Student Research
The following is a list of recent undergraduate (UG) and graduate (G) student research studies conducted with Biology faculty at Shippensburg University. Faculty mentors are listed in parentheses.
2009
Sativa Volcy and Samantha Dougherty. Copper Resistant Plant Pathogenic Bacteria (Dr. Baer-Lehman) - UG
Kelly Motter, Kari Oberholzer and Jen Wysocki. Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variables and Dermacentor albipictus as vectors for human and variant strains of Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti and Rickettsia rickettsii. (Dr. Baer-Lehman and Dr. Stewart) - UG
Mark Shaeffer. Diversity and composition of Pennsylvania fish communities: assessing changes over time (Dr. Light) - UG
Alicia Helfrick. Importance of terrestrial invertebrate inputs in the diet of Appalachian stream crayfish Cambarus bartonii (Dr. Light) - UG
Sara Grisé. Climate change and aquatic invasive species risk in Pennsylvania (Dr. Light) - G
Steve Chervenyak. Food webs of acidified and limestone-treated streams (Dr. Light) - G
Eric Snyder. Effects of Orconectes rusticus (rusty crayfish) on Etheostoma olmstedi (tesselated darter) (Dr. Light) - G
Jonathan Gorski and Justin Rodrigo. Expression, cloning andsequencing of the autophagy related gene Atg7 in SNB-19 brain tumor cells (Dr. Elliott) -UG
Ashley Martin and Nitasha Kaur. Elucidating the role of Atg5 autophagy protein ingrowth characteristics of SNB19 brain tumor cells (Dr. Elliott) -UG
EmilySwartz and Joseph Thomas. Expression, cloning undeserving of ATG13 autphagy related cDNA from glioma cells (Dr.Elliott)-UG
Vitali Mikhniuk and Morenje Mlawa. Detection of HERV integration sites in glioblastoma cell lines using amodified AFLP technique (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Kristin Mack. Human polymorphic loci in a glioblastoma cell line (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Lawrence Ashton, Annie Birdsong, Hayley Crowel, Grant Izzo, Justin Wissler. Survey for the Presence and Prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in South central Pennsylvania (Dr. Maret) - UG
Justin Atkins. Hypoxia in vernal ponds and its effects on amphibians larvae and their aquatic predator (Dr. Maret) - G
Misty Gruver. Examination of the population structure and dynamics of spotted turtles,
Clemmys guttata, inhabiting vernal ponds in south-central Pennsylvania (Dr. Maret) - G
Sativa Volcy and Samantha Dougherty. Copper Resistant Plant Pathogenic Bacteria (Dr. Baer-Lehman) - UG
Kelly Motter, Kari Oberholzer and Jen Wysocki. Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variables and Dermacentor albipictus as vectors for human and variant strains of Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti and Rickettsia rickettsii. (Dr. Baer-Lehman and Dr. Stewart) - UG
Mark Shaeffer. Diversity and composition of Pennsylvania fish communities: assessing changes over time (Dr. Light) - UG
Alicia Helfrick. Importance of terrestrial invertebrate inputs in the diet of Appalachian stream crayfish Cambarus bartonii (Dr. Light) - UG
Sara Grisé. Climate change and aquatic invasive species risk in Pennsylvania (Dr. Light) - G
Steve Chervenyak. Food webs of acidified and limestone-treated streams (Dr. Light) - G
Eric Snyder. Effects of Orconectes rusticus (rusty crayfish) on Etheostoma olmstedi (tesselated darter) (Dr. Light) - G
Jonathan Gorski and Justin Rodrigo. Expression, cloning andsequencing of the autophagy related gene Atg7 in SNB-19 brain tumor cells (Dr. Elliott) -UG
Ashley Martin and Nitasha Kaur. Elucidating the role of Atg5 autophagy protein ingrowth characteristics of SNB19 brain tumor cells (Dr. Elliott) -UG
Emily Swartz and Joseph Thomas. Expression, cloning undeserving of ATG13 autphagy related cDNA from glioma cells (Dr.Elliott)-UG
