Senior Thesis Titles 2005
MELISSA ALTURA
5′ Modification of Polyadenylated Transcripts in Giardia lamblia
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
2003 GUROP Summer Research Fellowship Award Winner
DANIEL G. BALOGH
Ichneumon Flight Seasonality, Abundance, and Habitat Preference in Dyke Marsh Preserve, Virginia
Edward M. Barrows, Laboratory of Entomology and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
SELENE K. BANTZ
A Study of Lethargic Behavior in Female Rats Fed the Ketogenic Diet and Injected with γ-Butyrolactone, an Agent which Induces Absence Seizures
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MICHAEL BERCIK
An investigation into the immunosuppressive effects of acute morphine administration, as measured by the decreasing levels of MHC II expression on lymphocytes and monocytes following treatment
Barbara M. Bayer, Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
CHRISTIANNE BIRD
Ichneumon Wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) Flight Periods, Abundance, and Habitat Preferences in Dyke Marsh Preserve, Virginia
Edward M. Barrows, Laboratory of Entomology and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
Zukowski 2004 Undergraduate Research Scholarship Award Winner
NIRICA BORGES
The Actin Cytoskeleton as a Drug Target in Giardia lamblia
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
KARA-ANNE CASSETT CARPENTER
The Scholarship of Learning and Teaching
Joseph H. Neale, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MARGARET S. CARTER
Efficacy of Intermittent Fasting within High Fat, High Carbohydrate, and Normal Diets on Seizure Threshold and Severity
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
ROCHELLE CHI CHI CHIJIOKE
The Role of IL-6, LPS, and NF-kB on mBD-3 Gene Expression
Steven M. Singer, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
SHIAU HUI CHIN
Auditory Discrimination in Rhesus Monkeys
Elena M. Silva-Casey, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
Josef P. Rauschecker, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center
STEPHEN CHUN
Ciguatoxin Exposure as a Potential Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Philip Sze, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
HANIEE CHUNG
The Role of Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 in Breast Cancer Cell Response to Antiestrogens
Rebecca Riggins and Robert Clarke, Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
Anne G. Rosenwald, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
BRETT COLLINGS
The Development of a New, Effective Blood Pressure Drug with Fewer Side Effects than Norvasc and Implications for Obtaining Patent and FDA Approval
Anne G. Rosenwald, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
DENA CONSTANDELIS
Investigating the Importance of NKX3.1 Expression in Human Prostate Cancer in Correlation with Tumor Development
Ellen J. Henderson, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
STEPHANIE E. DANIEL
Teaching Biology to the Eighth Grade Students of Ms. Day’s Class at Ron Brown Middle School in Washington DC
Anne G. Rosenwald, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
JOHN DANKS
Intermittent Feeding Affects Seizure Thresholds in Rates Fed a Normal Rodent Chow Diet, a Ketogenic Diet, and a High-Carbohydrate Diet
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
JOANNA DELGADO
Hair Analysis of Cocaine and the Effects of Cosmetic Manipulation on Drug Attachment
Anne G. Rosenwald, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MICHAEL DeSTEFANO
Distribution of Glutamate Carboxypeptidase III in Mouse Tissues and Brain Regions
Joseph H. Neale, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
ELIZABETH A. EGITTO
Generalization in the Foraging of P. fuscatus Paper Wasps
Martha Weiss, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
KELLY C. FLYNN
The Effects of Beach Replenishment and Beach Nourishment on Emerita talpoida
Philip Sze, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
LAUREN C. FRAZER
The Identification and Characterization of Dopamine Receptor D1 Binding Partners in the Human Kidney
John Jones, M.D., and Pedro Jose, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center
