Want to know what we’ve been working on? Take a look at our research list below. See a topic you might like to research? Reach out to that faculty member and see what opportunities they may have for students.
Want to know what we’ve been working on? Take a look at our research list below. See a topic you might like to research? Reach out to that faculty member and see what opportunities they may have for students.
We like to say we “learn by doing” in the Benedictine University College of Science and Health, and we mean it. Our faculty specialize in getting students involved in their research, sometimes as early as their first year, and opportunities exist in every department. Students put what they’ve learned in their courses to use to answer novel and interesting questions with faculty mentors in the lab and on the computer. They work closely with their mentors to learn up-to-date research techniques in their field. They present that work at regional, national, and international conferences. They can be co-authors on peer-reviewed publications. And, they have an experience that they’ll be talking about for years to come that sets them apart from their peers.
Summer research offers Benedictine students the opportunity to expand their knowledge, hone laboratory skills and gain hands-on experience by working closely with faculty on a variety of scientific research projects.
Through the program, students work one-on-one with the College of Science and Health faculty on scientific research projects. This 10-week experience includes a stipend and a weekly seminar where students have the occasion to present their research findings to a supportive audience of faculty and peers. Later, students present their findings at local and regional conferences, with some even attending national conferences.
Research is an integral part of cutting-edge science education. Our faculty work on exciting research projects investigating new avenues in science and searching for answers to the many complex and fascinating questions science poses. View a list of our faculty’s distinguished accomplishments!
Network and Systems Biology; DNA Linguistics; Plant Molecular Ecology; Scientometrics and Philosophy of Science, Wittgenstein.
Awards and Recognition
Distinguished Faculty Award for Research 2012
Dean’s Award for Research 2007
Recent Publications
Predictors of behavior change, self-efficacy and motivation; student leadership, engagement, and learning.
Deconstructing the dominant obesity discourse, social determinants of health, designing weight-inclusive health promotion models to facilitate intuitive eating, mindfulness, enjoyable movement.
Diet quality correlates of a plant-based diet and emotional wellness, menopausal symptoms, lifestyle choices of vegans.
Increasing nurses’ and social workers’ knowledge, skills and confidence initiating Serious Illness Communication with individuals living with a serious illness to elicit their goals, values and preferences for care.
Mathematical Biology, Impulsive Differential Equations, Agent Based Modeling, Mathematical Biology Education, Hyperbolic Manifolds, Kleinian Groups, Low-Dimensional Topology, Knot Theory.
Research Area
hyperbolic manifolds, Kleinian groups, topology, and the teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics
Current Research Projects
Math biology, including ecological problems with financial analogs and epidemiology, probability applications to games and game shows.
Research Area
Math biology, including ecological problems with financial analogs and epidemiology
Current Research Projects
Health workforce development, patient education for low income and minority populations, and improvements in systems of care.
Cancer biology, regulation of tumor suppressor gene expression, regulation of alternate mRNA splicing.
Research:
In our laboratory, we examine the regulation of tumor suppressor genes, especially the hereditary breast/ovarian (HBOC) cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. We focus on 1) epigenetic regulation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene transcription, 2) response of tumor suppressors to genomic damage, 3) evolutionary conservation of cis-acting regulators of alternate mRNA splicing, and 4) clinically identified gene sequence variants of unknown significance as they affect alternate splicing patterns and cancer risk.
Recent Publications:
Higher education, nursing education, online education, human intelligence, student wellness.
Ethics appropriate to global health, changing environment and demographics, international health manpower development.
Neural and endocrine mechanisms regulate communication, vocal production, and auditory perception.
