At CBU students don't just study science, they do science. In addition to having labs with most science lecture courses (20 of 25 biology courses, 12 of 16 chemistry courses, and 7 of 12 physics courses have labs), every science degree has a research requirement in the senior year. 

In the April issue of the School of Science's newsletter, we have an article on Student Research that lists some of the research and awards that our students did and received this spring (2012).  CBU students won 10 of the 12 ribbons awarded at the Tennessee Academy of Science meeting in March.

We have an Annual Student Research Poster Session at CBU where students get to present their research, and see other students' research, right on campus. The picture on the left was taken at the 2010 session on April 20, 2010.  Follow the links to see pictures from previous years: the 2011 Session; the 2010 Session; the 2009 Session, the 2008 Session, the 2007 Session, the 2006 Session, the 2005 Session, the 2004 Session, the 2003 Session, the 2002 Session, the 2001 Session, the 2000 Session, and the 1999 Session.

In addition to the in-house session, CBU students have presented their research at regional and national meetings and have achieved top honors - see below for details.

For student research in Biology, see the Biology Student Research page.
For student research in Chemistry, see the Chemistry Student Research page.
To see what research our Math students are doing, see our March newsletters: 2012 and 2011. 
To see what our Physics students are doing, see our April newsletters: 2012 and 2011.
For more information about student research in Computer Science, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Physics, see below.
For information about the summer research are students have done, see directly below.

This summer (2011) was a busy one for science majors. Below is a list of some CBU students who have worked out of town, have worked under named fellowships, or worked under paid internships or programs.
Acronyms commonly referred to: REU = Research Experience for Undergraduates program; UTHSC = University of Tennessee Health Science Center; MHIRT = Minority Health International Research Training.
Joe Alfonso, Biology 2012, received a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at the University of Texas with Dr. G. Stunz.
Larry Anderson, Biology & Chemistry 2013, had a chemistry REU at Virginia Commonwealth University with Dr. Matt Hartman.
Raymond Bedrossian, Computer Science & Electrical and Computer Engineering 2013, had summer work at Saint Louis Catholic School working as an administrator assistant for Mitzi Donato. The work includes configuring and setting up the wireless routers, setting up computers, setting up printers and various other electrical devices and installing software across the campus.
Samantha Bownes, Biology 2012, worked in the MHIRT program in Uganda with Mr. Dustin James and Ms. Julia Hanebrink.
Garrett Brooks, Computer Science & Electrical and Computer Engineering 2012, had a summer internship with Federal Express. The project was a coding of a security function for an application. The work was done in a group of 12 people including 2 CBU graduates at FedEx.
Teaire Charmichael, Natural Science 2012, worked in the MHIRT program in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Silvera.
Dominique Garcia-Robles, Chemistry 2011, worked in the MHIRT program in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with Debora R. Flor Chadi. See image above.
Catherine Gluszek, Biochemistry 2012, had a Neuroscience Merit Scholarship at UTHSC in the Anatomy and Neurobiology Department with Dr. Scott Heldt.
Andrew Greenop, Mathematics & Mechanical Engineering 2012, had a summer internship at Evaporcool Solutions. The project included: writing quotes for frames and calculating pipe sizes and water treatment requirements; simplifying the use of data base for writing quotes in Excel using Macros; using Autosketch to design a system of equipment to make factory process of plastic welding more efficient; and researching valves and compressors to help design a winterization process for Evaporcool system.
Brent Holmes, Physics & Mathematics 2013, had a physics REU at Montana State University on solar flares with CBU alum Dr. David McKenzie, Physics 1989.
Luanzo Lung’aho, Biochemistry 2012, worked at the V.A. Hospital in Little Rock with Dr. Mohammad Moursi of the University of Arkansas Medical School.
Claire May, Biology 2012, had a Crane Vision Fellowship at UTHSC in the Ophthalmology Department with Dr. Toni Rex.
Scott Parker, Biology 2012, had an Ophthalmology Fellowship at UTHSC in the Ophthalmology Department with Dr. Tonia Rex.
Caristy Polischeck, Computer Science & Electrical and Computer Engineering 2012, had a summer internship with Federal Express. The project was on coding internet pages and applications to present lab information. The work was done in a group of 14 interns.
Rachael Reese, Biomedical Science 2012, had an Ophthalmology Fellowship at UTHSC in the Ophthalmology Department with Dr. Monica Jablonski.
Sarah-Catherine Ryan, Biochemistry 2012, worked in the laboratory of Dr. Clinton Stewart at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Thomas Schill, Physics & Mathematics 2012, had a math/physics REU at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech University which focused on mathematical modeling of mammalian iron metabolism.
Alecia Stewart, Biochemistry 2013, worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota.
Martin Tribo, Computer Science & Electrical and Computer Engineering 2013, had a summer internship at Federal Express.
Drew Wellman,Computer Science & Electrical and Computer Engineering 2012, had a NASA Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholarship. The Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars (LARSS) Program is managed for NASA by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) under a sub-award from the National Institute of Aerospace. Participants gain exciting hands-on research experience while working side-by-side with NASA’s finest scientists and engineers who serve as mentors at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.

