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During three years of writing the under-graduate research feature for Connectingwith Cornell, I met and interacted withengaging, brilliant students who demon-strated extraordinary character andcommitment to their study. The diversity ofstudents and research gave me a chance tolearn about topics such as high-energyphysics, behavioral and medical entomology,

environmental policy, cancer research,nutrition, and psychology. This experience,along with my double major in biology andsociety and Spanish, provided a rewardingundergraduate experience.

My last undergraduate research article forConnecting with Cornell features undergrad-uates Jah Chaisangmongkon ’09, Brandi

Jackson ’10, and Alex Latzka ’10, who take an interdisciplinary approach toundergraduate research.

From Physics and Psychology to NeuroscienceWhen asked about her major at Cornell,Jah Chaisangmongkon gives an answerthat often surprises people. With a doublemajor in physics and psychology,Chaisangmongkon has spent her under-graduate experience exploring two seeminglydivergent courses of study. She conductedundergraduate research simultaneously intwo labs, with James C. Seámus Davis,Physics, and Vivian Zayas, Psychology. Sheexplains, “Both majors represent a means ofeducation to discover the truth of nature.Physics helps me understand the truth ofthe outside world, whereas psychology helpsme understand the truth of the inside world—that of the human mind. I love how, together,they help give me a complete picture.”

“Any Person … Any Study”and the Lure of ResearchCornell provides many opportunities for undergraduate studentsto experience a variety of fields and perspectives, truly fulfillingEzra Cornell’s famous goal of “any person … any study.”

Jah Chaisangmongkon

Brandi Jackson

Alex Latzka

Chaisangmongkon came to Cornell fromThailand with a scholarship to study physicsand nanoscale science. As an enrollingstudent, Chaisangmongkon was impressedwith the diversity of people and areas ofstudy at Cornell, compared to other Americanuniversities. She appreciates that a student’sacademic path at Cornell is not restrictedto the core curriculum. “Cornell’s curriculumis flexible. You can design your own uniquepath and determine your own future,” shesays. “It’s easy to explore your true interestsdeeply and in an interdisciplinary way.”

In the spring of her freshman year,Chaisangmongkon became intensely inter-ested in observing human behavior whiletaking an introductory psychology course.She added psychology as a second majorand searched for research labs in sociocog-nitive psychology. She ended up workingwith Zayas, studying the different patternsthat brainwaves elicit from unconsciouscognitive processes.

Chaisangmongkon’s study focused on acognitive phenomenon called the primingeffect: the idea that the brain can moresuccessfully process a given “target” stim-ulus if it follows an identical or related“prime” stimulus. The effect can occur evenif an individual is not aware of the priming.

The experiment monitored subjects with adevice called an electroencephalogram (EEG)cap. The EEG cap connects electrodes to 64spots on a subject’s scalp, measuring theelectrical potential on the scalp relative to areference point at the back of the ears. Thesubject performed an exercise on a com-puter while brain activity was monitored.First, a prime stimulus consisting of a maleor female name was shown briefly on thecomputer screen. Next, the prime stimuluswas covered by a mask stimulus, such as ablank picture or jumbled word. The maskprevents the subject from consciously seeingthe prime, making the prime subliminal.Finally, a target stimulus was shown: amale or female name.

The subject was asked to identify the genderassociated with the target name. The conceptbehind the experiment is that a subject canprocess the target name faster if the primeand the target name belong to the samegender. The study found that the brainactivity when the target and prime gendersmatch is different than when prime andtarget genders do not match. Supported bythis psychophysiological evidence, theexperiment suggested that gender percep-tion and categorization is an automatic,unconscious cognitive process.

In her third semester, one of Davis’ lecturesin quantum mechanics was so inspiringthat Chaisangmongkon talked to himabout participating in his research projects.Accepted into the lab, she worked on aproject detecting on the submicron scalesmall deviations from Newtonian gravita-tional law. She enjoyed the independenceand responsibility for conducting thedesign, calculations, and measurementsinvolved in her physics research.

In subsequent semesters as her work in Davis’lab also continued, Chaisangmongkonbecame a data analyst in Zayas’ lab andtrained new undergraduate research assis-tants. Zayas worked closely with the studentsin planning the experiment and designanalysis, and Chaisangmongkon used thesesame techniques to develop her honorsresearch project. Her project tested whethersubliminal intervention can alter the primingeffect. Zayas says, “Jah is extremely intel-ligent, enthusiastic, and diligent, and I haveno doubt that she will be very successfulin pursuing this line of work.”

Chaisangmongkon also appreciates howDavis “is an excellent role model for anyyoung physicist, and he always expresseshis interest in my future career.” She hopesto excel scientifically in a specific area whileenjoying the exploration of how differentrealms of science can work together to give abigger picture. “It is not as fine a line betweenfields as people think,” she comments.

