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Eighth Annual Research Symposium (July 2006) Jump to

Beckman Scholar Reunion in 2010

< Nick, Clay, & Marti

BECKMAN Scholar

Marti Robinson 2009 to 2010

Research project for the award is:

The role of olfaction: Comparison of the autonomic response
of multiple sensory modalities across species

This award amounts to ~ $21,000

BECKMAN Scholar

Ashby Clay Turner 2008 to 2009

.....

See the award presentation (MPEG)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 25, 2008) University of Kentucky students Lesley Jaye Mann and Ashby Clay Turner have been named the 2008 Beckman Scholars at the University of Kentucky, providing each of them with $19,300 over 14 months to support their own scientific research projects under faculty mentorship.

The program is funded by the Beckman Foundation [http://news.uky.edu/news/] and provides a stipend and support for research projects the winning students propos in the fields of biology, chemistry, biochemistry or a biomedical science. The foundation selects 10-15 universities each year for a three-year grant, during which time the university awards Beckman Scholarships to six of its students over that three-year period. UK is at the beginning of its third three-year award.

Turner, a sophomore majoring in biology from Lexington, Ky., will perform his research, titled "The Effects of an Altered Dopaminergic System on Behavior, Development and Physiology in Drosophilia Melanogaster," under the mentorship of professor Robin Cooper in the department of biology. Turner, who is also majoring in music, has been conducting research in Cooper's lab for the past four years, beginning in high school.

"I believe this scholarship says just as much about the faculty as it does the scholars," Turner said. "It's obvious the faculty members really care about the students and are willing to step up and mentor us, and I'm thankful for their support."

UK became a participating institution in the Beckman Foundation originally in 2002, then won the three-year designation again in 2005, and again this spring. Mann and Turner are the 13th and 14th students chosen to be Beckman Scholars at UK [http://news.uky.edu/news/].

BECKMAN Scholar -- Nick Badre 2005 to 2006

Click here to see the presentation schedule at the Beckman meeting in CA.

Learn more (click here) or on the next link

http://www.uky.edu/PR/News/050426_beckman_scholars.htm

My involvement in research began during my senior year in high school. I enrolled in a class entitled “Research” with seven other students. Each student was placed with a mentor who was currently involved in a research project. I was placed with Dr. Larry Shoemaker who is a physician at Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville, KY who conducts research for the University of Louisville. His project was centered on the symptoms of irritable bowel disorder in pediatric patients. Transgenic rats with symptoms of the disease were mated with normal brown rats, and the progeny were tested for the types and amounts of leukocytes in their blood. While I shadowed Dr. Shoemaker, I assisted with running gels, blood tests for leukocytes, extracting blood from the test rats, and other general lab duties. The class was a way for me to see inside the world of research.

....My current Beckman realted project I make use of the known simplicity of the synaptic structure at the crayfish opener neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and its quantal nature of transmitter release to assess discrete synapses within the motor nerve terminals. With the living terminals visualized by exposure to a vital fluorescent dye (4-Di-2-ASP), the lumen of a loose patch electrode is directly placed over a spatially isolated varicosity. The specific aims of my research are:

1. Use drugs known to block glutamate uptake in mammalian neurons and examine if they also work in two invertebrate preparations (i.e., crayfish and Drosophila).
2. Investigate if the fluctuation in quantal size occurs equally for neurons at rest or only for neurons that are rapidly turning over their synaptic vesicles.
3. Also investigate if the turnover rate is quicker for high output phasic motor neurons as compared to low output tonic neurons.
4. Determine if the population of readily recycling vesicles during electrical activation of the nerve terminal are distinctly separate from reserve vesicles.

These studies will hopefully provide insight into the mechanisms of vesicle recycling and kinetics as well as distinguishing differences in the vesicle recycling process among different types of motor neurons.

