Florida A&M University CoPPS 2022 Student Research Forum Program Booklet

Founded in September 1951, the Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health (CoPPS, IPH) has a rich history of producing high caliber graduates. In keeping with the University’s mission, the College is dedicated to academic excellence, research superiority, and community service to prepare its learners for leading pharmacy, research, and public health roles. The College is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy and providers of continuing pharmacy education. The Institute of Public Health is accredited through the Council through Education on Public Health (CEPH). The CoPPS, IPH is the only pharmacy program in the United States with a fully accredited Institute of Public Health and offers its learners PharmD, B.S., M.S., Dr. PH and Ph.D. degrees. With its main campus in Tallahassee, the College has additional practice centers in Jacksonville, Davie, Tampa, and Crestview, which support the infrastructure for the College's statewide commitment to pharmacy education and public service.

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

1415 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32307

For more information: https://pharmacy.famu.edu/

P:850-599-3301

F:850-599-3347

E:CoPPSIPH@famu.edu

Florida A&M University

2022 Student Research Forum (SRF)

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

New Pharmacy Building, First and Second Floor

Noon 5:30 PM

Organized by

The Florida A&M University Office of Undergraduate Research

The 2022 SRF activities have been sponsored by a generous contribution from AbbVie

2022 Student Research Forum

The Student Research Forum is designed to bring together Florida A&M University (FAMU) investigators, their research associates and students to exchange research findings in the areas of life sciences, engineering, technology, pharmaceutical sciences and clinical research. The focus of the forum is on student poster presentations. FAMU’s research students will have ample opportu nity to refine the art and science of research presentations. This experience will certainly enhance the students’ ability to present at national meetings. Appropriate input from all participants is, therefore, encouraged and expected.

The Student Research Forum is organized primarily by the Office of Undergraduate Research at FAMU. Most of the presenters are supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Research Center at a Minority Institution (RCMI) program and other federal, governmental or private agencies. Student Research Forum activities are funded by AbbVie.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tiffany W. Ardley, PhD Director, Office of Undergraduate Research Florida A&M University Tallahassee, FL 32307 850 599 3774 Tiffany.Ardley@famu.edu

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

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

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.

across

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 open minded 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.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, Florida 32307

TELEPHONE: (850) 412 5012 FAX: (850) 412 4096

Excellence with Caring OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH DIVISION OF RESEARCH

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, Florida 32307

TELEPHONE: (850) 412

(850) 412

Congratulations to the organizers and participants of the 2022 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 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.

Congratulations to the organizers and participants of the 2022 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.

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.

10/26/2022

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.

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

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

10/26/2022

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

FAMU IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS UNIVERSITY

Excellence with Caring OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH DIVISION OF RESEARCH

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee Main Campus

1415 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32307

Excellence With Caring

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,

Telephone: (850) 599-3301 Institute of Public Health Fax: (850) 599-3347

To All participants of the 2022 FAMU Student Research Forum:

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Florida A&M University Student Research Forum (SRF). October 26th, 2022 marks the return of this outstanding event and the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health is proud to serve as host. The Beckman Corporation gave this first gift in support of the Forum. Today, this event is made possible by our supporting sponsor, AbbVie. With nearly 30 learner presentations, the College is committed to supporting a productive and successful research forum.

It is my sincere pleasure to congratulate every learner and mentor for their efforts and dedication to scientific research in this program. You are the driving force behind this fantastic event. I wish you the best for a successful poster presentation.

I want to thank AbbVie for generously supporting our research forum this year. We appreciate the effort of one of our outstanding alumna, Dr. Joy Jackson-Guilford, Director of Pipeline Partnerships – Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at AbbVie, and her commitment to FAMU. I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to the 2022 FAMU SRF Organizing Committee for their hard work and careful planning.

The National Institute of Health (NIH), the United States Department of Education, and the Research Center in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program have been instrumental in strengthening and expanding research activities at FAMU.

I wish to commend all faculty members who have excelled in generating research funding and demonstrating exceptional commitment to research as well as performing superb student mentoring. These good efforts have been demonstrated in national symposia and scientific conferences. By our faculty efforts, our undergraduate learners are so well prepared to become graduate learners.

Sincerely, Early II, PhD, RPh, Fellow NPhA CEO Dean and Professor Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Photo Credit: Jamal Brown PharmD

Dear Student Research Forum Participants:

I would like to welcome you all to the 2022 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.

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 appreciative of all of the efforts of Dr. Joy Jackson Guilford, Director, Strategic Pipeline Partnerships Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 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 mento rs of the students who will be presenting their research today. Your valuable training and mentoring will help to shape these participants to be 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.

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 Coordinator, Student Research Forum

School of Graduate Studies and Research and Continuing Education (SGSRC) mission is to become a leader in the production of graduate degrees especially from underrepresented/underserved communities in a wide variety of fields for the future U.S. workforce.

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

SGSRC serves as a central resource for Graduate Students at Florida A&M University to facilitate their progressions and be a conduit for student success.

supports our students and faculty by providing a range of opportunities and programs such as:

Assistantships

state Waivers

state Waiver

A. Auzenne Fellowship Program

Research Awards Program (FRAP)

Education (professional development programs, workshops, and certificates)

Orr Drive, Suite 469, Tucker Hall

599 3505

Michael Abazinge, Ph.D.

Associate Provost and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies & Research

On behalf of our entire team at AbbVie, welcome to the 2022 Florida A&M University Student Research Forum. We are excited to continue our partnership with FAMU where we have built lasting relationships while highlighting outstanding student achievements.

The upcoming Student Research Forum will provide undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to share their research findings with subject matter experts, currently working in their chosen fields, and the entire FAMU community of students, faculty and administration. Our AbbVie employees from around the world will be active participants in the forum, giving students an opportunity for visibility with potential future colleagues, and to receive valuable feedback on their work.

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.

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.

We are honored to be part of this year’s Student Research Forum and are thankful for the opportunity to support the career journeys of these future changemakers. It is our hope they will consider AbbVie as part of their future when they leave Florida A&M University

Sincerely,

Joy Jackson Guilford, MS, PhD Director, Strategic Pipeline Partnerships Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EED&I) Corporate Human Resources AbbVie

Sherri Carter

Associate Director, Operations

Sherri Carter is Associate Director within the Operations Group. In this role, she is responsible for leading and overseeing an operations team that is responsible for manufacturing a critical medicine.

Sherri began her career at AbbVie in 2021. Prior to joining AbbVie, she held various leadership positions in the pharmaceutical industry and the oil and gas industry.

She has a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida A&M University.

Sherri participates in organizations that are focused on promoting STEAM opportunities to women and underrepresented groups. She is passionate about seeing greater diversity and inclusion (D&I) within manufacturing. She believes diversity brings better ideas and more creativity, which is valuable to solving technical problems. Sherri actively mentors and manages a free tutoring program at her church.

In her spare time, Sherri enjoys traveling with friends and family, volunteering in her community and cooking New Orleans dishes.

Sherwanna Flanagan Clarke, Pharm.D

Medical Portfolio Lead, Neuroscience

Sherwanna Clarke is the Medical Portfolio Lead for Neuroscience within US Medical Affairs at Abbvie. In this role she leads a team that coordinate, plan, and direct all the financial and operational components of the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area to deliver on their portfolio priorities.

