Digital Commons Network^™

Biol 447-002 Systems Neurobiology, Farzan Nadim

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 382-002: Animal Behavior, Gal Haspel

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 698-002: St: Glia, The Neuron's Forgotten Sibling, Jorge Golowasch

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 340-102, 104: Mammalian Physiology, Edward Sanchez

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

What Are The Genetic Influences Of Alcohol Sensitivity And Alcohol Metabolism? A Narrative Review Of Human Studies, Erwin Murray, Karen G. Chartier Phd, Msw

Undergraduate Research Posters

Background: Alcohol sensitivity and alcohol metabolism are two phenotypes associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) influenced by genetics. This narrative review aims to answer “What are the genetic influences of alcohol sensitivity and alcohol metabolism?” to gain a better understanding of the genetic aspects of AUD.

Methods: A database search was performed in PubMed. Empirical human genetic studies published between 2009 and 2025 that focused on alcohol sensitivity (measured by the Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol scale) or alcohol-metabolizing genes were eligible for review. Studies were screened to determine inclusion for the current review.

Findings: Fifteen …

Using Test-Crosses To Investigate Mendelian Inheritance Patterns In Brassica Rapa, Jacob Batson, Amy Nguyen, Ethan Do

Undergraduate Research Posters

The Wisconsin Fast Plants, Brassica rapa, are an ideal model organism for exploring patterns of inheritance and phenotype expression due to their rapid life cycle and observable traits. In this experiment, we examined the controlled crosses between the two phenotypes, anthocyanin-producing (ACN) and anthocyaninless (ANL), to observe allele inheritance. We observed phenotypes in the F1 generation to see if it followed the Mendelian inheritance patterns of homozygous dominant. By planting and watering the plants for two weeks, we tracked their growth and traits of ACN and ANL phenotypes. We used honey bees to cross pollinate the parent ACN and ANL …

Effects Of Gas Exchange Rates Between C3 And C4 Plant Species, Samantha L. Moya, Mollie Ouk, Aisha Goni

Undergraduate Research Posters

Spinach and basil (C3 plants) were compared with corn (C4 plant) to

explore how photosynthetic pathways affect CO2 consumption. Corn

seeds were obtained and planted in Miracle-Gro® soil to be observed

over the duration of a month. Leaves (starting from 3,4, and 10) from

each plant were then taken and placed into a bottle and closed off

with a CO2 gas probe that measured levels of carbon dioxide in ppm.

Spinach and basil leaves were used as a comparison for measuring

the rate of CO2 concentration. This is done to compare the gas

exchange rates between C3 and C4 plants. …

Designing A Tpack-Based Mobile Learning Model For Biology Education Using Nominal Group Techniques, Cik Jamaliah Abd Manaf, Shakinaz Desa, Muhammad Ikhwan Mat Saad, Helen Crompton

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Mobile learning (m-learning) enhances STEM education, particularly in biology, by supporting visualization and interaction. However, a structured framework integrating technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) is essential. This study designs a TPACK-based mobile learning model for biology using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT). A workshop with 10 experts identified seven key components and 67 elements, with nine elements rejected due to low consensus. The validated framework will guide model development using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) to enhance critical thinking, collaboration, and digital citizenship, ultimately fostering effective mobile learning environments for biology education.

The Responses Of Insect Herbivores And Local Food Webs To Invasive Shrubs, Logan W. Huber

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Invasive species cause widespread ecological disruption and economic loss. Invasive plants in particular have the potential to reshape forest food webs from the bottom up. However, the extent to which herbivores colonize and assimilate invasive plants into their diets remains unclear. To address this, I surveyed caterpillar abundance, richness, and herbivory on two invasive shrubs, Lonicera maackii and Elaeagnus umbellata, across regions differing in infestation history. Lonicera maackii supported lower overall caterpillar abundance and richness but hosted a more diverse and abundant caterpillar community in the heavily infested region. E. umbellata supported robust caterpillar communities and experienced herbivory levels comparable …

Determinants Of Bat Activity And Habitat-Use At Runkle Woods And Huffman Metropark, Ohio, Heidi E. Orloff

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

North American bats are an excellent control of pests as most are insectivorous feeders. They face numerous threats including habitat loss, anthropogenic development, disease (White-nose Syndrome), and potentially artificial light at night (ALAN). It is important to track species populations and habitat-use to determine the magnitude of effects from these threats. Acoustic monitoring has proven a useful and non-invasive method for tracking bat populations. In my research, I conducted stationary acoustic surveys of bat activity at Wright State University’s Runkle Woods and nearby Huffman MetroPark during the summers of 2023 and 2024. I recorded bat calls in three different habitats …

