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HIGHLIGHTS

Report on the Summer 2022 Activities of SPURS:
A Biomedical Research Program

SPURS Group
IN JULY 29th, 2022 WE COMPLETED THE 21st EDITION OF SPURS!

With funding from the National Institutes of health (NIH) and other generous private donations, the SPURS program was able to accommodate 35 fellows: 21 females and 14 males; 21 African–American, 10 Hispanic-American, and 2 Asian-American. This year, we had students attending schools including: Binghamton University, Columbia University, Cornell University, CUNY College of Staten Island, CUNY Hunter College, Emory University, Fordham University, Harvard College, Howard University, Hunter College, Johns Hopkins University, Middlebury College, New York University, Rice University, SUNY Binghamton University, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Texas at Austin, Tufts University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Pennsylvania, University of Rochester, Yale University

Introducing the SPURS Class of 2022

The participants are listed below along with the title of their research project and mentor’s name.

Mary Adewumi
Molecular and Cellular Biology at Johns Hopkins University
“Glutaminolysis is Metabolically Vital in Myelopoiesis“
Mentor: Dr. Dr.Passague
Christa Akerele
Neuroscience on a pre-med track at Columbia University
“Exploring the Role of the Dorsal Raphe in Glucose Metabolism“
Mentor: Dr. Nectow
   
Jordan Alexander
Nutritional Science/Chemistry and Psychology at Howard University
“The Role of SFRP-1 in Alveolar Epithelial Response to Injury”
Mentor: Dr. D’Armiento and Dr. Rai
Tolani Aliyu
Major: Biological Sciences Minor: Inequality Studies- Health Equity Track at Cornell University
“The Role of Iron in CD4+ T cell Memory Differentiation“
Mentor: Dr. Connors
   
Jannell Atkins
Biochemistry/ minor in Spanish at SUNY Binghamton University
"Identifying and Targeting Master Regulators of TKI-Resistance in EGFR-mutated Lung Adenocarcinoma"
Mentor: Dr. Califano
Aurora Austin
Middlebury College
“Neural Circuit Anatomy and Sensorimotor Function of a Set of Mechanosensory Neurons in the Fruit Fly Larvae"
Mentor: Dr. Grueber
   
Ashley Bolds
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at The Pennsylvania State University
“The Effects of Prophylactic Ketamine on Mu Opioid and NMDA Receptor Complexes in Mice"
Mentor: Dr. Javitch
Sarah Boyd
Neuroscience and Behavior with a concentration in Ethnic and Race Studies at Columbia University
“Social Preference Development in Female Mice for Male Conspecifics"
Mentor: Dr. Sigelbaum
   
Miriam Cepeda
Medical Humanities at Columbia University
“Mutation of Lysine Residues 32 and 46 Reveals Degradation-resistant Trib1"
Mentor: Dr. Bauer
Andy Cuzco
Natural Science at Fordham University
“Opsin Signaling in Beta Ionone Induced Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation"
Mentor: Dr. Emala
   
Liana Dawson
Medical Humanities Major/ Biology Concentration at Columbia University
“Quantitative Analysis of Parental Care Behavior in Promiscuous and Monogamous Peromyscus Mice "
Mentor: Dr. Bendesky
Madihah Dumashie
Chemistry and a minor in Social and Public Policy at New York University
“Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: Quantification of Tumor Kinase Inhibitor- Treated Tumor Cells"
Mentor: Dr.Goldklang
   
Soah Franklin
Medical Humanities at Columbia University
“Associations Between Psychosocial Stress and Cognitive Function Among Individuals with a Broad Range of Mitochondrial Energy Production Capacity"
Mentor: Dr. Picard
Emilio Gomez
History at University of Texas at Austin
“Validation of Hepatic FTO Knockout RNA-Seq in NASH"
Mentor: Dr. Utpal
   
Keyarah Grullon
Biology Major at Tufts
“The Effects of Combined High-Dose Radiation Therapy and Al101 Treatment on the Tumor Microenvironment and Survival"
Mentor: Dr. Yamashiro
Mohab Idris
Biology Major at Hunter College
“Primary infection and propagation of human parainfluenza virus 3“
Mentor: Dr. Moscona
   
Ynez Kerley
Sociology Major, Biochemistry & Cell Biology Minor, Medical Humanities Minor at Rice University
“Examining the Role of Leaky Ryanodine Receptors in Chemobrain“
Mentor: Dr. Marks
Alex Koeppel
Neuroscience and Behavior Biology (Major)/Music (Minor) at Emory University
“Functions of mGluR2 Expression in a Neurogenic Model of Depression“
Mentor: Dr. Hen
   
Carolyn Martinez
Medical humanities and public health at Columbia University
“Examining structural differences between Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT) Mutant RyR2-R420W and WT RyR2"
Mentor: Dr. Marks
Tyler McCormick
Nutritional Science/ Chemistry at Howard University
“The Effect of Pulsed Current Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation on Neuromotor Response in the Legs"
Mentor: Dr. Carmel
   
Andre Meddar
Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University
“Cognitive Effects of Heart Failure Through the Lens of the Ryanodine Receptor"
Mentor: Dr. Marks
Victoria Millette
Biomedical Engineering at University of Rochester
“Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Complications in SARS-CoV-2”
Mentor: Dr. Marks
   
Israa Mustafa
Psychology in the Neuroscience Track and Ethnicity, Race & Migration at Yale University
“Effects of Early Life Adversity of CRF System in VTA"
Mentor: Dr. Bath
Joel Ntiri
Neuroscience and Behavior at Columbia University
“Motor Neuron Vulnerability To Saturated Fatty Acids In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis"
Mentor: Dr. Przedborski
   
