2014 CGRS Presenters
Nine students represented the University of Kansas Lawrence Campus at the 2014 Capitol Graduate Research Summit. View their research here.
Emily Beck | Bioenginnering | Advisor: Michael Detamore
Decellularized Cartilage Hydrogels for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Beck’s research focuses on the clinical translation of tissue engineering to create scaffolds that assist in cartilage regeneration. Specifically, Beck is modifying current tissue engineered products to enable them to be implanted into a patient, which could lead to improved treatment options and quality of life for arthritis patients.
Yufei Cheng | Electrical Engineering | Advisor: James P.G. Sterbenz
Telecommunication Network Vulnerability and Geodiverse Routing Protocol
Cheng’s current research focuses on resilient routing protocol design and analysis of vulnerability location for optical fiber networks. This research addresses the challenges telecommunication networks face when affected by natural disasters and intentional attacks.
Brittany Hartwell | Bioengineering | Advisor: Cory Berkland
Cellular Response to a Novel Multivalent Polymeric Immunotherapy for Multiple Sclerosis
Hartwell’s research develops an improved therapy for multiple sclerosis that exceeds current therapies in both safety and effectiveness by specifically targeting the immune response at the source of the disease. Her research not only has implications for effectively combating MS, but also sheds light on how to better develop therapies for other diseases of the immune system such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other autoimmune diseases.
Sharmin Kader | Architecture | Advisor: Keith Diaz Moore
Development of Hospice Environmental Assessment Protocol (HEAP): A Post Occupancy Evaluation Tool for Hospice Building Facilities
Kader’s research creates a Post Occupancy Evaluation tool for hospice facilities, named Hospice Environmental Assessment Protocol (HEAP), which will provide information about the performance of the built environment according to patients’ requirements. This knowledge will help to develop design guidelines for better architectural practice.
Margaret Lloyd | Social Work | Advisor: Jody Brook
The Disparate Impact of Alcohol, Methamphetamine and Other Drugs on Family Reunification after Foster Care in Kansas
Lloyd’s research focuses on how various drugs of abuse differentially impact family reunification after foster care. Her findings indicate that methamphetamine use is a significant barrier to reunification, and that parental drug addiction is associated with substantially longer stays in foster care. These findings suggest that a more robust intervention approach could positively impact reunification.
Lindsey Ott | Bioengineering | Advisor: Michael Detamore
Biomaterial Device for Repairing the Pediatric Airway
Ott’s research centers around developing tissue engineered constructs for pediatric tracheal defect repair. Her work seeks to alleviate tracheal defects in children affected by airway stenosis.
Cynthia L. Taylor & Benjamin Rutt | Psychology | Advisor: Changming Duan
Evaluation of Text4baby Promotional Efforts in Finney County and State Level Replication
Taylor and Rutt’s research focuses on the impact of promotional efforts to increase enrollment in Text4baby in the state of Kansas. Through a technology they use regularly, Text4baby quickly and easily provides pregnant women and new mothers with essential health information to help them care for themselves and their children.
Yan Xia | Molecular Biosciences | Advisor: John Karanicolas
Designing Small Molecule Inhibitors of RNA-binding Proteins by Mimicry
Xia and his fellow researchers have developed an innovative approach for the specific inhibition of Musashi-1, which is a protein promoting tumorigenesis. Xia’s methodology provides a new therapeutical paradigm for glioma treatment, and can be generalized to inhibit other anti-disease targets.
