GEMF PROGRAM

Undergraduate Profile:

Location:
Lisle, Illinois

Size:
5,279 students

Science Majors:
800 students

Website
www.ben.edu

GEMF Award Date:
Spring 2006

About the Institution:

Benedictine University is a Catholic university in the Benedictine tradition that provides a values-centered liberal arts education enriched by excellence in science. Benedictine has been recognized by U.S. Congress Office of Technology and Assessment and the National Science Foundation as being among the most productive schools in the country for the rate graduates go on to earn doctorates in science. Three Howard Hughes Medical Institute grants were used to develop a successful undergraduate research program. In the past 12 years, the University has received grants from the National Science Foundation for several projects supporting curriculum development, science instrumentation and research.

LI-COR^® 4300 DNA Analysis System in the Curriculum:

“The LI-COR DNA analysis system is a central part of our genomics core facility that is fully accessible to undergraduate student researchers. From gel casting and loading to image processing, the LI-COR platform allows students hands-on experience in DNA fragment analysis and sequencing that is transparent to the technology that produced the genomics revolution. In addition to teaching, the instrument has proven central to our research in the areas of molecular genetics and genomics. While the sequencing capabilities are noteworthy, the LI-COR system has few peers in the area of fragment analysis for DNA fingerprinting studies.” – Dr. Preston R. Aldrich, Assistant Professor of Biology

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Research Grants

• Aldrich, P.R., Greer, G.K. (2004 – 2008) Genetic and biochemical variation of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima with special reference to managing the threat to regeneration of oak forests in the Northeast. USDA – Forest Service Research Grant, $103,468

Papers & Posters

• JOURNAL ARTICLES (Undergraduate co-authors)
• Aldrich, P.R., Briguglio, J., Kapadia, S., Morker, M., Rawal, A., Huebner, C., Greer, G.K. (in prep) Network architecture of the Ailanthus gene pool in eastern U.S. cities.


• POSTERS (Undergraduate co-authors)
• Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily for the oak species. Science Open House, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Aldrich, P. R., Asad Ahmed, Nazia Ayub, Joseph Briguglio, Shyam Kapadia, Minesh Morker, Caitlin Ondracek, Ankit Rawal, Abrar Salam, Cynthia Huebner, and Gary Greer (2007) Genome scans of adaptive diversity in U.S. populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima. Meeting of the Botanical Society of America, Chicago, IL, 7-11 July 2007
• Rawal, A., S. Kapadia, M. Morker, and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Genetic structure of eastern populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima: A microsatellite study. Meeting of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA), University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL.
• Ayub, N., and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Cytochrome P450 variation in fragmented populations of the tropical tree Symphonia globulifera. Meeting of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA), University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL.
• Aldrich, P. R., C. Ondracek, D. Shiao, A. Rawal, S. Kapadia, S. Nasaruddin, K. Sokolowski, G. Greer, and C. Huebner (2005) Molecular genetic variation in U.S. populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae). Meeting of the Botanical Society of America, Austin, TX.


• PRESENTATIONS (Undergraduate co-authors)
• Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily for the oak species. Tri-Beta Society, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Network biology and the genetic structure of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima. ACCA Student Symposium on Invasive Species, November 11, 2008 at Benedictine University.
• Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily for the oak species. American Chemical Society/Society of Physics Students (ACS/SPS) Student Meeting, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily for the oak species. Summer Research Symposium, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Briguglio, J. and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Forest fragmentation and genetic bottleneck effects on variation at the cytochrome P450 multigene family in the tropical tree Symphonia globulifera. Summer Research Symposium, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Ondracek, C., and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Genetic structure of eastern populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima: A survey of cytochrome P450 variation. Meeting of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA), University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL.
• Salam, A., A. Ahmed, and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Cytochrome P450 variation in U.S. populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima”. Summer Research Symposium, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Aldrich, P.R., and G Greer (2005) Genetics and biochemical variation of US Ailanthus altissima populations: a preliminary discussion of a research plan. 16th USDA Interagency Research Forum on Gypsy Moth and Other Invasive Species, Annapolis, MD.

Where we found our funds

Matching funds were provided through a Department of Energy grant “Benedictine University Science Lab Equipment Project to Upgrade Science Laboratory Facilities and Establish a Center for Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.”

Contact Information

Dr. Preston R. Aldrich
Department of Biological Sciences
Benedictine University
Birck Hall 341
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532-0900
Phone: 630-829-6519
Fax: 630-829-6547
Email: paldrich@ben.edu