Education and Experience
Assistant Professor, Benedictine University Department of Biological Sciences (present)
Visiting Assistant Professor, St. Mary’s College of Maryland Department of Biology 2015-2016
Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University; Department of Biological Sciences 2010-2015
Ph. D. Indiana University Bloomington 2004-2010
Biology: Ecology, Evolution and Behavior; Minor: Neuroscience
B. S. cum laude University of Maryland Baltimore County 2000–2004
Biological Sciences; Minor: Chemistry
Research Summary
How does the brain generate social behavior? Successful social interaction requires the brain to receive and process sensory signals that communicate complex information and generate motor behavior fitting to the social context. My research examines social behavior from sensation to action, examining links between sensory and motor regions through the forebrain, and the role of these pathways in generating socially appropriate behavior. Key components of this network under investigation- the amygdala, basal ganglia, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis- are similar across vertebrates in developmental origin, neurotransmitter types, and connectivity with sensory and motor systems. Though these regions have been most thoroughly studied in the auditory contexts of stress and threat detection, my primary interest is how they influence social interaction. I use African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis), a well-established NIH model organism of social vocal communication, to examine how auditory information influences vocal performance. Research in my lab uses a variety of behavioral and physiological approaches to investigate the neurochemical mechanisms and neuroanatomical pathways involved in perceiving and processing social cues, and regulating social behaviors.
Publications ( * denotes undergraduate co-author)
Physiological ecology, herpetology, wildlife conservation and outreach.
Research Areas:
Physiological ecology; herpetology; wildlife conservation and outreach.
Current Research Projects
My central research questions revolve around how abiotic factors influence the physiology, behavior, and habitat preferences of ectothermic vertebrates (particularly reptiles and amphibians), with applications to their conservation and management. I collaborate with various colleagues around the country to study the effects of land-use and climate change on, and the ecological role of, amphibians and reptiles – in both natural and urban ecosystems. Current research projects and outreach events at Benedictine University can be found by visiting my website: http://leighanneharden.com
Plant-insect interactions, behavioral and chemical ecology, butterflies and other insects.
Research Area
Plant-insect interactions, behavioral and chemical ecology, butterflies and other insects
Past Research Projects
For more information about the Benedictine University China Pollination Project visit here.
Ethics, end of life, moral distress, and caring.
Functional analysis, operator theory and cyptology; use of technology in mathematics education.
Awards and Recognitions:
University Activities:
Research Interests:
Functional Analysis, Operator Theory, Cryptology, Use of Technology in Mathematics Education, Applications of Mathematics, and Humanistic Mathematics
Current Research:
Selected Publications:
National Committees:
Catalysis, organic synthesis, organometallic chemistry, applications, green chemistry, chemical education.
Research Interest: Transition metal-catalyzed isomerization of alkenes, which involves the atom economical migration of carbon-carbon double bonds. The challenges to be met include: positional and stereochemical selectivity, substrate generality, and simplicity of catalyst use. Alkene isomerization is an important process in the chemical industry that contributes to many applications, including the SHOP process, DuPont’s adiponitrile process, Takasago synthesis of (-)-menthol, and for the synthesis of fragrances, to name a few.
Students will learn techniques in organic synthesis to synthesize parts of the catalyst and organic substrates for catalysis; organometallic synthesism to make the catalyst; and molecule characterization to analyze the synthesized compounds and products made during catalysis. Students will not only perform chemistry in open air, but will be exposed to air free techniques (Schlenk techniques and glove box).
Project 1: Synthesis of Royal Jelly
Royal Jelly is a natural product synthesized by worker bees as a form of nutrition for the queen bee in a colony, where this compound has been reported to have pharmacological properties. The current synthetic route requires 6 steps for its completion. We are seeking a more economical approach to its synthesis.
Project 2: Synthesis of Pheromones
Pheromones are signaling molecules naturally synthesized by organisms as a social cue to impact social behaviors. Harnessing unique reactivity using the alkene isomerization catalyst has the potential to lead to a class of Lepidopteran pheromones.
Project 3: Construction of a Catalytically Active Metal Organic Framework (MOF)
Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs for short) are a subclass of polymeric compounds. Organic scaffolds are linked together with structural metals to form 3-dimensional structures that have pores for molecules, solvent or substrates, to move in and out of the structure. With the right organic scaffold linker, we have the potential of making a new class of catalysts using organometallic synthesis.
Patents
Douglas Grotjahn, Casey Larsen, Gulin Erdogan, Erik Paulson. “Terminal Alkene MonoIsomerization Catalysts and Methods,” US Patent, 2017, 9,708,236.
