GRSP GRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARS PROGRAM

december 2010 Volume 4 EPSCoR alabama’s Graduate Research Scholars Program - GRSP -

Is unique Among National EPSCoR Programs. Few states have committed major resources toward the sponsorship and development of its next generation of researchers, scientists, and innovators.

The GRSP is a state investment in Alabama’s universities that will expand research output, attract quality graduate students and make our universities more competitive for quality faculty hires. The program will provide a highly trained workforce to fuel the growth of high technology companies in Alabama. A significant goal of the GRSP is to encourage interdisciplinary training and research, to train professionals for careers in the scrutinized fields, and to encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to consider careers in these fields. Table of Contents

Message from the ALEPSCoR Steering Committee Chair...... 4

Message from the ALEPSCoR Executive Director...... 5

Overview ...... 6

Tables and Statistics...... 7

GRSP Presentation to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education ...... 8

Featured Research Scholars...... 9-32 Scholars Listing, Round 6...... 10

GRSP and Beyond ...... 33-70

Campus Coordinators ...... 71-74

Appendices ...... 75-79 Index of Scholars ...... 76 Alumni Roster/Expected Graduation Dates ...... 77 Campus Coordinators / Students ...... 78 Congressional Districts of Student Residencies ...... 79

Quick Reference Guide ...... 80-84

AL EPSCoR Steering Committee ...... 85

Photography by Leslie M. Roop Graphics by Jonathan R. Bonner Copyright© 2008 AGORA Graphics GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

Message from Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee Chair

October 2010

Dear Colleagues:

Since 2006, the State of Alabama has invested more than $ 4.5 million in support of the Graduate Research Scholars Program (GRSP), a program offering research opportunities to over 130 graduate students with multi-year awards under the guidance of Alabama’s finest scientists and researchers. The GRSP selected its sixth round of awardees in May 2010. I invite you to browse through this booklet to discover the exciting research being conducted by graduate students across the state.

Alabama EPSCoR is also moving forward in exciting ways. To better serve our institutions and the EPSCoR Program across the state the Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee (AESC) elected a new Executive Director, Dr. Chris Lawson, UAB professor of Physics in September 2010. In the past, the Executive Director served a dual role as the National Science Foundation State Agency Director. In his new position, Dr. Lawson will oversee EPSCoR activities at the federal level through programs at the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as the state GRSP. This will enable state-wide efforts in all programs to grow and prosper.

The Alabama ESPCoR Steering Committee (AESC) was saddened at the loss of one of our members in April 2010. Mr. Dave Echols was the Senior Project Manager for the Alabama Development Office and served as Chair of the Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee from April 2004 to March 2006. During his tenure, the AESC and Alabama Commission on Higher Education became more attuned to the imperative for collaboration between research and business. His commitment to this purpose led to the appointment to the AESC of a representative from the Alabama State Senate, Senator Steve French. This appointment had a profound and long term impact, the establishment of the GRSP.

Thank you for your interest in Alabama EPSCoR and especially the Graduate Research Scholars Program.

Respectfully, Richard B. Marchase, Ph.D. Chair, Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Birmingham

4 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

Message from the Alabama ESPCoR Executive Director

October 2010

I welcome the opportunity to serve as the Alabama EPSCoR Executive Director and welcome the opportunity to take Alabama EPSCoR in new directions.

The GRSP Program remains a great opportunity for outstanding students and mentoring faculty. Round Six brings twenty-four new graduate students (nineteen Ph.D. and 5 Masters) into the program and provides renewal award funding for twenty-two graduate students (twenty Ph.D. and two Masters). Fields of study include: optics and lasers, drug delivery, biochemistry, anthropology, applied mathematics, materials science and engineering, solid and applied mechanics, biology, urban storm water, catfish genomics, to shark skin for application in the design of aircraft and underwater vehicles.

Former GRSP students are engaged in furthering their education with research in environmental science, melanoma and diabetes, artificial cell membranes, male fertility, biotechnology, marine invertebrates, materials science, calcium allocation in mammalian mothers, sensors and industrial reactors, toxicology, nanoelectric devices, chemical engineering, train rail defects and repairs, heat transfer, and magnetic storage. Some GRSP students are conducting postdoctoral research in mechanical and aerospace engineering, biochemical and molecular biology, immunology and human disease, battery and fuel cells, armor, and tomatoes. Former GRSP students are employed as faculty members across the world, research scientists, as civil and environmental engineers, veterinarians, and analysts, etc.

I invite you to review the following pages for outcomes of the GRSP. Our GRSP scholars set a standard of high expectation for the future of Alabama and will continue to be major contributors to national and international efforts in building a sound global economy. Should you have questions about these scholars or the GRSP please contact me.

Sincerely,

Chris Lawson, Ph.D. Alabama EPSCoR Executive Director Department of Physics University of Alabama in Birmingham

5 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR P Overview

The Alabama Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (ALEPSCoR) Graduate Research Scholars Program (GRSP) was established in 2006 by the Alabama State Legislature through a $1 million increase in a line item appropriation to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, fiscal agent for funds to the ALEPSCoR. The intent of the legislative funding is three-fold: 1) to strengthen and enhance the research capacity of ALEPSCoR institutions1 by positioning them to be more competitive in attracting eminent senior faculty, 2) to retain for Alabama the brightest and best of our graduate students for careers in disciplines related to science and engineering, and 3) to address the economic need for highly trained professionals to ensure the growth of emerging technology companies in this state.

Initially GRSP funding was targeted to support graduate students associated with the four (4) Centers of Excellence funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR Infrastructure Improvement Award (RII-2). Subsequently (FY 2007-08), the program was expanded to include qualified students at all ALEPSCoR universities whose proposed research or field of study and career interests are congruent with the funded science and technology EPSCoR programs of the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The success of Alabama’s long term commitment to promoting the education and careers of its most talented graduate students cannot be overstated. Since 2006, the Legislature has appropriated $ 4.5 million in support of the GRSP. An estimated 133 students have been recipients of 242 awards, with a number of students benefitting from multi-year awards.

The highly competitive process includes the circulation of a Request for Proposal, rigorous internal institutional review and ranking of applications, and selection by members of a peer review team which GRSP R6 recipient Justin Havird is studying Halocaridina rubra (known makes recommendations for final awards. to native Hawaiians as opae ula). These creatures exist in Hawaiian The sixth round of competition was anchialine ponds and are seen grazing on the orange anchaline conducted April-May 2010. Of the 76 bacterial crust. For more information see page 17. applications, 46 awards were granted.

1Alabama A&M University, Auburn University, Tuskegee University, The University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama in Huntsville, and University of .

6 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Tables and Statistics

GRSP Degree Listing 2007-2010 Graduates 2007-10

21 M.S. Degrees Year M.S. Ph.D. 1 Animal Science 2007 1 1 1 Basic Medical Sciences 2008 6 9 1 Bioengineering, Computer Science 2009 8 10 1 Biological Sciences 2010 6 24 1 Cellular and Molecular Biology Total 21 43 2 Civil and Environmental Engineering 1 Electrical and Computer Engineering 1 Electrical Engineering 1 Environmental Science 3 Materials Science and Engineering Projected Graduates 2 Mechanical Engineering 5 Physics Year M.S. Ph.D. 1 Structural Biology 2011 6 30 2012 1 13 43 Ph.D. Degrees 2013 0 9 1 Basic Medical Sciences 2014 0 2 2 Biochemistry Total 7 54 1 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1 Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry 1 Bioengineering, Chemistry, Life Sciences 3 Biological Sciences 3 Chemical and Biological Engineering 2 Chemical Engineering 2 Chemistry 2 Civil and Environmental Engineering 1 Civil Engineering 1 Computer Science 1 1 Electrical and Computer Engineering 1 Electrochemical Engineering 1 Engineering Science and Mechanics 1 Food Science 8 Materials Science and Engineering 1 Microbiology 1 Molecular Biology 7 Physics 1 Veterinary Biological Sciences

7 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR GRSP Presentation to the ACHE Commission

A presentation was made by Johanna Cannon, a GRSP Ph.D. candidate in the NSF supported Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Center for Environmental Cellular Signal Transduction (CECST) at Auburn University, to the Alabama Commision on Higher Education in December 2009. Johanna studies marine invertebrate animals called hemichordates in order to understand the origins of chordates, the phylum of animals including vertebrates and humans. Hemichordate Hemichordates are a small group of bizarre and Phylogenomics fascinating marine animals important to understanding vertebrate evolution. Johanna is studying two hemichordate groups, sea angels and acorn worms, two very different Johanna Cannon creatures with drastically different morphologies and life Auburn University histories. Sea angels are colonial animals, with many AL-EPSCoR GRSP individual animals attached to each other in a colony, while acorn worms are solitary animals ranging in size from a few millimeters to over a meter in length and found in habitats from soft sediment in the intertidal zone to the deep ocean. Johanna’s specific research is in the field of phylogenomics. Phylogenomic studies involve reconstructing evolutionary Implications & Impact relationships using genome-level data. Johanna is utilizing • Genomic comparisons equipment at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnoloy to – Gene families sequence thousands of gene fragments from sea angels – Housekeeping genes and acorn worms, covering much of their genomes. • Medicine These sequences will be combined with hundreds of – Regeneration gene sequences from dozens more species, including – Anti-tumor drugs many vertebrates, in a giant data matrix that can be used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of these animals. Because the dataset is so large, Johanna is using the Alabama Supercomputer to perform the phylogenomic analysis.

Johanna hopes to determine the evolutionary relationships of hemichordates, and to use this information to better understand how chordates Thank you! evolved. Importantly, because these animals are - ACHE and AL-NSF EPSCoR closely related to vertebrates, including humans, - AU CMB Program having genomic-level sequences for sea angels and - AU Graduate School acorn worms may provide useful information - Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research for future research on the evolution of the types of genes that may cause genetic diseases. Additionally, - National Science Foundation (DEB-0816892) hemichordates have been found to produce - Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences compounds that suppress tumor growth, and they - Smithsonian/United States Antarctic Program are able to regenerate, which means that their study - Dr. Frank Bartol may have future applications for therapies such as skin - Halanych Lab grafts or artificial organs. Johanna was a recipient of - Billie Swalla GRSP funding during Rounds 3, 4 and 5. She plans to graduate in May 2011.

8 Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Featured Scholars GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Round Six Awardees

Round Six Awardees are comprised of new and renewing students. Information on new students follows while updates on previously funded students can be found in the GRSP and Beyond Section starting on page 33.

Last Name First Name Inst. Goal Research Area Abunaemeh Malek AAMU Ph.D Characterization Properties of Glassy Polymeric Carbon and Silicon Carbide Afroz Farhana UA MS Seperation Control Mechanisms of Shark Skin Allie Aldinton TU Ph.D. Fracture and Fatigue Evaluation of In‐situ Welded Railhead Repairs Apalangya Vitus TU Ph.D. Synthesis of Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications Baah David TU Ph.D. Microfluid Synthesis and Rheological Characterization on Non‐Spherical Nanostructures Babaei Hasan AU Ph.D. Phase Change NEPCM Balenger Susan AU Ph.D. House Finch Mate Selection Processing and Characterization of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes Brundidge‐Young Sandrea TU Ph.D. and Carbon Nanopearls Cantrell Andrew AAMU MS Effects of Forest Management Practices on Amphibians and Small Mammals Chen Yi UAH Ph.D. Mosaic Generation for Multi‐Media Applications Colon Tomeka AAMU MS Electrical, Mechanical, and Optical Properties of Graphene Fan Liwu AU Ph.D. Thermoconductivity of Phase Change Materials Farah Basil USA MS Electric Field Induced Nanofiber Alignment in Nanocomposites Fayock Brian UAH Ph.D. Global Heliopheric Models Freeman Jason UAB Ph.D. New Materials for Sensor Protection Against Laser Threats Fu Bianzhu UA Ph.D. Magnetic Films for Ultra‐high Storage Devices Hasoun Luai USA PhD Protection by Folates Against UV‐induced DNA Damage Hassanzadeh Alireza UAH Ph.D. Integration of Liquid Crystal Sensors with Interface Circuitry for Bio Sensing Applications

Hastings Samantha UAB Ph.D. Chemical Warfare Agent Receptors for Cations, Anions, and Small Molecules Havird Justin AU Ph.D. Anchialine Organisms Hossain Mohammad AU Ph.D. Viral Infections that Cause Diseases in Farm‐Raised Catfish Lu Jianguo AU Ph.D. Creation of a Public Database of Catfish Genomic Resources Messersmith Mallory UAB MA Current and Past Fijian Ritualistic Practices Ptacek Ross UAB Ph.D. Dynamics of Cubic Polynomials Rahman Rezwanur UA Ph.D. Mechanical Properties of Polymer Nano‐composites Roberts Kathleen AAMU Ph.D Ecologica Monitoring and Assessment of Enhance Oil Recovery for Carbon Storage Robinson Paul AAMU MS Optics and Lasers to Detect Chemical and Biological Signals Sarvestani Reza UAH Ph.D. Fabrication of Radio Frequency Memes Devices Sheff Justin UAB Ph.D. Metallcrown Complexes for Binding of Cations, Anions and Small Molecules Shen Gang UA Ph.D. Synthesis of Semiconductor Nanomaterials Shoieb Shaik UA Ph.D. High‐Efficiency Solar Cells Based on Nanostructured Materials Smith John UAB Ph.D. Creating Thermoplastic Parts with Locally Thermoformed Features Strawder Gregory TU Ph.D. Reinforcing Polyurethane Foams with Wood Flour for Thermal and Mechanical Studies Sun Po UAH Ph.D. Magneto‐Optical Photonic Band Gap Materials Sundaram Padma AU Ph.D. Novel Drug Delivery Carriers for Cancer Therapeutics Tantawi Khalid UAH Ph.D. Silicon Membrane Technology for Engineering Biology Tcherbi‐Narteh Alfred TU Ph.D. Nanoclay Affects on Polymer Composite Strength Togawa Noboru UA Ph.D. Hydraulic Capacity and Pollutant Removal Capabilities of an Up‐Flow Filtration Device Venkataramanan K.P. UAH Ph.D. Biodiesel from Glycerol Wilson Brad UA MS/Ph Microbial Indicators in Stormwater Xin Yang UA Ph.D. Receptor‐like Kinases in Plant‐pathogen Interactions Xiong Jingyuan AU Ph.D. Evaluating Novel Enzymes Zhang Yuanli UAB Ph.D. Linear and Non‐linear Optical Properties of New Materials Zou Yang UAH Ph.D. Optical Fiber Tips for Chemical and Biological Sensing

10 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Flow Separation Control Mechanisms Derived from Shark Skin

Farhana Afroz The University of Alabama Round 6 Recipient NASA EPSCoR Expected Graduation in May 2011, M.S., Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics [email protected]

Objective To identify through experiments the passive, flow-actuated separation control mechanism found on the skin of fast-swimming sharks such as the Shortfin Mako.

Research Abstract • To generate a controllable adverse pressure gradient (APG) in a water tunnel by using a rotating cylinder to study turbulent boundary layer (TBL). • Separation studies comprise of both 2D and 3D evaluations using Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV) techniques and the Volumetric 3-Component Velocimetry (V3V) System respectively. • A flat plate and a model designed based on real shark scale denticles will be tested for flow separation. The investigation will reveal the mechanisms which lead to flow separation delay, and ultimately drag reduction, over shark scales mounted onto a flat plate.

Recent Presentations: • F. Afroz, E. Jones, D. Smith, J. Wheelus, A. Lang, Turbulent Boundary Layer Separation Induced over a Flat Plate by a Rotating Cylinder, 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics, 2010. • E . Jones, A. Lang, F. Afroz, D. Smith, J. Wheelus, An Experimental Study of Flow Separation over a Flat Plate with 2D Transverse Grooves, 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society, Division of Fluid Dynamics, 2010.

Future Plans To pursue a Ph.D. in Experimental Fluid Dynamics.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Amy Lang Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics The University of Alabama 213 Hardaway Hall Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 205-348-1622 [email protected]

11 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Assembly of Bio-inspired Nanomaterials by Utilizing Nature’s Biomeneralization Processes

Vitus Atango Apalangya Tuskegee University Round 6 Recipient Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected Graduation in 2014, Ph.D., Materials Science Engineering [email protected]

Objective The objective of my study is to synthesize nanocomposite materials for structural biomedical applications by mimicking nature’s biomineralization processes.

Research Abstract Biological organisms such as sea shells (mollusks) produce polymer-inorganic hybrid materials such as shells, bones, and teeth which have superior mechanical properties compared to their synthetic hybrids. Nature efficiently forms the shell (a natural inorganic-organic polymer) through biomineralization of inorganic materials (mostly calcium carbonate) on self-assembled organic materials. I will investigate conditions that promote in vivo mineralization and examine how to use these conditions in building nanocomposites for structural and biomedical purposes such as building prosthetics from inexpensive and widely available biobased materials such as calcium carbonate.

Recent Presentation • “Assembly of Bio-inspired Nanomaterials by Utilizing Nature’s Biomeneralization Processes.” Tuskegee Center for Advanced Materials, Summer Seminar July 22-23, 2010.

Future Plans I plan to teach in a university where I will carry out research by designing and engineering new materials.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Vijaya K. Rangari Materials Science Engineering Tuskegee University 1600 Franklin Road Tuskegee, AL 36088 334-552-1893 334-724-4875 [email protected]

12 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Non-continuum Analysis of Phase Change within NEPCM

Hasan Babaei Auburn University Round 6 Recipient DOE EPSCoR NEPCM (Nanostructure-Enhanced Phase Change Materials) Expected Graduation in August 2012, Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering [email protected]; [email protected]

Objective My research involves characterizing the transport and phase transition properties of nanofluids. These colloidal suspensions possess enhanced thermophysical properties making them ideal for utilization as phase change materials. Non-continuum simulation methods will be used in order to obtain these properties.

Research Abstract The thermal conductivity and melting point of nanofluids (colloidal suspensions) will be determined using Molecular Dynamics simulations. Special attention is given to identifying the effect of an ionic particle on the organization of organic solvent molecules around it by obtaining the force field between them.

Recent Publications/Presentations/ • M. Raisee, A. Gafari, H. Babaei, H. Iacovides, “Two-Dimensional Prediction of Time-Dependent, Turbulent Flow around a Square Cylinder Confined in a Channel.” International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, Vol. 62 (2009): pp. 1232-1263. • H. Babaei, M. Raisee, Simulation of Turbulent Flow around a Square Cylinder Near a Wall, Presentation at the 12th Annual Int. Conf. Fluid Dynamics, Iran, 2009.

Future Plans Upon completion of my Ph.D., I plan to pursue a post-doctoral position on molecular modeling leading to an academic faculty position.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Jay M. Khodadadi Mechanical Engineering Auburn University 270 Ross Hall Auburn, Alabama 36849-5341 334-844-3333 [email protected]

13 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Herpetofaunal and Small Mammal Response to Oak-Regenerating Silvicultural Treatments on the Mid- of Southern

Andrew Cantrell Alabama A&M University Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in December 2011, M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Management [email protected]

Objective To examine the effect of forest management practices on herpetofaunal and small mammal communities. To understand what mechanisms are responsible for influencing these communities due to treatment implementation.

Research Abstract • Examine the changes in microclimate and microclimate variables after disturbances caused by silvicultural treatments. • Examine the composition of herpetofaunal and small mammal species. • Determine the relationship between microhabitat features and herpetofaunal and small mammal community structures. • Examine the temporal changes in herpetofaunal and small mammal communities.

Recent Presentations • Cantrell, A.C., Y. Wang, C. Greenberg, and C.J. Schweitzer. Herpetofaunal and Small Mammal Response to Oak- regenerating Silvicultural Practices on the Mid-Cumberland Plateau of Southern Tennessee. Alabama Academy of Science. Huntsville, Alabama. March 31, 2010 (Poster presentation). • Cantrell, A.C., Y. Wang, C. Greenberg, and C.J. Schweitze. Herpetofaunal and Small Mammal Response to Oak- regenerating Silvicultural Practices on the Mid-Cumberland Plateau of Southern Tennessee. Alabama A&M STEM Day. Huntsville, Alabama. March 31, 2010 (Poster Presentation). • Cantrell, A.C., Y. Wang, C. Greenberg, and C. J. Schweitzer. Effect of Oak-regeneration silviculture Treatments on Herpetofaunal Communities on the Mid-Cumberland Plateau Alabama Partners of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Andalusia, Alabama. Nov. 7, 2009 (Poster Presentation).

Future Plans Once graduated, I plan to pursue a job in wildlife biology/ conservation. I am also considering furthering my education to work on a Ph.D.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Yong Wang Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Alabama A&M University 4900 Meridian Street Normal, Alabama 35762 256-372-4229 [email protected]

14 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Developing Novel Mosaic Generation Methods and Applications

Yi Chen University of Alababama in Huntsville Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in May 2011, Ph.D., Computer Science [email protected], [email protected]

Objective A mosaic is generated by aligning, warping, and blending consecutive images that are captured from a mobile camera. I aim to develop novel mosaic generation algorithms to generate mosaics in the presence of moving objects and occlusion of objects. I plan to use synthetic video generation with various camera patterns to check the performance of mosaic generation. I plan to integrate an interactive video environment based on generated mosaic and parameters of mosaic generation. In addition, I plan to provide an interactive spatial video browsing method.

Research Abstract • Generate synthetic videos based on camera motion patterns such as pan, tilt, zoom, and rotate. The system works on a high resolution image, and the corresponding content from the image based on the pattern is used to generate the synthetic video. It is used to evaluate the ability of mosaic generation to track the movements of camera between consecutive frames with and without object occlusion. • Develop objective criteria for mosaic generation using synthetic video generation. • Create novel mosaic generations to overcome the problems such as blurring of the mosaic. For example, blurred mosaic is usually caused by improper object removal, and I plan to implement specific techniques to overcome this problem for specific types of digital videos. • Implement interactive video environments to edit the original digital video on the mosaic and reproduce the video as user desired. This provides spatial editing of the video. • Browse a digital video spatially with actions involved according to a map or geographical layout information.

Recent Publication • Y. Chen, and R.S. Aygun. “Synthetic Video Generation for Evaluation of Sprite Generation.” 2010 International Journal of Multimedia Data Engineering and Management (IJMDEM), Vol. 1, issue 2, (2010) pp 34-61.

Future Plans I plan to defend my dissertation in Fall 2011, and either apply for a multimedia-related job with a corporation like Intergraph or pursue a faculty position in Alabama.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Ramazan Aygun Computer Science Department University of Alabama in Huntsville TH N360, 300 Technology Hall Huntsville, AL 35816 256-824-6455 [email protected]

15 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Alpha Radiation within the Heliosphere

Brian Fayock University of Alabama in Huntsville Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in May 2011, Ph.D., Physics [email protected]

Objective To relate results from global heliospheric models that includes neutral hydrogen self-consistently to Lyman- alpha backscatter observations made historically and currently by Ultraviolet Spectrometers aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft, Pioneer 10 spacecraft, and SOHO SWAN instrument.

Research Abstract • A detailed analysis of Lyman-alpha photon interaction with global models of neutral hydrogen will allow a comparison between a simulated backscatter intensity to that observed by spacecrafts, hopefully leading to a connection to the structure and distribution of the neutral hydrogen. • The frequency of Lyman-alpha relates to the difference in the two lowest energy levels of a neutral hydrogen atom, giving a frequency dependent rate of photon-atom interaction. • The trajectory, interaction, and initial frequency of a photon is random, but based off of probability.

