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

Generic Arthropod Behavioral Syndromes CURE
Donna McDermott, Emory University
Behavioral syndromes research can be done with many students and few expensive materials. This field is fairly recent, so much of this research begins with descriptive observational studies where researchers identify behavioral types in a study system of interest. An animal exhibits a behavioral type if their behavior is consistent through time and ecological context, but differs from other individuals of their species. For example, a spider might consistently behave aggressively while hunting, finding mates, and avoiding predators as opposed to another conspecific spider which behaves with relative docility in all of those contexts. In this example, the behavioral types present in the population are aggressive and docile. In this CURE, students perform an observational study followed by an experiment. In the observational study, students will devise an assay used to investigate whether or not their study species displays multiple "types" of one behavior (e.g. boldness, aggression, exploration, sociability, activity level.) In the experiment, students investigate the role of developmental factors on those behavioral types OR the fitness outcomes of those behavioral types in different ecological contexts.

Inhibitors for Malate Dehydrogenase
Dawn Marin, Gaston College
The goal of this CURE is to design, synthesize and test inhibitors of Malate Dehydrogenase. Students will study the structure of the enzyme and propose possible inhibitors that could form intermolecular bonds with the enzyme. Students will choose potential inhibitor molecules that can be purchased or easily synthesized and purified. The binding of inhibitors will be screened using computational docking calculations. Successful Inhibitors will be tested using enzymatic assays.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Phage Investigations
Sonia Singhal, Johnson C Smith University
Bacteriophages -- viruses that infect bacteria, or "phages" for short -- are the most abundant organism on the planet. We can harness them to fight diseases, restore environmental functions, and search for new genes. However, we only know about a tiny fraction of all the bacteriophages that exist. In this lab-based course, students will participate in hands-on research by isolating and characterizing their own bacteriophages from the environment.

Microbial Community Diversity and Interactions
Rachel Bleich, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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).