Sigma Xi announces 2005 research prizes

4:20 p.m., Aug. 23, 2005--The UD chapter of Sigma Xi, the scientific research society, recognized three UD students and a student from the College of Charleston for outstanding undergraduate research for 2005 at three recent research symposia on the campus.

Honored were:

Agata Bielska, senior biochemistry major, examined changes in phosphorylation, a ubiquitous, reversible modification of cellular proteins that are connected to human disease. Her research focuses on understanding the details of how phosphorylation changes the structures of proteins. She has identified and characterized specific structural changes important in cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. Her research adviser is Neal Zondlo, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry;
Kathryn Sharpe, senior mathematics and computer science major, and Stephanie Merkler, senior mathematics major. Sharpe worked in an area known as self-assembly, the process nature uses to grow. Her goal was to better understand the process so it can be used in engineering systems. Merkler studied soap films in an electric field. The field causes the soap film to deform. Her research focuses on understanding how. Their research adviser is John Pelesko, assistant professor of mathematical sciences; and
Catherine House, senior marine biology major at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, doing research at UD under a National Science Foundation-Research Experience for Undergraduate Program summer internship. She is investigating the physiological adaptations of fish to low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuaries. Her research adviser is Timothy Targett, professor of marine studies.

Article by Barbara Garrison

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