Research Experiences

for

High School Science and Math Teachers

Summer 2004

Advanced Research Program/ Advanced Technology Program

Texas Higher Education

Coordinating Board

September 2004

Supplemental Grants for High School Science and Math Teachers - Summer 2004

The Advanced Research Program and Advanced Technology Program (ARP/ATP) were created by the Texas Legislature in 1987 as competitive grants programs for faculty members at Texas institutions of higher education. Research projects are funded each biennium in a number of different disciplines and research areas. In January 1999, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board extended the programs to provide small supplementary grants to existing grantees who employ high school science and mathematics teachers to work on these projects during the summer. The grants are used by research faculty members primarily to pay for the teachers’ salaries for the four to nine weeks they will work in the university laboratories and to cover costs for laboratory supplies and travel. This program helps build linkages between high school teachers and university research faculty, gives the teachers experiences that they will carry back to their classrooms, and results in increased interest in science and engineering among high school students. Forty-six teachers participated in research projects in summer 2001, 47 participated in summer 2002, and 47 in 2003. At the end of the summer, almost all of the responding faculty researchers and high school teachers judged the program to be excellent or good. During the summer of 2004, 392 research projects selected in the 2001 grants competition and 121 selected in the 2003 grants competition were eligible to apply for a limited number of supplemental grants to support high school science and math teachers. This document lists the teachers and faculty members participating in the program during summer 2004, and briefly describes the work planned for each participating teacher. They worked on projects at eight universities, five health-related institutions, and two experiment stations. Those teachers were engaged in a wide variety of different activities ... from computer modeling to sample preparation to using various scientific instruments for making measurements.

Projects at ... begin on page ... Baylor College of Medicine ..............................................................1

Lamar University ..............................................................................2

Rice University .................................................................................2

Southern Methodist University.........................................................3

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station ............................................3

Texas Engineering Experiment Station ...........................................5

Texas Tech University .....................................................................6

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center..............................6

University of Houston.......................................................................7

University of North Texas ..............................................................10

University of North Texas Health Science Center

at Fort Worth ...............................................................................11

The University of Texas at Arlington..............................................12

The University of Texas at Dallas ..................................................12

The University of Texas Health Science at Houston.....................14

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston .................14

Summary of 2004 Supplemental Grants Awards

and Participants ..........................................................................16

Gender of Participants by Program ...............................................17

Name Index....................................................................................18

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TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS for

HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE AND MATH TEACHERS SUMMER 2004

Teacher activities are as described by grantee

Jessica Zenker Charles L. Densmore Life Science and Biology teacher Professor YES College Preparatory School Baylor College of Medicine Houston Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Polyethyleneimine-Gene Therapy Given by Aerosol: An Effective Treatment for Pulmonary Metastases “Ms. Zenker will play an important role in our TDT project aimed at developing aerosol gene delivery technology for clinical application in the treatment of lung cancer in human pediatric patients. This technology uses a tumor suppressor gene (p53) and/or a cytokine gene (IL -12) in a unique and patented nonviral formulation which appears to be highly effective in animal tumor models while exhibiting very low toxicity. Ms. Zenker has worked with our collaborator on this grant, Dr. Genie Kleinerman, of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and has also worked in our lab. She is therefore already familiar with some of the methodology that will be used. She proved to be a valuable addition to our collaborative effort and would therefore be an even more valuable component of our research team this summer. Ms. Zenker has expertise in areas of molecular biology that will enable her to continue work on redesigning the plasmids we are using in an effort to increase the persistence of gene expression. Such an improvement could potentially make the difference between success and failure in our planned pediatric cancer trials. She will also be involved with animal tumor and tissues culture studies, preclinical toxicity studies and aerosol particle size studies. Last summer she was involved with preclinical toxicity studies that became a key part of an application for Phase I clinical trials that has been submitted to the F.D.A. for approval. She will therefore play an important role in follow-on studies recommended by the F.D.A. These studies should enable Ms. Zenker to transfer her research experience to the classroom and there may even be opportunities to bring some of her students into the laboratory in order for them to experience some aspects of biomedical research first hand.”