Sherwanna has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 23 years starting as an Medical Science Liaison with GlaxoSmithKline. She joined Abbott in 2008 as a Government Regional Clinical Executive for Medical Affairs where she worked within the payor space responsible for communicating clinical data to government accounts. She has worked in key strategic medical and commercial roles of increasing responsibility across a broad range of areas collaborating with many different functions. One of those roles was serving as the Associate Director for Commercial Operations within the Global Marketing and Commercial Operations organization. In this role, she was responsible for reinforcing AbbVie’s leadership, impact, and brand equity across major Immunology Congresses worldwide. She was also responsible for enhancing strategic and operational processes within Global Immunology by driving cross-functional collaboration and alignment.

Previously, she was the Associate Director for Global Strategic Initiatives on the Biologics Strategic Development Team where she lead multiple high priority biosimilar strategic projects.

Sherwanna has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and helping others. She’s married to her college sweet heart Ian Clarke and has 4 adult children (Brianna, Morgan, Lauren and Christopher), and 2 granddaughters name Aniyah and Eden.

Carmen Gay, PharmD , AAHIVP

Medical Science Liaison

Migraine, AbbVie Neurosciences

Carmen Gay is the Medical Science Liaison supporting AbbVie’s Migraine therapeutic portfolio within Medical Affairs. In this role, she is responsible for developing and maintaining professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing medical, scientific, and clinical trial support. She regularly engages in scientific exchanges with Key Opinion Leaders in Neuroscience, facilitates educational presentations on AbbVie’s products and supports research initiatives. She is an advocate for advancing science for patients.

Carmen is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, where she received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). She began her professional career as a community pharmacist. In 2019, she transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry as a Medical Science Liaison gaining experience in the infectious diseases and hepatology therapeutic areas. Prior to transitioning into the pharmaceutical industry, she was a specialty clinical pharmacist for a managed care organization. She joined the AbbVie Neuroscience team in June 2021 supporting Washington D.C. and Virginia

Outside of the MSL role, you will find Carmen traveling, running, or watching sports. She enjoys volunteering with Distant Relatives and the DC FAMU Alumni Association. She is a proud plant mom and loves spending time with her family.

Joy Jackson - Guilford, MS, PhD

Director Strategic Pipeline Partnerships Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EEDI)

Joy Jackson Guilford is Director of Strategic Pipeline Partnerships for EEDI within the Human Resources organization at AbbVie. In this role, she is responsible for developing, leading, and overseeing the strategy for expanding external pipeline partnerships that drive and enhance AbbVie’s early and mid-level diverse talent pipeline and opportunities through Historically Black Colleges & Universities/Hispanic Serving Institutions and diverse student organizations; alumni forums; fraternities and sororities; and professional organizations. She has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 24 years beginning her career as a post-doctoral scientist for Eli Lilly and Company, and then continuing to Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie in various roles in Pharmaceutical Project Management, Medical/Clinical Affairs and Human Resources.

Joy began her career at Abbott/AbbVie 16 years ago as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in Immunology covering Rheumatology, Gastroenterology and Dermatology in Georgia and South Carolina. In 2009, she began her leadership journey as a field director for Immunology and Neuroscience MSL teams. She joined the HR team in October 2018.

Joy has a Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Toxicology from Florida A&M University.

Outside of work, Joy enjoys spending time with her family and is very involved with giving back to the community through several organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., National Council of Negro Women, and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. She also enjoys mentoring and engaging students in the STEAM field and recently developed The JJG STEAM Foundation, Inc. whose mission is to create and foster a learning environment that inspires students to pursue future careers in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, or math. In addition, the foundation provides scholarships to graduating seniors that plan to major in those fields.

Shandia Wilson

Quality Assurance- Validation Engineer Operations Development Program

Shandia is 1 of 17 members in the 2022 cohort of the Operations Development program at AbbVie. Her first role is a Validation Engineer at the North Chicago Manufacturing Plant. In this role, she works as a validation coordinator to support the commercial production of new and existing drug products, assist site inspections to ensure audit readiness, and ensure maintenance of GxPs through various other items.

Before joining AbbVie, Shandia interned at the FDA in the Office of Safety & Compliance, worked as a program manager for Project Destined. and assisted with the formulation of CBD based anticancer and anti-aging products in the FAMU Labs.

Shandia has a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Florida A&M University. In her time at FAMU, Shandia was the president of Honors Student Association, Surgeon General for Student Government Association, a peer mentor, tutor, and an initiate of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Outside of work, Shandia enjoys cooking, fitness, spending time with family, and is very involved with giving back to the community through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Florida A&M University

2022 Student Research Forum Panel of Judges

Yohn J. Parra Bautista, PhD

Visiting Assistant Professor Computer Information Systems Florida A&M University College of Science and Technology

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

Senior Director, Portfolio Program Management Head of Deliverable Team PMs (BST, IEST, and VAT)

Jingqiu Chen, PhD Assistant Professor

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

John Cooperwood, PhD Professor of Medicinal Chemistry Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Tushar Dhanani, PhD Research Scientist Florida A&M University FAMU Viticulture Center

Brandon Moton, DrPH Assistant Professor Division of Health Science Florida A&M University School of Allied Health Sciences

Jillian Pope, PhD

Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Florida A&M University College of Science and Technology

Kim Ribeiro, MLS (ASCP)CM, MS AbbVie Director II Diversity & Patient Inclusion Clinical Development Operations

Desmond Stephens, PhD Associate Professor of Mathematics Florida A&M University College of Science and Technology

Sonya Stephens, PhD

Associate Dean, Administrative and Fiscal Affairs Florida A&M University School of Journalism and Graphic Communication Nora Entekhabi, PhD

Assistant Professor of Mathematics Florida A&M University College of Science and Technology

Nichelle Gilliam, MA, PMP® AbbVie

Associate Director, Patient Inclusion Solutions Diversity & Patient Inclusion Team

Bereket Mochona, PhD

Associate Professor of Chemistry Florida A&M University College of Science and Technology

Deborah Taffe, PhD, MSN ED, RN Instructor Florida A&M University School of Nursing

Shandia Wilson AbbVie

Quality Assurance Validation Engineer Operations Development Program

2022 Student Research Forum About the Speaker

Kim Ribeiro is the Head of the Diversity & Patient Inclusion team at AbbVie. The Diversity and Patient Inclusion team sits within R&D at AbbVie. Within this role, Kim Ribeiro is responsible for building and operationalizing a vision and enterprise strategy for AbbVie’s intentional approach to attracting underserved and diverse populations of investigator sites and patients into our clinical trials, leveraging patient insights to enhance clinical trial design, and building the foundational capabilities necessary to drive patient and investigator inclusivity. Kim joined AbbVie in August 2014 after six years working as a patient recruitment and retention strategist delivering diverse enrollment for the top 50 pharmaceutical companies at a contract research organization. During her tenure at AbbVie, Kim held positions in clinical recruitment strategy and patient centricity. Her collective experience has uniquely positioned her to be a leading voice in clinical trial diversity and patient centricity. As a licensed Medical Laboratory Scientist, Kim has been

Name of Presenter

Florida A&M University

2022 Student Research Forum

Presentations October 26, 2022 1:45 3:00 PM New Pharmacy Building, First Floor

General Research Area

Pharmaceutical Sciences Adinew, Getinet

Abegaz, Tadesse

Pharmaceutical Sciences Ahmed, Shade

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Life Sciences Anderson, Destiny