Recent Publications:
Casey R. Larsen and Douglas B. Grotjahn.* “The Value and Application of Transition Metal Catalyzed Alkene Isomerization In Industry” Applied Homogeneous Catalysis with Organometallic Compounds: A Comprehensive Handbook in Three Volumes; Boy Cornils, Wolfgang A. Herrmann, Matthias Beller, and Rocco Paciello, Eds.; Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. Third Edition, 2018, pages 1365-1378
Jeffrey Camacho-Bunquin,* Magali Ferrandon, Uggal Das, Fulya Dogan, Cong Liu, Casey R. Larsen, Ana E. Platero-Prats, Larry A. Curtiss, Adam S. Hok, Jeffrey T. Miller, SonBinh T. Nguyen, Christopher L. Marshall, Massimiliano Delferro, and Peter C. Stair. “ Supported Aluminum Catalysts for Olefin Hydrogenation” ACS Catal. 2016, 7, 689.
Casey R.Larsen, Erik R. Paulson, Gulin Erdogan, and Douglas B. Grotjahn.* “A Facile, Convenient, and Green Route to (E)-Propenylbenzene Flavors and Fragrances by Alkene Isomerization” Synlett, 2015, 26, 2462.
Douglas B. Grotjahn, Casey R. Larsen, and Gulin Erdogan. “Bifunctional catalyst control of alkene isomerization” Topics in Catalysis, 2014, 57, 1483.
Graham E. Dobereiner, Gulin Erdogan, Casey R. Larsen, Douglas B. Grotjahn, Richard R. Schrock. “A One-Pot Tandem Olefin Isomerization/Metathesis-Coupling Reaction.” ACS Catal. 2014, 4, 3069
Casey R. Larsen, Gulin Erdogan, and Douglas B. Grotjahn. “General catalyst control of the monoisomerization of 1-alkenes to trans-2-alkenes.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 1226.
Casey R. Larsen and Douglas B. Grotjahn.* “Stereoselective Alkene Isomerization Over One Position.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 10357.
Dietary assessment, electronic health, cancer prevention and survivorship, health communication.
Nursing education, transfer of knowledge to practice.
Social factors affecting population health, interventions to improve health outcomes, reduce health disparities; community resources used to alleviate health-related social risks to improve mental health, specifically in caregivers and university students.
Organic chemistry, synthetic chemistry, catalysis, nucleophilic fluorination, medicinal chemistry. Inspired by how molecules are made in nature, Dr. Maki is interested in making bioactive compounds with similar core structures to a family of pyrrole-based natural products using organic synthesis techniques. These naturally occurring compounds have been found in medicinal teas and other plants. A straightforward two-step process is being developed and explored to discover new structures and additional reactions that can be used to make these interesting compounds.
Research Area
Organic chemistry, synthetic chemistry, catalysis, nucleophilic fluorination, medicinal chemistry
Current Research Projects:
Project 1 – Pyrrole library synthesis. Inspired by the biosynthesis of pyrroles, our lab seeks to synthetically access libraries of these small molecules with the larger goal of exploring the medicinal potential of this class of known bioactive compounds. The syntheses are achieved through an Achmatowitz / Paal-Knorr strategy, allowing access to high yields and a variety of structures.
Project 2 – New compounds for nucleophilic fluorination. Fluorine is a commonly used isostere in medicinal and polymer chemistry, and it can have profound effects on stability, activity, and the physical properties of chemical compounds. Our research is focused on developing new ways of introducing fluorine to organic compounds under safe, mild conditions.
Omics, Bioinformatics, Genetics, and Student Motivation in Biology.
Research Area:
Omics, Bioinformatics, Genetics, and Student Motivation in Biology
Current Projects:
Radiation chemistry, spectroscopy, photophysics, electron-transfer processes, chemical and physical properties of water.
Awards and Recognition:
Research Area
radiation chemistry, spectroscopy, photophysics, electron-transfer processes, chemical and physical properties of water
Current Research Projects:
Project 1: Due to their uniquely beneficial properties as combinatorially flexible solvents, hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquids are presently being considered as replacements for molecular diluents in “wet” processing of nuclear waste for advanced fuel cycles. To realize this great promise, these diluents need to be made resistant to ionizing radiation generated by decaying radionuclides. This requires suppression of bond fragmentation that occurs in electronically excited ions. We are examining the radiation chemistry of ionic liquids using flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis techniques at Argonne National Laboratory.
