Mentor: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Setting up an Infrastructure for PYRO Robotics Experiments Based on the PYRO Software Package"
Matthew Brake
Mentors: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Characterization of a Novel Spiroplasma Strain & Design of Spiroplasma Specific PCR Primers"
R. Thomas Koerbe
Mentor: Dr. Gail Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
"RNA Analysis & Differential Gene Expression in Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus): Effects of Urbanization"
Elizabeth Tall
Mentor: Dr. Gail Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
"A Novel Therapy for Herpesvirus Infections"
Michael Carr
Mentor: Dr. Barry Margulies (Biological Sciences)
"Photoinduced Resistivity Changes in Bi0.4Ca0.6MnO3 Thin Films"
Robert Kennedy
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Relaxation of Photoinduced Effects in Bi0.4Ca0.6MnO3 Thin Films"
Robert Kennedy
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Car Tires as a Source of Zinc to the Environment"
Elizabeth Hamilton
Mentor: Dr. Steve Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Gene Identification in Corals: Understanding Gene Evolution for Cell Survival"
Sovath Chum
Mentor: Dr. Colleen Sinclair (Biological Sciences)
"Determining the Provenance of Sediments deposited during the Late Devonian within the Central Appalachian Basin"
Jason Dinh
Mentors: Dr. Jon Filer and Dr. Steve Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"The Urban Environment, Global Warming and Genetic Diversity in Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Common Ragweed)"
John Maciolek
Mentors: Dr. Roland Roberts and Dr. Larry Wimmers (Biological Sciences)
"Prehistoric Native American Soapstone Vessels and Quarries In and Around the Patuxent River"
Laura Cohen
Mentor: Dr. Rachel Burks (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Sentry Unit"
Richard Snyder, James Cox, Katrina Howard, Andrew Ajello
Mentor: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Electrophysiological Responses of Receptor Cells in the Galeal Styloconic Sensilla of Gypsy Moth Larvae: Tuning, Sensitivity, and Temporal Coding Properties"
Joshua Swearingen
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
"Taxonomical Analysis of Subfamilies of Robber Flies (Diptera Asilidae) Using Molecular Techniques"
Stephen Page
Mentor: Dr. Gail E. Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH GRANTS IN 2003 – 2004
"Near Field Scanning Optical Microscope for Photoinduced Effect Study"
Luis Adalco
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Robot Morphology Studies"
Jeffrey Berg
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani and Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Robot Morphology"
Daniel Bittner
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani and Dr. Goran Trajkovski(Computer and Information Sciences)
"Biological Particle Adhesion and Materials Characterization Using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)"
Michael Buck, Carolyne Gikunju
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"The Study of Macromolecular Bio-crystals Using Atomic Force Microscopy"
Kevin Bunin
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Effects of Combining Selected Deterrent Phytochemicals on the Feeding Behavior of Gypsy Moth Larvae"
Don Bunney
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
"Searching for Potential RNA Interference Targets"
Steven D. Callahan
Mentors: Dr. David Rawn (Chemistry) and Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Fluids Accompanying Tourmaline Growth Within Early Paleozoic Metasediments of the Maryland Piedmont: Fluid Inclusion Evidence"
Cassandra Cook
Mentor: Dr. David Vanko (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Wireless Interfacing With Brain Stem Robots"
Adam Durana, Kevin Mager
Mentor: Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Camera Based Object Identifier"
Gleb Gudzenko, Julius Schlosburg
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani and Dr. Goran Trajkovski(Computer and Information Sciences)
"A Watershed Model for Minebank Run"
Michael Hansei
Mentor: Dr. Brian Fath (Biological Sciences)
"The Geologic Character of the Former Upper Devonian Appalachian Mountain Belt"
Maritza Mejias
Mentors: Dr. Jonathan Filer and Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Rare Earth Element and Trace Element Investigation of the Minerals Within the Loch Raven Schist"
Francis McCubbin
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
"Pb-Pb Dating of Metamorphic Garnets from the Maryland Piedmont"
Emily Neral
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
"Measurement of Photo-Induced Resistance Change in Thin Films"
Mason Overby
Mentor: Dr. M. Raj Rajeswari (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
"Taxonomical Analysis of Subfamilies of Robber Flies (Diptera Asilidae) Using Molecular Techniques"
Stephen Page
Mentor: Dr. Gail E. Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
"802.11G Networking Research and Implementation for the Robotics Laboratory"
Vassilos Pirpiris
Mentors: Dr.Darush Davani and Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Victim Acquisition Agent"
Daniel Stamate
