INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (iSURF) Program

My research lies at the intersection of biochemistry and medicinal chemistry, with a focus on phenolic compounds derived from natural herbs and spices. We investigate these compounds as anti-inflammatory agents, tyrosinase inhibitors, and antioxidants, using structure-activity relationship studies and biochemical analysis to understand what drives their activity. This same approach extends to the study of pathogenic bacterial spore germination, where we identify and characterize compounds capable of inhibiting germination in organisms such as Bacillus anthracis and Clostridioides difficile. Students in my lab gain hands-on experience in cell culture, spectroscopy, and biochemical analysis.

My research focuses on the intersection of human and environmental health. My projects investigate novel microbial communities in freshwater springs of the Spring Mountains, NV, and explore the population genetics of coyotes and peregrine falcons. Students involved in these projects gain valuable research skills across multiple disciplines, including field data collection, molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), bioinformatics, R programming, and GIS spatial analysis.

My research focuses on organic chemistry, with an emphasis on understanding porphyrin bromination mechanisms and developing novel compounds through the chemical modification of naturally occurring molecules. I am particularly interested in synthesizing new derivatives of eugenol and vanillin and investigating their potential biological effects. Through these research projects, I aim to advance the understanding of organic reaction mechanisms, explore innovative synthetic approaches, and establish connections between molecular structure and biological activity. My work through the INBRE program supports interdisciplinary research at the intersection of organic synthesis and biological evaluation.

I am a physicist focused on researching nanomaterials and carbon-based platforms for biosensing, environmental monitoring, and medical technologies. This summer, my project will develop a next-generation electrochemical sensor using functionalized nanoparticles and custom conductive carbon electrodes to detect toxic heavy metals in drinking water. Students will be mentored on synthesizing plasmonic gold nanoparticles, formulating protocols for carbon-based substrates, and evaluating stripping voltammetry, gaining hands-on skills in wet chemical synthesis, electrochemistry, physical characterization, and material fabrication to address critical public health challenges.

My research interest focuses on fluorescence photobleaching. Students participating in this project will explore fluorescence photobleaching by measuring and extracting decay rate constants of fluorescence intensities during prolonged exposure. We will compare decay rates between different fluorophores and various solution conditions designed to alter photobleaching lifetimes. Students will learn essential methods, including fluorescence microscopy techniques, data analysis, and experimental design, all of which are crucial for understanding the underlying mechanisms of fluorescence and enhancing their research skills.

I am a microbiologist studying how bacteria respond to stress, survive adverse conditions, and interact with their environments. My research includes investigating stress responses and antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA; exploring gene regulation and spore formation in Bacillus subtilis; characterizing soil microbial communities using DNA sequencing; and evaluating the antimicrobial effects of skincare serums. This summer, students will contribute to ongoing projects using classical microbiology and molecular biology techniques to address questions about bacterial survival, microbial diversity, and antimicrobial effectiveness. Together, these projects advance our understanding of bacterial biology and inform strategies to control harmful microbes.

My research focuses on isolating and identifying novel antibiotic-producing bacteria from Las Vegas soils. I use biochemical techniques to assess bacterial characteristics, conduct antimicrobial assays against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and perform genetic sequencing for identification. Students involved in this project will learn various microbiological techniques, including sample collection, culturing, and antimicrobial testing, while contributing to the research. This hands-on experience will enhance their understanding of antibiotic discovery and microbial diversity.

I am an ecosystem ecologist interested in linking plant and animal biodiversity to carbon and nutrient cycling, especially in aquatic ecosystems. My previous research has focused on microbial communities in plant roots, sediments, and hydroponic systems, studying how these “good bacteria” support ecosystem processes like water purification and pollution control.

Assistant Professor of Human Health Sciences

I am a nutritional biochemist whose research connects community nutrition, food chemistry, and chronic disease risk. I hold a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition, an M.S. in Biochemistry, and a B.S. in Chemistry. My current project examines how coffee roast level and brewing method (hot vs. cold brew) affect acidity and antioxidant activity in popular 100% Arabica coffees. Students in my lab gain hands-on experience in titration, spectrophotometry, antioxidant assays, statistical analysis, and preparing research for publication.

I am a cognitive neuroscientist studying how the mind and brain learn and remember. Memory not only helps us recall the past but also shapes internal models of the world, or “cognitive maps,” which guide our behavior and decisions. My research explores how these cognitive maps form through experience and why individuals differ in this process. Currently, I am investigating how acute stress impacts memory integration.

My research spans two areas at the interface of biochemistry and medicine. The first focuses on immunology, specifically the stability of antigens bound to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The second investigates a DNA repair protein that contributes to the resistance of certain malignancies to alkylating chemotherapeutics. Students in my lab perform experiments and gain hands-on experience with techniques such as thermal stability assays, protein and DNA purification, gene expression, and gel electrophoresis, building skills applicable to future research and clinical settings.

My research explores the identification of plant and fungal species through DNA metabarcoding of soil samples. This technique is essential for detecting cryptic species and those in seed banks that traditional methods miss. It has broader applications, such as modeling species distribution changes due to climate change and wildfires. Additionally, it can identify pathogenic eukaryotic organisms, which is important for human health research. For instance, an undergraduate project utilized Oxford nanopore sequencing and qPCR to detect Coccidioides, the fungus causing Valley Fever.

My research focuses on water quality, hydrogeology, and environmental health. I collaborate with Friends of Nevada Wilderness to collect data for the Springs Stewardship Institute and develop independent projects related to the area. My research utilizes handheld water quality instruments, drones, thermal cameras, and GIS software for spatial mapping and 3D modeling.

Lecturer of Physical Sciences

My research interests lie at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and data science. I’ve developed a workflow that uses nanoparticle probes to characterize the nanoparticle-tissue microenvironment interface through predictive machine learning models, which inform the design of nanoparticle platforms for drug delivery.

My research centers on electrochemistry, focusing on the effects of applying an electric potential to chemical species.  I focus on identifying and characterize alternative internal standards, screen simple molecular electrocatalysts, and analyze active catalysts using advanced electrochemical techniques. Student researchers receive training in modern electrochemical methods while contributing to significant developments in electrocatalysis and renewable energy, preparing them for future work in the growing fields of clean energy and chemical innovation.

My current research focuses on the NSF-funded project, Fly-CURE, where students in BIOL 300 (genetics) engage in hands-on, inquiry-based research to identify cancer-causing mutations in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). My students and I have published our findings in the journal microPublication Biology. This research has led to a bioinformatics expansion course (BIOL 416), where I teach students about working in Bash, genomics workflows with prokaryotic data, and D. melanogaster genomes to identify potential cancer-causing genes.

Dr. Moon’s research centers on nonlinear dynamical systems and mathematical modeling, with a focus on epidemiological modeling and numerical weather prediction. The epidemiological project will build an agent-based model to simulate epidemic events, such as infectious diseases or misinformation, based on student interests. The weather prediction project will quantify uncertainties in urban heat waves and develop indicators to assess potential health hazards. There may also be opportunities to collaborate with Dr. Curtis on modeling Lake Mead’s water levels. Students will learn dynamical systems theory, agent-based modeling, and collaborative research.