Project 2: Above the critical point, water is thought to exist as a dynamic system consisting of single water molecules and nanoclusters of dimers, trimers, etc., and the electronic states of these various species are highly energetically sensitive to the local hydrogen bonding structure. We are studying the vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of the lowest-lying electronic state of sub- and supercritical water to glean information on changes to the hydrogen bonding environment as a function of temperature and density. We have designed a unique high-sensitivity vacuum ultraviolet absorption experiment at the Synchrotron Radiation Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, to probe these changes directly, and are doing so from room temperature up to supercritical conditions, and then as a function of density for supercritical water.
Current Research Collaborators:
Research Grants and Funding:
Professional Activities:
Current and Former Research Students:
Making molecules through organic transformations that incorporate the use of environmentally-benign organic catalysts.
Awards and Recognition:
Research Area
Organic synthesis; asymmetric catalysis; chemical education
Current Research Projects:
Organic synthesis; organocatalytic conjugate additions and aldol reactions; asymmetric hydrogenations; chemical education research
Current Research Coolaborator:
Research Grants and Funding
Recipient of a Benedictine University Summer Faculty Fellowship, sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Association, $10,000
Professional Activities:
Current and Former Research Students:
Recent Publications:
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:
Evolution and development of the brain, skull, and vocal organs in primates and hominins; skeletal morphology; Australopithecus life history.
Research Area
Evolution of human speech and language; growth and development of the primate and hominin skull, geometric morphometrics; comparative methods and primate life history.
Current Research Project
Mixture Modeling, Functional Data Analysis, and Computational Statistics.
Awards and Recognitions:
Research Area
Mixture Modeling, Functional Data Analysis, and Computational Statistics
Current Research
The investigation using a Bayesian Occupancy model to detect the dispersion and possible eradication of the tree of heaven from West Virginia.
Biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, computational chemistry, chemical education.
Research Area
Biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, computational chemistry, chemical education
Dr. Narayanan research focuses on the computational and experimental approaches to studying structure and dynamics of biomolecules. More specifically he is interested in developing and characterizing new fluorescent nucleic acid bases (FBAs), understanding the mechanism of mitochondrial electron transport chain protein called Complex I, purification and characterize-ation of photolyases/crytochromes in various species.
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS IN THE DISCIPLINE
BOOK CHAPTERS
Paleobiology; functional ecology; body size evolution; morphometrics; marine invertebrates.
Research Areas
paleobiology; comparative paleoecology; body size evolution and macroecology; morphometrics; marine invertebrates
Recent Publications
Villéger, S., P.M. Novack-Gottshall, and D. Mouillot. 2011. The multidimensionality of the niche reveals functional turnover in benthic marine biotas across geological time. Ecology Letters 14: 561-568.
Bush, A. and P.M. Novack-Gottshall. 2012. Modelling the ecological-functional diversification of marine Metazoa on geological time scales. Biology Letters 8: 151-155.
Kowalewski, M., J.L. Payne, F.A. Smith, S.C. Wang, D.W. McShea, S. Xiao, P.M. Novack-Gottshall, C.R. McClain, R.A. Krause, Jr., A.G. Boyer, S. Finnegan, S.K. Lyons, J.A. Stempien, J. Alroy, and P.A. Spaeth. 2011. The Geozoic Supereon. Palaios 26: 251-255.
Payne, J.L., C.R. McClain, A.G. Boyer, J.H. Brown, S. Finnegan, M. Kowalewski, R.A. Krause, Jr., S.K. Lyons, D.W. McShea, P.M. Novack-Gottshall, F.A. Smith, P. Spaeth, J.A. Stempien, and S.C. Wang. 2011. The evolutionary consequences of oxygenic photosynthesis: a body size perspective. Photosynthesis Research 107: 37-57.