Vitali Mikhniuk and Morenje Mlawa. Detection of HERV integration sites in glioblastoma cell lines using amodified AFLP technique (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Kristin Mack. Human polymorphic loci in a glioblastoma cell line (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Lawrence Ashton, Annie Birdsong, Hayley Crowel, Grant Izzo, Justin Wissler. Survey for the Presence and Prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in South central Pennsylvania (Dr. Maret) - UG Justin Atkins. Hypoxia in vernal ponds and its effects on amphibians larvae and their aquatic predator (Dr. Maret) - G
Misty Gruver. Examination of the population structure and dynamics of spotted turtles, Clemmys guttata, inhabiting vernal ponds in south-central Pennsylvania (Dr. Maret) - G
2008
Holly Hunt. Ames Assay of Fludioxonil as a Potential Mutagen. Graduate researcher (Dr. Baer-Lehman and Dr. Predecki) - G
James Redington. Molecular characterization of Rose Rosette Disease (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Sicoya Graves. Survey of tick-born pathogens in the Dog Tick, Dermacentor variables (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Sharan Albright. Survey of subterranean amphipods in south-central Pennsylvania springs. (Dr. Light) - G
Jonahes. Evaluating different wavelengths of light as a stimulus for theAmerican dog tick, Dermacentor variables. (Dr. Stewart) - G
Melanie Cegelski. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninumantibodies in coyotes (Canis latrans) from Pennsylvania. (Dr. Stewart) - G
Carrie Oberholtzer [with Jennifer Kowa (UG). Someectoparasites of coyotes, Canis latrans, from Pennsylvania duringwinter. (Dr. Stewart) - UG
Jessie Jarrett. Anopportunistic predator survey using trail cameras at Letterkenny ArmyDepot in south-central Pennsylvania. (Dr. Stewart) - UG
CraigKindlin. Initial assessment of an Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister)population in the north block of the Tuscarora state forest. (Dr.Stewart) - G
Bradley Catherman. Investigating helmniths infesting salamanders and newts in a seasonal pool on south mountain. (Dr. Stewart) - UG
Jennifer Patterson [With Dr.Robin McCann - Chemistry Department]. Assessment of skin toxicity,tetrodotoxin levels, in a population of spotted newt, Notophthalmusviridescens, in South Central Pennsylvania. (Dr. Delis) - UG
Koreene Moser. Characterization of Lampropeltis triangulum and Heterodonplatirhinos in Pennsylvania: biogeography and morphological differentiation (Dr. Delis) - G
Gerard Reilly. Impact of alcohol exposure on courtship in Drosophila melanogaster. (Dr. Bergsten) - UG
Matt Stake and Lisa Cupps. Genetic analysis of pheromone detection during courtship in Drosophila melanogaster. (Dr. Bergsten) - UG
Alma Makul. Elucidating the role of Apg5 protein in autophagy and apoptosis in SNB19 brain tumor cells. (Dr. Elliott)-G
Justin Rodrigo and John Gorski. Expression, cloning and sequencing of the autophagy related gene, beclin-1 in SNB-19 brain tumor cells. (Dr.Elliott)-UG
Ashley Martin and Chantal Gross. Elucidating the role of Apg5 autophagy protein in SNB-19 brain tumor cells. (Dr. Elliott)-UG
Larry Ashton and Grant Izzo. The effects of timber harvest on small mammals in Michaux State Forest. (Dr. Maret) - UG
Kaitlyn Travis [with Eric Snyder (G)]. Comparison of the ecological impacts of Orconectes virilis and Orconectes rusticus on community structure in freshwater streams of South Central Pennsylvania (Dr. Light) - UG
Emilie Kohler, Karen Burke, and Rachael Kells. An investigation into hybridization between two species of Orconectes crayfish in Central Pennsylvania (Dr. Light) - UG
Cynthia Tucker. Background Preference of Betta splendens and its Effect on Behavior. (Dr. Paulson) - UG
Dustin Shull. Applying Dyar's Law to the Growth of Sigara mathesoni(Hungerford) (Heteroptera: Corixidae). (Drs. Paulson and Stewart)- UG
