The Faculty of Science (FSc) at York University is inviting undergraduate students to apply for the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) for Summer 2023.
USRAs are meant to nurture your interest and fully develop your potential for a research career in the Natural Sciences and Engineering (NSE) disciplines. They are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies in these fields by providing research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting.
In addition to the USRAs, FSc will be providing 16 additional awards made possible in part through a generous donation from FSc Alumnus, Earle Nestmann. These are known as the Earle Nestmann Undergraduate Research Awards (ENURA).
NSERC and FSc encourages qualified Indigenous and Black students to apply for these awards.
$8,400
in total value
16
weeks of funding
46
available FSc projects
35
USRAs + ENURAs available for FSc students
Award Information
Browse Projects
Supervisor: Steven Connor
Lab Website: https://biology.gradstudies.yorku.ca/steven-connor/
Contact Info: saconnor@yorku.ca
Project Title: Exploring the synaptic basis of brain disorders
Number of Positions: 2
Project Description:
We study how communication zones between neurons (known as synapses) change in response to experience, and how this process is altered in autistic neural circuits. Using a combination of electrophysiology, molecular biology and transgenics we study these processes in rodent models.
Student Responsibilities:
Perform electrophysiological recordings in mouse brain slices. May also include generating wester blots of synaptic proteins and behavioral assays for learning, memory and forgetting in mice.
Desired Background/Skills:
None required but some bench skills or rodent handling would be helpful.
Supervisor: Dasantila Golemi-Kotra
Lab Website: http://www.yorku.ca/dgkotra/
Contact Info: dgkotra@yorku.ca
Project Title: Evolution of an D-amino esterase to a beta-lactamase
Number of Positions: 1
Project Description:
FmtA is a novel D-amino esterase of Staphylococcus aureus. Its function is to remove the D-alanine from the teichoic acid cell wall component. The structure of FmtA resembles that of penicillin-binding proteins and beta-lactamases. The latter enzymes are proteins that evolved from penicillin-binding proteins. Our hypothesis is that FmtA given the right stress condition could evolve into a beta-lactamase. If proven correct, the research will provide evidence of the structural factors that are required for a D-amino esterase and a beta-lactamase.
Student Responsibilities:
The student will be plating bacterial species that carry a plasmid that expresses FmtA in the presence of low concentration of beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin. Bacterial colonies that are resistant to penicillin will be isolated, and used to extract the plasmid. The plasmid with be submitted for DNA sequences in order to identify the amino acids changes in the fmtA gene that contribute to penicillin resistance.
Desired Background/Skills:
Eager to work in a research lab.
Supervisor: Nik Kovinich
Lab Website: http://www.kovinichlab.com
Contact Info: kovinich@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Molecular Regulation of Cannabinoid Biosynthesis in Cannabis sativa
Project Description:
Cannabis sativa produces more than 120 cannabinoids, most of which are produced in minor amounts and have not been tested for pharmaceutical activities. By contrast some strains of Cannabis produce up to 35% of their flower dry weight as trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Despite there potential economical value and medicinal importance, the genetic regulation of cannabinoid biosynthesis remains almost completely uncharacterized, including that of THC. This USDA-NIFA-funded project focuses to understand the gene networks that regulate cannabinoid biosynthesis in cannabis.
Student Responsibilities:
The student's responsibilities will be to clone the transcription factor and cis-acting DNA regions of biosynthesis genes and to conduct yeast one-hybrid and promoter-luciferase reporter assays to test for protein-DNA interactions.
Desired Background/Skills:
General molecular biology or genetics laboratory experience is preferred. Experience with yeast one-hybrid, promoter-luciferase reporter assays, and gene cloning would be an asset.
Supervisor: Nik Kovinich
Lab Website: http://www.kovinichlab.com
Contact Info: kovinich@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Conserved regulation of divergent plant metabolic defenses
Project Description:
Plants biosynthesize defense metabolites (i.e. phytoalexins) in response to pathogen attack. These metabolites, are diverse in chemical structure and biosynthetic origin among plant species and include the phenylalanine-derived glyceollins from soybean, the phenylpropanoid-derived stilbenes from grapevine, and the tyrosine-derived camalexins from the model plant Arabidopsis. All of these phytoalexins have unconventional anticancer activities that render them desirable for pharmaceutical development. While plants remain the most economical source of many phytoalexins, plants only biosynthesize them transiently and in low amounts, which severely limits their accessibility for commercial use.
Student Responsibilities:
The student's responsibilities will be to identify gene targets of transcription factors by conducting high-throughput yeast one-hybrid and promoter-luciferase reporter assays. (S)he will also characterize the consensus sequences of cis-acting elements by mutagenesis.
Desired Background/Skills:
General molecular biology or genetics laboratory experience is preferred. Experience with yeast one-hybrid, promoter-luciferase reporter assays, and mutagenesis would be an asset.
Supervisor: Terrance Kubiseski
Lab Website: https://biology.gradstudies.yorku.ca/faculty/t-kubiseski/
Contact Info: tkubises@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Characterization of Transcription Factors Interactions in the Oxidative Stress Response
Project Description:
Intracellular oxygen radicals (or reactive oxygen species) are becoming recognized as signaling molecules, yet their levels much be tightly regulated as too much can damage DNA, proteins and lipids, and have been implicated in many age-related disease's such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and cancer. Protein signaling pathways in cells become activated to limit the damage from reactive oxygen species by generating anti-oxidant proteins that remove and limit the exposure of an organism to long-term damage. We propose to use biochemistry to look at the regulation of expression of anti-oxidant proteins. The student will carry out a biochemical analysis of the C. elegans transcription factors and mediators involved in the oxidative stress response.
Student Responsibilities:
The methodologies represent a cutting-edge approach in using the power of in vitro protein expression combined with modern genetic approaches. Specifically, the student will be involved in using molecular biology, protein chemistry, tissue culture, co-immunoprecipitation and all the ancillary techniques associated with these disciplines. The impact of the program should encourage the preparation of a high-quality publication, for which the student will be actively involved.
Desired Background/Skills:
Basic molecular biology experience such as those taught in BIOL2070 (Research Methods in Cell and Molecular Biology).
Supervisor: Raymond Kwong
Lab Website: https://kwong.lab.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: rwmkwong@yorku.ca
Project Title: Understanding the risk of exposure to bisphenol compounds in aquatic animals
Number of Positions: 1
Project Description:
As a “safer” alternative of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS) is now widely used in many consumer products, such as plastics and linings of beverage and food containers. BPS has become ubiquitous in the environment, including surface water, sediment, and sludge. Importantly, emerging evidence has suggested that BPS is an endocrine disrupting chemical, interfering with the reproductive and neuroendocrine systems in animals. In this study, we aim to determine the risk of exposure and the long-term effects of BPS on Daphnia magna. Specifically, we will investigate i) the life-history response to BPS exposure, and ii) the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of BPS.
Student Responsibilities:
The student will evaluate the neurophysiological performance of Daphnia magna during chronic exposure to BPS. The student will gain hands-on experience and learn various analytical methods. The student will perform data collection, statistical analysis, and present the work at our lab meetings. Finally, the student is expected to write a report after the research.
