Molecular Parasitology
Paul Ulrich, Georgia State University
Of the approximately 1000 different proteins that populate eukaryotic mitochondria, ~50% have no known function. Molecular Parasitology is a course-based intensively engages undergraduates by investigating roles of uncharacterized, mitochondrial proteins in trypanosomatid parasites. Students utilize basic bioinformatics (subcellular localization, conserved domain prediction, BLAST, secondary structure) to predict protein function followed by construction and transfection of GFP-fusion constructs into cell lines to validate their predictions. The CURE is designed to encourage independent problem-solving, science identity, and support career success.

Host-Parasite Interactions in Cuscuta campestris
Brandy Rogers, Georgia Highlands College; Tara Suswal, Georgia Highlands College
Cuscuta campestris (Field dodder) is a parasitic plant with a global distribution. It is an obligate stem parasite and a host generalist, capable of parasitizing a wide variety of hosts, many of which are economically important crop species. Cuscuta campestris is considered an agricultural pest due to its ability to cause significant reduction in host productivity. Here, we investigate parasite-host interactions to characterize foraging behavior by parasite seedlings in response to presence of available hosts, and also examine differential attachment success on various host species.

Neurobiology of Alcohol CURE
Elizabeth Crofton, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Excessive alcohol use is highly prevalent in college students. Alcohol causes a multitude of alterations in the brain that can eventually lead to alcohol use disorder, but this shift is not fully understood. Evidence suggests that adolescents are particularly vulnerable to developing substance use disorders. Therefore, research into the neurobiology of alcohol has broad interest inside and outside the college classroom. The goal of this research project is to investigate the effects of chronic alcohol on gene and protein expression in specific regions of the rat brain. Students will critically evaluate existing alcohol research and design a well-controlled study to investigate a feasible and testable question. Students will use rodent brain histology, quantitative PCR analysis, or western blotting to investigate their hypothesis. This work will provide a better understanding of the effects of alcohol and provide students laboratory and research skills.

A Microbial-Traits CURE for terrestrial ecosystems (mT-CURE)
Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus
Microbial traits are defined as phenotypic properties whose expression determines the tempo and mode of microbial activity. Growth rate, pH range, Q10, substrate affinity and nutrient-use efficiency, are traits whose variation across microbes can lead to differential contribution to ecosystem processes. The combination and distribution of traits among organisms can generate functional guilds in soils; hence a quantitative understanding of trait presence, trait magnitude and trait spectrum of variation can be a powerful component for function-based modeling of the contribution of different microbes to ecosystem level processes like carbon degradation or generation of methane gas in soils. In this "Microbial-Traits CURE for terrestrial ecosystems (mT-CURE)" students will participate for two semesters, develop hypothesis on the variability of traits and its organismal and/or environmental sources. During first semester evaluations of traits will be completed and hypothesis addressed using previous ecosystem-specific microbial culture collections derived from previous CUREs. In second semester, an effort to predict traits from microbes directly from genomic information will be evaluated against trait values collected on the first semester. The goal is to use available and accessible bioinformatic approaches to test their predictive capacity for validation and possible future expansion into metagenomic-assembled genomes.

Environmental Justice for North Troy and Beyond
Emilly Obuya, The Sage Colleges
Water quality in American cities is a major issue. Studies show that the increased level of water pollution is mostly due to aging supply infrastructure, which is notorious in post-industrial cities like Troy, and not necessarily from poor water treatment. Therefore, water quality can vary from city to city and across neighborhoods. We are especially interested in research studies and in educational projects that promote continuing discovery and learning. We work with youth, who learn that they, as individuals, can have a tangible impact on the health and wellbeing of our greater community. This summer, we will be working on a "Water Warriors: Youth Empowerment Through Science," which is a year-long research scientific project enabling local youth and neighbors to investigate the quality of water–especially levels of lead, cadmium, parabens and organic material–in homes and neighborhoods in Troy, NY. This project will empower the community with the scientific and educational tools necessary to understand, protect, and advocate for clean water, thereby using science to promote environmental justice and the health and welfare of their families and neighbors.

La Fermentación: Teaching Cell Biology with Kombucha
Bobbi Johnson, Wenatchee Valley College; Karina Vega-Villa, Wenatchee Valley College
Kombucha is made by introducing a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) into brewed tea. Health benefits of consuming kombucha are often described, but there is limited research supporting most claims. Additionally, there is conflicting information regarding some specific claims. For example, some websites advocate that frequent consumption of kombucha could reduce symptoms of Candida (a pathogenic yeast) while others claim that kombucha may actually contain Candida yeast or otherwise contribute to the growth of yeast in the body due to the sugar and yeast present in the beverage. The purpose of this CURE is to guide students through core concepts related to introductory cell and molecular biology through the lens of kombucha. Students investigate two hypotheses during the CURE: (1) a student-developed hypothesis related to yeast, bacteria, or kombucha and (2) testing if Candida can be identified in samples of kombucha. As part of the CURE, students learn the core concepts of an introductory cell and molecular biology course, develop basic transferable laboratory skills, and build their science-identity through supported application of the scientific process.

Recycle Your Life: Investigating best practices for improving recycling
Michael Black, Georgia State University
This CURE is designed to introduce STEM-thinking and research tools to students with an interest in furthering environmental goals. As the entryway for most starting students is recycling, this CURE is aimed at helping students understand some of the disconnect between understanding recycling (why it is important and what can be recycled) and behaving in a way that matches that understanding (recycling appropriately).

Flow Cytometry Based CURE – Genotoxic Stress and Immune Cells
Charlie Benson, Georgia State University; Megan Dickherber, Georgia State University
This lab will focus on learning laboratory techniques commonly used in cellular immunology and cancer cell biology research. Over the course of the semester students will conduct research investigating the impact of genotoxic stress and DNA damage agents on immune cell phenotype and function. It is not well characterized how diverse types of immune cells are changed following exposure to such agents. It is important to understand how exposure to such stressors influences cell biology as many such agents are used therapeutically in medicine (radiation and chemotherapy). In particular, the field of cancer immunotherapy relies on the function of immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. Thus, the impact of these standard therapies (radiation) on the immune cells themselves is useful knowledge that could help optimize immune based therapies. During the course they will learn the scientific process while also learning common research techniques for eukaryotic cell culture and diverse flow cytometry assays.

Bioenergy Materials for Renewable Energy: A Theoretical and Experimental Approach
Jalaal Hayes, Delaware State University
This course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) will focus on the topic of biomass energy.

Analyzing datasets in crime and policing teach the nature and process of science
Michael Watson, Fisk University