Previous REU Site Student Participants
Summer 2008
Kendra Casanova
University of Wisconsin - Fox Valley
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa Dorn, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Gene Expression and the Evolution of Environmental Sensitivity to Cold Stratification in Recombinant
Inbreds of Arabidopsis thaliana"I liked the experience of working with my mentor the best. She was very insightful."
Update: Kendra will be transferring to UW-Oshkosh in the fall. She will complete her biology major and spanish minor and then go on to UW-Madison for a Master's in genetic counseling.
Madison Area Technical College
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Toivo Kallas, Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Impact of cytochrome bf complex low- and high-potential chain mutations on gene expression profiles in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7002
"I enjoyed the journal club. Also the entire experience was all-encompassing including presentation skills, poster skills, writing and technical skills."
Update: Peggy (in foreground of picture at right) plans to apply to UW-Madison to pursue a BS in biochemisty and then possibly a PhD.
Denise Dyer
University of Wisconsin - Rock County
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Beatrice Holton, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Identification of proteins involved in sensing tension in the chick chorioamniotic membrane
"What I liked most about the experience was the training course. I felt it gave me an overview of the techniques used in biology. It helped me to get a feel for the research and prepared me for the work with my mentor."
Update: Denise is currently planning to attend medical school; however, at this time she is also considering pursuing a MS/PhD in Forensic Science.
Dembi Huya-Kouadio
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dana Vaughan, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Fusion protein production using transformed E. coli
"I liked the fact that I was able to work on a project that was assigned to me with the help of everyone around. The great sense of community made me unafraid to ask questions about particular techniques. All of the mentors, not only mine, treated the REU students as if the were their own students."
Update: Dembi's long term plan is to pursue an MD/PhD.
Jorge Mejia
Lawrence University
Faculty Co-Mentors: Dr. Beatrice Holton, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh; Dr. David Hall, Department of Chemistry, Lawrence University.
Project: Encephalomyocarditis viral protein 2A and its role in mTOR signaling pathways
"What I liked most about my experience was working with other labs. Nowadays, no one publishes by themselves. It's more of a collaborative work, and I got to experience that. . . Being able to talk to someone and that person trying to help you out was a great experience."
Update: Jorge is continuing his summer project, with funding from WiscAMP, back at Lawrence University under the co-mentorship of Drs. Holton and Hall. His long-term plans involve pursing a Master's in nursing (if he chooses a medical career) then medical school, or otherwise getting a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics or Biochemistry.
Jenel Murray
Seton Hill University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Kostman, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Identification of genes and proteins involved in calcium regulation in soybean (Glycine max)
"Basically every aspect of this program was absolutely amazing! I learned way more in these past 10 weeks than ever before. I am more self-efficent and directed as a result of this program."
Update: Jenel (at left in photo, with mentor Dr. Kostman and "hot-off-the-press" microarray data) is finishing her undergraduate degree. She intends to pursue a Master's degree in Botany or Pharmacology.
Sarah Peacock
George Washington University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Arlene Haffa, Department of Chemistry, UW Oshkosh
Project: Genomic and Proteomic Studies of Erythrobacter sp. NAP1, a Marine Microbe
"My favorite part was meeting other students and becoming friends with them. . . it was actually nice to hang out with sciency types all summer."
Update: Sarah (at left in photo with mentor Dr. Haff) plans to get her Master's, and eventually her Ph.D., in Forensic Anthropology.
Britainney Petrie
University of Wisconsin - Fox Valley
Faculty Co-Mentors: Drs. Gregory Kleinheinz, Colleen McDermott, and Todd Sandrin, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh.
Project: Source-Tracking of Microbial Contamination at Fisher Park Beach using Horizontal, Fluorophore-Enhanced, Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic-PCR (HFERP)
"I liked working in the lab and getting to know my mentors and other students pursuing the same career."
Update: Britainney will soon be transferring to UW-Madison to finish her Bachelor's degree. She intends to get a Master's degree as well.
