UVM Research Advisors:

Dr. Leah Burke
Dr. Leah Burke from the Vermont Regional Genetics Center is happy to be considered as a mentor to students who are interested in doing clinical research. At this time, Dr. Burke does not currently have a laboratory
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Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry
Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry is currently involved in a research project for undergraduates. This project deals with the Molecular Mechanism of the Aging Process. The mechanism underlying the aging process is not completely understood. A decline in the DNA repair activity has been implicated as one of the factors responsible for the aging process. Using human cells defective in the repair of a mutagenic DNA lesion, we will investigate gene expression in aged versus non-aged cells to identify cellular pathways involved in the aging process. A variety of cellular and molecular biology techniques will be employed in this project.
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Dr. Margaret Daugherty
The research in Dr. Daugherty’s laboratory involves the use of biophysical techniques and thermodynamic approaches to investigating biological function. The three ongoing projects are (1). a structure- function investigation of the protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions at the RNA polymerase I promoter, (2). investigation of the structural and energetic interactions of serum transferrin binding to the transferrin receptor, and (3) characterization of the interactions of human platelet osteonectin with plasminogen.
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Dr. Rona Delay
Dr. Rona Delay is currently dealing with research on odorants and the sense of smell in her laboratory centers which are located in the Department of Biology. Her research is centered on the sense of smell and understanding how the olfactory sensory neurons change or transducer information about odors in the external world into electrical signals that the brain can decode. Typically undergraduate students use an immunocytochemical approach to determine what odors the cells respond to and what type of plasma membrane proteins (chloride cotransporters, Ca exchangers, etc.) are involved in this response. A few more advanced students have been involved in fluorescent imaging projects to examine the dynamic changes in intracellular ions as the olfactory neurons respond to odorants.
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Dr. Thomas Fowler
Dr. Fowler's research focuses on G protein-coupled receptors and pheromones which are required for mate recognition in the mushroom fungus Schizophyllum commune when individuals of this species try to distinguish among potential mates. This communication is complicated because there are 15-20 receptors and approximately 100 pheromones with overlapping recognition specificities involved. We are using genetics and molecular genetics to try to understand how the receptors and pheromones recognize each other correctly, a biological problem that is similar to molecular recognition in the senses of taste and smell, which also use G protein-coupled receptors for sensing.
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Dr. Charles Goodnight
Research in Dr. Goodnight’s lab is on evolution, and particularly, evolution in structured populations. Main areas of interest include multilevel selection, complex genetical systems in metapopulations, speciation and conservation genetics. Multilevel selection is the study of the effects of natural and artificial selection acting both on individuals and groups of individuals. Examples include kin selection and group selection. By complex genetical systems Dr. Goodnight is referring to genetical systems with within locus interactions (dominance) and between locus interactions (epistasis). These interactions can be ignored in very large populations, but profoundly change the way evolution works in metapopulations. A metapopulation is a "population of populations", that is, a set of small subpopulations that are tied together by migration and other forms of gene flow. Both multilevel selection and gene interactions are important in the fundamental questions of how populations differentiate. In this area Dr. Goodnight is particularly interested in the process of speciation, and how we can best measure genetic differences between closely related species. From a conservation perspective, the genetic effects of habitat loss and fragmentation are directly related to metapopulation models. Work in Dr. Goodnight’s lab includes both experimental work and theoretical work. Experimental work typically involves populations of Tribolium flour beetles, or Cactophilous Drosophila (Drosophila mojovensis and D. arizonae.). Theoretical work involves both pure mathematical modeling using theoretical statistical methods and computer
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Dr. Nicholas Gotelli
Dr. Gotelli’s research is focused on the biotic and abiotic factors that control the organization of plant and invertebrate communities. Field research is currently focused on bogs and fens of North America, with special emphasis on carnivorous pitcher plants. Dr. Gotelli is studying the effects of acid rain and excess nitrogen deposition on population survival and community structure in bogs.
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Dr. Marc Greenblatt
Dr. Greenblatt’s research explores the relationship among gene evolution and mutation, protein function and structure, and disease (cancer). Dr. Greenblatt uses computational and experimental approaches to predict and test whether mutations in tumor suppressor genes (such as the p16/CDKN2a gene) alter protein function. In the case of CDKN2A, Dr. Greenblatt uses evolutionary and structural patterns to predict which variants might affect the protein, create mutant p16 proteins, and test whether the mutated proteins retain or lose the ability to cause cell cycle arrest.
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Dr. Dieter Gruenert
Dr. Dieter Gruenert is currently interested in mentoring a student in the project fields either dealing with the area of gene isolation for breast cancer related genes or gene therapy for cystic fibrosis/sickle cell anemia.
