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BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Biology Department: Programs

STUDENT PRESENTERS

Organized By Presentation Subject Material

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CURTIS ANTOINE '21

MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY/BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Differential Gene Expression Associated with the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia

The study involves the analysis of differential gene expression from subjects with schizophrenia to locate sequencing data that are associated with the disorder. Data will be used from the NCBI database to analyze the RNA sequencing by utilizing the Read Mapping and Transcript Assembly application to determine if there is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

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GRACE BRUNNER '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Differential Gene Expression Associated with the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia

The study involves the analysis of differential gene expression from subjects with schizophrenia to locate sequencing data that are associated with the disorder. Data will be used from the NCBI database to analyze the RNA sequencing by utilizing the Read Mapping and Transcript Assembly application to determine if there is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

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ZIONNA HENDERSON-DAVIS '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO LUN-WENG, BIOLOGY 

Differential Gene Expression Associated with the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia

The study involves the analysis of differential gene expression from subjects with schizophrenia to locate sequencing data that are associated with the disorder. Data will be used from the NCBI database to analyze the RNA sequencing by utilizing the Read Mapping and Transcript Assembly application to determine if there is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

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AGNESA PROTSUN '20

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Differential Gene Expression Associated with the Pathogenesis of Schizophrenia

The study involves the analysis of differential gene expression from subjects with schizophrenia to locate sequencing data that are associated with the disorder. Data will be used from the NCBI database to analyze the RNA sequencing by utilizing the Read Mapping and Transcript Assembly application to determine if there is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Biology Department: Meet the Team
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BEVERLY APPIAH '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

​FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Analysis of Drought Stress Gene Expression in Maize, Tomato, and Brassica Rapa

We will be using bioinformatics tools to search the genomes of 3 important cash crops for homologs of genes related to drought stress or tolerance. The goal is to address more frequent drought conditions brought for from climate change/global warming.

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JOHN CASEY '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

​FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Analysis of Drought Stress Gene Expression in Maize, Tomato, and Brassica Rapa

We will be using bioinformatics tools to search the genomes of 3 important cash crops for homologs of genes related to drought stress or tolerance. The goal is to address more frequent drought conditions brought for from climate change/global warming.

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JACOB HEILMANN '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Analysis of Drought Stress Gene Expression in Maize, Tomato, and Brassica Rapa

We will be using bioinformatics tools to search the genomes of 3 important cash crops for homologs of genes related to drought stress or tolerance. The goal is to address more frequent drought conditions brought for from climate change/global warming.

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LESLIE OSEI-BONSU '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Analysis of Drought Stress Gene Expression in Maize, Tomato, and Brassica Rapa

We will be using bioinformatics tools to search the genomes of 3 important cash crops for homologs of genes related to drought stress or tolerance. The goal is to address more frequent drought conditions brought for from climate change/global warming.

Biology Department: Meet the Team
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CALLIE BOUVIER '20

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

Changing Temperature Effects on Duck Preening Behavior

Specifically, preening is the behavior of grooming their feathers by getting rid of any dirt or parasites with their bills to prevent them from getting dirty and from being cold. As the temperatures decrease, it is predicated that ducks will preen more due to the drop in temperature.

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EMMA FRIMPONG '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

Changing Temperature Effects on Duck Preening Behavior

Specifically, preening is the behavior of grooming their feathers by getting rid of any dirt or parasites with their bills to prevent them from getting dirty and from being cold. As the temperatures decrease, it is predicated that ducks will preen more due to the drop in temperature.

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JACOB HEILMANN '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

Changing Temperature Effects on Duck Preening Behavior

Specifically, preening is the behavior of grooming their feathers by getting rid of any dirt or parasites with their bills to prevent them from getting dirty and from being cold. As the temperatures decrease, it is predicated that ducks will preen more due to the drop in temperature.

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MATHIEU MOREAU'21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

Changing Temperature Effects on Duck Preening Behavior

Specifically, preening is the behavior of grooming their feathers by getting rid of any dirt or parasites with their bills to prevent them from getting dirty and from being cold. As the temperatures decrease, it is predicated that ducks will preen more due to the drop in temperature.

Biology Department: Meet the Team
Biology Department: Meet the Team
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MORGAN BOISVERT '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

The Influence of Temperature on Geese Abundance

We observed the reaction of geese to cold weather. We also looked into their migration patterns and behavior during the colder seasons.

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RACHEL FRANZ '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY 

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

The Influence of Temperature on Geese Abundance

We observed the reaction of geese to cold weather. We also looked into their migration patterns and behavior during the colder seasons.

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JULIA HONG '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

The Influence of Temperature on Geese Abundance

We observed the reaction of geese to cold weather. We also looked into their migration patterns and behavior during the colder seasons.