Rebecca Zink
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Michelle Michalski. Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh.
Project: Sex and species differences in Brugia
"One great thing I'm taking away from this experience is a wealth of knowledge. I have gained an immense amount of understanding of topics, techniques, research and science in general"
Update: Rebecca will continue doing research with funding from a UW Oshkosh Student and Faculty Collaborative Research Grant for the 2008-09 academic year.
Summer 2007
Alisha Griffin
Seton Hill University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Kostman, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Identification of Genes and Proteins Involved in Calcium Oxalate Crystal Formation in Arabidopsis and Pistia
"This REU was the best thing that could have happened to me this summer. . .I changed my major to biology last fall so I had little to no knowledge in this area. I now know much more than before."
Update: Alisha is planning to enter graduate school after graduating from Seton Hill.
Arjun Dhillon
UW Fox Valley
Faculty Mentor: Dr. James Paulson, Professor, Department of Chemistry, UW Oshkosh; Co-mentor: Dr. David Hall, Department of Chemistry, Lawrence University
Project: "CDC25 Inhibition Induces Metaphase-arrested HeLa Cells to Exit Mitosis"
"Overall, my idea of what research is really like has completely changed. I am in love with this process and with working alongside similarly minded people."
Update: Arjun plans to enter medical school, and is considering pursuing a MD/Ph.D.
George Weir
UW Oshkosh
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa Dorn, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: "Gene Expression and Plastic Responses to the Environment in Plants"
". . .a great way to break me into the realm of research. I'm eternally grateful that I had the opportunitiy to do so. I gained priceless knowledge that I wouldn't have received anywhere else."
Update: George plans to enter graduate school after graduation from UW Oshkosh.
Esmeralda Leon
UW Fox Valley
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Beatrice Holton, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: "Regulation of Tension in the Choroamniotic Membrane of Chicken Embryos"
"I liked the way it was well planned for students with limited proteomics experience. I felt comfortable in the environment I was in and felt that this program was designed for the students."
Update: Esmeralda will be continuing her research with Dr. Holton through a WiscAMP fellowship. She ultimately plans to pursue a career in the medical field or become a researcher in academia
Katie Streufert
UW Fox Valley (now at UW Oshkosh)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Colleen McDermott, Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: "Characterizing Escherichia coli from human feces using MALDI-TOF-MS"
"I loved the program and my only regret is that it did not last longer."
Update: Katie plans to continue her research here UW Oshkosh and is now considering entering graduate school after after obtaining her Bachelor's degree from UW Oshkosh.
Kelsey White
Beloit CollegeFaculty Mentor: Dr. Michelle Michalski, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: "Molecular Analysis of Heartworm Tissue"
"I have found a new passion for parasites."
Update: Kelsey will be returning to UW Oshkosh this fall to continue her research as a WiscAmp fellow. Next summer and fall (08), she hopes to travel to Tanzania and work on a parasitology project there.
Meaghan Robbins
Wagner College
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gregory Kleinheinz, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh; Co-mentor: Dr. Todd Sandrin, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: "Matrix –Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) Analysis of Environmental Isolates of Escherichia coli"
"I liked how I was given the freedom to think and come up with my own ideas, and be encouraged to try them out. . .I also enjoyed that I was given the opportunity to go on field visits, and the research felt like fun more than work. And I loved the work environment I was surrounded in."
Update: Meaghan is working with a faculty member at Wagner College on a research project investigating arsenic contamination of drinking water in Bangladesh. Also, she will be applying knowledge that she learned at our REU by performing E.coli analysis on isolates from Bangladesh. After her senior year, Meaghan plans to go to graduate school in environmental and/or analytical chemistry.
Therese Rytz
Florida Atlantic University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dana Vaughan, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: "SUMOylation of Squirrel Brain and Retina"
"I have known that I wanted to pursue a research career. This program strongly enforced this. Now, I also know that I want to focus my research maybe into a functional genomics, proteomics direction. I extremely liked the research I did this summer."
