Research Programs for Summer 2013 | Summer Research Program

Intro
Bioenergy
Biomedical
Chemistry
Earth & Atm
Math
Redox
Virology

The Nebraska Summer Research Program is committed to quality mentoring and research projects. We limit our summer offerings to active research labs and projects led by faculty who have established themselves as excellent undergraduate student mentors. Since each program has several Summer Research Program scholars, you'll have peers and colleagues in which to share your educational experience with.

2013 Programs

Other Research Opportunities at the University of Nebraska

University Medical Center
The University of Nebraska Medical Center has research projects ranging from basic molecular biology to the study of human disease in clinical settings.

UNMC Eppley Cancer & Allied Diseases Research Summer Program
Students in the Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program at the Eppley Cancer Research Institute though UNMC do hands-on cancer research. Students learn research techniques and concepts and work with professional researchers.

SROP: Integrated Development of Bioenergy Systems

Study Bioenergy!
The research of today for the solutions of tomorrow

2013 Dates and Stipend

Start: June 3, 2013
End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $5,000

Contact Info

Dr. Paul Blum
Professor of Biological Sciences
402-472-2769
pblum1@unl.edu
SROP Website

Who Should Apply

Related majors and areas

Biology
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Any Engineering
Most Science

Eligibility

Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree

For more information, refer to the eligibility page.

Applicants to this program should also have:

Minimum GPA 3.0
Sophomore standing or higher

How to Apply

Steps and Required Items

To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.

Application Timeline

Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete

See more timeline information.

Events and Benefits

Program Events

Weekly Wednesday seminar lunches
Campus and department orientation
Department seminars and presentations
Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
Welcome picnic
Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Canoe and camping trip
Research symposium

Benefits

Competitive stipend
Double-occupancy room and meal plan
Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
Campus parking and/or bus pass
Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
Wireless internet access

Learn more about academic and financial benefits.

Research and Mentors

The School of Biological Sciences' Microbiology Initiative and Center for Plant Sciences Innovation administers the Integrated Development of Bioenergy Systems summer program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Faculty mentors involved in the program are diverse in their research with laboratories covering a wide spectrum of bioenergy research topics such as the study of non-food crops for biomass production, metabolic engineering of oilseed biosynthesis, green algae as liquid biofuel production systems, microbial carbon sequestration, biochemical pathways of lignocellulose conversion, and system engineering of microorganisms for biomass conversion.

Summer scholars in our program are matched with a faculty mentor and participate actively in the design and implementation of a ten-week research project. Students explore the frontiers of knowledge and learn cutting-edge techniques, while having access to state-of-the-art instrumentation in individual labs as well as in the core facilities.

A weekly seminar series will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas with other students, researchers, and faculty. The program also offers a number of social and recreational activities as well as several seminars about graduate school. We expect that the diversity of experiences will encourage students to pursue scientific careers in sustainable energy systems, productively contributing to solving society's needs.

2013 Mentors and Projects

Audrey Atkin, Ph.D.

School of Biological Sciences

Co-regulated Gene Networks

The Atkin lab studies gene regulatory mechanisms using yeast as a model with the goal of understanding how genes are co-regulated and the impact that regulation has on cell physiology.

Paul Blum, Ph.D.

School of Biological Sciences

Energy Metabolism in Thermophiles, Algae and Fungi

Diverse microbes are being engineered to improve synthesis of renewable energy and chemical feedstocks such as cellulosic ethanol, biohydrogen, and chemical intermediates.

Nicole Buan, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Metabolic Engineering of Methane Production by Anaerobic Archaea

Metabolic engineering of methane production by anaerobic archaea Methanogenic archaea (methanogens) in the environment produce 2 gigatons of methane annually. The Buan lab is focused on engineering methanogens by manipulating the electron transport system to produce organisms that are suitable for industrial-scale production of methane as a renewable energy source.

Edgar Cahoon, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Metabolic Engineering and Functional Genomics of Oilseed Crops for Improved Oil Content and Composition

We conduct research to modify lipid metabolism in oilseeds and algae to increase the oil content and improve fatty acid composition of vegetable oils for biofuels and biobased lubricants. The research not only is aimed at outcomes to address world energy needs but also at providing basic insights into plant and algal fatty acid biosynthetic and metabolic pathways and their regulation.

Heriberto Cerruti, Ph.D.

School of Biological Sciences

Algae as Model Systems for Oil Biosynthesis and Biofuel Production

We are interested in improving, by genetic, genomic and biochemical means, the capability of algae to accumulate oil in order to create a reliable and sustainable source for the production of next generation biofuels. Undergraduate students participating in these projects will have the opportunity to learn a variety of biochemistry, molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques; participate in the design, execution and interpretation of experiments; and contribute to publication in scientific journals.

Steve Harris, Ph.D.