Ellen J. Henderson, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MARIA AINA GASPAR
Investigating the Role of Sox11 in Neural Differentiation
Elena M. Silva-Casey, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
* Maria was awarded the Chapman Medal from the Department of Biology for this thesis research project
ERIC D. GIRARD
The Cytological Effects of Caffeine on Specific Atrial Granules in Sprague-Dawley Rats
George B. Chapman, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
JESSICA HAHN
Examination of an Unknown Gene Over-Expressed in Multiple Sclerosis: Determination of Expression Levels and Attempted Knock-Down Using RNA Interference
John Richert, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center
Steven M. Singer, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
ELKE HOLDERBEKE
Mechanisms of Mast Cell Activation and Production of Mediators
Steven M. Singer, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
ALLISON HOUGH
A Detailed Analysis of the Development of Snack Foraging in Wild Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops sp.), Shark Bay, Western Australia
Janet Mann, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
AFSHAN K. HUSSAIN
Immune Dysfunction in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Benjamin R. Walker, Department of Psychology, Georgetown University
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
JAWAD ISSA
Investigating the Role of γδ T Cell Toll-Like Receptors on Oral Tolerance
Diane W. Taylor, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MIN JEONG KIM
Biologically Based Therapies: What Consumers Should Know
George B. Chapman, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
NATALIE KIRILICHIN
Newborn Screening for Galactosemia: An Assessment of the Value in Screening for GALK and GALE Deficiency
Ellen J. Henderson, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MARYANN J. KWA
The Effects of γ-Butyrolactone (GBL) and the Ketogenic Diet on the Behavior of Male Rats
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MARIE CHRISTINE LaRIVIERE
Feral Felis Catus and their Effects on Endemic Australia Fauna
Edward M. Barrows, Laboratory of Entomology and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
E. PHILIP LEHMAN
Learning via Teaching: Appreciating and Understanding Collegiate Biology through Pedagogy, Curriculum Design, and Teaching Science at the Middle School Level
Ronda J. Rolfes, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
KIRK E. LOHMUELLER
Evaluation of Long-Range Signatures of Selection in the Gene Encoding Angiotensinogen (AGT)
Lee-Jun Wong, IMHG, Georgetown University Medical Center
John M. Braverman, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
* Kirk was awarded the Chapman Medal from the Department of Biology for this thesis research project
KATHARINE C. LONG
The Effect of 3rd Trimester Pregnancy Hormones on Tight Junction Permeability and Paracellular Uptake in the Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cell Line
Katharine Carr, Anatomy & Genetics, Oxford University
Joseph H. Neale, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
JARED MARTILLOTTI
Seizure Activity in NET KO Mice Fed Either Ketogenic Diet or Normal Rodent Chow
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
GISELLE Y. MASON
Teaching Biology in the District of Columbia Manifests Itself as a Learning experience in Biology and Social Justice for College Students
Elena M. Silva-Casey, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
JOSEPH E. McCLAIN
Wolbachia as a Means to Modify the Mosquito Vector, Ae. aegypti
Peter A. Armbruster, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MOIRA C. McNULTY
Mineral Analyses of Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Milk
Nicole Abbodanza, Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian Institution
Janine Brown, Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian Institution
Anne G. Rosenwald, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MATTHEW MINOR
Possibility of Lateral and Oblique Learning in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops sp.)
