Main Content Region

College of Natural Sciences

Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry

Faculty Member: Andreas Beyersdorf

Topic/Area of Interest: Air pollution

Title: Measurement of Atmospheric Aerosols contributing to Air Pollution

Abstract:

Our group is working on developing techniques to measure aerosol composition (metals and organics) and toxicity (oxidative potential and mutagenicity). By linking aerosol composition to toxicity we can better understand not only how much aerosol pollution there is but the detrimental effects it can have. In addition, we are collaborating with NASA researchers to analyze airborne measurements of air quality to improve satellite measurements of pollution in the United States (NASA DISCOVER-AQ mission), South Korea (NASA KORUS-AQ mission) and the Philippines (NASA CAMP2Ex mission).

Looking for Research Assistant: Yes

Role of Student: 

Student researchers perform laboratory experiments and analyze data relevant to air pollution.

Opportunity Type: Research Assistant

Hours per week: 6-10 hours per week

Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Required Discipline: Typically only science majors only

Qualifications: Lab Researchers: typically, completion of quantitative analysis (CS345) or equivalent
Data Analysts: vary

How to Apply: Contact Dr. Beyersdorf at andreas.beyersdorf@csusb.edu

andreas.beyersdorf@csusb.edu

(973)-294-5325

Department: Natural Sciences

Faculty Member: Becky Talyn

Topic/Area of Interest: toxicology, genetics, agriculture, health

Title: Effects of agricultural chemicals on health of the fruit fly

Abstract:

Our research aims to determine the effects and mechanisms of action of agricultural chemicals, using fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model species. We use toxicology, behavior, genetics, physiology and other approaches to understand what effects pesticides, especially Roundup, have on health, and what occurs within the organism that causes this to happen.

Looking for Research Assistant: Yes

Graduation Date: Earliest Graduation Date: 2020-12-11, Latest Graduation date: 2022-06-17

Role of Student: 

Students must be motivated and independent. We meet weekly as a group, to discuss research papers that we have all read, as well as progress, problems, and upcoming opportunities. After designing an experiment together, and training on the relevant methodologies, students are expected to work independently to complete their experiment. In addition, students are encouraged to apply for grants and participate in conferences.

Opportunity Type: Lab Experience

Hours per week: Min. 6, Max. 20

Days: Thursday

Required Discipline: Science

Qualifications: Student must be motivated and independent with good communication skills. Curiosity about biology required. Prefer sophomore or juniors, prefer some college-level biology coursework. In fall quarter, lab meetings are on Thursdays at 2pm. Must have some other Tuesday or Thursday availability for training.y

How to Apply: Send an email to BTalyn@csusb.edu describing your interest. I will send you an application form when I get your email.

btalyn@csusb.edu

(973)-294-5303

Department: Biology

Faculty Member: Tomasz Owerkowicz

towerkow@csusb.edu   

(909) 537-5312

Topic/Area of Interest: Cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, thermoregulatory physiology

Title: Vertebrate Physiology 

Abstract:

I study how animals work. 

Looking for Research Assistant: Not at this time

Department: Biology

Faculty Member: Angela Horner

ahorner@csusb.edu   

(909) 537-5597

Topic/Area of Interest: biomechanics, muscle physiology

Title: Locomotion in small mammals 

Abstract:

My research and lab group are focused on the mechanisms that shape locomotor strategies in animals, and how proximate (e.g., traversing different environments) and longer-term (e.g., aging, disease) perturbations may affect performance. My past research has investigated the interplay of substrate and locomotion in a variety of vertebrates, including lungfish, rodents, and ferrets. Since joining CSUSB as an Assistant Professor of Biology in September of 2013, I have focused my research on muscle function in small mammals.

Looking for Research Assistant: Not at this time

Department: Chemistry

Faculty Member: Jeremy Mallari

jeremy.mallari@csusb.edu   

(909) 537-5452

Topic/Area of Interest: Organic synthesis, biochemistry, malaria biology

Title: Developing chemical tools to understand proteolytic processes in the malaria parasite

Abstract:

My lab focuses on understanding protease biology in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Our group is currently focused on understanding a parasite metalloproteases falcilysin. Although this enzyme is required by the parasite to infect and replicate in the human host, its biological roles are not well understood. We utilize a wide range of approaches to study the functions of malarial proteases, including organic synthesis, biochemistry, and molecular biology. My lab is currently working to design, synthesize, and evaluate selective small molecule inhibitors to provide valuable chemical tools for studying the basic biology of these proteases and to evaluate their potential as targets for anti-malarial chemotherapy.

