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. In addition, the Mehaffy lab contributes to collaborative projects in biomedical research related to non-tuberculous mycobacteria and tuberculosis.
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.
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
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
Extracellular Vesicles in Mycobacteria and Tuberculosis.
Mehaffy C, Ryan JM, Kruh-Garcia NA, Dobos KM. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022 May 27;12:912831. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.912831. eCollection 2022. PMID: 35719351
Localization of EccA3 at the growing pole in Mycobacterium smegmatis.
Kriel NL, Newton-Foot M, Bennion OT, Aldridge BB, Mehaffy C, Belisle JT, Walzl G, Warren RM, Sampson SL, Gey van Pittius NC.BMC Microbiol. 2022 May 19;22(1):140. doi: 10.1186/s12866-022-02554-6. PMID: 35590245
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