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Dr. Jeanne Harris
Dr. Jeanne Harris is currently interested in mentoring any students who are interested in plant development. Plants of the legume family form a symbiosis with rhizobium bacteria that results in the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules. Dr. Harris is interested in identifying the plant genes that control the development of these nodules. The student would be participating in a genetic screen looking for mutants that had altered nodule development.
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Dr. Russell Hovey
Dr. Russell Hovey is interested in mentoring a student in his laboratory where he has a project that would be challenging, but well-suited to an eager, diligent and hard-working student. This project would involve some molecular biology and gene discovery work using techniques such as RT-PCR and microbiology.
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Dr. Sally Huber
Dr. Hubner's research focuses on Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle which usually follows microbial infections of the heart. Men develop myocarditis twice as often as women. We have a mouse model for this human disease in which male mice develop myocarditis but female mice do not. The goal of the project is to study testosterone and estrogen and determine how these hormones affect disease susceptibility.
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Dr. Diane Jaworski
Dr. Jaworski’s lab focuses on the role extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play in development and neuropathological remodeling of the central nervous system. Of particular interest is the mechanism(s) regulating ECM integrity by the opposing actions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs).
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Dr. Doug Johnson
Dr. Doug Johnson is currently studying the control of growth and progression through the cell cycle in the budding yeast Saccharomyces and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans using a variety of molecular genetic, biochemical, and cell biological approaches. Projects could possibly include genetic characterization of a new S. cerevisiae gene, localization of fluorescently tagged proteins in living yeast cells, or analysis of effects of small organic molecules on the morphology and virulence of C. albicans.
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Dr. David Kerr Dr. David Kerr is currently interested in evaluating enzymes that have antibacterial activity. A summer student last summer, Laura Preston, used a PCR-based technique to isolate the gene from bacteriophage lambda that codes for the enzyme that the phage uses to break out of its bacterial host. Next was cloning this gene into a DNA plasmid that could be transferred into E. coli. The E. coli can now produce the lambda enzyme and Dr. Kerr is currently evaluating if the enzyme has anti-bacterial activity against other bacteria.
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Dr. C. William Kilpatrick
Currently the Kilpatrick laboratory is using molecular techniques similar to those used in human forensics to address ecological questions concerning northeastern carnivores including black bears, fishers and bobcats. Genetic markers suggest the presence of at least 6 black bear populations in Vermont and current work is examining both the mechanisms for the origin of the geographic structuring and the extent of gene flow among these populations of black bears. From a sample of more than 100 bobcats collected over the past four years we are also currently collecting genetic data to determine the number of bobcat populations in Vermont, the relatedness among individuals within the Champlain Valley population, and an estimate of the size of these bobcat populations.
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Dr. Tom Lewis
Dr. Tom Lewis is currently interested in the studies of a pollutant-degrading process carried out by bacteria found in the environment. Projects involve genetics and chemistry to describe the breakdown of a carcinogenic chemical, carbon tetrachloride.
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Dr. Barbara Lyons
Dr. Barbara Lyons current objective is to use structural, functional and biochemical methods to elucidate the molecular details and mechanisms of Grb7 protein family signaling. An undergraduate project related to this is the optimization of Grb14-RA domain expression and the isotopic labeling of that protein for NMR structural studies. A previous undergraduate student subcloned the Grb14-PH and Grb14-RA domains and performed preliminary expression studies.Grb14 is a member of the Grb7 protein family. We have recently completed the structure of the Grb7-SH2 domain in complex with a 10 amino acid peptide representative of the erbB2 binding site and submitted it for publication. The ultimate goal is to structurally elucidate other domains of this protein family, i.e. Grb14-RA and Grb14-PH domains.
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Dr. Victor May
In addition to Dr. May’s work on neuropeptides and G-protein coupled receptors described on the webpage, he is currently engaged in studies related to neuronal survival and differentiation. In particular, Dr. May is interested in extracellular signals that moderate intracellular GEF’s and RhoGTPases to regulate neuronal dendritic and axonal outgrowth. Approaches include immunoassays, second messenger assays, PCR, DNA subcloning, Northerns, Southerns, in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry, primary neuronal cell culture, microinjections among others. Hence they are diverse projects depending on a student’s particular interests in the neurosciences.
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Dr. Keith Mintz
Dr. Mintz’s laboratory studies include the adhesion to and invasion of a human oral pathogen into epithelial cells and the mechanisms that allow this pathogen to traffic through the cell. Work also includes research in the bacterial molecules that mediate the attachment of the bacteria to proteins secreted by human cells.