Papers:

Sparks, G.M., Brailoiu, E., Brailoiu, C., Dun, N.J., Tabor, J., and Cooper, R.L. (2003) Effects of m-CPP in altering neuronal function: Blocking depolarization in invertebrate motor & sensory neurons but exciting rat dorsal root neurons. Brain Research 969:14-26. [PDF]

Sparks, G.M., Dasari, S. and Cooper, R.L. (2004) Actions of MDMA at glutamatergic neuromuscular junctions Neuroscience Research 48:431-438. [PDF]

Sparks, G. and Cooper, R.L. (2004) 5-HT offsets homeostasis of synaptic transmission during short-term facilitation. J. of Applied Physiology 96:1681-1690. [PDF]

Badre, N.H., Martin, M.E. and Cooper, R.L. (2005) The physiological and behavioral effects of carbon dioxide on Drosophila larvae. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A. 140:363-376. [PDF]

Logsdon, S., Johnstone, A.F.M., Viele, K. and Cooper, R.L. (2005) The regulation of synaptic vesicles pools within motor nerve terminals during short-term facilitation and neuromodulation. J. of Applied Physiology 100:662-671. [PDF]

Badre, N.H., and Cooper, R.L. (2008) Reduced calcium channel function in Drosophila disrupts associative learning in larva, and behavior in adults. (PDF).

Desai-Shah, M., Viele, K., Sparks, G., Nadolski, J., Hayden, B., Srinivasan, V.K., and Cooper, R.L. (2008). Assessment of synaptic function during short-term facilitation in motor nerve terminals in the crayfish. The Open Neuroscience Journal 2:24-35. [PDF]

Dasari, S., Viele, K., Turner, A.C. and Cooper R.L. (2007) Influence of p-CPA and MDMA on physiology, development and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster European Journal of Neuroscience 26:424-438. [PDF].

Robinson, M.M., Martin, J.M., Atwood, H.L. and Cooper, R.L. (2010) Modeling biological membranes with circuit boards and measuring conduction velocity in axons: Student laboratory exercises. Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE). Jove. 47: https://www.jove.com/v/2325/modeling-biological-membranes-with-circuit-boards-and-measuring-electrical-signals-in-axons-student-laboratory-exercises doi: 10.3791/2325 [PDF of paper]

Abstracts/Presentations:

Sparks, G., Cooper, R.L. and Dudel, J. (2002) Serotonin offsets saturation of synaptic release in crayfish motor nerve terminals.American Zoologist. (Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology annual meeting. Anaheim, CA., January 2-6).

Sparks, G., Dudel, J. and Cooper, R.L (2002) The influence of the Na/Ca exchanger during short- term facilitation in motor nerve terminals. Abst Soc. Neurosci.28, 439.10 (Society meeting Nov. 2002).

Sparks, G., Brailoiu, E., Brailoiu, G.C., Dun, N.J. and Cooper, R.L. (2003) Effects of m-CPP in altering neuronal function: Blocking depolarization in invertebrate motor & sensory neurons but exciting rat sensory neurons. (Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology annual meeting. Toronto, Canada, January 4-7).

Cooper, R.L., Sparks, G.M. and Dasari, S. (2003) CNS and NMJ actions of MDMA (Ecstasy): Cholinergic & Glutamatergic synapses. (Society for Neuroscience meeting Nov. 2003).

Sparks, G., Brailoiu, E., Brailoiu, G.C., Dun, N.J. and Cooper, R.L. (2003) Effects of m-CPP in altering neuronal function: Blocking depolarization in invertebrate motor & sensory neurons but exciting rat sensory neurons. Fifth Annual Beckman Scholars Symposium. Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation . Located at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering. Irvine, CA July 24 - 26.

Logsdon, S., Johnstone, A.F.M, Cooper, R.L. (2004) Differentially regulated pools of synaptic vesicles within motor nerve terminals. Society for Neuroscience 2004 meeting SanDiego, CA.

Badre, N., Martin, M.E., Bradacs, H., Cooper, R.L. (2004) The Effects of CO2 on Drosophila larvae: Possible neural components. Society for Neuroscience 2004 meeting SanDiego, CA.

Logsdon, S., Johnstone, A.F.M, Cooper, R.L. (2005) Regulation of synaptic transmission by controlling pools of synaptic vesicles. Posters-at-The-Capitol. Oral presentation by Ms. Logsdon to the KY legislation and Governor. Feb. 2005.

Desai, M.S., Sparks, G.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2005) The influence of the na/ca exchanger during short-term facilitation in motor nerve terminals. Society of Neuroscience annual meeting. Held in Washington, DC. in Nov.

Badre, N. and Cooper, R.L. (2005) Reduced calcium channel function in the Drosophila cacTS2 mutant on vision, olfaction and regulation of the heart. Society of Neuroscience annual meeting. Held in Washington, DC. in Nov.

