Faculty Name: Professor Lin Aanonsen

Department: Biology

Title of Research: Project 1: Elucidating the role of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in spinal processing of persistent pain in a mouse model of peripheral inflammation. Project 2: MHRI-Young Researchers

Description: Project 1: Research in my lab is focused on the spinal molecular mechanisms underlying persistent/chronic pain in a model of peripheral inflammation in mice.  Student collaborators are engaged in all aspects of the research, which encompasses behavioral to molecular studies.  The project I plan to focus on this summer involves investigating the function a type of neural cell adhesion molecule, called PSA-NCAM, in the spinal processing of persistent pain.  We will use pharmacological tools as well as immunohistochemical and Western blot techniques to determine the spinal distribution and changes in proteins and other molecules that interact with PSA-NCAM.  We will also expand our knockdown studies using spinally administered siRNA directed at the enzymes that polysialyate NCAM, in order to better elucidate the role that PSA-NCAM plays in the induction of persistent pain.  Ultimately, my hope is that some of our research findings may help lead to novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment and/or prevention of chronic pain in humans and other animals. 

Students should meet with me to discuss their research interests before applying, have completed Genetics (BIOL260), Cell Biology (BIOL265), Cell Biology & Genetics Lab (BIOL255) and ideally, BIOL367 Human Physiology or another upper-level biology course.

Since mice will be used in these studies, it is important you are comfortable with use of animals in biomedical research. We will spend time discussing the ethics around the use of animals and each student will receive individual instruction in the humane use and handling of animals. Summer research will be conducted primarily in June and July. Stipends will be contingent on obtaining SFSR funds.

Project 2:  Young Researchers will work together in the labs of Professors Paul Overvoorde and Lin Aanonsen at Macalester. In addition to the summer research, participants will meet several times before the end of the spring term, as well as in the fall for preparation and reflection. Young Researchers are rising sophomores or juniors and have little or no research experience. MHRI-Young Researchers info

Faculty Name: Professor Sarah Boyer

Department: Biology

Title of Research: Biodiversity and Evolution of Invertebrate Animals

Description: 

I am interested in the diversity, evolution, and biogeography of invertebrate animals.  My work is driven by questions such as: How many species are there?  How are they related?  And how can we explain their distribution in space?  I work with morphological data gathered primarily through scanning electron microscopy as well as DNA sequence data.   Students who work with me must be enthusiastic about both fieldwork and lab work.  If you’re interested, please contact me directly in addition to applying for positions electronically. 

This season I will likely hire three students to work on two projects:

1. DNA Barcoding of Microscopic Crustaceans:  This project seeks to develop DNA-based approaches to assessing diversity of microscopic crustaceans that are part of the zooplankton community of the St. Croix River.  Students will collect samples out on the river, and then perform lab work to extract and sequence DNA from individual crustaceans.  These positions will likely last for 5 weeks, with start date to be determined.  This work is funded by the National Park Service and will be performed in collaboration with a colleague from Northland Community College.
2. Ecology of Invasive Buckthorn Plants:  Mike Anderson and I will co-sponsor a student; if you are interested, you should contact both of us directly.  We plan to hire one student for 10 weeks to live and work at the Katharine Ordway Natural History Study Area (along with 3-4 other students) to work on questions pertaining to the influence of buckthorn on leaf litter arthropod communities and soil microbial communities.  The student will be involved in both fieldwork and lab work (microscopy and chemistry), and must have broad interests across the biological sciences.  The student will also pitch in on a variety of other projects at Ordway, and must be comfortable working as a member of a team.

Faculty Name: Professor Devavani Chatterjea

Department: Biology/Community and Global Health

Title of Research: Roles of Mast Cells in Inflammatory Pain

Description: Pain is a significant public health concern. Cross-talk between the immune and nervous systems is the basis for the biochemical underpinnings of the pain process. We are investigating the roles of tissue mast cells (a type of white blood cell) in inflammatory thermal pain in mice. Students will work collaboratively with me and with each other to learn techniques (animal handling, surgery, injections, thermal pain assays, tissue processing, tissue culture, cytokine and histamine ELISAs, real time quantitative PCR, statistical analysis, neutrophil activity), optimize assays, design experiments and analyze findings. Intensive reading/discussion of relevant literature, working lab meetings and journal clubs are an important part of our summer activities. Summer projects are often the basis for academic year research and/or honors projects.