Desired Background/Skills:
Basic wet lab bench skills and completion of WHMIS II training.
Supervisor: Patricia Lakin-Thomas
Lab Website: https://lakinthomas.lab.yorku.ca
Contact Info: plakin@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Role of the TOR pathway in circadian rhythmicity
Project Description: The goal of our research is to describe the molecular mechanisms that produce circadian (24-hour) rhythmicity in eukaryotes. Circadian clocks are found in almost all eukaryotic cells, and play important roles in human health, but the mechanisms are not yet completely described. We use the fungus N. crassa as a model organism, using the superb genetic and biochemical tools that are available to identify new clock-associated genes and their functions. We have found that rhythmicity depends on proteins that are components of the TOR (Target of Rapamycin) pathway, which is a nutrition-sensing pathway that activates growth in all eukaryotes. We have developed an assay for TOR activity using immunoblotting (Westerns) to quantitate the phosphorylation of a downstream target of TOR, S6 ribosomal protein. Using this method, we have discovered that TOR activity is rhythmic. This raises the exciting possibility that rhythmic TOR may play a role in the circadian system. We will investigate the effects of clock-gene mutations and nutritional conditions on TOR activity (assayed by Westerns) and rhythmicity (assayed by fungal spore formation).
Student Responsibilities: Experiments will be designed in consultation with the PI. The NSERC student will carry out all aspects of the experiments from culturing the fungus to immunoblotting for S6, as well as fungal growth assays for clock function. The student will work independently on their individual experiments once they have mastered the techniques under close supervision but will work in parallel with other students carrying out the same techniques but answering different questions.
Desired Background/Skills: Biology major (Bio, Biomed, Biotech, Biochem, BioPhys). Some lab experience in courses (ideally some of 2070, 3140, 3150, 4290) or in a research lab.
Supervisor: CJ Lortie
Lab Website: https://zenrabbit.github.io/ecodata/index.html
Contact Info: ecodata@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: A survey of desert plant-animal interactions in the face of a changing climate
Project Description:
Plant-animal interactions are sensitive to climate change. Pairs of species, and beyond, can respond to extreme events, temperature shifts, drought, and other environmental drivers differently and at different rates. This makes it critical for conservation to document the strength of associations between native species in high-stress ecosystems. Our NSERC DG funds expeditions to the west including California to study these interactions. Funding for student salaries is crucial to provide safe, well-funded expeditions to collect plant, animal, and climate datasets to test resilience in drylands to change.
Student Responsibilities:
Work with PhD researchers Jenna Braun, Nargol Ghazian, and Mario Zuliani collecting plant-animal association data. This research is non-manipulative and does not require any direct handling or contact with animals in any form. We use camera traps and sensors. The students will help maintain the camera traps by changing batteries, SD cards, and measuring plant and climate data. The students will be listed a co-authors, contribute to processing the imagery, and also participate in the data compilation. Students will learn the local plants and animals, and the team will survey 5-6 unique sites as an integrated team.
Desired Background/Skills:
Experience with ecological or environmental data. Familiarity with environmental science and ecological data and theories. Basic experience with R and statistics. Capacity to work openly and positively with a team.
Desire and competency to walk and work outside in natural areas.
Supervisor: Jean-Paul Paluzzi
Lab Website: https://paluzzi.lab.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: paluzzi@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Investigation of novel endocrine regulators of the excretory system in a human disease-vector mosquito
Project Description:
Neuropeptides and their receptors play a central role in the regulation of most physiological processes in animals. Research in my laboratory studies the function of neuropeptides and their receptors in insects. To understand the role and importance of distinct neuropeptide systems, we initially deorphanize and functionally validate the activity of neuropeptidergic ligands on their prospective receptors, which we accomplish by combining in vitro, in vivo and heterologous high-throughput techniques. Recent evidence of successful implementation of these methods includes our studies on CAPA peptides, which we found activate their cognate receptor forming an essential anti-diuretic regulatory system (Sajadi et al., 2018 J. Exp. Biol; Sajadi et al., 2020 Sci. Reports). This NSERC USRA project will include molecular, genetic and physiological investigations of additional regulators of the excretory system in insects. The student for this USRA project will be trained by the lead investigator and senior graduate students in the Paluzzi research group with many of the techniques routinely utilized in the lab, including state-of-the-art genetic, molecular and physiology-based methodologies.
Student Responsibilities:
Student will help characterize and molecularly screen mutagenized mosquitoes created using CRISPR-Cas9 and also examine expression profiles in the mosquito (A. aegypti) to reveal target organs of this endocrine signaling system, including the peptidergic ligand and cognate receptor. This will include RT-qPCR as well as fluorescence-based in situ hybridization, providing insight into organ, tissue and cell-specific expression of these transcripts. After cell-specific expression is established, student may use electrophysiology or other bioassay to examine activity of this endocrine system on solute transport across the gut epithelium.
Desired Background/Skills:
No specific bench skills required. The ideal candidate should have an advanced understanding of molecular and physiology related-research. Solid course performances in these areas along with previous lab experience (eg. Research at York or research practicum) provides strong evidence in support of these requirements.
Supervisor: Sandra Rehan
Lab Website: http://www.rehanlab.com
Contact Info: sanrehan@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Wild bee urban ecology
Project Description:
The Rehan lab is establishing critical data to inform sustainable pollinator protection. This work is part of a long-term collaboration with the City of Toronto, David Suzuki Foundation and World Wildlife Federation aimed to conserve wild bees in cities. This project seeks to answer questions on the role of urbanization on wild bee survival and the habitat conditions and plant resources necessary for bee health.
Student Responsibilities:
Students will learn field collection of wild bees, science communication with government and non-government partners, and data management skills when working with museum specimens. They will learn skills in statistics and data visualization to determine the relative roles of urban land use and floral resource availability on bee survival and fitness in wild populations.
Desired Background/Skills:
Undergrad courses in ecology, evolution or related topics in biodiversity conservation. A driver's licence and ability to conduct field research in Toronto. Attention to detail and an interest in wild bee biodiversity and conservation.
Supervisor: Sandra Rehan
Lab Website: http://www.rehanlab.com
Contact Info: sanrehan@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Behavioural Ecology of Wild Bees
Project Description:
Prolonged maternal care results in developmental changes in offspring such that offspring without care are more aggressive and avoidant than offspring that experience care. Genetic data reveal that the absence of maternal care results in differential gene expression and epigenetic patterns centred on neurodevelopment and metabolic pathways responsible for fear and anxiety responses. This project is pioneering the use of novel genomic methods to understand maternal care during early childhood development using in nest observations of small carpenter bees.
Student Responsibilities:
Students will learn field collection of wild bees, video observation of nest behaviour, and lab molecular bench work to dissect brain tissue and extract RNA for sequencing. They will develop skills in bioinformatics to determine the relative roles of social environment and development on bee behaviour and gene expression. This project seeks to answer questions on the role of maternal care for brood survival and the gene regulatory networks underpinning bee health. The long-term goal of this research is to determine the interplay between behaviour and genetics, and to use this information to find avenues for improved health outcomes.
