Faculty + Student Research

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

• Aldrich PR, El-Zabet J, Hassan S, Briguglio J, Aliaj E, Radcliffe M, Mirza T, Comar T, Nadolski J, Huebner CD (2015) Monte Carlo tests of small-world architecture for coarse-grained networks of the United States railroad and highway transportation systems. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications 438, 32-39
• Aldrich PR, Horsley R, Turcic S (2012, in press) Hybridization network for the system of woody plant gene pools in the United States. Plant Biosystems
• Aldrich PR, Horsley RK, Turcic SM (2011) Symmetry in the language of gene expression: A survey of gene promoter networks in multiple bacterial species and non-σ regulons. Symmetry 3: 750-766.
• Aldrich PR (2011) Diffusion limited aggregation and the fractal evolution of gene promoter networks. Network Biology 1(2):99-111.
• Aldrich PR, Cavender-Bares J (2011) Quercus. In: Kole C, editor. Wild Crop Relatives: Genetic, Genomic and Breeding Resources, Volume 10: Relatives of Forest Trees. Heidelberg: Springer.
• Aldrich PR, Horsley RK, Ahmed YA, Williamson JJ, Turcic SM (2010) Fractal topology of gene promoter networks at phase transitions. Gene Regulation and Systems Biology 2010(4): 75–82.

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

• Mathematical Biology: The Dynamics of Gene Regulatory Networks, Epidemiological and Ecological Models Using Impulsive Differential Equations; Low-Dimensional Topology: Knot Theory: (Stick Numbers, Hextile Knot Mosaics), Hyperbolic Manifolds, Kleinian Groups, Complex Dynamics, Spatial Graph Theory; Undergraduate Mathematical Biology Education and Course Development

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

• “An Epidemic Model with a Multi-Stage Vaccine” This project will be a continuation of work done with Reema Khatri, Kiran Munir, and Katie Hunzinger over the past two summers.  So far, we have constructed mathematical models to help us study the spread of a disease through a population such that immunity can be given through a series of multiple vaccines.  A perfect example of such a disease would be Hepatitis B, which requires three vaccines for immunity.  Up to this point, however, we have proven that, assuming the population has births and deaths, it is not possible to completely eradicate a disease unless the disease was going to die out anyway.  So, this summer, I hope to extend this to looking at repeating the vaccination cycle numerous times and/or changing how the vaccine is given so that we can kill the disease off, or even better, suppress it for a longer period of time.  If time permits, we may also try to build in more realistic contact patterns.
• “A Model for Disease Spread With Different Susceptibility Levels” For some diseases, such as the common cold, it really seems like certain individuals just have a much better chance of getting sick than others (or even not getting sick at all!) when coming into contact with an infected individual.  This project will concern constructing and studying a model for disease spread such that people are placed into different susceptibility groups, where some groups are more likely to get sick by coming into contact with infectives than others, and some people may even have full immunity to the disease.  Specifically, we want to study how sensitive the spread of disease throughout a population is based on how the make-up of the susceptible groups is.  That is, if one group is pretty much the driver toward having a disease become endemic, can we quarantine the group (or some similar strategy) to stop the spread of the disease?
• “Monopoly:  The Speed Die” Monopoly is arguably one of the world’s most popular board games.  It is so popular that, every so often, a world championship tournament is held.  In the past tournament, however, a new rule was introduced, which has also made its way into the home game:  the “Speed Die.”  Rolling the speed die not only, as its name suggests, speeds up the game play, but it can also affect strategy greatly.  A player could simply move extra spaces with it, could have the choice to move using only one die as opposed to two, or end up getting to purchase two properties in a single turn (or, even worse, paying rent on two properties in a single turn).  The strategy for the classic game of Monopoly has been extensively studied, but this project will investigate if those strategies are still the best ones to do when playing with the “Speed Die.”  If time permits, we will also investigate playing under tournament rules (games are timed) to see if those strategies should be adapted in the tournament setting at all.

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:

• Catenacci DVT, Amico AL, Nielsen S, Geynisman DM, Rambo B, Carey GB, Gulden C, Fackenthal J, Marsh RD, Kindler HL, Olopade OI (2014) Tumor genome analysis includes germline genome: are we ready for surprises? Int J Cancer. Doi: 10.1002/ijc.29128 [Epub ahead of print]
• Churpek JE, Walsh T, Zheng Y, Moton Z, Thornton AM, Lee MK, Casadei S, Watts A, Neistadt B, Churpek MM, Huo D, Zvosec C, Liu F, Niu Q, Zhang J, Fackenthal JD, King M-C, Olopade OI (2014) Inherited predisposition to breast cancer among African American women. Breast Cancer Res Treat 149:31
• Sighoko D, Fackenthal JD, Hainaut P (2015) Changing in the pattern of breast cancer burden among African-Americans: Evidence based on 29 states and the District of Columbia during 1998-2010. Annals of Epidemiology 25:15.
• Guindalini RSC, Song A, Fackenthal JD, Olopade OI, Huo D (in press) Genetic anticipation in BRCA1/2 families after controlling for ascertainment bias and cohort effect. 122:1913.
• Fackenthal JD, Yoshimatsu T, Zhang B, de Garibay G, Colombo M, De Vecchi G, Ayoub S, Lal K, Olopade OI, Vega A, Santamariña M, Blanco A, Wappenschmidt B, Becker A, Houdayer C, Walker L, López-Perolio I, Thomassen M, Parsons M, Whiley P, Block M, Brandão RD, Tserpelis D, Baralle D, Montalban G, Gutiérrez-Enríquez S, Díez O, Lazaro C, kConFaB Investigators, Spurdle AB, Radice P, de la Hoya M, and the ENIGMA Splicing Working Group (2016). Naturally occurring BRCA2 alternate mRNA splicing events in clinically relevant samples. Journal of Medical Genetics 53:548.

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)

• Hall, Ian C., Sarah M. N. Woolley, Ursula Kwong-Brown*, Darcy B. Kelley (2016) Sex differences and endocrine regulation of auditory-evoked, neural responses in African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus). Journal of Comparative Physiology A. 202(1) 17-34.
• Hall, Ian C., Irene H. Ballagh, Darcy B. Kelley (2013) The Xenopus amygdala mediates socially appropriate vocal communication signals. The Journal of Neuroscience. 33(36) 14534-14548.
• Hall, Ian C., Gabrielle L. Sell*, Emily M. Chester and Laura M. Hurley (2012) Stress-evoked increases in serotonin in the auditory midbrain do not directly result from elevations in serum corticosterone. Behavioral Brain Research. 226(1):41-49.
• Hurley, Laura M. and Ian C. Hall (2011) Context-dependent modulation of auditory processing in midbrain. Hearing Research. 279(1-2): 74-84.
• Hall, Ian C., Gabrielle L. Sell* and Laura M. Hurley (2011) Social regulation of serotonin in the auditory midbrain. Behavioral Neuroscience. 125(4): 501-511.
• Hall, Ian C., George V. Rebec and Laura M. Hurley (2010) Serotonin in the inferior colliculus changes with behavioral state and environmental stimuli. The Journal of Experimental Biology. 213: 1009-1017.
• Hall, Ian C. and Laura M. Hurley. (2007) The serotonin releaser fenfluramine alters the auditory responses of inferior colliculus neurons. Hearing Research. 228(1-2): 82-94.

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

• Ecological fieldwork including surveys and samples of plants and butterflies in the local area. Behavioral observations on the host-plant choices of the black swallowtail butterfly. Physiological plant ecology of native prairie plants. Preference and performance assays with caterpillars and moths, continuing a study to look at the effects of plant nutrient status with these insect behaviors.

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:

• Dean’s Award for Service
• William B. Scholl Endowed Science Professorial Chair
• Exxon-Mobil MAA Project NExT Fellow

University Activities:

• Faculty Advisor, Indian Student Association
• Co-Chair, Faculty Colloquium
• Member, Scholar’s Portfolio Review Committee
• Member, Advisory Council on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action
• Member, Interfaith Cooperation Committee
• Member, Teach-In Organizing Committee

Research Interests:
Functional Analysis, Operator Theory, Cryptology, Use of Technology in Mathematics Education, Applications of Mathematics, and Humanistic  Mathematics

Current Research:

• Fractals, Chaos and dynamical Systems: Fractals are self-similar images that follow a simple rule infinitely. In nature they can be observed in ferns, coastlines, etc. Dynamical Systems are systems that change with time, for example population. Chaos Theory is a branch of mathematics that studies the behavior of dynamical systems. These topics have applications to finance, life sciences, meteorology, engineering, physics and other fields.
• Quantum Information Systems: This topic is at the intersection of quantum information systems, analysis and linear algebra.
• Cryptology: Methods of cryptology allow secure message transfer, key exchange, digital signatures, and more. In the current day setting of high speed internet and fast computations, these methods have revolutionized communications through email, ecommerce, etc.
• Real Analysis: I am interested in the study of limit processes, and other ground breaking concepts such as zero, infinity, fractals, Fibonacci numbers, golden ratio, etc., that have changed the course of history.

Selected Publications:

• M. Kaur and T. Wangler- Parametric Surfaces Competition: Using Technology to Foster Creativity, The International Journal for Technology in Mathematics Education (IJTME) Vol. 21, No. 2, 2014.
• M. Kaur- Cryptography as a Pedagogical Tool, PRIMUS Volume 18, Issue 2, 2008.
• M. Kaur- Using Technology to Discover the First Derivative Rule in Multivariable Calculus, PRIMUS, March 2006.
• M. Kaur and Z-J. Ruan- Local Properties of Ternary Rings of Operators and their Linking C*-algebras.  Journal of Functional Analysis, 195, 262-305, 2002.

National Committees:

• Member, Steering Committee, 14th International Congress in Mathematics Education, Shanghai, China Feb 1, 2019 – January 31, 2021
• Member at Large, AMS Committee on Education Feb 1, 2016 – Jan 31, 2019
• Member, MAA Committee on Technologies in Mathematics Education (CTME) Feb 1, 2016 – Jan 31, 2022
• Member, MAA Committee on Travel Study Programs of the Mathematical Association of America 2009 – 2014.
• AWM (Association for Women in Mathematics) Mentor, since 2004

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.

