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Plating dorsal root ganglion cells in a 384 well plate in order to run a HTRF cAMP assay. 

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Josue Sarmiento- Exploring the sexual dimorphism of nociceptors

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Josue Sarmiento- Exploring the sexual dimorphism of nociceptors

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The Porreca lab's research focus is on understanding the pathophysiology of chronic pain states and utilizing this knowledge to develop non-addictive therapeutics. Accumulating evidence suggests that nociceptors, the sensory neurons detecting painful stimuli, are functionally different in females and males. The Porreca lab, and other research groups, have identified prolactin as a female-specific pain modulator. Recently, the laboratory has found evidence to suggest orexin is a male-specific driver of pain. Therefore, I have been performing cAMP and calcium accumulation assays on mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells in response to orexin to further elucidate whether this system is indeed specific in promoting pain in males.

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Presenting a poster at the annual meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE). 

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Olivia Fernflores - Inferring Distributions of Fitness Effects of Wild House Mice from Allele Frequency Spectra

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Olivia Fernflores - Inferring Distributions of Fitness Effects of Wild House Mice from Allele Frequency Spectra

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In Dr. Ryan Gutenkunst's lab, my project is focused on trying to understand if there are biological drivers behind the distribution of fitness effects, which is a way of describing how mutations effect a population (are there a lot of mutations that are harmful, and how harmful are they?). To do this, I have genomic data from wild mice and use computational population genetics methods to analyze the data. So far, we have found high levels of correlation between mutation distributions across pairs of populations, suggesting that in a population pair, mutations have similar effects on fitness. Moving forward, we hope to isolate mutations associated with specific functions and repeat our analysis to see if the high correlations we have observed thus far are universally occurring or specific only to certain genes.

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Putting together media for feeding lung epithelial cells

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Zainab Ramadan - Protease-Activated Receptor-2 (PAR2) Antagonists and Asthma

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Zainab Ramadan - Protease-Activated Receptor-2 (PAR2) Antagonists and Asthma

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In the Boitano lab, we research the G-protein-coupled receptor PAR2 and its contribution to asthma. Activation of PAR2 in lung epithelial cells results in a biphasic signaling response that can lead to asthma symptoms (via a  b-arrestin signaling pathway) or relief of asthma obstruction (via a G-protein signaling pathway). We are developing biased PAR2 antagonists that block obstructive symptoms caused by PAR2 while retaining its protective effects and test them for use in drug development. These PAR2 antagonists represent a novel target for asthma drug development and could open new avenues for those with severe forms of asthma that are currently untreatable as well as those who have acquired insensitivity to available treatments.

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Tom Pham - Ocular formulation of phenylbutyric acid based ionic liquids for treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV)

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Tom Pham - Ocular formulation of phenylbutyric acid based ionic liquids for treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV)

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Globally, herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are the leading cause of acquired blindness. Current topical treatments require 5-9 applications daily, which can lead to antiviral resistance and low patient compliance. My project in the Date Lab focuses on developing an ionic liquid based solvent using 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA), a naturally occurring compound with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. This solvent aims to enhance the solubility and permeability of PBA and existing hydrophobic antiviral drugs for treating ocular HSV. By creating a biocompatible solvent, I aim to improve current therapies for ocular HSV and potentially extend this platform technology to treat other diseases.

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Kodi Emerson - Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study

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Kodi Emerson - Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study

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I have been working in the Dr. Burgess lab on the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS) which collects survey, biological, and exposure data to assess cancer and other health risks in the fire service as they are known to be higher compared to the general population. For my project, I am working on analyzing survey data collected from the ~5,500 firefighters currently enrolled in the study to compare lifestyle habits by rank.

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Assessing Air Quality: Enhancing Respiratory Health in Native American Homes

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Assessing Air Quality: Enhancing Respiratory Health in Native American Homes

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Navajo children and elders who live on the reservation exhibit a higher prevalence of asthma, compared to those in urban populations due to the constant exposure to indoor air pollutants, like that of particular matter (PM) 2.5 Exposure to PM2.5 in rural environments, such as the Navajo Nation, is significant with the primary source coming from indoor wood and coal burning stoves that are utilized daily by Navajo residents for heating and cooking purposes. The goal of the Navajo Healthy Hooghan (home) project is to reduce indoor air pollution and ultimately alleviate asthma symptoms among children and elderly in Navajo homes.

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Graphing the changes in angle of the bat's pinnae and body over time using MATLAB.

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Ella Marshall - Understanding Sensory Processing within the Echolocating Bat

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Ella Marshall - Understanding Sensory Processing within the Echolocating Bat

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The echolocating bat uses active sensing to navigate its cluttered environment across time and space with precision and intention. This sophisticated mechanism makes the bat a powerful model for understanding sensory processing. In Dr. Wohlgemuth’s lab, we modulate this brain circuitry in the superior colliculus via optogenetics. I process this optogenetic data, then quantify the results in order to characterize the behavior. We can apply our understanding of how bats collect and process information from their environment to individuals who have processing or spatial attention issues.

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Nisa Aliyeva - Mechanism Enabled Population Balance and The Finke-Watzky 2 Step Mechanism

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Nisa Aliyeva - Mechanism Enabled Population Balance and The Finke-Watzky 2 Step Mechanism

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Hello, my name is Nisa Aliyeva. This summer, my research is focused on the Finke-Watzky 2-Step Chemical Mechanism, under the guidance of Dr. Shipman and Dr. Finke. As part of the DSA program, my research integrates both mathematical and biological methodologies. We are currently investigating the growth patterns of various proteins to identify the mechanism that most accurately models their in vivo behavior. This model can then be utilized to study the progression of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.

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Noah Frazier - Modeling Effects of Progressive Cortical Atrophy and Stroke Lesions on Current Flow in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

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Noah Frazier - Modeling Effects of Progressive Cortical Atrophy and Stroke Lesions on Current Flow in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a technique used in cognitive neuroscience to help activate different brain regions by passing a weak current between two electrodes on the scalp. Currently, the lab is investigating tDCS together with speech therapy as treatment for primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a neurodegenerative condition that chronically impacts language. However, the exact manner in which the current flows during tDCS isn't well understood, especially for aphasias due to stroke or neurodegeneration. I am using the simulation software SimNIBS to characterize the tDCS current flow for these populations.

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Mia Sponseller - Investigating the Role of Prefrontal Hippocampal Interactions in Aging and Memory

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Mia Sponseller - Investigating the Role of Prefrontal Hippocampal Interactions in Aging and Memory

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In the Barnes Lab, we investigate the role of prefrontal hippocampal interactions in age-related deficits in spatial working memory.  The goal is to see what memory deficits are normal with aging, versus which are pathological.  Using a spatial alternation task, we are able to compare the performance of young and aged rats as well as observe cell activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and the ventral hippocampus.  Looking at neural signatures of the rats before, during, and after the task allows us to see coordination between these two brain regions. Coordination between these regions typically indicates memory retrieval or memory consolidation events.

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Waldo Guzman Barrientos - Understanding Merkel Cell Carcinoma Through Protein Expression and Network Modeling

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Waldo Guzman Barrientos - Understanding Merkel Cell Carcinoma Through Protein Expression and Network Modeling

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Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer that can be caused by the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV). My research focuses on understanding how normal skin cells transform into cancerous MCC cells due to MCPyV. We aim to identify key genes and proteins involved in this process using computer models and lab techniques like microscopy. By uncovering how this transformation happens we also hope to shed light on potential targets for treatment.

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Daveena Biswas running E protein samples through the UHMR Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer. 

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Daveena Biswas - Understanding how envelope protein found on the SARS-CoV-2 virus assembles 

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Daveena Biswas - Understanding how envelope protein found on the SARS-CoV-2 virus assembles 

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Coronavirus, namely SARS-CoV-2, has recently been the cause of a global pandemic, with over 700 million reported cases. One protein that contributes to the virus’s complexity is the envelope (E) protein. E protein is relevant in viral entry, assembly, and pathogenesis; however, its mechanism and assembly is still unknown. My project aims to get a better understanding of how the E protein assembles when exposed to a lipid bilayer. Utilizing a novel approach used in the Marty lab, known as native mass spectrometry, we can maintain both the native structure of the protein and the native conditions in which the protein is found, which allows us to get a more accurate understanding of how this protein presents itself when exposed to the virus. The E protein remains a potential therapeutic target, thus gaining a better understanding of how the envelope protein assembles may help advance drug development.

