I am actively collecting spectra of B-type (read: hot) stars for a first publication of updated spectral classifications of bright stars in the sky. This is work that is fundamentally important to most programs in stellar astronomy and astrophysics, and yet the last time that a thorough, homogeneous sample of stellar spectra was collected of… [Read More]
Chemistry Summer Research – Miguel Leal
Dr. Smucker, Dr. Harrison, and I will collaborate to mentor and advise students in the synthesis of germaniumbased synthons as reactants for platinum-based metal complexes. Furthermore, spectroscopic and computational studies will also be performed on the novel material in an effort to further understand the reactive capabilities associated with these complexes. Germylene compounds have been… [Read More]
Physics Summer Research – Andra Petrean
Synthesis of Optical Biosensors The research project involves the synthesis and characterization of nanoscale thin films to be used as bio-sensors. An optical bio-sensor is a device that produces a signal when the sensor is placed in contact with a specific substance. We will be using thin films of a thickness consisting of only a… [Read More]
Chemistry Summer Research – Ryan Felix
Organic/Inorganic Chemistry Research in the Felix lab is focused on the total synthesis (complete construction from simple, commercially available precursors) of the biologically active molecule anisucoumaramide. The approach to the project is to work on the two halves of the molecule separately, and then to bring them together in a late stage of the synthesis. Students… [Read More]
Public Health Summer Research – Saritha Bangara
Women’s Health Education Dr. Bangara’s project will provide health education for vulnerable female populations in Grayson County, home of Austin College. Studies have shown that women who report a history of interpersonal violence (IPV) are at greater risk for a variety of illnesses, such as heart disease and cervical cancer. Dr. Bangara and her students… [Read More]
Neuroscience Summer Research – Renee Countryman
Behavioral Neuroscience My research is interested in how diet, exercise, and other environmental manipulations affect cell signaling in the brain and the behavioral expression of learning & memory in rodents. The formation of new long-term memories requires new protein transcription and contains a number of cell signaling cascades of interest. The newly formed proteins then… [Read More]
Biology Summer Research – Kelli Carroll
Developmental Biology My research focuses on the genetic and molecular factors that regulate skeletal and cardiac muscle development. My lab utilizes embryonic zebrafish, which are small vertebrates that develop completely externally and are clear during their early stages of development, making them ideal model organisms for the study of developmental biology. Students in my lab… [Read More]
Physics Summer Research – David Baker
Astronomy NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) project is a multi-year space mission to discover transiting exoplanets. The wide-angle field of view of the TESS space telescope affords large sky coverage but limits the precision of measurements. Observations from more powerful ground-based telescopes are needed to confirm exoplanet candidates detected by TESS. Austin College’s… [Read More]
Biology Summer Research – Lance Barton
Cell and Cancer Biology My research focuses on how the activity and specificity of cellular enzymes called proteasomes affect the biology of a cell. The activities of proteasomes are essential for almost every process in the eukaryotic cell. My lab uses a variety of genetic, biochemical, and molecular biology approaches to specifically study one of… [Read More]
Mathematics Summer Research – Jack Mealy
Ongoing research in staircase metric geometry Work continues in broader categories of geometry – specifically and most prominently in staircase metric geometry, which was founded here 16 years ago. It is also possible that topics in other closely related categories may be engaged.