Akinbi, Gbemisola

Life Sciences Arigbede, Olumide

Clinical Research Barber, Kimberly

Pharmaceutical Sciences Boirie, Breana

Pharmaceutical Sciences Brito, Richard

Clinical Research Burnett,Jayden

Life Sciences Calhoun, Ife

Life Sciences Evans, Jasmine

Pharmaceutical Sciences Fiola,Tolulope

Life Sciences

Clinical Research Gedeon, Shasline

Freeney, Kyra

Pharmaceutical Sciences Gumbs, Caleb

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Florida A&M University

Student Research Forum

Research

Horne, Ericka

Clinical

Life Sciences Morain, Almando

Liggins, Alexis

Life Sciences Nathan,i Aakash

Pharmaceutical Sciences Ndemazie, Nkafu Bechem

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmaceutical Sciences Ofosu Asante, Kweku

Danquah,

Pharmaceutical

Orfinger,

Sisco,

Tellis, Eljaye

Sciences

Woodard,

Yhdego, Tsegai

1

1Economic, Social and Administrative Pharmacy (ESAP)

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Heath Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida, United States

2College of Pharmacy University of Florida Gainesville, Florida, United States

Corresponding Author: Askal.ali@famu.edu

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have been used as the standard of care for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Recently, dapagliflozin has been shown to reduce diabetic nephropathy when added to the standard of care. Purpose To determine the cost effectiveness of dapagliflozin added to the standard of care in diabetic nephropathy in the United States of America (USA). Methods: A Markov model was developed to determine the cost effectiveness outcomes from the Medicare/Medicaid health coverage perspective. Model inputs were derived from the literature. The primary outcomes were total costs, quality adjusted life years (QALYs), and the incremental cost effectiveness ratio. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the robustness of our results. A willingness to pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY was applied. Results: Dapagliflozin yielded a lifetime QALY of 2.8. The discounted QALY associated with the standard of care was 2.6. The standard of care was the less costly treatment with a lifetime cost of $106,150.25 as compared with dapagliflozin, which costs $110,689.25. Dapagliflozin demonstrated an incremental cost effectiveness ratio of $21,141.51 per additional QALY. The most influential parameters of the incremental cost effectiveness ratio were the adverse drug reaction related cost of the standard of care, the acquisition cost, and the adverse drug reaction related cost of dapagliflozin. The effects and costs of the interventions were consistent between base case analyses and the probabilistic model (incremental cost effectiveness ratio: $19,023.35 [$13,637.8 $27,483.1]). Conclusions: Dapagliflozin added to the standard of care was cost effective relative to the standard of care alone in the USA for patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Cost-Effectiveness of Dapagliflozin Added to Standard of Care for the Management of Diabetic Nephropathy in the USA

1Tadesse M Abegaz, 2Vakaramoko Diaby, 1Fatimah Sherbeny, and 1Askal A Ali

2

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

Correspondence: karam.soliman@famu.edu Tel.: +01 850 599 3306

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that lacks the expression of the progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, which limits the therapy options in treating and preventing TNBC. Oxidative stress and inflammation are highly involved in TNBC development and progression. They are directly associated with Nrf2 and its downstream target molecule, PD L1. The current study uses thymoquinone (TQ) in MDA MB 231 and MDA MB 468 TNBC cells. The obtained results indicate that TQ has significant antioxidant activity, reduces ROS levels in both cell lines, and reduces the production of H2O2 in MDA MB 468 cells. TQ enhanced catalase activity and superoxide dismutase enzyme levels in MDA MB 231 cells in a concentration dependent manner. Among the five upregulated oxidative stress antioxidant defense system genes in MDA MB-231 cells, NQO1 had the highest fold increase (+2.63-fold). In MDA-MB-468 cells, few genes were altered compared to MDA MB 231. Three genes were consistently upregulated in both cells; PRNP, NQO1, and GCLM were found to be upregulated in both types of cells, with a notable fold change in MDA MB 468 cells (+157.65 vs. +1.7, +48.87 vs. +2.63 and +4.78 vs. +2.17), respectively. Despite being higher in MDA MB 468 cells (6.67 vs. 4.06), mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 was significantly higher in both TQ-treated cell lines. TQ treatment reduced PD L1 protein expression in both cell lines while increasing mRNA levels. In conclusion, TQ modulates the expression of the Nrf2 and PD L1, ROS, antioxidant enzymes, and numerous oxidative stress antioxidant system genes, suggesting the possible therapeutic use of TQ in the TNBC patient.

Thymoquinone Anticancer Effects Through the Antioxidant Activity, Upregulation of Nuclear Factor-erythroid 2-related Factor (Nrf2), and Downregulation of Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1(PD-L1) in TripleNegative Breast Cancer Cells

Getinet M Adinew, Samia S Messeha, Equar Taka, Ramesh B Badisa, and Karam F A Soliman*

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

Email: shade1.ahmed@famu.edu

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women worldwide and is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer and accounts for about 10 15% of all breast cancers. TNBC is mainly found in Caucasian and African American women. The tumor microenvironment provides to the success of tumor initiation and progression, preceding invasive metastasis, increased cell growth and angiogenesis. Therefore, inhibition of these mechanisms may reduce its development. Several dietary natural products show the ability to fight against the aggressiveness of breast cancer leading to the inhibition of proliferation and angiogenesis, induction of apoptosis, and reduction of breast cancer progression and tumor development. PURPOSE: In the current study, the pharmacological effects of natural compound fucoxanthin, a xanthophyll, a subset of carotenoids in brown macroalgae are investigated in genetically different, MDA MB 231 (Caucasian) and MDA-MB-468 (African American) TNBC cell lines. METHODS: Cytotoxic and cell growth assays, angiogenic arrays, RT PCR, apoptotic, cell cycle, and migration assays were performed. RESULTS: Fucoxanthin (1.56 300 µM) decreased cell viability in a dose and time response manner in both cell lines, showing a higher potency in MDA MB 468 cells. Fucoxanthin presented similar anti proliferative effects in both MDA MB 468 and MDA MB 231 cells after 48 h and 72 h. Angiogenesis studies showed that fucoxanthin (6.25 µM) downregulates VEGF A and VEGF C expression in TNF α stimulated (50 ng/ml) MDA MB 231 cells, but not in MDA MB 468 cells in the transcription and protein levels. Fucoxanthin induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase in both MDA MB 231 and MDA MB 468 cells, showing higher cell cycle arrest at S phase in MDA-MB-231 cells, and higher cell cycle arrest at G2-phase in MDA-MB-468 cells. Fucoxanthin induced apoptosis in MDA MB 231 cells, but had no effect in MDA MB 468 cells. Additionally, fucoxanthin inhibited migration and invasion in both cell lines. Fucoxanthin inhibition was more effective in MDA MB 231 cells, at a shorter time period. CONCLUSION: Fucoxanthin may be a promising candidate for breast cancer therapy by targeting VEGF A, VEGF-C, decreasing cell proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and inhibiting cell migration and invasion.

Marine Xanthophyll Fucoxanthin Anticancer Effects on Genetically Different Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Cells

Shade’ A. Ahmed, Patricia Mendonca, Samia Messeha, and Karam F.A. Soliman

4

Kimberly Barber, Patricia Mendonca and Karam F.A. Soliman

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

Neurodegenerative diseases are thought to be influenced by chronic oxidative stress and inflammation. Nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, which cause neurodegeneration, are among the many neurotoxic substances that are produced as a result of ongoing activation of microglia cells. The current study investigated the effect of cardamonin, a natural compound, on LPS activated BV 2 microglial cells. Methodology included cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzymatic assays for superoxide dismutase and catalase detection, assays for glutathione quantification, and RT PCR to investigate genes associated with oxidative stress. Results showed that cardamonin induced a dose-response cytotoxic effect in concentrations ranging from 0.78 to 200 µM. Cardamonin concentrations of 6.25 to 50 µM reduced over 95% the release of NO, compared to the cells treated with LPS only Cardamonin significantly decreased the cellular production of SOD, and increased the levels of expression of CAT and glutathione. In RT PCR arrays cardamonin increased the mRNA expression of CAT, and decreased the levels of NOS2, CCL5/RANTES, SLC38A1, and TXNIP. Additionally, cardamonin decreased the levels of Keap1 and increased the expression of Nrf2, suggesting that this signaling may be responsible for the upregulation of antioxidant factors. The data show cardamonin efficacy in modulating proteins and genes involved in inflammation and in the control of elevated intracellular levels of ROS. In conclusion, these findings suggest that cardamonin may have a potential in the therapy of microglia-derived neurodegeneration, helping to prevent or slow the progression of the disease in the CNS.