Desired Background/Skills:
Courses in ecology and evolution or animal behaviour and psychology. An interest in behavioural ecology and maternal care. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. No former lab experience is required but any former experience is an asset. Skills in team work, organization, dependability and reliable work ethic are required.
Supervisor: Vivian Saridakis
Lab Website: http://www.yorku.ca/vsaridak/
Contact Info: vsaridak@yorku.ca
Project Title: Identifying Novel Substrates of USP7
Number of Positions: 1
Project Description:
Description: USP7 is a deubiquitinating enzyme that catalyzes the removal of ubiquitin from specific substrate proteins which affects the substrate protein’s stability, localization or activity. USP7 has been shown to regulate many critical cellular pathways or processes and deregulated or mutated USP7 has been implicated in many cancers and neurological disorders. We have previously identified various novel substrate proteins and have shown that they interact with the N-terminal TRAF domain of USP7
(USP7-NTD) using a specific sequence motif (P/AXXS). We are currently working with a bunch of novel putative USP7 substrate proteins and are evaluating their interaction with USP7-NTD.
Student Responsibilities:
The USRA or ENURA student will work alongside a graduate student and help them perform biochemical studies to characterize the binding of USP7 and novel substrate proteins. The student will obtain experience in biochemical binding assays, along with other basic lab skills.
Desired Background/Skills:
The student should have completed BIOL2070 prior to commencing in the lab. Any other basic lab skills obtained in another research lab are preferred but not required.
Supervisor: Ryan Schott
Lab Website: http://yorku.ca/science/schott
Contact Info: schott@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Molecular Evolution of Visual Genes in Frogs and Salamanders
Project Description:
Vertebrate visual systems adapt to different light environments through many different mechanisms including optical changes to the eye and neurological changes that can affect how light signals are processed and interpreted. At the molecular level, spectral sensitivity can evolve through changes to the light-sensitive molecules of the eye (visual pigments) through gene loss and duplication, differential and co-expression, and sequence evolution. Amphibians provide an excellent system for studies of visual evolution and adaptation due to the convergent evolution of similar activity patterns, lifestyles, and behaviours that are likely to influence the evolution of visual function, but are understudied relative to other vertebrates. Our group has recently assembled large datasets of visual genes from frogs that are revealing interesting patterns of visual evolution in relation to ecology, but similar resources in salamanders do not yet exist. We will sequence and assemble the first eye transcriptomes in salamanders focusing on an initial set of 4-6 species that inhabit distinct light environments. We will use these to extract visual genes to produce datasets for future studies. We will also conduct preliminary analyses of the visual pigment genes (opsins) including comparison of gene complements among species, inferences of gene duplications and losses, and an analysis of variation at sites known to affect spectral sensitivity. Additionally, analyses of existing gene dataset from frogs, and comparisons between frog and salamanders will be made. These datasets will form the foundation for future studies of visual evolution across amphibians that will provide a broad evolutionary context within which to test for convergent and novel visual adaptations in response to parallel selective pressures imposed by similar ecologies and behaviours that have evolved repeatedly across amphibians.
Student Responsibilities:
There are several possible projects that can be tailored to student interests. Responsibilities include: extracting RNA from salamander eyes, constructing Illumina sequencing libraries and preparing them for sequencing, checking RNA and library quality, bioinformatics analyses of transcriptome and genome data, phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analyses of visual genes from frogs and salamanders. The students will also have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects on frog visual evolution to gain experience with other methods and manuscript writing.
Desired Background/Skills:
Students should have a strong academic record and taken several relevant Biology courses. No prior lab experience is required.
Supervisor: Yi Sheng
Contact Info: yisheng@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: The role of Ubiquitin in epigenetic regulation
Project Description:
My laboratory studies the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in the regulation of DNA damage repair signaling. HUWE1 (HECT, UBA, WWE domain containing 1) is a HECT-domain E3 ligase that is involved in ubiquitin mediated degradation and signaling in a variety of cellular processes including apoptosis, DNA replication, and recently shown to be involved in DNA damage repair. PARP1 (poly-ADP ribose polymerase 1), is a key protein involved in sensing and initiating DNA damage signaling through catalyzing the attachment of poly-ADP ribose polymers (PAR chains) to its substrate proteins. Recently, we found that HUWE1 regulated the protein stability of PARP1. However, the role of HUWE1 and its interaction with PARP1 in the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway has not been well understood.
Student Responsibilities:
The USRA student will help to characterize the molecular mechanism of the HUWE1 and PARP1 interaction using co-immunoprepicipation and western blot. As HUWE1 contains a WWE1 domain, which is a putative Poly- (ADP-ribose) recognition domain, we hypothesize that that HUWE1 regulates PARP1 through the association of the WWE domain and Poly- (ADP-ribose). To achieve this goal, Greta will further characterize the molecular mechanism of the WWE1 domain dependent interaction of HUWE1 and PARP1. The outcome of this study will provide a new mechanistic insight into the signaling network of cellular DNA damage response through HUWE1 and PARP1.
Desired Background/Skills:
Complete molecular biology courses; demonstrate good critical thinking and data analysis skills. Previous lab work experience is an asset.
Supervisor: Gerald Audette
Lab Website: http://audettelab.ca
Contact Info: audette@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Structure-Function Studies of Bacterial Proteins involved in Virulence and Evolution
Project Description:
The gram negative bacteria Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis are the causative agents of Q fever and tularaemia, respectively. Infection by either organism results in high mortality rates, especially in immuno-compromised individuals, and there are very limited options for detection of both C. burnetii and F. tularensis. Recent evidence shows that both bacteria have functional type II secretion system (T2SS) and type IV pilus (T4P), and that functional T4P affect virulence. Sequence analysis indicates that proteins cbu0156 and ftn0389 are the major pilins of C. burnetii and F. tularensis, respectively; several other proteins, including cbu0155, cbu1891, ftn0116, and ftn1137 have been identified as T2SS effector proteins. However, little is understood of these proteins at the structural level, how they affect virulence, or how they can be used for detection of C. burnetii or F. tularensis infection. The aim of this research is (1) the structural and biophysical analysis of Coxiella and Francisella pilins and T2SS-mediated effector proteins, and (2) coupling structural and functional data to provide a clearer understanding of these proteins within the infective cycle of C. burnetti and F. tularensis. These studies will provide detailed structural information into the pilins and multiple T2SS effector proteins, leading to novel therapeutics, and provide a framework for the development of protein-specific biosensors for C. burnetii and F. tularensis.
Student Responsibilities:
The student's research will focus on the expression and purification of a recombinant protein from C. burnetti, and initial characterization of the protein using liquid chromatography, dynamic light scattering and other biophysical methods. These studies will lead towards the crystallization of the protein and bioinformatics comparison to similar proteins in the Protein Data Bank.
Desired Background/Skills:
Molecular biology/biochemistry lab experience (such as Biol 2070, Chem 2050 etc.). And an enthusiastic attitude!