Update: Therese will be returning to UW Oshkosh this winter to continue her research with Dr. Vaughan. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. following completion of her Bachelor's degree.
Therese presenting results of her research with her mentor, Dr. Dana Vaughan.
Yanina Vignoni
University of Puerto Rico
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa Dorn, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: "Gene Expression and Environmental Sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana"
"This experience definitely broadened my horizons and made me aware of the different research fields out there today."
Update: Yanina will be finishing her senior year and applying to graduate schools and pharmacy schools. She will also be doing research in biochemistry at her home institution.
Danielle Eisenschink
Carroll College
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dana Vaughan, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: "Genomic- and Proteomics-based Investigations into the Central Nervous System of Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels"
"I really enjoyed the entire experience and it has definitely opened my eyes to research in a way that I never saw it before. . .I loved how the mentors were willing to get to know the students and mingle with them at outings rather than just knowign them in the lab. We were a very close knit group."
Update: Danielle plans to pursue her Master's Degree after graduating from Carroll College.
Summer 2006
Sylvia Brautigam
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Kostman, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Identification of Proteins Involved in Calcium Regulation via 2-D Gel Electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectroscopy
"I liked the diversity of people in the program best--I really got to know everyone in the group and liked everyone of them!"
Update: Sylvia is planning to enter dental school.
Katelyn Burgett
Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA
Faculty Mentor: Dr. James Paulson, Professor, Department of Chemistry, UW Oshkosh
Project: Protein Phosphatase and Protein Kinase Activity: Their Effects on Premature Chromosome Condensation"I loved the opportunity to explore a field that was completely new to me and getting to interact one-on-one with a professor."
Update: Katelyn is continuing her research and has been admitted to a Ph.D program in Biochemistry at the University of Maryland.
Weston Fredenberg
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Sandrin, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: A Comparison of MALDI-TOF-MS and REP-PCR Methods to Fingerprint Enterococcus sp.
"It was truly a remarkable experience and has greatly increased my knowledge and confidence."
Update: Weston continues pursuing his B.S. in Microbiology at UW Oshkosh. He recently presented results of his REU Site research in the state capitol at the "Posters in the Rotunda" event. His REU Site research with Dr. Sandrin is in review for publication in Water Research.
Kathryn Griffiths
Ripon College, Ripon, WI
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michelle Michalski, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Gender Specific Protein Expression in Brugia malayi
"It was nice that I was not just given a project and left in the lab to figure it out for myself, . . . Also getting to know the other students and spend time with them and building friendships with them really made the summer very enjoyable!"
Update: Katy has enrolled in our graduate program at UW Oshkosh and will be working with Dr. Michalski to use microarrays to investigate modes of pathogenicity of parasitic worms.
Janelle Johnson
San Francisco State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa Dorn, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project:Gene Expression Patterns of Arabidopsis Seedlings in Response to Seed Treatments
"I like how I can now think of something to do research on and I know how to follow through with it without having someone to tell me exactly what to do."
Janelle (left) with mentor Lisa Dorn (right)
Update: Janelle is finishing up her undergraduate work at SFSU and intends to pursue a Ph.D. She was recently highlighted in the first edition of SFSU's semi-annual Biology newsletter. She continues her research with Arabidopsis in the laboratory of Dr. He at SFSU.Jenan Kharbush
Ripon College, Ripon, WI
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Beatrice Holton, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Regulation of Tension in the Chorioamniotic Membrane During Early Chick Embryo Development
"I really enjoyed working in a lab setting for the first time. I was nervous at first, but as time went by I gained confidence."
Jenan (right) with mentor Bea Holton (middle) and 2005 REU Student Participant, Sarah Schettle (left)
Update: Jenan recently declared a biology and chemsitry double major at Ripon College and presented results of her REU Site research at the Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Science, Engineering and Mathematics. Argonne, IL. She is currently working in Dr. Lloyd Smith's lab at UW Madison. Next fall, Janelle begins a "Semester at Sea" focusing on research dealing with oceans and global climate change traveling from Massachusetts to Tahiti.
