Want to know what we’ve been working on? Take a look at our research list below. See a topic you might like to research? Reach out to that faculty member and see what opportunities they may have for students.
Want to know what we’ve been working on? Take a look at our research list below. See a topic you might like to research? Reach out to that faculty member and see what opportunities they may have for students.
We like to say we “learn by doing” in the Benedictine University College of Science and Health, and we mean it. Our faculty specialize in getting students involved in their research, sometimes as early as their first year, and opportunities exist in every department. Students put what they’ve learned in their courses to use to answer novel and interesting questions with faculty mentors in the lab and on the computer. They work closely with their mentors to learn up-to-date research techniques in their field. They present that work at regional, national, and international conferences. They can be co-authors on peer-reviewed publications. And, they have an experience that they’ll be talking about for years to come that sets them apart from their peers.
Summer research offers Benedictine students the opportunity to expand their knowledge, hone laboratory skills and gain hands-on experience by working closely with faculty on a variety of scientific research projects.
Through the program, students work one-on-one with the College of Science and Health faculty on scientific research projects. This 10-week experience includes a stipend and a weekly seminar where students have the occasion to present their research findings to a supportive audience of faculty and peers. Later, students present their findings at local and regional conferences, with some even attending national conferences.
Faculty who are participating in Summer Research for Summer 2023 are listed below.
Faculty Research
Research is an integral part of cutting-edge science education. Our faculty work on exciting research projects investigating new avenues in science and searching for answers to the many complex and fascinating questions science poses. View a list of our faculty’s distinguished accomplishments below!
Preston Aldrich, Ph.D.
Professor, Biological Sciences
paldrich@ben.edu
Network and Systems Biology; DNA Linguistics; Plant Molecular Ecology; Scientometrics and Philosophy of Science, Wittgenstein.
Research
Research will explore sources and amounts of human mortality and map this information to the tree of life. Which organisms are killing humans as a source of sustenance, and which phylogenetic groups are most prolific as agents of human mortality? Basically, who is “eating” us? The answer ranges from the microscopic (viruses, bacteria, and protists) to the macroscopic (bears, packs of wild dogs). The project is to put numbers to these dynamics and place the findings in a phylogenetic context. The student will be directly involved in writing computer code and analyzing open-source online data, conducting literature surveys, writing, etc. Summer research will be done remotely online and will require periodic synchronous Zoom or in-person meetings with the project coordinators, Dr. Preston Aldrich (biology) and Dr. Jeremy Nadolski (math). Experience with python and/or R statistical programming is a plus but is not required; ability to use basic software like MS Excel and access to the internet is required. Interest in biomedical research is assumed.
Awards and Recognition
Distinguished Faculty Award for Research 2012
Dean’s Award for Research 2007
Recent Publications
Darya Aleinikava, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Physical Sciences
daleinikava@ben.edu
Research
My research project focuses on acoustic properties of engineered 3D seashells. The ocean-like sound that we hear when pressing the shell to our ear comes from the sound waves resonance inside the shell cavity. By 3D printing seashells of various shapes and sizes, we aim to explore the dependence of this sound on the seashell dimensions. The results will ultimately allow us to create 3D printed shells with the desired sound in it, which can potentially be used in music therapy, PTSD and anxiety treatments, and possibly lead to a better understanding of the function of the cochlea.
Predictors of behavior change, self-efficacy and motivation; student leadership, engagement, and learning.
Deconstructing the dominant obesity discourse, social determinants of health, designing weight-inclusive health promotion models to facilitate intuitive eating, mindfulness, enjoyable movement.
Diet quality correlates of a plant-based diet and emotional wellness, menopausal symptoms, lifestyle choices of vegans.
Increasing nurses’ and social workers’ knowledge, skills and confidence initiating Serious Illness Communication with individuals living with a serious illness to elicit their goals, values and preferences for care.
Tim Comar, Ph.D.
Professor, Mathematical and Computational Sciences
tcomar@ben.edu
Research
Dynamics of Epidemic and Integrated Pest Management Models with Spatial Considerations
We investigate the dynamics of mathematical models for the spread of a disease, typically mitigated by a vaccination, and for integrated pest management of a pest species on a crop. We consider the effects of vaccination strategies, behavior modifications, and spatial and travel considerations on the dynamics of epidemic models, and we consider the effects of pest refuge, spatial consideration of arrangement of the crops, and introducing predators, pesticides on the dynamics of the pest control. Models rely on using impulsive differential equations, agent-based models, and possibly partial differential equations.
For this summer, the mode would primarily be online with occasional in-person meetings.
Math biology, including ecological problems with financial analogs and epidemiology, probability applications to games and game shows.
