Faculty Mentor: Renée E. Bishop
Discipline: Biology
E-mail: reb20@psu.edu
Phone: 570-963-2585
Future Research Projects
Project #1: My research involves the allocation of energy in organisms, research ideal for undergraduate projects because it can be broken into components that are easily completed in a semester or two. My most recent research involves several invasive species; one marine and the other two freshwater. The first examines the energetics of Carcinus maenas, the green crab. Within one species are two different color morphs that have very different ecological and physiological strategies. The different color forms represent two different paths for the allocation of energy. Energetically, growth can occur in two forms, as increased muscle mass or in the form of developing reproductive tissue. The separate phases in the life cycle of Carcinus maenas indicate a switch from growth by increasing mass to reproductive growth. Green colored crabs are actively growing forms using energy for building body tissues and red-colored crabs are in a prolonged intermolt using energy to elevate their metabolic rate and increase their reproductive potential.
Project #2: Another project I am working on examines the physiology of organisms dwelling in marine caves. These marine caves, termed anchialine caves, are very unique environments where freshwater and saltwater meet. The layers of water are separated by a layer of hydrogen sulfide. The water where these unusual organisms are found is anoxic. Since these organisms have not changed much since the time of the Tethys sea, anchialine troglobites may give us insight into how early organisms were physiologically adapted to their environment. I am also examining the physiological adaptations of cave species in comparison to other crustacean species also exposed to oxygen limiting conditions, such as the oxygen minimum zones in the oceans.
Student Research Mentored:
- "Physiological changes in Carcinus maenas as a result of maternal investment" Anjolii Diaz, 2005. Penn State Undergraduate Exhibition and PSU Worthington Scranton Undergraduate Research Fair.
- "A Comparison of Lipid Content in Zebra and Quagga Mussels during Periods of Stress" Pamela Kulp. 2004. Penn State Undergraduate Exhibition and PSU Worthington Scranton Undergraduate Research Fair.
- "A Comparison of Metabolic enzyme activities and proximate composition of Zebra and Quagga mussels" Jana Finkenstadt, Liana Vitelli, Steve Pipitone, and Sean Wolfe. 2003. PSU Worthington Scranton Undergraduate Research Fair.
- "War of the Invaders: A comparison of energy allocation between zebra and quagga mussels." Jana Finkenstadt, Liana Vitelli, Steve Pipitone, Sean Wolfe and Kerry Boyer. 2003. PSU Worthington Scranton Undergraduate Research Fair.
- "War of the Invaders." Liana Vitelli, Steve Pipitone, Sean Wolfe and Kerry Boyer. 2003. Penn State Undergraduate Research Fair.
- "Endocrine Disrupters." J. Finkenstadt. 2003. PSU Worthington Scranton Undergraduate Research Fair.
- "Acid Mine Drainage." S. Wolfe. 2003. PSU Worthington Scranton Undergraduate Research Fair.
- "Radioactive Waste and the Environment." E. Streipeck. 2003. PSU Worthington Scranton Undergraduate Research Fair.
- "Enzyme Activities of Zebra and Quagga mussels and preservation techniques" Joseph Mc Cullon. 2002.
- "RNA/DNA ratios in Zebra and Quagga mussels" Emily Wood. 2001.
Faculty Mentor: Faculty Mentor: David Byman
Discipline: Biology
E-mail: dxb14@psu.edu
Phone: Phone: 570-963-2586
Future Research Projects
Project #1: My present project presents the possibility of contact with the potentially fatal Hanta virus. I hope to begin a shrew-earthworm-leaf litter project within two years which will have opportunities for student involvement
Faculty Mentor: Faculty Mentor: Dale Holen
Discipline: Biology
E-mail: dah13@psu.edu
Phone: 570-963-2579
Future Research Projects
Project #1: The Ecology of Mixotrophic Ciliates. This project entails regular sampling of Lake Giles to determine the vertical distribution and seasonal variation in mixotrophic ciliates. The measurement of ingestion rates and selective feeding will also be implemented to determine the feeding ecology of these protozoa and the impact they have on bacteria and phytoplankton concentrations. Additionally, chlorophyll a, bacterial cell number and various physical parameters of Lake Giles will be measured along with phytoplankton identification.
Faculty Mentor: Margret I. Hatch, Ph.D.
Discipline: Biology
E-mail: mih10@psu.edu
Phone: 570-963-2529
Future Research Projects
Project #1: I study birds and their reproductive behavior, especially parental behavior. This summer I hope to study the effect of human disturbance on parental behavior of common species such as Eastern Bluebirds. Fieldwork involves finding and checking nests, banding birds, making behavioral observations with binoculars, and video-taping parental behavior. Most of my research is conducted in the spring and summer during the breeding season, but in the fall and winter I analyze the data and score behaviors recorded on video tapes. Although my passion is for birds, I am willing to work with undergraduates on behavioral studies of almost any organism.
Faculty Mentor: Alan Peslak
Discipline: IST
E-mail: arp14@psu.edu
Phone: 570-963-2640
Website: http://www.personal.psu.edu/arp14
Future Research Projects
Project #1: In depth study on the use of researched HCI principles in major corporate website. (Human-Computer Interaction.)
Project #2: On-going research on recent published data on expenditures in information technology and corporate productivity measures for further study on the Productivity Paradox theory.
Project #3: On-going research on state and federal published data on expenditures in information technology in educational arenas to determine the potential of an educational productivity paradox.
Project #4: Study of other third party languages to integrate in Microsoft .NET CLR (Common Language Runtime.)
Faculty Mentor: Faculty Mentor: Marlene Soulsby
Discipline: Comparative Literature
E-mail: msoulsby@psu.edu
Phone: Phone: 570-963-2668
Future Research Projects
Project #1: I would like to have a student with background in human development or psychology and with an interest in aging adults to help with a project on aging and the experience of time. The student would assist in searching online indexes and developing a literature review.