Grant Recipients
College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA)
2007 Undergraduate Research Award (URA)
George Bell, Marine and Freshwater Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Larry Harris, Zoology
Topic: The Effects of an Invasive Species of Bryozoans on Local Nudibranch Predators
Nicholas Bencivenga, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Roy Planalp, Chemistry
Topic: Testing the Viability of Metal Chelators as Growth Inhibitors
Ilona DuBuske, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Subhash Minocha, Plant Biology
Topic: Towards the Production of a Hypo-Allergenic Birch: Cloning of the Birch Pollen Allergen Betv1 Gene
Stephen Hennigar, Nutritional Science
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Tony Tagliaferro Animal & nutritional Sciences
Topic: Flame Retardants: A Possible Promoter of Obesity
Heather Larivee, Environmental Science
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Bradley Crannell, Civil Engineering
Topic: Adsorption of Phosphorus by Apatite Phosphate Rock – A Possible Freshwater Eutrophication Treatment Method
Keith Morley, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Vaughn Cooper, Microbiology
Topic: Beyond Darwin: Gaining Insight into Mutational Effects Through the Removal of Natural Selection
Charles Traverse, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Vaughn Cooper, Microbiology
Topic: Mutational Meltdown in Small Worlds: A Study of Specialization and Gene Connections in Bacteria
2007 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) USA
Thomas Beatman, Zoology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Edward Tillinghast, Zoology
Topic: Innervation and Physiology of the Aggregate Ducts of Orb Web Spiders
Amy Cornell, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Rick Cote, Biochemistry
Topic: Isolation and Purification of Cone Photoreceptor Cells from Rana Catesbeiana Retina
Chelsea Cunard, Environmental Science
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Tom Lee, Natural Resources
Topic: The Relationship Between Forest Canopy Composition Light Levels in the Understory, and the Mortality of Glossy Buckthorn
Chelsey Faller, Environmental Conservation
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kim Babbitt, Natural Resources
Topic: Effects of Clearcuts on Woodfrog Dispersal Rates
Darin Franceschini, Biology: EEB
Faculty Mentor: Prof. John Litvaitis, Natural Resources
Topic: The Effects of Invasive Shrubs on Nesting Songbirds in Early-Successional Habitats of New Hampshire
Ashley Green, Environmental Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kim Babbitt, Natural Resources
Topic: Fluorescent Tracking to Observe Microhabitat Preferences of Wood Frog (Rana Sylvatica) Metamorphs in the Presence of a Clearcut
Orrin Jones, Wildlife Management
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Peter Pekins, Natural Resources
Topic: Analysis of Efficiency and Conditions Relating to Genetic Tagging of Black Bears in Northern New Hampshire
Lindsey Lemire, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Estelle Hrabak, Plant Biology
Topic: Factors Affecting the Expression of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase Genes in the Moss Physcomitreila patens
Katrina Nunes, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Charles Walker, Zoology
Topic: Is the Truncated Variant of Clam Mortalin Protein Responsible for Clam Leukemia
Michael Rezaee, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Charles Walker, Zoology
Topic: Induction of Autophagy to Selectively Eliminate Leukemic Clam Hemocytes by Apoptosis
Brian Schuster, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Cheryl Whistler, Microbiology
Topic: An Experimental Evolution for Symbiosis Revolution
Paul Sweeny, Biology: Molecular
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kevin Culligan, Biochemistry
Topic: Positional Cloning of the Hydroxy Urea-sensitive hus2 Mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana
2007 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Abroad
Ryan Haley, Biochemistry
Research Site: Lima and Iquitos, Peru Faculty Mentor: Prof. Louis Tisa, Microbiology
Foreign Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Bacon, Naval Medical Center, Lima
Topic: Epidemiological and Biochemical Surveillance of Drug Resistant Strains of Malaria in Lima and Iquitos Peru
2006-2007 Undergraduate Research Award
