Hamilton College has offered students an opportunity to do research for several decades, as students arranged with a professor to undertake a supervised project as Independent Study. Some of this work may have taken place off campus but there was always an on-campus component in the form of a written report and/or oral presentation. Seeking to encourage more student involvement in research, the faculty created a Senior Program, which varies with the discipline, and began with the class of 1991.
Senior Project in Biology was intended to be an intensive laboratory or field research project carried out in association with a faculty member and supplemented with appropriate library research. Students submitted a written proposal to the department then presented their plan of work orally to peers and faculty. They wrote a review of related literature as they conducted their work, then subsequently wrote a final report of the research and presented their results orally to peers and faculty in a special evening of concurrent sessions.
These experiences were unique and different from traditional coursework. All of these experiences were expected to build on a foundation of appropriate coursework. Hamilton College assisted in funding the travel of students whose work was accepted for presentation at national professional meetings. Presentations, publications and competitive funding awarded to students are included in this list. If a presentation is listed along with the citation of the abstract, then the student presented their own work. Professor Miller presented the work when a published abstract or abstract-in-program is cited. Citations of full articles are included when students' data were published in peer-reviewed journals. Topics ranged from art through zoology and are listed in reverse chronological order.
| Bridget Lewis | Investigation of early somites and vertebral rudiments related to understanding scoliosis. |
Steven Stone |
Considering human carcinoid cell dynamics and proliferative indices in mouse intestinal tissue. |
| Alice Grant Jillian Tokarcyzk |
Apoptosis in murine placenta. |
Hannah Lyons |
Determining the occurrence of apoptosis in the endocardial tubes of the chick embryo. |
Kristin Insardi |
The effect of exercise on the rate of wound healing and scar tissue development in male mice. |
Nick Robinson and |
The effect of testosterone on apoptosis in the semeniferous tubules of mouse testicles. |
| Kerry Nieman | Is apoptosis present in the late maturing mouse placenta? |
Emily Evans |
An investigation of cell death during earliest cardiogenesis and amniotic fusion in chick development. |
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Lesley Ryder |
Is apoptosis involved in fusion of endocardial tubes during early cardiogenesis in chick embryos? |
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Chloe Von Ancken and |
Further investigation of potential contribution of apoptosis to removal of ventral mesocardium in early chick embryogenesis. |
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Gary Bedrosian |
Investigation of apoptosis during remodelling of pharyngeal pouches in early chick embryogenesis. |
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Leandra Folk |
Investigation of potential contribution of apoptosis to removal of ventral mesocardium in early chick embryogenesis. |
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Matthew Chuff and |
Investigation of potential contribution of apoptosis to removal of ventral mesenteries in early chick embryos. |
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Elizabeth Gilliams |
Is apoptosis involved in earliest zebrafish pharyngeal morphogenesis? |
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Emily Dunn and |
Is apoptosis involved in removing ventral mesocardium in early chick embryos? |
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Laura Beldon and |
Is apoptosis involved in remodelling early chick embryo pharynx? |
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Caitlin Jacobs |
Conservation of Big Cats. [Independent Study, Spring 2006, Junior year] This effort provided a basis that earned Caitlin an internship at Enkosini Wildlife Sanctuary, South Africa [Summer 2006] and an award from the Joseph F. Anderson Internship Fund to help with expenses. |
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Kathryn Dorsey |
A chorioallantoic membrane assay of human alpha-fetoprotein as a proangiogenic factor. [collaboration with Professors S. Festin and K. Bart] [Levitt Scholar] |
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Christine Campbell |
The role of apoptosis in remodelling of early chick embryo thyroid rudiment. (in collaboration with Elizabeth Ransom) [Levitt Scholar] |
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Elizabeth Ransom |
