Click on the name of each project to learn more!
Spider silk and circadian genetics
Start Date: 06-03-2024
Duration: 10 Weeks
Project Description: Dr. Ayoub’s Spider Team needs two new members who have interests in spider care, spider collecting, molecular genetics, biochemistry, or data analysis. Projects this summer will include behavioral and genetic analysis of circadian rhythms in spiders in collaboration with Dr. Toporikova, as well as spider silk protein biochemical analyses in collaboration with Dr. Friend.
Prerequisites: Interest in spider care, spider collecting, molecular genetics, biochemistry, or data analysis.
Willingness to learn.
Other Comments: Preference for new students to take BIOL 401 in the Winter 2024.
Magmatic Architecture and Geology of Ijen Caldera (M.A.G.I.C.)
Start Date: 06-07-2024
Duration: 8 Weeks
Project Description: You will join Prof. Barber’s Volcanology and Igneous Petrology (V.I.P.) research lab on an international trip to Ijen caldera, Indonesia. We are attempting to reconstruct the eruptive history of Ijen’s ancinent and modern volcanism, with the goal of answering the basic question: how and why did this volcano form?. You will catalogue samples in the field, build geological maps, prepare your samples, and then analyze them using geochemicla and microstructural tools in collaboration with our local (Virginia Tech) and international (Cambridge, McGill, Gadjah Mada) partners. You also can participate in professional scientific conferences like Goldschmidt and GSA.Research timeline (tentative): Two weeks in the field (June 3rd to June 17th), six to eight weeks in the lab (June 17th to August 16th)
Prerequisites: Have taken EEG 100, 101, or 102 prior to start of research project.
Other Comments: Our field work will take place in Indonesia this coming June. Interested students should reach out ASAP to ensure the proper permitting and vaccine requirements can be met by each researcher in our party.
Can exercise ameliorate diet-induced ovarian dysfunction in rats?
Start Date: 05-27-2024
Duration: 10 Weeks
Project Description:
The Blythe lab will be exploring the effects of diet and exercise on ovarian function during summer 2024. Students will have the opportunity to learn skills such as animal handling, behavioral testing, collection and preparation of biological samples, histological processing, microscopy, and image analysis. Furthermore, students will improve their scientific literacy and communication skills. The Blythe lab will be looking for 2-3 students during Summer 2024.
Prerequisites: none
Other Comments: none
Periods of Recurrence Sequences
Start Date: 06-03-2024
Duration: 10 Weeks
Project Description: We will explore the periods of recurrence sequences defined in various (finite) algebraic structures, including various families of finite groups, using computational tools to help us see patterns and make conjectures.
Some flavor of the sorts of questions we might consider can be found in the introduction of the following paper: https://arxiv.org/abs/1805.03238
Prerequisites: Exposure to basic concepts in abstract algebra (Math 321 or equivalent). Some prior programming experience would be a plus, but is not essential.
Other Comments:
Conservation genetics of Crayfish
Start Date: 05-01-2024
Duration: 8 Weeks
Project Description: We study the genetic diversity and evolutionary relatedness among populations of Virginia’s (and nearby) crayfish to determine species identity and geographic range. Our primary tool is DNA sequence analysis. The work includes some field work, lab work to extract DNA, build DNA sequence data sets, and software analysis of the data.
Prerequisites: none
Other Comments: n/a
Folded ribbon knots in the plane
Start Date: 06-03-2024
Duration: 9 Weeks
Project Description: There are many possible research projects, depending on your interest.
Ribbonlength Problem:
What are upper and lower bounds on the folded ribbonlength? Can we improve these bounds for certain families of knots? For example: torus knots, pretzel knots, etc. Is there a relationship between ribbonlength and other knot invariants? How does folded ribbonlength depend on
– the number of sides of the polygonal knot diagram?
– the number and type of folds?
Prerequisites: Math 221 Multivariable Calculus
Math 222 Linear Algebra
Other Comments:
ChemTutor: a place to practice chemistry
Start Date: 06-03-2024
Duration: 8 Weeks
Project Description: We have developed and seek to improve a web application which provides tutorials and online practice for introductory college-level chemistry.
Prerequisites: None.