Recent Presentations • Heliophysics Summer School, July 28-August 4th, 2010, Boulder, CO. • Space Weather Summer School, June 23-30, 2010, Huntsville, AL.

Future Plans I plan to continue looking further into this area of research while eventually working my way towards a position as a professor of physics.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Gary Zank Physics University of Alabama at Huntsville Huntsville, AL 35899 256-961-7401 [email protected]

16 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Ecology, Physiology, and Genetics in Anchialine Organisms

Justin Havird Auburn University Round 6 Recipient Center for Environmental Cellular Signal Transduction Expected Graduation in May 2013, Ph.D., Biological Sciences [email protected]

Objective I am studying the interplay between ecology, physiology, and genetics in organisms from anchialine habitats. These habitats are rare and threatened coastal ponds found mainly in .

Research Abstract • Determine how invasive fishes are altering anchialine ponds across the Hawaiian Islands. • Quantify the effects of different environmental stressors on the physiology of anchialine organisms. • Measure changes in anchialine microbial communities using molecular techniques.

Recent Publications/Presentations/ Honors • Havird J.C., et al. “A New Species of Lepidocephalichhtys with a Highly Distinctive Lamina Circularis and Comments on Sexual Dimorphism and Relationships in Southern Lineages of Cobitidae.” Zootaxa 2557 (2010):1–18. • Havird J.C., et al. “The Importance of Taxon Sampling in Genomic Studies: An Example from the Cyclooxygenases of Teleost Fishes.” Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 56 (2010): 451–455. • Havird J.C., et al. “Gene Duplications and Losses within the Cyclooxygenase Family of Teleosts and Other Chordates.” Molecular Biology and Evolution. 25 (2008): 2349–59.

Future Plans I plan to continue biological research and teaching in academia.

Faculty Advisor Drs. Scott R. Santos and Kevin T. Fielman Biological Sciences Auburn University 101 Rouse Life Sciences Building Auburn, AL 36849 Lab: 334-844 3223; Office: 334- 844-7410 [email protected] or [email protected]

17 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Edwardsiella ictaluri determinants of phage infection, with a novel role of a hemolysin in phage resistance

Mohammad Hossain Auburn University Round 6 Recipient Center for Environmental Cellular Signal Transduction Expected Graduation Summer 2012, Ph.D., Microbiology [email protected]

Objective To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the viral infection of the bacterial pathogen Edwardsiella ictaluri that causes disease in aquaculture-farmed channel catfish.

Research Abstract • Recently isolated a novel bacteriophage ΦeiAU that is lytic to the catfish pathogen E. ictaluri. • Investigating the molecular interactions involved in phage infection of its E. ictaluri host. • Identified seventeen different E. ictaluri genes that are necessary for phage infection, in particular a bacterial membrane protein (porin) that appears to serve as the phage receptor. • E. ictaluri also appears to have a novel mechanism of resisting phage infection, by producing a hemolysin (which can disrupt red blood cells) that reduces phage infection. This is a rare phenomenon that has not been observed in any other bacterial species.

Recent Presentations/ Honors: • Hossain, M. J., K. S. Rahman, Liles, M. R. (2010) Novel Role of a Hemolysin in Phage Resistance to Edwardsiella ictaluri, American Society for Microbiology General Meeting. • Recipient of American Society for Microbiology Kadner Institute fellowship for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scientists in Preparation for Careers in Microbiology.

Future Plans After finishing my Ph.D., I will engage in postdoctoral research training so that I can advance my career as a microbiologist and toward my goal of becoming a professor of microbiology.

Faculty Advisor Mark R. Liles, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Room 101, Rouse Life Sciences Building Auburn, Alabama 36849 334-844-1656 [email protected]

18 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Bioinformatics Resource Development for Catfish Genomics

Jianguo Lu Auburn University Round 6 Recipient Aquatics Genomics Unit Expected Graduation August 2012, Ph.D., Molecular Genetics in Fisheries [email protected]

Objective The objectives of this project are to build a comprehensive platform, cBARBEL database, to interactively manage available genomic resources of catfish and present the data inan interactive web form to the public and research community.

Research Abstract • To build a comprehensive platform, cBARBEL database for fish genome researchers. • The existing algorithm needed for next generation sequencing data assembly will be modified to improve computational accuracy and efficiency.

Recent Publications/Presentations/ Honors • J. Lu, Z. Liu, Chapter 2, In “Next Generation Sequencing and Whole Genome Selection in Aquaculture" pp. 21-33, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. • J. Lu, E. Peatman, Q. Yang, S. Wang, Z. Hu, J. Reccy, H. Kucuktas, and Z. Liu. (2010) The catfish genome database cBARBEL: an informatic platform for genome biology of ictalurid catfish. Nucleic Acids Res. PubMed PMID: 20935046. • J. Lu, E. Peatman, W. Wang, Q. Yang, J. Abernathy, S. Wang, H. Kucuktas, and Z. Liu. Alternative splicing in teleost fish genomes: same-species and cross-species analysis and comparisons. Mol Genet Genomics. 238(6) (2010):531-539. • J. Lu, E. Peatman, W. Wang, Q. Yang, J. Abernathy, S. Wang, and Z. Liu. (Jan. 2010) Alternative splicing in teleost fish genomes: Cross-species analysis and comparisons. 18th Annual Plant and Animal Genome Conference. San Diego, California. Poster Presentation.

Future Plans I plan to pursue a faculty position in bioinformatics genome research in an aquaculture area after graduation.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Zhanjiang (John) Liu Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture Auburn University 203 Swingle Hall Auburn, AL 36849 334-844-4054 [email protected]

19 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR An Ethnoarchaeological Approach to Ritual and Social Space in Lau Group, Fiji

Mallory Messersmith University of Alabama at Birmingham Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in May 2012, M.A., Anthropology [email protected]

Objective To understand the nature of current and past Fijian ritualistic practices, as well as analyze contemporary delineations of social space in the village (especially sacred and ritual areas), in order to gain a more thorough perspective on the archaeological record in the Lau Group, Fiji.

Research Abstract • Fijians in the Lau Group maintain relatively traditional lifestyles in many ways. Also, elders and people of chiefly rank still retain historical information, myths, and oral traditions by memory. • My ethnoarchaeological research combines ethnography of living peoples with historical and archaeological data in order to understand Fijian lifeways from a long-term perspective. • I will apply archaeological analysis, ethnographic interviews, oral histories, and mapping techniques to explore past ritualistic practices as well as contemporary ideology and motivations behind village layout and spatial planning. • Current research builds on previous fieldwork studies: archaeological analysis of a potentially ritualistic earth oven, and ethnographic investigation of earth ovens and hearths in a contemporary village layout.

Recent Publications/Presentations • Jones, S., Cormier, L., Aamodt, C., Noojin, M., McCown, A., Messersmith, M., and Delisle, J., “Enculturating Student Anthropologists Through Fieldwork in Fiji,” Southern Anthropologist, Vol. 35, No. 2., 2010 (In Press). • Mallory Messersmith, “Analysis of a Suspected Earth Oven Feature on Nayau, Lau Group, Fiji,” Southern Anthropological Society Annual Meeting, Savannah, Georgia, February 2010.

Future Plans In summer of 2011, I will be returning to the Lau Group of Fiji for fieldwork and data collection for my Masters thesis. Following completion of my Masters in Spring 2012, I plan to continue toward a Ph.D. in Anthropology.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Sharyn Jones Department of Anthropology University of Alabama at Birmingham Heritage Hall, Rm #315 Birmingham, AL 35294-3350 205- 934-3508 [email protected]

20 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

A Study of Cubic Laminations

Ross Ptacek University of Alabama at Birmingham Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in 2013, Ph.D., Applied Mathematics [email protected]

Objective I wish to describe the dynamics of cubic polynomials and develop computer programs to aid in this description.

Research Abstract • Dynamical systems is the field of mathematics that studies how systems evolve over time. • The interesting “chaotic” behavior in the system occurs in what is called the Julia set. • Laminations are used to model Julia sets of dynamical systems governed by cubic polynomials. • I will describe the space of all laminations, called the CML. • I will also develop computer programs to aid in the visualization of Julia sets.

Recent Presentations • “Combinatoric Characterization of Cubic Siegel Disk Laminations.” Invited Talk. 24th Summer Conference on Topology and Its Applications, Brno, Czech Republic, July 14-17, 2009.

Future Plans To complete my Ph.D. at UAB and obtain a postdoctoral position to continue my research.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Lex Ovesteegen Mathematics University of Alabama at Birmingham 1300 University Boulevard Birmingham, AL 35294-1170 205-934-2154 [email protected]

21 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR A Coupled Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Continuum Mechanics (MPM) Model for Predicting the Macroscopic Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites

Rezanur Rahman The University of Alabama Round 6 Recipient NSF RII Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected Graduation in May 2012, Ph.D., Engineering Science and Mechanics [email protected]

Objective The primary objective is to develop a molecular dynamics (MD) based model to predict mechanical properties of polymer nano-composites. The MD simulation data will be coupled with continuum model (CM) for multi- scale modeling of polymer nano-composites to be used for cutting edge nanotechnology and biomedical applications.

Research Abstract • The developed MD model predicts material properties such as elastic constants and interfacial strength of graphene reinforced polymer nanocomposites (Epoxy/graphene; Cellulose/graphene). • A seamless coupling scheme is under development using material point method (MPM). • The multi-scale design tool which is under development will be used to make efficient engineering products.

Recent Presentation • “Characterizing Interfacial Properties and Elastic Constants using Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Cross-linked Graphene–Epoxy Nanocomposites” by R.Rahman and A. Haque, 25th American Society of Composites Conference, Dayton, OH, September 20-23, 2010.

Future Plans The model will be extended for designing various types of nanocomposite materials suitable for sensors, electronics, fuel efficient transportations and biomedical applications. The advanced multiscale design tool will be developed to produce competitive engineering products. After earning my Ph.D., I would like to work in academia and concentrate in the field of computational mechanics.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Anwarul Haque Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics The University of Alabama Box 870280 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487 205-348-2694 [email protected]

22 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering of Chemical/Biological Samples

Paul Robinson Alabama A&M University Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in May 2011, M.S., Physics [email protected]

Objective To demonstrate that Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) based sensors can be utilized as a powerful method for detecting chemical/biological signals since it is the most sensitive technique for sensing single molecules.

Research Abstract • I will use 750 nano meter wavelength light to detect the fingerprint of molecules. • I plan to use AAMU’s unique gold coated substrates to enhance the scattering signal. • I will compare the Raman signal of chemical/biological agents to publish findings and supplement existing research. • The expected results are to use these findings to improve the technology of chemical/biological sensing.

Recent Publications/Presentations/Honors • A. Kassu, P. Robinson, A. Sharma, P.B. Ruffin, C. Brantley and E Edwards, “Gold/Silver Coated Nanoporous Ceramic Membranes: A new Substrate for SERS Studies,” Society of Photo-Optical Instrument Engineers (SPIE) Vol. 7764 77640M-7. • A. Kassu, P. Robinson, A. Sharma, P.B. Ruffin, C. Brantley and E Edwards, “Reusing Commercial SERS Substrates by Gold/Silver Coating,” SPIE Vol. 7764 77640Q-7.

Future Plans After obtaining my Ph.D. in physics, I plan to work as a physicist for the government. During the later part of my life, I hope to become a professor in the state of Alabama.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Anup Sharma Physics Department Alabama A&M University 4900 Meridian Street Normal, Alabama 35762 256-372-8102 [email protected]

23 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Synthesis and Characterization of Semiconductor Nanomaterials for Optoelectronic Devices

Gang Shen The University of Alabama Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in 2011, Ph.D., Materials Engineering [email protected]

Objective The objective of my research is to investigate and improve the synthesis of semiconductor nanomaterials by chemical vapor deposition and epitaxy for optoelectronic devices, along with studying the material structural, optical and electrical characteristics.

Research Abstract • Nanostructures of ZnO and AlInGaN semiconductor materials can be engineered to exhibit optical characteristics that can enhance the efficiency of photovoltaics and solar cells, as well as that of green light emitting diodes. In turn, such devices would help develop a more efficient harvesting of solar energy and a more efficient energy use in solid-state lighting. • The research is aimed at controlling the synthesis of such nanostructures in the vapor phase and understanding their physical characteristics.

Recent Presentations • P. Kung, G. Shen, S.D. Wilbert, W. Baughman, M. Murphy, and S.M. Kim, "Synthesis and Optical Properties of ZnO Nanowires for Nanophotonics," Proceedings of the 18th Biennial Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers University Government Industry Micro/Nano Symposium (IEEE UGIM), Piscataway, (2010), 76. • G. Shen, D. Wilbert, B. Ajilore, M. York, W. Baughman, M. Murphy, J. Kim, S.M. Kim, and P. Kung, "Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanowires by Chemical Vapor Deposition," presented at American Physical Society, March Meeting 2010.

Future Plans My future research plans are to tailor the semiconductor nanostructures for device applications. Upon getting my Ph.D., I plan to pursue a career as a technology entrepreneur.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Patrick Kung Electrical and Computer Engineering The University of Alabama 101 Houser Hall, Box 870286 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0286 (205) 348-1764 [email protected]

24 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Fabrication and Characterization of Wood Flour Reinforced Rigid Polyurethane Foam Composites

Gregory Strawder Tuskegee University Round 6 Recipient NSF Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected Graduation in May 2011, Ph.D., Engineering/Materials Science [email protected]

Objective In an effort to transition to “green” composite fabrication, my current research involves reinforcing polyurethane foams with wood flour for thermal and mechanical studies.

Research Abstract • Polyurethane foams containing two grades of maple wood flour were made, where wood flour particle content and size were the parameters investigated to evaluate the performance of foams. • Morphological studies showed that the presence of wood flour led to smaller cells, therefore an increase in density. • Thermal analysis showed that particle content nor size affected the thermal stability of foams. • Mechanical studies showed that lower weight percentages and smaller particle sizes exhibited the best results.

Recent Presentations • Strawder, G., Hosur, M., and Jeelani, S. (2010, September). “Thermal and Mechanical Studies of Wood Flour Reinforced Polyurethane Foam Composites” (Oral presentation) American Society of Composites 25th Annual Technical Conference, Dayton, OH.

Future Plans Upon completion of my Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, my goal is to obtain a professorial position at an institution of higher learning in the state of Alabama.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Mahesh V. Hosur Materials Science and Engineering Tuskegee University 104 Chappie James Center Tuskegee, AL 36088 (334) 724-4220 [email protected]

25 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Nonricropcal Magneto-Optical Photonic Band Gap Materials

Po Sun University of Alabama in Huntsville Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in August 2012, Ph.D., Optical Science and Engineering [email protected]

Objective To study and develop magneto-optical photonic band gap materials utilizing ferromagnetic material that is a patterned metallic 3-D photonic band gap structure.

Research Abstract • Develop numerical simulation techniques for exploring the fundamental processes for light propagating through photonic media with anisotropic permittivity and permeability. • Investigate materials and the deposition thicknesses in the presence of strong magnetic fields. • Examine an efficient methodology for microfabricating photonic crystals comprised of periodic arrays of soft magnetic material. • This study will provide new opportunities for developing theories on the behavior of magneto optical surface plasmons in metals and introduce new application spaces in optical circuit design.

Recent Publications • J. D. Williams, P. Sun, W. C. Sweatt. A. R. Ellis, “Woodpile Photonic Crystals Using the LIGA Technique,” Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS 9(02), 023011 (2010).

Future Plans After graduation I will pursue a job working in research and development in industry or at a university.

Faculty Advisor Dr. John D. Williams Electrical Engineering Department University of Alabama in Huntsville 406 Optics Building Huntsville, AL 35899 256-824-2898 [email protected]

26 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Nucleic Acid Based Therapeutic Carrier for On-Demand Triggered Release of Multiple Drugs

Padma Priya Mohana Sundaram Auburn University Round 6 Recipient NSF RII Center for Interdisciplinary Discovery via Engineered Nanofabrication Expected Graduation in May 2012, Ph.D., Chemical Engineering [email protected]; [email protected]

Objective To develop novel drug delivery carriers based on nucleic acid aptamers for targeted and on-demand triggered release of cancer therapeutics.

Research Abstract • Conventional cancer treatment involves frequent intake of high dosages of drugs with toxic side effects, killing healthy cells along with tumor cells. • I am developing novel drug delivery carriers functionalized with nucleic acid aptamers capable of both binding drugs and controlling the release rate. • These novel drug delivery carriers target the tumor site and release high amounts of single or multiple drugs to the cancerous cells at controlled and extended rates without affecting the healthy cells. • Immobilizing aptamers with various drug binding affinities to gold nanoparticles facilitates continuous release of a drug for days, thereby increasing the efficiency of treatment. • Similarly, immobilizing aptamers capable of binding different drugs to nanoparticles enables the simultaneous and controlled release of multiple drugs.

Recent Presentation • P. Sundaram, M. E. Byrne, J. Wower. “Controlled and Extended Therapeutic Release from Nucleic Acid Aptamer Functionalized Nanoparticles.” 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineering Annual Meeting. Bionanotechnology for Gene and Drug Delivery I Session, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2010.

Future Plans After graduation, I would like to conduct research on novel drugs and drug delivery carriers by pursuing a job in research and development with a pharmaceutical company.

Faculty Advisors

Dr. Mark E. Byrne Dr. Jacek Wower Chemical Engineering Department of Animal Science Auburn University Auburn University 35 Ross Hall 308 Upchurch Hall Auburn, AL 36849 Auburn, AL 36849 334-844-2862 334-444-6136 [email protected] [email protected]

27 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Durability Assessment of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Nanoclay-epoxy Composites Exposed to UV Radiation

Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh Tuskegee University Round 6 Recipient NSF RII Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected Graduation in May 2013, Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering [email protected]

Objective To study how the addition of different amounts of montmorillonite nanoclay (Nanocor® 1.28E) affects the retention and degradation of polymer composite strength when exposed to UV Radiation.

Research Abstract • Fiber reinforced polymer composites are being used as a replacement for metals and alloys in a lot of outdoor engineering projects, due to their desirable properties such as anti-corrosion. • Polymers are very sensitive to UV rays and high temperatures. I want to understand how these materials behave when exposed to UV radiation in outdoor applications.

Recent Presentations • Oral Presentation at the 2010 Society of Advancement in Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, October, 11-14, 2010. • Oral Presentation at the 125th American Society for Composites, Dayton, OH, September 19-22, 2010. • Poster Presentation, 1st Place, Annual Society of Plastic Engineers/Automotive and Composites Conference and Exhibition (ACCE), Troy, , September 15-16, 2010. • Poster Presentation, 2010 Alabama Composites Conference, Birmingham, Alabama, August, 24-26, 2010.

Future Plans Extend the study to include a combination of UV radiation and condensation to mimic real life conditions.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Mahesh Hosur Center for Advanced Materials (TCAM) Tuskegee University 104 Chappie James Center Tuskegee, AL 36088 334-727-4220 [email protected]

28 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Metabolic Engineering of Clostridium pasteurianum ATCC 6013 to Increase Butanol Production from Biodiesel-Derived Crude Glycerol

Keerthi Venkataramanan University of Alabama in Huntsville Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in May 2012, Ph.D., Biotechnology Science and Engineering [email protected]

Objective To metabolically engineer Clostridium pasteurianum, by antisense RNA approach and hence increase butanol production from biodiesel derived crude glycerol.

Research Abstract • Glycerol is produced as a byproduct during the biodiesel production at a rate of 10% (w/w) of the biodiesel produced. Due to its composition, the crude glycerol has become a waste product. • Clostridium pasteurianum ATCC 6013 is able to consume crude glycerol as a sole carbon source and converts it to Butanol and 1,3-propanediol (PDO). • An Antisense RNA approach against the genes for PDO production will lower the amount ofPDO produced. This in turn will lead to an increase in butanol production, by diverting the glycerol destined for PDO production.

Recent Publications/Presentations/ Honors • Taconi, K.A., Venkataramanan, K.P., and Johnson, D.T., “Growth and Solvent Production by Clostridium pasteurianum ATCC™ 6013 Utilizing Biodiesel Derived Crude Glycerol as the Sole Carbon Source.” Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, Vol. 28, (2009) 1. • Venkataramanan, K.P. and Taconi, K.A; Parameters Affecting Butanol Production Via the Fermentation of Biodiesel Derived Crude Glycerol by Clostridium Pasteurianum ATCC™ 6013. Environmental Biotechnology: Green Bioprocessing, AIChE Annual Meeting, November 2009. • Venkataramanan, K.P., Armstrong, T.L., Scholz, C., and Taconi, K.A., Effect of Fatty acids on the metabolism of Biodiesel-Derived Crude Glycerol by Clostridium pasteurianum ATCC™ 6013. UAH Bioretreat 2010 Poster Session.

Future Plans To further optimize butanol production from crude glycerol. After graduation I would like to pursue a career in academia.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Carmen Scholz Professor, Department of Chemistry University of Alabama in Huntsville 333 Materials Science Building Huntsville, AL 35899 256-824-6188 [email protected]

29 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Structural and Functional Investigation of Two-component Alkanesulfonate Monooxygenase System

Jingyuan Xiong Auburn University Round 6 Recipient Expected Graduation in May 2012, Ph.D., Biochemistry [email protected]

Objective Broadening the understanding of basic biological science by evaluating of the novel enzymatic desulfonation mechanism of the two-component alkanesulfonate monooxygenase system.

Research Abstract • Bacteria utilize the novel two-component alkanesulfonate monooxygenase system for survival when the metabolically critical sulfur element is limited in the environment. • The unique desulfonation mechanism of this enzyme system supplies sulfur to bacteria and has not yet been characterized. • This research focuses on investigating structural movement and corresponding functions of the enzyme system in order to understand the desulfonation catalytic mechanism.

Recent Presentations/ Honors • Conference presentation: J. Xiong, H.R. Ellis. 2009. Role of a Flexible Loop in the Mechanism of Desulfonation by Alkanesulfonate Monooxygenase. The FASEB Journal. 502.8 ASBMB 2009 National Meeting. • Conference presentation: J. Xiong, H.R. Ellis. 2010. Structural and Functional Significance of the Disordered Region of Alkanesulfonate Monooxygenase. ASC 2010 Spring National Meeting and Expositions. • Conference presentation: J. Xiong, H.R. Ellis. 2010. Structural and Functional Significance of the Disordered Region of Alkanesulfonate Monooxygenase. The 1st Southeast Enzyme Conference. • ASBMB Travel Award for American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) 2009 National Meeting, 2009.

Future Plans Explore the diverse enzymatic catalysis mechanisms and elevate the level of science education in Alabama.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Holly R. Ellis Chemistry and Biochemistry Auburn University 179 Chemistry Building Auburn, Alabama 36849 334-844-6989 [email protected]

30 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Study of linear and nonlinear optical properties of metal-organic based materials for optical power limiting

Yuanli Zhang University of Alabama at Birmingham Round 6 Recipient NSF RII Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies Expected Graduation in December 2013, Ph.D., Physics [email protected]

Objective To develop new optical power limiters based on nonlinear optical absorption in the blue spectral region.

