2026 Abstracts List

Bioinformatics Pilot Project Program/Pilot Project Program (BIPP) 

BI/DS, xx pm: Investigating the potential of Cannabinoids in Alzheimer’s treatment with  Molecular dynamics simulations, Vinayak Bhat, CC. Keywords: Cannabinoids, Alzheimer’s disease, Protein aggregation

*BI/DS, xx pm: Movement Tracking in Drosophila Disease Models, Callie H. Crawford, Fang-Ju Lin, CCU. Keywords: Kinematics, Machine learning, Drosophila

PH, xx pm: Using metabarcoding and culture-based approaches to train undergraduates in the bioinformatic exploration of factors influencing the relative abundance of Vibrio in SC coastal waters, Megan Cevasco, CCU. Keywords: Metabarcoding

*MCB, xx pm: Harnessing Skeletal Muscle Estrogen to Preserve Lean Mass and Improve Metabolic Health in Type 2 Diabetes, Reilly T. Enos, Zannatul Mauya, Kenny Johnson, Christian A. Unger, Marion C Hope III, M. Chase Kettering, SOMC. Keywords: Estrogen, Diabetes, Obesity

Developmental Research Project Program/Research Project Program (DRP/RP)

MCB, xx pm: Promoting Endothelial Survival in Inflammatory Lung Injury, Colin E. Evans1,2,3,4, Xianming Zhang1,2,3,5, Narsa Machireddy1,2,3,5, Mollie Phillips4, Rana Dhar4, Mrinmay Chakrabarti4, Odile David6, You-Yang Zhao1,2,3,5,7,8, 1,2,5Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 3NW University Feinberg School of Medicine, 4SOMC. Keywords: Vascular, Cardiovascular

*BE, xx pm: Digital biomarkers of cognitive impairment based on the influence of cognition on gait control, Reed Gurchiek, Haley Hentnik, Clem. Keywords: Gait, Cognitive impairment, Digital health

MCB, xx pm: Development of Harbinger3N_DR-based genome editing tools, C. Nathan Hancock, Zara Lacera, Priscilla Redd, USCA. Keywords: Genome Engineering, Transposable Elements

*MCB: xx pm: Targeted Combination Therapy to Thwart Fusion Oncoprotein-Driven Pediatric Sarcomas, Casey G. Langdon1,5, Cameron Bumbleburg1, Suprina Neupane1, Henry Schrecker1,2, Megan VanGarven1,3, Janaia Jackson1, Allison Reno1,5, Emma Saunders1,4, Jacob Lenski1, Reid Barker1,4, Hannah Gulbronson1,4, Jamie Silverman1,4, Kajol Patel1,4, Elizabeth Maahs1,4, C. Alex Colvert1, Abasi-ama Udeme1, Moriah Heifetz1, Jenna Schwesig1, Margaret Taquey1, Abbigayle Szcinski1,4, Abigail Miller1, Benjamin Caiello5, Joshua Monts5, B. Jacob Kendrick5, Evan M. Bagley5,6, Mrinmoyee Majumder5, Jennifer Stancill7, 1,5,6,7MUSC, 2George Washington University, 3Northwestern College, 4CofC. Keywords: Sarcoma, Chimeric Transcription Factor, Targeted Combination Therapy

CB, xx pm: Machine Learning Identification of Subfamily-Specific Allosteric Mechanisms in Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Colin L. Welsh, Lalima K. Madan, MUSC. Keywords: Allosteric Regulation, Machine Learning, Protein Phosphatases

*MCB: xx pm: Intestinal function is disrupted in p-glycoprotein deficient C. elegans, Edward Reznichenko, Jazmyn Oliver, Scott Tanner, USC UP. Keywords: Intestine, C. elegans, Microscopy

Student-Initiated Research Project Program (SIRP) 

BE, xx pm: Stabilizer-Dependent Redox Responsivity of RNA Coacervates for Microfluidic Polymersome Encapsulation, Chloé Forenzo, Jessica Larsen, Clem. Keywords: RNA Delivery, Redox-Responsivity, Coacervation