Research Area
Math biology, including ecological problems with financial analogs and epidemiology
Current Research Projects
Health workforce development, patient education for low income and minority populations, and improvements in systems of care.
Jim Fackenthal, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
jfackenthal@ben.edu
Research:
Students in the Fackenthal group study regulation of tumor suppressor genes at the level of alternate mRNA splicing. Students will use cancer and non-cancer derived tissue culture cells to learn basic cell culture techniques, end-point and quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, and flow cytometry. We explore the effects of DNA damage repair pathways and epigenetic genomic modifications on regulation of alternative splicing, cancer risk models, and therapy outcome predictions.
Recent Publications:
Higher education, nursing education, online education, human intelligence, student wellness.
Ian Hall, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
ihall@ben.edu
Research Summary
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (ex. bisphenol A [BPA]) are widely distributed in our environment and there is continued concern over their impacts on human health. This lab has recently received funding from the National Institutes of Health to investigate the effects of BPA on the development of vocal behavior. The proposed experiments utilize the frog, Xenopus laevis as a model; these frogs use vocalizations to communicate and coordinate social interactions. Our goals are to investigate the relationship between long term, low dose BPA exposure and vocal development, and understand the potential mechanisms by which BPA causes these effects. The work this summer will largely focus on the quantification of the frog development and behavior. Later in the summer we may also be able to investigate some of the physiological mechanisms of vocal behavior, primarily through investigations of the brain and larynx. Students will be working in the lab and they will gain experience with animal husbandry, behavioral experiments, and multiple physiological preparations.
Education and Experience
Assistant Professor, Benedictine University Department of Biological Sciences (present)
Visiting Assistant Professor, St. Mary’s College of Maryland Department of Biology 2015-2016
Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University; Department of Biological Sciences 2010-2015
Ph. D. Indiana University Bloomington 2004-2010
Biology: Ecology, Evolution and Behavior; Minor: Neuroscience
B. S. cum laude University of Maryland Baltimore County 2000–2004
Biological Sciences; Minor: Chemistry
Publications ( * denotes undergraduate co-author)
Leigh Anne Harden, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
lharden@ben.edu
Research areas:
Physiological ecology; herpetology; wildlife conservation and outreach.
Current Research Projects
The Harden Lab conducts integrative ecological research on reptiles and amphibians (herps). Our lab’s central research questions revolve around of how these organisms function and interact with their increasingly modified environment, by studying them on a physiological, behavioral, and spatial/temporal level. We use field-intensive (e.g. aquatic surveys) and laboratory-based (e.g. ELISAs, microscopy) approaches to investigate how abiotic factors influence the physiology, behavior, and habitat preferences of herps, with applications to their conservation and management.
Summer research projects may involve intensive outdoor fieldwork 5 days/week of trapping turtles in local wetlands to investigate their species diversity, population structure and demography. Fieldwork may be done in hot, muggy, and buggy conditions. Students will have the ability to develop their own side projects of interest within this larger project (e.g. physiological, immunological, behavioral hypotheses). Attention to detail is critical for high quality science, and curiosity and an ability to troubleshoot will contribute positively towards our shared work experience!
Research Area
Plant-insect interactions, behavioral and chemical ecology, butterflies and other insects
Past Research Projects
Ethics, end of life, moral distress, and caring.
Functional analysis, operator theory and cyptology; use of technology in mathematics education.
Awards and Recognitions:
University Activities:
Research Interests:
Functional Analysis, Operator Theory, Cryptology, Use of Technology in Mathematics Education, Applications of Mathematics, and Humanistic Mathematics
Current Research:
Selected Publications:
National Committees:
Catalysis, organic synthesis, organometallic chemistry, applications, green chemistry, chemical education.
Research Interest: Transition metal-catalyzed isomerization of alkenes, which involves the atom economical migration of carbon-carbon double bonds. The challenges to be met include: positional and stereochemical selectivity, substrate generality, and simplicity of catalyst use. Alkene isomerization is an important process in the chemical industry that contributes to many applications, including the SHOP process, DuPont’s adiponitrile process, Takasago synthesis of (-)-menthol, and for the synthesis of fragrances, to name a few.
Students will learn techniques in organic synthesis to synthesize parts of the catalyst and organic substrates for catalysis; organometallic synthesism to make the catalyst; and molecule characterization to analyze the synthesized compounds and products made during catalysis. Students will not only perform chemistry in open air, but will be exposed to air free techniques (Schlenk techniques and glove box).
Project 1: Synthesis of Royal Jelly
Royal Jelly is a natural product synthesized by worker bees as a form of nutrition for the queen bee in a colony, where this compound has been reported to have pharmacological properties. The current synthetic route requires 6 steps for its completion. We are seeking a more economical approach to its synthesis.