An investigation of the possible role of apoptosis in early thyroid morphogenesis in chick embryos. (in collaboration with Christine Campbell) [Levitt Scholar] |
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Presented at Experimental Biology 2004, Washington, D.C. 4/21/04 Miller, S.A., C. Campbell , E. Ransom and S. Klempner 2004 Apoptosis precedes removal of avian thyroglossal duct and suggests cell culling in early bilobed thyroid. FASEB late-breaking abstracts program. |
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Christine Campbell |
Investigation of contributions of localized cell proliferation and programmed cell death in earliest feather germ morphogenesis. [Ralph E. Hansmann Summer Student Research Grant] Presented at Experimental Biology 2004, Washington, D.C. 4/17/04 Miller, S.A., C. Campbell and C.Reamer 2004 Apoptosis contributes to morphogenesis of natal down feathers and removal of periderm in chick embryos. FASEB Journal 18(4): A27 Abstract 67.6 Presentated at the Hamilton College Summer Research Poster Session 11/03 Christine Campbell and Sue Ann Miller 2003 Early feather germ morphogenesis. [abstract] |
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Sam Klempner |
Senior Fellow Investigation of the morphogenesis of ephemeral aortic arches in chick embryos with special attention to a role for apoptosis in their removal [Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research] Campus Public Lecture: Death
by Design: How an early embryo takes form S.J. Klempner and S.A. Miller 2003 Apoptosis plays a role in removal of the first and second aortic arch arteries, in remodeling of the thyroid rudiment and in rupture of closing plates in chick embryos. Developmental Biology 259: 588 Abstract #652. |
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Jared Fox and |
Further investigation of a role for programmed cell death (apoptosis) in recovery of exercised mouse skeletal muscle |
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Jessica White |
Investigation and documentation of participation of apoptosis during sculpting of heart valves in chick embryos. |
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Keith Beiermeister, |
Is programmed cell death involved in morphogenesis of
feathers and early periderm in chick embryos? Presented at Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium, Philadelphia, PA 4/28/00 C.J. Reamer and S.A. Miller 2000 Apoptosis and development of the avian integument: feathers and periderm. |
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John Reagan |
Is programmed cell death (apoptosis) a part of recovery in exercised mouse skeletal muscle? |
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Paul Damaske |
Patterns of differential cell proliferation in early chick embryo mesoderm and concurrent morphogenesis |
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Scott Olejniczak |
Proliferation patterns in 8.5-day murine splanchnopleure mesoderm and their morphological implications [Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research] |
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Scott Olejniczak |
Do asymmetries of cell proliferation in endoderm of mouse embryos contribute to closure of the gut tube and the concurrent axial rotation? [Zlinkoff Summer Research Student] Presented to The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Denver, CO, 1/7/99 Miller, S.A and S. Olejniczak 1998 Asymmetric endoderm proliferation correlates with morphogenesis of early murine embryos. American Zoologist 38:48a. |
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Laurel Bookman |
Is apoptosis involved in the closure of chick pharyngeal pouches? |
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Matt Thornton |
The developmental maintenance mechanism: apoptosis in early chick kidney [Casstevens Research Scholar] [Levitt Scholar] |
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Omaima Ataya |
Prospects of apoptosis in early chick embryo hepatogenesis |
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Christina Clark |
Cell division and cell death during morphogenesis of chick hindgut and cloaca. Published in Annals of NY Academy of Science 1998 |
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Ryan Cooney |
Further investigation of the involvement of apoptosis in developing chick pharynx with special attention to closing plates and pouches. Published in Annals of NY Academy of Science 1998 |
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Dan Roberts |
Is apoptosis involved in morphogenesis of the avian or mammalian middle ear? [Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research] [Casstevens Research Scholar] [Levitt Scholar] [Couper Travel Award] Presented at Experimental Biology 97, New Orleans, LA, 4/8/97 Roberts, D.S. and S.A. Miller (1997) Is apoptosis involved in cavitation of the middle ear? FASEB Journal 11: A418 #2419. Published in Anatomical Record 1998 |
