UNDERGRADUATE

RESEARCH
OPPORTUNITIES

Why Undergraduate Research?

• Conduct Original Research in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and/or environmental science. Students work one-
on-one with a faculty mentor to learn the critical thinking skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing workforce.
• Gain hands-on experience in research techniques and data analysis, interpretation, and presentation
• Earn credit as you apply classroom learning to real-world questions
Learn in their own words: Faculty Research Interests - contact our Faculty for more information:

BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY:

Dr. Dana Ward, Department Chair (dward@msmary.edu) - Vascular cell biology, mechanisms of atherosclerosis, angiogenesis,
microfabrication technologies: My research is directed at understanding how mechanochemical signaling drives cell function. Much of my
work has focused on studying vascular cells (endothelial and smooth muscle cells) and thus has importance in processes such as
angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth), wound healing, and vascular disease. I use a combination of micro-engineered tools and
traditional molecular biology to probe how cells translate mechanical forces into biochemical responses. Specifically, I study the interplay
of adhesion signaling, RhoGTPases, and mechanical tension in driving cell behaviors such as cell growth and migration. Ultimately, with
this cross-disciplinary work in bio-microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) and cell biology, I hope to shed new light both on normal
cell function and on the mechanochemical basis of disease.

Dr. Mike Turner (turner@msmary.edu) - In vitro and in vivo miRNA: target validation studies, general role of miRNAs in
maintaining health and wellness at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels of life: Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) target messenger
RNAs (mRNAs) and prevent their translation by binding with complimentary sequence found within the mRNA transcript. Students in my
lab are systematically working to validate predicted miRNA:target interactions; all current projects are tied to a pipeline designed to
accomplish this purpose using the following steps: 1) Use computer algorithms to identify putative miRNA targets. 2) Clone putative
miRNA binding sites into reporter constructs. 3) Use reporter constructs in situ (cell culture) and in vivo (C. elegans) to assay for
miRNA:target binding. Validating miRNA targets significantly contributes to our understanding of how our genes network to support life
at the molecular, llular and communal level; it also increases our capacity to prevent, treat and cure the horrible situations that arise when
that networking fails.

Dr. Kathryn Dye, Department Vice-Chair (dye@msmary.edu) - The Dependence of B cells and Ebola Virus on the Unfolded Protein
Response: My research focuses on the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is a system that mediates cellular homeostasis. Normally,
the UPR is utilized by human cells to achieve optimal cell function. For example, B cells require the UPR for production of antibodies.
However, in the course of an infection, some viruses co-opt the UPR and use it to facilitate virus reproduction at host cell expense. My lab
studies whether Ebola virus infection and virion production require the UPR.

CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS:

Dr. Patricia Kreke (kreke@msmary.edu) - Designing organic chemistry laboratory experiments and the investigation of
micelles as targeted drug delivery systems for cancer treatment: I mentor undergraduate research projects that focus on
surfactant/nanoparticle systems, considering the effect of surfactant morphology on nanoparticale polydispersity and stability. I also
design experiments used in the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratories. Recent student researchers have also investigated biofuels,
cosmetics, and polymer chemistry.

Dr. Patrick Lombardi (p.m.lombardi@msmary.edu) -Cellular signaling mediated by the protein ubiquitin:
My research focuses on understanding how the protein ubiquitin is used to communicate cellular messages. Ubiquitin is a unique type of
protein that can be covalently attached to other proteins, including other ubiquitins to form polyubiquitin chains. Each ubiquitin has eight
attachment points allowing for an incredible diversity of polyubiquitin chain topologies. Different polyubiquitin chain types have unique
three-dimensional structures that are recognized by distinct cellular components from different signaling pathways. By controlling the
linkage types within polyubiquitin chains, cells can communicate a large variety of messages using the ubiquitin code. My lab will use
biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology to understand how different polyubiquitin chains are recognized by their respective
binding partners, with specific emphasis on ubiquitin signaling in autophagy and the DNA damage response.
Dr. Danny Miles (miles@msmary.edu) -Physical Chemistry: Currently students are using dynamic light scattering to characterize
gold nanoparticles that have been modified with surfactants. The resulting molecules can possibly have application in targeted drug design.
Another project involves development methods to incorporate coding into physical chemistry and physics courses.

Dr. Isaac Mills (i.n.mills@msmary.edu)- Solar fuels and photoredox catalysts: My research focuses on the design, synthesis, and
evaluation of organic and transition metal complexes for light-driven redox reactions. These complexes can be used to lower our
dependence on fossil fuels either directly by producing solar fuels such as hydrogen, or indirectly by using light to transform industrial and
pharmaceutical chemicals without the use of heat or harsh conditions. Currently, my lab is focused on two projects: 1) Development of
tunable transition metal photoredox catalysts 2) Development of tunable pyrylium-based dyes for DSSCs and photooxidation reactions and
3) The development of teaching laboratory exercises and equipment to bring these techniques to less affluent areas.

