Beckman Scholars INBRE USP Scholars
 

Beckman Scholars Program

Courtney Reichhardt

Butte, Montana

Chemistry
Mentor: Trevor Douglas, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project:

Investigation of the catalase activity of a DpsL protein isolated from Sulfolobus solfataricus

 

INBRE Scholars

Patrick Bender

Moscow, Idaho

Biochemistry
Mentor: Martin Teintze, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project:

Investigation of T140/CXCR4 interactions

 

Ryan Boharski

Kalispell, Montana

Organismal Biology
Mentor: Richard Bessen, Veterinary Molecular Biology
Project: Recombinant prion protein multimer as a potential vaccine aganst prion disease
 

Brittany Buchholz

Helena, Montana

Cell Biology and Nueroscience
Mentor: Barry Pyle, Microbiology
Project:

Description of Helicobacter pylori housekeeping and virulence genes during VBNC and after resuscitation into viable form

 

Loribeth Evertz

Joliet, Montana

Mechanical Engineering
Mentor: Sarah Codd, Mechanical Engineering
Project:

Oscillatory flow phenomena in simple fluids and comlex fluids such as blood

 

Hilary Fabich

Livingston, Montana

Chemical Engineering

Mentor: Joseph Seymour, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Project:

Rheological and MR characterization of Xanthan Gum/Locust Bean gum gels for drug delivery and biofilm model

 

Drago Guggiana

Copiapo, Chile

Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, and

Biotechnology

Mentor: Thomas Hughes, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Project:

Designing a genetically encoded hypoxia fluorescent sensor - phase III

 

Tiffany Hensley

Whitefish, Montana

Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Mentor: Christa Merzdorf, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Project:

Exploring a possible signaling role for Aquaporin-3b in neural plate cells of Xenopus laevis

 

Shannon Kruse

Belgrade, Montana

Biochemistry
Mentor: Brian Bothner, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project:

Investigation of adeno associated virus capsids by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry

 

Karin Langhus

Big Timber, Montana

Biotechnology and Microbiology
Mentor: Michael Franklin, Microbiology
Project:

Characterizing PA4634.1, PA2623.1, and PA2364.1 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa; novel small regulatory RNAs

 

Heather Lytle

Fairfield, Montana

Nursing
Mentor: Elizabeth Rink, Health and Human Development
Project:

Implementing community health palliative care services for critical patients in Nkomazi, South Africa

 

Allison MacGregor

Park City, Utah

Biochemistry
Mentor: Michael Franklin, Microbiology
Project:

Sequence identification of novel ncRNAs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa using 5' RACE

 

Dylan Malloy

Butte, Montana

Nursing
Mentor: Karen Zulkowski, Nursing
Project: Pressure ulcer prevalence in nursing homes: Does education make a difference?
 

Mary Bethany McMaster

Hardin, Montana

Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Mentor: John Miller, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Project:

Self-recognition and forced lateralization of normal subjects

 

Gharett Meng

Missoula, Montana

Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Mentor: Sheila Nielsen-Preiss
Project:

Exploration into mineralization

 

Lyne Tchapmi Petse

Yaounde, Cameroon

Computer Engineering and Math
Mentor: Brendan Mumey, Computer Science
Project:

Algorithms of genome sequence assembly

 

Mark Schaefer

Bozeman, MT

Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Mentor: Roger Bradly, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Project:

PcdH-1 and neural crest adhesion

 

Joseph Steffens

Helena, Montana

Biomedical Science and Chemistry
Mentor: Brian Bothner, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project:

Activity based protein profiling with Sulfolobus solfataricus

 

Caleb Sturge

Bozeman, Montana

Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Mentor: Frances Lefcort, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Project:

Effects of anaplastic lymphoma kinase on motor neuron and cardiac crest survival in developing chick

 

Alfred Swanson

Valdez Alaska

Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Mentor: Christa Merzdorf, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Project:

Zic 1 mediated anterior posterior axis patterning by CRABPII induction of hindbrain Hox genes