• Most of the research positions in my lab for summer 2013 have been filled. There is one unfilled position. If interested, please make an appointment to speak with me before submitting your application.
• You must have completed cell biology, genetics and the cell/gen laboratory courses. Immunology coursework is helpful but not required. Prior research experience and/or a “research in” class in biology is a plus. Experience working with mice is also useful.
• If you do not have prior experience in a research lab or course, you may have the option of registering for a 1 credit independent study in my research lab during the spring semester to prepare for the summer.
• The typical research schedule is May 20-July 31
• Interested students will be expected to apply for stipends through the SFSR, Beltmann, Serie programs.

Faculty Name: Professor Mark Davis

Department: Biology

Title of Research: Project 1: Factors Influencing the Spread of Garlic Mustard at the Ordway Field Station; Project 2: Is Raccoon Predation of Nests Responsible for the Near Absence of Ground Nesting Birds at Ordway?

Description: In summer 2010, we (myself, Jerald Dosch, Mike Anderson, and Mac students) began a long-term study of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), a non-native species that is spreading through the oak forest at Ordway. We will continue this study this coming summer. We will be conducting ongoing monitoring of garlic mustard and other species as well as performing both field and laboratory experiments to learn more about what factors influence the ability of garlic mustard to establish and spread (such as the composition of surrounding vegetation, soil conditions, earthworm abundance, and physical characteristics such as slope and aspect) and what effects garlic mustard has on other plants and organsims. Findings will inform subsequent management efforts. Students will also assist with other research and management projects taking place at Ordway. One of these projects will be a study to determine if nest predation by raccoons and other ground predators may be the reason so few ground nesting birds are found at Ordway. This project is based on data obtained during summer 2011 and will involve sites in addition to the Ordway study site.

This research will be conducted at Macalester’s Ordway field station, located 17 miles from campus in Inver Grove Heights. Student researchers will be housed on site at Ordway. (Living at Ordway is a requirement.) The students will be part of a summer Ordway research community consisting of 4 students, two faculty members (Davis and Dosch) and a staff member (Mike Anderson). All students will be living on site at no charge (students must purchase their own food).

Two students will be hired.  Research will begin on May 14 and will end on July 20 (10 weeks). Students must have taken Ecology.  Students need to be able to work up to 8 hours in a hilly and forested landscape, sometimes under adverse conditions, e.g., heat and bugs.

For answers to additional questions, contact Mark Davis.

Faculty Name: Professor Mary Montgomery

Department: Biology

Title of Research: Mechanisms of Gene Silencing

Description: RNA interference (RNAi) is the gene-specific response of a cell or organism to the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The typical response is the destruction of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that have a sequence that matches the dsRNA. Most multicellular organisms
use RNAi to disable certain kinds of viruses and transposable elements(“jumping genes”) but also to process and regulate some of their own genes (such as microRNAs). The RNAi response can be triggered by repetitive sequences in the genome, which can result in not only silencing of the repeats but also any other genes with similar sequences, a process known as co-suppression. I am interested in
exploring the relationship between RNAi and the mechanism of co-suppression, which can involve both transcriptional and postrancriptional mechanisms of gene silencing. We use the model organism C. elegans for these studies but may consider studying similar processes in vertebrate animals as well. We are currently carrying out research that involves two strains of C. elegans, one in which a single copy of an integrated GFP transgene is robustly expressed in the worm, and one in which the same version of the gene is silenced due to the presence of a repetitive array carrying similar sequences. Over the past few summers, we have demonstrated that the single-copy gene is transcriptionally active, yet GFP protein does not accumulate to detectable levels, suggesting that RNAi or a related mechanism is blocking protein synthesis. We will test whether RNAi is responsible for silencing in this model of co-suppression by genetically crossing the silent strain into RNAi-deficient mutants and looking for re-expression of GFP. We will also use RT-qPCR to measure levels of nascent and mature mRNAs from the GFP gene to determine whether new transcripts are rapidly degraded. These two combined
approaches should help uncover the mechanisms by which repetitive sequences lead to gene silencing.

I am hoping to have 2 students working with me in Summer 2013 although participation is contingent upon SFSR funding. Interested students should contact Professor Montgomery after December 19, 2012.

