Freshman Fellows Research Projects
Freshman Fellows work closely with NMU faculty and staff to gain hands-on experience in research and scholarship. The projects fellows undertake vary widely. Since projects are based on research currently undertaken by NMU faculty, students interested in the program should find out about faculty research interests at NMU by reading our faculty research interests directory.
2023/2024 Freshman Fellow Researchers
A'Mariya Peterson
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Jill Leonard
Aiden Gilbert
Major: Forensic Anthropology
Mentor: Dr. Jane Harris
Camryn Nugent
Major: Clinical Lab Science
Mentor: Dr. Matt Jennings
Cassandra Davis
Major: Clinical Lab Science
Mentor: Dr. Maryam Khaledi
Josephine Lesiecki
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Dr. Lin Fang
Kenzee DeFrenn
Major: Nursing
Mentor: Sarah Jennings
Kira Smith
Major: Health & Human Performance
Mentor: Dr. Lukus Klawitter
Laney Pestrue
Major: Health & Human Performance
Mentor: Dr. Matt Kilgas
Lars Anderson
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Jill Leonard
Lola Rigano
Major: Earth, Environmental & Geographical Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Jelili Adebiyi
Lucy Planica
Major: Theatre & Dance
Mentor: Lex Van Blommestein
Megan Mansheim
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Galbreath
Natalie Molnau
Major: Health & Human Performance
Mentor: Dr. Maggy Moore
Paige Dolph
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Dr. Jon Barch
Samantha Holmes
Major: Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Frankie McCormick
Tobias Morse
Major: Political Science & Public Administration
Mentor: Dr. Ruth Watry
2022/2023 Freshman Fellow Researchers
Alex Hopper
Hometown: Cass City, MI
Major: Pre-Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Matt Jennings
Anna Hill
Hometown: Port Sanilac, MI
Major: Fisheries and Wildlife Management
Mentor: Dr. Jill Leonard
Anne Carrier
Hometown: Shawano, WI
Major: Biology/Concentration Microbiology
Mentor: Dr. Josh Sharp
Chloe Billington
Hometown: Shelbyville, MI
Major: Speech and Language Pathology
Mentor: Dr. Maryam Khaledi
Emily Lovasco
Hometown: Kawkawlin, MI
Major: Elementary Education
Mentor: Dr. Derek Anderson
Emma Iles
Hometown: Appleton, WI
Major: Graphic Design
Mentor: Lee Xiong
Emory Fouch
Hometown: Leland, MI
Major: Anthropology/Geographic Information Science and Technology
Mentor: Dr. Scott Demel
Grace Listopad
Hometown: Mount Prospect, IL
Major: Sustainable Business and Enterprise Creation
Mentor: Dr. Jes Thompson
Isaac Pifer
Hometown: Appleton, WI
Major: Psychology/Communication
Mentor: Dr. Jacob Daar
Jason Andary
Hometown: Marquette, MI
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science/Concentration Diagnostic Genetics
Mentor: Dr. Paul Mann
Julia Drexel
Hometown: Royal Oak, MI
Major: Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Alex Wilson
Kourtney Bazhenow
Hometown: Peoria, IL
Major: Secondary Education/Mathematics
Mentor: Dr. Carol Bell
Mikenna Weiler
Hometown: Muskegon, MI
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Dr. Joshua Carlson
Olivia Brill
Hometown: Albertville, MN
Major: Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Paul Mann
Renae Cox
Hometown: Williamston, MI
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Dr. Matt Jennings
Marisa Hoover
Hometown: Petoskey, MI
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Prof. Emily Matthys
Trinity Freriks
Hometown: Fremont, MI
Major: CNC Technician
Mentor: Dr. Cale Polkinghorne
Grace Robinson
Hometown: Bellaire, MI
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Neil Cumberlidge
Chloe Patterson
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Philip Yangyuoru
Grace Wisniewski
Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Prof. Emily Matthys
Sydney Chrome
Hometown: Mason MI
Major: Biology/Botany Concentration
Mentor: Dr. Adam Naito
2021/2022 Freshman Fellow Researchers
Amanda Allee
Hometown: Greencastle, IN
Major: Undecided (Planning on Medicinal Plant Chemistry)
Mentor: Dr. Donna Maki
Elisabeth (Asbel) Wells
Hometown: Greensburg, PA
Major: Medicinal Plant Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Lesley Putman
Bianca Wiegerink
Hometown: Comstock Park, MI