Project 2: Synthesis of Pheromones
Pheromones are signaling molecules naturally synthesized by organisms as a social cue to impact social behaviors. Harnessing unique reactivity using the alkene isomerization catalyst has the potential to lead to a class of Lepidopteran pheromones.
Project 3: Construction of a Catalytically Active Metal Organic Framework (MOF)
Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs for short) are a subclass of polymeric compounds. Organic scaffolds are linked together with structural metals to form 3-dimensional structures that have pores for molecules, solvent or substrates, to move in and out of the structure. With the right organic scaffold linker, we have the potential of making a new class of catalysts using organometallic synthesis.
Patents
Douglas Grotjahn, Casey Larsen, Gulin Erdogan, Erik Paulson. “Terminal Alkene MonoIsomerization Catalysts and Methods,” US Patent, 2017, 9,708,236.
Recent Publications:
Casey R. Larsen and Douglas B. Grotjahn.* “The Value and Application of Transition Metal Catalyzed Alkene Isomerization In Industry” Applied Homogeneous Catalysis with Organometallic Compounds: A Comprehensive Handbook in Three Volumes; Boy Cornils, Wolfgang A. Herrmann, Matthias Beller, and Rocco Paciello, Eds.; Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. Third Edition, 2018, pages 1365-1378
Jeffrey Camacho-Bunquin,* Magali Ferrandon, Uggal Das, Fulya Dogan, Cong Liu, Casey R. Larsen, Ana E. Platero-Prats, Larry A. Curtiss, Adam S. Hok, Jeffrey T. Miller, SonBinh T. Nguyen, Christopher L. Marshall, Massimiliano Delferro, and Peter C. Stair. “ Supported Aluminum Catalysts for Olefin Hydrogenation” ACS Catal. 2016, 7, 689.
Casey R.Larsen, Erik R. Paulson, Gulin Erdogan, and Douglas B. Grotjahn.* “A Facile, Convenient, and Green Route to (E)-Propenylbenzene Flavors and Fragrances by Alkene Isomerization” Synlett, 2015, 26, 2462.
Douglas B. Grotjahn, Casey R. Larsen, and Gulin Erdogan. “Bifunctional catalyst control of alkene isomerization” Topics in Catalysis, 2014, 57, 1483.
Graham E. Dobereiner, Gulin Erdogan, Casey R. Larsen, Douglas B. Grotjahn, Richard R. Schrock. “A One-Pot Tandem Olefin Isomerization/Metathesis-Coupling Reaction.” ACS Catal. 2014, 4, 3069
Casey R. Larsen, Gulin Erdogan, and Douglas B. Grotjahn. “General catalyst control of the monoisomerization of 1-alkenes to trans-2-alkenes.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 1226.
Casey R. Larsen and Douglas B. Grotjahn.* “Stereoselective Alkene Isomerization Over One Position.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 10357.
Brooks Maki, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Physical Sciences
bmaki@ben.edu
Research Area
Synthesis of potentially bioactive pyrrole-containing natural products
Research
This project is focused on developing chemical reactions that will allow the synthesis of a select group of small organic molecules (2-formylpyrroles) which are known to have a broad range of biological effects including liver protection and antioxidant activity. Students will gain knowledge of synthetic planning, organic chemistry reactions, laboratory techniques for setting up, evaluating and purifying the products of chemical reactions. Research would be in-person at Benedictine University.
Lindsey Mao, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
lmao@ben.edu
Research Area:
Omics, Bioinformatics, Genetics
Current Projects (in silico only):
Students should have passed Genetics before starting work on these projects.
Radiation chemistry, spectroscopy, photophysics, electron-transfer processes, chemical and physical properties of water.
Awards and Recognition:
Research Area
radiation chemistry, spectroscopy, photophysics, electron-transfer processes, chemical and physical properties of water
Current Research Projects:
Project 1: Due to their uniquely beneficial properties as combinatorially flexible solvents, hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquids are presently being considered as replacements for molecular diluents in “wet” processing of nuclear waste for advanced fuel cycles. To realize this great promise, these diluents need to be made resistant to ionizing radiation generated by decaying radionuclides. This requires suppression of bond fragmentation that occurs in electronically excited ions. We are examining the radiation chemistry of ionic liquids using flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis techniques at Argonne National Laboratory.
Project 2: Above the critical point, water is thought to exist as a dynamic system consisting of single water molecules and nanoclusters of dimers, trimers, etc., and the electronic states of these various species are highly energetically sensitive to the local hydrogen bonding structure. We are studying the vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of the lowest-lying electronic state of sub- and supercritical water to glean information on changes to the hydrogen bonding environment as a function of temperature and density. We have designed a unique high-sensitivity vacuum ultraviolet absorption experiment at the Synchrotron Radiation Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, to probe these changes directly, and are doing so from room temperature up to supercritical conditions, and then as a function of density for supercritical water.
