PROGRAM
and
PROCEEDINGS 

1. Currey, J. D. (2002). Bones: Structure and mechanics. Princeton University Press.
2. Koester, K. J., Ager, J. W., & Ritchie, R. O. (2008). The true toughness of human cortical bone measured with realistically short cracks. Nature Materials, 7(8), 672–677. https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat2221
3. Kimura, T., Ogawa, K., & Kamiya, M. (1977). Fractography of human intact long bone by bending. Zeitschrift For Rechtsmedizin, 79(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00201173
4. Rogers, K. D., & Zioupos, P. (1999). The bone tissue of the rostrum of a Mesoplodon densirostris whale: A mammalian biomineral demonstrating extreme texture. Journal of Materials Science Letters, 18(8), 651–654. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1006615422214

Filamentation is a key biological process that plays an important role in growth, adaptation, and cellular regulation across many species. Despite its significance, the broader functional roles of genes associated with filamentation remain incompletely understood. This project proposes the background and experimental design for the use of PCR-mediated gene knockout techniques to investigate genes implicated in filamentation and to assess their potential species-wide effects. Target genes will be selectively deleted and verified through PCR analysis. By outlining the experimental approach and rationale, this work aims to establish a framework for studying the genetic control of filamentation and to highlight how targeted gene disruption can be used to investigate gene function at the species level. The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an aggressive form of cancer that is amongst the most commonly treated cancers within the United States. While current methods of diagnosing SCC are highly effective, they are invasive and cannot easily monitor metabolic changes within tumors. Our group investigated an all-optical non-invasive method capable of monitoring long-term changes in cellular metabolism of SCC cells. To track the metabolic changes of SCC cells our group utilized Phasor Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) to measure levels of free and protein-bound NADH. Given that many tumors proliferate under hypoxia, our group sought to quantify whether a transition to hypoxic conditions lead to a change in metabolic phenotype. Our group imaged SCC cells cultured in hypoxic and atmospheric environments over a two-month period. Protein bound NADH levels of SCC cells were measured in conditions of glucose supplementation or starvation and in the presence or absence of electron transport chain (ETC) inhibitors. Consistent with the Warburg Hypothesis, we observed a decrease in NADH bound-fraction for cells chronically cultured in hypoxic conditions, suggesting less reliance on the ETC. Additionally, our group was interested in the effects of HER2, a growth factor receptor often overexpressed in tumors, on mitochondrial metabolism; therefore, we also measured the effects of HER2 inhibitor AG825 on NADH-linked metabolism. We found in SCC that the fraction of protein-bound NADH was higher in the absence of glucose, decreased in the presence of ETC inhibitors, and decreased when cells were exposed to AG825. Furthermore, at high seeding densities metastatic SCC cells proliferated faster in hypoxic conditions while primary SCC cells did not. Overall, we found NADH-Phasor FLIM to be an effective, non-invasive method of monitoring changes in metabolism over a prolonged period of time. 

The project described was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.  

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are a class of chemicals that can display antiseptic properties due to their combination of hydrophobicity and cationic nature. Previous research has shown that 1,3,4-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazolium salts display antiseptic properties that vary with substituent identity. The goal of this study was to prepare such triazolium salts with photolabile protecting groups and evaluate how structural and substituent variations impact the relative rates of UV-induced photodeprotection leading to release of 1,5-diaryl-1,2,3-triazoles. Target triazolium salt compounds were synthesized using a base-catalyzed click chemistry approach between azides and alkynes to make 1,5-diaryl-1,2,3-triazoles. To determine how an overall planar geometry might impact photodeprotection rates, fused ring analogs were made from triazole-bridged 1,5-diaryl precursors possessing 2-bromophenyl reactive groups using a Pd-catalyzed annulation reaction. Triazolium salts of both bridged and fused ring analogs with variable phenyl, naphthyl, and phenanthryl subunits were prepared by alkylation at the N3-position with photolabile protecting groups 2-bromoacetophenone, 2-bromo-4-chloroacetophenone, and 2-bromo-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethane. Following HNMR and HRMS characterization, the relative rates of photodeprotection were studied in d₆-DMSO using a photoreactor with 365 nm LED illumination. The progression of degradation was monitored over time using HNMR to identify the relative photodeprotection half-life for each analog. With the goal of deactivating the antiseptic potency of such triazolium salts upon light exposure, analogs were tested for antiseptic properties both before and after light exposure using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. The impact of the aryl substituent ring size, annulation and PPG identity on both photodeprotection rates and antiseptic properties will be presented. The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant #5P20GM103427.

The protein Klotho (KL) is best known for its role in the kidney, where deficiency causes premature aging and shortened lifespan. KL is also expressed in the brain, where it has neuroprotective effects. Across species, KL overexpression extends lifespan, enhances cognition, and delays neurodegenerative disease onset, while KL deficiency in mice causes rapid cognitive impairment. Since KL expression declines with age, our lab investigates its role in the aging brain using a KL-deficient mouse model to better understand the mechanisms underlying healthy brain aging.
Most studies of brain KL function, including previous work from our lab, have focused on neuronal effects. Neurons express low levels of KL and show functional changes when KL expression is altered. However, KL-mediated neuronal effects are highly variable, and KL deficiency also affects other brain cell types that don't express KL themselves, like oligodendrocytes. This suggests that KL's primary brain functions may not be neuron-intrinsic and remain uncharacterized. Choroid plexus epithelial cells reside in all brain ventricles and form the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, producing most of the brain's CSF. Choroid plexus cells express the highest levels of KL in the brain, along with the metalloproteinases needed for KL shedding. Once cleaved, shed KL enters the CSF and circulates throughout the brain, where it can affect the brain parenchyma. Both CSF production and barrier integrity decline with age and more prominently with age-related disease, making choroid plexus cells key contributors to brain health and potential therapeutic targets. We are comparing the choroid plexus epithelium of control and KL-deficient mice to determine the role of KL within the choroid plexus and with this, implications for overall brain function. The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

In the field of biomechanics, the quantification of fascial sliding is an up-and-coming research topic due to its potential role in musculoskeletal disorders and myofascial pain. For this study, we focused on three layers of fascia on the quadricep: two layers of deep fascia and one layer of superficial fascia. This research is in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at Charles University in Prague, where data collection was conducted. In this study, we developed a custom MATLAB algorithm to accurately measure the movement of fascial layers in an ultrasound scan using speckle tracking to find the maximum lateral displacement during fascial sliding. The method selected for this algorithm, the Sum of Absolute Differences (SAD), was chosen for its potential for real-time analysis of fascia motion. We first started by optimizing the settings of the algorithm that can be changed. This includes frame skip rates of the ultrasound loop, sizes of tracking kernels, and starting positions for tracking. Then, we optimized ultrasound scan settings including types of movement by the subject or ultrasound transducer, gain, transducer frequencies, and the implementation of a pressure sensor for scan collection. The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

Digestive upset is one of the most frequent reasons dogs are brought to veterinary clinics, yet the underlying causes are not always limited to parasites, infectious disease, or ingestion of foreign objects. In many cases, dogs experience chronic or recurring digestive disturbances linked to gastrointestinal sensitivity, a condition that can be difficult to manage with standard medications and treatments alone. As a result, veterinarians often recommend dietary modifications or supplements to support gut function and health. Pumpkin puree has gained attention as a supplement that could promote nutrient absorption and help regulate the gut microbiota. During this experimental study, the effects of pumpkin puree on the digestive system were studied by analyzing body condition and behaviors, along with conducting fecal and urinary tests. These observations and laboratory tests were conducted prior to supplementation, multiple times throughout the period when pumpkin puree was incorporated into the diet, and after the supplementation phase concluded. The study sought to determine whether pumpkin puree produced consistent improvements in digestive function and overall quality of life. The results of this investigation are intended to contribute to a better understanding of dietary supplements in veterinary care and to evaluate whether pumpkin puree offers a reliable, cost effective alternative to a more expensive pharmaceutical treatment that may not even work. This research may help guide veterinarians and dog owners in choosing practical strategies for managing gastrointestinal sensitivities in companion animals because the most expensive option is not always the most practical and efficient choice for dogs and their gastrointestinal system. 

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder seen in dogs and cats. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia due to decreased insulin production or increased insulin resistance. Treating diabetes mellitus is important in veterinary medicine as diabetes mellitus causes ketoacidosis and seizures in animals and is a difficult disease to manage. Insulin is affected by the conversion from proinsulin into insulin, mutations in the genes involved in insulin production and cell receptor binding, the reproductive cycle, blood acidity, and an altered gut microbiome. Patients with diabetes mellitus have an altered gut microbiome with decreased levels of bacteria from the families Bacteroidetes, Eubacteriacaea, Clostridiacaea, and Firmicutes and increased levels of bacteria from the families Bacteriodota, Enterobacteriacaea, and Staphylococcacaea. Determining the effects of the gut microbiota on insulin can provide a potential treatment to patients with diabetes mellitus through fecal transplants. Bacterial species of Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium sporogenes, and Enterobacter aerogenes were grown together and the produced metabolites examined to analyze and predict the effects of the metabolites on insulin and proinsulin conversion. Bacterial species of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus were grown together and the produced metabolites were examined. The two cultures of B. subtilis, C. sporogenes, E. aerogenes, E. coli, S. epidermis, and L. acidophilus were combined and the effects of metabolite production were analyzed. Proinsulin was added to all three bacterial cultures to determine the effects of the metabolites on the structure, stability, and conversion into insulin. Analysis of the metabolites and proinsulin was conducted through mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared spectrometry. Altering the gut microbiome through fecal transplants can potentially treat and manage the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus by aiding in proinsulin conversion, insulin stability, and insulin sensitivity.

Human, plant, ecological, cultural, psychological, and spiritual health are all interrelated aspects of environmental health.  Soil degradation bears negative impacts of plant nutrition density within our ecological systems.  Natural ecological systems were designed on top of diverse communities of abundant soil biological dwellers to nourish the planet. However, nutritional deficiencies have resulted from extractive and substandard management practices.  Regenerative agriculture practices begin to heal and bring back microbiological communities ensuring more nutrient dense food outcomes.  Utilizing soil, weather, plant and nutrient data from NICC's Environmental Monitoring Through Prairie Restoration research will help detail health of plants and edibles through nutrient density testing.  Favorable existing soil, plant and weather data paired with nutrient density testing will aid community health outcomes.  Offering increased opportunities for nutritional health benifits will rejuvenate nutritional deficiencies.  

