Faculty Grant Recipients

2008

Jarrett Barber

Understanding Forest Responses to Climate Change: Integration of Large Datasets and Mechanistic Models of Carbon Dynamics
Dept. of Statistics, Univ. of Wyoming

Mark Clementz

Reconstructing the Impact of Holocene Climate Change on the Abundance and Diversity of Kelp Forests in Coastal Ecosystems
Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming

Daniel Dale & Rudy Michalak

Advanced Optics and Electronics Laboratory - preparatory stage II (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Univ. of Wyoming

Ami Erickson

Certificate in Biotechnology: A Multidisciplinary Program to Augment STEM Education (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Natural Sciences, Sheridan College

Henry Harlow

Hibernation: A Model for Studying Microgravity-Induced Bone Loss and Kidney Stones in Astronauts
Dept. of Zoology & Physiology, Univ. of Wyoming

Kiona Ogle

Understanding Forest Responses to Climate Change: Developing a Mechanistic Framework of Tree and Forest Carbon Dynamics
Depts. of Botany and Statistics, Univ. of Wyoming

Ye Zhang

Subsurface Flow and Transport Modeling: A Quantitative Approach (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming

Jing Zhou

Ceria-supported Metal Catalysts for Water-gas Shift Reaction in Fuel Cell Applications
Dept. of Chemistry, Univ. of Wyoming

2007

Erin Campbell-Stone

Seismic Versus Aseismic Slip on Low-Angle Normal Faults
Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming

Daniel Dale & Rudy Michalak

Advanced Optics and Electronics Laboratory (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Univ. of Wyoming

Patrick Johnson

Enzymatic Nanoparticles for Biofuel Cell Applications
Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Univ. of Wyoming

Jeffrey Lockwood

Interstellar Communication: A Creative Writing Workshop (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Dept. of Philosophy & English, Univ. of Wyoming

Paul Marquard

Aligning Internet Survey of Astronomy (ASTR 1050-41) with Quality Matters Guidelines (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Casper College

Steven Prager

Network Approaches for Understanding the Structure and Dynamics of the Next Generation Air Transportation System
Dept. of Geography, Univ. of Wyoming

Jacqueline Shinker

Mechanisms of precipitation variability associated with ENSO: 3D-Process analysis approach
Dept. of Geography, Univ. of Wyoming

Kent Sundell

Pursuing Climate Change From the High Plains of Wyoming to the Frozen Poles of Mars II
Dept. of Geology, Casper College

Liqiang Wang

Combined Static and Dynamic Analysis of Concurrency Errors for Critical Software
Dept. of Computer Science, Univ. of Wyoming

2006

Erin Campbell-Stone

Digital Geologic Mapping in Wyoming: Undergraduate Involvement in Wyoming State Geologic Survey Research into Landslide and Earthquake Hazards (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, Univ. of Wyoming

Min Du

Leucine supplement on mTOR signaling and atrophy of non-weight-bearing skeletal muscle
Dept. of Animal Science, Univ. of Wyoming

Mark Gomelsky

Ferrous iron oxidation by anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria and biosignatures of extraterrestrial life
Dept. of Molecular Biology, Univ. of Wyoming

Jacqueline Shinker

Visualizing Earth System Processes in 3-D (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Dept. of Geography, Univ. of Wyoming

Suzanne Smaglik & Valerie Harris

Interdisciplinary Navigation Unit for Mathematics and Earth Science Using Geospatial Technology (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Central Wyoming College

Suzanne Smaglik

Preliminary Assessment of Microbial Diversity in Big Horn Hot Springs, Thermopolis, Wyoming
Central Wyoming College

Kent Sundell

Pursuing Climate Change From the High Plains of Wyoming to the Frozen Poles of Mars
Casper College

Glenn Tootle

Atmospheric-Oceanic Variability and Western U.S. Snowfall
Dept. Civil/Arch Engineering, Univ. of Wyoming

Walter Goedecke

Proposal to Initiate a Small-Satellite Project: The Active Deorbiting of a Nano-Satellite
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

2005

Ruben Gamboa

Grid computing for scientific applications (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Dept. of Computer Science, Univ. of Wyoming

W. Geodecke & J. Savard

GPS Course (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Hank Harlow

Kidney and bladder function during severe hypotension as a model for understanding dehydration & muscle loss during dietary & activity constraints of astronauts
Dept. of Zoology & Physiology, Univ. of Wyoming

Scott Miller

Spatial analysis of watershed in a rapidly developing changing landscape inside and outside the fence at Kruger National Park, South Africa
Dept. of Renewable Resources, Univ. of Wyoming

Scott Shaw

Cosmology of Life: A new course development proposal (Ed. Enhancement Grant)
Dept. of Renewable Resources, Univ. of Wyoming

Nair Sreejayan

Insulin resistance and muscle wasting in spaceflight: role of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling
School of Pharmacy, Univ. of Wyoming

2004

David Williams

Net Carbon Exchange and Evapotranspiration in Sagebrush Steppe: Response to Extreme Summer Rainfall Events
Dept. of Renewable Resources, Univ. of Wyoming

2003

Evert Brown

Fundamentals of GPS and GIS for the Biological Sciences
Dept. of Biology, Casper College
The purpose of this project is to develop a course: Fundamentals of GPS and GIS for the Biological Sciences. This course will be for second year students studying natural sciences - biology, Geology and Environmental Science majors. The course will cover topics of using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to produce data that will be used in a Geographical Information System (GIS) and analysis of those data. This will be a semester long course with numerous exercises and hands-on labs.

