Office of Student Research and Creative Activity

Major: Chemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brant Kedrowski
Faculty Mentor Department: Chemistry
Project: XX

Nathan is first-generation student majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Biology.  Physical sciences have always been an interest of his and making the world a better place has been his childhood goal.  He is currently working with his mentor, Dr. Kedrowski, researching polyethylene terephalate (PET) plastic polymers.  In commercial PET, these chains grow in a fast and uncontrolled manner, causing them to be very difficult to break down.  The goal of his research is to synthesize shorter oligomer chains of PET.  Synthesizing them to have smaller, controlled chains allows for specific microorganisms to break them down more efficiently.  Producing these oligomer chains on a commercial level could be significant for recycling.  He plans to pursuing a Doctorate program in Chemistry after completing his undergraduate degree program.  In his free time, Nathan enjoys many activities like lifting, running in the summer, skiing in the winter, and reading.

Major: Biomedical Science and Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sabrina Mueller-Spitz
Faculty Mentor Department: Biology
Project: Exploring the Serotonin Gut-Associated lactobacilli from the 13-Lined Ground Squirrel

Tyra Tye is a first-generation college student, pursuing majors in Biomedical Science and Microbiology with aspirations of a career in neuroscience and translational science. As a Black woman in STEM, she is passionate about advancing representation, mentorship, and equity within science and medicine. Growing up, she rarely saw people who looked like her engaged in research, which became a major source of motivation in her pursuit of scientific discovery and academic excellence.

Through the McNair Scholars Program, Tyra conducted independent research on blood-brain barrier adaptations during hibernation in 13-lined ground squirrels, investigating how tight junction proteins respond to extreme physiological stress. Her work explored mechanisms of neuroprotection, brain resilience, and physiological adaptation, with broader implications for stroke, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disease. She completed a compressive literature review, presented her findings at multiple conferences, contributed to grant proposal development, and strengthened her skills in scientific writing, data analysis, and professional presentation.

Currently, Tyra’s Beckman research explores the gut-brain axis in 13-lined ground squirrel, focusing on serotonin-associated lactobacilli and their potential role in neurochemical regulation during hibernation. Using comparative genomics and PCR-based analysis, her project aims to identify serotonin-related metabolic genes in gut-derived bacterial isolates to better understand microbiome contributes to neurological and physiological function.

She also co-founded the Women in Medicine student organization to support mentorship and community among women pursuing STEM and healthcare careers. Following graduation, Tyra plans to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience or Biomedical Science to further investigate the connection between the brain and the gut and explore how these interactions influence neurological health and disease.

Major: Double major Professional Chemistry and General Mathematics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Crawford
Faculty Mentor Department: Chemistry
Project: Quaternary ammonium compounds and microplastics in aqueous systems

Noah was born in Seattle, WA before moving to Wisconsin at a young age, living first in Milwaukee and then in Appleton. Before attending UWO, Noah was enrolled at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and undertook coursework in Arabic Language Studies. Noah’s love of research was cultivated from an early age from attending Valley New School, a project-based charter school in Appleton, WI from grades 7 through 12. Along with research projects spanning Pharmacology, Literature, and History, Noah’s senior research project was focused on the ways in which societal attitudes towards reproduction are legislated into law.

For the Beckman Scholars Program, Noah is studying the ways in which quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), a type of chemical disinfectant, behave in aquatic systems in the presence of microplastic particles. Due to their chemical structure, quats are expected to agglomerate onto microplastic particles in the environment. Samples prepared in the laboratory will be analyzed using Liquid Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry.

Noah likes to spend his free time reading, particularly enjoying American Literature and Speculative Fiction. After graduating and completing the Beckman Scholars Program, Noah hopes to work in the chemical industry for a few years before continuing with his advanced studies and eventually earning his doctorate.

Major: Biomedical Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sabrina Mueller-Spitz
Faculty Mentor Department: Biology
Project: The Presence and Abundance of Antimicrobial-Resistant Genes in the Fox-Wolf watershed

Evangalios “Lios” Guigley is a third-generation Greek American pursuing a major in Biomedical Science with an emphasis on Chemistry. He is a member of the UWO Honors College. Dr. Mueller-Spitz is advising his research into antimicrobial-resistant genes (ARGs) in the Fox-Wolf watershed. The Fox-Wolf watershed drains about ten percent of Wisconsin’s water. There is limited knowledge about how land usage and human impact influences the dispersion and diversity antimicrobial resistance within aquatic microbial assemblages. The goal of their research is to assess the presence and abundance of antimicrobial-resistant genes in the Fox-Wolf watershed. From there, Lios and Dr. Mueller-Spitz will be able to assess if factors like rainfall and land usage impact the abundance and types of ARGs present. Their research project is inter-disciplinary and ties back into One Health, the idea that human health is interconnected with their shared environment. Lios plans to continue his education to obtain a PhD in the realm of Public Health and Epidemiology. Outside of academics, Lios loves reading, writing, drawing, and spending time with his dogs, Apollo and Luna.

Major: Chemistry – Biomolecular Science
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sabrina Mueller-Spitz
Faculty Mentor Department: Biology
Project: Extracellular Proteome Characterization of Mycolicibacterium species RJGII-135

Aedon is pursuing a major in Chemistry, with an emphasis on Biomolecular Science. He is a member of Dr. Mueller-Spitz’s lab in the department of Biology, where he studies proteins secreted by Mycolicibacterium species RJGII-135 (M135). His research focuses on predicting which proteins encoded in the genome of M135 are likely to be secreted through genomic analysis, and studying the quantity and activity of secreted proteins in the laboratory. The goal of his project is to identify extracellular proteins that possess the capability to degrade Polyethylene Terephthalate, a common component of plastic-waste. After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Aedon plans to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry and a career in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing the guitar and working on vehicles

Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Greg Kleinheinz
Faculty Mentor Department: Engineering & Engineering Technology
Project: Investigating the Presence and Composition of Microplastics in Nearshore Environments of Lake Michigan

Diana is a first-generation college student majoring in biology and minoring in forensic investigation. Diana’s love for experimental learning began as a child on the beaches of Lake Michigan. Diana spends her time at the Environmental Research and Innovation Center working with her mentor Dr. Greg Kleinheinz. For her Beckman Scholars project, Diana investigates the presence and composition of microplastics in nearshore environments of Lake Michigan using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. With plastic’s status as an emerging contaminant, her study aims to inform future mitigation efforts to preserve our Great Lakes. She hopes to continue her education to the doctoral level in freshwater science. Diana’s favorite things include traveling, reading, and vintage clothing.