As the world population continues to grow and the need for productive crop yields intensifies, so does the application of synthetic fertilizers and degradation of land. In turn, this leads to poor soil and water quality. This study assessed if cropland conversion back to tallgrass prairie improves the soil with respect to metal concentrations. To investigate this, sediment samples were collected from Glacier Creek Nature Preserve near Bennington, Nebraska. This site consists of both active cropland and cropland restored to tallgrass prairie >50-years ago on two separate sides of a gently sloping valley. Five soil cores were collected using direct push GeoProbe on both cropland and prairie restoration sides at the ridge top, mid-slope, and valley floor. Soil cores were analyzed for Munsell color, concentrations of calcium, iron, manganese, arsenic, and uranium (X-Ray Fluorescence; XRF), and adsorbed ammonium extracted by 2M KCl. The concentrations of elements measured in the different cores were generally heterogeneous, but we identified some trends. Adsorbed sediment ammonium concentrations decreased with depth at all sites. The highest concentrations were observed in the top 50 cm of sediments from both the prairie and cropland sites (18.20 and 20.95 mg-N/kg). A local peak in the concentrations of ammonium, iron, manganese, and arsenic was identified at a depth of 341m at both sides that corresponds to a change in sediment color from 10YR4/4 to 10YR 5/2 and 10YR5/4. Ongoing sequential extraction analyses will be used to determine the concentrations of metals in different compounds in the sediment. These results will help determine if elemental concentration data can be used to compare land management practices geared toward improving water and soil quality.  

Black fly larvae are filter feeders using particle size, adhesion, electrostatics, and shear forces to capture suspended particles for consumption from their benthic environment. This filtering process allows for microplastics present in lotic systems to concentrate in the larval guts, enabling us to use them as a biological indicator of localized microplastic concentrations. This provides a profile for microplastics present in the sampled area.  Larvae were collected with minimized exposure to plastics and digested in 30% peroxide to isolate the microplastics from the larval organic matter. Isolated microplastics were characterized via Raman and Infrared spectroscopy then compared to standard references of known plastics to determine microplastic composition in the sampled environment. The Infrared spectroscopy provides a snapshot of all the plastics present in the sample, while the Raman allows identification of individual fragments. We are comparing multiple streams flowing through urban, agriculture, and park landscapes. 

Building on our awarded NASA AIHEC project at Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC), we seek supplemental funding to expand the use of molecular biology equipment for hands-on student training. This extension will integrate advanced techniques—DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and water pollutant testing—into different course works and student-led field studies across Nebraska tribal lands. Students will collect and analyze water samples from areas near agricultural, industrial, and reservation sites to identify extremophiles and environmental pollutants and contaminants like microorganisms, heavy metals, and microplastics, chlorine, etc. These organisms serve as bioindicators of pollution and connect directly to NASA's astrobiology and Mars exploration goals. The project supports NASA's mission to engage underserved communities in real-world STEM research while increasing Indigenous student participation in environmental science and biotechnology. Outcomes include expanded lab experiments that are compatible to different STEM courses like Microbiology, toxicology, and environmental science, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology, student training in advanced molecular techniques, and scientific presentations at conferences, further enhancing NICC's research capacity and student career readiness.

Trust is a key process for teams and is amplified when working in environments where technology mediates communication and coordination processes. In remote, time-lagged environments, trust can be broken quickly. Violations of trust can impede mission-critical task progress and disrupt team member relationships. However, there is a dearth of research conducted to understand the nature of trust violations in remotely dispersed teams, their impact, and whether repair strategies currently applied to in-person teams have the same degree of effectiveness in remote teams. A three-part mixed-method research design is being completed to gain deeper insights into how remote teams experience and repair trust when working in virtually distributed teams. Study One was a qualitative online survey with 48 participants who responded to a prompt asking about a time they experienced a trust violation while working remotely. Overwhelmingly, the most common type of violation that occurred was cognitively rooted—related to the task the team was working on. Most often, the violation was due to incomplete work or missing meetings. Strategies that improved trust after these violations included apologies, making up the work, and admitting the error. Study Two is an extension of the initial insights from Study One and involves semi-structured interviews with individuals who work in remote teams. Interview data will be collected and qualitatively coded to complete a content analysis by indicating how the violation occurred, what type of violation it was, and which repair strategies were most successful. The goal of Study Two is to inform a realistic and evidence-grounded approach for creating a manipulation of trust to be conducted in a controlled lab experiment. In Study Three, participants will complete an online task together over Zoom, during which a confederate will purposefully breach the team’s trust to determine what strategies the team enacts to begin repairing trust. Overall, the progression of these studies seeks to gather real-world evidence of how trust violations occur, rather than drawing on inferences from in-person trust repair literature. At the conclusion of this research, I will add to the theoretical understanding of trust breaches in remote teams and provide practical solutions that teams—including space teams—can utilize when communication between teammates is mediated through technology. Particularly in spaceflight teams, message transmission can take longer; thus, if trust violations occur, having applicable strategies can help lessen the negative effects of trust breaches, allowing mission-critical work to be completed while maintaining safety as a top priority.

Presentation YouTube Link

The world as we know is changing and changing fast. For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to keep the nation at the forefront of critical technologies, public universities must continue to provide unique sources of innovation and skill development opportunities critical to our nation. The priority to develop interest in propulsion remains a key driver in these efforts, paving the way for the next generation of innovative engineers. To become a key player in this critical field, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is undergoing the development effort of its first liquid bipropellant rocket engine. With the power of off shelf propellants and local industry, the UNL Aerospace Club RPG group is laying the groundwork to design, fabricate, and build a functional pressure-fed ethanol and nitrous propulsion system. The goal is to bring advanced propulsion to the talents of Nebraska’s College of Engineering and gain recognition in the International Rocket Engineering Competition.

Our team proposes a pressure-fed bipropellant Liquid Rocket Motor. In collaboration with UNL’s Rocket Propellant Group, the team has designed, simulated, and is testing a system specifically built for the University of Nebraska—Lincoln’s Aerospace Club Competitions. This effort further develops capabilities to support NASA’s future propulsion initiatives and paves the way for future propulsion programs at the University of Nebraska. The overarching goal is to develop advanced propulsion capability, interest, and required know-how at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, creating a novel research avenue for the University.

Compact Tool Docking System for NASA Spacewalks: This project presents PCAR (Passive Capture, Active Release), a compact mechanical docking system developed for the NASA Micro-g NExT Challenge by a team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The objective was to redesign the current docking mechanism to improve efficiency, reliability, and safety during NASA’s EVA (extra-vehicular activity, or spacewalk) missions. This docking project focuses on the Pistol Grip Tool (PGT), which is the drill used when moving around the space station. NASA’s existing docking mechanisms required two hands and multiple actions, and high finger dexterity, which astronaut gloves do not provide. The current dock also needs higher visibility than the current astronaut visor can provide, making the process of docking the PGT a tedious process during an eight-hour mission. 

The PCAR enables the astronaut to passively capture the PGT tool with one hand without a direct line of sight. Most importantly, the release mechanism has two deliberate translational actions, satisfying NASA’s single-fault-tolerance requirement. The mechanism consists of a machined aluminum T-channel, pipe chamber, clamp assembly, and a spring-loaded angle block. During the docking phase, the male fitting attached to the PGT is guided down through the T-channel into the chamber. As the male component enters the pipe chamber, the angle block retracts and then re-engages to lock the male component into its holding location. To release, the tool must be pushed inward towards the spring to retract the angle block before translating upwards and out of the guide channel. 

Our UAV organization is a multidisciplinary student-led engineering club focused on the design, development, and deployment of autonomous unmanned aerial systems. The club provides students with hands-on experience across the full UAV development lifecycle, integrating electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineering to solve real-world aerospace challenges. Through collaborative, project-based learning, members gain practical skills that complement classroom instruction and prepare them for careers in aerospace, robotics, and autonomous systems.A central effort of the team is participation in the AUVSI SUAS Competition, which emphasizes fully autonomous flight, real-time perception, mission execution, and robust systems integration. Preparing for this competition requires the development of complete autonomy stacks, including flight control, onboard computation, sensor fusion, navigation, object detection, obstacle avoidance, and telemetry. Students work extensively with modern UAV hardware and software architectures that closely resemble those used in industry and government aerospace programs.To support skill development across experience levels, the club maintains a structured onboarding pathway through a DIY drone kit program. New members gain foundational experience in airframe assembly, soldering, wiring, debugging, and repair, while advanced members progress to competition-focused system design and optimization. This structure ensures accessibility for beginners while enabling deep technical growth for experienced participants. The team also pursues advanced work in embedded systems and PCB design, where students develop custom flight computers, sensor interface boards, and power distribution systems. These projects expose members to industry-standard workflows, including schematic capture, layout, fabrication, bring-up, and validation. In parallel, the club explores Software Defined Radio (SDR) concepts to study resilient and efficient communication links for autonomous and long-range UAV operations.Mechanical design efforts focus on custom airframes, payload integration, and sensor mounting solutions using CAD and rapid prototyping tools. Designs are optimized for weight, vibration isolation, modularity, and field serviceability. Additionally, members engage with aviation regulations and safety practices, including FAA Part 107 knowledge, to ensure responsible and compliant UAV operations.Through competition, research, and collaborative design, the organization cultivates technical excellence, systems thinking, and leadership, providing students with meaningful, applied experience aligned with the mission-driven engineering principles valued by NASA.

Presentation YouTube Link

Introduction

Dynamic touch allows individuals to perceive physical properties of objects, such as length and heaviness, through movement-dependent mechanical interactions between the body and the object [1]. During object wielding, exploratory movements generate patterns of force and deformation in muscles and tendons while invariant object properties, such as the inertia tensor, provide information about mass distribution.