Faculty Name: Professor Paul Overvoorde

Department: Biology

Title of Research: Project 1: MHRI-Data Scholars,  Project 2: MHRI-Young Researchers

Description: Project 1:  Data Scholars will work with Macalester faculty or with faculty from another institution on research in a variety of areas that involves large or complex data sets.  Data Scholars are rising juniors or seniors in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science or geography. MHRI-Data Scholars

Project 2:  Young Researchers will work together in the labs of Professors Paul Overvoorde and Lin Aanonsen at Macalester. In addition to the summer research, participants will meet several times before the end of the spring term, as well as in the fall for preparation and reflection. Young Researchers are rising sophomores or juniors and have little or no research experience. MHRI-Young Researchers

Faculty Name: Professor Kristi Curry Rogers

Department: Biology and Geology

Title of Research: Growth in Living and Fossil Vertebrates

Description: My research is centered upon the dynamic intersection between living and extinct organisms, and includes projects that are focused on the evolution and biology of extinct dinosaurs, and upon understanding the record of life history provided by bone tissue. I utilize bone tissue as a tool to develop qualitative and quantitative views of growth rates, longevity, life history strategy, and microstructural character evolution in both living and extinct dinosaurs.

Students working with Professor Curry Rogers have already been selected for summer 2013. 

Breakthrough Collaborative: In addition, Professor Curry Rogers will be hiring 1 or 2 students to teach with the St Paul Breakthrough Collaborative (as a part of Professor Curry Rogers' grant funded research program). Students interested in the Breakthrough Collaborative teaching option should talk with Professor Rogers for information about the application process and should NOT apply via the ESRA website. Eligible candidates for teaching positions:

• Can be a freshman, sophomore, or junior
• Priorities are given to younger students.
• Must have taken either BIOL 270 (Biodiversity and Evolution), GEOL 101 (Dinosaurs), or BIOL 112 (Origins)

Faculty Name: Professor Ron Brisbois

Department: Chemistry

Title of Research: Organic Synthesis and Synthetic Methodology

Description: Of the many functions chemistry performs in its role as the central science, deliberate synthesis of difficult to obtain naturally occurring compounds and intentional creation of new materials are arguably the most broadly important. In my lab, students have been key contributors to (a) the development of new synthetic methods, (b) total synthesis of small molecules for chemical genetics studies in Arabidopsis thaliana (in collaboration with Paul Overvoorde), (c) synthesis and characterization of cyclopentadienyl-Co-cyclobutadienyl (CpCoCb) derived cyclophanes and dehydroannulenes, (d) design of ligands for constructing supramolecular self-assemblies, chiral catalyst candidates, and fluorophores as potential dyes and/or light-emitting materials, and (e) development of synthetic methodologies (currently) focused on 1,2,3-triazole synthesis. Typically, students enter my lab after their second year, after having CHEM 211-212. The exact start date of summer research has yet to be determined, although typically we start after graduation but before the end of May. Please feel welcome to schedule an appointment if you would like to discuss research in more detail.

Faculty Name: Professor Paul Fischer

Department: Chemistry

Title of Research: Organometallic Synthesis Research

Description: The Fischer research group synthesizes organometallic complexes (i.e., substances with metal-carbon bonding) that exhibit interesting reactivity for organic chemistry applications. Target molecules are extremely reactive; specialized laboratory techniques for exclusion of air must be mastered to conduct the work. The syntheses of sulfur dioxide complexes of group VI metals (Cr, Mo, W) and zwitterionic iron-phosphine complexes form the basis of current research projects. Research in the Fischer laboratory requires meticulous attention to detail. Fischer research students must be resilient towards the challenges associated with synthesizing air sensitive molecules and accommodating when reactions require time beyond that expected.

Prof. Fischer is planning to lead a research group of three or (maybe) four students this summer. One rising senior chemistry major will be returning to the group, so either two or three positions are open for new students. Please schedule an appointment with Prof. Fischer to learn more about his research program before applying via the ESRA page.

Faculty Name: Professor Rebecca Hoye

Department: Chemistry

Title of Research: Synthesis of Biologically Active Molecules

Description: Projects in Professor Hoye's lab entail the synthesis of natural products and non-naturally occurring analogs that display interesting biological properties. A collaborative project with Professor Overvoode entails the synthesis and biological testing of heterocyclic compounds that stimulate root hair development in Arabidopsis thailana. We are also pursuing the synthesis of putative intermediates implicated in a biosynthetic pathway for siderophore synthesis in virulent fungi along the way to completing a synthesis of Fusarinine C. Students interested in organic synthesis and participation in these projects are encouraged to speak directly about their interests and qualifications with Hoye.