Impacts Of Salinity And Drought On Growth And Carbon Sequestration In Acorus Americanus And Carex Scoparia, Eleora L. Mantle

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

From the late 18th century until the 1980s, Ohio lost close to 90% of its wetlands. Despite increased efforts to maintain what is left, many freshwater marshes are still being degraded due to pollutants, such as road salt, and the impacts of climate change. This study sought to understand how both road salt and drought could impact the health and carbon sequestration of two wetland species, Acorus americana and Carex scoparia, to better understand tolerance. To do this, both species were separated into groups and subjected to varying salt concentrations and drought conditions. After 9 weeks of treatment, plants were …

Determining The Genetic Population Structure Of The Endangered Scirpus Ancistrochaetus Using Genomic Sequences, Kayci Johnson

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Wetlands are biodiverse ecosystems across the world, and they are being lost at alarming rates due to fragmentation and anthropogenic stressors. Many wetland plants are endangered or threatened due to wetland decreasing numbers. Scirpus ancistrochaetus is an endangered wetland species in the northeastern United States. It is most commonly found in lowlands and forested ecosystems. In this study, I used 105 polymorphic loci obtained from double-digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq), a conservation genetics tool, to determine conservation units, gene flow, kinship, and isolation-by-distance patterns. Discrete populations were identified in New England and the southern part of the species’ …

Screening Of Suppressor Mutants That Confer The Suc22 S239f Mutant Cells Resistance To Hydroxyurea, An Inhibitor Of Ribonucleotide Reductase, Sairam Pasam

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is a key enzyme for the biosynthesis of dNTPs for DNA replication and repair. It is composed of a large subunit, Cdc22, and a small subunit, Suc22, in the fission yeast S. pombe. We have recently reported a suc22-S239F mutation in the small subunit of RNR, causing replication stress and hypersensitivity to hydroxyurea (HU), an inhibitor of RNR. Interestingly, this mutation does not sensitize the cell to acute treatment with HU, which mainly generates replication stress, suggesting that the mechanism of HU sensitivity in the suc22-S239F mutant remains to be fully understood. To better understand the cell-killing …

Benthic Algal Biomass And Productivity Across Depth Gradients In Lakes Michigan And Erie, Ahmed Ogidan

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Benthic primary production is poorly quantified in the Laurentian Great Lakes relative to phytoplankton-based production. We measured benthic chlorophyll and benthic primary productivity on soft sediments and Dreissena shells along depth gradients in Lakes Erie (2024) and Michigan (2025) during EPA Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative cruises. We measured benthic chlorophyll fluorometrically and estimated benthic primary productivity using non-invasive oxygen exchange incubations. We used PAM fluorometry to characterize photosynthetic-irradiance relationships on mussel shells and sediments in Lake Michigan. In Lake Erie, sediment chlorophyll ranged from 20 to 150 mg m⁻², with highest values in the central basin. In Lake Michigan, …

The Role Of Trpm7 In Mouse Development And Immune Cell Function, Jananie Rockwood

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Transient receptor melastatin 7 (TRPM7) functions both as an ion channel and a protein kinase. TRPM7 has been implicated in Mg2+ homeostasis, embryogenesis, cardiac automaticity, and immunity. The purpose of this research was to deepen our understanding of TRPM7 channel and kinase functions. To this end, we used two transgenic mouse models: the TRPM7 gain-of-function (GOF) and TRPM7 kinase-dead (KD) mice to address the consequences of increased channel activity and kinase inactivation, respectively. Global deletion of TRPM7 or the kinase domain alone are embryonic lethal, therefore, we used the TRPM7 GOF mouse to investigate germline transmission. We examined embryo development …

Using Fungal Dna Barcoding To Identify Fungal Species In A James River Park System Soil Microbiome, Erwin Murray, D Jennings

Undergraduate Research Posters

Fungi in the soil have the ability to form mutualistic relationships with plant roots and improve the way they resist a variety of plant diseases and abiotic stressors, influencing the survivability of the plants. The James River Park System (JRPS) is home to a variety of ecosystems that support diverse plant and fungal populations, including native plants and invasive plants. Therefore, it is important to identify what is present in the soil microbiome. The purpose of this project is to isolate fungal sequences from soil samples collected in the JRPS to identify what fungal species are present in the JRPS …

Designing Tpack-Driven Mobile Learning With Digital Citizenship For Biology Education: Insights From Ngt And Ism Approaches, Cik Jamaliah Abd Manaf, Shakinaz Desa, Muhamad Ikhwan Mat Saad, Helen Crompton

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The rapid digitization of education and the complexity of scientific content demand the integration of digital citizenship in TPACK-based mobile learning for Biology. This study aimed to identify and prioritize relevant digital citizenship practices using a Design and Development Research approach. In Phase One, the Nominal Group Technique with 10 experts evaluated eight proposed practices. Phase Two employed Interpretive Structural Modeling with nine experts to structure hierarchical relationships. Seven practices were retained, with Ethical Use of Digital Resources as the top-level driver. The resulting framework supports ethical and discipline-specific mobile learning models, promoting responsible digital engagement in Biology education.

