Genetically transformed plants as a tool for gene expression analysis
Alice Cheung, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
This CURE is the entry level of a 5-7 semester intense research experience course for undergraduates. It focuses on determining the expression patterns of genes from a family of cell wall modifying enzymes. The purpose is to use gene expression information data to predict potential functions and generate genetic material towards functional studies. At the conclusion of this entry level CURE, students will learn the basic principles of gene regulation, genetic transformation and transgenic organisms (plants) as tools to study biology. It is the plan that a subset WILL CHOOSE to advance to the next level (through 1 summer and 1 or more semesters), and a subset might CHOOSE TO FURTHER advance to complete their undergraduate semesters, and one of two of whom might be RECRUITED TO continue in a 5th year MS program. This cohort of students doing research in the lab will be tasked towards completing the goal of functional studies. These students will serve as future peer mentors for the entry level CURE course and rising students in the lab.

Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to investigate the molecular genetic basis of root traits in plants
Dong Wang, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
This CURE brings authentic research on plant molecular biology to undergraduate students in an advanced lab course. The experimental design investigates plant genes controlling root traits utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 technology in transgenic hairy roots. By cloning and delivering CRISPR/Cas9 constructs, students will acquire powerful skills in molecular biology such as Golden Gate cloning. By combining fast-growing hairy roots (a versatile system suitable for multiple plant species) with candidate root genes, students can advance genotyping to phenotyping in one semester. The outcome is a hands-on experience of the power to genome modification beneficial to the students' future career.

Optimizing Pedal People
Annie Raymond, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
This course is an introduction to mathematical modeling. The main goal of the class is to learn how to translate large broadly-defined real-world problems into quantitative terms for interpretation, suggestions of improvement and future predictions. Since this is too broad of a topic for one semester, this class focuses on linear and integer programming. The course is centered around a research project that involves optimizing different aspects of the bike-powered trash-recycling-compost-collection service Pedal People.

Intelligent Mechatronics Research and Education - Autofocus
Xian Du, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Technology today makes it a lot easier to take pictures and videos, but there still somethings that remain a challenge such as autofocus. In this course, you will learn about how autofocus systems in cameras work and how to use the autofocus for manufacturing and production inspection and tracking. As the students learn, they will participate in the modeling, design, fabrication, assembly, programming, and control of an autofocus prototype. They use their skills and knowledge in product design, transmission, 3D printing, optics, and programming in this project. They will evaluate and improve the prototype on moving targets with the TAs and graduate students in the Intelligent Sensing Lab. Ultimately, this course will provide mechanical engineering students with a meaningful undergraduate research experience for their future career, while providing instructor and graduate teaching assistants with more data in the ongoing intelligent mechatronics research projects.

The Most Luminous Galaxies in the Universe
Min Yun, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
My research group has found about 30 most luminous galaxies known in the early universe by analyzing a large data set produced by the NASA/ESA Planck cosmology probe. The goals of this research class is for the students to learn about these galaxies and their importance, how they are identified, and ultimately discovering many more such galaxies yet to be discovered from the parent candidate list.

Microbiome and Health in College Students
Susan Sturgeon, University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Introduction to Mathematical Proofs - Journey into the unknown
Tamas Forgacs, California State University-Fresno
This CURE processes traditional elements of a proofs course through student research initiated by problems posed in various mathematics journals aimed at the general mathematics community. Students are tasked with solving these problems, and generalize their answers in suitable ways.

Yeast, metabolism and suicide: a brewing introduction to biochemical research
Laurent Dejean, California State University-Fresno
This course provides the student with a range of techniques and methodology appropriate to the study or phenomena at the biochemical, cellular, and organismic levels. In the spirit of genuine undergraduate research (CURE), the students will be involved directly in research that is ongoing in the Dejean's lab, i.e. the study of the mechanisms used by Bcl-2 family proteins to cross-regulate cell death and energy metabolism. The students' involvement in this type of research will be following a set of preliminary experiments which are aimed at familiarizing the students with common biochemistry lab skills; and with the manipulation of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which is to be used as the main model system in their research. Finally, the students will also engage directly with primary literature sources in preparation of their lab reports and an eventual presentation of their research at the Fresno State CURE symposium at the end of the semester.

Fruit Flies as a Model of Human Neurodegenerative Disease
Joy Goto, California State University-Fresno
Upper-division biochemistry and chemistry majors will learn and iteratively apply the techniques of protein purification, DNA and protein gels, Western blot, DNA isolation, transformation, enzyme characterization to research the utility of fruit fly (D. melanogaster) to model the human neurodegenerative disease (e.g. ALS - Lou Gehrig's, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease).

Heart-Rate Variability, Apps, Wearables, and Stress
Martin Shapiro, California State University-Fresno
Psychophysiology is the sub-discipline in neuroscience that looks at human physiological responses (e.g., heart rate or brainwaves) that correlate with behavior. This type of research is typically conducted in a highly controlled laboratory with precise and expensive equipment. My goal is to create experiments that students can conduct with relatively inexpensive monitoring devices that connect to apps on tablets and phones in real-world situations. There are several devices that connect to apps that monitor physiology related to exercise, stress, sleep patterns, and attention. These are referred to as 'wearables' are currently a multibillion-dollar industry. With the exception of a few studies, there has been little work on the efficacy of these devices. One physiological biomarker for stress and attention is heart rate and heart-rate variability (HRV). I would like, as a class, for us to develop testable hypotheses and conduct research investigating wearables for HRV and stress.