Current Research Collaborators:
Research Grants and Funding:
Professional Activities:
Current and Former Research Students:
Making molecules through organic transformations that incorporate the use of environmentally-benign organic catalysts.
Awards and Recognition:
Research Area
Organic synthesis; asymmetric catalysis; chemical education
Current Research Projects:
Organic synthesis; organocatalytic conjugate additions and aldol reactions; asymmetric hydrogenations; chemical education research
Current Research Coolaborator:
Research Grants and Funding
Recipient of a Benedictine University Summer Faculty Fellowship, sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Association, $10,000
Professional Activities:
Current and Former Research Students:
Recent Publications:
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:
Rob McCarthy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
rmccarthy@ben.edu
Research Area
Evolution of human speech and language; growth and development of the primate and hominin skull, geometric morphometrics; comparative methods and primate life history.
Research
Research in the McCarthy lab focuses on hominin body size and shape. Body mass predictions for juvenile hominins are based on extrapolation from adult estimates or childhood growth models created for children from industrialized societies. This summer, students will be using generalized additive modeling (GAM) and other regression techniques to model body weight growth in a worldwide sample of children. We’ll then use these models to estimate body size and shape in juvenile specimens of extinct human species (Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo naledi) and to speculate about evolutionary changes in hominin growth and development.
Research students will be expected to collate data using Microsoft Excel, learn about linear and non-linear regression modeling, and run statistical analyses using the program R. Familiarity with R is helpful but not required.
Research would be in-person at Benedictine University with virtual check-ins over Zoom.
Mixture Modeling, Functional Data Analysis, and Computational Statistics.
Awards and Recognitions:
Research Area
Mixture Modeling, Functional Data Analysis, and Computational Statistics
Current Research
The investigation using a Bayesian Occupancy model to detect the dispersion and possible eradication of the tree of heaven from West Virginia.
Madhavan Narayanan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Physical Sciences
mnarayanan@ben.edu
Research Area
Biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, computational chemistry, chemical education
Research
Project 1: S-Adenosyl methionine (SAM) synthetase is an enzyme that binds to ATP and the amino acid methionine as substrates and converts them into S-Adenosyl Methionine. We would like to test if fluorescent nucleotide triphosphate analogs of adenine can serve as substrates for SAM-synthetase. If the enzyme can accept the modified fluorescent substrate, we can produce fluorescent analogs of S-adenosyl methionine. In this project, the student will design the gene to express and purify the protein. Once purified, the protein will be tested for its activity with natural and modified substrate.
Project 2: Flavoenzymes are proteins that contain flavin adenine dinuclueotide (FAD, an organic molecule) or other flavin derivatives as coenzymes and catalyze the conversion of a specific substrate (a reactant) into a product. DNA photolyase is a flavoenzyme which typically contains FAD as the catalytic cofactor and in the presence of blue-light catalyzes the repair of UV-damaged DNA. In this project, we will use molecular biology techniques to engineer a plasmid necessary for expressing the protein DNA photolyase from planaria in E. coli. Once the plasmid is engineered, we will work on expressing, purifying and characterizing the protein.
Project 3: The Tiny Earth initiative project is a part of the Microbiology Lab (Biol 3208) which involves crowdsourcing to find antibiotics in soil bacterial samples. In this project students at various institutions collect soil from their own selected location and isolate bacteria from the soil. The bacteria are then tested against safe relative bacteria of known pathogenic antibiotic-resistance to determine if the isolated bacteria are antibiotic-producers. The project often stops at this stage, as is the case with BenU. However, some Universities and colleges go on to have the structure of the antibiotic determined and/or identified. Dr. Poch and I would like to pilot through the NSSRP, the extraction and identification of the structure of antibiotics at BenU. Dr. Poch has curated at least 20 antibiotic-producing bacteria that can be used for extraction, purification and identification of the new antibiotics. The antibiotic compound(s) that are extracted from these bacteria will be separated using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and tested to determine which of the separated compounds has the antibiotic activity. Once sufficient quantity of the antibiotic is produced, their structure could be determined through NMR spectroscopy.
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS IN THE DISCIPLINE
BOOK CHAPTERS
Tiara Perez Morales, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
tperezmorales@ben.edu
Research
Our laboratory focus is on microbial genetics, molecular biology, and phage biology. Our primary goals are to study how bacteria such as the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes and the human commensal Lactobacillus acidophilus communicate through the process of quorum sensing and may be affected by external cues. A secondary goal is to study infection cycles of soil bacteriophages and what variables affect their growth.