Elisabeth Antanavich, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Thomas Davis, Plant Biology
Topic: Determining the Effect of Limonene-3-H Alleles on Peppermint Oil Production in Mint Plants
Susan Boisvert, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Cheryl Whistler, Microbiology
Topic: Iron Sequestration by Siderophore in Vibrio fischeri: Regulation and Role in Symbiosis
Jan Boyer, Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kim Babbitt, Natural Resources
Topic: Effects of Caddisfly (Limnephilus indivisus) Predation on Development Rates of Embryonic Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum)
Robert Citorik, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Frank Rodgers, Microbiology
TopicThe Effects of Probiotics and Organic Acids on Toxin Production in Escherichia coli O157:H7
Maire Folan, Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Gale Carey, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: The Effect of Flame Retardants on a Biochemical Marker of Obesity
Ariel Hudson, Animal Science: Pre-Vet
Faculty Mentor: Prof. David Townson, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: Role of Cytokeratin 8/18 Intermediate Filaments in the Bovine Corpus Luteum: Protection Against Fas Ligand-Induced Apoptosis
Orrin Jones, Wildlife Management
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Peter Pekins, Natural Resources
Topic: Winter Distribution Analysis of Wild Turkeys Surrounding Pease Tradeport
Kara Judson, Biology: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental
Faculty Mentor: David Townson, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: Examination of Fas Aggregation on Bovine Luteal Cells: Influences of Cytokeratin 8/18 (CK8/18) Intermediate Filaments
Alisha Kennell, Zoology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Michelle Scott, Zoology
Topic: The Effect of Enriched Environment on Spatial Learning in Two Rodent Species Occupying Different Habitats
Mark Kilens, Tourism Planning & Development
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Lyndon Goodridge, Resource Economics & Development
Topic: The Efficacy of Rural Sourcing as Compared to Offshoring
Ginny King, Nutritional Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Jesse Morrell, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: Bone Health and Risk Factors in the College-Age Population
Avery Krein, Animal Sciences: Pre-Vet
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Michelle Scott, Zoology
Topic: Sensory Cues that Initiate Conspecific Aggression in Red-Backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)
Daniel Lajoie, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Edward Tillinghast, Zoology (Emeritus)
Topic: Black Widow Defensive Secretion Proteins as a Tool for Understanding Silk Gland Evolution
Nathan Lee, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Estelle Hrabak, Plant Biology
Topic: Generation and Characterization of CPK6 Knockout Mutants in Physcomitrella patens
Lindsey Lemire, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Estelle Hrabak, Plant Biology
Topic: Factors Affecting the Expresssion of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase Genes in the Moss Physcomitrella patens
Benjamin Orcheski, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Thomas Davis, Plant Biology
Topic: Determination of Sex Expression in Strawberry
Stephan Pirnie, Biology: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Subhash Minocha, Plant Biology
Topic: Harnessing the Power of an Invasive Species: Inducing Phytochelatin Synthase in Purple Loosestrife to Create a Bioremediator
Whitney Schwartz, Environmental Conservation
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kim Babbitt, Natural Resources
Topic: Estimates of Native Bird Species on Maungatautari and Mt. Pirongia, New Zealand
Paul Sweeny, Biology: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kevin Culligan, Biochemistry
Topic: Map-Based Cloning of the Hydroxyurea-Sensitive hus2 Mutant in Arabidipsis thaliana
Brian Thomson, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Thomas Foxall, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: Inflammatory Mechanisms Relating Diabetes to Atherogenesis
Marjorie Wainwright, Nutritional Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Gale Carey, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: Environmental Chemicals: Do They Alter Energy Balance & Promote Obesity?