Plant Pathology

Chemical Signaling in Fungi as a Potential Source for Biofuels

Fungi utilize an array of chemical signals to coordinate growth, morphogenesis, and development. Because these signals are related to biofuels and other high-value compounds (e.g., butanol, farnesol), we are interested in learning how they are synthesized and in understanding their mechanisms of action. Current projects will focus on the use of functional genomic screens.

Robert Hutkins, Ph.D.

Food Science and Technology

Probiotics and Co-aggregation Systems

Current research is focused on physiological and genetic analyses of carbohydrate metabolism by lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria used as starter cultures and as probiotics. We are particularly interested in how these bacteria metabolize prebiotic sugars and are using functional genomics analyses to identify relevant pathways.

Xu Li, Ph.D.

Civil Engineering

Anaerobic Digestion

We are interested in developing and optimizing anaerobic digesters to convert solid and liquid wastes to methane gas and other value added products. Students will receive interdisciplinary training in environmental engineering and environmental microbiology.

Jeffrey Mower, Ph.D.

Center for Plant Science Innovation Agronomy and Horticulture

Organelle Adaptation for Increased Cellular Bioenergetics

Developing algae for biofuels will place extreme energy demands on the cell, requiring increased efficiency and energy output from the mitochondria and chloroplasts. We are interested in evaluating the adaptive changes in mitochondria and chloroplasts to meet the bioenergetic needs of oleaginous algae.

Kenneth Nickerson, Ph.D.

School of Biological Sciences

Physiological Aspects of Quorum Sensing in Eukaryotes

Our lab studies bacterial, fungal, and algal systems. Active areas of research include: fungal dimorphism in Candida albicans and Ceratocystis ulmi; farnesol as a quorum sensing molecule (QSM) produced by C. albicans; farnesol's mode of action as a QSM and as a virulence factor; anaerobic growth of C. albicans; urea metabolism in C. albicans and other fungi; biotinylated histones in C. albicans; chlamydospore formation in C. albicans; high cell density QSMs from diatoms and other algae; detergent resistance in algae; and microbial ecology of alkaline lakes in Western Nebraska.

Wayne Riekhof, Ph.D.

School of Biological Sciences

Lipid biology, biochemistry and molecular biology of algae

James L. Van Etten, Ph.D.

William B. Allington Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology

Pathogens of Algae

Research in the Van Etten laboratory focuses on the isolation and characterization of large (encode more than 400 proteins) icosahedral, dsDNA-containing, plaque-forming viruses that infect certain unicellular, eukaryotic chlorella-like green algae. These viruses are ubiquitous in fresh water from all over the world. In addition to being pathogens, the algal viruses are a source of elements (e.g., promoters) for genetically modifying algae for biofuels.

Karrie A. Weber, Ph.D.

School of Biological Sciences

Rock and the Role of Microorganisms in the Environment

Microorganisms are capable of utilizing a diversity of energy sources in the environment as such their metabolism has contributed to the production of biofuels and the generation of electricity. Research in the Weber laboratory assesses and seeks to understand how these organisms take advantage of these energy sources and influence carbon, nitrogen, iron, and uranium cycling in aquatic, soil, and sedimentary environments.

Donald Weeks, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

The Role of the CO2-concentrating Mechanism in Photosynthesis-driven Lipid Biosynthesis in Algae

The CO₂-concentating mechanism (CCM) is essential for photosynthesis-dependent growth of most algae. Enhancement of this mechanism through genetic engineering of algae used for algal biofuel production may, in the long-term, have significant practical application. Studies of the CCM in the Weeks laboratory have lead to the discovery of a number of the key components of the CCM in the model alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The focus of the project to be conducted by a student will be to attempt overproduction of the HLA3 bicarbonate transporter to determine if there is enhancement of CO₂ uptake, algal growth and lipid synthesis. This project will provide the student with experience in recombinant DNA technology, biochemistry, molecular genetics, and cell physiology. In addition, the student will have an opportunity to work with the newly developed TALEN system for targeted gene knockout and gene replacement. Starting materials exist for all of the experiments involved in this project and its completion should require no more than eight weeks.

Bin Yu, Ph.D.

School of Biological Sciences

RNA Silencing in Plants

RNA silencing is a process triggered by 21-24 nucleotide RNAs to repress gene expression. The Yu lab is interested in understanding the mechanisms governing RNA silencing and development of RNA silencing based technologies that can be used to improve crop traits.

SROP: Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Biomedical Devices

Design and innovate with novel biomedical device technologies!

2013 Dates and Stipend

Start: June 3, 2013
End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $4,500

Contact Info

Dr. Carl Nelson
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
402-472-4128
cnelson5@unl.edu

Who Should Apply

Related majors and areas

Any Engineering
Physics
Biological Sciences
Most other science majors

Eligibility

Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree

For more information, refer to the eligibility page.

This program encourages applications from students with junior or senior standing.

How to Apply

Steps and Required Items

To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.

Application Timeline

Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete

See more timeline information.