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Greg Sharp |
Further investigation of apoptosis during chick cardiogenesis. |
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Elizabeth Crary |
Do the developmental processes of apoptosis and proliferation cooperate to shape functioning adult systems? Published Abstract: Miller, S.A., C. Clark and E. Crary 1997 Apoptosis opens urodeal membrane, cavitates coprodeum, and removes chick urogenital ducts. American Zoologist: 37: 162a. Published in Annals of NY Academy of Science 1998 |
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Dan McKenna |
Apoptosis is present during early chick cardiogenesis, specifically in the septum primum and valvular regions. |
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William Payzant |
Involvement of apoptosis in morphogenesis of the developing chick pharynx. [Casstevens Research Scholar] Published Abstract: Miller,S.A. and W. Payzant 1996 Is apoptosis involved in rupture of pharyngeal memranes or closure of pharyngeal pouches in chick embryos? FASEB Journal 10: A418 #2419. Published in Annals of NY Academy of Science 1998 |
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Catherine Sadtler |
Is apoptosis present and concurrent with proliferative repair in exercised mouse quadriceps muscle? |
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Ailish Briglin |
Apoptosis in selected sites of 2- to 4-day chick embryos. [Casstevens Research Scholar] [Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research] Presented to XIX Annual Biological Sciences Research Symposium, SUNY-Binghamton 1994 Apoptosis in selected sites of 2- to 3-day chick embryos. Presented at Experimental Biology 95, Atlanta, GA, 4/11/95 Miller, S.A., A. Briglin and K. Jewett 1995 Proliferation and apoptosis in chick embryo tailbud and hindgut. FASEB Journal 9: A551. Presented to Ninth National Conference on
Undergraduate Research , 1995 Published in Developmental
Dynamics 1996 |
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Kelly Jewett |
Investigation of cell proliferation in and around earliest chick hindgut and associated diverticula Published Abstract: Miller, S.A., A. Briglin and K. Jewett 1995 Proliferation and apoptosis in chick embryo tailbud and hindgut. FASEB Journal 9: A551. Published in Developmental Dynamics 1999 |
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Víctor Peña |
Significance of functional morphology of the terrestrial mammal forelimb related to its dexterity |
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Joe Iuorno |
Histochemistry related to neural tumors [co-sponsored with D. Gapp and B. Weeks] |
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Ailish Briglin |
Investigation of cell proliferation in and around early foregut and pharynx in 30- to 48-hour chick embryos and trial of ApopTAG on chick embryos. [Howard Hughes Summer Research Student] Presented at Hamilton College Sigma Xi Summer Research Poster Session, 9/2/94 Briglin, A. and S.A. Miller 1994 Apoptosis in 2- to 3-day chick embryos Published Abstract: Miller, S.A. and A.Briglin 1994 Evidence of apoptosis in chick embryo tail bud and confirmation of lack of apoptosis in rupturing pharyngeal plates. Proceedings of Cell Death, Development and Cancer, the 47th Annual Symposium on Fundamental Cancer Research. Published in Developmental Dynamics 1999 |
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Tama Monoson |
Investigation of cell proliferation in chick embryos: hindgut, late tailgut, early cloaca and cloacal membrane [Casstevens Research Scholar] [Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research] Presented at Experimental Biology 94, Anaheim, CA, 4/28/94 Miller, S.A., T. Monoson and J. Tignor 1994 Cell proliferation in endoderm epithelium during early morphogenesis of chick embryo hindgut. FASEB J 8:A925. Published in Developmental Dynamics 1999 |
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Julie Tignor |
Growth of early hindgut in 2.5- to 3-day avian embryos [Casstevens Research Scholar] [Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research] Presented at Experimental Biology 94, Anaheim, CA, 4/28/94 (abstract above) Published in Developmental Dynamics 1999 |
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Faith Morgan |
The prevention of ankle sprains: A comparative study [co-sponsored with Professor D. Gapp] |
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Nina Schmergel |
A comparison of the musculoskeletal systems of tetrapod vertebrate (cat) and avian (pigeon) limbs: contributions to locomotor abilities [Casstevens Research Scholar] |
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Alicia Favale |
