2008 Research Experience for Undergraduates Participants REU Participant Information Research Advisors Adenike Adewuyi is originally from Nigeria and is a rising senior at Harvard concentrating in biomedical engineering. Because of her desire to impact the medical field, learn about God's most prized creation-the human body and serve others while doing it, she plans to pursue an MD and PhD in the biomedical engineering field after graduating and become a physician scientist. Project: Motor skill learning Professor Maurice Smith Gary Sing Funding: HCRP, Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Paul Aliotta currently attends Eastern Nazarene College where he is a physics major with minors in math and philosophy. He enjoys performing music and is a part time radio DJ. Project: Superconducting-insulator transition in aluminum nanowires Professor John Free Professor Robert Westervelt Funding: NSEC Abstract, Highlight Monica Allen is a rising senior concentrating in physics, and will be working with Prof. Amir Yacoby this summer. Project: The Raman Spectroscopy of Monolayer and Multilayer Graphene Professor Amir Yacoby Funding: NSEC, Physics Department Abstract, Highlight Abraham Alvarez is a rising Senior at Harvard University majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Neurobiology. In his spare time, he enjoys biking, long walks on the beach, stargazing and salsa dancing. Project: Nanoenabler microfabrication studies Professor Don Ingber Dr. Kaustabh Ghosh, Dan Huh Funding: SEAS, Faculty Aide Abstract, Highlight Jennifer Caldwell is a rising sophomore at The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She is a southern girl who loves to learn new things and have lots of fun. She is very optimistic, personalbe, and easy-goin, and can't wait to meet all the REU students! Project: Dscam binding capabilities and structural interactions Professor Vinothan Manoharan Jesse Collins Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Alex Capecelatro is a Materials Science & Engineering student at UCLA. Interested in various disciplines of advanced materials research, he has worked at numerous labs on applications including biosensors, fuel cells, structural materials, filtration devices, catalysts, etc. He is interested in entrepreneurial activites and is looking forward to his 2008 summer REU at Harvard. Project: Fabrication of simple devices by nanoskiving Professor George Whitesides Dr. Benjamin Wiley Funding: Materials for BRIDGE, Faculty grant Abstract, Highlight Yosune Casana is a rising senior majoring in chemical engineering and biology student. She grew up in Mexico and moved to New Mexico to attend college. Project: Microfluidic virtual array platform for full genome sequencing Professor David Weitz Dr. Adam Abate, Dr. Jeremy Agresti Funding: PREM Abstract, Highlight Adrian Delancy is a rising junior at Purdue University majoring in Applied Physics with a concentration in Electrical Engineering. He was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas and enjoys running, swimming, playing basketball and the saxophone. Project: Liquid Sheets and Bells Produced by Fluid Flows over Micro-decorated Surfaces Professor Howard Stone Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Erin Derbins is a rising senior at Louisiana State University, where she is pursing a chemical engineering degree. Last year she participated in the REU program at the University of New Mexico working with Droplet-Based Microfluidics. In her spare time Erin enjoys spending time with friends and family, riding horses, and biking. Project: Design and fabrication of a microfluidic device to increase the aqueous volume fraction of water-in-oil emulsions for optimization of on-chip biological assays Professor David Weitz Don Aubrecht Funding: SEAS Abstract, Highlight Garland Deshazer is a rising senior at Emory University majoring in chemistry, with a minor in mathematics. His research interests are up in the air right now, but he may go into pharmaceutical drug research. Project: Blood vessels: how to quantify using biomolecular markers Professor David Mooney Eduardo Silva Funding: MRSEC Abstract, Highlight Christina Elias is a rising sophomore majoring in engineering at The Ohio State University. She enjoys running, intramural sports, reading, and exploring new places. Project: STM of aldehyde coupling reactions on TIO2 Professor Cynthia Friend Dr. Lauren Benz, Dr. Jan Haubrich Funding: NNIN Abstract, Highlight Jonathan Evans is a rising sophomore at South Carolina State University who is originally from Arkansas. He is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering. He likes to play sports, hang out, and chill out with friends. Project: Morphology of double emulsions consisting of two immiscible oils and water Professor David Weitz Anderson Shum, Rhutesh Shah, Dr. Daeyeon Lee Funding: BASF, BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Pauline Gassman just finished