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Katrina Vollmer - Understanding the Lipogenic Profile of ABCA1 Alzheimer’s Drugs

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Katrina Vollmer - Understanding the Lipogenic Profile of ABCA1 Alzheimer’s Drugs

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Studies have shown that dysregulation of the ABCA1 protein pump may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease, making ABCA1 a favorable drug target. My project focuses on characterizing the lipogenic profile of these novel compounds to enhance their efficacy and minimize unwanted side effects. By understanding the lipogenic profiles of these drugs, we aim to optimize their therapeutic potential, contributing to more effective long-term treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

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Joshua Mahar performing collumn chromatography in order to isolate an intermediate for a molecule that when shined on by light, can bind to proteins

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Joshua Mahar - Investigation of probes using photochemistry

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Joshua Mahar - Investigation of probes using photochemistry

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In our lab, our goal is to create molecules that when shined on by light, can react and bind to proteins, so that we can identify them.

First we have a computer program that, with certain molecular structures, can reveal trends and basic photophysical properties.

We then use multiple step synthesis in order to make the desired product and finally use light to attach them to proteins.

This attachment has multiple purposes, whether it be identification, labeling, or function, but having the molecules react with light allows for us to only have some cells in specific locations have reactions occur, allowing us to compare them to control cultures

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Kaylee Kimbrell transfecting myoblast cells from fetal sheep for a Chromatin Immunoprecipitation protocol  

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Kaylee Kimbrell - Investigating SMAD4 Expression in Myoblasts from Fetal Growth Restricted Sheep

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Kaylee Kimbrell - Investigating SMAD4 Expression in Myoblasts from Fetal Growth Restricted Sheep

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This summer I have been working in the Limesand Lab which investigates how fetal growth restriction caused by placental insufficiency can cause metabolic diseases later in life. The particular study I have been helping with is focusing on how given that glucose processing is connected to muscle growth, a fetus with less muscle growth might develop a weakened ability to process glucose. Specifically, I have been helping with Rosa Luna build data for her dissertation via cell culture and immunoprecipitation in an effort to better understand the mechanism for muscle cell growth in the hopes of a better direction of treatment development.

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Kirbi Austin analyzing a 3rd instar larval dissection using confocal microscopy 

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Kirbi Austin - Understanding glial cells and their impact on neuronal health and development

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Kirbi Austin - Understanding glial cells and their impact on neuronal health and development

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Glial cells make up approximately 90% of our overall brain cell count, yet little is definitively known about them. In Dr. Corty's lab, we are using the model organism Drosophila to help us better understand glial cells and their role in the brain. Through genetic modification, we are researching a variety of genes that negatively impact these cells, allowing us to better understand their roles in the maintenance and development of the neurons they ensheathe.

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Conducting Literature Review on the association among stress, diabetes, and risk for dementia. 

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Vijetha Logaprabhu - Investigating Acculturative Stress as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline

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Vijetha Logaprabhu - Investigating Acculturative Stress as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline

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Studies have shown that individuals with diabetes are at higher risk for dementia. Increased risk for developing diabetes has been associated with stress. As part of Dr. Ryan’s lab, I am conducting literature reviews to strengthen and increase our current knowledge of associations among stress, diabetes, and risk for dementia. The goal of this research is to develop stress interventions to decrease the risk of diabetes and dementia in individuals.

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Alex Lanthiez – Understanding How Oxidative Stress Contributes to Calcium Mishandling in the Heart

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Alex Lanthiez – Understanding How Oxidative Stress Contributes to Calcium Mishandling in the Heart

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Arrhythmias within contractile tissue of the heart are strongly connected to heart failure. The primary focus of the Hamilton lab is to further understand how protein interactions and gene expression are altered in arrhythmogenic heart cells.

My research aims to further understand the connections between oxidative stress and sarcoplasmic reticulum stress, resulting in the mishandling of calcium. Understanding how oxidative stressors alter the function of calcium channels is critical to understanding the basis of arrhythmogenesis.

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Jessica Cruz - Standardizing Nomenclature Across the SCAR Gene Family in Ungulates

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Jessica Cruz - Standardizing Nomenclature Across the SCAR Gene Family in Ungulates

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Gene nomenclature provides names for genes based on their known function. This process has recently been standardized across animals to support medical and veterinary research. This project focuses on standardizing nomenclature for Scavenger Receptor (SCAR) genes in hoofed farm animals, which play an important role in the immune system. Applying standardized nomenclature to SCAR genes will improve our understanding of disease response and farm animal health.

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Top: Scoring inflammation and mucus production in mouse lung tissue. Bottom: Lung tissue stained with hematoxylin and eosin to highlight inflammation. Note: the extensive purple color in the house dust mite (HDM)-treated cells indicates inflammation. When HDM is accompanied by a PAR2 antagonist (C781), inflammation appears more like the saline (HBSS)-treated controls. No differences are observed between female and male mice.

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Truc Le - Evaluate Protease-Activated Receptor 2 (PAR2) Antagonists for the Treatment of Asthma

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Truc Le - Evaluate Protease-Activated Receptor 2 (PAR2) Antagonists for the Treatment of Asthma

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Asthma is the most common chronic lung disease, affecting millions of people worldwide. Although the current treatments for asthma are somewhat effective, they are directed at limiting symptoms rather than targeting the cause of the problem. PAR2 is expressed in cells of the airway, is upregulated in chronic asthma patients, and known to be activated by common asthma-associated allergens. In the Boitano lab, we use both in vitro and in vivo techniques to characterize PAR2 antagonists that can be used as drug leads in developing novel treatments for allergic asthma.

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Sara Harader - Exploring Memory Preservation Following the Onset of Amnesia

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Sara Harader - Exploring Memory Preservation Following the Onset of Amnesia

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The project I am working in Dr. Ekstrom's lab looks at how those with amnesia due to lesions to the medial temporal lobes perform in navigating virtual analogues of real world environments to which they have had prolonged exposure to. In other words, we recreate the environments they grew up in and currently live in virtual reality and have them explore those environments.  We are testing the hypothesis that, despite almost complete loss of memory due to amnesia, navigation skills may remain at least partially intact.  Their results will be compared to healthy age matched individuals and young adults.  This project would help us better understand how brain injuries affecting the medial temporal lobes affect different aspects of cognitive function, like memory compared to navigation.  We are also interested in how brain damage might affect recently learned environments compared to ones learned a long time ago.

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Infecting human lung cells with HCMV for viral titering. Titering allows us to quantify infectious virus following a virus harvest.

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Emily Jamboretz- Characterizing Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Viral Proteins

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Emily Jamboretz- Characterizing Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Viral Proteins

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HCMV is a virus which sustains a low, simmering infection in most people, evading our immune system and maintaining a lifelong infection. However, HCMV infection can become overly active during pregnancy, organ transplantation, and immunocompromisation, causing serious health complications. My work with the Goodrum lab aims to understand how HCMV viral proteins can vary infection severity in response to changes in the cellular environment. I am currently investigating how the viral protein UL138 manipulates cellular endosomal trafficking. This can control cell signaling and morphology, and ultimately affect viral production.

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Analyzing brain tissue under the microscope using stereology software

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Tyler Montgomery - Female Sex Hormones and Neurogenesis

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Tyler Montgomery - Female Sex Hormones and Neurogenesis

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The project I am currently focused on seeks to understand how the presence or lack of female sex hormones affects the production of new nerve cells (neurogenesis) in the aging brain. My contributions involve the application of Stereology, a computational technique that allows us to quantify neurogenesis in relevant brain regions. Through this method, we are measuring neurogenesis in different age-groups of animals, with or without sex hormones, to understand their influence on this process.

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Examining bacterial cultures before isolating and growing them in a nitrogen-free media. Measuring their nitrogen fixation rates and eventually “training” them to function in diverse soil microbial communities.

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Emily Herrera - Microbial Fertilizer: An Exploration of Arizona Nitrogen Fixers

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Emily Herrera - Microbial Fertilizer: An Exploration of Arizona Nitrogen Fixers

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My research in the Favela Lab explores the possibility of eco-friendly bio-fertilizers utilizing nitrogen-fixing microbes. Some microbes can convert inaccessible nutrients into digestible parts for plants through a process called “nitrogen fixation”. Biological nitrogen fixation is extremely beneficial for plants as nitrogen is a critical nutrient for all living things and is a major limiting factor in plant productivity and growth. The chemistry behind this process has been used to develop inorganic fertilizers for the crop industry. By growing a variety of nitrogen-fixing microbes and examining their symbiotic relationships with various plant species, we can explore the effects of modern agricultural practices on these natural microbial processes.

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Yvonne Kan running a phenol-sulfuric acid test to quantify protein from soil extracellular polymeric substance extractions

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Yvonne Kan – Does Drought Stress Stimulate Microbiome Biofilm Production, and Can It Improve Soil’s Water Holding Ability?

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Yvonne Kan – Does Drought Stress Stimulate Microbiome Biofilm Production, and Can It Improve Soil’s Water Holding Ability?

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Microbial interactions can contribute to important plant and soil functions as well as improve plant growth. In the Favela Lab, we investigate the conditions in which microbes behave in a certain way and how we can use that information to build sustainable human systems. I manipulate soil microbiomes in order to understand soil microbes’ ability to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that can improve functions such as water retention of soil and nutrient acquisition.

