2024 FAMU SRF Program

Florida A&M University 2024 Student

Research Forum (SRF)

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

12:00 Noon-5:30 PM

Organized by

The Florida A&M University Office of Undergraduate Research

The 2024 SRF activities have been sponsored by a generous contribution from AbbVie

Florida A&M University

Tallahassee Campus

The University campus is comprised of 156 buildings situated on 423 acres in the heart of Tallahassee.

About Florida A&M University

Founded October 3, 1887, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is a public, historically Black university located in Tallahassee, Florida. What distinguishes FAMU from other universities is its legacy of providing access to a high-quality, affordable education with programs and services that guide students toward successfully achieving their dreams. FAMU is part of the State University System of Florida and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

In addition to the main Tallahassee campus, FAMU has several satellite campuses across Florida. These include the College of Law in Orlando and the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, which has sites in Crestview, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Miami.

Quick Facts

• Enrolls nearly 10,000 students from across the United States and more than 70 countries.

• 2020-2021 Academic Profile (Admitted First Time in College Students) – 3.67 GPA / 23 ACT

• Retention Rate 82% / Acceptance Rate 30%

• One-third of summer and fall 2020 incoming students majored in S.T.E.A.M.

Accolades

Florida A&M University earned multiple spots on the badge-eligible list of the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges because of its high rankings:

• National Universities #152

• Top Public Schools - National Universities #81

• Best Value - National Universities #87

• Social Mobility - National Universities #20

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities #3

• Best Undergraduate Computer Science #214

• Best Undergraduate Psychology #249

• Best Undergraduate Nursing #254

• 23 degree programs ranked in top 10

• Number 1 HBCU for Research and Development (National Science Foundation)

• Named Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader

About Florida A&M University

University Mission Statement

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is an 1890 land grant, doctoral/research institution devoted to student success at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional levels. FAMU enhances the lives of its constituents and empowers communities through innovative teaching, research, scholarship, partnerships, and public service. The University continues its rich legacy and historic mission of educating African Americans and embraces all dimensions of diversity.

University Vision Statement

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) will be recognized as a leading national public university that is internationally renowned for its competitive graduates, transformative research, and innovation.

University Values

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is committed to the values of accountability, inclusion, innovation, and integrity. The University also values and endorses the Board of Governors' Statement of Free Expression and expects openminded and tolerant civil discourse to take place throughout the campus community. These values represent the tenets that guide our actions, enable us to sustain our historical mission, and realize our strategic plan.

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TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32307-3 IO0

TIMOTHY L. BEARD, Ph.D., INTERIM PRESIDENT

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

October 24, 2024

TELEPHONE: (850) 599-3225 FAX: (850) 561-2152

Dear Research Forum Attendees:

On behalf of Florida A&M University (FAMU), I am pleased t o welcome you to the 2024 Student Research Forum. This gathering is designed to showcase student research, and I am excited that the work of nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate scholars from various disciplines will be featured in this event.

I am honored to welcome back AbbVie as our sponsor for the third year in a row. Their commitment and support of our students is greatly appreciated. I'd like to also thank our outstanding faculty and staff who worked diligently with our student researchers, providing resources, mentorship, and guidance to make this day possible.

The opportunity to conduct research and to work along side our brilliant academic professors and researchers is salient to the student experience we provide at FAMU. These activities are prioritized in our strategic plan and it is great to see that vision in action through partnerships such as the Student Research Forum.

I look forward to the great work that will be o n display during this year's Forum. Welcome and please enjoy the presentations.

Sincerely,

Message from Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer:

It is with great pleasure I extend warm greetings and support to all participants of the 2024 Student Research Forum (SRF). The SRF demonstrates our commitment to excellence in research. As the Chief Operating Officer of this esteemed institution, I firmly believe that research is an essential component of higher education. The SRF fosters innovation, teamwork, creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills, which are crucial for success in any profession.

I congratulate all the graduate and undergraduate students as well as their mentors for their vigorous energy and commitment to research activities on campus. I am always proud of the fact that principal investigators at FAMU receive substantial support from federal, state, and private sources. The fact that our faculty, staff, and students are able to take advantage of participating in the SRF in preparation for national and international conferences demonstrates that our research and training grants are meeting their mission and goals.

Florida A&M University has been successfully celebrating the annual SRF activities for many years. I commend the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences for taking the leading role in organizing the SRF since its inception. I want to sincerely thank you and express my congratulations to the SRF Planning Committee for their hard work and dedication in preparing such a magnificent annual event. I would also like to thank AbbVie for the generous contribution and participation which supports the success of the SRF.

I am looking forward to a productive and successful 2024 SRF on October 30, 2024 and I am confident that all research deliberations will be more exciting than ever.

Sincerely,

D o n a l d E . P a l m , I I I

Donald E. Palm, III, Ph.D. Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Docusign Envelope ID: 1DBF07BF-ADE0-4E49-A765-C6E155FFF48D

(850) 599-3276

(850) 561-2551

Message from the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

I am pleased to warmly greet all 2024 Student Research Forum (SRF) participants. Florida A&M University has proudly celebrated the SRF annually, and I commend the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, for its leadership in organizing this significant event. I sincerely thank the SRF Planning Committee for their dedication and hard work in preparing such an impressive gathering.

This student-centered event highlights our commitment to fostering active participation in research, particularly in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. I want to congratulate all graduate and undergraduate students and their mentors for their enthusiasm and dedication to advancing research at FAMU.

Our faculty, staff, and students benefit greatly from substantial federal, state, and private support, enabling remarkable opportunities for research and development. The preparation for poster and oral presentations at SRF exemplifies the success of our research and training grants in achieving their mission and goals.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to AbbVie for its generous sponsorship of the FAMU Student Research Forum. I look forward to a productive and successful 2024 SRF on October 30, 2024, and I am confident that the research discussions will be as engaging and insightful as ever.

Sincerely,

Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, Florida 32307

TELEPHONE: (850) 412-5102

FAX: (850) 412-5096

Congratulations to the organizers and participants of the 2024 FAMU Student Research Forum (SRF). Research is one of the core activities of faculty and students at a university such as Florida A&M. FAMU is a Carnegie R2 level research institution signifying high research activity. FAMU has a goal of reaching Carnegie R1 by 2030, which will signify very high research activity. We are depending on you, FAMU students and faculty, to help us achieve this goal. To be frank, we are in a race to become the first HBCU to reach R1 status. I ask that you embrace this challenge and help pull/push FAMU to this goal. The benefit will be more high paying jobs for students and increased research funding for faculty and students. We can do it with your help.

It is such a pleasure to see the outstanding bio-medical and behavioral research of FAMU's students and faculty. The success of SRF activities over the years is a clear indication of the hard work, tenacity and commitment to research demonstrated by you. Bio-medical and Behavioral Research are core areas of the FAMU research enterprise, which is quite appropriate historically, but also because these two areas are the centers of much modern exciting research with tremendous potential for discovery and scientific success.

The FAMU Division of Research (DoR) is committed to helping you write proposals, get contracts and grants, and manage the funding to provide support for your research. For more information about the Division of Research, please call 850-412-5096 or visit us in Room 410, FHAC.

I would like to thank AbbVie for sponsoring the SRF this year.

Charles A. Weatherford, PhD Vice President for Research sponsor@famu.edu

10/30/2024

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

October 30, 2024

TELEPHONE: (850)599-3774

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the 2024 Florida A&M University Student Research Forum. Careful planning has taken place to ensure that today is a wonderful day of research being shared with the FAMU Community and beyond. I am exited that this year we have nearly 50 student presentations. It was not too long ago that I, myself, participated in the FAMU Student Research Forum both as an undergraduate student and as a graduate student. The experience and input that I gained from participating helped to prepare me for my future. It is my hope that all presenters take full advantage of this opportunity.

I would like to thank our sponsor, AbbVie, for their generous support of this event. We are especially appreciative of all of the efforts of our very own FAMU Alumna Dr. Joy Jackson-Guilford, Director, Diversity Hiring Enablement Talent Acquisition - Corporate Human Resources at AbbVie for working tirelessly to make sure that today’s event is a success. Additionally, I would like to thank all of the research mentors of the students who will be presenting their research today. Your valuable training and mentoring will help to shape these participants into becoming our future principal investigators. Lastly, I would like to thank our Student Research Forum panel of judges for taking the time out today to evaluate the research projects that will be presented. Your input will help our participants to sharpen their presentation skills and gain confidence when presenting their research.

To the Student Research Forum presenters, I wish each of you the very best as you share your research findings today.

Sincerely,

Tiffany W. Ardley, PhD Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry

Director, Office of Undergraduate Research

Director, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Coordinator, 2024 Student Research Forum

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES and RESEARCH

Suite 469 Tucker Hall

Tallahassee, Florida

Michael Abazinge, Ph.D. Associate Provost and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies & Research

PHONE: (850) 599-3505

FAX: (850) 599-3727

2024 Student Research Forum

On behalf of the School of Graduate Studies, Research, and Continuing Education (SGSRC) at FAMU, we wholeheartedly support the 2024 Student Research Forum. This event represents an invaluable opportunity for students to showcase their research, interact with peers and experts, and contribute to advancing knowledge in their respective fields.

SGSRC ‘s mission is to collaborate with all Colleges and Schools in producing graduate and professional degrees, especially from underrepresented/under-served communities in various fields for the future U.S. workforce.

We nurture the development and delivery of high-quality graduate programs through innovative research, internships, and experiential learning opportunities, including certificate programs, accelerated master’s, and doctoral degrees.

As a strong advocate for student research and education, SGSRC is eager to support this important event. We believe the forum will significantly contribute to the participating students’ academic and, professional growth and future success. This event supports and enhances the development of future leaders and innovators in various fields and disciplines.

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, TELEPHONE: (850)599-3301

Institute of Public Health FAX: (850) 599-3347

Office of the Dean

Building on last year’s success, this year’s forum promises another enriching experience, showcasing AbbVie sponsorship, which has been instrumental to the forum’s growth and success.

A special thanks to AbbVie for their unwavering support, helping to drive forward our students’ research National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Education (USDoE), Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program.

Thank you for joining us at this year’s forum. We look forward to a day filled with innovation, discovery,

On behalf of our entire team at AbbVie, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2024 Florida A&M University Student Research Forum! This annual event is a testament to our institution’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and innovation! The forum provides a platform for students to showcase their research endeavors, honing their presentation and communication skills in a supportive environment.

Since AbbVie’s sponsorship of the forum, we have witnessed a remarkable growth in participation, with an increase in the number of poster presenters. This year, we are proud to host 46 talented undergraduate and graduate students who will share their research projects with the broader community. As part of AbbVie’s equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion vision, we are on a continuous journey to strengthen our culture and support diverse talent. We do this in many ways, including supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Our HBCU partnerships and programs, like the Student Research Forum, foster diverse talent in STEM careers which are critical to our efforts to build a more diverse workforce. These programs help to fill our talent pipeline as we recognize up-and-coming diverse talent and engage emerging student leaders with opportunities for career development and mentoring support. I am pleased to share that over the past two years, many of our interns from FAMU were met at this forum and we look forward to the continued partnership to bring this talent to AbbVie!

We are thrilled to have you join us in acknowledging the hard work and dedication of these students and we look forward to witnessing the outstanding and innovative research that is presented today. Please join AbbVie in encouraging and supporting their academic endeavors. We are delighted to support the Student Research Forum for another year and are thankful for the opportunity to aid in the development of these future changemakers.

Sincerely,

Joy Jackson-Guilford, MS, PhD FAMU COPPS, IPH Alumnae Director, Diversity Hiring Enablement

Talent Acquisition - Corporate Human Resources AbbVie

Chudy Nduaka, DVM., PhD., ABT TA Head, Dermatology

Dr Chudy Nduaka is the Therapeutic Area Head, for Abbvie US Medical AffairsDermatology. He has over 20 years of Pharmaceutical Research, Development & Medical Affairs experience. In his previous roles he led medical teams in Gastroenterology and Dermatology with primary responsibility in executing medical strategies and tactics to ensure safe and efficacious use of medicines for chronic inflammatory diseases. Prior to working Meical Affairs, Dr Nduaka work as a global clinical lead responsible for medical management of large global clinical trials and participated in regulatory filing for different medicines in the US and EU. Dr Nduaka has experience in FDA Advisory Committees and has helped launch several products in Rheumatology, Gastroenterology & Dermatology.

Dr Nduaka graduated from Howard University, Washington DC with a PhD in Pharmacology, a Master of Science for Tuskegee University and a DVM from Nigeria. In his spare time, he is involved in philanthropy, helping provide educational and health care resources to communities in Africa. He also actively mentors medical and pharmacy students as well as post-doctoral fellows.

Rattlers Striking from the Top

older for image

Michael Johnson , PharmD

Medical

Science Liaison – Rheumatology – South Florida

Michael Johnson, as a dedicated Medical Science Liaison (MSL) at AbbVie, plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between science and medicine. With a strong focus on fostering scientific exchange and building relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and healthcare professionals (HCPs), Michael ensures the dissemination of unbiased scientific information about cutting-edge therapies and disease management. Within his role, Michael excels in developing educational programs, supporting clinical trials, and serving as an internal expert to various teams. His commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care is evidenced by his active participation in scientific dialogues, support for continuing medical education (CME) activities, and vigilant monitoring of product safety.

Michael is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, where he earned both a Bachelors of Science in Cardio-Pulmonary Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Prior to his role as an MSL, Michael most recently completed a Post-Doctoral Medical Affairs Fellowship with Allergan Aesthetics, an Abbvie company. During this fellowship, he supported both the Facial Toxins and Body Contouring Teams, gaining firsthand experience collaborating closely with Scientific Directors, MSLs, and Field Directors.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Michael enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering with at-risk youth. He also loves exploring new places and cultures through travel. When he is not on the road, you can find him binge-watching HGTV or browsing home decor websites for inspiration.

Rattlers Striking from the Top

Daphnee Moise, PharmD, MBAc

Medical Science Liaison

Daphnee Moise is a Medical Science Liaison for the Northern Los Angeles / Central Valley territory of the Allergan Aesthetics US Facial Aesthetics MSL team. She is primarily tasked with identifying, developing, and maintaining scientific relationships with HCPs and thought leaders.

Daphnee earned her PharmD from Florida A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Florida International University. She is close to receiving a Healthcare MBA from Florida International University. She completed a Global Medical communications rotation at Vertex Pharmaceuticals during her last year of pharmacy school. She started with Allergan as a Global Aesthetics Medical Affairs Fellow where she worked closely with the Allergan Aesthetics MSL team and Medical Director’s group. She transitioned from her fellowship to take a Manager, Global Medical Information position with Allergan Aesthetics working out of the home office in Irvine, CA supporting the Facial Aesthetics franchise. Daphnee enjoys spending time with family, traveling, listening to music, and watching medical dramas.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Registration & Poster Set-up - 1st Floor

1:00 PM Florida Blue Auditorium

Dr. Tiffany Ardley, Director of Office of Undergraduate Research

Dr. Joy Jackson Diversity Hiring Enablement - AbbVie

Dr. Seth , IPH

1:45 PM 3:15 PM Poster Presentations & Judging (1st Floor)

4:30 PM Florida Blue Auditorium

AbbVie Intern Experience

Henry Adjei, 2024 AbbVie EMBRACE Intern

FAMU Student Research Forum Reflections

Dr. Fran Close, Professor of Behavioral Science and Health Education

FAMU CoPPS, IPH

Award Presentations

Closing Remarks

Dr. Tiffany Ardley

Florida A&M University

2024 Student Research Forum

Panel of Guest Judges from AbbVie

Nyerere Billups, PMP, CMQ/OE, PPMC, SCPM

Senior Director, Portfolio Program

Management

Clinical Research

Nadia Ibrahim, MD Associate Medical Director

Global Medical Affairs – Immunology

Michael Johnson, PharmD

Medical Science Liaison, Rheumatology

Chudy Nduaka, DVM., PhD., ABT

Therapeutic Area Head, Dermatology

Florida A&M University

2024

Student Research Forum Panel of Judges

Meenakshi Agarwal, PhD

Center for Viticulture

College of Agriculture & Food Sciences

Lee Bushong, PhD

Criminal Justice

College of Social Science Arts & Humanities

Jingqiu Chen, PhD

Biological Systems Engineering

College of Agriculture & Food Sciences

John Cooperwood, PhD

Pharmaceutical Sciences

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Selina Darling-Reed, PhD

Pharmaceutical Sciences

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Bridg’ette Israel, PhD

Pharmaceutical Sciences

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Florida A&M University

Ramesh Katam, PhD

Biology

College of Science and Technology

Albert Nguessan Ngo, PhD

Pharmaceutical Sciences

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Jillian Pope, PhD

Biology

College of Science and Technology

Rajesh Singh Rathore, PhD

Environmental Sciences School of the Environment

Oluwatoyin Sangokunle, PhD

Food Science

College of Agriculture & Food Sciences

Syreeta Tilghman, PhD

Pharmaceutical Sciences

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Florida A&M University

2024 Student Research Forum

Poster Presentations

New Pharmacy Building, First Floor

Disparities in the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Depression in the State of Florida in 2022

Richard Cristian Brito, MSW; Carlos A. Reyes-Ortiz, M.D., PhD; Andres Felipe Gil Arana, B.S.; Zoë Rushetsky, B.S.

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Institute of Public Health at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University Richard1.Brito@famu.edu

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic occurrences that can cause people to engage in unhealthy behaviors, leading them to develop chronic mental illnesses or other chronic diseases. The objectives of this study are to identify the prevalence of ACEs and depression among ethnic groups, assess the associations between ACEs and depression, and evaluate disparities among ethnic groups. A cross-sectional analysis of "CDC’s Florida 2022 Behavioral Risk Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey” was conducted. The sample consisted of 9,304 adults aged 18 through 80. A previous diagnosis of depression was the outcome. ACEs include questions on abuse and household dysfunction, with a summary score of 0-8. Fifty percent of participants were female, 62% were aged 18 to 64, and 19.5% had depression. The ethnicity with the highest percentage of depression among participants was American Indians, with nearly one-fourth of the prevalence. A higher number of ACEs was independently associated with having an increased odds ratio for depression among White, Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native people. Ethnicity and ACEs were independently associated with depression, with Black, Asian, and Hispanic people having lower ACEs scores and being less likely to have depression when compared to White people, which is not typical of previous findings. This analysis emphasizes the significance of further research evaluating ACEs exposure among adults with the presentation of symptoms for depression to develop preventative measures and adequate management in Florida to reduce its prevalence and ethnic disparities.

Tamoxifen Increases REST via the Wnt/β-catenin s

Signaling and Genomic ER

pathway

Alexis Digman, Edward Pajarillo, Sanghoon Kim, Itunu Ajayi, Eunsook Lee

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

Corresponding author: Eunsook Lee, E-mail: eunsook.lee@famu.edu

Chronic exposure to high levels of manganese (Mn) can lead to manganism and is considered a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Lower levels of the repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) have been observed in patients with PD and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that Mn exposure decreases REST in mice and neuronal cells, while its overexpression provides protection against Mn toxicity. Although E2-activated Wnt signaling can increase REST levels, E2’s clinical application is limited due to its peripheral effects. Therefore, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) that can increase REST expression via Wnt/βcatenin signaling without causing peripheral effects are ideal candidates. In this study, Tamoxifen (TX), a representative SERM, was investigated to determine if it could increase REST through Wnt signaling and provide protection against Mn toxicity in CAD neurons and mice. The results showed that TX (1 μM) increased REST via Wnt signaling and protected neurons against Mn (250 μM) toxicity. TX increased REST promoter activity via both Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the estrogen receptor (ER) pathway, activating Wnt responsive elements and ER elements in the REST promoter, respectively. Among various ER types, ER-α was identified as the main mediator of TX’s action in increasing REST transcription in CAD neurons. Furthermore, to determine if REST is critical in TX-induced neuroprotection against Mn toxicity in the mouse brain, dopaminergic REST-deleted male mice (REST cKO) were implanted with TX (25 mg/21-d release) subcutaneously in the back of the neck and exposed to Mn (330 μg, intranasal, daily) for 3 weeks. The results showed that TX still induced neuroprotection against Mn toxicity in REST cKO mice by attenuating Mn-induced behavioral dysregulation in locomotor activity and motor coordination, along with the attenuation of Mn-induced dysregulation of Nrf2, SOD2, catalase, Bcl-2, and Bax in the striatum of REST cKO mice. Additionally, TX increased REST protein in the striatum of REST cKO mice. These findings suggest that dopaminergic REST is not the sole factor for TXinduced upregulation of REST and its protective effects against Mn toxicity, as TX may increase REST expression in non-dopaminergic neurons and glial cells Taken together, TX could offer protection against Mn toxicity, at least in part, by REST signaling, presenting potential therapeutic strategies for developing brain-specific neuroSERMs that lack peripheral side effects.

Engineering of Layer-By-Layer Acetate Coated Paclitaxel Loaded

Poly(lactide-Co-Glycolide) Acid Nanoparticles for Prostate Cancer TherapyIn Vitro.

Dezirae Douglas1, Albert Nguessan Ngo1,3 , Kierston K. Chatman1 , , Keb M. Mosley-Kellum1 , Ke Wu2 , Jaydutt Vadgama 2

Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tallahassee, FL 32307 1 , Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science2

Dezirae1.douglas@famu.edu

Prostate Cancer-related death is higher in African Americans. A targeted (“Smart”) and layer-bylayer nano-delivery system improves chemotherapy’s effectiveness while reducing its side effects It hypothesized that layer-by-layer acetate-coated Paclitaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles ( F2) can be engineered to potentiate the effectiveness of Paclitaxel (PTX) on LNCaP, a human prostate cancer cell line. The core of the layer-by-layer NPs is formed by nanoprecipitation, and the shell of the NPs is engineered using the sodium acetate's unique coating mechanism and surface-active properties. The resulting nanoformulation physicochemical properties are characterized by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), NanoSight NS300, spectrophotometry, Korsmeyer-Peppas model, respectively. The NP’s cytotoxicity on LNCaP is assessed by MTS assay. The DSC and the FTIR confirm SA’s coating of the NPs. The particle’s mean diameters (PMD) are 89.4±2.3- to 114.4±7.6 nm. The TEM showed a unique multilayer and spherical nanoparticle. The encapsulation efficiency of commonly PTX-loaded PLGA NPs (F1) and F2 are 84.37±2.71% and 86.74±2.22, respectively. The drug transport mechanism of F1 and F2 is anomalous transport and case II, respectively. F2 follows a zero-order release mechanism. The cell viability is 45.08±2.18% and 60.17±4.72% when LNCaP is treated with 10 µg/mL of F2 and F1, respectively, after 48 hours of exposure. F2 and F1 cell growth inhibition are dose dependent This unique process of engineering the layer-by-layer NPs will provide new horizons for developing future innovative nanoparticles for targeted prostate cancer therapy.

Mobile Research Unit to Facilitate High Impact Research Among Those Living With HIV to Increase Accessibility for Participation in MWCCS Cohort Study

Dominique Keyes, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Lydia Jiles2, Adhar B. Mohamed3, Patricia Raccamarich3, Nicholas Fonseca, Nogueira3, Andres Vazquez4, Dr. Deborah Jones4, Dr. Maria Alcaide3

2Howard University, 3University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, 4University of Miami Miller School of Medicine of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

HIV disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities due to disparities in healthcare access and social determinants of health. Socioeconomic barriers often exclude these underserved populations from comprehensive healthcare and research opportunities. Mobile research units (MRUs) offer a promising solution by connecting underrepresented individuals to essential resources, thereby promoting inclusivity in clinical research. This study evaluates the impact of CONNECT, an MRU designed to enhance participation in HIV studies among vulnerable populations in South Florida. We employed a combination of literature review, observational methods, and data analysis to assess the unit's effectiveness. Observations included shadowing clinical research visits at stationary settings such as the Infectious Disease Research Unit (IDRU) at Converge Miami and Jackson Hospital/ACC East and during mobile visits using CONNECT. Strategic placement of the unit in communities surrounding the University of Miami has led to significant improvements in recruitment and enrollment. Since November 2023, approximately 300 referrals have resulted in 130 screenings, with 87 enrollments facilitated by CONNECT, marking a 67% increase in recruitment rates. While only 7 screenings were conducted directly on the CONNECT unit, its role in enhancing enrollment and engagement in research among disenfranchised communities is evident. These findings suggest that MRUs like CONNECT can play a critical role in improving research participation, thereby contributing to more representative and equitable health outcomes.

The Role of Increased Vegetable Consumption in Preventing and Treating

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Erykah Thermeus, Daniel Osborne, Jinwei Liu, Pierre Ngnepiepa, Ricard A. Alo, Clement G. Yedjou

1. Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1610 S. Martin Luther King Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

2. Department of Computer Science, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1610 S. Martin Luther King Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

3. Department of Mathematics, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1610 S. Martin Luther King Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and rapidly spread globally, leading to a pandemic. While vaccination efforts have been underway, breakthrough infections continue to occur, prompting increased interest in dietary interventions to support immune health. Vegetables, rich in essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, offer promising avenues for antiviral research and therapeutic development. This study aims to investigate whether a high vegetable intake correlates with reduced COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates. Utilizing diet data from the COVID-19 Healthy Diet Dataset on Kaggle, we employed machine-learning algorithms to analyze the impact of dietary factors on COVID-19 outcomes. Through feature selection techniques, we identified key factors, including vegetable consumption, associated with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Our findings suggest that a higher intake of vegetables may confer protective effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, vegetables represent potential chemo preventive agents for COVID-19 due to their antiviral properties and ability to enhance immune function.

Acknowledgments: This work was financially supported by the National Science Foundation, NSFHRD, Grant # 1201981 and NSF-IUSE grant # 2142465 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL, United States

Expert system

and knowledge

bast tool For Impact Assessment of Crop Production Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Review

Rahmah, A, Alhashim: Velan, Thanasekar: Aavudai, S, Anandhi

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University: Agriculture and Life sciences: University of Florida: Biological Systems Engineering, Florida A&M University rahmah1.alhashim@famu.edu

This study focuses on the need for better tools to assess the environmental impacts of agricultural practices, especially through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Many existing tools are difficult to use or lack detailed guidance, leading to gaps in data and methodology. The aim here is to develop an expert system tool that combines LCA with artificial intelligence to address these issues and make environmental assessments more accurate and accessible. We conducted a systematic review of 122 studies using the PRISMA method, gathering data from a wide range of environmental impact categories. A key part of this research was building a comprehensive knowledge base from the literature. This knowledge base synthesizes findings from 36 different impact categories, providing data for each phase of the LCA. The expert system uses this knowledge to offer tailored recommendations, helping users evaluate sustainability in agricultural systems, even without prior LCA experience. The results show that the tool makes environmental impact assessments more accurate and comprehensive. By leveraging the knowledge base, it helps users understand complex LCA processes and provides clear guidance across various stages of production. This tool offers a user-friendly interface for farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders, addressing critical knowledge gaps and improving decision-making. Overall, it supports efforts to promote more sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural practices.

Improving Muscadine Vineyard Productivity Operations Using Remote Sensing & Agroclimatic Data for Yield Estimation

Shomar K. Bullen1; Wei-zhen Liang2; Violeta M. Tsolova3; Jingqiu Chen4

1. Soil and Water Sciences, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University

2. Biological Systems Engineering, Panhandle Research & Extension Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

3. Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A& M University

4. Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University

Corresponding author: Jingqiu.chen@famu.edu

Despite commendable advancements in various facets of agriculture, such as innovative irrigation systems, high-yield crop varieties, and the advent of sophisticated imaging technologies for data acquisition, pressures from climate change, population growth, water scarcity, and disease continue to stress agricultural production Alongside this, grape growers face issues with scheduling certain operations due to a lack of relevant data in the early-mid season before yield harvest. The widespread availability of agroclimatic data from remote, terrestrial, and in-situ sensors has led to the implementation of machine learning methods for yield prediction. Grape yield prediction is essential for improving management especially with coordinating harvest supply, reduction of post-harvest losses, inventory of materials, and prevention of fruit excess or deficit. Machine learning (ML) algorithms like Random Forest can model and make predictions based on non-linear data By leveraging these algorithms with various crop and agroclimatic timeseries data, we seek to predict end-of-season grape yield to improve vineyard operations and profitability. Through this research, data gathered throughout the Muscadine grape 2024 growing season at FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research such as climate (solar irradiance, air temperature, humidity, and precipitation), soil (electrical conductivity, temperature, and moisture), and canopy image data will be used to build a yield prediction model. Image processing techniques are used to gather information on disease and phenological stages. Research in this field would assist growers and farm managers in making timely data driven management decisions in the hopes of improving operational efficiency.

Development of a Mechanically Mimetic Liver Bio-Scaffold for Hepatic Bioprinting and High-Throughput Drug Screening

Mary Jean Savitsky, 1,2 Navneet Kaur,1,2 Dazhi Yang,3 Jamel Ali1,2

1Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, USA

2National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, USA

3Acrogenic Technologies Inc., Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA

jali@eng.famu.fsu.edu

Liver tissue engineering efforts aim to meet the increasing need for transplantable livers and provide more physiologically relevant models for investigating liver diseases and hepatotoxicity. A central challenge in this goal is optimizing hepatocyte expansion and functionality in threedimensional (3D) culture systems for extended durations. We propose that incorporating a novel microfiber system into alginate hydrogels will enhance biomimicry by introducing mechanical cues that replicate the in vivo liver microenvironment, thereby supporting long-term hepatocyte growth and function. In prior work, we demonstrated that our 3D culture system supports enhanced growth and functionally of pancreatic beta cells, in comparison to traditional 2D culture In our recent work with hepatocytes, cell viability and proliferation were examined using Live/Dead and MTT assays. Notably, cells grown in 2D exhibited diminished growth after one week, while 3Dcultured cells maintained high viability for over a month. Now, we are exploring integrating the microfiber system into alginate-based hydrogels, particularly for 3D bioprinting applications, offering potential in high-throughput hepatotoxicity screening. Fabricated hydrogels were evaluated for bulk rheological properties to confirm that their stiffness mimics that of healthy liver tissue. Additionally, we verified the capability to extrude the biomaterial-incorporated hydrogels into grid-like structures that maintained their structural integrity, confirming their printability. In conclusion, our investigations highlights the potential of a 3D microfiber culture system for sustained hepatocyte expansion and its suitability for 3D bioprinting, particularly in the context of high-throughput screening. These results hold promise towards the rapid development of printable 3D liver models, thus, enabling more precise and efficient drug discovery methods for liver diseases.

Experiential Learning on Internet of Things (IoT) Sensor Network for Climate-smart

Muscadine Vineyard Management

Ryan E. Henry1, Julian Daniel2, Joel Mathew2, Revan Khan2, Sally Clavell2, Wei-zhen Liang3, Jingqiu Chen1

1. Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida

A&M University

2. Computer Science, Tallahassee State College

3. Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Email of corresponding author: jingqiu.chen@famu.edu

This study focuses on the experiential learning regarding Internet of Things (IoT) sensor network system application on precision agricultural engineering monitoring system developed by Dr. Chen’s research team to monitor Muscadine grapevine growth at the FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research. The system is equipped with Raspberry Pi OS to communicate back and forth with an external database, high-resolution camera module, enabling the capture of detailed images over time, and storage capabilities to keep the pictures to be extracted on an external drive. This setup aims to provide valuable data for tracking the growth patterns and health of grapevines, facilitating precision agriculture practices. The data collected contains multiple parameters such as leaf wetness, precipitation, air temperature, air humidity, and more. The integration of IoT technology allows for real-time monitoring and data collection, offering a cost-effective solution for vineyard management and research. We have assembled the mini version of the precision agricultural engineering monitoring system. Through hands-on involvement, participants gain a deeper understanding of IoT sensor networks and their application in climate-smart agriculture. This project enhances the ability to implement innovative technologies for sustainable farming and allows for the cultivation of skills needed to address environmental challenges in agriculture.

11

Deepfake Detection Using Advanced Neural Network Models

Alaisha J. Johnson; Dr. Idongesit Mkpong-Ruffin; Dr. Deidre W. Evans College of Science & Technology alaisha1.johnson@famu.edu

The rapid advancement of deepfake technology poses significant challenges to the integrity of digital media, creating pressing issues of misinformation, identity theft, and societal harm. This study explores the efficacy of advanced neural network architectures, specifically the ResNeXt model, hybrid models, and ensemble methods, to enhance the accuracy and robustness of deepfake detection systems. The ResNeXt model leverages grouped convolutions to perform efficient feature extraction, capturing intricate facial details and enabling temporal consistency analysis when combined with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. Additionally, hybrid models that integrate various techniques, including self-attention and vision transformers, are examined for their potential to improve detection accuracy without sacrificing speed. Ensemble methods further enhance detection performance by combining predictions from multiple base models, utilizing techniques such as averaging and stacking to bolster robustness against various deepfake manipulation techniques. Through comparative analysis of existing detection methods and the proposed models, this research demonstrates the potential for significantly improving the accuracy and effectiveness of deepfake detection systems, ultimately contributing to a more trustworthy digital media landscape.

The Use of Mirroring to Reduce Data Bias – A Deepfake Experiment

Lauren A Matthews, Dr. Idongesit Mkpong-Ruffin, Dr. Deidre W. Evans

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

lauren1.matthews@famu.edu

Deepfakes are high-quality media generated by Artificial Intelligence that can convincingly replace a person's likeness with another’s. This poses significant threats to information integrity.This paper introduces an experiment that uses a deepfake creation model, Faceswap, to further our understanding of detection models. The experiment tested Faceswap’s performance on a larger, more diverse dataset, particularly regarding gender and race. The hypothesis was that both dataset size and variability affect deepfake quality, and the face loss metric was used to evaluate model performance. Faceloss quantifies how closely the swapped and target faces match, with lower faceloss indicating a more realistic face blending and higher indicating less realistic deepfake. The experiment created 4 deepfakes: two involved African American female celebrities (Lizzo and SZA), and two of Caucasian male celebrities (Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds). Each deepfake was trained for over 500,000 iterations, with faceloss recorded at 100,000 and 500,000 iteration checkpoints. The datasets were then augmented by adding horizontally mirrored images, doubling the dataset size and the training process was repeated. The findings revealed that the model consistently had a lower faceloss for the deepfakes of Caucasian males compared to African American females. This suggests that the overrepresentation of Caucasian males in the training datasets, particularly for face detection and face alignment, inherently introduced bias into the Faceswap model, causing it to perform better on that demographic.This research demonstrates how dataset bias can influence the effectiveness of both deepfake creation and detection, emphasizing the need for larger, more inclusive datasets.

Prevention of Adversarial Patches Attack

Terrelle Thomas; Idongesit Mkpong-Ruffin; Chutima Boonthum-Denecke

Computer & Information Sciences, Florida A&M University

Computer Science, Hampton University

terrelle1.thomas@famu.edu; idongesit.ruffin@famu.edu; chutima.boonthum@hamptonu.edu

Previous studies, such as “X-Detect: Explainable Adversarial Patch Detection for Object Detectors in Retail” by Omar Hofman et al., highlight how attackers use sophisticated methods like 3D image-like patches (e.g., a toaster next to a banana and notebook on a table) to deceive AI models through adversarial patch attacks. These attacks involve strategically placing patches in scenes to trick object detectors. Our research aims to replicate these methods to understand adversarial patch creation better and develop a defense strategy using a Generative Neural Architecture (GNA) with a three-pipeline anomaly detection system inspired by “Anomaly Unveiled: Securing Image Classification against Adversarial Patch Attacks” by Nandish Chattopadhyay et al. This approach uses two neural networks in a generative adversarial setup, focusing on segmentation, isolation, and blocking phases. Initially, images are segmented, and each part is analyzed by the GNA for deviations indicative of adversarial patches. Segments with deviations are flagged and then altered to contain neutral values to prevent them from acting as adversarial patches. This comprehensive process aims to refine the data to neutralize potential adversarial effects, testing the effectiveness of a Generative Neural Architecture in mitigating adversarial patch attacks.

Creating a Mathematical Model of a Christmas Tree using Precalculus Functions and Relations

Taylor M. Williams, Clement G. Yedjou, Richard Alo, Pierre Ngnepieba, Daniel E. Osborne

Department of Mathematics, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1610 S. Martin Luther King Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

Corresponding Authors: taylor23.williams@famu.edu and daniel.osborne@famu.edu

Mathematical modelling is an important skill used by a very wide and diverse group of experts such as statisticians, computer scientists, mathematicians, engineers, data scientists, etc. In this work, we developed a mathematical model of a Christmas tree using Precalculus functions and relations. This work demonstrates the importance of how one may use elementary functions alongside with a Computer Algebraic System (CAS) to illustrate how to develop a mathematical model for a random object such as a Christmas tree. Here, we show the intricacies of various Precalculus functions and relations such as polynomials, logarithmic, absolute value and square root; to name a few as well as illustrate the effects of imposing restrictions on the relations’ domains to generate the desired object. By manipulating parent functions or relations in terms of height and width on the graph, various components of the traditional Christmas tree, including ornaments, tinsel, and the tree topper, were formed. Scientifically speaking, we imposed various rigid and non-rigid transformations on the parent functions and relations. The resultant visual representation highlights how these functions synergistically contribute to the formation of a complex and aesthetically pleasing shape. This study exemplifies the potential of CAS in elucidating the collaborative nature of diverse mathematical functions in generating intricate visual patterns.

Integrating SWAT and ArcGIS for Improved Watershed Management

Olaoluwa E. Anigboro-Napoleon1; Jingqiu Chen2

1. Soil and Water Sciences, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University

2. Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University

Email of corresponding author: jingqiu.chen@famu.edu

Understanding the complex interactions between land use, climate change, and water resources is essential for sustainable watershed management. However, predicting the effects of these factors on water quality and quantity remains a significant challenge. This study aims to address this gap by utilizing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) integrated with ArcGIS for comprehensive watershed analysis. SWAT, a widely used hydrological modeling tool, simulates various processes such as weather generation, hydrology, plant growth, and nutrient modelling. By combining SWAT with ArcGIS's spatial analysis capabilities, we aim to improve the representation accuracy of watershed characteristics to improve model predictions. Initial analyses have focused on establishing the components of the SWAT model, such as defining the watershed boundaries, identifying hydrologic response units based on land use, soil, and slope characteristics, and incorporating relevant weather data. These preliminary steps lay the groundwork for future simulations and analyses. The results of this study will contribute to improved decision-making regarding watershed management, land use planning, conservation practices, and climate change adaptation strategies. Additionally, the results can inform policy development and resource management efforts at local, regional, and national scales.

16

Smart Tool for

Climate-Smart

Agricultural Practices (CSAPs) Assessment

Ernsuze, Declama1 and Aavudai, Anandhi2

1School of the Environment, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

2College of Agriculture and Food Security (CAFS), Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Corresponding author: Ernsuze1.declama@famu.edu

The agricultural sector has been severely affected by climate change challenges worldwide. As a result, there is an increase in food insecurity while the global population is also increasing. As an alternative strategy to combat climate change, FAO proposed climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) in 2010. The roles of the CSAPs are to simultaneously and sustainably address climate challenges by increasing agricultural productivity, adapting the sector to the current challenges, and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to find effective strategies that help increase awareness, adoption, and application of CSAPs. This study synthesizes CSAP methods available in the literature and develops a useful tool for multiple stakeholders (e.g., researchers, government, etc.) interested in assessing the CSAPs’ effects on the agricultural sector. The tool was developed through a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. 222 journal articles were shortlisted, analyzed, and categorized using the PRISMA framework. The results identified 70+ smart practices and synthesized them into two main categories, CSAPs (on-farm practices) and smart behavior (social practices), and four sub-categories that include smart implementation, management, initiative, and lifestyle. Moreover, 40+ equations were analyzed and modified to evaluate CSAPs’ impacts on productivity (yield, food security, and income), resource use efficiency (water, energy, and nutrients), GHG mitigation (emission and storage), and ecosystem services. Overall, this study creates a tool that can assess the CSAPs and equip stakeholders with decision-making capabilities for CSAP adoption and application.

Carbon Sequestration Monitoring Techniques

Eman, A, Elkholy: Aavudai, S, Anandhi

School of the Environment, Florida A&M University

eman1.elkholy@famu.edu

Geologic CO2 sequestration (GCS) is an essential mitigation strategy for preventing carbon dioxide (CO2) from entering the atmosphere by capturing and injecting it into subsurface geological formations, such as depleted oil reservoirs and deep saline aquifers. To ensure the safe and long-term storage of CO2, periodic geophysical monitoring surveys are conducted to observe the behavior of the injected CO2 and to support informed storage management decisions. This research compiles and synthesizes literature on carbon sequestration monitoring techniques using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The integration of data collected from various studies has enabled the development of a comprehensive figure that categorizes the monitoring techniques identified. This figure classifies the techniques based on key characteristics such as methodology, application domain, and technological approach. The categorization provides a clear framework for understanding the distinctions and similarities between different monitoring techniques. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how these techniques can be applied effectively in monitoring CO2 sequestration.

Adapting

WEPP

Model for Road Erosion Prediction in the Southeastern United States

Katie Light1; Jingqiu Chen2

1. Soil and Water Sciences, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University

2. Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University

Email of corresponding author: jingqiu.chen@famu.edu

Forest operations are essential in forest resource management for ecological, economic, and social viability. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model is a process-based hydrology and erosion model used by many researchers and land managers to predict surface runoff and soil erosion from croplands, rangelands, and forests. The WEPP model simulates surface hydrology and hydraulics, subsurface hydrology, vegetation growth, residue accumulation and decay, and sediment detachment and transport using four major input files: climate, slope, soil, and vegetation. WEPP:Road and WEPP:Road Batch are modeling tools optimized to rapidly predict sediment production and delivery from forest roads. In this project we focuses on synthesizing field data available in the southeastern US and parameterize WEPP:Road with commonly found soil textures for runoff and soil erosion predictions.

19

Soil Nutrient Monitoring Related to Carbon sequestration

Doaa M. Sobhy1, Ryan Ned1, Rahmah Alhashim1, Avudai Anandhi2

1 School of the Environment, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, F.S.H. Science Research Center, 1515 S. M.L.K. Jr. BLVD, Tallahassee, FL 32307.

2 Biological Systems Engineering, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Benjamin Bannekar Tech C, 1409 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee, FL 32307.

Corresponding author: Doaa M. Sobhy: doaa1.medany@famu.edu

Soil nutrient monitoring plays a critical role in enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable farming practices. This study focuses on understanding the meaning of soil nutrient monitoring and its significance in carbon sequestration. The research objectives include defining soil nutrient monitoring, exploring the techniques used, validating these techniques for accuracy, and understanding sampling methods, site selection criteria, and data collection using probes. Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were conducted using Google scholar database to analyze 107 research articles. The results of this study indicate that the soil nutrient monitoring is the practice of assessing and tracking nutrient levels over time to optimize soil health. Monitoring techniques range from traditional soil sampling and laboratory testing to advanced real-time technologies like ion-selective electrodes, hyperspectral remote sensing, and microfluidic sensors. While the validation techniques vary significantly across the scanned articles. From Calibration and validation technique to Machine learning validation approaches using of R², RMSE, and RPD as statistical metrics to assess the precision and consistency of the machine learning models. These innovative methods enhance accuracy and allow for continuous monitoring, which is crucial for understanding how nutrient management influences carbon sequestration. Preliminary results indicate an increasing trend in soil nutrient monitoring research from 2002 to 2024, highlighting the development of innovative techniques that enhance data accuracy and reliability. This research has important implications for agricultural sustainability and climate change mitigation, as it contributes to a deeper understanding of how managing soil health can maximize carbon storage.

Formosan

Alate

Moving Undetected on an HBCU Campus: A Case Study

Evaluating Precipitation and Isolated Colonies and Identification of Termites

Kenyera Barrett: Kyra Miller: D’Elia Bonilla, B.S.: Thomas White, M.S.: Johanna Welch, DPM.

Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650

Kyra3.miller@famu.edu

Delia1.bonilla@famu.edu

Thomas.white@famu.edu

Johanna.welch@fdacs.gov

Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is a species native to Asia but has been documented in tropical areas across the U.S. and causes billions of dollars’ worth of property damage annually. This study was conducted to evaluate rain and weather conditions in various locations throughout Leon County and termite activity. This study measured the chemical components of rain from ten locations in Tallahassee and its effect on the Formosan subterranean termite. Windspeeds and rainfall data were collected using the National Weather Station data from the Weather Underground website. Soil and Water samples were collected and analyzed using the HACH surface water, soil, and pH testing kit. A factorial experiment with a split-plot design was replicated three times. Wind speeds, rainfall Dissolved oxygen, pH levels, and soil samples were evaluated and compared using a 95% conf. interval. The dissolved oxygen content and pH levels were expected to be different in wooded areas close to ponds, waterways, or canals. Foliage-dense areas were predicted to have the highest probability of insect infestation and oxygen content than those areas of less nutrients. The correlation between chemical components and termite activity, as well as damage and identification, are discussed. Florida A&M University is home to several historic buildings including the Black Archives, which are constructed partially of wood and would be very hard to reconstruct if infested with termites. The current study is used to spread awareness of the potential threat to the university and its history.

Examining the Relevance of Sustainable Development Goals and Food Security in Developing Countries

Amaya B. Bradford1, Aavudai Anandhi2

1College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University 1740 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

2Biological Systems Engineering Program, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida Benjamin Banneker Tech C, 1409 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

Food security is defined as when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Within this context, food security stands as a cornerstone for the socioeconomic development of developing countries. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), comprising 17, form a globally recognized framework designed to address interconnected challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. Combining these goals with food security is crucial, as they play a key role in shaping the future of vulnerable populations. The objective of this study is to (1) examine the link between food security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries and (2) evaluate the relevance of each of the 17 SDGs and their targets to food security. (3) Categorize the targets based on their relevance as high, medium, or low for a comprehensive understanding. This research categorizes the relevance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for food security in developing nations, offering valuable insights on effective interventions and potential challenges, and explores opportunities for enhancing food security. By bridging practical and theoretical knowledge, this study also provides strategies ensuring access to nutritious food and sustainable livelihoods. The findings lead to positive impacts, fostering a future with improved food security and better lives for vulnerable populations.

Geospatial Analysis of Major Land Use Changes in the State of Florida

Ava Cason1; Sally Clavell2; Revan Khan2; Deion Nickson2; Jingqiu Chen1

1. Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 2. Computer Science, Tallahassee State College

Email of corresponding author: jingqiu.chen@famu.edu

This study conducts a detailed geospatial analysis to map significant land use changes across Florida over the last twenty years, utilizing the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristic Consortium's National Land Cover Database and the Enhanced Visualization and Analysis (EVA) tool. The analysis covers Florida's 67 counties, with periodic assessments every 3-5 years to identify evolving trends and patterns in urbanization, agriculture, and forest land uses. By offering a visual representation of these changes, the study provides insights into the impacts of major land use changes on Florida’s natural resources and environmental sustainability. The findings will aid in refining resource management strategies and inform decision-making processes. Additionally, this research underscores the relationship between land use dynamics and the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Florida, emphasizing the importance of sustainable land management practices.

Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) in the Screening of Formosan Termites: A Comparative Study Evaluating the Identification of Termite Species in Florida

Elizabeth Earhart, Johanna Welch DPM, Maya Darville, Rylee Franklin, D’Elia Bonilla BS, Thomas White MS

Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650; College of Agricultural and Food Science Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650

Johanna.welch@fdacs.gov

Maya1.darville@famu.edu

Rylee1.franklin@famu.edu

Delia1.bonilla@famu.edu

Thomas.white@famu.edu

The Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus) is an invasive species that damages Florida’s economy and ecosystems. The Formosan termite is an economically damaging species to homeowners with damage costs exceeding $1 billion annually. Formosans cause destruction by digesting wood, some soft metals, plaster, rubber, cellulose, and some non-cellulose materials found in infrastructures. The hindgut of the Formosan has the highest densities of microbes. The digestion of cellulose occurs by the reliance on the hindgut microbes. Different species of termites were screened using thin layer chromatography in various locations throughout Leon County to determine whether TLC extracts facilitate identification of chemotaxonomic markers. TLC identified different species of termites; other insect species; and lastly to analyze the termite’s digestion of cellulose. TLC tested polarity differences in differing compounds on a silica gel plate. Detection of separation/distance on the TLC plate under UV light was based on rates in the stationary phase. Chemicals present in gut fluid and their relative amounts were determined by the resulting TLC plate. Results vary by distance traveled and speed of separation calculated by using retention factor (Rf). This data may identify species of termites and their digestive tract intake. The products generated and enzymes involved in digestion of cellulose show correlation. Florida A&M University houses historic buildings including the Black Archives, which are constructed of wood and would be difficult to reconstruct after an infestation. The study will spread awareness of possible threats to the university and its history, demonstrating TLC forensic surveillance’s efficacy.

25

Relevance between Food Security and Sustainability Development Goals

Hunter 1 , Aavudai Anandhi2

1College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University 1740 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

2Biological Systems Engineering Program, College of Agriculture and Food Science, Florida Benjamin Bannekar Tech C, 1409 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

Food security is a fundamental aspect of human well-being, and it impacts many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Many developed countries recognize the importance of ensuring access to safe and sufficient foods which is found in SDG 2: “Zero Hunger”. Achieving this goal not only alleviates hunger but also promotes better education, and economic opportunities. By using a systematic literature review to show the aim is to show relevance [high, medium, low] between food security and sustainability development goals. Developed countries understand the importance of sustainable food production and consumption patterns. The SDG 12, “Responsible Consumption and Production” encourages sustainable practices in agriculture, reducing food waste, and promoting more sustainable diets. With these practices, developed nations can mitigate the negative environmental impacts associated with food production, such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestations, and water pollution which contributing to the broader sustainability agenda outlined in the SDGs. Achieving food security not only addresses immediate needs, but also supports sustainability efforts by reducing environmental degradation and promoting responsible consumption and production patters. This approach helps nations progress towards multiple SDGs, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future.

Madison

The Effects Pumpkin Seed Extract on Colorectal Cells

Assata S. Johnson, Dominique M. Keyes, Dr. Jillian L. Pope

Florida A&M University College of Science and Technology, Tallahassee, FL, 32307

Cucurbita pepo, more commonly known as Pumpkin, is a plant that originates from Nothern Mexico, Southwest and East of the USA. The extract of pumpkin seed is known for its therapeutic effect against inflammation, diabetes, wound healing, and is used as a dietary supplement. Our lab is investigating the effect of Pumpkin seed extract in colorectal cells to determine if it has a potential anti- cancer role in Colorectal cancer. We treated HCT 116 and SW620 colorectal cancer cell lines with different concentrations of extract to measure its effect on cell viability. Pumpkin seed extract was dissolved in DMSO and serial dilutions were performed to treat the cells. Cell viability was assessed using Cell Titre blue after 24 hours treatment. Our data demonstrate a significant decrease in cell viability at 500ug/mL, 750ug/mL and less than 50% viability at the 1000 ug/ml concentration. Future studies will examine whether the pumpkin seed extract has an effect in other CRC cell lines.

Aquaponics Plant Length in Simulated Martian Soil

Emori Long1 , Jillian L. Pope1, Ray Oneal1 , DeAngelo Evans2, Christine Larson2 Jesse Edwards3, Laura Tiu4, Fannie Espida4 Alexander Bolques4

Florida A&M University, College of Science and Technology, Tallahassee, Fl 323071

Florida A&M University, School of the Environment, Tallahassee, Fl 323071

Morgan State University, School of Computer Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Baltimore, MD 212513

University of Florida IFAS, Sea Grant, 732 N. 9th St. DeFuniak Springs, FL 324334

Florida A&M University, Research and Extension Center, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Tallahassee, 4259 Bainbridge Hwy, Quincy, FL 323524 emori1.long@famu.edu

To establish and maintain a colony on other planets like Mars, sustainable and healthy food sources are essential. Aquaponics is a growth technique that combines farming fish and plant production with hydroponics (growing plants in water without soil). To eliminate large payloads for missions to extraterrestrial colonies, fertilizer, water, and soil must be eliminated or reduced significantly. Aquaponics eliminates the need for fertilizer. Fish are stored in a rich, plant oxygen- regenerated water system where they grow and possibly mate during the journey to the target planet. The water which can be filtered throughout the trip will provide stored waste as fertilizer upon arriving and building the aquaponics system. In the current study we monitor the growth patterns of lettuce grown in the simulant soil over time to assess changes in growth rates and patterns. The lettuce plants grown in simulated Martian soil using aquaponics water demonstrated a significant difference compared to aquifer water (p<0.01), and only slightly higher than fertilizer. Therefore, aquaponics water can provide nutrition for plants in Martian soil. Furthermore, our studies highlight that careful watering practices must be enforced for both hydroponic and aquaponicsgrown lettuce to ensure proper production.

Investigation of the Phosphate Binding Properties of Synthetic and Biopolymers to Minimize Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Lauryn M. Stoney, Dr. Natalie Arnett

Florida A&M University College of Science and Technology, FAMU/FSU College of Engineering (Lauryn1.stoney@famu.edu)

Diabetes is a chronic illness characterized by high blood glucose levels. Over time, high glucose levels can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis due to the body not forming sufficient insulin to convert the blood sugar into energy usage for your cells. Diabetic ketoacidosis causing hyperphosphatemia, a buildup of phosphate in the body, which can result in renal kidney failure and other life-threatening health issues. The buildup of phosphate in the human body can potentially lead to heart attack and other serious illnesses in diabetic patients. The goal through this research is to fabricate synthetic, (poly(arylene ether sulfone) (PPLn PAES) and biodegradable, poly(xylitol sebacate) (PXS) polymers as phosphate binders to lessen the risk of these serious health complications in hyperphosphatemia patients. Phenolphthalin based PAES homopolymer (PPLn PAES) prepared in four polar aprotic solvents. Synthesis of PPLn PAES was accomplished by dissolving PPLn and difluorodiphenylsulfone (DFDPS) monomers (1:1 molar ratio) in a polar aprotic solvent (20 wt%) in the presence of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) at 150 °C for 72 hours. Synthesis of the poly(xylitol sebacate), PXS, was accomplished by reacting xylitol and sebacic acid monomers at 150 °C for 15hr. The remediation of phosphate and nitrate ions was evaluated using a Hanna Instruments HI83300 multiparameter benchtop photometer and pH meter. Preliminary results showed high nitrate remediation (100%) after six days for PPLn PAES samples. Our research will utilize similar conditions to test the adsorption of phosphates and nitrate for PPLn PAES and PXS samples.

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Biosensors for Detection of Viruses

Patrick L. Williams, Jr 1,2, Kimberly S. Butler, PhD2

1 FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL

2 Molecular and Microbiology, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM

E-mail of corresponding author: kimbutl@sandia.gov.

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based methods for detecting pathogens are some of the most common diagnostic tests. PCR-based methods have the advantage of requiring only a known nucleic acid sequence for detection. However, PCR-based methods take hours to process, requiring highly skilled personnel as well as specialized equipment. Lateral flow-based assays, such as the COVID rapid tests, allow convenient and rapid testing but require months to develop an antibody or other targeting reagent. An ideal system would combine the advantages of the rapid test with the advantage of sequence-based detection found within PCR-based assays. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown promise as sequence-based biosensors with the potential for development of diagnostic tests. The most common method for pathogen detection via MOFs is fluorescence based. MOF-based biosensors “turn on” when they sense the presence of the analyte, via a detectable fluorescent signal. For sequence based viral sensing, a fluorescent DNA probe complimentary to the virus sequence is used. The MOF interacts electrostatically with this probe and quenches the emission of probe fluorophore through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). In the presence of the viral DNA or RNA, the nucleic acid probe hybridizes to target and detaches from the MOF leading to recovery of the fluorescent signature. Here, we present characterization of a unique MOF set. As part of this work, the MOF was characterized via powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and helium ion microscopy (HIM) and the quenching of the fluorescence present on the nucleic acid probe was assessed via fluorescence spectroscopy.

SNL is managed and operated by NTESS under DOE NNSA contract DE-NA0003525

Genetically Engineered PD-L1 Targeted Exosomes for Immunotherapy of Doxorubicin Resistant Triple Negative Breast Cancers.

Mounika Aare, Jassy Lazarte, Mandip Singh

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida-32303.

E-mail: mandip.sachdeva@famu.edu

This study aimed to develop engineered exosomes to target PD-L1 and deliver STAT3 siRNA to doxorubicin-resistant triple-negative breast cancer thus harnessing the immune system against tumours. Abstract: Surface marker screening using western blotting identified overexpression of PD-L1 in resistant TNBC (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB468) cell lines. A stable HEK 293T cell line expressing anti-PD-L1 was generated, facilitating the production of exosomes with PD-L1 expression using bioreactors. Characterization using nano-FCM demonstrated significant surface expression of anti-PD-L1. Significant PD-L1 knockdown was observed both in vitro and in vivo, in doxorubicin-resistant MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells(P<0.001). Moreover, combining PD-L1 targeted exosomes containing STAT 3 SiRNA (EXO-3) and paclitaxel led to significant reduction of tumour volume(P<0.001) and inhibition of PD-L1/NFKB mediated apoptosis. EXO3 downregulated immune markers PD-L1, PD-1, NF-KB, and STAT 3, while paclitaxel downregulated apoptotic markers. This synergistic chemotherapy and immunotherapy is a promising approach for combating PD-L1-overexpressing tumors. Further investigations in humanized mouse models are currently ongoing. This is the first study in engineering exosomes with PDL1 targeting for immune therapy and has broad application for variety of tumours.

Combination Therapy Using Cannabinoids in Combating Pancreatic Cancer.

Breana Boirie, Mounika Aare, Mandip Sachdeva

Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Breana1.boirie@famu.edu

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the fourth highest mortality rate amongst all cancer types. Gemcitabine is the standard treatment for PDAC however resistance to this drug does occur over time Cannabinoids have been proven to have anti-cancer properties since cannabinoid receptors are well overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of combination of cannabinoids against gemcitabine resistant pancreatic cancers. Several cannabinoids such as cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), cannabidivarin (CBDV) were screened for their anticancer activity against MIAPACA 2 Wild Type (WT) and PANC1 Wild Type (WT) Combinations of selected cannabinoids were tested to determine the most potent combination. Furthermore, the cannabinoids were tested in 3D Spheroids against MIAPACA 2 WT cells. RESULTS: The IC50 values of cannabinoids were found to be in the range of 4-10 μM with CBC + CBD and CBG+CBD being the most potent cannabinoids. The development of Gemcitabine resistant MIAPACA 2 and PANC1 cell lines are ongoing. CBG and CBD combination was found to be the most effective combination in treating pancreatic cancer due to apoptosis markers that was significantly downregulated compared to CBC+CBD combination

Towards the Isolation and Identification of the Bioactive Principles with Potential Anticancer Properties from an African Plant

Ismail L. Jones, Edem K. Onyameh, Chandrashekhar Voshavar, Barbara A. Bricker, Seth Y. Ablordeppey

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences – Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, 1415 S Martin Luther King Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32309 USA

ismail1.jones@famu.edu

Cancer remains a prominent but deadly disease that plagues the healthcare of communities. In 2024, an estimated 2,001,140 new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer deaths are projected to occur in the United States, increasing the importance for researchers to discover novel drugs for cancer therapy. Despite the significant progress in anticancer therapy, chemotherapeutic agents are often ineffective and associated with toxicity and drug resistance. For years, the strategy of screening natural products (Plants, Animals, Marine Organisms, and Microbes) has been used by researchers owing to their chemical diversity and reservoir of bioactive molecules. Compounds derived from natural sources provide a promising approach due to their safety, low cytotoxicity, and remedial potency/efficacy in treating various cancers. Ziziphus Mauritiana (ZM), also known as Indian jujube, is a tropical fruit tree species belonging to the family of Rhamnaceae and known to have several medicinal uses. Furthermore, all parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine in tropical countries. In the present study, we investigated the bark of Ziziphus Mauritiana to extract active components using polarity based solvent extraction and bioactive fractionation methods. Solvent extracts of Ziziphus Mauritiana bark were evaluated for their cytotoxicities in representative TNBC and pancreatic cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MIA PaCa-2). Bioactive fractions with significant cytotoxicity were further subjected to separation using flash chromatographic and HPLC methods to obtain the potential bioactive compound(s). The isolated and purified compound was then analyzed for possible structure elucidation using NMR and mass spectroscopic analysis.

Kaempferol Therapeutic Potential on Triple Negative Breast Cancer by Inhibiting Molecular Targets Involved in PD-L1 Overexpression and CCL2

Transcription

Sukhmandeep Kaur, Patricia Mendonca, Karam F.A. Soliman

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Email: karam.soliman@famu.edu

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype that affects African American women more aggressively compared to other ethnic groups Immunotherapies, including anti-PD-L1, have shown efficacy in TNBC treatment but tend to develop resistance over time. Kaempferol is a flavonoid with potential anti-cancer activity, targeting various oncogenic pathways in TNBC. This investigation analyzed the effect of kaempferol in the expression of PDL1 and associated genes using TNBC cells from Caucasian (MDA-MB-231) and African American (MDA-MB-468) women. The methodology included viability assays (2D and 3D), flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and ELISA. Kaempferol induced cell death in 2D and 3D cell culture-based models (12.5 to 100µM) in both cell lines; further validated by flow cytometry-based apoptosis assay. Moreover, RT-PCR assays were conducted to investigate kaempferol’s effect on the mRNA expression of PD-L1 and MUC1, JAK1, and STAT3, which are associated with PD-L1 overexpression. Kaempferol downregulated these genes in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells at 25µM and 50µM concentrations, respectively. Kaempferol’s effect on PD-L1 expression was further confirmed using ELISA. Furthermore, kaempferol downregulated NFκ-B1 expression in both cell lines, thereby inhibiting the expression of CCL2, a prominent chemoattractant known for inducing resistance in TNBC. In conclusion, kaempferol inhibits specific molecular targets involved in PD-L1 overexpression and inhibits NFκB1, which is linked to increased levels of PDL1 and the transcription of CCL2, which is associated with resistance in TNBC. Therefore, kaempferol may have the potential to modulate PD-L1 expression and the development of resistance toward conventional TNBC immunotherapies.

Targeting Midasin Reverses Genomic Instability in Endocrine-Resistant Breast Cancer.

Manasa

Kotina1, Afia Ohemeng1, Mounika Pamukuntla1, Bipika Banjara1, Alicia Hudson1, A. Michael Davidson1, Jillian Pope2, Selina Darling-Reed1, and Syreeta L. Tilghman1

1 Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute of Public Health, 2 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL; manasa1.kotina@famu.edu

Breast cancer progression is marked by increased expression of midasin (MDN1), a AAA-ATPase implicated in ribosomal biogenesis. Previous studies from our lab indicate that MDN1 is upregulated in hormone-independent breast cancer samples. Through TCGA analysis, we observed that breast tumors with MDN1 alterations exhibit significant dysregulation of cell cycle proteins and markers of genomic instability. However, MDN1’s precise role in DNA damage and cell fate regulation remains to be elucidated. We hypothesize that elevated MDN1 expression contributes to DNA damage and genomic instability, enhancing tumor cell survival and proliferation. To explore this, we employed two triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, MDA-MB-468 (high MDN1 expression) and MDA-MB-231 (low MDN1 expression), and treated them with 1–12 µM of ribozinoindole-2 (Rbin-2), a selective MDN1 inhibitor, for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Rbin-2 treatment led to a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability, with 12 µM achieving approximately 50% inhibition at 72 hours. Western blot analysis revealed higher MDN1 expression in MDA-MB-468 cells, and Rbin-2 treatment reduced MDN1 levels by approximately 30-50%. TCGA data further indicated that MDN1 overexpression correlates with increased mutation burden, microsatellite instability, and enhanced DNA damage signatures. Rbin-2 treatment downregulated mismatch repair proteins (MSH2, MSH6) and DNA damage response markers (phospho-p53). Functional assays, including Comet assays and γH2AX immunofluorescence, confirmed that elevated MDN1 expression is associated with DNA damage and cell cycle dysregulation. Collectively, these findings implicate MDN1 as a crucial driver of genomic instability in TNBC, suggesting that its inhibition may offer a novel therapeutic approach for MDN1-overexpressing breast cancers.

Identification of New Dopamine D4 Receptor Selective Ligands for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Edith B. Kuudaar: Chandra S. Voshavar: Edem K. Onyameh: Uma M. Gonela: Seth Y. Ablordeppey

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

edith1.kuudaar@famu.edu

Dopamine receptors are implicated in many neurological processes including motor functions, memory, attention, cognition, impulse control, sleep, and decision making. Among the five Dopamine receptors sub-types, the localization of the Dopamine D4 receptor (D4R) in the prefrontal cortex strongly suggests its role in cognition and emotions. Attention has been drawn to this receptor since the atypical antipsychotic, Clozapine showed high binding affinity (Ki D4=1.6 nM) to the D4R and its effectiveness in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia with the absence of the parkinsonism-like side effects recorded with the typical antipsychotics. This has led to further exploration of the D4R to better understand its association with neuropsychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia. Thus, high affinity D4R selective ligands have enormous potential towards understanding and treatment of schizophrenia and other associated CNS disorders. We previously reported a high affinity D4 receptor selective ligand (1) with a benzothiazole alkyl piperazine core, (Ki D4=3.9 nM) with no significant binding affinity to any of the other Dopamine receptor subtypes. In continuation, we further sought to identify new, high affinity D4R selective ligands with improved pharmacokinetic profiles. Towards this end, we designed and synthesized a series of compounds and evaluated their binding profiles at the dopamine receptor sub-types including D4R and other important CNS receptors. In summary, development of potent D4R selective ligands may find potential application in D4R targeted treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia.

Machine Learning Models for Predicting Emergency Room Visit/Revisits and Hospital Admission/Readmission Due to Cardiovascular Disease

Tianfeng Li, PhD1; Sarah G. Buxbaum, PhD2; Arinzechukwu Nkemdirim Okere, PhD3; Carlos Theran-Suarez, PhD4

From the 1Departmet of Economic, Social, and Administrative Pharmacy (ESAP), College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University; 2Institute of Public Health, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University; 3Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Iowa; 4Department of Computer & Information Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida A&M University.

E-mail of corresponding author: 1Tianfeng1.Li@famu.edu; 3arinzechukwu-okere@uiowa.edu

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations, straining healthcare systems. Traditional models predicting CVD-related acute care often focus solely on clinical data, limiting their accuracy. This study aimed to develop machine learning (ML) models that integrate both clinical and non-clinical features to predict four key outcomes in CVD patients within 90 days: ED visits, ED revisits, hospital admissions, and readmissions. We analyzed data from 1,318 U.S. adults with CVD, collected via a Qualtrics survey between July 2021 and December 2022. The dataset included clinical variables and social determinants, medication literacy, and self-efficacy. Eight ML models were developed using tenfold cross-validation, and their performance was primarily assessed by area under the curve (AUC). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) were employed to determine feature importance. Tree-based ensemble models achieved high predictive accuracy, with AUC values ranging from 0.933 to 0.997. SHAP analysis showed that socioeconomic factors were consistently associated with lower healthcare utilization, while higher home medication volume increased risks. Social determinants were key predictors for ED visits and revisits, while health conditions were more influential for ED visits and hospital admissions. Medication literacy and self-efficacy played critical roles in reducing risks across all outcomes. This study shows the potential of ML models integrating clinical and non-clinical factors to accurately predict CVD-related healthcare utilization. The findings highlight the dynamic nature of risk factors and can guide targeted interventions to reduce unnecessary healthcare use and improve outcomes for CVD patients.

Silibinin Anticancer Effects Through the Modulation of JAK/STAT Signaling in Genetically Different Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Shubham D. Mishra, Patricia Mendonca, and Karam F.A. Soliman

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Email: karam.soliman@famu.edu

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with 10-20% being triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Caucasian and African American women being more susceptible to developing TNBC. Several natural products have shown potential in combating the aggressiveness of breast cancer by modulating the tumor microenvironment. This study investigated the anti-cancer effect of the natural compound silibinin on the modulation of JAK/STAT signaling using in MDA-MB-231 (Caucasian) and MDA-MB-468 (African American) TNBC cells. Methods included cell viability, proliferation, and RT-PCR. Silibinin (0.78-200 µM) decreased cell viability in both cell lines, with higher potency in MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 = 160 ± 3.32 µM) compared to MDA-MB-468 cells (IC50 = 172 ± 5.37 µM). It also exhibited antiproliferative effects in both cell lines, showing higher effect on MDA-MB-468 cells (IC50 for 48 h = 166.5 µM, 72 h = 73.81 µM, and 96 h = 70 µM) than in MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 for 48 h = 174.98 µM, 72 h = 152.65 µM, and 96 h = 86 µM). Moreover, the effect of the compound on the JAK/STAT signaling pathway was investigated using IFN-γ-stimulated TNBC cells. Silibinin modulated JAK1 and STAT3 mRNA expression by downregulating JAK1 expression at 6, 12, and 24h, and STAT3 expression only at 6h after treatment, indicating this pathway as a possible molecular mechanism of silibinin. In conclusion, silibinin may be a promising anti-cancer candidate for TNBC therapy by modulating JAK/STAT signaling, which is associated with cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and distant metastasis.

Design, Synthesis, and Enantioseparation of a Functionally Selective

5-HT7 Receptor Ligand

Alexus Morgan1, Edem K. Onyameh1, Barbara A. Bricker1, Chandrashekar Voshavar1, Seth Y. Ablordeppey1

1Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, USA.

alexus1.morgan@famu.edu

The 5-HT7 receptor (5-HT7R) was discovered in 1993 and has been shown to be a promising drug target for the treatment of pathological pain, sleep, neuropsychiatric and circadian rhythm disorders. New evidence has revealed that compounds that bind to the 5-HT7R not only activate through the canonical pathway but also via β-arrestin; and depending upon selective activation of the signaling pathways they can be classified as either biased or unbiased ligands. Such biased ligands may produce pharmacological actions with minimal side effects. However, designing and synthesizing compounds that selectively target the 5-HT7R and activate selectively a signaling pathway is a major challenge in medicinal chemistry partially due to the fact that both 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors share a high sequence homology (approximately 40%) among the 5-HTRs. Given that these two subtypes exert different pharmacological and physiological effects, the need to obtain selective ligands for each receptor subtype is urgently needed to further characterize them. Our lab has previously reported compound 1c that has a high selectivity for 5-HT7 receptors (Ki = 0.5 nM). However, due to the compound undergoing racemization, my current focus is to redesign and synthesize its analogs whose binding affinity is comparable to that of compound 1c and bring it into compliance with Lipinski’s Rule of Five (Ro5).

The Anticancer Effects of Polyisoprenylated Phosphonyl Ester Inhibitors (PPEIs) of PMPMEase in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Jahnissi Frimpomah Odoom: Amarender Goud Burra: Kweku Ofosu-Asante: Justin MensahMamfo: Joshua Ablordeppey: Nazarius S. Lamango

Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 1516 S Martin Luther King Boulevard

Jahnissi1.odoom@famu.edu

Monomeric G-proteins undergo methylation as part of their post-translational modifications, and polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) hydrolyzes these methyl esters. PMPMEase is crucial for altering G-protein structure and function, affecting cancer development. PPEIs are being developed to target this pathway as potential anticancer agents. MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 pancreatic cell lines were used in this study. NSL-AB-01, NSL-AB-02, and NSL-AB-03 suppressed cancer cell viability with EC50 values of 4.5, 4.8, and 4.6 µM for MIA PaCa-2 and 5.0, 6.4, 5.1 µM for PANC-1 cells, respectively. The number of cells that proliferated was significantly decreased by 99% for MIA PaCa-2 and 95% for PANC-1 at low micromolar PPEIs concentrations. PPEIs induced caspase activity by 230% and 140% for MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells, respectively. At 5 μM, PI3K/AKT proteins, S6 Kinase, PI3K, and AKT in MIA PaCa-2 cells were activated through phosphorylation by 19, 20, and 94%, respectively. However, a decrease was observed in PANC-1 cells by 30 and 40% for PDK1 and PI3K phosphorylation, respectively. PPEIs treatment caused actin filaments to become diffused, and clustered, causing the cells to lose shape and become rounded. These findings show the potential role of PPEIs in disrupting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and consequently, cancer progression.

The Anticancer Effects of Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors Involves Interaction with the KRAS Chaperone Calmodulin

Kweku Ofosu-Asante, Jassy Mary S. Lazarte, Amarender Goud Burra, Nazarius S. Lamango

Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 1516 S Martin Luther King Boulevard

Kweku1.ofosuasante@famu.edu

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Approximately 90% of reported cases are driven by KRAS mutations. The mutant KRAS acquires its functional localization through interactions with chaperone proteins via its polybasic polyisoprenylated tail. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) mimic this region possibly disrupting the polyisoprenylation-dependent interactions with chaperone proteins Here, we determine the effect of newly developed PCAIs that were designed to be more watersoluble on cell viability, 3D spheroid invasion, spheroid degeneration and F-actin filaments on MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells. Of the seven new PCAIs analogs tested, NSL-AB-51 and NSLAB-45 were the most potent, with EC50 values of 2.5 and 5.6 µM against MIA PaCa-2, and 1.7 and 4.5 µM against PANC-1 cells, respectively. At 5 and 10 µM, NSL-AB-51 decreased the invasion area of 3D spheroids by 98 and 99%, respectively. MIA PaCa-2 spheroids degenerated by 61% after 72 h treatment with 10 µM NSL-AB-51. Treatment with 1.0 μM NSL-AB-51 caused cell rounding and reduction of mean cell areas by 69% and F-actin filaments by 96%. Moreover, to identify the pharmacological target of the PCAIs, NSL-AB-45 was coupled to an epoxyactivated Sepharose resin for affinity trapping of PCAIs-interacting proteins Affinity-analysis of supernatants and detergent membrane extracts from MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells revealed single Coomassie band of about 17 kDa that was identified as calmodulin by western blotting analysis. The calmodulin-PCAIs affinity interaction was found to be strongest in the presence of calcium and weakest in the presence of EDTA. These findings reveal that calmodulin is the likely target of PCAIs. Since calmodulin is the chaperone protein responsible for KRAS trafficking and localization to the inner surface of the plasma membrane, this finding strongly suggests, at least in part, an anticancer role for the PCAIs that involve disruption of KRAS functions.

Development and Evaluation of Novel Gemcitabine Analog for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Joy

Okoro1, Raviteja Bulusu1, Esther Frimpong1, Sherise Rogers2, Bo Han3, Xue Zhu1, Edward Agyare1

1College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida

2Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida

3Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

Corresponding author: joy1.okoro@famu.edu

Gemcitabine (Gem) acts against pancreatic cancer but it is rapidly metabolized in blood to an inactive metabolite. To increase its therapeutic levels and efficacy, Gem is administered at high doses, which predisposes patients to severe side effects. This study aimed to improve Gem’s metabolic and therapeutic stability by modifying the amine group (4-NH2) with hydroxylamine to form 4-N-hydroxylGem hydrochloride (GemAGY). GemAGY was characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance and micro-elemental analysis and investigated its anticancer activity against MiaPaCa-2, BxPC-3, and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines. GemAGY’s metabolic stability was evaluated in a human liver microsomal solution. The purity of GemAGY was found to be 99.6%. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of GemAGY against MiaPaCa-2 cells was significantly higher (1.63 ± 0.15 µm) compared to GemHCl-treated MiaPaCa-2 cells (4.0 ± 1.7 µm). A similar trend was observed in PANC-1 and BxPC-3 cells (1.7 ± 0.2 µm vs 5.6 ±1.3 µm) (3.2 ± 1.1µm vs 5.5 ± 1.0 µm). The invitro metabolic stability showed 60% of GemAGY remained intact after 2 hours of exposure in comparison to less than 45% for GemHCl. GemAGYtreated MiaPaCa-2 cells at 3.12 and 6.25 μΜ concentrations demonstrated a significantly reduced cell mobility towards the wound area with (102.3 ± 4.1) and (65.7 ± 6.0) number of cells migrating respectively compared to the GemHCl-treated MiaPaCa-2 cells which showed (192± 3.0) and (174.3 ± 4.0) number cells at the same concentrations. GemAGY demonstrated remarkable anticancer activity and improved metabolic stability compared to GemHCl, and it may have potential anticancer activity against pancreatic cancer.

Deciphering the Role of Midasin and Cancer Stem Cell Dynamics in ESR1

Mutant Breast Cancer

Mounika Pamukuntla1, Manasa Kotina1, Bipika Banjara1, Afia Ohemeng1, Alicia Hudson1, A. Michael Davidson1, Jillian Pope2, Selina Darling-Reed1, Simak Ali3, and Syreeta L. Tilghman1

1 Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute of Public Health, 2 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL; 3Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperia; College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, England

Pamukuntla1.mounika@famu.edu

While most cases of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer initially respond to antiestrogen therapy eventually develop resistance. A major challenge in treating metastatic breast cancer is the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and constitutively active somatic mutations in the ER ligand-binding domain (LBD), such as ESR1 mutations, which drive tumor recurrence. Through proteomic analysis, we identified midasin (MDN1), a ribosomal protein, as significantly overexpressed in MCF-7 cells enriched with CSCs. However, the role of MDN1 in combination with ESR1 mutations and cancer stemness remains unclear. Therefore, we hypothesize that ESR1 mutations along with MDN1 cooperate to alter the microenvironment and position breast cancer cells for a survival advantage through increased stemness. Objective is to evaluate the significance of midasin inhibition on CSCs formation in MCF-7 cells with ESR1 LBD point mutations. RNASeq and western blot analyses were performed on MCF-7 cells, and ESR1 mutant lines (MCF7Y537S, MCF-7D538G), MDN1 transcript levels. Cells were treated with the midasin inhibitor ribozinoindole-2 (Rbin-2), significantly inhibited cell proliferation after 24-72 hours. Western blots showed that 3 µM Rbin-2 reduced midasin levels in both MCF-7LUC and MCF-7Y537S cells. Wound healing assays demonstrated that Rbins-2 treatment (3-12 µM) significantly impaired cell motility, with MCF-7D538G cells showing the greatest reduction (48%). Mammosphere formation assays revealed a 57% reduction in sphere number in MCF-7LUC cells, and Rbin-2 caused sphere disintegration in ESR1 mutant cells. These findings suggest midasin plays a key role in cell growth, migration, and stemness, potentially conferring a survival advantage in ESR1 mutant cells.

The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Metformin in LPSStimulated BV-2 Microglial Cells

Sarah Reed, Equar Taka, and Karam F.A. Soliman

Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

E-mail of corresponding author - karam.soliman@famu.edu

Metformin, a common medication for treating type 2 diabetes, has shown potential for ameliorating neurodegeneration. Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, are precipitated by chronic neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Neuroinflammation is characterized by microglial activation. Microglia are the primary immune cells of the CNS. When excessively activated, they cause neuronal damage by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen intermediates. Metformin’s influence may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory impact on suppressing microglial activation. Oxidative stress is caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Metformin mitigates oxidative stress by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I, reducing ROS production, activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and enhancing antioxidative cellular defenses. Therefore, we hypothesized that Metformin provides neuroprotective properties by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Metformin as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia cells and demonstrate that the effect is through activation of Nrf2/ARE cytoprotective pathways. The methods first involved stimulating BV-2 microglia cells for 1 hr with 1µg/mL LPS. Then, the cells were treated for 24 hours as a control, with 1mM, 2mM, 1mM+LPS, and 2mM+LPS Metformin concentrations. This study used a PrimePCR array of NF-κB signaling pathways and Western blotting technology to evaluate inflammatory and oxidative signaling pathways. Our findings indicate Metformin significantly downregulated the expression of mRNA of NF-κBIα, IL-1b, and CCl2(MCP-1), demonstrating that Metformin can reduce inflammation. Metformin also significantly increased the expression of mRNA of Hmox1 and IL-10, suggesting its antioxidative and neuroprotective effects. The Western blot results also revealed that Metformin significantly increased the protein expression of Nrf2, which is involved in the transcription of many antioxidant genes. In conclusion, these findings suggest that Metformin is not only beneficial for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes but may also have therapeutic potential to prevent or slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, by reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation

Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Towards Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Among College Students

Samantha Lubin, Alexis Haynes, Kayman Robinson, Te’yona Wilkerson, Ukamaka Diké Smith, Pharm.D., MBA,

1College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, affecting approximately 79 million Americans. Despite the proven effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in preventing HPVrelated precancerous lesions, the vaccination uptake remains low, particularly among adolescents and minority populations. This presents a significant public health concern. Limited research has explored the knowledge and perceptions of HPV vaccination among students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Our study aims to investigate the associations between HPV health literacy, barriers to vaccination, and the HPV vaccination status of students at HBCUs. We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative focus group interviews and a quantitative assessment. The qualitative aspect involves focus groups to explore HPV health literacy, perceived barriers, and acceptability of vaccination. Meanwhile, the quantitative component uses surveys distributed via Qualtrics software to assess participants’ knowledge of HPV, perceived susceptibility, vaccination history, and social norms. All participants voluntarily provided informed consent. Quantitative data will be analyzed using software like SAS or SPSS, while qualitative data from the focus groups will be examined using NVivo. Our results aim to deepen understanding of college students’ awareness, attitudes, and behaviors toward HPV vaccination. We hypothesize that low HPV health literacy correlates with lower vaccination rates. Ultimately, these findings will inform the development of a pharmacist-led educational intervention at HBCUs to boost awareness and vaccination rates, with the goal of reducing racial and ethnic disparities in cancer-related outcomes.

Identification of the Role of ESR1 Mutations and Midasin Alterations in Promoting Endocrine Resistance

Kianah Nelson1, Mounika Pamulakuntla1, Afia Ohemeng1, Manasa Kotina1, Bipika Banjara1, Simak Ali2, A. Michael Davidson1, Selina Darling-Reed1, and Syreeta L. Tilghman1

1College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307; 2Department of Surgery & Cancer Imperial College London, London, England, United Kingdom

E-mail of corresponding author: syreeta.tilghman@famu.edu

While most cases of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer initially respond to hormonal therapy, several patients acquire resistance. A major hurdle hampering the response of metastatic breast cancer patients to endocrine therapy is constitutively active somatic mutations in the ER ligand binding domain (LBD). Considerable preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrate that metastatic breast tumor cells with ESR1 point mutations are most frequently acquired under the selective influence of aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Recent bioinformatic evidence suggests a convergence of midasin (MDN1) alterations and endocrine resistance, however the mechanistic underpinnings are unclear. We hypothesized that there is an association between MDN1 expression and ER mutations which enhance proliferation. We used cBioportal to query MDN1 mRNA expression and stratified patients based on molecular subtypes. Basal breast cancer had the highest level of MDN1 mRNA expression, followed by normal tissue, luminal A, luminal B, and HER2. RNA-Seq was conducted using MCF-7 wild type and various MCF-7 cell lines with ER LBD point mutations (i.e.., L536R, Y537C, Y537N, Y537S, and D538G) and all cell lines expressed MDN1. To determine whether MDN1 was required for growth, colony formation assays were performed where the MCF-7 wild type and various MCF-7 ER mutant cell lines were treated with the control (DMSO), 1-12 µM of the MDN1 inhibitor (Rbin-2), or 5-fluorouracil for 24-48 hours. Results indicated that the MCF-7 D538G cells were inhibited by Rbin-2, indicating that MDN1 is required for the proliferation of breast cancer cells with ESR1 mutations, which may be partly responsible for conferring resistance.

2024 Student Research Forum Acknowledgements

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Florida A&M University

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Florida A&M University

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