. Gibson of Centralia. Her mentor is Stephanie Clancy Dollinger, associate professor of psychology, and her research project is titled “Adverse Effects of Disrupted Sleep on Cognitive Functioning in College Students.”
Erika D. Glaub, senior in zoology and daughter of Michael A. and Patricia M. Glaub of Norridge. Her mentor is Associate Professor Frank Anderson and her research project is titled “A Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of the Sun Stars.”
Jamie E. Gossman, senior in fashion design and daughter of David G. and Susan E. Gossman of Elgin. Her mentor is Laura Kidd, associate professor in the School of Architecture, and her research project is titled “Design in Motion: Wheelchair Accessible Formal Wear.”
Bradley M. Henning, senior in exercise science and son of William F. and Mary K. Henning of Hanover Park. His mentor is Jared Porter, associate professor of kinesiology, and his research project is titled “The Effects of Playing Video Games on Motor Behavior.”
Kesia M. McClellan, senior in psychology and daughter of Robert L. and Ranae Denney of Monticello, Ky. Her mentor is Lisabeth DiLalla, professor of behavioral social science, and her research project is titled “Believe or Not Believe? Theory of Mind and Peer Interactions.”
Alyssa D. Miller, junior in microbiology and daughter of Brian A. and Danelle J. Miller of Mattoon. Her mentor is Vjollca Konjufca, assistant professor of microbiology, and her research project is titled “Effects of Hormone Treatment and Pro-Inflammatory Stimuli on the Internalization and Immunogenicrtry of Small-Sized Nanoparticles in the Female Reproductive Tract.”
Jaclyn A. Parks, junior in microbiology and daughter of Barry A. and Barbara A. Parks of Orland Park. Her mentor is Vjollca Konjufca, assistant professor of microbiology, and her research project is titled “Effects of Hormone Treatment and Pro-Inflammatory Stimuli on the Internalization and Immunogenicrtry of Small-Sized Nanoparticles in the Female Reproductive Tract.”
Matthew T. Pokojski, senior in crop production and management and son of Matthew J. and Beth D. Pokojski of Centralia. His mentor is Ahmad Fakhoury, associate professor of plant, soil and agricultural systems, and his research project is titled “Testing Potential Biocontrol Agents Against Major Soybean Pathogens.”
Kelby C. Rogers, senior in mechanical engineering and daughter of Roark V. and Christine F. Rogers of McHenry. Her mentor is Professor Tsuchin Chu and her research project is titled “Bond Strength Characterization in Composite Adhesive Joints Using DIC.”
Kelly L. Schmidt, senior in biological sciences and daughter of Scott L. and Shelley L. Schmidt of Litchfield. Her mentor is Buffy Ellsworth, associate professor of physiology, and her research project is titled “The Role of FOXO1 in Pituitary Development at e16.5.”
Hailey E. Sellek, senior in biological sciences and daughter of Jeffery J. and Elizabeth A. Sellek of Paxton. Her mentor is Lydia Arbogast, professor of physiology, and her research project is titled “Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B and Dynorphin mRNA Expression in Lactating Rats.”
Briana K. Stodden, senior in cinema and photography and daughter of Charles L. and Connie L. Stodden of Trilla. Her mentor is Assistant Professor Angela Aguayo and her research project is titled “Parental Involvement in Youth Sports.”
Cailey A. Vandermark, senior in zoology and daughter of Shon K. and Diana L. Vandermark of Aurora. Her mentor is Assistant Professor Agustin Jimenez and her research project is titled “Determining the Presence of Trypanosoma Cruzi, the Protozoan Parasite that Causes Chagas’ Disease, in the Southern Illinois Area.”
Austin T. Weigle, sophomore in plant biology and son of Darrin S. and Lisa C. Weigle of Kennebunk, Maine. His mentor is Associate Professor Aldwin Anterola and his research project is titled “Differentiating Anticancer and Carcinogenic Pathways by Comparative Gene Expression Analysis.”
Dylann E. Wilkinson, senior in psychology and daughter of Scott J. Crowder and Tiffany D. Wilkinson, and granddaughter of LeeAnn Warner of Shelbyville. Her mentor is Assistant Professor Sarah Jane Kertz and her research project is titled “Associations Between Parent and Child, Information Processing Deficits and Links with Anxiety.”
Zeying Zhu, senior in civil engineering and daughter of Jiangong Zhu and Jiangong Zhang of Sangyu, China. Her mentor is Associate Professor Yanna Liang and her research topic is titled “Producing Sustainable Biosurfacing from Renewable Biomass Feedstocks.”
Stephania L. Zneimer, geology and anthropology major and daughter of Peter A. and Sofia M. Zneimer of Chicago. Her mentor is Liliana Lefticariu, associate professor of geology, and her research project is titled “Tracking Regional Climate Patterns through Stable Water Isotopologues in Precipitation and Surface Waters of Southern Illinois.”