2023
Symposium Schedule
(Central Standard Time)
(updated on March 12, 2023)
Day 1: Join Zoom Meeting <https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82755197163?pwd=N2k0SjREK201WTNvZmQ4TlJsVGV6UT09>
Day 2: Join Zoom Meeting <https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86788523156?pwd=aFhyUXovUG8wbmdWZ1MxRUMwMFU2dz09>
Poster Session Link: <https://sites.google.com/alasu.edu/arfs-2023/poster>
Overview of Events
>> Wednesday, March 15, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. (CST) Welcome
9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Featured Speaker: Dr. Michelle Foster (Alabama State University)
9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Plenary Speaker: Dr.Thomas Sakmar (Rockefeller University)
10:15 a.m. - 10:25 a.m. Group Photo
10:25 a.m. - 10:35 a.m. Break
10:35 a.m. - 11:50 p.m. Session 1
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch Panel Discussion
1:00 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. Lunch Informal Student Discussion
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Session 2
3:30- p.m. - 3:40 p.m. Break
3:40 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. Session 3
5:10- p.m. - 5:20 p.m. Break
5:20 p.m. - 6:35 p.m. Session 4
>> Thursday, March 16, 2023
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (CST) Session 5
9:30 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. Break
9:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Session 6
11:10 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. Break
11:20 a.m. - 11:59 a.m. Session 7
12:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Poster Session
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Panel Discussion
2:30 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Symposium Award Ceremony
2:40 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Session 8
4:00 p.m. - 4:10 p.m. Closing Remarks
4:10 p.m. Departure
Detailed Conference Program
Talks: Zoom meeting
Poster Session: Google meet
>> Wednesday, March 15, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Welcome
9:00 a.m. - 9:03 a.m. Harvey Hou (Chair of the 2023 Symposium Organizing Committee)
9:03 a.m. - 9:07 a.m. Audrey Napier (Dean of College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University)
9:07 a.m. - 9:11 a.m. Carl Pettis (Provost, Alabama State University)
9:11 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Quinton Ross, Jr. (President, Alabama State University)
9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Featured Talk
Reshaping the Research Culture in STEM
Michelle Foster (Alabama State University)
Chair: Audrey Napier (Alabama State University)
9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Plenary Talk
Applications of Genetic Code Expansion and Bioorthogonal Chemistry to Study Membrane Proteins
Thomas Sakmar (Rocekereller University)
Chair: Elsa Yan (Yale University)
10:15 a.m. - 10:25 a.m. Group Photo
10:25 a.m. - 10:35 a.m. Break
10:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Session 1: Contributed Talks
Chair: Caitlin Davis (Yale University)
10:35 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
(Category: Postdoc)
Biocontainment of genetically modified algae
Jacob Sebesta, Colleen Pastore, Harvey J.M. Hou, and Jianping Yu* (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
10:50 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.
(Category: Postdoc)
The impact of cannabidiol (CBD) hemp on the gene expression of cannabis aphids (Phorodon cannabis)
Junhuan Xu, Joseph A. Ayariga, Ting Li, and Olufemi S. Ajayi* (Alabama State University)
11:05 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
(Category: Postdoc)
Elucidating Mutational Effect on SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein using Combination of Computational Studies and Site-Directed Mutagenesis of P22 Tailspike Protein
Joseph Atia Ayariga, Junhuan Xu, Boakai K. Robertson, Olufemi S. Ajayi, and Robert Villafane* (Alabama State University)
11:20 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
(Category: Ph.D. student)
Human Adenovirus Serovar 3 Vector Impacts Pharmacologically Inhibited Exosomal Cargo in Lung Carcinoma Cells
Ayodeji O. Ipinmoroti, Brennetta Crenshaw, Rachana Pandit, and Qiana L. Matthews* (Alabama State University)
11:35 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
(Category: Ph.D.student)
Anti Toxoplasma gondii Activity of Trametes versicolor (Turkey-Tail) Mushroom Extract
Homa Nath Sharma, Jonathan Catrett, Ogochea Destine, Audrey Napier, Boakai K. Robertson, and Daniel A. Abugri* (Alabama State University)
12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. Lunch Panel Discussion Session: Graduate Programs