Research Abstract My current research is to characterize the linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a new class of materials derived from phosphine- or phosphonite-substituted oligothiophenes. The work includes linear absorption measurements using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, fluorescence measurements using a fluorometer, and wavelength tunable NLO absorption measurements by direct transmission and Z-scan methods using picosecond and nanosecond pulsed lasers. My studies have demonstrated that some compounds exhibit strong NLO absorption in the blue spectral region which is important for visible imaging systems.

Recent Publications/Presentations/ Honors Presentation: Nonlinear Optical Characterizations of Phosphonite-substituted Bithiophenes 76th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Section of American Physical Society (2009).

Future Plans To characterize the linear and nonlinear properties of newly synthesized materials and investigate the structure-property relationship for discovering good power limiting materials. After graduation, I would like to continue research in this field.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Christopher M. Lawson Department of Physics University of Alabama at Birmingham 1530 3rd Avenue South, Ch 421C Birmingham, Alabama 35294 205-975-5059 [email protected]

31 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance of Nanoscale Arrays on Optical Fiber Tip for Chemical and Biological Sensing

Yang Zou University of Alabama in Huntsville Round 6 Recipient Nano and Micro Device Center Expected Graduation in December 2011, Ph.D., Optical Science and Engineering [email protected]; [email protected]

Objective To develop a novel class of label-free fiber-optic Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) hemical and biological sensors in which the periodic array of gold nanostructures are fabricated on the end facet of an optical fiber.

Research Abstract • Advance fabrication techniques to realize nanostructures on optical fiber end facet. • Development of the optical fiber based LSPR sensor. • Investigation of the sensitivity of LSPR sensors for detecting Salmonella. • Integration of a portable and field-deployable chemical and biological sensing system.

Recent Publications/Presentations/ Honors • Y. Zou, Y. Lin, J. Namkung, D. Ke and R. Lindquist, Liquid Crystals 37 (2010): 1165-1169. • Y. Zou, J. Namkung, Y. Lin and R. Lindquist, Applied Optics 49 (2010): 1865-1869. • J. Namkung, Y. Zou, A. Abu-Abed and R. Lindquist, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Sensors Journal 10 (2010): 1479-1485.

Future Plans As the state of Alabama has made effort to develop high-tech industries, there are more and more opportunities for new graduates. After I get my Ph.D., I would like to pursue a career in Alabama.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Robert G. Lindquist Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Alabama in Huntsville 301 Sparkman Drive Huntsville, AL 35899 256-824-2882 [email protected]

32 Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program GRSP and Beyond A follow-up on previously featured scholars and alumni GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Malek Abunaemeh Alabama A&M University Recipient, Rounds 4, 5, and 6 Expected graduation in 2011, Ph.D., Physics/Material Science [email protected] I continue to study and investigate the methods of preparing Glassy Polymeric Carbon (GPC) and Silicon Carbide (SiC), elemental and microstructure characterization of GPC and SiC as well as the defects that appear in the structures of GPC and SiC and their contribution to the net changes in physical properties and structures before and after different fluence irradiation with 1 MeV protons, 5 MeV Ag and 5 MeV Au bombardment. This work was presented and published at various conferences and meetings including: Materials Research Society (MRS), Minerals Metals and Materials Research Society, International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry (CAARI), and the CAARI and NATO-ASI. Recent Publications • Abunaemeh M. , Muntele C., Ojo I., and Ila D. “The study of Silicon Carbide Ceramics,” Publication of the Materials Research Society, , Vol. 1181-DD13-06. (2009). • Abunaemeh M., M. Seif, A. Y. Yang, L. Wang, I. Ojo, C. Muntele, and D. Ila. “Characterization of Changes in Properties and Microstructure of Glassy Polymeric Carbon Following Au Ion Irradiation.” Publication of the Materials Research Society, Material Research Society Symposium Proceedings, Vol. 1215-V16-26 (2010). Chathan Acharya The University of Alabama Round 3 Recipient Ph.D., Chemical and Biological Engineering, May 2008 [email protected]

I recieved my Ph.D. in May 2008 and am currently a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California at San Diego in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. I am working on cleaning biomass gasification producer gas into syngas for the production of mixed alcohol and power generation. The gasification of biomass using steam produces methane and condensable hydrocarbon called tars, which are undesirable by-products for the production of mixed alcohol. The biomass gasification products known as producer gas can be converted into tar free syngas using steam reforming (SR) and autothermal reforming (ATR) processes. Toluene and ethylene were used a tar surrogates in the simulated producer gas. SR and ATR experiments on producer gas were conducted in the absence of a catalyst from 600-950°C. SR and ATR of producer gas were also performed using a commercial Ni based catalyst. The reactions reached equilibrium at all the temperatures. To determine if the ash produced during biomass gasification has an influence on the producer gas product experiments were carried out in the presence of ash and the product distribution compared with the non-catalytic gas phase reaction of producer gas. Presentation • Acharya, C. K., and Cattolica, R. J. “Catalytic and Non-catalytic Steam and Autothermal Tar Reforming of Simulated Biomass Gasification Producer Gas.” ACS Spring National Meeting (March 21-25, 2010), San Francisco, California.

34 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Aldington Allie Tuskegee University Recipient, Rounds 4, 5 and 6 Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected graduation Summer 2011, Ph.D., Materials Science [email protected]

My research focuses on producing defect-free slot-welded rails that have similar properties to the parent rail. Welding rail steels using gas metal arc welding shows promising potential for repairing rail defects. Slot welding of pearlitic and bainitic rail steels was successfully accomplished using the gas metal arc welding process. Microstructural and mechanical tests were performed on the welded steels and compared with the parent steels. It was observed that the welds had similar properties and in some cases superior properties to the parent rail steels. Future work will include slot welding of manganese rail steels. The mechanical and microstructural properties of the welded manganese steel will be compared with the parent manganese steel. Fatigue experiments will be performed on all welded samples to determine the fatigue lifetime in comparison to the parent steels. Recent Publication • Allie Aldinton, Aglan, and Fateh. “Mechanical and Fracture Analysis of Welded Pearlitic Rail Steels.” Journal of Mechanics of Materials and Structures, in press.

Sudhir Aluwalia Auburn University Rounds 3, 4 and 5 Recipient Ph.D., Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, December 2009 [email protected]

After graduating from Auburn University in December 2009, I was certified by the ECFVG (Education Commission of Foreign Veterinary Graduates) in February 2010. I moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia and in May 2010 joined Banfield Veterinary Hospitals as an Associate Veterinarian and Managing Doctor. I will be working at one of their new hospitals when it opens in August 2010. I always had a strong interest in practicing veterinary medicine. Before I started the Ph.D. program at Auburn University, I was in small animal practice in my hometown Chandigarh, India. After finishing my Ph.D., I took qualifying exams to be eligible to practice in the USA. I plan on working in small animal practice a few years and then equipped with clinical experience I would like to go back to academic teaching and research.

35 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Joel F. Andrews University of South Alabama Rounds 4 and 5 Recipient Extended Alabama Structural Biology Consortium Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, May 2010 [email protected]

I graduated from the Ph.D. program in Basic Medical Science at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile, Alabama on May 8, 2010. I accepted a position as a post-doctoral research fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Rajeev Samant at the Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, Alabama. Following this research position, I plan to pursue an academic position combining teaching and research within Alabama. I am particularly interested in guiding the research of undergraduate students, to extend the research experience to younger students who may otherwise not consider graduate study. Alternatively, I would welcome an opportunity to teach and guide high school students in research at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, my alma mater.

David Baah Tuskegee University Recipient Rounds 4, 5 and 6 Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected graduation in 2011, Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering [email protected]

Particles in the nano- and micrometer size range are some of the most commonly encountered forms of materials in nature. Such monodisperse spherical and nonspherical suspensions and their assemblies have diverse applications in opto-electronics, photonics, catalysis, drug delivery, and field responsive rheological fluids. However, the synthesis of such highly monodispersed particles with tunable functionalities has been a great challenge. To address this need, microfluidics technology offers an alternative approach to synthesizing non-spherical particles with tunable functionalities. Using this approach, it is possible to synthesize nano/microparticles and their composites with predetermined shapes usable in sensors, optical devices, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and field-responsive rheological fluids. The method is dependent on the use of a UV-curable prepolymer with an appropriate photo-initiator. Thus far, I have demonstrated the use of microfluidic technology to synthesize micron-sized particles, with different shapes, from a photopolymerizable organic precursor. The data from this work was presented at the Spring 2010 Materials Research Society meeting in San Francisco, California.

36 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Susan Balenger Auburn University Recipient, Rounds 4, 5 and 6 Center for Environmental Cellular Signal Transduction Expected graduation May 2012, Ph.D., Biological Sciences [email protected]

An often-invoked hypothesis to explain why females assess male ornaments during mate choice is that ornament expression is correlated with the genetic quality of males such that females gain ‘good genes’ for offspring through their choice. For most ornamental traits of most animals, this good genes hypothesis remains to be tested, and specific fitness-enhancing genes have yet to be linked to any ornamental trait. In the House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), plumage color is an important criterion in female choice, and pathogens can affect color expression. To investigate the relationship between male genetic quality and plumage color, I captured wild male house finches and infected them with the bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). I collected spleen tissue and used a cDNA microarray to compare the transcriptional profiles of infected finches with drab and bright plumage to uninfected controls. MG suppresses host immunity, and males with brighter plumage showed resistance to immune suppression. Relative to controls, many more clones were differentially expressed in infected drab birds than in infected bright birds, with most genes down-regulated in response to infection. Building on these findings, I have selected a subset of genes known or suspected to be involved in immune response to examine differences in expression between individuals using a custom, highly multiplexed, RT-PCR assay. In addition to validating the microarray study, development of this assay has allowed me to investigate the correlated expression of a suite of genes across multiple tissues in relation to both individual plumage color and physical symptoms of infection.

Recent Presentations and Honors • Oral presentation: “Plumage Color Predicts Infection-induced Gene Expression in a Wild Bird,” International Conference in New Directions in Sexual Selection Research: Unifying Behavioural and Genomic Approaches, Bath, England, September 2010. • Poster presentation: “Searching for Good Genes in a Wild Songbird,” National NSF EPSCoR conference, , D.C., October 2009. • Recipient of the 2010 Kenneth Otis Distinguished Graduate Award in Physiology/Molecular Biosciences. • Recipient of a competitive research grant from the American Ornithologists’ Union, May 2010. • Recipient of a competitive research grant from the Animal Behavior Society, May 2010.

37 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Sai Santosh Bangalore University of Alabama at Birmingham Round 2 Recipient M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, August 2008 [email protected]

I continue my work as a Programmer Anaylyst in the Section of Statistical Genetics (SSG) in the UAB Department of Bio-Statistics. My thesis was, How Accurate are the Extremely Small p-values Used in Genomic Research: An Evaluation of Numerical Libraries. This work has been accepted and published in the journal, Computational Statistics and Data Analysis, see http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.csda.2008.11.028. Statisticians and programmers in the field of genomics, often use numerical values from software tools to elucidate scientific truths about an observed phenomenon. The paper educates researchers and programmers on the best practices for developing scientific software with respect to numerical accuracy, thus uniquely contributing to the field of numerical accuracy. My current research activities at SSG include statistical analysis of epidemiological datasets and running large scale optimization routines in the field of protein function prediction.

Parimal Bapat University of Alabama at Birmingham Recipient, Rounds 3 and 4 Expected graduation Summer 2011, Ph.D., Physics (Nanomaterials) [email protected]

Calcium phosphates and especially Hydroxyapatite (HA) are found in abundant proportions in bones and in tooth enamel. Synthetically grown calcium phosphates showing chemical and structural resemblance with naturally occurring biological materials have proven to be very useful in biological applications ranging from cements, coatings for prosthetic implants and more recently substrates and scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. I am currently working on my thesis dissertation topic, Calcium Phosphate Nanostructures: Synthesis and Applications. The goal of this research is to synthesize calcium phosphate nanostructures (calcium phosphate nanoparticles and Hydroxyapatite nanorods based substrates) with novel physical and chemical characteristics and evaluate their impact on calcium phosphate/peptide system relevant for applications in bone tissue engineering and regeneration. So far we have successfully synthesized calcium phosphate nanoparticles of desired size and HA nanorods of desired aspect ratios. Future studies will include evaluation of interactions between these nanostructures and peptides.

Recent Publications • Parimal V. Bapat, Rebecca Kraft, Marco C. Bottino, and Renato P. Camata, “Nanoparticles-based Calcium Phosphate Substrates: Gas Phase Synthesis and Potential Applications.” Material Research Society Symposium Proceedings, Vol. 1236. http://www.mrs.org/s_mrs/sec_subscribe.asp?CID=24659&DID= 320569&action=detail.

38 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Jejal Reddy Bathi The University of Alabama Rounds 1 and 2 Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, December 2008 [email protected]

I graduated with Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a major in Environmental Engineering in December 2008. I am currently working as a Civil Engineer with Global Solutions, LLC in Mobile, Alabama. As part of my job, I provide technical guidance for a wide variety of exciting water resources and environmental engineering projects within Alabama and other parts of the country. The type of projects I work on include: 1) creating a master plan to protect water resources from future urban development, 2) design water treatment techniques to protect creeks and lakes from urban water pollution, 3) conduct field investigations and propose techniques to protect and restore ecological life in the creeks, etc. During my stay at The University of Alabama, I developed a rapid analytical procedure for analysis of organic pollutants in stormwater and creek sediments.

Celina Bochis The University of Alabama Round 2 Recipient Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies Expected graduation in December 2010, Ph.D. in Civil Engineering [email protected]

I have completed my Ph.D. research at The University of Alabama’s component of the NSF RII Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies. Parts of my Ph.D. dissertation, “Characteristics of Urban Development and Associated Stormwater Quality” were presented at several conferences and published in the conference proceedings including: Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, American Society of Civil Engineers’ Environmental and Water Resources Institute; International Stormwater and Urban Water Systems Conference in Toronto, Canada; and the American Society of Engineering Education Conference. My research work was also cited in the book “Urban Stormwater Management in the United States” published by the National Academies Press in 2008. I plan to apply and expand the knowledge gained in the field of water resources and storm water by working with industry in a consulting position.

39 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Sandrea Brundidge-Young Tuskegee University Rounds 5 and 6 Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected graduation in 2012, Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering [email protected]

I continue to pursue my doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering at Tuskegee University. My current research focuses on the analysis of degradation mechanisms of selective advanced materials. These materials include metals, ceramics, and polymeric nanocomposites. Degradation techniques to be implemented and characterized include ultraviolet radiation, laser radiation, and hypervelocity impacts. Some of the findings ofthe preliminary phase of this work have been presented at Sigma Xi (April 2010, Tuskegee, Alabama) and TechConnect World Conference and Expo (June 2010 Anaheim, California). A paper has also been submitted to a refereed journal. Miranda L. Byrne-Steele University of Alabama in Huntsville Rounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 Extended Alabama Structural Biology Consortium Ph.D., Biotechnology Science and Engineering, December 2009 [email protected]

I graduated with a Ph.D. from the Biotechnology Science and Engineering Program at UAHuntsville in December 2009. I was immediately hired and began a post-doctoral position with Dr. Jian Han at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Currently, my research is focused on immunology and human disease.

Fernando Calzzani Alabama A&M University Recipient, Round 3 M.S., Physics, 2008 [email protected]

I’m working for a private company in Montgomery, Alabama as a “Medical Imaging Analyst” developing solutions for radiological systems. I’m constantly developing and maintaining medical applications for PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) fully DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) compatible. I’m specifically working with software design, image processing filters and 3D volume rendering. My background as a physicist usually gives me very analytic and distinct point of view and is very valuable in many routines recently designed and maintained for the imaging system.

40 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Johanna T. Cannon Auburn University Rounds 3, 4 and 5 Recipient Center for Environmental Cellular Signal Transduction Expected graduation in May 2011, Ph.D., Biological Sciences [email protected]; [email protected]

I continue to work towards my Ph.D. studying evolutionary relationships in the marine invertebrate phylum Hemichordata. Because hemichordates share important morphological features with chordates (including vertebrates), this research has implications for the study of chordate and vertebrate origins and evolution. I am currently working on a genomic- scale project involving the sequencing of thousands of gene fragments from multiple hemichordate species that will be used to reconstruct evolutionary relationships. In the past year I co-authored a chapter for a forthcoming book titled, Key Transitions in Animal Evolution, participated in a deep-sea cruise in the Gulf of Mexico, and have received several individual grants and fellowships funding my travel to study hemichordates. I received a fellowship from the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences to visit Bermuda and collect hemichordates and was invited to spend a month at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, funded by the United States Antarctic Program. Summer 2010 was spent at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories, studying the evolution and development of the nervous system in hemichordates. In addition to research activities, I have been involved in a number of outreach programs promoting science education for Alabama K-12 students, including Auburn’s AU-Explore Science and Math Open House and a program called LADIES (Leading Auburn in Developing Interest in Experimental Science) for middle school girls sponsored by Auburn University’s Chapter of the Association for Women in Science. My target date for graduation is May 2011, after which I plan to look for a position as a postdoctoral researcher or faculty member at a major U.S. college or university.

Caitlin Cassidy University of Alabama in Huntsville Recipient, Rounds 4 and 5 Laboratory for Structural Biology Expected graduation in 2012, Ph.D., Biotechnology [email protected]

After receiving a Masters in Chemistry in July of 2009, I continued my research on plants found in the Lonchocarpus species and I am still planning on graduating with my Ph.D. in Biotechnology in May of 2012. In October of 2009, I presented a poster on “Cancer-Relevant Biochemical Targets of Cytotoxic Lonchocarpus Flavonoids” at the Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The paper with the same name was published online in July of 2009 in the Journal of Molecular Modeling. After I obtain my Ph.D., I would like to find a job related to my interest in drug discovery, but I am undecided whether this work will be in industry or in academia.

41 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Talitha Holmes Caudle University of Alabama in Huntsville Recipient, Rounds 3 and 4 Extended Alabama Structural Biology Consortium Expected graduation in Dec. 2011, Ph.D., Biotechnology [email protected]

Botrytis cinerea is a pathogenic fungus that destroys a broad range of plant hosts by causing necrosis of plant tissue. Although the mechanisms of pathology are poorly understood, a considerable portion of the B. cinerea proteome is predicted to be secreted, thereby suggesting the ability to exit the fungus and possibly penetrate plant tissue may be sufficient to cause necrosis. Recently, we have identified a lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha activating factor (LITAF) in B. cinerea. LITAF is found throughout the eukaryote genome and acts as a transcription factor in mammalian species by eliciting immune response following LPS stimulation. However, its function in B. cinerea or in a specific cell signalling pathway has not been established. The goal of the current investigation is to study the role of LITAF with regard to fungal-host pathogenesis.

Yanli Chen Auburn University Round 3 Recipient Expected graduation in August 2011, Ph.D., Chemical Engineering [email protected]

I am working on my Ph.D. research project “Utilization of Microfibrous- supported Sorbent Materials in Air Filtration” now and my expected graduation date is August 2011. After graduation, I will seek a teaching position at a comprehensive university/college or a research position at a major research university.

Recent Presentations, Publications, and Honors: • Student Leader Scholarship, Golden Key Honour Society AU Chapter, 2010. • Liu, H., Chen, Y. “Taylor Kriging Metamodeling for Stochastic Simulation Interpolation.” International Journal of Operations Research and Information Systems (accepted). • Liu, H., Chen, Y., Strickland, F., Dai, R., and Qi, B. “System Development and Application for Taylor Kriging Metamodeling.” International Journal for Computer-aided Engineering and Software (accepted). • Chen, Y. (Speaker) and Tatarchuk, B. J. “Utilization of Multi-element Structured Arrays in Air Filtration at Reduced Energy Consumption,” 2010 Graduate Scholars Research Forum, March 6, 2010, Auburn, Alabama. • Sothen, R. A., Chen, Y. (Speaker) and Tatarchuk, B. J. “Utilization of Microfibrous-Supported Sorbent Materials and Novel Packaging Designs for Improved Indoor Air Quality at Reduced Energy Consumption,” 2009 AIChE Annual Meeting, November 8-13, 2009, Nashville, Tennessee.

42 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Tomeka Colon Alabama A&M University Recipient Rounds 5 and 6 Center for Irradiation of Materials Expected graduation in 2011, M.S., Materials Engineering [email protected]

I will be graduating in May 2011 with a Masters in Materials Engineering. After graduating, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Tuskegee University. Currently, I am conducting research on the growth and characterization of epitaxial graphene. Graphene is a single layer of graphite, a hexagonal array of carbon atoms extending over two dimensions endlessly. It is an atomic sheet of the same material that carbon nanotubes and graphite are made. Graphite is many layers of this same material stacked on top of each other. Epitaxy is a method of growing one crystalline material onto another. Epitaxial graphene is produced under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions. In August 2010, I attended the 21st International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry (CAARI) to present the results of my current research. Also, I have submitted abstracts for Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall 2010 and The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS) Spring 2011 meetings.

Bethany Crean Harris Auburn University Recipient, Rounds 1 and 2 Center for Environmental and Cellular Signal Transduction M.S., Animal Science, May 2010 [email protected]

I am continuing my work in a structural biology lab as a research assistant at the Center for Biophysical Sciences and Engineering at UAB.

Cosmin Dumetrescu University of Alabama Round 4 Recipient Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, December 2008 [email protected]

I am a Research Associate with the Fuel Chemistry Activity at the National Research Council of Canada Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technology (ICPET) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. My main research is in clean diesel combustion strategies to achieve near-zero particulates and NOx emissions with high combustion efficiency. As a next step in my research performed at UA, I intend to integrate optical diagnostics in the engine experiments for in-cylinder visualization and characterization of advanced high-pressure, direct- injection, low-temperature diesel engine combustion.

43 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Amicia D. Elliott University of Alabama in Huntsville Round 3 Recipient Extended Alabama Structural Biology Consortium M.S., Genetics and Molecular Biology, May 2009 [email protected]

My M.S. research was concerned with the biophysical characterization of an aggregating protein, PQBP1, involved in Huntington’s disease. Currently, I am pursuing a Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics. My thesis work focuses on the role of oxidative stress on the electrical and metabolic oscillations of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in relation to Type 2 Diabetes. Using a combination of electrophysiology and fluorescent biosensors, I am able to study these oscillations in live cells under a variety of conditions with the goal of furthering our understanding of diabetic pathologies. I have been awarded a PHS T32 training grant in Molecular Biophysics to support the opening years of my study at Vanderbilt. My expected graduation date is May 2014 and future plans include post-doctoral study in academia and then a transition into industry. Recent Conference Proceedings: • Gao, L., Elliott, AD., Kester, RT., Bedard, N., Hagen, N., Piston, DW., Tkaczyk, TS. (2010) “Image Mapping Spectrometer (IMS) for Real Time Hyperspectral Fluorescence Microscopy.” Frontiers in Optics/Laser Science, abstract, Rochester, New York. • Kremers, GJ., Elliott, AD., Head, WS., Piston, DW. (2010) “Monitoring the [ATP]/[ADP] Ratio in Beta- cells During Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion Using the Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Reporter Perceval.” Biophysical Society 54th Annual Meeting presentation, San Francisco, California.

