classes are like practice. research is playing in the game. · • proposal writing process •...

Undergraduate Research: What, Why, Get Involved

Classes are like practice.Research is playing in the game.

ClassesWhat we know...Learning

ResearchWhat we don't know...Doing (and also learning)

Why get involved in research – pragmatic reasons● Paid research positions available● Looks good on your resume● Better letters of recommendation

Effects of Warming on Stomatal Density and Size in Tropical Rainforest Trees

Filling in the Gaps: Finding the Missing Detrital Zircon Puzzle Pieces to the Magmatic Evolution of the Mt. Princeton Batholith, Colorado

High Spatial and Temporal Resolution Temperature Measurements of Atmospheric Gases Using Noninvasive Raman Spectroscopy

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs)● Competitively awarded● Two page research proposal (developed with faculty mentor)● Application● Letter of support from faculty mentor● Current stipend: $4000 for 10 weeks

Research: Get involved

See also URIP and MSGC

Research: Get involved

As an undergraduate student at Michigan Tech, it’s simple: if you want to do research, you can. Real research—the kind that creates solutions for industry, gets patented (sometimes with your name on it!), or addresses the problems of our modern

world.

Take the initiative. Ask.Don't wait until you are a senior.Why wait to start the fun part?

Timothy Stone:About Me

• Sustainability Sciences and Society Major

• Houghton Native

• Outside Activities:• Research

• Pavlis Honors College

• EMT

• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

• Love Sports, Photography, and the Outdoors

Historic School Records Research

Distribution of Children by School

An Example of the Scanned

School Record and its

Corresponding Excel Sheet

Original Record Books

Preliminary Results

Engineered Biomaterials

Preview Day

March 30, 2018

Engineered Biomaterials Laboratory Michigan Technological UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Engineering

Kaylee Meyers

2nd year Undergraduate

Department of Biomedical Engineering

Developing materials to re-establish tissue structure and function.

How I found out about MTU


FIRST Robotics Summer Youth Programs:Women In Engineering

Some of my interests


• Running/Fitness• Mountain Biking• Cross Country Skiing• Hiking

Kayaking in YellowstoneSkiing at Tech Trails

Trail Running

How I got involved in research


Carly JosephPreview Day 2017 Dr. Rupak Rajachar

Fiordland National Park, NZ

What we work on in the lab for people


200µm

Human Tenocytes

Problem: Tendon injury leads to degradation ofthe environment in which cells reside.

Approach: An injectable nitric oxide releasinghydrogel to control ECM structure and function.

What we work on in the lab for animals


Problem: Inadequate whale tag design anddeployment techniques.

Approach: Developing antimicrobial coatingsand modeling new tag designs.

What I do with my lab-mates…outside the lab


Cross-country skiing at Churning Rapids Lab dinners

Morning trail running

My SURF project


• $4000 award• Proposal writing process• Sharing results at local and

national conferences• Working on publications

Fibrillar collagen (I, III)

Network collagen (IV, VI)

MMPs: Collagen

degrading enzymes

Tendon Tissue

Developing a model system to study the biphasic effects of nitric oxide and substrate stiffness on MMP activity.

SURF Details…

[NO] MMP Activity [NO] MMP Activity

MMP Activation MMP Inhibition


Substrate Model

Developing A Model System


Polyacrylamide (PAM) Gel

+Acrylamide Bis-Acrylamide (MBA)

UV

432,000 µJ/cm2

0

50

100

150

200

0

Mo

du

lus

(kP

a)

PAM Gel Stiffness

0.4 mol%

2.0 mol%

4.0 mol%

*

*

*

Quantifying Matrix Stiffness via Tensile Testing

Mol % Crosslinker PAM Gel Stiffness

Mol % Crosslinker PAM Gel Stiffness

[Shih et al]

[Trappmann et al]

[Chaudhuri et al]

* Statistical Significance (p<0.05)

Substrate Stiffness

How I had the best summer ever!


Working with SYPExploring the Keweenaw (Photo: Hiking Mt. Baldy)

Conducting research for my SURF project

+ +

Presenting at the American Society for Matrix Biology


Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, NV Presenting our work My first ½ Marathon

What I have learned so far


Me, Amanda, and Carly

• Application of class material• Technical writing skills• Lifelong friends• Mentoring process• Expanding comfort zone

Future plans


Dr. Valisavljevich and Dr. Holmes

Maureen Hennenfent• Improving whale tag

antimicrobial coatings• Evaluating performance of

hydrogen peroxide releasing microgels

• Continuing work related to my SURF project• Mentoring new students in the lab• Building an ultrasound system at Virginia Tech• Eventually applying for graduate school


Advisor:

Dr. Rupak Rajachar

MTU Engineered Biomaterials Lab:

Carly Joseph

Ariana Tyo

Kiaya Caspers

Maria Kwesiga

Kenneth Hubbard

Emil Johnson

Hal Holmes

Margaret Brunette

Jennifer Sanders

Funding:

NIH/NIGMS

(1R15 GM112082-01-RMR)

MTU Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KMM)

MTU Undergraduate Research Internship Program (KMM)

MTU BME Department Collaborators:

Dr. Bruce Lee

Acknowledgements

Slide Photographs: Dr. Rupak Rajachar, Carly Joseph, Maureen Hennenfent, LeAnna Meyers, schmidtsciencefellows.org,

https://catalog.data.gov/organization/noaa-gov, https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/09/humpback-whale-delisting-endangered-species-recovery/, Flash Frame Photography

classes are like practice. research is playing in the game. · • proposal writing process •...

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