Nurses’ knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act and disciplinary process, improving licensure exam performance of nursing program graduates.

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:

1. Analysis of transcriptomes from human blood to determine mechanisms for malaria virulence
2. Analysis of miRNAs from glioma tumor biopsies to determine prognosis criteria for recurrence
3. Development of complex student profiles in association with motivation factors in college biology classes

Radiation chemistry, spectroscopy, photophysics, electron-transfer processes, chemical and physical properties of water.

Awards and Recognition:

• College of Science Dean’s Award for Innovation, 2016
• Benedictine University Service Award, 2015
• College of Science Dean’s Award for Leadership, 2014
• Benedictine University Distinguished Faculty Award for Research, 2009
• College of Science Dean’s Award for Research, 2008

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:

• Ilya A. Shkrob, Argonne National Laboratory
• Ireneusz Janik, Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory

Research Grants and Funding:

1. Ultraviolet Absorption of the Lowest-Lying Electronic State in High-Temperature and Supercritical Water.  Timothy W. Marin.  National Science Foundation Research in Undergraduate Institutions, $74,598, 2008 – 2011.
2. Ultraviolet Absorption of the Lowest-Lying Electronic State in High-Temperature and Supercritical Water.  Timothy W. Marin.  Research Corporation Cottrell College Science Awards, $42,652, 2009 – 2012.

Professional Activities:

• Chair, Chicago Section of the American Chemical Society
• Member, American Chemical Society, American Physical Society, and Society of Catholic Scientists
• Past NSF reviewer for Chemical Structure, Dynamics, and Mechanisms program
• Past reviewer for the following journals:
  • Journal of Physical Chemistry
  • Chemical Physics Letters
  • Physical Review Letters
  • Research in Scientific Instruments
  • Radiation Chemistry and Physics

Current and Former Research Students:

• Allison Dickman, 2019, biology
• Alissa Potts, 2018, chemistry
• Elijah Medlock, 2018, physics
• Nicole Jeffrey, 2018, physics
• Rana Ahmad, 2016, physics
• John A. Doherty III, 2015-2016, chemistry
• Ruojing Zhang, 2015, chemistry
• Bohdan B. Khomtchouk, 2011-2013, physics
• Kenneth A. McDonald, 2011, Chemistry
• Mohammad Arfeen, 2011, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Ana Kiricova, 2011, Chemistry
• Rama Wahood, 2010, Health Science
• Michael J. Krolikiewicz, 2009, Chemical Engineering
• Asif Kamal, 2009, Chemistry
• Amanda L. Pedersen, 2008, Chemistry
• Kushal D. Shah, 2006, Biochemistry
• Robert L. Maynard, 2006, Physics
• Rajat Nanda, 2006, Chemistry
• Mary D. Musielak, 2004, Chemistry
• Justin Van Gundy, 2004, Chemistry/Physics

Making molecules through organic transformations that incorporate the use of environmentally-benign organic catalysts.

Awards and Recognition:

• Benedictine University College of Science Dean’s Award for Service, 2013
• Recipient of the 2011 Young Alumnus Award, presented by the Bridgewater College Alumni Association.
• Benedictine University Annual Merit Award for Faculty in 2008-2009
• Co-recipient of the Benedictine University Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence, 2008
• Benedictine University College of Science Dean’s Award for Teaching, 2007
• Benedictine University Annual Merit Award for Faculty in 2005-2006

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:

• Dr. Edward Ferroni, Benedictine University

Research Grants and Funding
Recipient of a Benedictine University Summer Faculty Fellowship, sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Association, $10,000

Professional Activities:

• Member, American Chemical Society (National, Chicago chapter, organic chemistry and chemical education divisions)
• Member, Iota Sigma Pi, National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry
• Treasurer for the Aurum Iodide Chapter of Iota Sigma Pi, June 2008-2014
• Membership Affairs Coordinator for the Aurum Iodide Chapter of Iota Sigma Pi, September  2005-June 2008
• Chair of the Chemistry Division Associated Colleges of Chicago Area (ACCA) (May 2009-May 2010)
• Secretary of the Chemistry Division Associated Colleges of Chicago Area (ACCA) (May 2008-May 2009)
• Moderator of a Physical Sciences session at the 42nd ACCA Student Symposium, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL (April 4, 2009)
• Moderator of a Biology and Chemistry session at the 40th ACCA Student Symposium, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL (April 14, 2007)
• Session chair (Analytical, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, and Organometallic Chemistry) at the 18th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Argonne National Laboratory, IL (November 2-3, 2007)
• Session chair (Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Spectroscopy) at the 17th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Argonne National Laboratory, IL (November 3-4, 2006)
• Reviewer for the Journal of Chemical Education, 2008-present

Current and Former Research Students:

• Kiran Munir, 2014, BMB
• Julian Ochoa, 2014, Chemistry
• Zachary Oesterreicher, 2014, BMB
• Amanda Stachowicz, 2014, Chemistry
• Mirza Baig, 2012, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Hemal Bhavsar, 2012, Chemistry
• Danielle Howard, 2012, Chemistry
• Nabeelah Kauser, 2012, Chemistry
• Brittani Selander, 2012, Chemistry
• Jeremy Hess, 2011, Chemistry
• Ana Kiricova, 2011, Chemistry
• Dan Funari, 2010, Chemistry
• Jake Polaski, 2010, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Richard Grant, 2009, Chemistry
• Bhavna Patel, 2009, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Erick Pasciak, 2008, Chemistry
• Alan Rich, 2008, Health Science
• Sarah St. John, 2008, Chemistry
• Katie Bartgen, 2007, Chemistry
• Chris Check, 2007, Chemistry
• Kiel Lazarski, 2006, Biochemistry
• Afshan Mohsin, 2006, Health Science
• Nate Rebeck, 2006, Chemistry

Recent Publications:

• Mascarenhas, Cheryl M.  “Review of Advances in Teaching Organic Chemistry”, J.  Chem. Educ.  2014, 91, 468-469.
• Mascarenhas, Cheryl M.  “A Two-Step Synthesis of the Laundry Detergent Perfume Additive β-Citronellyl Tosylate”, J.  Chem. Educ.  2013, 90, 1231-1234.
• Lazarski, K. E.; Rich, A. A.; Mascarenhas, C. M. “A One-Pot, Asymmetric Robinson Annulation in the Organic Chemistry Majors Laboratory.”  J.  Chem. Educ. 2008, 85, 1531-1534.
• Mascarenhas, Cheryl M.  “The Comparative Nucleophilicity of Naphthoxide Derivatives in Reactions with a Fast-Red Dye: A Discovery-Oriented Capstone Project for the Second-Year Organic Laboratory”.  J. Chem. Educ.  2008, 85, 1271-1273.
• J-H Koh; C. M. Mascarenhas; M. R Gagné.  “Pd(II)-Catalyzed cyclogeneration of carbocations: subsequent rearrangement and trapping under oxidative conditions” Tetrahedron. 2004, 60, 7405-7510.
• C. M. Mascarenhas, S. P. Miller, P. S. White, J. P. Morken.  “First Catalytic Asymmetric Aldol-Tishchenko Reaction—Insight into the Catalyst Structure and Reaction Mechanism” Angew.  Chem.  Int.  Ed. 2001, 40, 601-603.
• C. M.  Mascarenhas, M. O. Duffey, S-Y. Liu, J. P. Morken.  “Simple Metal Alkoxides as Effective Catalysts for the Hetero-Aldol—Tishchenko Reaction.” Organic Lett.  1999, 1, 1427-1429.

Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:

• Mascarenhas CM, Kiricova A, Grant, R, Kauser N, Stachowicz AR.  “The Development and Implementation of Second-Year Organic Chemistry Lab Experiments that Embrace Green Chemistry Principles.”The 23rd IUPAC International Conference on Chemical Education, Toronto, Canada, July 14, 2014.
• Amanda Stachowicz, Cheryl Mascarenhas.  Optimization of an Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of N-Methylindole to trans Crotonaldehyde” April 12, 2014, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL.
• Cheryl M. Mascarenhas, Richard Grant, Erick Pasciak. “Sustainability at the undergraduate level: Integrating green chemistry techniques and asymmetric catalysis intot he sophomore organic chemistry curriculum.” 239th ACS Spring National Meeting, Division of Chemical Education, San Francisco, CA, March 21, 2010, Poster ID: 123.
• Cheryl M. Mascarenhas, Jake Polaski, Richard Grant, Erick Pasciak.  “Asymmetric Organocatalysis of Robinson Annulations and Conjugate Addition of Indoles to Unsaturated Aldehydes.” Science and Sociability seminar, Benedictine University, April 23, 2010.
• Cheryl M. Mascarenhas, Jake Polaski, Sarah St. John, Alan Rich, Kiel Lazarski, Richard Grant.  “Asymmetric Organocatalysis: Conjugate Addition Reactions & Robinson Annulations.” Science and Sociability seminar, Benedictine University, October 17, 2008.
• Cheryl M. Mascarenhas, Sarah E. St. John, Kiel E. Lazarski, Alan A. Rich and Erick Pasciak.  “Teaching stereoselective carbonyl chemistry to a majors/honors section sophomore organic laboratory.” 235th ACS Spring National Meeting, Division of Chemical Education, New Orleans, LA, April 9, 2008.
• Sarah St. John, Kiel E. Lazarski, Alan A. Rich and Cheryl M. Mascarenhas.  “Synthesis of organocatalysts for asymmetric Robinson annulations.” 235th ACS Spring National Meeting, Division of Chemical Education, New Orleans, LA, April 7, 2008, Poster ID: 1163539.
• Cheryl M. Mascarenhas, Kiel E. Lazarski, Alan A. Rich, Nathaniel T. Rebeck, Christopher T. Check and Katherine K. Bartgen. “Asymmetric catalysis in the undergraduate research and teaching curriculum.” 233rd ACS Spring National Meeting, Division of Chemical Education, Chicago, IL, March 29, 2007.
• Cheryl M. Mascarenhas, Kiel E. Lazarski, Alan A. Rich.  “Reactivity and enantioselectivity of chiral imidazolidinone organocatalysts in asymmetric Robinson annulations.”  233rd ACS Spring National Meeting, Division of Chemical Education, Chicago, IL, March 26, 2007, Poster ID: 659.
• Cheryl Mascarenhas, Kiel Lazarski, Nathaniel Rebeck.  “Asymmetric Organocatalysis.” Invited Speaker, Iota Sigma Pi – Aurum Iodide meeting, April 2006.
• Cheryl Mascarenhas, Kiel Lazarski, Nathaniel Rebeck.  “Asymmetric Organocatalytic Reactions.”  Science and Sociability seminar, Benedictine University, December 2005.
• C. M. Mascarenhas, S. P. Miller, J. P. Morken. “Development of catalysts for the asymmetric aldol-Tischenko Reaction.” 220th Annual Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Division of Organic Chemistry, Washington, DC, August 24th, 2000.
• Cheryl M. Mascarenhas, James P. Morken.  “The Development of Catalysts for the Asymmetric Aldol-Tischenko Reaction.” 114th NC-ACS Sectional Conference.  April 1, 2000.
• Cheryl M. Mascarenhas, James P. Morken.  “The Design and Development of Catalysts for the Asymmetric Aldol-Tischenko Reaction.” Invited speaker, Bridgewater College, April 2000.