Dr. Yuri Dahnovsky

Undergraduate Course in Biophysics
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Wyoming
In accordance with NASA needs, the UW Physics and Astronomy department plans to institute a formal program in biophysics. As an initial step, we will to create a new undergraduate course in Biophysics with emphasis on computational Biophysics. This course will be oriented to physics, chemistry, and biology majors. Students will participate through lectures, homework and small research projects.

Dr. Elise Pendall

Effects of Land-Use Change on Carbon Cycling and Trace Gas Fluxes in Panama
Dept. of Botany, University of Wyoming
Uncertainties in estimating the effects of land-use change (deforestation and reforestation) on the global carbon cycle stem to a large degree from a lack of data on belowground processes such as soil respiration and microbial decomposition. These process-level data need to be combined with remote sensing estimates of change in land cover and models for more precise evolution of carbon sources and sinks. Through this research I will evaluate the land-use change on belowground carbon cycling and trace gas fluxes in three land-use types in Panama: pasture, plantation and rainforest.

2002

Dr. Harold Nations

The Design and Construction of a Fiber Coupled, VPH Grating Based Spectrograph for the Wyoming Infrared Observatory (WIRO)
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Wyoming
The goal of this project is to construct a modern, efficient and economical optical spectrograph for WIRO. The spectrograph will be fiber optically coupled and make use of a highly efficient volume phase holographic grating. The spectrograph will be fed, interchangeably, from either the Cassegrain or the prime focus of the telescope. It will be housed on a vibration isolation bench within a temperature-controlled enclosure that will allow future observations to be made in the 1-2 micron region. This will be the first such instrument to be completed for an observatory in the continental U.S.

Dr. Donal Skinner

Hibernation and the Role of the Biological Clock in White-tailed Prairie Dogs
Dept. of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
Daily (circadian) rhythms are displayed in all organisms, in mammals there is evidence that dysfunction in these rhythms exert severe deleterious effects on physiological functions. It has been established that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the primary generator of circadian rhythms in mammals. This research aims to provide preliminary data on whether the SCN becomes quiescent during hibernation in the white-tailed prairie dog. Using immunocytochemical means, three markers of circadian neuronal activation will be visualized and compared during extremes of the circadian phase.

2001

Paul Marquard

Introduction to Engineering Computing - Online
Dept. of Physics, Casper College
ES 1060, Introduction to Engineering Computing, is the first three credit engineering course taken by students at Casper College wishing to be engineering majors. This project will modify this course to allow students that may be isolated by geography or scheduling to take this course by distance methods while keeping the course suitable for traditional lecture and laboratory settings.

Dr. Allyn Smith

Photometry of Southern Hemisphere Open Star Clusters in the u'g'r'i'z' Filter System
Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming
The Sloan Digitial Sky Survey (SDSS) will systematically map one quarter of the sky using a new system of five wide band filters (u'g'r'i'z'). In March and August 2000, observational data were obtained for several open star clusters in the southern hemisphere using this filter system. Most of these observed clusters have previously known ages and metallicities; two fundamental astrophysical properties which affect stellar evolution and set constraints on galactic chemical evolution. This research will enlarge the data reduction effort to include most of the remaining clusters with an emphasis on expanding the span of metallicities and the age range.

2000

Dr. Ron Canterna

Interactive Astronomy Laboratory Modules: A Virtual Detection and Search for Life on Extra Solar Planetary Systems
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming

Dr. Cheryl Jaworowski

GIS and Southwest Wyoming's Quaternary Tectonic History
Spatial Data & Visualization Center, University of Wyoming

Paul Marquard

Planetarium Software Workbook
Department of Physics & Engineering, Casper College

1999

Dr. Rex Gantenbein

A Security Model for Collaborative Science Environments
Department of Computer Science, University of Wyoming

Paul Marquard

Internet Astronomy Laboratory Development
Department of Physics & Engineering, Casper College

Dr. Gerald Nelson

Internet Based "Weather & Climate" G&R 3450
Department of Geology and Geography, Casper College

1998

Dr. Robert Howell

Modeling Infrared Emission from Terrestrial Lava Flows
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Wyoming

Paul Marquard

Internet Astronomy
Department of Physics & Engineering, Casper College

Dr. Shivakant Mishra

A Dependable Agent-Based Computing System for the Internet
Department of Computer Science, University of Wyoming

1997

J.K. Chu

Sonic Thermometer
Department of Mathematics, Sheridan College

Dr. Lydia Dambekalns

Research and Course Development of Remote Sensing Data and GIS Systems: Interdisciplinary Education
College of Education, University of Wyoming

Dr. Rex Gantenbein

Internet-based Instruction in Telemedical Technology
Department of Computer Science, University of Wyoming

Dr. Alfred Rodi

Sonic Thermometer
Department of Atmospheric Science, University of Wyoming

1996

Dr. Matthew Haines

Spatial Data Management
Department of Computer Science, University of Wyoming

Dr. Raymond Hunt

Enhancement of the Remote Sensing Curriculum at the University of Wyoming
Department. of Botany, University of Wyoming