Supervisor: Thomas Baumgartner
Lab Website: http://www.yorku.ca/tbaumgar/people/tbaumgar/
Contact Info: tbaumgar@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Sustainable Organomain Group Materials
Project Description:
Organic materials are an important class of compounds for sustainable energy applications. They exhibit semiconducting properties that allow for diverse applications in organic electronic devices such as Light Emitting Diodes(OLED), Field Effect Transistors (OFET), Photovoltaic Cells (OPVs), Batteries, and Sensors. Our group and others have recently established phosphole-based pi-conjugated systems as an intriguing new class of electronic materials with a variety of unique and versatile properties in terms of reactivity, stability, and tunability of their optoelectronic properties. Student
Responsibilities:
Undergraduateresearch projects deal with the synthesis and characterization of new, electronically active molecular, organophosphorus based building blocks and materials. Students will be trained in appropriate laboratory techniques to provide an exposure to a broad range of topics and skills in materials chemistry and next-generation sustainable energy solutions. The research involves hands-on handling of air- and moisture sensitive compounds using Schlenk techniques, as well as the determination of the photophysical properties of the product materials by various optical spectroscopies (UV-vis, Fluorescence), as well as their electrochemical properties by cyclic voltammetry. Furtherstate-of-the-art characterization techniques will include multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Elemental Analysis, and X-ray Crystallography.
DesiredBackground/Skills:
Organic chemistry at an intermediate level; Inorganic chemistry at an intermediate level; Basic spectroscopy knowledge; Experience with organic and/or organometallic synthesis
Supervisor: Jennifer Chen
Lab Website: http://jchen.lab.yorku.ca
Contact Info: jilchen@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Portable darkfield microscopy system
Project Description:
We are interested in developing optical sensing systems as bioanalytical tools and point-of-care diagnostics. In one area of research, we have developed biofunctionalized plasmonic nanostructures on substrates as optical sensors, where light scattering signal from each nanostructure is captured via darkfield microscopy. Conventionally, the imaging is performed using a research-grade microscope. This project involves making a low-cost, portable darkfield microscope using smartphone camera and consumer-grade optics and components to enable the translation of the sensing platform. It complements our principal research in developing nanomaterials for a range of applications (these projects in chemistry are presented in Chemistry department's undergraduate research opportunity orientation).
Student Responsibilities:
Design and build an adapter for performing darkfield microscopy; this may include searching for suitable components, CAD drawing and 3D printing. Carry out experiments to optimize the geometry and optical performance of the portable system, in comparison with the research microscope. Attend group meetings, carry out lab maintenance tasks and summarize findings as a report or presentation.
Desired Background/Skills:
Biophysics, optics, electronics. Ability to take initiatives and learn new areas (some work may be more related to engineering). Be able to work in a team (most group members are chemists).
Supervisor: Sergey Krylov
Lab Website: http://www.yorku.ca/skrylov/
Contact Info: skrylov@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project title: Selection of drug candidates from DNA-encoded libraries by capillary electrophoresis
Project Description:
This research project deals with Ideal-Filter Capillary Electrophoresis (IFCE). IFCE is a novel and highly-enabling technology for screening DNA-encoded molecular libraries (DELs) for drug leads. IFCE is ten million times more efficient that typical surface-based screening techniques! The development of IFCE into a practical drug-development technology is a focus of a NSERC SPG-P grant awarded to me and my collaborator, Dr. Hili. A central part to this project is a sub-project on adopting IFCE to real DELs (the proof-of-principle work was done with DEL-mimicking libraries). In essence, the electrophoretic behavior of a DEL (provided by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which is an industrial partner on the project) will be tested under IFCE conditions and the non-binder background will be measured. IFCE-based screening of the DEL for binders to Carbonic Anhydrase, a protein known to be druggable, will be then carried. Further, DNA tags on the collected binders will be sequenced at the GSK site. Finally, the sequences will be analyzed and the results will be compared with those of GSK’s conventional surface-based screening. The expected output is a set of performance parameters of IFCE in DEL screening. The work will also serve as a proof-of-principle for IFCE applicability to DELs. The results are expected to be published.
Student Responsibilities:
Conduct experiment, perform lab duties, read the literature, write reports
Desired Background/Skills:
It is preferable the the student(s) will have taken General Chemistry, General Physics, Analytical Chemistry, and Calculus by the time he/she joins the project
Supervisor: Gino Lavoie
Lab Website: http://www.yorku.ca/glavoie
Contact Info: glavoie@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Synthesis and use of guanidine-based catalytic systems for the preparation of biodegradable polymers.
Project Description:
At the heart of most chemical transformations is the use of catalysts to mediate reactions under mild conditions. Over the past decades, improvements have been made to catalysis thanks to well-defined transition metal complexes. Polymerization is one of those transformations that makes use of catalysts. Polymers have played a significant role in today's society, with applications in medical devices, electronics, sporting goods, construction and transportation, to name a few. With approximately 400 millions metric tonnes of polymers produced worldwide per year, it is critical that catalysts with better performance be developed. Our group has thus been developing new modular bidentate ligands, focusing on highly versatile guanidine donors. These allow us to easily tune their electronic and steric contributions to the catalytic system. The performance of the resulting complexes in the polymerization of lactide and olefins is then explored. A typical research project for undergraduate students involve the synthesis of small organic molecules (ligands) and transition metal complexes, and testing of these complexes in polymerization. Researchers in the Lavoie group gain valuable hands-on experience in (i) the synthesis of both inorganic and organic compounds, including working under oxygen and moisture-free conditions, (ii) their characterization by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, (iii) the assessment of catalysts performance in polymerizations, and (iv) the use of computational chemistry to gain further insight and develop structure–activity relationships. Students work in state-of-the-art facilities touching on all four classical divisions of chemistry (inorganic, organic, analytical and physical chemistry) while developing skills transferable to their future research endeavours.
Student Responsibilities:
- Synthesis organic and inorganic compounds.
- Characterize all compounds by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
- Test the activity of transition metal complexes for the polymerization of olefins and lactide.
- Document all experimental procedures in a laboratory notebook.
- Participate in group meetings.
- Write interim reports and a final report.
- Have good housekeeping skills.
- Abide by the safety rules.
Desired Background/Skills:
Organic and inorganic chemistry at an intermediate (3000) level, including some laboratory synthetic skills (ideally with CHEM 3000 and 3001 completed); basic 1H NMR spectroscopy knowledge.
Supervisor: Ozzy Mermut (Physics) & Bill Pietro
Lab Website: https://omermut.lab.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: omermut@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Investigating the physical-chemical properties of nature-inspired azobenzene photoswitches
Project Description:
Azobenzene molecules are nature inspired biological mimics for a variety of important natural photochromes in vision. For example, photo-responsive Retinal is the chemical basis of visual phototransduction involved in visual perception through the eye, and is responsible for signaling that enables vision. The geometric photo-induced isomerization of mimetic azo-benzene molecules are therefore important to study in a variety of biophysical phenomena and to develop new sensors for emerging new biophotonic phototherapies for devasting visual diseases and cancer. In this project, the goal is to build on our library of synthesized molecules by synthesizing new derivatives of these biomimetic azobenzene photo-switches and to determine their physical-optical properties (specifically rate constants, and relative activation energies) through density functional theory calculations of these newly synthesized derivatives. The transdisciplinary nature of the project, supervised by Prof. Mermut, implicates a highly collaborative environment wherein this NSERC USRA project the student is co-supervised by Prof. Pietro (York U), and performed in collaboration with Prof. Barrett (McGill).
