Tiered Mentoring

UA Campus Research Opportunites

  

Luke Ju - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Our research seeks to understand and address critical issues in some biological processes or systems. Many of the current research projects integrate molecular biology, microbiology, cell physiology, physical/chemical/ enzymatic technologies, online monitoring techniques, reactor and process engineering, and engineering analysis and/or modeling. For bioprocesses, we work on biomass engineering, advanced fermentation technology, and biological wastewater treatment. In biomass engineering, we seek to improve yields of fermentable sugars from waste biomass and to convert the sugars to value-added products via biological processes. We also have projects for producing biosurfactants and sugar alcohols from the biodiesel byproduct, glycerol. We have also been developing processes for cultivating algae as a fast-growing, renewable biomass. For biosystems, we investigate the effects of microaerobic denitrifying conditions on bacterial metabolism and the antifouling mechanisms of some natural products. Undergraduate students have been part of the research teams on most of the above projects. You can find out more information from our web site: http://www.engineering.uakron.edu/~chem/fclty/ju/index.html or e-mail me, ju@uakron.edu.

 A bee pollinating a Mimulus flower

Randy Mitchell - Biology

Plant-Pollinator Interactions: Research in my lab is centered on the relationship between plants and their pollinators. We are studying three main projects, all of which have elements that would be suitable for undergraduate participation and input. We encourage students working on these projects to develop their own sub-projects that they would develop and lead.

i)  Do individual pollinators differ in their foraging behavior? Recent work indicates that bumble bees and other pollinators often follow consistent routes through fields of flowers. We plan to mark foraging bees with numbered tags and then record their foraging behavior moving through a mapped population of plants.

ii) Do different grassland management strategies affect plant-pollinator interactions? Human management practices can affect the abundance of insect-pollinated plants in grasslands, which should affect the pollinator community. This project involves both field work (pollinator observation and collection, plant inventory), and lab work (specimen curation, identification, and data entry).

iii) Does habitat fragmentation affect pollinator communities and plant reproductive success? We are exploring how human-caused changes in habitat affect the abundance of pollinators and other insects, and the interaction between plants and their pollinators and herbivores. This project involves field work, lab work, GIS modeling and data management.

 Dr. Londraville catching a bowfin (Amia calva) while seining in a refuge near Toledo.

Rich Londraville - Biology

My lab works on how animals store and process fat. Most of the projects right now deal with a hormone called leptin. Leptin is made by fat tissue, and it influences appetite, how fast you burn fuel, when you start to reproduce, and many other physiological functions. We are interested in how these functions have evolved in the vertebrates, and so we are now looking at how leptin works in fish. You could join projects where we are catching fish in the wild and drawing blood to see how much of this hormone they have (comparing big and small, male and female, cold and warm, etc.). We are also using zebrafish in the lab to see what role leptin plays during development. Another problem we just started deals with leptin in whales. Whales are covered in a thick layer of fat, and we want to know if that means they have lots of leptin, or if they have turned it off. Techniques you might use include PCR, immunoblotting, ELISA, protein purification, mass spectrometry, proteomics, and recombinant protein expression. You can learn more at: http://www2.uakron.edu/londraville/rll.htm

Bi-min Newby - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Dr. Newby's group explores both applied and fundamental research in the areas of alternative protein and cell patterning, biosensor fabrication and antifouling coatings.

i)  For alternative patterning, we are employing everyday, naturally occurring phenomena such as decaying of liquid films on a windowpane or "tears of wine" (Marangoni flow) to develop simpler, faster, inexpensive and versatile techniques to assemble proteins and cells on the surface over a large scale.

ii)   We are utilizing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of organosilane for generating various gradient surfaces to fabricate tunable density gradients of nanoparticles and functional biomolecules for biosensor applications. We are also evaluating the effects of stability and conformation variations of ultra-thin poly (ethylene glycol) SAMs on protein adsorption/cell attachments and subsequent biofilm formation.

iii)    We are assessing antifouling mechanisms of low-toxicity and non-toxic natural product antifoulants using various fouling species (bacteria, algae, and mussels), and applying the solvent-assisted technique to generate controlled released monolithic antifouling coatings entrapped with natural antifoulants.

iv)    We are mimicking the "self-cleaning" ability of plant leaves and generating superhydrophobic surfaces to combat the attachment of fouling organisms.