Here are some of the other science students who worked in local labs this summer (some with pay and some without):
Robert Banks, Biology 2012, worked in a Prescience program at UTHSC with Dr. Eldridge Johnson.
Carey Bowen, Biology 2012, worked in the Biology Department at the University of of Memphis with Dr. M. Koontz.
Porsha Chillis, Biomedical Science 2012, worked in the Neurology Department at UTHSC with Dr. Michael McDonald.
Cheryl Clausel, Biology 2012, worked in the Pharmacology Department at UTHSC with Dr. W-L Sun.
Justin Edwards, Biochemistry 2012, worked in the laboratory of Dr. Alex Dopico at UTHSC.
Joe Fong, Biology 2012, worked in Physiology at UTHSC with Dr. A.P. Naren.
Anthony Ford, Biology 2012, worked at James Chiropractic with Dr. Bobby Meyers.
Justin Gallagher, Chemistry 2012, is starting in the laboratory of Dr. Alex Dopico at UTHSC.
Michael Hankins, Biology 2012, worked in the Anatomy and Neurobiology Department at UTHSC with Dr Scott Heldt.
Corey Haughey, Biology 2012, worked in the Anatomy and Neurobiology Department at UTHSC with Dr. Anton Reiner.
Sarah Hill, Biology 2012, worked in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Memphis with Dr. Buddington.
Grace Hutchison, Biology 2012, worked in the Anatomy and Neurobiology Department at UTHSC with Dr. K. Hamre.
Shanandria Jackson, Biology 2012, worked at CBU with Ms. Lynda Miller.
Kelly Jeu, Biomedical Science 2012, worked in Pediatrics at UTHSC with Dr. Pat Fitzgerald.
David Kim, Biomedical Science 2012, worked in Dental Research at UTHSC with Dr. M. Dabbous.
Keara Moore, Chemistry 2012, worked in the laboratory of Dr. Daniel L. Baker at the University of Memphis.
Dana Pabalate, Biomedical Science 2012, worked in Orthopedics at UTHSC with Dr. Karen Hasty.
Prashant Patel, Biochemistry 2012, worked with Dr. John Young, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at CBU, in the laboratory of Dr. Abby Parrill at the University of Memphis.
Adrienne Renfro, Biology 2012, worked at Southern Spine Specialists with Dr. Patrick Curlee.
Madeline Reynolds, Biology 2012, worked in the Antaomy and Neurobiology Department at UTHSC with Dr. John Boughter.
Mario Sauceda, Biomedical Science 2012, worked in the Biology Department at the University of Memphis with Dr. Michael Kennedy.
Nick Selvo, Chemistry 2012, worked with Dr. John Young, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at CBU, in the laboratory of Dr. Abby Parrill at the University of Memphis.
Kyle Smith, Biomedical Science 2012, worked at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital with Dr. Clinton Stewart.
Jonathan Timmerman, Biology 2012, worked in Orthopedics at UTHSC with Dr. Richard Smith.
Xinyu Wang, Biochemistry 2012, worked in the laboratory of Dr. Clinton Stewart at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Nick Watkins, Biology 2012, worked in the Anatomy and Neurobiology Department at UTHSC with Dr. Detlef Heck.

Last summer (2010) was a busy one also for CBU science majors. The biology department had 18 seniors doing research this summer in clinical or basic science labs, and the chemistry department had 8 students working this summer on research.

