We are thrilled to announce the Summer 2025 EPSCoR Undergraduate Research Projects! This initiative provides early research experience for undergraduates at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), offering the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge bioscience and advanced manufacturing research. Below are the four exciting projects featured in this year’s program.
Project: Molecular Simulations of Protein Interactions
Project focus: Computational modeling of proteins for diagnostics and therapeutics
Location: Dordt University, Sioux Center, IA
Faculty mentor: Dr. Manuela Ayee-Leong
Project: Analyzing Polymerization Kinetics in Nucleoprotein Macromolecules
Project focus: Developing computational codes using hidden Markov models and nonlinear fitting techniques
Location: University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Faculty mentor: Dr. Ali Tabei
Project: Synthesis of Isatins through DMSO-Mediated Oxidation of Indigo
Project focus: Low-cost synthesis of indirubins for potential pharmaceutical applications
Location: Central College, Pella, IA
Faculty mentor: Dr. James Shriver
Project: Synthesis of Superabsorbent Polymers from Renewable Sources
Project focus: Developing novel polymeric products from corn-derived molecules
Location: Central College, Pella, IA
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jay Wackerly
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No.2242763