 

Sarah Walton

Butte, Montana

Biochemistry
Mentor: Martin Teintze, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project:

Mapping the binding site of peptide antagonists and guanide and biguanide inhibition of CXCR4

 

Catherine Worth

Livingston, Montana

Nursing
Mentor: Clarann Weinert, Nursing
Project:

Rural perspectives: Pain management and the creative arts

 

Thomas Wright

Columbia Falls, Montana

Biochemistry
Mentor: Martin Teintze, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project:

Antibacterial properties of biguanides

 

USP Scholars

Stuart Baker

Lake Forest Park, Washington

Environmental Science

Mentor: Bill Inskeep, Land Resources and Environmental Science
Project:

Characterization of a novel thermoacidophilic iron oxidizer

 

Jace Becker

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Photography
Mentor: Ian van Coller, Film and Photography
Project: MESA Project
 

Tami Beers

Belgrade, Montana

Nursing
Mentor: Elizabeth Kinion, Nursing
Project: Xylitol and its use as a treatment of early childhood caries (ECC)
 

Shawn Behzadi

Bozeman, Montana

Microbiology
Mentor: Sandra Halonen, Microbiology
Project: Identification of IFN-y resistance genes in Toxoplasma gondii
 

Eli Berry

Reed Point, Montana

Biotechnology
Mentor: James Berardinelli, Animal and Range Sciences
Project:

Acute effect of exposing eighteen-month-old virgin ewes to mature rams on temporal characteristics of cortisol and LH concentration patterns during the transition from non-breeding season to the breeding season

 

Conor Bolger

Minocqua, Wisconsin

Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Mentor: Roger Bradly, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Project:

P120: A molecular interaction

 

Kari Bowles

Belgrade, Montana

Film
Mentor: Paul Monaco, Film and Photography
Project: Ezra and Imogene
 

Tyler Bridges

Sumter, South Carolina

Paleontology
Mentor: David Varricchio, Earth Sciences
Project:

Applying taphonomy to the fossil "soft tissue"/biofilm controversy

 

Ryan Browning

Boise, Idaho

Film
Mentor: Tom Watson, Film and Photography
Project:

Once a runner

 

Crystal Carpenter

Louisville, Kentucky

Art
Mentor: Nelleke Beltjens, Art
Project:

Disposability

 

Travis Corthouts

Canton, Connecticut

Geology
Mentor: David Lageson, Earth Sciences
Project: Strain analysis on the Rierdon Limestone
 

Perrie Crampton

Dillon, Montana

Animal Science
Mentor: James Berardinelli, Animal and Range Sciences
Project: Effect of ram exposure on temporal patterns of metabolic hormones and progesterone concentrations in 18-month-old virgin Targhee ewes during the transition into the breeding season
 

Rebecca Croghan

Bozeman, Montana

Early Childhood Education
Mentor: Bethany Letiecq, Health and Human Development
Project: The debate of same sex marriage
 

David Cronk

Montrose, Pennsylvania

Liberal Studies
Mentor: Ilse Lee, Honors
Project: Chasing the black bear
 

Kerstin Cullen

Valdez, Alaska

Physics
Mentor: Galina Malovichko, Physics
Project: EPR characterization of lithium niobate doped with non-paramagnetic modifiers
 

Ellie Davis

Princeton, New Jersey

Evolution and Ecology
Mentor: Brian McGlynn, Land Resources and Environmental Science
Project: Nutrient concentrations and bacterial biomass in streams located in the West Fork Watershed, Southwest Montana
 

Erin Doherty

Billings, Montana

Art History
Mentor: Harvey Hamburgh, Art
Project:

Exploring documentaries on the individual

 

Amber Dubay

Bozeman, Montana

Nursing
Mentor: Kathleen Schachman, Nursing
Project:

Adaptation and testing of an intsrument to measure stressors in spouses of firefighters

 

Megan Dunbar

Bozeman, Montana

Photography
Mentor: Ian van Coller, Film and Photography
Project: Anaconda: An opportunity just outside
 

