In the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, there are plentiful opportunities to collaborate and gain a wide range of experiences as a PSMTOX student. Although not a research-intensive focus, there are many exciting faculty ready to foster the growth of graduate students with a diverse set of capstone projects. On this page are some of the opportunities and who the mentor would be. This list is only a representation of some of the projects. There are more available, but this is meant to provide insight on the depth and scope expected from PSMTOX capstone projects.
Mechanism of action of anti-cancer compounds
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Background |
Our research revolves around understanding functioning of proteins in normal and cancer cells. A couple of examples:
https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2021/6/papers/cancer-fighting-compounds/index.htm |
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Methods |
Molecular techniques and data analysis |
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Pre-requisite knowledge |
Prior research experience will be an advantage |
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Capstone Deliverables |
Commitment to learn and spend in laboratory, research reports, collection of data |
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Special Considerations |
Minimum of nine months to a year of commitment is preferred |
Predicting PCBs in resident organisms from passive samplers
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Help analyze some samples (watch) Take data for PCBs in clams (or crayfish) and compare with PCBs in passive samplers Perform literature review of PCBs in fish/bivalves, other predictive methods Determine if linear relationships can predict PCBs with help developing other models as needed |
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Methods |
Observational: chemical analysis and quantification of PCBS |
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Pre-requisite knowledge |
Chemistry, Biology and Statistics |
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Capstone Deliverables |
Large part of manuscript |
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Special Considerations |
Help with chemical analysis provided (all data provided, depending on student interest) |
Firefighter exposures with passive samplers
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Background |
Samples previously collected (silicone military tags) worn by firefighters |
| Project Goal | Help develop a manuscript |
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Methods |
Observe analysis of samples |
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Pre-requisite knowledge |
Chemistry, Biology and Statistics |
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Capstone Deliverables |
A manuscript |
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Special Considerations |
Minimum of nine months to a year of commitment is preferred |
Method development for analysis of cannabinoids and their metabolites in livestock tissues
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Background |
Since the legalization of hemp as an agricultural product in the 2018 USDA Farm Bill, a large number of research projects have been launched to begin answering questions ranging from optimal cultivation practices, to essential oil market potential, to use as a livestock feed material. Oregon is the leading producer of hemp for the extraction of cannabidiol (CBD) in the United States, which generates a massive amount of material known as spent hemp biomass. There is significant interest in utilizing spent hemp biomass as a roughage source for livestock, as there are currently no standard method(s) of disposal or commercial markets for secondary product use of spent hemp once CBD is extracted. Preliminary nutritive value analysis of spent hemp biomass indicates that it is a viable option as a high energy feed source, with a relative feed value twice as high as that of alfalfa hay. Availability of a local food resource such as spent hemp biomass would also provide livestock managers with additional options as they develop their feed regimens; this would be particularly pertinent when circumstances such as feed shortages due to weather events or contamination and market fluctuations present budgetary and nutritional challenges. Additionally, this would promote agricultural sustainability as it would utilize a product which is currently produced in excess by the hemp industry with no environmentally friendly method of disposal and enable development of a secondary market for this leftover product. |
| Project Goals | Develop and validate an LC-MS/MS method(s) for quantitation of THC, CBD, and their acids in adipose (or other) tissue(s) from sheep as a representative of livestock species. |
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Methods |
Procedures as detailed in the United States Federal Drug Administration’s “Bioanalytical Method Validation” will be followed to validate the method defined for analysis of fat (or other tissue) samples for cannabinoid residues and metrics will include precision, accuracy and recovery; assay specificity and sensitivity; stability; assessment of matrix effect; and assessment of assay selectivity |
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Pre-requisite knowledge |
A background in chemistry is preferred but not required |
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Capstone Deliverables |
Fully validated method that can be used on tissue samples submitted to the laboratory for cannabinoid analysis. Method will be written into a manuscript with results from applicable studies. This research could be presented at regional or national meetings, for toxicology or relating to cannabis |
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Special Considerations |
Project must be completed in the laboratory in the Oak Creek Building of the Corvallis campus. Student will undergo all pertinent safety training before beginning. Time frame is Spring 2022-Spring 2023, with possible expansion depending on OSU investigator needs for evaluation of different tissue matrices |
Method development for analysis of ergot alkaloids in grass hay, pellets and other forage materials
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Background |
Grass seed is the 6th largest agricultural commodity for the state of Oregon, bringing in a value of $458 million in 2020. Top grass seed crop species include fescue, annual and perennial ryegrass, bluegrass, and bentgrass. Each of these grasses belong to the grass subfamily Pooideae and are susceptible to colonization by fungi in the genus Claviceps, which produce characteristic black sclerotia in place of the grain. In doing so, the pathogens reduce seed yield by as much as 5-10%, which has obvious financial consequences. Growers spend considerable resources trying to prevent infection of the flowers, but inadequate control is achieved. Additionally, the fungus produces a variety of ergot alkaloids which are toxic to both humans and animals, thereby decreasing the value of grass products that have feed value ($230 million in 2020), including seed screenings and straw. This causes additional economic losses and hinders development of sales in new markets, both domestically and abroad. Our current methodologies for quantitation of these compounds is outdated and needs validation using LC-MS/MS for detection to allow for more frequent, reliable assessment of feed materials under a food safety umbrella. |
| Project Goals | Develop and validate an LC-MS/MS method(s) for quantitation of six ergot alkaloids in feed materials destined for livestock consumption. |
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Methods |
Procedures as detailed in the United States Federal Drug Administration’s “Bioanalytical Method Validation” will be followed to validate the LC-MS/MS method defined for analysis of grass hay and pellets for ergot alkaloids-metrics will include precision, accuracy and recovery; assay specificity and sensitivity; stability; assessment of matrix effect; and assessment of assay selectivity. |
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Pre-requisite knowledge |
A background in chemistry is preferred but not required |
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Capstone Deliverables |
Fully validated method that can be used on grass hay and pellet samples submitted to the laboratory for ergot alkaloid analysis. Method will be written into a manuscript with results from real samples submitted to the laboratory for processing. |
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Special Considerations |
Project must be completed in the laboratory in the Oak Creek Building of the Corvallis campus. Student will undergo all pertinent safety training before beginning. Time frame is Spring 2022-Spring 2023. |
Literature search on cannabinoid metabolism
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Background |
Since the legalization of hemp as an agricultural product in the 2018 USDA Farm Bill, a large number of research projects have been launched to begin answering questions surrounding this “new” agricultural crop, including use as a livestock feed material. In order to utilize hemp as a feed source and satisfy FDA and consumer concerns, safety studies need to be conducted on the fate and disposition of cannabinoids within livestock and animal products. Our team would like to submit a grant whose main goal is to conduct metabolomic and lipidomic studies on fat and plasma of livestock consuming hemp/hemp products to define the metabolic pathway of these compounds and cellular changes incurred by their presence. A literature review on what is known regarding cannabinoid metabolism in mammals (i.e. products formed and interaction with endocannabinoid system) is needed to provide background and justification for our grant proposal. |
| Project Goals | Perform a literature review on cannabinoid metabolism and interaction of these compounds with the endocannabinoid system |
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Methods |
Use of Web of Science, PubMed and other search engines to find citations then summarize main points as a review in Word or other word processing software |
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Pre-requisite knowledge |
None |
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Capstone Deliverables |
Written review on cannabinoid metabolism and interaction with the endocannabinoid system; structure including development of an outline will be performed with PI with frequent check-ins |
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Special Considerations |
Project can be completed remotely or in the PI’s laboratory in the Oak Creek Building of the Corvallis campus. Time frame is Spring 2022-Winter 2023 |