Student Research Opportunities in the College of Health and Natural Sciences
Franklin Pierce University works to build a scholarly environment and provide opportunities for students to gain authentic hands-on
research experiences and explore career paths. These experiences also help build a resume: Research projects can be good career preparation, whether for professional school, graduate school or employment in a scientific sector. Faculty mentors provide guidance on experimental design, resources, data collection, analysis and presentation.
Students can conduct research for credit as an independent study, a senior thesis or often as a paid research assistant. Dozens of our students present their research at conferences each year.
Students interested in conducting research can contact their academic advisor for recommendations and to make arrangements to participate in undergraduate research.
Facilty Research areas
Dr. Robert Anzalone Assistant Professor of Biology/Health Sciences
Dr. Robert Anzalone is an Assistant Professor of Health Sciences. Dr. Anzalone’s work brings together
nutrition and physiology to look at outcomes on athletic performance.
Schleper, A., Ewharekuko-Rempel, M., Scribbans, T., Anzalone, R., & Villar, R. (2021).
Effects of dynamic warm-up on anaerobic performance: A randomized, counterbalanced,
and cross-over study. Research in Sports
Science, October 4, 2021. DOI: 10.5152/rss.2021.21007. http://rissjournal.org/Content/files/sayilar/58/RISS_20210007_nlm_new_indd.pdf
Vargas, V., Anzalone, R., Villar, R. 2020. Lower leg graduated compression socks have
no effect on peak cardiorespiratory responses and performance during incremental maximal
exercise in young adults. Aletheia,
Nov.. 2020. DOI: 10.21081/ax0253. ISSN: 2381-800X. http://alphachihonor.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Passive-External-Compression-and-Maximal-Exercise.pdf
Vargas, V., Anzalone, R., Villar, R. 2020. The impact of lower leg graduated compression
socks on peak cardiorespiratory responses and performance during incremental maximal
exercise in young adults. - Alpha Chi. Vol. 5(2). DOI: 10.21081/ax0253 ISSN: 2381-800X
Supported by NH-INBRE
anzaloner@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Ruda Aryal Associate Professor of Physics
Dr. Rudra Aryal is an Assistant Professor of Physics. Dr. Aryal's research group (currently three FPU students) is studying the air quality over New Hampshire and Boston, Massachusetts area based on the air quality data retrieved from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and from the Aura Satellite-based Ozone measuring instrument (OMI). Based on these two observations, the research group compares the pollutants, such as O3, NO2, SO2, and analyzes the fine particles, PM2.5, which are sensitive to human health.
In 2021 Dr. Aryal and FPU students presented research work on a paper on "Emission Characterization and Air Quality Impact of Deer Park Chemical Plant Fire" Council on Undergraduate Research, 2021 http://apps.cur.org/ncur2021/search/Display_NCUR.aspx?id=111344.
Similarly, in 2020, an article co-authored by Dr. Aryal (corresponding author) and an FPU student on "Investigation of Aerosol Climatology and Long-Range Transport of Aerosols over Pokhara, Nepal" (http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/8/874 )
aryalr@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Susan Arruda Associate Professor of Biology
Dr. Susan Arruda is an Associate Professor of Biology. Dr. Arruda’s research encompasses areas of
genetics and molecular biology, cell signaling and protein biochemistry. In particular,
Dr. Arruda is interested in function and structure of visual proteins in the fruit
fly Drosophila melanogaster.
Brendan A. Gavin, Susan E. Arruda, Patrick J. Dolph. (2007). The Role of
Carcinine in Signaling at the Drosophila Photoreceptor Synapse. PLoS Genetics 3, 2358-2367.
arrudas@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Leila Jabbour Associate Professor of Health Sciences
Dr. Leila Jabbour is an Associate Professor of Health Sciences. Dr. Jabbour’s research is focused on investigating the effects of opioids on the human brain. Her interest in drug use disorder begun when she volunteered for the Cleveland medical examiner. In collaboration with the New Hampshire medical examiner, Dr. Jabbour generated a unique brain specimen collection, from human brains collected at autopsy of opioid overdose.
Renee Reid, Connor Sheehy, Leila Jabbour (2018) Risk Factors and
Interventions Against Nosocomial Infections Across Multiple African Countries: A Systematic
Review. CPQ Medicine, 2(2), 01-12
Courtney Caputo, Erin Wood, Leila Jabbour (2016) Impact of Fetal
Alcohol Exposure on Body Systems: a Systematic Review, Birth Defects Research Part
C: Embryo Today: Reviews 108, Issue 2, 174-180 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21129
Leila S. Jabbour (2014) An Autopsy Demonstration: A Unique Learning Opportunity, HAPS Educator 18, issue 4, 292-303
Supported by NH-INBRE
jabbourl@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Catherine Koning Professor of Environmental Science
Supported by NH-INBRE
koningc@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Fred Rogers Professor of Geology
Dr. Fred Rogers is Professor of Geology and Environmental Science and is interested in North American geological features and environmental science pedagogy.
Foradas, J. G., and F. S. Rogers. 202X. A Chert-Sourcing Project as a Framework for
Teaching Science through Geo-Archaeology. Journal of Archaeology and Education (Accepted for Publication; In Revision)
Rogers, F. S., T. T. Uyeno, and J. Wendte. 202X. Middle Devonian Conodont Biostratigraphy
of the Devran-Sarnia 1-3-3-VI Well Site Core, Western Ontario, Canada. To be submitted
to Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences or Journal of Paleontology.
rogersfs@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Tongyu Ma Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology
Dr. Tongyu Ma is an Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology. Dr. Ma’s current research focuses on exercise physiology and epidemiology. One on-going project is aimed to monitor fitness changes among NCAA rowers by testing lactate threshold. One up-coming project is designed to examine the timing of exercise on cardiovascular health among persons with and without pre-existing cardiovascular disease.