Events and Benefits

Program Events

Campus and department orientation
Department seminars and presentations
Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
Welcome picnic
Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Canoe and camping trip
Research symposium

Benefits

Competitive stipend
Double-occupancy room and meal plan
Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
Campus parking and/or bus pass
Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
Wireless internet access

Learn more about academic and financial benefits.

Research and Mentors

The Biomedical Engineering SROP is designed to provide independent research experience for undergraduate students, broaden participant knowledge of opportunities in academia, industry and national laboratories, and introduce participants to interdisciplinary research in biomedical devices.

The goal of every medical practitioner is to improve quality of life for patients. Biomedical technology and devices are instrumental in achieving this. The primary focus in each summer research project is biomedical devices designed to enhance medical care through science and engineering, with emphasis in three areas: (1) devices for surgical intervention, (2) devices for diagnostics, and (3) devices for implantation.

All projects are designed to be completed during the 10 week program and are a part of a faculty mentor's current research. This allows the student to be involved in many aspects of research, including design, analysis, simulation, and implementation of a biomedical device.

Students are also extensively involved in lab activities, such as weekly lab meetings. Research results are presented during lab meetings throughout the summer and at the end-of-summer in the Summer Research Symposium poster session. Lab members, especially graduate students and postdoctoral associates, are active with summer program research.

2013 Mentors and Projects

Show all details

Greg Bashford, Ph.D.

Biological Systems Engineering

Real-Time Tendon Injury Diagnosis via Ultrasound Elastography

Perform design and simulation duties and will assist in signal analysis. Learn and apply principles of ultrasound imaging, statistical classification techniques, and design methodology, along with somewhat lighter coverage in anatomy/physiology and computer science.Read more about this project

Tendon injury afflicts many people worldwide. Work-related injuries alone account for tens of thousands of overuse cases (largely tendon-related) in the US each year. Unfortunately, these injuries are rarely diagnosed until the patient reports pain, by which time rehabilitation time and productivity loss have significantly increased. However, Dr. Bashford’s research has shown that tendon injury can be detected by micromorphological assessment of ultrasonic images of musculoskeletal tissue. In his current research, he hypothesizes that early detection of tendon injury (before symptomatic pain, by screening exams) in high-risk occupations (such as factory/industrial or athletics) will greatly reduce the time, energy, and cost of health care for both patients and clinical personnel.

In addition to overuse, certain systemic diseases and aging have been associated with rapid increase in incidence of tendon problems. There is strong reliance on medical imaging when diagnosing and designing an intervention. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the current standard for diagnosis of tendon injury, but can only detect the presence of the injury, not its degree or stage of development. Furthermore, MRI costs about ten times more than ultrasound. Ultrasound image analysis techniques have been developed to diagnose not only the presence but the degree of tendon injury. Using these affordable image acquisition and analysis techniques, one can detect and quantify changes in tendon tissue structure which are indicative of injury. However, the main drawback of clinical ultrasound is the presence of human factors during image acquisition and selection of the region of interest on the image for further analysis, which may lead to error in the measurement.

A participant in this project will perform design and simulation duties and will assist in signal analysis. It is expected that (s)he will learn and apply principles of ultrasound imaging, statistical classification techniques, and design methodology, along with somewhat lighter coverage in anatomy/physiology and computer science.

Shane Farritor, Ph.D.

Mechanical Engineering

Miniature Robots for Surgery

Create image-guided in vivo mini-robots that enable many abdominal surgeries to be converted to the less invasive natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery approach.Read more about this project

Linxia Gu, Ph.D.

Mechanical Engineering

Design of a Percutaneous Aortic Valve

Investigate the effects of leaflet geometry on performance of a new design of a percutaneous prosthesis.Read more about this project

Linxia Gu, Ph.D. and Carl Nelson, Ph.D.

Mechanical Engineering/Surgery

Measuring Biomaterial Properties

Develop specialized methods for obtaining material properties data from soft biological materials to enable more complete understanding of tissues in order to correctly model their interactions with other fluids or structures.Read more about this project

Carl Nelson, Ph.D.

Mechanical Engineering/Surgery

Robotic Technology for Single-Incision-Constrained Workspace

Develop new robotic tools to increase functionality in medical interventions while respecting the associated surgical workspace constraints.Read more about this project

Dmitry Oleynikov, Ph.D.

Surgery

Multifunctional Tools for Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)

Investigate the extent to which new robotic device technology for NOTES can embody the needed dexterity and stability for performing incisionless surgery.Read more about this project

Shadi Othman, Ph.D.

Biological Systems Engineering

Mouse Head Magnetic Resonance Elastography Actuator

Implement a novel actuation technique will and test the technique using a rotating nose cone to house a mouse brain.Read more about this project

Angela Pannier, Ph.D.

