Life Sciences Commons^™

A Comparison Of In Vitro Studies Between Cobalt(Iii) And Copper(Ii) Complexes With Thiosemicarbazone Ligands To Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Duaa R. Alajroush, Chloe B. Smith, Brittney F. Anderson, Ifeoluwa T. Oyeyemi, Stephen J. Beebe, Alvin A. Holder

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, and disproportionately affects African American women. TNBC cells lack the common hormone receptors that many pre-existing cancer treatments target. Fortunately, metal-based complexes with thiosemicarbazone ligands have gained significant attention for their potential as anti-cancer agents. Cobalt(III) complex ([Co(phen)2(MeATSC)](NO3)3•1.5H2O•C2H5OH]) and Copper(II) complex ([Cu(acetylethTSC)Cl]Cl•0.25C2H5OH) specifically have properties of high toxicity, which can contribute to decreased cancer cell activity. The effects of these complexes are currently being investigated on cancerous and non-cancerous breast cell lines. The cytotoxic effect of the cobalt(lll) complex and the copper(ll) complex was analyzed …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Cytotoxicity Studies Of A Copper(Ii) Complex With Vanillin 3-Ethyl-Thiosemcarbazone A Ligand, Novia Mann, Ifeoluwa Oyeyemi, Duaa R. Alajroush, Elizabeth A. Tonsel-White, Stephen J. Beebe, Alvin Holder

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and challenging breast cancer subtypes to treat, as these cancer cells lack three common receptors: estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The multiple oxidation states transition metals can occupy have made this narrowly explored group popular for anti-cancer research in recent decades. Furthermore, the success of cisplatin, which has platinum as a metal center, while being a cancer-fighting agent with serious side effects, has caused other metal centers to be investigated as possible alternatives as chemotherapeutic drugs. Copper, as a biologically essential metal, makes an attractive candidate …

Margalefidinium Polykrikoides Cyst Resuspension In The Lafayette River, A Sub-Tributary Of The Chesapeake Bay, Gabrielle Greaney, Eduardo Perez Vega, Katherine Crider, Dreux Chappell, Kimberly Powell, Richard Hale, Peter Bernhardt, Margaret Mulholland

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Harmful Algal Blooms are a collection of algae in a body of water that can cause serious environmental issues and health problems in both people and aquatic organisms. Dinoflagellates are microscopic, unicellular, and eukaryotic organisms that are well known for forming harmful algal blooms because of eutrophication. Coastal Virginia suffers from HABs in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. A common species of dinoflagellate, known as Margalefidinium polykrikoides exists in the Chesapeake Bay. The purpose of this study is to determine if sediment resuspension produced by wind generated surface gravity waves cause cysts (dinoflagellate resting stages) to be suspended into …

The Effects Of Urbanization On Plant Biodiversity In Southeastern Virginia, Tess Hardesty

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This research project investigated the impacts of urbanization on plant species biodiversity within Southeastern Virginia. The hypothesized results of this research were if there was an increase in urbanization, then plant diversity would decrease. Plant biodiversity can increase the decomposition rates, pollination success, and biomass production of the area. Decreasing in plant biodiversity can increase the spread of pathogens through plant populations and increase herbivore damage. There was data compiled from SERNEC herbarium records of four counties, Accomack, Northampton, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach had the largest population increase, which was considered the measurement for urbanization in this study. …

Orofacial Manifestations Of Lyme Disease: A Systematic Review, Kelsey Jones, Brenda Bradshaw

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Purpose: Several orofacial symptoms of Lyme disease can affect anatomical structures of the head and neck which are frequently examined by dental professionals. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the literature to identify the frequencies of orofacial manifestations documented in U.S. populations with Lyme disease.

Methods: Four electronic databases (Dentistry and Oral Sciences, PubMed, Cinahl Plus, and Medline) were systematically searched from May 2019 until October 2019 using keywords and MeSH terms to identify relevant studies. The review followed guidelines set forth in Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A modified version of the …

Digging Out The Devils: Molecular Examination Of Amoeba-Like Cells From Cranial Tissue Of The Endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow, Brandon Hamel

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The Rio Grande Silvery Minnow (Hybognathus amarus) is a critically endangered species native to the southwestern United States. Since the 1990s its population has declined dramatically due to extensive human alteration of the Rio Grande for agriculture and civil development. This has resulted in habitat degradation and impedance to proper migration, resulting in the minnow now occupying only 5% of its historical range. An active restocking and recovery program is underway through the US Fish and Wildlife Service involving breeding programs at three New Mexico sites. In the summer of 2012, aquaculture specimens began exhibiting an unusual spinning …

Calcification Rates Indicate Thermal Stress Tolerance In Belize “Backreef” Corals, David D. Jones

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Reef-building corals host symbiotic algae known as zooxanthellae living within their tissues. Exposure to prolonged elevated temperature can cause corals to expel their symbionts and lead to coral bleaching. In this study, corals from Florida and Belize inshore reefs (high temperature variability) and offshore reefs (low temperature variability) were subjected to a 6-week-long heat stress experiment to determine if inshore corals displayed higher stress tolerance than offshore samples. Measurements of calcification rates suggested that Belize’s inshore or “BackReef” corals demonstrated the greatest growth and stress tolerance. Ongoing symbiont density measurements will provide further clues to stress tolerance.

Damsels In Distress: A Preliminary Assessment Of Pomacentridae Extinction Risk, Allison Roberts

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The family Pomacentridae is among the most diverse of the perciformes, boasting 400 different species of damselfish. These fish are found in coral reefs of varying depths around the world, most of which risk great damage due to climate change. In addition, many species are key components of the ornamental aquarium trade. Considering these threats, the importance of examining the state of Pomacentridae is paramount in examining the health of our oceans. Using IUCN Red List methods, preliminary data suggests some species of damselfish are at elevated risk of extinction.

Rums: Research For Undergraduates In Math And Science, David Gauthier

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Chair: Dr. David Gauthier, Department of Biological Sciences

Presenters: Elizabeth Smith, Jessica Vincent, Amarilis Dyer, Amy Johnson, Joseph Brown

Undergraduate Research In Biology: Field Studies, Eric Walters

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Chair: Eric Walters, Department of Biological Sciences

Undergraduate Research In Biology: Ticks, Holly Gaff

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Chair: Dr. Holly Gaff, Department of Biological Sciences

Undergraduate Research In Biology: Aquatic, David Gauthier

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Chair: Dr. David Gauthier, Department of Biological Sciences