Chairs: Bruce McCord (Florida International University), Qiana Matthews (Alabama State University), and Jared Allred (University of Alabama)
1:00 noon - 1:40 p.m. Lunch Informal Student Discussion Session
Chairs: Eric Wornyo (University of Alabama), Eddie Knab (Yale University), James Wilkes (Boston College), and Miya Moon (Alabama State University)
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Session 2: Contributed Talks
Chair: Daniel Willims (Alabama State University)
2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
(Category: Ph.D. student)
Toxicity of Sorbent Amendments on the Viability of Burkholderia thailandenesis Isolated from Mercury Contaminated Soil
Jeffrey Ogbudu, Timothy E. Egbo, Alexander Johs, Yazeed Abdelmageed, and Boakai K. Robertson* (Alabama State University)
2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
(Category: Ph.D. student)
In Vitro Inhibition of T. gondii growth by Caffeic Acid and its Possible Mechanisms of Action
Efa B. A. Bernard, Homa Nath Sharma, Boakai Robertson, Audrey Napier, and Daniel A. Abugri* (Alabama State University)
2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
(Category: Ph.D. student)
Coronavirus Infection Modulates the Biogenesis and Trafficking of the Cell Derived-Extracellular Vesicles
Rachana Pandit, Ayodeji Ipinmoroti, Brennetta J. Crenshaw, Ting Li, and Qiana L. Matthews* (Alabama State University)
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(Category: Postdoc)
Cannabis sativa CBD Extract Exhibits Synergy with Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics against Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica serovar typhimurium
Logan Gildea, Joseph Atia Ayariga, Junhuan Xu, Robert Villafane, Boakai K Robertson, Michelle Samuel-Foo, and Olufemi S Ajayi (Alabama State University)
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
(Category: Ph.D. student)
Characterization of Cannabis Strains-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Biomarkers
Ayodeji O. Ipinmoroti, Jakayla Turner, Elizabeth J. Bellenger, Brennetta Crenshaw, Junhuan Xu, Caitlin Reeves, Olufemi Ajayi, Ting Li, and Qiana L. Matthews* (Alabama State University)
3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
(Category: Ph.D. student)
CBD resistant Salmonella strains are susceptible to Epsilon 34 phage tailspike protein
Iddrisu Ibrahim, Joseph Atia Ayariga*, Junhuan Xu, Ayomide Adebanjo, Boakai K. Robertson, Michelle Samuel-Foo, and Olufemi S. Ajayi* (Alabama State University)
3:30 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. Break
3:40 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. Session 3: Contributed Talks
Chair: Ramakrishnan Alagan (Alabama State University)
3:40 p.m. - 3:55 p.m.
(Category: Ph.D. student)
Cationic lipo-oligopeptides (CLOPs) as next generation of therapeutics against Herpes Simplex Virus -1
Othreniel A. Forte, Rajnish Sahu, Atar Singh Kushwah, Donald R. Owen, and Vida A. Dennis* (Alabama State University)
3:55 p.m. - 4:10 p.m.
(Category: Ph.D. student)
RNA Transcriptome Analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 under Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and Cell Culture Conditions
Amber Grace, Rajnish Sahu, Donald R. Owen, and Vida A. Dennis (Alabama State University)
4:10 pm - 4:25 pm
(Category: undergraduate)
Cadaver Reproductive Organs Bacterial Communities
Tony Harris, Shakayla Phillips, Sheree J. Finley, and Gulnaz Javan* (Alabama State University)
4:25 pm - 4:40 pm
(Category: M.S. student)
The Effect of Apigeninidin chloride on T. gondii Lipidome
Miya Moon, Audrey Napier, Boakai Robertson, and Daniel A. Abugri* (Alabama State University)
4:40 pm - 4:55 pm
(Category: M.S. student)
Impact of Crude Oil and/or Dispersant on the Growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a Foodborne Bacterial Pathogen
Santoshi Pyakurel and Joong-Wook Park* (Troy University)
4:55 pm - 5:10 pm
(Category: M.S. student)
A study of soil microbial communities in gravesoil affected by SARS-COV-2
Zoe Hayes, Sheree J. Finley, and Gulnaz Javan*
5:10 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. Break
5:20 p.m. - 6:35 p.m. Session 4: Contributed Talks
Chair: Qingfang He (University of Arkansas at Little Rock)
5:20 p.m. - 5:35 p.m.
(Category: M.S. student)
Effects Carbon Nanotubes on Developing Xenopus Embryos
Hagir Abdelmagid and Emmanuel Tadjuidje* (Alabama State University)
5:35 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
(Category: M.S. student)
Periodic solution for a financial model
Orjul Pogue and Chunhua Feng* (Alabama State University)
5:50 p.m. - 6:05 p.m.