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Bonnie J. Ardoin David L. Cocke Chemistry teacher Professor West Brook High School Lamar University Beaumont Department of Chemistry Active Chemotropic Nanocomposite Solids for Robust Energy Systems “Ms. Ardoin will be trained to run and do experiments on a new Lynntech Fuel Cell Study system in support of a postdoctoral fellow’s and two graduate students’ research work on the nanocomposite modified electrode assemblies in hybrid/battery fuel cells. In this way, she will be constantly working with well-trained individuals to ensure the quality of the research and to provide a stimulating learning experience. The system is fully computer controlled and is well within the capabilities of Ms. Ardoin. In addition, she will work with the team to help prepare the advanced electrode assemblies and insert these into the fuel cells that will be studied in the project. Ms. Ardoin will participate in weekly research group meetings where it is anticipated that she will be informed on the nature and extent of the project and will have the opportunity to present her research progress on a weekly basis. She will periodically travel to Texas A&M University to participate in joint research experiences with Dr. Appleby, the Co-Principal Investigator’s research group. She will participate in the analysis and correlation of the data and in the drafting of research publications for which she will be given co-authorship of the works.” Shonda Majors Michael Liebschner Anatomy, Physiology, Biology teacher Professor Houston Christian High School Rice University Houston Department of Bioengineering The Role of Evolution on Bone Tissue Micro-Architecture and its Implications for Tissue Engineering “Past research focusing on primitive evaluation of the architectural scaffold properties important in tissue invasion for engineering orthopaedic applications has shown to be insufficient with respect to the role of the organizational design of the scaffold itself. While emphasis has been placed on how mechanical properties are affected by tissue architecture, little has been done to quantify the dimensional parameters, outside the role of porosity, responsible for tissue growth. Insight into the effect of architecture as compared to other aspects of tissue engineering, such as growth factor release and polymer composition, may elucidate the importance of a dominant significance in one specific area. This information, in turn, would lead to simplifications in the design of scaffolds, which could neglect less effectual parameters, increasing the speed in which tissue engineered substitutes arrive at the market. Ms. Majors will be involved in characterizing bone micro-architecture from different species by using cored bone specimens in a micro computed tomography system available in our laboratory and different imaging software packages for analysis. She will also be involved in making scaled models of

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those bone specimens using rapid prototyping and subsequent mechanical testing. Because of her training in anatomy, physiology, and biology, Ms. Majors can translate the knowledge she gains through this study directly to her classroom.” Dr. Robert B. Croman Radovan Kovacevic Physics teacher Professor Plano West Senior High School Research Center for Advanced Plano Manufacturing Southern Methodist University Development of Information System for Hybrid Rapid Manufacturing Process “The goal of this proposal is to develop an information system for the Hybrid Rapid Manufacturing Process. This system will consist of a number of modules, such as: solid data exchange module based on donated ACIS 3D Geometrical Modeler package, on-line slicing module, process planning module, process-sensing and control module, module for automatic generation of welding torch paths and milling head paths. Dr. Croman will work with a research team that consists of six Ph.D. students, a full-time research engineer and Dr. Kovacevic. Dr. Kovacevic is motivated to help Dr. Croman in transferring his research experience to the high school classroom activities. Dr. Croman has been collaborating with Dr. Kovacevic since 2000.” Melinda Love William A. Dugas Geometry, Mathematical Models teacher Professor Little River Academy High School Texas Agricultural Experiment Little River Academy Station Real-Time Distributed Modeling of Flood Events Using NEXRAD Precipitation Data “Ms. Love will learn Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques and explore spatially distributed NEXRAD rainfall datasets for Texas. She will also evaluate the model developed as part of this study in different watersheds of Texas in predicting stream-flow and flood events.” Jasson Conner L. Wayne Greene Chemistry, Wildlife Recreation Professor Management and Agriculture teacher Texas Agricultural Experiment Amarillo Area Center for Advanced Learning Station Amarillo Conservation of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Open-Lot Cattle Feedyards “Mr. Conner will assist graduate students and research staff at the Texas Agricultural Research Center in Amarillo to conduct laboratory analysis, field data summarization and reporting for the ATP project. Mr. Conner is responsible for teaching high school animal science and chemistry at the Amarillo Area Center

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for Advanced Learning, which is part of the Amarillo Independent School District. Mr. Conner will be introduced to environmental problems facing the beef cattle feeding industry in the Texas panhandle and introduce these problems and solutions to his classes. He will study methods to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus excretion in concentrated animal feeding operations along with nutritional feeding management techniques to improve water, soil, and air quality. His daily work will consist of assisting personnel on an experiment designed to reduce supplemental protein (nitrogen) in the diet without reducing the economics of animal production. This will be done by dietary treatments that increase the efficiency of nutrient use, thereby, reducing excess amounts being excreted to the environment. Mr. Conner will be involved with the daily care and management of feedlot animal subjects, and collection of samples for laboratory analysis.” Becky Robbins Suresh D. Pillai Chemistry, IPC teacher Professor Tom Bean High School Texas Agricultural Experiment Tom Bean Station Department of Poultry Science Microfluidic System for Capture and Concentration of Microbial Contaminants in Drinking Water “The teacher will:

1. Obtain hands-on training in specific microbiological techniques such as bacterial culture, bacterial enumeration, bacterial identification.