Differential cell proliferation correlates with perforation and subsequent rupture of pharyngeal closing plates in 50- to 72-hour avian embryos. [Casstevens Research Scholar] Presented at Seventh National Conference on Undergraduate Research, 1993 Favale, A.M. and S.J. Knohl Differential cell proliferation correlates with rupture of chick embryo closing plates. Abstract p2-05-25 Published in Anatomical Record 1993 |
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Stephen Knohl |
Differential cell proliferation rates have a role in the perforation of pharyngeal closing plates in the avian embryo. [Casstevens Research Scholar] Presented to American and Japanese Associations of Anatomists, 1993 Miller, S.A., S. Knohl and A. Favale, Differential cell proliferation correlates with rupture of chick embryo closing plates. Anatomical Record Suppl. 1:84. Published in Anatomical Record 1993 |
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Dean Tyrell |
Cellular proliferation in relation to morphogenesis of early oral membrane and amniotic fold in 23- to 38-hour chick embryos.[Casstevens Research Scholar] Presented at Seventh National Conference on Undergraduate Research, 1993 Patterns of cell proliferation during formation of oral membrane in 5- to 10-somite chick embryos. Abstract p2-05-26 Published in Anatomical
Record 1994 |
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Alicia Favale |
Autoradiography of early avian embryo pharyngeal pouches, grooves, and closing plates. [Zlinkoff Scholar] |
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Stephen Knohl |
Autoradiography of late avian embryo pharyngeal pouches, grooves, and closing plates. [Hansmann Scholar] |
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Dean Tyrell |
Autoradiography of chick embryos with earliest amnion folds and oral membrane. [Biology Department research assistant] |
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Todd Christian |
Patterns of cell proliferation in formation of chick embryo hindgut. [Casstevens Research Scholar] Presented at Sixth National Conference on Undergraduate Research, 1992 Differential cell proliferation correlates with formation of chick embryo hindgut and confirms patterns seen in the foregut. Abstract 952 Published in Developmental Dynamics 1999 |
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Cheryl Michaelson |
Patterns of cell proliferation during formation of oral membrane and amnion headfold in chick embryos. [Casstevens Research Scholar] Published in Anatomical
Record 1994 |
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Lynn Schenck |
The biology of selected neonatal problems in horses. [limited to library research and field trips; no laboratory component] |
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Kim Bresee |
Differential cell proliferation and formation of the chick embryo amnion. [Biology Department research assistant] Published in Anatomical Record 1994 |
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Kim Bresee |
Differential cell proliferation and formation of the chick embryo amnion. [Casstevens Research Scholar] Presented at Fifth National Conference on Undergraduate Research, 1991 Differential cell proliferation as a mechanism for formation of lateral amniotic folds. Abstract BIO.III.44P Presented to Hamilton College AAUP Journal Club (1991) Kim presented her work as part of my presentation, "Figuring Forms: How Embryos Shape Up". Presented to XVI Annual Biological Sciences Research Symposium, SUNY-Binghamton, 1991 Domains of differential cell proliferation in chick embryo ectoderm correlate with morphogenesis. Presented at American Association of Anatomists Miller, S.A. and K.L. Bresee 1992 Domains of differential cell proliferation in chick embryo ectoderm confirm that amnion constrains body folding during folding morphogenesis. Anatomical Record 232(4):62A. |
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Megan Cavanaugh |
Patterns of differential cell proliferation in the formation of chick embryo gut tube with emphasis on foregut and midgut. [Casstevens Research Scholar] Presented at Fifth National Conference on Undergraduate Research, 1991 Differential cell proliferation correlates with formation of chick embryo gut tube. Abstract BIO.III.45P Presented to Hamilton College AAUP Journal Club (1991) Megan presented her work as part of my presentation, "Figuring Forms: How Embryos Shape Up". Published in Developmental Dynamics 1999 |
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Thuli Makhene |
Histological preparation of early chick embryo serial sections. |
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Rich Mcincrow |
Histological sectioning and staining of mouse heart tissue leading to an analysis of the microanatomy. |
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1989-1990 |
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Nancy Shafer |
Histological technique focusing on 4-9-day chick embryo hearts and angiogenesis of coronary and great vessels. |
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Mike Adornato |