Patrick Dyess

Houston, Texas

Geology

Mentor: David Mogk, Earth Sciences
Project: Petrographic, structural, and deformation history of high grade Archean metamorphic in Bear Trap Canyon, Montana
 

Dustin Elliott

Billings, Montana

Chemical Engineering
Mentor: Paul Gannon, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Project:

Interfacial interactions among cathode materials and the protective coatings on stainless steel interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells

 

ZuZu Feder

Bozeman, Montana

English Literature

Mentor: Doug Downs, English
Project: Metaphors in freshman descriptions of writing
 

Justin Folsom

Helena, Montana

Economics
Mentor: Wendy Stock, Economics
Project: Assessment of formal study labs on the learning outcomes of Economics 101 students at Montana State University
 

Alaina Garcia

Bozeman, Montana

Mechanical Engineering and Math

Mentor: Robb Larson, Mechanical Engineering
Project: Tesla Turbine micro-hydro system: Design, fabrication, analysis and evaluation of a unique small, low-cost electrical power generation system
 

Philip Gardner

Hayden, Idaho

Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Mentor: Matthew Fields, Microbiology
Project: Characterization of microbial communities from thermoalkaline springs in Yellowstone National Park
 

Anna Gerasimova

Billings, Montana

Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Mentor: Christa Merzdorf, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Project: Cellular localization of aquaporin-3b in the neural folds of Xenopus laevis embryos
 

Hunter Graham

Red Lodge, Montana

Photography

Mentor: Alexis Pike, Film and Photography
Project: Combat witness: A photographic documentary including first-hand accounts of combat
 

Anne Hansen

Bozeman, Montana

Nursing and Spanish

Mentor: Sandra Kuntz, Nursing
Project: Direct observation and analysis of healthcare provider focus groups
 

Travis Harrer

Bozeman, Montana

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Mentor: Robin Gerlach, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Project: Enrichment of ureolytic microorganisms and evaluation of alternate urea sources for carbonate biomineralization
 

Benjamin Hogenson

Billings, Montana

Electrical Engineering

Mentor: Brock LaMeres , Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project: Robotic lunar regolith excavator
 

Timothy Holland

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Environmental Horticulture

Mentor: William Hoch, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology
Project: In vitro isolation and DNA content determination of the Japanese endangered Rhododendron, R. uwaense
 

Nicole Holyoak

Missoula, Montana

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Mentor: Jeffrey Heys, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Project: Simulation of particle deposition in the human airways
 

Christine Holzwarth

Billings, Montana

Chemistry

Mentor: Robert Szilagyi, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project: The molecular origin of uranium toxicity in biological systems
 

David Householter

Sandpoint, Idaho

Computer Science

Mentor: John Paxton, Computer Science
Project: MESA Website Development
 

Amanda Hyman

Appleton, Wisconsin

Environmental Biology

Mentor: Geoffrey Poole, Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
Project: Stream metabolism following restoration and remediation of Silver Bow Creek, Montana, USA
 

Brian Johnson

Spokane, Washington

Film

Mentor: Tom Watson, Film and Photography
Project: Dr. Kilkenny
 

Shawn Jones

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Land Rehabilitation

Mentor: Stuart Challender and Laura Larsson, Earth Sciences and Nursing
Project: Integration of geospatial and social science techniques in the evaluation and effectiveness of the Gallatin Valley radon testing program
 

Sabindra Katila

Pokhara, Nepal

Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Mentor: Marcella McClure, Microbiology
Project: Retroid analysis of mammalian genome
 

Cynthia Kempf

Bozeman, Montana

Nursing

Mentor: Elizabeth Kinion, Nursing
Project: Investigating Streptococcus mutans in early childhood caries
 

Jamie Kern

Freeburg, Illinois

Paleontology

Mentor: Frankie Jackson, Earth Sciences
Project: Comparison of two methods used to calculate water vapor conductance in modern and fossilized eggshell using an additional analysis technique
 