Kowalewski, M. and P. Novack-Gottshall. 2010. Resampling methods in paleontology. Pp. 19-54 in J. Alroy and G. Hunt, eds. Quantitative Methods in Paleobiology. Paleontological Society Special Paper 16. Yale Printing Services, New Haven. [Invited book chapter]
Bennington, J.B., W.A. DiMichele, C. Badgley, R.K. Bambach, P. Barrett, A.K. Behrensmeyer, R. Bobe, R. Burnham, T. Daeschler, J. Van Dam, J. Eronen, D.H. Erwin, S. Finnegan, S. Holland, G. Hunt, D. Jablonski, S.T. Jackson, B. Jacobs, S.M. Kidwell, P. Koch, M. Kowalewski, C. Labandeira, C. Looy, S.K. Lyons, P.M. Novack-Gottshall, R. Potts, P. Roopnarine, C. Strömberg, H. Sues, P. Wagner, P. Wilf, and S. Wing. 2009. Critical issues of scale in paleoecology. Palaios 24: 1-4.
Payne, J.L., A.G. Boyer, J.H. Brown, S. Finnegan, M. Kowalewski, R.A. Krause, Jr., S.K. Lyons, C.R. McClain, D.W. McShea, P.M. Novack-Gottshall, F.A. Smith, J.A. Stempien, and S.C. Wang. 2009. Two-phase increase in the maximum size of life over 3.5 billion years reflects biological innovation and environmental opportunity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (U.S.A.) 106: 24-27.
Novack-Gottshall, P.M. and M.A. Lanier. 2008. Scale-dependence of Cope’s rule during body-size evolution of Paleozoic brachiopods. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (U.S.A.) 105: 5430-5434.
Novack-Gottshall, P.M. 2008. Ecosystem-wide body size trends in Cambrian-Devonian marine invertebrate lineages. Paleobiology 34: 210-228.
Novack-Gottshall, P.M. 2008. Using simple body size metrics to estimate fossil body volume: Empirical validation using diverse Paleozoic invertebrates. Palaios 23: 163-173.
Novack-Gottshall, P.M. 2007. Using a theoretical ecospace to quantify the ecological diversity of Paleozoic and modern marine biotas. Paleobiology 33: 274-295.
Psychiatric nursing including schizophrenia and therapeutic relationships.
Bacterial quorum sensing, protein-peptide interactions, bacterial genetics.
Research Interest
Our laboratory focuses on Lactobacillus sp, a human commensal of the gastrointestinal and vaginal tract. We are working to define how Lactobacilli communicate and respond as a bacterial community. Our long term goals are to determine the effects of this communication for host cells. Our projects include characterizing quorum sensing pathways, identifying cellular and environmental signals, and discovery of quorum sensing effects in cells.
For more information, please visit our website: https://www.perezmoraleslab.com
Recent Publications:
Casual inference in general, with specific focus on mediation analysis.
Public health services and systems research, health policy.
Nursing and health professions education, Including mental health, population and community health, distance education.
Mental health nursing, distance nursing education, caring.
Chemistry/biochemistry education, sustainability curriculum, electrochemical characterization of biomolecules, trace element analysis, development and optimization of enzyme assays, microvolume immunoassays, electrochemical detection.
Awards and Recognitions:
Research Area:
Bioanalytical chemistry; electroanalytical methods; biosensors; bead-based immunoassays; water analysis; chemical education
Current Research Projects:
Development and optimization of electrochemical detection methods; enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors; immunoassays in clinical chemistry applications; trace metal analysis of wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages; class room strategies in chemistry education
Current Research Coolaborator:
Research Grants and Funding
Professional Activities:
Current and Former Research Students:
Recent Publications * Indicates the corresponding author
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:
Asymmetric organocatalysis, reaction development, synthesis of biologically important molecules including potential malaria and cancer therapeutics, green chemistry, chemical education.
Research Areas:
Asymmetric organocatalysis, reaction development, synthesis of biologically important molecules including potential malaria and cancer therapeutics, green chemistry, chemical education
Current Research Projects:
My research program focuses on developing new and environmentally friendly chiral organocatalysts and ligands to create sustainable routes to cancer and malaria therapeutics.
