This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Marquis Scholar Garret Nicodemus ’04 (Lake Charles, La.) presented an aspect of the cell research he has conducted over the past two years at the 18th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research.
The chemical engineering major presented information from his honors thesis project that deals with encapsulating living cells; his presentation explored the growth rates of cells. Hosted by Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis from April 15-17, the conference showcased work of nearly 2,000 undergraduate students.
“The main idea is that creating an artificial wall on cells which usually do not have a cell wall might affect the diffusion of different sized molecules through the coating,” he explains. “The rate of diffusion is altered by changing the number of layers and properties of the wall material.”
The research originated from an EXCEL Scholars project directed by James Ferri, assistant professor of chemical engineering. In Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, students assist faculty with research while earning a stipend. Lafayette is a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate in EXCEL each year go on to publish papers in scholarly journals and/or present their research at conferences.
He and another Lafayette student worked to encapsulate mammalian cells and calculate the growth kinetics of the cells. After completing this EXCEL project, Nicodemus continued researching the topic independently. He says that his work shifted to encapsulating insect cells instead of mammal cells, and whereas his main responsibility was observation during the EXCEL project, more hands-on activity is occurring during the thesis.
The cells are important because self-assembly is a technique for creating nanostructured biomaterials — materials as tiny as 100 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. The project uses clonal isolate cells derived from Spodoptera frugiperda, which are larva of a migratory American noctuid moth that destroy grasses and small grains, Ferri explains. The encapsulating process forms a film on the cell, which is washed off and then exposed to a solution that adsorbs for a second layer. After the process is repeated for up to six layers, the growth rate of the cell is calculated.
“This year has shown that I can encapsulate insect layers with two layers using biocompatible polymers and it does have an affect on cell growth,” says Nicodemus.
“I was excited [about the presentation.] I am confident in my speaking ability and knowledge on my topic,” he notes. “I gained an invaluable experience from presenting on a topic in an advanced field of chemical engineering to a large crowd of intellectuals.”
Nicodemus credits Ferri with helping him develop the research on living cells, which has shown that there is an inverse relationship between cell viability and the number of layers.
“Professor Ferri has been a wonderful adviser and friend,” Nicodemus says. “He has been invaluable. He is patient, confident in me and my work, and motivational.”
Nicodemus is a member of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honors society, the head event supervisor for Recreational Services, and a resident adviser in Watson Courts. He played the puppeteer in the College Theater production of Little Shop of Horrors and also had a role in The Real Inspector Hound. He is a member of The Process, a team comprised primarily of chemical engineering majors that won last year’s intramural trophy.
“Garret is a highly motivated student who is taking full advantage of all the opportunities that Lafayette affords, particularly the opportunity to work in close collaboration with faculty on research projects,” Ferri says. “That is not usually afforded to undergraduates at large research institutions.”
After graduation, Nicodemus will attend the University of Colorado, where he will study chemical engineering and bioengineering.
He is a graduate of the International School of Prague.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty-two students were accepted to present their work at the annual conference this month.
Chosen from among Lafayette’s most promising applicants, Marquis Scholars receive special financial aid and distinctive educational experiences and benefits, including a three-week, Lafayette-funded study-abroad course during January’s interim session between regular semesters. Marquis Scholars also participate in cultural activities in major cities and on campus, and mentoring programs with faculty.