Below is a list of some CBU students who have worked out of town or have worked under named fellowships this summer, 2010.  (SURF = Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship; UTHSC = University of Tennessee Health Science Center;  MHIRT = Minority Health International Research Training.)
Meagan Lamica, biology 2011, worked with sea turtles in Clearwater, FL.
Larry Anderson, biology & chemistry 2012, worked in the SURF program in pharmacology at UTHSC.
Casey Carr, chemistry 2011, worked in the SURF program in pharmacology at UTHSC.
Joseph Alfonso, biology 2012, worked in the Texas A&M SURF program in Corpus Cristi.
Rachel Haag, biomedical science 2011, was one of three area students who were awarded the 2010-2011 Merit Fellowships for Undergraduate Neuroscience Research from The University of Tennessee Neuroscience Institute. Rachael worked with Dr. Tonia Rex, PhD, in Ophthalmology, who is working to develop safe and effective gene therapies for retinal degenerations at one of the UTHSC labs.
Natalie Hurt, biology 2011, received an Ophthalmology fellowship.
Jennifer Cobb and Ben Chism, both biology 2011, worked through the MHIRT program at Emas, Brasil.
Dominique Garcia, chemistry 2011, worked through the MHIRT program in Sao Paulo, Brasil.
Jenessa Mae Gebers, psychology 2011, worked through the MHIRT progran in Uganda.
Vanessa Walker, biology 2011, worked through the MHIRT program in Florinapolis, Brasil.
Brea Bowers, biology 2011, worked in the Prescience program at UTHSC.
Mary Jane Dickey, biomedical science 2011, worked in the Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Casey Carr, chemistry 2011, was awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) in 2010 to conduct research in the laboratory of Dr. Burt Sharp in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis.
Brandon Maharrey, biology 2011, worked in a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in nanotechnology at the University of Memphis.
Justin Burt, chemistry 2011, did research at Mississippi State University.

Computer Science and Mathematics

Computer Science majors have a senior project whose sponsor is a person in the business world.

Math majors have a senior project whose sponsor is a person in the business world or a faculty member.

This year (2010-2011) two seniors, Brittany Course and Alan Killen, graduated in May with B.A. or B.S. degrees in mathematics. Besides the usual array of mathematics courses, math majors must also take two semesters of seminar (Math 481-482) in their senior year. Both seniors expressed interest in discrete mathematics so Prof. Cathy Carter introduced them to the mathematics of origami in senior seminar I this fall. While the art of origami is centuries old, its study as a branch of mathematics is fairly new. Through origami they saw connections with many of the other areas of mathematics that they had studied. The seniors complemented each other well as Brittany likes to fold and discover conjectures experimentally while Alan likes to start with literature searches. In January, they presented a talk Folding Mathematics Together: A Senior Seminar in Origami at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in New Orleans, LA. In the spring semester's Senior Seminar II, Brittany pursued modular origami, while her folding has been noticed on campus. The Office of Admissions asked her to entertain and educate an elementary school class visiting the CBU campus. Her hands-on presentation used her Bucky ball and Phizz units to reinforce the geometric shapes from their math classes. She presented a poster on her origami explorations at the Southeastern Sectional Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America in Tuscaloosa, AL. Alan studied the mathematics behind using trees to design origami. He enjoys graph theory and gravitates toward those areas within origami that build on his knowledge in that field. Both students are double-majors. Brittany earned a computer science degree and Alan earned a degree in civil engineering.

In 2010, three seniors, Andrew Fayne, Dennis Guy, and Dustin Perry, graduated in May with B.A. or B.S. degrees in mathematics. Dr. Leigh C. Becker introduced the seniors to metric spaces, Banach spaces, and the Contraction Mapping Principle. In this semester’s Senior Seminar II, all three seniors applied what they learned in Senior Seminar I and in their math courses, primarily the analysis and linear algebra courses, to study certain types of functional differential equations. Andrew studied the existence and uniqueness of continuous solutions of Volterra integral equations while Dustin focused on periodic solutions of such equations. Dennis studied a certain type of population model that is a delay differential equation. Andrew is also a computer science major and interned with FedEx. Upon graduation, Dennis was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy and started the Navy’s Nuclear Power School. Dustin was student teaching during the semester at Christian Brothers High School and already had a teaching position for the fall semester before graduation.

In the 2009 MATH senior seminar, Andrew Assadollahi studied a linear delay differential equation model of the feedback control of the level of a liquid in a leaking tank. He and Dr. Becker collaborated on a Maple worksheet to solve linear delay differential equations using the method of steps. Ryan Blankenship studied Dirichlet problems; that is, finding solutions of Laplace's equation in a domain with preassigned values on the boundary of the domain. He also wrote a Maple program that will solve some Dirichlet problems with simple boundaries in electrostatics. 3. John Legge studied resolvents of linear Volterra integral equations of the second kind. He and Dr. Becker collaborated on a Maple worksheet that will help compute analytical forms of resolvents for certain types of kernels of nonconvolution type (they believe no one has done this before because of the complexity of the computations). Two other seniors are working with Dr. Bedrossian on projects for the dual degree in Math and Computer Science.