Christopher Nunez
Biology Major, Astronomy Concentration at Columbia University
“Reversing Pathogenic Changes in NaV1.1 Channelopathies Linked to Epilepsy"
Mentor: Dr. Ben Johny
Kimberly Pothemont
Biochemistry at Tufts University
“Can Cesarean Deliveries Impact Maternal Sensitivity during Early Infancy"
Mentor: Dr. Spann
   
Jailene Ramos
Human Evolutionary Biology and Astrophysics at Harvard University
“Identifying Crt-I Split Points for Yeast Biosensor Readout Optimization"
Mentor: Dr. Cornish
Franddy Rodriquez
Biology: Health Science Track / Minor in Chemistry at CUNY College of Staten Island
“Measuring DHODH Gene Expression in Human Cystic Fibrosis Epithelial Cells After Bacterial Infection"
Mentor: Dr. Prince
   
Edmund Sagastume
Biology, Conc. Behavioral Neuroscience/ Chemistry Minor at CUNY Hunter College
“Rescue of Distinct Trafficking-deficient KCNQ2 Channels Using Engineered Deubiquitinases"
Mentor: Dr. Colecraft
Shomari Smith
Biomedical Engineering at Yale University
“Intermittent, Time Restricted Feeding Effects Lipid Storage in Drosophila"
Mentor: Dr. Shirasu-Hiza
Bhavna Sonare
Biomedical Engineering at Binghamton University
“Localization of NK Cell Receptors in Migrating Cells"
Mentor: Dr. Mace
Kris Stallings
Biology at Emory University
“Clustering SLAMF6 and CD45 with Bivalent Antibody Enhances Primary T cell Activation"
Mentor: Dr. Mor
   
Faria Tavacoli
Public Health/Neuroscience at University of Nevada Las Vegas “Characterization of Interneurons That May Be Important for Mechanosensory Circuit Function and Behavior in Drosophila Melanogaster Larvae "
Mentor: Dr. Grueber
Carl Tchagou
Neuroscience and Behavior/Biology
at Columbia University
“Examining the Role of Leaky Ryanodine Receptors in Alzheimer’s Disease"
Mentor: Dr. Marks
   
 
Jp Woodham
Englishh at Columbia University
“An Investigation into the Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in the Spontaneous Generation of Emphysema in Serpina1a-e Knockout Mice"
Mentor: Dr. Dr. D’Armiento
 
   
   
   

 


In accordance with Columbia University and government policies, SPURS continued a hybrid format. All of our students were able to perform in-person research in laboratories at Columbia University Medical Center and many were able to be housed in Columbia dormitories. Due to positive feedback we received from last year’s class, we incorporated both in-person and Zoom lectures throughout the duration of the program.

SPURS 2022 PROGRAM

1) Orientation

The program began on June 1st, 2022 with an orientation led by Kyle Stearns, and SPURS co-Directors Drs. Monica Goldklang, Andrew Marks, and Jeanine D’Armiento. Orientation included an overview of the summer’s curriculum instruction in Laboratory and Research Safety from the CUMC Environmental Health and Safety Department. This comprehensive lecture included how to maintain a safe environment through hazardous waste management, biological safety, fire safety, the use of personal protective equipment and chemical tracking/safety. Orientation events concluded with a discourse regarding ethical conduct of research followed by our first guest lecture by SPURS alumnus Dr. Michael Holsey (Class of 2007).

2) Premiere Lecture Series

The hybrid program format enabled the SPURS Premier Lecture Series to include academic and industry leaders from across the United States. The diversity and wealth of the speakers’ backgrounds were reflected in the breadth of discussions they had with the students. All speakers were encouraged to reflect on their career paths and provided insight into the students’ own career development regarding MD and PhD programs. Examples of the topics covered in the formal portions of lectures included cutting-edge scientific research, inner workings of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the NIH, and how new drugs are developed. In addition to career insights, speakers also discussed personal stories of difficulties encountered by underrepresented persons in academic medicine, and professional decision making to excel in graduate school and beyond. This year we had an especially diverse set of speakers at various stages in their careers.

The panel of speakers included: Dr. Michael Holsey, Dr. Anil Rustgi, Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, Dr. Jaime Rubin, Dr. Dennis Mitchell, Dr. Emily Mace, Dr. Lyndon Mitnaul, Dr. Nicole Redmond, Dr. Edward Owusu-Ansah, Dr. De'Broski Herbert, Dr. David Anstey, Dr. Kevin Bath, and Lloyd Trotter. These sessions also served as an opportunity for the program directors to monitor the students’ progress, address any issues or concerns, and connect.

3) Mentor Guided Research

Students received hands-on experience by working with a CUMC faculty member with shared research interests. The exact nature of the work was primarily tailored to the student’s respective interest relating to their faculty member’s area of expertise. Students became familiar with their PI’s research and techniques. When possible, PI’s provided their students with data analysis training and an opportunity to apply what they learned to progressing the laboratory’s research.

4) Student Oral Presentations

On July 25th, students presented their research at the CUPP Symposium Poster Session. The 2022 program culminated on July 29th when each student gave an oral presentation of their summer project to Drs. Marks, D’Armiento, Goldklang, as well as mentors, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and graduate students. Extensive feedback to each SPURS student was provided with guidance on the scientific content as well as presentation.