Faculty Name: Professor Keith Kuwata

Department: Chemistry

Title of Research: Computational Modeling of Reactive Intermediates in Oxidation Reactions

Description: The reactions of hydrocarbons with oxidants in the lower atmosphere have a significant impact on human health and global climate change.  However, these reactions are extremely complicated.  In many cases only a small fraction of the final products are known, and even when product distributions are known, the mechanisms leading to product formation are poorly understood.  Identifying and characterizing hydrocarbon oxidation reactive intermediates like carbonyl oxides, dioxiranes, and peroxides are at the heart of constructing valid atmospheric chemistry mechanisms.  However, these intermediates, when formed in the atmosphere, contain tens of kilocalories of energy per mole, which enable them to isomerize and decompose faster than they can be measured experimentally.  Students in my computational laboratory play an essential role in providing insights that experiment cannot provide.  My students use computers to apply the equations of quantum mechanics to carbonyl oxides and other short-lived intermediates.  Calculations generate both quantitative and qualitative insight.  Prior training in computer programming or quantum mechanics is not required.  What is required is an ability to think about the conformational preferences and reactivity of molecules.

Typically, students should have completed the second semester of Organic Chemistry (Chem 212) before starting work in my lab.  However, strong and motivated students with less previous course work will also be considered.

Students typically work for ten weeks.  Each student will be required to present his or her research at the Midwest Undergraduate Computational Chemistry Conference.  The next meeting will be at a Midwestern research university in July, 2013.

Faculty Name: Professor Katy Splan

Department: Chemistry

Title of Research: Research in Bioinorganic Chemistry

Description: The field of bioinorganic chemistry studies the role of metal ions and metal-containing compounds in biology and medicine. Research in my lab focuses on two facets of bioinorganic chemistry: 1.) Metals such as copper, zinc, and iron are functional in many biological processes and are essential for life, but at high concentrations display significant toxicity. Our research studies the effects of copper on protein and peptide function. In this work, you will gain experience in protein and peptide purification and characterization of metal-binding via spectroscopic methods. 2.) Porphyrins comprise a class of synthetic compounds that mimic the function of the natural pigments heme and chlorophyll. We synthesize new porphyrins that exhibit enhanced light-harvesting properties that might prove useful for applications including solar energy conversion and biological imaging.

I generally work with 2-3 students for 10 weeks during the summer. Please make an appointment with me to further discuss research opportunities in my lab before submitting your application, and specify which area is your primary interest.

Faculty Name: Professor Tom Varberg

Department: Chemistry

Title of Research: Molecular Spectroscopy of Metal Free Radicals

Description: The Varberg research group uses visible-wavelength lasers to explore the electronic structure of small, gas-phase molecules that contain a metal atom. Such molecules are free radicals, with unpaired electrons that produce interesting and challenging spectra to record and analyze. We are particularly interested in understanding the bonding and electronic structure of these systems. Recent work in the group has focused on the molecules ReO, TaO, AuF, TaH and TaS with a particular focus on how the unpaired electrons interact with the two nuclear spins—student co-authored publications describing this work can be found on the board outside my research lab (OR365). This coming summer we will likely be working on spectra of TaH (an older molecule of ours) and AuS (which we discovered last summer). The technology we utilize is state of the art, and students in my group will learn much about modern signal acquisition, spectral assignment, data fitting, and the operation of modern lasers. These skills are transferable to different areas within chemical physics and physical chemistry. The work is basic research (in contrast with applied research) with a goal of understanding the fundamental properties of molecules. Generally speaking, students who work in my group should be those who enjoy the mathematical/physical side of the chemistry discipline. To get a better idea of what a typical summer in the Varberg group is like, you could talk to current students who have spent a summer in my lab: Andrew Bendelsmith, Kacper Skakuj, Andrew Matsumoto, or Francis Gwandu.

For the 2013 summer, I will be hiring one or two students, with preference given to chemistry majors. I recently applied for continuing support from the National Science Foundation—if my proposal is funded, then you will be paid by the NSF. If not, we will have to seek support from Macalester College, which is not guaranteed. For more information, you should talk to Prof. Varberg. In their application, students should indicate how a summer research experience in physical chemistry/chemical physics supports their eventual career goals.

