Department of Biological Sciences: Leading the way to Prominence

Undergraduate Research Mentors

Picture	Name, Affiliation, and Research Description	Requirements
	Akins, Robert A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Tissue engineering and regenerative therapies for heart disease. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Preferred courses: Cell Biology (BISC 305) Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Allen, Deborah Department of Biological Sciences Biology education; writing of problem-based learning problems and case studies. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: More than one year Required courses: Genetics, Cell Biology (BISC 305), Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Bais, Harsh Department of Plant & Soil Sciences How root exudation regulates plant-microbe interactions. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Physiology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Binder-Macleod, Stuart Department of Physical Therapy Identification of stimulation patterns that maximize force and minimize fatigue from human skeletal muscles. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Classes: Sophomore, Junior
	Boyd, E. Fidelma Department of Biological Sciences Investigation of the emergence and divergence of Gram-negative enteric bacterial pathogens. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters plus one summer Required courses: Introductory Microbiology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Bunnell, Tim A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Clinical computational linguistics and phonetics. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.5 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Anatomy, Physiology, and either Acoustic Phonetics or Laboratory Phonetics Classes: Junior, Senior Other: Semesters must be consecutive (excluding Winter session)
	Cary, S. Craig College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Microbial ecology of extreme environments including deep-sea hydrothermal vents, Antarctica, and Delaware's Inland Bays. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.5 Minimum time for a project: One semester Required courses: Microbiology, Molecular Biology of the Cell, Genetics and Evolutionary Biology Classes: Junior, Senior Note: Senior thesis project optional but not required; Summer research available, 40 hours per week (paid)
	Cooper, Carlton Department of Biological Sciences The identification and regulation of cell adhesion proteins involved in prostate cancer preferential metastasis to bone. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: More than one year Required courses: Cell Biology (BISC 305) and/or Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Czymmek, Kirk Department of Biological Sciences Molecular cytology of fungal-plant pathogenic interactions and fungal hyphal tip growth. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.4 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Cell Biology (BISC 305), Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Davis, Irene Department of Physical Therapy Relationship between lower extremity structure, biomechanics and injury. Status: All undergraduate positions filled	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Preferred courses: Physics I Classes: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior
	DeLeon, Patricia Department of Biological Sciences Reproductive genetics, genomics, and sperm proteomics. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters plus one summer Required courses: BISC 207, BISC 208 Classes: Sophomore, Junior
	Duncan, Melinda Department of Biological Sciences Molecular control of lens development and cataract formation. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.4 Minimum time for a project: More than one year Required courses: Genetics, Molecular Biology Classes: Freshman, Sophomore Note: Will take Sophomores who have not had Molecular Biology if they take at first available opportunity
	Duncan, Randall Department of Biological Sciences Signal transduction and cell biology of musculoskeletal cells. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Cell Biology (BISC 305) Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Epifanio, Charles College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Investigation of factors that control dispersal and recruitment of marine larvae. Status: All undergraduate positions filled	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: One semester Classes: Junior, Senior Other: Must be Biological Sciences major; Summer residence program or Semester-in-Residence Program required
	Fawcett, Paul A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Immunology of idiopathic and infectious inflammatory diseases. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Immunology, Cell Biology (BISC 305) and/or Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior
	Fifield, Steven Delaware Education Research and Development Center Cultural studies of science; how knowledge, meaning, and identity are enacted in science education. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: None Minimum time for a project: One semester Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Funanage, Vicky A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Genetic analyses of pediatric neuromuscular diseases and congenital heart malformations. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: One semester Required courses: Molecular Biology, Human Genetics Classes: Sophomore, Junior
	Gaffney, Patrick College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Population and aquacultural genetics of marine fish and invertebrates. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.3 Minimum time for a project: One semester Preferred courses: Genetics and Evolutionary Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior Note: May work in our lab as part of the Semester-in-Residence Program (for Fall semester of Junior or Senior year)