2. Participate in laboratory experiments to study microbial survival studies in recycled water under varying electrical conductivities.

3. Participate in laboratory experiments using capillary electrophoresis to measure the electrical mobility of specific microorganisms under varying ionic conditions.

4. Participate in the design and (possible) fabrication of a microfluidic device. Participate in laboratory and teleconference meetings with collaborators from the College of Engineering, NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA-Johnson Space Center.”

Robert Richards Raghavan Srinivasan Physics, Chemistry and Biology teacher Professor Bryan High School Texas Agricultural Experiment Bryan Station Spatial Sciences Laboratory Real-Time Drought Assessment and Forecasting “Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Geographical Information System (GIS) have been extensively used in this project for developing a drought assessment system. Currently the model has been implemented for Upper Trinity, Lower Trinity, Red River, San Antonio, Guadalupe, and Colorado Edwards aquifer basins. In order to implement a similar system statewide, site

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specific model parameters need to be obtained on soils, land use, topography, and climate. In this regard, Mr. Robert Richards will work on extracting the SWAT model parameters using ArcView GIS interface for the entire state of Texas at a resolution of 4km x 4km. In this process Mr. Richards will become familiar in using GIS and hydrologic models for modeling natural hydrologic processes. Mr. Richards will also collect crop-yield data at the county level from the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) and other resources available from the World Wide Web (WWW). The crop-yield data and reports on previous drought occurrences in various counties will help to evaluate the drought-assessment system for agricultural drought monitoring.” Tami N. Dudo K. Ted Hartwig Calculus, Geometry and Algebra teacher Professor A&M Consolidated High School Texas Engineering Experiment College Station Station Department of Mechanical Engineering Characterization of Recrystallized Microstructures “Ms. Dudo will help us characterize Bi2Te3 alloys used for thermoelectric coolers. Our Technology Development and Transfer project is with Marlow Industries of Dallas. For this project we are preparing several variations of the materials by severe plastic deformation using equal-channel angular extrusion. In some cases, loose powder, the starting material, is inserted into a can. In other cases, it is cast or sintered compacted powder placed into a can. The extrusions are performed at temperatures higher than the recrystallization temperature so the product microstructures are fully recrystallized. They usually exhibit a fine equiaxed grain morphology. The challenge we face, and the area where a summer high school teacher could help, is in using commercial image analysis software to characterize/evaluate the microstructure. Ms. Dudo will work with micrographs prepared by graduate students in our research group and software we have purchased to 1) develop a set of image manipulation procedures for using the software in an effective way, and b) evaluate various micrographs so that correlations can be developed between processing parameters and the resulting microstructure and properties.”

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Tevfik Eski Aydin Ilker Karsilayan Integrated Physics and Chemistry teacher Texas Engineering Experiment Harmony Science Academy Station Houston Department of Electrical Engineering Design of High-Performance Architectures for Efficient Reception of Ultra Wideband Signals “During the grant period, the teacher will:

• Investigate possible sources of interference signals and their characteristics for the optimization of interference rejection circuitry.

• Investigate FFT algorithms and possible implementations that are currently available.

• Investigate possible use of ultra wideband technology to improve education in the classroom.

• Investigate potential applications of ultra wideband technology in wireless communication systems, sensor networks, imaging and localization systems, monitoring systems and deep space communications.

• Incorporate basic electronics and telecommunications concepts into high school curriculum.”

Sonja Crowell Richard A. Bartsch Chemistry teacher Professor Lubbock High School Texas Tech University Lubbock Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Calixarene-based Polymers for Removal of Hazardous/Toxic Ions from Natural and Waste Waters “Mrs. Crowell will be involved in the synthesis of calixarene compounds and their attachment to polymeric supports. She will be working directly with graduate students supported on this Technology Development and Transfer project.” Rubeth Griffing David C. Straus Biology, Chemistry, and Physics teacher Professor O’Donnell High School Texas Tech University Health O’Donnell Sciences Center Department of Micryobiology and Immunology Detection of Airborne Mycotoxins Produced by Fungi in Sick Buildings “Past research in our laboratory has shown that conidia and mycotoxins that have contaminated the contents inside a structure via an aerosol route can be removed or inactivated using a number of different techniques. This has significant ramifications in today’s environment where many items of great expense and sentimental value are often arbitrarily discarded. The work also has implications for museum and library environments. However, a limitation of some

