Hhmi-summer-research

I have edited the Student Research section from previous HHMI grants to reflect some of the changes. The Bridge program is not included in this section as it was in the past. Also, I have removed requests for a post doc and release time for school-year research. These components could be restored if there is interest. However, the reviews of the previous grant and lack of interest at our meeting suggested that they might be dropped.

An Excel Spreadsheet has been forwarded to Peter that outlines a couple of scenarios for this component’s budget. We need to meet with Greg to discuss student and faculty stipends. One scenario assumes stipends will remain the same as it has for the past ~10 years. Another scenario suggests an increase in stipends which would make the compensation more competitive with outside internships. In both cases, the college is assumed to be responsible for faculty stipends. In addition to student stipends, we will request funds for student living expenses, research supplies, travel costs to meetings, and stockroom support.

Student Research and Broadening Access to Science:

We will resume our HHMI-funded summer student-faculty research program for 8-12 students per summer. The number of students varies through the duration of the proposal because we have secured other external funds for on-campus interdisciplinary research. We intend to place the majority of these student researchers with faculty at Earlham and two (or more?) in research settings with alumni and friends of the college (1). Anticipated topics include the study of (2) [Mike? iron regulating metalloproteins using molecular cloning techniques], [C. Deibel?], [John? the physiological ecology of hatching turtles in their nests], [Amy? the physiological fate of serpin enzyme complexes formed in the hemolymph of M. sexta], [Mark? chemical synthesis of biologically interesting molecules including phytosiderophores], [Olen measuring 14-helix propensities of b3-amino acids], and the evolution of neural crest cells.

To promote interdisciplinary discussion, the on-campus HHMI research scholars will live in the same hall of a student dormitory. Weekly meetings of all on-campus researchers during the summer (including those projects funded by other sources) contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of the projects and provide greater opportunities for mentoring relationships that extend beyond the faculty member directly involved with a given student researcher. Support is requested for student stipends, supply money, travel support for students at off-campus research locations and for student travel to regional or national scientific meetings to present research findings, and for miscellaneous materials for group meetings and social activities.

We need to generate a list of people willing to accept Earlham students. If people could submit a list of names of potential hosts, we could refine this list to people willing to make specific commitments. Please insert a phrase describing your intended research. I listed those people who indicated interest in this aspect of the grant according to Peter’s sheets. If you did not fill out a sheet or if I inadvertently omitted your name, please include your appropriate information.

Peter's plan:

• In the near future we should generate a written synopsis of each particular program component. This mock 'executive summary' should include: 1) Brief summary, 2) Statement of (educational) outcomes, 3) Mode of assessment, 4) Timeframes, and 4) Preliminary budget.

Faculty: Mark(4), Corinne(2), Mike(3), Olen(4), David(4), Peter(3), Amy, Charlie, Anand

Questions:

• faculty stipend
• student stipend
• college resources

Outside mentors:

Nathan Luedtke is at the University of Zurich. He worked with Felicia Grey this summer. Alanna Schepartz is at Yale. She took on an HHMI-funded student from Purdue one summer that I was there. Peter Beal is at the University of California in Davis. He has expressed interest in Earlham students in the past.

I've put some words in your mouth. Please take a look at these potential research ideas and see if you still would be interested in these projects.

Opportunities for on-campus research:

Dr. Peter Blair (Biology) is conducting an extensive proof-reading of the malarial genome, searching for incorrectly sequenced genes and as yet undiscovered genes.

Dr. Michael Deibel (Chemistry) researches metalloproteins involved in regulation of iron, a pro-oxidant. His work involves producing recombinant proteins to determine the effects of oxidative damage on their structure/function.

Dr. Corinne Deibel (Chemistry) evaluates the free radical scavenging effects of popular dietary supplements and natural products, comparing them to known anti-oxidants such as grape seed extract.

Dr. John Iverson (Biology) investigates the physiological mechanisms that allow some turtles to over-winter in the nest, experiencing temperatures as low as -12 °C.

Dr. David Matlack (Biology) is interested in the evolution of neural crest cells and will use microarray data and in situ techniques on protochordates and veterbrates to study the spatial and temporal expression of genes involved in neural crest specification.

Dr. Amy Mulnix (Biology) is using GFP-serpin constructs to investigate the physiological fate of serpin-enzyme complexes formed in the hemolymph of Manduca sexta.

Dr. Charles Peck (Computer Science) collaboratively works with Dr. Peter Blair to model the effects of XXXX. His work in open source molecular dynamics software is being used to study the thermal motion of the Avian Pancreatic Polypeptide.

Dr. Olen Stephens (Chemistry) is exploring new ways to induce a 14-helical fold on 3-peptides which will improve their solubility while maintaining their structure.

Dr. Mark Stocksdale (Chemistry) works on the design and synthesis of biologically interesting molecules, including the total synthesis of phytosiderophores, and their eventual conjugation with effector molecules.