Seven local undergraduate students presented their research work April 19 as part of the NIEHS Scholars Connect Program (NSCP) Annual Symposium. The event marked the end of an academic year-long internship for the scholars, who received hands-on mentored research training from NIEHS scientists.
NSCP is a paid biomedical research internship for underrepresented undergraduate students in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina spanning one academic year (three semesters). With the help of NIEHS scientist-mentors, scholars define a project, construct and test a hypothesis, analyze results, draw conclusions, and report the results. Launched in 2012, the program is committed to encouraging students to pursue careers in basic and clinical scientific investigation.
“It’s incredible to see the confidence that NSCP scholars develop as young scientists from their first poster presentation to the Annual Symposium,” said Undergraduate Research Program Manager Suchandra Bhattacharjee, Ph.D., of the NIEHS Office of Science Education & Diversity (OSED). “Their presentation and the poise with which they answer questions results from the time with their projects and mentors.”
Environmental contributors to health and disease
The annual symposium’s oral presentations were the culmination of a year of practicing research communication skills as part of a previous poster presentation and elevator pitch competition. Scholars who participated and their respective majors and universities, mentors, and talk topics follow.
Sarah Combs, a senior majoring in environmental health sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — mentored by Veronica Godfrey Robinson, Vesna Chappell, Ph.D., and Sue Fenton, Ph.D. — discussed how PFAS may affect a mother’s ability to produce milk.
Fiona Daly, a senior majoring in human biology at North Carolina State University — mentored by Helena Hogberg, Ph.D., and Nicole Kleinstreuer, Ph.D. — shared an approach for determining the effects of chemicals on the developing nervous system.
Justin Gutkowski, a senior majoring in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at North Carolina State University — mentored by Erik Tokar, Ph.D., Guang Hu, Ph.D., and Anna Kreutz, Ph.D. — explained how he used embryonic stem cells to better understand the effects of chemicals on the brain cells responsible for mood.
Alex Marchi, a senior majoring in genetics at North Carolina State University — mentored by Pelin Yasar, Ph.D., Fleur Chapus, Ph.D., and Joseph Rodriguez, Ph.D. — discussed the transcription properties of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
Giovonnii Nelson, a junior majoring in psychology at North Carolina State University — mentored by Jean Harry, Ph.D. — shared research on the effects of HIV therapeutics on the nervous system.
Neha Palle, a senior majoring in cognitive science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — mentored by David Scoville, Ph.D., and Anton Jetten, Ph.D. — discussed how a transcription factor involved in insulin production could be targeted to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Noelle Rodriguez, a junior majoring in diagnostic medical sonography at Wake Tech Community College — mentored by Yitang Yan, Ph.D., and Darlene Dixon, D.V.M., Ph.D. — discussed the impact of long-term exposure to cadmium on female reproductive function.
Supporting young scholars
“You’ve all done tremendous work, and we are so proud of you,” said Office of Science Education & Diversity Director Ericka Reid, Ph.D., during the awards ceremony.
In the future, Reid, who says the professional growth and development of these students inspires her every day, is excited to continue growing the program for as many scholars as possible.
“When we started the program in 2012, six research groups were interested in reviewing students’ applications for training opportunities, but today we have almost 40 research groups interested in hosting students.”
NSCP has hosted students from the following institutions.
- North Carolina Central University.
- North Carolina State University.
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- St. Augustine’s University.
- Duke University.
- Meredith College.
- North Carolina A&T State University.
- Shaw University.
- Fayetteville State University.
- William Peace University.
- Wake Tech Community College.
To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/research/scholars.
(Lindsay Key is a contract writer for the NIEHS Office of Communications and Public Liaison.)