Looking for Research Assistant: Not at this time

Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry

Faculty Member: Kimberly Cousins

kcousins@csusb.edu   

(909) 537-3313

Topic/Area of Interest: Computational materials science: functional materials

Title: Prediction and Modeling Organic Functional Materials 

Abstract:

Using density functional theory & database searching to describe/predict properties of solid organic and organometallic materials with useful properties, especially electric and magnetic properties

Looking for Research Assistant: Not at this time

Department: School of computer sciences and engineering

Faculty Member: Yunfei Hou

hou@csusb.edu   

(909) 537-3608

Topic/Area of Interest: Intelligent Transportation Systems, Data Analytics, Computer Vision

Title: The Parking monitoring project

Abstract:

The objective of the parking monitoring project is to provide real-time information on the number of available parking space in the campus parking structures using computer vision and IoT technologies. We use existing surveillance cameras in the parking structure and install new vehicle counters at parking structure entrances.                              

A pilot application is available for Parking Structure East, visit: https://csusb-parking.appspot.com/

Looking for Research Assistant: Not at this time

Department: Mathematics

Faculty Member: Jeremy Aikin

jaikin@csusb.edu   

(909) 537-5375

Topic/Area of Interest: Matroid Theory and Graph Theory

Title: Problems in Structural Matroid Theory

Abstract:

My general area of research is combinatorics, and more specifically, matroid theory and graph theory. A matroid is a finite set E with a notion of what it means for subsets of E to be independent . Important examples of matroids are: 1) finite sets of vectors from a vector space, where linear independence serves as the notion of independence; and 2) finite graphs or networks, where E is the set of edges in the graph and subsets of E are independent precisely when they do not contain a cycle. In general, not all matroids arise from these settings, and it is this variety and versatility that makes studying matroids so exciting.

Looking for Research Assistant: Not at this time

Department: Health Science and Human Ecology

Faculty Member: Neal Malik

neal.malik@csusb.edu   

(909) 537-4588

Topic/Area of Interest: diet; obesity; overweight; weight management; Type 2 diabetes

Title: Comparison of micronutrient adequacy among low-carbohydrate, high protein and high-fiber, bean-rich diets

Abstract:

Data collected from a randomized controlled trial are being used to assess the following:

1. Does the pattern of micronutrient consumption differ between those following a) a high-fiber bean-rich diet and, b) a low-carbohydrate diet?                                                  

2. Are there any potential micronutrient deficiencies that might occur when following either diet?

Looking for Research Assistant: Not at this time

Department: Biology

Faculty Member: Jeremy Dodsworth

jdodsworth@csusb.edu   

(909) 537-7396

Topic/Area of Interest: Microbiology, microbiology, biogeochemistry

Title: Cultivation and study of novel thermophilic microbes

Abstract:

Beautiful and fascinating in their own right, hot springs offer good opportunities to study several frontiers in microbiology. High temperature impacts both microbial community composition and ecosystem function. While microbes that inhabit geothermal environments are typically distinct from those present at lower temperatures, some hot springs, including many in the US Great Basin region, are dominated by microbes that represent entire class- and phylum-level lineages with no cultivated representatives. Also, some key biogeochemical processes, such as photosynthesis (carbon fixation), transformations in the nitrogen cycle, and lignocellulose degradation, appear to break down or be altered as temperature increases, but the reasons for these changes are not clear. Because thermal environments generally tend to host relatively few taxa in comparison to non-thermal systems, hot springs in the US Great Basin represent good natural laboratories (relativel y simple yet tractable systems) to study novel thermophiles and their possible roles in carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrient cycles. Potential research projects will focus on understanding ecology in geothermal springs and the physiology of novel thermophiles using a combination of field studies, single-cell and community genomics techniques, cultivation efforts, and heterologous expression approaches, involving collaborations with researchers elsewhere in the US and in China.

Looking for Research Assistant: Not at this time