Research Projects are in three areas: Bioscience, Advanced Computing and Information Systems, and Sustainable Systems. They span a dozen ASU laboratories and involve numerous faculty and senior staff researchers.
BIOSCIENCE
Updated for 2008
Biochemistry Lab for Studies in Photosynthesis: The laboratories of Dr. Petra Fromme house a research group that is investigating the structure and function of the large membrane protein complexes involved in photosynthesis.
Teacher Activities: Teachers will work alongside three postdoctoral researchers and 10 graduate students on procedures related to Dr. Fromme’s photosynthesis studies, using equipment involved in growing and preparing cells, crystallization, and other tools. Dr. Fromme, who has coached a number of students through the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition, will be heavily engaged in the mentoring.
Updated for 2008
Mathematical Theoretical Biology Institute (MTBI): Dr. Carlos Castillo-Chavez is Joaquin Bustoz, Jr., Professor of Mathematical Biology in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. He founded MTBI at Cornell University in 1996 and moved it to ASU in 2004. MTBI houses SUMS—ASU’s Strengthening Understanding of Math and Science Institute—which offers a summer residential math and science honors program for approximately 100 high school students. These students often are underachievers who have not been challenged in their school mathematics courses. Our program will reserve five fellowships in each year for teachers of SUMS students. Preference will be given to teachers from rural, heavily minority, or reservation schools.
Teacher Activities: Teachers selected for the SUMS Institute will work closely with MTBI scholars to gain an understanding of the uses of mathematics in advancing biological research. They will also observe SUMS instruction and tutor students.
Updated for 2008
Angell-Yarger Chemistry/Biochemistry Lab: Dr. Austin Angell and Dr. Jeff Yarger conduct studies in physical chemistry, materials science, and biophysics. The laboratory specializes in glassforming liquids, fuel cells, nanochemistry, and biological polymers.
Teacher Activities: The lab is working on a number of projects that should interest teachers: the fabrication of fuel cells and design of new types of fuel cells; understanding the structure of spider silk and other polymers; and the use of ionic liquids as biopreservation media. Teachers will engage in benchtop research experiments, learn to manage instruments, and discuss the meaning of results and the solution of problems as they arise. If they wish, teachers may engage in a guided literature study with the aim of formulating research questions of interest to the lab.
Updated for 2008
Center for Biological Physics (CBP): Four CBP research labs will host Fellows. Michael Thorpe is Foundation Professor of Physics, Chemistry and Biochemistry and directs the center. His group performs theoretical and computational studies of biological dynamics at the molecular scale. Dr. Banu Ozkan's research group focuses on theoretical models and computer simulations in biology, seeking to understand the functions of proteins, and how they fold. Dr. Arjan van der Vaart ‘s computational biochemistry group focuses on the conformational dynamics of biomolecules, particularly the dynamics of DNA-binding proteins. Dr. Dmitry Matyushov studies the effects of water at the molecular level in biology and also how electrons and protons are transported across proteins.
Teacher Activities: These groups in the CBP will coordinate activities so that the teachers see biological physics from DNA and proteins up to the cell level. A particular emphasis will be on assembling the many excellent resources now available on the Internet. In the Thorpe group, teachers will engage in the study of rigidity and how it effects biological systems (continued from last year and closed to new participants). With the Ozkan group, teachers will learn the fundamental ideas of how to construct a model of a biomolecular system such as protein or a small peptide. Teachers in the van der Vaart group will get hands-on experience on atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. In the Matyushov group, teachers will model the many behaviors of water, including within biological systems.
New for 2008
Aquaponics: Aquaponics, the integration of aquaculture (growing fish for human consumption) and hydroponics (cultivation of plants in a nutrient-rich solution), is being successfully implemented in large scale operations for food production. Teachers working with Prof. Narciso Macia will develop experience with the various processes taking place in a harmonious manner in this complex biological system.
Teacher Activities: Teachers will work with a 200-gallon tank containing tilapia, in which the filtered water is used to sustain hydroponics vegetables. In the course of this experience, they will develop an understanding of:
- Biological and chemical processes
- Fluid flow
- Respiration and gas transfer mechanisms
- Closed-loop control
They will also learn how to use, wire and program Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). With this skill, they will be able to carry out PLC-controlled experiments to investigate specific aspects of this interesting biological system.
