Mansfield University junior earns NASA-funded research scholarship and second summer internship

Junior Lauren Griffith, a Mansfield University cell & molecular biology major, received a $4,000 research scholarship from the NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium.

Griffith's funded proposal focuses on the link between the gut microbiome and cancer development and spread. Griffith, a native of Upper Marlboro, Md., was also awarded a Summer 2022 internship through the National Institute of Health's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP) program.

Prior to these awards, Griffith earned a Summer 2021 internship through Cornell University's Microbial Friends and Foes Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Through this 10-week hybrid virtual/in-person internship, Griffith developed a research project evaluating a specific type of large gastrointestinal bacterium, in which she analyzed the genome and differential gene expression across different morphotypes. The internship concluded with a poster and oral presentation on her work.

In addition to learning about genomics and bioinformatics, part of this internship experience included career exploration. Griffith explains, "During the last week of my internship, we met with different career-related panels. PhD candidates talked with us about their upcoming career choices, and from those discussions I decided I wanted to pursue a PhD in a Biology-related field."

Griffith joined the research laboratory of Dr. Kristen Long, associate professor of biology, in Fall 2021 and developed a research proposal investigating the link between the gut microbiome and tumor development and spread, using pancreatic cancer as a model of disease. The proposal was used when applying for the NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium Scholarship. Griffith's awarded funding will support her research during the 2022-23 academic year. Part of the scholarship requirement involves community outreach, where Griffith will continue her role as an American Cancer Society's ResearcHERs ambassador.

This summer, Griffith will complete her STEP-UP internship at the University of Maryland and will work in a cell and microenvironment engineering laboratory focused on advancing scientific knowledge on how to approach therapeutic strategies for diseases.

"This summer I look to gain more insight into the biomedical side of science," said Griffith. "In addition, I hope to bring the skills and knowledge I acquire through this experience and apply them to my NASA-funded research project on pancreatic cancer. I'm super excited about these upcoming opportunities!"

Griffith looks to tie together information from all three of her experiences to address the question: How does diet influence the gut microbiome, and in turn, influence disease development and/or resistance therapy? "These experiences will not only help researchers understand this link at a scientific level, but they will allow me to continue to explore my creative and problem-solving side while also preparing me for graduate school," Griffith continued. "Every aspect of these unique opportunities encompasses what I want to accomplish through a career as scientist."

NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium Scholarships are awarded to rising juniors and seniors attending an accredited Pennsylvania college or university and are enrolled in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics program. Scholarship recipients agree to participate in multiple education outreach and mentoring activities throughout the award cycle.

Dr. Long's research laboratory at Mansfield University focuses on the physical and immunological aspects of pancreatic cancer and how both contribute to tumor development and resistance to standard cancer therapies.

Shaelyn Marx '22, Brittney Atkins '21, Caitlin Beauduy '21, Catherine Troutman '20, and Adrianna Vaskas '19 each received a NASA research scholarship under Long's advisement and are currently pursing advanced degrees in graduate programs or working in the biomedical sciences industry.

For more information about the biology program at Mansfield University or to learn more on this and other active research projects in Dr. Long's laboratory, visit Mansfield Biology

LHU Biology Department to host the 53rd annual Commonwealth Biology Conference

The Lock Haven University Biology Department will host the 53rd annual Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists (CPUB) Conference. The event will be held virtually on Zoom and will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 9.

WHAT: Commonwealth Biology Conference

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9

WHERE: Virtual, Zoom

WHO: Heather Bechtold, hab206@lockhaven.edu or Jenny Bandura, jlb915@lockhaven.edu

 

Speakers will include Dr. Bashar Hanna, LHU interim president; Greg Turner, wildlife biologist with the PA Game Commission's Bureau of Wildlife Management; Dr. Brent Sewall, associate professor in the Department of Biology at Temple University; Dr. Matthew Foradori, professor and director of medical technology and nuclear medicine technology at Edinboro University and CPUB interim president.

Conference hosts will be Drs. Jenny Bandura and Heather Bechtold, LHU biology faculty.

Greg Turner, keynote speaker, is a wildlife biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Bureau of Wildlife Management and works with diseases affecting bat populations including white-nose syndrome and COVID. He is interested in conservation and management of wildlife.

Dr. Brent Sewall, keynote speaker, is an associate professor in the Department of Biology at Temple University. The goal of his research is to understand and address critical and emerging threats to biodiversity and to develop effective strategies for conservation. Ongoing work focuses on understanding threats to North American hibernating bats caused by the emerging infectious disease known as white-nose syndrome; identifying and addressing critical threats to tropical and temperate biodiversity; and understanding factors underpinning the resilience of ecological communities.

Dr. Matthew Foradori is a professor and director of medical technology and nuclear medicine technology at Edinboro University and serves as the CPUB interim president for 2022.

Dr. Jennifer Bandura is a cancer biologist in the Biology Department at LHU. She has been a co-director of the Lock Haven CPUB chapter since 2019.

