HHMI Faculty Research

This program supports faculty/student collaborative research at Hope in the nine HHMI 2012 departments.  All funded projects must support the overall goal of the Hope HHMI 2012 program, which is to help develop future STEM research leaders. Preference will be given to projects that include explicit connections to the HHMI 2012 program components (course-based research experience program, the bridge program and the CSI program), though research with undergraduate collaborators is the minimum qualifying criterion.

2013 Awards

Drs. Kenneth Brown and Elizabeth Sanford , Department of Chemistry, The Development of an Electrochemical Array for Sensing Technology

Dr. Michael Jipping, Department of Computer Science, Augmented Reality Using Structural Identificaiton on Mobile Phones.

Abstract:
Augmented reality (AR) is the process of adding or accessing information on top of realtime physical scenes. Sports coverage is a simple example of AR; football coverage is often broadcast with colored lines and measurements superimposed on the field. AR is often dependent on proprietary systems using larger computers, but efforts are currently underway to bring AR to mobile devices. This project will accomplish this and build a framework so such a
system can be used openly by everyone to combine various types of information with AR algorithms. The project specified here is one that (1) investigates methods to identify physical surroundings in realtime and (2) builds this capability into a system that allows information to be added to the realtime analysis. The key to this project is that the result of this research will be an open source system that will support the creation of augmented reality system that will run on a smartphone platform. There are two expected outcomes from this project. First, we will develop a software system and programming interface that will recognize physical surroundings, specifically buildings and architectural structures, in realtime on a smartphone using builtin sensors and realtime video. Second, we will begin to build a framework for adding information to this physical object recognition. This framework will most likely take the form of a system of Web pages through which information can be assembled, then made accessible to the AR system on the mobile device.

Dr. Jianhua Li, Kenneth Brown and Airat Bekmetjiv, Departments of Biology, Chemistry, & Mathematics, Exploring the Association of Rapid Diversification of Maple Lineages and the Diversity of Protective Pigments.

Abstract:
Maples are an important tree group in the Northern Hemisphere with the center of diversitybin China, and several unique species in Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and North America. Albeit with a long history of study, our understanding of the natural history of maples remains limited; many fundamental questions have not been answered with satisfaction. For example, where and when did maples originate? how did maples migrate throughout the Northern Hemisphere? what are the evolutionary relationships among major groups of maples? and what are the temporal patterns of and causes for the diversification of maple lineages? Studies of the fossil records have led to the RD (rapid diversification) hypothesis that maple lineages may have diversified rapidly within a short time span by the Mid-Eocene. Recent molecular analyses using less than 5,000 data points have not provided enough information to establish a wellsupported phylogenetic framework. The lack of the framework hampers our ability to test the RD hypothesis. Therefore, the first objective of the proposed research is to establish the phylogenetic framework using plastid genome sequences with over 100,000 data points. Maples are well known for their beautiful foliage in the spring and fall due to the presence of colorful pigments (xanthophylls and anthocyanins). Because of their protective function against environmental factors (e.g., drought, excessive sunlight, and herbivores), the pigments provide adaptive advantages to plants, thus promoting lineage RD. Based on this, we propose the CP (colorful pigments) hypothesis that colorful pigments may have played an important role in the rapid radiation of maple lineages. In the proposed research, we will test the CP hypothesis based on chemical determination of the pigment diversity and quantitative analysis of the association between the diversity of colorful pigments and the lineage diversification. The solid phylogenetic framework will also provide answers to the other fundamental questions about the natural history of maples in the world. The interdisciplinary project will for the first time examine the potential association of pigment production and adaptive radiation of maples in the world. We will crosstrain students in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. The successful implementation of the project will provide materials and protocols for developing a research-based, interdisciplinary course. In addition, we will present our results to the scientific communities via professionalmeetings and peer reviewed publications as well as to the general public via talks and websites.

2012 Awards

Drs. Jeff Brown and Ryan McFall, Departments of Engineering and Computer Science, collaborative research with Engineers Without Borders: Drinking Water Resources Projects in Developing Countries: Integrated Data Management to Enhance Student Learning and Facilitate Communication with Partner Communities.

Dr. Katharine Polasek, Department of Engineering, collaborative research with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital: Feasibility of a non-invasive treatement for phantom limb pain in upper extremity amputees.

Dr. Aaron Putzke, Department of Biology, collaborative research with the Dr. Jeff MacKeigan at Van Andel Institute: Whole genome gene expression changes in absence of a non-receptor tyrosine kinase: evolutionary comparisons between invertebrates (nematodes) and vertebrates (zebrafish).

Dr. Gwenda Schmidt, Department of Psychology, collaborative research with Dr. Anjan Chatterjee at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School: The Breakdown of Figurative Language Processing.