New for 2008
Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory for Studies of Protein Design: Prof. Giovanna Ghirlanda’s group uses de novo protein design to obtain novel functional proteins .
Teacher Activities: Two projects are available: :
- Elucidating the mechanism of action of antiviral proteins through the design of targeted mutants: for this project we use molecular biology techniques, biophysical characterization, and activity assays on cells.
- Designing novel proteins for bioenergy applications. We use chemical synthesis of proteins and electrochemical techniques to design novel proteins able to reduce carbon dioxide to usable fuel.
Bioscience | Advanced Computing & Information Systems | Sustainable Systems | Top
ADVANCED COMPUTING SYSTEMS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES
Updated for 2008
Software Research Laboratory: Co-directed by Dr. W. T. Tsai and Dr. Yinong Chen, the lab performs research in software engineering, service-oriented architecture, service-oriented computing (SOC), model-driven development, verification and validation, robotics, and gaming. The lab is actively engaged with high schools—teaching an SOC class at Coronado High School, serving as mentors to high school robotic clubs, and teaching modern robotics and game programming at summer camps.
Teacher Activities: The teachers will work alongside lab researchers studying applications of service-oriented architecture and computing, and as part of that process will design a 3-D game or movie and a robot.
New for 2008
Nanoscale Integration and Modeling Group (NIMO): Directed by Dr. Kevin Cao, the group leads the research on physical modeling and integration of nanoscale technologies for advanced computation systems. The NIMO group currently focuses on extremely scaled CMOS device, carbon nanotube, and other post-Si devices, driven by technology scaling towards the 10nm regime and beyond. Our group looks forward to engaging with high school teachers to develop software tools and simulation environment to dynamically evaluate various nano-technology for high-performance and low-power integrated circuits (IC).
Teacher Activities: Teachers will work with our group members to develop a web-based tool to promote cutting-edge design research with nanoscale devices. This tool is expected to be widely used by semiconductor industry and academic researchers, helping them dynamically generate models and insights into future IC design. Teachers may also interact with researchers to understand the property of nano-technology, as well as their potential and limit in the nano-electronic era.
New for 2008
Aquaponics: See above under Bioscience
SYSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
Updated for 2008
Environmental Technology Management Laboratory, ASU Polytechnic: This facility engages in environmental research involving hazardous materials and biofuels. It is led by Dr. Larry Olson, Associate Professor and Al Brown, Director of Environmental Research Initiatives and former director of Environmental Services for Maricopa County. Current projects focus on growing nanoparticles for removing arsenic from drinking water; examining commercial bioremediation products for effectiveness in removing petroleum compounds from soils; and studying the energy potential of biofuels. The Environmental Technology Management program is affiliated with the State Alternate Emergency Operations Center. This site is used for rainwater harvesting study and emergency response exercises and training.
Teacher Activities: Teachers will participate in current research projects through sample collection, sample preparation, sample analysis, laboratory equipment maintenance and data entry. They will be offered two customized lectures on environmental science and at least two study tours of facilities exemplifying environmental management practices.
New for 2008
Nanophotonics: Center for Nanophotonics, gathers a large group of faculty members from various disciplines to foster new ideas and to carry out collaborative research with enhanced inspiration. It integrates a broad spectrum of research topics ranging from fundamental study of photon-matter interactions to practical optical sensors for medical and biological applications. The center coherently merges education and research by embedding one in the other.
Teacher Activities: Profs. Yong-Hang Zhang, Cun Zheng Ning, and Fernando Ponce offer several projects: (1) Teachers will work on the testing of single junction solar cells, such as commercialized Si and CIGS cells; through which teachers will get hands-on experience on various optoelectronic testing/measurement techniques. More advanced measurement, such as cell spectral response will also be carried out. (2) Teachers will work in collaboration with other group members on growth and optical characterization of nanomaterials using CVD systems. Optical characterization includes micro-photoluminescence and Raman study at cryogenic or room temperature. Teachers will gain real world experience of an actual research environment by working on topics of current interest.
New for 2008
Aquaponics: See above under Bioscience
Bioscience | Advanced Computing & Information Systems | Sustainable Systems | Top