J. Patrick Wilber - Theoretical and Applied Mathematics

A biofilm is a community of microorganisms, like bacteria, embedded in a mesh of assorted proteins and nucleic acids. Biofilms grow on many different surfaces, including living tissue, and such biofilms can lead to life-threatening infections. Treating these infections is complicated by the fundamental fact that the bacteria growing within a biofilm are far more resistant to antimicrobial drugs than the same bacteria growing outside of a biofilm. I am part of a multidisciplinary team of applied mathematicians, biologists, chemists, and biomedical engineers studying how to treat lung biofilms using silver-based antimicrobial drugs. Working with this team presents exciting research possibilities. While studying biofilms, a member of our team can learn mathematical modeling and related computational techniques while also learning laboratory techniques for growing and studying biofilms. Hence this is an excellent opportunity for any motivated student interested in both applied mathematics and the biological sciences.

Lisa Park - Geology and Environmental Science

Dr. Park's research involves the crustacean group Ostracoda. She uses them to reconstruct paleoenvironments, particularly with respect to climate change and faunal evolution. She is currently working in the Bahamas on faunal response to hurricanes, where she is investigating how ostracodes increase in diversity and abundance to disturbance events. She has several projects for students within this larger project that include examining cores and individual ostracode species to determine this record. Students typically would be processing core samples, picking and identifying ostracodes and learning various techniques that include ESEM, XRF and ICP.         

Teresa Cutright - Civil Engineering

Phytoremediation of heavy metals: Students will evaluate the use of sunflowers for the phytoremediation of heavy metals in either soil or water systems. In completing the research, students will learn how to use an atomic adsorption unit to determine the metal content in roots, stems, and leaves. This information will be used to ascertain the preferred storage location as well as if there is a preferred uptake of one metal over another. Hydroponic (water based) experiment will be conducted to eliminate problems associated with metals binding to the soils. For soil experiments, mass transfer issues (i.e, binding) will be further investigated by the use of chelators. The results of the metal content in each section will be correlated with analysis conducted by Cleveland State University to determine which protein is responsible for the uptake of each metal.

   Spider web with dew.

Ali Dhinojwala - Polymer Science 

a) Nature has evolved many well-designed adhesives that function in locomotion, defense, and prey-capture. Our group works with biological adhesives produced by Geckos and Spiders. G eckos have unique ability to attach to different surfaces without using viscoelastic glues. The micron-size hairs on the gecko feet make intimate contact and adhere to rough surfaces using van der Waals interactions. This carpet of hairs on the gecko feet also keeps the gecko feet clean and retains adhesion in dusty environments. Synthetic gecko-inspired materials could form the basis of a new class of adhesives that would include two contradictory properties of self-cleaning and high adhesion. We have used micro-patterned, vertically aligned carbon nanotubes to mimic the micron-size hairs found on gecko feet. The student’s research will involve growing nanotubes on silicon and glass substrates in shapes and sizes required to improve adhesion. The nanotubes will be transferred to a plastic substrate and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, macroscopic adhesion, peel test, and friction measurements. The student will also be able to work in collaboration with Professor Niewiarowski in Biology.

b) Spiders produce highly adhesive silk fibers to capture prey, which range from dry nanometer-sized hairs to wet micron-sized viscoelastic glue drops. These adhesives are laid on a pair of highly extensible and strong axial silk fibers which absorb the enormous kinetic energy of the incoming prey. These adhesives are reversible like some other natural adhesives but are unique in that they are highly dependent on parameters like humidity. Synthetic mimics of this system could thus be ‘switched off’ from or ‘switched on’ to adhering to surfaces. Biocompatibility, adhesion, and reversibility of these systems make them ideal for biomedical applications. The dry adhesives used by spiders work similar to the gecko foot, however, they remain largely uncharacterized. The student’s research will involve characterizing these adhesives using peeling tests performed on the Nanobionix (Biology) and imaging these threads using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. The student will also be encouraged to think of how to mimic this structure using various methods.

Shiva Sastry - Electrical and Computer Engineering

a)  The Complex Engineered Systems Lab [CESL] at The University of Akron is a state-of-the-art research facility for investigating networked embedded systems. Our research activities focus on regulating the behaviors of highly engineered systems by using a collections Microcontrollers that interact with the physical world via Sensors and Actuators and each other over low power Wireless Links

b)  Your work in this lab will focus primarily on software that enables systems to be reconfigured dynamically. You will work with a team of students and industry leaders. The activities range from programming traditional industrial controllers to next-generation platforms for automation that we are currently investigating. Much of the experience will be hands-on and you will participate in the development and deployment of our testbeds. For more information, you can visit the website http://cesl.uakron.edu.

