Mehaffy Lab

The Mehaffy lab focuses on the intersection of undergraduate research and student success, inclusive pedagogy practices, and student engagement and affective response in the classroom. Dr. Mehaffey is also the director for and works closely with MIP CURE Labs. In addition, the Mehaffy lab contributes to collaborative projects in biomedical research related to non-tuberculous mycobacteria and tuberculosis as part of the CSU Mycobacteria Research Labs.

research project

Studying the impact of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) in students

In collaboration with CURE instructors Traci Kinkel, Grace Borlee, and past CURE instructors, the Mehaffy lab studies how students that engage in CUREs shift their science identity, self-efficacy and community values as part of the experience. The Mehaffy lab is also interested in assessing how CUREs can contribute to students confidence in research and laboratory skills.

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research project

Evaluating Students’ perceptions towards active learning practices in the Microbiology and Infectious Disease program

The Mehaffy lab is evaluating how students perceive different types of instructional strategies including active learning practices. This collaborative project expects to provide evidence of how students engage with activities in the classroom and how faculty can implement these strategies to aid student learning. This project is funded by the College Research Council (CRC).

research project

Studying the impact of highlighting scientist diversity in the Microbiology classroom

The Mehaffy lab, with graduate student Gaby Ramirez, is curating a database of diverse Microbiology scientists that can be highlighted in the Microbiology classroom. In addition, the team, which includes Assistant Professor Grace Borlee, will be studying how showcasing diverse scientist in the classroom impacts student’s views of their science identity and of who can be a scientist.

Publications

Detection of pro-inflammatory cytokines in healthy canine tears using Canine Cytokine SpikeMix™ mass spectrometry via multiple reaction monitoring.
Spitznagel KM, Mikeska R, Jost H, McGrath S, Mehaffy C, Henriksen ML. Vet Ophthalmol. 2023 Nov;26(6):565-569. doi: 10.1111/vop.13156. Epub 2023 Oct 24. PMID: 37874256

Modulation of riboflavin biosynthesis and utilization in mycobacteria.
Chengalroyen MD, Mehaffy C, Lucas M, Bauer N, Raphela ML, Oketade N, Warner DF, Lewinsohn DA, Lewinsohn DM, Dobos KM, Mizrahi V. bioRxiv. 2023 Sep 10:2023.08.30.555301. doi: 10.1101/2023.08.30.555301. Preprint. PMID: 37693561

The use of shotgun label-free quantitative proteomic mass spectrometry to evaluate the inflammatory response in aqueous humor from horses with uveitis compared to ophthalmologically healthy horses.
Terhaar HM, Henriksen ML, Mehaffy C, Hess A, McMullen RJ Jr. Vet Ophthalmol. 2023 May 5. doi: 10.1111/vop.13107. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37144658

A Career Preparation Course for Biomedical Science Majors Focused on Skills for Diverse Career Paths.
Kelp NC, Borlee GI, Mehaffy C. J Microbiol Biol Educ. 2023 Feb 6;24(1):e00238-22. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.00238-22. eCollection 2023 Apr. PMID: 37089239

Pro-inflammatory cytokines in aqueous humor from dogs with anterior uveitis and post-operative ocular hypertension following phacoemulsification, primary glaucoma, and normal healthy eyes.
Terhaar HM, Henriksen ML, Uhl LK, Boeckling C, Mehaffy C, Hess A, Lappin MR. PLoS One. 2022 Aug 23;17(8):e0273449. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273449. eCollection 2022. PMID: 35998207

more publications

People

Carolina Mehaffy, P.h.D

Lab Principal Investigator [PI]
Director, CURE Labs
Assistant Professor

Ashley Freedman

Student Researcher

Kayla Jean

Student Researcher

Mitchell Meyers

Student Researcher

Olivia Miller

Student Researcher

Megan Moran

Student Researcher

2023 Mehaffy Lab Members

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contact information

Office: Microbiology room B107

Lab: Microbiology rooms B228 and C212