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani and Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Victim Acquisition Agent Project, Part 2"
Matthew Roberts, Daniel Stamate
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani and Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Charge Ordering in Bi1-xCaxMnO3 Thin Films"
Luanje A. Tifang
Mentor: Dr. Vera Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences)
"Responses of a Headwater Stream Minnow to Various Stream Odors"
Brittany Trushel
Mentor: Dr. Joel Snodgrass (Biological Sciences)
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH GRANTS IN 2002 – 2003
"Screening Deterrent Phytochemicals as Possible Biocontrol Agents Against Gypsy Moth Larvae"
Kismet-Gerald Tetteh Agbasi
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
"Effects of Adenosine and its Modulators on Regional Blood Flow"
Haja Fatmata B. Bah
Mentor: Dr. Erik Silldorff (Biological Sciences)
"Imprinting to Chemical Cues: The Basis for Home Pond Selection by Marbled Salamanders (Ambystoma opacum)"
Jessica Blake and Richard Edmunds
Mentor: Dr. Don C. Forester (Biological Sciences)
"Measuring of Fungal Spore Adhesive Forces using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Techniques"
Michael Buck
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Sources of Late Devonian Sediments in the Appalachian Basin"
John Burkley
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"An Analysis of the Optimal Staffing Level of the Baltimore City Fire Department"
Kristina Diaz, Michael J. Machovec, Peguy Pierre-Louis, Marco Radzinschi, Melissa Helene Rosendorf, Ian Stalfort
Mentors: Dr. Coy May and Dr. Andrew Engel (Mathematics)
"How Plastic Are Feeding Preferences in Gypsy Moth Larvae?"
Leila K. Dodson
Mentor: Dr. Vonnie Shields (Biological Sciences)
"Fluid Inclusions in Anhydrite from the Manus Basin (Papua New Guinea)"
Kathryn Elizabeth Gatton
Mentor: Dr. David Vanko (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Characterization of Biological Materials Using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS)"
Carolyne Gikunju
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Linking External Morphology and Sprint Performance in European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)"
Corey A. Handelsman
Mentor: Dr. Jay Nelson (Biological Sciences)
"Underpotential Deposition of Lead Atoms on a Silver Surface"
Lori Korczynski
Mentor: Dr. David Larkin (Chemistry)
"Determining if VirF Positively Activates Transcription of Shigella Virulence Genes by Direct Interaction with the Alpha Subunit of RNA Polymerase"
Joseph Krecz
Mentor: Dr. Gail E. Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
"Biostratigraphic Correlation of the Middle Devonian Mahantange Formation, Northeastern West Virginia and Southern Pennsylvania"
Francis M. McCubbin
Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Filer (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
"An Investigation of Chlorine Isotope Fractionation in Ordovician Black Shales from Southwestern Wales"
Patrick Thomas Morton
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
"Thin Film Characterization for Photonic Device Application"
Alozie Ikechukwu Nwoko
Mentor: Dr. Vera N. Smolyaninova (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
"Investigation of Virus-like Particles from Spiroplasma Strain 5398 Isolated from Biting Midges"
Marietta Oduor
Mentor: Mentor: Dr. Gail E. Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
"Male-Biased Offspring Sex Ratio in the House Wren"
Nicole Pellerite
Mentor: Dr. Brian Masters (Biological Sciences)
"Establishing a Workbench Setup for Robotics Experiments"
Albert Gary Williams
Mentors: Dr. Darush Davani and Dr. Goran Trajkovski (Computer and Information Sciences)
"Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering from Molecules Adsorbed on Colloids and Nanoparticles"
Ying Lung Tse
Mentor: Dr. Boon Loo (Chemistry)
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH GRANTS IN 2001 – 2002
"Investigating the Origin of Pegmatites in the Baltimore Area"
Mr. Shaun Barrow, Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences
Mentors: Dr. Rachel Burks, Dr. Steven Lev, Dr. David Vanko (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Measuring Fungal Spore Adhesive Forces Using AFM Techniques"
Mr. Michael Buck, Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences
Mentor: Dr. David Schaeffer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Nanomechanical Study of Silicon Using Atomic Force Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction Techniques"
Mr. Jeremy Robinson, Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences
Mentor: Dr. David Schaefer (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Population Genetics of Eurycea junaluska in the Southern Appalachians"
Mr. Andrew Eckert and Ms. Katie Smith, Department of Biological Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Gail Gasparich (Biological Sciences)
"The Role of Substrate-borne Chemical Cues During Predator Avoidance by the Pigmy Salamander"
Mr. Matthew Evans, Department of Biological Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
"The Role of Substrate-bourne Chemical Cues During Predator Avoidance by the Two-lined Salamander"