Stochastic resonance (SR) refers to the phenomenon whereby low-level noise enhances the detectability of weak sensory signals [2]. Although SR has been shown to improve several sensorimotor behaviors, its role in haptic perception during object manipulation remains unclear. This study investigates whether vibrotactile noise applied during object wielding improves perceptual accuracy and whether different noise structures influence perception.

Methods

Healthy young adults performed haptic perception tasks while blindfolded and seated with the arm supported to isolate wrist rotation. Two paradigms were tested: a heaviness perception task, in which rods with varying masses were wielded, and a length perception task, in which rod length was manipulated by altering the position of a fixed mass.

Participants completed trials under five vibration conditions: no noise pink noise (90% and 130% threshold), and white noise (90% and 130% threshold) delivered via a vibrotactile actuator on the upper arm. Upper-limb and object kinematics were recorded using motion capture.

Perceptual accuracy was quantified as absolute percent error, and linear mixed-effects models examined the effects of experiment and vibration condition.

Results

At the current stage of data collection, the linear mixed-effects model revealed no significant main effects or interactions. There was no main effect of experiment (χ²(1) = 0.277, p = 0.599), no main effect of condition (χ²(4) = 1.626, p = 0.804), and no experiment × condition interaction (χ²(4) = 0.966, p = 0.915). Pairwise comparisons similarly revealed no significant differences between experiments within conditions.

Despite the lack of statistical significance, model predictions suggest emerging trends. Length perception generally produced larger absolute percent error values than heaviness perception. The largest difference occurred in the white noise (90%) condition, whereas pink noise (90%) produced the lowest error during heaviness perception.

Discussion and Conclusion
Although the dataset is not yet complete and statistical significance has not been achieved, the observed trends provide preliminary support for the proposed role of stochastic resonance in haptic perception. In particular, the reduction in absolute percent error observed in the pink noise (90% threshold) condition suggests that structured subthreshold noise may enhance perceptual sensitivity during object wielding. This pattern is consistent with theoretical accounts of stochastic resonance, which propose that weak noise can enhance the detectability of sensory signals by facilitating threshold crossings in sensory systems.  

References

[1]     Pagano et al. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 14: 331-359, 1998.
[2]     Gerber et al. Journal of Human Movement Science, 90, 103119, 2023.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by an UNO GRACA to AG, and NASA Nebraska Space Grant FY23, FY24, and FY26 Fellowships to AG.

NASA manages an annual budget exceeding $20 billion, yet consistently faces major challenges in delivering mega‑projects on time and within budget due to technical complexity, funding uncertainty, and a shifting operational environment. These challenges parallel those seen in U.S. civil infrastructure - especially transportation - where agencies confront significant investment gaps and pressure to “do more with less.” Improving cost and schedule performance has been repeatedly identified as a top national priority, including by USDOT. This project directly supports NASA’s Mission Support Directorate by generating a clear, research‑informed understanding of how NASA currently approaches project control, particularly under uncertain or constrained funding conditions. Through a systematic and critical review of NASA documentation, project‑management scholarship, and relevant guidance from organizations such as PMI, the research will identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities to enhance practices for risk management, project delivery, and performance oversight. The results will produce actionable insights and a synthesized knowledge base that strengthens NASA’s ability to manage complex programs in a resource‑constrained environment. By aligning lessons from both aerospace and civil‑infrastructure sectors, the project also enhances Nebraska’s research capacity and contributes to improving national project‑management effectiveness across mission‑critical government systems.

Presentation YouTube Link

In spacecraft environments, the lack of gravity limits the manipulation of objects by a robot due to the lack of weight-based friction, creating a need for compatible and controllable adhesion mechanisms. Active suction cups (ASCs), inspired by octopus suckers, can provide reliable and tunable adhesion in microgravity environments. However, current ASCs are limited by the requirement of vacuum and pneumatic pressure sources. 
 
In this talk, I will present an electrically actuated ASC enabled by electroosmotic pump (EOP). EOPs take advantage of an electrical double layer that forms at the interface of a porous membrane and a dielectric working fluid to create fluid flow. Compared to traditional pneumatic systems, EOPs rely on entirely closed-loop fluidic systems that enable untethered operation.  The adhesion strength can be tuned by changing the operating voltage. The ASCs also allow for repeatable and reliable adhesion, which is demonstrated through cyclic testing and attachment in various environments and on diverse substrates.
  
The EOP-ASCs created here are demonstrated in two applications by integrating into a wearable suction glove and a robotic arm end effector for pick-and-place operations. When integrated into robots, they can enhance astronauts' capabilities by providing grasping assistance for simple tasks, such as cargo retrieval. By eliminating pneumatic tethers, this voltage-operated system introduces a compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient adhesion mechanism well suited for robots deployed in spacecraft interiors and future planetary habitats. 

Presentation YouTube Link

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln requires all senior mechanical engineering students to complete a capstone project in collaboration with an industry partner and a faculty member. Each team is tasked with solving a real-world engineering problem defined by the client, working under faculty guidance to develop a validated, professional solution. The team is partnered with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Virtual Incision (VI) to advance sustainable crop production technologies for long-duration space missions. The team consists of six undergraduate mechanical engineering students of various backgrounds; one undergraduate electrical engineering student; Dr. Shane Farritor, David B. and Nancy K. Lederer Professor of Engineering and founder of VI; and Ryan Mccormick, an engineer at JPL. Per the capstone requirements in May, the team will present a poster at a symposium covering the finished product, showing proof that the team was successful. The team’s project focused on redesigning the end effector of VI’s MIRA, a surgical robot, to enable delicate teleoperated plant handling and autonomous plant anomaly detection through a computer vision system in microgravity environments. The primary objective was to develop a modified gripper capable of manipulating and cutting plants without causing visible or structural damage. The design utilizes MIRA’s surgical precision and compact build to maximize mobility in Ohalo III and features a coated gripper with a compliant polymer interface to minimize damage. In parallel, the team developed a computer vision system integrating an Arducam 12MP 477P Motorized camera with Pan/Tilt servo actuators. 

Presentation YouTube Link

DBF is a student-led design team focused on developing aircraft tailored to a new mission each year. The team competes annually at a competition hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in which over 100 Universities world wide come to compete. The competition consists of four main components: ground mission and missions 1-3. The purpose of the ground mission is to time how fast mission-specific components can be loaded inside the aircraft. Mission 1  is a flight with no mission-specific components, while Mission 2  is typically a specialized mission with some form of weighted payload. Finally, the third mission typically includes a special component that must be activated in the air during flight. This year,  the 2026 DBF missions are to carry passengers (rubber ducks) and cargo (hockey pucks), as well as deploy a banner mid-flight. The club is structured into  5 sub-teams: Aerodynamics, Aerostructures, Special Systems, Electrical, and Systems Engineering. During the first semester of the academic term, each of the sub-teams was given tasks to accomplish. Aerodynamics calculated how to achieve optimal mission scoring and determined design constraints, which were then provided to Aerostructures. Aerostructures then designed the aircraft while also teaching new members of the club how to utilize software like SolidWorks and Adobe. Special Systems also taught new members how to use SolidWorks and created initial prototypes for the rubber duck holder. This resulted in approximately 9 designs being made. Electrical worked with Aerodynamics to select a motor with enough of the desired power output, and assisted Special Systems when designing the release mechanism for the banner. Finally,  the Systems Engineering team worked closely with the Team Lead to maintain the budget, contact potential sponsors, and keep the team on schedule.

So far this year, the UNL DBF team has designed an aircraft capable of carrying 30 ducks and 10 hockey pucks as well as a banner with dimensions of 67” x 11”. The team has designed and built 11 prototypes for the second mission, as well as 2 prototypes for the 3rd mission. The aerostructures team constructed a prototype wing to stress test it.

Electric and magnetic fields tell us how charged particles move. Since the nineteenth century, this understanding has shaped technologies such as radio, radar, and satellite communication, and explains natural phenomena like the aurora borealis. In classical physics, electromagnetic potentials are introduced primarily as mathematical tools used to calculate these fields. However, in the 1950s, Aharonov and Bohm demonstrated that the potentials possess direct physical significance in quantum mechanics. Even in regions where electric and magnetic fields vanish, the potentials can alter the quantum phase of a particle’s wavefunction, provided the fields are confined to an inaccessible enclosed region. Our recent theoretical developments suggest that this confinement condition may not be fundamental. By extending the geometric interpretation of quantum phase, we explore how electromagnetic potentials can produce measurable effects even when the particles does not need to enclose a region containing electromagnetic fields. These results point toward a deeper understanding of gauge structure, phase, and the role of spacetime geometry in quantum mechanics.

Lunar dust remains a critical challenge for surface operations on the Moon due to its abrasive morphology, broad particle size distribution, and strong electrostatic adhesion. This project evaluates a passive dust mitigation strategy based on self-organized laser functionalization via femtosecond laser processing combined with low-surface-energy coatings. Quasiperiodic micro–nano hierarchical structures were fabricated on Al 6061 using varying laser fluences, followed by initiated chemical vapor deposition of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon) to reduce surface energy. Wettability measurements confirmed a transition from superhydrophilic laser-processed surfaces to superhydrophobic behavior after coating. Dust mitigation performance was assessed using LHS-1 lunar simulant (median size ~51 µm). In tap and vibration tests (~100 Hz), dust adhesion was characterized by laser scanning confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Quantitative image analysis was performed using ImageJ to calculate the percentage dust coverage on the sample surface. Contrary to expectations, Teflon-coated laser-processed surfaces retained 60–70% dust coverage after the tap test, whereas uncoated FLSP surfaces showed less than 10% coverage. Surface voltage measurements indicate that electrostatic charging of the PTFE layer likely increased adhesion. These results demonstrate that self-organized micro- and nano-scale surface morphology alone can significantly reduce dust retention, while certain low-energy coatings may introduce electrostatic effects that counteract passive mitigation.
 

In astronomy observing a star's variation in brightness over time is one of the best ways to uncover its internal behavior. For this project we are focusing on intrinsic variable stars, specifically Delta Scuti stars. These stars are incredible targets for asteroseismology, which is the study of a star's internal structure based on how it pulses. These stars swell up and shrink down like a beating heart constantly shifting in size and temperature. This "heartbeat" is driven by the κ-mechanism: as the opacity (κ) of the star's outer layers naturally fluctuates and changes how much light the atmosphere absorbs.