Functional Utility Of Gold Complexes With Phosphorus Donor Ligands In Biological Systems, Adedamola S. Arojojoye, Samuel G. Awuah

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Metallo-phosphines are ubiquitous in organometallic chemistry with widespread applications as catalysts in various chemical transformations, precursors for organic electronics, and chemotherapeutic agents or chemical probes. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the exploration of the current biological applications of Au complexes bearing phosphine donor ligands. The goal is to deepen our understanding of the synthetic utility and reactivity of Au-phosphine complexes to provide insights that could lead to the design of new molecules and enhance the cross-application or repurposing of these complexes.

Acer Rubrum: Descending Towards Forest Dominance, Elyssa L. Pearson, Christopher M. Gough

Undergraduate Research Posters

Acer rubrum, more commonly known as the red maple, is a hardwood, late successional species of tree commonly planted for its deciduous nature and vibrant coloring of its leaves in the beginning of autumn (Abrams, 1998). The species is very tolerant of varying light and soil moisture levels and often dominates sub and mid-canopy levels of hardwood forests (Missouri Botanical Gardens). It was hypothesized that as the I moved from an upland location to a lowland location near a wetland that the A. rubrum trees would be more productive and have a greater above ground biomass. This was not …

Science, Physiology, And Nutrition For The Nonscientist, Judi S. Morrill

Open Educational Resources

A wonderful blend of physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, genetics, biology, evolution, chemistry--what we all need to know as informed citizens. A basic knowledge of the life sciences and how our bodies work--to promote our own good health, especially as we're bombarded with misleading advertisements, soundbites, and the like. DNA fingerprinting, calorie requirements, dietary advice, genetic engineering (including gene editing with CRISPR cas9)--all in an easy-to understand book.

Realities Of Nutrition, Judi S. Morrill

Open Educational Resources

What Is Nutrition Reality? Is it in the advertising claims that a food is natural or supplies instant energy? Is it in the myriad of dietary supplements? Is it in the diet plans for instant weight loss and glowing health? The only way to find out is to learn the basic principles of nutrition science, so you can be your own nutrition expert. Here is the true introduction to nutrition that you will read with pleasure and real understanding. It will free you from dependence on popular sources of information - often misinformation - so you can distinguish illusion from …

How Do Human-Induced Environmental Stressors Shape The Distribution, Physiology, And Behaviour Of The Lemur Leaf Frog?, Benjamin Hough

School of Biological and Marine Sciences Theses

The Lemur leaf frog (Agalychnis lemur) is a critically endangered species of anuran whose survival is increasingly threatened by human-induced environmental stressors, such as habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change. This study investigates how those stressors shape the physiology, distribution, and behaviour of the species through combinations of physiological and distributional modelling and a behavioural trial. The study uses a novel approach into understanding how future risk posed by climate change could impact Lemur leaf frogs. By using field spatial data combined with physiological mechanistic modelling, the study is able to predict how Lemur leaf frogs body temperature and geographical …

Spectral Divergence Prioritizes Key Classes, Genes, And Pathways Shared Between Substance Use Disorders And Cardiovascular Disease, Everest Castaneda, Elissa Chesler, Erich J. Baker

Funded Scholarship

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are heterogeneous diseases with 

overlapping biological mechanisms and often present with co-occurring disease, 

such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Gene networks associated with SUDs 

also implicate additional biological pathways and may be used to stratify 

disease subtypes. Node and edge arrangements within gene networks impact 

comparisons between classes of disease, and connectivity metrics, such as 

those focused on degrees, betweenness, and centrality, do not yield sufficient 

discernment of disease network classification. Comparatively, the graph 

spectrum’s use of comprehensive information facilitates hypothesis testing 

and inter-disease clustering by using a larger range of graph characteristics. 