The dates of employment will be May 21 to July 5, 2013 (or possibly to July 12—a period of seven or eight weeks, not the more usual ten weeks).

Faculty Name: Professor Louisa Bradtmiller

Department: Environmental Studies

Title of Research: Paleoclimate and Oceanography Research Using Deep Sea Sediments

Description:
Prof. Bradtmiller will be conducting paleoclimate research with 1-2 students over the summer. Student researchers will use several different chemical analyses to characterize ocean sediments spanning the past ~20,000 years, and will interpret the results in the context of climatic and oceanographic changes. The ideal student(s) would have some background (including lab experience) in any of the following: chemistry, biology, geology, climate science. Please contact Prof. Bradtmiller directly for more details.

Faculty Name: Professor Christie Manning

Department: Environmental Studies/Psychology

Title of Research: Psychological Distance and Its Effects on IndividualRresponse to Climate Change

Description: One of the challenges of eliciting significant action to address climate change is that it is perceived as far away and not relevant to most Americans’ personal experience.  It thus does not evoke an affective or behavioral response.  My research takes Construal Level Theory of Psychological Distance as a theoretical framework for understanding and addressing climate change as a psychologically distant event.  My studies use a variety of empirical methods and measures (e.g., surveys, implicit associations tests, eye-tracking technology, real-world behavioral observations, interviews) to test whether experiential and other ways of presenting climate change information (e.g., images, films, text scenarios) can reduce its psychological distance, and thereby construal level, and prompt stronger willingness to take action. 

Interested students should contact me to discuss their interest in the project.  My research uses basic psychological survey and lab methods to explore people’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral response to climate change.  Thus, the ideal student would have some background in psychology and psychological research methods as well as strong interest in environmental studies (specifically climate change and/or sustainability). 

Faculty Name: Professor  Marianne Milligan

Department: Environmental Studies/Linguistics

Title of Research: Indigenous Knowledge: Ways of Representing Nature

Description: Human languages have different ways of framing and organizing information about the natural world. This is reflected in many aspects of language including folk taxonomies that categorize plants and animal species, ethnobotony, traditional storytelling, and discourse structures. I’m interested in examining ways of talking about nature within endangered languages, especially local indigenous languages such as Menominee, Ojibwe, and Dakota.  Student projects will fit within this larger scope but will be more narrow in focus and can range from linguistic analysis of discourse structures to more anthropological analyses.

Interested students should contact me to discuss potential involvement in the project.  The ideal student will have taken a course in linguistics (or that covers linguistic anthropology) and have a strong interest in environmental studies.

Faculty Name: Professor Kristi Curry Rogers

Department: Biology and Geology

Title of Research: Growth in Living and Fossil Vertebrates

Description:  My research is centered upon the dynamic intersection between living and extinct organisms, and includes projects that are focused on the evolution and biology of extinct dinosaurs, and upon understanding the record of life history provided by bone tissue. I utilize bone tissue as a tool to develop qualitative and quantitative views of growth rates, longevity, life history strategy, and microstructural character evolution in both living and extinct dinosaurs.

Students working with Professor Curry Rogers have already been selected for summer 2013.  

Breakthrough Collaborative: In addition, Professor Curry Rogers will be hiring 1 or 2 students to teach with the St Paul Breakthrough Collaborative (as a part of Professor Curry Rogers' grant funded research program). Students interested in the Breakthrough Collaborative teaching option should talk with Professor Rogers for information about the application process and should NOT apply via the ESRA website. Eligible candidates for teaching positions:

• Can be a freshman, sophomore, or junior
• Priorities are given to younger students
• Must have taken either BIOL 270 (Biodiversity and Evolution), GEOL 101 (Dinosaurs), or BIOL 112 (Origins)

Faculty Name: Professor Ray Rogers

Department: Geology

Title of Research: Sedimentary Geology, Vertebrate Taphonomy, Paleoecology of Dinosaurs

Description: My research interests focus on sedimentary geology and vertebrate taphonomy. I am most interested in the reconstruction of ancient terrestrial ecosystems (especially those that were home to dinosaurs). I spend much of my research time exploring the taphonomy of dinosaur-bearing beds. I am currently studying how vertebrate skeletal debris accumulates to concentrated levels in ancient (and modern) rivers and lakes.

