Application & Participant Information

Move in: May 27th, 9:00am-12:00pm

Program Start: May 27th, 1:00 pm SURFS Orientation, 1034 JAAC

Program End: July 3rd, Poster Session, 10:00 & Celebration, 11:30

Move out: July 3rd (1:00 pm – 4:30 pm)

Dress Code

This summer, you will be performing research in a professional environment. While we do not require specific dress, we ask for you to be conscious of your lab or clinical setting. Please also be sure to follow the safety dress rules of your laboratory.

Seminars

We will be offering seminars on applying to graduate programs, putting together a poster, practicing a presentation, and faculty talks.

Housing will be in Thrailkill Hall, with double beds, for students staying with us this summer. Some guidelines are below! Check out these helpful guides on our move in day reslife website for what you can and cannot bring into the dorms.

All students staying with us will have abide by regular university policies during the summer including the visitation policy. They will have to check in and out guests during the hours at the front desks. 

For check in and out, the students will complete a room condition report with an RA on their arrival and departure and exchange keys and will be responsible for cleaning the space on their departure per our normal checkout processes. They will not need to schedule a time to come check in, we will have the front desk staffed and ready to check the ​students in as they come. 

Check out the calendar above for the specific move in/out windows.

We will not be providing meal plans for SURFS participants, but you can purchase one on your own.

The cafeteria will be open during the following hours and closed between these times.

Breakfast: 7:00-9:00

Lunch: 11:30-1:30

Dinner: 4:30-6:30

You can purchase a meal plan here: https://belmont.sodexomyway.com/

We have gotten special permission for SURFS students to use the kitchen in Caldwell 400 and 401. However, because it is a special circumstance there are some things to note. It is your job to keep the kitchen clean because it is a shared space for RAs. If use of the space gets out of hand, they may have to close it up. Please do not let other residents know that you are able to use this space. We have special permission because of the program you are in..

The Recreation center will be open from 8-4 during the week.

The goal of my group of undergraduate research students is to explore the fundamental process of how the information stored in genes is used to make proteins. During this process, called gene expression, an intermediary molecule between DNA and proteins called mRNA carries this information in the cell. In cells with a nucleus (eukaryotes) mRNA must travel from the nucleus, the storage place of DNA, to the cytoplasm, where ribosomes are located to translate, or decode, the mRNA into protein. This important step of mRNA export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is the focus of my lab.
The nucleus is surrounded by an envelope that separates the DNA from the rest of the cell. However, embedded in the envelope are little doorways called nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). The NPCs only allow selective transport in and out and specific signals are required for passage through this doorway. We study how this passage occurs for mRNA.
To understand how mRNA is permitted out of the nucleus through the NPC, we use a powerful and favorite organism of molecular biologists: S. cerevisiae, the common baker’s yeast. The fundamental biology of yeast is surprisingly similar to humans, so by studying this simple organism, we can understand more about how human cells function. Our approaches involve engineering DNA sequences through molecular cloning, assessing the effect of these DNA sequences on microbial yeast growth, and visualizing cellular processes through fluorescence microscopy.

Special Skills Taught: molecular cloning, microbiology, fluorescent microscopy, bioinformatics

Email me: rebecca.adams@belmont.edu

This research program introduces undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to Data Science research using top-tier journal articles. Students will develop an understanding of Data Science research and develop their own research articles in Data Science. We will study the fundamental principles and techniques of data science and data mining research. Additionally, we will examine real-world examples and cases to place data science/mining techniques in context, develop data-analytic thinking, and illustrate that proper data science research is as much an art as it is a science.

Special Skills Taught: 1. Critical study, analysis and review of key data science articles. 2. Identification of critical research topic, 3. Data Science research methodologies and data analysis.

Email me: rudy.bedeley@belmont.edu 

This project will involve the development and implementation of a reduced-order differential equation-based model of the pressures and flows in the left atrium, left ventricle, and ascending aorta of a human heart. After developing the model, we will tune the model parameters to reproduce pressure and flow waveforms from the literature for patients that received a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This model tuned to clinical data will serve as the foundation for future patient-specific models of TAVR, allowing for cutting edge investigation of artificial heart valve design and performance. This project provides an opportunity to apply mathematics, computer science, and foundational research and communication skills to medicine.

