Research Initiatives

The study, led by former biological sciences graduate student Dr. William King and involving undergraduates Justin Singer and Mitchell Warman from the Patton-Vogt lab, explored the physiological role of the protein Gpc1 in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. Gpc1 was shown to be an enzyme involved in membrane lipid remodeling. Further, Gpc1 was shown to be important for cell viability and other attributes important to the pathogenicity of the organism. This work provides new insight into the membrane biology of Candida albicans, an infectious organism that can negatively impact human health.

Caley Moore, M.S., a former Forensic Science and Law graduate student, collaborated with Dr. Pamela Marshall and Dr. Jennifer Hammers to analyze the risks associated with clonazolam and bromazolam in forensic investigations. Their work focused on identifying these substances in postmortem cases and preparing case reports to highlight their dangers.

Chemistry Ph.D. candidates Samuel Lenze and Justin Terhorst’s publication, “Creation of Gas-Phase Organo-Uranium Species by Removal of 'yl' Oxo Ligands from UO₂²⁺ Carboxylate Precursor Ions,” focuses on uranium chemistry and how uranium ions can be manipulated and studied in controlled environments. By breaking down these ions, they are uncovering new insights into uranium’s reactions and properties, contributing to advancements in nuclear science.

As part of her capstone project, former Forensic Science and Law graduate student Erin Estus, M.S., conducted a comprehensive analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies for forensic applications. In collaboration with Dr. Lyndsie Ferrara and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE), this study explores the potential of NGS for human DNA identification in forensic investigations.

Dr. Jessica Packard, a former Biological Sciences PhD candidate in the Dembowski lab, conducted research on the interactions between viral DNA and host cell proteins during infections. Her work focused on understanding how viruses exploit the host's cellular machinery to replicate and sustain their life cycles. By identifying and validating these interactions through experimental methods, she explored their impact on critical processes such as DNA repair, replication, and transcription. These findings not only better our understanding of virus-host dynamics but also provide insights for future research on viral infections.

Former Chemistry Ph.D. candidates Drs. Caleb Frye and Caylee Cunningham’s publication, “Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome 3′-Untranslated Region Interactions with Host MicroRNAs,” explores how the COVID-19 virus may manipulate cellular mechanisms to better understand how it causes illness and to inform the development of new treatments to combat it.

Dr. Brooke Deal, along with Biological Sciences undergraduate students Laura Reynolds and Charles Patterson from Dr. John Pollock's lab, studied how male and female rats respond to neuropathic pain. They found that while both sexes experienced similar pain levels, a nanotherapeutic delivering celecoxib fully relieved pain in males but only partially in females, due to fewer macrophages at the injury site in females. The study suggests that male and female neuroinflammatory responses differ, which could influence pain treatment strategies.

Dr. Kyle Emerson and Biological Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Sarah Woodley's research demonstrates the impact of the gut microbiome on how an animal perceives and responds to its environment. Emerson and Woodley found that tadpoles raised in autoclaved pond water had a dramatically altered gut microbiome and decreased behavioural responses to sensory stimuli. They were also larger in body mass, with heavier brains compared to tadpole raised in regular pond water. This indicates that the gut microbiome plays an important role in shaping animal behavior and brain development.

Former Chemistry Ph.D. candidates Dr. Alex Cocolas and Dr. Sarah Hejnosz, along with current Ph.D. candidates Aiden Lane, Ben Musiak, Eric Chartier, and Derek Bedillion, have developed an innovative technique for the precise and efficient synthesis of complex molecules. Their research introduces a novel method for producing 43 distinct variants of 7-azanorbornanes. This approach utilizes specialized chemical compounds known as tertiary amine N-oxides and involves the substitution of alkenes—hydrocarbons that contain double bonds.

Forensic Science and Law graduate Ellen Wenzinger, M.S., examined the effectiveness of existing firearm examination techniques when applied to 3D-printed guns. Collaborating with biomedical engineering graduate Benjamin Bernarding, M.S., and forensic experts Drs. Stephanie Wetzel, John Viator, and Pamela Marshall, along with adjunct faculty member Brian Kohlhepp, this research sheds light on the forensic challenges and lethality of ghost guns.

Rathna Veeramachaneni, Chelsee Donelan, and Kayce Tomcho developed a method to map structural linkages in the human α1 glycine receptor (α1 GlyR), a protein essential for nerve cell communication. Using a reactive site, chemical linkers, and UV light, their work provides new insights into the protein's structure within cell membranes.

Dylan Baxter, a former Forensic Science and Law undergraduate student, partnered with Dr. Jillian Conte and Dr. Pamela Marshall to validate forensicGEM, a novel DNA extraction kit. Their research introduced a cutting-edge method using thermophilic proteinase and temperature-based extraction to enhance human DNA identification for forensic applications.

Former Forensic Science and Law graduate students Kayce Boggess, M.S., Odile Enslen, M.S., and Shelby Kmidowski, M.S., worked alongside Dr. Lyndsie Ferrara to examine best practices for photographic evidence collection in sexual assault cases. Their research highlights advanced digital imaging techniques and emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to improving forensic documentation in these sensitive investigations.