Patterns of differential cell proliferation in the gut tube endoderm of chick embryos. [Casstevens Research Scholar] Published in Developmental Dynamics 1999 |
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James Ravenel |
Investigation of the possible role of differential proliferation in early formation leading up to rupture of the oral membrane and closing plates in chick embryo. |
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Chris Olcott |
Differential proliferation and rupture of the oral (buccopharyngeal) membrane in the chick embryo. Presented to American Association of Anatomists Miller, S.A. and C.W. Olcott 1987 Differential cell proliferation occurs in adjacent epithelia prior to rupture of the oral membrane in chick embryos. Anatomical Record 218(1): 91A. Published in Anatomical Record 1989 |
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Gail Campbell |
Effect of specific exercises on the muscles of human legs. [a library project with some collection of data from subjects] |
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Robert Insley |
Vertebrate histological technique. |
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Serafin Piñol-Roma |
Distribution of extracellular matrix during early morphogenesis of the chick embryo. |
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Robert Reed |
Cytoskeletal arrays during gross morphogenesis of the chick embryo: an electron microscopic study. |
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Alfred Slanetz |
consulted about immunological projects |
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Joel Amidon |
Effects of proliferation in the general area of lateral body folding on the formation of lateral body olds and axial rotation in chick embryos. Published Abstract: Miller, S.A., J.P. Amidon and F.E. Price 1982 Amnion is a constraining support for lateral body folding in chick embryos. American Zoologist 22(4): 930. |
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Christine McCarthy |
Histological examination of the mouse brain. |
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Scott Stewart |
Morphometric analysis of ectoderm and its relationship to axial rotation in chick embryos. Abstract-in program of in Society for Developmental Biology: Miller, S.A., F.E. Price and S.A. Stewart 1981 Relation of thickness of somatic ectoderm to axial rotation in chick embryo. Published Abstract: Miller, S.A., F.E. Price, S.A. Stewart and M.A. Pasch 1981 Closure of lateral body folds and axial rotation in chick embryos. American Zoologist 21(4):976. |
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Jeffry Short |
Neural and hormonal effects on salivary glands of mice.[co-sponsored with Professor D. Gapp] |
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Mark Pasch |
Morphometric analysis of somatopleure and its components along lateral body folds of the chick embryo during axial rotation. Published Abstract: Miller, S.A. and M.A. Pasch 1980 Differentials in thickness of epithelial ectoderm during axial morphogenesis in chick embryos. J. Cell Biol. 87:133A. Published Abstract: Miller, S.A., F.E. Price, S.A. Stewart and M.A. Pasch 1981 Closure of lateral body folds and axial rotation in chick embryos. American Zoologist 21(4):976. |
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Robert Brick Campbell |
Cellular profile of avian somatopleure during axial rotation in the embryo: an electron microscopic study. Published Abstract: Miller, S.A. and R.B. Campbell 1979 Ultrastructure of avian somatopleure in lateral body folds during axial morphogenesis. American Zoologist 19(3): 1002. |
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Richard White |
Specific incorporation of 3H-thymidine by regions of somatopleure in the rotating 8- to 12-somite mouse embryo: possible roles for differential growth in the process of rotation. Published Abstract: Miller, S.A. and R.D. White 1997 Laterality of cell proliferation in somatopleure and splanchnopleure correlates with inverse axial rotation of mouse embryos. FASEB Journal 11: A418 #2418. Published in Anatomical Record 1998 |
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Nancy Zacks |
Illustration of thoracic surgery – at Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI |
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Mary Frye |
Development of cilia in the oviduct of the mouse: an electron microscopic study. |
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Allan Hamilton |
Scientific illustration – miscellaneous artworks and photos for use in anatomy lectures |
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Lisa Minotti |
Illustration of procedures in plastic surgery: blepharoplasty and rhytidoplasty. [co-sponsored with W. Salzillo, Art] |
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Collins Kellog |
Comparative dissection of selected game birds and mammals. |