Student Responsibilities:
Depending on the students’ background, the NSERC USRA student in this project shall be responsible for either synthesis and spectroscopic optical characterization of four azobenzene molecules OR density functional theory modeling calculations (DFT) of four candidate photo-switches. In either case the NSERC USRA student’s primary role is to determine the relatives rate of the photo-switches, dihedral angles implicated in the geometric photo-isomerization and the relative changes in activation energies. Specifically, the dihedral angle studies will lead to the determination of activation barriers, so one can calculate relative kinetics of the molecules. The NSERC USRA student will conduct photo-switching experiments for optical characterizations with the synthesized molecules in our labs and data analysis to determine photo-switching rates. Depending on the skill set of the candidate, the chemistry or biochemical physics NSERC USRA student should have some background or be comfortable with relatively simple organic synthesis and/or DFT computational modeling.
Desired Background/Skills:
Organic synthesis and/or DFT computational modeling.
Supervisor: Sylvie Morin
Lab Website: https://www.yorku.ca/science/morinresearchgroup/research/
Contact Info: smorin@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Transition metal oxides as efficient electrocatalysts
Project Description:
Pressing issues such as climate change and the need for alternative energy sources can be addressed through the use of electrochemical technology. It already plays an important role in energy storage and conversion devices such as fuel cells and batteries. Hydrogen gas is viewed as one of the energy carriers of the future as it is environmentally friendly and inexhaustible. However, at present, hydrogen is mainly produced from steam methane reforming and coal gasification, which lead to carbon dioxide emissions. Water electrolysis is an efficient and sustainable way to produce H2. However, the practical application of water electrolysis has been limited due to its high cost. Water splitting involves two half-reactions, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The OER is particularly kinetically sluggish and this causes significant energy loss in the water splitting process. Thus, a lot of efforts have gone into developing materials that can decrease the energy needed to carry out this reaction. We have recently identified that iron-containing copper-cobalt oxide and nickel-cobalt oxide materials display good oxygen production properties. Thus, the goal of this project is to identify and understand what make iron containing copper-cobalt oxide and nickel-cobalt oxide materials so good at producing oxygen gas. We will be using state of the art techniques to achieve this goal and identify the structural, electronic and mechanistic characteristics that make these materials work the way they do. This research would be highly beneficial to our understanding of their mode of operation and will enable their application in new water electrolysis technology, opening the door to practical applications for the production of hydrogen via water electrolysis. Transition metal oxides as efficient electrocatalysts;
Student Responsibilities:
Together with my graduate students you will learn to prepare and characterize transition metal oxide materials using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical techniques.
You will become familiar with electrode kinetics measurements.
You will learn how to analyze the data and present your work in the form of written reports, posters and talks.
Desired Background/Skills:
Successful progress towards an undergraduate degree in Chemistry
Supervisor: Trevor VandenBoer
Lab Website: https://www.tcvandenboer.ca/
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Environmental chemistry of pollutants
Project Description:
Our research team conducts research in Analytical Environmental Chemistry with current focus on the atmospheric chemistry of reactive nitrogen (indoors and outdoors), deposition of per fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) into remote regions, and atmosphere-surface chemical exchange. We build first-of-their-kind instrumental and molecular (or material) sensing platforms to make measurements at the cutting edge of environmental chemistry, targeting challenging environments and analytes. Our group bridges the three pillars of atmospheric hemistry research: lab experiments, field work and campaigns, and kinetic and thermodynamic modeling. Our research is highly collaborative, involving government, industry, and academic groups from across Canada and internationally, providing students broad perspective on employment options and the potential to develop strong networks.
Desired Background/Skills:
Scientific qualifications and experience we seek from and develop in new scientists in the group are: high level analytical capabilities, quality assurance and quality control, chromatography, mass spectromety, solid phase extraction, environmental field work, large data-set analysis, automation, and mass spectrometry.
Supervisor: Jennifer van Wijngaarden
Lab Website: http://yorku.ca/vanwijng/
Contact Info: vanwijgn@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Properties of organic conformers via rotational spectroscopy
Project Description:
Chemists tend to view a molecule’s backbone as rigid when thinking about chemical properties and reactivity, but molecules are highly dynamic. The average properties of a compound depend on the underlying energy landscape that governs the relative energies of conformers and the barriers to re-arrange between them. While individual conformers of most compounds cannot be isolated on the benchtop, one can study them using spectroscopy in cold jets where each conformer gives rise to a unique spectral fingerprint. Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) spectroscopy is an excellent tool for this purpose as it allows one to derive accurate bond lengths and angles needed to distinguish between different conformers. Undergraduate research projects involve the measurement and analysis of the FTMW spectrum of novel compounds using state-of-the-art spectrometers. As the test compounds are those whose spectra have never been reported, the first step is to predict the stable conformers using computational chemistry and to simulate the expected patterns of rotational transitions.
Student Responsibilities:
Students will be trained to use modern spectrometers (vacuum system, gas mixtures, electronics) and various computational software routines.
Desired Background/Skills: Undergraduate students from the chemistry and biochemistry programs are best-suited for this research. Priority will be given for students who have taken physical and analytical chemistry courses at the second year level (CHEM 2000, CHEM 2011, CHEM 2080) at a minimum and who plan further studies in the physical and analytical chemistry (CHEM 3010, 3011, 3080) to expand their understanding of instrumentation and theory.
Supervisor: Derek Wilson
Lab Website: http://yorku.ca/dkwilson
Contact Info: dkwilson@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Protein Motions in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Disease
Project Description:
Our lab uses home-build devices combined with cutting edge bioanalytical mass spectrometry platforms to study the rapid - and sometimes dangerous - motions undergo as they carry out their biological roles (or go rogue and cause disease) in the cell. Our undergraduate projects will have you working with Tau protein - one of the two proteins that misfolds and clumps together in Alzheimer's disease - studying how phosphorylation by different enzymes causes it to shift it's 'conformational bias' from the 'safe' form you have in your brain right now to the 'dangerous' form that starts 'clumping' and neurodegeneration.
Student Responsibilities:
Students will:Learn to express and purify Tau protein; Learn to characterize Tau using 'native' mass spectrometry; Learn to conduct millisecond H/D exchange experiments to explore Tau conformational dynamics; Learn to phosphorylate Tau; Present their work at group meetings and conferences; Write up any novel / impactful findings!
Desired Background/Skills:
You'll need: To be an independent learner/thinker, ready to (eventually) work independently in the lab and read relevant background papers on your own; To be able to work as part of a team; To be ready to make the best of the opportunities working on a real-world, high level research project affords you! Some skills in biochemistry lab would be nice, but the ability to learn hands-on skills quickly and effectively is more important than pre-existing knowledge! Some knowledge of molecular-level biochemistry / structural biology would be nice, but the ability to quickly and holistically learn the biological background is more important!
