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STUDENT-DRIVEN
RESEARCH 


Students in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences are involved in a wide variety of research projects, spanning across basic, clinical and translational research fields. 

Once a student is admitted into the program, they are encouraged to explore research opportunities with MLS faculty. In their second year of the program, students can enroll in a dedicated two-semester research course that will aid them in developing an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty member.

 RESEARCH PROCESS
  individual or team research projects provides students with an opportunity to self-learn, discover the possibilities  

As a part of a research team, your Fall semester will focus on writing a grant to obtain funding from the Office of Undergraduate Research. Spring semester, you will focus on carrying out the experimentation process, which varies greatly depending on your choosen research area.

Following, you will present your work at the WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium and submit your article for publication to ERGO.

Students with outstanding projects will present their work at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research, the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Sciences National Conference, or the Ogden Surgical Medical Society. 

PROJECTS & AWARDS 

below is a list of our students' past research projects & awards  

  • Student Awards

    2021 Ogden Surgical-Medical Society
    Poster presentations 

    1st place: CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated Elimination of Fermentative S. cerevisiae
    Chandler Nicholas, Kasey Doney, Cameron Shapiro, Brian Rushforth

    2nd place: Validation of Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Asymptomatic Individuals
    Aubree Rowley, Kamryn Kimber, Jordan Stephens

    3rd place: Validation of a Laboratory Developed Test for the Detection of T-Activated Polyagglutination 
    Ryan Kohli, Braxton Campbell, Victoria Jones

     

    2019 Ogden Surgical-Medical Society
    Poster presentations

    1st place: The Effects of Cannabidiol on Proinflammatory Cytokines 
    Jason Roe, Travis Henderson & Ryan Fullmer

    3rd place: Bioflim Reduction in Simulated Cystic Fibrosis Lungs Using Novel Methods 
    Tyler Chapple, Austin Maxfield & Jared Laney

     

     

    2018 Ogden Surgical-Medical Society
    Poster presentations

    1st place: The Elimination of Antibiotic Resistnat Klebsiella Pneumoniae
    Noah Fowler & Erin May

    2nd place: The Effects of Vitamin C, Hydrocortisone & Thiamine in the Treatment of Sepsis
    Kaleb Eppich & Colter Cederlof

    3rd place: Systemic Inflammation in Electronic Cigaretted Users versus Traditional Smokers
    Sebastian Lawson & Dallas Clark


     

    2017 Ogden Surgical-Medical Society
    Poster presentations

    1st place: CRISPR-dCAS9 Suppression of mecA Gene in MRSA
    Deven Johnson, Dean Boman & Spencer Jude

    2nd place: Expression of SLC6A3 in persistent ADHD
    Ryan Anderson, David Merkley & Lucas Waddoups

    3rd place: The Effects of Various Stilbenoids on Motility, Growth, Biofilm Formation and Quroum Sensing of Escherichia Coli O157:H7
    Maria Svagr, Angie Cefalo & Dimetri Stasinos

  • 2020/2021 Projects

    Review: CRISPR-Based Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex Testing for Point-of-Care Genetic Diagnosis

    Students: Brittany Basham, Taygun Loader, Joshua Tay
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Presentation:  Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated Elimination of Fermentative S. cerevisiae

    Students: Chandler Nicholas, Kasey Doney, Cameron Shapiro, Brian Rushforth 
    Mentor(s): Kendal Beazer, Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Presentation:  Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Beneficial microbial flora and their effects on Major Depressive Disorder

    Students: Zachary Tangaro, Hunter Bird, Jose G Mendoza-Escareno, Heather Morgan
    Mentor(s): Kendal Beazer, Dr. Daniel Clark

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Presentation:  Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Validation of Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Asymptomatic Individuals 

    Students: Aubree Rowley, Kamryn Kimber, Jordan Stephens
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Presentation:  Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Validation of a Laboratory Developed Test for the Detection of T-Activated Polyagglutination

    Students: Ryan Kohli, Braxton Campbell, Victoria Jones
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou, Justin Rhees

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Presentation:  Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

  • 2019/2020 Projects

    Lipid-Laden Macrophages and Inflammation in the Lungs of Chronically-Vaped Mice

    Students: Katelyn Langston & Alyson Stanger
    Mentor(s): Dr. Todd Hillhouse & Dr. Scott Moore

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Denker's Family Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium 2020
    • Research link

     

    Potential Student Colonization by Bacterial Pathogens in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences

    Students: Monica Fernandez, Natalie Finlinson & Amber Sugden
    Mentor(s): Kendal Beazer

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Ralph Nye Charitable Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium 2020
    • Research link

     

    Polyagglutination: Lectin Isolation for T-Activatd Red Cells

    Students: Jesus Rebolledo, Alex Fishburn & Arren Hill
    Mentor(s): Jusin Rhees & Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Kem and Carolyn Gardner Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium 2020
    • Research link

     