Cardamonin Anti-Oxidant Effects on N LPS-Activated BV-2 Microglial Cells

Human Retinal Organoids Derived Exosomes and Their Application

Breana C Boirie, Arthur Peggy, Sangeetha Kandoi,PhD, Deepak Lamba and Mandip S Sachdeva

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

Department of Ophthalmology University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

mandip.sachdeva@famu.edu

Ocular diseases such as age-related macular disease, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy lead to neuron death in the retina; the former results in the loss of ganglion cells, while the latter causes degeneration that encompasses other neuronal types as well. Treatments for age related macular degeneration are invasive and painful, and EVs are potentially therapeutic. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are phospholipid bilayer particles that play a crucial role in cell to cell communication. There are three subtypes of extracellular vesicles: microvesicles, exosomes, and apoptotic bodies. Exosomes contain endogenous components such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acid that can be acclimated to deliver cargo to the target cell. There is a developing interest in extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, for optical applications such as drug delivery systems, biomarkers, and immune modulators. This ongoing study provides the proteomic characterization of retinal organoid EVs, compares it with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, and the properties of bioreactor cultured 3D human retinal organoid secreted EVs. Nanoparticle tracking analysis was acclimated to determine the average size, particle concentration, and zeta potential for early retinal organoid EVs ( <120 days) and late organoids EVs (>120 days). This ongoing study proposes that EV that is produced by retinal organoids potentially have a use in diagnostic and therapeutic treatments for optical disease.

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health (CoPPS, IPH) Florida A&M University

1415 S Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Tallahassee, FL 32307

Corresponding Author: karam.soliman@famu.edu

Abstract: Neurodegenerative disorders are becoming more prevalent as life expectancy increases. Among triggers, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in disease progression. This study evaluated the effect of hesperetin, a major flavonoid found in citrus fruits, on LPS activated BV 2 microglial cells. Methods included cytotoxic, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione assays, RT PCR arrays to screen genes associated with oxidative stress, and RT PCR using Nrf2 and Keap1 primers Cell viability showed that hesperetin was not toxic in concentrations ranging from 0.78 to 100 µM, however the concentration of 200 µM decreased cell viability 20% after 24 h. In the combination of hesperetin and LPS only the highest concentration reduced 50% of cell viability after 24 h. After 48 h, results showed that 80% of cells were viable across all concentrations. Enzymatic assays showed that hesperetin induced catalase and superoxide dismutase expression after a 48 h treatment, compared to LPS treatment. Hesperetin also induced expression of glutathione on LPS activated BV 2 cells Oxidative stress PCR arrays showed that hesperetin (100 µM) modulated genes that regulate oxidative stress and inflammation, including the downregulation of ERCC6, NOS2, and NCF1 and up regulation of HMOX1 mRNA expression RT PCR showed that LPS decreased Nrf2 expression, however, after pre treating cells with hesperetin there was a 25 fold increase in Nrf2 mRNA expression after 48 h. This increase may be associated with increased expression of antioxidants observed in this study. Therefore, hesperetin modulates several genes associated with oxidative stress and neuroinflammation and may potentially prevent or slow the progression of neurodegeneration.

Hesperetin’s Therapeutic Effects on Oxidative Stress Genes and Antioxidant Mediators In LPS-Activated BV-2 Microglial Cells

Jasmine A. Evans, Patricia Mendonca and Karam F A Soliman

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Shasline Gedeon, Madhavi Gangapuram, Kinfe K. Redda, Tiffany Ardley

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

Corresponding Author: Tiffany.Ardley@famu.edu

The World Health Organization confirms breast cancer as the most common cancer globally as of 2021, tallying 12% of new annual cancer cases worldwide It is the second leading in incidence rates among women overall, after lung cancer, but leads in mortality rates among Black and Hispanic women. Hence, there is a dire need for the discovery and development of novel molecules for effective anticancer agents. Chronic inflammation is directly related to cancer. Literature testifies to the present and overexpression of cyclooxygenase 2 in many cancers. Thus, it is of great interest to investigate the inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 as its relation to cancer therapy. The tetrahydropyridine structure has been noted in several natural products and exhibit biological properties including anti inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemotherapeutic Therefore, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors have been designed with the incorporation of substituted phenylcarbonylamino 5 ethyl 1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine moieties. The objective of this project is to synthesize thirteen THP analogues utilizing a 4 step synthesis. N amination of 3 Ethylpyridine by the aminating agent, O mesytelenesulfonylhydroxylamine, and treated with substituted acyl chlorides gives stable pyridinium ylides. These products are purified and reducing them using sodium borohydride gives the target THP compounds. Characterization is still ongoing and will include nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Preliminary data obtained through computer-based investigation showed that appropriate substitutions on the tetrahydropyridine molecule would likely produce more effective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors. The novel tetrahydropyridine analogues will undergo testing as cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and anti breast cancer activity will be determined using MDA MD 231, MCF 7 and Ishikawa cell lines assessing their anti proliferative effects.

Synthesis of Tetrahydropyridine Analogues as Selective COX-2 Inhibitors and Anti-Breast Cancer Agents

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

caleb1.gumbs@famu.edu

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) students report more suicide risk behaviors compared to their heterosexual peers. Research on the prevalence of suicide risk among LGB high school students has been assessed among nationally representative samples without distinguishing statewide differences, leaving stakeholders in Florida without directly applicable research findings. The purpose of this study is to examine statewide trends in suicide risk among Florida high school students by self-reported identity (LGB vs heterosexual) and assesses differences in these trends among LGB students by sex at birth (male or female) and race/ethnicity (Black, non Hispanic, Hispanic and White, non Hispanic) This study uses data from the Florida Department of Health’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey for the years 2013 to 2021 to analyze trends in suicide risk among Florida LGB students while controlling for sex, race/ethnicity and grade level. Percent prevalence estimates for each survey year were derived using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression models were used to compare prevalence of suicide risk. The results indicate that LGB students reported more suicide risk behaviors than their heterosexual peers. Among LGB students, differences in the reporting of suicide risk behaviors by sex and race/ethnicity were found. These findings underline the urgency for initiatives specifically tailored towards reducing suicide risk among Florida’s LGB students.