Supervisor: Cora Young
Lab Website: www.cjygroup.com/joining-the-group
Contact Info: youngcj@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Investigating sources and fate of environmental pollutants
Project Description:
Our group uses and develops new analytical techniques to provide unique insights into unknown or poorly constrained environmental chemical processes. We focus on problems at the leading edge of environmental chemistry, including climate change, air quality (indoor and outdoor), and long-range transport of contaminants. Our work involves laboratory experiments, field measurements, and data analysis. Members of our group have the opportunity to work with state- of-the-science analytical tools (including optical techniques, chromatography, and mass spectrometry), as well as the data generated by these instruments.
Student Responsibilities:
Undergraduate researchers are tasked with their own research question and are paired with a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher. Projects vary based on the interest and level of the undergraduate researcher. We believe that the most exciting and impactful research is collaborative. Our group operates using a team-based approach and strives for positive, respectful, professional, and productive working relationships. We have a diverse team that fosters an open, inclusive, and equitable environment.
Desired Background/Skills:
Environmental chemistry research involves knowledge of chemical nalaysis, processes, and mechanisms, but also other skills that are not typically learned in a chemistry degree (e.g. coding, soldering), Be prepared to learn new things.
Supervisor: Toby Zeng
Lab Website: https://www.yorku.ca/science/profiles/faculty/toby-zeng/
Contact Info: tzeng@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Computational Chemistry: Driving Formalism and Designing Materials
Project Description:
Modern computational chemistry is used extensively to explain and predict phenomena of excited states and design high performance functional materials. The research in our group is mainly dedicated in two aspects: (1) designing optoelectronic materials; (2) development of mathematical formalism to explain and predict molecular spectra. In materials designing, we focus on singlet fission chromophores, which increase the number and lifetime of excitons in solar cells, and consequently enhance photoelectric conversion efficiency. In formalism development, we focus on symmetry-related interactions between electrons and nuclear vibrations. The developed fundamental formalism is of critical importance for accurate explanations and predictions of photoelectric spectra, and for modeling excited states dynamics in optoelectronic materials.
Student Responsibilities:
Coding formalism and running quantum chemistry calculations. Undergraduate researchers in our group will receive trainings in quantum chemistry calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, using high performance computer clusters, and programming in Fortran, Python, and shell script languages. Students will also gain in-depth knowledge in theoretical chemistry and applied mathematics.
Desired Background/Skills:
Mathematical knowledge at CHEM 2000 level is desired for NSERC-USRA and ENURA research projects. Both CHEM 2000 and CHEM 3010 knowledge is desired for CHEM 4000 research projects. Advanced quantum chemistry knowledge at CHEM 4010 level will further facilitate the completion of CHEM 4000 research projects and prepare students for graduate studies in the area of theoretical and computational chemistry.
Supervisor: Yuejiao Fu
Lab Website: https://yuejiao.info.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: yuejiao@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Two-sample tests based on data depth
Project Description:
Statistical depth, which measures the center-outward rank of a given sample with respect to its underlying distribution, has become a popular and powerful tool in nonparametric inference for big data. In this project, we focus on the homogeneity test that tests whether two multivariate samples come from the same distribution. We will examine and compare different depth-based tests for multivariate two-sample problems.
Student Responsibilities:
Conduct literature review, simulation studies and data analysis.
Desired Background/Skills:
Completed 3131 and 3330, strong R programming skills.
Supervisor: Edward Furman
Lab Website: https://edfurman.info.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: efurman@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Risk management in the presence of heavy-tailed crypto-currency risks
Project Description:
Fat tails of returns are a common occurrence in portfolio management. Heavy tails may be caused by frequent price fluctuations, which are often found in such more volatile assets as cryptocurrency. In certain unique yet frequently occurring cases, heavy tails of returns result in infinite variances, limiting our ability to apply appropriate variance-based risk measures such as the vanilla standard deviation and (Tail) Standard Deviation/(Tail) Variance. (More generally, the issue of infinite variances is not a rare phenomenon in the risk management and insurance industry, with many professionals struggling to find a way to measure variability in such cases.) In this project, we will employ the Gini Shortfall risk measure [Furman et al., (2017). Gini-type measures of risk and variability: Gini shortfall, capital allocations, and heavy-tailed risks. Journal of Banking and Finance], as a foundation to new portfolio optimization approach (an alternative to the traditional standard deviation/variance based approach conceptualized by Harry Markovitz) and demonstrate how it can solve many problems currently faced by risk professionals in the context of cryptocurrency risk management.
Student Responsibilities:
Literature review; derivation/proof of some special cases of main results; coding to verify/implement some of the results numerically; present to a group of academicians and risk professionals from the risk management and insurance industry.
Desired Background/Skills: Solid math skills (in particular probability, actuarial science), good coding skills in one of (MATLAB, R, PYTHON).
Supervisor: Hanna Jankowski
Lab Website: https://www.yorku.ca/hkj/
Contact Info: hkj@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Mathematical biology R package
Project Description:
This project will be supervised jointly by Professor Jane Heffernan and Professor Hanna Jankowski.
The goal is to finalize an R package and create a web application using Shiny for certain (mostly pre-built) functions. The R package calculates R0, the basic reproductive ratio, using a variety of methods. The final product will be shared widely with the public health and mathematical biology community.
Student Responsibilities:
The student will be responsible for writing the code to create the R package and learning/writing the Shiny code to make the package accessible online. Proofreading the package and debugging will also be a part of the project.
Desired Background/Skills:
The ideal student will have knowledge of the R computing environment, and wither experience or be willing to learn how to build packages and work with Shiny. Good communications skills and the ability to work independently are key. This project is a great resume builder for those hoping to enter public health or data science.
Supervisor: Jude Kong
Lab Website: https://judekong.mathstats.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: jdkong@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Estimating the parameters of a mathematical model for marine fish population
Project Description:
As climate change alters Earth’s environment, understanding the mechanisms, pace, and dynamics of shifting species is of interest both ecologically and for conservation efforts. Predictions about how species will respond to environmental change are often made using models that neglect spatial population dynamics and that assume species are in equilibrium with their environment. We have formulated a mathematical model for species abundance under the influence of climate change, and curated time series data on fish stocks that are being displaced due to climate change in the interconnected oceans surrounding Canada: Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic. We are now at the point of analyzing the model and estimating the parameters of the model from the curated data.
Student Responsibilities:
The student will use a Bayesian framework to jointly estimate thermal envelopes, population growth rates, and dispersal parameters. Using the model with the estimated parameter values, the student will forecast the future abundance of fish stocks in the oceans surrounding Canada.
Desired Background/Skills:
MATH 2270 or MATH 2271 (Ordinary Differential Equations)
Supervisor: Jude Kong
Lab Website: https://judekong.mathstats.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: jdkong@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Estimating the parameters of a cholera transmission model with immunological threshold and natural phage control in a reservoir
Project Description:
Cholera remains epidemic and endemic in the world, causing thousands of deaths annually in locations lacking adequate sanitation and water infrastructure. Yet, its dynamics are still not fully understood. We have formulated and analyzed a mathematical model for the dynamics of cholera that incorporate the interaction of bacteria and phage. The next step is to estimate the parameters of the model from the curated data (Yemen and Cameroon Data).
