CURE Symposium

CURE Symposia

Jump to: Spring 2022 Virtual Symposium | Fall 2022 In-Person Symposium | Spring 2021 Virtual Symposium

Each semester, over 200 students participate in CURE research streams under the direction of faculty research mentors. Each semester, we gather to celebrate their work and allow both faculty and students to engage in conversation with the community about their projects.

Research experiences are pivotal in the education and professional development of undergraduate science majors. Yet, there are many more students than can access traditional research internships. To meet the demand for undergraduate research experiences, natural sciences faculty develop projects that engage whole classes in addressing a scientific question or problem, dubbed Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE).

The CURE Symposium will feature selected projects from unique CURE research streams from each semester's cohort. Students will share what they learned and how they have benefited from their research experiences this semester. The annual research symposium is a celebration of undergraduate research experiences. It is a great opportunity for the Bowie State University community and external students, faculty and staff to learn more about research and program opportunities in the Department of Natural Sciences and at Bowie State University.

Spring 2022 Virtual Symposium

Friday, May 9, 2022 from 4-7 p.m.

Spring 2022 Symposium Projects

Physics – Particle Analysis (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dawit Hailu)
Project Title: On the Kinematics of Sneezing Droplets (Particle Analysis)
Authors: Alvin Atuonah, Ariana Burns, Bintou Diaoune, India Edmondson, Bernadine Lacdao, Cinaya McLean, Kamsi Nebo, Bruce Purvis Jr., Elijah Roberts, Omarni Staley
Physics – Computational Analysis (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dawit Hailu)
Project Title: On the Kinematics of Sneezing Droplets (Computational Analysis)
Authors*: Roxan Rockfeller, Seyi Akinwale, Isata Conteh, Chikezie Igwebuike, Matsuichiro Shimizu, PhD, and Dawit Hailu, PhD
DNA Barcoding (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Glover)
Project Title: Collection Season Affects Ant Diversity
Authors*: Sydney Rivas and Mary Glover, PhD
Animal Ecology (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Wiley)
Project Title: Are invasive barn owls eating the endangered seabirds of Kauai?
Authors*: Alexandria Dubuclet^, Olivia Gray^, Alex Dutcher#, Kyle Pias#, Yvette Connell-Albert, PhD, David Miller, and Anne Wiley, PhD
^ Alexandria Dubuclet and Olivia Gray are co-first authors for this project.
# Alex Dutcher and Kyle Pias are co-founders of Hallux Ecosystem Restoration, LLC. We thank Hallux Ecosystem Resoration, LLC for their partnership, funding, and materials donated to make this CURE Research Stream a success.
Drug Discovery (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jacqueline Smith)
Project Title: Nitration of Ortho/Para Directors and their Directing Strength Compared to Phenol
Authors*: Kamsi Nebo, Avianna Waters, and Jacqueline Smith, PhD
Metagenomics (Faculty Mentor: Dr. George Ude)
Project Title: Longitudinal Study of Seasonal Effects on Soil Microbial Communities at Bowie State University Campus Using Metagenomics Approach
Authors*: Joshua Stephenson, Yayé Sy, Valdel Lekane Tedjouteu, Marshá McDowell, Constance Ihearahu, Camelia Youayou, Dontavies Newton, and George Ude, PhD
Antibiotic Resistance (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sylvia Ejeh)
Project Title: Evaluating Antibiotic Resistance in the Streams of the City of Bowie
Authors*: Cameryn Dubose, Salena Frost, TyNiah Dates, and Haniya Harris, and Sylvia Ejeh, PhD
Bioinformatics (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Konda Reddy Karnati)
Project Title: Exploring Dual-Inhibition of Adenosine and Dopamine Receptor through Molecular Dynamic Simulation
Authors*: Dennis Mondares, Ebere Ugorji, Simone Olubo, and Konda Reddy Karnati, PhD

Applied Biotechnology (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Supriyo Ray)
Project Title: Improving Energy Output of Soil-Based Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors*: Kamsi Nebo, Patrice Smith, Paige Blake, Mical Lindsay, Jason Abraham, and Supriyo Ray, PhD
Genetic Engineering (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Supriyo Ray)
Project Title: Analysis & Characterization of microRNA (miRNA) Database Expressed in Musa sp. (Banana)
Authors*: Michelle Masih, Jessica Osuchukwu, Yayé Sy, Mical Lindsay, Jason Abraham, and Supriyo Ray, PhD
Field Biology (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Wiley)
Project Title: Wetland animals of Patuxent Research Refuge: Reliance on terrestrial nutrients and function of carotenoid coloration
Morgan Robinson, Emani Strickland-Elliot, Benvindo Chicha, India Barnett, Yvette Connell-Albert, PhD, and Anne Wiley, PhD

*Each of these projects represents one group within a classroom of enrolled students. All students participated in a research project and investigated a similar research question of interest to the scientific community.