By adding a connectivity-based …

Legacy Effects Of Crop Diversity On Weed-Crop Competition In Maize Production, Uriel D. Menalled, K Ann Bybee-Finley, Richard G. Smith, Antonio Ditommaso, Heather M. Darby, Sarah J. Pethybridge, Matthew R. Ryan

Faculty Publications

The legacy effects of crop diversity on maize (Zea mays L.) tissue nutrient composition, weed community structure, and intensity of weed-crop competition were assessed through a field experiment at two sites in the northeastern United States. Fields were conditioned with crop diversity gradients from summer 2016 to spring 2019. The crop diversity gradients ranged from a single cultivar to sixteen intercropped cultivars (four species, four cultivars per species) and were established in organic annual and perennial cropping systems. Following the three-year conditioning phase, maize was planted across the entire experiment, and each conditioning-phase diversity treatment was split into weed-free, ambient-weed, …

Legacy Effects Of Crop Diversity On Weed-Crop Competition In Maize Production, Uriel D. Menalled, K Ann Bybee-Finley, Richard G. Smith, Antonio Ditommaso, Heather M. Darby, Sarah J. Pethybridge, Matthew R. Ryan

Faculty Publications

The legacy effects of crop diversity on maize (Zea mays L.) tissue nutrient composition, weed community structure, and intensity of weed-crop competition were assessed through a field experiment at two sites in the northeastern United States. Fields were conditioned with crop diversity gradients from summer 2016 to spring 2019. The crop diversity gradients ranged from a single cultivar to sixteen intercropped cultivars (four species, four cultivars per species) and were established in organic annual and perennial cropping systems. Following the three-year conditioning phase, maize was planted across the entire experiment, and each conditioning-phase diversity treatment was split into weed-free, ambient-weed, …

Technological Accessibility For Wildlife Telemetry Research, Andrew Danielson

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Over the course of two years, I conducted original research into improving accessibility for researchers in the field of wildlife telemetry. Wildlife telemetry is a technique used by biologists to track wildlife in the field, which requires the biologist to attach a small radio transmitter to an animal, usually using a specially designed collar, harness, or another means. These transmitters are battery powered and will emit or transmit a regularly timed radio signal that can be received by radio receivers carried by the researchers. Two issues faced by wildlife telemetry researchers are the cost of wildlife telemetry equipment and the …

Corneal Transplants And Their Impact, Bianca Estrada

Honors Capstones

A corneal transplant, also called keratoplasty or corneal grafting, is a type of surgery where damaged or diseased corneal tissue is replaced by a healthy donor cornea. The first successful corneal transplant was performed in 1905 by Dr. Eduard Zirm, but since then, surgical advancements have developed greatly, leading to more beneficial outcomes. Corneal blindness is a major form of reversible blindness that is manageable with healthy donor cornea transplantation. Other recipients or possible candidates for corneal transplantation include those with keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, eye infections, or eye injuries. This remarkable surgery is now one of the most common transplant …

Genetic Analysis Of A Novel Population Of Southern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys Volans) Found In Lincoln, Ne, Jennifer Wettschreck

Biology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

In 2018 a novel population of southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) was discovered in Lincoln, Nebraska, 80 km outside of their known range. Southern flying squirrels are designated as a “Tier-1” species of concern within Nebraska and the origin of this new population is of interest to state biologists. This study will provide insight into the probable origin of this new population by comparing genetic samples from known populations of southern flying squirrels. Museum specimens were collected from two well-established populations in Florida and Texas, as well as samples from individuals native to Nebraska (Indian Cave State Park) to compare …

Designing Technology-Enriched Learning Environments: The Effects Of An Agent-Based Computer Model On Biology Students' Understanding Of The Covid-19 Pandemic And The Nature Of Models In Science, April Sullivan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Science education researchers have called for increased attention to the science practice of modeling to engage students in authentic scientific inquiry. A major challenge to integrating the modeling practice into science instruction is that students tend to conceptualize models as static end-products of research rather than generative tools for theory-building. Engaging students in using computer models, specifically agent-based computer models (ABMs), to explain and predict scientific phenomena could improve students' understanding of models in science. In this design-based research project I investigate the effects of an ABM-supported learning environment on high-school biology students' understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and the …

The Climate Impact Of Tropical Peatland Degradation, René Dommain, Steve Frolking, Aurich Jeltsch-Thömmes, Fortunat Joos, John Couwenberg, Paul Glaser, Alexander Cobb, Charles Harvey

Faculty Publications

Southeast Asia is a global hotspot of peatland degradation and related greenhouse gas emissions. Anthropogenic impacts, mainly associated with agricultural conversion, shift Southeast Asian peatlands from carbon sinks to significant carbon sources. Here we first describe the impacts of anthropogenic drainage on landscape-scale carbon dynamics of individual peatlands and then use an impulse‐response model of radiative forcing to quantify the climate impacts of peat-carbon losses. Whereas water-table elevation (i.e. drainage depth) determines the magnitude of CO2 emissions at the site-scale, the geometric arrangement of artificial drainage networks determines carbon losses on the landscape-scale. Among all peatland greenhouse gas fluxes, the …