CURE Examples
Discipline
Core Competencies
- Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering) 4 matches
- Developing and using models 1 match
- Planning and carrying out investigations 5 matches
- Analyzing and interpreting data 7 matches
- Using mathematics and computational thinking 1 match
- Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering) 1 match
Nature of ResearchResults 1 - 7 of 7 matches
BIOL 189T Fungal Biology
Alija Mujic, California State University-Fresno
The diversity, community structure, and functional diversity of fungi in the high Sierra is understudied and is largely unknown from the Sierra Nevada foothills. Through use of direct field sampling I will engage BIOL189T students in sampling efforts to elucidate the fungal biology of these understudied habitats. Students will sample fungal sporocarps (mushrooms) from existing field plots established by the National Environmental Observation Network (NEON) and use morphological identification techniques and DNA barcoding methods to identify the fungal diversity in these habitats. Future iterations of the course will likely focus upon selected fungal taxa identified in previous iterations of the course to investigate the phenology and ecological interactions of the fungal community in these habitats in NEON plots.
Core Competencies: Planning and carrying out investigations, Analyzing and interpreting data, Developing and using models, Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
Nature of Research: Basic Research, Field Research, Wet Lab/Bench Research
State: California
Target Audience: Upper Division, Major
CURE Duration: A full term
Investigating local climate change impacts in a STEM first year learning community
Mara Brady, California State University-Fresno
still in progress...
Core Competencies: Using mathematics and computational thinking, Analyzing and interpreting data, Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering), Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering), Planning and carrying out investigations
Nature of Research: Applied Research, Field Research
Target Audience: Major
CURE Duration: Multiple terms
Fall 2020 HLTH 369 Principles of Nutrition CURE
Jennifer Brown, Elizabeth City State University
Prediabetes is a common health problem, afflicting an estimated 88 million (34.5%) of US populations (CDC, 2020). Many individuals experience disease progression, and are diagnosed with diabetes (34.2 million, 10.5% of US, CDC, 2020). In total, an estimated 45% percent of US populations is affected, making complications management, lifestyle interventions, and prevention of this disease pathway a major point of concern. Neuropathy is an associated, but often silent complication that comes in many forms, potentially affecting multiple systems in the body. Eyes, kidneys, touch perception, balance and gut metabolism are a few common, and serious issues that frequently arise simultaneously with disease onset. Because of the serious and silent nature of the onset of these disease pathways, early detection is key in order to allow the opportunity for lifestyle intervention practices. Previous research indicates higher incidence rates of prediabetes, diabetes and neuropathy in rural areas, with socioeconomic factors playing a role in the development of the disease. The purpose of this research is to determine the prevalence of prediabetes/diabetes and neurpathic symptoms in healthy weight and obese individuals, active and inactive individuals at ECSU, in Elizabeth City and in the Southeast/MidAtlantic region.
Core Competencies: Analyzing and interpreting data
Nature of Research: Field Research
State: North Carolina
Target Audience: Non-major, Major
CURE Duration: A full term
General Chemistry II Water Quality labs at Adams State University
Christina Miller, Adams State University; Christopher Adams, Adams State University; Umesh Bhattarai, Adams State University
Adams State is conducting CURES in many of our lower divisional Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Math courses to increase the number and diversity of students who participate in undergraduate research. In General Chemistry II lab we will be replacing our normal labs concerning titration pH and ion solubility with CURES concerning water quality. These water samples will come from surrounding areas that have either been grazed or ungrazed to find out if there are differences in water quality between them. We will be using ion-specific probes to determine the presence and concentration of specific ions in the water samples. We will be using pH probes and titration to determine the acid concentration in water samples.
Core Competencies: Planning and carrying out investigations, Analyzing and interpreting data
Nature of Research: Wet Lab/Bench Research, Basic Research, Field Research
State: Colorado
Target Audience: Non-major, Introductory, Major
CURE Duration: A few class periods
Does grazing influence the structure of aquatic and riparian communities?
Tim Armstrong, Adams State University; Megan Dudley, Adams State University; Dan Gibson-Reinemer, Adams State University
This CURE will examine the effects of grazing using a natural experiment in the mountains surrounding the San Luis Valley, Colorado. The eastern Sangre de Cristo Mountains have not been grazed for at least 50 years, and the western San Juan Mountains continue to be grazed. We will test if grazing affects the structure of aquatic and riparian communities as part of a larger interdisciplinary project.
Core Competencies: Planning and carrying out investigations, Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering), Analyzing and interpreting data
Nature of Research: Field Research, Basic Research
State: Colorado
Target Audience: Major
CURE Duration: Multiple terms
Soil health analysis at the NC A&T Student farm
Arnab Bhowmik, North Carolina A & T State University
Soil health is the capacity of soil to not only be productive but maintain ecological services. The NC A&T student farm is an excellent opportunity for students to have hands-on experience for soil science related experiential learning. This project will allow the students to develop skills to sample, test, analyse and interpret soil properties as a function of different soil mangement strategies
Core Competencies: Analyzing and interpreting data, Planning and carrying out investigations
Nature of Research: Applied Research, Basic Research, Field Research
State: North Carolina
Target Audience: Major
CURE Duration: A few class periods
Genes to Ecosystems
Laci Gerhart-Barley, University of California-Davis
Core Competencies: Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering), Analyzing and interpreting data
Nature of Research: Wet Lab/Bench Research, Field Research, Basic Research
State: California
Target Audience: Non-major, Introductory, Major
CURE Duration: A full term