Fall 2022 In-Person Symposium

Tuesday, December 13, 2022 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fall 2022 Symposium Projects

DNA Barcoding (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sylvia Ejeh)
Project Title: DNA Barcoding for Quality Control of Gluten-Free Rice Flour Blend
Authors*: Kadija Sesay, Taylor Lewis, Damilola Ogunnoyi, Madison Artis, Dawn Marshall, Constance Ihearahu, Joshua Stevenson, David Miller, and Sylvia Ejeh, PhD
DNA Barcoding (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Niangoran Koissi)
Project Title: DNA Barcoding of Commercial Teas to Test for Adulteration
Authors: C. Enwereji, A. Khumbah, R. Dembele, V. Atkinson., M. Baldwin, A. Blackshear., K. Brown, J. Champ, C. Davis, M. Dunn, M. Ellis, M. Gaddy, S. Gibson, B. Gordon., L. Harrison, A. Jabbie, D. Jones, K. Jones, R. Joseph, A. McLane, T. Munlyn, A. Ojeda-Brown, O. Olaniyi, M. Oliver, A. Remond, P. Thomas, M. Tomalli, T. Whitfield, M. Williams. C. Ihearahu, J. Stephenson, D. Miller, I. Conteh, and N. Koissi
Animal Ecology (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Wiley)
Project Title: How often do invasive barn owls (Tyto alba) depredate seabirds in Kauai, HI?
Authors*: Alexandria Dubuclet^, Olivia Gray^, Alex Dutcher#, Kyle Pias#, Yvette Connell-Albert, PhD, David Miller, and Anne Wiley, PhD
^ Alexandria Dubuclet and Olivia Gray are co-first authors for this project.
# Alex Dutcher and Kyle Pias are co-founders of Hallux Ecosystem Restoration, LLC. We thank Hallux Ecosystem Resoration, LLC for their partnership, funding, and materials donated to make this CURE Research Stream a success.
Metagenomics (Faculty Mentor: Dr. George Ude)
Project Title: Metagenomics: Biodiversity of Microbes at Horsepen Branch and Patuxent Research Center
Authors: D. Chofong, T. Clark, B.Diaoune, T.Douglas,M.Gaskins, C.Mathews, J.White, A.Wheelerjr, S.Thorns, S.Thomas, T.Techam,A.Sullivan, P.Smith, K.Smith,P.Skinner, J.Simmons, A.Pullen, A.Pettijohn, J.Osuchukwu, A.Moore, T.Mintz, A.Mason, O.Lawal, M.Koroma, A.Jenkins, A.Goldring, K.England, Z.Days, P.Blake, J.Bartlett, D.Barnes, K.Atabong, A.Andrews, M.Alghamdi, O. Ihearahu, J. Stephenson, A. Atuonah, and G. Ude

Antibiotic Resistance (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sylvia Ejeh)
Overarching Project Title for Research Stream: Antibiotic Resistance of Bacteria Present in Local Water Sites
Project 1 Title: Effects of Urbanization in Water Bodies in Bowie, MD
Authors (Project 1)*: Tomilola Afere, Jevon Hamilton, Andrea Interiano, Jaiyah Richardson, Jasmine Shanks, Olawumi Akinfeleye, and Sylvia Ejeh, PhD

Project 2 Title: Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance
Authors (Project 2)*: Gina-Helen E Muya, Jayden McNeil, Michel’e Rice, Autumn Barrett, Abayami Adetayo, Olawumi Akinfeleye, and Sylvia Ejeh, PhD
Bioinformatics (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Konda Reddy Karnati)
Project Title: Exploring Genomic Diversity of SARS-CoV-2 through Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis
Authors*: Lance Justin Nuique, Simone Olubo, and Konda Reddy Karnati, PhD
Bioinformatics (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Konda Reddy Karnati)
Project Title: Identification of Potential Inhibitors Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease
Authors*: Joshua Stephenson, Jamal Bailey, and Konda Reddy Karnati, PhD

Applied Biotechnology (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Supriyo Ray)
Project Title: Enhancing Power Output of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) to Generate Clean Energy
Authors*: Alvin Atuonah, Keisha Medina Diaz, Zhayne Hackett, Jason Abraham, and Supriyo Ray, PhD

Genetic Engineering (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Supriyo Ray)
Project Title: Analysis of Next Generation Sequenced (NGS) microRNA Data Derived from Banana Cultivars (Musa acuminata)
Authors*: Chrisgeo Provido, Jason Abraham, and Supriyo Ray, PhD
Field Biology (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Wiley)
Overarching Project Title for Research Stream: Trophic Dynamics of Native & Invasive Omnivores in the Wetlands of Patuxent Research Refuge

