Undergraduate Research and Mentoring

Fellows

Group Shot 2009

Fellow
Research
Mentor
Ali Bramson "Environmental Fate and Transformation of Metal Nanoparticles" & "Role of Active Galactic Nuclei in the Evolution of Galaxy Groups" Eric Wilcots
Nick Ellis "Characterization of the transcription factor cap’n’collar in the developing wing of D. melanogaster" Seth Blair
Dan Hawk "Technique Development For Holographic Optical Tweezer Control Management" Ryan Kershner
Jon Jara-Almonte "Experimental Observation of Magnetorotational Instability" Cary Forest
Kelsey Stein "Reversal of Fragile X Syndrome Phenotypes by Genetic Manipulation of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Levels" Jim Malter
James Thomas "Reverse Engineering Human Neocortex" Mikko Lipasti
Alisha David "Characterizing Allo and Auto Immune Responses" Will Burlingham
Neha Hasan "Biomaterial Regulation of Diseased vs. Healthy Tissue Function Heart Valves" Kristyn Masters
Alisa King "Bacillus cereus and the formation of biofilms on food surfaces" Amy Wong
Gabrielle Lehrer-Brey “Diet analysis of the Round Goby” Jake Vander Zanden
Joshua Sanchez "Neural Basis of Consciousness" Giulio Tononi
Sonia Trevino-Dopatka "Biofilm growth on glass beads" Jenna Eun
Mary Walton "Analysis of Genes Downstream of LIM Transcription Factors in Zebrafish Axon Guidance" Mary Halloran

 

COHORT 1 (2008)

Ali Bramson

A Picture of Ali

  • Hometown: Verona, WI
  • Major(s): Astronomy-Physics & Physics
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • "The Hayabusa Spacecraft Model of Itokawa: Lessons Learned for Radar Shape Models" Division of Planetary Sciences Poster Session, Fajardo, PR, October 2009.
    • “Stability of nanoparticles under simulated environmental conditions” 2nd Annual Undergraduate Conference for Women in Physics, Urbana, IL, January 2009.
    • “Stability of Metal Nanoparticles Under Simulated Environmental Conditions” UW-Madison Undergraduate Research Symposium, Madison, WI, April 2008.
      • Poster: April 2008
      • Oral Presentation: April 2009
    • “Stability of Palladium Nanoparticles Under Simulated Environmental Conditions” American Chemical Society Undergraduate Poster Session, New Orleans, LA, April 2008.
    • “Solution based growth of shaped gold nanoparticles” UW-Madison NSEC REU Poster Session, August 2007.
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Vice President, Physics Club
    • Physics Learning Center Tutor
    • Educational Programs Coordinator, The Ogg Association
    • Volunteer for Wonders of Physics Program for Children
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • Verona Area Community Theater
    • Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics of UW-Madison
    • Hoofers Outing Club
    About Me: I enjoy rock climbing, theater, and going to badger games. I recently did an REU Program at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.

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Nick Ellis

A Picture of Nick

  • Hometown: Belleville, WI
  • Major(s): Biology
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • “Role of cap’n’collar in regulation of the Notch-ligand Serrate in the wing of Drosophila melanogaster” UW-Madison IBS-SRP poster session, June 2009.
    • “Characterization of cap’n’collar in the Developing wing of Drosophila melanogaster” UW-Madison Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 2009.
    • “Role of cap’n’collar in Intervein Fate Specification during Wing Development of Drosophila melanogaster” UW-Madison Bio 152 poster session, May 2008.
    • "Role of cap'n'collar in regulation of the Notch-ligand Serrate in the wing of Drosophila melanogastar" CIC SROP conference, University of Michigan, July 2009
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Art Mural in Witte Hall
    • Volunteer Coaching
    • Student Mentoring
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • Soccer Club
    • Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild
    About Me: My research interests include Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Cellular regeneration. Outside of the lab I’m an avid fish keeper/aquatic gardener, amateur mechanic, renowned zymologist, recreational soccer superstar, and graffiti artist.