(Category: faculty)
Fluorine Substitution Effects on the Energetics of the Diels-Alder Reaction
Bailey Byrd, Payton Maffett, Adenike Olalekan, Emily Price, Ja’kala Turner, Mariyah Wheeler, and Douglas L. Strout* (Alabama State University)
6:05 p.m. - 6:20 p.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
Diabetes is associated with cognitive dysfunction in young obese offspring from obese parents
Timia Frierson, Alexandre A. da Silva, John E. Hall, Xuemei Dai, Ana C. Omoto, Kari Oppedal, Xavier Walker, Jordan Brown, Jussara M. do Carmo, and Gulnaz Javan* (Alabama State University)
6:20 p.m. - 6:35 p.m.
(Category: Ph.D. student)
Human adenovirus alters lung cell-derived extracellular vesicles
Brennetta J. Crenshaw, Ayodeji Ipinmoroti, Brian Sims, and Qiana L. Matthews* (Alabama State University)
>> Thursday, March 16, 2023
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Session 5: Contributed Talks
Chair: Olufemi Ajayi (Alabama State University)
8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
Education Discrepancies in the United States
Jonathan Holland, Alethea Hampton*, Roberto Reed, and Lemanski Walker (Alabama State University)
8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
Piperine Inhibits Toxoplasma gondii growth
Kelci Lawrence, Homa Nath Sharma, Audrey Napier, Boakai Robertson, and Daniel A. Abugri* (Alabama State University)
8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
Exploring the Mechanisms of CBD resistance in Salmonella typhimurium
Ayomide Adebanjo, Iddrisu Ibrahim, Joseph Atia Ayariga*, Junhuan Xu, and Olufemi S. Ajayi* (Alabama State University)
8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
The Exploration of Dysmenorrhea
Carrington Jackson, Lula Smith*, Ting Li, and Sabita Saldanha (Alabama State University)
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
A Review of Cardiovascular Disease in African Americans and its Relation to Mental Health
D`Angelia Holmes, Kartz Bibb*, Sheree Finley, and Qiana Matthews (Alabama State University)
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
Design of a receptor binding scaffold protein based on apoliprotein E
Calla Orjuela, Robert Kondzior, Lucia Noesner, Perry Kornbluh, and Kamil Woronowicz* (SUNY Rockland County College)
9:30 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. Break
9:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Session 6: Contributed Talks
Chair: Barry Lavine (Oklahoma State University)
9:40 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
Healthcare Disparities for African Americans in the Blackbelt
Ayanna Williams, Dawna Nelson*, Sekeria Bossie, and Shanae Shaw (Alabama State University)
9:55 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
How Systematic Inequality Has Led To Generational Poverty Among African Americans And How To Overcome It
Kristel Tshabalala, Min Park*, and Charlie Hardy (Alabama State University)
10:10 a.m. - 10:25 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
Mixed-Method Systematic Review of Research: Analyzing Data on Assistive Technology Use in Special Education Programs
Donna Smith, Henry Wong*, Sekeria Bossie, and Mary-Anne Joseph (Alabama State University)
10:25 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
Rising Awareness of the Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Breast Cancer Prevelence In Alabama: A GIS Perspective
Oluwatosin Oyekeye, Eric Thompson, Ram Alagan, Seela Aladuwaka, and Manoj Mishra* (Alabama State University)
10:40 a.m. -10:55 a.m.
(Category: Undergraduate)
Prolonged CBD pressure mediates higher expression of flgA in Salmonella typhimurium
Alexa Mathis, Iddrisu Ibrahim, Joseph Atia Ayariga*, Junhuan Xu, and Olufemi S. Ajayi* (Alabama State University)
10:55 a.m. -11:10 a.m.
(Category: High school student)
Prostate Cancer Disparities: Understanding the Role of Race and Socioeconomic Factors in Alabama
Anish Boyella, Ram Alagan, Seela Aladuwaka, and Manoj Mishra* (LAMP High School and Alabama State University)
11:10 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. Break
11:20 a.m. - 11:59 a.m. Session 7: The 3-Min Talk Competition
Chair: Robert Blankenship (Washington University in St. Louis)
11:20 a.m. - 11:23 a.m.
Persistence of host DNA during the immature development of forensically important larvae
Arris Thornton, Jonathan Parrott, and Gulnaz Javan* (Alabama State University)
11:23 a.m. - 11:26 a.m.
Anti Toxoplasma gondii Activity of Trametes versicolor (Turkey-Tail) Mushroom Extract
Homa Nath Sharma, Jonathan Catrett, Ogochea Destine, Audrey Napier, Boakai K. Robertson, and Daniel A. Abugri* (Alabama State University)
11:26 a.m. - 11:29 a.m.
