Students

STUDENT THESES AND DISSERTATION COMMITTEES EXTERNAL & TEXAS STATE

Lexi Beaver, “Optimization of Molecular Buoys in the Isolation and Amplification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater.” 2023 – 2024 (Chair, Shannon E. Weigum, Texas State University, Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program): Degree Completion, May 2024

Isha Desai, “Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Using Novel Molecular Buoys.” 2020 – Present (Chair, Shannon E. Weigum, Texas State University, Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program): Degree Completion, May 2023

Nicholas R. Henry, MS, “Organ Donors’ Narratives: Transformative Learning During the Organ Donor Consent Process.” 2020 – Present (Chair, Joellen E. Coryell, Texas State University, APCE): Degree Completion, May 2022

Melissa Butler (Tucker), “Urinalysis Testing and the Urine Culture” Ph.D. Committee member, 2017 – Present (Chair, Dr. Nadine Lerret, Rush University, College of Health Sciences Chicago, IL 60612): Degree Completion, [voluntary stop]

Matthew T. Milholland, “Ecological Correlates of Hantavirus Prevalence in Rodent Assemblages” Ph.D. Committee member, 2013 – Present (Chair, Dr. Iván Castro-Arellano, Texas State University, Biology Department): Degree Completion, August 2017

  • The Graduate College’s Outstanding Dissertation Award in the Biological and Life Sciences

Zhenyuan LU, “Integration of a Lateral Flow Immunoassay Panel for Gastroenteritis with Swab-Based Sample Preparation Cartridge.” M.S. Committee member, 2015 – 2016 (Chair and supervising professor, Dr. Shannon Weigum, Texas State University, Biology Department): Degree Completion, May 2017

JyeShuang Ng (Bridget). “The Reliability of Instrumented Knee and Ankle Orthopedic Special Tests Performed with a LigMaster™ Multijoint Arthrometer” M.S. Committee member, 2014 – Present (Chair & supervising professor, Dr. Rod Harter, Texas State University, Department of Health & Human Performance): Degree Completion, December 2015.

Gerald Redwine. “Diabetes Education” Ph.D. Committee member, 2013 – 2015 (Chair, Dr. Steven Furney, APCE Program, College of Education): Degree Completion, May 2015.

Shalini Madadi. “Development of 2D and 3D Paper-based Microfluidic devices for the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia” M.S. Committee member, 2013 – 2015 (Chair and supervising professor, Dr. Shannon Weigum, Texas State University, Biology Department): Degree Completion, May 2015.

Michelle Farci Gillespie. “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence rates and carrier patterns in nurses that work in the acute care setting,” Ph.D. External Dissertation Committee member, 2012 – Present (Chair & supervising professor, Dr. Ruiz, UT School of Nursing, Austin, TX, jruiz@austin.utexas.edu): Degree Completion, December 2013.

Jonny Riggs. “Effect of Bacteriophage Type 92 Infection in Combination with Erythromycin, Teicoplanin, and Vancomycin on MRSA and Staphylococcus epidermidis Mixed-Community Biofilms” M.S. Committee member, 2012 – Present (Chair and supervising professor, Dr. Gary Aron, Texas State University, Biology Department): Degree Completion, August 2013

Lindsey B. Coulter. “Synergistic Effect of Antibiotics and Bacteriophage Infection on Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mixed Biofilm Communities” M.S. Committee member, 2010 – Present (Chair and supervising professor, Dr. Gary Aron, Texas State University, Biology Department):Degree Completion, August 2012

Brian Scott: “Effect of Formalin, Iodine, and Chlorhexidine on the Infectivity of Largemouth Bass Virus”, Reader and Committee member, 2002-2003 (Chair and supervising professor, Dr. Gary Aron, Texas State University-Biology. Degree Completion: December 8, 2003

Mark Varhely.  Non-Thesis Degree. Committee member, 2002 – 04 (Chair and supervising professor, Dr. Gary Aron, Texas State University-Biology): Degree Completion, May 2004

UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING / MENTORING / AWARDS

Wesley Herrera, Summer 2023 – ASCLS Alpha Mu Tau scholarship, June 2023.

