Faculty Research
We do research not for personal gain, or "just because", but to:
- know God
- Inform our teaching
- Give our students opportunities for future success
"I am interested in large-scale evolutionary changes among mammals, especially between terrestrial and aquatic environments. My research focuses on the origins of aquatic mammals such as cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) from their terrestrial ancestors and involves reconstructing the locomotor capabilities of fossil species in the context of modern mammals."
My research focuses on CD8+ T cell responses to intracellular bacterial infection, with particular emphasis on the role played by non-classical MHC I (MHC Ib) molecules. MHC I molecules are a group of antigen presenting molecules that present peptide antigens to CD8+ T cells and are invaluable to the adaptive immune response. While research for many years focused almost entirely on the immunodominant but highly polymorphic MHC Ia molecules, the low polymorphism exhibited by MHC Ib molecules makes them attractive targets for the development of novel vaccine strategies. Though a basic scientist, I am keen for my research to be influenced by public health concerns, and as an African, I am particularly sensitive to the needs of the developing world. Of particular interest to me are the often neglected infectious diseases that are responsible for high mortality in many parts of Africa. With these interests in mind, I am interested in the MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cell responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and malaria infection.
"I view my research as an extension of my teaching. While an undergraduate, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to get involved with a research project. It changed my entire career trajectory and I want to help provide those types of experiences for my students. It's both challenging and rewarding to find an interesting and relevant biological question to ask, and then to try to answer it through the process of scientific investigation and hypothesis testing."
"My students and I have investigated genetic factors that determine compatibility between a parasite, Schistosoma mansoni, and its snail host, Biomphalaria. We also are examining the diversity and interactions of bacteria and bacteriophage within the snail gastrointestinal tract, and these investigations are connected to a lab-based course for first-year students I co-teach, in which students conduct research in phage biology and genomics (funded by HHMI).”
“Whether learning about what makes invasive plants incredibly competitive, researching how we might use invasive plants to restore degraded soils and provide biofuel, or describing what more sustainable food production systems could look like in the U.S. or Cambodia, I have found Calvin to be an awesome place to engage students in what it means to learn and live reformed Christianity in biological context.”
"I study the effects of environmental pollutants on the health of fish eating birds - gulls, terns and herons of the Great Lakes and loons in the Adirondack Mountains. My research is funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Conservation Society.”
Phyllis’s overall research interests lies in studying disparities among people of color and socio-economically disadvantaged groups through science. For her thesis research, Phyllis compared and analyzed the health data of blacks and whites suffering from Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension in a local neighborhood medical clinic. Phyllis is also pursuing her doctorate in science education at Western Michigan University where her research involves studying educational inequities among girls of color in the science classroom, particularly in the area of science discourse. One of her prominent goals is to contribute research that will provide marginalized students equal access to quality science education.
"I study bacteria and how they form communities called biofilms. Biofilms are interesting because when bacteria grow in these communities they are more resistant to antibiotics, chemical biocides, and host defenses. I am also interested in the heavy metal resistance mechanisms in bacteria. My most recent projects with students examine the effects of a new antimicrobial compound, SAFI, on bacteria in water that cause cholera and bacteria on fruits and veggies that cause listeriosis.”
"I have broad scholarly interests that range from understanding plants' interactions with their environments, to promoting sustainability, to catalyzing pedagogical and curricular reforms in undergraduate biology education. I am currently leading our department's efforts to upgrade our Biology 224 and 225 labs, developing integrative investigations centered on compelling, socially-relevant questions as a way to promote mastery of essential research and critical thinking skills."
"Having worked previously with isolated rat hearts, I am developing an isolated mouse heart model. Working with Dr. Larry Louters of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, I would like to evaluate myocardial glucose metabolism during calcium channel blocker toxicity."
"I am interested in how animals respond to novel environments – especially those altered by human development. My research focuses primarily on the vocal responses of songbirds to the increasing levels of anthropogenic (human caused) noise that overlaps their vocal signals. Since these overlapped signals are less detectable, I am investigating mechanisms that species employ to increase the effectiveness of their signals in areas of high noise. I am also investigating the potential that noise exacerbates the loss of some species and homogenation in developed landscapes."
Anding Shen"I have ongoing research studying latent reservoirs of HIV infection. We are investigating the mechanisms of how the reservoirs are formed and potential ways to remove the latent reservoir. My newest work involves the role of Endothelial cells in HIV latent reservoir in T cells.” Read more about Professor Shen's HIV research with students.
"The students in my lab are studying the mechanisms by which ultraviolet light can damage the cornea of the eye and possible protection of the cornea from UV by components of the tears. They are also investigating effects of artificial tear solutions and contact lens solutions on corneal cells with the goal of developing improved products treating dry eye and for contact lens care.”
“My research interests are Pacific lowland prairie restoration, plant succession on abandoned oil well sites in northern Michigan, and forest succession of the Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve. My work is funded by Au Sable Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and Calvin College Alumni Association.”
"Michael Ryskamp (former student) and I are just completing a paper describing the first official documentation of Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) in Michigan. This is a species common to the southeastern US and its arrival in Michigan may indicate a response to climate change. I am also preparing a paper with Chris Bouma and Emily Huizenga that assesses native biodiversity in different habitats on Calvin’s campus. We were especially interested to see how much diversity is being supported by some of the large habitat restoration projects we’ve done on campus. This project has important implications related to Christian stewardship and sustainability considerations. Finally, I’ve been devoting a lot of attention to our Plaster Creek Stewards watershed group and Native Landscapes initiative. You can learn more about these efforts at http://www.calvin.edu/admin/provost/pcw/
“With students at Calvin I have the daily opportunity to make discoveries of novel microbiological diversity and function. From the isolation of new microaerophilic bacteria in the human gut to the genomic characterization of novel viruses from the soil, the moment that a student and I realize we are holding in our hands an organism that only we and God know exists is beyond words.”
"I am interested in the role that bacteria play in the premature rupture of fetal membranes. My students and I are investigating the negative impacts of pathogenic organisms on fetal membrane integrity as well as the potentially protective effects conferred by species belonging to the normal flora. I also study DNA topoisomerases. In particular, we are exploring biophysical interactions between this enzyme and topoisomerase-targeted chemotherapeutic agents."