Other projects are also potentially available -- some leaning more toward math and others toward computer science and high performance computing. I would be happy to discuss ideas or requests with any interested students!

Special Skills Taught: Mathematical modeling and simulation, numerical methods, academic research foundations, interdisciplinary project skills, professional scientific communication - both formal writing and oral presentation

Important skills needed: CSC-1110: Programming 1 and MTH-1210: Calculus I are required for this project. MTH/CSC-4170: Modeling and Simulation would be excellent preparation for this project, though not strictly required. MTH-2240: Differential Equations would also be very helpful, though not required.

Email me: jordan.brown@belmont.edu 

Students in my group work have worked on a variety of projects from synthesizing gold nanoparticles in a solution, growing silver nanoparticles in a microscope slide, to electroplating thin films of silver on a glass substrate. In each of these cases, our goal is to learn to manipulate materials at the nanoscale to control their interaction with light. Other projects have included using computational methods to model these interactions.In the past, I've also had students who were interested in various biophysics projects including the physics of dance (West Coast Swing or other forms), using compartment models for viral spread or Parkinsons' medication, and the forces involved in cheerleading or soccer.

Special Skills Taught: Python coding, optical spectroscopy, nanomaterials fabrication, and more

Important skills needed: Projects are available for all skills and course work, but chemistry experience (general chemistry or above) is needed from at least one group member for synthesis projects. 

Email me: davon.ferrara@belmont.edu 

There is no doubt that current cancer treatment strategies can be improved. Our research group aims to enhance the effectiveness of traditional chemotherapeutic agents by exploring their combination with readily available supplements. We will investigate whether these combinations can more effectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation, disrupt cancer progression, and promote apoptosis, with the goal of developing more efficient and accessible therapeutic options.

Special Skills Taught: culturing cancer cells, western blotting

Email me: andrea.florian@belmont.edu

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (containing protein, RNA and other molecules) that are released from cells and participate in cell-to-cell communication. They have been shown to be involved in the progression and metastasis of cancer and increase resistance to certain chemotherapies. Proteomics utilizes mass spectrometry to analyze complex mixtures of proteins and can be used to compare differences in protein composition in various biological systems, including vesicles, through bioinformatics. The analysis of these proteins may produce biomarkers or targets for therapy that can be used to develop treatments for cancer. We will be studying protein changes in extracellular vesicles from cancer cells using mass spectrometry.

Special Skills Taught: gel electrophoresis, cell culture, mass spectrometry, proteomics, bioinformatics, UV-Vis spectroscopy, dialysis, chromatography

Important skills needed: Should have completed organic chemistry

Email me: amy.ham@belmont.edu 

During the last several decades the prepn. of selenomethionine- (SeMet) contg. proteins has proved to be a valuable tool in the elucidation of three dimensional structure by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD) techniques. Furthermore, Se-77 NMR spectroscopy has been shown to be an important probe of enzyme structure and function. It is evident that analogs of amino acids that occur at low natural abundance in proteins, such as L-methionine and Ltryptophan, are excellent tools for protein characterization since their contribution to structural and catalytic activities are usually minimal. The potential utility of a selenium-contg. tryptophan analog, β-selenolo[3,2-b]pyrrolyl-L-alanine ([4,5]SeTrp), has already been demonstrated in the literature. This finding shows promise for the bio-incorporation of its positional isomer, β-selenolo[2,3-b]pyrrolyl-L-alanine ([6,7]SeTrp), as well as, the tellurium-contg. analog, [6,7]TeTrp.