To investigate this in action my research focuses on the Delta Scuti variable GP Andromedae (GP And). We use the 14-inch telescope at the Hastings College Sachtleben Observatory to accurately measure the period of its luminous variations. To complement our local observations, we are also using data collected from  the Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University in Poland, collecting using the Skynet robotic telescope network. This data is especially valuable because it includes measurements across three distinct photometric filters (B, V, and R). Analyzing the different filter bands allows us to track exactly how the star's surface temperature varies over time.

By extracting pulsation data from the calibrated images, we can plot detailed light curves. From there we can find key physical properties of GP And, including its density and mass. Ultimately, this photometric procedure does more than just confirm the star's variable nature. It provides essential data that contributes to our broader understanding of stellar evolution.

Our objective is to create a 3-dimensional magneto-optical trap, which will be used in a laser cooling experiment for ⁸⁷Rb. This trap will be constructed from a vacuum cell, a pair of Anti-Helmholtz coils, and an “optical molasses” produced from three orthogonal pairs of counterpropagating laser beams, each with about 20 mW of optical power. The vacuum cell is held at a state of ultra-high vacuum via an ion pump. The optical portion of the trap originates entirely from a single 780 nm laser, tuned to the 5S_1/2F = 2 → 5P_3/2F’ = 3 cooling transition. Repumping light will be provided by using an electro-optic modulator to frequency modulate our cooling light to create sideband frequencies at the 5S_1/2F = 1 → 5P_3/2F’ = 2 repump transition. We are aiming for a ⁸⁷Rb vapor cloud at a temperature of about 150 μK. This will provide us with a cold atom reservoir, with which we can perform further atomic physics experiments on our atoms.

Technology has played a central role in modernization and industrialization of genocide. Throughout history, technology has not merely facilitated violence but has reshaped its scale, speed, organization, and psychological execution. From the railway networks and gas chambers that operationalized the Holocaust to contemporary uses of artificial intelligence, surveillance systems, and data analytics in mass violence, technological infrastructure has enabled new forms of bureaucratized and distanced killing. 

Drawing on interdisciplinary literature, this paper examines how technological mediation transforms both the practice and experience of genocide. It comparatively analyzes the embodied violence of the 1994 genocide, often characterized by the use of machetes and direct interpersonal killing, with technologically mediated forms of mass violence in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Particular attention is given to how advanced technologies may create cognitive and emotional distance for perpetrators, potentially altering moral perception, responsibility, and psychological impact.  

Beyond questions of efficiency and scale, the paper interrogates the normative implications of technological “advancement.” Is technology neutral, or does it embed particular logics that make mass violence more administratively feasible? What role should international law play in regulating emerging technologies, such as Artificial Negligence, digital surveillance, and algorithmic targeting, that may increase genocidal capacity? Finally, the paper considers the question of accountability: to what extent are engineers, designers, and technical experts implicated in the development and deployment of genocidal tools? 

By situating genocide within the broader trajectory of technological modernity, this study contributes to debates on violence, responsibility, and governance in an era of rapidly accelerating technological change. 

Forensic taphonomy examines the postmortem processes that affect human remains and provides critical context for medicolegal death investigation, including estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) and interpretation of depositional environments (Haglund & Sorg, 1997; Wescott, 2018). Although decomposition research has expanded in recent decades, experimental forensic taphonomic studies remain unevenly distributed across environments (Miles et al., 2020; Varlet et al., 2020). Tallgrass prairie ecosystems and loess-derived soils of the Central Great Plains, including southeastern Nebraska, are particularly underrepresented, requiring practitioners to rely on models developed in ecologically different regions and potentially introducing interpretive uncertainty (Weisensee & Atwell, 2024). This research examines southeastern Nebraska as a distinct environmental context for forensic taphonomic study through synthesis of ecological, pedological, and geomorphological literature. Preliminary results indicate that seasonal soil moisture variability, loess-derived soil structure, and vegetation-driven root dynamics create heterogeneous decomposition environments that may influence both surface and subsurface decomposition trajectories over relatively short spatial scales. In particular, variation in drainage, oxygen availability, and root activity appears to structure localized decomposition processes in ways not captured by existing regionally external models. In addition to environmental considerations, this work emphasizes the ethical responsibilities associated with conducting forensic research on contemporary landscapes, particularly in regions with histories of Indigenous stewardship. By integrating environmental analysis with ethical considerations, this poster identifies southeastern Nebraska as both a scientifically valuable and ethically grounded setting for future forensic taphonomic research, with implications for medicolegal practice and the development of regionally specific decomposition datasets.

Butchery has been a major part of food processing globally for the last two million years. This presentation focuses specifically on dog butchery, which despite being observed ethnographically and historically in various parts of the world, has not been examined in great depth¹²⁴. This project will ultimately combine ethnographic and archaeological analysis in order to build a model that can be used for archaeological materials. For the purpose of this research, a case study regarding a modern assemblage of dog bones, butchered at a restaurant in Quang Binh province, Vietnam, were analyzed for the presence of butchery marks (scrapes, scrape lines, cuts, chops, saws, and shears)³. This presentation will provide the results from a sample of dog remains (141 bone fragments) from one provenience that have been analyzed thus far. This assemblage presents ribs (n=16), femora (n=8), ulnae (n=8), radii (n=6), and tibiae (n=4) as the most frequent bones exhibiting cut marks. These results possibly indicate that these elements are often used as sources of meat or that they require butchery to access other sought-after elements, such as internal organs. This assemblage also contains juvenile remains, as well as comparable elements of different sizes, suggesting various breeds and ages of dogs were used for butchery. This project is ongoing and the results presented here are preliminary. The overall goal of this research is to provide a framework and comparative dataset for future ethnoarchaeological dog butchery studies, specifically those recovered in the Great Plains region.
 
¹Callahan, Ruth. 1997. Domestication of Dogs and Their Use in the Great Plains. Nebraska Anthropologist 14: 1997-1999. 
²Ensminger, John. 2012. The Dogs of the Great Plains, Electronic document, The Dogs of the Great Plains Nations, accessed October 20, 2025. 
³Landon, David. 1996. Feeding Colonial Boston: A Zooarchaeological Study. Historical Archaeology 30(1):1-153.
⁴Milburn, Olivia. 2011. Confucius and His Dog: Perspectives on Animal Ownership in Early Chinese Ritual and Philosophical. BIBLID 29(4):289-315. 
 

This paper examines the question: What factors explain the rise of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), particularly in eastern Germany? Drawing on scholarship on right-wing populism (Mudde 2007; Norris and Inglehart 2019), post-reunification political development, and regional political culture, it argue that the AfD’s rise is best understood as the product of unresolved reunification-era inequalities combined with discursive strategies that frame eastern Germans as culturally and politically marginalized. Using qualitative analysis of AfD party platforms and campaign messaging, the study compares the party’s rhetoric and policy positions with those of other conservative parties in the Bundestag to identify how the AfD differentiates itself within Germany’s right-wing spectrum. Preliminary findings indicate that AfD discourse places greater emphasis on cultural marginalization and political exclusion in eastern Germany than on purely economic grievance, distinguishing it from mainstream conservative parties. This discourse analysis is complemented by secondary analysis of electoral data from Germany’s 2025 federal election, which shows disproportionately strong AfD support in eastern regions and among voters expressing low trust in federal institutions. By integrating structural explanations of economic disparity and political disaffection with identity-based narratives rooted in Cold War legacies, the paper contributes to ongoing debates about whether economic grievance or cultural backlash better explains contemporary right-wing mobilization in Germany. 

How do digital repression strategies, such as automated censorship, data harvesting, and algorithmic propaganda, reconfigure citizen–state relations and entrench authoritarian rule? Focusing on China and Iran, I argue that digital technologies do not create repression anew but instead intensify, scale, and normalize existing structures of authoritarian power. By embedding surveillance and information control within everyday digital infrastructures, regimes reshape how citizens access information, express dissent, and understand their relationship to the state.Drawing on qualitative literature review and comparative analysis, the study synthesizes scholarly research, human rights reports, legal cases, and cross-national indices such as Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net. It also engages secondary analyses of major social media platforms, including X (Twitter), Facebook, TikTok, and Xiaohongshu (小红书), to examine how platform governance and state influence intersect to discipline political discourse. This comparative analysis identifies three mechanisms through which digital repression transforms political life: (1) behavioral modification driven by constant and normalized surveillance, (2) scaled coercion enabled by automated censorship and data‑driven targeting, and (3) erosion of public trust as digital spaces become sites of manipulation and monitoring. By foregrounding power and lived experience, the paper contends that digital repression transforms the social contract itself, narrowing civic space and redefining citizenship under digitally mediated authoritarianism.

 

Antibiotics are becoming more ineffective as bacteria adapt to drugs that were devised to kill them, threating public health systems. However, researchers have identified riboswitches, non-coding segments of mRNA that affect the expression of downstream genes, as a new target for antibacterial agents, one of which is the highly extensive glmS riboswitch.

The glmS riboswitch controls the gene expression of fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase, which synthesizes glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P) in bacterial cells. GlcN6P is a precursor in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis, and therefore, its synthesis is essential. The glmS riboswitch is also a catalytic ribozyme, which self-cleaves upon binding to GlcN6P. This cleavage degrades the mRNA, inhibiting glmS gene expression and preventing bacterial cell wall synthesis. Because the glmS riboswitch can control cell viability, it’s a potential target for new antibiotics. 

This project focuses on identifying analogs with similar resemblance to GlcN6P that can affect the riboswitch as an agonist or antagonist. To determine whether GlcN6P ligand analogs can inhibit bacterial growth, assays are performed to monitor Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus growth in the presence or absence of potential GlcN6P analogs. Preliminary data suggests that L-serine decreases bacterial growth at concentrations of ~31.3 mM for B. sub and 62.5 mM for S. aur. Optimization of RT-PCR is also being conducted to verify whether the glmS gene and glmS riboswitch RNAs are downregulated. Future studies will verify that the analogs are decreasing growth via interaction with the glmS riboswitch and will investigate the effects of L-serine on mutant strains of B. sub and S. aur. 