Trends in Suicide Risk Behaviors Among Florida LGB High School Students, 2013-2021

Caleb M. Gumbs, Sandra G. Suther, Matthew T. Dutton: Fatimah M. Sherbeny, Clyde P. Brown

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Natural Killer Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) as Potential Immune Therapy in Lung Cancer

aCollege of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

bDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine

Tallahassee, FL, 32306 4300, USA

*Corresponding author email: mandip.sachdeva@gmail.com, mandip.sachdeva@famu.edu

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in both men and women. Drug resistance against taxanes and platins is prominent in lung cancer. Targeted microRNAs and extracellular vesicles (EVs) have potential for treating resistant cancers. In this study, we used natural killer cell derived EVs (NK EVs) as therapeutic agents besides being the delivery system for microRNAs that regulate the expression of cytotoxic proteins. EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized by Nanoparticle tracking analysis and BCA assay. Invitro cytotoxicity studies using lung PDX cells, and resistant H1975 cells (with EGFR L858R mutation) demonstrated that NK EVs effected cell death (P<0.01) 1.8 fold and 1.7 fold respectively as compared to control suggesting the cytotoxic potential of NK EVs. NanoShuttle magnetic 3D cell culture cytotoxicity study supported the 2D data with 1.5-fold cell death in both the cell lines. The athymic nude mice bearing resistant H1975 tumors and NOD/SCID mice bearing lung PDX tumors were treated with NK EVs, carboplatin (as a standard drug) and NK EVs with carboplatin

The tumor volumes for treatment groups (NK EVs, carboplatin and NK EVs carboplatin) were 84%, 65%, 30% for H1975 tumors and 60%, 22%, 17% for PDX tumors respectively compared to control group at the end of study indicating anti cancer activity of NK EVs. Proteomic analysis revealed the involvement of proteins such as granzyme, perforin, plastin etc., in cytotoxicity. MicroRNAs regulating these proteins have been identified and further studies are undergoing to understand the molecular mechanisms of NK EVs.

Aakash Nathania; Peggy Arthura; Arvind Bagdea; Li Sunb; Mandip Singh Sachdevaa*

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Nkafu Bechem Ndemazie1, Raviteja Bulusu1, Esther K. Frimpong1, Andriana Inkoom1, Bo Han2, Dexter Ebesoh3, Xue Y. Zhu1 and Edward Agyare 1*

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

2Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine University of South California, Los Angeles, California, 90033

3Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea Cameroon

* Correspondence: edward.agyare@famu.edu

Cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease in the US. The benefits of the most common systemic therapy for various cancers have been masked by high drug toxicities, adverse reactions, and resistance. Using nanocarriers like liposomes to overcome these unwanted effects has become very popular. This study aimed to formulate 1,3 bistetrahydrofuran 2yl % FU loaded (MFU-loaded) thermostable liposomal nanoparticles (zhubech) and evaluate 6months stability, MFU release kinetics, in vitro anticancer activities, and biodistribution. Particle size and zeta potential were determined using a particle size analyzer, while cellular uptake of rhodamine entrapped zhubech was determined by confocal imaging. Gadolinium hexanoate (Gdhex) was synthesized and entrapped into zhubech to evaluate gadolinium biodistribution in vivo using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average sizes of the zhubech and MFU zhubech liposomes were 90.0 ± 0.65 nm and 124.9 ± 3.2 nm, respectively, remaining stable over six months at higher temperatures. In vitro drug release of MFU from MFU zhubech formulation exhibited the Higuchi model (R2 value=0.95). Both cell lines treated with MFU zhubech showed reduced viability, two or four fold lower than that of MFU treated cells in 3D and organoids culture models. Confocal imaging confirmed high uptake of rhodamine entrapped zhubech by HCT 116 cell lines in a time dependent manner. Significantly higher Gd was found in Gdhex zhubech treated mice compared to free Gd treated mice with higher t1/2 and lower K10 values at all time points. This study demonstrates that MFU zhubech was stable at higher temperatures and may be a potential candidate for delivering amphiphilic drugs for cancer treatment.

Evaluation of Zhubech, a New Thermostable Liposomal Formulation of Modulated 5-FU: Impact on in vitro Anticancer Activities and Biodistribution

Ivan Nyarko-Danquah1, Edward Pajarillo1, Alexis Digman1, Harpreet Multani1, Michael Aschner2, and Eunsook Lee1

1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

2Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

ivan1.nyarkodanquah@famu.edu

Chronic exposure to manganese (Mn) results in a condition referred to as Manganism, presenting with symptoms that are similar to those of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Oxidative stress, glial toxicity, and neuroinflammation are established mechanisms that have been implicated in the progression of Mn neurotoxicity. 17β-estradiol (E2) affords neuroprotection in several neurological disorders, including PD. Studies have suggested that E2 may act upon microglia to suppress their activation. We have shown previously that E2 protects mice from Mn induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity by reversing Mn-induced oxidative stress. However, E2 effect on Mninduced toxicity in microglia is yet to be addressed. In the present study, we tested if E2 attenuates Mn induced toxicity in BV2 microglia cells by protecting against mitochondrial oxidative stress and microglial activation. We exposed BV2 microglia cells to Mn (250 μM), alone or in the presence of E2 (10 nM), followed by assays of reactive oxygen species and cell viability, real time quantitative PCR assay measuring expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF α, ELISA, as well as western blotting of pro apoptotic Bax, anti apoptotic Bcl 2, LRRK2, and the mitochondrial fission protein Drp 1. Results showed that E2 attenuated Mn induced cytotoxicity and ROS production in BV2 microglia cells. Moreover, E2 attenuated Mn induced secretion of TNF α. Additionally, it also attenuated Mn-induced pro-apoptotic protein Bax and reduced expression of the anti apoptotic protein Bcl 2 in BV2 cells. E2 also attenuated the protein expression of LRRK2, a protein which was shown to modulate the Mn induced inflammatory cytokine production. Finally, E2 reduced the translocation of Drp 1 from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria. Taken together, our findings suggest that E2 protects microglia cells from Mn induced toxicity by attenuating oxidative stress as well as suppressing production of inflammatory cytokines. Our findings may offer estrogenic agents as potential candidates for the development of therapeutics to treat Mn induced neurotoxicity.

17β-Estradiol Protects Against Mn-induced Toxicity in BV2 Microglia Cells

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

Corresponding Author: Kweku1.ofosuasante@famu.edu

Pancreatic cancer is the third deadliest cancer with a 5 year survival rate of less than 10%. About 90% of reported cases are driven by KRAS mutations. The mutant KRAS signals through the MAPK and PI3K pathways. However, targeting mutant KRAS has been a decades-long challenge, thus, new and effective therapies are needed. Consequently, the treatment of pancreatic cancer has been elusive. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) are potential anticancer agents designed to suppress hyperactive mutant or overexpressed G proteins. The effect of PCAIs on the viability and downstream mediators of KRAS was determined on PANC 1 and MIAPaCa 2 cells Of the 16 different analogs tested, NSL-YHJ-2-45 and NSL-YHJ-2-27 were the most potent with EC50 values of 3.6 and 3.8, respectively. When PANC 1 cells were treated with 0 5 µM NSL YHJ 2 27 for 48 h followed by western blotting, increased levels of phosphorylated BRAF, MEK 1/2, ERK 1/2 and p90RSK by 64, 129, 152 and 79%, respectively were observed, but the phosphorylated CRAF levels decreased by 27%. Moreover, 5 µM NSL YHJ 2 27 depleted the monomeric G proteins CDC42, RHOA and RAC 1/2/3 proteins by 57, 61 and 20% respectively. NSL YHJ 2 27 (5 µM) increased the levels of pAKT (Ser 473) and pAKT (Thr 308) by 72 and 192%, respectively. These effects on the RAS signaling pathways strongly indicate the potential of the PCAIs as anticancer agents for RAS driven cancers.

