The innovation engine for new materials

Kevin Cozzoli

Kevin Cozzoli

School: 

Ocean View Junior High School

Grade Level: 

Junior High

Teaching Position: 

General Science

Supervisor: 

Cyrus Safinya

Department: 

Material Research Lab

Mentor: 

Joanna Deek

Research Project Year: 

2010

Research Project Title: 

The Effects of Salt Solutions on the Features of Neurofilament Networks

Research Project Description: 

I assisted graduate student, Joanna Deek in carrying out her research into how neurofilament networks can be reformed and manipulated in a lab setting. We first had to purify the protein samples from bovine spinal cords using various buffers and centrifuges. We then had to create a sample that would readily form networks by running fraction collection columns and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Once our samples were made, we manipulated the protein concentrations using a 100 miliMolar NaCl buffer. We then confirmed there were aligned networks present using polarized microscopy and analyzed the samples for how tight the networks formed using X-ray diffraction. This research applies toward our understanding of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease.

Research Project Attachments: 

Curriculum Project Year: 

2011

Curriculum Project Title: 

Getting Dirty: Turning 6th Graders into Soil Scientists

Curriculum Project Description: 

This project is a series of labs designed to be used in conjuncture with lessons on soil creation, erosion and weathering. These labs focus on first teaching the students a?tool box? of skills and then having the students perform their own investigation using these skills and data they had previously learned and gathered.

 

Curriculum Project Attachments: 

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