Wesley Herrera, Spring 2023 – TACLS Scholarship.

Halie Willeford, Spring 2023 – HA 4121 Directed Study, Undergraduate Research – Linkedin Profile Project, May 2023

Sarah Olsen, Summer 2022 – ASCLS Developing Professionals Forum Travel Scholarship to the ASCLS & AGT Joint Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI, June 26-30, 2022

Amanda Clapie, Summer 2021 – ASCLS Beckman Coulter Travel Grant, ASCLS & AGT Joint Annual Conference, Louisville, KY, June, 2021

Teagan Settle, Spring 2021 – CLS 4321 Directed Study, Undergraduate Research – Chagas Disease Project

Tilly Marks, Summer 2020 – CLS 4321 Directed Study, Undergraduate Research – Chagas Disease Project

Doryan Redding, Summer 2019 – ASCLS Beckman Coulter Travel Grant, ASCLS & AGT Joint Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC, June 23-27, 2019

Joanna Miranda, Summer 2019, ASCLS AMTF National Scholarship, ASCLS & AGT Joint Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC, June 23-27, 2019

Doryan Redding, Spring 2019 – Spring 2019, CLS 4321 Directed Study, Undergraduate Research – Chagas Disease Project

Heather Hansen, Spring 2019, Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

  • **Texas State’s first Goldwater Scholar was recognized during Spring 2019

Heather Hansen, Spring 2019, International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons – Health Careers Scholarship.

Heather Hansen, Spring 2019, Stelos Alliance Scholarship – a non-profit organization with the mission of helping extraordinary young people reach their potential through scholarships and principled leadership.

Heather Hansen, Spring 2019 – CLS 4341 used as Honor College Course Project

Heather Hansen, Spring 2019 – Prevalence and Characterization of Staphylococcus species, including MRSA, in the Home Environment. Honors Thesis. See:

https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/8269

  • **Texas State’s first Goldwater Scholar was recognized during Spring 2019

Joanna Miranda, Fall 2018, American Proficiency Institute (API) Scholarship (one of five national awards).

Heather Hansen & R.E. Rohde, Summer 2018, ASCLS Poster: Medical Mindfulness and Hidden Health: KAP Project for CLS Awareness, ASCLS Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, July 30 – August 3, 2018

Heather Hansen & Joanna Miranda, Summer 2018, ASCLS Beckman Coulter Travel Grants and Alpha Mu Tau Scholarships.

Rachel Johnson, Spring 2018, National Award: The Summer Lab Science Program at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester, Minnesota, offers students the opportunity to gain experience in the clinical laboratory environment by working alongside Mayo Clinic laboratory employees during Summer 2018.

Heather Hansen, Spring 2018, ASCLS Legislative Symposium Travel Grant

Heather Hansen, Spring 2018, TACLS Student Scholarship

Heather Hansen, Spring 2018, URF Grant award: $1000.00, Prevalence and Characterization of Staphylococcus species, including MRSA, in a Home Environment.

Heather Hansen, Fall 2017 – Summer 2018, CLS 4321 Directed Study, Undergraduate Research for CLS KAP Questionnaire Research Study: Medical Mindfulness and Hidden Health? TACLS 2018 Undergraduate 2nd Place Poster Award

Heather Hansen, Fall 2017, American Proficiency Institute (API) Scholarship (one of five national awards).

