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STEM Research Projects

 

Science, Engineering, and Mathematics provide the educational backbone that enables students to explore new technologies that can benefit society. STEM is inherently interdisciplinary and at Grove City College our students explore problems that lie at the intersection of science and engineering. Please see below for a summary of just some of the exciting student-led projects happening at Grove City College.

– Dean Richard Savage, Grove City College

 Check out some of our recent projects!

Biology
  • Kidney Development. Dr. Antoszewski’s students take advantage of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) to study the genetic control of kidney development. More specifically, they are interested in identifying novel genes that regulate the number of kidney progenitor cells (earliest cells in the embryo that will be become the kidney).
  • Plant Growth Chambers. Dr. Dudt has an interdisciplinary team of students from Computer Science, Biology, and Electrical Engineering developing a mobile plant growth chamber capable of controlling light-levels, water, humidity, and temperature remotely.
  • Honeybee Health. Dr. Farone’s GCC Bee Project involves an apicultural training and research program that enables students to maintain our Penn State University (PSU) Master Gardener Certified, Pollinator Friendly Garden, Greenhouse, and Apiary. The GCC Apiary houses approximately 10 honeybee colonies which support student research focused on improving honeybee health and community education. The Project also produces about 400 lbs. of honey a year, which is donated to the community. Learn more at www.gccbeeproject.com.
  • Ant Behavioral Studies. Dr. Jenkins’ research team studies the raiding behavior of two species of “slave-making” ants: Formica sub-integra and Formica pergandei. During such raids, ants from colonies of these parasitic species locate, attack, and plunder colonies of host ants up to 80 meters away. The team is trying to understand the host colony’s discovery process, response behaviors, parasite colony decision mechanisms, and the communication signals that coordinate long-distance forays involving thousands of individual ants. The Ant team is also working with Dr. Wolinski (Physics) to image the fine anatomical structures of multiple Formica ant species using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) on campus.
  • Human Pathogens. Dr. Stauff’s students focus on deciphering ways that disease-causing bacteria sense and respond to their environment using systems known as two-component systems (TCS). They use the tools of genetics combined with chemistry to figure out how these organisms respond to their environment which may lead to the development of drugs that interfere with the strategies that bacteria use to cause disease. They collaborate with faculty at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Harvard Medical School to study Bacillus anthracis which is a spore-forming bacterium that causes devastating infections and has been used as a bioterror agent (anthrax).
  • Detecting Endangered Species. Dr. Wood’s students are detecting cryptic or endangered species using eDNA. They are trying to detect populations of the eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida), an endangered species in Pennsylvania. Dr. Wood’s teams are also examining the behavior of the great blue herons (Ardea herodias) in high and low-use recreational areas as well as quantifying the overall microhabitat use of the species.
  • Anti-Cancer Compounds. Dr. Yowler and his research team are evaluating the anti-cancer properties of various organic compounds by determining their toxicity on human cancer (HeLa) cells. Interestingly, these compounds are being synthesized by Dr. Charles Kriley and his students in the Chemistry Department.
  • Bioinformatics. Dr. Yowler is also involved in a large collaborative project with the Genomics Education Partnership. Students are working to annotate various Drosophila (fruit fly) genes to explore the evolution of the insulin-signaling pathway.
  • Microbiome. Dr. Pazehoski’s students are using a colon cell culture model to investigate the influence that various bacteria within the gut microbiome have on diseases like Ulcerative Colitis and Chron’s disease.  

MORE BIOLOGY RESEARCH

Chemistry
  • Anti-Cancer Drugs. Dr. Kriley’s students are investigating the synthesis of transition metal compounds for anti-cancer drugs. Starting with compounds that are already known to have anti-cancer activity, like resveratrol and quercetin. In collaboration with the biology department, the compounds are tested on breast cancer cells from a cell line patented by two former faculty members.
  • Atmospheric Chemistry. Dr. Falcetta and Dr. Fair work with students to utilize quantum chemistry and computational methods to characterize temporary anions.  This work is relevant to the study of atmospheric chemistry of the earth as well as atmospheres of other planets.
  • Computational Modeling of Protein Systems. Dr. Fair’s and Dr. Falcetta’s students use molecular dynamics simulations to understand the interaction of small biomolecules with proteins, with the possible application of developing methods to fight bacterial infection.
  • BPA in Dental Sealants. Dr. Wong’s students are investigating bisphenol A (BPA) leakage from dental sealants when using mouth wash via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. More than 90% of the US population have detectable levels in their urine. BPA is utilized in polycarbonates throughout the food and medical industries, e.g., dental sealants and cement. Exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible health effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children.
  • Lithium-ion Batteries. Dr. Wong’s research group is investigating gaseous products released by lithium-ion batteries during charging via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
  • SARS-CoV-2 Testing. Dr. Shaw is utilizing computational modeling and PCR testing to screen for small molecules that inhibit enzymes for drug development.
  • Fracking. Dr. Kriley is exploring the impact of fracking on groundwater. The water is tested for various ionic and organic species using an ion chromatograph and gas chromatograph with a headspace analyzer.