Vijay Jumar Eppakayala The University of Alabama Round 3 Recipient M.S., Environmental Engineering, Dec. 2008 [email protected]

I graduated with my Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering in December 2008 from The University of Alabama and am continuing my work as a Civil Engineer E.I.T. at Southern Consultants Inc., in Jackson, Mississippi. My work is related to projects involving water distribution, sewer, and drainage design.

44 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Sergio Fabi The University of Alabama Recipient, Rounds 1 and 2 Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies Engineering Math Advancement Program Ph.D., Physics, May 2008 [email protected]

I am an Adjunct Professor in the Physics Department at The University of Alabama. I am teaching Introductory Physics and serving as the Laboratory Coordinator.

Recent Presentations and Publications • S. Fabi, B. Harms, A. Stern, “Noncommutative Corrections to the Robertson-Walker Metric,” (Alabama U.), 13pp., Phys. Rev. D78:065037, August 2008.

Liwu Fan Auburn University Recipient, Rounds 5 and 6 DOE EPSCoR, Nanostructure-Enhanced Phase Change Materials Expected graduation in 2011, Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering [email protected] The focus of my research is to measure the primary thermophysical properties of paraffin-based nanoparticle-enhanced phase change materials (NEPCM) and to study phase change heat transfer through controlled experiments and numerical simulations using the emerging lattice Boltzmann modeling (LBM). A manuscript has been submitted for publication in the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, presenting a comprehensive critical review of thermal conductivity enhancement of phase change materials through highly-conductive fixed structures for thermal energy storage applications. I am also in the process of preparing two journal and conference papers to present my preliminary results of theoretical and numerical modeling with experimental validations.

Recent Presentations and Honors • Harry Merriwether Fellowship, Graduate School, Auburn University, 2010 – 2011. • Graduate Travel Award for the 2009 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference (July 19-23, 2009, San Francisco, California, USA), Graduate School, Auburn University, 2009. • Liwu Fan, J.M. Khodadadi, “Expedited Freezing of Nanoparticle-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NEPCM) Exhibited Through a Simple 1-D Stefan Problem Formulation,” The 20th Graduate Scholars Forum of Auburn University, March 6, 2010. (Poster)

45 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Basil Farah University of South Alabama Rounds 5 and 6 Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected graduation in December 2011, M.S., Mechanical Engineering [email protected]

The addition of nanofibers to polymer matrix composites presents a new dimension of complexity to the manufacturing process and new opportunities for the advancement of polymer matrix composites properties. The main objective of my research is to improve the mechanical properties of nanofiber reinforced composites by manipulating the orientation of the nanofibers during the composites manufacturing process. The orientation of nanofibers in the polymer matrix can produce stronger materials that can be used for structural purposes. Some of polymer matrix composites of interest include polyester/ E-glass, epoxy composites, and aerospace-grade composites. Current experiments indicate that external E-field is capable of re-orienting carbon nanofibers suspended in epoxy resin. These findings will be expanded to a large scale manufacturing process and incorporated into other polymer-matrix combinations. Recent Presentations and Publications: • Outreach Activity: Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering Summer Program (BEACHES), a program for elite high school students funded by the Alabama Space Grant Consortium, Summer 2010. Materials manufacturing presentation. Jason L. Freeman University of Alabama at Birmingham Recipient, Rounds 5 and 6 Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies Expected graduation in August 2011, Ph.D., Chemistry [email protected]

My research involves the synthesis and optical characterization of phosphonate- substituted bithiophene derivatives. These compounds show narrow band third-order nonlinear absorption in the blue spectral region, which makes them excellent candidates for sensor protectors against wavelength tunable laser threats. We have been able to tune the optical properties of these molecules through chemical modification of the phosphorus substituents. The goal of this research is to develop structure-property relationships for these novel blue absorbers, which will allow for the development of more efficient sensor protectors. I have successfully prepared a library of compounds in which the phosphorus substituents have been systematically modified. I am currently in the process of completing two manuscripts based on this new library of compounds. I plan to complete my research by the end of Spring 2011 and plan to graduate by August 2011. Throughout the course of this next year, I will pursue a management or research and development position in an industrial setting.

Recent Publications and Presentations • Lee, Yun J.; King, J. R.; Chenna, B. C.; Owens, S. B.; Freeman, J. L.; Gray, G. M.; Velu; S. E; Journal of Chemical Crystallography, 39 (2009): 902-907. • Freeman, Jason L.; Zhao, Qun; Gray, Gary M.; Wang, Jianwei; Lawson, Christopher M.; “Synthesis and Characterization of Phosphorus-Substituted Bithiophenes as Nonlinear Absorbers in the Blue Region.” 21st National EPSCoR Conference, Washington, D.C., October 19-21, 2009.

46 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Stephanie Freeman Alabama A&M University Rounds 4 and 5 Recipient Expected graduation in 2011, Ph.D., Air Quality and Land Use Change [email protected]

I participated in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) summer internship at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard in College Park, . The objectives of the research were to analyze the Chesapeake Bay Watershed using satellite images and water quality data. The preliminary findings indicated that water quality can be measured via satellite images. The research methodology will be applied to my dissertation to analyze current demand and future water resource sustainability across northern Alabama. Bianzu Fu The University of Alabama Rounds 4, 5 and 6 NSF Center for Materials for Information Technology Expected graduation in May 2011, Ph.D., Materials Engineering [email protected] My current research is the magnetic switching behavior in graded magneto- crystalline anisotropy materials. This study addresses a fundamental engineering issue that is limiting the growth of storage densities in the magnetic storage industry: If the bit size of current magnetic materials is decreased to further increase the area storage capacity, magnetic harder materials like FePt are required to keep the magnetization direction, which stores the binary information, from random thermal fluctuations and loss of stored information. Unfortunately, such magnetic harder materials are difficult to write with current head technologies. One approach to overcoming this perplexing dilemma is to grade the composition of the material such that one end is ‘magnetically soft’ to switch or write while the other end is ‘magnetically hard’ to anchor the magnetization direction from loss of information due to thermal fluctuations. While our previous studies showed such a compositional gradient material could be obtained, the current research focus is to characterize the magnetic switching or writing behavior and its thermal stability. This study will lead to better understanding of processing media with an optimum compositional gradient of magneto-crystalline anisotropy for magnetic storage. Recent Publications and Presentations • B. Fu and G. B. Thompson “Compositional Dependent FePt Thin Film Stress States” In Press, Journal of Applied Physics (2010). • B. Fu, W. Lei, H. C. Turner and G. B. Thompson “In Situ Thin Film Growth Stress During Chemical Ordering” submitted and under review, Physical Review Letters (2010). • B. Fu and G. B. Thompson “In Situ Growth Stresses During the Phase Separation of Immiscible Fe-Cu Thin Films” submitted and under review, Applied Surface Science (2010). • B. Fu and G. B. Thompson (oral presentation) “Influence of Grain Boundary Chemistries in Mix-mobility Thin Film Growth” in the Symposium: Solid-State Interfaces: Toward an Atomistic-Scale Understanding of Structure, Properties, and Behavior through Theory and Experiment at The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington, February 15-18, 2010.

47 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Andrew Gallian University of Alabama at Birmingham Round 1 Ph.D., Physics, 2007

I am working for the U.S. State Department as a Research Scientist.

Hannah Harding Tuskegee University Round 4 Recipient Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Materials Science and Engineering, M.S., May 2010 [email protected] I graduated in May 2010 with a M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering.

Luai Z. Hasoun University of South Alabama Recipient, Rounds 4, 5 and 6 Expected graduation in 2012, Ph.D., Basic Medical Sciences [email protected]; [email protected]

Exposure to UV irradiation is one of the leading causes of skin cancer in the United States, especially when over-exposure results in sunburn and blistering of light-colored skin. UV irradiation (UVI) causes DNA damage mostly through

excitation of cellular photosensitizers, such as flavins, that generate singlet oxygen (1O2) which reacts with a variety of biomolecules, including DNA. Our laboratory has shown, in vitro, that 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5MTHF), the most abundant form of folate in the blood, is a diffusion-limited quencher of photosensitization

reactions. Moreover, at physiological concentrations, 5MTHF removed 1O2 before it could react with DNA. The goal of my research is to determine (i) whether 5MTHF in human skin protects against UVA-induced DNA damage, and (ii) whether dark skin color protects against endogenous 5MTHF degradation during UVA exposure.

Recent presentations and Publications: • “Protection by Folates Against UV-induced DNA Damage,” University of South Alabama Research Forum, Mobile, Alabama, April 3, 2009 and March 9, 2010. • “Protection by Folates Against UV-induced DNA Damage,” Biochemistry Department, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, March 10, 2009 and May 4, 2010.

48 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Tarig A. Hassan Tuskegee University Rounds 3, 4, and 5 Recipient Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Ph.D., Material Science and Engineering, May 2010 [email protected] I successfully completed my Ph.D. work and graduated in May 2010. After graduation I joined the Department of Chemical Engineering at Tuskegee University as a Research Assistant Professor and am a member of the Tuskegee University Energy and Environmental Research Unit (TUE2RU). I will be conducting research on the pyrolysis behavior of organic materials for production of biochar and other materials. I will also be conducting advanced corrosion studies on ferro-chromium steels under extreme conditions for simulation and development of Generation IV nuclear reactor materials. Recent Presentations: • V. K. Rangari, S. Jeelani, S. Dey, T. A. Hassan “Synthesis and Characterization of Ag/CNTs and Their Polymer Nanocomposite” SAMPE 2010 Conference, Seattle, Washington. • T. A. Hassan, V. K. Rangari, S. Jeelani, “Synthesis and Characterization of Eggshell/Polylite Bio Nanocomposite” SAMPE 2010 Conference, Seattle, Washington. • T.A. Hassan, V.K. Rangari, V. Fallon, Y. Farooq, S. Jeelani “ Mechanochemical and Sonochemical Synthesis of Bio Based Nanoparticles” NanoTech 2010, Anaheim, California. Alireza Hassanzadeh University of Alabama in Huntsville Rounds 4, 5 and 6 Expected graduation in August 2011, Ph.D., Electrical Engineering [email protected]

The focus of my research is the design and fabrication of an integrated CMOS micro sensor chip that can detect small changes in the liquid crystal based capacitive sensors. The chip consists of two interdigitated capacitors that differentially measure capacitance change due to chemical and biological agent exposure. For accurate signal conditioning a lock-in detection method has been used. A low noise amplifier amplifies the sensor signal and after demodulation the sensor signal is converted to digital using a 14-bit sigma-delta analog to digital converter. The integration of a sensor and the interface circuit provides high resolution and immunity to physical and environmental disturbances. Therefore, lower parts per million or billion of agents will be detected using liquid crystal sensors.

Recent Publications • A. Hassanzadeh, R. G. Lindquist. “A New Approach to the Design of a Low Noise Folded Cascode Amplifier.” Accepted for publication in The International Review on Modelling and Simulations (IReMoS) Journal, June 2010. • A. Hassanzadeh. “Low Power (Low Energy) FPGAs: A Survey.” The International Review on Modelling and Simulations (IReMoS) Journal, Vol.2, n. 4, (2009) pp. 395-400.

49 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Samantha Delmont Hastings University of Alabama at Birmingham Recipient, Rounds 3, 4, and 6 Expected graduation in May 2013, Ph.D., Inorganic Chemistry [email protected]

I have continued to make progress on my graduate research project under the direction of Dr. Gary Gray. I have synthesized a number of new compounds that have multiple applications in benefiting our environment. These compounds may be used as both molecular sensors to detect toxic substances and as catalysts in industrial reactions. To date I have synthesized compounds and have characterized them at the atomic level using tools such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and X-ray Crystallography. In February of 2010, I presented this research at UAB’s Graduate Student Research Days and received first place in my section. In addition to my research, I have recently returned from the American Crystallographic Association’s Small Molecule summer course. In the following months, I will take my written qualifying exam as I have completed my required coursework. I have also had the opportunity to teach freshman and junior level chemistry laboratories, an experience that I have genuinely enjoyed.

Esther Haugabrooks Tuskegee University Round 2 Recipient, Center for Advanced Materials M.S., Environmental Science, May 2009 [email protected]

I completed my M.S. at Tuskegee University in May 2009. My thesis topic was the Evaluation of Soil Enzyme Activity and Microbial Diversity as Measures of Wetland Function Along a Forested Transect in Macon County, Alabama. Currently, I am in a Toxicology doctoral program at State University under the advisement of Dr. Suzanne Hendrich. I completed my first year and I am enjoying my learning experience at ISU.

Conference Proceedings: • Hendrich S., Ye Z., Arumugam V., Haugabrooks E., Williamson-Hughes P. “Fibersol-2 Increases Subjective and Biochemical Measures of Satiety When Ingested with a Meal.FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) Journal, 24 (2010):230.8.

50 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Chengdong Huang Auburn University Rounds 3, 4 and 5 Recipient Ph.D., Biochemistry, August 2010 [email protected] I graduated in August 2010. My reserarch involved working on the structural refinement of the C-terminal domain of Stt3p, the largest monomeric integral membrane protein whose atomic-resolution structure is to be determined by solution NMR. After graduation, I joined Stony Brook University as a Postdoc and will continue my research on Oligosaccharyl Transferase. Recent Publications and Honors • 2010 Presidential Award, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. • 2010 Top 10 Outstanding Graduate Students and Overall Outstanding Graduate Student, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. • 2010 Awardee for Academic Excellence as Outstanding Graduate Student from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. • Huang, Chengdong; Mohanty, Smita. “Challenging the Limit: NMR Assignment of a 31 kDa Monomeric Helical Membrane Protein. Journal of the American Chemical Society 132 (2010): 3662–3663. • Huang, Chengdong; Mohanty, Smita. “A Novel Method of Production and Biophysical Characterization the Catalytic Domain of Yeast Oligosaccharyl Transferase. Biochemistry 49 (2010): 1115–1126. Ronny C. Hughes University of Alabama in Huntsville Rounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 Recipient Extended Alabama Structural Biology Consortium Expected graduation in December 2010, Ph.D., Biotechnology [email protected] I am scheduled to defend my dissertation, “The Mechanism of IPPase Catalyzed Phosphoryl Transfer” in December 2010. This will conclude my graduate work at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. GRSP funding has provided the means for me to obtain my M.S. degree and to work towards my Ph.D. in biotechnology for 4 of the last 5 years. My research has focused on the production and structural characterization of heat stable enzymes with applications in biotechnology. This work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and has been presented at many national and international conferences. Course work has been fulfilled and I passed the examinations needed to obtain my degree. In the future I plan to start a company to offer services and products used for molecular based diagnostics in Huntsville, Alabama. Recent Publications: • Hughes., et al., “Purification, Crystallization and Preliminary Crystallographic Analysis of a Thermostable Endonuclease IV from Thermotoga Maritima.” Acta Crystallographica Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications. 65 (2009): 1317-9. • Byrne-Steele, M.L., R.C. Hughes, and J.D. Ng. “Recombinant Production Crystallization and Preliminary X-ray Analysis of PCNA from the Psychrophilic Archaeon Methanococcoides Burtonii DSM 6242.” Acta Crystallographica Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications. 65 (2009): 1131-5.

51 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Hunter Hyche The University of Alabama Round 1 M.S. Environmental Engineering, August 2007 [email protected]

I am currently employed by CH2M HILL, in their New Orleans office. I finished my M.S. in Environmental Engineering at the University of Alabama, under the impeccable guidance and leadership of Dr. Bob Pitt. I have been involved in a variety of projects and assignments since my professional career began three years ago. I was involved in Bayou Lafourche Freshwater Diversion Project in a variety of assignments including; monitoring flow meters and data collection, HEC-RAS modeling, statistical modeling of mean high water/ mean low water, utility coordination, among other responsibilities. This project will insure a quality drinking water source for 300,000 plus residents in southern , limit saltwater intrusion, benefit Terrebonne and Barataria Basin marshes, enhance water quality and ensure long-term freshwater supplies for Bayou Lafourche stakeholders. I was responsible for the technical oversight of the Adele/Fulton St. Improvement project for New Orleans DPW. The project involves the replacement of the water infrastructure, including the installation of forty-eight inch subsurface drainage, catch basins, new sidewalks, and the replacement of streets and curbs for this $2.4-million project. For the last year I have been involved in the Sewer System Evaluation and Rehabilitation Program (SSERP) for Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. I have been completing design plans and specifications on the Lower Ninth Ward Basin with a GIS based computer model called Rehabilitation Decision Analysis Software (RDSS). For the next year or more I will be assisting St. Charles Parish with MS4 permit compliance and development of their Stormwater Manangement Plan.

Ke Jiang Auburn University Rounds 1, 2, and 4 Center for Environmental and Cellular Signal Transduction Ph.D., Biological Sciences, May 2010 [email protected]

I graduated from Auburn University with a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in May 2010 and moved to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York to start a Postdoctoral position. My current research includes: using high-throughput DNA sequencing to profile gene expression and understand heterosis in tomatoes; using quantitative genetics and computational genomics to study tomato inflorescence development; and using genome-scale data to investigate the evolution and domestication of the tomato. I hope this research will generate improvement for tomato breeding and more general applications in agriculture.

52 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Wanda Denise Jones Tuskegee University Rounds 1 and 2 Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, Summer 2008 [email protected]

I continute to work as a Cornell University Diversity Post Doctoral Fellow. My research initiative is entitled, The Use of Functional Nanostructured Materials in High Capacity Lithium Batteries for Medical Devices. My advisor is Dr. Lynden Archer, Chair of the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department. I chose this research area while volunteering for AmeriCorps where I learned firsthand about wheelchair users and the problems with the size and power of the chair batteries. I am also a member of the Post Doctoral Advisory Committee and served on the Cornell’s Center for Teaching Excellence’s Future Faculty Teaching Certificate Program (FFP) for the 2009- 2010 academic year.

Changsu Kim University of Alabama at Birmingham Rounds 1 and 2 Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies Ph.D., Physics, May 2009 [email protected]

I received my Ph.D. in May 2009. I am working in the Institute for Solid State Physics at the University of Tokyo in Japan. My current research is investigating the optical properties of the gallium arsenide quantum wires and ridge quantum well structures. Combining these structures (1D and 2D) with optical waveguide structures, I have realized novel semiconductor QWR lasers, for which microscopic measurements of lasing properties, emission images, and many-body effects are in progress.

Recent Presentations and Publications • D. V. Martyshkin, V. V. Fedorov, C. Kim, I. S. Moskalev and S. B. Mirov. “Mid-IR Random Lasing of Cr- doped ZnS Nanocrystals.” Journal of Optics 12, 024005, (2010): 1-5. • Sergey Mirov, Vladimir Fedorov, Igor Moskalev, Dmitri Martyshkin, and Changsu Kim. “Progress in Cr2+ and Fe2+ Doped mid-IR laser materials.” Laser and Photonics Reviews, 4, No. 1, (2010): 21–41. • C. Kim, D. V. Martyshkin, V. V. Fedorov, and S. B. Mirov. “Middle-infrared random lasing of Cr2+ doped ZnSe, ZnS, CdSe Powders, Powders Imbedded in Polymer Liquid Solutions, and Polymer Films.” Optics Communications, 282, (2009): 2049-2052. • C. Kim, J. M. Peppers, D. V. Martyshkin, V. V. Fedorov, S. B. Mirov, “Chromium Doped ZnSe and ZnS Gain Media for Optically and Electrically Pumped Mid-IR Lasers.” The International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE), 7193-110, pp1-5, 2009.

53 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR GRSP and Beyond

Wei Li The University of Alabama Rounds 3 and 4 Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, May 2010 [email protected]; [email protected]

I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. I work on fuel cell research similiar to my Ph.D. research work that I did at The University of Alabama. Specifically, I am doing research on the catalysis of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) as well as the DMFC stack.

Yuhao Lu The University of Alabama Rounds 3, 4 and 5 Recipient Ph.D., Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, 2010 [email protected]

I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Alabama, and now I am working as a postdoctoral fellow with the Texas Materials Institute at the University of Texas at Austin with Dr. John B. Goodenough. I am involved in lithium ion battery research used in electrochemical storage device, similar to fuel cells. While sponsored by the GRSP Program, I published six papers and submitted another two papers to journals. Due to my outstanding accomplishments in my research, I was honored 2008 Bernard S. Baker Award for Fuel Cell Research, and recognized as Outstanding Researcher by a Doctoral Student by The University of Alabama College of Engineering. I was also selected as the 2008 Graduate Student of the Year by Alabama Society of Professional Engineers.

Jessie B. Mayo, Jr. Tuskegee University Round 3 Recipient Tuskegee Center for Advanced Materials Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, May 2010 [email protected]

I graduated on May 9, 2010 with my Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering and am working as a Postdoctoral Research Engineer at the Army Research Laboratory doing armor research on fibers and single fiber studies. I am working on two new papers which I hope will be finished mid-August 2010.

54 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Renato Amaral Minamisawa Alabama A&M University Round 3 Recipient M.S., Applied Physics, June 2008 [email protected]; [email protected]

I finished my M.S. on the research topic of ion beam fabrication of advanced micro and nano porous membranes with enhanced resistance and high selectivity at Alabama A&M University. The promising results of this work were selected by AAMU for a U.S. patent application which is currently in process. In addition, this specific work produced four publications in refereed journals, one invited book chapter at Polymer Thin Films (INTECH publisher) and one invited talk in the 21st International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry conference. At the moment, I am in the last year of my Ph.D. program at the Jülich Research Center/ RWTH Aachen University in Germany, working in nanoelectronic devices and advanced virtual substrates to establish novel approaches for advanced Si/SiGe platforms. Abilash R. Nair The University of Alabama Rounds 4 and 5 Recipient NSF EPSCoR Expected graduation in 2010, Ph.D., Engineering Science and Mechanics [email protected]

I will be graduating in December 2010. The EPSCoR funded research has helped me complete the multi-scale bridging of continuum and atomistic analysis to study thermoplastic polymers. I am currently in the process of writing my dissertation. I am also involved in the preparation of two manuscripts based on my EPSCoR funded work for journal publication. After graduation I plan to seek opportunities in academia with a focus on composites research and innovation.

Recent Presentations, Invited Talk, and Publication • Nair A. and Roy, S. “Multiscale Modeling of Nano-Particle Reinforced Composites using Statistical Coupling of MD and MPM.” American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Orlando, FL. 2010. • Nair, A. and Roy, S. “Multiscale Modeling of Polymer Nanocomposites using Statistical Coupling of MD and MPM.” Graduate Symposium organized by the Society of Experimental Mechanics. University of Florida, FL. 2010. • Nair, A. and Roy, S. “Multiscale Modeling of Polymer Nanocomposites using Statistical Coupling of MD and MPM.” American Society of Composites. University of , DE. 2009. • “Multiscale Simulation of Polymer Nanocomposites using Concurrent Coupling of MD and GIMP”. Presented at National Institute of Aerospace (NASA Langley Research Center), Hampton, VA. June 11, 2010. • Nair, A. and Roy, S. (2009). “Implicit Time Integration in the Generalized Interpolation Material Point Method for Finite Deformation Hyper Elasticity.” Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures, accepted (2010).