Current and Former Research Students:
Fall 2014
Cameron Pombert (Biochemistry)
Mike Strongy (Chemistry)
Mohammed Farhan (Business with Science Applications)
Recent Publications:
Benedictine University
Rubush, D. M. * 2014. Diphenylphosphoric Acid. e-EROS Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. 1–6.
Colorado State University
“Stereoselective Synthesis of Dioxolanes and Oxazolidines via a Desymmetrization Acetalization/Michael Cascade.” David M. Rubush and Tomislav Rovis* Synlett 2014, 25, 713-717.
“An Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,2,4-Trioxane Anticancer Agents via Desymmetrization of Peroxyquinols through a Brønsted Acid Catalysis Cascade.” Journal of the American Chemical Society David M. Rubush, Michelle A. Morges, Barbara J. Rose, Douglas H. Thamm, and Tomislav Rovis* 2012, 134, 13554-13557.
Calvin College
“Photochemical Synthesis of 3-Alkynals from 1-Alkynoxy-9,10-anthraquinones.” Ronald L. Blankespoor*, Peter J. Boldenow, Eric C. Hansen, Jeffrey M. Kallemeyn, Andrew G. Lohse, David M. Rubush and Derek Vrieze Journal of Organic Chemistry 2009, 74, 3933-3935.
Professional Activities:
Member, American Chemical Society, Organic Division
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:
“Enantioselective Chiral Acid-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of p-Quinols and p-Peroxyquinols to form Heterocycles” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. 242th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Denver, CO; August 2011. (Talk)
“Progress Toward the Total Synthesis of Stemocurtisine Utilizing an Asymmetric Stetter Reaction” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. 240th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Boston, MA; August 2010. (Talk)
“Toward the Total Synthesis of Stemocurtisine Utilizing an Asymmetric Intramolecular Stetter Reaction” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. National Organic Chemistry Symposium, Boulder, CO; June 2009. (Poster)
“Progress Toward the Total Synthesis of Stemocurtisine” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. Albert I. Meyers Symposium, Fort Collins, CO; October 2008. (Poster)
“Synthesis of Beta-Alkynals via the Photolysis of Substituted Anthraquinones” Blankespoor, R. L.; Boldenow, P. J.; Lohse, A. G.; Rubush, D. M. 235th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, LA; April 2008. (Poster)
Epithelial cell physiology, bile acid-induced barrier dysfunction, apoptosis, tight junction, oxidative stress, paracellular permeability, probiotics, IBD and cancer therapeutics.
Awards and Recognitions:
Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence by an Adjunct Faculty 2010
Research Area
My research interests are to elucidate, at a molecular level, the processes that modulate ion transport across epithelial cells. Epithelia, such as those lining the gastrointestinal tract, are multi-faceted and complex. For example, salt and water transport along the length of the intestine needs to be tightly regulated for normal function, and aberrations can result in some of the most devastating forms of diarrhea in a variety of species. Regulation of ion and water transport is also important in the mammary epithelia and aid with milk secretion. Therefore, studying the cellular and molecular regulation of ion transport by hormones, chemicals and drugs is important in defining fundamental physiological processes of fluid absorption and secretion, which can pertain to epithelial cells from mammalian mammary to the colonic epithelial cells. Model systems such as the human colon carcinoma cell-line (T84 cells) and mouse mammary epithelial cells (HC11) are used in these studies.
Current Research Projects
Publications
Books/Chapters Published
Papers Published (Graduate and undergraduate students and Research Specialists mentored are italicized)
Peer-reviewed Abstracts
Aging, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Drosophila, RNA Processing.
Research Areas
Aging, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Drosophila, RNA Processing
Peer-Reviewed Publications Undergraduate students are underlined.
Additional Publications
Leadership, mentoring, self-efficacy, ethics in professional practice and professional development.
Renewable energy, energy storage, batteries, solar photovoltaics, thermoelectricity, physics education.