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of these techniques is that they can also damage sensitive or fragile contents. Work is ongoing with regard to other techniques that both remove fungal spores and inactivate mycotoxins, yet have little effect on the composition and integrity of the items. One technique under current evaluation is High Efficiency Particle Arrested (HEPA) filter vacuuming in conjunction with exposure to vapors from selected plant essential oils. In the first year of this grant Ms. Griffing will learn: (1) how to identify and work with fungi associated with sick building syndrome, (2) how to work with fungal toxins (mycotoxins) and, (3) how to detect the presence of mycotoxins. We have a high publication rate in our laboratories and we would look at Ms. Griffing being a co-author on a peer-reviewed publication arising from this work.” Phillip Keller Steven Baldelli Chemistry and IPC teacher University of Houston Sharpstown High School Department of Chemistry Houston In Situ Surface Studies of Novel Corrosion Inhibitors on Iron and Steel “Mr. Keller will conduct research on the synthesis and characterization of new corrosion inhibitors on mild steel surfaces. Primarily he will be using synthetic methods developed in this lab to make new molecules and to perform electrochemical and optical measurements to determine their adsorption properties.” Belinda Stanley Diana Chow Biology, Chemistry, and Biology teacher Professor St. Thomas Episcopal School University of Houston Houston Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Chemoprevention of Skin Cancers by Novel Derivatives of Tempol in Mice and Cultures “The studies that the teacher will perform with the support of this grant will be on the comparative evaluations with and without BE-TOPS treatment of UV-induced skin damage and tumor development after chronic-UV irradiations. The skin samples have already been harvested from our ongoing study of chronic, long-term UV irradiations for 2, 10, 12, and 22 weeks, respectively. The samples will be evaluated by Ms. Stanley on immunohistochemical stainings for p53, PCNA, Bc1-2, Bax, and Fas/Fas-ligand using established IHC kits. The DNA damage will be evaluated by TUNEL assay. Sunburn cells will be characterized. The chemopreventive and therapeutic potentials against the tumor development will then be assessed using the aforementioned parameters.”

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Shane May Alex Freundlich Physics and Calculus teacher Professor Deer Park High School – South University of Houston Deer Park Superconductivity and Advanced Materials Radiation Tolerant and Ultra Efficient Multijunction Quantum Well Solar Cell “Ms. May will be involved with testing advanced space solar cells and will be exposed to state-of-the-art photocurrent spectroscopy measurements. The proposed teacher training/research work includes the synthesis of experimental data.” Wiley Peyton Schuller Charles Horton Integrated Physics and Chemistry teacher Professor John H. Reagan High School University of Houston Houston Superconductivity and Advanced Materials Novel High Efficiency Thermo Photovoltaic Device for Direct Heat to Electricity Conversion “Wiley Peyton Schuller will be involved with the testing of the thermo photovoltaic devices. He will be exposed to state-of-the-art photocurrent spectroscopy measurements. The proposed teacher training/research work includes the synthesis of the experimental data.” Tricia N. Aguas Alex Ignatiev Physics and Chemistry teacher Professor John H. Reagan High School University of Houston Houston Texas Center for Superconductivity and Advanced Materials Thin Film Optical Detector (TOD) for Retinal Implantation: A “Bionic Eye” “Ms. Aguas will participate in the project as follows:

1. Stability Test: Activities in this process include testing of TOD prior to and following the immersion of the device in saline solution for a certain period.

2. Photolithography: Activities include spinning time, pre-baking of the photoresist, UV exposure and development.

3. Preparation for Implantation: A thin layer of polymer is fabricated and upon completing the fabrication of the devices by dry etching, the TODs are transferred to the polymers and ready for implantation in the eye.”