55 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Manju Nanjappa Auburn University Rounds 4 Recipient Center for Environmental Cellular Signal Transduction Expected graduation in 2011, Ph.D., Veterinary Biological Sciences [email protected]

The focus of my research is to study the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on Leydig cell development and androgen biosynthesis using the rat model. BPA is a widely used industrial plasticizer with known estrogenic properties, and is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Furthermore, BPA has been linked to a decreasing trend of male fertility in humans. Leydig cells are androgen secreting endocrine cells located in the interstitium of the testis. Androgens promote the development of male secondary sex characteristics and support spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, and sexual function in males. Interestingly, estrogen is required for male reproduction and as evidenced by expression of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) in the male reproductive tract, including Leydig cells. The planned experiments will identify the mechanisms of BPA action in Leydig cells, and facilitate the design of appropriate strategies to minimize adverse health effects due to environmental toxicants. I am planning to graduate in August 2011 with my doctoral degree from Auburn University. I recently presented my research work at the 92nd Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society, June 19-22, 2010 in San Diego, California and received the Endocrine Society Outstanding Abstract Award. After graduation, I plan to do postdoctoral training in the field of reproductive toxicology. Recent Publications and Honors • Nanjappa M.K., Saunders D., Judd R.L., and Akingbemi B.T. “Developmental Exposures of Male Rats to Environmentally Relevant Bisphenol A levels Impact Serum 17β-estradiol Concentrations and Affect Adiponectin Secretion. Poster Presentation, The 3rd annual Diabetes Research Day of the Boshell Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases program, Auburn University, March 26, 2010, Auburn, Alabama. • Nanjappa M.K., Napier I.D., and Akingbemi B.T. “Exposures to Bisphenol A (BPA) Alter Proliferative Activity and Steroidogenic Capacity in Developing Rat Leydig Cells. Platform Presentation, The 92nd Annual Meeting and Expo of The Endocrine Society, June 19-22, 2010, San Diego California. • The Endocrine Society Outstanding Abstract Award, The 92nd Annual Meeting and Expo of The Endocrine Society, June 19-22, 2010, San Diego, California. Samuel B. Owens, Jr. University of Alabama at Birmingham Rounds 1 and 2 Ph.D., Chemistry, August 2009 [email protected] I finished my Ph.D. work with Dr. Gary Gray at UAB in August of 2009. I live in Friendswood, Texas with my wife Lauren and two children, Britt and Paige. I work for Ascend Performance Materials (formerly Solutia) as a Senior Analytical Chemist with the AN Technology Group at the Chocolate Bayou Plant in Alvin. Our two main products at the Bayou are acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide. My work focuses primarily on plant operational support of our catalyst used in the acrylonitrile synthetic process as well a general analytical support for all the processes here at the plant.

56 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Larissa C. Parsley Auburn University Rounds 1 and 2 Center for Environmental and Cellular Signal Transduction Ph.D., Microbiology, May 2010 [email protected]

I completed my Ph.D. in Microbiology with Dr. Mark Liles at Auburn University in May 2010 and accepted a tenure-track faculty position in Biological Sciences at the University of Mobile. My teaching responsibilities include courses such as Genetics, Biotechnology, Immunology, and Microbiology. With collaborators at Alabama State University and the University of West Florida, I am also pursuing Department of Defense funding to identify novel oil-degradation enzymes carried by as-yet- uncultured microorganisms in diverse environments. This project was prompted by the recent oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and involves an interdisciplinary group of scientists from the fields of genomics, biochemistry, engineering, and microbiology. Recent Publications and Presentations: • Parsley, L.C., E.J. Consuegra, S.J. Thomas, J. Bhavsar, A.M. Land, N.N. Bhuiyan, M.A. Mazher, R.J. Waters, K.E. Wommack, W.F. Harper, and M.R. Liles. “Census of the Viral Metagenome in an Activated sludge Microbial Assemblage. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 76(8) (2010): 2673-2677. • Parsley, L.C., E.J. Consuegra, A.M. Land, K.S. Kakirde, W.F. Harper, and M.R. Liles. “Identification of Diverse Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants Carried on Bacterial, Plasmid, or Viral Metagenomes from an Activated Sludge Microbial Assemblage. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 76(11) (2010): 3753-3757. • Kakirde, K.S., L.C. Parsley, and M.R. Liles. “Size Does Matter: Application-driven Approaches for Soil Metagenomics. Invited review, accepted in Soil Biology and Biochemistry, (2010). • Parsley, L.C., M.M. Newman, and M.R. Liles. 2010. “Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization of Bacterial Cell Suspensions and Environmental Samples. Accepted in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. • Parsley, L.C., C.C. Wu, R.M. Goodman, and M.R. Liles. “Soil Microbial DNA Purification Strategies for Multiple Metagenomic Applications. In Handbook of Molecular Microbial Ecology II: Metagenomics in Different Habitats. De Bruijn, F. (ed). Wiley Publishing: Hoboken, NJ. 2009. In press. Li Qiu University of Alabama in Huntsville Rounds 3 and 4 Recipient Expected graduation in August 2011 Ph.D., Biotechnology Science and Engineering [email protected]

I am in the fifth year of Ph.D. study in the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I have been working on the Fragment-based drug design via X-Ray Crystallography for 2 years.

Recent Presentation • Poster presentation at American Crystallographic Association 2010, “Fragment-Based Lead Discovery for Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Inhibitors.”

57 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Humberto Avila Rangel The University of Alabama Rounds 1 and 2 Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies Ph.D., Civil Engineering, December 2008 [email protected]

I am a professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Universidad del Norte, in Colombia, South America. I obtained a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics from the University of Alabama, concentrating my studies in water resources and environmental engineering. I am leading national and international academic accreditation projects and managing financial and human resources for academic, research and consulting projects in the department. I am also a researcher of the Institute of Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering (IDEHA), leading and conducting research on the evaluation of Low-Impact Development (LID) technologies in developed urban areas, risk assessment of urban water systems focusing on flooding and environmental impacts, integrated watershed management for multi-purpose uses in developing countries, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of hydraulic structures. I am advising several Masters thesis; some of them on characterization of microalgae in oxidation ponds for potential biofuel, Trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water networks subject to leakage; a methodology for developing a risk map for stormwater runoff quality and public health; and heat flow through walls building in tropical climates for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) applications. Kathleen Ann Roberts Alabama A&M University Rounds 4, 5 and 6 Expected graduation in 2011, Ph.D., Agricultural and Environmental Sciences [email protected]

My intended graduation date is August 2011 with a Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. My current research examines the potential ecological impacts of CO2 mediated oil recovery operations in the Citronelle Dome located in

Mobile County, Alabama. I am currently writing a paper that discusses the potential impact of CO2 mediated operations as well as available monitoring methods. My long term goal is to work in the Mobile Bay area concentrating on local land use issues.

Recent Presentations and Honors • Roberts, K. A. and X. C. 2009. Monitoring of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Activities presented at the 21st National EPSCoR Conference October 19-21, J. W. Marriott, Washington D.C. • K. A. Roberts and X. Chen. 2010. Ecological monitoring and assessment of EOR for carbon storage. Presented at STEM Day, Alabama A&M University. (Awarded first place in student competition.) • Roberts, K. and X. Chen. 2010. Ecological Monitoring of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Activities: Preliminary Results. Eighty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science. March 30 – April 1, 2010 Alabama A&M University, Normal, Alabama.

58 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Emily Roth Gordon University of Alabama in Huntsville Round 3 Recipient Extended Alabama Structural Biology Consortium Expected graduation in September 2010, M.S., Biology; 2013 Ph.D., Biotechnology [email protected]

Rab9 is a GTPase that aids in the vesicular transport of mannose 6-phosphate receptors from the late endosome to the trans-golgi-network. Rab9 also happens to be a critical cellular component for HIV-1, Ebola, Marburg, and measles replication in the body via vesicular transport in the cells. The majority of marketed HIV drugs target viral proteins rather than the alteration of the structures of cellular transport proteins, such as Rab9, that are critical for the proliferation of the virus. In order to be better able to make anti-viral drugs, we need to look beyond the genetic components of the cellular proteins involved and focus on cellular protein’s structural involvement in viral replication. By better understanding the structural aspects of Rab9 through NMR analysis, we can come closer to discovering an anti-viral drug that disrupts the transport and replication of these viruses in the cell via altered binding with Rab9. Hopefully, such anti-viral drugs will aid in reducing the proliferation of resistant virus strains. Past funded research has included optimization of the tRab9 purification process including pH, buffers, histadine cleavage, and salt concentration. It has also included several NMR experiments including a 15N-NOSEY HSQC. Current work on this project includes making final backbone assignments using experiments done with previous funding for completion of the project and writing up the final results. Sandra Sadat Alabama A&M University Rounds 4 and 5 M.S., Physics, May 2010 [email protected] I earned my M.S. in May 2010 and am now pursuing a Ph.D. at Alabama A&M University. Ines Elvira Sampayo University of South Alabama Rounds 4 and 5 Recipient NSF EPSCoR M.S., Mechanical Engineering, August 2010 [email protected]

I graduated in August 2010 with my Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Alabama. I have been employed full-time with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding for the last three years and plan to continue with this company. However, I may merge over into the aerospace field after some time. The focus of my research was on dynamic finite element analysis of stress and fracture in IM7/8552 monolithic composite laminates under impact loading conditions. This IM7/8552 composite laminate is currently being used by NASA as part of their spacecraft design. Recent Honors: • Nominated for Most Promising Engineer – Advanced Degree for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), June 2010 (Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding).

59 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Maninder Sandey Auburn University Round 4 Recipient Expected graduation Fall 2011, Ph.D., Veterinary Biomedical Sciences [email protected] The focus of my research is to gain a better understanding of molecular pathways involving melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7), and how it plays a role in the molecular pathogenesis of canine cancers. MDA-7 protein when expressed ectopically, results in irreversible growth arrest, cancer reversion and terminal differentiation in human melanoma. So, our efforts are directed at elucidating the roleand expression pattern of canine MDA-7 and its receptors. We have sequenced the full length mRNA sequence of canine mda-7 gene and its receptor chains. Furthermore, from our data, the pattern of expression of canine mda-7 appears to be far more limited than mda-7 in other species. We are currently studying the biological properties of canine mda-7 by expressing it from mammalian expression vectors in normal and canine tumor cells. The knowledge gained through this project will help to better define the different dog models for human cancers. Recently, our project named “Investigation of a ‘pan-canine’ cancer risk factor, melanoma differentiation antigen 7 (mda-7)” was funded by the Animal Health and Disease Research Program. I have also presented my research at the Phi-Zeta Day in November 2009 at College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University. I plan to graduate in the December 2011 with a Doctor of Philosophy from Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine.

Reza Kamali Sarvestani University of Alabama in Huntsville Rounds 4, 5 and 6 Expected graduation in 2011, Ph.D., Electrical Engineering [email protected]

My field of study includes Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a focus on the fabrication of Nano/ Micro devices for radio frequency applications. I received a M.S. with honors in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in Dec. 2009. Recently I fabricated very high Q-factor resonators using PCB standards. To proceed with this study, I am working on the fabrication of microwave tuned filters using my novel method for the fabrication of resonators as well as the fabrication of micro solenoids and cavity resonators on the RT/Duroid substrates in order to develop new microwave devices for wireless applications. This research has resulted in a paper accepted for presentation at an international conference and a journal paper submitted to the highest ranking publication in the related field. The new result is also being drafted for the publication of another journal article on high frequency solenoids.

60 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Christina Schmidt Auburn University Recipient, Rounds 3 and 4 Center for Environmental Cellular Signal Transduction Expected graduation in Fall 2011, Ph.D., Biological Sciences [email protected]

My research focuses on how mammalian mothers allocate calcium from both their diet and from their skeleton to offspring production, and preliminary results suggest that bone loss during gestation and lactation can influence reproductive performance in mice when dietary calcium is limited. Understanding the trade-off between a mother maintaining her own skeleton and providing enough calcium to support development of her offspring’s skeleton will affect how we view nutritional requirements for humans and other vertebrate species, and will provide another component to our comprehension of bone loss in women. Over the past year, I have attended meetings where I have presented my research, received two awards for presentations of my research, published two papers and received a Grant-In-Aid of Research from the Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology.

Shoieb Shaik Tuskegee University, The University of Alabama Rounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 M.S., Electrical Engineering, July 2010 Expected graduation in 2013, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering [email protected]

Photovoltaic materials such as CuInSe2, CuGaSe2, ZnSe and ZnTe were grown using RF Magnetron Sputtering. TEM, SEM and XRD were some of the analytical techniques performed to analyze the crystallinity and stoichiometry of these materials. Both Ohmic and Rectifying contacts were formed to all the above materials to conduct I-V and C-V measurements. Metals that formed Ohmic contacts were used to fabricate the Heterojunction diodes, where as metals which formed rectifying contacts, were used to perform C-V measurements. Hall measurements were performed to determine carrier density, resistivity and mobility of carriers in material. Large area 1 cm2 photovoltaic cells were fabricated from the Cu-chalcopyrite/n-Si material and Voc was calculated from it. During the summer of 2010 I worked at Oakridge National Lab, Tennesssee on user projects related to P3HT: PCBM based Organic Solar cells, defended my Master’s Thesis in July, and will be working on my Ph.D. at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa in the fall. Recent Publications and Presentations • O. Akpa, S. Shaik, T. Thompson, T. Isaacs-Smith, P. Anderson, S. Seraphin, K. Das. “Chalcopyrite Heterojunctions for Photovoltaic Devices,” (Submitted to the Journal of Electronic Materials September 2009). • O. Akpa, S. Shaik, T. Thompson, T. Isaacs-Smith, P. Anderson, S. Seraphin, K. Das. “Sputter Deposited ZnTe/ ZnSe/ZnO Heterojunctions for Photovoltaic Applications,” 2010 IEEE Photovoltaics Specialist Conference (Submitted Abstract). • O. Akpa, S. Shaik, T. Thompson, T. Isaacs-Smith, P. Anderson, S. Seraphin, K. Das. “CuInSe2/Si Heterojunctions for Photovoltaic Applications ,” 2010 Annual TMS Meeting, Seattle, Washington (2010). • O. Akpa, S. Shaik, T. Thompson, T. Isaacs-Smith, P. Anderson, S. Seraphin, K. Das. “CuInSe2/Si Heterojunctions for Photovoltaic Applications ,” 2010 Annual TMS Meeting, Seattle, Washington (2010).

61 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Justin T. Sheff University of Alabama at Birmingham Recipient, Rounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 Expected graduation in May 2011, Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry [email protected]

I am in the process of publishing all my experimental data that will be contained in my thesis. This includes my first two publications which are in submission while also completing the remaining experiments for my final two publications. Defense of my Ph.D. thesis will occur sometime in early 2011 during the spring semester. I will be presenting an oral lecture on my research at the next regional ACS meeting in New Orleans in early December 2010. I am also seeking a Ph.D. position in a variety of corporate and government research areas that interest me.

Redahegn Sileshi Alabama A&M University Round 3 Recipient Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials M.S., Physics, December 2008 [email protected]/ [email protected]

I earned my M.S. in Applied Physics with a specialization in Optics from Alabama A&M University in 2008 and am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Water Resources Engineering at The University of Alabama in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. I am working on clogging tests using an underdrain material in biofilters under the supervision of Dr. Robert Pitt.

Recent Presentations and Publications: • Redahegn Sileshi, Robert Pitt and Shirley Clark. “Experimental Study on Newly Developed Underdrain Material for Biofiltration Devices, Presented at the 2010 Alabama Waters Resource Conference, Orange Beach, Alabama, September 09, 2010. • Redahegn Sileshi, Robert Pitt and Shirley Clark. “Enhanced Biofilter Treatment of Stormwater by Optimizing the Residence Time,” Presented at the 2010 International Low Impact Development Conference, San Francisco, California, April 13, 2010. • Redahegn Sileshi, Robert Pitt and Shirley Clark. “Enhanced Biofilter Treatment of Urban Stormwater by Optimizing the Hydraulic Residence Time in the Media,” Presented at the 2010 Watershed Management.

62 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Hunter Sims The University of Alabama Round 4 Recipient Expected graduation in 2012, Ph.D., Physics [email protected]

I have continued to work as a Research Assistant under Dr. William Butler in the Physics Department, and last spring I passed my preliminary exam, allowing me to formally begin doctoral study at The University of Alabama. Over the summer, I worked as an intermittent user at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, learning about many-body physics and dynamical mean-field theory from Thomas Maier. I began work on a code that will be used along with analytical techniques to calculate the tunneling through certain strongly-correlated materials, something that is not generally feasible using simpler computational methods. This work will provide much of the methodology that I plan to use in the completion of my doctoral studies at UA.

Recent Publications and Publications: • H. Sims, S. J. Oset, W. H. Butler, James M. MacLaren, and Martijn Marsman. "Determining the Anisotropic Exchange Coupling of CrO2 via First-principles Density-functional Theory Calculations." Journals of the American Physical Society, B 81 (2010): 224436. • M. Pathak, H. Sims, K. B. Chetry, D. Mazumdar, P. LeClair, G. Mankey, W. H. Butler, and A. Gupta, "Robust Room-temperature Magnetism of (110) CrO2 Thin films," Journals of the American Physical Society. B 80 (2009): 212405. • H. Sims, D. Mazumdar, and W. H. Butler. "The Effect of Substrate-induced Strain on the Magnetic Structure of CrO2." Presented at MMM/Intermag 2010. • S. J. Oset, H. Sims, and W. H. Butler, "Magnetic Behavior of CrO2 as a Function of Temperature via Low-T Magnon Dispersion and Monte Carlo Simulation." Presented at MMM/Intermag 2010.

Danalea Skarra University of South Alabama Rounds 1, 2 and 4 Recipient Extended Alabama Structural Biology Consortium Expected graduation in December 2010, Ph.D., Basic Medical Sciences [email protected]

I am wrapping up my research project investigating the role of protein phos- phatase type 5 (PP5) in cellular stress and growth pathways. The objective of my research is to identify proteins that interact with PP5 under stressed and non-stressed conditions. This distinguishes PP5’s function in select pathways under specific conditions. In 2008, I coauthored a paper investigating PP5 in breast cancer, and another paper detailing the PP5 interactome is in progress. I will defend my dissertation in the fall.

63 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

John Smith University of Alabama at Birmingham Recipient, Rounds 4, 5 and 6 Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected graduation in 2011, Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering [email protected]

Composite materials offer advantages in next generation industrial part replacement and structural applications. Metal products cannot offer the specific strength and stiffness properties, or the lightweight benefits, which composite materials yield. However, producing geometries with contours and local forms such as depressions and beads is difficult. The present research focuses on thermoforming thick section composite panels by establishing manufacturing parameters as well as part formability predictions/mappings by means of computer simulations. The outcome of this research will benefit composite/process industries to form integral features that can provide enhanced strength and stiffness without adding mass. A manufacturing cell for localized forming of thermoplastic composite sheets, which will enable the establishment of processing parameters, has been designed and fabricated in-house. A finite element model has been developed to predict temperature distributions within an orthotropic composite panel. The results from FEA are useful to gaining an understanding about factors such as wrinkling, material degradation, warpage, breakage, etc. and to establish manufacturing guidelines such as heating profiles, pressure, process times, etc. The model is being further enhanced to account for degree of viscosity within the panel. These studies will enable prediction of heating and pressure regimes necessary for successful thermoforming of various material combinations. Recent Papers and Presentations • Smith, John, R. and Vaidya, Uday, K. “Predictive Modeling of Temperature Profiles for Thermoplastic Composite Materials Using Localized Heating.” Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE) Automotive Composites Consortium, Troy, Michigan, September 2010. • John Smith. Student Poster Presentation at Alabama Composites Conference, August 23-26, 2010, Predictive Modeling of Temperature Profiles for Thermoplastic Composite Materials Using Localized Heating. Charles C. Solvason Auburn University Round 5 Recipient Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Expected Graduation in Dec. 2010, Ph.D., Chemical Engineering [email protected] It has been an exciting year! I have traveled to Ischia, Italy and Nashville, Tennessee to present the fundamentals of this work at the 20th Annual European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Systems Engineering (ESCAPE) and 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), respectively. I have also published a paper covering the fundamentals of this research in Computer Aided Chemical Engineering and am currently writing two more journal papers to be submitted before the end of the year. On top of it all, I have been conducting fascinating research in the area of process systems engineering. The focus of my research has been to improve our

64 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

capability to design chemical and material products at the nanoscale. By integrating characterization fundamentals into a reverse problem formulation of the multiscale design problem, attributes from the macroscale can be mapped into the nanoscale and used to control the development of the molecular architecture. Two projects were used to illustrate this technique, (1) the design of self-assembled monolayer chemical structures to improve for tribological performance of MEMS devices, and (2) the design of functional groups on single walled carbon nanotubes for improved dispersion. In both projects green chemistry tenets were mapped into the molecular architecture to ensure environmentally benign chemistries were designed. In conclusion, it is my belief that the results of this research have been instrumental in the development of my research and will help to launch my career in academia.

Recent Publications • Solvason C.C., Chemmangattuvalappil N.G., Eden M.R. (2010): Multi-Scale Chemical Product Design using the Reverse Problem Formulation”, Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, (Accepted).

Samer Swedan University of South Alabama Rounds 3, 4 and 5 Recipient Extended Alabama Structural Biology Consortium Ph.D., Basic Medical Sciences, August 2010 [email protected]

I have recently defended my dissertation entitled “Mechanism of Suppression of Host Interferon Response by the Nonstructural Proteins of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus” during the summer semester of 2010 and have earned my Ph.D. degree in Basic Medical Sciences. Part of my research data has been published in the Journal of Virology in 2009 and the remaining part is being prepared for publication in the near future. I have acquired a faculty teaching position (in virology and immunology) in the College of Applied Medical Sciences at Jordan University of Science and Technology and will be returning to Jordan in July 2010.

Jean Michael Taguenang Alabama A&M University Recipient, Rounds 1, 2 and 3 Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Ph.D., Applied Physics, December 2008 [email protected] or [email protected]

65 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Khalid H. Tantawi University of Alabama in Huntsville Recipient, Rounds 5 and 6 Expected graduation 2012, Ph.D., Electrical Engineering [email protected], [email protected]

I am continuing my research to produce artificial cell membranes supported on porous silicon to resemble what happens in biological cell membranes. Ion transfer is achieved by means of transport proteins acting as ion pumps and ion channels. This structure is then used to demonstrate biological batteries, and integrate biological complexes with electronic circuits.

List of Conference Proceedings: • K.H. Tantawi, J. Oates, and J.D. Williams, “Processing of lithographically defined Apex glass structures with smooth and transparent sidewalls”, 6th International Conference on Device Packaging, Scottsdale, AZ (2010). Merlin Theodore Tuskegee University Round 1 Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Ph.D., Material Science and Engineering, May 2008 [email protected]

I just completed my Post Doc/Technical Advisor of the Minority Leaders Program position at Universal Technology Corporation (UTC). My work was based at the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Composites and Hybrids Branch (RXBC) at the Air Force Research Laboratory. I have recruited, mentored, and supervised a total of 40 students, across nine AFRL branches, three AFRL technical directorates, and two Air Force bases. I am still employed by Universal Technology Corporation in Dayton, , but now, as a Materials Research Engineer in the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Nanostructured and Biological Materials Branch (RXBN). I am currently working under the Metamaterials Program as the Lead Researcher in the Aerosol Jet Deposition Direct Write Laboratory. This laboratory focuses on fabricating electronic components for a multitude of applications across AFRL. I am a member of the team that designed the state-of-the-art aerosol jet deposition instrument known as the VDK-4000 used in this laboratory. The VDK-4000 aerosol jet process uses aerodynamic focusing for high-resolution deposition of colloidal suspensions and/or chemical precursor solutions onto planar or non-planar substrates. Patterns down to 10 microns can be deposited on virtually any surface material (silicon, glass, polymers, metals and ceramics) with three dimensional structures using a wide variety of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers and adhesives). In addition to research, I also develop and chair technical sessions in technical societies such as Society for Advancement of Materials and Process Engineering (SAMPE) and the American Chemical Society (ACS).