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Taylor Massey - Investigating the Effects of Wood Smoke Exposure on Male Fertility

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Taylor Massey - Investigating the Effects of Wood Smoke Exposure on Male Fertility

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Wildland fires are increasing due to climate change and are a health hazard for millions of people across the United States. Studies with firefighters have shown increased sperm abnormalities and decreased fertility in male firefighters. This summer, I’m working under Dr. Zelieann Craig in collaboration with Dr. Estela Jauregui to investigate whether wood smoke exposure causes visible changes in the testes, potentially contributing to male infertility using a mouse model.

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Orli Sanyal- Determining the threshold for a sensitive SARS-CoV-2 rapid test

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Orli Sanyal- Determining the threshold for a sensitive SARS-CoV-2 rapid test

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Although several types of testing kits are available for COVID-19, they are not extremely sensitive or easily accessible, especially in developing countries. Under the Worobey Lab, we are designing novel rapid testing methods by screening various viral samples through quantitative polymerase chain reactions.

My research this summer focuses on creating a highly sensitive test by assembling concentrations of a detection antisense oligonucleotide (dASO), capture antisense oligonucleotide (cASO), and SARS-Covid RNA sequences with or without modifications.

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Conducting policy surveillance on the state of Georgia

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Esha Mathur: Understanding policies that affect cancer care access for people with IDD

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Esha Mathur: Understanding policies that affect cancer care access for people with IDD

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Although individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are diagnosed with colorectal cancer at an earlier stage, their five-year survival rate is much lower than the general population. Under Dr. Armin, I am surveilling health care policies in Medicaid-expanded and unexpanded states, as well as interviewing state policy makers and service providers to understand why this is. Through this research, I hope to bring awareness to health and cancer care equity for the IDD population.

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Cassandra Montano Arellano loading well-plate with EMERGE bog samples from Sweden.

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Cassandra Montano Arellano- Climate Change-Driven Shifts on Iron Speciation in Anoxic Soils.

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Cassandra Montano Arellano- Climate Change-Driven Shifts on Iron Speciation in Anoxic Soils.

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Permafrost thaw in anoxic soils, such as bogs and fens, due to temperature increase, is a pressing concern because of its potential to release methane back into the atmosphere and impact global climate change. The detection of iron in these soils is essential to understanding microbial processes, as it is a critical energy source for microbial communities. However, iron detection in these soils is controversial, and its presence is debated in scientific literature. This research project aims to investigate iron abundance and speciation in anoxic soils in response to a warming climate. The significance of this project lies in getting a clearer insight into microbial decomposition and developing models through metabolomics to predict and prevent permafrost thaw. This also contributes to a better understanding of the carbon cycle and climate change.

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Jesus and the rest of the lab prepping/setting up the MRI Machine.

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Jesus Mendoza – Understanding the effects of Olfaction on Memory using Novel Object Recognition in Ferrets.  

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Jesus Mendoza – Understanding the effects of Olfaction on Memory using Novel Object Recognition in Ferrets.  

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As we age, our sense of smell can change and diminish. In Dr. Hutchinson's lab, I study how young and old ferrets recognize novel and familiar scents. Using the machine learning tool DEEPLABCUT, I can quantify the time ferrets spend with new versus familiar smells. By evaluating age-related changes in olfaction in ferrets, we can better understand more extreme cases of smell loss, such as those seen in humans with Alzheimer's Disease.

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Isolating follicles from mouse ovary to later plate and measure diameter of each follicle. 

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Viviana Romero - Investigating the Adverse Effects of Phthalates on Women's Reproductive Health

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Viviana Romero - Investigating the Adverse Effects of Phthalates on Women's Reproductive Health

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The environmental chemical exposures of phthalates, a family of chemicals found in everyday items like plastics and personal care products, are associated with reproductive health including infertility. In Dr. Zelieann Craig’s lab, we aim to measure the effects of phthalates on the female reproductive system by using mouse models to monitor ovarian function. With this we hope to improve reproductive health.

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Paige Wagstaff extracting DNA from fecal samples preserved in ethanol and desiccated. 

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Paige Wagstaff - Understanding Lemur Behavior through the analysis of the Gut Microbiome

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Paige Wagstaff - Understanding Lemur Behavior through the analysis of the Gut Microbiome

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My research this summer has included analyzing lemur fecal samples collected in Madagascar to understand the gut microbiome. This research will help aid understanding the complex relationship between gut health and behavior, providing insights into lemur ecology and conservation. Under Dr. Tecot I am analyzing these fecal samples through DNA extraction to compare different fecal preservation methods. In the future this will allow us to analyze archived samples and associate various microbes with existing data that will help us determine how lemurs cope with habitat disturbance.

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Leila Yazzie- Physio-chemical and biological processes affecting biosorption of metals on biotic and abiotic polymers chitin and cellulose 

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Leila Yazzie- Physio-chemical and biological processes affecting biosorption of metals on biotic and abiotic polymers chitin and cellulose 

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Human activities such as mining can introduce metals like Arsenic (As) and Uranium (U) into the environment, which can impact human health and communities. The Níhí lab’s overall goal is to differentiate between biological and abiotic mechanisms for the treatment of As and U using biopolymers (Fungi and Electrospun mats) in environmentally relevant conditions using modeling, biological, and material science tools. Several known biological and chemical processes influence the way that these metals move in the environment and water, which will help us to develop our biopolymers.

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Bryce Wilson - Molecular Mechanisms of the Neurodegenerative Disease Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration (PKAN)

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Bryce Wilson - Molecular Mechanisms of the Neurodegenerative Disease Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration (PKAN)

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PKAN is a rare neurodegenerative disease that mostly affects children and is characterized by progressive loss of typical motor function and ultimately death. Mutations in a gene called Pank2 cause this disease. Pank2 is an important metabolic enzyme in the Coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis pathway. CoA is a very important molecule in cells and is involved in energy regulation and fatty acid metabolism. Using neurons as well as other cell lines in culture, we are trying to understand how loss of Pank2 can lead to cell death to better understand the pathology of PKAN.

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Ryenne Belt working on code for her table 1 describing demographics of the large CHD clinical data in R. 

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Ryenne Belt- Outcomes for Infants with Congenital Heart Defects by Insurance Type Across Seven States

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Ryenne Belt- Outcomes for Infants with Congenital Heart Defects by Insurance Type Across Seven States

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In the ARID lab under Dr. Jennifer Andrews, I am researching the association of health insurance type with infant mortality rates for those with Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs). CHDs are the most common form of birth defect among infants born in the US and are abnormalities in the heart . Due to the range of severity and differences in coverage, determining the impact of insurance payor could be crucial to improve infant survival.

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Emeral Norzagaray analyzing fungal diseases from a data visualization that she had created in R studio that distinguishes the different pathogens and their infection rates. 

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Emeral Norzagaray – Impact of extreme heat on prevalence of fungal pathogens.

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Emeral Norzagaray – Impact of extreme heat on prevalence of fungal pathogens.

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Fungi are a very adaptive species, and as the environment changes, certain harmful fungal pathogens are starting to thrive in new places.  In my research, we are exploring the link between rising temperatures and the prevalence of fungal pathogens. By analyzing the extent of healthcare access and utilization due to fungal pathogens, we aim to better understand the epidemiology of fungal infections due to extreme heat.

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Aryan Pandey pipetting samples of bacteria mixed with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and 500nm polystyrene fluorescent particles onto paper chip stage

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Aryan Pandey - Machine Learning Profiling of Microbiota through Paper Microfluidic Chips

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Aryan Pandey - Machine Learning Profiling of Microbiota through Paper Microfluidic Chips

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Current microbiota profiling techniques like PCR and RNA sequencing are expensive and time-consuming. My project aims to develop a cheap, rapid, and simple alternative to traditional microbiota profiling techniques. The project’s goal is to analyze the interactions between non-specific biomolecules (BSA, peptides, amino acids etc.) and microbiota on paper microfluidic chips. A machine learning model will be trained with the previously mentioned data in order to predict the microbiota in a given sample. This could be applied to profile the skin microbiome, detect pathogenic species within water samples, etc.

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Juliana Panhorst outside of the American Society of Civil Engineering International Conference on Transportation and Development in Atlanta, GA. 

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Juliana Panhorst - Investigating Implications of Transportation Inequities in Public Health Using Crash Data

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Juliana Panhorst - Investigating Implications of Transportation Inequities in Public Health Using Crash Data

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The NHTSA requires the use of crash test dummies representative of the 95th percentile male, and utilizes the same scaled-down male model to represent the 5th percentile female. While male vehicle occupants make up a larger percentage of those injured or killed, female occupants are at higher risk for fatalities and a 1.5 times higher risk for permanent medical impairments than their male counterparts. In Dr. Ryan’s lab, we address these gender inequities through the use of simulation technologies to analyze driver behavior, and surveys and data analyses of representative populations. Understanding why crash outcomes are more severe for female driver’s seat and passenger occupants can assist in informing automotive design practices, to create more inclusive seating design which considers the diversity of occupants.