Stimulation of the MAPK and PI3K/AKT Pathways in Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors

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

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Analysis of Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 Gene as a Definitive Biomarker of Prostate Cancer

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

Eljaye1.Tellis@famu.edu

Prostate cancer is second most common cause of cancer related deaths in men in the United States. It was responsible for an estimated 34,130 deaths in 2021. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. The test measures the amount of PSA in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by normal, as well as malignant, cells of the prostate gland. Cons against PSA screening are false negatives, false low readings, overtreatment risk. The Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3) test may be one way to obtain more accurate results when screening for prostate cancer. PCA3 is a gene that expresses a non coding RNA and is only expressed in human prostate tissue in which it is highly overexpressed in prostate cancer The objective of this study was to ascertain if the PCA3 gene may serve as a biomarker for prostate cancer detection. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis Portal (UALCAN) was utilized in the analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Cancer Institute’s Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) in prostate adenocarcinoma patient data sets. TCGA and CPTAC of prostate adenocarcinoma were further utilized to compare PCA3 transcripts and protein levels between normal and metastatic prostate tissue, as well as across tumor grades and stages. PCA3 was shown to be highly expressed in the presence of prostate tumors across, all grades, all stages, and nodal Status. Statistical findings suggest that PC3A is a novel, definitive biomarker for prostate cancer detection.

Eljaye, W. Tellis and Renee Reams, PhD

School of Environment, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.

Corresponding author: gbemisola1.akinbi@famu.edu

Soil is the habitat of a diverse and heterogeneous range of microorganisms, which mutually interact with aboveground plant life in many ways. This is particularly important in agricultural soils, where microbes carry out soil functions that are critical to crop health and productivity. Soil samples were collected from two different sites namely Roebuck farm and Nesbit farms. Soil pH, moisture and Loss on Ignition were measured from both farm soil samples. Metagenomics was employed to identify bacterial community favoured by current environmental conditions. Both farms are dominated by different plant species namely corn (Roebuck) and blueberries (Nesbit) respectively. The soil pH of Roebuck farm ranges from 4.56 -6.27, while Nesbit farm ranges from 4.27 5.14. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobiota were the most abundant phyla across all soil samples from Roebuck farm and Nesbit blueberry farm. The metagenomics study showed difference in bacterial community in the soil samples of both farms. However, the composition of bacterial phyla in two types of soil samples showed a clear difference. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobiota were the most abundant phyla in the blueberry soils, whereas Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria accounted for a relatively high percentage in Roebuck farm soil samples.

A Comprehensive Genomic Profiling To Ecosystem Assessment To Support Innovative Advancement To Soil Quality In Gulf Coast Region

Gbemisola, O.Akinbi, Tolulope, E. Fiola, Benjamin Mwashote, Victor Ibeanusi and Veera L Badisa

Fresh Water Use in Florida: Trends and Drivers

1 School of the Environment, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307.

2 Biological Systems Engineering Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307.

Corresponding author: Almando Morain: almandokessy1.morain@famu.edu

Water is one of Florida's most precious resources. Water quality and quantity are critical issues as the State's population grows, and it becomes difficult to balance agricultural needs, commercial and development needs, and public use. This paper analyzed water use regionally (central, north, and south Florida) as well as in rural and urban areas from 2005 to 2015. Eight (8) water consuming categories were considered, such as aquaculture, livestock, irrigation, public supply, thermoelectric power, mining, industrial self supply, and domestic self supply. The procedure adopted was linear and additive mathematical equations to estimate water use and linear regression analysis to observe the relationship between population and water use. The highest water use was recorded in south Florida, while the lowest was in north Florida. Water use per capita was higher in urban areas. Irrigation water use was higher among the eight water use categories. Some drivers identified (population, climatic variable, land use/land cover change, electricity production, and public services) can increase water use. In contrast, other drivers (water cost, conservation attitudes, technology) can decrease water use. Overall, this research addresses the need of understanding water use trends and the drivers affecting those trends, which are important to determine whether a water conservation plan is needed.

Keywords: Water use, Drivers, Regression analysis, Freshwater, Florida.

Almando K. Morain1 and Aavudai Anandhi2

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Alexander B. Orfinger, Raymond L. Hix, Andrew K. Rasmussen

College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, USA 32307

Email of corresponding author: alexander1.orfinger@famu.edu

The caddisflies (Trichoptera) are a diverse and ecologically important order of insects comprising over 16,250 nominal species. These holometabolous insects exhibit aquatic immature life stages where they are important components of food webs and aquatic terrestrial nutrient cycling. Because of their ecological diversity and varying degrees of water quality tolerance, larvae of these animals are widely used in bioassessment programs. While it is well documented that greater taxonomic precision translates to more accurate bioassessment of freshwater systems, larval taxonomy of the order is poor with fewer than half of Nearctic species known from their larvae. The Nearctic members of the genus Polycentropus Curtis, 1835 (Polycentropodidae) are a prime example with 28 of 29 larvae (97%) undescribed. To help remedy this taxonomic impediment, we use an integrative approach combining mitochondrial DNA barcoding and morphology to associate, describe, and diagnose larvae and females of Nearctic Polycentropus. Using >400 barcoding fragments of cytochrome oxidase I from males of known identities and unknown larvae, we have successfully associated 16 of 29 larvae (55%) Diagnostically informative characters have been identified including muscle scar patterning, head color and pigment banding, and anal claw curvature Ongoing efforts include generating identification tools in the form of discriminatory matrices. This work constitutes the prerequisite for species level identification of these larvae for incorporation in ecological and evolutionary studies, and bioassessment programs. Ultimately, it is hoped that the information provided here will lay the groundwork for species-level water quality tolerance studies and more precise freshwater bioassessment metrics.

Resolving Larval Taxonomy of Nearctic Net Spinning Caddisflies (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae) to Ultimately Support Freshwater Bioassessment Protocols

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Examination of the floridanus cryptic species complex (Crustacea: Amphipoda) and discovery of a new species from a submerged cave system in Suwannee County, Florida.

Joshua M. Sisco and Thomas R. Sawicki.

Department of Biological Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Corresponding author: joshua1.sisco@famu.edu

Florida is known for its wide variety of freshwater ecosystems including lakes, ponds, swamps, springs, and caves These ecologically diverse environments can result in the evolution of notable taxonomic diversity Crangonyx floridanus was described in 1963 from a cypress swamp in Highlands Hammock, State Park near Sebring, Florida. Based on a few morphological diagnostic characteristics (depth of serrations on distoposterior corners on bases of pereopods 5 7, well developed distoposterior corners of epimeral plates, and robust setation pattern of male uropod 2) the species was subsequently found to occur across most of the eastern United States. In addition, C. floridanus has been documented as invasive in parts of the Western United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and most recently in Ireland. Recent molecular analyses of C. floridanus populations in North Florida using the nuclear 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA, and the mitochondrial 16S rRNA strongly suggest that the C. floridanus metapopulation represents a cryptic species complex To date, there are 5 described species within the floridanus complex. However, until recently only one member has been observed living within a cave environment from Jackson County, Florida. A new species, which shares morphological congruence with the floridanus complex is currently being described from a submerged cave system in Suwannee County, Florida Additionally, molecular phylogenetic data strongly indicate the presence of more species in the complex that are yet to be described The implications of this research hold value for analysis of cryptic species diversity.

1Tolulope E, Fiola, 1Gbemisola O. Akinbi, 2Lin Qi, 1Victoor Ibeanusi, 1Benjamen Mwashote, 1Veera LD Badisa, 1Gang Chen, 3Satyanarayan Dev

1.Department of Environmental Science, School of Environment Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

2.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering FAMU FSU College of Engineering Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310

3.College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Tolulope1.fiola@famu.edu

The availability of fresh water is a major driver in food production. In many areas of the world, rainfall is insufficient and water must be supplied to crops by irrigation. Currently, 70% of global freshwater consumption is used for agriculture, and total water consumption for agriculture is expected to increase by about 20% by mid century. The increased demand for fresh water for crops and livestock production, together with other uses (e.g., energy production), will add significantly to the current stress on non renewable groundwater sources. The exponential increase in human population, industrialization and extreme climate change is also posing a significant threat to water availability and quality in the world. Studies have shown that the agricultural expansion and land use management in the Midwest of the USA are major drivers of increased pollution in the region. In this study, we examined the water quality of two farms namely Nesbit and Roebuck which differ in fertilizer usage in the major land resource area (MLRA), Mississippi through nutrients analysis, toxic metals analysis and metagenomics analysis. On Nesbit farm, organic fertilizer is applied, while on Roebuck farm chemical fertilizer is applied to grow their crops. Nutrient Analysis was performed with Dionex 2100 ion chromatography system. The results showed a higher concentration of Nitrate (NO3 ), Nitrite (NO2 ), fluoride (F ), and chloride (Cl ) in Roebuck farm compared to the Nesbit farm. Aluminum, lead and Nickel heavy metal concentrations were tested in water samples. The results showed a lower concentration of these metals in the water samples of both farms, and they were within the acceptable limit of EPA standards. Metagenomics analysis data showed a higher percentage (31.85%) of Betaproteobacteria on the Nesbit farm, while a higher percentage (17.22%) of Alphaproteobacteria on the Roebuck farm LiDAR data was collected with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to help in decision making for farming. The corresponding predictions, root mean square error, and correlation coefficients of prediction are 52 mg/ kg, 4.5%, and 0.959 for N and 85 mg /kg, 24.6%, and 0.900 for S for the conventional Roebuck farm and 46 mg /kg, 9.1%, and 0.939 for N; and undetectable Sulphur concentration for the organic Nesbit farm, respectively. Our results clearly showed the effect of the fertilizer on the water quality of both farms. Our studies indicate that future agricultural policy should focus on controlling and management of fertilizer application on farmlands. This study's results can be used to identify areas that are affected which can help support the control of pollution and improve water quality.

Geospatial Ecosystem Assessment Through Water Samples from Farms in Mississippi Major Land Resource Area That Support Grazing Land Conservation

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Sediment Arsenic Pollution Under Different Land Uses in Little Washita River Experimental Watershed in Oklahoma, USA.

1M.A., Woodard* , 1L.W., Ngatia, 2D.N. Moriasi,

1College of Agriculture & Food Sciences Florida A&M University Tallahassee, FL, 32307

USDA ARS Grazinglands Research Laboratory Reno, OK 73036, US.

Corresponding Author: Maia1.woodard@famu.edu

Arsenic (As) is a toxic heavy metal that is a known carcinogen and can result in various other adverse health effects. Sediment from three reservoirs located in the Little Washita River Experimental Watershed in Oklahoma, USA with contrasting dominant land uses were analyzed for total concentrations of As and the potential ecologic risk to benthic organisms. The land uses included cropland, grazing land and forest. Sediment collection involved sampling 0-25cm, 2550 cm, 50 75 cm depth in grazing and forest and upto 75 100 cm in cropland. Results indicated that total As ranged from 16.2 to 141 mg kg 1 in the order of cropland > grazing > forest. Indicating that in all land uses As exceeded Threshold Effect Level (TEL) 5.9 mg kg 1 and Probable Effect Level (PEL) 17 mg kg 1 In the cropland As concentration significantly varied between depths (P= 0.01) and increased from the top sediment to the deepest layers as follow: 106.4 < 119.74 <132.4 mg kg 1 for the layers 0 25, 25 50 and 50 75 cm, respectively. The grazing (P=0.5) and forest (P=0.73) exhibited non significant differences between layers. The sediment concentration analysis results illustrated that As exceeded their respective TEL and PEL in all reservoirs, indicating that existing concentrations of metals in these sediments were sufficiently high to cause adverse health effects to organisms. In addition, it was clear that cropland reservoir was the most polluted with As.

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School of the Environment Florida A&M University

1515 S Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Tallahassee, FL 32307

Corresponding Author: Ashvini.chauhan@famu.edu

The eastern oysters serve as important keystone species in the United States, especially in the Gulf of Mexico estuarine waters, and at the same time, provide unparalleled economic, ecological, environmental, and cultural services. An ecosystem service that has received recent attention is the oyster microbiome's ability to sequester impurities and nutrients, such as nitrogen (N). Of all the bacterial genera that appear to interplay with the oyster host species, pseudomonads deserve further assessment because they possess an array of versatile functions. To this end, we used comparative genomic analysis on three targeted pseudomonads isolated from minced oyster tissue (P. alcaligenes strain OT69); oyster mantle fluid (P. stutzeri strain MF28), and the water collected from top of the oyster reef (P. aeruginosa strain WC55), respectively. Collectively, the study provided a deeper understanding of their unique genome-enabled functional traits, including metabolic traits potentially recruited during their evolutionary history via horizontal gene transfer events as well as phage mediated incorporation of genes. Of major concern was their extensively developed resistances, suggesting that even environmental microorganisms from relatively pristine environments, such as Apalachicola Bay, Florida, possess an arsenal of antibiotic resistant gene determinants, thus posing an emerging public health concern.

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Three Pseudomonas species Isolated from the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and the Surrounding Environment

Destiny Anderson, Ashish Pathak, Brianna Fuertes, Kamaria Waddy and Ashvini Chauhan*

Antiproliferative Effect of Hunteria umbellata in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Ife Calhoun, Alexis Liggins, Lakasjah Brown, Jhaniya Brooks and Jillian L. Pope*

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

Various components of plant extracts have been known to directly benefit patients with cancer. These extracts are attractive as therapeutic agents due to their ability to target cancer cells. Hunteria umbellata (HU) is a plant native to Nigeria and is known for its effective treatment against Diabetes. However, its role in colon cancer is largely unknown. In this study, we measured the effect of water and methanol soluble seed extract of HU on colon cancer cell viability. We observed a dose dependent effect of HU extract on HCT116 colon cancer cells using cell titer blue assay. We detected no significant difference between the water soluble and methanol soluble extract. These results suggest a potential therapeutic role for Hunteria umbellata in CRC.

Experiential Learning on Precision Agriculture Phenotyping Tool and Data Analytics

Jayden C. Burnett1, Lauren A. Hawkins1, Katie B. Light1, Violeta M. Tsolova2, Wei zhen Liang3; and Jingqiu Chen1

1. Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1409 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32310

2. Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 6361 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32308

3. Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Lincoln, 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361

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

Precision agriculture aims to improve crop yields and assisting management decisions using high technology sensors and analysis tools. It is a filed that entails the utilization of data acquisition, data processing, and data analysis expertise of crops to determine associate crop solutions and outcomes. Data such as phenotyping, leaf pigments, crop pigments, plant stress, soil water content, etc. can be utilized to perform such analysis FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research is recognized internationally for excellence in warm climate grape research and facilitator of outstanding academic programs for experiential learning and student training. The Center is the only specialized research program among the 1890 colleges and universities dedicated to grape and wine, and it is a national leader in muscadine grape research. Dr. Chen’s research team has developed a website that automatically calculates muscadine grape canopy cover using digital image recognition from digital camera/smart phone. In this study, undergraduate students have utilized the precision agriculture phenotyping tool (the website for Muscadine grape canopy calculation automation) to practice grape growth stage image acquisition and analysis. The yields and leaf area index (LAI) data of two red varieties of muscadine grape (“Floriana” and “Noble”) have been monitored and collected from the vineyard The linear correlation between LAI and green leaves and between grape yield and grapes pixel percentage were analyzed. By leveraging the current resources, enhancing students’ experiential learning on precision agriculture phenotyping tools and data analytics is of importance, especially for the augmentation of the digital agricultural technology workforce.