Dr. Heather Bechtold is a biology professor at LHU and ecosystem ecologist that studies both aquatic and terrestrial systems. She has served as director of CPUB for the LHU chapter since 2014.

The CPUB meeting will be held in a virtual format using Zoom webinars and is free and open to the public. To register, visit CPUB Conference 2022 (lockhaven.edu).

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists (CPUB) was founded in 1973 as an organization to provide support for the teaching and research activities of faculty in the biological sciences from the fourteen state-owned universities in the State System of Higher Education (SSHE). Its activities have included scientific meetings, symposia and institutes for the enhancement of the professional development of its members and associates. It also provides a forum for graduate and undergraduate students for the presentation of their research.

 

Bloomsburg University Again Named National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Bloomsburg, PA (02/24/2022) — Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's digital forensics and cyber security program has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through the academic year 2027 by the National Security Agency (NSA). This marks the second time Bloomsburg University has earned this designation.

This recognition indicates BU's digital forensics program within the Department of Mathematical and Cyber Security has met stringent curriculum, faculty, and research criteria. It demonstrates an institution-wide commitment to information assurance practices and education.

Sponsored by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, CAE programs promote higher education and research to increase the number of professionals with information assurance expertise and reduce U.S. infrastructure vulnerability.

"We are honored to again be recognized by the NSA as a National Center of Excellence," said BU President Bashar Hanna. "This noteworthy designation affirms that our program has once again demonstrated an institution-wide commitment to information assurance practices and cyber defense education. I am grateful to my faculty colleagues for their dedication to our students."

"A highly skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national security advantage," said Karen Leuschner, National CAE Program Manager, NSA. "The United States government will continue to invest in and enhance programs that build the domestic talent pipeline, from primary through post-secondary education."

Students attending CAE schools are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program and the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program. Nationally designated CAEs also receive formal recognition from the U.S. government.

For more information on BU's program visit: 

www.bloomu.edu/academics/programs/digital-forensics-and-cybersecurity-bs

Chemistry Student Earns Prestigious Undergraduate Research Award

Bloomsburg University senior Helena Eby has been awarded a Society of Toxicology (SOT) Undergraduate Research Award (SURA) to be presented at the 2022 SOT Conference in San Diego from March 27 to 31. Her poster is titled, "Evaluating the anti-proliferative effects of a PPAR-Beta/Delta ligand isosteric selenium replacement in a human melanoma cell line."

 

The SOT application process is highly selective, and this year Eby is the only awardee from a public, primarily undergraduate institution. Other SOT 2022 Undergraduate Research award winners attend Duke, Rutgers, North Carolina State, Louisville, Kansas, Johns Hopkins, Case Western, Washington (MO), and Oregon State universities.

Eby, a chemistry major, has been conducting research in the lab of American Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Education Fellow Michael Borland, BU professor of chemistry and biochemistry, since the spring 2021 semester. The research is funded by a PA State System of Higher Education Faculty Professional Development grant. Eby was also awarded a BU Chemistry & Biochemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Experience grant to support summer 2021 research.

Eby's work studies how a cellular receptor, called PPAR-Beta/Delta, can be targeted as a potential malignant melanoma therapeutic. She uses pharmaceutical activators of PPAR-Beta/Delta and cutting-edge laboratory techniques at BU to study cancer cell growth and tumor formation. Her studies have also examined how chemical changes to PPAR-Beta/Delta activators can alter the anti-cancer effects. Eby has been instrumental in developing new assays in Borland's lab, as well as mentoring new students to the lab group. Eby and Borland are currently preparing the work for publication in a toxicology- or cancer-related peer-reviewed scientific journal.

"Quite honestly, if you told me told four years ago when I started college that I would be working with melanoma cancer, I would not believe it," said Eby. "For a long time, it was a goal of mine to partake in research of some kind. I just was not sure how to get involved. I am very grateful that Dr. Borland offered me a chance to join his lab because I have learned so much and gained amazing opportunities."

"On behalf of the entire Bloomsburg University community, I congratulate Helena on this prestigious award," said BU President Bashar Hanna. "The application pool for this award is highly competitive, and for Helena to be recognized along with undergraduate students from large research institutions is a noteworthy accomplishment. I also congratulate Dr. Borland for his outstanding mentorship of Helena."

"Helena earning this award is a great testament to her hard work and dedication to the project, especially during the pandemic," Borland said. "Helena has leveraged the cutting-edge laboratory resources available in the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department to grow this project by leaps and bounds."

The SURA covers travel, lodging, and attendance at the conference. She will participate in the Undergraduate Program and meet world-renowned toxicologists from industry, government, and academia. She'll have the opportunity to network and learn about future career opportunities and be recognized at the SURA awards ceremony.

    

"Helena's award is proof positive of the high impact research experiences that BU students can undertake as part of their Husky journey," said Borland. "Creating and maintaining the infrastructure to support these types of student opportunities is always challenging, and I am thankful for our university's continued investment in chemistry and biochemistry and student research campus-wide."

Eby, who will graduate in May, has big plans for the future.