her sophomore year at the University of Iowa where she majors in biomedical engineering with a pre-medicine focus. She hopes to attend medical school upon graduation in pursuit of a degree in Ophthalmology. She is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and will serve her second term as vice president next fall. She enjoys riding her bike, playing frisbee golf, photography, and spending time with her friends and family. Project: Understanding the Neuronal Substrates of Form Vision in Rodents Dr. David Cox Funding: The Rowland Institute at Harvard Abstract, Highlight Sergio Gonzalez is a rising senior majoring in mechanical engineering at the University of Texas - Pan American. During his spare time he likes to hang out with friends and bbq. He likes to go fishing. When he needs to relax he'll read a book at a coffe shop. Project: Building a Magnetic Scanning Gate Microscope Tip Professor Robert M. Westervelt Erin Boyd, Halvar Trodahl Funding: NNIN Abstract, Highlight Craig Gorin is a rising senior in the Chemistry Concentration at Harvard University. His academic interests lie in the areas of Green Chemistry and Catalysis. Outside of Chemistry, he is on the fencing team, and enjoys the outside, good food, and music. Project: Oxidation selectivity across Cesium promoted silver surfaces Professor Cynthia Friend Ling Zhou Funding: HCRP, NSEC Abstract, Highlight Kathryn (Katie) Greenberg is a rising senior at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. She is a physics major and mathematics minor. In her free time she enjoys biking and spending time with friends. After graduating from Mount Holyoke she plans to attend graduate school. Project: Stabilization of emulsions using interfacial formation of gold nanoparticles Professor David Weitz Anderson Shum Rhutesh Shah, Dr. Daeyeon Lee Funding: BASF Abstract, Highlight Jonathan Gross is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and currently attends Penn State University as an undergraduate majoring in aerospace engineering. Project: Design optimization and body force modulation for a flying robotic insect Professor Rob Wood Michael Karpelson, Ben Finio, Peter Whitney Funding: SEAS Abstract, Highlight Josue (Josh) Guerra is from Miami, FL and resided there most of his life, but he also lived in the Boston area during middle school. He's a Harvard College sophomore majoring in Chemistry and Physics with a minor in political science. His favorite activities include hiking, skiing, diving, and occassionally video games. Project: An in vitro Model for Traumatic Brain Injury Professor Kit Kevin Parker Dr. Pat Alford Funding: MRSEC, HCRP Abstract, Highlight Dan Harburg is a Middlebury and Dartmouth dual-degree student studying Physics and Mechanical Engineering. He is entering his 5th and final year of the program in the fall. After graduation, Dan plans to work for a start-up company in California developing sources of alternative energy. When he's not in the lab, Dan enjoys surfing, skateboarding, biking, and jazz music. Project: Aerogels for stabilizing and supporting fuel cells Professor Shriram Ramanathan Alex Johnson Funding: NSEC Abstract, Highlight Ashley Howard is a rising sophomore at Florida A & M University majoring in Biology Pre-Med. After her undergraduate she plans on going to Harvard or Howard University for Medical School to become a Cardio-Vascular Surgeon. In her spare time she likes to shop, surf the internet, and hang out at the beach with friends and family. Project: Collective cell dynamics on micro-patterned surfaces Professor David Weitz Dr. Tommy Angelini Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Tristan Hunt is a rising Junior at the University of Notre Dame with a double major in Science Pre-Professional Studies and American Studies. In his free time, he enjoys playing music, playing basketball and wiffle ball, watching movies and doing anything else that involves being outside. Project: Role of Stretch-Induced Signaling in Periodontal Ligament Homeostasis Professor David Mooney Praveen Arany Funding: SEAS Abstract, Highlight Jason Kaufman is rising senior EE major at Yale with a strong interest in physics. He decided to join the dark side over the summer to the horror of his peers. Project: Laser Cooling of Atoms using Ultra-Fast Pulses Dr. Andrew Speck Funding: The Rowland Institute at Harvard Abstract, Highlight Moureen Kemei is a rising junior at Mount Holyoke College majoring in Physics. She enjoys being outdoors. Project: Quantum confinement effects in CdSe observed with scanning tunneling microscopy Professor Venky Narayanamurti Dr. Andrew Stollenwerk Funding: The Rowland Institute at Harvard Abstract, Highlight Kenneth Lyons, Jr. completed his freshman year at Morehouse College, where he is pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry. After Morehouse, he hopes to earn his Ph.D. When not doing research, studying, singing Bass in the (great) Morehouse College