Logsdon, S., Johnstone, A.F.M., Viele, K. and R. L. Cooper, R.L. (2005) The regulation of synaptic vesicles pools within motor nerve terminals during short-term facilitation and neuromodulation. Society of Neuroscience annual meeting. Held in Washington, DC. in Nov.

Desai, M.S., Sparks, G.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2006) The influence of the Na/Ca exchanger during short-term facilitation in motor nerve terminals. BlueGrass local chapter of Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. Lexington, KY. March, 13.

Desai, M.S., Sparks, G.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2006) The influence of the Na/Ca exchanger during short-term facilitation in motor nerve terminals. Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. Atlanta, GA.

Badre, N. and Cooper, R.L. (2006) Reduced calcium channel function in the Drosophila cacTS2 mutant on vision, olfaction and regulation of the heart. Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. Atlanta, GA.

Desai, M.S., Sparks, G.M. Cooper, R.L. (2006) The influence of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger during short-term facilitation in motor nerve terminals. 1st International Conference on Synapses, Memory, Drug Addiction, and Pain. Dept. of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. August 21-23.

Lee, J.Y., Chung, W.Y., Logsdon, S., Johnstone, A. F. M., Cooper, R.L. (2008) The regulation of synaptic vesicle pools within motor nerve terminals. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual meeting. January 2-6, 2008, San Antonio, TX.

Turner, C., Dasari, S., and Cooper, R.L. (2005) Influence of the dopamine and serotonergic systems on physiology, development and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. Kentucky Academy of Sciences. Annual meeting. Eastern KY University, Richmond, KY. Nov. 10-12.

Turner, C., Dasari, S., and Cooper, R.L. (2006) Influence of the dopamine and serotonergic systems on physiology, development and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual meeting. Orlando, FL. January 4-8.

Turner, C., Dasari, S. and Cooper, R.L. (2006) Influence of the Dopamine and Serotonergic System on Physiology, Development and Behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. BlueGrass local chapter of Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. Lexington, KY. March, 13

Turner, C., Pauly, J.R., and Cooper, R.L. (2006) Influence of the dopamine on physiology, development and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. Atlanta, GA.

Dasari, S., Turner, A.C., Cullman-Clark, B., White, J., and Cooper, R.L. (2006) Effects of the serotonergic system on physiology, development, learning and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. Society for Neuroscience annual meeting. Atlanta, GA.

Cooper, R.L., Dasari, S., Turner, A.C., White, C. and White, J. (2006) Effects of the serotonergic system on physiology, development, learning and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. 1st International Conference on Synapses, Memory, Drug Addiction, and Pain. Dept. of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. August 21-23. (by invitation)

Turner, C., Dasari, S., and Cooper, R.L. (2007) Influence of the dopamine on physiology, development and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. Univ. of KY, Showcase of Scholars (2nd annual undergraduate research event).

Turner, C., Dasari, S., and Cooper, R.L. (2008) Influence of the serotonin and dopamine on physiology, development and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. NCUR- National Council on Undergraduate Research. Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD.

Turner, C. and Cooper, R.L. (2008) The effects of an altered dopaminergic and serotoninergic system on behavior, development, and physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. Annual meeting of the BlueGrass Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience. March 12, 2008. Univ. of KY.

Turner, C. and Cooper, R.L. (2008) The effects of an altered dopaminergic and serotoninergic system on behavior, development, and physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. 2008 South East Nerve Net meeting. Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA., USA.

Turner, A.C. and Cooper, R.L. (2008) The effects of an altered dopaminergic system on behavior, development, and physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. Univ. of KY, Showcase of Scholars (3rd annual undergraduate research event).

Turner, A.C. and Cooper, R.L. (2008) The Effects of an altered dopaminergic system on behavior, development, and physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. Neurofly 2008 12th European Drosophila Neurobiology Conference. September 6 to 10, 2008. University of Würzburg, Germany.

Turner, A.C. and Cooper, R.L. (2008) The effects of an altered dopaminergic system on behavior, development, and physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. Kentucky Academy of Sciences. Annual meeting. November 1, 2008, Lexington, KY (Univ of KY campus).

Turner, A.C. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) The effects of an altered dopaminergic system on behavior, development, and physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. Annual meeting. January 2-6, 2009, Boston, Mass.

Turner, A.C. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) The effects of an altered dopaminergic system on behavior, development, and physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. Society for Neuroscience Bluegrass chapter. March 18, 2009 Univ. of KY.