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

• “The Role of the Vocal Tract in Speech Production”
  The supralaryngeal vocal tract (the pharynx and oral cavity above the vocal cords) determines, to some extent, the acoustic properties of speech sounds. Radiographic studies have shown that the shape of the tongue, vocal tract, and lips is instrumental in producing the unique sounds of human speech. However, recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies image patients in a supine position, which changes the position of the tongue and larynx in the neck. These images have been used to inform clinical diagnoses and to reconstruct the size and shape of the vocal tract in Neanderthals and other extinct human species. In this project, students will be assisting in the collection of MRI data using a new technology, upright MRI, which has the capability of imaging a patient in multiple views, including while sitting or standing. Students will then: (1) compare MR images of subjects in sitting and supine position; (2) record audio for subjects reading lists of words and short passages; (3) process and analyze acoustic data; and (4) statistically assess the relationship between vocal tract morphology and acoustic data. This project will teach students to collect and interpret MR images, to process acoustic data, and to use statistical techniques to study the relationship between vocal tract morphology and the sounds of human speech.

Mixture Modeling, Functional Data Analysis, and Computational Statistics.

Awards and Recognitions:

• College of Science Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence by a Fulltime Faculty Member, 2014

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

1. Incubating the SENCER Ideals with Project-Based Learning and Undergraduate Research, R. D Sieg, N. Beverly, Madhavan Narayanan, G. Surendran, J. Sabatini, D. S. Smyth, Science Education and Civic Engagement-An International Journal, Volume 11 Issue 1 · Winter 2019

2. Madhavan Narayanan, Vijay R. Singh, Goutham Kodali, Katarina Moravcevic, and Robert J. Stanley, (2017) An Ethenoadenine FAD Analog Accelerates UV Dimer Repair by DNA Photolyase. Photochemistry and photobiology, 93: 343–354

3. Madhavan Narayanan, S. Leung, Y. Inaba, M. Elguindy, E. Nakamaru-Ogiso (2015) Semiquinone intermediates are involved in the energy coupling mechanism of E. coli. Complex I, Biochimica et Biophysica acta – Bioenergetics 1847, 8, 681–689

4.  E. Nakamaru-Ogiso, Madhavan Narayanan, J. Sakyiama, (2014) Roles of semiquinone species in proton pumping mechanism by complex I, J. Bioenerg. Biomembr., 46(4):269-77

5. Madhavan Narayanan, D. Gabrieli, S. Leung, M. Elguindy, C. Glaser, N. Saju, S. Sinha, E. Nakamaru- Ogiso, (2013) Semiquinone and Cluster N6 Signals in His-tagged Proton-translocating NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase (Complex I) from Escherichia coli. J. Biol. Chem. 288: 14310-14319

6. Madhavan Narayanan, G. Kodali, V. Velvadapu, V. Singh, R. Stanley (2012) Oxidation and reduction potentials of 8-vinyladenosine measured by cyclic voltammetry: Implications for photoinduced electron transfer quenching of a fluorescent adenine analog, J. Photochem. Photobiology, 249, 9-14

7. G. Kodali, Madhavan Narayanan, R. Stanley (2012) Excited-State Electronic Properties of 6-Methyl-isoxanthopterin (6-MI): An Experimental and Theoretical Study, J. Phys. Chem. B, 116, 2981-2989

8. Madhavan, Narayanan, G. Kodali, V. Singh, Y. Xing, R. Stanley, (2010) Differential quenching of fluorescent base analogs by nucleotide monophosphates, J. Phys. Chem. B, 114 (17), pp 5953–5963)

9. Madhavan Narayanan, G. Kodali, Y.Xing, and R.Stanley, (2010) Photoinduced electron transfer occurs between 2-aminopurine and the DNA nucleic acid monophosphates: results from cyclic voltammetry and fluorescence quenching, J. Phys. Chem. B, 114 (32), pp 10573–10580.

10. G. Kodali, K. A. Kistler, Madhavan Narayanan, S. Matsika and R. Stanley, (2010) Change in electronic structure upon optical excitation of 8-Vinyladenosine: An Experimental and Theoretical Study. J. Phys. Chem. A, 114 (1), pp 256–267

BOOK CHAPTERS

1. The Role of Adenine in the Initial Photoinduced Electron Transfer Repair of UV-Damaged DNA By DNA Photolyase, R. Stanley, V. Singh, K. Jacoby, Madhavan Narayanan, S. Munshi, K. Moravcevic, (2013) Flavins and Flavoproteins, 403-408
2. Study of photoinduced electron transfer in Fluorescent Nucleic acid base analogs (FBAs) and DNA photolyase, by Madhavan Narayanan, Ph.D., (2011) Temple University, 224 pages, ProQuest, UMI Dissertation Publishing, ISBN-13: 978-1-124-46575-3
3. Intermediates in the ultrafast repair of DNA by DNA photolyase. Z. Hou, G. Kodali, Madhavan Narayanan, K. Yang, R. J. Stanley (2006) Femtochemistry VII: Fundamental Ultrafast Processes in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, Pages 337–345, Edited by: A. Welford Castleman, Jr. and Michele L. Kimble ISBN: 978-0-444-52821-6

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:

• Pérez Morales, T.G., Ratia, K., Wang, D-S., Gogos, A., Bloem, L., Driver, T., and Federle, M.J. A novel chemical inducer of Streptococcus quorum sensing acts by inhibiting the pheromone-degrading endopeptidase PepO. J Biol Chem 2018 Jan 19; 293(3):931-940
• Pérez Morales T.G., Ho TD, Liu WT, Dorrestein PC, Ellermeier CD. Production of the cannibalism toxin SDP is a multistep process that requires SdpA and SdpB. J Bacteriol. 2013 Jul; 195(14):3244-51.

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:

• Benedictine University College of Science Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence, 2013
• ACS Younger Chemist Leadership Development Award 2010, Houston, TX
• Benedictine University College of Science Dean’s Award for Research, 2009
• M. Kolthoff Enrichment Award by the Education Committee of Analytical Chemistry division, the American Chemical Society for undergraduate research student, Angela Peverly to present at the ACS National Meeting at New Orleans in April 2008
• Benedictine University Annual Merit Award for Faculty in 2006-2007
• Recognition by the Center for Educational Policy Research at the University of Oregon for the General Chemistry lab course sequence, which was designated as a best practices course. A panel of national experts also identified specific elements of the General Chemistry curriculum as exemplary in the field. September 2006
• Dorothy and Moses Passer Education Award by the American Chemical Society Chemical Education division to attend an electrochemistry workshop in July 2006
• M. Kolthoff Enrichment Award by the division of Analytical Chemistry of the American Chemical Society for undergraduate research student, Delin Wang to present at the ACS National Meeting in March 2006

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:

• Stanley Okon, M.D.  Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL.

Research Grants and Funding

1. NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Award #1240091, “Expanding and Strengthening the Secondary STEM Teacher Training Program”, Co-PI (April, 2012) $ 1.2 million (grant period January 1, 2013-December 31, 2017
2. Turner Biosystems Fluorometer Grants Program for purchase of Modulus Fluorometer, PI  (September, 2006) $ 5,800

Professional Activities:

