Students, faculty, and staff filled Tormondsen Great Hall for the 2017 Summer Research Symposium, which featured 40 posters by undergraduate research teams.
Kyle Meredith ’19, a computer science major, demonstrates his project to mentor Daniel Scharstein, professor of computer science. Meredith, along with Nicholas Mosier ’20 (not pictured) worked with Scharstein on creating datasets to evaluate 3D reconstruction on mobile devices. Their work will contribute to the Middlebury Computer Vision Benchmarks, a widely known resource for researchers working in stereo vision. The research was supported by the Cai Research Fund.
Physics major Emma Moskovitz ’18 explains her research optimizing a laser-scanning microscope to Assistant Professor of Biology David Allen at the Summer Research Symposium. Moskovitz worked with Assistant Professor of Physics Michael Durst to rebuild components of a laser-scanning microscope to image biological samples, including fruit fly brain cells. Their work was supported by the Vermont Genetics Network.
Neuroscience majors Deniz Bingul ’18 (left) and Kisha Kalra ’18 discuss their research with Molly Costanza-Robinson, associate professor of chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental studies. The students, who received funding from the Vermont Genetics Network, researched synaptic plasticity, a mechanism for learning and memory in the brain, and how the brain responds to persistent energetic demands. Bingul and Kalra collaborated with Assistant Professor of Psychology Michael Dash.
Molecular biology and biochemistry major Margaret Weber ’18 tells Professor of Chemistry Jeff Byers about her research on the spirochete responsible for Lyme disease. Weber worked with fellow students Rebecca Freeman ’18 and Sarah Koenigsberg ’17 in collaboration with Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Bob Cluss. Their work was supported by the Vermont Genetics Network.
Seven students worked on a STEM Innovation Project in which they developed a mobile app to improve student safety on campus. The team, which received funding from a STEM gift to Middlebury, included student researchers Melody Cheung ’20, Joshua Ravishankar ’20, Jay Silverstein ’19, John Bowllan ’19, Gloria Breck ’18, Devon Player ’18, and Elias Guerra ’18. Students worked with faculty advisors Jeremy Ward, professor of biology, Frank Swenton, professor of mathematics, and Noah Graham, professor of physics.
Jay Silverstein ’19, a member of the STEM Innovation team, discusses one portion of his team’s project–a stand-alone, Bluetooth-enabled ethanol sensor that determines the alcohol content in a drink.