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Deanna Clinch-Exploring the Role of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines on Renal Afferent Nerve Activity

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Deanna Clinch-Exploring the Role of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines on Renal Afferent Nerve Activity

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In Dr. Banek’s cardiovascular neurophysiology lab, we explore whether inflammation is what underlies polycystic kidney disease. Since dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons are known to project to the kidney, an increase in their activity could contribute to kidney disease onset. This research project will look at the activity of DRG neurons which will be enzymatically isolated from ganglia that are extracted from the spinal cord and exposed to several inflammatory stimuli such as interleukin 6 (IL-6). Neuronal activity is measured using patch clamp electrophysiology and quantified as action potential generation. We assess the frequency, amplitude, and duration of these action potentials to deduce whether there is an increase in renal afferent nerve activity or a decrease. We expect there to be an increase in renal afferent nerve activity in response to IL-6.

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Adithi Peedoly checking the motility of a bacterial culture on the microscope before starting a chemotaxis assay. 

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Adithi Peedoly-  Investigating whether Chemotaxis in Plant Bacteria depends on Catabolism.

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Adithi Peedoly-  Investigating whether Chemotaxis in Plant Bacteria depends on Catabolism.

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Chemotaxis is the ability to move directionally along chemical gradient.
Bacteria use this behavior to locate optimal nutrient sources or niches. In Dr.
Schomer's lab, I am investigating whether chemotaxis is dependent on the
metabolism of attractants in Pseudomonas putida, a model soil-dwelling microorganism. To do this, I generated deletion mutations for that disrupt the catabolism of specific chemicals and observe chemotaxis of those mutants to the chemical.

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Joey Mancuso using a cryostat to create 20 nm thick slices of mouse spinal cord samples that will be used for immunohistochemical analysis of Akt, a protein in the Hsp90 signaling pathway | Streicher Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine.

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Joey Mancuso - Analyzing the Signaling Mechanism of Increased Opioid Efficacy through Hsp90 Inhibition

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Joey Mancuso - Analyzing the Signaling Mechanism of Increased Opioid Efficacy through Hsp90 Inhibition

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Tens of thousands of people have opioid related drug overdoses every year in the United States, and this problem continues to worsen. At the Streicher lab, we have found that inhibiting a chaperon protein called Hsp90, while administering an opioid, allows for increased pain relief compared to the opioid alone. Now we are analyzing the proteins involved in the signaling cascade of Hsp90 inhibition in order to determine the mechanism by which this occurs.

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Jasmine Meredith - Evaluating the Pharmacological properties and Therapeutic efficacy of Lasmiditan in Parkinsonian Mice

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Jasmine Meredith - Evaluating the Pharmacological properties and Therapeutic efficacy of Lasmiditan in Parkinsonian Mice

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My research involves a mouse model that replicates key aspects of sporadic Parkinson's Disease in order to assess the efficacy of Lasmiditan, an FDA-approved drug known for treating migraines, but also showing promise in mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction. The Madhavan lab specializes in studying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's Disease, often referred to as a mitochondrial disorder due to severe impairment in mitochondrial function. If Lasmiditan proves effective, it could provide Parkinson's patients with an alternative treatment option to combat this devastating disease. My research mentor on the project is Dr. Atsushi Ishii.

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Vivianna Metzler standing in front of the microtome, used to cut tissue samples onto microscope slides. 

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Vivianna Metzler - Investigating the Effects of a Phthalate Mixture Exposure on Female Fertility 

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Vivianna Metzler - Investigating the Effects of a Phthalate Mixture Exposure on Female Fertility 

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Infertility, the inability to get pregnant after trying to conceive for at least one year, affects 1 in 5 couples across the United States. Dr. Zelieann Craig’s lab studies phthalates, a group of endocrine disrupting chemicals used in consumer products and are associated with several negative reproductive health outcomes in women. I am investigating their effects on fatty acid synthesis and metabolism using cell cultures and gene expression experiments.

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Using STATA to run a logistic regression analysis using the NuMoM2b study dataset

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RueShunda Jim - Investigating Antenatal Depression Associated With Cesarean Deliveries Within a Cohort of Nulliparous Participants

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RueShunda Jim - Investigating Antenatal Depression Associated With Cesarean Deliveries Within a Cohort of Nulliparous Participants

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In the MuMH Lab (Mechanisms Underpinning Maternal Health) we are interested in understanding the reasons patients may experience more complications during childbirth-including both social and biological factors. In Dr. Erickson’s Lab, I am investigating the associations of prenatal mental health conditions with cesarean deliveries using a software called STATA. STATA is used to help manage, manipulate, and visualize datasets. In this case, the dataset used in this research is from a previous national cohort study (conducted from 2010-2013), Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be (NuMoM2b).  These data were collected originally to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes for future nulliparous patients. Using STATA, and data from the n = 9,289 participants, we conducted a logistic regression analysis to predict the likelihood of Cesarean delivery as our outcome measure. The primary predictor was the level of maternal depression symptoms (measured by the Edinburgh Depression Scale). Other predictors were added to the model that may affect depression or Cesarean delivery such as social determinants of health: Healthy Eating in 2010, Federal Poverty Percentage, Perceived Stress, and Social Support. Finally, we incorporated other co-morbidities that can influence Cesarean delivery as well- including anemia, hypertension, and diabetes. With these predictors, we ran logistic regression across the sample and again within each race/ethnic group that participated in the study and viewed the associations.

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Outside the ferrets' room holding two stuffed ferrets 

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Alvaro Cruz Perez - Investigating Behavioral Changes in Aging Ferrets and their Relation to Brain Structure

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Alvaro Cruz Perez - Investigating Behavioral Changes in Aging Ferrets and their Relation to Brain Structure

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As we age, our lifestyles change, becoming less physically active and social. It's unclear if these changes correlate with brain structure. In Dr. Hutchinson’s lab, I study natural behaviors such as digging and socialization in young and old ferrets to observe how these activities change with age. We collect brain images using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for each ferret. I am exploring the relationships between behavior and brain structure using MRI and behavioral assessments.

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Extracting DNA from cells to check for SLC deletion

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Nancy Elnady - Characterizing the Functions of Solute Carrier Proteins

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Nancy Elnady - Characterizing the Functions of Solute Carrier Proteins

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My project focuses on SLCs, or solute carriers which are a family of proteins responsible for the movement of different molecules across the cell membrane. Some of these SLCs have unknown functions and my project focuses on identifying them. Using CRISPR-Cas9 to target these genes, I aim to investigate which intracellular and extracellular metabolites are affected by the absence of the transporter. By analyzing changes in metabolite levels, we can predict the roles these transporters play in cellular processes.

In the Bhattacharya lab, we are also interested in finding the SLC or SLCs that are responsible for the transport of 2NBDG, a fluorescent derivative of glucose associated with plasma cell longevity.

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Preparing the secondary antibodies for a western blot.

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Amelia Mitchell - Understanding the degradation pathways of protein aggregates in ALS

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Amelia Mitchell - Understanding the degradation pathways of protein aggregates in ALS

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease in which the degeneration of motor neurons leads to progressive muscle paralysis and respiratory failure. In more than 95% of ALS patients, the RNA binding protein TDP-43 has been found to mislocalize to the cytoplasm and form harmful aggregates, a build up of which is potentially leading to the death of motor neurons. In the Buchan Lab, we are working to understand the pathways that the cell takes to degrade these TDP-43 aggregates in order to learn more about the disease, and form the basis for future ALS treatments.

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Assessing protein purity from Western Blot data 

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Ethan Tonthat - Investigating the Role of Filamentation on SgrAI Regulation

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Ethan Tonthat - Investigating the Role of Filamentation on SgrAI Regulation

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In the Horton lab, my project investigates how filamentation regulates the DNA cleavage activity of SgrAI, an endonuclease found in Streptomyces griseus and involved in defense against phage DNA. Filamentation is hypothesized to be the mechanism behind SgrAI’s rapid cleavage of phage DNA. To investigate this, CryoEM images of SgrAI filaments are taken and cleavage activity is measured under filamenting conditions. This would further our understanding of bacterial defense against phages and how filamentation modulates enzymatic activity.

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Sanvi Lamba - Investigating Modifiable Risk Factors Associated with Cognitive Decline

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Sanvi Lamba - Investigating Modifiable Risk Factors Associated with Cognitive Decline

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In Dr. Ryan's lab, I work on the Healthy Minds for Life study, a large multisite grant that examines relationships between cognitive decline and lifestyle factors that may contribute. The study will identify risk factors and develop behavioral interventions to promote healthy cognitive aging throughout the lifespan. For this study, I work directly with the research team to conduct health and MRI screenings and data entry.