• Member of the 2015 General Chemistry First Term Committee, 2013 General Chemistry Committee, and 2011 General Chemistry Committee, ACS Examinations Institute, the Chemical Education Division of the American Chemical Society. The committees write and evaluate new assessment materials for use in General Chemistry courses nationwide.
• Reviewer for Analytical Chemistry, ACS Nano, Analyst, Bioengineering, Chromatographia, Clinica Chimica Acta, JACS, Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic, Materials, Sensors, Sensors & Actuators: B. Chemical, School Science and Mathematics (periodically)
• Expert evaluator for Summer Faculty Fellowship Program 2013 proposals in Biosciences and Chemistry disciplines in the division of American Society for Engineering Education for the U.S. Air Force (January 14-25, 2013)
• Participant in the evaluation of concept inventories produced as part of a NSF funded study on understanding of key concepts in undergraduate chemistry courses via the use of concept inventories, PI Dr. Stacy Lowery Bretz of Miami University Oxford, OH, (Fall 2012)
• Membership affairs coordinator Iota Sigma Pi, Aurum Iodide chapter (2008-2011)
• Organizer and a session chair for a symposium titled “Advances in Teaching Analytical Chemistry” by the Chemical Education Division for the 239th ACS National Meeting & Exposition in San Francisco, CA (March, 2010)
• Reviewer for a new Analytical Chemistry textbook written by Hage & Carr, published by Pearson Education (September 2008-May 2009)
• Chair of Chemistry division Associated Colleges of Chicago Area (ACCA) (May 2008-May 2009)
• Session chair (Analytical Chemistry) at the 19th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Argonne National Laboratory, IL (November 7, 2008)
• Organizer and a session chair for a one day symposium “New Trends in Teaching Analytical Chemistry” for the 20th Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE), Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (July 2008)
• Moderator of the Analytical Chemistry session at the ACCA Student Symposium, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL (April 12, 2008)
• Secretary of Chemistry division Associated Colleges of Chicago Area (May 2007-May 2008)
• Session chair (Analytical Chemistry) at the 18th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Argonne National Laboratory, IL (November 2-3, 2007)
• Expert evaluator and rapporteur for water monitoring and infrastructure proposals in Security and Defense Security Research & Development section of the Enterprise and Industry Directorate General, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium (July 2-7, 2007)
• Organizer and a session chair for a symposium titled “Chemical Sensors in Undergraduate and Graduate Education” by the Chemical Education Division for the 233rd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Chicago, IL (March 29, 2007)
• Session chair (Analytical and Organometallic Chemistry) at the 17 th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Argonne National Laboratory, IL, (November 3-4, 2006)
• Invited vice-chair and evaluator of Marie Curie European Reintegration Grants funded by the Research Directorate of the European Commission. The grants assist the professional reintegration of the researcher in his/her country of origin after doing research for more than two years in another European Union or associated country. The evaluation process and consensus meetings took place in Brussels, Belgium. (May and September 2006)
• Organizer and a session chair for a symposium titled “Recent Advances in Teaching Analytical Chemistry” by the Chemical Education and Analytical Chemistry Divisions for the 231st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Atlanta, GA (March 30, 2006)
• Invited vice chair of the Chemistry Panel in the Intra-European and Outgoing and Incoming International Marie Curie Fellowships.  The competitive individual fellowships are funded by the European Commission to provide advanced training through research to researchers of all ages. The evaluation process and consensus meetings took place in Brussels, Belgium. (May and June 2005)
• Expert evaluator and rapporteur for over 20 Marie Curie Fellowship applications, the European Commission (May 2004)

Current and Former Research Students:

• Fatima Javed, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major
• Sarah Mustaly, Biology with Chemistry minor
• Nathan Olson, Chemistry major
• Matthew Raub ,  Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major
• Fatima Javed,   Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major
• Bosky Parikh, 2013, Chemistry
• Uzma Arif, 2013, Chemistry
• William Putzbach, 2012, Biology
• Jonathan Pollock, 2011, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Jamie Nizzia, 2011, Chemistry
• Kristyn Lagioia, 2011, Chemistry
• Robert Kasper, 2011, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Rana Salem, 2009, Biochemistry
• Nicholas Dobes, 2009, Chemistry
• Scott Toth, 2009, Chemistry
• Mary Duggan, 2009, Chemistry
• Sahar Karimi, 2008, Biochemistry
• Surbhi Bhatia, 2008, Chemistry
• Behnoosh Shahrokh, 2008, Biochemistry
• Chintan Prajapati, 2008, Biochemistry
• Angela Peverly, 2008, Chemistry
• Kushal Shah, 2006, Biochemistry
• Abida Banu, 2006, Biochemistry
• Atif Jagirdar, 2006, Biology
• Faiza Mehdi, 2006, Biochemistry
• Delin Wang, 2006, Biochemistry
• David Mullan, 2005, Biochemistry

Recent Publications * Indicates the corresponding author

• Fatima Javed, Nathan Olson, Bosky L. Parikh, Matthew Raub, Sanika Tolia, Niina J. Ronkainen*, Selected Trace Element Analysis of Heavy Metals in Red and White Wines from Around the World, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, submitted.
• Niina J. Ronkainen* and Stanley L. Okon, Nanomaterial-based electrochemical immunosensors and immunoassays for clinically significant biomarkers, special issue titled “Advanced Nanomaterials for Biosensors”, Materials, 2014, 7(6), 4669-4709.
• Niina J. Ronkainen* and Stanley L. Okon, “The role of immunoassays in urine drug screening”, chapter in Advanced Healthcare Materials, Ashutosh Tiwari (Ed.), WILEY-Scrivener Publishing, ISBN: 978-1-118-77359-8, May 2014, Chapter 14, pp. 485-516.
• Niina J. Ronkainen*, “Bioanalytical Chemistry and Chemical Sensors Course at a PUI”, chapter in Teaching Bioanalytical Chemistry, Harvey J. M. Hou (Ed.), ACS Books Symposium Series Volume, Oxford University Press, ISBN13: 9780841228078, 2013, Volume 1137, Chapter 10, pp. 187-208.
• William Putzbach and Niina J. Ronkainen*, Immobilization Techniques in the Fabrication of Nanomaterial-based Electrochemical Biosensors: A review, Sensors, 2013, 13(4), 4811-4840.
• Niina J. Ronkainen*, H. Brian Halsall, and William R. Heineman, Electrochemical Biosensors, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2010, 39, 1747-1763.
• Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno*, H. Brian Halsall, and William R. Heineman, “Electrochemical Immunoassays and Immunosensors”, chapter in Immunoassay and Other Bioanalytical Methods, CRC Press, ISBN: 0849339421, publication date 12/26/2006, 385-402.
• Svetlana Farrell, Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, H. Brian Halsall, and William R. Heineman*, Bead based immunoassays with microelectrode detection, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Paper in the Forefront I., 2004, 379, 358-367.
• Jennifer H. Thomas, Niina Ronkainen-Matsuno, Svetlana Farrell, H. Brian Halsall, William R. Heineman*, Microdrop analysis of a bead-based immunoassay, Microchemical Journal, 2003, 74, 267-276.
• Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, Jennifer H. Thomas, H. Brian Halsall, and William R. Heineman*, Electrochemical immunoassay moving into the fast lane, Trends Anal. Chem., 2002, 21, 213-225.
• C. Ajith Wijayawardhana, Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, Svetlana Farrell, Gunther Wittstock, H. Brian Halsall,  William R. Heineman*, Microspot enzyme assays with scanning electrochemical microscopy, Analytical Sciences, 2001, 17 (supplement), 535-538.

Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:

• Niina J. Ronkainen, “Course Preparation Assignments: A Tool to Enhance Independent Learning, Increase Student Participation, and Performance in Chemistry Courses” (peer-reviewed oral presentation), the European Conference on Research in Chemistry Education 2014, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland, July 6-10, 2014.
• Niina J. Ronkainen, “Course Preparation Assignments: A Strategy For Using Class Time In Analytical Chemistry Courses To Enhance Learning and Student Participation” (poster presentation) 246th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Indianapolis, IN, September 8, 2013.
• Niina J. Ronkainen, “Integrating current scientific research topics and literature into Analytical Chemistry courses at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution” (poster presentation) 245th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, LA, April 7, 2013.
• Niina J. Ronkainen and Jonathan Pollock, “Indirect amperometric detection of inulin” (poster presentation) 243rd ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Diego, CA, March 26, 2012.
• Niina J. Ronkainen, “Common biases in chemistry classroom teaching practices” (poster presentation) 240th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Boston, MA, August 22, 2010.
• Niina Ronkainen, “Bioanalytical chemistry and biosensors” (oral presentation) 21st Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Denton, TX, August 1, 2010.
• Niina J. Ronkainen, “Drinking water” (oral presentation) Earth Day Symposium at Benedictine University, Lisle, IL, April 22, 2010.
• Niina J. Ronkainen, “Special topics course in bioanalytical chemistry: Microscale chemical analysis using biosensors” (oral presentation) 239th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Francisco, CA, March 25, 2010.
• Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, “Bringing scientific discovery back to the laboratory courses” (poster presentation) Gordon Research Conference on Visualization in Science & Education, Magdalen College, Oxford, England, July 26-31, 2009.
• Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, “Teaching Chemistry in Context” (poster presentation), Gordon Research Conference on Chemistry Education Research & Practice, Colby College, Waterville, ME, June 21-26, 2009.
• Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, “Undergraduate research experiences: Lasting benefits to students” (oral presentation), 236th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Philadelphia, PA, August 17, 2008.
• Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, “POGIL laboratory experiment for analytical chemistry: Cyclic voltammetry” (oral presentation), 235th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, LA, April 7, 2008.
• Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, “Development and optimization of rotating disk enzyme electrodes: Undergraduate research projects in chemical sensors” (oral presentation), 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 29, 2007.
• Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, “Tegrity software-based online prelaboratory lectures for chemical analysis labs” (oral presentation), 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 30, 2006.
• Niina J. Ronkainen-Matsuno, “Incorporating multimedia learning into the General Chemistry laboratory curriculum using Tegrity software and WebCT” (oral presentation), 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 29, 2006.

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

• Does bile acid modulate tight junction to increase paracellular permeability? Cells will be grown on inserts to form a monolayer, challenged with various doses of bile acid. Transepithelial resistance will be measured using anelectrical resistance system and paracellular permeability measured via mucosal to basolateral flux of 10-kDa fluorescence tagged dextran.
• Is the drop in resistance due to cytotoxic effects of bile acids? This will be assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase activity in the supernatant of cells treated with various doses of bile acids. Cytotoxicity is indicated if the LDH activity is increases in the solution. This is measured using a colorimetric assay.

Publications
Books/Chapters Published

1. Integrated Systems Physiology: Intestinal Absorption and Secretion by Rao, MC,  Sarathy J, and Ao M, Publisher: Morgan and Claypool Life sciences, NJ. e-Book.
2. Venkatasubramanian J, Rao MC, and Sellin JH. Intestinal electrolyte absorption and secretion in Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management, 9th edition, Chapter 99, (2010).