Teresa Keserich

Bozeman, Montana

Graphic Design

Mentor: Jeffrey Conger, Graphic Design
Project: Italy 1:1
 

Scott Larson

Bozeman, Montana

Mechanical Engineering

Mentor: Daniel Miller, Civil Engineering
Project: Avalanche explosives: A study on the stresses induced within snow layers
 

Autumn Laughbaum

Scobey, Montana

Statistics

Mentor: Megan Higgs, Mathematical Sciences
Project: Animated statistical graphics for data visualization
 

Heather Lee

Bozeman, Montana

Paleontology

Mentor: Ada Giusti, Modern Languages
Project: An assessment of volunteer opportunities in the French overseas Department of la Reunion
 

Kira Lee

Libby, Montana

Music Education

Mentor: Ilse Lee, Honors
Project: Cultural influences on music education
 

Nicole Lerner

Bozeman, Montana

Electrical Engineering

Mentor: Joseph Shaw, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project: Calibrating and quantifying a white light control channel of an aurora detector
 

Jennene Lyda

Billings, Montana

Microbiology

Mentor: Sandra Halonen, Microbiology
Project: Utilization of BiFC to view host endoplasmic reticulum's IGTP-mediated disruption of the Toxoplasma gondii vacuole
 

Emma Lynn

Mullingar, Ireland

Film

Mentor: Theo Lipfert, Film and Photography
Project: Dictation
 

Alexandre Manigault

Bozeman, Montana

Anthropology

Mentor: Tomomi Yamaguchi, Sociology and Anthropology
Project: The rise of a "techno-class"?  An ethnography of American college students' use of internet
 

Rose Marks

Marlow, New Hampshire

Plant Science

Mentor: Lisa Rew, Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
Project: The invasion dynamics of Linaria dalmatica: A genetic approach
 

Bridgett McNulty

Great Falls, Montana

Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Mentor: Roger Bradley, Cell Biology and Neuroscience
Project: Determination of chick protocadherin-1 binding partners
 

Jon-Michael Mooney

Pocatello, Idaho

Film

Mentor: Tom Watson, Film and Photography
Project: The novelist
 

Kevin Murray

Billings, Montana

Biochemistry

Mentor: Robert Szilagyi, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project: Investigation of empirical molecular mechanics of Fe-S containing particles using an 11 node Silicon Graphics Octane computational cluster
 

Philip Murray

Gig Harbor, Washington

Anthropology

Mentor: Tomomi Yamaguchi, Sociology and Anthropology
Project: The Taliban movement: Creating cultural authority
 

Vanessa Naive

Kalispell, Montana

Film

Mentor: Simon Dixon, Film and Photography
Project: Russian cinema: The fall of the Soviet Union, and after
 

Wendy Nickisch

Forsyth, Montana

Organismal Biology

Mentor: Florence Dunkel, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology
Project: Sustainability in Sanambele
 

Jayson Nissen

Havre, Montana

Physics

Mentor: Berk Knighton, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project: Passive high altitude capture of extraterrestrial pariculate
 

Stephanie Obernesser

Yellowstone NP, Wyoming

Photography

Mentor: Alexis Pike, Film and Photography
Project: Searching
 

Zachary Osterhout

Seattle, Washington

Film

Mentor: Theo Lipfert, Film and Photography
Project: 100 yards
 

JM Peck

Melrose, Montana

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Mentor: Kevin Amende, Mechanical Engineering
Project: Montana exhibit house project
 

Zach Pershin

Skokie, Illinois

Economics

Mentor: Wendy Stock, Economics
Project: Assessment of formal study labs on learning outcomes of Economics 101 students at Montana State University
 

Lily Peterson

Helena, Montana

Biochemistry

Mentor: Martin Teintze, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project: Expression of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4 in insect cells
 

Michiel Pillet

Landen, Belgium

Paleontology

Mentor: Jack Horner, Museum of the Rockies
Project: Phylogenetic variation of the glycogen body and the endosacral enlargement
 

