FSU Students Win Research Presentation Competition in Pittsburgh

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Three Fayetteville State University undergraduate students won awards for their research poster presentations at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) in Pittsburgh, November 13-17.

As winners of the competition, Heaven Moore, a junior biotechnology and molecular biology major, Kiara Smith, a senior Forensic Science major, and Tyrone Salters, a senior double major in Chemistry and Biotechnology, received a certificate of achievement, cash award, and year-long membership subscription to one of the 12 scientific disciplines represented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences.

FSU had five faculty members, 15 current undergraduate students, and multiple alumni pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees actively involved in the conference, either judging or presenting their research across various disciplines. FSU faculty attending the conference included Danielle Graham, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences, Justin Graham, Ph.D., James Raynor, Ph.D., Subir Nagdas, Ph.D., and Willietta Gibson, Ph.D.

Moore presented a poster presentation entitled, “Exploring Parasite Prevalence within Ilyanassa obsoleta and Seagrass Ecosystems in Bogue Sound, Back Sound, and The Straits,” which was advised by Meghan Nadzam, Rachel K. Gittman, and April M.H. Blakeslee at East Carolina University. “I would like to thank my mentor Dr. Willietta Gibson, because without her guidance, this would not have been possible. I would also like to thank my family, friends, and 26 E.D. for their continued support.” Heaven plans to pursue a PhD in the Biomedical Sciences, aspiring to research treatments and cures for cancers and viruses.

Kiara Smith, a senior Forensic Science major with a minor in Chemistry from the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences, presented a poster presentation entitled, “Characterization of Phase Formation in Uterine Fibroids using Three-Dimensional (3D) Co-cultures of Human Uterine Leiomyoma and Myofibroblasts Cells Following BPAF Exposure”. Her research was conducted under the sponsorship of Darlene Dixon, Ph.D., and Lysandra Castro of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. In earnest reflection of her research journey, Kiara expressed her gratitude for her mentors stating, “I would like to thank Dr. Darlene Dixon and Mrs. Lysandra Castro for their guidance, support, and invaluable mentorship throughout my time at NIEHS. It is through them I have learned much more of my identity as a woman in STEM.” She also acknowledged the integral role of the McNair Program and Dr. McNeil-Blue, “Their funding of my travel and constant support of my endeavors are truly appreciated.” Kiara aspires to pursue her MD-PhD degree to become a medical examiner and researcher aimed at reversing dire health trends in communities by researching and disseminating knowledge of prevention and mitigation concerning the conditions affecting the community she serves.

Tyrone Salters, a senior double major in Chemistry and Biotechnology major in within the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, and Material Science and the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences, presented a poster presentation entitled, ”A Novel Tool for Dissecting the Activation Pathway of Pro-Apoptotic BAX” in the Cancer Biology category. This research was conducted under the esteemed leadership of Dr. Loren D. Walensky, MD, PhD, Director of Harvard/MIT's MD/PhD program at Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  Reflecting on his academic journey, Tyrone shares states, “Dr. Subir Nagdas has been a cornerstone in my research journey, as I've worked with him since my freshman year. Under his mentorship, I was afforded the opportunity to present at over 23 national/regional scientific conferences, co-author two publications (including one as the first author), and grow significantly as a scientist and scholar. His guidance has been invaluable throughout my undergraduate career.” Tyrone aspires to become a physician-scientist, obtaining a MD and PhD degrees, with a mission to translate bench side research into bedside applications, focusing on biochemical pathways in disease to drive transformative advancements in patient care.

For over 20 years, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists, recipient of the 2019 AIMBE Excellence in STEM Education Award,  has been the go-to conference for underrepresented community college, undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Continually growing each year, ABRCMS is comprised of nearly 6,000 participants and approximately 52% of all student attendees are undergraduate juniors and seniors.