Papers Published (Graduate and undergraduate students and Research Specialists mentored are italicized)

1. Anantamongol U, Ao M, Sarathy J (nee Venkatasubrmanian), Devi S, Krishnamra N, and Rao MC. Prolactin and Dexamethasone Regulate Second Messenger-Stimulated Cl− Secretion in Mammary Epithelia. Journal of Signal Transduction, Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 192142, 15 pages. doi: 10.1155/2012/192142.
2. Ao M, Venkatasubramanian J, Ganesan Syed, Benya RV and Rao MC. Lubiprostone Activates Cl Secretion by Increasing CFTR in Apical Membrane in the Human Colon Carcinoma Cell Line, T84, Digestive Diseases in Science, 2011, 56(2):339-51.
3. Liu H, Singla A, Ao M, Gill RK, Venkatasubramanian J, Rao MC, Alrefai WA, Dudeja PK. Calcitonin Receptor-Mediated CFTR Activation in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells J Cell Mol Med.; 2011; 10.1111/j.1582-4934.
4. Venkatasubramanian, J., Ao, M., and Rao M.C. Ion transport in the small intestine – Current Opinions     Gastroenterology, 2010 Mar;26(2):123-8.
5. Maria A Carlos, Chimnoya Nwagwu, Mei Ao, J Venkatasubramanian, Roli Prasad, Shamim Khan Chowdhury, Dharmapuri Vidyasagar, Mrinalini C Rao, Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) stimulates chloride transport in primary cultures of weanling and adult rabbit colonocytes, Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 44: 300-311, 2007.
6. Prasad, R., Venkatasubramanian, J., Amde, M., and Rao, M.C. Phospholipase C and src tyrosine kinases mediate neurotensin-stimulated Cl- secretion in rabbit proximal colon. Digestive Disease Sciences 49:1318-1326, 2004.
7. Venkatasubramanian, J., Nataraja, S. G., Carlos, M., Skaluba, S., Rasenick, M.M.R. and Rao, M. C. Differences in calcium signaling underlie age-specific effects of secretagogues on colonic chloride transport, 2001, American Journal Physiology: Cell Physiology, 280, 646-658. (Among Top 50 most read paper in month of Oct 2008)
8. Venkatasubramanian, J., Sahi, J., and Rao, M.C.  Ion transport during growth and differentiaton, 2000, Annals of New York Academy of Sciences, 915, 357-372.
9. G. N. Desai, J. Sahi, P. M. Reddy, J. Venkatasubramanian, D. Vidyasagar, M. C. Rao., Chloride transport in primary cultures of rabbit colonocytes at different stages of development, 1996,  Gastroenterology; 111, 1541-1550.

Peer-reviewed Abstracts

1. *Ao M, Sarathy J (nee Venkatasubramanian), Domingue J, Mathew J, Alrefai WA, Rao MC, ^Contributed equally, Chenodeoxycholic Acid (CDCA) Stimulates  Cl- Secretion Across the Apical Membrane of Human Colonic Epithelial Cells, T84, via  cAMP Signaling and Increases in the Phosphorylation of CFTR., May 2012, Poster Presentation in Digestive Diseases Week, San Diego
2. *J Sarathy (nee Venkatasubramanian), M Ao, J Syed, W. A Alrefai, MC Rao, Bile acid-induced Cl secretion involves cytoskeleton and activation of CFTR in colonic epithelial cells, T84., May 2011, Poster Presentation in Digestive Diseases Week, Chicago.

Aging, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Drosophila, RNA Processing.

Research Areas
Aging, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Drosophila, RNA Processing

Peer-Reviewed Publications  Undergraduate students are underlined.

1. G. Garber, L.A. Smith, R.A. Reenan, and B. Rogina.  “Effect of sodium channel abundance on Drosophila, development, reproductive capacity and aging.” Fly 6(1):2012: 57-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/fly.18570.
2. Lee Ann Smith, Ishtiaq Habib, Stephanie Shirkey, Brian Talon, Alexander Milne, and Jeremy Nadolski. “Sexual dimorphism in the effect of a taurine supplemented diet on life span in adult Drosophila melanogaster.”  International Journal of Zoological Research. (2011). 7(1):34-48. DOI:10.3923/ijzr.2011.
3.   Jeremy Nadolski and Lee Ann Smith. “Combining Efforts to Encourage Student Research in Collaborative Quantitative Fields.” PRIMUS (Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies) (2010). 20(3): 228-44.
4.   L. Smith, J. Gross, and D.K. Morest . “Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in the cochlear nucleus of the adult mouse following acoustic overstimulation.”  Hearing Research 2002 Jul;169(1-2):1-12.

Additional Publications

1. J. Nadolski, L. A. Smith and P. Marquez.  “Stalactite Plot for Outlier Detection in the Presence of a Computationally Singular Covariance Matrix.” 2007 Proceedings of the American Statistical Association, Section on Statistical Computing, [CD-ROM], Alexandria, VA; American Statistical Association.  Pages 1892-94.

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

• Wamuyu Munyiri, 2019, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
• Saad Hazari, 2019, Health Science
• Daniel Aguilera, 2018, Electrical Engineering

Awards and Recognition

• Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowship, Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, D.C. 2013-2015
• Outstanding Dissertation Award, University of South Florida, 2012
• DAAD Fellowships, 2011

Recent Publications

• M. Guerette, M. D. Ward, K. A. Lokshin, A. T. Wong, H. Zhang, S. Stefanoski, O. Kurakevych, Y. Le Godec, S. J. Juhl, N. Alem, Y. Fei, and T. A. Strobel, “Synthesis and Properties of Single-crystalline Na₄Si₂₄”, Cryst. Growth. Des., 18, 7410, (2018).
• S. Stefanoski, G. J. Finkelstein, M. D. Ward, T. Zeng, K. Wei, E. S. Bullock, C. M. Beavers, H. Liu, G. S. Nolas, and T. A. Strobel, “Zintl ions within framework channels: the complex structure and low-temperature transport properties of Na₄Ge₁₃”, Inorg. Chem. 57, 2002 (2018).
• S. Stefanoski, H. Liu, Y. Yao, and T. A. Strobel, “Ambient-Pressure Polymerization of Carbon Anions in the High-Pressure Phase Mg₂C”, Inorg. Chem. 54, 10761 (2015).
• D. Y. Kim, S. Stefanoski, O. O. Kurakevych, and T. A. Strobel, “Synthesis of an open-framework allotrope of silicon”, Nature Materials,14, 169 (2015).
• A. Biswas, S. Chandra, S. Stefanoski, J. S. Blázquez, J. J. Ipus, A. Conde, M. H. Phan, V. Franco, G. S. Nolas, and H. Srikanth, “Enhanced cryogenic magnetocaloric effect in Eu₈Ga₁₆Ge₃₀ clathrate nanocrystals”, J. Appl. Phys. 117, 033903 (2015).
• H. J. Jakobsen, H. Bildsøe, M. Beekman, S. Stefanoski, G. S. Nolas, and C. R. Bowers, “Low temperature ²³Na MAS NMR reveals dynamic effects and compositions for the large and small channels in the zeolite-like Ge-framework of Na_1-xGe_3+z materials”, J. Phys. Chem. C 118, 49 (2014).
• S. Stefanoski, M. Beekman, and G. S. Nolas, “Inorganic Clathrates for Thermoelectric Applications” in The Physics and Chemistry of Inorganic Clathrates, Edited by G. S. Nolas, Springer, (2014).
• S. Bühler-Paschen, S. Stefanoski and G.S. Nolas, “Structural and physical properties of rare-earth clathrates” in The Physics and Chemistry of Inorganic Clathrates, Edited by G. S. Nolas, Springer, (2014).
• S. Stefanoski, Y. Dong, and G. S. Nolas, “Structural characterization and low-temperature physical properties of p-type single-crystal K₈Ga_8.5Sn_37.5 grown by self-flux method”, J. Solid State Chem. 204, 166 (2013).
• S. Stefanoski, M. Blosser, and G. S. Nolas, “Pressure-mediated synthesis of type-I and II Si-clathrates using Spark Plasma Sintering”, Cryst. Growth Des. 13, 195 (2013).
• S. Stefanoski, C. D. Malliakas, M. G. Kanatzidis, and G. S. Nolas, “Synthesis and structural characterization of Na_xSi₁₃₆ (0 < x ≤ 24) single crystals and low-temperature transport of polycrystalline specimens”, Inorg. Chem. 51, 8686 (2012).
• A. Chaturvedi, S. Stefanoski, M. H. Phan, G. S. Nolas, and H. Srikanth, “Table-like magnetocaloric effect and enhanced refrigerant capacity in Eu8Ga16Ge30-EuO composite materials”, J. Appl. Phys. 99, 162513 (2011).
• S. Stefanoski and G. S. Nolas, “Synthesis and structural characterization of single-crystal K_7.5Si₄₆ and K_17.8Si₁₃₆ clathrates”, Cryst. Growth Des. 11, 4533 (2011).
• M. H. Phan, V. Franco, A. Chaturvedi, S. Stefanoski, G. S. Nolas, and H. Srikanth, “Origin of the magnetic anomaly and tunneling effect of europium on the ferromagnetic ordering in Eu₈Ga₁₆Ge₃₀ type I clathrate”, Phys. Rev. B 84, 054436, (2011).
• S. Stefanoski, M. Beekman, W. Wong-Ng, P. Zvalij, and G. S. Nolas, “A Simple approach for Selective Crystal Growth of Intermetallic Clathrates”, Chem. Mater. 23, 1491, (2011).
• S. Stefanoski, J. Martin, and G. S. Nolas, “Low-temperature transport properties and heat capacity of single-crystal Na₈Si₄₆”, J. Phys.: Cond. Matter. 22, 485404 (2010).
• M. H. Phan, V. Franco, A. Chaturvedi, S. Stefanoski, H. Kirby, G.S. Nolas, and H. Srikanth, “Magnetocaloric effect and refrigerant capacity in Sr-doped Eu₈Ga₁₆Ge₃₀ type-I clathrates”, J. Appl. Phys. 107, 09A910, (2010).
• M. Beekman, S. Stefanoski, J. A. Kaduk, Q. Huang, W. Wong-Ng, Z. Yang, C. Bowers, and G. S. Nolas, “Structure and thermal conductivity of Na_1-xGe_3+z”, J. Solid State Chem. 183, 1272, (2010).
• S. Stefanoski, L.N. Reshetova, A.V. Shevelkov, and G.S. Nolas, “Low-temperature transport properties of Sn₂₄P_19.3Br₈ and Sn₁₇Zn₇P₂₂Br₈”, J. Electron. Mater. 38, 985 (2009).
• S. Stefanoski, A. V. Shevelkov, and G. S. Nolas, “Transport Properties of Sn₂₄P_19.3Br₈ and Sn₁₇Zn₇P₂₂Br₈”, Developments in Strategic Materials: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, 29, Issue 10 (2009).
• M.H. Phan, G.T. Woods, A. Chaturvedi, S. Stefanoski, G.S. Nolas and H. Srikanth, “Long-range ferromagnetism and giant magnetocaloric effect in type VIII Eu₈Ga₁₆Ge₃₀ Clathrates”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 93, 252505 (2008).
• J. Martin, S. Stefanoski, L. Wang, L. Chen and G.S. Nolas, “Synthesis and Thermoelectric Properties of Lead Chalcogenide Nanocomposites”, Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 1044, 13 (2008).
• S. Stefanoski, Solved Problems in Physics, ISBN 9989-2597-0-4. Center for advanced education PI-SI, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia, (2005).

Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations

• “Zintl Ions within Framework Channels: the Complex Structure and Thermoelectric Properties of Na₄Ge₁₃”, S. Stefanoski and T. A. Strobel, International Conference on Thermoelectrics, ICT 2018, Caen, France, July 1 – 5, 2018.
• “Quest for Materials for Renewable Energy Applications”, S. Stefanoski, Invited talk, Tech Talks 2016, Oregon Institute of Technology, May 6, 2016.
• “Magnetocaloric effect in type-I Eu₈Ga₁₆Ge₃₀ clathrate nanocrystals”, A. Biswas, S. Chandra, S. Stefanoski, J.S. Blázquez, J.J. Ipus, A. Conde, M.H. Phan, V. Franco, G.S. Nolas, and H. Srikanth, 20th International Conference on Magnetism, Barcelona, Spain, July 5-10, 2015.
• “High Pressure Synthesis and Electronic Properties of NaGe₃”, S. Stefanoski and T. A. Strobel, Gordon Research Conference (GRC), University of New England, Biddeford, ME, June 22-27, 2014.
• “New Allotrope of Silicon for Solar Cell Applications”, S. Stefanoski, D. Y. Kim, A. Kurakevych, and T. Strobel, MRS 2014 Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA, April 21-25, 2014.
• “Crystal-Growth and Structure-Property Relationships of Inorganic Clathrates”, S. Stefanoski, Invited talk, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden, Germany, February 4, 2013.
• “Thermoelectric clathrates: Synthesis, Structural and Physical Properties Investigations and Prospect for Thermoelectric and Magnetocaloric Applications”, S. Stefanoski, Invited talk, St. Cyril and Methodius University, Department of Physics, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, February 14, 2013.
• “Synthesis and Physical Properties of Partially-Filled Clathrates and Clathrates for Magnetocaloric Applications”, S. Stefanoski and G. S. Nolas, MRS 2012 Fall Meeting, Boston, MA, November 25-30, 2012.
• “Synthetic Approaches in Materials Research: Crystal-Growth and Structure-Property Relationships in Inorganic Clathrates”, S. Stefanoski, M. C. Blosser, and G. S. Nolas, Florida Solid State Chemistry Workshop, Tallahassee, FL, October 28-30, 2012.
• “Novel Clathrate-based Composite Materials for Energy-efficient Magnetic Refrigeration”, A. Chaturvedi, S. Stefanoski, G. S. Nolas, H. Srikanth, and M.-H. Phan, Invited talk, 19^th International Conference on Magnetism with Strongly Correlated Electron Systems”, Bexco, Busan, Korea, July 8-13, 2012.

• “Application of Mathematics in Physics and Science” – series of six invited lectures with the Department of Mathematics, S. Stefanoski, Department of Mathematics, University of Tampa, Tampa, FL, January – August 2012.
• “Doing Research in the Materials Science Field: Expectations, Challenges, Perspectives…”, Invited talk with the Society of Physics Students, S. Stefanoski, Department of Physics, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL, 2010.
• “Some Applications of Derivatives in Physics”, S. Stefanoski, Gulf High School, New Port Richey, FL, Invited talks with the students of the Math class, 2010.
• “Structure-property Relationships in Type I and II Si Clathrates”, S. Stefanoski, M. Beekman and G. S. Nolas, MRS 2010 Fall Meeting, Solid State Chemistry Symposium, Boston, MA, November 29-December 3, 2010.
• “Transport Properties of Partially-filled Single Crystal type II Si Clathrates”, S. Stefanoski and G. S. Nolas, MRS 2010 Fall Meeting, Thermoelectric Symposium, Boston, MA, November 29-December 3, 2010.
• “Ferromagnetism and Magnetocaloric Effect in Clathrates and Composites”, H. Srikanth, A. Chaturvedi, M. H. Phan, S. Stefanoski, G. S. Nolas, 55th MMM Conference, Atlanta ,GA, November 14-18, 2010.
• “Synthesis and Transport Properties of Alkali-Germanium and Tin Open-Framework Materials”, S. Stefanoski, M. Beekman, L. N. Reshetova, A. V. Shevelkov, and G. S. Nolas, International Conference on Thermoelectrics, Corvallis, OR, 2008.
• “Transport properties of Sn₂₄P_19.3Br₈ and Sn₁₇Zn₇P₂₂Br₈”, S. Stefanoski, A. V. Shevelkov, and G. S. Nolas, 32nd International Conference & Exposition on Advanced Ceramics & Composites, Daytona Beach, FL, December 2008.
• “Transport Properties of Lead Chalcogenide Nanocomposites”, G. S. Nolas, J. Martin, S. Stefanoski, L. Wang, L. Chen, American Physical Society March Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 10-14, 2008.

Microbial ecology.

Awards and Recognition:
Dean’s Award for Service 2009

Research Area
Microbial Ecology

Current Research
Historical environmental toxicology:  Non-destructive measurement of heavy metals in avian museum specimens. When birds encounter heavy metals in their environment, part of their physiological detoxification process is to excrete those metals as they form their eggs or feathers.  Therefore, museums house a valuable but largely untapped historical record of environmental contaminants at the time specimens were collected.  The Jurica-Suchy Nature museum has an extensive collection of eggs and bird pelts collected as early as the mid-nineteenth century through the 1940’s. Research this summer will focus on sorting through published data and the museum specimens to prioritize appropriate specimens for non-destructive metal testing using the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory.  When time is assigned at the APS, students will assist in collection of data and then subsequent analyses.

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.

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

• Purdue University College of Science Engagement Award (2016)
• Northern Illinois University College of Science Outstanding Teaching Assistant (2013)

Research Areas

• Observational astrophysics:  Gravitational lensing, galaxy clusters, interacting galaxies, large astronomical surveys
• Physics education:  Use of primary sources, writing across the curriculum, active learning, philosophy of science, astronomy education

Professional Activities

• Member of Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Dark Energy Science Collaboration
• Member American Physical Society
• Member American Astronomical Society
• Member American Association of Physics Teachers
• Former Director of Northern Illinois University Observatory (2009-2014)

Recent Publications

• Matthew P. Wiesner, Huan Lin and Marcelle Soares-Santos.  “Mass Calibration of Galaxy Clusters at Redshift 0.1-1.0 using Weak Lensing in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Stripe 82 Co-add.” Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 452 (1): 701-714, 2015 September 1.
• Diehl, H.T., Abbott, T.M.C., Annis, J., Armstrong, R., Baruah, L., Bermeo, A., Bernstein, G., Beynon, E., Bruderer, C., Buckley-Geer, E.J., Campbell, H., Capozzi, D., Carter, M., Casas, R., Clerkin, L., Covarrubias, R., Cuhna, C., D’Andrea, C., Da Costa, L., Das, R., Depoy, D.L., Dietrich, J., Drlica-Wagner, A., Elliott, A., Eifler, T., Estrada, J., Etherington, J., Flaugher, B.L., Frieman, J., Fausti Neto, A., Gelman, M., Gerdes, D., Gruen, D., Gruendl, R., Hao, J., Head, H., Helsby, J., Hoffman, K., Honscheid, K., James, D., Johnson, M., Kacprzac, T., Katsaros, J., Kennedy, R., Kent, S., Kessler, R., Kim, A., Krause, E., Kron, R., Kuhlmann, S., Kunder, A., Li, T., Lin, H., Maccrann, N., March, M., Marshall, J., Neilsen, E., Nugent, P., Martini, P., Melchior, P., Menanteau, F., Nichol, R.C., Nord, B., Ogando, R., Old, L., Papadopoulos, A., Patton, K., Petravick, D., Plazas, A.A., Poulton, R., Pujol, A., Reil, K., Rigby, T., Romer, A., Roodman, A., Rooney, P., Sanchez Alvaro, E., Serrano, S., Sheldon, E., Smith, A., Smith, R.C., Soares-Santos, M., Soumagnac, M., Spinka, H., Suchyta, E., Tucker, D., Walker, A.R., Wester, W., Wiesner, M., Wilcox, H., Williams, R., Yanny, B., Zhang, Y.-Y., “The Dark Energy Survey and Operations: Year 1,” Proceedings of SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering, volume 9149, id 91490V, 2014.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, Huan Lin, Sahar S. Allam, James Annis, Elizabeth Buckley-Geer, H. Thomas Diehl, Donna Kubik, Jeffrey Kubo and Douglas Tucker.  “The Sloan Bright Arcs Survey:  Ten Strong Gravitational Lensing Clusters and Evidence of Overconcentration.”  The Astrophysical Journal, 761:1, 2012 December 10.
• Jeffrey M. Kubo, Sahar S. Allam, Emily Drabek, Huan Lin, Douglas Tucker, Elizabeth J. Buckley-Geer, H. Thomas Diehl, Marcelle Soares-Santos, Jiangang Hao, Matthew Wiesner, Anderson West, Donna Kubik, James Annis and Joshua A. Frieman.  “The Sloan Bright Arcs Survey:  Discovery of Seven New Strongly Lensed Galaxies Between z=0.66-2.94.”  Astrophysical Journal Letters 724 (2010) L137-L142.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, “Does the Universe Revolve Around Me?  A Critical Review of the Geocentrism Documentary The Principle.”  Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 2016.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, “Learning from the Starry Message:  Using Galileo’s Sidereus Nuncius in Introductory Astronomy Classes.”  The Physics Teacher, May 2015.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, “Modern Geocentrism:  A Case Study of Pseudoscience in Astronomy.”  Skeptical Inquirer, January/February 2015.