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Katrina Cushenberry Donna W. Stokes Mathematics teacher Professor Ross Sterling High School University of Houston Houston Department of Physics High Efficiency Solid State Light Source “Ms. Cushenberry’s responsibilities will include experimental startup and data storage and analysis. She will be responsible for the startup of the Bruker Fourir Transform Infrared spectrometer for photoluminescence and absorption/ transmission measurements. In this process, Ms. Cushenberry will be exposed to optical techniques used to characterize nanoscale semiconductor materials, such as GaP/AIGaP multilayers and superlattices, and how these techniques are important to analyzing the material system for solid-state storage and backup of data files. Programs such as Origin 7.0 or Excel will be used to store sample information and for data file organization. She will also, later in the summer, be responsible for extracting peak positions from absorption/transmission files for calculation of information such as band gap energy. Being a mathematics instructor, Ms. Cushenberry’s analytical skills will be a necessity for accurate detailed data analysis. Ms. Cushenberry’s work in my laboratory will allow me to set up a liaison between my laboratory and Ross Sterling High School. It is anticipated that this liaison will lead to annual presentations at the school by me and/or one of my graduate students. This research will help to expose not only Ms. Cushenberry to nanotechnology, but will allow student exposure through her experience as well as exposure to my laboratory through future tours and/or summer intern positions. We hope that this experience will help Ms. Cushenberry as well as myself encourage young students, particularly those from underrepresented minority groups, to pursue higher education in technical areas, such as in math, physics, or engineering.” Renee Gjere Donald S. Van Nieuwenhuise Physical Science, Physics, Professor Environmental Science teacher University of Houston Taylor High School Department of Geosciences Katy New Biostratigraphic Markers for Onshore Paleogene Reservoir Identification and Characterization “A large part of this research project is documenting and describing marker species of ostracodes to assist in the delineation of onshore oil reservoirs of the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain Paleogene. In order to do this, a large number of specimens must be photographed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This is an extremely important part of the technology transfer part of this applied technology project. The main activities of Ms. Gjere will include laboratory work in the SEM laboratory (approximately 20 hours per week) and the Micropaleontology Laboratory (approximately 20 hours per week). Also we plan to take one field trip

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to several key outcrop localities to sample Paleocene and Eocene strata (one day). These activities include training and experience in sampling, processing and picking micropaleontological samples. Ms. Gjere will receive training and experience in preparing and mounting specimens for SEM photomicrographs and the operation of the SEM itself. This will include taking SEM microphotographs at different powers of magnification on overall species characteristics and then microphotographs zoomed in on characteristic traits of the ostracode shells (valves and carapaces). She will also take paired microphotographs off angle to produce 3-D or Stereo SEM photomicrographs. Activities in the field will include aspects of field observation, measurement, and data collection for detailed micropaleontolgical work. Ms. Gjere’s effort will greatly advance the progress of this research project and, at the same time, it will give her the opportunity to work in several research labs and use techniques relevant to the courses she teaches. It is envisioned that this experiential enrichment will provide real-life examples of what scientists do, which she can share with her future students to pique their interest in future lectures, laboratory exercises and field excursions.” Sean Eyre Terry Golding Calculus, Physics, and Algebra teacher Professor Kaufman High School University of North Texas Kaufman Department of Physics (Pending return from active military duty) High Efficiency Solid State Light Source “Mr. Eyre will work within the Semiconductor Physics Laboratory at the University of North Texas and will become acquainted with the synthesis, processing, and characterization of semiconductors. He will also participate in a semiconductor seminar series, and will meet with researchers from semiconductor industries in the North Texas region. He will use this exposure with both the university and industry to provide career guidance and enhancement at Kaufman High School. This will expose high school students to university and industry level research and career concepts in the world of physics. Mr. Eyre will also continue work done during the summer 2003.” Sharon E. Hogue Mohammad A. Omary Chemistry teacher Professor Naaman Forest High School University of North Texas Garland Department of Chemistry Heavy Atom-Induced Phosphorescence of Organic Materials for OLED Applications “Ms. Hogue will perform spectroscopic measurements for a variety of binary compounds (adducts) that are being synthesized for the project. These measurements include: (1) steady-state luminescence measurements; (2)