	Galileo, Deni Department of Biological Sciences Early brain development and novel models for cancer research. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.7 Minimum time for a project: More than one year Preferred courses: Cell Biology (BISC 305), Molecular Biology, etc. Classes: Sophomore Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Gallagher, John College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Solving societal problems: roles for salt-tolerant plants from the wetlands. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: One semester Required courses: A botany course Classes: Junior, Senior Other: Must apply and be admitted to the Semester-in-Residence Program
	Galloway, James Department of Physical Therapy Motor behaviors in healthy and at risk infants. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: One semester Preferred courses: Human/Mammalian Anatomy/Physiology, Developmental Biology, Developmental Psychology, and Biomechanics Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior Other: Interest in young infant behavior required Note: Experience with young infants helpful
	Hanson, Thomas College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment How do microbes live in the lab (microbial physiology) and in nature (environmental proteomics)? Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Herson, Diane Department of Biological Sciences Physiology of organisms which carry out bioremediation, Helicobacter pylori in water. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Preferred courses: Microbiology Classes: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior
	Hobson, Grace A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Genetic diseases of myelin production. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Molecular Biology, Genetics Classes: Sophomore, Junior Other: Only Juniors at the beginning of their Junior year will be accepted
	Kirchman, David College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Marine microbial ecology, especially role of microbes in global carbon cycle. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: One semester Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior Other: Must apply and be admitted to the Semester-in-Residence Program
	Kirn-Safran, Catherine Department of Biological Sciences Creation of cell lines and mouse models to understand the formation of mineralized tissues during embryogenesis. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.4 Minimum time for a project: More than one year Required courses: Cell Biology (BISC 305), Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior
	Knight, Christopher Department of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences Motor unit discharge behavior and the control of muscular force: aging, training and adaptation. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 2.8 Minimum time for a project: One semester Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior Other: Must have passion for good science; interview required
	Laverty, Gary Department of Biological Sciences Epithelial transport systems in cultured tissues. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: At least one of Cell Biology (BISC 305), Molecular Biology, or General Physiology Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Lee, Jung-Youn Department of Plant & Soil Sciences Understanding intercellular communication / signaling process and the role of protein phosphorylation mediated by Casein Kinase 1 family members in plant systems. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters plus one summer Required courses: Basic biology and biochemistry Classes: Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Marsh, Adam College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Development of marine invertebrate embryos in extreme environments. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: One semester Preferred courses: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Bioinformatics Classes: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis Other: Must apply and be admitted to the Semester-in-Residence Program Note: Juniors are preferred
	Mason, Robert A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Biochemistry, cell and molecular biology of proteases involved in cancer and placental function. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: One semester plus one summer Required courses: Either Cell Biology (BISC 305), Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	McDonald, John Department of Biological Sciences Effects of natural selection on nuclear genes. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: More than one year Classes: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior
	McLane, Mary Ann Department of Medical Technology Molecular basis for cancer metastasis and its inhibition. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters plus one summer Required courses: CHEM 103, CHEM 104, BISC 207, and BISC 208 Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Meyers, Blake Department of Plant & Soil Sciences Genome-wide analyses of gene expression in plants, with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms of disease resistance in plants. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters plus one summer Required courses: BISC 401 or PLSC 306 Preferred courses: BISC 403 Classes: Junior Other: Must be interested in plant biology Note: The lab has a strong bioinformatics component, so students interested in computer applications in biology are strongly encouraged to apply
	Miller, Douglas College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Benthic ecology, with emphasis on intertidal and nearshore habitats and fauna, especially groundwater seeps, temperate worm reefs, and impacts of invasive species. Status: All undergraduate positions filled	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: One semester Preferred courses: MAST 627 Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior Other: Must be interested in senior thesis, admitted to Honors program, or admitted to the Semester-in-Residence Program