Kevin Chase. Changes in Nest Dispersionof Formica exsectoides Over a Ten Year Period on South Mountain, PA.(Drs. Ferster and Paulson) - UG
Monica Scarrazo. The Effect of Methamphetamine on Decomposition of Carrion and Maggot Growth. (Dr. Paulson) - UG
Eric Snyder. Effects of Orconectes rusticus (rusty crayfish) on benthic fishes (Dr. Light) - G
2007
Laura Hock [With Dr. Robin McCann - Chemistry Department]. Production levels of Tetrodotoxin in a population of spotted newt, Notophthalmusviridescens, in South Central Pennsylvania. (Dr. Delis) - UG
Jeffery S. Butt. Effects of stream liming on the biota and water chemistry of a Pennsylvania mountain stream. (Dr. Light) - G
Christopher Siefring and Michael Cowen. Expression of Beclin 1 as an Indicator of Autophagy in Human Monocytes Infected with Streptococcus pyogenes or Yersinia pestis. (Dr. Elliott) - UG
Daniel Burdge and Samantha Ramus. Elucidating the Role of APG5 and APG12 Autophagy Related Proteins in Cancer Biology of a Brain Tumor Cell Line. (Dr.Elliott) - UG
Melanie Cegelski. Diseases of the Eastern coyote. (Dr. Stewart) - G
Craig Kindlin. Woodrat Population Assessment During Pre- and Post-Habitat Alteration in the Tuscarora State Forest. (Dr. Stewart) -G
Nicole Thierwechter, Laura Lindgren, Sandra Lynch, Dan Ward, and Matt Stake. Understanding the Role of Individual Genesin Pheromone Detection during Drosophila melanogaster Courtship throughRNA Interference Analysis. (Dr. Bergsten) - UG
Kristina Tarasan. Consequences of habitat anthropogenic disturbance on the distribution, abundance, and live history of the box turtles (Terrapenecarolina carolina) in South Central Pennsylvania. PA. (Dr. Delis) - G
Katrina Waisanen. The effects of micro habitat parameters on natal nest success in the Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) in South Central Pennsylvania, PA. (Dr. Delis) - G
Heather Gowton.A survey to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardiasp. in resident Canadian geese in Pennsylvania. (Dr. Stewart) - UG
JasonAmbler. Fine-scale genetic structure and dispersal among spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), wood frog (Rana sylvatica) andred-spotted newt (Notopthalmus viridescens) breeding populations. (Dr.Maret) - G
Amy Williams The effect of increased salinity from road de-icing salts on survival, growth, and interactions among vernal pond amphibian larvae. (Dr. Maret) - G
2006
Katie Mayo and Kimberly Miller. Elucidating the Role of APG5 in Autophagy and Protection Against Bacterial Infections: Engineering Fluorescent Expression Vectors Containing APG5 for Confocal Microscopy Studies(Drs. Elliott and Ulrich) - UG
Nicole Thiewechter and Shana Barrett. Effects of Sensory Mutations on Mating Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. (Dr. Bergsten) - UG
Daniel Burdge. Effect of the dunce Gene on Associative Learning in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae. (Drs. Bergsten and Paulson) - UG
Zachary Forsburg. The Amphibian Community of Natural vs. AgriculturallyDisturbed Ponds in Letterkeny Army Depot, South-Central Pennsylvania.(Dr. Delis) - UG
Natasha Alligood, K. Clarke, and M. Stake. Heterologous Expression of an Insect Poxvirus 57K Gene (Dr. Olszewski) - UG
James Mellon. Hatchling Ecology and Predatory Location of Nests of the Malaclemys terrapin terrapin (Northern Diamondback Terrapin). (Dr.Maret) - G
John Chripczuk. Effects of the genus Notonecta (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) on amphibian assemblages in vernal ponds.(Dr. Maret) - G
Kyle Bisson. A study on populationdynamics of the Atlantic Ghost Crab, Ocypode quadrata, along barrierislands of coastal Maryland and Virginia. (Dr. Stewart) - G