Students may be able to work on in-person projects related to small molecule effects on S. pyogenes or L. acidophilus quorum sensing, S. pyogenes protein to quorum sensing peptide interactions, and/or phage growth analysis and archiving. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.perezmoraleslab.com or here to view the work done with soil phages: https://phagesdb.org/institutions/BENU/
Paleobiology; functional ecology; body size evolution; morphometrics; marine invertebrates.
Research Areas
paleobiology; comparative paleoecology; body size evolution and macroecology; morphometrics; marine invertebrates
Recent Publications
Novack-Gottshall, P. M., J. N. Purcell, A. Sultan, I. Ranjha, B. Deline, and C. Sumrall. 2024. Ecological novelty at the start of the Cambrian and Ordovician radiations of echinoderms. Palaeontology.
Novack-Gottshall, P. M., A. Sultan, N. S. Smith, J. N. Purcell, K. E. Hanson, R. Lively, I. Ranjha, C. Collins, R. Parker, C. Sumrall, and B. Deline. 2022. Morphological volatility precedes ecological innovation in earliest echinoderm diversifications. Nature Ecology & Evolution 6: 263–272.
Dick, D., P. Novack-Gottshall, S. Darroch, and M. Laflamme. 2022. Does functional redundancy determine the ecological severity of a mass extinction event? Proceedings of the Royal Society B 289: 20220440.
Novack-Gottshall, P.M. 2016. General models of ecological diversification. I. Conceptual synthesis. Paleobiology 42: 185–208.
Smith, F.A., J.L. Payne, N.A. Heim, M.A. Balk, S. Finnegan, M. Kowalewski, S.K. Lyons, C.R. McClain, D.W. McShea, P.M. Novack-Gottshall, P. Spaeth Anich, and S.C. Wang. 2016. Body size evolution across the Geozoic. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 44: 523–553.
Novack-Gottshall, P. and K. Burton. 2014. Morphometrics indicates giant Ordovician macluritid gastropods switched life habit during ontogeny. Journal of Paleontology 88: 1050–1055.
Bush, A. and P.M. Novack-Gottshall. 2012. Modelling the ecological-functional diversification of marine Metazoa on geological time scales. Biology Letters 8: 151-155.
Villéger, S., P.M. Novack-Gottshall, and D. Mouillot. 2011. The multidimensionality of the niche reveals functional turnover in benthic marine biotas across geological time. Ecology Letters 14: 561-568.
Payne, J.L., A.G. Boyer, J.H. Brown, S. Finnegan, M. Kowalewski, R.A. Krause, Jr., S.K. Lyons, C.R. McClain, D.W. McShea, P.M. Novack-Gottshall, F.A. Smith, J.A. Stempien, and S.C. Wang. 2009. Two-phase increase in the maximum size of life over 3.5 billion years reflects biological innovation and environmental opportunity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 106: 24-27.
Novack-Gottshall, P.M. and M.A. Lanier. 2008. Scale-dependence of Cope’s rule during body-size evolution of Paleozoic brachiopods. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 105: 5430-5434.
Mark Poch, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
mpoch@ben.edu
Effect of agricultural/industrial pollution on soil bacterial microbiome and development of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains.
Research
A comparison of the bacterial microbiome found in polluted soil versus control soil will be made to determine numbers and types of bacteria. Additionally, antibiotic-resistance will be tested to determine if polluted soil produces a greater amount of antibiotic resistant bacteria compared to control soil.
The presence of bacteria is important for soil productivity and crop yields. Along with functioning in soil formation and aggregation, bacteria help in the decomposition of complex organics, recycling nutrients and providing nitrogen and sulfur in a usable from for plants. Many studies have shown that pollution of soil by industrial waste, chemical and natural fertilization of agricultural fields can adversely affect the number and types of bacteria that are normally found in soil. Additionally, the presence of industrial waste, heavy metals and fertilizer in soil have shown an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
This project will make a comparison of bacteria found in a contaminated soil site (ag. agricultural/industrial) compared to a control (eg. forest) site. Soil samples matched with the USDA soil classification system from these two sites will be collected and the number and type of bacteria will be identified (16S RNA sequencing). As many types of bacteria are not easily cultivated on standard agar plates, the soil bacterial microbiome will be determined by Next Generation sequencing of DNA found in the soil (if funding and time permits). Additionally, the antibiotic-resistance of the isolated bacteria will be assessed by the Kirby-Bauer assay and/or PCR analysis for known antibiotic -resistant genes.
Techniques for this project include Microbiological techniques, Kirby-Bauer Assay , DNA isolation, PCR and agarose electrophoresis, NCBI -BLAST and DNA analysis software. Pre-requisitions would include Biology 1199 (Principles of Biology lab) and Biol 3208 (Microbiology with Lab) or equivalent.