66 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Noboru Togawa The University of Alabama Rounds 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies Expected graduation in May 2011, Ph.D., Civil Engineering [email protected]

The objective of my research is to determine the hydraulic capacity and the pollutant removal capabilities of a full-size upflow filtration device, the Up-Flo® Filter in a field installation. Stormwater requires treatment because it contains pollutants such as oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, metals, and bacteria as it travels across land. Many types of devices have been manufactured to treat stormwater runoff, but most have been designed to treat one or more of the common pollutants. Treatment of runoff requires a device which can remove many types of pollutants at the same time as well as large amounts of debris and floatable materials. Upflow filtration methods are examined because traditional downflow practices have a problem in rapid clogging which reduces their treatment flow rate and overall treatment capacity. The Up-Flow Filter is designed to treat stormwater runoff from critical source areas. After the completion of the controlled flow tests conducted last year, I have started monitoring pollutant removal and flow during actual rain events focusing on sediment, particle sizes, metals, nutrients, and bacteria. Total of 4 samples have been collected since mid-summer 2010.

Phillip Keith Veronese University of Alabama at Birmingham Recipient, Rounds 3 and 4 Expected graduation in December 2010, Ph.D., Chemistry [email protected]

During 2009-10, my research centered on how the assembly of ClpA, an enzyme involved in regulation of proteins in the cell, changes as a function of temperature as well as how ClpA comes together in the presence of target peptide sequences that mimic proteins tagged by the cell for destruction. This work gives insight into how ClpA is assembled in the cell and how ClpA plays a role in reversing situations where there is a buildup of unwanted or misfolded proteins in the cell, a situation that arises in many P53-mediated cancers along with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. My research is performed in the Lucius Lab, a Biophysical Chemistry lab located in the Chemistry Department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 2009-10, I published one first-author paper along with two second author papers, and I have three more first author papers that should be submitted by August 2010. Additionally, I was named the state’s Outstanding Graduate Student by the Alabama section of the American Chemical Society. I am well on my way to graduating in December 2010 with my Ph.D. in Chemistry.

67 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Jonathan E. Williams University of Alabama at Birmingham Rounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 Recipient Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies Expected Graduation in December 2010, Ph.D., Physics [email protected]

My area of research is in the development of optical materials to be used for application in the middle infrared (mid-IR) region. In particular we have been developing chromium incorporated in zinc selenide (Cr:ZnSe) semiconductor materials in thin film form for compact spectroscopic applications in the mid-IR. At the Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, we have been fabricating thin films from this material through the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process. We demonstrated the ability to manufacture these thin film compounds with successful emission in the mid-IR through optical illumination of the thin films fabricated. These results were reported at several conferences and in the Journal of Applied Physics A Vol. 91 pages 333-335 in 2008. Since then we have continued our research in the fabrication of high quality Cr:ZnSe thin films and have successfully demonstrated, for the first time, mid-IR lasing by optical excitation in a thin film waveguiding structure fabricated using PLD. These findings have been reported at the 2010 Spring Meeting of the Materials Research Society and a manuscript for submission to a peer-review journal publication currently in preparation. Continued efforts to perfect the growth of Cr:ZnSe thin films have been underway for mid-IR lasing through electrical excitation. Our recent finding will be presented at the Frontiers in Optics Conference in October 2010.

Bradford M. Wilson The University of Alabama Rounds 2 and 6 Expected graduation in Dec. 2011, M.S./Ph.D., Environmental Engineering [email protected]

A study into environmental factors affecting watershed survival of E. coli and Enterococci has recently been completed and is scheduled for presentation in the fall. Results of this study will aid in interpretation of the upcoming sheetflow-sampling campaign into the natural background of microbiological indicator species in stormwater. Upon graduation, I hope to teach and continue research into microbial processes at water-solid interfaces and their impacts on beneficial uses of water.

Recent Presentations • B. Wilson and R. Pitt, “Non-sewage Indicator Species in Stormwater, Technical-Session, Water Environment” Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, 2009. • B. Wilson and R. Pitt, “Natural Background of Indicator Species in Stormwater, Technical-Session,” American Water Resources Association Meeting, 2009. • B. Wilson, Every Cloud, or How I Spent my Summer, Program Review, Summer 2009 Research Experience for Teachers, Undergraduates and High School Students.

68 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP and Beyond

Randall Wilson University of Alabama in Huntsville Recipient, Rounds 1, 2 and 4 Laboratory for Structural Biology Expected graduation in Spring 2011, Ph.D., Biotechnology Science/ Engineering [email protected]

I continue to study a protein that functions as part of the cell’s ability to break down misfolded proteins. This system is one contributing factor to a number of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s disease. We are currently working on two new publications but as yet untitled. Upon graduation, I plan to continue my research and exploration of the structure and function of disease-related proteins through corporate research and development opportunities, private equity agreements, or academic partnerships. Recent Poster Presentation • Helms, K., Wilson, R. C., Twigg, P. D., “Assay of Plant Extracts from Monteverde, Costa Rica Against the Enzyme E2-25k” Poster presented at Research Experience for Undergraduates student presentations, Huntsville, Alabama, August 2009. Qing Yang Auburn University Round 4 Recipient Expected graduation in December 2010 Ph.D. Computer Science and Software Engineering [email protected]

My current research is focusing on using Wi-Fi (wireless Internet) signal to localize mobile stations with 802.11 wireless cards. The main objective is to determine if it is possible to accurately measure the round-trip time of packet transmission between a mobile station and an access point. As the wireless signal propagates in the speed of light, a time resolution of a few nanoseconds is needed to achieve accurate measurement. However, current Wi-Fi hardwares only provide a time base of 1 μs (microsecond) corresponding to the temporal update of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 TSF (timing synchronization function). To solve this issue, we plan to use statistic methods to analyze the round-trip time measurements and estimate the distance between mobile stations and access points. I am also working on the location privacy issue in vehicular network communications to eliminate (or hide) the real-time vehicular location information currently needed to complete a network connection. This proposed dummy based location privacy protection protocol (DBLPP) has been published recently. Collaborating with colleagues in the Auburn Fisheries Department, I also developed the alternative splicing database and catfish breeder and research bioinformaics entry location (cBARBEL) website. Recent Publications: • Q. Yang, A. Lim, P. Agrawal. “GPSFR: GPS-Free Routing Protocol for Vehicular Networks with Directional Antennas” International Journal of Wireless and Mobile Networks. vol. 1, no. 2,(2009) pp. 67-81. • Q. Yang, A. Lim, X. Ruan, X. Qin. “Location Privacy Protection in Contention Based Forwarding for VANETs” IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM), 2010, Miami, Florida

69 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

GRSP and Beyond

Xin Yang The University of Alabama Recipient, Rounds 5 and 6 Expected graduation in December 2011, Ph.D., Molecular and Cellular Biology [email protected]

I am continuing to study the role of receptor-like kinases in plant-pathogen interactions. My specific objectives include: determine the location of Receptor- Like-Kinase 7 (RLK7) and Receptor-Like-Kinase 8 (RLK8) in the plant cell; determine the influence of RLK7 and RLK8 on other defense-related pathways by suppressing their expression; determine the critical amino acids that are necessary for RLK7’s function; and screen mutants for proteins that regulate RLK7’s expression upon pathogen treatment. After graduation, I will pursue a postdoctoral position at a research university and continue to study plant-pathogen interactions.

Recent Poster Presentations and Honors • Xin Yang, Adam Perricone, and Katrina Ramonell. 2009. Honolulu, Hawaii. “Characterization of Arabidopsis Receptor Kinases Involved in Fungal Innate Immunity” at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Plant Biologists. • Xin Yang, Perry Churchill, Steven Clough, Lucia Jorda Miro, Antonio Molina, and Katrina Ramonell. “RLK7, a Mn2+ dependent Arabidopsis Kinase, Plays a Role in Defense Against Fungal Pathogens.” 2010. Columbia, Missouri. • 2010 Outstanding Graduate Students Scholarship (The University of Alabama). • 2010 The Joab Longston Thomas Scholarship (The University of Alabama).

Shaik Zainuddin Tuskegee University Round 3 Recipient Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, May 2009 [email protected]; [email protected]

I am currently serving as a Research Assistant Professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Tuskegee University.

Recent Presentations and Publications • S. Zainuddin, M. V. Hosur, A. Kumar, and S. Jeelani. “Durability Study of Neat/Nanophased GFRP Composites Subjected to Different Environmental Conditioning.”Materials Science and Engineering A, 527, (2010) 3091- 3099. • S. Zainuddin, H. Mahfuz, S. Jeelani, “Enhancing Fatigue Performance of Sandwich Composites with Nanophased Core,” Journal of Nanomaterials, 2010, doi:10.1155/2010/712731.

70 Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Campus Coordinators GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR GRSP Campus Coordinators

Each of the seven Alabama EPSCoR member institutions has an appointed campus coordinator. Campus Coordinators, in collaboration with the Alabama EPSCoR State Office and each GRSP faculty advisor, manage the GRSP awards. Campus Coordinators serve as the main point of contact for their respective institution.

Dr. Edward Meehan University of Alabama in Huntsville Dr. Edward J. Meehan is Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Laboratory for Structural Biology at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). He was the Principle Investigator for NSF/EPSCoR funded Alabama Structural Biology Consortium (ASBC). He received a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1972 from Birmingham-Southern College and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1978 from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He was a visiting scientist in the Department of Crystallography at the University of Pittsburgh (1989) and a visiting research fellow at the Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan (1990- 1992). He was selected as UAH’s Outstanding Young Educator (1981) and honored as the Outstanding Professor of the Year for the College of Science (1998). In 2004, he received both the Dean’s Service Award for the College of Science and the UAH Foundation Award for Research and Creative Achievement. Dr. Meehan uses X-ray crystallography to determine the three-dimensional shapes of important biological molecules. Private donations and funding from NASA, NIH, and NSF, and the Alpha foundation have funded his work. For more information, contact Dr. Meehan at 256.824.6533 or [email protected].

Dr. Frank “Skip” Bartol Auburn University Dr. Frank F. (Skip) Bartol is the Alabama USDA EPSCoR State Agency Director, Alumni Professor of Reproductive Biology in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University (AU). He has been a member of the AU faculty since 1983. Dr. Bartol obtained the B.S. degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees through the Interdisciplinary Reproductive Biology Program from the University of Florida. Additionally, he obtained advanced training in molecular biology asa Visiting Scientist and Scholar in the Center for Animal Biotechnology at Texas A&M University. In 2005, Dr. Bartol was honored by his doctoral alma mater when he was named a Donald Henry Barron Lecturer at the University of Florida in recognition of “outstanding research and scholarly activities in the field of reproductive biology.” His research, which focuses on identification of mechanisms regulating development and function of female reproductive tract tissues in domestic ungulates, has been supported by the USDA National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (USDA-NRICGP), the National Science Foundation, and private organizations in the U.S. and abroad, as well as by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. He is an active member of the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR), the American Society of Reproductive Immunology (ASRI) and the Society for Theriogenology (SFT), and was elected as an Honorary Member of the Society of Phi Zeta, the honor society of veterinary medicine, for “distinguished service in the advancement of science relating to the animal industry”. An advocate of the responsible use of animals in research and education, Dr. Bartol has served as Chair of the Auburn University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and both Animal Care and Experimentation and Animal Ethics sub-committees for the SSR. In addition to teaching the graduate course in reproductive biology at AU, Dr. Bartol lectures in animal use and bioethics in the AU veterinary curriculum and has spoken nationally and internationally on these topics. For more information, contact Dr. Bartol at 334.844.3700 or [email protected].

72 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

GRSP Campus Coordinators

Dr. Mahesh Hosur Tuskegee University Dr. Hosur is the Director of the Alabama NSF RII Grant’s Alabama Center for Nanostructured Materials (ACNM) headquartered at Tuskegee University. The ACNM team also consists of researchers at Alabama A&M University, Auburn University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama, and the University of South Alabama. Together, they study a broad spectrum of areas connected to materials research and engineering including nanotechnology, carbon/epoxy composites, epoxy syntactic foams, and carbon nanofibers. The research has the potential to create a new generation of automobile, aircraft, spacecraft, locomotives and sporting goods materials. Further, the nanotechnology work could lead to new types of biosensors, drug delivery systems, and heat exchangers. Dr. Hosur earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering, M. Tech in Aeronautical Engineering and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from India. His is currently a Research Associate Professor in Materials Science Engineering at Tuskegee University. For more information, contact Dr. Hosur at 334.724.4220 or [email protected].

Dr. John M. Wiest The University of Alabama Dr. John M. Wiest is a Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Associate Dean for the College of Engineering, and has been at the University of Alabama since 1995. He received his Ph.D. in 1986 from the University of and has held positions at Sydney University, the University of Wisconsin, and Purdue University. His research interests are in the areas of rheology and non-Newtonian fluid mechanics and include structural and molecular theories for rheologically complex materials, and thermoviscoelasticity. For more information, contact Dr. Wiest at 205.348.1727 or [email protected].

Dr. Chris Lawson University of Alabama at Birmingham Dr. Christopher M. Lawson is a Professor of Physics at UAB, Director of the Center for Optical Sensors and Spectroscopies (COSS), and Executive Director of Alabama EPSCoR. At UAB, Dr. Lawson has been Principal Investigator (PI) for numerous grants awarded from NSF, ARO, ARL, AFOSR, and NASA. Before coming to UAB in 1993, Dr. Lawson was Manager and then Director of Optical Sciences at BDM Corporation in McLean, Virginia. He received his Ph.D. in Physics at State University in 1981 under Richard C. Powell (former President, Optical Society of America) and he received his M.S. degree in Physics from the University of at Boulder in 1979 Dr. Lawson’s personal research, currently funded by NSF and the Army, is directed toward the development of nonlinear optical materials for optical power limiting applications. Dr. Lawson isalso involved in the COSS-related development of optical spectroscopic sensors for detection of toxic substances. Dr. Lawson has published over 60 research articles and two book chapters, and he has also edited or co- edited eight books published by the International Society for Optical Engineering. For more information, contact Dr. Lawson at 205.975.5059 or [email protected].

73 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Campus Coordinators

Dr. Matthew Edwards Alabama A&M University Dr. Matthew Edwards was initially employed at Alabama A&M University asa Professor of Physics in January 2002, and became Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences in June 2007. After receiving the Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Physics from Howard University in 1975 and 1977, respectively, his career at the collegiate level spans 35 years in teaching, research, service and administration. He completed the undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics from A&T State University and engaged in post-doctoral studies at the UNC Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after receiving his Ph.D. degree. He has had summer faculty professional development experiences at a myriad of industry and research organizations: (1) Argonne National Laboratory (2) Ford Motor Co. Research Laboratory (3) NASA Langley Research Center (4) the Naval Research Laboratory, and (5) ROME Air Force Base Scientific Research Lab. Dr. Edwards has research interests in a wide range of topics, including: (1) Solid State and Condensed Matter Physics (2) Applied Quantum Physics (3) Propagation of Optical Wave Fields including Solitons (4) Composite Thin Film Physics and Sensor Science and Technology (5) Classical Electro-optics and Non-linear Optics (6) Nanoscale Science (7) Nuclear Physics, and (8) Environmental Health Sciences and Pollutants. Presently, he has a robust research agenda in nanoscale thin film physics and crystallography for sensor science and a parallel agenda in photovoltaic and energy harvesting. To his credit, Dr. Edwards has authored and co-authored over 125 scholarly publications and professional presentations. Since 2002, he has guided two students to their Ph.D. degrees, two others to receive their master’s degrees in physics, and has served on 18 doctoral dissertations or master’s theses committees. For more information, contact Dr. Edwards at 256-372-8119 or [email protected].

Dr. John W. Steadman University of South Alabama John W. Steadman, P.E, serves as the Alabama Department of Energy (DOE) EPSCoR State Agency Director, the Dean of Engineering at the University of South Alabama, and is a licensed professional engineer. Dr. Steadman previously served as Associate Dean and Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of . He earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Wyoming and the Ph.D. degree from Colorado State University. Dr. Steadman was a research engineer for General Dynamics, Convair Division in San Diego, California before joining the faculty at the University of Wyoming and served as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the United States Air Force Academy. Dr. Steadman has received several awards, including the IEEE United States Activities Board Citation of Honor, the NCEES Distinguished Service Award with Special Commenation, the Wyoming Engineering Society Outstanding Engineer Award, and the AT&T Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. Professor Steadman was appointed to the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors in Wyoming by three different governors serving on that board for more than sixteen years. He has also been active in the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), serving on several of the national committees, as treasurer, and as the national president in 1993-94. In addition to his engineering education responsibilities, Dr. Steadman was 2004 President of IEEE-USA, Past Chair of the Board of Governors of the Order of the Engineer, and participates in accreditation of engineering programs for ABET. Dr. Steadman is the author of more than 60 journal publications, book chapters and patents. He has been honored with election to Fellow grade in the National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society for Engineering Education. For more information, contact Dr. Steadman at 251.460.6140 or [email protected].

74 Appendices GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Index of Scholars

Name Page (s) Name Page(s) Name Page(s) Abunaemeh, Malek...... 34 Haugabrooks, Esther...... 50 Sadat, Sandra...... 59 Acharya, Chatham...... 34 Havird, Justin...... 6, 17 Sampayo, Ines...... 59 Afroz, Farhana...... 11 Hossain, Mohammad...... 18 Sandey, Maninder...... 60 Allie, Aldington...... 35 Huang, Chengdong...... 51 Sarvestani, Reza...... 60 Aluwalia, Sudhir...... 35 Hughes, Ronny...... 51 Schmidt, Christina*...... 61 Andrew, Joel...... 36 Hyche, Hunter...... 52 Shaik, Shoieb...... 61 Apalangya, Vitus...... 12 Jiang, Ke...... 52 Sheff, Justin...... 62 Baah, David...... 36 Jones, Wanda...... 53 Shen, Gang...... 24 Babaei, Hasan...... 13 Kim, Changsu...... 53 Sileshi, Redahegn...... 62 Balenger, Susan...... 37 Li, Wei...... 54 Sims, Hunter...... 63 Bangalore, Sai Santosh...... 38 Lu, Jiangyuo...... 19 Skarra, Danalea...... 63 Bapat, Parimal...... 38 Lu, Yuhao...... 54 Smith, John...... 64 Bathi, Jejal...... 39 Mayo, Jr., Jessie...... 54 Solvason, Charles...... 64 Bochis, Celina...... 39 Messersmith, Mallory...... 20 Strawder, Gregory...... 25 Brundidge-Young, Sandrea...... 40 Minaminsawa, Renato...... 55 Sun, Po...... 26 Bryne-Steele, Miranda...... 40 Nair, Abilash...... 55 Sundaram, Padma...... 27 Calzzani, Fernando...... 40 Nanjappa, Manju...... 56 Swedan, Samer...... 65 Cannon, Johanna...... 8, 41 Owens, Jr., Samuel...... 56 Taguenang, Jean Michael..... 65 Cantrell, Andrew...... 14 Parsley, Larissa...... 57 Tantawi, Khalid...... 66 Cassidy, Caitlin...... 41 Ptacek, Ross...... 21 Tcherbi-Narteh, Alfred...... 28 Caudle, Talitha...... 42 Qiu, Li...... 57 Theodore, Merlin...... 66 Chen, Yanli...... 42 Rahman, Rezanur...... 22, 76 Togawa, Noboru...... 67 Chen, Yi...... 15 Rangel, Humberto...... 58 Venkataraman, Keerthi...... 29 Colon, Tomeka...... 43 Roberts, Kathleen...... 58 Veronese, Phillip...... 67 Crean-Harris, Bethany...... 43 Robinson, Paul...... 23 Williams, Jonathan...... 68 Dumestrescu, Cosmin...... 43 Roth Gordon, Emily...... 59 Wilson, Bradford...... 68 Elliot, Amicia...... 44 Wilson, Randall...... 69 Eppakayala, Vijay...... 44 Xiong, Jingyuan...... 30 Fabi, Sergio...... 45 Yang, Qing...... 69 Fan, Liwu...... 45 Yang, Xin...... 70 Farah, Basil...... 46 Zainuddin, Shaik...... 70 Fayock, Brian...... 16 Zhang, Yuanli...... 31 Freeman, Jason...... 46 Zou, Yang...... 32 Freeman, Stephanie...... 47 Fu, Bianzu...... 47 *in previous volumes Christina Gallian, Andrew...... 48 Booher Harding, Hannah...... 48 Hasoun, Luai...... 48 Hassan, Tarig...... 49 (left) Rezwanur Rahman’s molecular Hassenzadeh, Alireza...... 49 dynamic model. For more information Hastings, Samantha...... 50 on his research, see page 22.

76 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Alumni Roster and Expected Graduation Dates

GRSP ALUMNI

2007 2009 2010 Andrew Gallian, Ph.D. Sudhir Aluwalia, Ph.D. Joel Andrews, Ph.D. Mary Rogers-Moore, Ph.D. Hunter Hyche, M.S Miranda Byrne-Steele, Ph.D. Celina Bochis, Ph.D. Sandra Sadat, M.S. Matt Dodson, M.S. Bethan Crean Harris, M.S. Ines Sampayo, M.S. 2008 Dechassa Duressa, Ph.D. Erin Donovan, Ph.D. Shoieb Shaik, M.S. Chethan Acharya, Ph.D. Amicia Elliott, M.S. Hannah Harding, M.S. Danalea Skarra, Ph.D. Sai Santosh Bangalore, M.S. Tiffany Frazier, M.S Tarig Hassan, Ph.D. Charles Solvason, Ph.D. Jejal Reddy Bathi, Ph.D. Ester Haugabrooks, M.S. Chengdong Huang, Ph.D. Samer Sweden, Ph.D. Fernando Calzzani, M.S. Erin Imsand, Ph.D. Ronny Hughes, Ph.D. Philip Veronese, Ph.D. Bopha Chhay, Ph.D. David Johnson, M.S. Ke Jiang, Ph.D. Jonathan Williams, Ph.D. Cosmin Dumetrescu, Ph.D Ivy Krystal Jones, M.S. Wei Li, Ph.D. Nydeia Wright-Bolden, Ph.D. Vijay Eppakayala, M.S. Changsu Kim, Ph.D. Yuhao Lu, Ph.D. Chuanling Xu, Ph.D. Sergio Fabi, Ph.D. Shantel King, M.S. Alán Martinez, Ph.D. Qing Yang, Ph.D. Wanda Denise Jones, Ph.D. GiHan Kwon, Ph.D. Jessie Mayo, Jr., Ph.D. Deepak Kini, M.S. Sam Owens, Ph.D. NoSoung Myoung, Ph.D. Renato Minamisawa, M.S. Yu Xiang, Ph.D. Abilash Nair, Ph.D. Humberto Rangel, Ph.D. Shaik Zainuddin, Ph.D. Tiffany Nelson-Williams, Ph.D. Redahagn Sileshi, M.S Min Zhong, Ph.D. Larissa Parsley, Ph.D. Jean Michel Taguenang, Ph.D. Huizhen Zhu, Ph.D. Dheeraj Raju, Ph.D. Merlin Theodore, Ph.D.