Project 1 Title: Freshwater Turtles and their Dietary Niches
Authors (Project 1)*: Olawumi Akinfeleye, Zaimat Bayero, Sudana Thomas, Shannon Thornes, Yvette Connell-Albert, PhD, and Anne Wiley, PhD

Project 2 Title: Dietary Preferences of Red Swamp Crayfishes (Procambarus clarkii) and Competition with Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) in Wetlands of the Patuxent Research Refuge
Authors (Project 2)*: Tia Harris, Treeana Jordan, Kyle Fall, Jessica Shaw, Yvette Connell-Albert, PhD, and Anne Wiley, PhD

Drug Analysis (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nick Sbrockey)
Overarching Project Title for Research Stream: Effect of Food Type, Storage and Preparation on Vitamin C Content
All Authors: Sarah Aidoo, Yusuf Aliyu, Matanyah Beauge, Nalia Carter, Madison Crimes, Keyana Faith, Saje Gardner, Kira Hall, Zequoia Harris, Elanda Henriques, Dayanna Jamison, Mohamed Kaba, Gavin Kosh, Brooklynn Lee, Latasia Lockett, Mikayla McCray, Anaya Mckenzie, Amaya Millien, Samya Richburg, Roxan Rockefeller, Sydney Tabor, Adreonia Watson, Monet Williams, Jonathan Womblejr, and Nick Sbrockey

Project 1 Title: Effect of Food Storage on Vitamin C Content of a Tomato
Authors (Project 1): Matanyah Beauge, Saje Gardner, Kira Hall, Brooklynn Lee, Roxan Rockefeller^, and Nick Sbrockey

Project 2 Title: Vitamin C Content in Different Parts of a Papaya
Authors (Project 2)*: Sarah Aidoo, Dayanna Jamison, Gavin Kosh, Latasia Lockett, Anaya Mckenzie, Sydney Tabor, and Nick Sbrockey

Physics – Particle Analysis (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dawit Hailu)
Project Title: Is 6ft a Safe Enough Distance?
Authors*: Karen Fritzges, Azariah Gray, Keonna Smith, Madelyn Varela, K’Teya Wallace, Airrund Woolen, Matsuichiro Shimizu, PhD, and Dawit Hailu, PhD
Physics – Computational Analysis (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dawit Hailu)
Project Title: The Optimal Distance for Safety Against Sneeze Droplets
Authors: Olawumi Akinfeleye^, Gemachu Belay, Iyanna Jones^, Myron Matthews, Chukwuemeka Obizuo^, Ikenna Okudoh, Matsuichiro Shimizu, PhD, and Dawit Hailu, PhD
^ Olawumi Akinfeleye, Iyanna Jones, and Chukwuemeka Obizuo are co-first authors for this project.

Spring 2021 Virtual Symposium

Friday, May 7, 2021 from 1-4 p.m.

About 240 natural sciences majors participated in CURE projects in spring 2021 under the direction of faculty mentors. Featured projects include DNA Barcoding, Field Biology, Drug Discovery, Genetic Engineering, Metagenomics, and more.

Spring 2021 Symposium Projects

Applied Biotechnology (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Supriyo Ray)
Project Title: Cloning of Staphylococcus aureus derived EsxB Protein for Structural and Functional Studies
Student Presenters: Dajia Edwards and Rahmat Husain
Bioinformatics (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Konda Reddy Karnati)
Project Title: Exploring HIV-1 Integrase and Human LEDGF/p75 protein-protein interaction through computational studies
Student Presenters: Chisom Obasi and Simone Olubo
DNA Barcoding (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Glover)
Project Title: Bird Species Richness is Not Affected by Human Land Use in Prince George’s County Parks
Student Presenters: Ibrahim Aziz, Chermai Busby and Renée Taylor
Drug Discovery (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jacqueline Smith)
Project Title: Effect of Physiochemical Properties on VCP efficacy
Student Presenters: Ines Kenhoung and Yaye Se
Field Biology (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Wiley)
Project Title: Dietary competition and diet-based color signals in freshwater turtles: Starting a New CURE in Field Biology
Student Presenters: Bisola Akindolire, Alexa Dragon, Deborah Onyia, Kiasha Samuels, Joan Sobo and Kristin Wood
Genetic Engineering (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Supriyo Ray)
Project Title: Predicting and Analyzing mRNA Sequences for SARS-COV-2 Mutants for mRNA based Vaccine Design
Student Presenters: Benvindo Chicha and Joan Sobo
Genetics (Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tyesha Burks)
Project Title: Investigating the Role of Cholesterol on Coronaviruses
Student Presenters: Chartise Logan and Kamsi Nebo
Metagenomics (Faculty Mentor: Dr. George Ude)
Project Title: Longitudinal Study of Seasonal Effects on Soil Microbial Communities at Bowie State University Campus Using Metagenomics Approach
Student Presenters: Benvindo Chicha, David Miller, Ruth Sam and Joan Sobo