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fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetime measurements; (3) UV/VIS/NIR absorption measurements in solutions; (4) diffuse reflectance measurements in the solid state; and (5) temperature-dependent measurements in the solid state between 4K-300K using liquid nitrogen and liquid helium as coolants. The samples analyzed will be: (a) the solid adducts of the binary compounds; (b) solutions of the organic component (arenas); (c) solutions of the heavy-metal component; and (d) titrations of (b) and (c) solutions. The results of (a) will be compared with those of (b) and (c) in order to deduce the optical transitions responsible for the adduct phosphorescence while the titration experiments in (d) will determine whether phosphorescence can be observed for the adducts in solution. Selected candidates among the compounds that Ms. Hogue will characterize may be used for the fabrication of OLEDs that may prove important for a variety of video display and other solid-state lighting applications. The candidates will be selected based on the brightness of the phosphorescence, lifetimes, and chromaticity of the emission color sought. It is expected that the results will lead to the presentation of Ms. Hogue’s work in regional and national meetings, such as the 60th Southwest Regional Meeting (SWRM) of the American Chemical Society meeting in Ft. Worth (September 2004) and the 228th American Chemical Society National Meeting (late August 2004). If necessary, Ms. Hogue may also be asked to visit the laboratory of the collaborator in the project, Dr. Francois Gabbai, at Texas A&M University.” Kyle A. Thomas Jose M. Perez Mathematics, Life and Earth Science teacher Professor Denton High School University of North Texas Denton Department of Physics Self-Assembled Silicide Nanostructures for Integrated Optoelectronics “Mr. Thomas will work in the Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Laboratory at the University of North Texas. He will participate in the growth and characterization of iron disilicide self-assembled nanostructures consisting of quantum dots. He will become acquainted with modern experimental techniques such as scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and meet researchers from Texas industries. He will use his exposure at the university to provide career guidance and enhancement at Denton High School.” Jo-Ann Yannazzo James Simpkins Anatomy, Chemistry, and Medical Professor Microbiology teacher University of North Texas Health North Side High School Science Center at Fort Worth Fort Worth Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience The Development of Novel Estrogens for Brain Protection “Research will include testing of neuroprotective chemicals on neurons and neuronal cell lines. Microscopy, spectrofluorometry and cell culture techniques will be used to evaluate the cytoprotective potential of novel compounds.”

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Jay B. Atman Suresh C. Sharma Physics teacher Professor James Martin High School The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington Department of Physics Newly Discovered Radiation Detector: Nanometer Size Liquid Crystal Droplets in Polymer “As part of our ATP grant, we have recently synthesized a series of new samples to be used as a novel radiation detector. These materials were synthesized using a mixture of a liquid crystal (E8), acrylic monomer (CN135), and in some cases, a crosslinking agent (SR295). Some of the results of this study have been published recently in “Effects of crosslinking agent, cure temperature, and uv flux on the electro-optical properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal cells,” Journal of Polymer Science: Polymer Physics, vol. 42, pp. 404-410 (2004). Mr. Atman, who has gained hands-on experience with optical characterization of similar materials during previously-funded ATP high school teacher grants, will carry out measurements and analysis of the size and shapes of the liquid crystalline droplets in the polymer matrix. He will carry out these measurements by using an advanced optical characterization system, consisting of an optical microscope, video camera, and image-analysis computer software.” Tom Brock Bruce Gnade Honors Chemistry and Chemistry teacher Professor Jesuit College Preparatory School The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson Department of Electrical Engineering Integration of Molecular Electronics With Scaled Silicon CMOS “The purpose of this ATP grant is to investigate the integration of molecular devices with scaled silicon complementary metal oxide semiconductor (Si CMOS). In order to be able to integrate molecular electronics with silicon CMOS, it is critical that we understand the mechanism for electron transport between the organic and inorganic materials. UTD recently purchased a new state-of-the-art, focused ion beam system, which provides us with the ability to fabricate nanoscale structures to test the electrical transport properties of very small numbers of molecules. Tom will work with the focused ion beam system to design, fabricate, and test structures used to measure the electrical properties of small groups of molecules that are assembled in the nanostructured test devices. The test devices will be compatible with silicon-based CMOS.”

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Richard Sulfstede John P. Ferraris Biology and Chemistry teacher Professor The Colony High School The University of Texas at Dallas The Colony Department of Chemistry Nanostructured Hybrid Membranes for High Temperature Fuel Cells “As part of a collaborative effort with Los Alamos National Labs and more recently Samsung to provide fresh concepts in Fuel Cell Technology, we have proposed to develop novel, high temperature polymer electrolyte membranes. These next-generation fuel cells will perform well at temperatures in the 150-180° C range where CO tolerance is substantially improved, minimize fuel crossover and water transport for direct methanol fuel cells, and tolerate impurities in the feed stream. Last summer, Mr. Selfstede was valuable in the team effort to characterize proton conducting inorganic/organic hybrid membranes. In particular, he was instrumental in the setup and operation of new fuel cell membrane testing methods. This summer he will continue to be exposed to contemporary organic and inorganic wet chemical methods, as well as state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. Novel membrane materials will be incorporated in fuel cells as flat membranes. Fuel cell test stations will be used to evaluate the membrane conductivity via impedance measurements.” Cristopher Marshall Inga H. Musselman Geology and Meteorology teacher Professor The Colony High School The University of Texas at Dallas The Colony Department of Chemistry Mixed Matrix Membranes for Gas Separation using Nanoporous Metal Oxides “As part of a collaborative effort to promote novel strategies for gas separations, we have proposed to develop novel polymer/molecular sieve mixed matrix membranes. These next generation gas separation membranes will be based on enhanced solubility and diffusion of target gases facilitated by nanoporous additives. A focus has been the commercially important separation of CO2 and CH4. We have identified various molecular sieve frameworks that exhibit a high affinity for methane and the addition of these nanoparticulate materials to a polymer matrix is expected to reverse the normal permselectivity of the membrane. It is anticipated tha t Mr. Marshall will play an important role in the team effort to synthesize and characterize inorganic/organic hybrid membranes. This summer he will be exposed to contemporary organic and inorganic wet chemical methods as well as state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. Novel mixed matrix membrane materials will be used to make flat membranes that will be evaluated for the separation of various gases using a state-of-the-art gas permeameter.”