Janet Mann, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
* Zukowski 2004 Undergraduate Research Scholarship Award Winner
JENNIFER SUZANNE MOORE
Teaching Biology at Ronald H. Brown Middle School: An Exercise in Learning and Self-Evaluation of Knowledge Through Teaching Sixth-Grade Science Enrichment
Lori G. Estes, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
ALEXANDER C. MORDI
A Critical Analysis of the Literature: Assessing the Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids on Muscle Growth and Health
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
CAROLINE A. MURPHY
Effect of Endothelial Cell Growth Produced by Treatment with Vascular Endothelial Growth Inhibitor (VEGI) and Manipulating Levels of the Tie 1 Kinase Receptor
Linda J. Metheny-Barlow, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center
Ellen J. Henderson, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
AMY L. NICHOLAS
A Comparison of the Abilities of Primigravidae Women Age 20 or Under and Multigravidae Women Age 25 or Older to Control Plasmodium falciparum Infections Throughout pregnancy
Diane W. Taylor, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
BRIAN BYUNGJIN PARK
Learning by Teaching: Rediscovering Biology through the Eyes of a Teacher
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
BRADFORD PEREZ
The Role of (CD4+CD25+) Regulatory T Cells in a Murine Model of Anti-Melanoma Immunity
Sam Hwang, Dermatology Branch, National Cancer Institute
Anne G. Rosenwald, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
LAUREN M. POLLINA
Reconciling Research Approaches to Tourette’s Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Neuropsychiatric Analysis
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
AMY PROAL
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Overview Recent of Research
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
VICTORIA A. RAFALSKI
NAAG Peptidase Inhibition as a Potential Therapy for Diabetic Neuropathy: An in vitro Model Using Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Treated with High Levels of Glucose
Joseph H. Neale, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
ADAM RAFF
The Role of Basolateral Amygdala in Anxiety
Ludise Malkova, Department of Pharmacology, Georgetown University Medical Center
Joseph H. Neale, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
* Adam was awarded the Sigma Xi Medal from the Georgetown University Chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, for this thesis project
JOHN J. RAYBURN
An Investigation of GREB1 Expression in Normal Mouse Mammary Morphogenesis through in situ Hybridization
Michael D. Johnson, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center
Ellen J. Henderson, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MEAGHAN E. REMSHARD
The Use of Transgenic Technology in Agricultural Biotechnology for Vaccine Development
Ellen J. Henderson, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
HAALA ROKADIA
The B-Raf Kinase Pathway Mediates Over-Expression of Phosphorylated ERK via the D1 Dopamine Receptor to Induce Apoptosis in Human SK-N-MC Neuroblastoma Cells
Anita Sidhu, Department of Biochemistry, Georgetown University
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
DAPHNE S. SAY
Exploring the Role of Sox21 in the Early Development of Xenopus Laevis
Elena M. Silva-Casey, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MARY ELIZABETH SEXTON
Teaching to Learn: How Teaching Middle School Biology Provided an Opportunity for Augmentation, Synthesis, and Analysis of Collegiate-Level Biological Knowledge
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
JOHN SHEARIN
Varied Cleavage Fragments Present in Alzheimer’s Disease Brains May Be Characteristic of Different Apo-lipoprotein E Isoforms Indicating the Pathogenesis of the Condition
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
G. William Rebeck, Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University
JESSICA SILVERMAN
Bioinformatic and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Adenylate Pathway in Saccharomyces and Related Fungal Species
Ronda J. Rolfes, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
JENNIFER TISCARENO
Social Play in Bottlenose Dolphins Calves (Tursiops sp.): Function of Play through Analysis of Play Types in Both Age and Sex Classes
Janet Mann, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
NILA SHIRISH-TRIVEDI
The Temporal Expression Pattern of the Transcription Factor Sox21 in Xenopus tropicalis
Elena M. Silva-Casey, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
RACHEL VALENCIA
Increased Expression of Xenopus tropicalis Sox21 in the Model Organism Xenopus laevis Leads to Altered Neural Tissue Patterning
Elena M. Silva-Casey, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
KRISTY A. VANDERVOORT
Pregnant Cameroonian Women Show an Ability to Eliminate Plasmodium falciparum Malarial Parasites over the Course of Pregnancy
Diane W. Taylor, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
MELINDA JOY WEISS
Teaching Fundamental Biological Concepts Through Coursework based on Human Anatomy to Eighth-Grade Students in a DC Public School
Joseph H. Neale, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
RENEE E. WESTLEY
The Effects of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) on Neurodegeneration and the Therapeutic Potential of VEGF in the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Joseph H. Neale, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
Heidi G. Elmendorf, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
KENNETH TING-FUNG WONG
Beneficial Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Ketogenesis for Seizure Resistance
Douglas A. Eagles, Department of Biology, Georgetown University
JOSEPH ZULLO
4-APP Sensitivity of the Vacuolar Protein Sorting (VPS) Mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Ronda J. Rolfes, Department of Biology, Georgetown University