KU, Haskell students to present research projects at 24th annual symposium

LAWRENCE – Research on heat shock stress in colorectal cancer, wetland restoration practices’ impact on soil, lunar environments’ impact on fungal communities, neurodegeneration of Alzheimer’s disease and mathematical modeling in relation to plant species health will be among the work presented at the 24th annual University of Kansas-Haskell Indian Nations University Student Research Symposium.

Thirteen undergraduate students and six postbaccalaureate scholars supported by KU’s Office for Diversity in Science Training will present posters explaining their research from 4 to 5:30 p.m. April 12 in Navarre Hall at Haskell.

The presenters include undergraduates from KU and Haskell, along with postbaccalaureate scholars from KU. Their research is supported by three National Institutes of Health-funded programs focused on training, workforce development and diversity in biomedical research. The programs include:

• 500 Nations Bridge Collaboration: Haskell/KU
  Principal investigators: Amy Burgin, KU; Nana Allison-Brewer, Haskell; Josephine Chandler, KU; and Melissa Holder, KU
• KU Maximizing Access to Research Careers
  Principal investigators: Paulyn Cartwright and Paul Hanson, KU.
• KU Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program
  Principal investigators: Gustavo Blanco, Adam Smith and Ilya Vakser, KU

The Office for Diversity in Science Training is led by Paulyn Cartwright, director.

Symposium presenters are listed alphabetically:

Akhila Ayyadevara, of Overland Park, is a senior at KU majoring in behavioral neuroscience. Ayyadevara is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Zijun Wang, assistant professor of pharmacology & toxicology. Ayyadevara’s research focuses on the behavioral and neural changes that occur as a result of early social isolation.

Jianna Bond, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a senior at KU majoring in microbiology. Bond is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Robert Unckless, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Bond’s research analyzes the genetic variation of immune genes’ response to gram-negative bacteria.

Kamar Chahine, of Lawrence and Tripoli, Lebanon, is a senior at KU majoring in molecular, cellular & developmental biology with a minor in chemistry. Chahine is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Kristi Neufeld, Frank B. Tyler Professor of Cancer Research. Chahine’s research studies the relationship between APC and Gamma-H2AX upon heat shock stress in colorectal cancer.

Mollie Coffey, of Lawrence, is a junior at Haskell majoring in microbiology. Coffey is a scholar of the Bridge program and is mentored by Robin Orozco, assistant professor of molecular biosciences. Coffey’s research focuses on extracting and genotyping DNA from PEP619ww to identify the presence of mutate allele PTPN22 and for CRE + or CRE – mice. Coffey is affiliated with the Comanche, Delaware, Kickapoo and Pawnee Nations of Oklahoma.

Maximino Emerson, of Wichita, has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from KU. Emerson is a postbaccalaureate scholar in the PREP program and is mentored by Lisa Timmons, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Emerson’s research focuses on developing methods for assaying environmental iron concentration on the phenotypes of genetic mutants in specific genes.

Amanda Hoffman, of Cool, California, has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Haskell Indian Nations University. Hoffman is a postbaccalaureate scholar in the PREP program and is mentored by Rosana Ferreira, assistant professor of molecular biosciences. Hoffman researches S. epidermidis-derived small molecule(s) to determine their composition and how the S. aureus (MRSA) biofilm-forming genes are being affected. Hoffman is affiliated with the Karuk Tribe.

Lawrence James-Osondu, of Fate, Texas, is a sophomore at KU majoring in exercise science. James-Osondu is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Trent Herda, associate professor of health, sport & exercise science. James-Osondu’s research endeavors to determine the differences in the skeletal muscle systems measure between the Fontan and healthy cardio-typical control groups.

Ginny Ke, of Hays, is a junior at KU majoring in interdisciplinary computing. Ke is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Prajnaparamita Dhar, professor of chemical & petroleum engineering. Ke’s research aims to highlight the importance of observing the surface activity of polysorbate-based surfactants, specifically Polysorbate 80, and understanding the degradation of light-induced polysorbate samples.

Seth Pua, of Lawrence, is a junior at KU majoring in mathematics. Pua is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Maria Orive and Folashade Agusto, both professors of ecology & evolutionary biology. Pua’s research focuses on mathematical modeling of diseases spread throughout two different plant species. Pua is affiliated with the Navajo Nation.

Kate Rosa, of Emporia, is a junior at KU majoring in molecular biology. Rosa is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Robin Orozco, assistant professor of molecular biosciences. Rosa’s research investigates whether natural killer cells with and without the PTPN22 619WW mutation exhibit different phenotypes that could explain increased immune responses to viruses and tumors. Rosa is affiliated with the Sicangu Lakota Tribe.

Emmanuel Saama, of Overland Park, is a sophomore at KU majoring in chemistry. Saama is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Laird Forrest, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry. Saama’s research investigates why patient-administered monoclonal antibodies lose effectiveness over time.

Victoria Secondine, of Lawrence, has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Haskell Indian Nations University. Secondine is a postbaccalaureate scholar in the PREP program and is mentored by Amy Burgin, professor of ecology & evolutionary biology. Secondine’s research aims to answer how differences in wetland restoration practices affect soil properties over time. Secondine is affiliated with the Delaware Tribe of Indians located in Oklahoma.

Anjali Singh, of Bel Aire, is a junior at KU majoring in human biology and women, gender & sexuality studies. Singh is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Minae Mure, professor of chemistry. Singh aims to utilize previously established expression and purification techniques to isolate a recombinant form of putative copper amine oxidase from Klebsiella pneumoniae to biochemically characterize it.

Lucian Sours, of Pittsburg, is a sophomore at KU majoring in ecology & evolutionary biology and environmental studies. Sours is a scholar of the MARC program and is mentored by Paulyn Cartwright, professor of ecology & evolutionary biology. Sours’ research examines the differential expression of genes in the jellyfish Staurocladia with regards to the process of asexual reproduction in the medusae phase.

Kenneth Tadena Jr., of Wapato, Washington, is a junior at Haskell majoring in health, sport & exercise science. Tadena is a scholar of the Bridge program and is mentored by Philip Gallagher, professor of health, sport & exercise science. Tadena’s research analyzes the movement of skeletal muscle and body tissue. Tadena is affiliated with the Yakama Nation.

Amina Tbaba, of Wichita, has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from California State University, Long Beach. Tbaba is a postbaccalaureate scholar in the PREP program and is mentored by Adam Smith, professor of pharmacology & toxicology. Tbaba’s research investigates the functional role of the insular cortex in pair bonding, social loss and related behaviors using the prairie vole as an animal model.

Cristina Vargas Vazquez, of Santa Cruz, California, has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Vargas Vazquez is a postbaccalaureate scholar in the PREP program and is mentored by Josephine Chandler, associate professor of molecular biosciences. Vargas Vazquez’s research focuses on promiscuous quorum sensing receptors and how they are utilized to advantage in the bacterial species Chromobacterium subtsugae.

Joshua Williams, of Goddard, is a junior at Haskell majoring in environmental science. Williams is a scholar of the Bridge program and is mentored by Benjamin Sikes, professor of ecology & evolutionary biology. Williams’ research aims to identify how simulated lunar environments, especially those amended with biowaste, impact fungal biology. Williams is affiliated with the Pawnee Nation.

Julian Yang, of Oakdale, Minnesota, has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Concordia University. Yang is a postbaccalaureate scholar in the PREP program and is mentored by Heng Du, professor of pharmacology & toxicology. Yang’s research examines the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration during the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.