Ashley Brookart . Determining source waters and water quality of spring creeks with fluorescent dye tracing and invertebrate metrics of water quality(Drs. Hurd, Light, and Feeney) - G
Jed Zeigler.Histological examination of the terminal location of trematodesporocystes in a South-central Pennsylvania snail population. (Drs.Stewart and Long) - UG
Lindsay Brightbill, E.. Kippa, and D. Dougherty. Characterization of Dermacentor albipictus as a potentialvector for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. (Drs. Stewart, Lehman, and Patrie) - UG
Nathan Fuller and Katie Barry. Patterns of attachment of the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, and the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis, on white-tailed deer. (Drs.Stewart and Lehman) - UG
Keith Steinmann. Winter diet of coyotes (Canis latrans) in Pennsylvania using stomach content analysis.(Drs. Stewart and Delis) - UG
Emilie Kohler and LayneStrickler. Diversity and abundance of aquatic plants in a carbonate spring ecosystem before and after closure of Big Spring Fish Culture Station (Dr. Hurd) - UG
Steven Berkstresser and Scott Jones. The effects of density, protein availability, and size variation on cannibalism, survival, and growth in larvae of the caddisfly Ptilostomis postica (Dr. Maret) - UG
Chelsea Evans. The effect of consuming different leaf types on growth and survival of larval caddisflies, Limnephilus indivisis (Dr. Maret) - UG
2005
Randall Hulshizer. Effects of Papain Pre-Treatment of Vero, CHO and MRC-5 Cells on the Oligomerization and Cytotoxicity of Clostridium perfringens TypeE Iota-Toxin. (Drs. Elliott and Dr. Hale) - UG
Eric Snyder and Amanda Treher. Ecological correlates of rusty crayfish presence and macro-invertebrate assemblages in a stream system in south-central Pennsylvania (Dr. Maret) - UG
Nicole Waltemire.Reproductive Biology of the Eastern Box Turtle in Letterkenny Army Depot, South Central Pennsylvania. (Dr. Delis) - UG
Mark Swartz. Vegetation Assessment of old Fields in Pennsylvania Occupied by a Specialist Herbivore (Dr. Paulson) - G
Sam Pelesky. Effect of logging on the movement patterns of the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). (Dr. Delis) - G
LaceyConrad. Transepidermal Water Loss in Shed skin from Aquatic and Terrestrial Snakes. Research has been funded by the private company CyberDerm. (Dr. Delis) - G
Matt Rach. Thermal Biology of Gravid Timber Rattlesnakese (Crotalus horridus) at Basking Sites in North Central Pennsylvania. Research has been funded by the state agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. (Dr. Delis) - G
Charlie Eichelberger. Habitat use by the endangered bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) insouthcentral Pennsylvania. (Dr. Maret) - G
David Zapotok. Larval host plant density in eastern regal fritillary [Speyeria idaliaidalia (Drury) (Nymphalidae)] occupied field at Fort Indian town Gap Military Base, Annville, Pennsylvania. (Drs. Paulson and Ferster) - G
Betsy Ray. A study of the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the invertebrate communities of vernal pools in Michaux State Forest,Franklin County, Pennsylvania. ( Drs. Paulson and Klotz) - G
Jason Tourscher. Forest vegetation of the Mount Cydonia Ponds Natural Area.Michaux State Forest, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. (Dr. Klotz) - G
David Zapotok. Odonate diversity of permanent pools at Fort Indian town Gap, a military installation in Annville, Pennsylvania. (Dr. Paulson andFerster) - G
Evan Ogden. Coyotes serving as helminth reservoirs throughout Pennsylvania. (Drs. Stewart and Delis) UG
Ben Stoner. Fur bearing mammals as a reservoir for helminth infection. (Dr. Stewart) - UG
Sarah Long and Lauren Ferrick. Suburban Eastern grey squirrel (Sciuruscarolinensis) food preference and de-embryo nation of various seeds.(Dr. Stewart) - UG