"I plan to attend graduate school in the fall. My long-term goals involve medical school; however, I am not ready to give up research just yet — as Dr. Borland says, I 'caught the bug.' My plan is to pursue both an M.D. and Ph.D."

Bloomsburg University and Lehigh Carbon Community College Partnership Streamlines Path to Technology Degree

  BLOOMSBURG, PA (02/09/2022) — Students interested in pursuing a career in the growing field of electronics engineering technology now have a streamlined path to earn their associate and bachelor's degrees, thanks to an agreement between Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) and Bloomsburg University.

    Unique to this agreement is that transfer credits will also be accepted from Career and Technical Education centers, creating a seamless pathway from Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Carbon Career and Technical Institute, and Schuylkill Technology Center to Bloomsburg University.

    Students who apply for dual admission and graduate with their associate in applied science degree in electrical engineering technology from LCCC and fulfill BU's transfer requirements are guaranteed admission to Bloomsburg with at least full junior standing. All 68 credits for the EET program at LCCC will transfer to BU's program.

    "We are thrilled to be able to partner with Lehigh Carbon Community College to create a simple and consistent way for their students to transfer to Bloomsburg University," said BU Provost and Senior Vice President Diana Rogers-Adkinson. "The goal with this agreement is to get students on a quicker path to success."

    This agreement provides a program of study that includes a sequence of technical courses and industrial experience leading from the associate degree to bachelor's credentials. Community college graduates can obtain a quality education at a low cost and provide the region and state with qualified engineering technology graduates.

    "We are excited to have this articulation agreement with LCCC that aligns with our EET program," said Latha Ramakrishnan, dean of the College of Science and Technology "This is beneficial for our students because the credits they earn at LCCC will transfer seamlessly to BU's ABET-ETAC accredited program (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology - Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission)."

    LCCC students must complete the transfer application by May 1 for entrance into the following fall semester at BU and must enroll at Bloomsburg within one year of graduation. A minimum 2.0 grade point average is required for admission. Bloomsburg's program coordinator in Electronics Engineering Technology will meet with dual admitted students to ensure they are on track with transferable courses and admissions.

    For information on the transfer program to Bloomsburg University, contact the BU admissions office at 570-389-4316 or buadmiss@bloomu.edu

Bloomsburg University Selected to Be Part of U.S. Cyber Command Academic Engagement Network

Bloomsburg, PA (01/28/2022) — Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and its Department of Mathematics and Digital Sciences has been selected by the U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) as one of 84 colleges and universities to be part of its newest Academic Engagement Network (AEN).

"Cyber Command's goal for the AEN is to strengthen our relationships and communication with these participating institutions," said CYBERCOM's Executive Director David Frederick. "This will improve and sustain our efforts to meet cyberspace educational requirements and workforce needs."

The command intends to use the AEN to support and enhance four primary lines of effort (LOE): future workforce, applied cyber research, applied analytics, and strategic issues. These LOEs are intended to serve as an investment in creating a robust and accessible pool of qualified cyber professionals. With its academic partners, it can shape the nation's cyber workforce while supporting the command's mission.

"We are honored to be part of this prestigious group of institutions invited to join the U.S. Cyber Command Academic Engagement Network," said BU President Bashar Hanna. "By collaborating with CYBERCOM we can cultivate a strong cyber security workforce to help mitigate and successfully manage the threats to our nation."

Bloomsburg University associate professor Diane Barrett, who will coordinate the partnership, is hopeful this will lead to an increase in students considering a career in cyber defense.

"One of our goals is to engage and inspire students to consider careers in Department of Defense (DoD), both in the military and as civilians," said Barrett. "We want to broaden awareness of some great internship programs that Cyber Command runs, as does the service commands."

"We also hope to expand partnerships with academia to build better relationships and take advantage of the deep expertise in academia about our adversaries' cyber strategies and organizations."

For the AEN, strong partnerships supported by talented and skilled people are vital to remain agile and ready in the cyber domain. The AEN extends partnerships to institutions through collaboration and access to CYBERCOM via scheduled events and engagements with command staff, the Cyber National Mission Force, and our four component commands.

Frederick added that this network will further enable us to shape and enhance cyber-focused innovation with partnerships and support the DoD's ongoing strategic dialogue on cyberspace.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 7,800 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.

~Retrieved from BU Merit Pages 1/31/22

Dr. Michael Shepard - AAS Interview

Michael Shepard, professor of environmental, geographical and geological sciences, was interviewed by Frank Timmes for the AAS (American Astronomical Society) Journal Author Series on his latest paper on asteroid 16 Psyche, the target of an upcoming NASA mission also named Psyche. Shepard's three-dimensional shape model is being used by the mission team as they plan for the arrival and initial maneuvering and orbital sequences.

 

 

 The interview can be seen here: 

 

 

AAS Journal Author Series: Michael Shepard 

The paper can be downloaded here:

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/abfdba

The shape model and a brief synopsis of the research paper can be seen on my BU faculty webpage here:

https://facstaff.bloomu.edu/mshepard/research/psyche/psyche.html

~Retrieved from The BU Week Ahead 1/24/2022