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The experiment moni-tored subjects with a device called an electroencephalogram(EEG) cap. The EEG capconnects electrodes to64 spots on a subject’sscalp, measuring theelectrical potential onthe scalp relative to areference point at theback of the ears. Thesubject performed anexercise on a computerwhile brain activity wasmonitored.

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“Cornell’s curriculum is flexible. You can designyour own unique path and determine your ownfuture. It’s easy to explore your true interestsdeeply and in an interdisciplinary way.”

85Photos in Undergraduate Research: Frank DiMeo unless otherwise noted

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Chaisangmongkon will pursue a PhD inneuroscience at Yale University beginning inthe fall of 2009. She will do computationalneuroscience research, mathematicallymodeling how neurobiological componentsof the brain work.

Cornell Presidential Research Scholars CreateTheir Own PathsBrandi Jackson and Alex Latzka began theirresearch experience at Cornell as Hunter R.Rawlings III Cornell Presidential ResearchScholars (CPRS). Offering faculty mentor-ship and financial support for research, theCPRS program allowed Latzka and Jacksonto explore their research interests in theirfirst year at Cornell. The program gave Latzkaand Jackson the flexibility and financialsupport to redefine their research interestsand granted them the opportunity to pursuethese interests at the interface of scienceand society.

Exploring Folate’s RDA Science and society have intertwinedthroughout Brandi Jackson’s research. Inthe first year of her human developmentmajor, Jackson studied international agri-culture and rural development, with a focuson nutrition. She conducted an independentstudy on the effects of malnutrition anddisease on African family structure. Whilelearning about the social effects of malnu-trition, especially prevalent in developingnations, she grew to appreciate the impor-tance of having a background in biologywhen advising on nutritional problems.With plans to become a doctor, Jacksonwas eager to get involved with the biologi-cal research needed to advance the socialunderstanding of nutrition. She has beenworking since the beginning of her sopho-more year in the lab of Marie Caudill,Nutritional Sciences.

Jackson explains that the folate recommendeddietary allowance (RDA), established by theInstitute of Medicine in 1998, is 400 micrograms

per day for adults. This RDA, however, maynot adequately meet the folate needs of allpeople, particularly those with a geneticpolymorphism, or change in the DNAsequence, in the region of DNA that codesfor the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate

reductase. This enzyme, coded by the genecalled MTHFR, converts the potentially toxicamino acid homocysteine to methionine.About 10 percent of the general populationhas the MTHFR polymorphism. Prevalenceamong people of Mexican descent is twice ashigh. Caudill’s research indicated that, whenthe RDA of folate is consumed, the level ofhomocysteine in the blood of MexicanAmerican men with MTHFR polymorphism ismarkedly higher than in those with MTHFR,but without the polymorphism. Other poly-morphisms may also correlate with bloodhomocysteine levels. Since high bloodhomocysteine is associated with atheroscle-rosis and increased risk of heart attack andstroke, its genetic basis is very important.

Jackson’s project with Caudill investigatedthe genetic basis of high homocysteine.Jackson’s first task was to isolate BHMTand CHDH genes from unpurified DNAsamples of Mexican American men usingpolymerase chain reaction (PCR). This labtechnique entails adding a specific primerto the DNA that attaches near the gene ofinterest and selectively copies that region.Once the gene had been copied many times,Jackson purified it, excluding the extrane-ous fragments of DNA from the product.She prepared the sample for sequencing bydiluting it with water. The PCR productswere then cleaned and sequenced by theLife Sciences Core Laboratory Center.

By understanding the genetic roots of thehigher homocysteine levels, Jackson hopesto learn how to modify standard dietaryrecommendations for people of Mexicandescent. Caudill describes Jackson as“enthusiastic about her research project

and eager to make progress and take onmore responsibility.” Her research mayeventually allow nutritional scientists toindividualize dietary recommendations inorder to make up for shortcomings in bio-chemical pathways caused by geneticvariation. Caudill published a paper ontheir findings in the Journal of Nutrition,with Jackson as a coauthor.

During the past semester, Jackson has workedon a feeding study of pregnant and nursingwomen to investigate choline and folatemetabolism and requirements in thirdtrimester pregnant women, as well as lac-tating women. She will continue in Caudill’slab throughout her senior year.

Jackson says, “I decided to come to Cornellbecause I knew it would challenge me academically and intellectually, and at the same time, give me the opportunity tomeet people from all over the world.” Fromher undergraduate research experience,Jackson has acquired an appreciation forlaboratory research. She explains thatworking in the lab takes independence andperseverance, as “often the tests providemore failure than success. But in the end,the results are worth it!” Jackson is con-sidering a future as an MD/PhD. She hopesto combine biology and social understandingin a practice in global health. When shestudied abroad in the fall of 2008, partici-pating in SIT’s Development Studies Programin Uganda, the field experience was onemore step toward her goal.