Peter Niewiarowski - Biology

The phenomenal ability of geckos to cling to smooth surfaces has captured the attention of biologists and engineers for more than 100 years. Researchers are particularly interested in understanding the molecular basis and physical forces underlying these capabilities so that design and manufacture of synthetic adhesive mimics would be possible. Imagine gloves or shoes that would make it possible to walk on the ceiling! Just as important, such studies also make it possible to understand how such capacities evolved in the first place. Together with collaborators in Polymer Science, we are involved in projects that explore both areas - design of gecko toe pad mimics AND the ecology and evolution of geckos. We are studying the mechanics of adhesion at both the molecular and whole organism scale. Current projects that we need help with include:

i)  Molecular biology of keratin: Determining the protein sequence and chemical characteristics related to the stickiness of b-keratin; 3-D imaging of setae at the nanoscale

ii)  Material properties of setae: Measurement of stiffness of setae under various environment conditions

iii)  Locomotor mechanics of adhesive toe pads: Whole organism analysis of foot/toe mechanics (Self-cleaning; Adhesion under different environmental conditions)

  Small mammal trapping at the Bath Nature Preserve

Greg Smith - Biology

Wildlife Ecology & Conservation - The current, ongoing loss in biological diversity may well rival some of the mass extinctions found in the geologic record. In this case, the extinctions result from the actions of one species: our own. Declining diversity is not simply marked by the sheer number of species lost, but by the highly disproportionate loss of many of the most distinctive species and ecosystems. It is occurring via the replacement of local biotas by nonindigenous and locally expanding species or ecosystems. In my lab, students will investigate the impacts of anthropogenic change on small mammal communities in the Cuyahoga Valley. Study sites will be located throughout the region and habitat "islands" will be chosen along a gradient of rural to urban habitat types. Comparisons between sites will allow investigations into the influence of the adjacent habitat matrix on the local mammal community. Understanding the influence of homogenization on the species richness and abundance of small mammals will provide insight into how such species respond to their local environment and will suggest landscape management strategies for the conservation of native small mammals within an increasingly fragmented and homogenized system.

 Mating behavior in the clam shrimp

Steve Weeks - Biology

Currently, my research has focused on delineating the factors allowing the coexistence of male and hermaphrodite (termed "androdioecy") freshwater shrimp in ponds across the world. Over the years of studying this question, my research has evolved into an interdisciplinary set of projects that combine to approach the complex question of how mating systems have evolved in these shrimp. Several graduate students and I are studying a variety of ecological and genetic aspects of the unique mating system found in these shrimp, seeking to discern the costs and benefits of selfing vs. outcrossing in this system. Since this early work, we have expanded to study mating system evolution across the family Limnadiidae using phylogeographic, ecological, behavioral, and genetic approaches. We are now pursuing another dimension to this research which will add a paleontological aspect to our comparisons. We are working with Dr. Lisa Park (UA Geology Dept.) to explore mating system evolution using fossilized carapaces of Limnadiidae. If we can ascertain mating systems from fossils, we will then open up a broad range of research possibilities that would allow us to explore associations of mating system with habitat over geological time spans. Undergraduate students can be involved with any of the above projects, but we have particular success with students studying mating behaviors using time-lapse videos and automated tracking programs.

   An industrial 6 degrees of freedom serial arm robot mounted with an universal force-torque sensor in the Orthopaedics Engineering Research Laboratory is used to study spine biomechanics.

Juay Seng Tan - Biomedical Engineering

Orthopaedics Engineering Research Laboratory: The student will have a chance to work with a new robotic arm and a motion capture system in the laboratory. Research in this orthopaedic laboratory includes in-vitro tests involving the application of physiological loads and kinematics measurement on joints. One project is to compare biomechanics of 2 new spinal implant systems against current spinal fusion techniques. Other general projects include establishing laboratory safety procedures with robotic arm and with biological tissues, jigs and fixture design, Labview programming and programming for displacement and load control of the robotic arm.