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Dr. Kentaro Murakami
The long-time research goal of Dr. Murakami’s laboratory is to understand the mechanism underlying the regulation and expression of synaptic plasticity. It requires functional modification of synapses. Different protein kinases are activated at different phases during the expression of plasticity. Dr. Murakami is specifically interested in the sustained activation of neuronal protein kinase C (PKC), which has been shown to be necessary for the induction and maintenance of long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission (LTP). Dr. Murakami has recently found that PKC associated with 14-3-3 has constitutive and autonomous activity in neuronally differentiated cells and also in the brain. Since both PKC and 14-3-3 are abundant in synapses and they are involved in synaptic plasticity as well as learning and memory, constitutively active PKC/14-3-3 complex could serve such sustained PKC activity required for the expression of LTP. Dr. Murakami’s current research focuses on the regulation of brain PKC by the 14-3-3 protein and lipid activators.
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Dr. Rae Nishi
Possible projects include:

1. Examining the molecular biology and signal transduction systems underlying the control of somatostatin expression in neurons.
2. Study the expression of genes regulating cell death in neurons.
3. Determine whether genes activated by the Notch signaling pathway modify the cell death cascade.
4. Identify genes activated by iron overload in neurons.

Dr. Patrick O’Neill
Dr. O’Neill’s research involves the study of gene mutations that arise in vivo in somatic cells in humans. Research is done to determine the molecular nature of the mutations through PCR amplification and DNA sequencing methods. Also the study of mutations responsible for an inherited genetic disease is conducted.
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Dr. David Pederson
Dr. Pederson’s research focuses on regulatory networks that control DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. These networks govern the onset of DNA replication, coordinate the firing of multiple discrete replication origins with respect to one another, inhibit re-replication prior to mitosis, and delay the onset of mitosis until replication is complete or in response to DNA damage. Mutations that subvert these regulatory networks can lead to cell death or cancer. Because these networks are highly conserved in evolution, we are able to use yeast as an experimental organism (which allows us to combine genetic, cell biological, and biochemical experimental approaches) to generate additional information about the causes of cancer.
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Dr. Karen Richardson-Nassif
Dr. Karen Richardson-Nassif is the director of Research for Family Practice and Director of Assessment for the College of Medicine. The research that she is currently doing is guideline review and physician standards to guidelines.
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Dr. Mercedes Rincon
Dr. Rincon’s laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms involved in the a) generation of T cells in the thymus, b) activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, c) differentiation of naïve CD4 + T cells into effector and memory Th1 and Th2 cells, d) differentiation of CD8+ T cells into effector cytotoxic cells, and e) death of CD4 + and CD8+ T cells. A primary focus is the role of JNK and p38 MAP kinase signaling pathways in these processes. Several genetically manipulated mouse models have been already generated in the lab and new models will be generated in the near future to address these questions. Microarray analysis has been recently done to identify new targets of these kinases in T cells
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Dr. Joseph Schall
Dr. Schall and his graduate and undergraduate students study the ecology and evolutionary biology of malaria parasites. These studies primarily investigate the parasites of wild animals, such as birds and lizards. The laboratory studies use molecular tools such as gene sequencing to identify the parasites, find new species, and place them into aphylogenetic (evolutionary) picture.
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Dr. Lori Stevens
Dr. Lori Stevens is currently interested in helping with experiments which examine the evolutionary ecology of pathogen defense.
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Dr. Mary Tierney
Plant roots that are colonized by Pseudomonas fluorescens, a common soil bacterium, are protected from infection from many plant pathogens. We are using a genetic approach to identify and characterize plant genes important in this process, using Arabidopsis as a model system. Results of this research may lead to novel strategies for protecting crops from pathogen infection without the use of chemicals.
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Dr. Russell Tracy
Dr. Russell Tracy is the Director of the Laboratory for Clinical Biochemistry Research . His current research interest examines the interrelationships of coagulation, fibrinolysis and inflammation, and their roles in the etiology of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease; murine models of atherosclerosis.
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Dr. Judith Van Houten
Undergraduate students in Dr. Van Houten’s laboratory work on molecular biology, protein biochemistry or microscopy projects. For example, a current student constructed a plasmid vector designed to express double stranded RNA in bacteria. These bacteria when fed to paramecia introduce the RNA in the the Paramecium cell and lead to the destruction of a mRNA for a protein needed in exocytosis. The effects of interfering with that protein in cell function can then be studied. Other projects include selection of mutants that are resistant to agents such as toxins and insecticides. These agents affect calcium channels and surface receptors and they are useful reagents to perturb the function of these proteins.
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Dr. Jim Vigoreaux
Dr. Vigoreaux’s lab uses classical and molecular genetic approaches to study the function of muscle proteins in the fruit fly Drosophila. Some Drosophila projects in progress include a functional analysis of protein phosphorylation, development of a "mutational proteomics" platform for the analysis of protein-protein interactions, study of molecular adaptations to meet metabolic demands of the muscle, study of changes in muscle during aging, and phylogenetic analysis of muscle proteins. The students in the lab also study chemical changes that occur in cardiac muscle proteins during disease progression in humans and rat models of heart disease.
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