Students working with Professor Rogers have already been selected for summer 2013.  

Faculty Name: Professor Andrew Beveridge

Department: Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science

Title of Research: MAXIMA REU in Interdisciplinary Mathematics

Description: MAXIMA is an intensive six week REU program in interdisciplinary mathematics which is a joint effort between Macalester and the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA). The program takes place at the IMA, which is located at the University of Minnesota, and is funded by the NSF and the IMA.

Students will work in teams of four on an open research problem in applied mathematics. In Summer 2013, problems will be posed by University of Minnesota researchers from computer science and electrical engineering. Each team will be advised by a Macalester MSCS faculty member, and students  also will be mentored by a postdoctoral fellow at the IMA. The program is designed to allow students to experience the excitement of doing research that is relevant to another field. Students will learn how to formulate domain-specific questions in mathematical ways and assimilate the ability to communicate across disciplines. The program will develop mathematical skills and expository argumentation. By the end of the summer, each team will produce a written report, an oral presentation, and a research poster. Project descriptions and the program application are on the MAXIMA website.

Eligibility

• Students must be current sophomores and juniors who will be full-time undergraduate students as of September 2012, majoring in mathematics or a related field at a U.S. college or university.
• Students must have taken multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and at least one upper-level undergraduate courses (and preferably more). Exposure to one of computer science or statistics is also preferred. See the problem descriptions for further background requirements.
• Students must be fully committed to the REU. Students may not engage in any other course work or employment for the duration of the program.
• Nine spots are funded by the NSF: these are open to US citizens and permanent residents. Three spots are funded by the IMA: these spots are open to US citizens and permanent residents, and to international students studying at US institutions.

Faculty Name: Professor Susan Fox

Department: Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science

Title of Research: Adaptive Robot Navigation: Building Robots That Learn

Description: Robot technology is increasingly present in our everyday lives, from robot vacuum cleaners to cars that can parallel park themselves, to cars that drive themselves.  Successful robot systems need to exhibit robust behavior: to be predictable and reliable over time.  My current research has focused on image processing to support the robot localization, which is the process of determining where the robot is in the world  The robot lab has several different robots, writing programs that can be used with any of the robots is a current goal.

Students interested in working with me should come talk with me prior to submitting an application.  Students should have completed Comp 124 at least; preferably Comp 221 as well.  Experience with artificial intelligence is NOT required; training in the tools used to program the robots will be a part of any research collaboration.  Students and I will need to submit a request for funding to the SFSR (Student-Faculty Summer Research) fund at Macalester.

Faculty Name: Professor Shilad Sen

Department: Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science

Title of Research: Extending Macademia's Semantic Recommendation System

Description: If you enjoy building large software systems, machine learning, data mining or web design and development come join the Macademia summer research team! Macademia visualizes faculty research interests as a dynamic, interactive, graph. Researchers describe their interests using their own vocabulary, and the site mines millions of Wikipedia articles to understand that somebody interested in "jazz performance" is closely related to somebody interested in "Miles Davis." This summer, we will bring Macademia's concepts to the Facebook "interest graph." Any Facebook member will use our algorithms and visualizations to explore the interest and social connections between their friends.

Students will work as a member of a small software team for 10 weeks and gain real-world experience in cutting edge web development and data science practices.  The team will:

Faculty Name: Professor Libby Shoop

Department: Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science

Title of Research: Parallel Computing Techniques

Description: Professor Libby Shoop will be conducting research pertaining to parallel computing techniques, especially those that can be used in Computer Science Education.  We will work with interesting hardware and build sophisticated computer systems for use in courses here at Macalester and other colleges and universities.  Please visit Libby in Olin-Rice 232 to find out more and to apply for a summer position.

Faculty Name: Professor Chad Higdon-Topaz

Department: Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science

Title of Research: Pattern-Forming Natural Systems: Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry

Description: Research in the Topaz group is inspired by the appearance of beautiful, organized patterns across the natural world. Specifically, we study pattern-forming systems in biology and chemistry. Potential projects include modeling, analysis, and computation of (1) biological aggregation patterns such as locust swarms and fish schools, (2) collective movement of cancer cells, and (3) Turing patterns, which appear in certain chemical reactions and which have been hypothesized as the mechanism behind animal coat patterns like zebra stripes.