MCB, xx pm: The Effect of SARS-CoV-1 Nonstructural Protein 1 on Stress Granule Assembly in A549 Cells, Ryan Hawkins, Anita Nag, USC UP. Keywords: RNA, Stress granule, Host shut-off

Student-Initiated Training Awards (SITA) 

NEU, xx pm: Deep learning approaches to predicting drug-seeking behaviors in mice, Megan J. Francis, Alexander C.W. Smith, MUSC. Keywords: Deep learning, Addiction neuroscience, Behavioral neuroscience

BI/DS, xx pm: Artificial Intelligence–Based Single-Particle Tracking: Detecting Diffusion Heterogeneity During Stress Granule Assembly in Cytoplasm, Elizaveta Korunova, Vitali Sikirzhyski, Aliaksandra Sikirzhitskaya, Hao Ji, Jeffery L. Twiss, Paula Vasquez, Homayoun Valafar, Michael Shtutman, USC. Keywords: Deep learning, Single particle tracking, Cellular condensates

*BI/DS: xx pm: Multi-omic correlation of skin sulfonolipid-producing bacteria and sphingosine content in atopic dermatitis, Michael Madden1,2, Cole Espinosa3, Sarah Tran3, Carole A. Oskeritzian1, Jie Li2,3, 1SOMC, 2UT Austin, 3USC. Keywords: Multi-omics, Atopic Dermatitis, Skin Microbiome

*BI/DS, xx pm: Overcoming Video Analysis Constraints: A Pivot from Grunt Sculpin to Shark Kinematics Using Deep Learning, Bethany Newton1, Callie Crawford2, 1,2CCU. Keywords: Locomotion, Kinematics, Pose Estimation

NEU, xx pm: Ensembling networks for whole-brain image analysis, Anna C. Tsyrulnikov, Alexander C.W. Smith. Keywords: Image classification, Whole-brain imaging

To come

Poster #001: LNP-mediated gene editing and cell therapy for hereditary tyrosinemia type 1, Olumide Adebayo1, Justin Rich Gibson1, Daniel Hossack1, David Popoola2, Eric Josephs3, Yamin Li2, Renee Cottle1,4, 1,4Clem, 2SUNY Upstate Medical U, 3Stony Brook U

Poster #002: Cas9 Immunogenicity and Its Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated AAV gene therapy for treating Hereditary Tyrosinemia, Benjamin Arthur1,5, Justin Gibson1,5, Ryan Mehlem1, Abishek Dhungana1,5, Daniel Hossack1,5, Menam Pokhrel1,5, Olumide Adebayo1,5, Wynton Vaughn1, Azizul Haque2,3,4, Renee N. Cottle1,5, 1,5Clem, 2,3MUSC, 4Ralph H. Johnson VA Center

*Poster #003: Hepatic LDL Uptake Dynamics in Ldlr−/− Mice Following Transplantation of Cas9 Gene- Edited Hepatocytes, Victor Agustin Cortes Flores1, Daniel Hossack1, Albash Khan1, Justin Gibson1, Callie Clark1, Olga V. Savinova2, Renee N. Cottle1, 1Clem 

*Poster #004: An Evaluation of Engraftment Kinetics in Gene-Edited Neonatal Hepatocytes, Justin Gibson, Abishek Dhungana, Menam Pokhrel, Benjamin Arthur, Olumide Adebayo, Daniel Hossack, Renee N. Cottle, Clem

Poster #005: Crystallographic Control of Au Nanoparticles on 2D Materials for Detection of Ascorbic Acid and Dopamine, Christopher Gallegos1, Clay Wright2, PC

Poster #006, page xx: Clinically Relevant 3-D Hydrogel Model for High and Low Density Breast Tissue, Marshall Geier, Alex Levin, Anthony Ritz, Matthew Harrington, Heather Dunn, Clem

*Poster #007: Ancestry-Informed Gene Expression and Metabolic Capacities in Breast Cancer Indicate Potential Treatment Targets, Matthew Harrington1, Alannah Akins2, Heather W. Dunn1, 1,2Clem

