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