Projects

3D Printing Applications of Gelatin for Kids

Customizing and catering to each individual with different symptoms is more beneficial than taking a general antibiotic. The purpose of this project is to identify which type of gelatin; Bovine, Porcine, with and without Alginate and Calcium Chloride is a more efficient method of being 3D printed from a syringe extruder.

Analyzing the Expression Levels of Glossy2 and Glossy2 like in Silks and Leaves in Maize

The maize cuticle protects against biological stressors and is composed of fatty acids and their derivatives. Glossy2 is a gene that is necessary for elongating fatty acids that make up the cuticle.

An Exploratory Literature Review of the Ecosystem Services of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Ecosystem services in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) include provisioning services, regulating services, habitat services, and cultural services. The purpose of this project was to identify current research, knowledge, and trends about ecosystem services in the USVI by conducting a literature review.

Anthropogenic Influences on Raccoon Problem-Solving Capabilities

Raccoons are considered generalists which means that they easily adapt to changes in their environment. Because of this, raccoons are often seen rummaging through dumpsters full of human trash for their next meal. We believe that as a result of such close interactions, raccoons are losing their innate ability to assess risk.

Are you a Farmer? Exploring Women's Attitudes about the Farmer Identity

Mainstream agriculture has a particular dominating narrative that puts men at the forefront of today’s agricultural systems. My project seeks to challenge that narrative by highlighting women producers and investigating their identity as farmers.

Assessing the Limitations and Methodologies of Autonomous Recording Units for Fall Bobwhite Surveys

The Northern Bobwhite (hereafter bobwhite) is a quail species that resides in the eastern United States. In early fall, they form groups that we refer to as 'coveys,' and shortly before dawn they produce a unique call that state natural resource agencies can use for population monitoring purposes.

Associations between Coldwater Fish Communities and Environmental Factors in Iowa’s Driftless Area

My project is about assessing stream health in Northeast Iowa based on fish assemblage, and deriving correlations with stream health and habitat. In order to assess stream health in Northeast Iowa using fish assemblage, we use what is called a fish-index of biotic integrity (FIBI).

Bipolar Interdigitated Electrodes for Cell Capture

In this work we focus on using bipolar interdigitated electrodes (BP-IDEs) in a microfluidic device for performing electrochemical analysis of a cluster of cells of defined number and type. A bipolar electrode means that the voltage is not applied directly to the metal film.

Can Crickets Consume Chicken or Cow Excrement?

During this project it was investigated if crickets possess the ability to consume animal waste and what nutrition it would offer them. The goal was to find a new alternative feeding method that was both cost effective and environmentally sustainable.

Changes in Flood-Carrying Capacity of a Recently Restored Stream System

From 2016 to summer 2019, a portion of South Worrell Creek running through Ames, Iowa was transformed from an unmanaged stream system to a public eco-park named the Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor (TELC).

Cloning the ismA Gene for a Cholesterol Dehydrogenase into Lactococcus lactis

This project focused on creating a cholesterol reducing probiotic strain of Lactococcus lactis containing the gene ismA. The cholesterol dehydrogenase encoded by ismA reduces cholesterol into coprostanol, a compound humans cannot digest.

Communications Assistant for Agriculture and Society major

Taylor worked as the communications assistant for the Agriculture & Society undergraduate major. In this position, her focus was to promote the major and foster a positive experience for current students by providing new opportunities and resources, through publicity and alumni networking. During her semester, she spent time promoting the Agriculture & Society at various events and published an article for the Department of Sociology website.

Comparing Sociotechnical Imaginaries for Gene Editing in Food and Agriculture

Student: Will Feucht

Mentor(s): Dr. Carmen Bain, and Principal Investigator, Dr. Theresa Selfa.

Funding: National Science Foundation

Comparison of Original Rongey Emulsion Stability Test to Modern Methods

The objective of this project was to compare modern cook loss determination techniques to the original Rongey Emulsion Stability Test that collects fat, water and solids, also known as cook loss, in the bottom portion of a special tube. The Rongey Test used glass Wierbicki centrifuge tubes that come to a point at the bottom and has room to collect the cook loss whereas modern methods use plastic centrifuge tubes do not have this same point but can spin in the centrifuge for much longer and at higher speeds.

Comparative Study of Two Methods of Moisture and Fat Analysis in Fresh Pork Loin

The objective of this experiment was to compare two moisture and fat analysis methods using 56 commercial pork loin samples: oven drying/Soxhlet solvent extraction and CEM Smart 6/Oracle.

Connecting to Iowa Pork Producers

Morgan Fitzsimmons has been working in the Iowa Pork Industry Center in the communications area of the center. She has been working on social media campaigns, new releases, NEWS NOW communications, and historical document organization.

Developing a breeding program for the SSTR2 knockout pigs

The SSTR2 knockout boar was a genetically modified pig using CRISPER/Cas9 technology. SSTR2 stands for the modified somatostatin receptor. Somatostatin reduces the production and secretion of the growth hormone in pigs. The knockout gene takes somatostatin receptor out of the boar, theoretically, increasing his growth potential.

Disciplinary Training Effects on Specified Tree Diversity and Selection in Des Moines, IA

A City’s urban forest is a major part of the health of an urban ecosystem. However, cities are harsh environments for trees, limiting what species can be used. Narrowed tree diversity leads to overplanting a few species that can exacerbate disease and pest issues such as Dutch Elm Disease or Emerald Ash Borer.

Does Phytase Release Less Phosphorus Than We Think When Pigs are Fed a Phosphorus-Adequate Diet as Compared to a Phosphorus-Deficient Diet?

Phytase has been used commercially to increase the digestibility of inorganic phosphorus. The objective was to see if phytase releases less phosphorus when a pig is fed a P-adequate diet compared to a P-inadequate diet.

Does Predation Prevent or Promote the Evolution of Virulence in Soybean Aphids?

The soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) is the most economically damaging pest of soybean in the Northcentral US and can potentially cause substantial yield loss. Soybean aphids can be managed successfully with aphid-resistant soybean varieties.