SRIF is designed to accommodate researchers from the various natural-science departments at George Mason University. The facility is housed in Room 221 and several labs on the 3rd floor of Discovery Hall on the GMU Prince William campus. SRIF provides a laboratory environment suitable for short-term or continuing analytical investigations. This facility was established by the College of Arts and Sciences to promote interaction among faculty and students from various disciplines.

Research Projects Using SRIF

Department of Molecular and Microbiology

Dr. James Willett, current
Dr. Gita Sudama, Research Assistant
Title: Metabolomics -- Identify metabolic pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans
SRIF Instrument: Shimadzu LC-MS-Ion Trap/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectometer

Dr. Monique Van Hoek, 2009
Suhua Han, Research Specialist
Title: Francisella Acid Phosphotase A Activity Assay
SRIF Instrument: Fluorescent plate reader

Dr. Ancha Baranova, 2008
Title: An Ectopic Synthesis of the Melanin in the Adipocytes of the Morbidly Obese Subjects
Student: Manpreet Kaur Randhawa
Degree Awarded: PhD Biosciences
Publication: Evidence for the Ectopic Synthesis of Melanin in Human Adipose Tissue, M. Randhawa, T. Huff, J.C. Valencia, Z. Younossi, V. Chandhoke, V.J. Hearing, and A. Baranova. The FASEB Journal, 23 (2009), 835--843.
SRIF Instrument: Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer, Fluorescent plate reader, The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System.

Dr. Monique Van Hoek, 2008
Title: Azithromycin is Effective Against Intracellular Infections of Francisella philomiragia, F. novicida, and F.LVS
Student: Saira Ahmad
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Molecular and Microbiology
SRIF Instrument: Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Department of Psychology

Dr. Raja Parasuraman, current
Dr. Mingkuan Lin, Research Assistant
Title: Genetic Association of Bbrain Structure & Function
SRIF Instrument: ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Dr. Robin Couch, Fall 2011
Title: Fecal VOC Metabolomics
Students: Karl Navarro, Sara Pittman, Tiffani Willis, Colleen Cook, Taelim Kim, and Phung Vo
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer
Brief Description: Perform a metabolomics study on fecal samples using SPME and GCMS

Dr. Robin Couch, Spring 2011
Title: Alcohol Liver Disease
Research Assistant, PhD Candidate: Emma Dixon
Lab Technician: Cynthia Clubb
MS Candidates: Andrew Pham and Alison Hight
Undergraduates: Tiffani Willis and Quyen DeRoule
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer
Brief Description: This is a loage correlational study, they are looking at volatile metabolites of tissue samples from normal and diseased patients using solid phase microextraction (SPME).

Dr. Robin Couch, Spring 2011
Title: Aanlysis of Biothreat Agents Bacteria
MS Candidate: Allyson Daily
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer
Brief Description: This research is to look at methods of detection using volatile compounds sampled by solid phase microextraction (SPME).

Dr. Robin Couch, current
Emma Dixon, Research Assistant
Title: Metabolomics of tissues by solid phase microextraction and analysis by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry
Students: Cynthia Clubb, Purvang Mirani, Kristina Burke (Quality control)
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer, Agilent 7890-5975C Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.

Dr. Robin Couch, current
Title: Finding fingerprint chromatograms and/or biomarkers to identify biothreat agents (bacteria) through solid phase microextraction and and analysis by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry.
Students: Allyson Dailey, Alison Hight
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer, Agilent 7890-5975C Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.

Dr. George W. Mushrush, current
Title: Enhanced Oil Recovery
Ph.D Candidate: Mahmoud D Eljack
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. George W. Mushrush, current
Graduate Chemistry Course 624
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer,
Agilent 7890-5975C Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.

Dr. George W. Mushrush, current
Research in the areas of middle distillate fuels (both jet and diesel), tar sands, shale oil and bio-fuels
PhD Candidates:  Kristina Burke, James Wyneed, Joy Bauserman, Christopher Lloyd, Janet Hughes
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer,
Agilent 7890-5975C Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.

Dr. George W. Mushrush, current
Research in the areas of middle distillate fuels (both jet and diesel), tar sands, shale oil and bio-fuels
26 Granted Masterof Science Candidates
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer,
Agilent 7890-5975C Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.