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Tabling at Banner North for research study recruitment

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Gagana Ameneni - Understanding hormones during the postpartum period to aid in opioid use disorder treatments

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Gagana Ameneni - Understanding hormones during the postpartum period to aid in opioid use disorder treatments

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While working at the RENEW (Recovery through Engaging and Empowering Women) Research Team we want to understand hormones during the postpartum and how they can be used to prevent opioid misuse. At our lab, one of the hormones we are looking at is oxytocin, which promotes happiness, to see if it can replace the feeling individuals might get from opioids. A part of the study is testing to see if hormone levels change depending on the caregiving activity: walking with a stroller, baby-wearing, or skin to skin. This data to improve treatments and help prevent opioid misuse in postpartum women. An important part of this project is recruitment, particularly for those with opioid use disorder, so a lot of effort is put into education and outreach within Tucson. As shown in the image, recruitment is often in the form of tabling at locations ranging from hospitals to community resource events.

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Detection of MARCKS protein through Western Blot Analysis

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Melisa Smith - Developing MARCKS-KO Mouse Model for Further Exploration of MARCKS Protein

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Melisa Smith - Developing MARCKS-KO Mouse Model for Further Exploration of MARCKS Protein

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I have been part of the Chen lab since the summer of 2023. This summer, my project has primarily focused on the cellular responses of the lung to infection, and the role of the MARCKS protein in these mechanisms. Upon collection of the lung protein and RNA, I have performed western blots and qPCR. These techniques allow us insight in the protein expression and RNA transcription levels, respectively. In addition, this summer I am in the process of receiving BSL3 training in order to further aid with experimentation.

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Extracting DNA of anaerobic archaea microbes grown in lab environment

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Tu Vo - Uncovering Secrets of The Mysterious Anaerobic Archaea

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Tu Vo - Uncovering Secrets of The Mysterious Anaerobic Archaea

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Archaea microbes have been making headlines since their DNA sequences were discovered. Little is known about these microbes except that they’re likely the missing puzzle piece in understanding Eukaryogenesis – the merging event of microbes that resulted in eukaryotic cells. In the Carini lab, we’re trying to culture and study them, using a variety of anaerobic culturing techniques and analysis protocols. We hope to confirm growth of anaerobic Archaea in our cultures, to answer bigger questions about these microbes in the future.

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Adeoluwa Ajayi - Deciphering synthetic multicellularity in Escherichia coli

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Adeoluwa Ajayi - Deciphering synthetic multicellularity in Escherichia coli

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The Riedel-Kruse lab advances multicellular bacterial systems with defined morphologies, patterning, and environmental responses. These efforts require the production and optimization of tools to alter surface interactions and observe cell functions. My research comprises the expansion of our toolbox with novel “building blocks” and the improvement of existing constructs. Understanding the rudiments of synthetic biology paves a path for the resolution of intricate challenges in manufacturing, health, and ecology.

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Analyzing MRI data and potential white matter connectivity

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Victor Sandrin: Connectivity Analysis of the Brain Through Diffusion MRI 

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Victor Sandrin: Connectivity Analysis of the Brain Through Diffusion MRI 

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Like an electrical cord from your mouse to your laptop, white matter tracts send information between brain regions to foster coordination. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows us to identify abnormalities in white matter connections that may indicate early development of Alzheimer’s Disease. In Dr. Hutchinson’s lab I am working on accurate models of connections through Diffusion MRI (dMRI) to analyze white matter fiber tract orientation and structure and understand structural changes related to neurodegenerative diseases.

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Analyzing vocal data from bat flight experiments in Matlab.

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Ashiqul Alam - Optimization of active sensing under different environmental conditions

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Ashiqul Alam - Optimization of active sensing under different environmental conditions

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Animals must balance their needs, for example, between foraging and navigating. We study how the echolocating bat balances the energetic costs of flight with echolocation to understand how organisms optimize multiple goal-directed behaviors. In Dr. Wohlgemuth’s lab, I am looking deeper into the timing of the Big Brown bats’ vocalizations with their wingbeats during goal oriented tasks in search of better understanding their active sensing optimization strategies using computational methods.

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Tori Garza staining brain sections to visualize cell bodies in the rat medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

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Tori Garza - Characterizing the Effects of Aging on Cognitive Capability

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Tori Garza - Characterizing the Effects of Aging on Cognitive Capability

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With individuals aged 65 and older projected to make up 25% of the United States population by 2050, more knowledge characterizing how aging affects the brain is required in order to provide adequate healthcare to this population. In the Barnes’ lab, we study how cognitive abilities change throughout the aging process. My project investigates how communication between two regions implicated in memory retrieval differs between young and old populations. By identifying any differences in cell activity within these regions, we can identify target areas for treatments which aim to alleviate the symptoms of age-related cognitive decline with possible relevance to neurodegenerative diseases.

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Staining human tonsil cells to observe the formation of robust colonies cause by the presence of HPV.

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David Kosanke - Investigating the mechanisms behind cancer progression caused by high risk HPV types

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David Kosanke - Investigating the mechanisms behind cancer progression caused by high risk HPV types

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Human papillomaviruses (HPV) infect the basal cell layer of stratified epithelium within the human body, such as in the tonsils or cervix. Most adults infected by HPV will clear the infection within a few years, but persistent infection that is not cleared can eventually lead to cancer. My research involves examining the specific functions of two “cancer-causing” oncogenes within HPV, E6 and E7. Both genes shut down key functions of the cell that allow persistence of the viral infection and eventually progress to cancer. Infecting human tonsil keratinocyte samples with two high risk HPV types, HPV 16 and 18, I am working to uncover the specific roles these two oncogenes have in the viral life cycle, specifically in examining their effect on specific innate immune pathways within human cells.

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Ciara Himes--Horizontal Gene Transfer in Megaplasmids

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Ciara Himes--Horizontal Gene Transfer in Megaplasmids

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A plasmid is a (usually) circular molecule of extrachromosomal DNA commonly found in bacterial cytoplasm. A megaplasmid in a strain of Pseudomonas contains an identical copy of a critical gene, tufA, already seen on the chromosome. TufA enocdes EF-Tu, a protein responsible for bringing tRNA to the ribosome, so it is important in protein production. This is the only known case where a plasmid encodes tufA. Moverover, tufA is considered critical to cellular function, so it is thought to not be typically horizontally transferred. Divergent copies of tufA might encode proteins that don’t cleanly interact with proteins already in the cell, disrupting the protein production process. The main goal of my project is to determine the importance of the megaplasmid tufA and how deleting it might affect the host's phenotype.

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Kanishka Chinnaraj- Effects of Pulse Sequence Variability of Electrical Brain Stimulation Impact on the Time Course of Dopamine Release 

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Kanishka Chinnaraj- Effects of Pulse Sequence Variability of Electrical Brain Stimulation Impact on the Time Course of Dopamine Release 

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In Dr. Cowen's lab, I am researching whether various types of deep brain stimulation impacts the time course of dopamine release using fiber photometry. I have spent the past weeks performing craniotomies on batches of rats. The first step is to perform a craniotomy to inject the d.light virus, which fluoresces when dopamine binds to D1 receptors, which are tracked through the photometry fiber and relayed to our system. Next is the second set of non-survival surgeries, used to collect preliminary data on dopamine release when the electrode is placed along with the photometry fiber in the medial forebrain bundle and dorsal striatum, respectively. The rat is electrically stimulated for twenty minutes at various frequencies, and the dopamine release is tracked. For the second phase of the project, I will be performing the same surgeries; however, the electrical brain stimulation (EBS) will conducted on live behaving animals! The various types of EBS and amounts of dopamine released can be used as possible therapeutics for Parkinson's disease in the future.

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Using NIS elements to obtain branches and ends in a cancerous soft tissue cell from mice.

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Somto Ike: Advancing Tissue Optics in Biomedical Research

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Somto Ike: Advancing Tissue Optics in Biomedical Research

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In the Barton Lab at UBRP, I specialize in image analysis for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and multiphoton spectroscopy. My work includes utilizing ImageJ and NIS (Nikon Imaging Software) elements for advanced image analysis, employing  techniques like texture analysis using GLCM, and developing custom Python code. I'm also involved in innovative projects on elastography  and designing imaging additions for multiphoton microscopes. Our research aims to enhance understanding of tissue optics, paving the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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Observing viscosity and the semi-transparent appearance of a liquid crystal

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Malcolm Barrios: Liquid Crystal Development 

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Malcolm Barrios: Liquid Crystal Development 

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help diagnose neurodegenerative diseases early in life. Novel MRI techniques seek to decrease scan times, increase image resolution, and thus improve diagnosis accuracy and treatment outcomes. However, these methods require validation before use in clinical studies.