Planning for Bioelectricity ProductionAlex Latzka, a natural resources major, wasexcited about choosing Cornell because ofits great reputation and faculty in naturalresources and conservation. He explains, “Iknew that I would be well prepared to go onto law school, graduate school, or into thejob market. Cornell provides many opportu-nities to learn, have fun, and get involvedin interesting activities.”

Latzka began his study at Cornell with aresearch project with Stephen Morreale, asenior research associate in natural resources,studying the impact of environmental man-agement techniques—specifically waterdrawdowns—on the behavior of snappingturtles. Both Morreale and Latzka, however,became interested in climate change research.

Jackson’s research may eventually allow nutritional scientists to individualize dietaryrecommendations in order to make up forshortcomings in biochemical pathways causedby genetic variation.

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Jason Koski/CU

Latzka wanted to pursue climate policyafter taking a few economics classes. Withthe support of Morreale, Latzka contactedAntonio Miguel Bento, Applied Economicsand Management, a new faculty memberresearching the economics of biofuels. Bentoaccepted Latzka as part of his research teamstudying the politics, economics, and environmental impact of the bioelectricityindustry. Bento says, “Alex is an extremelytalented undergraduate student withtremendous potential. I think this changein projects is part of his continuing growthas a future researcher.”

Latzka began collecting background infor-mation and writing up policy briefs on thebiofuel industry while developing ideas foran independent research project in the fallof 2007. The following spring he workedon a project to study the economics andenvironmental impact of biomass feed-stock options, as well as technologicalinnovations, such as carbon capture. Theregional greenhouse gas initiative andrenewable portfolio standard createdincentives and requirements for powerplants to reduce their greenhouse gasemissions using biomass as one alternativefor energy production. Yet biomass fromcertain feedstock, although marketed asrenewable energy, is not always economi-cally sustainable.

Using economic modeling techniques,Latzka analyzed the different emissionreduction options for local power plants.He explains, “We analyze the costs andbenefits associated with each option foremission reduction. For a biomass feed-stock, we consider transportation costs,processing costs, and the cost of the feed-stock compared with competing uses likefood. Ultimately, the power plants willchoose a method that maximizes theirprofits in compliance with the policies

encouraging clean, renewable energy pro-duction.” Ongoing research will developand fine-tune a model using the New Yorkpower industry as a representative of theelectric industry.

During the summer of 2008, Latzka visiteddifferent sites that could potentially producebiomass feedstock crops. He tested soilsamples and looked at crop-growth poten-tial, total transportation costs, and othereconomic and environmental impacts ofcrop cultivation.

Latzka continues to refine his work as heanalyzes New York State’s potential toproduce biomass for electrical power. WithGIS software, he is mapping current landuse throughout New York to estimate thebiomass that could be available, looking atwoody biomass crops, herbaceous energycrops, and agricultural and forestry residuesas sources of biomass. Using economic data,the research team will be able to determinehow landowners can maximize their profits,whether by completely switching to a bio-mass crop or by harvesting some portion oftheir residues. These decisions will indicatehow much biomass may be available at anygiven price. In addition, the researchers aremapping the location of power plants thatcould utilize biomass to determine the costsof transportation and processing.

Latzka says that his background in naturalresources combines very well with the math-ematical and economic modeling techniquesthat he learns with Bento’s research team.“Bento does a great job integrating differentideas into research and getting students tosee the different sides of a complicatedenvironmental issue and teaching the tech-niques needed to advance his students’research skills,” Latzka says. Both Latzkaand Bento feel that the true value of the

CPRS program is that it allows advisers toeffectively teach their undergraduate students,letting them learn about the researchprocess while developing a range of skills.

Latzka also works with faculty in theDepartment of Crop and Soil Sciences, whoare helping him incorporate a model todetermine optimal land uses based onenvironmental data like latitude, precipita-tion, light intensity, and soil type. Once theyhave determined how to optimally use theland for biomass production, along withfood cultivation and other land uses, theywill have an idea of biofuel’s theoreticalpotential.

The study will conclude by analyzing theeffects that state, regional, and federalpolicies have on reducing greenhouse gasesand increasing renewable energy in relationto the biomass market, and the environ-mental costs and benefits of the market.

Latzka’s research will allow the team toadvise power plants on the most environ-mentally and economically sustainablemethod of bioelectricity production—andpolicy makers on the most effective waysto mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Helooks forward to writing his senior honor’sthesis when he completes his analysis. AfterCornell, he hopes to go to graduate schoolor law school with an eventual career inenvironmental conservation and policy.

Gillian Sarah Paul ’08Gillian Paul is now in graduate school at Yale University’s School of Forestry andEnvironmental Studies, studying tropical ecology and restoration.

Latzka’s research will allow the team to advisepower plants on the most environmentally and economically sustainable method of bioelectricity production—and policy makerson the most effective ways to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

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