Virtual Posters are listed alphabetically by Author’s last name.
Environmental Factors Modulations of Structure-Function of Biological Systems
Author: Sarah Adjei-Frehman, Winston-Salem State University
Co-author(s):
Project Focus: Research Initiation Award
Abstract: Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl-substances (PFASs) has been shown to disrupt cellular homeostasis (endocrine disruptors) and induce other deleterious effects in biological systems. Living systems exposed to these environmental factors are impacted at the systemic, organ, cellular, organelle (e.g., mitochondria) and molecular (DNA, RNA, or protein). The proposed project aims to examine the effects of PFASs on the structure-function of mitochondria. There are three specific objectives of the proposed project: 1) examine and visualize PFAS-induced effects on mitochondria structural dynamics; 2) determine PFAS-induced effects on mitochondrial metabolic changes at the cellular level; and 3) identify and characterize PFAS-mediated molecular signatures associated with mitochondria dysfunction. The proposed project is in the implementation stage focused on completion of Objectives I and 2. The project examined different PFASs (PFOS, PFHxA and GenX) exposure time (short: 24hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs, 96 hrs) and chronic (weeks;1-2) on mitochondria structural dynamics and function using cell culture model (HepaRG and HepG2 liver cell lines). PFOS, PFHxA, and GenX exposure time durations and concentrations significantly decreased mitochondria structure dynamics (volume, Mitochondria membrane potential, and protein concentration. Additionally, higher concentrations of PFASs (100nM, 1000nM) at longer exposure duration (1 week) significantly altered mitochondria structural dynamics and function via decrease in ATP levels in both HepaRG and HepG2 cells. Our results showed prolonged exposure to higher concentrations of PFOS, PFHxA and GenX impact mitochondria structural dynamics and proteins, and this may impact overall mitochondria function. Five students presented research findings as oral and poster presentations at the 2023 ABRCMS conference at Phoenix, Arizona. In future studies, the proposed study plans will focus on effect of chronic PFOS exposure (2 weeks, month) on mitochondrial stress targets including mitochondrial membrane potential, Mitochondrial DNA damage, and mitophagy and identify and characterize PFAS-mediated molecular signatures associated with mitochondria dysfunction.
Enhanced Broadband Research and Education at PVAMU
Author: Cajetan Akujuobi, Prairie View A&M University
Co-author(s): Shumon Alam, Prairie View A&M University, Justin Foreman, Prairie View A&M University, Suxia Cui, Prairie View A&M University
Project Focus: Research on Broadening Participation in STEM
Abstract: There has been an increased momentum and commitment by the Federal Government to high-speed internet planning, infrastructure, and adoption. The bipartisan infrastructure law provides $65 billion in funding to help achieve that goal. With the plan’s successful implementation, millions of Americans who do not have internet access will be able to access broadband services. The US needs more skilled workers to deploy broadband nationwide to win the race to 5G and ensure robust fiber, mobile, and fixed wireless networks. On top of the lack of skilled workers, the diversity in the workforce needs to be more balanced. Therefore, there is an excellent need for broadband education and training, especially for underrepresented communities. Thus, our proposal aims to prepare under-represented minorities at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) for the 21st-century broadband industry. The proposed activities reinforce the learning of communication theory and develop skillsets and knowledge in 5G broadband communication systems. Students will obtain hands-on 5G communication systems training using the proposed testbed and theoretical knowledge through the enhanced broadband curriculum. The research outcomes will generate new knowledge and insight into wideband communications, blockchain, and serverless cloud computing. Using multi-level training of students in broadband will involve classroom, laboratory, and research, which gives a full spectrum of training and readiness. This will enhance the professional preparation of students as opposed to just one approach alone. The broadband industry needs a more skilled workforce to support and maintain the 5G broadband infrastructure and researchers to provide emerging technology solutions to meet the ever-growing demands. This program will equip and motivate students, including the underrepresented, with the knowledge to complete the baccalaureate degrees in the broadband field and build a career in broadband communications. The program will also engage community college students to motivate them to achieve four-year degrees in STEM fields at PVAMU.
Author: Jamel Ali, Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering
Co-author(s): David Quashie Jr,1,2 Sophie Jermyn,1,2 Jaideep Katuri,1,2 Jamel Ali,1,2, 1 FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, Florida, USA, 2 National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Project Focus: RIA
Abstract: Rigid achiral microscale structures, made of self-assembled spherical particles having a symmetrical axis, offer a simple design approach for producing effective microswimmers. While well understood in Newtonian fluids, little is known regarding the propulsion of achiral swimmers in complex media. Recently, dilute polymer solutions, that exhibit either predominantly shear thinning behavior or have significant elasticity, were explored to elucidate the effect of fluid microstructure on three and four bead achiral swimmer kinematics. The propulsion efficiency of three bead achiral swimmers in shear thinning fluids was found to be higher than that of the four bead swimmers, while the opposite was seen in elastic fluids. Here we explore the origins of three bead swimmer propulsion enhancement in shear thinning environments and evaluate if this behavior extends to two bead swimmers. This is achieved by actuating swimmers using a homogeneous rotational magnetic field in two shear thinning fluids. The velocity and orientation angle of the achiral swimmers are quantified at varying frequencies. We observe that both two and three bead achiral swimmers are able to increase their propulsion velocity when fluids exhibit significant shear thinning behavior, parameterized by the critical shear rate of the fluid.
