BME Â鶹ÒùÔº Gain Research Experience through DLA Program
This academic year, numerous Biomedical Engineering (BME)ÌýundergraduatesÌýparticipated in theÌýDiscovery Learning Apprenticeship (DLA) ProgramÌýconducting researchÌýin campus labs. Â鶹ÒùÔº, their projects and sponsoring labsÌýfollow.ÌýÌýAt the conclusion of the program this spring, studentsÌýwillÌýshareÌýtheir findingsÌýduring the DLA research symposium in April.
Two BME students are conducting research in the Mechanical Engineering lab of Wei Tan, BME faculty member. Kevin Leidig is working on Thin Coating for Metallic Vascular Stints while Meredith Overton is developing Design and Fabrication of Novel Vascular Grafts. Shreeya Roy and Mahi Kathait are working under Distinguished BME faculty member Rob Davis (Chemical & Biological Engineering) on Droplet Motion in Microschannels and Collsions of Liquid Coated Particles respectively. Under the mentorship of Alaa Ahmed, BME faculty, Matteo Coscia is wokring in Effort Landscapes in Motor Learning. Zoe Danilchick is working in Understanding Lithium-Ion Solid-State Batteries and Energy Justice Concepts under Michael Toney's Chemical & Biological Engineering lab. Karisma Win Ka Leung is working under (MCEN) in Design & Engineering for Social Impact: Industry and Educational Trends. Ariana Morales Garcia is working on Biodegradable Polymers based on Glucose and Plant-based Materials under BME faculty (MCEN,ATLAS). Meenakshi Skandarajan is working under Carson Bruns and Joshua Coffie (ATLAS) on Long-term Nti-photocarcinogenic Efficacy of Invisible Intradermal Ink in Murine. Mackenzie Weber is working under BME faculty, Torin Clark (AERO) in Transitions in Availabilty of Visual Cues on Human Spatial Orientation Perception. Julia Keefe is working under BME faculty (CHEN) on Modeling TREM2 dynamics with OPA using long timescale molecular dynamics. Alena Tucker is working under (MCEN) in ÌýBenchtop in vitro characterization of cerebral blood flow patterns.
CU DLAÌýis open to all students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science and pairs undergraduate researchers with graduate student and faculty mentors on a variety of topics.ÌýÌýCU DLAÌýis just one of theÌýresearch programsÌýavailable to students in the College, other programs include the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) andÌýFUTUREÌý(Fundamentals of Undergraduate Research Program).Ìý Participating in research provides hands-on learning and hasÌýbeen found toÌýimprove analytical, critical thinking and communication skills. Â鶹ÒùÔºÌýbenefit from the mentoring and networking opportunities from joining a research team.Ìý And conducting research may inform students'Ìýlong-term academic/career decisions. Ìý
These research programs are directed by Sharon Anderson. Ìý"Â鶹ÒùÔº who have taken part in these undergraduate research programs tell us that they feel the experience was extremely valuable. It is often mentioned that when they are applying for internships and/or full-time positions that the conversation around their research experience often dominates the conversation. Even if they are not applying for a position that has anything do with the research that they did," said Anderson. "Employers are interested in students who have experiences like these as they demonstrate that they have worked on teams, have communication and problem solving skills in their repertoire."
Application cycles for both the SPUR (Summer Program for Undergraduate Research)Ìýand DLA research programs are occuring this spring.Ìý The SPUR deadline isÌýMarch 10.ÌýThe DLA deadline isÌýTBA.Ìý
BME students share their experiences in DLA
Zoe Danilchick -
I am involved with the DLA program, working in the Toney Group, investigating sodium-ion solid state batteries and the formation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI), which is an irreversible process that forms a passivation layer on the electrode. For my DLA project, I construct and cycle cone cell batteries with sodium and silicon as the electrode materials. I analyze the resulting electrochemistry data to examine when the SEI forms and how it affects sodium-ion battery cycling performance. Ìý
The DLA program has been an incredible way to introduce undergraduate students, such as myself, to getting involved with research here at CU. My experience with DLA has allowed me to get involved in research in areas, such as electrochemistry, that I would not otherwise encounter in my coursework. It has been incredible to be involved with the Toney Group and learn about sodium ion batteries and other technologies.Ìý
Kevin Leidig -
In the Tan Lab, I am working to develop a reliable method to dissolve a metallic stent out of a tissue sample. This will allow us to take cross-sectional thin slices from explanted tissue samples that can be analyzed through histology to measure the success of the stent coatings.Ìý
The DLA program has helped me develop my technical skills through lab work which complements the theory I am learning in the classroom. I’d like to thank the program for helping fund my research and supporting us undergraduate researchers through the DLA student seminars.