Special Skills Taught: organic synthesis

Important skills needed: successful completion of organic 1 and 2 preferred

Email me: duane.hatch@belmont.edu 

Projects will be related to any aspect of stress, coping, or loneliness in specific populations (e.g., emerging adults). For example, students may choose to examine individual differences (e.g., personality) in reactions to or coping with stressors as well as ways to prevent loneliness due to stress. As part of this research, students will be involved in different parts of the research process, which may include project development, IRB/ethics paperwork, data collection and analysis, and oral and written presentation of results. They will utilize basic and more complex statistical analyses of data with guidance.

Special Skills Taught: IRB process; online data collection; SPSS

Email me: abigail.heller@belmont.edu 

This project will involve designing and conducting an online data collection examining how body image, objectification, identity, and gender influence the educational, physical, and social/emotional outcomes of emerging adults (18-29 year olds). Students will learn to develop research questions and hypotheses related to variables that interest them and design/conduct a study testing these hypotheses. After data collection is complete, students will learn how to select the appropriate statistical analyses and how to conduct them in SPSS or R. Finally, students will learn how to present their research for a conference-type setting. This project is flexible and easily adaptable to students’ specific interests!

Special Skills Taught: Literature review, study/hypothesis development, Data collection using Qualtrics/Prolific, Data Analysis in SPSS and R, presenting research

Email me: jessica.hocking@belmont.edu 

The goal of my research program is to discover how the form - or structure - of an animal affects its function - or ability to find
mates, escape from predators, capture prey, and survive in its environment. My lab uses comparative and integrative biological
techniques at the intersection of physics, morphology, and ecology to address this broader topic. Various experimental techniques
including high speed videography, geometric morphometrics (shape analysis), and Infrared technology will be used in the lab to
measure the ecophysiology and muscular performance of small ectotherms.

Special Skills Taught: Slow motion capture and analysis, EMG data collection, dissection techniques, IR thermal data collection

Email me: chase.kinsey@belmont.edu

This introductory summer research is designed for first-time research students with no prior experience in AI or behavioral analysis. The course offers a hands-on approach to understanding how AI can be used to analyze human behavior, with a focus on practical applications in the fields of entertainment and crime. It is designed as projects-based learning pattern, students will be inspired and instructed to conduct their studies based on their interests in marketing, entertaiment, and crime by using the most advanced AI techinologies. No prior programming background required

Special Skills Taught: audience studies, behavior studies, Computer Vision, NLP, Machine Learning, Deep Learning

Important skills needed: No prior programming background required, have personal laptop

Email me: lingfei.luan@belmont.edu 

1.Perfluorinated monomers/polymers for Proton exchange membrane fuel cells
A series of diazonium (perfluoroalkyl)aryl sulfonyimide (PFSI) zwitterionic monomers have been synthesized from perfluoro-3, 6-dioxa-4-methyl-7-octene-sulfonyl fluoride (Nafion®), and perfluoro-3-oxa-4-pentenesulfonyl fluoride (POPF) monomers for the first time. With trifluorovinyl ether and diazonium precursors, the partially-fluorinated diazonium monomers can be further polymerized and will provide chemically bonding with carbon electrode in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. A systematic study of the synthesis and characterization of these diazonium PFSI monomers will be conducted.
Special Skills Taught: organic lab synthesis skills, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Infrared Spectroscopy

2. Theranostic nanoparticles incorporating carbon folic acid (FA)- carbon dots(CDs)- anticancer drugs
The long-term goal is to develop the theranostic nanoparticles (NPs) that will improve diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy for cancer. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Two of the major challenges in cancer therapy are enhancing detection methods to diagnose early-stage cancer and increasing drug specificity to spare healthy cells. Our hypothesis is that the NPs incorporating CDs, FA, and anticancer drugs can provide the novel theranostic solutions for the simultaneous diagnosis and targeted treatment of cancers.

Special Skills Taught: organic lab synthesis skills, Infrared Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fluorometer

Important skills needed: General chemistry and labs

Email me: hua.mei@belmont.edu 

Triple negative breast cancer is an aggressive type of breast cancer that is difficult to treat. My lab tests different drugs that are used for diseases other than breast cancer to determine if they can kill breast cancer cells. The drug selinexor kills triple negative breast cancer cells. The mechanism how this occurs will be evaluated through Western blot analysis, flow cytometry, and nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation of cells. A second drug, tazemetostat, may also be evaluated for their effects on the growth or viability of the cells.