Brian Bagatto- Biology

The main focus of my lab is the study of developmental physiology in vertebrates. Currently, we are working with the long term effects of low oxygen, or hypoxia, on the development of zebrafish. Hypoxia is very important to study as these areas are increasing in oceans and lakes around the world. If fish actually survive in low oxygen, they certainly cannot perform the same way that they do in normal aerated water. We have discovered many changes that take place during early development that allow fish larvae to survive to adulthood. Undergraduate students in my lab will have the opportunity to look at a specific trait in larval fish (like heart rate, blood flow, etc.) and measure how this trait changes during development in hypoxia. By moving fish between low oxygen and normal water, students can also measure how plastic a particular trait is.

 Water quality assessment in the Cuyahoga National Park

Christopher Miller - Civil Engineering

Drinking Water Quality And Disinfection Byproduct Formation Assessment Of A Watershed - Every city in the United States with a drinking water supply source from surface water adds chlorine and/or chloramines to disinfect the water during treatment and in the distribution system. Chlorine effectively eradicates dangerous bacteria that can cause cholera and dysentery; however, chlorine reacts with naturally occurring dissolved organic carbon to form harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs) that are ultimately consumed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates these compounds and even more stringent regulations were released in 2006 because of the discovery of unacceptable concentrations of DBPs in distribution systems at non-regulated locations. Municipalities need help understanding the role of source water characteristics on DBP formation in their drinking water so they can comply with the new regulations and provide safer, higher quality water to their consumers. Unfortunately, current DBP formation assessment methods are relatively non-specific. We seek to identify specific relationships between source water characteristics, watershed land use, stream ecological characteristics, and DBP formation. The methodology developed could allow systematic assessment of other drinking water sources and help municipalities provide safe drinking water to the public.

 The photo shows colored water droplets sitting on a glass slide coated with polypropylene (PP) nanofibers. Normally water wants to spread on glass, but the PP nanofiber layer causes the water drops to bead.

George Chase - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Nanofibers are a platform technology with multiple applications. Students working on this research will learn how to make polymer and ceramic nanofibers. They will work with grad students on one of several potential projects including construction of filter media, oil-water separations, catalyst support materials, and optically transparent electrically conductive fibers. The students will apply the scientific method from hypothesis to evaluation of their experimental results.

Some general information on a few of my research projects is on my website.

Anil Patnaik - Civil Engineering

Students working in this research area will have an opportunity to evaluate material and structural performance of civil engineering materials and structures. The research involves experimenting with the commonly used building materials, such as concrete and steel, in combination with new and emerging smart, high-strength, high-performance materials. Students will have an opportunity to work with fiber reinforced concrete using basalt fiber, basalt fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials, and new generation of titanium alloys. Large-scale structural testing is also conducted in the laboratories to evaluate the performance of structural members representing bridge beams, bridge decks, columns, building frame members, and defense hardware. Current projects involve test specimens made from titanium alloys, reinforced concrete, chopped synthetic and basalt fiber, steel, and/or basalt FRP reinforcing bars. Repair of existing structures and strengthening methods are also developed. Structural health monitoring methodologies are being developed using a state-of-the-art wireless sensor technology in collaboration with electrical and computer engineering researchers. Research opportunities can include programming, the use of commercial structural engineering analysis and design computer programs.

Gaurav Mittal - Mechanical Engineering

Combustion Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering is set up for investigating combustion characteristics of conventional and alternative fuels particularly in a high pressure environment, which is relevant to advanced engines and combustors. The participating student in Combustion Lab will have the opportunity to work on well-characterized combustion related experiments, design/fabrication of new experiments, and various diagnostics including Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, optical diagnostics etc. The experience will also enrich the overall understanding of emerging engine technologies and fuels.

D. Dane Quinn - Mechanical Engineering

Energy harvesting describes the conversion of energy from mechanical sources, such as ambient structural vibrations or water waves, into electical energy that can be either used directly to power devices such as iPods or wireless sensors, or stored for later use. Thus mechanical energy that would otherwise be wasted into the environment can be recovered. However, maximizing the efficiency of such energy harvesters requires that the system be designed as a whole, considering the interconnected behavior of the mechanical system, the conversion mechanism, and the electrical load. Students involved in this project would apply modeling and simulation tools to predict the performance of such systems and ultimately design more efficient energy harvesting devices.