The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

The current clinical biopsy techniques for diagnosing cancer are effective, but invasive and lack longitudinal capabilities. These methods do not allow for prolonged analysis when the tissue is taken outside of the patient. All-optical, non-invasive imaging techniques can negate these obstacles by analyzing the cancer cells while still in the body. Our lab has focused on the development of an all-optical, non-invasive method for measuring cellular metabolism. This is done using NADH-phasor Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), measuring the fraction of the total NADH fluorescence lifetime that is protein-bound. This quantification gives insight into the shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism that is often seen in cancer cells. Using NADH phasor-FLIM, we have found that reducing the oxygenation of cells cultured as monolayers can lead to a more glycolytic phenotype. We suspect that culturing cancer cells in three dimensions may lead to similar changes. Therefore, we prepared and performed NADH-phasor FLIM imaging of three-dimensional cultures of tumor spheroids. This model simulates the oxygenation gradient and cell signaling found within tumors in vivo. Culturing tumor spheroids was done using hydrogel-coated petri dishes to encourage cell-cell adhesion and prevent adherence to the dish. We are currently analyzing a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line and a human breast cancer (SK-BR-3) cell line in aggregate form, which will parallel our group’s previous monolayer analysis of these cell lines. Findings from these studies will give insight into the validity of our monolayer methods and a better understanding of tumor physiology.  

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype associated with poor clinical outcomes. Unlike other forms of breast cancer, TNBC lacks overexpression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), eliminating the possibility of receptor-targeted therapies and limiting treatment options primarily to chemotherapy. The absence of these established molecular targets highlights the need to identify alternative pathways driving TNBC progression. Increasing evidence suggests that aberrant activation of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)/Gli-1 signaling pathway may contribute to tumor growth and survival in TNBC. This study investigates the potential of zerumbone, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene compound, to function as a Gli-1 pathway inhibitor in TNBC cells. In the Hedgehog-Gli (Hh-Gli) pathway, activation of Smo via Ptch modulates the initiation of transcription factors Gli-1/2/3. Gli-1 is a constitutively expressed activator of SHh target genes that is normally dormant in mature tissue cells. Gli-1 in TNBC cells is significantly upregulated causing tumor aggressiveness. Zerumbone has been shown to inhibit Gli-1 and Gli-2 transcription downstream of Smo without the presence of cyclopamine. Cyclopamine is a well-characterized Smo inhibitor that prevents the activation of Gli-1/2/3 transcription factors via antagonistic binding. However, treatment production using cyclopamine has been slow due to its lack of solubility in water. To evaluate zerumbone’s inhibitory effects, zerumbone was compared to cyclopamine. The HBT-132 TNBC cell line was cultured and treated with either zerumbone or cyclopamine. Apoptotic activity was assessed using propidium iodide (PI) staining to quantify cell death. Annexin V/PI dual staining was performed to distinguish early and late apoptosis and evaluate cell cycle arrest. By comparing the biological effects of zerumbone to those of cyclopamine, this study aims to determine whether zerumbone can serve as a functional Gli-1 inhibitor and a potential therapeutic candidate for targeting aberrant Hedgehog signaling in TNBC. The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

The Denton Immunobiology lab investigates the two distinct mechanisms by which human natural killer (NK) cells eliminate target cells: direct killing and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). We measure ADCC using CD20-positive target cells (Daudi and Raji) and anti-CD20 as the antibody bridge linking CD20 to CD16 on NK cells. Conversely, we measure direct killing using CD20-negative target cells (K562), which cannot undergo ADCC. Additionally, K562 cells lack inhibitory ligands HLA-ABC, thereby promoting direct killing. Our lab investigates both cytotoxic mechanisms from the same human donor in a single tube using a Natural Killer cell Simultaneous ADCC and Direct Killing Assay (NK-SADKA), which limits human-to-human variability and conserves PBMCs. A typical NK-SADKA measures the effects of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonism on NK cell activity in isolation. However, in clinical immunotherapy settings, both effector and target cells are exposed to treatment. To better model this physiological environment, we propose investigating whether pre-incubating both NK cells and target cells with TLR9 agonist would enhance NK cell cytotoxicity within our NK-SADKA. If enhanced cytotoxicity is observed, it could result from changes in the expression levels of key ligands known to interact with NK cells. We can measure the surface expression with flow cytometry using fluorophore-conjugated antibodies that bind to specific target cell receptors. This strategy would assess the physiological relevance of TLR9 agonism in NK cell interaction. No definitive conclusions or data will be presented. The project described was supported in part by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the NIGMS of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

Neurodegenerative disease risk is associated with prior viral infection. Microglia play an essential role in the innate immune response of the central nervous system. Proper microglial responses aid in viral clearance while dysregulated responses lead to neurotoxicity. Microglial protein expression reflects their phenotype and functional state. TMEM119 is a microglial specific marker expressed by homeostatic microglia, whereas CD206 is expressed by anti-inflammatory microglia. Changes in the expression of microglial proteins indicate whether microglia are acting as surveillance, proinflammatory, or recovery immune cells during viral challenge. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate gene transcription and protein expression. Differential lncRNA expression is seen in microglial-associated neurodegenerative disease states like multiple sclerosis (MS). Our lab has shown that lncRNA iNOS Transcriptional Regulatory Intergenic LncRNA Locus (Nostrill) regulates microglial antiviral immune responses. Here, I hypothesize that Nostrill regulates microglial polarization and promotes a proinflammatory phenotype early in viral-induced demyelination. To investigate this hypothesis, mouse and cellular models were used. The Theiler’s Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus Induced Demyelinating Disease (TMEV-IDD) mouse model was used to analyze gene transcription in mice strains resistant and susceptible to neurodegenerative disease similar to progressive multiple sclerosis in humans. At the onset of demyelinating, neurodegenerative disease in TMEV-susceptible mice, the transcription of Nostrill, and microglial functional markers was investigated using RT-qPCR. TMEV-susceptible mice express the lncRNA Nostrill in microglia. TMEV-IDD mice demonstrate differential TMEM119 and CD206 transcription. Nostrill silencing in TMEV-infected mouse microglial cell lines showed that silencing Nostrill decreased TMEM119 expression ~2fold and increased CD206 ~3 fold compared to controls (N=4, p=0.0013). Silencing Nostrill increased TMEV viral load ~3fold compared to controls (N=4, p=0.03). These data suggest that increased TMEM119 transcription and decreased CD206 transcription following TMEV-infection requires lncRNA Nostrill expression in microglia to limit viral infection. Future studies will further evaluate the mechanism by which Nostrill regulates TMEM119 and CD206 transcription.
This project was made possible by grants from the National Institute for AIDS and Infectious Disease (NIAID) (1 R15 AI156879) and by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

Opioids are a gold-standard treatment for moderate to severe pain. However, opioids can cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Safer medications for treating pain are needed. One approach is drug mixtures (opioid/non-opioid), such as morphine and ketamine. Our laboratory found that small doses of morphine with small doses of ketamine in a mixture treat pain as well as large doses of either drug alone. The current study determined withdrawal severity after opioid dependence was engendered by twice daily injections of either morphine alone or a morphine/ketamine mixture for 19 days in adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Naltrexone was administered to precipitate opioid withdrawal; withdrawal symptoms were observed and recorded for 5 days. Results showed that withdrawal severity and duration were similar for rats receiving morphine alone and rats receiving the morphine/ketamine mixture. Additionally, with respect to sex difference, in males, but not females, receiving the morphine/ketamine mixture, body weight recovered more rapidly compared to rats receiving morphine alone. Overall, ketamine is more effective at relieving pain when administered in combination with morphine, but also produces no additional adverse effects compared to morphine alone. Future experiments should compare other adverse effects, such as the abuse liability, of a morphine/ketamine mixture.

As antibiotic-resistant bacteria become more prevalent in clinical practice, interest in alternative treatments, like bacteriophage therapy has also risen. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect and kill bacteria. Previous research has demonstrated that phage therapy may be a good contender in clinical settings. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is a serious threat in clinical settings. This bacteria is highly antibiotic-resistant, often to multiple classes of drugs, which makes treating serious cases challenging. According to the CDC 2 in 100 people carry MRSA, though this number can be higher in specific populations. MRSA is known to cause severe complications in hospitals such as pneumonia, surgical site infections, sepsis, and death. 
The objective of this research is in two parts. The first objective was to isolate bacteriophages that have the ability of infecting different Staphylococcus species. Bacteriophages were first isolated using plaque assays on Staphylococcus epidermidis 100G, an isolate known to be highly susceptible to a variety of phages. These phages all produced clear plaques, which indicates a lytic replication cycle. Lysates were collected from web plates of individual phages. Following collection and purification of lysates, spot tests were performed on three bacterial strains, Staphylococcus epidermidis 100G, Staphylococcus epidermidis XXXX, and Staphylococcus aureus XXXX. The spot tests were used to determine whether the isolated bacteriophages have a potential for cross species infectivity in the three different Staphylococcus species. 

The second objective of this study is conducted using an in vivo phage therapy Galleria melonella larvae model. We used this model to observe the effects of bacteriophages and Staphylococcus species in an infection setting. We injected the worms with bacteriophages, as well as all three Staphylococcus species. Worm survival was monitored over 72 hours to assess the therapeutic efficacy of phage treatment. We anticipate increased survival rates in phage and antibiotic-treated worms compared to untreated infected controls as well as the individual treatments by themselves. 