Expected Graduation Dates for GRSP Scholars

2011 Malek Abunaemeh, Ph.D. Christina Schmidt, Ph.D. Khalid Tantawi, Ph.D. Farhana Afroz, M.S. Justin Sheff, Ph.D. K.P. Venkataramanan, Ph.D. Aldington Allie, Ph.D. John Smith, Ph.D. Jingyuan Xiong, Ph.D. David Baah, Ph.D. Gregory Strawder, Ph.D. Parimal Bapat, Ph.D. Yuri Terkhov, Ph.D. 2013 Johanna Cannon, Ph.D. Noboru Togawa, Ph.D. Samantha D. Hastings Ph.D. Andrew Cantrell, M.S. Bradford Wilson, M.S./Ph.D. Justin Havird, Ph.D. Talitha Caudle, Ph.D. Randall Wilson, Ph.D. Ross Ptacek, Ph.D. Yanli Chen, Ph.D. Yong K. Wong, Ph.D. Shaik Shoieb, Ph.D.* Yi Chen, Ph.D. Xin Yang, Ph.D. Gang Shen, Ph.D. Tomeka Colon, M.S. Yang Zou, Ph.D. Redahegn Sileshi, Ph.D.* Liwi Fan, Ph.D. Sonal Singh, Ph.D. Basil Farah, M.S. 2012 Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh, Ph.D. Brian Fayock, Ph.D. Hasan Babaei, Ph.D. Yanli Zhang, Ph.D. Jason Freeman, Ph.D. Susan Balenger, Ph.D. Stephanie Freeman, Ph.D. Sandrea Brundidge-Young, Ph.D. 2014 Bianzhu Fu, Ph.D. Caitlin Cassidy, Ph.D. Vitus Apalangya, Ph.D. Emily Gordon, M.S. Luai Hasoun, Ph.D. Emily Gordon, Ph.D.** Alireza Hassendadeh, Ph.D. Mohammad Hossain, Ph.D. Manju Nanjappa, Ph.D. Jianguo Lu, Ph.D. Li Qui, Ph.D. Mallory Messersmith, M.A. Kathleen Ann Roberts, Ph.D. Rezwahur Rahman, Ph.D. * M.S. degree was achieved, currently Paul Robinson, M.S. Hunter Sims, Ph.D. pursuing Ph.D. Maninder Sandy, Ph.D. Po Sun, Ph.D. **Currently working on M.S. with plans to Reza Sarvestani, Ph.D. Padma Sundaram, Ph.D. pursue a Ph.D.

77 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Campus Coordinators/Students

Name Page Number Name Page Number Dr. Frank Bartol Dr. Edward Meehan Auburn University...... 72 University of Alabama in Huntsville...... 72 AU Round 6 Scholars: UAH Round 6 Scholars: Hasan Babaei Yi Chen Susan Balenger Brian Fayock Liwu Fan Alireza Hassenzadeh Justin Havird Reza Kamali Sarvestani Mohammad Hossain Po Sun Jiungyo Lu Khalid Tantawi Padma Priya Mohana Sundaram Keerthi Venkataraman Jingyuan Xiong Yang Zou

Dr. Mahesh Hosur Dr. Matthew Edwards Tuskegee University...... 73 Alabama A&M University...... 74 TU Round 6 Scholars: AAMU Round 6 Scholars: Aldington Allie Malek Abunaemeh Vitus Apalangya Andrew Cantrell David Baah Tomeka Colon Sandrea Brundidge-Young Kathleen Ann Roberts Gregory Strawder Paul Robinson Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh Dr. John Steadman University of South Alabama...... 74 Dr. Chris Lawson University of Alabama at Birmingham ...... 73 USA Round 6 Scholars: Basil Farah UAB Round 6 Scholars: Luai Hasoun Jason Freeman Samantha D. Hastings Dr. John Wiest Mallory Messersmith The University of Alabama...... 73 Ross Ptacek Justin Sheff UA Round 6 Scholars: John Smith Farhana Afroz Yuanli Zhang Bianzhu Fu Rezwanur Rahman Yuhao Lu Gang Shen Shaik Shoieb* Noboru Togawa Brad Wilson Yang Xin

* GRSP funded at two institutions (earned M.S. at TU and pursuing Ph.D. at UA)

78 2002 Alabama US Congressional Districts

GRSP Alabama EPSCoR5 Graduate Research Scholars Program Congressional Districts of Student Residencies*

Rep. Jo Bonner -1st District Rep. Parker Griffith- 5th Rep. Spencer Bachus- 6th District Basil Farah 4 District Farhana Afroz Luai Hasoun Malek Abunaemeh Bianzhu Fu Kathleen Ann Roberts Andrew Cantrell Rezwanur Rahman Yi Chen Gang Shen Rep. Bobby Bright-2nd District Tomeka Colon Shaik Shoieb (none) Brian Fayock Noboru Togawa Alireza Hassenzadeh Brad Wilson Rep. Mike Rogers-3rd District Kathleen Roberts Yang Xin Aldington Allie Paul Robinson Vitus Apalangya 6 Reza Sarvestani Rep. Arthur Davis- 7th District David Baah Po Sun3 Jason Freeman Hasan Babaei Khalid Tantawi Samantha Hastings Susan Balenger Keerthi Venkataraman Mallory Messersmith Sandrea Brundidge-Young Yang Zou Ross Ptacek Liwu Fan Justin Sheff Justin Havird John Smith Mohammad Hossain Yuanli Zhang Jianguo Lu Padma Sundaram Gregory Strawder 2002 Alabama US Congressional Districts Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh 7 *Reported institutional residencies of students Jingyuan Xiong 5 by Alabama Congressional District. There are no research institutions located in Districts 2 and 4.

Rep. Robert Aderholdt- 4th District 4 (none) 2 6 3

7 1 2

1

Produced by the Department of Geography College of Arts and Sciences Produced by the Department of Geography The University Collegeof Alabama of Arts and Sciences The University of Alabama

79 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

Grant

EPScoR Dist. 3 NSF RII 1 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 33 NSF RII USDA 3 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 7 NSF RII 3 USDA 5 NSF 5 NSF RII 6 6 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 7 DOE 3 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 3 6 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 6 2 1 6 5 2 3 1,2 5, 6 3, 4 3, 4 4, 5 3, 4, 5 Round 4, 5, 6 Funding 2014 2009 1, 2, 4, 5 2012 2011 2012 2008 2008 Aug 2012 6 May 2010 4, 5 May 2011 4, 5, 6 Dec. 2008 Dec. 2011 May 2011 6 May 2011 3, 4, 5 Dec. 2011 Dec. 2011 May 2008 3 May 2012 4, 5, 6 Aug. 2008 1, 2 Aug. 2011 4, 5, 6 June 2011 6 Grad Date Dec. 2010 August 2011 3 December 2009 Lonchocarpus Skin : Mechanisms and Significance Species Support IrradiaGon ApplicaGons Environments Research Topic Railhead Repairs Nanocomposites. Genomic Research Variant in Glaucoma Interface Phenomena Bioethanol ProducGon Environmental Hazards ReproducGon Using Mosaics Non‐Spherical Nanostructures Tissue RegeneraGon ApplicaGons. Enhanced Raman Scaeering (SERS) Nature's BiomeneralizaGon Processes CharacterisGcs of Urban Development Understanding EvoluGonary Processes Toxoplasma gondi Morphological ProperGes of Epoxy‐based Cumberland Plateau of Southern Tennessee Apply Cu`ng Edge Molecular Technology to Nanopearls on the Thermal, Mechanical and Associated with Chlamydophila spp. InfecGon regeneraGng Siluiculture PracGces on the Mid‐ Fracture and FaGgue EvaluaGon in In‐situ Welded SyntheGc Video GeneraGon and InteracGve Video Herpetofawnal and Small Animal Reponse to Oak‐ Protein Study of Organisms that Thrive in Extreme Gas Phase Synthesis and Morphological Studies of CharacterizaGon of Changes in ProperGes of Glassy Vaccine Mediated PrevenGon of Ruminant MasGGs Polymeric Carbon and Silicon Carbide following Ion Study the Effects of Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Biphasic Calcium Phosphate NanoparGcles for Bone Assembly of Bio‐Inspired Nanomaterials by UGlizing AssociaGon of Host Organelles with the Intracellular with Emphasis on Small‐scale Transport and Moving Structural Studies of OpGneurin, the Disease Causing New Rapid Sampling and PredicGve Measurement for Developing Novel Mosaic GeneraGon Algorithms using Next GeneraGon Nanomaterials for Medical and Space Stability and AcGvity of Metal NanoparGcles on Carbon ElucidaGon of Metabolic Networks of Mixed Culture for How Accurate are the Extremely Emall p‐values Used in Hemichordate RelaGonships and Insights into Ancestors Non‐conGnuum Analysis of Phase Change within NEPCM Flow SeperaGon Control Mechanisms Derived from Shark Pytochemistry, Structures, and AcGviGes of Ultra‐sensiGve Sensors for Explosive DetecGon by Surface Parasite Microfluidic Synthesis and Rheological CharacterizaGon of Physics Biotechnology GRSP Quick Reference Quick GRSP Research Field Civil Engineering Biological Science Biological Science Computer Science Mechanical Engineering Materials Science, Physics Materials Science, Physics Biomedical/ Biotechnology Material Science Engineering Veterinary Biological Sciences Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Civil and Environmental Engineering Chemical and Biological Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering Surfance Enhanced Raman Scaeering Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics Natural Resources, Environmental Studies MS MS PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD Degree grad MS grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD TU TU UA UA UA UA AU AU AU AU AU USA USA UAB Inst. UAB UAH UAH UAH UAH AAMU Yi Joel Brian David Celina Hasan Bopha AAMU grad PhD Parimal Andrew Sandrea TU Chethan Allie Aldington TU Baah Chen Chen Yanli (Joyce) Bathi Jejal Reddy Afroz Farhana Bapat Chhay Bochis Babaei Adams Caudle Talitha Cassidy Caitlin Cannon Johanna Cantrell Calzzani Fernando AAMU grad MS Acharya Aluwalia Sudhir Andrews Balenger Susan Bangalore Sai Santosh Apalangya Vitus Last Name First Abunaemeh Malek AAMU Byrne‐Steele Miranda Brundidge‐Young

80 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

DOE NASA Grant

EPScoR Dist. 33 NSF RII NSF RII 35 NSF RII 7 * NSF RII 7 NSF RII 1 NSF RII 7 NSF RII 3 DOE 31 NSF RII NSF 56 DOE 6 NSF RII * 5 NSF RII 5 65 NSF RII NSF RII 7 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 75 * * 31 NSF RII NSF RII 6 NSF RII 5 NSF 3 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 7 6 33 NSF RII USDA 1 NSF RII 33 NSF RII NSF RII 3 NSF RII 3 6 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 7 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 55 NSF RII NSF RII 5 55 NSF RII 3 NSF RII USDA 55 NSF NSF RII 2 1 3 1 2 3 3 4 4 2 1 1 2 6 2 3 6 1,2 1,2 5, 6 3, 4 3, 4 5, 6 3, 4 4, 5 4, 5 3, 4, 5 Round 4, 5, 6 Funding 2010 3, 4, 5 20132009 3, 4, 6 2007 2008 2008 2011 2009 2009 2009 2010 2014 2008 2011 2012 20092008 1, 2, 4, 5 2012 Aug 2012 6 May 2013 6 Dec. 2011 May 2010May 2012 4 4,5,6 May 2011 4, 5, 6 May 2011 6 Dec. 2008 May 2010 1, 2 May 2011 5, 6 May 2011 3, 4, 5 Dec. 2011 May 2008May 2011 3 May 2011 6 4, 5, 6 May 2010 4, 5 May 2012 4, 5, 6 Dec. 2008 Dec. 2011 Dec. 2011 Aug. 2011 4, 5, 6 Aug. 2011 5, 6 Aug. 2011 5, 6 Aug. 2011 4, 5, 6 Aug. 2008 1, 2 Grad Date June 2011 6 Dec. 2010 2011/2014 August 2011 3 December 2009 December 2009 Lonchocarpus Life Skin : Mechanisms and Significance Time Threats Species Support Concepts Thin Films IrradiaGon ApplicaGons Wetland Soils Environments Research Topic Railhead Repairs Nanocomposites Nanocomposites. InteracGng Protein Genomic Research Variant in Glaucoma Humans and Animals Bombarded with Ions Interface Phenomena in Wet Weather Flows Bioethanol ProducGon Environmental Hazards Quality Across Alabama Raman Scaeering (SERS) Tolerance in the Soybean Among the Global Structure ReproducGon Using Mosaics Non‐Spherical Nanostructures Films for Biomedical ApplicaGons Tissue RegeneraGon ApplicaGons. Enhanced Raman Scaeering (SERS) Circuitry for Bio Sensing ApplicaGons Nature's BiomeneralizaGon Processes CharacterisGcs of Urban Development Structural Analysis of Rab9 using NMR Understanding EvoluGonary Processes Derived from Chemical Warfare Agents CharacterizaGon of Bio‐Nanocomposites Toxoplasma gondi Morphological ProperGes of Epoxy‐based Laser DiagnosGcs for CombusGon Studies GRSP Quick Reference Cumberland Plateau of Southern Tennessee Apply Cu`ng Edge Molecular Technology to Nanopearls on the Thermal, Mechanical and Associated with Chlamydophila spp. InfecGon regeneraGng Siluiculture PracGces on the Mid‐ Electrical Field Induced Nanofiber Alignment in Synthesis, FabricaGon, Thermal and Mechanical Fracture and FaGgue EvaluaGon in In‐situ Welded SyntheGc Video GeneraGon and InteracGve Video Herpetofawnal and Small Animal Reponse to Oak‐ Gas Phase Synthesis and Morphological Studies of Protein Study of Organisms that Thrive in Extreme IntegraGon of Liquid Crystal Sensors with Interface Analysis of Solar Lyman‐Alpha RadiaGon within the Characterizing SpaGal and Temporal Paeerns of Air CharacterizaGon of Changes in ProperGes of Glassy New Materials for Sensor ProtecGons against Laser Study the ProperGes of Graphene aier It Has Been Vaccine Mediated PrevenGon of Ruminant MasGGs Polymeric Carbon and Silicon Carbide following Ion Study the Effects of Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Receptors for CaGons, Anions, and Small Molecules Biphasic Calcium Phosphate NanoparGcles for Bone Assembly of Bio‐Inspired Nanomaterials by UGlizing AssociaGon of Host Organelles with the Intracellular with Emphasis on Small‐scale Transport and Moving STEM Development for Early IntroducGon to Physics Marine Animal Model for Decreasing Wound Healing Structural Studies of OpGneurin, the Disease Causing Thermal ConducGvity Enhancement of Phase Change DetecGon of Explosive Residues by Surface Enhanced Prenatal Research to Improve ReproducGve Health in New Rapid Sampling and PredicGve Measurement for Heliosphere in an Aeempt to Obtain subtle VariaGons Biochemical CharacterizaGon of PQBP‐1, A HunGngGn‐ Developing Novel Mosaic GeneraGon Algorithms using Next GeneraGon Nanomaterials for Medical and Space Processing and Structural CharacterizaGon of MagneGc Stability and AcGvity of Metal NanoparGcles on Carbon ProtecGon by Folates Against UV‐Induced DNA Damage ElucidaGon of Metabolic Networks of Mixed Culture for How Accurate are the Extremely Emall p‐values Used in New Indicators for TesGng the Health of Coastal Marine Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Aluminun Development and EvaluaGon of Nanostructured GelaGn Hemichordate RelaGonships and Insights into Ancestors IdenGficaGon and Treatability of Emerging Contaminants Non‐conGnuum Analysis of Phase Change within NEPCM EvaluaGon of Microbial Diversity and Enzyme AcGviGes in Flow SeperaGon Control Mechanisms Derived from Shark Ultra‐sensiGve Sensors for Explosive DetecGon by Surface Pytochemistry, Structures, and AcGviGes of Parasite Ecology, Physiology, and GeneGcs in Anchialine Organisms Microfluidic Synthesis and Rheological CharacterizaGon of Materials Using NanoparGcles for Thermal Energy Storage Physics Physics Physics Physics Chemistry Biotechnology GRSP Quick Reference Quick GRSP Research Field Animal Science Civil Engineering Biological Science Biological Science Biological Science Structural Biology Structural Biology Molecular Biology Computer Science Inorganic Chemistry Electrical Engineering Materials Engineering Environmental Science Basic Medical Sciences Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Materials Science, Physics Materials Science, Physics Biomedical/ Biotechnology Environmental Engineering Material Science Engineering Veterinary Biological Sciences Bio‐Nanocomposite Materials Cellular and Molecular Biology Cellular and Molecular Biology Air Quality and Land Use Change Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry Civil and Environmental Engineering Chemical and Biological Engineering Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Electrical and Computer Engineering Surfance Enhanced Raman Scaeering Surfance Enhanced Raman Scaeering Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Natural Resources, Environmental Studies MS MS MS MS MS PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD Degree grad MS grad MS grad MS grad MS grad MS grad MS grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad Ph.D. grad MS 2011, 2014 TU TU TU TU UA UA UA UA UA UA UA UA UA AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU USA USA USA USA UAB UAB UAB UAB UAB Inst. UAB UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH AAMU Yi Joel Erin Luai Basil Liwu Tarig Mae Ester Brian Brian Emily David JusGn Kenya Celina Hasan Sergio Bopha AAMU grad PhD Alireza Amicia Parimal Melissa Andrew Andrew Bianzhu Sandrea TU Bethany Chethan Fu Fan Fabi Allie Aldington TU Baah Bathi Jejal Reddy ChenChen Yanli (Joyce) Afroz Farhana Floyd Farah Ellioe Colon Tomeka AAMU Bapat Chhay Havird Bochis Fayock Frazier Tiffany AAMU grad MS Babaei Adams Gallian Caudle Talitha Hassan Cassidy Caitlin Hasoun Gordon Dodson Cannon Johanna Cantrell Harding Hannah TU Calzzani Fernando AAMU grad MS Acharya HasGngs Samantha Delmont Duressa Dechassa AAMU grad PhD Aluwalia Sudhir FreemanFreeman Jason Stephanie AAMU Andrews Balenger Susan Donovan Goodson Bangalore Sai Santosh Apalangya Vitus Last Name First Eppakayala Vijay Dumitrescu Cosmin Abunaemeh Malek AAMU Crean‐Harris Byrne‐Steele Miranda Hassenzadeh Haugabrooks Brundidge‐Young