Jiang Zhe - Mechanical Engineering

The development of integrated devices for onsite, rapid identification and quantification of suspicious powders/micro particles in mailroom at reasonable costs represent an important interdisciplinary research frontier.  While authentication services for these bioactive particles are currently provided by research laboratories, these analytical methods are time consuming, require skilled personnel and are not portable for onsite applications.  Currently, there lacks real time monitoring method deployable that can continuously identify and quantify microparticles in liquid or air.  With the support of National Science Foundation, my lab at UA has developed nover micro Coulter counting device to address this urgent need.  In this summer project, students will use a homemade micro Coulter counting device (see Figure 1(a) and (b)) to detect biological particles, such as pollen and algae. The objectives of this summer project are: (1) Design a micro Coulter counter, (2) Fabricate a microfluidic device for bioparticle detection, and (3) Use the micro device for bioparticle (pollen, algae, blood cell, etc) detection

  Polymeric nanofibrous membrane used as tissue engineering scaffolds.

Lingyun Liu - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

The research in my lab focuses on understanding and controlling properties of biomolecular interfaces and developing new biomaterials, tissue engineering scaffolds, and biosensors for biomedical and engineering applications. Undergraduate students can be involved in the following areas: (1) Electrospun fibrous scaffolds - For Tissue EngineeringWe are developing several types of polymeric nanofibrous scaffolds by the electrospinning method, for various tissue engineering applications such as regenerative skin and muscle. (2) Molecular engineering of surfaces for biosensing and detection - We are exploring several novel surface functionalization approaches to realize both high sensitivity and high specificity of SPR biosensing, b y controlling the orientation/conformation of the proteins immobilized on a super-nonfouling background. The newly developed platforms will be used for various applications, such as food safety monitoring and early disease diagnostics. 

  Students in robotic competitions.

Tom T. Hartley - Electrical and Computer Engineerng

a)  The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department has developed an environment of success in terrestrial robotics, and particularly in extraterrestrial robotics. Some of our previous robots have included a lunar construction robot, a beamed energy tether climbing robot, firefighting robots, an autonomous intelligent ground vehicle (IGVC), lightweight sumo-bots, heavyweight sumo-bots, a super-heavyweight (340lb) combat-bot, and the NASA lunar rover power system redesign. Some of the present projects include a balance-bot, a middleweight combat-bot, another super-heavyweight combat-bot, robo-magellan, humanoid robots, the NASA Lunar Robotic Mining Competition, and completing the NASA Hero Regolith Cutting Robot under the Space Act Agreement. These robotic activities allow students access to our departmental research labs in microcontrollers and programming, sensors and actuators, power electronics, energy storage and scavenging, control and decision making, communication, and mobility configurations. While general robot design skills are expected of everyone, students are encouraged to become specialists in areas of particular interest. Advanced topics include real-time sensor-data fusion, navigation, human exo-skeletons, battery management, motor driver design, advanced vehicle control, swarm techniques, and communication networks.

 

     Embryonic zebrafish with early developing eyes

Qin Liu – Biology

The main focus of our research is to understand how cadherin molecules function in development of zebrafish visual system. Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecules play crucial roles in animal development. Zebrafish has becoming an excellent model organism for the study molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying animal development due to its many experimental advantages including ease of maintenance and routinely obtaining large numbers of eggs, transparency of the embryos, rapid embryonic development and its utility as a genetic model. Malfunction in cadherins results in similar defects (e.g. blind and/or deaf) in both humans and zebrafish. Our studies have shown that cadherins show unique expression patterns during critical stages of zebrafish retinal development, and cadherins play differential roles in zebrafish eye development. Expression of cadherins is studied using RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical methods, while cadherins function is analyzed using zebrafish cadherin mutants and antisense morpholino oligonucleotides technique (applied using a microinjection system). Please visit our website for more information. The image shows ventral view of a whole mount zebrafish embryo head stained with zn5 monclonal antibody (labels retinal ganglion cells and optic nerves). 

         Anthropomorphic robotic hand (left) and computer visualization of hand (right)

Erik Engeberg - Mechanical Engineering

The student will have the opportunity to work with a state of the art anthropomorphic robotic hand and a clinically available prosthetic hand to perform interdisciplinary research.  The nature of the research spans biomedical, mechanical, and electrical engineering.  Applications of this research include the integration of the dexterous robotic hand as a prosthesis for amputees, biological signal processing for feedback and control of the artificial hands, biologically inspired automation of multiple degrees of freedom of the dexterous hand controlled by a minimal number of inputs, and studies of natural control strategies employed by humans during manipulation tasks.  Increased knowledge in these areas of research will help shape the future of upper limb prosthetics and humanoid robots with the potential to improve the quality of life of many people.