Prostate Cancer Disparities: Understanding the Role of Race and Socioeconomic Factors in Alabama
Anish Boyella, Ram Alagan, Seela Aladuwaka, and Manoj Mishra* (Alabama State University)
11:29 a.m. - 11:32 a.m.
Exploring the Mechanisms of CBD resistance in Salmonella typhimurium
Ayomide Adebanjo, Iddrisu Ibrahim, Joseph Atia Ayariga*, Junhuan Xu, and Olufemi S. Ajayi* (Alabama State University)
11:32 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
Scaffold Supported Human Induced Stem Cell-Laden Microspheres for Production of Engineered Microsphere Heart Tissues
Kayla Edwards , B. Justin Harvell , Shireen Singh , Elizabeth A. Lipke, and Komal Vig* (Alabama State University)
11:35 a.m. - 11:38 a.m.
CBD resistant Salmonella strains are susceptible to Epsilon 34 phage tailspike protein
Iddrisu Ibrahim, Joseph Atia Ayariga*, Junhuan Xu, Ayomide Adebanjo, Boakai K. Robertson, Michelle Samuel-Foo, and Olufemi S. Ajayi* (Alabama State University)
11:38 a.m. - 11:41 a.m.
Enzymatic synthesis and purification of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) for infrared spectroscopic studies
Isaiah O. Odeyemi, Robert J. Fick, Teri A. Douglas, Nosakhare F. Igie, Drew Hargrove, Grace Hamilton, Brianna Bradley, Cathy Thai, Brendan Le, Maitri Unjia, Dylan Wicherts, Zackery Ferneyhough, Anjali Pillai, Raymond Trievel, and Allison L. Stelling* (University of Texas at Dallas)
11:41 a.m. - 11:44 a.m.
Rising Awareness of the Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Breast Cancer Prevelence In Alabama: A GIS Perspective
Oluwatosin Oyekeye, Eric Thompson, Ram Alagan, Seela Aladuwaka, and Manoj Mishra* (Alabama State University)
11:44 a.m. - 11:47 a.m.
Cationic lipo-oligopeptides (CLOPs) as next generation of therapeutics against Herpes Simplex Virus -1
Othreniel A. Forte, Rajnish Sahu, Atar Singh Kushwah, Donald R. Owen, and Vida A. Dennis* (Alabama State University)
11:47 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Impact of Crude Oil and/or Dispersant on the Growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a Foodborne Bacterial Pathogen
Santoshi Pyakurel and Joong-Wook Park* (Troy University)
11:50 a.m. - 11:53 a.m.
Design of a receptor binding scaffold protein based on apoliprotein E
Calla Orjuela, Robert Kondzior, Lucia Noesner, Perry Kornbluh, and Kamil Woronowicz* (SUNY Rockland County College)
11:53 a.m. - 11:56 a.m.
In Vitro Inhibition of T. gondii growth by Caffeic Acid and its Possible Mechanisms of Action
Efa B. A. Bernard, Homa Nath Sharma, Boakai Robertson, Audrey Napier, and Daniel A. Abugri* (Alabama State University)
11:56 a.m. - 11:59 a.m.
Coronavirus Infection Modulates the Biogenesis and Trafficking of the Cell Derived-Extracellular Vesicles
Rachana Pandit, Ayodeji Ipinmoroti, Brennetta J. Crenshaw, Ting Li, and Qiana L. Matthews* (Alabama State University)
12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. Poster Session
2:00 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. Panel Discussion Session: How to put together a strong graduate application?
Chair: Elsa Yan (Yale University)
2:30 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. Symposium Award Ceremony
Chair: Govindjee (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
2:40 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. Session 8: Contributed Talks
Chair: Kamil Woronowicz (SUNY Rockland County College)
2:40 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hydrogenation of Boron Nitride Cages
Douglas L. Strout (Alabama State University)
3:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Application of Surface Plasmon Resonance for Epitope Mapping and Binding Kinetics of Monoclonal Antibodies to Salmonella Flagellin
Devendra Bhandari, Fur-Chi Chen*, Shreya Hamal, and Roger C. Bridgman (Tennessee State University)
3:20 p.m. - 3:40 p.m.
Erythroblast Macrophage Protein Functions as a Cell Adhesion Protein
Shivani Soni* and Gulnaz Javan* (University of Southern California and Alabama State University)
3:40-4:00 pm
Integrating Biomass Fermentation by Clostridium thermocellum with Downstream Microbial Electrolysis Cells
Eric Schaedig, Trevor Croft, and Katherine J. Chou* (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
4:00 p.m. - 4:10 p.m. Closing Remarks
Harvey Hou (Chair of the 2023 Symposium Organizing Committee)
4:10 p.m. Departure