I am developing liquid crystals, highly organized solutions with predictably oriented microstructures. These crystals provide ground truth for validation of novel MRI techniques.

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Here I am taking photos to track wound size and the healing process

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Alyssa San Agustin - Using a Novel Therapy to Correct Diabetic Wound Healing

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Alyssa San Agustin - Using a Novel Therapy to Correct Diabetic Wound Healing

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In Dr. Liechty’s Laboratory for Fetal & Regenerative Biology, my project focuses on investigating the therapeutic potential of CNP-miR146a, correcting diabetic wounds using a mouse model. Diabetes disrupts the wound-healing process through high oxidative stress and inflammation. A wound is created and either given 50μl of treatment or saline. Photographs and measurements are taken to monitor the healing progress. We hypothesize that CNP-miR146a, a novel therapy comprising cerium nanoparticles conjugated with microRNA, will enhance wound healing.

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Selecting a book for therapy. Reading books is crucial, benefiting children with DLD by enhancing communication and addressing literacy challenges early on.

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Mohima Ali - Enhancing Communication in Children with DLD

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Mohima Ali - Enhancing Communication in Children with DLD

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Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) affects children's ability to understand and produce spoken language. At the Talk Moore Summer Camp, children with DLD participate in a 6-week program with daily language therapy to improve their communication skills. As part of the research team, I ensure treatment fidelity and introduce new morpheme targets in therapy for preschool-age children. This early intervention is crucial for building a strong foundation for language acquisition, communication skills, and literacy development.

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Preparing Saline solution for pre-hypertensive rats prior to their DOCA implant surgery

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Dae-Kyung Kim - Investigating the role of Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Interleukins-6 on Renal Afferent nerve activity

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Dae-Kyung Kim - Investigating the role of Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Interleukins-6 on Renal Afferent nerve activity

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In the Banek lab, I study the effect of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in hypertensive and normotensive rats. Increase in renal afferent nerve activity has been shown to be correlated with hypertension. The underlying cause of this phenomenon is unclear, but we hypothesize IL-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, to be the primary driver of nerve activity. By applying IL-6 into isolated dorsal root ganglion neurons, we can quantitatively analyze the number of action potentials as the nerve activity and how this activity is modulated by IL-6 to decipher how IL-6 plays a role in hypertension.

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Here I am using an analytical chemistry technique to quantify any organic or inorganic phosphorus in solution.

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Sean Chen - Soft Matter Effects on Rhodopsin Activation

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Sean Chen - Soft Matter Effects on Rhodopsin Activation

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The rhodopsin family of proteins is the largest family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which is in turn the largest family of proteins in the human genome. They are of particular interest in pharmaceuticals as GPCRs make up almost one-third of pharmaceutical targets. An archetypal example of a GPCR is rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a light receptor in the retina Upon receiving a single photon, rhodopsin activates. We currently study this activation using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. My current work investigates the binding affinity of rhodopsin for the next protein in the process of signalling.

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Passaging MCF10A breast epithelial cells to prepare for an experiment.

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Douglas Swango - Examining Signaling Pathways Related to Metastasis

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Douglas Swango - Examining Signaling Pathways Related to Metastasis

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Ras is a small GTPase mutated in approximately 30% of cancers. In my project in the Charest Lab, I focus on the perturbation of signaling pathways in the context of Ras' involvement in cell migration, particularly in its relationship with the protein complex mTORC2. Cell migration is a normal function for epithelial cells but can be used in cancer to spread throughout the body in a process known as metastasis, making cancer more difficult to treat. By studying Ras and its involvement in mTORC2, we hope to be able to understand more about these pathways, contribute to the base of knowledge, and improve targeted treatment for those with advanced cancers.

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Making gels for running western blots for analyzing degree of purity of protein

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Sabrina Liu-Analysis of purity of purified protein

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Sabrina Liu-Analysis of purity of purified protein

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B19 is a human parvovirus that can lead to auto immune response in human body. NS1 is a known protein encoded by B19. NS1 can interact with other proteins and studying the interaction can help understand the mechanism of B19. In Dr. Horton's lab, I purify these "other" proteins and analyze them to see if they are purified enough. If they are pure, they can be used in assays to see if they interact with NS1.

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Tagging and pollinating Arabidopsis thaliana flowers of different genotypes.

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Vidya Iyer - The Movement of Siren RNAs into Endosperm

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Vidya Iyer - The Movement of Siren RNAs into Endosperm

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The Mosher Lab focuses on genetic factors which impact the development of endosperm, the source of food for a germinating plant. A subset of RNAs that are highly expressed in seeds are maternal in origin. My research project is determining if these RNA move from the maternal seed coat into the endosperm.

Endosperm accounts for much of the world’s caloric intake, so understanding its development will be important for improving agricultural productivity.

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Transforming recombinant plasmid into chemically competent E. coli (DH5α).

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Understanding the basic mechanisms for Neisserial survival

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Understanding the basic mechanisms for Neisserial survival

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The Neisseria genus consists of a diverse set of gram-negative species. The genus is notable for the human pathogens, N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, however far less research has been conducted on the commensal, or non-infecting, species. As a member of the Rhodes lab, my project aims to build on the knowledge of commensal Neisseria host-interaction factors to understand how the microbiota maintains a relationship with its host.

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Working on imaging our western blot results to detect protein expression

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Sydney Cupisz - Exploring the Nrf1 Pathway for Cardioprotection

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Sydney Cupisz - Exploring the Nrf1 Pathway for Cardioprotection

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Nrf1 is a stress-responsive protein that plays a key role in cardioprotection by balancing reactive molecules and ensuring proper protein maintenance. Its activation can prevent heart damage caused by reduced blood flow (ischemia and reperfusion) and cardiotoxicity. In the Yao lab, our project aims to identify key regulators of the Nrf1 pathway. Neonatal heart cells with activated Nrf1 show regenerative capacity, so understanding how to activate Nrf1 in adult heart cells will promote cardiac protection and repair. We are currently exploring the connection between cardioprotection and Nrf1 activation in response to nutrient deprivation using rat fibroblast and human heart cell lines.

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Getting ready to start a chemical reaction in a heated water bath.

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Sam Ellis - New Chemical-Proteomic Platforms for the Exploration of Mitochondrial Dynamics

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Sam Ellis - New Chemical-Proteomic Platforms for the Exploration of Mitochondrial Dynamics

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In Dr. Michael Taylor's lab, my project is focused on further developing a light activated chemical probe that can tell us more about unknown protein complexes in live cells. For example, some protein complexes are involved in cardiovascular disease but are not clearly defined. We can further define such proteins with these chemical probes which would allow researchers to develop novel treatments for cardiovascular disease.

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Charles Zhang: Analyzing the Role of Cytoplasmic RNA Helicases in Stress Granule Formation in Yeast

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Charles Zhang: Analyzing the Role of Cytoplasmic RNA Helicases in Stress Granule Formation in Yeast

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Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic assemblies of RNA and proteins that form under various types of cellular stress. SGs are implicated in several chronic diseases including cancer and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Understanding the mechanisms by which SGs are assembled and disassembled could help us better understand these disease pathways. RNA helicases are a class of proteins that are thought to play a role in SG dynamics through binding and unwinding RNA-RNA secondary structure. For example, previous research has shown that the RNA helicase eIF4A accelerates the disassembly of SGs. My research project involves overexpressing RNA cytoplasmic helicases in yeast to discover other potential helicases involved in SG formation and disassembly processes. I have primarily been implementing fluorescence microscopy and yeast genetic analysis techniques in this project.

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Ian Gold - Developing Solutions for Restoring Motor Function post Spinal Cord Injury

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Ian Gold - Developing Solutions for Restoring Motor Function post Spinal Cord Injury

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In the Gutruf lab, I am programming and fabricating battery-free implantable devices for restoration of the spinal cord. My work focuses on developing brain signal recording and wireless Bluetooth functionality of the device through firmware, implementation of a dual-core microcontroller architecture, and fabrication. I am also integrating a spinal cord and muscular stimulator that will be used in coordination with the primary brain device for bypassing spinal cord injuries, effectively restoring motor function.

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Talia Owen isolating secondary follicles from the ovary.

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Talia Owen-Effect of Phthalates on Secondary Follicle Development

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Talia Owen-Effect of Phthalates on Secondary Follicle Development

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In Dr. Craig’s lab, we are determining how phthalates, ubiquitous chemicals used in plastics and many other consumer products, affect the female reproductive system. We are specifically analyzing how phthalates inhibit growth of secondary follicles in the ovaries. About twenty percent of women in the US experience infertility. Therefore, discovering what contributes to hormone disruption is important to not only reproduction, but also in improving hormone regulation and ovarian diseases.

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Preparing to complete a bacterial transformation.

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Connor Carney- Understanding the molecular oscillator involved in embryogenesis of Tribolium castaneum.