Jennifer Walsh, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Adrienne Kovach, Natural Resources
Topic: Identification of Sharp-Tailed Sparrow Species Using Genetic Techniques
2005-2006 Undergraduate Research Award
Elisha Allan, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. James Haney, Zoology
Topic: Barcoding of the Growth Stages of Two Freshwater Calanoid Copepod Species
Jacob Borgeson, Wildlife Management
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Peter Perkins, Natural Resources
Topic: Evaluation of Protocol and Conditions Associated with Genetic Tagging of Black Bears in Northern New Hampshire
Jill Brelsford, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Cheryl Whistler, Microbiology
Topic: A Tale of Two Sigma Factors: Characterization of Two Putative Stress Response Regulators in a Bacterial Symbiont
Jesse Brock, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Cheryl Whistler, Microbiology
Topic: Molecular Imperialism: The Role of GacS in Colonization and Host Association
Sarah Comeau, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Vaughn Cooper, Microbiology
Topic: Host Range and Fitness Effects of a Lysogenic Bacteriophange in the Burkholdecia cepacia Complex
Jennifer Forcina, Medical Laboratory Science
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Frank Rodgers, Microbiology
Topic: Interactions Between Bcl-2 Proteins and Escherichia coli 0157:H7 Produced Stx-2 Toxin in Neutrophils
Darin Franceschini, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. James Taylor, Zoology
Topic: Effect of Human Activity on Predictions of Island Biogeography Theory
Evan Jordan, Plant Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Subhash Minocha, Plant Biology
Topic: Harnessing the Power of an Invasive Species: Inducing Phytochelatin Synthase in Purple Loosestrife to Create a Bioremediator
Jennifer Loquine, Pre-Veterinary
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Estelle Hrabak, Plant Biology
Topic: Expression Patterns of a Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase in Arabidopsis thaliana Using the GUS Reporter Gene
Jennifer Lyckland, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Robert Drugan, Psychology
Topic: The Effects of Serotonin Depletion on Intermittent Cold Water Swim Stress-Induced Depression
Ethan Miller, Bioscience & Technology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Wayne Fagerberg, Plant Biology
Topic: Inhibition of Trap Closure in Dionaea muscipula Through Manipulation of Membrane Aquaporin Channels
Hristina Natcheva, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Estelle Hrabak, Plant Biology
Topic: Targeted Mutagenesis of CPK Genes in Physcomitrella patens
Stephan Pirnie, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Subhash Minocha, Plant Biology
Topic: Harnessing the Power of an Invasive Species: Inducing Phytochelatin Synthase in Purple Loosestrife to Create a Bioremediator
Mark Santos, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Stacia Sower, Zoology
Topic: Transnasal Delivery of a GnRH Analog in Miniature Swine
Satya Sardonicus, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Tony Taglifero, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: The Role of IL-18 BP Obesity and Atopy
Kristine Seigars, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Thomas Pistole, Microbiology
Topic: Quantitative Analysis of Neutrophil Binding to Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis in Their Wildtype, Mutant, and MBL Bound Forms
Jong Yu, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Frank Rodgers, Microbiology
Topic: “Stressed Out”: Toxin Production by Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in Response to Stress
2006 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship - USA
Nicholas Beauchemin, Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Louis Tisa, Microbiology
Topic: The Effect of Transposon Mutagenesis on Plant Microbe Interactions in the Actinorhizal Symbiosis
Jennifer A. Brackett, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Frank Rodgers, Microbiology
Topic: Apoptosis and Necrosis: Impact of Escherichia Coli Shiga-like Toxin 2 During the Eukaryotic Host Cell Cycle
Jill Brelsford, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Cheryl Whistler, Microbiology
Topic: Expressing While They’re Stressing: An Investigation of RpoS Expression in Vibrio Fischeri During Colonization of the Squid Euprymna scolopes
Katelyn B. Cassidy, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Wayne Fagerberg, Plant Biology
Topic: A Study of the Endosymbiont Bacterial Communities Found within Caulerpa: Spatial Location, Community Profiles, and in vitro Culture
Benjamin T. Danton, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Thomas M. Davis, Plant Biology
Topic: Witnessing Evolution: Cellular Organelle and Nuclear Genomic Incompatibilities as a Source of Reproductive Isolation and Divergence of Species
Mary Dellenbaugh, Forestry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Mark Ducey, Natural Resources