Other Comments: NA
LGBTQIA Target and Judge Data collection/ Science of Magic Replication
Start Date: 06-03-2024
Duration: 10 Weeks
Project Description: We are going to continue our work last summer by interviewing members of the LGBRQIA community. We will then show these interviews to a different set of participants and analyze how accurate their judgments are. We are also beginning a project to replicate some of the work published in conjunction with the Science of Magic Association.
Prerequisites: Statistics classes will help but are not required.
Other Comments: I will require them to take a 1 credit lab course with me in the winter.
Illuminating New Catalytic Transformations
Start Date: 06-03-2024
Duration: 9 Weeks
Project Description: The Gray Group designs new catalytic transformations for the synthesis of complex molecules. To identify novel chemical bond–forming and bond–breaking methods, we harness the activity of catalysts and visible light.
Prerequisites: Students should have earned a C+ or higher CHEM 110.
Other Comments: Although not required, students may take an independent study course (CHEM 401 or CHEM 421) in preparation for summer research.
Grasslands and Bison are cool or Quantifying soil carbon storage capacity of Yellowstone National Park grasslands.
Start Date: 05-27-2024
Duration: 8 Weeks
Project Description: As part of a long-term bison grazing monitoring project, we will work with the National Park Service Bison Management group to collect plant and soil samples in Yellowstone National Park. Through a combination of field and lab work, this summer we will primarily be quantifying soil carbon dynamics. This will be done by measuring soil respiration, microbial diversity and soil carbon.
Prerequisites: Willingness to hike and conduct field work.
Other Comments:
Experimental studies of erosion by plucking
Start Date: 06-17-2024
Duration: 8 Weeks
Project Description: Plucking is the removal of bedrock from a river or concrete from a spillway by fluid forces alone. Students will construct a flume in which to experimentally reproduce erosion by plucking and make multiple experiments varying channel slope, water discharge, block shapes and sizes, step height and more. Each experiment will have video and instrumental analysis of flow turbulence above the blocks, dye flow in the rock cracks, flow velocity, block motion, free surface and water pressure in the rock cracks. The setup and analysis will take many types of skills, including construction, coding and data analysis, and in addition, considerable resilience. A field trip to see dams and natural channels in the Sierra Nevadas is planned for 2024.
Prerequisites: Engagement is more important than experience. Prefer students engaged with geoscience, engineers, computer science or math.
Other Comments: This research is supported by an NSF grant.
Mycoremediation of emerging contaminants
Start Date: 06-17-2024
Duration: 10 Weeks
Project Description: Using both biomineralizing fungi as well as the resulting biominerals, we aim to continue our work on manganese remediation from coal mine drainage and apply these same principles potentially to rare earth elements or PFAS, depending on student interest and site availability.
Prerequisites: nope! I can teach them what they need to know.
Other Comments: Some research will likely take place away from W&L. Lenfest supported a trip to Smithsonian NMNH to use their micro-Raman and I plan to continue with that work with my SRS students. Also, if doing PFAS work we will go to a site in Cape Cod, MA. If doing REE work we will go to acid mine drainage sites near Pittsburgh, PA.
Determining Causes of Trout Population Declines in the Jackson River, VA
Start Date: 06-10-2024
Duration: 8 Weeks
Project Description: Project includes:
•Working with state biologists to investigate causes of declines in wild trout populations
•A combination of field and lab work spanning June-July
•Possibilities for continuing lab and/or field work in the academic year
Need 2 students to assist with:
•Surveying spawning habitats, assessing habitat quality, and deploying equipment to assess flood scouring in spawning areas.
•Collecting macroinvertebrate samples, identifying taxonomic composition, and determining biomass
Prerequisites: None
Other Comments: Students should be willing to work outside and sometimes under challenging weather conditions
Impact of pesticides on the gut microbiome of tadpoles
Start Date: 06-10-2024
Duration: 8 Weeks
Project Description: This summer Dr. Lanier is looking for two students to begin an investigation into the potential impact of pesticides on the gut microbiome of tadpoles. In collaboration with Dr. Watson’s Frog Squad, students will learn the basics of frog rearing, treating tadpoles with pesticides, and will be required to dissect tadpole intestines. Students will then extract DNA from the gut samples and analyze the resulting data from microbiome sequencing.
Prerequisites: None
Other Comments: None
Urbanization and expansion of non-natives reptile populations in the southeastern U.S.