Biological Systems Engineering

Patterning Hydrogels by Fiber-Templating for Cardiac Applications

Develop methods to align multiple layers of fibers within hydrogel for use in tissue engineering, and determine the maximum number of conduits that will not negatively affect overall bulk properties of the hydrogel.Read more about this project

If left untreated, damage to the heart caused by myocardial infarction can spread and lead to heart failure, which affects more than five million Americans annually. Heart failure can only be cured by transplantation, which is severely limited by a shortage of donors. Methods to restore scarred heart tissue are being explored as alternative treatments for heart failure. While injection or transplantation of cell suspensions have shown some promise in clinical studies, these methods are limited since most cells do not remain localized to the infarcted regions, or if they do remain, they do not survive. Tissue engineering approaches use biomaterial scaffolds to deliver cells, providing physical support to localize and maintain cells in the infarcted region, protecting cells from inflammation and facilitating functional integration with injured myocardium. Hydrogels are typically used as scaffolds in cardiac tissue engineering approaches due to their ability to replicate the mechanical properties of the myocardium. However, these hydrogels lack distinct structural features to pattern and guide cell growth to mimic the natural striations of cardiac muscle fibers, which are important for functional myocardium. Dr. Pannier’s lab is developing novel methods to create hydrogels with longitudinally aligned conduits using a technique called fiber-templating, in which fibers of natural biopolymers are aligned within a precursor hydrogel solution which is then polymerized and the fibers are dissolved in an appropriate solvent, leaving open conduits.

The specific goal of this project is to develop methods to align multiple layers of fibers within the hydrogel and determine the maximum number of conduits, while also developing techniques to seed adult stem cells throughout the conduits and differentiate them to cardiomyocyte lineages. The participant will design a mold to ensure fiber alignment within the gel, and then develop techniques for cell seeding, differentiation and analysis. It is expected that (s)he will learn and apply principles of polymer chemistry, mold design, biomaterial selection, design methodology, cell culture, and microscopy.

Benjamin Terry

MECHANICAL AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING

Implantable Biometrics

Researching methods for implanting in vivo sensors and actuators in a manner that is intuitive and non-invasive to the host. Study both the active and passive biomechanics of the implant region and its physiological response to hosting an embedded device long-term.Read more about this project

The study of biometrics remains an exciting frontier for ambulatory health care. Wearable sensing technologies have matured and focus on ex vivo systems targeting the elderly, chronically ill, and those who participate in high-risk occupations or recreation, such as military personnel, police, first-responders, and outdoor enthusiasts. Ambulatory in vivo sensing is developing, with similar applications. Biometric consuming expert systems are also emerging and enhance a physician’s diagnoses and decision-making ability. The next frontier in healthcare will couple ambulatory biometric sensing technology with cloud-connected expert systems to autonomously monitor, diagnose, and treat patients.

Dr. Terry’s group is researching methods for implanting in vivo sensors and actuators in a manner that is intuitive and non-invasive to the host. His group also studies both the active and passive biomechanics of the implant region and its physiological response to hosting an embedded device long-term (more than one month). The significance of the work is that: 1) the in vivo sensing system will impose no constraints on the host’s physical activity because the sensor is protected from the external physical abuse that a wearable sensing system experiences, especially if the host is very physically active; 2) the sensing system is invisible to the host, unlike current wearable technologies that may be a constant reminder to the host of a disability (such as an external wearable blood glucose monitor); and 3) implantation is completely intuitive and noninvasive so that there is no associated trauma. The desired outcome of this research is that the intuitive and invisible nature of the system will enable a larger pool of users who would then benefit from continuous, real-time, ambulatory monitoring and health diagnosis.

One of the many challenges of implementing in vivo, long-term, ambulatory sensing systems is supplying sufficient power to acquire, buffer, and transmit data to an external network host. In the case of in vivo actuators, power requirements are even greater. During the summer program, Dr. Terry’s group will consider a critical-care application where an in vivo sensor implanted deep within the abdominal cavity gathers vital statistics of a patient and transmits it in real-time to an ex vivo host. The participant will conduct a literature review, theoretical work, and a student-designed bench-top laboratory experiment to test the following hypothesis: a remote device located within the abdominal cavity can store (on-board) sufficient power to gather and transmit critical biometric(s) to an ex vivo receiver in real-time for five years. The hypothesis will be further constrained. For example, real-time will be defined as “a sufficiently short interval to allow for emergency response personnel to resuscitate a patient in the event of critically low PaO2, heart rate, or other factors.” Furthermore, the maximum volume of the device will be constrained and device architecture will be limited to include commercially available technology. The purpose of this project is to introduce students to: 1) the design of a laboratory experiment to test an engineering-centric hypothesis; 2) the scientific literature review process; 3) electromechanical implants within the human body; and 3) preliminary engineering analysis.

REU in Chemistry

We're engaged in cutting-edge research on the catalysts, drugs, nanomaterials, and sensors of the FUTURE!

Join our team and we'll make HISTORY!