Research Areas
Photovoltaics, Batteries, Renewable Energy, Thermoelectricity
Current Research Projects
Project 1: Batteries for biomedical applications
Batteries can be used as power sources for motorized wheelchairs, surgical tools, cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, dynamic prostheses, sensors and monitors for physiological parameters, neurostimulators, devices for pain relief, iontophoresis, electroporation, and related devices for drug administration. Students investigate the types of battery chemistries used for biomedical applications and test their properties by using instrumentals such as potentiostats/galvanostats.
Project 2: Batteries for electric vehicles
This project involves testing of batteries for electric (EV) or hybrid-electric (HEV) vehicles. Although the testing of batteries is on a laboratory-scale, the project is intended to mimic the activities of engineers in companies and national laboratories designing batteries for EVs. Properties such as battery capacity, voltage and current during charging and discharging, are investigated. The effects of temperature and mechanical stresses on the performance of the battery are analyzed. Impedance Spectroscopy is employed to measure properties such as internal resistance in order to assess the “state of health” of energy storage systems.
Project 3: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)
This is one of the latest promising solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies, focused on the design of solar cells that are light, inexpensive, transparent, and have the potential of achieving desirable efficiencies. The DSSCs are assembled and their electrochemical properties measured. The investigation is aimed toward identifying inexpensive and abundant dyes which allow for an efficient solar-to-electrical energy conversion.
Project 4: Standalone solar PV system for health clinics or schools in remote areas
The project focuses on designing solar PV systems for health clinics or schools in remote areas, where no alternative sources of power are available. The project encompasses understanding of the operation and properties of solar cells, the components of solar PV systems (solar panels, batteries, inverters, charge controllers, etc.), and incorporating them into a final design. This project is suitable for students across a range of disciplines and majors: those interested in the engineering aspects of the design, as well as those interested in the humanitarian aspect of it, for example delivering power to areas where it is either inaccessible or prohibitively expensive.
Current and Former Research Students
Awards and Recognition
Recent Publications
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations
Healthcare disparities (vaccine hesitancy among African Americans), uninsured access to primary care, ACA policy on hospital readmissions.
Dynamical systems, chaos theory, and quantitative literacy; In the past he has worked with the NASA-JOVE program on mathematical modeling of solid-state laser systems and their application to remote sensing.
Awards and Recognitions
Dean’s Award for Innovation 2014
Dean’s Award for Service 2012
Dean’s Award for Innovation 2010
Courses Taught
Calculus with Analytics I Lab, Math for Middle and Secondary Education
Research Area
dynamical systems, chaos theory, and quantitative literacy; In the past he has worked with the NASA-JOVE program on mathematical modeling of solid-state laser systems and their application to remote sensing.
Nutritional care of the transgender and nonbinary community; professional development/training of nutrition professionals; health equity; enteral nutrition therapy.
Observational astrophysics: strong gravitational lensing, galaxy clusters, spectroscopic follow-up of gravitational wave events, large astronomical surveys, cosmology, the intersection of philosophy and science, history of science and physics education research.
Awards and Recognition
Research Areas
Professional Activities
Recent Publications
Recent Presentations and Talks
Scanning Probe Microscopy, Optical Tweezers, Physics Education, Outreach.
Awards and Recognitions:
Research Area
Scanning Probe Microscopy, Optical Tweezers, Physics Education, Outreach
Current Research Projects
Optical Tweezers: Research will be conducted to use the BU optical tweezers instrument to study biological systems. Optical tweezers use focused light to trap and manipulate small objects. The initial study is focused on the trapping and analysis of E. coli bacteria. The project is experimental and involves learning about optics, lasers, and the interaction of light with matter.
Scanning Probe Microscopy: A Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) is a device used to image surfaces of materials with atomic resolution. This project will involve building and testing an STM. It is an experimental project and will involve computer programming and electronics.
Research Grants and Funding:
Professional Activities:
Current and Former Research Students:
Recent Publications:
Publications:
Magazines
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:
Cellular Physiology of Environmental Estrogens on Bone Cells.
