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Kathy L. Rowlen
Professor
Ph.D.: University of Colorado, 1989
Postdoctoral Fellow: University of Utah, 1989-90
Awards:
Council on Research and Creative Work Faculty Fellowship, Colorado University,
2004/2005
Distinguished Alumna, Grand Valley State University, 2003
National Science Foundation Career Award, 1995-1998
Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh Fellowship, 1993
Junior Faculty Development Award, 1992
Beckman Foundation Young Investigator Award, 1991-1993
Bioanalytical Chemistry, Spectroscopy, and Nanotechnology
Current research projects in the Rowlen lab include:
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“Mechanistic Studies of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering, SERS Continuum, and Noble Metal Luminescence” (funded by the National Science Foundation)
The objective of this project is a fundamental study of the relationship between noble metal surface properties and the optical phenomena that arise from surface enhanced electromagnetic fields. Collaborators include Prof. Tom Furtak from the Colorado School of Mines.
- “Multidimensional Surface-Enhanced Sensing and Spectroscopy” (funded by the Air Force MURI program, PI Van Duyne)
This multi-university project centers around the design of nanostructured surfaces that could be used to enhance multi-dimensional spectroscopy. Students in our research group are utilizing electron-beam lithography to build nanoaperture arrays. Characterization of these arrays relies on atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, micro-transmission measurements, and Raman spectroscopy. Collaborators include Prof. David Jonas as well as Prof. George Schatz and Prof. Richard Van Duyne from Northwestern.
- “Probing Molecular Orientation at Surfaces” (funded by the National Science Foundation) Research in this project utilizes a combination of linear and non-linear spectroscopic techniques to investigate molecular orientation at dielectric surfaces. One demonstrated application involved characterization of a novel alignment layer to be used in liquid crystal devices.
- “Development of a Diagnostic Microarray for Influenza A” (funded by the National Institutes of Health – co PI Robert Kuchta)
The goal of this project is the development and thorough testing of DNA microarrays (FluChips) that will be capable of rapid identification and strain analysis of influenza A. Collaborators include scientists from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and the World Health Organization.
Selected Publications
Michael B. Townsend, Erica D. Dawson, Martin Mehlmann, James A. Smagala, Daniela Dankbar, Chad L. Moore, Catherine B. Smith, Nancy J. Cox, Robert D. Kuchta and Kathy L. Rowlen “FluChipTM: Experimental Evaluation of a Diagnostic Influenza Microarray” submitted to Journal of Clinical Microbiology (January 2006)
Martin Mehlmann, Erica D. Dawson, Michael B. Townsend, James A. Smagala, Chad L. Moore, Catherine B. Smith, Nancy J. Cox, Robert D. Kuchta, and Kathy L. Rowlen “FluChipTM: Robust Sequence Selection Method for a Diagnostic Influenza Microarray” submitted to Journal of Clinical Microbiology (January 2006)
Smagala, J. A., Dawson, E. D., Mehlmann, M., Townsend, M. B., Kuchta, R. D., Rowlen, K. L. “ConFind: a Robust Tool for Conserved Sequence Identification” Bioinformatics 2005, 21(24), 4420-4422.
Mehlmann, M., Townsend, M., Stears, R., Kuchta, R., Rowlen, K.L. “Optimization of Fragmentation Conditions for Microarray Analysis of Viral RNA” Analytical Biochemistry 2005, 347, 316-323.
Dawson, E. D., Reppert, A. L, Rowlen, K. L., Kuck, L. R. “Spotting Optimization for Short Oligo Microarrays on Aldehyde-Glass” Analytical Biochemistry 2005, 341, 352-360.
Moore, A.A., Jacobson, M.L., Belabas, N., Rowlen, K.L., Jonas, D.M. “2D Correlation Analysis of the Continuum in Single Molecule Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy” Journal of the American Chemical Society 2005, 127(20); 7292-7293.
Jacobson, M. L., Rowlen, K. L. “PhotoDynamics on Thin Silver Films” Chemical Physics Letters 2005, 401, 52-57.