DUBUQUE, IOWA (June 10, 2020) — Fifteen University of Dubuque students will spend their summer researching topics ranging from surveying how habitat and landscape can impact snake populations to analyzing heavy-metal impurities present in cosmetics as part of the Joseph and Linda Chlapaty Summer Research Fellowship.
In its ninth year, the competitive fellowship helps prepare talented undergraduate students across all disciplines for graduate or professional school.
"The Joseph and Linda Chlapaty Summer Research Fellowship provides students with the opportunity to engage in one-on-one research with University faculty members and enhance their professional competence through a variety of group activities such as post-graduate school examination preparation, communication skill-building, and professional networking to position themselves for success in post-graduate studies and careers,” said Mark Sinton PhD, director of the Joseph and Linda Chlapaty Summer Research Fellowship.
Fellows will commit 400 hours of work on their research over a 10 week period during the summer. They will each receive a stipend of $4,500 and an additional $500 for research-associated supplies or travel costs. Fellows are required to present their research results during the following academic year at a local, regional, or national conference.
“The Joseph and Linda Chlapaty Summer Fellowship creates an incredible opportunity for talented undergraduate students to conduct scholarly research with a faculty scholar-mentor, to prepare for graduate entrance exams, and to build a network of professional contacts. We are grateful to Joe and Linda Chlapaty for their investment in these undergraduate students,” said Jeffrey F. Bullock, president of the University.
The following students were named 2020 Chlapaty Fellows:
Madison Bowers, a junior biology major from Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Project: Analyzing Health Effects of Microplastics by Isolating from Freshwater Systems to Caenorhabditis elegans
Advisors: Kelly Grussendorf PhD, assistant professor of biology, and Adam Hoffman PhD, associate professor of environmental chemistry and head of the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences
Levi Buchholtz, a senior environmental science major from Belmond, Iowa
Project: Surveying How Habitat and Landscape Affects Snake Populations
Advisor: Gerald Zuercher PhD, professor of biology and vertebrate ecology
Josie Coglianese, a senior chemistry and biology double major from Savanna, Illinois
Project: Identification of the Catalytic Amino Acid Residues in Potato and Mushroom Tyrosinase
Advisor: Mark Sinton, PhD, assistant professor of natural and applied sciences
Zach Elias, a junior biology major from Bettendorf, Iowa
Project: Base Editing Outcomes on GBA-Park Mutation L444p in Parkinson’s Disease
Advisor: Kelly Grussendorf PhD, assistant professor of biology
Megan Gille, a senior human health science major from Stockton, Illinois
Project: Anaplasmosis Causing Bacteria, Anaplasma phogocytophilum, in Ticks
Advisor: Kelly Grussendorf, PhD, assistant professor of biology
Lyndy Holdt, a senior biology and environmental science double major from Davenport, Iowa
Project: Impacts of Hydrologic Change and Flooding of the Mississippi River on Riverine Turtle Nesting and Population
Advisor: David Koch PhD, associate professor environmental science
Katelyn Howe, a junior biology major from Clinton, Iowa
Project: Analyzing Heavy Metal Impurities Present in Cosmetics: Foundations and Eye Products
Advisors: Amandeep Arora, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry, and Lalith Jayawickrama, teaching specialist
Megan Kennedy, a senior biology major from Asbury, Iowa
Project: Characterization of Two Freezing-Induced Genes From Aplectrum hyemale by Heterologous Expression
Advisor: Rasika Mudalige-Jayawickrama, PhD, associate professor of natural and applied sciences
Sally Lambie, a senior chemistry and biology double major from Yokota Air Base, Japan
Project: Building an Inexpensive Tensile Strength Testing Instrument
Advisor: Mark Sinton PhD, assistant professor of natural and applied sciences
Kathleen Messino, a junior biology major from McHenry, Illinois
Project: Fast Track Gene Evaluation Method for Functional Characterization of Orchid Genes
Advisor: Rasika Mudalige-Jayawickrama, PhD, associate professor of natural and applied sciences
Joshua Nsenga, a senior biology major from Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Project: Investigating the Expression of the Lipogenesis Gene Adipose Acyl-CoA Synthetase in the Parasitoid Wasp Leptopilina boulardi
Advisor: Adam Kleinschmit, PhD, associate professor of biology
Livi Schutz, a senior chemistry major from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Project: A Survey of Antibiotic Bioaccumulation in Worms
Advisor: Mark Sinton, PhD, assistant professor of natural and applied sciences
Zachary Simanski, a senior biology major from Brambleton, Virginia
Project: Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistant Genes in Dubuque’s Catfish Creek Watershed
Advisor: Adam Kleinschmit, PhD, associate professor of biology
Reegan Sturgeon, a senior biology major from Molalla, Oregon\
Project: Determining the Prevalence of Tick-borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF) Causing Bacteria, Borrelia miyamotoi
Advisor: Kelly Grussendorf, PhD, assistant professor of biology
Isaiah Williams, senior environmental science major from Bowie, Maryland
Project: Monitoring the Impact of Land Use and Water Quality
Advisor: Adam Hoffman, PhD, associate professor of environmental chemistry and head of the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences
