HIGH POINT, N.C., May 4, 2017 – Members of the High Point University community frequently conduct, publish and share research and creative works in a variety of ways. Below is a recap of research initiatives from the past month.
Faculty, Students Participate in American Chemical Society National Meeting
Eleven students and five faculty members from the HPU Department of Chemistry attended the national meeting of the American Chemical Society to present their work and learn more about cutting-edge chemistry research occurring throughout the world. The students presented 10 posters and a presentation on topics ranging from the use of computer modeling programs to predict fuel potential to the study of a human protein involved in HIV infection. Kyra Gillard’s poster, “Investigation of FDA-Approved Small Molecules as Modulators of Virulence in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA),” was selected for inclusion in the SCI-MIX session, which brings together the top 10 percent of posters in each division. Faculty members also presented their work on the development of novel laboratory experiments and courses in organic chemistry and drug discovery.
“This was the first time our students have attended a national American Chemical Society meeting,” says Dr. Meghan Blackledge, assistant professor of chemistry. “Students and faculty alike enjoyed attending talks across many sub-disciplines and thinking about ways to enhance our own projects here at HPU. We are grateful to Undergraduate Research and Creative Works and the HPU Student Government Association for the generous funds that allowed us to enjoy this extraordinary opportunity.”
Interior Design Faculty Member, Student Participate in Trade Show Panel
Dr. Jane Nichols, associate professor of interior design at HPU, and senior interior design major Hannah Grau participated in a panel discussion at Boutique Design West on April 6 in Los Angeles. The trade show attracts about 2,500 hospitality design professionals. Grau joined Nichols and professionals from The Carroll Adams Group for the panel, titled “Wood 101: Achieving Design Vision and Budget Through Furniture Manufacturing.” The discussion focused on how materials and manufacturing shape the look and functionality of a furniture piece. Grau also presented on how HPU uses design technologies in the studio classroom.
Honors Students Present Research at Regional Conference
Three HPU Honors Scholars presented research and art at the Southern Regional Honors Conference on April 1 in Asheville. Junior Riccardo De Cataldo presented “3-D Printing Hydrogenic Orbitals as Learning Instruments” about the benefits of using 3D printed models to better understand electron behavior. Senior Hannah Grau presented “Sculpting the Human Form: A Look into Modern Sculpting of the Body,” research into modern methods of sculpting the human body. Senior Brittany Gentilhomme presented “A Look into Honors Education,” which reviewed her experience as an honors student. In addition, six other HPU students attended the conference: senior Jayden Olsen, junior Zach Zukowski, and freshmen Sarah Nowell, Taylor Tidman, Haley Fair and Madison Rivera.
“The presenters gained valuable experience shaping their scholarly and creative work for public audiences, and all the students benefited from interacting with honors students and faculty from across the South,” says Dr. William Carpenter, director of the Honors Scholars program. “This conference helps students see that their ideas can inform and shape larger conversations in and beyond their disciplines.”
Students Win Conference Awards for Research Presentations
Nine HPU students won awards for research they presented at the North Carolina Academy of Science annual meeting held March 24-25 on the university’s campus. They are as follows:
– Sarah Edmark, a junior biology major won first place health science, biotechnology and engineering oral presentation for “Methylglyoxal sensitizes Bacillus oleronius to topical antibiotics.”
– Michele Johnson, a junior exercise science and biology major, won first place molecular biology and microbiology poster for “Capsaicin induces metabolic gene expression in myotubes.”
– Jennifer Marshall, a senior chemistry major, won first place physical science, biotechnology, science education and chemistry poster for “Extending the substrate scope of the chan-lam cross coupling reaction using photoredox catalysis.”
– Rebecca Ulrich, a junior biochemistry major, won second place molecular biology and microbiology poster for “Small molecule modulation of virulence behaviors in Staphylococcus epidermidis.”
– Elizabeth Reardon, a senior biology major, won second place botany and zoology poster for “Phylogeographic analysis of mitogenomes of five tropical Asian birds.”
– Sarah Forget, a junior biology major, won second place botany and zoology poster for “Effects of seasonal frond angles on leaf temperature and associated ecophysiology of the evergreen fern, Polystichum acrostichoides.”
– Emma James Barksdale, a junior biology and chemistry major, won second place physical science, biotechnology, science education and chemistry poster for “Antibacterial assessment of cyclogossine A, A cyclic heptapeptide from J. gossypiifolia.”
– Jason Barbaretta, a senior biology major, won third place physical science, biotechnology, science education and chemistry poster for “A novel application of TEC-disulfide replacement showcased in the synthesis of SFTI-1.”
– Micah Morgan, a senior biology major, won first place ecology and environmental science poster for “Photo enzymatic repair effectiveness of Moina exposed to UV-B radiation.”
HPU faculty members Patrick Vigueira, Roger Vaughan, Meghan Blackledge, Michael Braun, Niky Hughes, Sandra Cooke and Andrew Wommack advised the students in their research. A total of 21 HPU students participated in the conference.
“It was so rewarding to win best talk after all the time I’ve spent in the lab,” says first-place oral presentation winner Sarah Edmark. “I am so thankful that HPU values undergraduate research and has allowed me to be a part of it.”
“Undergraduate research will be one of my most memorable experiences during my time at HPU,” says first-place poster winner Micah Morgan. “Being able to be a part of and contribute to the scientific community in a way that I have never done before was extremely rewarding.”