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Dr. Hokien: "My research interests
involve analytical environmental chemistry, biochemistry,
synthetic chemistry (organometallic and polymer),
phytoremediation, and bioremediation studies. These projects
involve analytical instrumentation, quantitative analysis,
spectral data interpretation, and water quality
studies." Subsequently during the 2005-06 academic year, junior biotechnology major Joshua Slee, successfully cultured two breast cell cancer lines. These will be used to bind with TTC in a future project. A PC was purchased that will run the molecular modeling program Gaussian 03 and plan to use molecular modeling to propose the TTC-ER binding interaction that we anticipate will support our absorbance spectral data. Analytical/Environmental Chemistry: "An Investigation into the Number of Cancer Incidences and the Presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Three Northeastern Pennsylvania Lakes," was an externally funded, 2-year research project that began in November of 2004. The purpose of this project was to examine the relationship between cancer incidence of lake residents and the presence of VOCs in lake waters and air due to gasoline discharge into the lake from two-cycle engine watercraft and outboards. Several VOCs, such as benzene, chloroform, and MTBE, are considered by state and federal agencies to be potentially carcinogenic to humans at high levels of exposure or consumption. The comparison groups in this study were the residents of Lake Winola (two-cycle and four-cycle engines allowed), Lake Spangenburg (four-cycle engines allowed), and Moosic Lake (no engines allowed). On a monthly basis, duplicate water samples at multiple sites from each of the three lakes were analyzed by the EPA 624 method at Quantum Analytical & Environmental Laboratories, Inc., which is located in the Industrial Park in Dickson City, PA. The water analysis reports showed consistantly that the concentrations of VOCs in each of the three lakes was less than the EPA standard limits, therefore classifying these waters as non-contaminated. During the 2005 summer months, a confidential survey questionnaire was mailed to all three lake residents to collect information about their family's medical and lifestyle history. Statistically, there was no correlation between the incidence of cancer and (1) the source of drinking water, (2) the time spent at the lake, and (3) swimming in the lake. A front-page newspaper article entitled "Lake at a Crossroads; Scientists Study Impact of Watersports on Lake Winola" appeared in the May 15, 2005 edition of the Scranton Times. The article was written by Staff Reporter Josh Brodesky. Analytical/Environmental Chemistry: "Bacterial Communication: An Environmentally Conscious Approach to Bioremediation," was an Honors Thesis project completed by Laura Beale (MU'07). Because there are ethical concerns that exist regarding the artificial genetic alteration of bacterial genomes in bioremediating bacteria, one potential solution is to characterize the communication between bacteria in the form of natural genetic exchange. From this natural process, it is possible to create a new hybrid species with the ability to bioremediate simultaneously several different contaminant chemicals and metals. This research examined the bacterial communication between P. aeruginosa and F. ferrooxidans, both indigenous to Northeastern Pennsylvania and found in the soil of a MTBe-contaminated site at a ground water purification plant in Lehman Township, PA. The bacteria were isolated and grown on selective media in co-cultures in the laboratory. It was concluded that there was bacterial communication in the form of an exchange of genetic material from P. aeruginosa to F. ferrooxidans due to F. ferrooxidan's ability to grow in abundance on the MTBe agar and broth in the presence of P. aeruginosa. As more efforts are established to address the growing concerns about water and soil pollution in our environment, there will be a greater interest in this type of research in which natural species are used to remediate contaminated areas. Analytical/Environmental Chemistry: "A Novel Sampling Technique to Assess the Removal of MTBE From a Contaminated Water Source," was a collaborative research project with Dr. Anthony Lagalante, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Villanova University, Dr. Brian Whitman, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at Wilkes University, and Mr. Marty Gilligan, Sanitary Engineer Supervisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It is known that river birch trees and other wetland plants will absorb environmental pollutants, such as MTBE, and then transpire or metabolize the chemical within the plant's stem and leaves. This process is known as phytoremediation. For our analyses, we use solid phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to quantify the uptake of MTBE in river birch saplings. Our experimental findings showed a 30% reduction in the concentration of MTBE from the contaminated water source. The greatest concentration of MTBE was found in the air samples, and in the plant, the greatest concentration of MTBE was found in the roots. These results indicate that the river birch sapling was acting as a conduit for the transfer of MTBE from the water to the air -- a result that was consistent with published phytoremediation data on poplar trees. This work was presented at the Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting at Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, and at the National Council on Undergraduate Research, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse.
Dr. Clymer: As an ecologist, my primary research interests include analysis of stream macroinvertebrates, and investigation of coastal salt marsh fish communities. Macroinvertebrates include the insects, worms, snails, and other animals that inhabit the rocks an debris on the bottom of a stream. The presence of some species, called biological indicators, demonstrates good water quality and a healthy environment. Salt marsh estuaries serve as spawning and nursery areas for many important fishes. I study the relative abundance, seasonal presence, feeding ecology, and habitat selection of many marine fish species. The project is conducted in Hereford Inlet Estuary near Stone Harbor, New Jersey. It is underwritten by the Wetlands Institute, a private foundation. Several Marywood University students have participated in the study as summer interns. Many of the fishes of the area contribute to the economy via commercial and recreational fishing. Presently, I am working from a private research grant to assess the quantity of volatile organic compounds and nutrient substances present in three mesotrophic lakes of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The water quality will be tested in correlation to boat traffic on the lakes and the incidence of cancer among lake residents.
Dr. Herman: Leonard Herman's research interests include various areas of synthetic chemistry. Students will be able to participate in research involving transition metal complexes and organometallic chemistry. Research projects involve the synthesis and characterization of new compounds using wet chemical techniques and instrumental analysis.
Sr. Anitra Nemotko email: nemotko@es.marywood.edu My research area is science education. A dual coding approach to meaning and learning verbal and figural information regarding natural phenomena, are represented in independent but interconnected systems. I have provided empirical support for the effects of visual memory processing in the learning of science. The task of adapting instruction to individual differences among students is an all encompassing challenge to education. I have performed studies that examined interactions and relationships that exist in students with differing imagery capabilities and varied lesson types which incorporated analogies. My research has also provided insight into the processing of the color attribute in long term memory.
Dr. Kiel email: mkiel@es.marywood.edu My research interests center around the
mechanisms and control of protein synthesis. Protein
synthesis is a universal property of life, and defects in
cellular protein synthesis have been linked to human
diseases such as cancer. The mechanisms of protein synthesis
involve the collaboration of scores of protein, RNA, organic
and inorganic molecules. Because of the complexity of this
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Current Recent Student/Faculty Research Coming Soon
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rocess,
much is still to be learned. The model organism for my
studies is the yeast Sacchromyces cerevisiae; future studies
may use cultured mammalian cells. Students performing
independent research in my laboratory will learn and utilize
a variety of techniques, including gene cloning, in vivo
gene expression, mutagenesis, cell culture techniques and in
vitro biochemical assays.