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Dan Hawk

A Picture of Dan

  • Hometown: Madison, WI
  • Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • "HOT Management" 1st Semi-Annual Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Research Symposium, Madison, WI, 2009.
    • "Teaching Scratch" Undergraduate Research Symposium, Madison, WI, 2008.
    • "Holgraphic Optical Tweezer Management" Undergraduate Research Symposium, Madison, WI, April 2009.
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Web Editor, The Daily Cardinal
    • Scratch After School Program Volunteer
    Clubs and Organizations: About Me: I enjoy a challenge and root beer floats.

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Jonathan Jara-Almonte

A Picture of Jon

  • Hometown: Kenosha, WI
  • Major(s): Math, Physics
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • "Multidipole Confinement of a High-β Flowing Plasma" American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics 50th Annual Conference, Dallas TX, November 2008.
    • "Investigation of Magnetorotational Istability in a High-Flowing" Undergraduate Research Symposium, Madison, WI, April 2009.
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • GUTS Tutor
    • Hoofers SCUBA Treasurer & Equipment Managaer
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • Physics Club
    • Hoofers SCUBA
    About Me: :)

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Kelsey Stein

A Picture of Kelsey

  • Hometown: Altoona, WI
  • Major(s): Genetics
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • Poster Presentation at the Undergraduate Symposium in 2009.
    • Poster Presentation at the Undergraduate Symposium in 2008.
    • Poster Presentation at Zoology 152 Symposium.
    • "Reversal of Fragile X Syndrome Phenotypes by Genetic Manipulation of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Levels" Undergraduate Symposium, Madison, WI, April 2009.
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Volunteer weekly at a church in Fort Atkinson, WI
    • Volunteer in the Conversational English program through GUTS
    • Volunteer weekly at UW-Health
    • Attended 2 week volunteer program (VIDA) in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • Member of the Undergraduate Genetics Association
    • Member of the CALS Ambassadors Program
    • Member of the VIDA Student Organization
    About Me: I am a junior majoring in Genetics. My research interests are focused around neuroscience and more specifically include Down's Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. Currently, my project is aimed at reversing the Fragile X Syndrome phenotype by three different techniques. Ultimately, my goal is to obtain a dual MD/PhD degree. This will allow me to be both a practicing physician and an active neuroscience researcher.

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James Thomas

A Picture of James

  • Hometown: Brown Deer, WI
  • Major(s): Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • "Mini-Brain Graphical User Interface" Undergraduate Research Symposium, Madison, WI, April 2009.
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Leaders in Engineering Excellence and Diversity
    • Sloan Engineering Mentoring Program
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • INROADS Intern
    • Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
    • National Society of Black Engineers
    • Undergraduate Research Mentors
    • Research with PHARM group in ECE
    • Chancellor’s Scholar
    About Me: I want to earn a degree in electrical engineering because of an internship I had at Johnson Controls, Inc. during the summers of my high school years. I worked in various areas of the company and then focused on the engineering area where I was exposed to day-to-day engineering activities. I continued to work at Johnson Controls during the summer and winter of 2007. In the summer and winter of 2008, I worked at WE Energies in Milwaukee as an Electrical Engineer Intern; this allowed me to experience the duties of an electrical engineer in the power industry. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I also started research within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with the PHARM group whose focus is computer architecture. Exposure to research, as well as my work experiences, has excited me about the possibilities for new technologies in the power industry especially as we face an aging transmission system and the pressure to curb pollution released from energy production. I am a very physically active person. In high school I was a multiple-sport student athlete and I received various honors as well as participating in the State track meet. In college I decided to not participate in athletics so that I could focus on my academic pursuits. I still participate in intramural soccer every fall to dull the craving of athletic competition and I like to play pick-up games of basketball or soccer, whenever possible, just for fun! I fully expect that I will continue my academic studies and go on to graduate school to complete my master and doctorate degrees so that I can participate in research in either industry or academia. I am excited by the concept of discovery and finding new ways to do things that push the boundaries of existing processes as well as being environmentally friendly.