Hannah Gouldrup & Tongyu Ma. 2021. Why are physical activity breaks more effective than a single
session of isoenergetic exercise in reducing postprandial glucose? A systemic review and meta-analysis,
Journal of Sports Sciences, 39 (2): 212-218, DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1812196
Tongyu Ma, Yao Jie Xie, Thomas Bennett & Chong-Do Lee. 2021. Time-of-day moderate-to-vigorous
physical activity and all-cause mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes, Journal of Sports Sciences, DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2021.2009163.
Supported by NH-INBRE
mat@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Shallee Page Associate Professor of Chemistry
Dr. Shallee Page is an Associate Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Page’s research focuses on functional genomics: figuring out what different genes in organisms do. We analyze the DNA in fruit flies and viruses to try to see what the genes do and how they might have been shaped by evolution. We also use microscopic C. elegans nematode worms to study genes of unknown function**. Recent publications focus on teaching students modern techniques in genomics and synthetic biology.
Bennett, Evan, Page, Shallee T. 2022. An Undergraduate Genome Research Course Using ‘Big Data’. Biochem Mol Biol Educ. Accepted, In Press
Crane, Julia, Page, Shallee T. 2021. An Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment with Real-World Applications: Utilizing Templateless PCR and RT-PCR to Test for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 50(1):142-148. doi: 10.1002/bmb.21593.
Hanauer, DI, et al. 2017. An Inclusive Research-Education Community (iREC):
A model for Student Engagement in Science. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 114 (51): 13531–13536.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.1718188115 (S. T. Page, consortial author)
Dedrick, et al. 2017. Prophage-mediated defence against viral attack and
viral counter-defence. Nature Microbiology 2, Article number: 16251 (2017) http://dx.doi/10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.251. (S. T. Page, consortial author)
Supported by NH-INBRE
pages@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Rhine Singleton Professor of Environmental Science and Biology
Dr. Rhine Singleton is Professor of Environmental Science and Biology. Dr. Singleton’s work focuses on forest plant ecology. Dr. Singleton has a particular interest in the creative use of technology (such as converting data to sound) to communicate science and interdisciplinary collaborations to work towards sustainability. Examples at: http://bit.ly/soundgraphs/ http://bit.ly/2100project and http://ecologyandevolution.org/Resource_Tracking_in_the_Bellbird.pdf
Hamilton, D., Singleton, R. and Joslin, J. D. (2018), Resource tracking and its conservation implications for an obligate frugivore (Procnias tricarunculatus, the three-wattled bellbird). Biotropica, 50: 146–156. doi:10.1111/btp.12502
singler@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Jacques Veilleux Professor of Biology and Environmental Science
Dr. Jacques Veilleux conducts research on the natural history, ecology and behavior of bat in the northeastern United States. Research work examines the distribution and abundance of bats at the Edward MacDowell Dam property in Peterborough, NH. Data will be used to inform decisions on the possible impacts of a new forest management plan on the bat community
Recent work:
Reynolds, D.S., K.T. Shoemaker, S. von Oettingen, S. Najjar, J.P. Veilleux and P.R. Moosman, Jr. 2021. Integrating multiply survey techniques to document a shifting bat community in the wake of White-Nose Syndrome. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management. 12:395-411.
Veilleux, J.P., Karyn Andreozzi and J. Tremblay. Report of acoustic sampling for bats at the Edward MacDowell Dam (USACE) in Peterborough, Hillsborough County, NH. Presentation at 2022 Northeast Bat Working Group conference.
veilleuxj@facesofplacesproject.com
Dr. Verna DeLauer Associate Professor with the College of Health & Natural Sciences
Dr. Verna DeLauer’s research focuses on college students’ sense of agency, autonomy, and safety when making personal, health decisions. Her INBRE research lab is studying gendered experiences of physical and mental health on college campuses. Her independent research looks at the impact of nature and biophilic design in support student mental and emotional health.
DeLauer, V. et al., (2022). The impact of natural environments and biophilic
design as supportive and nurturing spaces on a residential college campus. Cogent
Social Sciences 8:1.
Delauer, V. 2020. Being Seen, Feeling Heard: Designing Intimate-Scaled Spaces
on Urban College Campuses. Chapter in Urban Experience and Design: Contemporary Perspectives
on Improving the Public Realm. Routledge.
DeLauer, V., McGill-O’Rourke, A., Gordon, C., Hamilton, N., Desruisseaux, R.,
DuarteCanela, M., Heyer, A., Macksoud, K. (2019). Human papillomavirus and health
decision-making: Perceptions and accountability in college. Health Education Journal.
Funded by NH-INBRE
delauerv@facesofplacesproject.com
Funding for research
*Funding provided by U.S. Army Corps of Enginee.rs in 2019, 2020, and 2021
Supported by NH-INBRE. New Hampshire INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) is a program
to develop a coordinated network of biomedical research and research training in New
Hampshire. The program is part of the larger NIH IDeA program. Research supported
by New Hampshire- INBRE through an Institutional Development Award (IDeA), P20GM103506,
from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the NIH.