2013 Dates and Stipend

Start: June 3, 2013
End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $5,000

Contact Info

Ms. Kerry Vondrak
Recruiting Staff Assistant
402-472-4453
kerry.vondrak@unl.edu

Who Should Apply

Related majors and areas

Chemistry
Biochemistry
Biological Sciences
Chemical Engineering

Eligibility

Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree

For more information, refer to the eligibility page.

This program encourages applications from students with sophomore or junior standing and those planning to pursue an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) upon completion of the bachelor's degree.

How to Apply

Steps and Required Items

To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.

Application Timeline

Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete

See more timeline information.

Events and Benefits

Program Events

Campus and department orientation
Department seminars and presentations
Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
Welcome picnic
Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Canoe and camping trip
Research symposium

Benefits

Competitive stipend
Double-occupancy room and meal plan
Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
Campus parking and/or bus pass
Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
Wireless internet access

Learn more about academic and financial benefits.

Research and Mentors

The Chemistry SROP is focused on curiosity driven basic research. As such, the projects are specifically tailored to stimulate student curiosity by provoking students to ask "Why?" and "How?" about their research. Participants will progress from undergraduate textbook learning to discovering and solving challenging research problems during the 10-week program.

This SROP offers a wide range of topics, including: organic radicals, medical imaging agents, protein-DNA interactions, enzyme-assisted organic synthesis, catalytic nanoparticles, synthesis of algal quorum-sensing molecules, and drug-protein interactions. The faculty mentors bring strong records of commitment to one-on-one mentoring of undergraduates in their research laboratories, and each brings their own multidisciplinary approach, specific research objectives, and experimental methods.

Students will learn and experience a wide range of communication skills during SROP meetings, in mentor group meetings, career development seminars, lunch discussion groups, social activities, and visits to local industry. The program concludes with students presenting their research findings at a campus-wide poster symposium.

2013 Mentors and Projects

Stephen DiMagno, Ph.D.

Organic

Late stage introduction of fluorine into drug-like molecules

To prepare PET radiotracers, the student will learn how to synthesize and prepare them by fluorination reactions with the "cold" (19F) isotope. What are the challenges involving the synthesis of the radiotracers with the "hot" (18F) isotope?

Eric Dodds, Ph.D.

Analytical and Bioanalytical

Biological Mass Spectrometry

To characterize complex covalent and noncovalent biochemical interactions, the student will learn how to amplify DNA, isolate proteins, or study protein glycosylation.

Patrick Dussault, Ph.D.

Organic

Quorum-sensing molecules

To control the growth of biofuel algae, the student will learn first how to identify and characterize quorum-sensing molecules and then how to synthesize analogs and test them. What factors control the quorum sensing and how to make the process more efficient?

Jiantao Guo, Ph.D

Chemical Biology

Expanding the genetic code

To learn how protein structure determines its function, the student researcher will use the multidisciplinary tools of molecular biology and bioorganic chemistry to add chemically modified unnatural amino acids to the genetic code of a bacterium so it synthesizes protein molecules modified at specific and relevant locations.

David Hage, Ph.D.

Analytical and Bioanalytical

Rapid Analysis of Drug-Protein Interactions

To understand how drugs act on the body, the student will learn how to develop new analytical methods for studying the interaction between drugs and blood proteins. What are the driving forces for this interaction and how strong is it compared to a chemical bond?

Andrzej Rajca, Ph.D.

Organic

Organic Radicals for Organic Magnets, Spin Labels, and MRI Contrast Agents

To prepare the spin labels, students will learn how to synthesize stable organic radicals. Free radicals are typically highly reactive, why then are some radicals such as nitroxides persistent and how to make them more stable?

Alexander Sinitskii, Ph.D.

Inorganic

Novel functional materials

To create materials with new properties for electronics, photonics, sensors, and energy storage, the student will synthesize new types of carbon nanotubes and modified graphene.

Cliff Stains, Ph.D.

Chemical Biology

Tracking proteins in the cell

To allow monitoring of the precise spatial and temporal locations for proteins involved in cell motility, students will modify genes so they are specially labeled.

Jian Zhang, Ph.D.

Inorganic

Nanocluster catalysts

To synthesize new catalysts for use in energy production and energy storage, students will prepare nanomaterials with designed shapes and composition.

REU in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Join our program and work with faculty and grad students to explore earth, air, and water!

Pending Funding

2013 Dates and Stipend

Start: June 3, 2013
End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $5,000

Contact Info

Dr. Mindi Searls
Research Assistant Professor
402-472-6934
msearls2@unl.edu

Who Should Apply

Related majors and areas

Astronomy
Biology
Civil Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Sciences/Studies
Geosciences
Meterology
Natural Resource Sciences
Physics

Eligibility

Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree

For more information, refer to the eligibility page.

In this program, each project has unique prerequisites. See the Research and Mentors section for more details.

How to Apply

Steps and Required Items

To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.

Application Timeline

Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete

See more timeline information.