Lytechinus variegatus or the variegated sea urchin is a type of sea urchin that is commonly found in shallow, tropical waters. Lytechinus variegatus can be found in sandy, reef beds and sea grass, covered in algae and debris to protect itself from the UV rays and predators. Sea urchins play a crucial role in the ocean, particularly in coral reef ecosystems. Sea urchins follow an omnivore diet and feed off of algae and phytoplankton. In coral reef ecosystems, sea urchins feed on unwanted algae, allowing coral reefs to continue growing, healing, and thriving. Without the presence of sea urchins in coral reef communities, algae can build up and negatively affect the growth and success of coral reefs. Sunscreen serves as a tool to protect humans from damaging UV rays and can be introduced to the Earth ecosystem via swimming in oceans. Most sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate can be detrimental to coral reef ecosystems; however, there are sunscreens on the market labeled as reef safe sunscreens that intend to be less harmful to coral reef ecosystems. The sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate are believed to cause bleaching of coral reefs, promoting the marketing of “reef safe” sunscreen that replaces the oxybenzone and octinoxate with minerals like titanium oxide and zinc oxide. In this experiment, we tested the effects of sunscreen as an ocean pollutant on the development of sea urchin embryos. The sunscreens that were tested were Equate Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, Coppertone WaterBabies SPF 50 Baby Sunscreen Lotion, and Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion. Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 is considered to be “reef safe” as it contains 10% zinc oxide and 8% titanium oxide rather than oxybenzone and octinoxate. Each lotion was mixed with sea water and freshly harvested sea urchin eggs and sperm were mixed together to start fertilization. The urchins were observed at several time points for 3 days. The results showed that the presence of sunscreen as a pollutant in sea water led to abnormalities in development in water contaminated with Equate Sport or Coppertone Waterbabies. The presence of Blue Lizard sunscreen inhibited fertilization and prevented sea urchin development.  

With antibiotic resistance on the rise amongst evolving bacteria, an isolate of Staphylococcus epidermidis (named 100G) has been found to be susceptible to many different antibiotics (including penicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, erythromycin, cephalexin and tetracycline). Interestingly, this isolate is also susceptible to a large number of bacteriophages, and can be infected by all phages that our lab has isolated. Characterizing bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics and bacteriophages is essential for optimizing interventions in infections and addressing the threat of antibiotic resistance. A deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to both antibiotic and bacteriophage susceptibility is essential to identify novel alternative therapies. This study explores the cell wall integrity of Staphylococcus epidermidis 100G which we hypothesize is a major contributing factor to its higher than average susceptibility to antibiotics and bacteriophage infection.. To explore this, Triton X-100 Autolysis Assay was performed to determine if the bacterial cell wall was easily broken down by comparable autolysin activity. A lysozyme sensitivity assay was performed to determine if lysozyme broke down the cell wall quicker than other strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, which indicates the amount of peptidoglycan present in the isolate’s cell wall compared to wild type. Finally, a Fluorescent D Amino Acid (FDAA) assay was completed which allows us to visualize the thickness of the cell wall compared to other strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis. In this presentation, we will share our progress on this topic and its importance to current research. 

The olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochleys olivacea) is known for its high reproductive potential and annual mast nestings, making them ideal candidates for studying possible indicators of reptilian fertility. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) plays a crucial role in sex determination and has proven useful as an indicator of ovarian reserve and fertility in mammals. This study aims to determine if AMH can be used as a non-invasive way to assess reproductive health for female olive ridley sea turtles. This study uses blood samples during the mating period and ultrasound images for characterization of the reproductive tract to determine if AMH is detectable and, if so, if it is variable according to ovarian status.

Retained epicardial pacing leads pose a possible safety issue with patients needing an MRI. Manufacturers label their leads as MRI conditional leaving doctors with little guidance on if their patients can be safely imaged in an MRI. One possible danger of imaging these patients is the mechanical forces induced in paramagnetic objects due to the strong magnetic field of an MRI. Our group created MRI safe fixtures following ANSI guidelines [1]. Using these fixtures, we have created a workflow that allows us to quantify the B₀ field and its gradient at any point on the patient couch. We have created another workflow designed to measure the translational force on an object in the field. With the use of these fixtures and our workflow, we mapped both the magnetic field and the magnetic gradient of a 3 Tesla Siemens MAGNETOM MRI system at CHI Bergan Mercy Hospital. Using this map and the other fixture, we measured the ratio of the forces of magnetism and gravity on grade 1 annealed titanium as well as an epicardial lead. Our outcomes show that we have created an effective workflow for measuring the translational forces on objects in an MRI field.

1. Astm f2052-21 standard test method for measurement of magnetically induced displacement force on medical devices in the magnetic resonance environment, 2021. ASTM International.
 

The development of reliable quantum communication networks depends on our ability to faithfully transfer quantum information between matter-based qubits and light-based qubits. One problem is that all qubits decohere and in that way lose their quantum information. To understand decoherence, we study diffraction. We study single- and double-slit diffraction for photons emitted from rubidium atoms. Conservation of momentum sets up entanglement between photons and atoms, destroying the capability of the photons to produce an interference pattern. By studying how coherence is preserved—or lost, particularly when varying the background gas pressure in a rubidium vapor cell, we aim to understand the relation between decoherence and entanglement.

Grant Funding: NASA Nebraska Space Grant

Propellant-free propulsion is fascinating because it challenges what we think we know about physics, and if it were ever proven feasible, it could completely change deep-space exploration. The biggest challenge is that we are still far from a flight-ready system that could be used on today’s spacecraft.

Under the NASA Nebraska Space Grant Student Fellowship at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, in collaboration with Quantum Electro Dynamics, I am researching the Variable Electromagnetic (VEM) drive concept. The VEM drive is an RF-driven electromagnetic system that is designed to produce a directional “pulling” force without expelling reaction mass. My goal is not to assume the effect is real, but to develop a credible, repeatable experimental method to test for force produced by the VEM.

I connected with David Pares of Quantum Electro Dynamics LLC, the inventor of this technology, and he granted me permission to validate his experiments under license. This presentation focuses on the experiments that are showing the most promise so far. I will explain the VEM prototype at a functional level, describe the prototype iterations I have tested, outline how I measure and define “success” in the lab, share preliminary results, and discuss the next steps in my research plan.

Early testing shows a repeatable directional “pulling” force that can be observed under specific RF power conditions. During the presentation, I will share video evidence along with time-aligned datasets that show when RF power is applied and how the system responds. While the observed motion is repeatable in the lab and encouraging, I am not presenting it as a definitive propulsion demonstration. The key question remains: under what conditions does a measurable, directionally consistent force signal appear, and what additional controls are required to distinguish true momentum transfer from experimental artifacts?

Within the limits of a student laboratory, this work aims to build a replicable experimental method for evaluating electromagnetic propulsion claims. Furthering this research is the hope of myself and all those who study experimental propulsion for the future of space travel. My final paper will focus on repeatability, measurement confidence, and the experimental controls needed to interpret the VEM system’s observed behavior.

Broad absorption line (BAL) quasars offer valuable insight into the dynamics of quasar outflows and the structure of active galactic nuclei. This project analyzes multi-epoch Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectra of the 27 BAL quasars identified by Hemler et al. (2019) to test the predictions of the Murray & Chiang radiation-driven accretion disk wind model. To support this analysis, we developed a Python-based pipeline to automate data retrieval, analysis, and visualization of quasar spectra. Currently, we are working on a normalization algorithm to numerically measure the BAL absorption features, enabling us to characterize BAL variability over time. Preliminary results reveal measurable BAL variability in several quasars. Ongoing work will extend these methods across the full sample to better analyze radiative acceleration and disk-wind geometry and their roles in quasar feedback and galaxy evolution.

Introduction: Upon returning to Earth following spaceflight, astronauts often experience reductions in bone density and muscle volume that impair gait and increase fall risk. Wearable robotic exoskeletons may help mitigate these deficits by providing targeted mechanical assistance or resistance during walking. This study investigated the use of a bilateral robotic ankle exoskeleton to examine how assistive and resistive ankle torques influence gait characteristics and joint biomechanics. Understanding these biomechanical responses may inform future rehabilitation strategies aimed at maintaining or restoring gait performance after spaceflight. We hypothesized that joint kinematics and spatiotemporal characteristics would differ between assistive and resistive conditions due to the distinct biomechanical demands imposed by each mode.

Methods: Four healthy young participants (22.4 ± 1.65 years) walked on a treadmill at a self-selected speed while wearing a bilateral robotic ankle exoskeleton. Each participant completed three 15-minute walking conditions: (1) baseline with the exoskeleton worn in transparent mode (0 Nm), (2) assistive torque at 0.18 Nm/kg, and (3) resistive torque at 0.18 Nm/kg. Joint kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters were collected from the dominant limb during each condition. Step length was evaluated across the entire gait cycle, while peak plantarflexion (PF) angle was measured during late stance (50–65% of the gait cycle). A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of condition on all outcome measures. Descriptive statistics were also used to identify trends across conditions.

Results: No statistically significant differences were observed across conditions, likely due to the small sample size. However, descriptive trends relative to the baseline condition were observed. Peak PF angle decreased during both assistive (6.59%) and resistive (15.03%) conditions, with the lowest PF values occurring during resistance. A similar pattern was observed for step length, which decreased relative to baseline during assistive (41.73%) and resistive (36.87%) walking, while the difference between assistive and resistive conditions was minimal.

Discussion: The application of external ankle torques likely altered normal push-off mechanics during late stance, contributing to reductions in peak PF angle. Because plantarflexion during push-off plays an important role in forward propulsion, changes in ankle moment or timing may have influenced propulsion mechanics across powered conditions. The reduction in step length may similarly reflect altered push-off mechanics or user adaptation to the exoskeleton. In the resistive condition, opposition to plantarflexion likely reduced propulsive impulse. In the assistive condition, participants may have adopted a more conservative gait pattern while adapting to powered assistance, which can also result in shorter steps.

Future Work: Future studies should include larger sample sizes and incorporate joint kinetics and muscle activity measurements, particularly from the soleus, to better characterize changes in propulsion and muscular demand during assistive and resistive exoskeleton walking.