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DANIEL CANDIDO '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

​FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Comparative Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Genes

Analyzing differentially expressed genes among healthy and diagnosed DMD genomes. Utilizing BLAST, Cyverse and Rstudio to statistically analyze gene expression.

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MITCHEL MASLOWSKI '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY 

​FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Comparative Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Genes

Analyzing differentially expressed genes among healthy and diagnosed DMD genomes. Utilizing BLAST, Cyverse and Rstudio to statistically analyze gene expression.

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LIZBETH MORALES '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

​FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Comparative Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Genes

Analyzing differentially expressed genes among healthy and diagnosed DMD genomes. Utilizing BLAST, Cyverse and Rstudio to statistically analyze gene expression.

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JORDYN CARPENTER '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Harlequin Ichthyosis

For our project we have decided to look at data from studies about the ABCA12 gene, which is the gene for an autosomal recessive disease (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015-2020) in humans commonly known as Harlequin Ichthyosis. We will be using the data collected in different studies to analyze the effectiveness of the retinoid treatment overall and if these treatments would be beneficial to put into clinical use based on our analysis.

Renee St. Jacques

RENEE ST. JACQUES '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY 

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

Harlequin Ichthyosis

For our project we have decided to look at data from studies about the ABCA12 gene, which is the gene for an autosomal recessive disease (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015-2020) in humans commonly known as Harlequin Ichthyosis. We will be using the data collected in different studies to analyze the effectiveness of the retinoid treatment overall and if these treatments would be beneficial to put into clinical use based on our analysis.

Biology Department: Meet the Team
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KAYLA DONARUMA '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

The Effect of Loud Noise on the Reaction of Squirrels by Humans Approaching

This was an experiment based on squirrel flight distance in high foot-traffic parks. We tried to see if squirrels would be urbanized and be used to sudden loud noises, and allow us to approach them.

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ALEXANDRA MELLO '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

The Effect of Loud Noise on the Reaction of Squirrels by Humans Approaching

This was an experiment based on squirrel flight distance in high foot-traffic parks. We tried to see if squirrels would be urbanized and be used to sudden loud noises, and allow us to approach them.

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ALYSSA SMITH '21

MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

The Effect of Loud Noise on the Reaction of Squirrels by Humans Approaching

This was an experiment based on squirrel flight distance in high foot-traffic parks. We tried to see if squirrels would be urbanized and be used to sudden loud noises, and allow us to approach them.

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JAILENE STAPLETON '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR RANDI (RUTH) DARLING, BIOLOGY

The Effect of Loud Noise on the Reaction of Squirrels by Humans Approaching

This was an experiment based on squirrel flight distance in high foot-traffic parks. We tried to see if squirrels would be urbanized and be used to sudden loud noises, and allow us to approach them.

Biology Department: Meet the Team
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JEAN GANEK '23

MAJOR: BIOLOGY & SECONDARY EDUCATION

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR JESSICA STEPHENS, BIOLOGY

Investigating the Origins of Same Sex Behavior

Despite being seemingly maladaptive, same sex behavior has persisted in animals leading evolutionary biologists to question why and how. Although there is still much debate, genetics, social environments, and the evolution of animals’ sex drive are the leading theories today.

Biology Department: Meet the Team
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SYED KHALID '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

ABA's Response to Drought in Arabidopsis

We want to study the effect of abscisic acid hormone (ABA) on Arabidopsis under drought conditions, and what responses this hormone has under this abiotic factor.

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FATIMA MASSAEE '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

ABA's Response to Drought in Arabidopsis

We want to study the effect of abscisic acid hormone (ABA) on Arabidopsis under drought conditions, and what responses this hormone has under this abiotic factor.

Biology Department: Meet the Team
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JENNIFER KRAHALA '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

​FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

DEGs Identified in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease after Intensive Rehabilitative Training

Gene expression has shown that intensive 16-week rehabilitative training, has improved muscle mass and neuromuscular function deficits in individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Genes associated with muscle regeneration and neural development had a higher rate of expression, compared to a reduced expression of genes related to apoptosis and denervation.

Biology Department: Meet the Team
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VANESSA SANCHES '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

RNA-Seq of Lung Cancer

Comparing the RNA-seq between smokers and non-smokers who have and do not have lung cancer. We will be looking at if there are any similarities between the genetic sequence of these individuals

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PATEL SHIV '20

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

RNA-Seq of Lung Cancer

Comparing the RNA-seq between smokers and non-smokers who have and do not have lung cancer. We will be looking at if there are any similarities between the genetic sequence of these individuals

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BRYAN TITUS '21

MAJOR: BIOLOGY

FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR MAO-LUN WENG, BIOLOGY

RNA-Seq of Lung Cancer

Comparing the RNA-seq between smokers and non-smokers who have and do not have lung cancer. We will be looking at if there are any similarities between the genetic sequence of these individuals

Biology Department: Meet the Team
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