Principal Investigator
Sheyum Syed
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics email: [email protected] phone: (305) 284 7122
|
Graduate Students
|
Bing Qiao
Ph.D student, Department of Physics email: [email protected] My research involves developing a video tracking system and applying it in Drosophila experiments in order to track fly behaviors (i.e. locomotion, feeding and grooming) under different environments. Based on the data - which includes different mutant flies - I do further analysis like trending analysis and rhythm analysis which is based on Bayesian statistics, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), and Least Square fitting. |
Andrey Lazopulo
Ph.D student, Department of Physics email: [email protected] I'm interested in researching the circadian clock, a complex biochemical mechanism that controls daily behavior in many organisms. In my work, I use advanced spectral analysis techniques to study fruit fly locomotion. I built a simple model of Drosophila melanogaster activity, which I use to find the role of clock proteins and neuropeptides in the control of behavioral rhythms and activity patterns. |
Dr. Stan Lazopulo
Postdoc, Department of Physics email: [email protected] My research interests are in molecular mechanisms of biological organisms - how these mechanisms regulate behavior and complex processes in organisms, and how the input of environmental cues can alter these mechanisms. Currently, I am studying fruit fly locomotion under simulated natural light conditions to see how flies respond to different light intensities and light patterns. In our research, we have detected a short activity burst in the fly locomotion data near the end of the morning activity bout, and we now work on its identification. |
Undergraduate Students
Nate Hermann
Senior, Physics and Applied Math email: [email protected] I'm currently working on developing a two-process mathematical model for Drosophila analogous to the human model. Through the use of this model in conjunction with targeting specific clock neurons, we can understand the relationship between the microscopic, biological processes and the macroscopic expression of sleep in flies. |
Alumni
|
Dr. Chiyuan Li
Former Ph.D student email: [email protected] We take video of drosophila in tubes and analyze their behavior. Specifically, I have developed a program to identify drosophila’s grooming behavior. We try to understand the relationship between grooming and activity, and find out factors that can influence grooming behavior. |
Former Lab members
|
Jeff McMahan
Junior, Biomedical Engineering and Physics email: |
Kevin Gutierrez
Junior, iPrep Academy (Miami, FL) email: gutierrez.kevin1226 <a> gmail.com I am a high school intern at the Syed lab. My main interests involves quantum mechanics; however, I wanted to learn how physics is applied to other sciences such as biology. I am a currently in the 11th grade with ambitions of going to a university double majoring in physics and mathematics. |
Justin Madison
Junior, iPrep Academy (Miami, FL) email: madison.justin1998 <a> gmail.com I am a high schooler who is currently enrolled at iPrep Academy. During my 11th grade year, I decided to intern with Dr. Syed and his research group of graduates and undergraduates. My interests include: computer programming, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. Through this internship, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of physics and it's application in real-world situations. I also would like to gather any other knowledge that could help me on my journey to university and through life. |