Glee Club, he loves reading science-fiction, taking walks, tinkering, and exploring the city. Project: Fluid Dynamics in Three Dimensional Porous Materials Professor David Weitz Dr. Amber Krummel Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Joanna Ma is finishing her sophomore year at New York Institute of Technology as a Biomedical Engineering major. She enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee, ballroom dancing, traveling, music, photography and knitting. Project: Highly Mobile Mesoscale Platform for Bio-inspired Swarm Robotics Professor Rob Wood Michael Karpelson, Peter Whitney, Ben Finio Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Aaron Magil is a rising Senior at Carnegie Mellon University majoring in Chemistry. In his free time, he enjoys playing ultimate and the cello. Project: Palladium as a substrate for self-assembled monolayers Professor Joanna Aizenberg Dr. Boaz Pokroy Funding: NSEC Abstract, Highlight Emily Margolis is a rising junior in the physics department at Princeton University. She is also minoring in Engineering Physics and German. Emily loves swing dancing, old musicals, and napping in hammocks. Project: Study of grain boundaries in colloidal crystals by confocal microscopy Professor Frans Spaepen/Professor David Weitz Kate Jensen Funding: MRSEC Abstract, Highlight Will Martin just finished his freshman year at Middlebury College and plans to major in physics and computer science. He is an avid computer modder and enjoys collecting penguins, playing the oboe, and lengthy board games. He also loves ancient Greek philosophy and PC games. Project: Portable immunoassay based diagnostic tool with electrical readout Professor Robert Westervelt Keith Brown Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Kathleen (Katie) Martinick currently studies chemical engineering at the University of New Mexico.  In 2006-2007, she studied in Heidelberg, Germany as an exchange student.  In her free time she enjoys staying active outdoors. Project: Fabrication & Characterization of Nanoscale Light Sources Professor Marko Loncar Dr. Murray McCutcheon Funding: NNIN Abstract, Highlight Monica Mascarenas just completed her sophomore year in biology and chemistry at the University of New Mexico. She enjoys performing research and plans on attending graduate school with an emphasis on molecular biology. In her spare time she loves to swim, check out local shows,watch movies, and long board! Project: Paper-based microfluidic devices as an inexpensive platform for biological assays Professor George Whitesides Andres Martinez, Katherine Mirica Funding: PREM Abstract, Highlight Jelyn Moore will be a sophomore at Hampton University this fall. She is majoring in physics and will minor in mathematics. Her hobbies are playing volleyball, watching anime, reading and sleeping!! Project: Time-resolving the self-assembly of  the CCMV protein capsids using the spectroscopic of Au nanoparticles Professor Vinothan Manoharan Dina Aronzon Funding: NIRT Abstract, Highlight Alexander (Peyton) Nesmith has just completed his sophomore year in chemical engineering at Auburn University. He is the ultimate sports fan but particularly a fan of Auburn athletics and the Atlanta Braves. He also enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, playing sports, and running. Project: Design and validation of a new method of engineering anisotropic cell monolayers Professor Kit Kevin Parker Dr. Crystal Ripplinger Funding: MRSEC Abstract, Highlight Bryan O'Gorman is a rising junior at Harvard concentrating in Physics and Math. Project: Developing Algorithms for the Boolean Satisfiability Problem Professor Alan Aspuru-Guzik Alejandro Perdomo Funding: Harvard College Abstract, Highlight Jorge Pozo just got out of the army, and is an army veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan and conducted speacial ops mission. He's now a senior at Northeastern University in Biochemistry. He loves playing all kinds of sports. He enjoys hanging out and meeting new people. Project: Traumatic Brain Injury Professor Kit Kevin Parker Dr. Pat Alford Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Danielle Raad is a rising junior majoring in materials chemistry at Brown University. She is particularly interested in the biological applications of nanomaterials. Project: Reversibly Adhesive Fluidic Devices Professor Debra Auguste Marjan Rafat Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Daniel Reeves is a rising junior majoring in physics at Colby College. His biography starts in Toronoto Canada where he was born. He still visits Canada a lot because he has relatives in Montreal. He lives with his parents and brother near Princeton NJ and played sports most of his childhood. He loves music and played piano when he was young, then moved on to trumpet, then guitar which he plays often, every day at least. At Colby he's been taking math and physics classes, as well as sprinklings