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Cynthia P. Porter Yong-Jian Geng, M.D. Biology teacher Professor W. P. Clements High School The University of Texas Health Sugar Land Science Center at Houston Transplantation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Dog Hearts with Myocardial Infarction “The objective of this proposal is to provide a training opportunity for a high school biology teacher participating in studies of cardiovascular stem cell biology. Stem cells are a group of premature, undifferentiated cells rarely found in adult tissues. For the last several years, the Heart Failure and Stem Cell Research Laboratory of the Texas Heart Institute, directed by Dr. Geng, has established the methodology for isolation, maintenance and growth of various types of animal and human stem cells in Petri dishes with special media containing growth factors. The research team at the Texas Heart Institute has been transplanting the stem cells into the animal hearts with infarction or ischemia. The results from these experiments show that stem cells can differentiate into mature myocytes as well as the cells of blood vessels. In collaboration with our Brazilian partners, we conducted clinical trials to transplant bone marrow stem cells into patients with the end-stages of heart failure. Preliminary results from both animals and human studies reveal the potential benefit of stem cell therapy to the patients’ hearts. In this proposal, Ms. Porter will conduct in vitro experiments on adult stem cells isolated from human and animal tissues. Ms. Porter will work under Dr. Geng’s supervision on her project and will learn the basic technologies for growth, passage and storage of stem cells. Using molecular biology techniques, she will examine expression of genes that regulate survival, growth, and differentiation of stem cells. In addition to the laboratory work, Ms. Porter will attend lab seminars, present her data and discuss experimental problems with the members of Dr. Geng’s lab and collaborating groups. Accomplishment of this project is expected to provide first-hand up-to-date experience in stem cell research and enhance Ms. Porter’s capability in biology teaching.” Miguel Torres Werner Braun Webmastering and Algebra teacher The University of Texas Medical McAllen High School Branch at Galveston McAllen Sealy Center for Structural Biology Large Scale Data Mining of Allergenic Proteins “About 8 percent of the population suffers from allergy, with symptoms ranging from occasional sneezing to anaphylactic shock and even death. Bioinformatics tools can support the quantitative characterization of allergenic proteins. As a first step in this endeavor, we established a 3D Structural Database of Allergenic Proteins, SDAP. This website provides rapid, cross-referenced access to the sequences, structures, and lgE epitopes of proteins that are allergens. Within the Advanced Technology Program project on large scale data mining allergenic proteins, the summer research activity of the teacher will focus on the generation of a database of physical chemical property (PCP) motifs for all known allergen

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families that can be used to rapidly screen novel proteins. A software package (PCPMer) for generation of sequence motifs and data mining is already in place in the laboratory of the Principal Investigator. The result o f this research activity is particularly interesting for biotechnological companies that wish to ensure that new proteins, products of the genomic revolution, have a low risk of allergy.” Shawna Hampton-Riddle Randall M. Goldblum, M.D. AP Biology and Chemistry teacher The University of Texas Medical Ball High School Branch at Galveston Galveston Department of Pediatrics Phylogenetic Approach to the Treatment of Pollen Allergy “The overall objective of this project is to test the hypothesis that probing the biodiversity of plants will identify natural sources for antigenic extracts that will improve immunization against pollen hypersensitivities. The activities of the teacher will be related to objective three in our proposal: produce these proteins in bacteria and test their ability to bind to disease-causing antibodies and to activate allergy cells. The members of the Child Health Research Center will be expressing allergen variants from the mountain cedar pollen. Ms. Hampton-Riddle will be testing their binding to human IgE bound to rat cell cultures and observe for allergenic responses in mast cells. Degranulation of mast cells will be assessed by a hexosaminidase release assay. Thus, Ms. Hampton-Riddle will be provided with the opportunity to gain valuable insight in the immune system which she can take back to her classroom.”

