2015 Clare Boothe Luce Awardees
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Allison Durkan, a Computer Engineering major, conducted research with Dr. Douglas Densmore (ENG Electrical & Computer Engineering) to develop an automated quality management system to provide comprehensive testing of Phagebook, a social networking system for biologists and computer scientists. She also worked to redesign the graphical user interface to provide an intuitive user experience.
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Aubrey Giasson, a Biomedical Engineering major, conducted research with Dr. Alison Dennis (ENG Biomedical Engineering) using quantum dot (QD) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to improve upon assays used for monitoring paclitaxel concentration in non-invasive samples.
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Molly Herman, a Physics major, conducting research with Dr. Larry Sulak (CAS Physics) focusing on the Compact Linear Collider, a linear electron-positron collider at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland.
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Kyle Hogan, a Computer Science major, conducted research with Dr. Jonathan Appavoo (CAS Computer Science) focusing on the creation of a software system to improve fetal MRI scans.
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Tessa Lynch-Colameta, a Chemistry major, conducted research with Dr. Aaron Beeler (CAS Chemistry) focusing on a class of cyclobutane natural products called piperarborenines, which have the potential to be developed into tools for the discovery of new therapeutic targets for human cancers.
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Emily Margolis, a Biomedical Engineering major, conducted research with Dr. Joe Tien (ENG Biomedical Engineering) to investigate the potential uses of engineered lymphatic vessels in pre-formed channels by measuring the effective drainage distance. The results of this project will support the idea of necessary lymphatics in large-scale engineered tissues and show the length at which seeded channels are necessary for effective drainage.
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Emily Misnick, a Biomedical Engineering major, conducted research with Dr. Jeffrey Miller (MED Neurology & Physiology) on a project that aimed to introduce a new three-dimensional (3D) culture system in order to grow muscle cells obtained from patients with a muscular dystrophy under more physiological conditions. She also examined mechanisms of pathogenesis in a particular muscle disease called facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).
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Abha Patil, a Biomedical Engineering major, conducted research with Dr. Traci Haddock (ENG Electrical & Computer Engineering) to design, build and test digital logic circuits in Escherichia coli cells.
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Rachel Rosen, a Chemistry major, conducted research with Dr. Aaron Beeler (CAS Chemistry) focused on potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
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Kathleen Ryan, a Biomedical Engineering major, conducted research with Dr. Traci Haddock (ENG Electrical & Computer Engineering) to construct both simple and complex genetic circuits while characterizing their behavior and function. Kathleen also characterized inverter logic gates using combinations of repressor-promoter pairs.
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Shikha Sharma, a Biomedical Engineering major, conducted research with Dr. Mark Grinstaff (CAS Chemistry) on semi-noninvasive ways to treat osteoarthritis.
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May Young, a Chemistry major, conducted research with Dr. John Snyder (CAS Chemistry) on developing a vaccine for Hepatitis C.