Special Skills Taught: Sterile cell culture techniques, gel electrophoresis, Western blot analysis, reading scientific literature, design and analysis of experiments, critical thinking

Important skills needed: Minimal of general chemistry completed

Email me: marilyn.odom@belmont.edu 

In this work, we will explore the neurophysiological underpinnings of individual differences in cognitive performance. We will use electroencephalography (EEG) to assess brain wave activity in response to various cognitive stimuli. Cognitive domains explored include: memory, attention, language, visuospatial navigation, and more.

Special Skills Taught: EEG net application, EEG experiment setup, ERP data processing, coding, etc.

Email me: michael.oliver@belmont.edu 

The zebrafish is a fascinating animal model, especially because we can observe embryonic development in real-time.
The first cell division takes about 20 minutes, so within just one hour, you can witness two or even three divisions under the microscope. In just three days, the embryo transforms into the shape of an adult. Plus, it's transparent!
This allows us to observe how neural cell development progresses (in my fish tank, one of the transgenic fish has glial cells that glow with green fluorescence). Furthermore, we will observe how neural cells react to chemicals like nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol during embryo development, giving us valuable insights into how these compounds affect neural cell growth.

Special Skills Taught: Imaging using brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, image analysis, In vivo experiments using transgenic zebrafish model

Email me: jinhee.park@belmont.edu 

Many students need help grasping graph traversal algorithms. Visualizing these algorithms interactively can significantly enhance comprehension, particularly when paired with coding tasks. This project aims to create an interactive visualization tool developed using Unity for teaching graph traversal algorithms such as Depth First Search (DFS), Breadth First Search (BFS), Dijkstra’s Algorithm, and A* Search. The project aims to enhance the learning process for computer science students who struggle to grasp these complex concepts through traditional teaching methods.

The tool will be designed enable students to manipulate graphs and mazes (i.e., nodes, edges, and weights) in a visual environment. Through customization and real-time updates, students can see how different graph configurations and algorithm parameters affect the algorithm, deepening their understanding of the algorithms’ behavior.

The expected outcomes of this project include a fully functional visualization tool, a series of coding labs, that can be used in algorithm courses to improve student engagement and comprehension of graph algorithms. The tool will be designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of graph algorithms, offering educators a powerful resource for teaching these foundational concepts.

Here are examples of what the tool will look like: https://faramira.com/downloads/pathfinding/graph/ and https://gmtk.itch.io/platformer-toolkit

Special Skills Taught: Unity development experience, design of educational materials

Important Information for Participants: Programming II (required), algorithms/AI,graph theory (ideal), Unity experience (ideal)

Email me: esteban.parrarodriguez@belmont.edu 

We primarily use adult rats to model complex human psychological states, including stress, anxiety, depression, and learning and memory. We primarily are interested in the effects of positive experiences (running, nutrition, etc) on rescuing or preventing negative effects of stress on learning and mood. In addition, we do endocrinology work to measure how hormones influence these behaviors and slice and stain rat brain tissue to look closely at what proteins, cell types, and mechanisms are affected by these experience. In general, we hope to get a holistic view that looks at the behavior, physiology, and neuroscience to help us understand how things go right and wrong in the brain.

Special Skills Taught: Live animal care, handling, and training, behavioral testing, histology, microscopy

Email me: timothy.schoenfeld@belmont.edu 

We are developing cutting-edge instrumentation, based on electrochemical techniques to detect very low quantities of heavy metals. The instrument will be capable of detecting heavy-metals in a wide variety of samples ranging from drinking water, food, and cosmetics to environmental soil and water samples. We have recently advanced the technique to sensitivities better than that obtained by off-the-shelf instruments costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Special Skills Taught: Coding, circuit design, circuit construction, advanced analytical chemistry techniques including anodic stripping voltammetry.

Email me: thom.spence@belmont.edu