Major: Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Jill Leonard
Caitlyn Nunn
Hometown: Carleton, MI
Major: Forensic Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Philip Yangyuoru
Carlee Yon
Hometown: Wakefield, MI
Major: Elementary Education Language Arts
Mentor: Dr. Christi Edge
Cecilia Anderson
Hometown: Linden, MI
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Jill Leonard
Elizabeth Williams
Hometown: Appleton, WI
Major: Environmental Studies & Sustainability
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Stock
Ella Bates
Hometown: West Olive, MI
Major: Anthropology
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Stock
Ella Houwers
Hometown: Whitewater, WI
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Dr. Derek Marr
Emily Appleton
Hometown: Clay, MI
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Prof. Heather Issacson
Isabelle Honkomp
Hometown: Waconia, MN
Major: Environmental Studies
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Stock
Jaycee Harvath
Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI
Major: Pre-Nursing
Mentor: Dr. Amber LaCrosse
Jenna Laway
Hometown: Cheboygan, MI
Major: Criminal Justice, Forensic Biochemistry
Mentor: Prof. Chris MacMaster
Jenna Pasbrig
Hometown: Mayville, WI
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Dr. Paul Mann
Jennifer Jenks
Hometown: Wild Rose, WI
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Dr. Lin Fang
Keegan Sutton
Hometown: Ruckersville, VA
Major: Political Science
Mentor: Dr. Petra Hendrickson
Maeghan Cooley
Hometown: Canton, MI
Major: Biology/Zoology
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Galbreath
Matthew Williams
Hometown: Kingsley, MI
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Dr. Paul Mann
Mia Strazny
Hometown: Manitowoc, WI
Major: Biochemistry / Pre-Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Robert Belton
Morgan Brown
Hometown: Stephenson, MI
Major: Speech Pathology
Mentor: Dr. Maryam Khaledi
Wren Konickson
Hometown: Stillwater, MN
Major: Forensic Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Evan Pratt
2020/2021 Freshman Fellow Researchers
Jordan Brown
Hometown: Hamilton, MI
Major: Fisheries and Wildlife Management
Mentor: Dr. Diana Lafferty
Research Project Description: A natural history study on small mammal use of forensic cadavers at the FROST facility on campus. Included a deep literature review and observational data to determine where the need for additional research lies.
Margaret Lynch
Hometown: Grayslake, IL
Major: Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Robert Belton
Research Project Description: It is difficult to obtain human endometrial tissues for study. Uterine stromal cells are primary cells with a finite lifespan, so they cannot be grown in culture long-term. A stable, immortalized cell line that demonstrates hormone responsiveness is required to study the process of decidualization in vitro. A stable, immortalized HESC cell line was generated by researchers at Yale University in 2004 (Krikun et al). Our lab is testing cells from the same line to demonstrate their ability to respond normally to reproductive hormones.
Teagan Blohowiak
Hometown: Green Bay, WI
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Dr. Paul Mann
Research Project Description: I did PNA-LAMP assays on 2 strands of PNA (peptide nuclei acids) oligomers of IDH1R132H mutation, a bio marker used to characterize glioblastoma, to determine the analytical sensitivity and specificity of the 2 strands.
Hunter Bault
Hometown: Saukville, WI
Major: Neuroscience: Behavior and Cognitive Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Maryam Khaledi
Research Project Description: We studied speech samples of subjects with fluent aphasia to determine how they differ morphologically and syntactically from “normal” and non-fluent utterances.
Margaret Lorenz
Hometown: North Muskegon, MI
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Amber LaCrosse
Research Project Description: I helped analyze different grades of Glioblastoma, a highly malignant brain tumor, for Cannabinoid(CB) 1 and 2 receptors. The other project I was involved in was investigating Fluoxetine as a novel treatment for attenuating cognitive impairment caused by Cisplatin.