Start Date: 05-30-2024
Duration: 9 Weeks
Project Description: Most non-native reptiles in the U.S. have come from tropical regions, either as escaped pets or as hitchhikers on ornamental plants. As tropical species, their northern range limit will likely be set by winter temperatures. However, urban areas may be substantially warmer than their surroundings, which could allow reptiles to move further north than would otherwise be possible. We will use a large database of reptile observations, along with mapping software and spatial data analysis to determine whether non-native reptiles become increasingly restricted to urban areas as they move further north. Our research should have implications for urban ecology and for our understanding of climate effects on non-native species.
Prerequisites: Taking Field Herpetology in spring term is highly encouraged
Other Comments:
Impacts of stress on Marine Invert Microbiomes
Start Date: 06-10-2024
Duration: 8 Weeks
Project Description: The Reigel Lab is looking for 1-2 students to join our research team in Summer 2024. Our possible projects will examine the impacts of human-induced stressors on the microbiomes and metabolic-responses of oysters and sponges using aquarium-based experiments, genetics, transcriptomics, and metabolomic analyses. All research will be based at Washington & Lee.
Prerequisites: BIOL 111 and/or any biology class with a lab will be helpful background, but is not required.
Other Comments: Student researchers should be willing to participate in aquarium husbandry for the duration of the project. Husbandry will include cleaning, maintenance, and animal feeding/care. Some animal care may be required on weekends.
Circadian clocks in spiders
Start Date: 05-27-2024
Duration: 10 Weeks
Project Description: Circadian clocks in spiders exhibit a wider variation than those found in other animals, yet they are still capable of entraining to the 24-hour Earth cycle. To further investigate this phenomenon, we aim to simulate different day durations to determine the limits of their circadian rhythm. To carry out this experiment, we are seeking someone interested in collecting spiders and conducting research on spider locomotion. It is essential that this individual possesses a keen interest and a desire to learn data science, as data analysis will play a crucial role in interpreting the results of the experiment.
Prerequisites: Some familiarity with Data Science techniques
Other Comments: BIOL-187 in the Winter or BIOL-297 in the Spring; NEUR-401 in the Winter
Technical Examination of Cultural Heritage Objects
Start Date: 06-03-2024
Duration: 9 Weeks
Project Description: Cultural heritage objects (especially paintings) will be examined on and off campus with various collaborators. We will use pXRF, IR imaging, reflectance imaging spectroscopy, and computational methods.
Prerequisites: Students must interview with Dr. Uffelman
Other Comments: Students may be required to take one term of winter term research.
Regeneration in the optic nerve
Start Date: 06-10-2024
Duration: 8 Weeks
Project Description: The lab is interested in the mechanisms underlying the regrowth of optic nerve axons following a nerve injury. Why study this in the frog? Because frogs and fish can regain their vision after an injury to the optic nerve but mammals can not, they simply go blind. Using a genomics-based approach, we identified several genes that may play a role in the regeneration process.
This summer we will be investigating the role of two genes, uchl-1 and gng8, to determine their role in the regeneration process. In addition, to identify other genes involved in specific aspects of the regrowth of axons following an injury, we plan to compare genomic data from the frog with that from a new animal species, the axolotl.
Prerequisites: course pre-req: Bio 111/113.
Students need to have a positive attitude, have an excellent work ethic, and outstanding organizational skills.
Other Comments: Students will be expected to take a biology 401 or Neuro 401 course.
Genetic diversity in the Greenland stitchwort, a critically imperiled alpine plant of the Southern Appalachians
Start Date: 06-10-2024
Duration: 10 Weeks
Project Description: The Appalachian stitchworts are a group of rare plants that are adapted to live in very specific and unusual habitats such as mountain summits, rocky forest clearings, and underneath rock ledges. The ecological diversity and specialization within this group of closely related plants suggests a complex evolutionary history in response to dramatic climate changes in the Appalachians during the ice ages of the Pleistocene. By studying existing patterns of genetic diversity in these plants, we can improve our understanding of how plants might respond in the face of future changes in climate. Also, since the Appalachian stitchworts live in very fragmented and fragile habitats, they are at special risk of decline and extinction. Understanding how genetic diversity is distributed within and among their populations is an important part of conserving them.
Prerequisites: none
Other Comments: no