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COHORT 2 (2009)

Alisha David

A Picture of Alisha

  • Hometown: Madison, WI
  • Major(s): Genetics
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • Coming Soon
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Genetics Student Council Representative
    • Global Youth Service Day
    • CALS Day on Campus Tour Guide
    • Hospice Care Volunteer
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • Powers-Knapp Scholar
    • Undergraduate Genetics Association
    • CELS Club
    • Hospice Helping Hands Club
    About Me: I love to travel and am very excited to study abroad. I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, running, and gardening, and I play the alto saxophone in my spare time. I am having a very exciting time learning and exploring in my research and am excited to start my own project soon.

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Neha Hasan

A Picture of Neha

  • Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
  • Major(s): Biomedical Engineering
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • "Accuracy Testing of of the Visualeyez™ II Camera System" UW-Madison Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 2009.
    • "Accuracy Testing of of the Visualeyez™ II Camera System" UW-Madison Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 2009.
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Sister's Event Coordinator for UW-Madison Muslim Student Association
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • University of Wisconsin-Muslim Student Association
    • Society of Women Engineers
    • Engineering World Health
    About Me:
    • Favorite Book: Kite Runner Favorite
    • Political Analyst: James Carville
    • Favorite Place to Study: Memorial Library 2nd Floor
    • Favorite Fruit: Mango

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Alisa King

A Picture of Alisa

  • Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
  • Major(s): Microbiology & Japanese
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • Coming Soon
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Secretary of MANRRS-CALS
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • CMB
    • MANRRS
    • Japanese Culture Club
    About Me: I am a sophomore planning to major in Microbiology and Japanese in the Fall of 2009 at UW-Madison. In my spare time I like to read, write, and listen to music. I also like traveling to Japan in the summer and am fluent in Japanese. I hope to study abroad one day, hopefully in Japan.

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Gabrielle Lehrer-Brey

A Picture of Gabrielle

  • Hometown: Chilton, WI
  • Major(s): Biology
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • "Diet Analysis of the Round Goby" IBS-SRP Symposium, Madison, WI, July 2009.
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Coming Soon
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • Coming Soon
    About Me: I went to school for two years at UW-Manitwoc where I earned an Associate of Arts and Science degree before transferring to UW-Madison. I love music, traveling and reading.

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Joshua Sanchez

A Picture of Josh

  • Hometown: Marathon, WI
  • Major(s): Physics
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • Coming Soon
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • ASM Diversity Committee
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • Wisconsin Singers
    • Physics Club
    About Me: I applied to Madison specifically because I wanted to work on the great research teams that we have here. I play electric guitar in the Wisconsin Singers.

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Sonia Trevino-Dopatka

A Picture of Sonia

  • Hometown: Knoxville, TN
  • Major(s): Biochemistry
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • Coming Soon
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Schools of Hope Middle School Tutor
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Global Connections
    • F.H. King Students of Sustainable Agriculture
    About Me: Growing up in a trilingual family, I have developed a passion for foreign language and culture. Regarding activities, I enjoy anything outdoors: running, biking, gardening, camping. I have also taken an interest in vegetarian cooking and supporting local farmers. My longtime interest in Biology and more recently Chemistry has lead me to pursue a career in research.

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Mary Walton

A Picture of Mary

  • Hometown: Madison, WI
  • Major(s): Phamacology/Toxicology & Chemistry
  • Research Presentations & Publications:
    • "Nanoparticle Coatings: A Solution to the Leaching Problem" Undergraduate Symposium, Madison, WI April 2009.
    Service and Leadership Activities:
    • Coming Soon
    Clubs and Organizations:
    • Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization
    About Me: I enjoy exploring new frontiers. I have visited twelve countries and like to think in the abstract. Some of my interests include studying plants and animals (especially the octopus). Since I became a vegetarian, I have developed a habit of healthier cooking. That doesn’t stop me from baking, however. I’m a hard worker and enjoy listening to a variety of music every chance I get.

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