Turner, A.C. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) The Effects of an Altered Dopaminergic System on Behavior, Development, and Physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. 23rd National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin. April 17, 2009.

McLaurine, T., Robinson, M., Spence, T., Bierbower, S.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2008) The role of olfactory: comparison of the autonomic response of multiple sensory modalities in crayfish. Univ. of KY, Showcase of Scholars (3rd annual undergraduate research event).

Robinson, M., McLaurine, T., Spence, T., Bierbower, S.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2008) Comparison of the autonomic response of multiple sensory modalities in crayfish. Annual meeting of Society for Neuroscience. Washington, DC.

Robinson, M., Mando, J., Baker, M., Bierbower, S.M. and Cooper, R.L.. (2008) Across species comparison of the autonomic response of multiple sensory modalities in crayfish. Kentucky Academy of Sciences. Annual meeting. November 1, 2008, Lexington, KY (Univ. of KY campus).

Robinson, M., McLaurine, T., Spence, T., Bierbower, S.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) Comparison of the autonomic response of multiple sensory modalities in crayfish. Society for Neuroscience Bluegrass chapter. March 18, 2009 Univ. of KY.

Robinson, M., Mando, J., Baker, M., Bierbower, S.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) Across species comparison of the autonomic response of multiple sensory modalities in crayfish. 23rd National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin. April 17, 2009.

Baker, M., Robinson, M., Bierbower, S. M., and Cooper, R. L. (2009) Across species comparison of the autonomic response of multiple sensory modalities in crayfish. 4th Annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.

Turner, A.C. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) The Effects of an Altered Dopaminergic System on Behavior, Development, and Physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. 4th Annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.

Turner, A.C. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) The Effects of an Altered Dopaminergic System on Behavior, Development, and Physiology in Drosophila melanogaster. Eleventh Annual Beckman Scholars Symposium. Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. Located at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering. Irvine, CA July 24 - 27.

Robinson, M., Mando, J., Baker, M., Bierbower, S.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) Using heart rate as a bioindex to assess various sensory perceptions in sighted and non-sighted crayfish. Annual meeting of Society for Neuroscience. Chicago, USA.

Robinson, M., Mando, J., Baker, M., Bierbower, S.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) Using heart rate as a bioindex to assess various sensory perceptions in sighted and non-sighted crayfish. Kentucky Academy of Sciences annual meeting. Nov. 2009 at Northern Kentucky University.

Baker, M., Robinson, M., Bierbower, S.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2009) Autonomic response to multiple sensory modalities in crayfish. Kentucky Academy of Sciences annual meeting. Nov. 2009 at Northern Kentucky University.

Cooper, A.S., Robinson, M., Baker, M., Bierbower, S.M. and Cooper, R.L. (2010) The effects of enhanced sensory perception to learning and memory retention in Drosophila. / Autonomic response to multiple sensory modalities in crayfish. Dual poster at the annual POSTERS -AT-THE -CAPITAL. Frankfort, KY. Jan. 2010.

Martin, J.M., Robinson, M., Cooper, R.L. (2010) Modeling of biological cell membranes using a classroom-practical laboratory setup, with emphasis on neuronal axon ion exchange. 5th Annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky. April 2010.

Robinson, M., Bierbower, S., Cooper, R.L. (2010) Assessing various sensory perceptions in sighted and non-sighted crayfish using heart rate as a bioindex. 5th Annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky. April 2010.

Robinson, M., Cooper, R.L., Bierbower, S. (2010) Using heart rate as a bioindex to assess various sensory perceptions in sighted and non-sighted crayfish. June 8-13, 2010. The 19th Annual Meeting of International Behavioral Neuroscience Society. Sardinia, Italy.

Robinson, M., Cooper, R.L., Bierbower, S. (2010) Using heart rate as a bioindex to assess various sensory perceptions in sighted and non-sighted crayfish. Twelfth Annual Beckman Scholars Symposium. Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. Located at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering. Irvine, CA July.

Power point POSTERS and SLIDE presentations:

SPARKS Neuroscience 2003 (PPT)

SPARKS Neuroscience 2005 (PPT) But see paper as more in-depth studies indicate low Na to decrease EPSP amplitude.

LOGSDON Neuroscience 2004 (PPT)

LOGSDON Neuroscience 2005 (PPT)

BADRE Neuroscience 2004 (PPT)

BADRE Neuroscience 2005 (PPT)