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Summary of 2004 Supplemental Grants Awards and Participants

Awards by Program and Year of Original Award

2001 Projects 2003 Projects Totals Program Number of

Awards Dollars

Awarded Number of

Awards Dollars

Awarded Number of

Awards Dollars

Awarded ATP 15 $97,200 11 $78,300 26 $175,500 TDT 3 $24,300 1 $6,300 4 $ 30,600 Totals 18 $121,500 12 $84,600 30 $206,100 Projects selected in the 2001 and 2003 Advanced Technology Program (ATP) grant competitions were eligible to receive Supplemental Grants to High School Teachers for summer 2003. Technology Development and Transfer (TDT) grants are made in the ATP to commercialize research discoveries. Four of the teachers participating in this summer research program have doctoral degrees, 11 have master’s degrees (including six Master of Science degrees), and 15 have bachelor’s degrees (including nine Bachelor of Science degrees). The doctoral degrees were awarded in applied mechanics and microbiology. The master’s and bachelor’s degrees were awarded in various areas of science, math, physics, education, and engineering.

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Supplemental Grants to High School Science and Math Teachers

Summer 2004

Gender of Participants by Program

Teachers Investigators

Program Male Female Total Male Female Total

ATP 14 12 26 23 3 26

TDT 0 4 4 4 0 4

Totals 14 16 30 27 3 30 Technology Development and Transfer (TDT) grants are made in the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) to commercialize research discoveries. The participating teachers are predominately female, while the majority of the investigators are male. Sixteen of the teachers also participated in the 2003 supplemental grants program. Two of the teachers participated in the 2000, 2001, and 2002 programs and one participated in all six years of the program. Ten of the teachers will be working with the professor who supervised their research during the summer of 2003. Fourteen of the professors with 2004 supplemental grants also received 2003 grants. Three of the professors have participated in all six summers.

- 18 -

NAME INDEX Aguas, Tricia N....................................8

Ardoin, Bonnie J..................................2

Atman, Jay B. ....................................12

Baldelli, Steven ...................................7

Bartsch, Richard A. .............................6

Braun, Werner...................................14

Brock, Tom........................................12

Chow, Diana........................................7

Cocke, David L....................................2

Conner, Jasson...................................3

Croman, Robert B...............................3

Crowell, Sonja .....................................6

Cushenberry, Katrina ..........................9

Densmore, Charles L..........................1

Dudo, Tami N. .....................................5

Dugas, William A. ...............................3

Eski, Tevfik ..........................................6

Eyre, Sean ........................................10

Ferraris, John P.................................13

Freundlich, Alex ..................................8

Geng, Yong-Jian ...............................14

Gjere, Renee.......................................9

Gnade, Bruce....................................12

Goldblum, Randall M. .......................15

Golding, Terry ...................................10

Greene, L. Wayne...............................3

Griffing, Rubeth ...................................6

Hampton-Riddle, Shawna.................15

Hartwig, K. Ted ...................................5

Hogue, Sharon E. ............................10

Horton, Charles ....................................8

Ignatiev, Alex ........................................8

Karsilayan, Aydin Ilker..........................6

Keller, Phillip.........................................7

Kovacevic, Radovan ............................3

Liebschner, Michael ...........................12

Love, Melinda .......................................3

Majors, Shonda ....................................2

Marshall, Cristopher ...........................13

May, Shane ..........................................8

Musselman, Inga H. ..........................13

Omary, Mohammad A. ......................10

Perez, Jose M. ..................................11

Pillai, Suresh D.....................................4

Porter, Cynthia P. ...............................14

Richards, Robert ..................................4

Robbins, Becky ....................................4

Schuller, Wiley Peyton .........................8

Sharma, Suresh C..............................12

Simpkins, James................................11

Srinivasan, Raghavan..........................4

Stanley, Belinda ...................................7

Stokes, Donna W.................................9

Straus, David C. ..................................6

Sulfstede, Richard..............................13

Thomas, Kyle .....................................11

Torres, Miguel ....................................14

Van Nieuwenhuise, Donald..................9

Yannazzo, Jo-Ann..............................11

Zenker, Jessica....................................1

For information about this program contact: Dr. Linda Domelsmith Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Finance, Campus Planning , and Research Division P. O. Box 12788 Austin, Texas 78711-2788 (512) 4276150 Internet: Linda.domelsmith@thecb.state.tx.us

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