Eric Bruton, Summer 2017, Three-Dimensional Imaging of Immunostained Tubule Lumens in Solvent-Cleared, Whole-Mount Mouse Kidneys, ASCLS Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, July 31st – August 4, 2017

Sheridan Limmer, Spring 2017, A Prospective Study of Patients Diagnosed with Sarcoidosis: Nutrition, Health Assessment and Environmental Exposures ASCLS Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, July 31st – August 4, 2017

Eric Bruton, Spring 2017, Three-Dimensional Imaging of Immunostained Tubule Lumens in Solvent-Cleared, Whole-Mount Mouse Kidneys, Texas State Honor College Undergraduate Research Forum Annual Conference, San Marcos, TX, April 21st, 2017

Eric Bruton, Spring 2017, Three-Dimensional Imaging of Immunostained Tubule Lumens in Solvent-Cleared, Whole-Mount Mouse Kidneys (1st Place Poster Award), TACLS Annual Conference, Allen, TX, March 31st, 2017

Sheridan Limmer, Spring 2017, A Prospective Study of Patients Diagnosed with Sarcoidosis: Nutrition, Health Assessment and Environmental Exposures (1st Place Poster Award), TACLS Annual Conference, Allen, TX, March 31st, 2017

Quincey Gonzalez, Spring 2017 – Summer 2017, CLS 4321 Directed Study, Undergraduate Research for MRSA Prevalence in PT and General Classroom Settings (with Sheridan Limmer and Valerie Marrs in CLS 4361: Clinical Research)

Allie C. Smith, 2016 – 2017, ASCLS Mentorship Program, R. Rohde Professional / Career mentor

Eric Bruton, Summer 2016 – Summer Fellow, Undergraduate Research Institution for the Study of Kidney Disease Fellowships (SURISKD) 2016 at UT Southwestern Medical Center

Jennifer Pemp, Fall 2016 – Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Scholarship, National Scholarship. http://clsi.org/edu/2016-clsi-scholarship-winners/

Sheridan Limmer, Fall 2015 – Fall 2016, Sarcoidosis Research Project – Foundation Grant (CLS R.E. Rohde PI)

Taylor Meyer & Hillary Kamm, Summer 2015 – Fall 2015, Multi-interdisciplinary Research Grant (Texas State CLS Program, Forensic Anthropology Research Facility, Agriculture & TX A&M), Examination of Upper Threshold Events on the Necrobiome Associated with Human Decomposition in a Sub tropic Ecosystem, Undergraduate Research

Hillary Kamm, Summer 2015, ORISE Internship for Molecular Diagnostics, US Army Public Health Command Region South, Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory located at Joint Base San Antonio Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX

Jazmen Myers, Summer 2015, Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity (AMTF) Dorothy Morrison Memorial Scholarship for fulltime undergraduate study (ASCLS national award)

Meghan Colvin, Summer 2015, AMTF Scholarship for fulltime undergraduate study (ASCLS national award)

Binh Pham, Summer 2015, MLS Memorial scholarship. ASCLS Education and Research Fund (ASCLS national award)

Meghan Colvin, Summer 2015, ASCLS Student Travel Award, One of ten national awardees, All expenses paid trip to ASCLS National meeting in Atlanta, GA:

Jazmen Myers, Summer 2015, ASCLS Student Forum Annual Meeting Scholarship (national award)

Jazmen Myers, Spring 2015, TACLS Scholarship (state award)

Jazmen Myers, Spring 2015, Siemens-ASCP National Scholarship, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) have a shared goal to support the development of highly trained laboratory professionals through Siemens–ASCP Scholarships. http://www.ascp.org/scholarships

Jazmen Myers, Spring 2015, Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Scholarship, 3rd Place National Scholarship. http://clsi.org/edu/2015-clsi-scholarship-winners/

Jazmen Myers, Fall 2014, G2 Intelligence National Scholarship, McKesson Business Performance Services is generously donating $2,500 to further the education of an individual student enrolled in an accredited program in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. (1st Texas State CLS student awarded) http://www.health.txstate.edu/cls/people/students/studentawards

Jazmen Myers, Summer 2014, ASCLS Student Travel Award, One of ten national awardees, All expenses paid trip to ASCLS National meeting in Chicago: http://www.health.txstate.edu/cls/people/students/studentawards

Lindsey B. Coulter. Summer 2014, CDC & APHL Emerging Infectious Disease Fellowship, One of six national awardees (325 applicants pool), One year laboratory fellowship with CDC, Atlanta, GA. First Texas State student to receive CDC EID Fellowship: http://www.txstate.edu/news/news_releases/news_archive/2014/June-2014/InfectiousDisease063014.html

Priya Dhagat. Fall 2012 – Summer 2013, Undergraduate Research, Prevalence of Staphylococci, including Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, in a Physical Therapy Education Facility (1st Place ASCLS National Award, 81st Annual Conference of the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), August 1st, 2013, Houston, TX

Lindsey Coulter. Fall 2012, CLS 4321: Directed Study in CLS, Development of a MRSA Microfluidic Detection Platform, R.E. Rohde, Advisor.