Characterized by high mechanical anisotropy and long-range ordering, liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are loosely crosslinked polymers that can be programmed to self-assemble into complex aligned surfaces. Recent work has shown that photoaligned LCE-coated slides can impose well-defined orientational order and topological defect structures on adherent fibroblast monolayers, suggesting a route to encoding tissue architecture directly into the substrate. Similar to fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells are sensitive to the tissue mechanical environment, and mechanical cues play an important role in determining endothelial and arterial functions. In this study, we investigated the extent to which the programmable anisotropic mechanical properties of LCEs can be leveraged to induce the elongation and organization of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) similar to that found under normal arterial conditions. Thin LCE films with varying stiffness and degrees of long-range order, e.g., monodomain (cm-scale) and polydomain (individual micrometers), were fabricated and seeded with HUVECs to systematically identify conditions promoting positive phenotypic expression and orientational ordering. We detail our current workflow for LCE film fabrication (including photoalignment, polymerization, and post-processing), surface preparation protocols tailored for endothelial attachment, and HUVEC culture and seeding conditions, as well as an imaging and analysis pipeline. Under the present conditions, HUVECs attached, spread, and formed confluent monolayers on the LCE films, indicating that these substrates are biocompatible without extensive biochemical modification. However, we did not yet observe statistically significant alignment of HUVEC cell bodies or nuclei with the underlying director patterns, even for relatively simple, uniform director fields. These preliminary results suggest that endothelial cells may require different effective stiffness, anchoring strength, or surface chemistries to exhibit robust contact guidance on LCEs, or that LCE-based cues alone may be insufficient and endothelial alignment may emerge only when multiple stimuli—such as substrate anisotropy, physiologically relevant shear flow, and specific extracellular matrix coatings—are combined. Ongoing work is focused on systematically tuning LCE formulation (and thus modulus), as well as integrating controlled flow, to map out the parameter space in which LCE topology can meaningfully bias HUVEC orientation. Overall, this study aims to determine the extent to which LCE platforms can be used to program endothelial architecture and influence phenotype. We gratefully acknowledge support from the NSF (Grant#CMMI-1944131).

In response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the significance of point-of-care testing (POCT) devices became increasingly evident to healthcare professionals due to their low cost and ability to improve access to healthcare. Microfluidic methods are widely utilized in the development of POCT devices, given that they can miniaturize laboratory-scale processes while saving costs and allowing portability. Additionally, integration with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor enables compact detection of fluorescent signals from a sample. The objective of this project is to utilize microfluidics and 3D printing with a novel filter-free CMOS optical sensor developed at Toyohashi University of Technology to achieve a working portable POCT device through a summer research abroad program supported by the International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The previous cohort tested various platform designs, optimized 3D printing resins and conditions, and performed preliminary CMOS sensor characterization using Texas Red and FITC fluorescent dyes. Our cohort improved the design of the platform and microfluidic device for better layouts of the components and optical environment for the CMOS sensor. Additionally, functional testing of the CMOS sensor was conducted for sensor validation to ensure an operational range of 450 - 1000 nm. Device performance was evaluated using 365 nm UV excitation of Texas Red fluorescent dye at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 1.000 µg/mL (0.16 - 160 µM). A limit of detection was found to be 2.45 ± 0.56 µM for Texas Red under single-day testing. Statistical significance was found using ANOVA and Coefficient of Variation (COV) testing, which demonstrated p < 0.001 and COV below 5% between multiple days. In conclusion, the developed POCT device could record micromolar concentrations in relation to fluorescent dyes with high accuracy. Future devices could focus on self-flowing and multitesting capabilities of microfluidic devices to expand functionality.

Chitin is a critical structural polysaccharide in insects, forming integral components of the cuticle (exoskeleton), peritrophic matrix (PM), trachea, and eggshell. To accommodate growth, insects periodically undergo molting (ecdysis), during which the old cuticle is degraded by chitinases and replaced with a newly synthesized one. Remarkably, the newly deposited cuticular chitin is protected from degradation despite the abundant presence of chitinases in the procuticle. This protection is mediated by Knickkopf (Knk), a chitin-binding protein that prevents premature degradation of the new cuticle, although the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that chitin deacetylases (CDAs) in Tribolium castaneum are essential for maintaining normal chitin levels within the molting cuticle. Knockdown of TcCDA genes results in severe molting defects and significant loss of chitin in the developing new procuticle. Furthermore, our data show that TcCDA depletion leads to mislocalization of Knk protein from the procuticle to the assembly zone, impairing its protective function and compromising cuticle integrity. These findings uncover a previously unrecognized role for CDAs in regulating Knk localization and highlight their critical function in maintaining cuticular chitin during molting, thereby ensuring proper cuticle formation and structural stability.

The gut microbiome plays an important role in host physiology, yet most microbiome studies focus primarily on bacterial communities. In contrast, the gut virome remains poorly characterized, particularly in nonhuman primates. Viruses, including bacteriophages, can influence microbial community structure and dynamics, so therefore understanding virome composition is important for interpreting gut ecosystem responses to perturbations such as antibiotic exposure. In this study, we characterized the gut virome of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) using metagenomic shotgun sequencing data generated from a previous experiment in which gut dysbiosis was induced in 16 marmosets through administration of an antibiotic cocktail. Fecal samples were collected across multiple time points spanning pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment phases. Viral sequences were identified and analyzed using a bioinformatics pipeline implemented on high-performance computing resources. Our analysis revealed differences in virome diversity and taxonomic composition between antibiotic-treated and control marmosets, including shifts in viral classes such as Megaviricetes and Pokkesviricetes. Characterization of viral communities in control animals also provides information on the gut virome of marmosets, a system that remains largely unexplored. These results provide preliminary data suggesting that antibiotic-mediated disruption of bacterial communities may also influence viral community structure and highlight potential relationships between the gut virome and bacterial microbiome dynamics. Together, this study expands current understanding of gut ecosystem responses to antibiotic perturbation and provides one of the first descriptions of gut virome composition in common marmosets under both normal and dysbiotic conditions.
This work was supported by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Fund for Undergraduate Scholarly Experiences (FUSE) grant (Application ID: 58321).

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic, nosocomial pathogen with multiple intrinsic mechanisms for developing resistance to antibiotics. Known for causing ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with cystic fibrosis and life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis in immunocompromised patients, it is estimated that 559,000 deaths annually are associated with this virulent bacterium. The Rowen Lab at The University of Nebraska at Omaha discovered that overexpression of the gene PA5189 alters resistance to several antibiotics. Predicted to encode a LysR-type helix-turn-helix transcription factor, PA5189 may regulate genes involved in adaptive metabolism. This project therefore aims to define the regulatory role of PA5189 and its corresponding PA5188–5185 operon in P. aeruginosa.
To investigate this role, mutant strains were constructed via transposon mutagenesis to knock out or overexpress PA5189. Mutations were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Antibiotic susceptibility to five classes of antibiotics was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration assays alongside Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion tests. Virulence-associated phenotypes were assessed by quantifying pyocyanin production through chloroform extraction, and biofilm formation assays are scheduled for subsequent analysis. Growth curves were also generated to evaluate alterations in growth rate, lag time, and overall proliferation.
Preliminary results reveal significant differences in antibiotic susceptibility and virulence phenotypes among the PA5189 mutant strains. Notably, overexpression of the PA5189 transcription factor alters resistance, whereas loss of PA5189 appears to have little effect. Additionally, overexpression mutants exhibit slower growth rates and increased pyocyanin production compared to wild type. To further characterize the role of PA5189, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data are being analyzed to identify metabolic pathways associated with the observed phenotypic changes and resistance mechanisms. Genes with significantly altered expression will be validated using qRT-PCR, elucidating the role of this transcription factor in P. aeruginosa’s regulatory network.

Thiazole synthase 4 (Thi4) is a metalloenzyme involved in the biosynthesis of thiazole, a key precursor of the thiamine diphosphate (TDP) cofactor. Thi4 enzymes exist in two mechanistic classes: suicidal single-turnover variants that donate an active-site cysteine as the sulfur source, and true catalytic forms that utilize inorganic sulfur sources under anaerobic or microaerobic conditions. Our long-term goal is to engineer oxygen-tolerant, catalytic Thi4 variants for plant bioengineering applications. In this study, we structurally characterized in this study, we Saccharicrinis fermentans Thi4 (SfThi4), a catalytically active enzyme selectively evolved for enhanced oxygen tolerance using continuous directed evolution. High-resolution X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) revealed an unusual ligand at the active site, representing a stabilized off-pathway intermediate. At pH 4.5, a 1.3 Å X-ray structure captured a germinal diol within the active site. A comparable ligand was also observed in the cryo-EM structure solved at 2.9 Å resolution at pH 7.5, indicating that the intermediate is stabilized across varying physiological conditions. We further determined the structures of the D168G SfThi4 mutant that was selected during our directed evolution campaign at 1.4 Å (X-ray) and 2.84 Å (cryo-EM) resolution. This mutant retained the same off-pathway ligand at the active site. Structural overlays revealed minimal deviation between wild-type and mutant forms, with RMSDs of 0.0871 Å (X-ray) and 0.3051 Å (cryo-EM), suggesting no structurally significant difference between the wild-type and the mutant. To probe the dynamic behavior of the mutation, we performed 1 μs classical molecular dynamics simulations on monomeric crystal structures of both the wild-type and D168G variant. While no significant differences were observed in global metrics such as RMSD, radius of gyration, or solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), the D168G mutation induced localized perturbations within the active site. Collectively, these structural and dynamic insights establish a foundation for understanding the mechanisms underlying catalytic Thi4 function and provide a rationale for how mutations, such as D168G, improve Thi4 function in model organisms grown in aerobic conditions. The results will guide future engineering efforts toward more robust Thi4 enzymes for biotechnological applications.  

Historically, Honors courses combined specialized General Studies classes with research projects within a student’s major. This structure was designed to broaden academic experiences beyond standard requirements and to foster intellectual curiosity. To expand the range of Honors offerings, WSC introduced Honors Contracts, allowing students to collaborate with faculty to create an Honors section within any existing course. In Organic Chemistry, this approach has provided students with opportunities to conduct advanced experiments on instrumentation such as NMR, GC/MS, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Students will discuss their experiences with this model, including how Honors coursework is planned and the specific experiments and methodologies they completed for Organic Chemistry.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis relies on ergothioneine (EGT), a low-molecular-weight thiol, to maintain redox balance and resist oxidative stress and anti-tubercular drugs. EGT biosynthesis begins with EgtD, an AdoMet-dependent methyltransferase that trimethylates L-histidine to form hercynine, making EgtD a promising therapeutic target. This study evaluated the binding potential of a synthetic bimane-CGH probe designed to mimic substrate interactions and occupy the EgtD active site, with a fluorescent bimane tag for detection in structural assays. EgtD was expressed in E. coli, purified via cobalt affinity and size-exclusion chromatography, and co-crystallized with bimane-CGH. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.0 Å resolution, and the structure was solved and refined. Results revealed partial binding of bimane-CGH within the EgtD active site, with well-defined density for the histidine and glycine residues but uncertainty in the bimane position, possibly due to dynamic movement around the cysteine sulfur. These findings suggest the need for modified probe designs to achieve stable binding and inform future structure-based inhibitor development against M. tuberculosis EgtD.