Poster #008: Changes in spatiotemporal control strategies in older adults during cognitive dual-task walking, Haley Hentnik, Reed Gurchiek, Clem

*Poster #009: Comparative Analysis of Dual Cas9 and Hybrid Cas9/Cas12a Multiplex Editing Targeting ANGPTL3 and CYPOR with APAP Selection, Callie Stuart1, Daniel Hossack1, Sarah Minich1, Meredith Reeves1, Pramita Suresh1, Menam Pokhrel1, Abishek Dhugana1, Justin Gibson1, Benjamin Bessah Arthur1, Mugdha Padalkar1, Jin Eshesabal-Chen2, Olga Savinova2, Alexis Stamatikos3, Renee Cottle1,4, 1,3,4Clem, 2NY Institute of Technology

Poster #010: Influence of Normal Epithelial-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on HER2-positive Breast Cancer Redirection, Olivia Kegel, Sophia Santoro, Brenda Okereke, Brian W. Booth, Clem

Poster #011: Zebrafish as a Scalable In Vivo Platform for Breast Cancer Modeling, Hope Mitchell, Mia Boyle, Ella Shufelt, Sulagna Mukherjee,  Heather Dunn, Clem

*Poster #012: Electroporation-Mediated Multiplex Gene Editing and Selection: Disease-Tailored Gene Therapy for Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Menam Pokhrel1, Abishek Dhungana1, Justin Gibson1, Benjamin Arthur1, Olumide Adebayo1, Daniel Hossack1, Victor Agustin Cortes Flores1, Francesca Mango1, Sacha Estel1, Olga V. Savinova2, Alexis Stamatikos3, Anne Vonada4, Markus Grompe4, Renee N. Cottle1,5, 1,3,5Clem, 2NY Institute of Technology, 4Oregon Health & Science U

*Poster #013: The Relationship between Amyloid Deposition and Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy in the Spine, Sarah Porto1, Yongren Wu2, Christine Kern3, Guilherme Porto4, 1CofC, 2Clem, 3MUSC, 4Roper Neurosurgery

Poster #014: Modeling the 3D Microenvironment of Primary Bone Sarcomas for Rapid Drug Screening of Pediatric Solid Tumor Therapies, Allison Reno1,2, Joshua Kelley3, Reid Barker4, Jamie Silverman5, Jack Hyland6, Cameron Bumbleburg1, Elizabeth Maahs4, Anna Tingler7, Denis Guttridge1,2, Melinda Engevik2,7, Yongren Wu3, Casey Langdon1,2, 1,2,7MUSC, 3Clem-MUSC, 4,5,6CofC

Poster #015: Development of a Soft Robotic, Prosthetic Gripper Membrane, Hunter Satterfield, Veby Youssef, PC

Poster #016: Determining the Role and Mechanism of Notch1 in HER2+ Breast Cancer Cell Redirection, Taylor Waligora, Zeenat Sabusa, Brian W. Booth, Clem

*Poster #017: Novel Third-Generation Photosensitizer for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Photodynamic Therapy, Hunter Warren1, Kate Schrecker1, Megan Hardwick1, Valery Bliznyuk2, Brian Booth1, 1,2Clem

Poster #018: Assembly and Comparative Analysis of Sabal palmetto Genomes Linked to a Herbarium Specimen, Sam Burns, C. Nathan Hancock, USCA

Poster #019: Infected Predator-Prey Mathematical Modeling of Neural Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicle for Enhancement of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Cytotoxicity, Alexander Brummer1, Wil Galang2, 1,2CofC

*Poster #020: Cannabinol as an Alternative Alzheimer’s Therapy: Targeting Amyloid β, Adhm Ismail, Vinyak Bhat, CC

*Poster #021: Characterization of an Anti-sigma factor mutation in Acidovorax avenae, Maggie Jones, Stuart Gordon, PC

Poster #022: Tracking the genus Vibrio in shallow recreational waters along the South Carolina Coast, Carter Matthews, Megan Cevasco, CCU

Poster #023: Targeting N185D NPC1: Small Molecule Discovery to Restore Protein Function, Bethany McManus, Margo Petukh, PC

