Dr. Jennifer Bevan, Associate Professor of Communication Studies in Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Areas of current research: Negative interpersonal relationship experiences such as jealousy expression, ongoing, unresolved conflict, topic avoidance, and uncertainty within and across close relational contexts such as romantic, friend, and family relationships. How communication related to these negative relational events is negotiated in social media contexts or interacts with individuals' physical and psychological health is also examined.
Required student experience, course work, or other selection criterion: COM 395; junior or senior rank; potential interest in pursuing an advanced degree in communication studies or related field; willingness to take initiative after initial direction and work independently. Strong organizational and time management skills are required. Some projects will result in student co-authorship on conference papers and/or journal publications.
Dr. Warren de Bruyn, Associate Professor of Chemistry in the Schmid College of Science and Technology
Areas of Research: Eddy correlation air-sea flux measurements of atmospherically important trace gases (dimethyl sulfide/acetone); rates of production and destruction of oxygenated hydrocarbons in seawater; photo-degradation of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons in natural water systems; development of mass spectrometer based techniques to measure trace species in air and seawater.
Required student experience, course work, or other selection criterion: All students with an interest in atmospheric/aquatic chemistry research are welcome. Desirable: completion of CHEM140/150; commitment to 5-10 hours/week.
Dr. Roxanne Greitz Miller, Associate Professor, College of Educational Studies & Schmid College of Science and Technology
Areas of current research: science education K-12, middle grades education, K-12 teacher preparation, educational reform.
Required student experience, course work, or other selection criterion: Students who are interested in public schools and education are welcome to work with us. While future teachers often apply, intent to teach as a career is not required, and we accept qualified students from any discipline. Students in the sciences are encouraged to work on projects in the STAR Institute. We also employ film/TV students to film and edit classroom activities and teacher training sessions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required of all student employees, as is the ability to responsibly and independently carry out assignments given. Students generally work between 5 and 19 hours per week on the projects under Dr. Miller's direction and in cooperation with a team of student researchers at the undergraduate, masters and PhD levels. Students are given the opportunity to observe classrooms, work with teachers, learn research methods, co-author publications and co-present at state and national conferences when appropriate. Students who join our team early in their Chapman experience are often able to continue working with us for several academic years, thus gaining excellent work experience for their future careers.
Dr. Jason Keller, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences in the Schmid College of Science and Technology
Areas of current research: Wetland ecology; carbon cycling in ecosystems; controls of greenhouse gas (CH4 and N2O) dynamics in wetlands; humic substance reduction in northern peatlands; soil carbon sequestration in Southern California salt marshes; impacts of global change (elevated CO2, warming temperatures, sea level rise) on wetlands.
Required student experience, course work, or other selection criterion: An interest in gaining experience with research is essential. Desirable: success in BIOL205 and/or upper-level ecology courses; chemistry lab experience; commitment to at least 6 hours/week including weekly lab meetings.
Website: http://www.chapmanecosystems.wordpress.com
Dr. Christopher Kim, Associate Professor of Physical Sciences in the Schmid College of Science and Technology
Areas of current research: Distribution and characterization of heavy metals in mine wastes; effects of iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticle aggregation on metal adsorption and desorption; water leaching of heavy metals in natural mine wastes as a function of particle size; solubility of heavy metals from natural mine wastes in simulated lung fluid (SLF) and gastric fluid (SGF); statistical and spectroscopic analysis of heavy metals in mine wastes.
Required student experience, course work, or other selection criterion: Any student interested in getting involved with environmental research is welcome. Desirable: include completion of CHEM140/150; other lab/science course experience; commitment to about 5 hours/week.
Website: http://www.chapman.edu/envgeo
Dr. Bill Wright, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences in the Schmid College of Science and Technology
Areas of current research: Organismal Biology: Evolution (molecular biology, neurophysiology and ecology) of learning in sea hares related to the model genus Aplysia; sensitization in sea hares by natural predators (lobsters, crabs, and sea slugs); effect of no-take reserves on diet of protected predators (SCUBA certification required); neuronal correlates of predator-induced sensitization; territoriality of an intertidal limpet: Risk of dislodgment by waves during agonistic encounters in a territorial limpet; molecular correlates of territorial status in a limpet.
Required student experience, course work, or other selection criterion: First-year Biology; statistics; commitment to 10 hours a week for at least one semester per year. Persistent students usually present their results at national meeting. Persistent and lucky students get authorship on a published paper.
Website: http://www1.chapman.edu/~wwright/
