Congratulations to Awardees!!

School of Biomedical Sciences

Kent State University

BMS Success Awardees

This award recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding research accomplishments and positive professional qualities, skills, and behaviors. Nominations were collected January-March, the BMS executive committee reviewed all nominations, and the awardees each received $200 from the BMS General Scholarship Fund. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARDEES!!

Chloe Edmonds

Neuroscience PhD Program

Chloe studies sensorimotor control of infant feeding in the laboratory of Dr. Rebecca German. She has published 17 manuscripts including two 1st author papers with a third in review. She served as the student representative on the Brain Health Research Institute Executive Committee, a judge at NEOMED's Student Research Symposium, and a session chair at an International Congress. She is an effective teacher and mentor to students and volunteers with Proyecto Raises to give back to her community and support Hispanic children in Akron.

Shreya Gupta

Pharmacology PhD Program

Shreya studies vascular biology and metabolic syndrome in the laboratory of Dr. Priya Raman Lab. She has published five manuscripts including two 1st author papers. She served on the BMS Student Advisory Committee, as a senator on GSS, on a review panel for GSS travel and research awards, and as a peer mentor for entering graduate students. She was recognized for outstanding oral presentations at two conference meetings including ASIOA and AHA and was selected as a finalist for the "Emerging Scientist Award for Women".

Emilee Hart

Human Evolutionary Biology PhD Program

Emilee studies adrenarche, androgens, and acclimation in primates in laboratory of Dr. RafaelaTakeshita. She has published four manuscripts including three 1st author papers with a fourth in review. She received over $7,000 in awards during her graduate career including a conservation grant from the International Primatological Society. She served on the BMS Student Advisory Committee, was the instructor of record for four classes in the Anthropology Department, and was a two-time finalist in the 3-minute thesis competition. She volunteers for the Gibbon Conservation Society based in Malaysia where she hosts virtual events.

Anatoly Khitrin Awardee

This award is given to a graduate student who demonstrates creativity and independence in their research. Nominations were collected January-March, the BMS executive committee reviewed all nominations, and the awardee received $200 from the Anatoly Khitrin Scholarship Fund. CONGRATULATIONS EMILEE!!

Emilee Hart

PhD, Human Evolutionary BiologyDr. Rafaela Takeshita Laboratory

Gibbons are Emilee's favorite animals, so when the Akron Zoo posted about a pair of gibbons that were soon to be out of exhibit Emilee wanted more time conducting behavioral observations with them. She and her advisor reached out to the zoo and established a collaboration, which has now turned into the begins of an independent research career. Emilee started volunteering with the Gibbon Conservation Society where she expanded her research contacts to scientists across the globe. She visited Malaysia during a presentation at the International Primatological Society where she setup a field site to apply hormonal monitoring to enhance the success of primate rehabilitation and repopulation efforts. Emilee's advisor, Dr. Rafaela Takeshita, stated that Emilee has a passion for primate conservation and described Emilee's independence in submitting her own research proposal that was endorsed by the Gibbon Species Survival Plan.

Best Oral Presentation

7th World Lagomorph Conference

Belfast, United Kingdom. July 2024

Melia Romine

PhD, Cellular & Molecular BiologyDr. Sangeet Lamichhaney Lab

Identifying genetic signatures of local adaptations to high-altitude environments in large-eared pikas (Ochotona macrotis) across their broad distribution range in the Himalayas.

Ochotona macrotis, commonly known as the large-eared pika, has an extensive distribution range. Their habitat extends across several countries in South and Central Asia, such as Afghanistan, Tibet, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. Within the Himalayas, the large-ear pikas are known to occupy habitats of diverse topography and elevations in this region. Their habitat encompasses up to four distinct zones (alpine, sub-alpine, cool temperate, and warm temperate), each characterized by unique environmental conditions. Hence, they are suitable models to study genomic adaptations to alpine environments. 17 samples of O. macrotis have been collected and whole genome sequenced across four habitat zones in the Himalayas. Population genomic approaches are being implemented to understand how different populations are genetically related. This study is expected to identify specific genomic regions and candidate genes associated with local adaptation to varying habitats, potentially encompassing genes linked to cold tolerance, oxygen utilization, and other ecological factors. This research will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how a species with a large distribution range can adapt and thrive in different environmental contexts.

Melia Romine

PhD, Cellular & Molecular BiologyDr. Sangett Lamichhaney Lab

2024-2025 Mary Ann Stephens and John R. Graham Award

The Mary Ann Stephens and John R. Graham Award for Excellence in Graduate Research and Scholarship is presented annually to a doctoral student underrepresented in their discipline.

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