Tonya Britt, Jessica Jerin, and YvonneAmedume. Relative contribution of hatchery trout to diet of fish-eatingbirds in south central Pennsylvania (Dr. Hurd) - UG
Jessica Jerin and Nathan Fuller. Stable isotope study of freshwater amphipodsin Big Spring and Middle Spring Creek (Dr. Hurd) - UG
2004
Allison L. Fedrow. Surveillance for Powassan and deer tick virus in ticks and deer from central Pennsylvania. (Drs. Elliott, Baer, and Stewart) - G
Tracy Librandi-Mumma. Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) movement and habitatuse in a heavily managed forest area of Michaux State Forest,Pennsylvania. (Dr. Maret) - G
Cy Mott. The effects of size variation on ecological interactions in larval Ambystoma: implications for community structure. (Dr. Maret) - G
Andrew Mehring.The role of forest type and caddis fly larvae in organic matter processing in temporary pond ecosystems. (Dr. Maret) - G
Matthew J. Troese and J. Johnson. Surveillance of antibodies to Anaplasmaphagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeens is in deer from central Pennsylvania. (Drs. Baer, Elliott, and Stewart) - UG
Amy Irvin. Baseline diversity and relative abundance study of the odonates of the restored stream channel and wetlands of Burd Run. (Drs. Stewartand Woltemade) - UG
Cy Mott and Jon Rotz. Evaluation of submergence as an effective control of American dog tick (Dermacentervariabilis) nymphs and adult males. (Dr. Stewart) - G/UG
Christopher Kirkhoff. Northwestern Pennsylvania coyotes serving as helminth reservoirs. (Dr. Stewart) - UG
Slavin Jesic and Sean Miller. Relative contributions of fish hatchery carbon to sediments and pollution tolerant isopods in limestone. (Dr. Hurd) -UG
Christopher Kirchhoff. Analysis of nitrate and potential flow paths within a system of drastic spring creeks. (Dr. Hurd) - UG
Slavin Jesic and Sean Miller. Relative contributions of fish hatchery carbonto sediments and pollution tolerant isopods in limestone. (Dr. Hurd) -UG
Christopher Kirkoff. Analysis of nitrate and potential flowpaths within a system of drastic spring creeks. (Dr. Hurd) - UG
Nathan Fuller and Emilie Kohler. Aquatic plant survey of Big Spring Creek (Dr. Hurd) - UG
2003
Amy Daniels. Genetic analysis of population structure of vernal ambystomatid salamders. (Drs. Baer and Maret) - G
Joe Wilson. Evaluation of the diet of three species of Ambystoma larvae. (Dr. Maret) - G
Jamie Zambo. Direct and indirect effects of acidification on amphibians and their invertebrate predators. (Dr. Maret) - G
Slavin Jesic. Relative contributions of fish hatchery carbon to spring creek sediments and pollution tolerant isopods. (Dr. Hurd) - UG
Matt Campbell, Kyle. Lorditch, Claudia Rocca and Tim Scripko. Investigation of competitive and predatory interactions between salamanders and crayfish in freshwater streams. (Dr. Maret) - UG
Amy Bussom and S. Koziar. Surveillance for viral antibodies in eastern coyotes (Canis latrans). (Dr. Stewart) - UG
R. Gailey. Characterization of MEPRIN metaloprotease in human kidney and glioblastoma cell lines. (Dr. Elliott) - UG
N.Hess and N. Grantt. Engineering of an expression vector containing a cloned cDNA encoding human liver calpastatin. (Dr. Elliott) - UG
Katrina Morris. Effects of timber management on pond-breeding salamanders. (Dr. Maret) - G
2002
Brian Lehman. Determination of the ratio of 15 N/14 N isotopes in tissues of woody nitrogen fixing plants of northeastern U.S.A. (Dr. Hurd) - UG
M.Naganishi and J. Peters. The epidermal growth factor signaling path way in glioblastoma cell lines. (Drs. Elliott and Patrie) - UG
J. O'Neil. Cuticular hydrocarbons and behavioral interactions of Formica exsectoides (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). (Drs. Paulson and Richardson) -UG
Rebecca Hoopes. Biotic and abiotic factors affecting larval amphibians in temporary ponds. (Dr. Maret) - G