Bacteriophage recombineering of electroporated DNA (BRED) has been frequently used to modify bacteriophages that infect Mycobacterium smegmatis, however this system has not been used in different host bacteria. The ability to modify bacteriophage genomes allows us to study the functions of specific phage genes as well as to modify phages for use in phage therapy. We will present our work to develop the BRED system for use in Gordonia terrae. Expanding BRED into the Gordonia terrae system gives access to a larger library of bacteriophages and demonstrates its usefulness in other host bacteria.
The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a very common infection prevalent in 50-80% of American adults. The virus causes recurrent painful oral sores and fevers and can exhibit a period of latency between active infections. Currently there are antivirals that can reduce the effects of viral infection, but drug resistant mutants are beginning to become a larger concern. LAPTM5 is a lysosomal membrane protein which regulates cell death, helping with immune response. LAPTM5 has been implicated in cancer, viral infections and immune diseases., LAPTM5 has shown antiviral activity against HIV-1 through interactions with the envelope, indicating it may be a viral restriction factor. It is unknown whether LAPTM5 plays a restrictive role in HSV-1 infection. We hypothesize that over expression of LAPTM5 in a cell line will inhibit HSV-1 infection, because several other viral restriction factors exhibit cross-virus restriction. To assess this hypothesis, we will overexpress LAPTM5 in Vero cells, and follow with a viral challenge with HSV-1. To determine whether infection was inhibited, we will use plaque assays and real time quantitative PCR. Here we present our progress in exploring this hypothesis including verification of the GFP tagged LAPTM5 expression construct via fluorescent microscopy, western blot and plasmid sequencing. We also report on current roadblocks in the research, including transfection efficiency in virally susceptible cells and optimization of a viral infection assay.  This work is important because it could uncover new viral life cycle targets for the development of novel therapies. The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) is one of the most prevalent viral infections in humans worldwide. One strategy HSV-1 employs is to establish latency within its host to evade the immune system. Though there are drugs available to treat herpesvirus infections, resistance mutants are continuing to rise and become a problem, indicating a need for new therapeutics. In response to viral infections, host cells produce viral restriction factors to block the virus at various steps in the replication cycle. One key defense mechanism involves the expression of interferons, which enhance the production of restriction factors. Understanding restriction factors may help to identify vulnerabilities in the viral life cycle that can be used as drug targets. Among the viral restriction factors expressed are the interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) protein family, which can inhibit entry of enveloped viruses at the cell membrane. Previous research has shown that IFITM1 is the most potent of the IFITM genes at inhibiting HSV-1, but is however less effective at inhibiting other viruses than IFITM3. It is unknown whether other non-human mammalian IFITM1 orthologs are effective at inhibiting HSV-1. We hypothesize that when the IFITM1 gene from cat, cow, goat, and human is overexpressed in Vero cells it will inhibit HSV-1 infection based on similarity at the amino acid level between these genes. Here we report our current progress, including verification of overexpression of IFITM1 genes in 293T and Vero through whole plasmid sequencing, Western blot with both a GFP and IFITM specific antibody, and fluorescent microscopy. We also report current road blocks which include Vero cell transfection efficiency problems and potential toxicity and increased unexpected cell death after viral infection. 

            In countries with well-developed healthcare systems, including the United States, Chlamydia trachomatis infections are typically treated effectively with antibiotics such as doxycycline or azithromycin. In regions with limited access to healthcare, however, infections often go undiagnosed and untreated. This can facilitate transmission, particularly from asymptomatic mothers to their newborns, increasing the risk of trachoma and potentially irreversible blindness in affected children. The C. trachomatis trimeric porin, known as the Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP), has emerged as a promising target for mRNA vaccine development due to its high level of expression on the bacterium. We have successfully cloned the MOMP gene into a pcDNA mammalian expression vector and added an N-terminal signal peptide to direct membrane localization. We are now focused on transfecting human cell lines with the MOMP construct to determine their success in establishing protein expression.  To date, MOMP protein expression has been confirmed in HeLa cells, although the precise location of expression is yet to be determined. Efforts are underway to establish expression in CaCo-2 and RPMI 8226 cell lines to demonstrate broad cell-line viability. Following the development of stable expressing lines, MOMP mRNA will be isolated and reintroduced into human cell lines to begin initial evaluation of the feasibility of this construct within an mRNA-based vaccine platform. The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

Neonicotinoids are a class of neurotoxic insecticides used as seed coatings for major crops grown in Nebraska, such as corn, wheat, and soy. These compounds bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists in insects, causing paralysis and death. Neonicotinoids are water-soluble and photostable, persisting in soil. Thus, they are present in flower pollen and nectar. Use of neonicotinoids has been correlated to pollinator decline and causes sub-lethal effects such as navigation failure, memory/learning defects, and communication problems. State-wide insecticide use data indicate that neonicotinoids are currently applied at levels toxic to honey bees. However, concentration levels of neonicotinoids in local honey samples throughout Nebraska have not been quantified. In order to measure three commonly used neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and imidacloprid) in local honey samples, we first will validate and optimize an HPLC-DAD analytical method. We will also optimize recovery of neonicotinoids from honey samples by comparing solid-phase extraction (SPE) and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) techniques for residue analysis. 
The project described here was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427.

To advance the study of how immunotherapies influence human NK cell function, we previously developed an assay capable of measuring both direct cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) within the same donor sample. This approach addressed a major limitation in the field, as these pathways are typically evaluated separately. The original method, termed NK-SADKA 1.0, improved control of donor variability but required multiple experimental tubes, limiting the number of conditions that could be tested from a single blood donation. In the present study, we introduce NK-SADKA 2.0, a streamlined version designed to make more efficient use of limited primary cell samples. By co-culturing both target cell lines in a single tube and distinguishing them using unique fluorescent labels during flow cytometric analysis, we can quantify both killing mechanisms simultaneously across expanded experimental conditions. A key component of this optimization was confirming that the revised format maintains accurate measurement of cytotoxic activity. Side-by-side comparison of NK-SADKA 1.0 and 2.0 showed that the streamlined approach is reliable, while also revealing an unexpected increase in direct killing in the 2.0 format. This observation has generated new questions regarding potential influences such as antibody timing, dye-associated effects, or previously unrecognized surface interactions that may modulate NK cell activity. These findings will guide the next phase of our investigation into the mechanisms regulating NK cell function. The project described was supported in part by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the NIGMS of the National Institutes of Health under Grant # 5P20GM103427

Candida, a pathogenic fungal yeast, ranks as the fourth leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs), accounting for roughly 8% to 10% of all BSIs acquired in hospital settings. It causes infections ranging in severity, from localized cutaneous infections to life threatening systemic infections. A crucial component of C. albicans becoming pathogenic is its ability to switch morphology between yeast and hyphal phases. Strains unable to switch morphologies do not cause severe system disease.  
Our lab and others have noted discrepancies between clinical strain filamentation and that of the type of strain typically used in assays, in particular the ability to filament on solid media. We have been characterizing this difference, focusing on early timepoints of solid filamentation. Eight clinical strains (12C, 19F, P76067, P57072, P60002, P75010, P75016, and P75063) were evaluated on four filamentation inducing solid assay medias: Lee’s, Spider, fetal bovine serum (FBS), and RPMI. These media were selected to simulate the different host environmental conditions in the human body, including variations in pH, nutrient composition, and incubation at 37°C. Solid filamentation assays were completed in triplicate and assessed at 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-hour timepoints using EVOS microscope at 10X magnification. The goal of this work was to determine whether these strains do filament in solid media and to define a timepoint at which most strains are filamentous. 

The increasing presence of pharmaceuticals as environmental micropollutants, along with their potential reversible interactions with nanoplastics, biomolecules, and other bioactive contaminants, has driven the development of robust analytical techniques to study these binding processes. In this study, 60 nm polystyrene nanoplastic particles were physically entrapped within a porous modified silica support and packed into 2.0 cm × 0.21 cm i.d. microcolumns for binding studies by high-performance affinity chromatography (HPAC). Ten pharmaceuticals that are frequently detected in aquatic environments and are known to interact with nanoplastics were examined. The nanoplastic-containing supports were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis to confirm successful incorporation. Chromatographic performance was evaluated across multiple flow rates and linear elution conditions. Binding interactions were systematically evaluated as a function of temperature, ionic strength, and pH. These studies were used to assess the effects of these parameters on retention behavior, with carbamazepine, diazepam, testosterone, and valsartan exhibiting the notable variations in affinity among the compounds examined. This method provided a rapid and reproducible approach for determining binding constants for the tested drugs with the entrapped polystyrene nanoplastic particles. This strategy can be extended to other nanoplastic materials and additional classes of environmental micropollutants to better understand the behavior and impact of these contaminants in environmental systems.

Enamel, the outermost layer of the tooth, is highly mineralized but also very brittle and fragile especially in regards to acidic beverages. An investigation of the erosion potential to teeth using three popular beverages, RedBull, Coca-Cola, and vodka, in comparison to water was completed. Bovine teeth served as representatives for human teeth since both types share similar mineral compositions and bovine teeth are more readily available. The teeth were submerged into 200mL of each liquid for 48 hours to simulate drinking the beverage everyday for five minutes for one and a half years. To elucidate the potential protective benefits of fluoride against this dental erosion the teeth were subsequently placed into one of two artificial saliva solutions: with additional fluoride and or with no added fluoride. Portable x-ray fluorescence(PXRF)was used to determine the minerals and elements that are lost due to dental erosion and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) highlighted the structural changes and damages that occurred. An understanding of how the pH and sugar level of beverages that are popularly consumed by people affect dental health is important from both a consumer standpoint and a provider standpoint. These results can be used in preventative care, treatment, and both patient and consumer education. Initial treatment with the beverages has been completed in full and analysis  of the effects is currently in progress.