Events and Benefits

Program Events

Campus and department orientation
Department seminars and presentations
Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
Welcome picnic
Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Canoe and camping trip
Research symposium

Benefits

Competitive stipend
Double-occupancy room and meal plan
Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
Campus parking and/or bus pass
Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
Wireless internet access

Learn more about academic and financial benefits.

Research and Mentors

Earth sciences field work 2 The summer research program in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is administered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. The SROP was established in 2012.

Students work with faculty mentors and conduct cutting-edge research related to water resourcing; microbial community structures; predator-prey interactions and population scaling; paleoecological scaling; and surface faults. This research can be applied to real-world challenges in environmental sciences and prepare scholars for future endeavors studying the earth, air, and water. Individual projects are designed to be completed within the 10-week timeframe of the summer program.

The primary objective of our SROP is to support and develop summer scholars into independent researchers. As such, the format of the research activities is designed around the development of research skills, interaction with interdisciplinary research teams, and opportunities to present research findings.

2013 Mentors and Projects

Show all details

Caroline Burberry, Ph.D.

Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Reactivated Basement Faults in SE Nebraska

Use satellite images to accurately map surface faults across the southeast Nebraska region, and use GIS technology to compare this to the location of the Nemaha uplift and presently mapped faults in the region.Read more about this project

John DeLong, Ph.D.

Biological Sciences

Predator-prey Interactions and Population Scaling

Study predator-prey interactions and population scaling patterns in the lab using protists in aquatic microcosms.Read more about this project

John Gates, Ph.D.

Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Water Resource Predictions

Learn how field data are taken into account in hydrologic models in order to improve water resource predictions.Read more about this project

Paul Hanson, Ph.D.

School of Natural Resources

Sedimentation Rates Along the Platte River valley

Work with coring methods and analyze samples for organic matter and particle size distribution and optically-stimulated luminescence dating methods.Read more about this project

David Harwood, Ph.D.

Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Fossil Diatoms in Antarctic Paleoenvironmental and Paleoclimate Reconstructions

Examine modern benthic epiphyte assemblages to develop correlation to host macroalgae to better understand the paleoecological signatures in the deep-sea diatom epiphyte records.Read more about this project

Daniel Snow, Ph.D.

School of Natural Resources

Fate of Pharmaceuticals, Steroids, or Personal Care Products in the Environment

Develop experiments designed to show plant uptake, persistence, or biological effect that will help better define the environmental fate and potential route of exposure from pharmaceuticals, steroids, or personal care products.Read more about this project

Karrie Weber, Ph.D.

School of Biological Sciences and Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

The Role of the Microbial Community in Carbon and Nutrient Cycling

Projects will involve enrichment and isolation of indigenous microbiota capable of utilizing species various organic compounds under various stages of decomposition, experiments monitoring autotrophic oxidative dissolution of metal carbonates and CO2 incorporation into biomass, or experiments following change in microbial community structure and metabolism following viral infection.Read more about this project

REU in Applied Mathematics

Join our program and work with faculty and grad students on cutting-edge research problems in Applied Mathematics

2013 Dates and Stipend

Start: June 3, 2013
End: July 26, 2013
Stipend: $4,000

Contact Info

Ms. Lori J. Mueller
Administrative Coordinator
402-472-4319
lmueller2@unl.edu
REU Website

Who Should Apply

Related majors and areas

Mathematics

Eligibility

Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree

For more information, refer to the eligibility page.

In this program, each project has unique prerequisites. See the Research and Mentors section for more details.

How to Apply

Steps and Required Items

To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.

Application Timeline

Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete

See more timeline information.

Events and Benefits

Program Events

Campus and department orientation
Department seminars and presentations
Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
Welcome picnic
Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Canoe and camping trip
Research symposium

Benefits

Competitive stipend
Double-occupancy room and meal plan
Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
Campus parking and/or bus pass
Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
Wireless internet access

Learn more about academic and financial benefits.

Research and Mentors

$Math scholars in the classroom$

The Nebraska REU in Applied Mathematics is administered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The REU site was established in 2002.

Our program strives to give students as full of a research experience as possible, including background reading and exercises in their subject; the skills needed on how to define a good problem, how to solve the problem and (in many projects) give rigorous proofs; and the tools for writing mathematics and giving a talk or presenting a poster. We also offer research, educational and social activities that cultivate an environment which emphasizes interaction and collaboration.

Summer scholars meet with their mentors almost every weekday. At the conclusion of the 8-week program, students present their research. Often the summer projects result in presentations at a national conferences and research publications. We believe that the participants leave the Nebraska REU Site with an appreciation for the methods of mathematical discovery and have a meaningful and rigorous educational experience.

In 2013 our projects will include Fractional Calculus, mentored by Professor Al Peterson, and Stability of a Nonlinear Wave Equation, mentored by Professors George Avalos and Daniel Toundykov.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics has a national reputation for excellence in education and mentorship. The department recently received the 2009 AMS Award for Exemplary Program or Achievement in a Mathematics Department, in recognition of their research mentoring for undergraduates.