Awards and Recognitions
Judith Ann Whinfrey Award for Leadership 2013
Dean’s Award for Innovation 2013
Dean’s Award for Leadership 2009
Research Area
Cellular Physiology of Environmental Estrogens on Bone Cells
Current Research
Osteoblasts and osteoclasts, bone-forming and bone-resorbing cells, respectively, mediate growth, modeling, remodeling, and repair of bone. The adult skeleton routinely undergoes remodeling in response to physical, hormonal, and metabolic stresses. In normal bone homeostasis, there is no net gain or loss of bone. However, uncoupling of the remodeling process by increasing osteoclastic activity without increasing bone formation to the same extent, can lead to bone loss.
The objective of my research program is to determine mechanisms by which cadmium causes bone loss. Animal studies indicate that bone loss responses occur at blood cadmium concentrations in the range of levels reported for persons who smoke cigarettes and for workers with low-level cadmium exposure in industry. Cadmium-induced bone loss is also more pronounced in animals that have experienced increased bone stress such as estrogen deficiency, suggesting that women exposed to cadmium are at increased risk for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
To investigate cellular mechanisms for the increased activity of the resident osteoclast population in response to cadmium exposure, cultured cell lines and primary bone cell cultures are used to study the motility, the signals for apoptosis, and the signal transduction involved with cytoskeletal reorganization that must occur when an osteoclast changes from a motile configuration to a resorbing configuration. Cell migration assays, chemotactic assays, cell viability assays, microscopic examination of immunohistochemically or fluorescently-labeled cells, gel electrophoresis, western blotting, and RT-PCR are some of the techniques used in these investigations.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (*denotes undergraduates as co-authors)
Regunathan, A., Glesne, D.A., Wilson, A.K., Song, J., Nicolae, D., *Flores, T., and M.H. Bhattacharyya. Microarray analysis of changes in bone cell gene expression early after cadmium gavage in mice. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol., 191:272-293, 2003.
Brako EE, Wilson AK, Jonah MM, Blum CA, Cerny EA, Williams KL, Bhattacharyya MH. Cadmium pathways during gestation and lactation in control versus metallothoinein 1,2-knockout mice. Toxicol Sci. 71(2):154-63, 2003.
Bhattacharyya, M.H., Wilson, A.K., and Rajan, S.S. Biochemical pathways in cadmium toxicity. In Molecular Biology and Toxicology of Metals, R.K.Zalups and D.J. Koropatanick (eds.), Taylor and Francis Publishers, 2001.
*Blum, C.A., Wilson, A. K., and Bhattacharyya, M.H. A nest box to facilitate excreta collection from mouse dams through pregnancy, parturition, and lactation. Contemp.Topics in Lab. An. Sci., 38:71-77, 1999.
Bhattacharyya, M.H., *Blum, C.A., and Wilson, A.K. The role of metallothionein in cadmium-induced bone resorption. In Metallothionein IV. C. Klassen, ed., Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, Switzerland, pp. 473-476, 1999.
Wilson, A.K., Bhattacharyya, M.H., Miller, S., *Mani, A. and Sacco-Gibson, N. Ovariectomy-induced changes in aged beagles: histomorphometry of rib cortical bone. Calcif. Tissue Int., 62: 237-243, 1998.
Wilson, A.K. and Bhattacharyya, M.H. Effects of cadmium on bone: An in vivo model for the early response. Toxicol. Appl. Pharm., 145: 68-73, 1997
Wilson, A.K., Cerny, E.A., *Smith, B.D., *Wagh, A., and Bhattacharyya, M.H. Effects of cadmium on osteoclast formation and activity in vitro. Tox. Appl. Pharm., 140: 451- 460, 1996.
Bhattacharyya, M.H., Wilson, A.K., Silbergeld, E.K., Watson, L. and Jeffery, E. Metal-induced osteotoxicities. In Metal Toxicology. R.A. Goyer, ed., Academic Press, Inc. San Diego, pp.465-510, 1995.
Health disparities, specifically maternal and child health outcomes in African American community and community-based organization methods to address disparities.
Computational Group Theory, Symmetric Spaces, Applications of Abstract Algebra, and Effective Pedagogy.
Research Area
Computational Group Theory, Graph Theory, Number Theory and the use of technology in the classroom
Current Research
Recent Publications
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