Priya Dhagat. Fall 2012 – Summer 2013, Undergraduate Research – Development of a MRSA Microfluidic Detection Platform, R.E. Rohde Co-Advisor with Dr. Shannon Weigum (TX State Biology)

Jennifer Rivers. Fall 2012 – Summer 2013, Undergraduate Research – Salmonella, R.E. Rohde

McKenzie, J.F., Garcia, S.A., & Patterson, T, Rohde, R.E. Prevalence and Characterization of Staphylococci, including MRSA, in a Student Athletic Facility. (1st Place Poster). April 10th, 2012. CHP Research Forum, Texas State University CHP, San Marcos, TX

McKenzie, J.F., Garcia, S.A., & Patterson, T, Rohde, R.E. Prevalence and Characterization of Staphylococci, including MRSA, in a Student Athletic Facility. Undergraduate Research Conference, Texas State University Honor’s College, LBJSC, San Marcos, TX

Jacella McKenzie, Stephen Garcia, Rodney E. Rohde, & Tom Patterson. Summer, 2011. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A Study of the Prevalence and Risk of MRSA Found on Exercise Equipment in a University Recreational Center in Central Texas. 79th Annual ASCLS Conference Program, Atlanta, GA. (Undergraduate Research Poster)

Jacella McKenzie & Steve Garcia. March 21st, 2011. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis using Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) to Prevent Pregnancies with Embryos Affected with DiGeorge Syndrome (1st Place Poster). 15thth Annual CHP Faculty Student Research Forum, Texas State University. (R. Rohde, Faculty Sponsor)

Anuradha Lakkamraju & Carlotta Rodriguez. Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for the Detection of Swine Influenza A. (2nd Place Poster). 15thth Annual CHP Faculty Student Research Forum, Texas State University. (R. Rohde, Faculty Sponsor)

Elena Lira & Giordana Gutierrez. Diagnosing Closely Related Candida Species Through Molecular Identification. (3rd Place Poster). 15thth Annual CHP Faculty Student Research Forum, Texas State University. (R. Rohde, Faculty Sponsor)

Denham, R., Brannon, A., & Rohde, R. March 27th, 2009. MRSA in a University Student Population: Risk Factors and Characterization (Co- Outstanding Student Research Poster Award). 13th Annual CHP Faculty Student Research Forum, Texas State University, April 24, 2009

Lisa Hunter, Erin Walker, Trisha Hanover, CLS Students (Co-Outstanding Poster), A Rapid PCR-Based Screening Method for Identification of All Expanded Alleles of Fragile X (FMR1) Gene in Newborn & High Risk Populations. 13th Annual CHP Faculty Student Research Forum, Texas State University, April 24, 2009 (R. Rohde, Faculty Sponsor)

Riley Knight, Stephanie Wilson, Rachel Parnell, CLS Students (Co-Outstanding Poster), High-Throughput Homogeneous Mass Cleave Assay Technology for the Diagnosis of Autosomal Recessive Parkinson’s Disease, 13th Annual CHP Faculty Student Research Forum, Texas State University, April 24, 2009 (R. Rohde, Faculty Sponsor)

Denham, R., Brannon, A., & Rohde, R. March 27th, 2009. MRSA in a University Student Population: Risk Factors and Characterization (3rd Place Poster).  Texas Association for Clinical Laboratory Science, Galvestion, TX