81 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

DOE Grant

EPScoR Dist. 3 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 7 6 33 NSF RII USDA 1 NSF RII 33 NSF RII NSF RII 3 NSF RII 3 6 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 7 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 55 NSF RII NSF RII 5 55 NSF RII 3 NSF RII USDA 55 NSF NSF RII 3 NSF RII 3 NSF 37 NSF RII NSF RII 57 NSF RII 3 NSF RII NSF 5 NSF RII 3 3 NSF RII 37 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 5 NSF RII NSF RII 3 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 77 NSF RII NSF RII 7 DOE 73 NSF RII NSF RII 6 NSF RII 77 DOE 3 DOE USDA 7 NSF 7 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 6 6 2 3 6 1 1 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 3 4 1,2 3,4 3, 4 5, 6 1, 2 1, 2 4, 5 2, 4 Round Funding 2014 2008 2011 2012 20092008 1, 2, 4, 5 2012 2009 2007 20102009 1,2,4 2009 2008 2008 20092009 2008 1, 2, 4 2009 2010 1, 2, 4, 5 2009 2010 2011 Aug 2012 6 Aug 2012 6 Aug 2012 6 May 2011 3, 4, 5 Dec. 2011May 2008 4, 5, 6 May 2011 3 May 2011 6 4, 5, 6 May 2010 4, 5 May 2012 4, 5, 6 Dec. 2008 1,2 Dec. 2011 Dec. 2011 3, 4 Dec. 2010 1,2, 4, 5 May 2012 6 May 2012 6 Aug. 2011 4, 5, 6 Aug. 2008 1, 2 May 2010 3 May 2010 1, 2 May 2010 3,4, 5 May 2013 6 Dec. 2010 4, 5 Grad Date June 2011 Dec. 2010 2 Dec. 2010 May 2010 3, 4 3 August 2011 3 August 2010 3, 4, 5 December 2009 3, 4, 5 Lonchocarpus GeneGc Skin : Mechanisms and Significance HOPG Species Support Security Methods Materials Genomics IrradiaGon Transferase Edwardsiella ictuluri LaminaGons Body Panels ApplicaGons Environment Environments Cost Materials PEM Fuel Cells Research Topic PharmaceuGcals Railhead Repairs Nanocomposites. Organic Farm Soil Genomics Project Southeastern U.S. Genomic Research Variant in Glaucoma Extremity ProtecGon Interface Phenomena Cysteine Dioxygenase Bioethanol ProducGon Environmental Hazards Polymer Matrix Composite ReproducGon Using Mosaics Non‐Spherical Nanostructures Tissue RegeneraGon ApplicaGons. Enhanced Raman Scaeering (SERS) Nature's BiomeneralizaGon Processes CharacterisGcs of Urban Development Understanding EvoluGonary Processes Role of Hemolysin in Phage Resistance Toxoplasma gondi Morphological ProperGes of Epoxy‐based Cumberland Plateau of Southern Tennessee Apply Cu`ng Edge Molecular Technology to Nanopearls on the Thermal, Mechanical and IdenGficaGon of Associated with Chlamydophila spp. InfecGon To Manufacture and Characterize Response of Ways Computers Can Solve GeneGc QuesGons Study of the Dynamics of Cubic Polynomial via regeneraGng Siluiculture PracGces on the Mid‐ New Class of Less Flammable Hybrid Materials Nucleic Acid Aptamer ParGculate Drug Delivery Two Men and a Genome: A Small Lab Structural Terminal Se3p, a Subunit of Yeast Oligosaccharyl Improving ProducGvity of Grapevine Crops in the Fracture and FaGgue EvaluaGon in In‐situ Welded BioinformaGcs Resource Development for Canish SyntheGc Video GeneraGon and InteracGve Video FabricaGon of Nanopores using MeV Accelerators Governing Mechanisms Behind the Strengthening Herpetofawnal and Small Animal Reponse to Oak‐ Gas Phase Synthesis and Morphological Studies of Protein Study of Organisms that Thrive in Extreme CatalyGc Asymmetric HydroformylaGon of Styrene CharacterizaGon of Changes in ProperGes of Glassy Vaccine Mediated PrevenGon of Ruminant MasGGs New Portable Sensor Equipment to Detect Hazards New Portable Sensor Equipment to Detect Hazards Polymeric Carbon and Silicon Carbide following Ion Study the Effects of Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon OpGmizing Drug Targets and Improving Shelf Life of Structural and FuncGonal CharacterizaGon of the C‐ Biphasic Calcium Phosphate NanoparGcles for Bone Assembly of Bio‐Inspired Nanomaterials by UGlizing Nanocomposites and SGmulate and Understand the Researching Emerging Contaminates and Homeland AssociaGon of Host Organelles with the Intracellular with Emphasis on Small‐scale Transport and Moving Structural and KineGc CharacterizaGon of EukaryoGc Disruptor; AcGon of Bisphenol A (BPA) in Legdig Cells Structural Studies of OpGneurin, the Disease Causing RegulaGon of Androgen Biosynthesis by an Endocrine Comparing Microbial Diversity and Enzyme AcGvity in New Rapid Sampling and PredicGve Measurement for Developing Novel Mosaic GeneraGon Algorithms using Next GeneraGon Nanomaterials for Medical and Space DegradaGon Mechanism of Cathode Electrocatalysts in Stability and AcGvity of Metal NanoparGcles on Carbon Cell by the CombinaGon of Experimental and Modeling Tartaric Acid‐Derived Bis(phosphites) as Ligands for the ElucidaGon of Metabolic Networks of Mixed Culture for Cut and Puncture Studies of BallisGc Fabrics for Flexible How Accurate are the Extremely Emall p‐values Used in Development of Novel Solid‐State Semiconductor Laser Hemichordate RelaGonships and Insights into Ancestors PrevenGng AnGbodies in Wastewater from Entering Our Non‐conGnuum Analysis of Phase Change within NEPCM Determinants of Phage InfecGon with a PotenGally Novel Flow SeperaGon Control Mechanisms Derived from Shark Ultra‐sensiGve Sensors for Explosive DetecGon by Surface Pytochemistry, Structures, and AcGviGes of Development of Eco‐Friendly AlternaGves for AutomoGve Parasite Stability of PlaGnum NanoparGcle on HOPG/Boron Doped Microfluidic Synthesis and Rheological CharacterizaGon of Design, Manufacture and Test Micro‐direct Methanol Fuel Developing the Next GeneraGon of High Performance Low Physics Physics Physics Physics Chemistry Biochemistry Biochemistry Microbiology Microbiology Anthropology Biotechnology Research Field GRSP Quick Reference Quick GRSP Civil Engineering Energy, Fuel Cells Biological Science Biological Science Biological Science Computer Science Molecular Ecology Chemical Engineering Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Materials Science, Physics Materials Science, Physics Biomedical/ Biotechnology Environmental Engineering Electrochemical Engineering Material Science Engineering Veterinary Biological Sciences Veterinary Biological Sciences Computer Science/ MathemaGcs Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Bioengineering, Computer Science Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry Ion Beam, Nanolithography, Physics Engineering Science and Mechanics Civil and Environmental Engineering Chemical and Biological Engineering Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Electrical and Computer Engineering Surfance Enhanced Raman Scaeering Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics Bioengineering, Chemistry, Life Sciences Natural Resources, Environmental Studies MS MS MA PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD Degree grad MS grad MS grad MS grad MS grad MS grad MS grad MS grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD TU TU TU TU TU TU UA UA UA UA UA UA UA UA UA UA AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU USA USA UAB Inst. UAB UAB UAB UAB UAB UAB UAB UAB UAB UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH AAMU AAMU Yi Ke Joel Wei Erin Alan Ross Kaye Brian David Yahao GiHan Celina Hasan Bopha AAMU grad PhD Larissa Hunter Abilash Parimal Shantel Jianguo Andrew Sandrea TU Chethan Changsu Padma Priya Li Lu Lu Kini Deepak V. Kim Nair King Allie Aldington TU Jiang Baah Bathi Jejal Reddy ChenChen Yanli (Joyce) Afroz Farhana Kwon JonesJones Ivy Kystal Wanda Denise TU TU grad PhD Bapat Hyche Chhay Huang Chengdong Bochis Ptacek Babaei Adams Caudle Talitha Parsley Imsand Cassidy Caitlin Hughes Ronny Cannon Johanna Cantrell Hossain Mohammad Calzzani Fernando AAMU grad MS Michael Kimberly Acharya Johnson David Myoung NoSoung Ndeqwa Eunice Knowles Aluwalia Sudhir Mayo, Jr. Jessie Andrews Balenger Susan MarGnez Monhana Nanjappa Manju Bangalore Sai Santosh Owens, Jr. Samuel Sundaram Apalangya Vitus Last Name First Abunaemeh Malek AAMU Minamisawa Renato A. AAMU grad MS Byrne‐Steele Miranda Messersmith Mallory Nelson‐Williams Tiffany Brundidge‐Young

82 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program

DOE NASA Grant

EPScoR Dist. 5 * 3 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 7 6 33 NSF RII USDA 1 NSF RII 33 NSF RII NSF RII 3 NSF RII 3 6 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 7 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 55 NSF RII NSF RII 5 55 NSF RII 3 NSF RII USDA 55 NSF NSF RII 5 NSF RII 1 NSF RII 5 7 * 6 6 5 * 57 NSF RII NSF 73 * NSF RII 3 NSF RII 7 NSF RII 5 * 1 NSF 3 NSF RII 33 NSF RII NSF RII 71 NSF RII NSF RII 5 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 1 DOE 3 NSF RII 6 6 2 3 6 1 6 3 4 1 2 5,6 3, 4 5, 6 3, 4 4, 5 Round Funding 2012 2008 1,2,3 2014 2008 2011 2012 20092008 1, 2, 4, 5 2012 2013 2008 2012 2008 2010 3, 4, 5, 2011 2010 Dec 2013 6 Aug 2012 6 Aug 2012 6 Aug 2010 4, 5 Fall 2011 3, 4 May 2013 6 May 2011 3, 4, 5 Dec. 2011May 2008 4, 5, 6 May 2011 3 May 2011 6 4, 5, 6 May 2010 4, 5 May 2012 4, 5, 6 Dec. 2008 1,2 Dec. 2011 Dec. 2011 3, 4 Dec. 2010May 2011 5 6 May 2010 4,5 Dec. 2011 4 Dec. 2013 6 May 2012 6 May 2011May 2011 4, 5, 6 May 2010 6 2, 4, 5 5 Aug. 2010 3, 4, 5 Aug. 2011 4, 5, 6 Aug. 2008 1, 2 Aug. 2011 4, 5, 6 Aug. 2011 4, 5, 6 Grad Date June 2011 Dec. 2010 2 Dec. 2010 1, 2, 4 August 2011 3 Summer 2011 3, 4, 5, 6 December 2009 3, 4, 5 Lonchocarpus Mediated Enhanced Oil 2 Skin : Mechanisms and Significance Species Support Catalysts Polymers Materials Materials IrradiaGon Composites ApplicaGons Environments Research Topic Recovery (EOR) Railhead Repairs Biological Agents Nanocomposites. Genomic Research CollecGon Systems Variant in Glaucoma Interface Phenomena Bioethanol ProducGon Environmental Hazards EducaGon and Outreach Doped II‐VI NanoparGcles ReproducGon Using Mosaics Non‐Spherical Nanostructures Reduced ComputaGonal Times. RestricGon Endonuclease EcoRII Tissue RegeneraGon ApplicaGons. Enhanced Raman Scaeering (SERS) MulGlayered Composite Laminates Nature's BiomeneralizaGon Processes CharacterisGcs of Urban Development UV Lithography of Biological Substrate Understanding EvoluGonary Processes Canine to Increased Incidence of Cancer Toxoplasma gondi Nanomaterials of Optoelectronic Devices Morphological ProperGes of Epoxy‐based Cumberland Plateau of Southern Tennessee Apply Cu`ng Edge Molecular Technology to Nanopearls on the Thermal, Mechanical and OpGcs, PhotodegradaGon of SERS Substrates Associated with Chlamydophila spp. InfecGon Thermoformed Features in MulGple LocaGons Fracture Modeling of 8552/IM7 UnidirecGonal regeneraGng Siluiculture PracGces on the Mid‐ Brominated Resole Phenolic Copolymer Resins FabricaGon of Radio Frequency Memes Devices Effects of Nonstructural (NS) Proteins of Human Development of Structural Research on Type IIE Analysis of STEM Pipeline Development through Wood Flour Reinforced Rigid Polyurethane Foam Synthesis and CharacterizaGon of Semiconductor Fracture and FaGgue EvaluaGon in In‐situ Welded SyntheGc Video GeneraGon and InteracGve Video Silicate Nanocomposites and Polyamide Laminate for ReproducGve Performance in Small Mammals. Herpetofawnal and Small Animal Reponse to Oak‐ Gas Phase Synthesis and Morphological Studies of Protein Study of Organisms that Thrive in Extreme Durability Assessment of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Fracture Mechanics and OpGmizaGon for Dynamic Monitor the Impact of CO CharacterizaGon of Changes in ProperGes of Glassy Vaccine Mediated PrevenGon of Ruminant MasGGs Polymeric Carbon and Silicon Carbide following Ion Study the Effects of Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon ApplicaGons of Induced PhotodegradaGon of Some Nonreciprocal Magneto‐OpGcal Photonic Band Gap Biphasic Calcium Phosphate NanoparGcles for Bone High‐efficiency Solar Cells based on Nanostructured Synthesis and OpGcal ProperGes of TransiGon Metal Assembly of Bio‐Inspired Nanomaterials by UGlizing AssociaGon of Host Organelles with the Intracellular with Emphasis on Small‐scale Transport and Moving Molecules to Formulate Products under Significantly CreaGng ThermoplasGc Composite Parts with Locally Structural Studies of OpGneurin, the Disease Causing A Coupled Molecular Dynamics (MD) and ConGnuum and Small Molecules and as Alkene HydroformylaGon Molecular Pathways in Dogs and Cats that Expose the New Rapid Sampling and PredicGve Measurement for Silicon Membrane Technology for Engineering Biology UGlize Systems Engineering to ComputaGonally Design Developing Novel Mosaic GeneraGon Algorithms using Next GeneraGon Nanomaterials for Medical and Space Growth and CharacterizaGon of Photovoltaic Materials First‐Principle InvesGgaGons of TransiGon Metal Oxides Stability and AcGvity of Metal NanoparGcles on Carbon Developing Estrogen Inhibitor to Prevent Breast Cancer Composite Sheets Based on Resole Phenolic Resins and ElucidaGon of Metabolic Networks of Mixed Culture for How Accurate are the Extremely Emall p‐values Used in Metallacrown Complexes for Binding of CaGons, Anions Respiratory SyncyGal Virus on Host Inferferon Response Nanoclay‐Epoxy Componsites Exposed for UV RadiaGon Engineering Tool Development for Resilient Stormwater Hemichordate RelaGonships and Insights into Ancestors Calcium Availability and Bone ResorpGons: ImplicaGons Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Chemical and Mechanics (MPM) model for PredicGng the Macroscopic Polymer Composites/FabricaGon and CharacterizaGon of Non‐conGnuum Analysis of Phase Change within NEPCM ProperGes of Nano‐fibril Reinforced Polymer Composites Flow SeperaGon Control Mechanisms Derived from Shark Ultra‐sensiGve Sensors for Explosive DetecGon by Surface Pytochemistry, Structures, and AcGviGes of Parasite Microfluidic Synthesis and Rheological CharacterizaGon of Physics Physics Physics Physics Biotechnology OpGcs/Physics Research Field GRSP Quick Reference Quick GRSP Civil Engineering Civil Engineering OpGcs and Lasers Materials Science Material Sciences Biological Science Biological Science Biological Science Structural Biology Computer Science Inorganic Chemistry Veterinary Medicine UV Nanolithography EducaGonal Research Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering Chemical Engineering Basic Medical Sciences Basic Medical Sciences Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Materials Science, Physics Materials Science, Physics Biomedical/ Biotechnology Material Science Engineering Veterinary Biological Sciences OpGcal Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry Civil and Environmental Engineering Chemical and Biological Engineering Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Electrical and Computer Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering Surfance Enhanced Raman Scaeering Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Natural Resources, Environmental Studies MS MS MS MS MS MS PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD 2013 Ph.D. Degree grad MS grad MS grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad MS 2008, PhD TU TU TU TU UA UA UA UA UA UA UA UA UA UA AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU USA USA USA USA USA UAB UAB UAB UAB Inst. UAB UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH AAMU Li Yi Po Joel Ines Reza John Gang Brian Sonal David JusGn Celina Hasan Bopha AAMU grad PhD Sandra AAMU Hunter Parimal Andrew Sandrea TU Chethan ChrisGna Maninder Rezwahur Qiu Sun Allie Aldington TU Sims Shen Raju Dheeraj Baah Sheff Bathi Jejal Reddy ChenChen Yanli (Joyce) Afroz Farhana Singh Sadat Smith Bapat Chhay Skarra Danalea Sileshi Redahagn AAMU Bochis Rangel Humberto Babaei Adams Caudle Talitha Sandey Cassidy Caitlin Tantawi Khalid Swedan Samer Cannon Johanna Roberts Kathleen Ann AAMU Shaik**Shaik** Shoieb Shoieb Cantrell Booher) Calzzani Fernando AAMU grad MS Acharya Schmidt Rahman Aluwalia Sudhir Solvason Charles Andrews Balenger Susan Strawder Gregory TU Sampayo Robinson Paul AAMU (formerly Bangalore Sai Santosh Sarvestani Apalangya Vitus Last Name First Taguenang Jean Michel AAMU grad PhD Abunaemeh Malek AAMU Byrne‐Steele Miranda Rogers‐Moore Mary Ellen TU grad PhD Tcherbi‐Narteh Alfred Brundidge‐Young

83 GRSP Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR

DOE Grant

EPScoR Dist. 3 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 33 NSF RII 3 USDA 6 NSF RII 5 NSF RII 7 6 33 NSF RII USDA 1 NSF RII 33 NSF RII NSF RII 3 NSF RII 3 6 NSF RII 6 NSF RII 7 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 55 NSF RII NSF RII 5 55 NSF RII 3 NSF RII USDA 55 NSF NSF RII 5 65 * NSF RII 76 NSF RII NSF RII 5 NSF RII 6 USDA 3 NSF RII 7 NSF RII 27 NSF RII DOE 7 NSF RII 3 NSF RII 65 NSF RII NSF RII 5 3 NSF 4 1 4 2 6 6 2 3 6 1 3 4 1 3, 4 2, 6 3, 4 5, 6 1, 2 4, 5 Round service) Funding 3 (military 2011 2010 2009 2010 2011 2011 1, 2, 4 2009 2009 2011 2008 2014 2008 2011 2012 20092008 1, 2, 4, 5 2012 2009 3, 4, 5 Aug 2012 6 May 2012 6 May 2012 6 Dec. 2010 3, 4 Dec. 2011 5, 6 Dec. 2013 6 May 2011 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 Dec. 2011 6 Dec. 2010 4 May 2011 3, 4, 5 Dec. 2011May 2008 4, 5, 6 May 2011 3 May 2011 6 4, 5, 6 May 2010 4, 5 May 2012 4, 5, 6 Dec. 2008 1,2 Dec. 2011 Dec. 2011 3, 4 Aug. 2011 4, 5, 6 Aug. 2008 1, 2 Grad Date June 2011 Dec. 2010 1, 2, 4, 5 Dec. 2010 2 August 2011 3 December 2009 3, 4, 5 Lonchocarpus Clostridium ATCC™ 6013 Skin : Mechanisms and Significance Flows Device Species Support Fuel Cell IrradiaGon CondiGons Complexes ApplicaGons Environments Research Topic Railhead Repairs Nanocomposites. Genomic Research Variant in Glaucoma Nanotube ProperGes Interface Phenomena Bioethanol ProducGon Environmental Hazards Hydrocarbons Monitoring Drug Delivery ApplicaGons Pasteurianum Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks NeurodengeraGve Diseases ReproducGon Using Mosaics Non‐Spherical Nanostructures Assembly of Molecular Motors Tissue RegeneraGon ApplicaGons. Enhanced Raman Scaeering (SERS) Pandemic Anemone Genus Aiptasia Nature's BiomeneralizaGon Processes CharacterisGcs of Urban Development Understanding EvoluGonary Processes Phage Display and Pathogen DetecGon Toxoplasma gondi Morphological ProperGes of Epoxy‐based Alkanesulfonate Monooxygenase Enzyme Cumberland Plateau of Southern Tennessee Development of Portable "OpGcal Nose" for Apply Cu`ng Edge Molecular Technology to Nanopearls on the Thermal, Mechanical and Crude Glycerol into Butanol using Associated with Chlamydophila spp. InfecGon Durability and Life PredicGon of E‐Glass/Epoxy regeneraGng Siluiculture PracGces on the Mid‐ Developing a Beeer Understanding of Industrial Fracture and FaGgue EvaluaGon in In‐situ Welded SyntheGc Video GeneraGon and InteracGve Video Composites Subjected to Different Environmental Herpetofawnal and Small Animal Reponse to Oak‐ Nonlinear OpGcal, Photophysical, and Florescense Gas Phase Synthesis and Morphological Studies of Protein Study of Organisms that Thrive in Extreme ProperGes of a New Class of Oligothiophene Basec CharacterizaGon of Changes in ProperGes of Glassy New Portable Sensor Equipment to Detect Hazards Vaccine Mediated PrevenGon of Ruminant MasGGs Polymeric Carbon and Silicon Carbide following Ion Study the Effects of Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Biphasic Calcium Phosphate NanoparGcles for Bone Assembly of Bio‐Inspired Nanomaterials by UGlizing Phylogeography and Symbiont Polymorphism in the Characterizing the Structures of Proteins Involved in AssociaGon of Host Organelles with the Intracellular with Emphasis on Small‐scale Transport and Moving TheoreGcal and Experimental CharacterizaGon of the TesGng of a Newly Developed Stormwater Treatment Structural Studies of OpGneurin, the Disease Causing New Rapid Sampling and PredicGve Measurement for Study of Anaerobic FermentaGon of Biodiesel Derived Minimimizing Methanol Crossover in Direct Methanol Developing Novel Mosaic GeneraGon Algorithms using Next GeneraGon Nanomaterials for Medical and Space ReconstrucGng EvoluGonary History of Marine Animals Stability and AcGvity of Metal NanoparGcles on Carbon ElucidaGon of Metabolic Networks of Mixed Culture for How Accurate are the Extremely Emall p‐values Used in on OpGcal Fiber Tip for Chemical and Biological Sensing Hemichordate RelaGonships and Insights into Ancestors Microbiological CharacterizaGon of Urban Wet‐Weather Non‐conGnuum Analysis of Phase Change within NEPCM Synthesis CharacterizaGon of MagneGc NanoparGcles for The Role of Receptor‐like Kinasis (RLKs) in the PercepGon ElucidaGon of the Structural and FuncGonal ProperGes of Flow SeperaGon Control Mechanisms Derived from Shark Ultra‐sensiGve Sensors for Explosive DetecGon by Surface Pytochemistry, Structures, and AcGviGes of and Signaling Pathways Mediated by Fungal Elicitor ChiGn Parasite CommunicaGon and InformaGon PropagaGon Protocol for Microfluidic Synthesis and Rheological CharacterizaGon of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance of Nanoscale Arrays Physics Physics Physics GRSP Quick Reference Quick GRSP Chemistry Biochemistry Food Science Laser Physics Biotechnology Research Field Civil Engineering Energy, Fuel Cells Biological Science Biological Science Biological Science Biological Science Biological Science Structural Biology Computer Science Computer Science Mechanical Engineering Materials Science, Physics Materials Science, Physics Biomedical/ Biotechnology Material Science Engineering Veterinary Biological Sciences OpGcal Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry Civil and Environmental Engineering Chemical and Biological Engineering Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Electrical and Computer Engineering Environmental and Civil Engineering Environmental and Civil Engineering Surfance Enhanced Raman Scaeering Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics Bio‐Nanotechnology, Materials Science Biotechnology Science and Engineering Natural Resources, Environmental Studies MS MS PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD PhD Degree grad MS MS PhD grad MS grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD grad PhD Grad PhD TU TU grad PhD TU grad PhD TU TU UA UA UA UA UA UA UA UA AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU AU USA USA USA UAB UAB UAB UAB UAB Inst. UAB UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH UAH AAMU Yi Yu Xin K.P. Yuri Min Joel Qing Yang Brian David Yuanli Celina Hasan Bopha AAMU grad PhD Yong K. Parimal Noboru Andrew Huizhen Sandrea TU Chethan Chuanling Xu Zou Zhu Allie Aldington TU Yang Yang Baah Bathi Jejal Reddy ChenChen Yanli (Joyce) Afroz Farhana Xiang Xiong Jingyuan Wong Bapat Zhang Zhong Chhay Bochis Babaei WilsonWilson Bradford Randall Adams Caudle Talitha Togawa Cassidy Caitlin Cannon Johanna Terkhov Cantrell Watkins Renita AAMU Calzzani Fernando AAMU grad MS Acharya Williams Jonathan Aluwalia Sudhir Andrews Balenger Susan Veronese Phillip Keith Theodore Merlin Torgerson Sarah Zainuddin Shaik Bangalore Sai Santosh Apalangya Vitus Last Name First Abunaemeh Malek AAMU Byrne‐Steele Miranda Wright‐Bolden Nydeia Venkataramanan Brundidge‐Young *InformaGon not available at Gme of prinGng ** GRSP Recipient at two inst

84 GRSP Alabama EPSCoR Graduate Research Scholars Program Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee

Dr. Richard B. Marchase, Chair Dr. Daniel Wims Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs Vice President for Research and Economic Development Alabama A&M University University of Alabama at Birmingham P.O. Box 287 1530 3rd Ave. South, AB 720-E Patton Hall, Room 108 Birmingham, AL 35294-0107 4900 Meridian Street 205-934-1294 Normal, AL 35762 [email protected] 256- 372-5275 [email protected] Dr. Elizabeth French, Vice-Chair Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee Dr. John Mason Director Associate Provost, Vice President for Research Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning Auburn University Alabama Commission on Higher Education 202 Samford Hall P.O. Box 302000 Auburn, AL 36849-5112 Montgomery, AL 36130-2000 334-844-4784 334-242-2179 [email protected] [email protected] Dr. Joe Benson Dr. Shaik Jeelani Vice President for Research Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs The University of Alabama Tuskegee University Office for Research 101 Chappie James Center Box 870117 Tuskegee, AL 36088 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0117 334-727-8970 205-348-4566 [email protected] [email protected]

Dr. John M. Horack Dr. Russ Lea Vice President of Research Vice President for Research University of Alabama in Huntsville University of South Alabama VBRH M-17 307 N. University Boulevard, AD 200 301 Sparkman Drive Mobile, AL 36688-0002 Huntsville, AL 35899 251-460-6333 256-824-6100 [email protected] [email protected] For more information about Alabama EPSCoR, contact: Dr. Chris Lawson Alabama EPSCoR Executive Director University of Alabama at Birmingham Campbell Hall, CH 421C 1530 3rd Avenue South Alabama Birmingham, AL 35294-1170 205-975-5059 EPSCoR [email protected]

85 GRSPGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Alabama EPSCoR University of Alabama at Birmingham Campbell Hall, CH 421C 1530 3rd Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35294