Topic: Assessing the Impact of Urbanization on Water Quality in the Lamprey Watershed
DiManno, Nicole, Zoology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kimberly Babbitt, Natural Resources
Topic: Post-Breeding Dispersal of Adult Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica): Implications for Forest Management
Dustin Elwood, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Charles Walker, Zoology
Topic: Sea Urchin Nutritive Phagocyte Autophagy “vs” Growth – Differential Control by a Complex of Proteins
Loreen Fournier, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Andrew Laudano, Biochemistry Molecular Biology
Topic: Activation of Estrogen Receptors by HER2/NEU in Breast Cancer Cells
Tye Kindinger, Zoology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. James Haney, Zoology
Topic: Evolutionary Adaptation of Daphnia pulex in Peripheral Rock Pools on the Isle of Shoals, ME
Angela Kuehn, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Vaughn Cooper, Microbiology
Topic: Rotting to Success: Experimental Evolution of Burkholderia in Onions
Heather Moulton, Wildlife Management
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kimberly Babbitt, Natural Resources
Topic: The Effects of Upland Habitat Type on Growth and Survival of Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica)
Nicholas Perros, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Richard Cote, Biochemistry Molecular Biology
Topic: The Regulation of Phosphodiesterase-6 by Glutamic Acid Rich Protein-2
Holli Pinard, Pre-Veterinary
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Peter Erickson, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: Calf Starter Chemical and Physical Characteristics as They Relate to Overall Performance
Amanda Schweizer, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Charles Walker, Zoology
Topic: Localization of p53 to the Nucleus and Mitochondria During Programmed Cell Death of Clam Leukemia Cells
Gwen Stuart, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Joanne Curran-Celentano, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: Visual and Biochemical Assessment of the Color Change in Egg Yolk Following Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplements
Joy Stronk, Marine & Freshwater Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Winsor Watson, Zoology
Topic: Effects of Temperature and Salinity on the Behavior of the Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
Jennifer Towle, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Wayne Fagernerg, Plant Biology
Topic: Bio-Adhesion: Search for Vitronectin in Caulerpa
Jennifer Walsh, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Adrienne Kovach, Natural Resources
Topic: Identification of Sharp-Tailed Sparrow Species Using Genetic Techniques
Robert Citorik, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Frank Rodgers, Microbiology
Topic: “Stressed Out”: Toxin Production by Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in Response to Stress
2005-2006 International Research Opportunities Program
Lena Collins, Ecology, Evolution & Behavior
Research Site: Wollongong, Australia
Faculty Mentor: Prof. James E. Byers, Zoology
Foreign Faculty Mentor: Prof. Jeff Wright, University of Wollongong
Topic: The Effect of the Invasive Species “Caulerpa Taxifolia” on Interactions among Native Species
Heather Ashley Tucker, Animal Science: Pre-Vet
Research Site: Manyara, Tanzania
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Drew Conroy, TSAS
Foreign Faculty Mentor: Lobulu Sakita, Coordinator Maasai Advancement Assoc.
Topic: Maasai-Elephant Conflict: An Investigation into Crop Protection and its Effect
2005-2006 Research Presentation Grants
Allison Percival, Environmental & Resource Economics
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Robert Robertson, Resource Economics
Topic: Stake Holders and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Management Goals for their Water Supply Reservoir
Conference: International Symposium for Society and Resource Management. Vancouver, BC
Darren Ferguson, Animal Science
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Paul Tsang, Animal & Nutritional Sciences
Topic: Is There a Relationship Between the Steroid Hormone Progesterone and Egg Case Production/Dynamics in Oviparous Elasmobranchs?
Conference: American Elasmobranch Society. New Orleans, LA
2005-2006 Undergraduate Research Conference
Sarah Grieve & Nicole Young, Animal Science
Faculty Mentor: Prof. David Townson, Animal & Nutritional Science
Topic: Cytokeratin 8/18 Intermediate Filaments and Their Role in Regression of the Bovine Corpus Luteum
Mark Santos, Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Stacia Sower, Biochemistry Molecular Biology
Topic: Transnasal Delivery of a GnRH Analog in Miniature Swine
Lisa Bedford, Biology: Molecular, Cellular, and Development
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Winsor Watson, Zoology
Topic: The Influence of Endogenous Circadian and Circatidal Clocks on Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) Locomotion