Dr. George W. Mushrush, current
Research in the areas of middle distillate fuels (both jet and diesel), tar sands, shale oil and bio-fuels
Students: Jessica Sheen,  Carolyn Nguyen,  Long Bao Dang, Thien Phan, Phung Vo
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. George W. Mushrush, Summer 2010
Research in the areas of middle distillate fuels (both jet and diesel)
Students: Simon J Kim,    Michele R Lussos,   A’Laura C Hines,  Mahmoud D Eljack
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 6890-5973 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. Robin Couch, Spring, 2010
Title: Purification & Characterization of ISPD protein in Francisella tularensis bacteria.
Student: Arthur Tsang
Degree Awarded: Master of Science
SRIF Instrument: Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. George W. Mushrush, 2009
Research in the areas of middle distillate fuels (both jet and diesel)
Students: Dong Hyun (Harry) Lee, Jae J Kwak
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 5890-5971 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. Robin Couch, 2009
Title: Purification & Characterization of ISPD protein in Francisella tularensis bacteria.
Students: Justin R Hamilton  
SRIF Instrument: Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer


Dr. Barney Bishop, 2008
Title: Engineering peptide/antibiotic conjugates.
Student: Emilios Andrew Papanastasiou
SRIF Instrument: Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. George W. Mushrush, 2008
Research in the areas of middle distillate fuels (both jet and diesel)
Students: Peter Karras, Thien Thanh Ngoc Pham
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 5890-5971 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. George W. Mushrush, 2007
Research in the areas of middle distillate fuels (both jet and diesel)
Students: Magnus Rogers, Jae J Kwak,  2007
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 5890-5971 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer


National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases

Dr. Fatah Kashanchi, current
Ph.D Candidate: Rachel VauDuyne
Title: HIV-1: Transcription inhibitors & Proteomics
SRIF Instrument: The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System, Fluorescent plate reader.

Dr. Fatah Kashanchi, current
Ph.D Candidate: Irene Guendel
Title: HIV-1: Transcription inhibitors & Proteomics
SRIF Instrument: The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System, Fluorescent plate reader.

Dr. Fatah Kashanchi, current
Student: Edward Gregg
Title: HIV-1: RNAi Machinery
SRIF Instrument: The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System, Fluorescent plate reader.

Dr. Fatah Kashanchi, current
Students: Bess Gerhart, Ravi Das
Title: HIV-1: Transcription inhibitors & Proteomics
SRIF Instrument: The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System, Fluorescent plate reader.

Dr. Yutao Wu, current
Dr. Jia Guo, Research Assistant
Title: HIV-mediated signal transduction in viral infection of resting CD4 T cells
SRIF Instrument: The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System

Dr. Yutao Wu, current
Title: HIV replication in memory and naive CD4 T cell
Ph.D Candidate: Weifeng Wang
SRIF Instrument: The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System

Dr. Yutao Wu, current
Title: The role of tat viral protein in regulation HIV reverse transcription
Ph.D Candidate: Bea Meltzer
SRIF Instrument: The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System

Dr. Yutao Wu, current
Title: Large scale drug screening for HIV treatment
Ph.D Candidate: Todd Howley
SRIF Instrument: The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System

Dr. Fatah Kashanchi
Ph.D Candidate: Rachel VauDuyne
Title: HIV-1: Transcription inhibitors & Proteomics
SRIF Instrument: The iCycler iQ Real Time PCR Detection System, Fluorescent plate reader.

Dr. Taissia Popova, current
SRIF Instrument: Fluorescent plate reader

Dr. Myung-Chul Chung, current
SRIF Instrument: Fluorescent plate reader

Jessica Chertow, Lab and Research Specialist I, Ph.D Candidate
SRIF Instrument: Fluorescent plate reader

Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

Dr. Karl Fryxell, 2007--2009
Title: Genetic Association of Working Memory
Student : Mingkuan Lin
Degree Awarded: PhD Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
SRIF Instrument: ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer

Environmental Science and Policy


Dr. Gregory Foster, 2011
M.S.Candidate: Adam Moody
Title: Determine the occurrence and concentration of both legacy and emerging environmental organic contaminants in wild fish tissue collected from Gunston Cove.  
Brief Description: Look for the contaminants in fish tissue consist of PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PAHs, synthetic and natural steroids and hormones and antibacterial agents. Plan to use Microwave-Assisted Suponification (MAS) to extract these contaminants out of fish tissue and use GC-MS as an analytical tool for detecting these compounds.
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 7890-5975C Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.

Dr. Gregory Foster, 2011
M.S.Candidate: David W. Lieu
Title: Research in source phthalates
Brief Description:Identifying source phthalates (PTHs) from everyday consumer products(i.e. plastics)/household and work environments and utilizing fingerprinting and receptor modeling methods to identify environmental pollutants by these phthalates in local area neighborhoods and watersheds (i.e. Pohick, Accotink, Anacostia)
SRIF Instrument: Agilent 7890-5975C Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.

