The excitement of science is in exploring the wonders of God’s
creation and putting that knowledge to work! So studying science
is more than learning the “facts” as we know them
today. The faculty at Indiana Wesleyan University believe that
original creative undergraduate research is also essential.
For this reason all Chemistry majors and the majority of Biology
majors are required to do at least one semester of research.
Many students find that they enjoy the process of discovery
so much that they work in the labs during breaks and over the
summer.
Why undergraduate
research?
1.
Change the world - no discipline
has the potential to change the world like science. Explore
areas that might turn into careers.
2.
Academic Excellence - It is one thing
to read about a topic in a textbook; it is a whole different
experience to make it happen on demand in the lab.
3.
Graduate schools love it - Research
experience on your resume makes it easier to get into
graduate schools.
4.
Excitement - It is exhilerating to
carefully plan an experiment and then watch it evolve,
bringing with it new and useful information.
Current Student Research Projects
Dr. Burton Webb
Immunology & Biochemistry
>
Development of Beta-lactamase vaccine.
>
Study of in vitro immune response in the
context of Astragalus, Spirulina, and MGN3.
>
Eucuryotic gene transfection and gene
delivery.
>
Determine immune function in breast cancer
patients.
Dr. John Lakanen
Organic Chemistry
>
Design and synthesis of new antimalarial
drugs based upon fosmidomycin.
Dr. Mike Goff
Biology
>
Investigate hyberbaric effects on development
of aquatic midges (Diptera: Chironomidae).
>
Study color perception and responses of
aquatic midges (Diptera: Chironomidae).
Dr. Dennis Brinkman
Analytical Chemistry
>
Investigate plastics analysis using TGA
and DSC.
>
Perform critical evaluation of methods for
analysis of metals of environmental importance.
>
Preparation of a comprehensive analytical
laboratory manual for use at the undergraduate level.
Dr. Matthew Kreitzer
Neurobiology
>
Visual processing in retina
>
GABA transport in retinal horizontal cells.
Dr. Dan Jones
Molecular Biochemistry
>
Study of programmed cell death in bone cells
as it relates to osteoporosis.
>
Characterization of bone cell nuclear matrix
using recombinant DNA
techniques.
>
Genetic typing of organisms using modern
DNA technologies.
Dr. Stephen Conrad
Animal Biology
>
Effects of Indiana bridges on fish populations.
>
Ecological studies, including population
studies of state-endangered swamp rabbits in southern
Indiana, and rut behavior in whitetail deer.
>
Effects of stream order on native fish distribution.