Joshua Marceau
Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, MT
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Toivo Kallas, Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology
Project: Expression and purification of the Chlamydomonas blue-copper plastocyanin protein
"I liked the informal environment because it created a very comfortable learning atmosphere in an intimidating field of study."
Josh Marceau (left) with REU Site student participant Amy Michaels (right) and UW Oshkosh undergraduate, Matt Rubin (middle)
Update: After completing his tenure at our REU Site, Josh worked at the Center for Nanotechnology at NASA AMES. From there, Josh returned to his home institution (Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, MT) and brought back many skills and techniques for incorporation into the molecular biology curriculum there. Josh's presentations of his research have garnered several awards. At the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) meeting, he won first place in the undergraduate oral presentations. He took 1st place in the undergraduate poster presentations at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) in Rapid City, SD. He has also been accepted to The Pennsylvania State University’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program. Josh wants to continue his education in science by pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State. Upon finishing a BS at PSU, he intends to pursue a PhD. Ultimately, he would like to use the knowledge and skills that he gains to contribute back to his reservation community.Amy Michaels
Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Colleen McDermott, Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology
Project: Differences in Bacteroides 16s rRNA gene from Avian Waste Sources
"I thought this program was awesome. It gave me so many new experiences and insight into proteomics and genomics. I enjoyed being able to participate in research as an undergraduate. I got the oppurtunity to meet many scientists and hear their opinions on many topics, not just proteomics and genomics. It also gave me a better understanding of graduate school. I would recommend a program like this to all biology undergraduates. It really provides a better understanding of the research process."
Update: Amy recently presented results of her REU research at her home institution, Marian College. Currently, she is seeking employment in the private sector as a research scientist.
Angela Rodriguez
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dana Vaughan, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology
Project: Vimentin gene expression in the ground squirrel retina during the annual hibernation cycle
"I gained a huge skill set in proteomics. It made me realize that I'm very interested in this field."
Update: Angela was recently awarded the prestigious UW Oshkosh Chancellor's award that award recognizes outstanding academics and leadership. Angela was recently admitted to optometry school.
Summer 2005
Aaron Burg
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Faculty Co-mentors: Dr. Colleen McDermott, Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Dr. Gregory Kleinheinz, Associate Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Determining an avian-specific Bacteroides DNA marker sequence"I liked knowing that some one with a Ph.D. is willing to take time out of their day to talk with us. And to talk with us as if we are a colleague. I think that most of us also learned to communicate well with our fellow REU participants. Sometimes we would find ourselves just discussing and trying to solve the latest blunder in our experiments and that was fun knowing that we have the ability to at least pick up on what is going on quite quickly."
Update: Aaron has nearly completed his B.S. in Biology (Secondary Education) and will begin teaching high school biology soon!
Jessica Dorschner
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Toivo Kallas, Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Protein Differences Between Synechocystis 6803 Wild Type and Mutant PetC1
"I got to know great students and faculty, and I learned more than I would've ever imagined regarding microbiology research."
Update!!
Jessica recently received a "best undergraduate poster award" for the following poster that described work she completed with Arianne Baldomero (UW Oshkosh undergraduate) and Sarah Schettle (another 2005 REU Site at UW Oshkosh participant):
INVESTIGATION OF SYNECHOCYSTIS 6803 MUTANTS DEFECTIVE IN REDOX SIGNALING
Arianne Baldomero1, Jessica Dorschner2, Sarah Schettle1, Matthew Nelson1, Beatrice Holton1, Yexin Ouyang1, Giovanni Finazzi3 & Toivo Kallas1
1Department of Biology-Microbiology, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, WI, 2Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI, 3Institut Biologie Physico-Chimique, ParisPresented at: the 31st Annual Midwest Photosynthesis Meeting, Turkey Run State Park, Marshall, IN, October 28-30, 2005.