Study on VSU Graduating STEM Career Readiness
Author: Ali Ansari, Virginia State University
Co-author(s): Ali Ansari, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA Joseph Lyons, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA Jlynn Holland-Cecil, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA
Project Focus: Implementation/ACE Implementation
Abstract: The propose of this study is to observe career readiness of Virginia State University STEM graduates by assessing their perceived career competencies that are outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). It is also to assess the employers’ perception of the NACE competencies. The survey created was for research purposes only, employer data and personal information was not shared.
Author: Anshu Arora, University of the District of Columbia
Co-author(s): Amit Arora, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC; Mohamad Sepehri, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC
Project Focus: TIP and RIA
Abstract: At the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), we have pioneered Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Social Robotics Research and we are striving to create a triple social impact on DC Public Schools, Universities, and Robotic Companies. Social Motivation Approach for Rehabilitation Through Educational Robotics (SMARTER) research project focuses on creating interdisciplinary knowledge and skills through social-educational robotics, and targets cognitive rehabilitation in students diagnosed with learning/cognitive disabilities, social interaction difficulties, and developmental disorders (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD) in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) in Washington, DC. The research objectives of SMARTER research are to: (1) examine social-behavioral relationships, social cognition and human personality traits in ASD students using social motivation theory of autism; (2) investigate robotic anthropomorphism and robotic intentionality exhibited during human-robot interaction (HRI) with ASD students; (3) develop curriculum-related interactive scenarios designed for improving cognitive rehabilitation through robotic interventions targeting ASD students in DCPS in Washington, DC. The project employs and emphasizes on the educational robotics’ interventions and human-robot interaction (HRI) field experiments conducted with students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other learning disabilities at the DC Public Schools (e.g., McKinley Tech High School and Anacostia High School) and thereby, increases STEM participation of undergraduate students (especially, underrepresented minority women students) through educational-social robotics.Acknowledgement This research is funded by the National Science Foundation Grant #2100934.
Author: Daniel Ashley, Spelman College
Co-author(s): Chandler Solomon
Project Focus: Research Initiation Award
Abstract: Single Chain Nanoparticles (SCNPs) are molecular chains that fold in on themselves using intrachain linkages, one of which can be bonding to a transition metal. These folded macromolecules can potentially behave in a similar fashion to metalloenzymes, suggesting they could potentially act as enzyme mimics. Very little is known about the actual molecular structure of SCNP metallopolymers, with only a small amount of computational modeling having been performed in the literature. The overall goal of this work is to use density functional theory (DFT) and QM/MM to model small molecule analogues of SCNP metallopolymers so as to gain a better understanding of their chemical behavior. Results from one project will be presented, those to analyzing the spin crossover (SCO) behavior of SCNP metallopolymers, which has to our knowledge, never been studied. This was done by evaluating how changing the side chain lengths and backbone structure of an SCNP small model complex containing a [Fe(tpy)2]2+ metal center can affect the energies of the high and low spin states. Early results from these small model complexes will be shown. Ultimately this project is the first step towards effectively incorporating SCO into SCNPs, which could lead to novel, multifunctional soft materials.
Author: Majid Bagheri, Savannah State University
Co-author(s):
Project Focus: Research Initiation Award – Fate and Transport of environmental contaminants
Abstract: The contamination of food and water by increasing number of detected emerging contaminants in the environment is closely linked through plants. Emerging contaminants can be taken up and translocated in plants to above-ground tissues, including edible leafy tissues. Understanding plant uptake of chemical compounds is essential in phytoremediation, site assessment, and assessing human exposure risks. Chemicals may accumulate and translocate in the plants through various mechanisms. Little is known about transport of chemicals into the roots despite its significance as compared to the aboveground transport. In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques were examined to predict the uptake and translocation of contaminants in plants based on their chemical properties. This deep and comprehensive study examined various AI and ML techniques that can be used for modeling plant uptake. The results of this study indicated that AI and ML models predict plant uptake and translocation with improved accuracy. It was observed that important chemical properties such as log Kow, molecular weight, hydrogen bond donor, and rotatable bonds, as well as plant properties such as the fractions of macromolecules, should be included in the modeling approaches.
Progress Towards Designing Polyglycidol Based Networks to Influence Cellular Behavior
Author: Dain Beezer, Fisk University