Sean Egan (Computer Sciences/Chemistry): "The Use of N-heterocyclic Carbenes in Iron Catalyzed Cross Coupling Reactions"
Faculty Mentor: Marc Perry, Chemistry
Abstract: Scientists utilize various catalytic pathways to create carbon-carbon bonds. One of these pathways belongs to a group of reactions named iron catalyzed cross coupling reactions. In these reactions, iron bound to ligand is used to form new carbon-carbon bonds by the use of Grignard reagents. These pathways are very similar to those that are palladium, with the exception that they are cheap and less well studied. Because this pathway is catalytic, requires no energy input, and is stable under certain circumstances, it is more environmentally friendly than alternatives, and is recyclable. Because of its ecological implications and lower cost, development of this iron-catalyzed pathway should be studied further. Unfortunately, a suitable ligand has yet to be found which stabilizes this reactive iron (-II) ligand complex while maintaining or maximizing its reactive ability. Evidence suggests that N-Heterocyclic Carbenes, more specifically imidazol-2-ylidene and imidazolin-2-yilidene, could potentially stabilize this complex due to their suspected pi acidity, sigma donating abilities, and variability of their steric bulk. If these carbenes could stabilize the iron ligand complexes mentioned, their applicability would extend much farther than previously anticipated, and numerous industries would be able to reap the rewards of using a catalyst that is reusable, requires no heat input, and is inexpensive.
Merrill Flint (Music): "Performance of Songs for Voice, Guitar and Lute"
Faculty Mentor: Mari Hahn, Music
Abstract: Professor Roland Stearns and Mari Hahn have provided an exceptional opportunity to study and perform repertoire for solo voice, accompanied by lute or guitar. Coachings will occur during the Spring 2009 semester, and culminate in a concert in the historical opera theatre in Cervia, Italy as part of the Luigi Lengani International Music Festival. This unique and unprecedented opportunity will offer indepth study of Italian and German songs from the Renaissance to late Romantic eras with Professors Hahn and Stearns, Maestro Giovanni Demartini of the Conservatory in Cervia, and William Matteuzzi. My goals in this project are to gain a strong mastery of Italian language diction, as well as a greater appreciation for the culture from which the music I study comes from. I also seek to increase my skills as a performer by preparing and singing repertory for a professional-level concert. I will achieve my goals by coaching extensively with Professors Hahn and Stearns. I will employ language diction sourcebooks such as Diction for Singers by Robert Caldwell and John Wall, as well as anthologies of Italian and German art songs. I will travel to Italy for the festival, where I will receive further instruction in language diction from Maestro Demartini (who is also an experienced diction coach) and receive a vocal training from William Matteuzzi.
The Luigi festival is of an international stature, and features world-renowned artists. To be invited to perform and to represent UAA at such a festival is a great honor. Maestro Demartini is the founder of the International Guitar Festival “Luigi Legnani.” This festival provides the city of Cervia with an important cultural foundation, during which artists meet on national and international levels. The performances take place in the historical opera theater. Comprised of the new generation of musicians, emerging from international competitions, or guitarists of undoubtedly international repute, including Alirio Diaz, Elena Papandreou, and Tilman Hoppstock. The festival distinguishes itself by the quality of its presentations and bringing culture to the city that is recognized in the national and international musical scenes. The media of television, radio, trade magazine and quarterlies dedicate important articles about the event. In 2007, the festival was awarded the silver medal by the President of the Republic of Italy for it’s contributions. This is the first season that a voice-guitar concert has been programmed, featuring two UAA professors, Drs. Hahn and Stearns. In addition to the engagement at the festival, there will also be two additional performances in the Ravenna, Italy area, and a third concert in Besenfeld, Germany. Furthermore, my private study with William Matteuzzi will greatly enhance my understanding of vocal technique. He is an experienced singer who won the 1980 Enrico Caruso singing competition and has sung for prestigious opera companies such as the Teatro alla Scala and the Metropolitan Opera.
Deana Glick (Biological Sciences): "The Effects of Benzene and its Metabolites on Epithelial Lung Cells"
Faculty Mentor: Cindy Knall, WWAMI
Abstract: Benzene is both an environmental pollutant and a component of cigarette smoke, gasoline and automotive emissions. Although occupational exposure to benzene has been shown to cause blood disorders and cancer in humans, the potential health effects resulting from exposure to low levels of benzene are not known and have not been entirely investigated. It is crucial to identify the levels of benzene and its metabolites in lungs cells exposed to cigarette smoke to better understand the effects of this known carcinogen on the lung. This study will investigate the metabolism of benzene and the formation of benzene DNA adducts in lung cells after benzene exposure. By investigating the metabolism of benzene we will have a better understanding of the effects that benzene has on the lungs, both as a component of cigarette smoke and as an environmental hazard. The goal of this proposal is to identify the mechanism and to define the extent of damage that benzene induces in lung cells, both primary human bronchial epithelial cells and CaLu3 cells of human bronchial epithelial origin. This study will have two specific aims:
Specific Aim #1:To analyze the metabolism of benzene in primary human lung epithelial cells and CaLu3 cells. The objective of this aim is to test the hypothesis that with increase benzene amounts, formation of each metabolite will increase. To further hypothesis, the CaLu3 cells’, due to their susceptibility, will have greater metabolite formation than that of the primary human lung epithelial cells.