Nursing and health professions education, Including mental health, population and community health, distance education.
Mental health nursing, distance nursing education, caring.
Chemistry/biochemistry education, sustainability curriculum, electrochemical characterization of biomolecules, trace element analysis, development and optimization of enzyme assays, microvolume immunoassays, electrochemical detection.
Awards and Recognitions:
Research Area:
Bioanalytical chemistry; electroanalytical methods; biosensors; bead-based immunoassays; water analysis; chemical education
Current Research Projects:
Development and optimization of electrochemical detection methods; enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors; immunoassays in clinical chemistry applications; trace metal analysis of wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages; class room strategies in chemistry education
Current Research Coolaborator:
Research Grants and Funding
Professional Activities:
Current and Former Research Students:
Recent Publications * Indicates the corresponding author
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:
Asymmetric organocatalysis, reaction development, synthesis of biologically important molecules including potential malaria and cancer therapeutics, green chemistry, chemical education.
Research Areas:
Asymmetric organocatalysis, reaction development, synthesis of biologically important molecules including potential malaria and cancer therapeutics, green chemistry, chemical education
Current Research Projects:
My research program focuses on developing new and environmentally friendly chiral organocatalysts and ligands to create sustainable routes to cancer and malaria therapeutics.
Current and Former Research Students:
Fall 2014
Cameron Pombert (Biochemistry)
Mike Strongy (Chemistry)
Mohammed Farhan (Business with Science Applications)
Recent Publications:
Benedictine University
Rubush, D. M. * 2014. Diphenylphosphoric Acid. e-EROS Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. 1–6.
Colorado State University
“Stereoselective Synthesis of Dioxolanes and Oxazolidines via a Desymmetrization Acetalization/Michael Cascade.” David M. Rubush and Tomislav Rovis* Synlett 2014, 25, 713-717.
“An Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,2,4-Trioxane Anticancer Agents via Desymmetrization of Peroxyquinols through a Brønsted Acid Catalysis Cascade.” Journal of the American Chemical Society David M. Rubush, Michelle A. Morges, Barbara J. Rose, Douglas H. Thamm, and Tomislav Rovis* 2012, 134, 13554-13557.
Calvin College
“Photochemical Synthesis of 3-Alkynals from 1-Alkynoxy-9,10-anthraquinones.” Ronald L. Blankespoor*, Peter J. Boldenow, Eric C. Hansen, Jeffrey M. Kallemeyn, Andrew G. Lohse, David M. Rubush and Derek Vrieze Journal of Organic Chemistry 2009, 74, 3933-3935.
Professional Activities:
Member, American Chemical Society, Organic Division
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:
“Enantioselective Chiral Acid-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of p-Quinols and p-Peroxyquinols to form Heterocycles” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. 242th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Denver, CO; August 2011. (Talk)
“Progress Toward the Total Synthesis of Stemocurtisine Utilizing an Asymmetric Stetter Reaction” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. 240th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Boston, MA; August 2010. (Talk)
“Toward the Total Synthesis of Stemocurtisine Utilizing an Asymmetric Intramolecular Stetter Reaction” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. National Organic Chemistry Symposium, Boulder, CO; June 2009. (Poster)
“Progress Toward the Total Synthesis of Stemocurtisine” Rubush, D. M.; Rovis, T. Albert I. Meyers Symposium, Fort Collins, CO; October 2008. (Poster)
“Synthesis of Beta-Alkynals via the Photolysis of Substituted Anthraquinones” Blankespoor, R. L.; Boldenow, P. J.; Lohse, A. G.; Rubush, D. M. 235th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, LA; April 2008. (Poster)
Jayashree Sarathy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
jsarathy@ben.edu
Rationale
High colonic bile acids and perturbations to the colonic microbiome play a role in pathogenesis of diarrheal diseases in ~1% of the population and probiotic supplements are commonly used to ameliorate these adverse symptoms. One of the research goals in the Sarathy lab is to identify the specific processes involved in bile acid-associated diarrhea (BAD).
Previous studies
We have studied the yin-yang in bile acid action using the human colonic epithelial cells, T84, and previously reported that the primary bile acid, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA; 500μM), altered the pore and leak functions of tight junction (TJ) and increased paracellular permeability while its secondary derivative, lithocholic acid (LCA; 50μM), did not. Further, CDCA action involves apoptosis, reactive
oxygen species generation, and release of proinflammatory cytokine IL-8. We then studied the effects of probiotic strains in Up & UpTM extra strength supplement containing 30 billion CFUs of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains on bile acid -induced dysfunction in human colonic epithelial cells, T84. We found that probiotics ± LCA ameliorated CDCA-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress (Faseb J, 36, S1, R5817, 2022) cytokine release, barrier disruption and increase in paracellular permeability (to be presented in April 2023) in T84 cells.