Dr. Garth Patterson (gpatterson@msmary.edu) - Development of analytical instrumentation and processes:

Dr. Patterson’s research focuses on development of new and novel sampling techniques coupled with mass spectrometry along with the
utilization of novel algorithms and data interpretation methods. These methods can be applied to environmental studies, optimization of
energy utilization, plant differentiation and many other systems. Dr. Patterson is currently trying to understand the vapor-phase expression
of plant health by preconcentrating the gas exhausted from the surface of the plant material followed by chromatographic separation and
mass spectral analysis. As an example of how sampling techniques can be used for a wide variety of applications, the same instrumentation
is also being utilized to determine the vapor phase signature of latent fingerprints.

Dr. Sarah Krueger (s.b.krueger@msmary.edu) - Development of Small Molecule Nucleic Acid-Targeting Agents for
Huntington’s Disease: My research focuses on the development of small molecules that bind to nucleic acids. Although traditional drug
discovery efforts focus on developing protein binders, DNA and RNA targeting have recently come into focus as a therapeutic strategy for
a range of diseases that cannot be treated by targeting at the protein level. My group seeks to develop small molecules that bind at
nucleobase mismatch sites, such as T-T and U-U mismatches, relevant for treatment of trinucleotide repeat diseases such as Huntington’s
Disease (HD) and Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1). Students in my lab have opportunities be trained in organic synthesis, in vitro
binding studies, in vitro biological testing, and/or computational modeling as we seek to understand the interactions between small
molecules and disease-relevant nucleic acid targets. The goal of my research is to understand how we can specifically target nucleic acid
secondary structure toward the development of therapeutic agents for diseases such as HD and DM1.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:
Dr. Abigail Kula (kula@msmary.edu) - Plant-insect interactions and the effects of environmental change: The Plant Ecology Lab
focuses on plant population- and community-level dynamics and plant–insect interactions, such as pollination and herbivory. The
overarching goal of our research program is to explore basic science questions that may be used to support problem solving in
conservation and agriculture. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and invasive species affect the viability, persistence and growth of plant
populations and have emerged as major threats to plant diversity worldwide. Therefore, our goal is to understand how plant populations
are regulated by plant density and insects and their interactions. We are investigating these questions on the Mount St. Mary’s campus and
nearby field sites and biological research stations.

Dr. Eric Sakowski (e.g.sakowski@msmary.edu) - Microbial Impacts on Environmental Health and Function:
Microorganisms are the predominant form of life on the planet and are vital to healthy, functioning ecosystems. However, changing
environmental conditions like nutrient pollution and rising temperatures can alter microbial growth and negatively impact ecosystem
structure and function. For example, fertilizer runoff and warmer temperatures are leading to more frequent harmful algal blooms. I am
interested in understanding the ways microbial communities impact the environment, the factors that lead to altered microbial growth and
unhealthy ecosystems, and how resources and predation can shape the overall community. In particular, I am interested in how viral
infections influence the structure and function of microbial communities in healthy and impaired environments.

Dr. Rachel Hartnett (r.n.hartnett@msmary.edu) - Ecological stoichiometry, forecasting harmful agal blooms, and the ecology
of Daphnia: Biology scales from cells to ecosystem. I’ve used the concentrations of different elements (from the organismal level to the
environment) to try to link processes going on at different organizational levels within biology. There is a lot to be explored here, especially
as it relates to the growth of harmful algal blooms and overall water quality. I am broadly interested in how communities are able to persist
over time and how so many species are able to coexist together. I use Daphnia as a model organism (and other freshwater phyto-and
zooplankton) to address these questions. Daphnia can produce sexual resting eggs during periods of stress, which can lay dormant for
centuries! I am also interested in the phenology and nutritional requirements for resting egg production.

Dr. Kari Taylor-Burt (k.r.taylor-burt@msmary.edu) - Muscle Physiology & Biomechanics: Muscle contraction drives movement in
animals across a broad range of behaviors and environments and in animals with diverse body shapes. My lab group integrates muscle
structure, tissue-level properties, and animal behavior to gain a broad understanding of how muscle function affects the whole organism.
We use a comparative approach, taking advantage of the natural diversity of muscle structure and animal behavior to probe form-function
relationships. Current projects include: (1) studying how movement and muscle function vary as animals perform different behaviors or
move between environments (for example, walking vs. swimming), and (2) comparing the structure and function of obliquely striated
muscle (found only in soft-bodied animals) to cross-striated muscle (like the muscle that drives human movement). Our integrative and
comparative approaches allow us to ask questions about the evolutionary history of muscle and help us understand how muscle functions
during natural behaviors.