Dr. Bidlack’s Graduate Students and Their Research Projects
Many of the following Graduate Students were sponsored by grants from the USDA-ARS National Research Incentive Competitive Grants Program, the USDA-ARS Grazinglands Research Laboratory, and UCO Office of Sponsored Research and Grants. Students completing Master’s Degrees with Dr. Bidlack performed research for these projects, as well as their own projects, in partial fulfillment for the requirements of their respective degrees. Additional Master’s Students were also employed, or enrolled in Independent Study Courses, to help with their applied knowledge and prepare them for employment or higher degrees after graduation.
Current Master’s Degree Students
Zane Henderson (2022-current): Working on a project involving a new gene locus for bile salt resistance and sensitivity in bacteria.
Completed Master’s Degree Students
Zane Henderson (MS at UCO in 2024). Thesis: "Genetic Evaluation of Bile Salt Resistance and Sensitivity in a Subculture of Escherichia coli K-12 Substrain JC3272." Currently Adjunct Professor at UCO.
Ethan Strange (MS at UCO in 2022). Thesis: "Integration of Silica-based Materials within a Dye-sensitized Solar Cell." Currently working on a Doctoral Degree at Oklahoma State University.
Toby FitzSimons (MS at UCO in 2010). Thesis: "Harnessing Solar Energy Using Photosynthetic and Organic Pigments." Completed a Doctoral Degree (Cotton Physiology) at the University of Arkansas under the direction of Dr. Derrick Oosterhuis. Currently Senior Research and Development Scientist at PepsiCo.
Monty Porter (MS at UCO in 2005): Thesis: "Effects of a Cyclical Water Regimen and Variable Harvests on Vessel Development, Plant Biomass, and Morphological Characteristics in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]." Currently Steams/Rivers Monitoring Coordinator for State of Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
Mei-Chen Sung (MS at UCO in 1999). Literature Thesis: "Phytoremediation of Cadmium-, Chromium-, and Mercury-Contaminated Soil." After completing a Master’s Degree, Mei-Chen continued her education at Oklahoma State University and received a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering in 2001. Currently Research Scientist, DMPK Biologics at Gilead Sciences.
Aaron Elmer (MS at UCO in 1997). Thesis: "Organelle-Specific Enzymes Related to Chlorophyll Biosynthesis in Mutant Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Lines." After finishing a Master’s Degree, Aaron completed a Doctoral Program (Plant Physiology) at Washington State University and spent time as a Post-Doctoral Research Scientist at the Noble Foundation in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Currently Biology Professor at Murray State University.
Cassandra Meek (MS at UCO in 1997). Thesis: "Yield and Metabolism of Sweet Basil [Ocimum basilicum (L.)] as Affected by Harvest Date and Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner)." After finishing a Master’s Degree, Casey completed a Doctoral Program (Crop Physiology) at the University of Arkansas. Currently Senior Research Specialist at Oklahoma State University.
Paul Olson (MS at UCO in 1993). Thesis: "Metabolism, Quality Variation, and Production Aspects of Sweet Basil [Ocimum basilicum (L.)] Subjected to Natural Pest Control." After completing a Master’s Degree, completed a Doctoral Program (Botany) at the University of Oklahoma. Currently Full-Time Instructor and Assessment/Capstone Coordinator for the Biology Department at UCO.
Greg Buck (MS at UCO in 1993). Thesis: "Reliability of Forest Tree Identification as Determined by Computer Analysis Using Morphological and Electrophoretic Data." After completing a Master’s Degree, Greg continued his education at the University of Arkansas and received a Ph.D. in Agronomy in 1998. Currently retired.
Master’s Students Involved with Sponsored Research Projects
Zane Henderson (2022): Initiated a project, which would later become his Master’s Degree Project, to investigate bile salt sensitivity in bacteria.
Ethan Strange (2020): Initiated a project, which would later become his Master’s Degree Project, to study use of plant pigments in solar cells.
Marcus Wiles (2017): Investigated various growth regulators and treatments to enhance seed germination.
Stephen Frazee (2010): Contributed towards a project on gene transfer in bacteria.
Ross Kiddie (2001): Initiated a project to investigate the use of plastid / thylakoid membrane / chlorophyll / carotenoid isolations for conversion of light to stored energy.
Andy Middick (2001): Completed USDA-ARS Internship with Dr. Bidlack. Also participated in a three-year field study with the USDA-ARS Grazinglands Research Laboratory in El Reno, Oklahoma. Published a paper in Field Crops Research with Dr. Bidlack and USDA-ARS Scientists on use of herbicides in wheat-pigeon pea cropping systems in Oklahoma.
Anisse Saadi (1999): Initiated a project to evaluate the use of selected plant species in extraction cadmium from contaminated soils. Anisse has since been accepted into a graduate program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Hui-Ju Huang (1999): Completed a project, in partial fulfillment of an M Ed Program, to develop photomicrographs for use in teaching Plant Anatomy.
Parissa Solatpour (1998): Completed a project, in partial fulfillment of an M Ed Program, to develop photomicrographs for use in teaching Plant Anatomy.
Veronica Barabash (1997): Completed a literature review, in partial fulfillment of an M Ed / MS Program, to initiate a Research Thesis Project.
Monty Porter (1996): Initiated a project, which would later become his Master’s Degree Project, to study water requirements in pigeonpea.
Mei-Chen Sung (1996): Initiated a project, which would later become her Master’s Degree Project, to study bioremediation of heavy metals in contaminated soils.
Casey Meek (1995): Initiated a project, which would later become her Master’s Degree Project, to study use of natural pest control, in sweet basil.
Aaron Elmer (1995): Initiated a project, which would later become his Master’s Degree Project, to study enzyme activity of mutant soybeans.
Liping Peng (1992): Completed a literature review and basic laboratory experiments, in partial fulfillment of an M Ed Program, to assist with teaching in Plant Biology.
Mark Fuller (1992): Completed an Independent Study Course at the USDA-ARS Grazinglands Research Laboratory to help with his teaching duties at Putnam City High School.