Student Responsibilities:
The student will use a Bayesian framework to estimate the parameters of the model and study the impact of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions on the dynamics of Cholera in Endemic regions.
Desired Background/Skills:
MATH 2270 or MATH 2271
Supervisor: Kevin McGregor
Lab Website: https://www.kevmcgregor.com/
Contact Info: kevinmcg@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Zero-inflated association metrics in microbiome data
Project Description:
Statistical genetics, Bayesian statistics, compositional data, high-dimensional data.
Student Responsibilities:
Data analysis in R, designing an R package, running simulations on Compute Canada.
Desired Background/Skills:
Completed several upper level statistics courses (at least Math 3131 and Math 3330, preferably more), strong R programming skills, independent worker with attention to detail.
Supervisor: Iain Moyles
Lab Website: http://www.yorku.ca/imoyles/
Contact Info: imoyles@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Optimal behaviour strategies for public health policy during COVID-19
Project Description:
Prior to the implementation of vaccines in the mitigation of COVID-19, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as distancing, masking, and other public health measures were the primary tool for preventing infection. However, prolonged use of these measures caused societal fatigue and reduced their effectiveness. This project will use an infectious disease model with behaviour considered and determine the optimal public health measures that should have been used in each province in the early waves of the pandemic. This will be compared to actual citizen response and the results will help guide policy decisions for future use of NPIs.
Student Responsibilities:
Students will read literature to understand the modelling of infectious diseases; students will write down differential equations that model the spred of infectious diseases; students will derive basic reproduction numbers and write code to solve models; students will use data fitting techniques to compare model to data; students will communicate their findings and discuss implications.
Desired Background/Skills:
Students should be comfortable with mathematical equations (MATH 2270/2271 is helpful). Some experience coding in MATLAB, python, Julia, or another scientific computing language would be an asset.
Supervisor: Paul Skoufranis
Lab Website: https://pskoufra.info.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: pskoufra@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Analytic Approximations in Matrix Algebras
Project Description:
The project will involve attempting to solve some theoretical mathematical problems based on linear algebra and analysis.
Student Responsibilities:
Students will read mathematical literature, attempt to solve problems, and meet with the professor regularly.
Desired Background/Skills:
Students should have completed at least MATH 2001 and MATH 2022. Preference will be given to students that have also completed MATH 3001. In addition, MATH 4011 and 4012 would help a lot and MATH 3021, 3022, and 4021 would help some.
Supervisor: Mike Zabrocki
Lab Website: https://garsia.math.yorku.ca/~zabrocki/
Contact Info: zabrocki@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Machine learning on cryptographic hash functions
Project Description:
Cryptographic hash functions are functions that are designed to have a deterministic but highly complex relationship between the input and output of the function. If we call the hash function h and the input x, then it is very difficult to predict the value of x from the value of h(x). Machine learning is a technique of data science that is adept at identifying patterns that are difficult to discern using other techniques. I propose to using machine learning techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of some standard cryptographic hash functions.
Student Responsibilities:
- Learning and researching the machine learning algorithms.
- Learning and researching the cryptographic hash function algorithms.
- Programming the models and training them on hash function data.
- Running the experiments and determining if the machine learning can be used as a tool.
Desired Background/Skills:
- Python programming.
- Strong math skills that include knowledge of linear algebra, binary arithmetic and basic understanding of cryptography.
- Ability to read and learn about machine learning algorithms and techniques.
Supervisor: Patrick Hall
Lab Website: http://www.yorku.ca/phall/HOME/astro.html
Contact Info: phall@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Studying outflows from near black holes
Project Description:
Quasars are disks of matter around supermassive black holes in galaxy cores. My research group has access to large database of spectroscopy and photometry of quasars from the SDSS survey. We are modelling the emission from quasars to compare to the predictions of models of disks and their outflows.
Student Responsibilities:
Work with Prof. Hall and his group on scientific programming using MATLAB and Python, compile and analyze scientific results, and contribute significantly to writing up the results for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Desired Background/Skills:
Has taken undergraduate astronomy courses, has some experience in MATLAB or Python.
Supervisor: Deborah Harris
Lab Website: https://www.yorku.ca/science/profiles/faculty/deborah-harris/
Contact Info: deborahh@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Description:
The MINERvA experiment has recorded over million-event samples of neutrino and antineutrino interactions in a fine-grained well-understood detector composed primarily of plastic scintillator augmented by thin passive targets of iron, lead, carbon, and water. The collaboration is preparing a public release of its data and a simulation of the data, and the Undergraduate Research project will be to exercise the prototype version of this "Data Preservation" product to contribute to an antineutrino cross section measurement. These cross section measurements are important inputs to long baseline neutrino oscillation experiments, which need accurate models of both neutrino and antineutrino interactions to correctly interpret their data and measure oscillation probabilities as a function of neutrino energy.
Student Responsibilities:
The student will exercise a new Data Preservation Package that the MINERvA collaboration is assembling for broad use within the field of particle physics. The student will work to extract an antineutrino cross section on hydrocarbon scintillator using this package, and may also contribute to data and simulation processing associated with producing this package.
Desired Background/Skills:
Python, C++, PHYS 4040 or its equivalent.
Supervisor: Eric Hessels
Lab Website: http://edmcubed.com
Contact Info: hessels@gmail.com
Number of Positions: 2
Project Description:
The student will participate in a major initiative at York University (EDMcubed, which stands for Electron Dipole Measurement using Molecules in a Matrix) in which the electric dipole moment of the electron will be measured to unprecedented precision. The measurement takes advantage of the large electric field that an electron experiences inside of a polar molecule (BaF in this case), and takes advantage of the large number of these molecules that can be embedded into a cryogenic sample of solid argon. The electron's electric dipole moment is key to understanding the asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the universe.
Student Responsibilities:
The student’s research will focus around designing, planning and building and optimizing one of the systems needed to make the measurement. Several systems are required, including a cryogenic system, a vacuum system, a molecular ion beam system, a magnetic field system, a radio-frequency system, and an optical detection system. The student will focus on one of these systems, but the choice of which one will be made based on the progress EDMcubed in the intervening months, and in consultation with the student. The student will take away valuable experience in design, building and testing a complex scientific apparatus, as well as being part of a very exciting and high-profile research effort.
Desired Background/Skills:
Successful progress towards an undergraduate degree in physics.
Supervisor: Rahul Kannan
Lab Website: https://www.yorku.ca/science/profiles/faculty/rahul-kannan/
Contact Info: kannanr@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: The role of Pupulation III stars in high redshift galaxies
Project Description:
New JWST results show an abundance of luminous massive galaxies that seem to be in tension with current models of galaxy formation. One possible solution to this problem is the idea that these high-redshift galaxies are dominated by metal free Population III stars that have Initial mass functions skewed to the high mass end. This reduces the mass to light ratio, providing a possible solution to this tension. In this project we will look at simulations that model Population III stars in a cosmological setting and try to understand how prevalent these stars are and evaluate if their contribution can be large enough to modify the UV luminosities of the observed high-redshift galaxies.
Student Responsibilities:
The student will be responsible for analyzing data from state-of-the-art large-scale cosmological simulations, writing simple code to plot the results and write up them up.