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Connor Carney- Understanding the molecular oscillator involved in embryogenesis of Tribolium castaneum.

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Segmentation is the division of an organism's body plan into repeated parts, and that body plan is determined in early development. Many different organisms do undergo segmentation in early development, including us, though some organisms have different processes for segmentation. For example — Drosophila melanogaster, aka the fruit fly, develops its segments during development all at once. This species is relatively young in evolutionary terms compared to other species, such as Tribolium castaneum, aka the red flour beetle. During development, this arthropod adds its segments one at a time, begging the question how did the “all at once” process of segmentation evolve in the fruit fly? In Dr. Nagy's lab, we are currently exploring the function of a molecular oscillator in the red flour beetle, which we believe is responsible for driving its sequential segmentation. This oscillator works through multiple genes being turned on and off by each other, ultimately allowing segments to be made one at a time. Our current focus is studying one gene in that oscillator, known as even-skipped(eve). This gene is a pair-rule gene which is responsible for every other segment in segmentation. For this gene, we are looking at its enhancer regions, which are responsible for promoting the expression of even-skipped in specific regions of the embryo, and are crucial for understanding the patterns for how this gene works.

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Formulating a cannabis extract dose for a tetrad experiment.

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Chris Fan - Exploring Cannabis Terpenes for Safer Opioid Alternatives

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Chris Fan - Exploring Cannabis Terpenes for Safer Opioid Alternatives

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Chronic and acute pain affects millions worldwide, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy and suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The most effective treatment currently available is opioid administration, despite its well-known and severe side effects. Our research in Dr. Streicher's lab has revealed that terpenes found in cannabis also offer pain relief but with significantly lower addictive potential. We are now working on developing a more bioavailable method for administering these beneficial terpenes.

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Victor Vigbedorh: The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach as a Model Organism for Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity

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Victor Vigbedorh: The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach as a Model Organism for Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity

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Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity [APH] is the development of liver damage due to the intake of high doses of acetaminophen. Its development can result in acute liver injury and failure. Due to the common intake of acetaminophen worldwide as an analgesic, APH can occur in many different human populations, endangering multiple lives. Approximately 1,600 cases of APH happen in the U.S. alone every year. Consequently, the mechanisms behind APH development and how to treat it need to be extensively studied. Studies on this topic have been primarily done in mice subjects. As useful as these model organisms are, the utilization of mice in research comes with certain constraints such as cost of care and utilization, ethical constraints, and overall upkeep. The purpose of this research study is to determine whether the Madagascar hissing cockroach is a suitable low-cost alternative to modeling APH, allowing for a more cost-effective means of studying APH and developing preventative measures for it.

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Preparing a cell culture plate for breast cancer cells that are going to be treated with Tamoxifen.

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Branham Carpenter - Unraveling the Aging Process by Studying the Molecular Mechanisms of Aging

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Branham Carpenter - Unraveling the Aging Process by Studying the Molecular Mechanisms of Aging

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In Dr. Sutphin’s lab, I am studying the molecular mechanisms of aging, and how different environmental factors affect the aging process. We use Caenorhabditis elegans to conduct these studies. I expose these C. elegans to factors, such as x-ray radiation, and then see how their lifespan is affected. The results of these experiments can help us better understand aging in humans and help us treat age related diseases, such as dementia.

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Annika Giphart - Investigating proteins hypothesized to be involved in Adipose tissue insulin signaling

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Annika Giphart - Investigating proteins hypothesized to be involved in Adipose tissue insulin signaling

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Type II Diabetes, a major problem amongst our population, is caused by insulin resistance, typically due to either obesity or genetics. Our lab is currently investigating the TAK1 protein, known to be involved in microtubule stabilization. We are hypothesizing that since TAK1 is involved in microtubule stabilization, it may also be involved in microtubules movement of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane during insulin stimulated glucose uptake. We are using Glucose Uptake Assays, qPCR, and immunofluorescence.

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Micaila working on debugging simulation code for greater efficiency

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Micaila Marcelle- Investigating demographic inference of bottlenecks under realistic mutation rates

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Micaila Marcelle- Investigating demographic inference of bottlenecks under realistic mutation rates

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Unlinked background selection (BGS) acts to decrease genetic diversity, though its effects are frequently ignored, considering that it is both difficult to model and assumed to be negligible. However, under a realistically high deleterious mutation rate, unlinked BGS becomes significant. My research in the Masel lab then uses whole-genome simulations to examine how unlinked BGS may impact inferences of a population’s demographic history, particularly when it comes to brief genetic bottlenecks.

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Bhargav Ghosh - Investigating the role of regulatory proteins in C. difficile virulence

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Bhargav Ghosh - Investigating the role of regulatory proteins in C. difficile virulence

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Clostridioides difficile is a bacterium that causes a common hospital-acquired infection which contributes to upwards of 30,000 deaths each year in the US, and is driven by robust antibiotic resistance and a variety of virulence traits. In the Vedantam lab, which studies all aspects of C. difficile biology and therapeutic development, I am studying the role of regulatory proteins on C. difficile virulence, including the production of dangerous toxins and environment-resistant spores, which will shed light on the complex network of C. difficile biology and offer therapeutic targets.

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Brandon Rodriguez holding 2 Crochet rats to scale

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Brandon Rodriguez – Misleading Rat-Robot Social Interactions in Megaspace 

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Brandon Rodriguez – Misleading Rat-Robot Social Interactions in Megaspace 

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In the Computational and Experimental Neuroscience Lab, we look at complex spatial learning and emotional memory in rats. My primary focus is looking at spatial navigation. I’m collaborating on a project that focuses on how social interactions can impact memory in a rat and how a rat may form trust with a partner (a robot) impacting its decision-making skills. One of our main goals is to study how information is stored into complex memory and how cooperation can change the way we learn.

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Gamaliel holding up two confocal microscopy images of the Drosophila ventral nerve cord. The samples were prepared with a combination of genetic tags and antibodies to create fluorescence that the microscope used to generate the images.

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Gamaliel Luna– Discovering mechanisms and molecular pathways of neuron-glia mitochondrial transfer following nerve injury

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Gamaliel Luna– Discovering mechanisms and molecular pathways of neuron-glia mitochondrial transfer following nerve injury

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Under Dr. Martha Bhattacharya, I am investigating mitochondrial transcellular transfer (mitoTCT), where one cell can donate their own energy-providing mitochondria to other cells.

I use a confocal microscope to visualize mitoTCT between neurons and glia from Drosophila melanogaster (the common fruit fly) after inducing various types of nerve injury. Understanding this novel method of cell communication can lead to potential therapeutic interventions to maintain neuronal health in the midst of stress and injury.

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Assessing variability from protein extraction data.

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Abby Wolf - Phenotypic Drug Discovery of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Abby Wolf - Phenotypic Drug Discovery of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) constitute a growing health crisis in the aging population, resulting in detrimental economic and social implications globally. In Dr. Thatcher’s lab, I investigate potential drug treatments for ADRD utilizing mouse models. My work focuses on quantifying protein concentrations using immunostaining and BCA assay to identify abnormal protein accumulation. Through this, our lab can prioritize what treatments to further develop to control the growing health crisis of ADRD.

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Pictured: Another undergraduate student in the lab, Shraddha, is wearing the taVNS device while Catherine practices aligning the single-pulse TMS coil. 

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Catherine Jezerc - Investigating the Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Primer for Neural Plasticity

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Catherine Jezerc - Investigating the Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Primer for Neural Plasticity

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In Dr. Chou’s lab, I utilize transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to noninvasively stimulate specific regions of the brain. Alongside Kaitlyn Lai and Gavin Arnold, I am researching the potential of another noninvasive stimulation method, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), to prime the brain for better responsiveness to TMS. We are specifically studying this protocol’s ability to enhance neuroplasticity, which is a brain function that is integral to learning, adaptation, and rehabilitation.

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Caitlin Ruhland - Construction of a Minimally Invasive Endoscope for Cancer Detection

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Caitlin Ruhland - Construction of a Minimally Invasive Endoscope for Cancer Detection

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In Dr. Barton’s Tissue Optics Laboratory, we focus on developing novel imaging devices for early detection of cancer, leading to fewer cancer mortalities. My project consists of designing, optimizing, and evaluating components for an endoscope equipped with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to image human tissue and quantify tissue stiffness. OCT measures reflected light to create high resolution, cross-sectional images of tissue layers and small growing cancers.

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Counting a copper dose response lifespan experiment.

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Isabella Irby - Analyzing multi-omics data with PANDA to identify and characterize key transcription factors in copper stress-induced aging 

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Isabella Irby - Analyzing multi-omics data with PANDA to identify and characterize key transcription factors in copper stress-induced aging 

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In Arizona, 1 in 4 adults is 65 or older. Our research at Sutphin Lab aims to promote healthy aging and reduce age-related illnesses by studying how copper exposure can protect against other stressors. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we are trying to discover the non-canonical mechanism of copper. We are integrating multi-omics data with PANDA for transcription factor analysis and RNAi knockdowns to explore genes in this pathway, ultimately aiding in treating age-related diseases linked to copper stress.

