2018-2019
Using East and West Okoboji Lake, Iowa as a Model System for Potential Biotic Processes in the Gale Crater on Mars
Nicole Bishop – University of Northern Iowa
The Effect of Extended Photochemical Processing on Subsequent Aerosol Generations
At the end of the Cassini era, many of the mysteries surrounding Titan’s atmosphere have yet to be unraveled. To enhance the return of the Cassini data, our group has been carrying out the first cryogenic photochemistry of aromatic and aliphatic aerosol analogs. Read more.
Brandon Cooley – University of Iowa
Effects of Microgravity on Vasopressin Receptor Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Our lab will be studying the effects of microgravity on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs). We will be able to simulate microgravity by utilizing rotating cell culture vessels adjusted at a speed that counterbalances the force of gravity. Read more.
HaloSat is a NASA-funded CubeSat that will measure X-rays from hot gas surrounding the Milky Way and address the question: is there a massive, extended, hot halo around the Milky Way? Read more.
Hannah Gulick – University of Iowa
HaloSat: A CubeSat in the Search for Missing Matter
Everything we can see in the universe – stars, galaxies, planets, even people – is made up of luminous matter known as baryonic matter. Baryonic matter is the source of all astronomical observation, but nearly half of it is missing. Read more.
The objective of my project is to evaluate how changes in the global carbon cycle are preserved in the rock record by evaluating high-resolution differences between the organic carbon and carbonate carbon isotopic record during an ancient global change event in earth history. Read more.
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are ordered structures formed by spontaneous chemisorption of organic molecules to a surface. For their tunability and sensitivity, SAMs provide facile means to tailor interfacial surface properties. Read more.
Miles Lucas – Iowa State University
The Study of Stellar Debris Disks and Interstellar Medium
Debris disks are a collection of rocky particles and gas orbiting in the plane of planetary systems. Debris disks provide insight into asteroid belt analogs and information on the system’s physics and dynamics, including planet formation. Read more.
The MISSFIT research organization—acronym for Magneto-Ionization Spacecraft Shield for Interplanetary Travel—is a student-run, interdisciplinary research group devoted to the development of an ionized radiation shield. Read more.
Alec Mangan – Iowa State University
Self Assembly of Oxide Nanoparticle under Directional Solidification Conditions
Translating Gradient Directional Solidification consists of moving a sample through a thermal gradient to understand the process by which the material solidifies. Read more.
An important notion of algorithmic randomness, defined in terms of deterministic finite state automata, has recently received increased attention among researchers. Read more.
Kaela Newman – Drake University
Algorithmically Random Walks in Markov Chains
In this project, we use notions of algorithmic randomness of strings to study the characteristics of Markov chains, where a Markov chain is a stochastic process consisting of a set of states such that the probability of transitioning from one state to another is determined only by the previous state visited. Read more.
Approximately 5% of all mass in the universe is made up of normal, baryonic matter. Being comprised of protons and neutrons, baryonic matter is the foundation of everything that astronomers observe in the universe. Read more.
McKenzie Temperly – Drake University
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Overload-Induced Muscle Growth and Function in Mice
Astronauts’ muscles are not subjected to normal loading due to microgravity, which leads to muscle atrophy and reduced strength. They also receive inadequate sunlight exposure and may develop a vitamin D deficiency. Read more.
The conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas to methane via the catalyzed Sabatier reaction, commonly known as carbon dioxide methanation, is the proposed method for producing on-site fuel for a return rocket from Mars. Read more.
Kathryn Vollmer – Drake University
Activation of Prodrug MBX-2168 to Combat Human Cytomegalovirus
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a beta herpes virus, can cause severe and sometimes fatal complications in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients. Read more.