This is an archived UW-P news item,
originally posted: 6/10/2009.
UW-Parkside students present research in Rotunda
Nearly a dozen UW-Parkside students had the opportunity to explain their research to Wisconsin lawmakers during the Poster in the Rotunda program. Held in the state capitol building, students met face-to-face with legislators on a range of studies covering everything from biological science and molecular biology and bioinformatics to economics, geography, and sociology.
Nathan Schneiderman, working with Dr. Maria MacWilliams, presented his research titled "Can the HP0790 hsdS gene from heliobacter pylori interact with Escherichia coli proteins to form a functional restriction enzyme. In this project, restriction modification (RM) systems have evolved in bacteria to protect the cell against foreign DNA. Nathan's study focused on Type I systems with the goal of determining whether or not Type I subunits from different bacterial species could assemble into a functional Type I Restriction Enzyme.
In economics, Janell Topczewski's project covered the "Chicago FED Challenge: macroeconomic analysis and monetary policy." Working with Dr. Marcelo Milan, Janell's project was created by the university's FED Challenge Team for the 7th District Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to examine the current state of the economy and create monetary policy recommendations for the Federal Reserve, including a recommendation for the key interest rate.
Working with faculty member Dr. Daphne Pham, students Alexis Dahms and Albina Ovasapyan co-presented the project "Developing a diagnostic tool for screening iron deficiency in infants." The study was designed to determine whether test results from dried blood spots on filter paper could serve as an equally viable testing method for iron deficiency and iron-based ailments in infants compared to testing whole blood and erythrocyte samples.
Geography student Thomas Wachholder, working with Dr. John Ward, presented the project "Distribution of fires in relation to fire stations in Kenosha, Wisconsin." The project examined the distribution of structure fires across the city in 2007. Results showed an uneven distribution of fires per fire station revealing important implications regarding strategic placement and/or relocation of fire stations in Kenosha.
Co-presenters Megan Burke, Martel Pipkins, and Ryan Moore spoke on their Sociology research project "Diversity circles effectiveness." Working with Dr. Mary Kay Schleiter, the group examined Diversity Circles which are designed to reduce racism, stereotyping, and prejudice through interpersonal dialogue and personal reflection. The study compared Diversity Circles classes to traditional classes with and without a diversity focus to determine the impact of Diversity Circles on students' views and feelings about people who differ from them.
Monica Langley, working with Dr. Edward Wallen, presented Biological Science research on the "Effects of several pharmacological agents on sleep patterns in the mouse." Using electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), the states of brain function in mice were observed under the influence of different pharmacological agents. The effects of sleep-inducing and wake-promoting drugs were compared to a third test drug with unknown effects to determine which type of influence the test drug would have.
Working with Dr. Carmel Ruffalo, Dave Bojanowski presented the project "Characterization of the transmembrane protein, AnhB, of A. actinomycetemcomitans." This study investigated an uncharacterized permease (AnhB) and its role in A. actinomycetemcomitans pathogenesis. Characterization of AnhB will yield a better understanding of how A. actinomycetemcomitans is able to colonize sites in the body and cause oral and extraoral infections, which can inform new treatment strategies and medicines.
The annual Poster in the Rotunda program was held during spring semester.Publish date: 6/10/2009