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Using a microscope and a pick, I am counting a lifespan experiment

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Michael Mroz -                Decoding Aging by Measuring Stress Response and Lifespan in C. elegans

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Michael Mroz -                Decoding Aging by Measuring Stress Response and Lifespan in C. elegans

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As a researcher in the Sutphin Lab, my work focuses on unraveling the mysteries of aging using Caenorhabditis elegans as our model organism. My research involves conducting extensive lifespan experiments, subjecting worms to various stressors to analyze their effects on longevity. These stressors are both environmental and genetic manipulations, changing both the worms' living conditions and their gene expression through RNAi knockdown. Using R, I generate lifespan curves which provide insight into how these stressors impact aging processes.

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Installing a new camera on imaging robot

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Elaina Wait- Automated Imaging System to View Fluorescence in Individual C. Elegans

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Elaina Wait- Automated Imaging System to View Fluorescence in Individual C. Elegans

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My work will help to make data collection and processing more efficient when studying our model organism, C. elegans. At the Sutphin lab we use C. elegans to study aging. We study gene expression using fluorescence and find the correlation between gene expression and aging. I am designing and manufacturing a robot that will image a tray of C. elegans and track the fluorescence of each worm. I am also creating a program that will process and export that data to the scientists. The data from the robot will allow scientists to track lifespan and gene expression for each worm.

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Using the Cryostat to slice spinal cord tissue in preparation for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and tissue imaging. 

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Claire Nielson - Assessing Hsp90-beta Inhibition for Preventative Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Claire Nielson - Assessing Hsp90-beta Inhibition for Preventative Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) impacts over 6 million people in the United States and has many adverse symptoms. Previous research established Hsp90 inhibition as a viable therapeutic for AD. However, trials were halted due to toxicity, largely due to inhibition of the Hsp90-alpha isoform. In Dr. Streicher’s lab, I am utilizing mouse models to assess whether specifically targeting the Hsp90-beta isoform can prevent memory and pain-related cognitive changes in early Alzheimer’s Disease with fewer side effects.

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Preparing for a PCR mutagenesis reaction.

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Aruna Sreenivasan - Investigating Hypothetical Proteins in Intracellular Parasite Toxoplasma gondii

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Aruna Sreenivasan - Investigating Hypothetical Proteins in Intracellular Parasite Toxoplasma gondii

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Approximately one-third of the world’s population is chronically infected with the brain-dwelling parasite Toxoplasma gondii. While most cases are asymptomatic, immunocompromised individuals risk developing serious complications. My project focuses on four T. gondii genes that are implicated in chronic toxoplasmosis and code for hypothetical proteins with unknown functions. Using CRISPR, I am creating knockout parasite strains for each gene in order to characterize these proteins in depth. Understanding the genes and proteins involved in the parasite’s ability to persist in the body advances efforts in developing the first cure or vaccine for toxoplasmosis.

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Jaden Todd-Nelson - Investigating the role of a putative copper transporter in the differentiation of Toxoplasma gondii

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Jaden Todd-Nelson - Investigating the role of a putative copper transporter in the differentiation of Toxoplasma gondii

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The Koshy Lab studies the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Estimated to chronically infect up to a third of the world's population, this parasite persists in the central nervous system of its host. While these infections are generally asymptomatic, they can have devastating pathological consequences in the immunocompromised. My project aims to characterize a novel putative copper transporter we believe to be relevant to T. gondii's ability to maintain chronic CNS infections.

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Isaac Kailat - Probing Native Daptomycin-Membrane Biophysics

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Isaac Kailat - Probing Native Daptomycin-Membrane Biophysics

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Daptomycin is an FDA-approved peptide therapeutic that targets gram-positive bacteria. Considered a last-resort treatment against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), recent reports of daptomycin resistant bacterial strains are a growing concern against combating increasing bacterial antimicrobial resistance. Understanding the mechanism behind daptomycin resistance is fundamentally linked to probing the biophysical properties of daptomycin’s membrane association with bacterial membranes. By studying daptomycin in a native bacterial membrane environment, my work will uncover novel insights into the peptide-membrane interface properties as well as elucidate the mechanism of antibiotic resistance against lipopeptide antibiotics.

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Taking a gas sample from the soil at our Sonoran Desert Site.

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Jordan Singleton - The Bioavailability of Iron within the Critical Zone 

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Jordan Singleton - The Bioavailability of Iron within the Critical Zone 

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Hello! My name is Jordan Singleton and I work with the research groups of Dr. Rachel Gallery and Dr. Jon Chorover. We are a biogeochemistry and environmental chemistry lab studying soil's biological, chemical, and geological properties concerning Earth's critical zone. Our current project concerns the bioavailability and role of Iron within the soil profile. Iron holds incredible importance within our soil because of its redox properties, role in carbon sequestration, and the ability for microbes to decompose and use iron for respiration. However, the above processes and their effects on the critical zone are incredibly complex, unclear, and understudied. Our lab aims to gain a better understanding of these natural processes and how iron reacts with our environment.

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Reviewing demographic inference results on the HPC.

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Lilith Kotler - Exploring the Evolutionary History of Midas Cichlids

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Lilith Kotler - Exploring the Evolutionary History of Midas Cichlids

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The Midas cichlid species complex has evolved rapidly, including the formation of many species without physical barriers between them.  My project’s focus is to use computational methods to explore the evolutionary history of this complex. First I will infer species histories, such as formation bottlenecks and migration between species. From there, I will infer joint distributions of fitness effects (DFE) to understand how differently natural selection is acting in very closely related species.

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Dani observing his cancerous cell line to determine if it is ready to be seeded and transfected with antibody-producing genes

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Dani Khatib-Producing Tumor Infiltrating Monoclonal Antibodies 

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Dani Khatib-Producing Tumor Infiltrating Monoclonal Antibodies 

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The human body has several methods of mounting a response to the presence of cancerous cells, one of which is the production of antibodies that target cancerous cells and aid in their elimination. At the Bhattacharya lab, I work to induce the production of said antibodies by inserting the genes necessary for their production into human cells. Then, I measure the antibodies' binding capabilities to various lung cancer cell lines in order to discover a new method of treating cancer without the harmful effects of chemo and radiotherapy.

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Performing a Thioflavin S stain on mouse brain tissue

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Esther Qiu - Exploring role of Bace1 in Brains with Alzheimer’s Disease and Stroke Pathology

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Esther Qiu - Exploring role of Bace1 in Brains with Alzheimer’s Disease and Stroke Pathology

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Bace1 inhibitor drugs are a promising Alzheimer’s Disease therapeutic that reduce Aβ presence in the brain. However, they have failed clinically, indicating that Bace1 inhibition may lead to other detrimental side-effects. In the Doyle lab, I have been working on a project to explore other roles Bace1 may play in brains with combined Alzheimer’s and stroke pathology by conducting behavioral tests in mice, staining for Aβ in the brain, and analyzing the resulting data.

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Kaitlyn is administering the single-pulse MEP protocol on Shraddha, another undergraduate student in the lab.

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Kaitlyn Lai - Investigating the Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Primer for Neural Plasticity

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Kaitlyn Lai - Investigating the Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Primer for Neural Plasticity

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In Dr. Chou's Brain Imaging and TMS Lab, I am studying how transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) could serve as a primer for neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to adapt, so it has roles in forming memories and rehabilitation after stroke. Reduced neuroplasticity is associated with older age and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In addition, less neuroplasticity means the brain is not as responsive to therapies aimed towards brain modulation such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). By administering taVNS before TMS, we are investigating if taVNS can improve the efficacy of TMS as a therapeutic tool.

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Gavin Arnold - Investigating the Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Primer for Neural Plasticity

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Gavin Arnold - Investigating the Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Primer for Neural Plasticity

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Through my project, I am utilizing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) alongside transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to determine if it can improve the efficacy of TMS for modulation of neural plasticity. As TMS’ effects are highly variable between individuals, ensuring each patient is responsive to treatment by first applying VNS beforehand can make the TMS treatment more clinically viable as a therapeutic tool.

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Single-cell sorting of neurons in PlexonOffline Sorter

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Gabe Neal - Cell sorting post electrophysiology recording of somatosensory and amygdala neurons

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Gabe Neal - Cell sorting post electrophysiology recording of somatosensory and amygdala neurons

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The brain is constantly receiving information from the body via interoceptive signals, often referred to as a sixth sense. Under Dr. Gothard, I use electrophysiological techniques to explore how pharmacological manipulation of heart rate influences cognitive processes. Specifically, how we balance the cost and benefit of our choices.