2011 Awards

Drs. Elizabeth Sanford and Ken Brown, Department of Chemistry, collaborative research with Biotectix: Probing Interfaces: A Collaboration between Academics and Industry on Electrode Surfaces for Biomedical Devices
Dr. Jianhua Li, Department of Biology and Dr. Ken Brown, Department of Chemistry, collaborative research with the Beijing Institute of Botany:Biological and phytochemical investigations of Apios, a promising new root crop with great nutirional and medicinal values

Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown, Department of Psychology and Dr. Vicki Voskuil, Department of Nursing, collaborative research with Holland Hospital, Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation Ready for School Initiative, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Evaluation of the Healthy Beginnings - Ready for School Access to Healthcare Pilot Project

2010 Awards

Dr. Jonathan Peterson, Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences, together with collaborative research of Dr. Jeffrey Wilcox of the University of North Carolina-Asheville and Dr. Michael Seymour of Hope College: Reconnaissance for Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Product (PPCP) Contaminants in the Macatawa Watershed and Experiments to Investigate Potential PCPP-Nanoparticle Transport Interactions

Dr. Gregory Fraley, Department of Biology, with the collaborative research of Dr. German Torres of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine: Identification of Neutraceuticals for Reducing Traumatic Brain Injury

Dr. Susan Dunn, Department of Nursing, with collaborative research with Dr. Nathan Tintle, Dr. Maureen Dunn and Dr. Patricia Rohling, all of Hope College: Home Exercise, Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise, and No Exercise and Their Relationship with Hopelessness and Depression in Individuals with Coronary Heart Disease

Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown, Department of Psychology, with collaborative research with Dr. Jean Martin of Grand Valley: Effects of a Preschool Intervention Using Nature-Based Activities on Children’s Self-Efficacy and Preferences for Outdoor Activity

2009 Awards

Dr. Brent Krueger, Department of Chemistry: Understanding the Role of Structural Dynamics in Single-Molecule FRET Experiments

Drs. Aaron Best, Dereje Desta and Greg Murray, Department of Biology: Screening of Natural Seed Extracts from Tropical and Domestic Plants for Anti-Parasitic Activity

Dr. Maria Hledin, Department of Chemistry: Use of VACM-1/cul5 as a Biomarker for Anti-Cancer Drug Resistance

2008 Awards

Dr. Christopher Barney & Dr. Leah Chase, Departments of Biology and Biochemistry, Investigating Neurotoxicity in Rats Using Microdialysis and High Performance Liquid Chromatography.

Dr. Aaron Best & Dr. Michael Pikaart, Departments of Biology and Biochemistry, Nucleosome dynamics in Giardia lamblia: A preliminary search for histone modifications in a primitive eukaryote.

Dr. Gregory Fraley & Ms. Linda Graham, Departments of Biology and Dance, Effects of Dance and Martial arts Performance on Salivary Cortisol Levels.

Dr. Scott VanderStoep & Dr. Kirk Brumels, Departments of Psychology and Kinesiology, The Psychological Profile of Young Athletes with Overuse Injuries.

2007 Awards

Dr. Airat Bekmetjev & Dr. Charles Cusak, Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science, Simulations and Probabilistic Algorithms in Graph Pebbling.

Dr. Susan Dunn & Dr. Nathan Tintle, Departments of Nursing and Mathematics, Development and Testing of a New State-Trait Hopelessness Scale.

Dr. Edward Hansen, Prof. Suzanne DeVries-Zimmerman & Dr. Timothy Evans, Departments of Geological & Environmental Sciences and Biology, The use of Pollen from Lake Sediment Cores to Reconstruct Dune History and Ecology.

Dr. Ryan McFall & Dr. Catherine Mader, Departments of Computer Science and Physics, Evaluating the Impact on Student Learning of a Collaborative, Interactive Textbook.

2006 Awards

Dr. Mary Inman & Dr. Christopher Barney, Departments of Psychology and Biology, Physiological Changes Related to Perceiving Racism.

Dr. Jeff Brown & Prof. Amanda Barton, Departments of Engineering and Nursing, Improving Drinking Water Quality for Rural Villages in West Africa: A Case Study of Nkuff, Kumbo Province, Cameroon.

Dr. Aaron Best, Dr. Matthew DeJongh, & Dr. Nathan Tintle, Departments of Biology, Computer Science and Mathematics, Evaluation and Implementation of Structural Equation Modeling as a Statistical Method for Refining Theoretical Genome-Scale Models with Experimental Data.

Prof. Paulette Chaponniere & Dr. Lorna Jarvis, Departments of Nursing and Psychology, Coping, Acculturation and Preterm Labor among Hispanic Immigrants, Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Women.

Dr. Brent Krueger & Dr. Michael Pikaart, Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Understanding the Biological Function and Biophysical Details of Gata/DNA Binding Using Time-Resolved Fluorescence and Computational Modeling.

Dr. Graham Peaslee, Ms. Carolina Contreras, & Dr. Greg Murray, Departments of Chemistry, Geological & Environmental Sciences and Biology, Characterization of Water Quality Problems in Human-made Ponds in the Macatawa Watershed.

2005 Awards

Dr. Janet Andersen & Dr. Leah Chase, Departments of Mathematics and Biology/Chemistry, Use of Kinetics to Characterize the Mechanism of Cystine/Glutamate Exchange by the Transporter, System Xc

Dr. Matt DeJongh & Dr. Aaron Best, Departments of Computer Science and Biology, Development of a Software Environment for Comparative Genome Analysis and Annotation.

Dr. Greg Murray & Dr. William Mungall, Departments of Biology and Chemistry, Antifungal Compounds in Seeds of Pioneer Plants: Effects on Community-level Processes in a Costa Rican Cloud Forest.

Dr. Jonathan Peterson & Dr. Mike Seymour, Departments of Geological & Environmental Sciences and Chemistry, Identification, Quantification and Fate of Antibiotics and Estrogens in Surface and Ground Water.

Faculty research grant proposals due February 15. more...