Rodney C. Austin

The impact of glyphosate on Pedobacter heparinus growth
Student Rebecca R. Brubaker worked with me to determine the impact of glyphosate, commercially known as RoundupTM , on the growth of the soil bacterium, Pedobacter heparinus. The work was presented at the Student Symposium on the Environment, which was held on the campus of Westminster College December 3, 2015.

Mapping drinking water access points in Beaver Falls, PA with Google Earth
With students Katie Snyder, Sara Anderson, and Brooke Wible. Presented at the Student Symposium on the Environment, which was held on the campus of Westminster College December 4, 2014.

Analysis of select metals in Beaver River Sediment
With students Katie N. Cramer, Cassandra K. Milliner, and Samuel J.Robb. Presented at the Student Symposium on the Environment, which was held on the campus of Westminster College December 5, 2013.

A simplified method for the isolation and purification of glucoraphanin from broccoli seeds
With student, Andrew Hiser. Presented at the Student-Member research symposium held by the American Chemical Society. April 20, 2013.
Impact of acid mine drainage on Davidson's Creek
With student, John Hixenbaugh. Presented at the Student Symposium on the Environment, which was held on the campus of Westminster College December 6, 2012.
Impact of POGIL instruction on a two-semester biochemistry course at Geneva College
Examined the impact of small group exercises on student learning. Presented at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (Penn State) August 2012.
Integrating Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics to Evaluate Global Water Problems
With Erica Kosal and Carol Lawrence. Journal of College Science Teaching 2010.
Teaching chemistry as part of Global Water Issues: A new multidisciplinary course developed with SENCER ideals.Presented at the American Chemical Society National meeting in March 2005 (San Diego).
Structural aspects of alpha one acid glycoprotein and its interactions
HB Halsall, RC Austin, JL Dage, H Sun, KT Schuleter. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Serum Albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein. 2000
Physical Characterization of Orosomucoid Gene Products I and II.
Dissertation. 2000

Research on select proteins from the bacterium, Pedobacter heparinus.
My current work is to isolate and characterize a unique phytochrome from P. heparinus. This phytochrome protein has an associated heme oxygenase that is of interest as well.
Testing for Total Trihalomethane (TTHM) compounds in drinking water production
This is a joint project with the Beaver Falls Municipal Authority. Samples are taken at select stages in water product where we analyze for TTHM production.
River and Stream Analysis
I work with students to analyze metals in stream water and soil. Recently we have detected elevated levels of certain industrial metals in river sediment.