2013 Mentors and Projects

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George Avalos, Ph.D. and Daniel Toundykov, Ph.D.

Mathematics

Stability of a Nonlinear Wave Equation

Prerequisites: Introductory courses in differential equations and partial differential equations, and some programming skills.

This project is motivated by a certain class of partial differential equations (PDE's) known as wave equations. In one or two dimensions these can describe vibrations of a thin elastic string or a drumhead respectively. In 3D such equations model propagation of acoustic pressure waves. Intrinsically a PDE of this type is a mathematical formulation of Newton's second law for the corresponding physical system. The force terms present therein typically incorporate some frictional effects which dissipate the total energy of the system.Read more about this project

Al Peterson, Ph.D.

Mathematics

Fractional Calculus

Prerequisites: A calculus sequence and a one-semester course in Differential Equations.

Gottfried Leibniz and Guilliaume L'Hopital are believed to have first sparked curiosity into the idea of fractional calculus during a 1695 overseas correspondence on the possible meaning for a one-half derivative. By the late 19th century, combined efforts by several mathematicians — most notably Liouville, Grunwald, Letnikov and Riemann — led to a fairly solid understanding of fractional calculus in the continuous setting. Since then, the number of known applications for fractional calculus has grown greatly. There are applications of fractional derivatives in the fields of viscoelasticity, capacitor theory, electrical circuits, electroanalytical chemistry, neurology, diffusion, control theory and statistics. Significantly less is known, even today, about discrete fractional calculus. We will define the fractional derivative for the discrete case and develop a discrete fractional calculus.

REU: Training in Redox Biology

Join our program and work with faculty who impact fundamental issues of redox biology: aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's disease and other major illnesses!

2013 Dates and Stipend

Start: June 3, 2013
End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $5,000

Contact Info

Ms. Hannah Kahler
Administrative Coordinator
402-472-3173
redox@unl.edu
REU Website

Who Should Apply

Related majors and areas

Biochemistry
Biotechnology
Plant Pathology
Biomedical Sciences
Microbiology
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Other related fields

Eligibility

Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree

For more information, refer to the eligibility page.

How to Apply

Steps and Required Items

To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.

Application Timeline

Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete

See more timeline information.

Events and Benefits

Program Events

Campus and department orientation
Department seminars and presentations
Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
Welcome picnic
Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Canoe and camping trip
Research symposium

Benefits

Competitive stipend
Double-occupancy room and meal plan
Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
Campus parking and/or bus pass
Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
Wireless internet access

Learn more about academic and financial benefits.

Research and Mentors

The Redox Biology Center Summer REU Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was established in 2006 by the National Science Foundation to carry out independent research projects in redox biochemistry. Research areas range from molecular medicine to environmental biochemistry and plant biochemistry.

REU students participate in exciting projects at the cutting edge of research in redox biology. They formulate and test hypotheses, develop experimental problem-solving skills, and receive training in biochemical, biophysical and molecular biology techniques. Students are also exposed to a variety of instrumentation such as HPLC and FPLC systems, EPR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and microscopy which are located in the interdisciplinary Beadle Center.

Individual projects are designed to be completed within the ten-week time frame of the summer program. The projects generally fit into the larger context of the faculty advisor's research program.

Students are placed with a faculty mentor in whose lab the student's research project will be pursued and students are expected to participate fully in the life of the mentor's lab. There are informal meetings for all program participants which facilitate the exchange of information on the research being conducted. There are also weekly meetings in which various scientists describe the latest advances in their own research or career opportunities in biomedical or biotechnology fields. These events provide an opportunity to discuss areas of biochemistry/redox biology that are of particular interest and excitement.

The ten-week summer program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense.

2013 Mentors and Projects

Jiri Adamec, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Proteomics and metabolomics approaches to identify specific molecular pathways of cellular response to various forms of stress.

James R. Alfano, Ph.D.

Plant Pathology

Pathogenic strategies employed by bacteria to cause plant diseases focusing on the type III protein secretion system and the bacterial virulence proteins it injects into host cells.

Raul Barletta, Ph.D.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Redox homeostasis and metabolic analysis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis latency.

Joseph J. Barycki, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Glutathione is the major cellular antioxidant and affords protection against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Disruption of glutathione homeostasis has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Our lab studies how glutathione is synthesized and degraded at the molecular, cellular, and organismal level.

Donald F. Becker, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Redox regulatory mechanisms, protein structure-function relationships and proline metabolism.

Nicole Buan, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Biological methane production, redox biochemistry, microbial physiology.

Rodrigo Franco Cruz, Ph.D.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Oxidative stress and neuronal cell death in neurodegenerative diseases.

Liangcheng Du, Ph.D.

Chemistry

Biochemistry, chemistry and biosynthesis of antibiotics and mycotoxins.

Dmitri Fomenko, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Redox biology, bioinformatics, transcription regulation and molecular diagnostic systems.