*Poster #024: Growing Finterest: Tidepool sculpin fin morphology over ontogeny, Gabrielle Miller, Callie H. Crawford, CCU

*Poster #025: Correlation between wing movement and the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease in Drosophila melanogaster, Zander Spear1, Callie Crawford2, 1SA, 2CCU

*Poster #026: 50 First Mates: Changes in Courtship and Social Behavior of Drosophila melanogaster with Alzheimer’s Disease, Calliope Warren, Callie H. Crawford, 1,2CCU

Poster #086: Sex differences in the hippocampal microglia morphology following diet and antibiotic treatment, Rhea Bijoor1, Erin Johnson1, Camila Vargas1, Neha Bhatnagar1, Hsin-I Huang3, Julio A. Barrera3, Gianna E. Hammer3, Linnea R. Freeman1,2, 1,2FU, 3U of Utah School of Medicine

Poster #087: Investigating L1 cell adhesion molecule and LPA signaling modulation on axonal outgrowth of chicken embryonic retinal ganglion cells, Marisela Chicas, Eric Birgbauer, WU

Poster #088: ISDF-1/CXCR4 Modulates LPA Responses in Chicken Embryo Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs), Marsenia Chicas, Eric Birgbauer, WU

*Poster #089: The Time-Dependent Effects of Taste Experience on Neural Plasticity, Learning, and Taste Discrimination, Makayla Ellison1, Callia Peart1, Veronica Lee Flores1,2, 1,2FU

*Poster #090: The Impact of Motivation and Hedonic Feeding during Pregnancy on Future Taste Behaviors in Offspring, Miranda Mireles Flores1, Veronica Lee Flores1,2, Linnea Freeman1,3, 1,2,3FU

Poster #091: The Effects of an A2a Antagonist on Self-Control, Haley Jackson, Genesis Medley, Dominique Pearson, Richard Keen, Conv

Poster #092: Exploring a potential therapeutic window for administration of D3 antagonism to prevent PTSD acquisition, Kyla O'Keefe, Onarae Rice, FU

Poster #093: Age-Related Vulnerability to Glial Dysfunction at the Auditory Nerve Glial Transition Zone, Shelby A. Payne1, Haley R. Anderson1, Jiaxin Chai2, Peng Chen2,3, Jeremy L. Barth4, Hainan Lang1,5, 1,3,4MUSC, 2Clemson-MUSC, 5Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

Poster #094: The Effects of Taste Experience on Mechanisms of Taste Discrimination, Callia Peart1, Makayla Ellison1, Veronica Lee Flores1,2, 1,2FU

Poster #095: Dopamine D3 Antagonists: A Potential Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder in Male C57 Mice, James Riley-Enriquez, Onarae Rice, FU

*Poster #096: The Fish Brain Response to Injury Elicits Differential Expression of the Pim Kinase Proto-Oncogenes, Zenab Sabir, Macy M. Yoder, David M. Hollis, FU

Poster #097: Effect of High Ambient Temperature on Appetite Regulation on Rats (Rattus norvegicus), Paisley Stepp, Jazmine Castillo, Ellie Lim, Mark Bohler, Conv

Poster #098: Chemistry/Biochemistry – Optimizing Purification and Reaction Conditions of Red Fluorescent Proteins with PNIPAM, Maya Cothran1,2, Hannah Barnhill1, 1Conv, 2Carver Middle School

*Poster #099: The Effect of High Ambient Temperature on Appetite in Rats, Harika Etha1, Mark Bohler2, 1Sanders Middle School, 2Conv

Poster #100: Molecular/Cellular Biology – Deciphering the Genetic Regulation of Immunogenic Gluten Proteins in Wheat Using a Forward Genetic Approach, Reena Fasaludeen1,2, Zachary Jones2,3, Sachin Rustgi2, 1Hartsville High School, 2,3,4Clem

Poster #101: Development of a STEM activity to explore the nanoparticle's synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity, Preethi Ramasamy1, Ziad Baki2, Ashley Francisco2, Cierra Randolph2, Julianne Phu2, Timea Gerczei Fernandez2, 1Clover High School, 2WU