Riley Box
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Abigail Wyche
Trinity Hinshaw
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Diana Lafferty
Ania Hyatt
Hometown:
Major:
.Mentor: Dr. Gabrielle McNally
Claire Jorgensen
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Diana Lafferty
Mary Kelly
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Robert Legg
Heston Roberts
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Glenn Wrate
Scott Rose
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Matthew Jennings
Cora Siuda
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Kurt Galbreath
Benjamin Sternschuss
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Lin Fang
Luke Tschumperlin
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Gabrielle McNally
2019/2020 Freshman Fellow Researchers
Grace Schumann
Hometown: West Chicago / Carol Stream, IL
Major: History
Mentor: Dr. Amy Hamilton
Brady Ruth
Hometown: Woodbury, MN
Major: Fisheries and Wildlife Management
Mentor: Dr. Brandon Gerig
Raquel Green
Hometown: Marquette, MI
Major: Environmental Science
Mentor: Center for Student Enrichment
Amber Essenmacher
Hometown: Ubly, MI
Major: English
Mentor: Center for Student Enrichment
Lily VandenLangenberg
Hometown: Greenbay, WI
Major: Secondary English
Mentor: Kim Smith and Renee Jewett
Dana Rinkel
Hometown: Royal Oak, MI
Major: Biology
Mentor:
Brianne Cochill
Hometown: Warren, MI
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Josh Sharp
Erin Matula
Hometown: Northern Wisconsin
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Matt Van Grinsven
Joelle Gallagher
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Alan Rebertus
Maddie Voltz
Hometown: Alpena, MI
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Dr. Josh Carlson
2017/2018 Freshman Fellow Researchers
Eli Bieri
Hometown: Grandville, MI
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Brent Graves - Biology
Mariah Goeks
Hometown: Lake Forest, Illinois
Major: Physics and French double major
Mentor: Dr. Rick Mengyan - Physics
Felicia "Riley" Johnston
Hometown: Riverside, California
Major: Computer Science
Minors: Mathematics and Religious Studies
Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Horn - Computer Science and Mathematics
2015/2016 Freshman Fellow Researchers
Kaitlynn Bortz
Hometown: Monroe, MI
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Jill Leonard
Emma Schroeder
Hometown: Appleton, WI
Major: Secondary Education/French/Industrial Technology
Mentor: Dr. Erich Ottem
Nate Martineau
Hometown: Lansing, MI
Major: Ecology
Mentor: Dr. Alec Lindsay
Abigail Zeman
Hometown: Okinawa, WI
Major: English Writing
Mentor: Dr. Caroline Krzakowski
Reagan McKay
Hometown: Wittenberg, WI
Major: Theatre Performance/English
Mentor: Prof. Ansley Valentine
Caleb Myers
Hometown: Alpena, MI
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Mentor: Prof. Michael Martin
Brooke Immel
Hometown:
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Prof. Cathy Bammert
Sarah Vertel
Hometown:
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Prof. Cathy Bammert
Carly Tuominen
Hometown: Marquette, MI
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Prof. Cathy Bammert
Tristan Ruiz
Hometown:
Major: Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Brandon Canfield
Chloe Rinkel
Hometown: Royal Oak, MI
Major: Chemistry/Forensic Biochemistry
Mentor: Dr. Lee Roecker
2014/2015 Freshman Fellow Researchers
2013/2014 Freshman Fellow Researchers
Patricia Rempala
Hometown:
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Dr. Cathy Bammert
Erin McNabb
Hometown:
Major: Secondary Education/Social Studies
Mentor: Dr. Gabe Logan
Carlene Stovall
Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL
Major:
Mentor: Prof. Susanna Braman
Kathleen Kerber
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Prof. Menard
Matt Trefilek
Hometown: Rockton, IL
Major: Computer Science
Mentor: Dr. Tireman
Autumn Palmer
Hometown: Southfield, MI
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Judy Puncochar
Christine Wilson
Hometown: Baraga, MI
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Judy Puncochar
William Mason
Hometown: Lake Orion, MI
Major: Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Mark Paulson
Michelle Vander Hyde
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Major: Psychology
Mentor: Dr. Josh Carlson
2012/2013 Freshman Fellow Researchers
Emily Nordlund
Hometown:
Major: Behavior Analysis
Mentor: Dr. John MacDevitt
Tanya Ladensack
Hometown:
Major: Biology
Mentor: Dr. Jill Leonard
Hallie Sutton
Hometown:
Major: Zoology
Mentor:
Eric Martin
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Susy Ziegler
Jessica Anderson
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Williams
Amy Peterson
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Neil Cumberlidge
Daniel Wilbern
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Tireman
Melissa Orzechowski
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Alan Rebertus
Kaylee Rowe
Hometown:
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Mentor: Dr. Cathy Bammert
Nathan Vertel
Hometown:
Major:
Mentor: Dr. Deb Homeier
Shaley Valentine
Hometown:
Major: Zoology/Chemistry
Mentor: Dr. Suzanne Williams
Olivia Crawford
Hometown:
Major: Digital Cinema
Mentor: Dr. Judy Puncochar