The Topaz group’s interdisciplinary research is funded by the National Science Foundation and is carried out in Macalester’s eXperiment, Modeling, Analysis and Computation (XMAC) Laboratory.

Ideal candidates will have completed calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and an introductory computing class. Candidates who have not completed all of this coursework will be considered if they can demonstrate an outstanding academic record and outstanding motivation. Candidates should have enthusiasm for applied mathematics and a genuine willingness to learn from the ground up about a field of application in biology or chemistry.

Students interested in summer research are welcome to speak with Prof. Topaz (ctopaz@macalester.edu) before applying. Students should submit (minimally) a letter of interest and an unofficial transcript. Ideal candidates will be considering graduate school in a scientific discipline. Graduating seniors and international students are welcome to apply. Women, members of underrepresented minorities according to the National Science Foundation’s definition (members of Black, Hispanic, Native American, Native Alaskan, and Native Pacific Islander ethnic groups) are especially encouraged to apply.

Faculty Name: Professor John Cannon

Department: Physics and Astonomy

Title of Research: The Evolution of Low-Mass Galaxies

Description: Professor Cannon and his students perform detailed observational studies of nearby, low-mass galaxies. These systems are the most numerous type of extragalactic system in the universe and they play an important role in the formation of structure over cosmic time. During the summer of 2013, Cannon’s research group will work on data acquired for the Survey of HI in Extremely Low-mass Dwarfs (SHIELD).

• Students are strongly encouraged to talk with Professor Cannon before applying
• Most students are declared physics majors with an astronomy emphasis, and have taken astronomy courses at the 400 level
• Starting and ending dates are set by mutual agreement between Cannon and the researchers
• Cannon’s research program is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation

Faculty Name: Professor James Doyle

Department: Physics and Astronomy

Title of Research: Materials Research for Thin Film Solar Cells

Description: The general area of research is thin film materials science.  Our focus is semiconductor materials used in photovoltaic devices (solar cells).  We deposit the layers using high vacuum methods and the films typically have a thickness of < 1 micron (a human hair is about 50 microns).  The thin films are characterized by measuring their electrical optical properties to determine their suitability for solar cells.  The goal of the work is to optimize the deposition process to produce the best quality films possible.  In our approach we try to understand the details of the physics and chemistry that occurs during deposition and relate these details to the resulting film properties, so that an informed  systematic optimization can be carried out.  The work also has a prominent theoretical and computational component.  The research is very multidisciplinary, using ideas and methods from condensed matter physics, plasma physics, gas transport theory and vacuum science,  and gas phase and surface chemistry.   The work also has a strong applied physics/engineering flavor.

Preference will be given to students who completed Laboratory Instrumentation (Physics 348). Declared physics majors will be given first priority. The research typically begins within a week or so after commencement and will finish by the end of July (10 weeks). Availability of positions is contingent on funding.

Faculty Name: Professor James Heyman

Department: Physics and Astronomy

Title of Research: Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Graphene

Description: Graphene – a single-atom thick graphite sheet – is a novel electronic material which might someday replace silicon in the smallest, fastest transistors. My research probes the electronic
properties of graphene and other materials on sub-picosecond timescales using femtosecond laser spectroscopy. We can study how this material will behave in future high speed devices with
time-resolved optical measurements. I plan to hire two to four students this summer. Ongoing projects for in my lab include (1) fabrication and characterization of graphene samples, (2) femtosecond
time-resolved conductivity measurements at Macalester, and (3) and time-resolved mid-infrared spectroscopy at the University of Minnesota. Students who participate in this research will usually
have completed Modern (331) and Lab Instrumentation (348). Please conctact me if you are interested in working in my lab next summer.

Faculty Name: Professor Tonnis ter Veldhuis

Department: Physics and Astronomy

Title of Research: Theoretical Particle Physics

Description: My interests include the physics of the Higgs boson, the elusive particle predicted to exists by the Standard model and currently being hunted for at the world's most powerful particle accelerators, and the physics of dark matter, the stuff recent observations indicate to be the dominant component of matter in our universe. I also study supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model, scenarios in which our Universe is embedded in a higher dimensional space-time, and mechanisms of dynamical symmetry breaking.

Interested students should talk to me before filling out the application. A good background in mathematics is required, and it is preferred that students have completed some advanced physics courses. Students with programming experience and an interest in physics are also encouraged to apply. Student hiring will depend on available funding.