Meet SURE Participants
SURE 2019
Alexis Commiskey

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Fritts
Project: Bats on the Texas Coast: Understanding Drivers of Activity Patterns
Alex Guzman

Major: Wildlife Biology
Mentor: Dr. Caitlin Gabor
Project: The Effects of Urbanization on Life-history traits in Gambusia affinis
Alicia Puig

Major: Microbiology
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Weigum
Project: Innovative Capture of Pathogens using Hollow Silica Microspheres Incorporated with Paper-based Microfluidics for Colorimetric Detection
Andrew Gonzales

Major: Microbiology
Mentor: Dr. Liqin Du
Project: Characterizing the Activity of a Novel Differentiation-Inducing Compound in Neuroblastoma Cells
Brittany Myrhang

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Ivan Castro-Arellano
Project: Association Between Hantavirus Host Reservoirs And Landscape Structure
Chau Tran

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Camila Carlos-Shanley
Project: How Gut Bacteria of Termites can be Affected by Different Ranges of Temperature
Edgar Torres

Major: Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. William Hoffman
Project: Rapid Differentiation of Isobaric Drugs Using Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe and Online Derivatization
Emilio Lara

Major: Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Tania Betancourt
Project: High-Throughput Preparation of Monodispersed Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Using Fiber Fluidic System
Isidoro Aburto Martinez

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Manish Kumar
Project: Cloning, Expression, & Purification of Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein in E. Coli
Jake Hermanson

Major: Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Sean Kerwin
Project: In Vitro Metabolism of Rooperol and CAPA
Jonathan Chica

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Dana Garcia
Project: Comparative Study of the Optic Nerve of the Texas Blind and San Marcos Salamander
Kafayat Oyejide

Major: Microbiology
Mentor: Dr. Mar Huertas
Project: Can Learning Environments Have an Impact on Students’ Stress
Michael Naley

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Irvin
Project: Identifying a Synthetic Method for Higher Molecular Weight Soluble Conductive Polymers
Mohammed Hossain

Major: Electrical Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Alexander Zakhidov
Project: Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cell Optimization
Renya Maku

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Shannon Weigum
Project: Paper Microfluidics: Cheap, Quick and Easy Platform for Point-of-Care Diagnostics
Rhoda Oladapo

Major: Microbiology
Mentor: Dr. Camila Carlos-Shanley
Project: Evaluation of the Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Bacterial Strains from the San Marcos River and Surrounding Water Bodies
Roberto Molina

Major: Wildlife Biology
Mentor: Dr. Andrea Aspbury
Project: The Effects of Urbanization on the Behavior of the Western Mosquitofish
Samantha Oliveira

Major: Microbiology
Mentor: Dr. Manish Kumar
Project: Development of a New Technique for Selectively Removing Chromosomal DNA from Circular Plasmid DNA
Shahad Abdulsahib

Major: Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Tania Betancourt
Project: Molecular Determinants of Immunogenic Cell Death Elicited by Nanoparticle-Mediated Dual Chemo and Photothermal Therapy
Stephanie Lopez

Major: Electrical Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Bahram Asiabanpour
Project: Modeling an Off-Grid System Through Smart Power Consumption by Simulation
Victoria Reyes

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Kristy Daniel
Project: Family Interpretation of Conservation Messaging
SURE 2018
Alexander Adame

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Timothy Bonner
Project: The Degradative Effects of Formalin Preservation on Genetic Analysis
Angel Sandoval

Major: Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Raquel Salinas
Project: Two Research Examples Using the Genetics of the Xiphosphorus Genus
Carina Carla Al-der

Major: Chemistry
Minor: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Wendi David
Project: Utilizing Gel Electrophoresis to Visualize G-Triplex and G-Quadruplex Structures in DNA
Cesar Rosalio Sifuentes

Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Dika Handayani
Project: Direct Force Measurement when Machining ADI
Chiedu Caroline Anyah

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Manish Kumar
Project: Effect of Miconazole Concentrations on Development of Resistance in Candida Ablicans
Cody James Rodriguez

Major: Microbiology
Minor: Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Dana Garcia
Project: Investigating a Tumor Suppressor Protein (P16INK4a) in Zebrafish Retina
Danielle Alyssa Cordani

Major: Wildlife Biology
Mentor: Dr. Ivan Castro-Arellano
Project: Increasing Effectiveness of Bat Impact Reduction Strategies while Minimizing Cost for Wind Energy Developers in Texas
Diego Francisco Valdez-Oranday

Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Mar Huertas
Project: Nitrite is an Olfactory Disruptor in Goldfish (Carassius Auratus)
Elizabeth Nichol Alvizo

Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Bahram Asiabanpour
Project: Implementation of Lean Manufacturing in Hydroponic Industry
Isaac Nicholas Cantu

Major: Microbiology
Minor: Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Caitlin Gabor
Project: Effects of Acute and Chronic Predation on Mate Choice and Stress
Jacob Chance Weishuhn

Major: Wildlife Biology
Mentor: Dr. Thom Hardy
Project: Observer Bias Using Visual Encounter Surveys
Jean-Michel Mailloux-Huberdeau