Alena Tucker Ìý-
My research project involves an in vitro model of the Circle of Willis that includes a 3D-printed planar phantom model of the Circle connected to a series of tubing that together represent the complex vessel network that supplies blood to the brain. With this setup we aim to investigate blood rerouting and drug delivery processes that occur in the event of a stroke. Ìý
This research has been an incredible learning experience for me so far, and I'm excited to present my research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research this semester. Ìý
The DLA program has been a great opportunity to surround myself with fellow undergraduate researchers and get the most out of my research experience.  Ìý
Shreeya Roy -
Our lab researches droplet motion in microchannels, exploring how factors like size and viscosity affect their movement. This work contributes to potential advancements in drug delivery and lab-on-chip technology through data analysis, imaging, and computational modeling.Ìý
Mahi Kathait Ìý-
My current research work in the Davis Group involves experimentally investigating collisions of liquid-coated particles. The DLA program has been a great introduction to undergraduate research and what that is like at CU. The subject of research is a lot less daunting after having the structured guidance provided by DLA.Ìý
Meredith Overton -
My research focuses on preparing a vascular graft with a novel bilayer structure, where each layer has specific material properties to achieve a mechanical or biological response seen in the layers of native blood vessels. Ìý
Professionally, the research has helped me become more confident in my engineering abilities as I work independently on the project, while also reinforcing my collaborative skills as I work with the research team.Ìý
DLA creates a fantastic structure for introducing undergraduates to research, and for me, it was incredibly helpful in finding a project to work on. DLA helps bridge the intimidating gap between the mentors and the undergraduates.Ìý
Matteo Coscia -
I am working in Dr. Alaa Ahmed's lab where I am training an AI agent to control an arm to reach toward a target, with implications in rehabilitation of patients affected by injuries or neuromuscular disorders
Julia Keefe Ìý -
My project focus is on triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), a macrophage surface receptor that is a target for inhibiting immunosuppression in cancerous tumors. To study this, I am leveraging physics-based models, including molecular dynamics simulations and static protein-protein docking, to investigate the effects of cancer associated variants on the dynamics and structure of TREM2 along with endogenous direct ligands upregulated in cancer, Apolipoprotein E and Cyclophillin A. Ìý
My research experience has provided me with the skills needed to become a successful scientist moving forward. In addition to the hard research skills, my experiences working in the Sprenger lab for the last year and a half have taught me the processes that being a graduate student involves from grant applications and conferences to papers and presentations. Ìý
The DLA program has given me the opportunity to dive into my love of research. It has provided me with a supportive learning environment to develop and harness my research skills alongside mentors providing advice and support. While deepening my skills in planning and executing a personal research project, it has also given me the ability to improve my technical writing and presentation abilities. This program has shown me what entering a career in science is truly all about while providing me with the skills, experience, and mentors I need to succeed in the STEM field post-graduation. Ìý
Mackenzie Weber Ìý-
My research focuses on the difference in spatial orientation perception between motions that are passively experienced versus actively controlled.Ìý
In January, I attended the NASA Human Research Project Investigators Workshop in Galveston, TX, and presented research findings from another project I have been involved in during my time in DLA (A picture from this conference is attached, as well as one of me if you'd rather use that one)Ìý
ÌýAs for DLA as a whole, being in the program has helped me define my academic and professional goals more than any other single experience ever has.Ìý