Denham, R., Brannon, A., & Rohde, R. December 5th, 2008. (2nd place award). MRSA in a University Student Population: Risk Factors and Characterization (Poster).  Undergraduate Research Conference & Honors Thesis Forum. Texas State University – San Marcos, LAMP 407

Denham, R., Brannon, A., & Rohde, R. December 4th, 2008. MRSA in a University Student Population: Risk Factors and Characterization.  Undergraduate Research Conference & Honors Thesis Forum. Texas State University – San Marcos, LAMP 407

Audri Cavazos, Lucy Hughes, and John Sullivan, CLS students; Outstanding Poster Presentation: “Real-Time PCR for Chlamydia pneumoniae Utilizing the Roche Lightcycler and a 16S rRNA Gene Target”, Texas State, San Marcos, TX April, 2008 (Faculty Sponsor)

Veronica Huerta (Faculty Mentor for undergraduate research), Texas State University Collaborative Learning Center & HLSAMP. RF Mitte Physics & Technology Bldg 4231, San Marcos, TX, Fall 2007-Spring 2008

Peter Mosnes (Faculty Mentor for undergraduate research), Texas State University Collaborative Learning Center & HLSAMP. RF Mitte Physics & Technology Bldg 4231, San Marcos, TX, Fall 2006-Spring 2007

Melissa Tucker, Student, CLS; Outstanding Poster Presentation: DiGeorge Syndrome. 10th Annual College of Health Professions Research Forum, Texas State, San Marcos, TX April 28, 2006 (Faculty Sponsor)

Rachel Parnell and Joanna Ellis, Students, CLS; Outstanding Poster Presentation: tgAAC09 Vaccine: A Promising Weapon in the battle against HIV/AIDS. 10th Annual College of Health Professions Research Forum, Texas State, San Marcos, TX April 28, 2006 (Faculty Sponsor)

Thuy Nguyen & Josephine Soyemi, Students, CLS; Outstanding Poster Presentation: Type I Hypersensitivities. 10th Annual College of Health Professions Research Forum, Texas State, San Marcos, TX April 28, 2006 (Faculty Sponsor)

Anna Marie Dailey and Brenda Burns. Outstanding Poster Presentation: FISH, HER2 and Breast Cancer.  9th Annual College of Health Professions Research Forum, Texas State, San Marcos, TX April 29, 2005 (Faculty Sponsor)

Kessie Giddens and Latoya Haywood.  Outstanding Poster Presentation: Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization.  8th Annual College of Health Professions Research Forum, Texas State, San Marcos, TX April 29, 2004 (Faculty Sponsor)

Jamie Morris and Michelle Clements. 1st place Student Poster Presentation: Ligase Chain Reaction.  Texas Association of Clinical Laboratory Science Conference, Austin, TX, 9 April 3-5, 2003 (Faculty Sponsor)

Brooke Belota.  University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Research Center Summer Internship and undergraduate research.  Consultant, Summer 2003 – May 2004 (Supervising professor, Dr. Gary Aron, Texas State University -Biology)

  • Student Presentation. February 27, 2004. Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression In Mouse Keratinocyte Cell Lines.
    Ninth Annual Texas State University Biology Student Colloquium, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, SCI 116
  • Student Presentation.  November 6, 2003. Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression In Mouse Keratinocyte Cell Lines.
    Texas Branch American Society of Microbiology.  College Station, TX

Chris McGowin.  Undergraduate research.  Consultant, 2002 – August 2004 (Supervising professor, Dr. Gary Aron, Texas State University -Biology)

  • Student Presentation.  May 2004. Characterization of a Pseudolysogenic Phage-Host Relationship for Janthinobacterium lividum. American Society of Microbiology National meeting, New Orleans, LA
  • Student Presentation.  April 29, 2004.  Characterization of a Pseudolysogenic Phage-Host Relationship for Janthinobacterium lividum. Texas Branch American Society of Microbiology-Spring Meeting.
  • Student Presentation.  November 6, 2003.  Characterization of a Pseudolysogenic Phage-Host Relationship for Janthinobacterium lividum.  Texas Branch American Society of Microbiology.  College Station, TX

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