Virtual Talks

NVSS J054710-02319 is a double-lobed radio source in Orion that our group is monitoring for transient optical emission, using the Slooh remote telescope service. One project goal is to stack our thousands of images of the region to reveal any faint structures, and our group has created an image processing pipeline for this (Ficcara et al 2023). My work was on improving the image-stacking process. I chose new reference stars for the renormalization process that were non-variable as well as more spread out across the region of observation. I improved the background-subtraction process by crudely modelling, then subtracting a background map for each image before subtracting the mean background. Additionally, I changed the mean background value to be calculated by constructing annuli around the reference stars, then finding the average pixel value within them. These changes produced images with darker backgrounds and less obvious gradients. This project was supported by funding from the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium. 

Project Mentor:  Professor Beth Praton, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Previous work found that a molecule called didodecyl diselenide (or C12H25Se–SeC12H25) drives an anion exchange between sulfur of Cu2-xS nanoparticles and selenium of the molecule, such that the composition of the nanoparticles changes to Cu2-x(SySe1-y). Here, we present (1) the relative success of this method of the exchange by comparing it to previously collected data, and (2) how alterations in that method created changes in structure, morphology, and composition of the nanomaterial. Overall, our results provide insight into the tunability of Cu2-xS nanoparticles using directly the source that causes the exchange. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Hackman Summer Scholars Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Kate Plass, Department of Chemistry

Regulation of the human cellular immune response is essential, and NLR protein, NLRC3, has demonstrated inhibitory effects in diverse PRR pathways. By investigating the NLRC3 interactome, we can better characterize its negative regulation of the inflammatory response. In the present study, I examined the role of protein-protein interactor TMCC1 and the endoplasmic reticulum in proinflammatory cytokine and type I IFN production during infection. Decreased or absent levels of TMCC1 significantly reduced IFN-β production in human macrophages and epithelial cells and IL-8 secretion in epithelial cells. My data suggests that TMCC1 may positively regulate type I IFN and NF-κB signaling. TMCC1 and MAVS were also shown to partially colocalize at the endoplasmic reticulum. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants.

Project Mentor:  Professor Beckley Davis, Department of Biology

Italy's wealth of historical and archeological remains provides insight on ancient water systems and the country's relationship with current water technology. This relationship has become particularly prevalent and important to examine with the influence of climate change on water systems in recent years. This project explores three case studies of Italian cities: Florence, Siena, and Rome in an effort to understand the nuances of city water infrastructure. This project was supported by funding from F&M's John Marshall Fellows Program.

Project Mentor:  Professor Patrick Fleming, Department of Economics

This study examines molybdenum accumulation in iron sulfides, relevant to understanding oceanic paleoclimates and dead-zone formation. We synthesized iron sulfides using two methods and performed Raman spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) on the nanoparticles. Raman analysis showed a shift from mackinawite dominance to S8 and irregular components with increasing molybdenum, and a re-emergence of mackinawite at higher concentrations, indicating complex interactions. XPS analysis found inconsistencies in Mo(V) peak positions, suggesting the need for further study. TEM identified a 3x milli-Q water wash as optimal for sample preparation, with similar particle sizes across synthesis methods but larger particles in higher molybdenum samples, implying its influence on particle formation. These findings enhance our understanding of molybdenum adsorption on iron sulfide nanoparticles and contribute to knowledge on trace metal dynamics in sedimentary environments, aiding in reconstructing historical oceanic conditions and predicting ecological changes. This project was supported by funding from F&M's Committee on Grants Program and the National Science Foundation.

Project Mentor:  Professor Jennifer Morford, Department of Chemistry