	Naik, Ulhas Department of Biological Sciences Molecular cell biology of cardiovascular and cancer cells. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.4 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters plus one summer Required courses: Cell Biology (BISC 305), Molecular Biology, General Physiology Classes: Freshman, Sophomore
	Nohe, Anja Department of Biological Sciences Develop and utilize state-of-the-art techniques to elucidate changes in cellular communication that lead to diseases as diverse as cancer and osteoporosis. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Introductory Chemistry, Cell Biology (BISC 305), or Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Rahman, Tariq A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Biomedical and orthopedic engineering. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Physiology, Biomechanics, and System Dynamics Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Reisman, Darcy Department of Physical Therapy Movement control related to neurologic injury, particularly stroke. Status: All undergraduate positions filled	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Classes: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Note: Familiarity with computers helpful
	Rudolph, Katherine Department of Physical Therapy Knee instability, osteoarthritis, movement analysis, motor control of walking, development of Smart Fluid Devices. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: One semester Classes: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Schanen, N. Carolyn A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Biology and genetics of inherited neurodevelopmental and neurovascular disorders. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Molecular Biology and/or Genetics Classes: Sophomore, Junior
	Scholz, John Department of Physical Therapy Multi-joint coordination, including how the nervous system deals with motor redundancy. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Classes: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Other: Familiarity and comfort with computers
	Selva, Erica Department of Biological Sciences Genetic and molecular control of signal transduction. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: More than one year Required courses: Genetics, Cell Biology (BISC 305), Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	Shaffer, Thomas A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Developmental respiratory physiology. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.5 Minimum time for a project: More than one year Required courses: Physiology or Bioengineering Classes: Junior
	Sherrier, D. Janine Department of Plant & Soil Sciences Importance of the cell surfaces to plant development. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Sikes, Robert Department of Biological Sciences Mouse prostate gland development and the development and progression of human prostate cancer. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Introductory Chemistry, Cell Biology (BISC 305), and Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis Note: Will take Sophomores who have not had Molecular Biology if they take at first available opportunity
	Simmons, Daniel Department of Biological Sciences Mechanism of DNA replication. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Snyder-Mackler, Lynn Department of Physical Therapy Muscle function and knee stability related to injury and osteoarthritis. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: One semester plus one summer Classes: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Sol-Church, Katia A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Genetic determinants of osteoporosis. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: One semester Required courses: Molecular Biology, Human Genetics Classes: Sophomore, Junior
	Tallamy, Douglas Department of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology Luperine chrysomelid beetle interactions with toxic cucurbitacin triterpenes. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.0 Minimum time for a project: One semester Preferred courses: BISC 302 Classes: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
	Targett, Timothy College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Ecology of estuarine and coastal marine fishes: physiological ecology of feeding, digestion, growth, and survival. Status: All undergraduate positions filled	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: One semester Preferred courses: Ecology and Ichthyology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Other: Sophomores or Juniors should apply to the Science and Engineering Scholars Program (Sophomores apply for research during the following summer), OR apply to the Semester-in-Residence Program
	Usher, David Department of Biological Sciences Regulation of lipid transport and the relationship of lipid transport to obesity and heart disease. Status: All undergraduate positions filled	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters plus one summer Preferred courses: Physiology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis
	van Golen, Kenneth Department of Biological Sciences Mechanisms of cancer metastasis focusing on the role of the Rho GTPases in regulating the cancer cell cytoskeleton. Status: All undergraduate positions filled	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Classes: Sophomore, Junior
	Wang, Wenlan A.I. duPont Hospital for Children Mechanism(s) of neuromuscular disease. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.5 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters Required courses: Either Cell Biology (BISC 305), Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Genetics Classes: Sophomore
	Wommack, K. Eric Department of Plant & Soil Sciences Diversity and population biology of marine microorganisms. Status: Accepting applications	Minimum GPA: 3.2 Minimum time for a project: Two semesters plus one summer Preferred courses: Microbiology, Molecular Biology Classes: Sophomore, Junior Must be interested in pursuing a senior thesis Note: Sophomores are preferred