Understanding the role of probiotics in alleviating BAD
How is the supplement able to alleviate the symptoms? A primary mode by which probiotics have their beneficial effects in treating inflammatory diarrhea is via microbial metabolism of substrates to produce intermediate or end product metabolites. Thus, our hypothesis is that the protection provided by probiotics against CDCA’s deleterious effects is due to the bacterial alteration of CDCA into a benign intermediate.
This Summer, we will study the metabolites that may be derived from microbial conversion of bile acids. Particularly, we will study if CDCA structure may be modified or if it will be enzymatically broken down by the probiotic. There are other studies that have shown the role for the metabolites in exacerbating or alleviating symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease1. Further, recent studies by Foley et al, 2021, have shown that probiotic Lactobaccilus strains use enzymes such as hydrolases to manipulate bile acids in the gut to promote their own survival2. Since our supplement has a predominance of L. bacillus, we will also study if bile acids alter the growth of the microbial strains in the probiotic supplement.
Project 1: To study the crosstalk between BA and microflora
Probiotic strains in Up & Up extra strength supplement (B. bacterium and L. bacillus strains; 30 billion CFUs) will be grown in T84 epithelial cell culture media ± CDCA± LCA under anaerobic conditions at 37°C. Up and Up extra strength probiotic supplement is a commercially available mixture (Manufacturer: Target) consisting of the following eight bacterial species: Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus. A total of 4.5 × 1011 probiotic bacteria will be dissolved in 50 ml media and grown in T84 culture media in the presence or absence of bile acids. We have shown previously that the bacterial strains do grow in epithelial cell culture media.
1) Identify if the microbial species are altered in the presence of different bile acids
Project 2: To study the effect of probiotics on bile acid composition
This part of the study will be done in collaboration with Dr. Narayanan, the biochemist in our College of Science and Health. The expertise of Sarathy lab in bile acid physiology and that of Dr. Narayanan in biochemical assays and HPLC use will help bring this project to fruition. The results of these studies will shed light on the interaction of microbiome,
bile acids and intestinal epithelia. Studies from our lab will contribute to understanding the mechanisms by which probiotics restore barrier integrity will help identify novel therapeutic strategies to target symptoms in patients with bile acid-associated diarrhea.
Project 3: Determine the effect of probiotics ± bile acids on mucin production in T84 cells
There are several studies that show the importance of microbiota in maintaining epithelial barrier integrity. Supplements, such as Up and Up brands of probiotic formula, have been shown to alleviate symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although we have shown the disruptive effects of excess bile acids on colonic cell monolayers, we have to remember that the colonic cells in vivo have the mucin layer and microbiota which can help protect the epithelial layer form harmful molecules and pathogens. Though there are many studies on the beneficial effects of microbiome, much remains to be identified on how the microbiome interfaces with the protective mucous layer of the colon. The colonic T84 cells have been shown to secrete mucin in culture (McCool et al, Biochem J, 1990, 267) which could be stimulated by calcium secretagogues (Forstner et al, AJP-GI, 1993, 264). MUC-2 has been shown to be more abundant in epithelial cells of intestine. We and others have previously shown that bile acids increased [Ca2+]i, and we will study the effect of CDCA, and LCA on mucin production ± probiotics. Conditioned media have been shown to be more effective in inducing mucin expression.
Method: Therefore, in this study we will expose T84 cells apically to CM and qPCR and Western blotting will be used to analyze MUC2 gene and MUC-2 protein expression, respectively, in response to bile acids ± increasing concentrations of CM. A minimum of 4 wells of T84/treatment group will be assayed.
Awards and Recognitions:
Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence by an Adjunct Faculty 2010
Publications
Books/Chapters Published
Papers Published (Graduate and undergraduate students and Research Specialists mentored are italicized)
Peer-reviewed Abstracts
Aging, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Drosophila, RNA Processing.
Research Areas
Aging, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Drosophila, RNA Processing
Peer-Reviewed Publications Undergraduate students are underlined.
Additional Publications
Leadership, mentoring, self-efficacy, ethics in professional practice and professional development.
Stefan Stefanoski, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Physical Sciences
sstefanoski@ben.edu
Students at Benedictine University are offered the opportunity to conduct a state-of-art research by using equipment and methodologies similar to that used in modern R&D laboratories across the industry, such as potentiostats/galvanostats and solar simulators. Their research activities will meet the following objectives: analyzing the benefits from the renewable energy technologies, understanding the fundamental scientific principles behind them, learning and applying theoretical knowledge in real-time applications, hands-on measurements by using state-of-art equipment, and preparing students to enter the job market as skilled professionals or enroll in graduate schools with an advanced knowledge and experience in designing and conducting experiments.