Christopher Poepping

Evergreen, Colorado

Microbiology

Mentor: Barry Pyle, Microbiology
Project: Genetic study of Streptomyces lividans containing plasmid pIJ702
 

Paul Popovitch

Bozeman, Montana

Biotechnology

Mentor: Abigail Richards, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Project: Characterization of siderophores produced by Halomonas elongata
 

Ross Radke

Kirkland, Washington

Film

Mentor: James Joyce, Film and Photography
Project: Special and visual FX for the low-budget filmmaker
 

Evan Rashid

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mechanical Engineering

Mentor: Ahsan Mian, Mechanical Engineering
Project: Laser microjoining of dissimilar materials for applications in miniaturized devices 
 

Thomas Robinson

Ben Lomond, California

Exercise Science

Mentor: Robert Carson, Education
Project: Inquiry of human response in group to severe trauma
 

Zachary Rogala

Darby, Montana

Philosophy

Mentor: Sara Waller, History and Philosophy
Project: Wolf and coyote vocalization patterns in applied cognitive epistemology
 

Shelby Rogala

Darby, Montana

English

Mentor: Holly Grether, History and Philosophy
Project: The wife of Buddha: Infrastructure, culture and religion in India
 

Sean Ryan

Maple Valley, Washington

Electrical Engineering

Mentor: Joseph Shaw, Electrical Engineering
Project: Feasibility study of infrared imaging for wolf population surveys
 

Nicole Schonenbach

Ashland, Montana

Chemical Engineering

Mentor: Brent Peyton, Chemical Engineering
Project: Algae to biodiesel: Optimization of algal growth and triacylglyceride accumulation
 

Kyla Selvig

Scobey, Montana

Biochemistry

Mentor: Brian Bothner, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Project: Changes in archaeal membrane composition and structure in response to viral infection
 

Matt Smith

Helena, Montana

Business Management

Mentor: Cliff Montagne, Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
Project: Montana COOP structure and economic development in rural Kenya
 

Jasmine Snyder

Bozeman, Montana

Studio Arts

Mentor: Heather Bentz, Art
Project: Royal road self portraits
 

Teresa Snyder

Great Bend, Kansas

Economics

Mentor: Wendy Stock, Economics
Project: Assessment of formal study labs on learning outcomes in Economics 101 at Montana State University
 

Benjamin Staal

Manhattan, Montana

Electrical Engineering

Mentor: Joseph Shaw, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project: Optical aurora detector redesign
 

Alyse Stark

Sun Valley, Idaho

Film

Mentor: Tom Watson, Film and Photography
Project: Resonance
 

Dustin Stoltz

Florence, Montana

Sociology

Mentor: Steven Swinford, Sociology and Anthropology
Project: Reducing barriers to positive masculinity: A rock climber's approach
 

Megan Sullivan

Marshfield, Massachusetts

Environmental Studies and Photography

Mentor: Florence Dunkel, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology
Project: Sanambelean cultural preservation
 

Michael Tarrant

Butte, Montana

Music Technology

Mentor: Kristi McGarity, Music
Project: Recording soundscapes: Chile
 

David Walsh

Billings, Montana

Physics

Mentor: Randy Larimer, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project: Passive high altitude capture of extraterrestrial particulate
 

David Weir

Belgrade, Montana

Electrical Engineering

Mentor: Wataru Nakagawa, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project: Silicon-on-insulator based optical waveguides integrated with sub-wavelength gratings
 

Amanda White

Kalispell, Montana

Nursing

Mentor: Laura Larsson, Nursing
Project: Exploring scope of practice issues for correctional facility nurses in the intermountain west
 

Matthew Widdekind

Bozeman, Montana

Psychology

Mentor: Ian Handley, Psychology
Project: The effects of general action/inaction goals on semantic priming
 

Sierra Zimmer

Helena, Montana

Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Mentor: David Sands, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology
Project: Gluten-free culinary development and distribution of Camelina sativa based foods