Kim Pongpat. The effects of landscape-scale and local breeding pond variables on amphibian assemblages in south-central Pennsylvania. (Dr.Maret) - G
J. Kegerreis. Analysis of the inter-colony communication characteristics of Formica exsectoides. ( Drs. Richardsonand Paulson) - UG
Jennifer Richardson. Cloning of the human calpastatin and calpain genes from a human liver cDNA library.(Drs. Baer and Elliott) - UG
2001
Jennifer Richardson. The role of calpastatin in the inhibition of calpain (anenzyme that is active in the adherence, migration, and spread of gliomabrain tumors). (Dr. Elliott) - G
N. Raybuck and Jennifer Forney. An examination of stage specific entrainment of circadianrhythm in the dump fly, Hydrotaea aenescens. (Dr. Paulson) - G
Jennifer Venditti. Biofilm formation of coliform bacteria. (Dr. Baer) - UG
Alyssa Kemmerer and Heather Reed. Creation of stable cell clones that constitutively express the polyhedrin gene. (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Jennifer O'Neil. The analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons on Formica exsectoidesusing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. (Drs. Paulson andRichardson) - UG
David Zapotak. The effect of a plant growth regulator on populations of the white apple leafhopper in apples. (Dr. Paulson) - UG
Jason Ambler. Differences in resting metabolic rates among larvae of three species of salamander occupying the same aquatic habitat. (Dr. Maret) - UG
2000
Joseph Wilson. Ecological correlates of wetland amphibian assemblages in south-central Pennsylvania. (Dr. Maret) - G
William Hartzell. The effect of degradation of riparian buffer zones on fish species assemblages in south-central Pennsylvania. (Dr. Maret) - G
Ruth Negley. Study of the differences in the reasons science vs. non-science majors choose community college instead of a four-year university. (Dr.Anderson) - G
Jody Fry. Computer technology status in middle schools/junior high schools in south-central Pennsylvania. (Dr. Anderson) - G
Jason Arnold. Immunochemical detection of actin and tubulin cDNAs in a human liver cDNA library. (Dr. Patrie) - G
Tony Yu. Construction of a fusion between polygedrin and green fluorescent protein. (Dr. Patrie) - G
Jennifer Forney and N. Raybuck. Stage specific examination of the circadian rhythm of the dump fly. (Dr. Paulson) - UG
Gail Mills and Tara Cluck. The effects of timber harvest and forest type on terrestrial salamander populations. (Dr. Maret) UG
Jennifer O'Neil. The analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons of Formica exsectoidesusing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. (Dr. Paulson) - UG
Dave Zapotok. The effect of a plant growth regulator (apogee) on insect pests of pear and apple. (Dr. Paulson) - UG
Misty Kauffman. Bryophyte survey of a season pond in Mount Cydonia Natural Area, Michaux State Forest, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. (Dr. Klotz) - UG
Brian Lehman. Plant communities of seasonal ponds in the northern part of the Mount Cydonia Natural Area, Michaux StateForest, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. (Dr. Klotz) - UG
Jim Ruda. Construction and sequence analysis of the polyhedrin gene cloned into a baculovirus transfer vector. (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Chad Hissong. Screening expression libraries with antibodies. (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Anita Snyder. Detection of the LdNPV polygedrin gene by PCR. (Dr. Patrie) - UG
Richard Kern and Lucia Nguyen. Role of calpain/calpastatin in the adherence,migration and spread of glioma brain tumors. (Dr. Elliott) - UG
Dan McCleary. Optimization of in-vitro growth of the entomopathogenic fungus, Syngliocladium tentanopsis. (Dr. Marshall) - UG
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