Recent Presentations and Talks

• Matthew P. Wiesner, “Mass Calibration of Galaxy Clusters Found in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Stripe 82 Co-add.”  Astrophysics Seminar given at Purdue University, April 18, 2016.
• Matthew P. Wiesner and David Sederberg, “Saturday Morning Astrophysics at Purdue:  Sharing Astrophysics with the Indiana Community”, contributed talk presented at American Association of Physics Teachers 2016 winter meeting, January 2016.
• Matthew P. Wiesner and David Sederberg, “Saturday Morning Astrophysics at Purdue:  A New Outreach Program in Astronomy”, poster presented at American Association of Physics Teachers 2016 winter meeting, January 2016.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, “Studies of Astrometry Using PhoSim”, LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration Meeting, October 2015.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, “Analysis of Astrometric Corrections for Atmospheric Effects using PhoSim”, LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration Meeting, February 2015.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, Huan Lin, Marcelle Soares-Santos. “Investigations of Galaxy Clusters Using Gravitational Lensing.”  Dissertation Talk presented at American Astronomical Society conference, January 2014.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, Huan Lin.  “How Many Galaxies?  Checking the Accuracy of a Method for Extrapolating Galaxy Cluster Richness.”  Presentation at New Perspectives conference, part of 2013 Fermilab Users’ Meeting.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, Huan Lin, Elizabeth Buckley-Geer, James Annis, Sahar Allam, Jeffrey Kubo, H. Thomas Diehl, Douglas Tucker, Donna Kubik.  “Are Galaxy Clusters Overconcentrated?” Poster presentation at American Astronomical Society conference, January 2012.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, Huan Lin, Elizabeth Buckley-Geer, James Annis, Sahar Allam, Jeffrey Kubo, H. Thomas Diehl, Douglas Tucker, Donna Kubik.  “Clusters and Lenses:  Analyzing Ten Gravitational Lensing Systems Discovered in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.”  Talk presented at New Perspectives conference, part of 2011 Fermilab Users’ Meeting.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, Huan Lin, Elizabeth Buckley-Geer, James Annis, Sahar Allam, Jeffrey Kubo, H. Thomas Diehl, Douglas Tucker, Donna Kubik.  “Clusters and Lenses:  Ten Galaxy Clusters Exhibiting Strong Lensing Found in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.”  Poster presentation at American Astronomical Society conference, January 2011.
• Huan Lin, Sahar Allam, Elizabeth Buckley-Geer, H. Thomas Diehl, Joshua Frieman, Jeffrey Kubo, Douglas Tucker, Matthew Wiesner, Sloan Bright Arcs Team.  “SBAS:  The Sloan Bright Arcs Survey.”  Poster presentation at American Astronomical Society Conference, January 2011.
• Victor E. Scarpine, Steven M. Kent, Susana E. Deustua, Michael J. Sholl, Stuart L. Mufson, Melanie N. Ott, Matthew Wiesner, Brian J. Baptista, “The ring of fire: an internal illumination system for detector sensitivity and filter bandpass characterization.”  Paper presented at SPIE Astronomical Instrumentation meeting, June-July 2010.
• Matthew Wiesner, Huan Lin, Elizabeth Buckley-Geer, James Annis, Sahar Allam, Jeffrey Kubo, H. Thomas Diehl, Douglas Tucker, Donna Kubik, “Studying the Properties of Distant Galaxies Using a Sample of Strong Lenses from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.”  Poster presentation at Great Lakes Cosmology Conference, June 2010.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, Victor E. Scarpine, Stephen M. Kent, Robert D. Angstadt, Susana E. Deustua, Michael J. Sholl, Melanie N. Ott, Stuart L. Mufson, Brian J. Baptista, “The Ring of Fire:  Testing an Internal Illumination System for the Joint Dark Energy Mission.”  Poster presentation at 2010 Fermilab User’s Meeting.
• Emily Drabek, Elizabeth Buckley-Geer, Huan Lin, Sahar Allam, Jeffrey Kubo, H. Thomas Diehl, Douglas Tucker, Donna Kubik, James Annis, Matthew Wiesner, “Spectroscopy of two strong lensing clusters.”  Poster presented at 2010 Fermilab User’s Meeting and summer 2010 American Astronomical Society meeting.
• Matthew P. Wiesner, “Writing to Comprehend and Inspire in Introductory Astronomy Laboratories.”  Talk presented at winter 2009 conference of American Association of Physics Teachers.
• Matthew P. Wiesner and Melissa A. Vigil, “Writing to Learn in Post-Secondary, Calculus-Based Physics Laboratories.”  Talk presented at summer 2006 conference of American Association of Physics Teachers.
• Melissa A. Vigil and Matthew P. Wiesner, “Learning Writing to Learn:  Training for Undergraduate Physics Lab Teaching-Assistants.”  Talk presented at summer 2006 conference of American Association of Physics Teachers.

Scanning Probe Microscopy, Optical Tweezers, Physics Education, Outreach.

Awards and Recognitions:

• College of Science Dean’s Award for Service 2014

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:

1. NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Award #1240091, “Expanding and Strengthening the Secondary STEM Teacher Training Program”, Co-PI (April, 2012) $ 1.2 million (grant period January 1, 2013-December 31, 2017.
2. Society of Physics Students, Reporter Grant, $500, Fall 2012
3. Society of Physics Students, Research Grant, $1796, Fall 2009
4. Society of Physics Students, Reporter Grant, $500, Fall 2008

Professional Activities:

• Benedictine University Radiation Safety Officer
• Benedictine University IDEA On Campus Director
• Co-PI NSF Grant
• Laboratory Coordinator for Physics

Current and Former Research Students:

• Ameen Ahmed, Physics major
• Ambreen Aijazuddin, Physics major
• Sylvia Krupa, Biology major
• Robert Maynard, Physics major
• Nicholas Sexton, Physics major
• Jared St. John, Physics major
• Sonali Patel, 2013, Biology
• Alexis Wadowski, 2013, Physics
• Joseph Esner, 2012, Health Science
• Michael Krolikiewicz, 2012, Physics
• Onyekachi Nwoke, 2012, Health Science
• Alonso Valerio, 2012, Physics
• Michael Frailaide, 2011, Physics
• Beatriz Ibarra, 2011, Biology
• Alexander Seymour, 2011, Physics
• Jeremy Zoubek, 2011, Physics
• Muzamil Arshad, 2010, Physics
• Tricia Avanzado, 2010, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Michael Berry, 2010, Physics
• Matthew Ekhoff, 2010, Chemistry
• Swetha Sabu, 2010, Physics
• Jeremy Swaw, 2010, Biology
• Kristyn Bales, 2008, Physics and Biology
• Sean Smith, 2007, Physics

Recent Publications:
Publications:

• C. Parks Cheney, A. Wig, R. H. Farahi, A. Gehl, D. L. Hedden, T. L. Ferrell, D. Ji, R. Bell, W. J. McBride, and S. O’Connor, In Vivo real-time ethanol vapor detection in the interstitial fluid of a Wistar rat using piezoresistive microcantilevers, Virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research 13(2) (2007)
• C. Parks Cheney, A. Wig, R. H. Farahi, A. Gehl, D. L. Hedden, T. L. Ferrell, D. Ji, R. Bell, W. J. McBride, and S. O’Connor, In Vivo real-time ethanol vapor detection in the interstitial fluid of a Wistar rat using piezoresistive microcantilevers, Appl. Phys. Lett. 90(1) (2007)
• C. Parks Cheney, A. Wig, D. L. Hedden, A. Gehl, A. L. Lereu, R. H. Farahi, S. R. Hunter, and T. L. Ferrell, Ethanol vapor detection in saline solution using piezoresistive microcantilevers, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77, 095101 (2006)
• A. Wig, E. Arakawa, A. Passian, T. Thundat, and T. L. Ferrell, Photothermal Spectroscopy of Bacillus Cereus and Bacillus Anthracis from 2.5 µm to 14.5 µm with microcantilevers, Sensors and Actuators B 114, 206-211, (2006)
• A. Passian, A.L. Lereu, A.Wig, F. Meriaudeau, T. Thundat, T.L. Ferrell, Imaging standing surface plasmons by photon tunneling, Physical Review B 71,165418(1)-165418(6), (2005)
• A. Passian, A. L. Lereu, E. T. Arakawa, A. Wig, T. Thundat, and T. L. Ferrell, Multiple photon energies modulation via surface plasmons, Optics Letters 30(1), 41-43, (2005)
• A. Passian, A. Wig, A. L. Lereu, F. Meriaudeau, T. Thundat, and T. L. Ferrell, Photon tunneling via surface plasmon coupling, Applied Physics Letters 85(16), 3420-3422, (2004)
• A. Passian, A. Wig, A. L. Lereu, F. Meriaudeau, T. Thundat, and T. L. Ferrell, Probing large area surface plasmon interference in thin metal films using photon scanning tunneling microscopy, Ultramicroscopy 100, 429-436, (2004)
• L. A. Pinnaduwage, A. Wig, D. L. Hedden, A. Gehl, D. Yi, T. Thundat, R.T. Lareau, Detection of Trinitrotoluene via Deflagration on a Microcantilever, Journal of Applied Physics 95(10), 5871-5875, (2004)
• A. Wig, A. Passian, E. Arakawa, T. L. Ferrell, and T. Thundat, Interference effects in optically activated microcantilevers, Journal of Applied Physics, 95(3), 1162-1165, (2004)
• A. Passian, R. J. Warmack, A. Wig, R.H. Farahi, F. Meriaudeau, T.L. Ferrell, T. Thundat Observation of Knudsen effect with microcantilevers, Ultramicroscopy 97(1-4), (2003)
• G. Muralidharan, A. Wig, L. A. Pinnaduwage, D. Hedden, T. Thundat, R. Larou, Adsorption-desorption of Explosive Vapors Investigated with Microcantilevers, Ultramicroscopy 97(1-4), (2003)
• A. Passian, A. Wig, F. Meriaudeau, T.L. Ferrell, T. Thundat, Knudsen forces on microcantilevers, Journal of Applied Physics 92, (2002)
• A. Passian, A. Wig, F. Meriaudeau, T.L. Ferrell, Potential distribution and field intensity for a hyperboloidal probe in a uniform field, Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B, 20(1), (2002)
• A. Passian, A. Wig, F. Meriaudeau, M. Buncick, T. Thundat, T.L. Ferrell, Electrostatic force density for a scanned probe above a charged surface, Journal of Applied Physics, 90(2), (2001)
• F. Meriaudeau, A. Wig, A. Passian, J.P. Lauret, T.L. Ferrell, Multiple gold island layers on a fiber core: a promising sensing device, Opt. Eng. 40(5), (2001)
• F. Meriaudeau, T. L. Ferrell, E. T. Arakawa, A. Wig, A. Passian, T. Thundat, W. J. Shen, S. Patel, F. B. Kraemer, Study of Different Hormone-Sensitive Lipase Concentrations Using a Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor, Sensors and Actuators B, 73, (2001)
• F. Meriaudeau, A. Wig, A. Passian, T. Downey, M. Buncick, and T. L. Ferrell, Gold Island Fiber Optic Sensor for Refractive Indexes Sensing, Sensors and Actuators B, 69(1-2), (2000)
• T. Downey, F. Meriaudeau, A. Passian, A. Wig, T. L. Ferrell, Guided propagation in a step index, multi-mode fiber: effects of index difference variation on allowable TM propagation constants, Optics and Laser Technology, 31(4), (1999)
• F. Meriaudeau, T. R. Downey, A. Wig, A. Passian, M. C. Buncick, and T. L. Ferrell, Fiber optic sensor on gold island plasmon resonance, Sensors and Actuators B, 54(1-2), (1999)
• F. Meriaudeau, T. R. Downey, A. Passian, A. Wig, and T. L. Ferrell, Environmental Effects on surface-plasmon spectra in gold island films potential for sensing applications, Applied Optics, 37(34), (1998)
• F. Segner, M. Breinig, D. Desai, A. Wig and L. Straus, Recoil-ion charge-state-resolved electron-production cross sections at 55o for 1 MeV/u C5+ on He and Ar, Physical Review A, 54(2), (1996)