Project 1: Batteries for biomedical applications: Batteries can be used as power sources for motorized wheelchairs, surgical tools, cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, dynamic prostheses, sensors and monitors for physiological parameters, neurostimulators, devices for pain relief, iontophoresis, electroporation, and related devices for drug administration. Students will investigate the types of battery chemistries used for biomedical applications and test their properties (charge/discharge cycling, internal resistance, operation in hot and humid environments, etc.).
Project 2: Batteries for electric vehicles: This project is suitable for students majoring in engineering, physics, and/or chemistry, as it focuses on testing batteries used in electric (EV) or hybrid-electric (HEV) vehicles. Even though this project involves testing batteries on a laboratory-scale, it is intended to mimic the activities of engineers in companies and national labs who design batteries for EVs. Properties such as battery capacity and voltage will be investigated as function of cycling (charge/discharge). The effects of temperature variations and mechanical stress on the performance of the battery will be analyzed. Impedance Spectroscopy and Nyquist plot-analysis will be implemented to measure the internal resistance and assess the “state of health” of a battery.
Project 3: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs): This is one of the latest promising solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies, focused on the design of solar cells that are light, inexpensive, transparent, and have the potential of achieving desirable efficiencies. The DSSCs will be assembled and their electrical properties measured. Various types of dyes will be tested in order to identify the inexpensive and abundant ones that will help us pave the road toward the next-generation low-cost and high-efficiency solar PV technology.
Project 4: Standalone solar PV system for health clinics or schools in remote areas: The project will focus on designing a solar PV system for a health clinic or a school in a remote area, where no alternative sources of power are available. The project will encompass understanding of the operation and properties of solar cells, the components of a typical solar PV system (solar panels, batteries, inverters, charge controllers, etc.), and incorporating them into a final design. This project is suitable for students across a range of disciplines and majors: those interested in the engineering aspects of the design, as well as those interested in its humanitarian aspect, for example by delivering power to areas in third-world countries where power is either inaccessible or prohibitively expensive.
Current and Former Research Students
Awards and Recognition
Recent Publications
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations
Karly Tumminello
Director and Curator of the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum
ktumminello@ben.edu
Assessment of Collections-Based Hazards in Natural History Museums
Natural history collections contain inherent hazards. This may be due in part to the natural composition of the specimens, but also because of the residual preservative chemicals accumulated through historic conservation practices. Specimens that have undergone specific taxidermy treatments are at a higher risk of such contamination. Our research will focus on comprehensive investigations into the historic use of heavy metals as an insecticide and preservative of natural history and ethnographic collections. Our research questions will revolve around historic treatments of taxidermy specimens, detection and monitoring of environmental toxins present in these collections, assessing threats of any substances detected, and adhering to proper disposal protocols, if needed. Training will also include proper museum specimen handling techniques, natural history collections preventative conservation, museum database management, and proper care and treatment of historic natural history specimens. Laboratory investigations will focus on testing museum specimens for levels of heavy metals, determining safe levels and acceptable thresholds within testing parameters, and the procedures to engage museum policies of deaccessioning and disposal, as necessary.
Current Projects:
Scanning Probe Microscopy, Optical Tweezers, Physics Education, Outreach.
Awards and Recognitions:
Research Area
Scanning Probe Microscopy, Optical Tweezers, Physics Education, Outreach
Current Research Projects
Optical Tweezers: Research will be conducted to use the BU optical tweezers instrument to study biological systems. Optical tweezers use focused light to trap and manipulate small objects. The initial study is focused on the trapping and analysis of E. coli bacteria. The project is experimental and involves learning about optics, lasers, and the interaction of light with matter.
Scanning Probe Microscopy: A Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) is a device used to image surfaces of materials with atomic resolution. This project will involve building and testing an STM. It is an experimental project and will involve computer programming and electronics.
Research Grants and Funding:
Professional Activities:
Current and Former Research Students:
Recent Publications:
Publications:
Magazines
Peer-Reviewed and Invited Presentations:
Ellen Ziliak, Ph.D.
Professor, Mathematical and Computational Sciences
eziliak@ben.edu
Research Area
My scholarly interests lie in three main areas which include the study of symmetric spaces, applications of abstract algebra, and effective pedagogy in my classrooms.
Recent Publications based on research
A Catholic University in the Benedictine Tradition, founded in 1887.
Lisle Campus
5700 College Rd. Lisle, IL 60532
2.5 miles east of Downtown Naperville
(630) 829-6000
Mesa Campus
225 E. Main St. Mesa, AZ 85201
(602) 888-5500