Ms. Jeanette Dawson, Department of Biological Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
"An Experimental Determination of Microcline Dissolution Rates in an Artificial System"
Mr. Patrick Hetzel, Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"An Investigation onto the Mineralogy of Asteroid 4 Vesta"
Ms. Amy Rosenberg, Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences
Mentors: Dr. Steven Lev and Dr. Alex Storrs (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Soil lead concentrations of Natural and Anthropogenic Origins in Towson Maryland USA and its Threat to Human Health"
Mr. Justin Wayne Custer, Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences)
"Time Dependent Stability Studies of Chlorophylls a and b"
Mr. Louie Alvano, Department of Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. David Larkin (Chemistry)
"Tourmaline Occurences in the Setters Quartzite, Setters Schist, Cockeysville Marble, and Pegmatite Intrusion"
Mr. Eric Watt , Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences
Mentor: Dr. Steven Lev (Physics, Astronomy, & Geosciences)
"Effects of Hydrin Z on Cutaneous Electrical Properties In the Northern Grass Frog (Rana pipiens)"
Ms. Dorothy Ann Borowy, Department of Biological Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Jerry Robinson (Biological Sciences)
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH GRANTS IN 2000 – 2001
"Cloning and Analysis of Plant PM H+-ATPases"
Ms. Karen DeFeo, Department of Biological Sciences
"Watershed Urbanization: Effects on Swimming Performance of Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus)"
Ms. Portia Gotwalt, Department of Biological Sciences
"Taxonomical Analysis of Subfamilies of Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae) Using Molecular Techniques"
Ms. Anastasia Grigorieva, Department of Biological Sciences
"Underpotential Deposition of Lead Atoms onto Silver Electrodes"
Mr. Desmond Kaplan, Department of Chemistry
"Identification/Classification of Spiroplasma Strain 3597"
Mr. Randolph Thomas Koerber, Department of Biological Sciences
"The Study of Nanomechanical Properties of Silicon by use of Nanoindentation and X-ray Diffraction"
Mr. Josh Robinson, Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences
"Population Genetics Study of Eurycea junaluska Salamander"
Ms. Annemarie Zabbara, Department of Biological Sciences
"The Prevalence of Hematazoa in Cardinalis. Examining the Correlation between Plumage Brightness and Infections"
Ms. Kimberly Briggs, Department of Biological Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Scott Johnson (Biological Sciences)
"Dietary Analysis of Snakes in the Great Smoky Mountain Range in Correlation with the Population Density of Streamside Salamanders"
Mr. Thomas King, Department of Biological Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
"Trophic Morphology and Resource Use Among Populations of Eurycea Salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park"
Ms. Tonya Wolf, Department of Biological Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
"The Effects of Predatory Fish on the Growth and Survivorship of Eurycea larvae and Orconectes Crayfish in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park"
Ms. Victoria Derr, Department of Biological Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
"Microhabitat Preferences of Eurycea larvae, with and without Orconectes Crayfish"
Mr. Andrew Eckert, Department of Biological Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Don Forester (Biological Sciences)
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH GRANTS IN 1999 – 2000
"Cell Specific Expression Characterization of a Plant Ca 2+ ATPase"
Christina Caplinger, Department of Biological Sciences
"The Effects of Land Use on Algal Growth: Bioassay of Nutrient Stimulation and Toxic Effects"
Carl Cappelletti, Department of Biological Sciences
"Characterization and Classification of the First Spiroplasma Isolated from a Biting Midge (Forcipomyia gluaca) using Serological and Molecular Techniques"
Adrienne Cottrell, Department of Biological Sciences
"Cross Species Amplification of Microsatellite Loci in Salamander Genomes"
Chris Hofman, Department of Biological Sciences
"Development of a Malaria Vaccine Using Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG"
Erin Kelleher, Department of Biological Sciences
"Kinematic Analysis of Indicators Within the Gunpowder Shear Zone, Eastern Maryland Piedmont"
Joseph Kopera, Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences
"Fiber degradation, energy loss, and digestive physiology of Panaque maccus"
Toba Niazi, Department of Biological Sciences
"Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis of Group VIII Tabanid Spiroplasmas"
Abram Geisendorfer, Cheryl Gardyn, Lisa DiStefano, Department of Biological Sciences
"The Use of Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis in Typing Group VIII Spiroplasmas"
Anna Segal, Stephanie Harrod, William T. Foreman, Department of Biological Sciences
The Jess and Mildred Fisher
College of Science and Mathematics
Smith Hall, Room 312 (campus map)
Phone: 410-704-2121
Fax: 410-704-2604
E-mail: fcsm@towson.edu