Baldwin-Wallace Research Opportunites

Jacqueline Morris - Biology and Geology

Dr. Morris is a professor in the biology department. Her laboratory works to determine the molecular mechanisms involved in the production of myelin in the central nervous system. Myelin is a fatty substance that surrounds the axons and increases speed of nerve conduction. Dr. Morris' lab employs Danio rerio, zebrafish, as a genetic model. Mutations can be induced in the genome of zebrafish, thus helping to determine how myelination or development may be altered.

Jennifer Clark – Biology and Geology

My research interests lie in the area of aquatic ecology with a focus on stream systems. My primary interests include how abiotic and biotic variables structure stream communities, organismal and community-level impacts on ecosystem function, and how surrounding land use affects community structure and ultimately ecosystem functioning. On a community and organismal scale, I am interested in predator-prey interactions, competitive interactions, life history/ontogenetic shifts in habitat use, and how energy is allocated to maximize certain aspects of life history (trade-offs) in stream systems. On a larger scale, I am interested in organismal/community impacts on organic matter processing and how different land uses (e.g., urban, agriculture, etc.) affect food web structure and organic matter processing.

Michael Melampy - Biology and Geology

Dr. Melampy is an ecologist in the Dept. of Biology and Geology. His research interests lie in the exploration of interactions among plants and insects, particularly pollinators. Currently, he is investigating the impact that variation in the physical and biotic environments of woodlands in the Cleveland Metroparks has on pollination and reproduction of mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum. A biotic factor of particular interest in this research is the abundance of flowering plants that varies as a result of deer browsing

Cooperative Education Research Opportunities

 A biocontrol insect (the weevil Euhrychiopsis lecontei) on the stem of the target Eurasion watermilfoil.

Martin Hilovsky - Enviroscience, Inc.  (Paid position)

A relatively new area of research for my lab is the interaction between the invasive and exotic aquatic plant Eurasian watermilfoil and a native insect herbivore that holds significant promise as a biocontrol agent.  The insect - called a milfoil weevil - shows a preference for the exotic Eurasian variety over several native species of watermilfoil.  It has also shown varying degrees of effectiveness on Eurasian-native hybrids. We are interested in exploring the mechanisms that allow the weevil to utilize these milfoils and milfoil hybrids differentially.  A student working with me would work on one or more aspects of these mechanisms.

 Fetal Treatment Center

Melonie Michelson - Fetal Treatment Center, Children's Hospital Medical Center  (Unpaid position)

At the Fetal Treatment Center of NE Ohio, located at Akron Children's Hospital, we coordinate care yearly for approximately 200 pregnant women and their families who have received a prenatal diagnosis of a birth defect. These birth defects include disorders such as brain abnormalities, including hydrocephalus and spinal defects (e.g., spina bifida), and chromosome abnormalities like Down syndrome. Our past research has been strictly clinically oriented, examining who we are serving and what are the latest clinical care pathways to use with different conditions. We have collected data on our patients since our program began in 2002 and we have plans to analyze this data with a specific focus on pregnancy outcomes. Students could work with us by investigating hospital records on babies whose mothers were followed in our program. This will help with assessing long term outcomes and improve prenatal care. Student researchers can help us answer questions such as: Did mode of delivery affect newborn outcome? Did fetal MRI correlate with postnatal diagnosis? Are certain biirth defects seen more commonly as certain times of the year? Another project we would anticipate would involve looking back at our collection of powerpoint slides used in our monthly clinical meetings and compiling a compendium of birth defects teaching materials.This would be important for creating new clinical pathways to improve our care of families experiencing birth defects.

  Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic, Department of Biomedical Engineering [Unpaid position]

The goals of the BME Department are to use engineering and life science technology to: 1) understand disease mechanisms (e.g., atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis); 2) address major health care issues (e.g., functional deficits in diabetics, cardiac patients, and the elderly). 3) improve quality of life for patients (e.g., improved cardiovascular and orthopedic devices); 4) educate the next generation of biomedical engineers by involving them in all areas of research. Education programs within the department range from high school shadowing and senior projects to undergraduate internships and co-ops, (including the NSF funded six-month REU Program) to graduate student research (supporting MS and PhD students from local universities) and finally Post-Doctoral Fellows. Research opportunities are available for undergraduate students from engineering and science backgrounds for both summer and year-round internships.

 

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