    Characterizing the Intestinal Microbiome of Fibromyalgia Patients

    Students: Bryant Stewart, Joshua Slagowski & Bradley Boman
    Mentor(s): Kendal Beazer

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Ralph Nye Charitable Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium 2020
    • Research link





       


     

  • 2018/2019 Projects

    The Effects of Cannabidiol on Proinflammatory Cyokines

    Students: Jason Roe, Travis Henderson & Ryan Fullmer
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2019, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Kennesaw, GA), and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Direct Detection of Slow Growing Pathogens Using Nanopore Technology

    Students: Leslie Martinez-Gonzalez & Elayza Aguilar
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: George S and Delores Dore Eccles Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2019, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Kennesaw, GA), and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Biofilm Reduction in Simulated Cystic Fibrosis Lungs Using Novel Methods

    Students: Tyler Chapple, Austin Maxfield & Jared Laney
    Mentor(s): Kendal Beazer & Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: George S and Delores Dore Eccles Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2019 and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     



     

  • 2017/2018 Projects

    The Effects of Vitamin C, Hydrocortisone, and Thiamine in the Treatment of Sepsis

    Students: Kaleb Eppich, D. Colter Cederlof & Skyler Child
    Mentor(s): Kendal Beazer & Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Ralph Nye Charitable Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2018, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Edmond, OK), and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Elimination of Antibiotic Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Using a CRISPR-Cas9 System

    Students: Erin May & Noah Fowler
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Ralph Nye Charitable Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2018, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Edmond, OK), and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Systemic Inflammation in Electronic Cigarette Users Versus Traditional Smokers

    Students: Sebastian Lawson & Dallas Clark
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou & Dr. Todd Hillhouse

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: George S and Delores Dore Eccles Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2018, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Edmond, OK), and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Electronic Cigarettes and the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

    Students: Jacob Hutchins, Caden Kendell & Macean Knowlton
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou & Dr. Todd Hillhouse

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Kem and Carolyn Gardner Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2018, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Edmond, OK), and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

     

     

     

     

     




     

  • 2016/2017 Projects

    Effects of 5-Fluorouracil on Select Enteric Microbiota in vitro

    Students: Adrienee Carlson & Ashley Hodges
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Denker's Family Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2017, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Memphis, TN), and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
      • Travel Funding: Harold J and Shirley S Mack Undergraduate Research Fellowship Endownment, and WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Research link

     

    The Effects of Various Stilbenoids on Motility, Growth, Biofilm Formation and Quorum Sensening of Escherichia Coli O157:H7

    Students: Maria Svagr, Angie Cefalo & Dimettri Stasinos
    Mentor(s): Kendal Beazer

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Denker's Family Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2017, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Memphis, TN), and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
      • Travel Funding: Harold J and Shirley S Mack Undergraduate Research Fellowship Endownment, and WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Research link

     

    The Expression of the SLC6A3 Gene in Persistent ADHD

    Students: Ryan Anderson, Lucas Waddoups & David Merkley
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Denker's Family Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2017, and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    CRISPR-dCas9 Suppression of mecA Gene in MRSA

    Students: Spencer Jude, Deven Johnson & Dean Boman
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou & Kendal Beazer

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Ralph Nye Charitable Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2017, and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Linking Depression and Diabetes Through BDNF and Myeloperoxidase

    Students: Eelje Oldfield, Brayten Nash & Matthew Aldave
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou & Kenton Cummins

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: George S and Delores Dore Eccles Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2017, and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

  • 2015/2016 Projects

    F508 Deletion Mutation in Patients Diagnosed with IBS and Asthma

    Students: Brody Barney, Aubree Nielsen & Christian Smith
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Kem and Carolyn Gardner Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2016, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Ashville, NC), and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
      • Travel Funding: Harold J and Shirley S Mack Undergraduate Research Fellowship Endownment, and WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Research link

     

    Analysis of Urinary Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Depression

    Students: Daniel Hayward, Jeremy Garcia & Grant Jones
    Mentor(s): Ryan Rowe, Dr. Lauren Fowler & Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Ralph Nye Charitable Foundation
    • Presentation:
    • WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2016, National Conference of Undergraduate Research (Ashville, NC), Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference, WSU Psychology Symposium, and Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference
      • Travel Funding: Harold J and Shirley S Mack Undergraduate Research Fellowship Endownment, and WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Research link

     

    Intrinsic Factor Inhibition Due to the Use of Isotretinoin

    Students: Maikie Sengdeng, Ashley Rogers & Bahar Alimadadi
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou & Kenton Cummins

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Kem and Carolyn Gardner Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2016, and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

    Role of Type 3 Deiodinase in Idiopathic Epileptic Patients

    Students: Claudemir Lima & Joaquin Zetina
    Mentor(s): Dr. Matthew Nicholaou

    • Funding: WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
    • Donor: Kem and Carolyn Gardner Foundation
    • Presentation: WSU Undergraduate Research Symposium 2016, and Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference
    • Research link

     

     

     





     

     


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