Thomas B Huff, M.S.
Title: Development of Analytical Method for Determining Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in the Environment Using LC-MS IT-TOF
SRIF Instrument: Shimadzu LC-MS-Ion Trap/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectometer

Thomas B Huff, MS
Title: Development of Analytical Method for Determining Environmental Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Using LC-MS IT-TOF
SRIF Instrument:Shimadzu LC-MS-Ion Trap/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectometer

Thomas B Huff, MS
Title: Development of Analytical Method of S-Triazine and Chloracetanilide Herbicides and Their Transformation Products Using LC-MS/MS.
SRIF Instrument: Shimadzu LC-MS-Ion Trap/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectometer, Thermo-Finnegan LCQ Deca XP Plus Ion Trap Mass Spectrometers.

Dr. Gregory Foster, 2009
Ph.D Candidate: Thomas B Huff
Title: Analyis of S-Triazine and Chloracetanilide Herbicides and Transformation Products of S-Triazines in the North Fork and South Fork of  the Sheanandoah River using SPE and LC-MS.
Publication: Seasonal Changes in S-Triazine and Chloracetanilide Herbicides and Their Transformation Products in Small Basins of the Shenandoah River Watershed (In Draft)
SRIF Instrument: Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. Gregory Foster, 2008
Ph.D Candidate: Thomas B Huff
Title: Analyis of S-Triazine and Chloracetanilide Herbicides and Transformation Products of S-Triazines in Cedar Run, the North Fork and South Fork of  the Sheanandoah River using SPE and LC-MS.
Publication: Comparison of S-Triazine and Chloracetanilide Herbicides and S-Triazine Transformation Products in Different Sub-basins in the Potomac River Watershed (In Draft)
SRIF Instrument: Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. Gregory Foster, 2008
Title: Investigated organic micro-pollutants in the Potomac River with focus around waste water treatment facilities.
Student: Kevin Dove
Degree Awarded: Master of Science
SRIF Instrument:Agilent 5890-5971 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. Gregory Foster, 2008
Student: Kathleen  Housman
Degree Awarded: Master of Science
SRIF Instrument:Agilent 5890-5971 Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Dr. Gregory Foster  2007
Ph.D Candidate: Thomas B Huff
Title: Development of a Method to Analyze S-Triazine and Chloracetanilide Herbicides and Their Transformation Products using SPE and LC-MS.
Publication: “Parts-Per-Trillion Analysis of Herbicides and Transformation Products in Surface Water” (in Submission, 2010, Journal of Environmental Quality)
SRIF Instrument: Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

The Shared Research Instrumentation Facility

Thomas B Huff, MS, Current
Title:   Development of a Method to Analyze Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in Surface Waters of the Potomac River Watershed.
High School Mentees: Jeremy Weller and Andrea Lorico, 2010  
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)
SRIF Instrument: Shimadzu LC-MS-IT-TOF, Thermo-Finnegan LCQ Ion Trap Mass Spectrometers,Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.

Thomas B Huff, MS, 2009
Title:  Characterizing Trazines and Triazine Transformation Products in the Cedar Run.
High School Mentees: Spencer Clark and Alex Streicher
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)
SRIF Instrument:   Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Thomas B Huff, MS, 2008
Title:   A Study of the Concentration of Atrazine and its Transformation Products in the Shenandoah River Area
High School Mentees: So-Jung Youn and Stella M. Kim
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)
SRIF Instrument:   Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Thomas B Huff, MS, 2008
Title:  The Occurrence of Triazine Herbicides and Their Transformation Products in the North Fork of the Shenandoah River Using Solid - Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry
High School Intern: Ishan Bardhan
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)
Aspiring Scientist Internship Program
SRIF Instrument:   Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Thomas B Huff, MS, 2008
Title:  The Occurrence of a Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in the Shenandoah River in the Vicinity of an Agricultural Wastewater Treatment Plant Using Solid-Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
High School Intern: Siddhant Bhatia
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)
Aspiring Scientist Internship Program
SRIF Instrument:   Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer

Thomas B Huff, MS, 2008
Title:  The Occurrence of a Potent Estrogen in the Shenandoah River in the Vicinity of an Agricultural Wastewater Treatment Plant Using Solid-Phase Extraction, and Enzymatic Immunoassay
High School Intern: Michael Lehner
School: Osbourn Park High School
Aspiring Scientist Internship Program


Thomas B Huff, MS, 2007
Title:  Developing Methods for Analyzing the Role of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products as Pollutants in River Water
High School Mentee: Ishan Bardhan
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)
SRIF Instrument:   Waters ZQ 2000 Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.
Aspiring Scientist Internship Program

Thomas B Huff, MS, 2007
Title: A Solid Phase Extraction-Immunoassay Technique for Determining Aquatic Concentrations of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
High School Mentee: Sophia Youn
School: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)
Aspiring Scientist Internship Program

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