Specific Aim #2:To define the changes in DNA structure due to the metabolism of benzene and subsequent formation of benzene DNA adducts. The objective of this aim is to test the hypothesis that a correlation will exist between benzene metabolism and metabolite formation and the rate of DNA adduct formation. To further this hypothesis, the CaLu3 cells, due to their susceptibility, will develop DNA adducts at a greater rate and frequency than the primary human lung epithelial cells.
Research Questions: 1) Will the two types of cells metabolism benzene differently and how will the amounts of benzene metabolized relate to the possible changes? 2) What changes will occur to the DNA structure from the metabolism of benzene (i.e. formation of DNA adducts)? How will these changes compare between the two types of cells?
Britny Herzog (Computer Sciences): "Bio-Inspired Intelligent Satellite Image Compression"
Faculty Mentor: Michael Peterson, Computer Sciences
Abstract: The purpose of this proposed research project is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using evolutionary and bio-inspired optimization techniques to identify new coding and transform algorithms for optimized satellite data (e.g. image) communication (SATCOM) and for transmission of image data among unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across bandwidth-limited channels. Extending previous success in the areas of satellite, fingerprint and photograph compression and reconstruction under conditions subject to data loss due to quantization, this research will optimize sets of transform-defining filter coefficients optimized for satellite image processing. This project seeks to develop new image compression algorithms that outperform the current state of the art techniques for satellite image compression. The optimized image compression algorithms replace the traditional wavelet algorithms currently employed in state-of-the-art signal processing systems. I will compare optimized transforms with traditional wavelet-based transforms to determine the reduction in the number of bits required for robust transmission of satellite-captured images across narrow bandwidth channels. Because optimized compression algorithms simply replace existing wavelet filter coefficients without altering the underlying transform algorithm, this approach enables higher SATCOM capacity without incurring costly hardware modifications.
Sunil Panthi, Dane Ketner, Rolan Baguyos (Engineering): "An Analysis of Seismic Activity from Redoubt Volcano, AK Using the Hilbert-Huang Transformation"
Faculty Mentors: Jens Munk, Engineering and LeeAnn Munk, Geological Sciences
Abstract: Recent seismic activity from the Redoubt Volcano has led seismologists to predict an imminent eruption. These predictions are generally based on the magnitude and frequency of the seismic activity, along with knowledge of the physical behavior from past eruptions. We propose a more complete analysis of the seismic data using the Hilbert-Huang transformation, a new signal processing technique developed by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. This technique will allow us to examine the magnitude and frequency components of the seismic signal at any instant in time. Results from this technique will be compared to those obtained using Fourier and Wavelet transformations, two commonly used methods for examining the frequency content of a signal. We will also use a sort of ground-truthing by reviewing the physical volcanic activity that corresponds to the most apparent seismic events that exist in the seismic data set. By comparing current and past seismic data using the Hilbert-Huang transformation and utilizing the physical volcanic activity record, we hope to develop a tool to better predict when an actual eruption may occur.
Kameron Walters: "Skylines and Conversations"
Faculty Mentor: Don Rearden, Developmental Studies
Abstract: Poetry, in any culture, is a medium unlike any other. Through poetry we can communicate history, thoughts, feelings, events, knowledge and so much more. Like any other literature, poetry we write now will help others far away or in the future understand our culture and inspire in them thoughts tied directly to the author and the ear and place he or she comes from. For my research, I am proposing a project that deals directly with what poetry is most familiar with: inspiration. Billy Collins, the current poet-laureate of the United States, writes “the trouble with poetry is that it encourages the writing of more poetry.” Unlike Collins, I think this is a benefit of poetry, a benefit that I suffer from. I feel that the voices of poetry today are exclusive to more established and older men and women. By drawing from these poets, I wish to remain loyal to poetry’s inspiration-clause while bringing my own voice into the mix. I feel that poetry in my generation is under-represented, and with this project I hope to change this through my writing, the help of writers before me and the inspiration these writers drew from.
My project will allow me to create poetry in response to some of the most influential poets of all time and bridge major cultural gaps through poems. One of the most differing cultures to that of Alaska is the culture of New York City. Where we have skylines made of mountains and tress, they have skyline of steel and lights. Alaskan culture and New York culture is something rarely put together. The lifestyle of the people who live in each state differs wildly. New York could quite possibly be the antithesis of the “Last Frontier.” Through the medium of poetry, a medium able to communicate thoughts, feelings and knowledge, the things cultures are built on, I aim to compare the two lifestyles. In doing so I hope to shorten the gap between them and shed some light on some of the more controversial topics that divide the two cultures.