Desired Background/Skills:
Background in Physics, some experience with Python and an interest in Astrophysics.
Supervisor: Ananthraman Kumarakrishnan
Lab Website: http://datamac.phys.yorku.ca
Contact Info: akumar@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Precision Metrology with Homebuilt Laser Systems
Project Description:
My group has developed a new class of low cost, homebuilt, vacuum-sealed, auto- locking laser systems that can be frequency stabilized with respect to atomic, molecular, and temperature tunable solid state frequency markers without human intervention.
Summer research projects will focus on the applications of these laser systems in several exciting experiments that include:
- Ultra cold atom sensors that measure gravitational acceleration with high precision
- Optical lattices that can realize the most accurate measurement of a diffusion coefficient-a parameter that is required to model the performance of the most sensitive magnetometers
- Coherent transient experiments that are capable of realizing the most precise measurements of atomic lifetimes
- Free space optical tweezers that trap dielectric particles, and rapidly determine their masses by investigating kinematics on fast time scales
Student Responsibilities:
Development of individual research projects, assistance to graduate students
Desired Background/Skills:
Aptitude for experimental physics, willingness to take on challenging problems, hands on skills, computer interfacing.
Supervisor: Randy Lewis
Lab Website: https://www.yorku.ca/lewisr/
Contact Info: randy.lewis@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Theoretical particle physics on quantum computers
Project Description:
The standard model of elementary particle physics is a quantum field theory. Strongly interacting quantum field theories can only be solved by computer simulation. There is a hope that quantum computers will bring new opportunities in this research area. Various possibilities are being explored.
Student Responsibilities:
Practical tests will be performed by writing computer codes and running them on IBM quantum computers. Because today's quantum hardware is noisy, emphasis will be placed on algorithms for error mitigation.
Desired Background/Skills:
An understanding of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. The ability to write programs in Python.
Supervisor: Ozzy Mermut
Lab Website: https://omermut.lab.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: omermut@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Biophysics/Biophotonics - various projects
Project Description:
There are various biophysics projects in our lab. Please drop by my office (PSE 244) to discuss.
Student Responsibilities:
Biophotonics research
Desired Background/Skills:
Ideally the candidate would have some background skills in one of:
- biophysics
- optics and photonics
- electronics
- chemistry - synthesis or DFT
- computational applied math
Supervisor: Ozzy Mermut & Bill Pietro (Chemistry)
Lab Website: https://omermut.lab.yorku.ca/
Contact Info: omermut@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Description:
Azobenzene molecules are nature inspired biological mimics for a variety of important natural photochromes in vision. For example, photo-responsive Retinal is the chemical basis of visual phototransduction involved in visual perception through the eye, and is responsible for signaling that enables vision. The geometric photo-induced isomerization of mimetic azo-benzene molecules are therefore important to study in a variety of biophysical phenomena and to develop new sensors for emerging new biophotonic phototherapies for devasting visual diseases and cancer. In this project, the goal is to build on our library of synthesized molecules by synthesizing new derivatives of these biomimetic azobenzene photo-switches and to determine their physical-optical properties (specifically rate constants, and relative activation energies) through density functional theory calculations of these newly synthesized derivatives. The transdisciplinary nature of the project, supervised by Prof. Mermut, implicates a highly collaborative environment wherein this NSERC USRA project the student is co-supervised by Prof. Pietro (York U), and performed in collaboration with Prof. Barrett (McGill).
Student Responsibilities:
Depending on the students’ background, the NSERC USRA student in this project shall be responsible for either synthesis and spectroscopic optical characterization of four azobenzene molecules OR density functional theory modeling calculations (DFT) of four candidate photo-switches. In either case the NSERC USRA student’s primary role is to determine the relatives rate of the photo-switches, dihedral angles implicated in the geometric photo-isomerization and the relative changes in activation energies. Specifically, the dihedral angle studies will lead to the determination of activation barriers, so one can calculate relative kinetics of the molecules. The NSERC USRA student will conduct photo-switching experiments for optical characterizations with the synthesized molecules in our labs and data analysis to determine photo-switching rates. Depending on the skill set of the candidate, the chemistry or biochemical physics NSERC USRA student should have some background or be comfortable with relatively simple organic synthesis and/or DFT computational modeling.
Desired Background/Skills:
Organic synthesis and/or DFT computational modeling.
Supervisor: Balint Radics
Contact Info: bradics@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Neutrino oscillation with alternative parametrisation
Project Description:
Recent results in neutrino oscillation experiments point to a non-trivial neutrino/lepton flavor mixing model in Nature. The origin of neutrino flavor mixing matrix elements is unknown, and not all the values are precisely measured. But there are theoretical ideas to explain the general structure of the mixing matrix. In this project, the student would implement these theoretical neutrino mixing matrix parameterizations in code and try to compare these models to existing data as an alternative model of Nature.
Student Responsibilities:
The student would implement the proposed neutrino flavor mixing matrix parameterizations in code. He then will validate the implementation by trying to fit them as alternative models to a simulated neutrino oscillation dataset. Finally, the student will try to use existing data from a neutrino oscillation experiment and compare this alternative mixing matrix model to the data and conclude on the validity of the model. The student will summarize his work in a 10-15 page report.
Desired Background/Skills:
Undergraduate students in physics, mathematics, or computer science. Prior courses in particle physics or statistics are an advantage. Good programming experience in python or C++, and some familiarity with the Linux operating systems are needed for this project.
Supervisor: Sean Tulin
Lab Website: http://www.yorku.ca/stulin
Contact Info: stulin@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 2
Project Title: Dark matter and the First Stars
Project Description:
Small dark matter structures (minihalos) provided the gravitational seeds for the first stars in the Universe to collapse and ignite. This research will study how dark matter's microphysical properties, such as its possible interactions and forces, can impact the structure of minihalos and the formation of the first stars. A goal of this research, which is theoretical and computational in nature, will be to perform simplified simulations of star-forming gas collapsing in minihalos.
Student Responsibilities:
Student will assist with developing theoretical ideas related to hydrodynamical equations for gas and dark matter evolution in the early Universe. Student will write, run, and debug Python code for implementing these ideas, based on an existing codebase. Student will work in a collaborative and vibrant team environment and will be expected to contribute to group activities, such as giving presentations and sharing results with the team.
Desired Background/Skills:
Prior experience in Python, or enthusiasm for learning Python if no previous experience.
Supervisor: William van Wijngaarden
Lab Website: https://www.yorku.ca/science/profiles/faculty/william-van-wijngaarden/
Contact Info: wavw@yorku.ca
Number of Positions: 1
Project Title: Studies of How Clouds Affect Radiative Transfer through Earth's Atmosphere
Project Description:
This study will look at how radiation is transferred from the Earth's surface through a cloudy atmosphere to space. The effect of changing greenhouse gases, most notably carbon dioxide, has been calculated for the case of a clear sky. Work is underway to extend these calculations to consider scattering by clouds.
Student Responsibilities:
The student would be exposed to extensive programming using MATLAB and gain background in various numerical approximations.
Desired Background/Skills:
A background in computer programming is essential.
No projects currently available for this category.