Major: Computer Science and Physics
Minor: Applied Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Eleanor Close
Project: Identifying Important Factors for Student Success in Introductory Physics
Jessica Sarah Barrera

Major: Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Tania Betancourt
Project: Investigation of Ability of Photothermal Treatment with PEDOT NPs to Lead to Immunogenic Cell Death
Joshua Robledo

Major: Wildlife Biology
Mentor: Dr. Astrid Schwalb
Project: Distribution of Mussels can be Explained with Life History Strategies in the San Saba River
Juan Elias Silva

Major: Industrial Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Bahrahm Asiabanpour
Project: Evaluating Factors Affecting a 20mm Plastic (PMMA) Optical Light Delivery Performance
Keondre Martiese Parker

Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Minor: Applied Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Blagoy Rangelov
Project: Reconfiguration for Better Efficiency Through Use of a Raspberry Pi
Loraine Ribon Gutierrez

Major: Industrial Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Sasha Dong
Project: Social Media Data Mining in the Transportation Field
Michaela L Livingston

Major: Biology
Minor: Art & Design
Mentor: Dr. Jessica Dutton
Project: Mercury Accumulation in Young-of-Year and Juvenile Bull Sharks (Carcharhinus Leucas) in Sabine Lake, TX
Nakya Lorena Mesa-Diaz

Major: Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Tania Betancourt
Project: Development of a DNA Aptamer Functionalized Conductive Polymer Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of Disease
Accolades:
- Received the 2018 SACNAS Student Presentation Award at the 2018 SACNAS: The National Diversity in STEM Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
Nicholas D. Loftis

Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Bahram Asiabanpour
Project: Solar Powered Passive Desalination using a Reflective Parabolic Dish
Pilo Calvillo

Major: Microbiology
Mentor: Dr. Andrea Aspbury
Project: Reproductive Investment and Body Condition in Female Gambusia Affinis Differs in Local Rural and Urban Environments
Rudy Padilla

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Joel Bergh
Project: Use of M4l-10 as the Primary Antibody for MRP4 Detection in Danio Rerio
Veronica Guadalupe Marin Ponce

Major: Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Irvin
Project: Electrospun Electroactive Polymers for Photocatalysis
Xandria Raemyn Quichocho

Major: Physics
Minor: Applied Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Eleanor Close
Project: Examining the Intersectionality of Minority Students' Identities at MSIs
SURE 2017
Kyle Davidson August

Major: Electrical Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Bahram Asiabanpour
Project: Atmospheric Water Generation Using Thermoelectric Cooling Systems
Luis Bichon III

Major: Physics
Mentor: Dr. Blagoy Rangelov
Project: Analysis of the Whirlpool Galaxy with the Hubble Space Telescope
Clint Boldt

Major: Physics, Applied Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Blagoy Rangelov
Project: X-Ray Sources from the Whirlpool Galaxy
Katherine Casey

Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Bahram Asiabanpour
Project: Passive Sunlight Capture
Kristin Dyer

Major: Wildlife Biology
Mentor: Dr. Ivan Castro-Arellano
Project: Potential Effects of Hantavirus Infection on Activity Patterns of Sigmodon hispidus
Jose Hernandez

Major: Electrical Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Karl Stephan
Project: Electrostatic Pendulum as a Model for Ball Lightning's Motion
Publications: Self-excited electrostatic pendulum showing electrohydrodynamic-force-induced oscillation
Riley Kay Horner

Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Bahram Asiabanpour
Project: Nutrition Delivery System
Gabriel Hurtado

Major: Computer Science
Mentor: Dr. Habil Zare
Project: Applications of RASL-Seq in the Analysis of Immune Response
Evelyn Ibarra

Major: Microbiology
Minor: Biochemistry
Project: Determining the Effect of MRP4 Knockout on Pigment Granule Position in Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Mentor: Dr. Dana Garcia
Noel Mireles

Major: Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Christopher Rhodes
Project: Investigation of the Effects of Iridium Substitution with Nickel Hydroxide Nanosheets
Nicholas Moore

Major: Physics
Mentor: Dr. Blagoy Rangelov
Project: Classification of Stellar Objects Through the Use of Machine Learning
Alyssa Parsons

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Irvin
Project: Electroactive Polymer-based Biosensors for Cancer Detection
Hannah Perkins

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Caitlin Gabor
Project: Synergistic Effects of Roundup and Cor on Antipredator Responses in Incilius nebulifer Tadpoles
William Poeppelmeyer

Major: Electrical Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Karl Stephan
Project: Solid-State Electrometer and Ultraviolet Photoelectricity
Karina Salinas

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Ivan Castro-Arellano
Project: Wild Vertebrate Exposure to Soft Ticks in Central Texas
Michael Sanchez

Major: Physics
Mentor: Dr. Blagoy Rangelov
Project: A Spitzer Study of the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC)
Mohamed Sghari

Major: Electrical Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Bahram Asiabanpour
Project: Thermoacoustic Refrigerator Project
Isaiah Silaski

Major: Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. David Snyder
Project: Constructing Homogeneous Homology Manifolds
Diego Torres

Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Hardy
Project: Vegetation Mapping: Comparison between Ground-based GPS vs. Aerial Imagery Mapping Using GIS