MORE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH

Computer Science
  • Apps for iPhone & Android. Senior project teams in Computer Science are developing a range of apps for mobile devices:
    • Gex is a cross-platform desktop app that allows engineers at Gecko Robotics to create synthetic data to help automate internal testing. The user can create a virtual surface with various features and run virtual sensors over the surface to gather synthetic data.
    • YADA (Yet Another Data Aggregator) is an open-source data aggregation system designed for use with HVAC systems. Utilizing inexpensive hardware sensors and an intuitive web front-end, technicians and researchers can employ custom python scripts to calculate data values and detect HVAC unit faults in real time.
    • GameScore is a mobile web app that makes it easier to score complex board games. Players can use premade, game-specific templates to generate digital scorecards for the entire table. By listing the scoring conditions, validating user input, and tallying the results, GameScore facilitates a faster and more accurate scoring process. Players can also invite the other players to help score the game in real-time on their phones.
    • HydroPot is an iPhone application and smart plant pot that allows users to easily monitor and water their plants from anywhere. HydroPot users can track the soil moisture, temperature, and sunlight level of their plant. They can automatically water the plant when dry. Users receive notifications when the pot detects a problem with the plant, such as being too cold or overwatered.
    • VoteNote is an iPhone application that allows users to collaborate in creating a music playlist for parties, restaurants, or other events. Everyone can add their own songs and vote on their favorites. Popular songs move to the front of the line, so they play earlier.  Hosts can choose which genres are allowed in the room, veto songs, and ban users as needed.
    • Child Connect is a web application that helps daycare staff easily track information about their students and forecast future classroom availability. Teachers can access information about their students, such as a profile picture, allergies, adults authorized to pick them up, and emergency notes. Administrators can manage classroom information and enroll new students based on classroom availability.
    • Course Pilot is a web application designed to help new and returning students navigate their semester schedules. Users can create, change, compare, and auto-generate class schedules. Additionally, users can edit an interactive Degree Report that tracks degree progress, so a student can plan for future courses.
    • QwikHR is a Human Resources (HR) web application that allows a manager to see all applicants, hire applicants for a position, and message the applicants. The manager has a home screen where they can see all the jobs that they have been posted as well as creating a new job. The manager can see all the applicants who have recently applied and be able to message them to set up an interview time. Applicants can see all the active jobs that the manager has created. They can easily apply without a login and will receive a confirmation email upon submitting their application.
  • AI in Computer Games. Dr. Dellinger’s students are developing algorithms for waypoint generation in computer games. Video game characters must be able to travel from point A to point B. This can be accomplished by grid maps, mesh navigation, or waypoints algorithms.
  • Computer Vision Algorithms. Dr. Wolfe’s research group are working on computer vision algorithms for identifying and tracking ants in their natural habitats. The project is a collaboration between biology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.

MORE COMPUTER SCIENCE RESEARCH

Engineering
  • Fish Hydrodynamics. Dr. Anderson’s students study remora fish (suckerfish) hydrodynamics. The project is a comparative study of resonance in swimming over various fish species and body lengths.  Fish swim in a large water treadmill, or “flume”; their body curvature and the three-dimensional position of their tail tip and snout are determined in real-time.  Real-time means each tail position is accomplished in less than 1/50th of a second which is a breakthrough in this field of study.  The work has application to novel propulsion systems, marine vehicles, and fish biology.
  • Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle. Dr. Rumbaugh’s students are designing a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) to take data for fisheries research in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
  • ElectroHydroDynamic Drying (EHD). Dr. Bardy and Dr. Bright work with students to exploring EHD, which is a common step in food preparation to reduce moisture content of food samples. EHD reduces the energy required to do this by subjecting the sample to a high voltage electrostatic field which enhances the drying effect.
  • Autonomous Delivery Robot. Dr Brooks and Dr. Mohr are leading a team of students to design an autonomous delivery robot that can travel across campus. They have developed a prototype consisting of a bluetooth-controllable mechanical chassis, a Velodyne LIDAR sensing system with basic proximity checking capabilities, a GPS-RTK system for navigation, a Robot Operating System (ROS) software architecture, and the shell of a basic web-based user interface.
  • Happy Feet. Dr. Richards (ME) and Dr. Buxton (EXER) have a team of students investigating the acoustic signature of foot strikes during various walking and running activities. The sound signature is correlated to kinematic and kinetic parameters such as average and peak pressure/force, center of pressure/force velocity, and contact time. Sound signatures are analyzed through various software platforms and machine learning algorithms (Dr. Hutchins, Computer Science). Plans are to capture additional data using a SmartSuit (Rokoko) and analyzed using a biomechanics software package to correlate acoustic signals and kinematic/kinetic phenomena during walking and running.