In 2008, Adam Zaloudek designed and implemented an online database of customers and their orders for a small business in Memphis.  Matthew Nelson investigated the use of Fourier transforms in optics in image and signal processing.  Ceylow Mooney investigated the chaotic behavior of logistic functions with theory and computer experiments.

In 2007, J.P.Masterson worked with Professor Cathy Carter (CBU) and presented a paper at the Student Research Poster Session on The Perron-Frobenius Theorem and Team Rankings: Use of matrix operations to rank the CBU Men's Basketball Team. Nathanm Chantara also worked with Professor Cathy Carter and presented a paper at the Student Research Poster Session on Group Theory and the Rubik's Cube.

In 2006, Shawn Morgan presented a poster "CBU Baseball and the Markov Chain" at the CBU poster session. His research advisor was Professor Cathy Carter.

In 2005, Micah Wheeler presented his research poster at the CBU poster session. It was entitled "A Trapezoidal Method for a Volterra System of Integral Equations." The Maple worksheet developed from this research has been published by Maplesoft at the Maple Application Center web site which can be found here . Micah is pictured with his research advisor, Dr. Leigh Becker, on the right. Al Whittington presented his research poster at the CBU poster session in 2005. It was entitled "Elliptical Geometery". His research advisor was Br. Joel Baumeyer.

In the picture on the left Johan Reimann talks to Ms. Carter about his math research poster displayed at the CBU poster session in April, 2001. His project was entitled: "Optimal Resource Distribution in a Network."

In 1999, Jason Sass worked with Dr. Leigh Becker in the area of differential equations and presented his research on March 5-6, 1999, at the Southeastern Section of the Mathematical Association of America. The title is "A Mathematical Study of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Chemical Reaction".

In 1998, Cathy Eichholz, one of our computer science majors, won acceptance into the CRA (Computing Research Association) Mentor Project. This provides a research opportunity during the summer and involves a stipend for the student.

In the past couple of years, Shital Shah, one of our computer science majors, won a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate award in computer science. Meg Johnson, one of our mathematics majors, won a similar award in mathematics.
 

Natural Science

Our Natural Science majors often have a research project more in line with the general science nature of the degree. There are several avenues open to them. They can work with the professor in charge of the senior research. They can work with one of the psychology professors. Or, for those specializing in one of the particular areas of science (such as biology), they have the same opportunities to work with researchers as the other majors have.

Physics & Engineering Physics

This spring (2007) Mathew Morgan worked with Dr. John Varriano (CBU) and presented a paper at the Student Research Poster Session on Using Quantum Oscillators and Perturbation Theory to Estimate the Van der Waals Force.

Michael Morris (pictured on the right with Dr. Holmes and Dr. Beard) presented the results of his senior research project at the CBU Student Research Poster Session on April 20, 2004 and in a talk at the School of Sciences on April 29, 2004. Michael's project, entitled "Empirical Analysis of Two Methods for the Determination of Planck’s Constant", was performed in the Optics Laboratory at CBU. The first method relied on the photoelectric effect to measure h while the second method used photonic emission from light emitting diodes.

Michael McClung (Physics/Engineeirng Physics, 2002) (see Michael's picture on the left) participated in the 2001 National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Michael spent ten weeks with the high energy physics group and assisted in the construction and testing of a muon detector to be used at CERN. The testing phase will be conducted at the Tri-University Meson Facility (TRIUMF) in Vancouver. The program covers cost for travel, room and board, and gives a research stipend.

During the summer of 1998, Roberto Martinez II was awarded a U.S. Department of Energy Research Undergraduate Laboratory Fellowship at Ames Laboratory, located on the campus of Iowa State University. Roberto worked for 10 weeks in the summer with Dr. David Vaknin in condensed matter physics. Specifically, they used x-ray scattering in liquids to investigate quasicrystalline structures. The fellowship included travel expenses, housing, and a stipend.

Recent research projects performed by our physics and engineering physics majors over the last couple of years are located at: physics student research

To the right is a view from the 2001 CBU Senior Research Poster Session held on April 17, 2001.