of philosophy, music, and some literature. He rock climbs and snowboards a lot and he just went to Las Vegas to climb in Red Rock Canyon over spring break. Project: Annealing silicon nanoparticles to increase T1 for use in medical resonance imaging Professor Charles Marcus Maja Cassidy Funding: NNIN Abstract, Highlight Victoria Reeves was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in August 1989. She has lived in Japan, Texas, Korea, and just finished her freshman year at Benedict College in Columbia, SC, majoring in Chemistry, with a concentration in Radiochemistry. Her hobbies include Air Force ROTC, basketball, drawing, exercising, eating with friends, endless hours of Law and Order and CSI, and of course, SCIENCE!!! Project: Probing the microscopic origins of strain stiffening in biopolymer gels Professor David Weitz Louise Jawerth Funding: NNIN Abstract, Highlight Lori Sandberg will be a junior at the University of Wyoming. She is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She enjoys reading, running, crocheting, and hanging out with friends. Project: Local microwave heating in microfluidic devices Professor Robert Westervelt David Issadore Funding: NSEC Abstract, Highlight Yah Laetitia Sangne is a rising junior majoring in biomedical engineering at Western New England College. She is originally from the Ivory Coast. She enjoys learning about new things (cultures, places). Project: Imbibition in customized systems of packed beads Professor Howard Stone Dr. Mathilde Reyssat Funding: NSEC Abstract, Highlight Maya Sen is a rising senior at Columbia University, where she is majoring in Applied Mathematics. Project: Double emulsions generated by microcapillary devices form liposomes of unique morphology and permeability Professor David Weitz Anderson Shum, Rhutesh Shah, Dr. Daeyeon Lee Funding: Faculty grant Abstract, Highlight Anna Shneidman is a rising senior at Harvard University, where she studies chemistry and physics. She enjoys travelling, dancing, reading, hiking, and being with friends. This summer, she will be gaining insights into the relationship between particle kinetics and bulk behavior of glass-forming materials.. Project: Probing colloidal glasses with confocal microscopy Professor David Weitz Dr. Mike Massa Funding: Herschel Smith Fellowship, MRSEC Abstract, Highlight Laura Sofen is a rising junior chemistry major at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. She runs cross country and track, as well as enjoying other outdoor activities, reading, and playing the French horn.. Project: Synthesis and photophysical evaluation of a novel fluorescent reporter dye Dr. Jim Foley Funding: The Rowland Institute at Harvard Abstract, Highlight Patrick Stollenwerk is a rising sophomore at The Ohio State University majoring in Math and Physics. He isreally interested in space travel and the physics of the really small. He also likes hanging out with friends and playing or watching any sport. Project: Scanning Tunneling Luminescence on CdSe Quantum dots Professor Venky Narayanamurti Marissa Olson Hummon Funding: NSEC Abstract, Highlight Terence Verla is a junior at Duke University, reading Biomedical Engineering with a strong passion for human mechanistic actions. The functioning of the human body triggers a sense of curiosity in him. He loves soccer, basketball, and tennis. He enjoys watching movies and taking a walk. He loves conversations because it gives him a chance to get to know and learn from others. Project: Modeling the evolution of genetic networks as Boolean networks Profesor Don Ingber Dr. Amy Brock Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Anthony Vicari is a Chemistry and Physics major at Harvard University. He comes from Huntington, NY. He enjoys aikido, kempo, fencing, and cooking. Project: Fabrication of Bragg gratings using subwavelength-diameter silica nanowires on a silica aerogel substrate Professor Eric Mazur Jason Dowd Funding: HCRP, NSEC Abstract, Highlight Cavanaugh Welch is finishing his freshman year at Morehouse College as an Applied Physics and Aerospace Engineering major with a Mathematics minor. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he enjoys rap music, sports of all kind, and exploring new things and places. Project: Deconvolution of 3-D fluorescence microscopy images Professor Eric Mazur Chris Evans Funding: Materials for BRIDGE Abstract, Highlight Theo Wilson is a rising sophomore at Harvard University concentrating in Neurobiology Project: Cell-cell inhibition of sprouts in angiogenesis Professor David Mooney Will Yuen Funding: HCRP, SEAS Abstract, Highlight Yunlai (Jerry) Zha is a rising junior biophysics major at Brandeis University. He cooks real Chinese food, loves sports and enjoys talking about economics and politics. Project: New techniques in single-molecule force studies Dr. Wesley Wong Funding: The Rowland Institute at Harvard Abstract, Highlight

 

---

 

 

Updated December 17, 2008