Oleh Khalimonchuk, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Mitochondrial Homeostasis: Biogenesis of Redox-Active Compounds and Mechanisms of Quality Control and Protection.

Jaekwon Lee, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Mechanisms of metal-ion metabolism, copper transporters and oxidative stress response.

Marjorie F. Lou, Ph.D.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Biochemical mechanisms of ocular degenerative diseases and aging, and redox regulation and metabolism in the eye lens and other tissues.

Robert Powers, Ph.D.

Chemistry

Develop NMR and bioinformatic methodologies to explore the structure, function, and evolution of proteins to aid in the discovery of new drugs.

Jay Reddy, Ph.D.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of human autoimmune diseases.

Melanie A. Simpson, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Prostate cancer, early regulation of tumor formation and extracellular control of gene expression.

Greg Somerville, Ph.D.

Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Elucidation of mechanisms by which Staphylococcus aureus controls virulence factor production in response to nutrient limitation.

Julie M. Stone, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Molecular mechanisms and regulation of programmed cell death (PCD) in plants, the role of PCD in plant development and response to pathogens and signal transduction.

Mark Wilson, Ph.D.

Biochemistry

Structural biology of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases.

SROP: Undergraduate Summer Research Experience in Virology

Join faculty finding solutions to diseases of epidemic proportions including HIV/AIDS, Herpesvirus, Human Papilloma Virus, and Chlorellavirus Biology.

2013 Dates and Stipend

Start: June 3, 2013
End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $4,000

Contact Info

Ms. Pamela Snyder
Training Coordinator
402-472-6209
psnyder2@unl.edu
SROP Website

Who Should Apply

Related majors and areas

Biology
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Molecular Biology

Eligibility

Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:

U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree

For more information, refer to the eligibility page.

This program gives preference to and encourages applications from students whose primary interest is exploring a career in biomedical research.

How to Apply

Steps and Required Items

To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.

Application Timeline

Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
Fri., Mar. 1, 2013 — Decisions complete

See more timeline information.

Events and Benefits

Program Events

Weekly mentor/mentee lunches
Campus and department orientation
Department seminars and presentations
Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
Welcome picnic
Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Canoe and camping trip
Research symposium

Benefits

Competitive stipend
Double-occupancy room and meal plan
Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
Campus parking and/or bus pass
Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
Wireless internet access

Learn more about academic and financial benefits.

Research and Mentors

The Nebraska Center for Virology research topics are challenging and meritorious exploring problems of epidemic proportions facing mankind including AIDS and HIV replication and pathogenesis, herpesvirus latency and cancer, human papilloma virus and cancers, and chlorellavirus biology. Our goals include designing novel vaccines and therapeutic strategies to block disease.

During the summer program, students work with our faculty alongside current graduate students and postdoctoral research associates in their labs where cutting-edge techniques and the latest instrumentation are used. Students have the opportunity to design and implement a tailor-made research project according to their interests. Students are also exposed to the research of others and have the opportunity to attend weekly lab meetings and seminars where new ideas are exchanged and explored.

This ten-week summer research experience is culminated in a research fair that will provide an opportunity for you to prepare and present a poster showcasing your research project findings and progress.

In addition, after receiving a bachelor's degree, students are encouraged to apply for graduate school fellowships through our federally funded National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award. This is a prestigious program offered at the Nebraska Center for Virology that selects and prepares individuals with exceptional potential and academic credentials for careers that will have a significant impact on the nation's biomedical research agenda.

2013 Mentors and Projects

Peter Angeletti, Ph.D.

Biological Sciences

Replication and encapsidation of human papillomaviruses

Deborah M. Brown, Ph.D.

Biological Sciences

Innate immune response to influenza infections; generation and regulation of cytolytic CD 4 T cells.

Clinton Jones, Ph.D.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Latency-reactivation cycle of alpha-herpes viruses, innate immune response, and viral transcription

Qingsheng Li, Ph.D.

Biological Sciences

Investigation of HIV-1 mucosal transmission and its prevention using rhesus macaque, humanized mouse and HIV patients.

Fernando Osorio, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Swine virology: studies on viral pathogenesis, immunology and vaccinology which are centered on the pig. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV)

Asit Pattnaik, Ph.D.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Replication and assembly of RNA viruses

James Van Etten, Ph.D.

Plant Pathology

The isolation and characterization of large dsDNA (encode >300 proteins) viruses that infect chlorella-like green algae

Matthew Wiebe, Ph.D.

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Intrinsic intracellular immune defenses against viral DNA

Charles Wood, Ph.D.

Biological Sciences

HIV and Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus transmission and molecular biology

Shi-Hua Xiang, Ph.D.

Veterinary & Biomedical Services

Engineering commensal bacteria for therapeutic application research

Luwen Zhang, Ph.D.

Biological Sciences

The herpesvirus-host interactions, the biology of the family of interferon regulatory factors, and the treatments for herpesvirus-triggered cancers

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