Magazines

• A. Wig, F. Meriaudeau, A. Passian, J.P. Goudonnet, and T. L. Ferrell, Spectroscopy with the Photon Scanning Tunneling Microscope, Microscopy Today, 00-3 (2000)
• T. L. Ferrell, F. Meriaudeau, A. Passian, J.P. Goudonnet, and A. Wig, Imaging with the Photon Scanning-Tunneling Microscope, Microscopy Today, 99-4(1999)

Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:

• A. Wig, Activity Based Physics at Benedictine University.
  APFI Symposium, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, July 2009
• A. Wig, Optical Tweezers
  College of Science Faculty Colloquium, Benedictine University, Spring 2009
• A. Wig, Use and Effectiveness of Interactive Lecture Demonstrations
  4th annual ACCA Pedagogy Symposium, Lewis University, IL, Fall 2008
• A. Wig, Activity Based Physics Education
  College of Science Faculty Colloquium, Benedictine University, Spring 2008
•   A. Wig, A. Passian, P. Boudreaux, and T.L. Ferrell, Surface Plasmon Based Spectrometer
  American Physical Society March Meeting at New Orleans, Louisiana, March 2008
• A. Wig, Microcantilever Sensors
  College of Science Faculty Colloquium, Benedictine University, December 2006
• – A. Wig, A. Passian, E. Arakawa, T. L. Ferrell, and T. Thundat, Interference effects in optically activated microcantilevers
  – A. Passian, A. Wig, A. L. Lereu, F. Meriaudeau, T. Thundat, and T. L. Ferrell, Measurement of large area surface plasmon interference in thin metal films using photon scanning tunneling microscopy
  Nanostructures and Sensors Conference at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire May 2003
• – N. Munoz Aguirre, A. Passian, A. Wig, T. L. Ferrell, Measurements of the dielectric function of allotropic water using absorption spectra of gold (Au) islands at the surface plasmon resonance
  – N. Munoz Aguirre, A. Passian, A. Wig, L. Martinez Perez, T. L. Ferrell, Room temperature gas response of evaporated Sn02 thin films using total internal reflection
  CSI 2002 9th International Meeting on Chemical Sensors Boston, USA July 7-10 2002
• – A. Passian, A. Wig, T.L. Ferrell, F. Meriaudeau, and T. Thundat, Knudsen forces on microcantilevers
  – A. Wig, A. Passian, S. Zhu, M. George, T. L. Ferrell, and T. Thundat, Optical activation of microcantilevers with applications for coatingless chemical detection
  Scanning Probe Microscopy Sensors and Nanostructures, May 26-29, 2002, Las Vegas, NV
• G. Muralidharan, A. Wig, L. Pinnaduwage, T. Thundat and R. T. Lareau, Chemical Sensors Based on Piezoresistive Microcantilevers
  2002 MRS Spring Meeting San Francisco, California April 1-5, 2002 Volume 723
• L.A. Pinnaduwage, P.F. Britt, J.E. Hawk, D.L. Hedden, R.H. Ilgner, G. Muralidharan, M.E. Sigman, T. Skeen, T. Thundat, A. Wig, E.J. Houser, and R.A. McGill, Explosive Vapor Detection Using Microcantilever Sensors
  3rd International Aviation Security Technology Symposium, November 27 – 30, 2001, Atlantic City, NJ
• F. Meriaudeau, A. Wig, A. Passian, T.L. Ferrell, New fiber optic sensor: application to refractive index sensing, p354-364
  Applications of Optical Fiber Sensors 2000, Proc. SPIE Vol. 4074
• F. Meriaudeau, A. Wig, A. Passian, T. Downey, M. Buncick, and T. L. Ferrell, Gold island fiber optic sensor, p214-23
  Fiber Optic Sensor Technology and Applications September 1999, Proc. SPIE Vol 3860
• – F. Meriaudeau, T.R. Downey, A. Passian, P.I. Oden, A.G. Wig, P.B. Crilly, S. Mangeant, T.L. Ferrell, Thin metal island plasmon sensor, p328-33
  – J.C. DePriest, F. Meriaudeau, P.I. Oden, T. Downey, A. Passian, A. Wig, T.L. Ferrell, Chemically Sensitive Surface Plasmon Devices Employing a Self-Assembled Composite Monolayer Film, p772-76
  – F. Meriaudeau, T.R. Downey, A. Passian, A.G. Wig, S. Mangeant, P.B. Crilly, T.L. Ferrell, Development of a fiber optics sensor based on gold island plasmon resonance., p1179-84
  International Conference of Application of Photonic Technology July 1998, Proc. SPIE Vol  3491
• T. L. Ferrell, P.B. Crilly, S.F. Smith, A.L. Wittenberg, C.L. Britton, G.W. Morrison, M.N. Ericson, D. Hedden, D. Bouldin, A. Passian, T. Downey, A. Wig, F. Meriaudeau, Medical Telesensors, p193-198
  Biomedical Sensing and Imaging Technologies January 1998, Proc. SPIE Vol 3253
• A.G. Wig, D. D. Desai, M. Breinig, Cusp electron production in Coincidence with Target Recoil Ions for 3 MeV C+ on Ar Collisions
  The 63rd Meeting of Southeastern Section American Physical Society (SESAPS) November 14-16,  1996, Decatur, Georgia

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

• Magic Graphs and Quasigroups: A Quasigroup is a set of elements with a binary operation whose multiplication table forms a Latin square.  Latin squares are precisely what you get when you solve a Sudoku game.  A Latin square is in a class of special combinatorial objects called magic squares.  In fact a Latin square is a semimagic square.  In graph theory semimagic squares can be identified with a super magic labeling of the complete bipartite graph on n points.  In group theory a graph which describes the multiplication table for a group is called a Cayley Graph.  Unfortunately for quasigroups it seems that many different Cayley graphs can be constructed for one quasigroup.  In this project I want to study these super magic labeled graphs to see if one can use them to construct a graph similar to the Cayley Graph for a group.  The hope is that this new graph would be more useful for answering several questions about quasigroups.
• Cryptography and Quasigroups: A quasigroup is a set of elements with a binary operation whose multiplication table forms a Latin square.  Latin squares are precisely what you get when you solve a Sudoku game.  These algebraic structures have applications in many areas including the field of Cryptography.  Cryptography is the study of secure communication when a third party is present.  Recently quasigroups have been used in several cryptographic applications including Message Authentication Codes.  In this project we will continue the work of a former student to study properties of this algebraic object to determine why quasigroups are useful in this field.
• Cryptography in Group Theory:  Public key cryptosystems have been used for secure communication between two parties.  This system is used most often when the two individuals who wish to communicate have not met prior to the communication.  It is used often in online transactions.  Most of the algorithms currently used rely on modular arithmetic in Zp however the need to ensure security has led to explorations in the field of noncommutative groups.  In this project we will study how noncommutative groups are used for developing new approaches and study several of the open questions associated with their use.
• The Algebra of Rewriting: In mathematics, one method of defining a group is by a presentation.  Every group has a presentation.  A presentation is often the most compact way of describing the structure of the group.  However there are also some difficulties that arise when working with groups in this form.  One of the problems is called the word problem which is an algorithmic problem of deciding whether two words represent the same element.  I want to study the word problem on group extensions.   Currently there is a procedure called coset enumeration which can be used to address this problem, however it has difficulties with memory when the groups reach a certain size.  In this project we will continue the work of a former student to compute in the group extension using a modified coset enumeration technique.  This method is derived using the Cayley graphs for the two smaller groups.

Recent Publications

• • Ellen Ziliak An algorithm to express words as a product of conjugates of relators, in Computational and Combinatorial Group Theory and Cryptography, Contemporary Mathematics, vol. 582, Amer. Math. Soc., Providence, RI, 2012, pp. 187-199.

• Thomas G Wangler and Ellen M Ziliak, Increasing Student Engagement and Extending the Walls of the Classroom with Emerging Technologies, in Research Perspectives and Best Practices in Educational Technology Integration, IGI Global, Hershey, PA, 2013, pp. 44-60.