Arianne and Jessie both attended and also gave a brief "tag-team," oral presentation on their work. They described the delta-PetC1 mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis and their efforts at 2D gel separation of proteins and MALDI-MS peptide mass fingerprinting aimed at identifying proteins in the mechanism of redox signaling or that are the targets of redox regulation.
UPDATE: In addition to continuing to present results of her research at UW Oshkosh, Jessica went on to work at another REU Site in Montana. She will graduate in 2008 and plans to go to graduate school for cellular/molecular biology or microbiology.
Sarah Schettle
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Beatrice Holton, Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Differences in Protein Composition Between Cells Under Tension and Not Under Tension in the Chick Chorioamniotic Membrane
"I enjoyed doing research in 2D gels this summer, because I felt confident in my ability to do them without the need for assistance in how to run them. I also liked the structure of the program, with clear deadlines for when everything was to be done as well as the opportunity to view the work done by the other student participants."
UPDATE: Sarah is intending to apply for admission to medical school.
Sarah Schlink
Missouri Southern State University
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michelle Michalski, Asst. Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Strain Identification of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Wisconsin Deer and Ticks
"I enjoyed all of my experiences during the REU program at Oshkosh. The most enjoyable experience was the research in general. I learned techniques, equipment use and data analysis."
Update!!
Sarah co-authored a recent publication that described an additional project she worked on during her stay at UW Oshkosh as an REU student participant:
DK Vaughan, AR Gruber, ML Michalski, J Seidling, S Schlink (2006). Capture, care, and captive breeding of thirteen-lined ground squirrels, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus. Lab Animal, in press April 2006.
UPDATE: Sarah is in Veterinary School at the University of Missouri Columbia.
Carissa Schubert
Beloit College
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Todd Sandrin, Asst. Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Assessing Microbial Responses to Cadmium Toxicity using DNA Microarrays
"I enjoyed meeting other students, learning new techniques, enthusiastic mentors, good science facility."
UPDATE: Carissa graduated from Beloit with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Spanish Literature. She is currently a Research Technologist at the BloodCenter of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and conducts research on Von Willebrand Disease.
Jessica Wahlig
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Faculty Co-Mentors: Dr. Beatrice Holton, Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh; Dr. David Hall, Asst. Professor of Chemistry, Lawrence University
Project: EMCV Proteins, Leader and 2A, are Possible Binding Partners of Host Cell Proteins
"I liked the relationships built between fellow students and faculty. I really feel as though I met some great resources and made some wonderful friends. The amount of information that I have learned and skills I have aquired have completely surpassed any of my expectations. Lastly, truly experiencing some of the downfalls of research have really given me the opportunity to understand what it takes, and I realized that this is really something I would love to do for the rest of my life."
Update: Jessi is now in graduate school, pursuing her Ph.D., in Colorado.
Marjorie Weaving
Salish-Kootenai College
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa Dorn, Asst. Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh
Project: Evolution of complex traits and gene expression: Arabidopsis thaliana
"I enjoyed the actual research that I did with my mentor. The other part that I really enjoyed was the company of the other participants. We were all very supportive of eachother and our mentors were awesome!"
Update: Marjorie left our REU Site and pursued a B.S. at the University of Montana.Miranda Wheeler
Missouri Southern State University
Faculty mentor: Dr. James Paulson, Rosebush Professor of Chemistry, UW Oshkosh
Project: Identification of Protein Phosphatase 1 in Metaphase Chromosomes
"This experience has been most enlightening into whether or not I want to study research, and how to do it."
UPDATE: Miranda is working on her Master's degree in Public Health.
Eric Zuniga
College of Lake County
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dana Vaughan, Assoc. Professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology, UW Oshkosh.
Project: Retinal PDK4 Levels in torpid vs. active Spermophilus tridecemlineatus
"This learning has provided me with the foundation necessary to continue on with the practical application of this knowledge to scientific discovery."
Update: Eric is finishing up his education at UW Parkside. While doing so, he is working in an animal care and test facility exploring a variety of topics including circadian rhythms. He intends to apply to veterinary school soon.