MORE ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING RESEARCH

MORE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH

Exercise Science
  • Quadrupedal Movement Training. Dr. Buxton is studying Quadrupedal Movement Training (QMT), a novel form of exercise in which the hands and feet are in contact with ground while the performer moves across the ground using various dynamic transitions and postures. His team has identified several benefits of this type of training (including increased flexibility, movement control, and muscular endurance). Future studies include identifying peak muscular force and joint torque outputs by employing a SmartSuit fitted with inertial motion sensors to perform motion capture of the various QMT movements.
  • External Ketone Supplements. Dr. Prins and Dr. Buxton are investigating the impact of exogenous ketone supplements (Salts & Esters) on an athlete’s health and performance. Ketone supplementation results in acute buffering of the rise in CO2 during exercise performed in simulated altitude. Their research seeks to further investigate the mechanisms by which ketone supplements influence one’s physiology while at rest and examine their chronic effects on markers of health and performance.
  • Low carbohydrate, high fat (LCHF) Diets. Dr. Prins’s research group is evaluating the safety and efficacy of LCHF diets in athletic populations. Results from this research challenges whether higher carbohydrate intake is superior for athletic performance, even during shorter-duration, higher-intensity exercise. Lower carbohydrate intake may be a therapeutic strategy to improve blood glucose control particularly in those with or at risk for diabetes.
  • Nutrition for Health & Performance. Dr. Prins, Buxton, Ault, and Gerhart collaborate on projects seeking to investigate (1) Multisystem response to exercise with and without ergogenic aids across parameters of health and human performance, (2) Practical impact of lifestyle on metabolism and how metabolism impacts health, disease, and performance outcomes, and (3) Implementation of nutritional ketosis and metabolic health modulators across populations.
  • Strength & Conditioning for Athletes. Dr. Gerhart’s students are conducting research projects with athlete populations to investigate performance and physiological variables. They are investigating the effects of resistance training on endurance athletes, along with competitive performance in cyclists. Their work supports tactical athletes such as firefighters, military personnel, law enforcement, paramedics/EMT’s and other first responders to improve job task performance in extreme environmental and occupational conditions.
  • Exercise & Cognitive Function. Dr. Ault’s team are assessing the effects of exercise and dietary supplementation on cognitive function and activity. They study the effects of exercise intensities and modalities on working memory, reaction time, executive function, and spatial processing. They are investigating the effects of a multi-strain probiotic supplement on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in college-aged individuals.

MORE EXERCISE SCIENCE RESEARCH

Mathematics
  • Polytope Number Sequences. Dr. Jackson leads a team of students in finding simplified closed form expressions for writing polytope number sequences. The work has highlighted interesting connections between geometry and algebra including a generalized form of Eulerian numbers.
  • The Thinking Classroom. Dr. Flanders has been working with the Westinghouse Academy of Pittsburgh Public Schools on implementing The Thinking Classroom and assisted in the writing of the school improvement plan for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

MORE MATHEMATICS RESEARCH

Physics
  • Nanotechnology. Dr. Wolinski’ students focus on the synthesis of gallium oxide nanowires to study the Casimir effect (attractive forces between two surfaces in a vacuum).
  • Pulsating Variable Stars. Dr. Clem leads a team of students to utilize the GCC observatory at Edinboro, PA for imaging and spectroscopic analysis of pulsating variable stars in the Milky Way galaxy. The observatory houses a remotely controlled 20-inch Cassegrain telescope which is used to monitor light fluctuations from variable stars, tracking and following near-Earth asteroids, extrasolar planet characterization via transit observations, and determining star cluster ages and distances via multi-band photometric observations.

MORE PHYSICS RESEARCH