Anticancer Effect of Hunteria umbellata in Colorectal Cancer Cells

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

Corresponding Author: Jillian.pope@famu.edu

Abstract: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths. Proliferation and cell migration are essential to the invasive and metastatic properties of colorectal cancer cells. There are many studies on the standard therapies for invasive CRC, such as chemotherapy and radiation. However, few centers around using natural therapies, such as plant extracts, for treatment. There are limited studies on the use of Hunteria umbellata (HU) seed extract in cancer, to date, its effect on CRC cells has not been shown. This study investigates the effect of Hunteria umbellata seed extract on cancer cell survival and migration using the HT29 human CRC cell line. We observed a dose-dependent decrease in cell survival when treated with methanol and water soluble HU seed extract. To assess the effect on migration, cells were plated and treated with different dosages of methanol soluble extract and water soluble extract (50ug/mL and 200 ug/mL). Every 24 hours, microscopic images were taken to track the progression of wound healing. These results demonstrate a potential role in using HU seed extract in CRC therapies.

Alexis L. Liggins, Lakasjah Brown, Jhaniya Brooks, Ife Calhoun, Jillian L. Pope

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Genomic Landscape of Prostate Cancer: Exploration, Analysis, and Visualization of TCGA PanCancer Data by Race

Olumide Arigbede*and Sarah Buxbaum

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

The distressing rate of increase in Prostate Adenocarcinoma (PCa) incidence necessitates additional cancer research. There has been little investigation into the underlying causes of racial differences in PCa. Researchers may have encountered challenges due to limited access to genomic data and bioinformatic tools. As a result, few epigenetic research on PCa have been conducted. From the PCa in the TCGA PanCancer data, we selected 154 samples from 7 Blacks and 147 Whites. We analyzed the dataset by race/ethnicity, gene methylation and genomic alterations. Log ratio of mean methylation in Blacks to mean in whites were performed across the data. Multivariable data analysis and Kaplan Meier survival analysis were also performed The median age of participants was 63 years (range: 42 78). Using log ratio statistic, the data demonstrated significant (q < 0.05) by race/ethnicity. In Blacks, for example, UBL5 (m: 0.62 vs 0.53, q <0.05), ..., KATNB1 (m: 0.90 vs 0.82, q <0.05) were differentially methylated compared to Whites. In the genomic alteration analysis: Blacks have more genes with frequent (>30%) alterations than Whites. On the survival analysis, NUDT12 (LR: 0.05, q <0.005), RPL26 (LR: 0.02 q <0.005), and others were associated with survival. Comparing the race/ethnicity groups using the methylation and the genetic alterations data, we were able to confirm that genetic alteration and DNA methylation are significantly differentiated, respectively. In the PCa data, race/ethnicity has an impact on genomic methylation. PCa epigenetic studies must take race/ethnicity into consideration. Our genomic samples were sufficient to show a difference in the epigenetic landscape between Blacks and whites.

Richard C. Brito, MSW, Ashley Valdes, B.S., Michelle Flohr, M.S., Abigail E. Watson, Zoe M. Rushetsky, B.S., Maddie Mullins, Kelly A. Rodriguez, James Hardy, B.S., Otufa H. Noor, and Carlos Reyes-Ortiz

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

Richard1.Brito@famu.edu

Although studies have suggested that mental health disorders have been underestimated in low to middle income countries (LMIC), little information on depressive symptoms has been reported within rural communities. A cross sectional paper survey was administered to a sample of fifty three individuals residing in the rural village of Gracias a Dios, Honduras by trained surveyors and village health workers. A self constructed non validated mental health sensitivity tool was utilized to define depressive symptoms. We performed descriptive statistics to analyze the data. Participants had a mean age of 42.6 ± 19.4 (range is fifteen to eighty-eight), and 43.4% were female. Over the previous two weeks, participants reported experiencing loss of interest in enjoyable activities several days as follows: 5.7% several days, 3.8% more than half the days, and 5.7% nearly every day. They also reported feeling down, depressed, or hopeless as follows: 13.2% several days, 5.7% more than half the days, and 5.7% nearly every day Among those in need, 52.8% reported they would talk to a healthcare professional if feeling sad or depressed. Our study limitations include the single, small sample size obtained and the use of a non validated survey, limiting the interpretation and conclusions that can be drawn without certain reliability and validity. Overall, our study highlights the substantial unmet need in Honduras of appropriate mental health care resources, treatment, and guidelines for depressive symptoms. To further understand the barriers, risk factors and prevalence of depressive symptoms in rural communities, longitudinal and larger multi site focus group studies are needed.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and the Barriers to Mental Health Services in Gracias a Dios, Honduras

Ethnic Disparities on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their Related Outcomes in Florida, the 2019 BRFSS Data

Ericka K. Horne and Carlos Reyes Ortiz

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health Florida A&M University 1415 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32307

Corresponding Author: Ericka1.horne@famu.edu

Abstract: Adverse Childhood Experiences are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood and are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. The purpose of this research aims to explore disparities on Adverse Childhood Experiences among ethnic groups and to explore disparities on health outcomes including diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, binge drinking, and smoking among ethnic groups in Florida. This cross-sectional study was a secondary analysis of the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey database in Florida. The research objectives are to assess differences on ACEs among ethnic groups, assess the association between each experience and health outcomes, and to evaluate differences on the health outcomes among ethnic groups as well as determine the association between these Adverse Child Experiences and the health outcomes. The analyses accounted for stratification, clustering, and weighting of the survey design. The Statistical Analysis System version 9.4 was used for analysis. The results showed that a higher number of ACEs was independently associated with increased odds ratios for obesity, smoking, binge drinking and hypercholesterolemia. Black people, compared to Whites, have lower percentages for living with anyone that was depressed, living with anyone who was alcoholic, living with anyone who used drugs, but higher percentages of having parents that were divorced. Black people have higher odds for diabetes, obesity, and hypertension but lower odds for smoking and binge drinking. American Indians have higher odds for diabetes; Hispanics and Asian have lower odds for hypertension

27

The Psychological Effects of Music on the Brain

Tyriq D. Stewart

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

Email:Tyriqstewart1@gmail.com Student Email:Tyriq1.Stewart@famu.edu

Consider Music as another element in your journey for better mental health; when applied effectively, it can promote your mental, physical, and emotional health. Among human interaction, listening to Music is one of the most intriguing and peaceful ways of therapy. Listening to Music in different daily activities have benefits that can be linked to real world outcomes such as better quality of mental health, eases pain, and has been shown to reduce stress. The purpose of this research aims: To show a positive correlation between Music and mental health, How Music helps individuals deal with various life issues; and how Music is a universal language. The goal of this research is to find how music affects people and the different areas of the brain and to show that Music therapy should be funded more and respected. This research was done in the form of a survey via Qualtrics. Out of 234 participants, 152 females, 80 males, and one specified as other. Three participants were less than 13 years old; 178 were between the ages of 14 to 24, ten were between 26 to 34, and 42 were 35 and older. 100% of the participants agreed that Music positively correlates with the brain thus supporting my hypothesis. Thus, It is essential to recognize that music therapy should be utilized more frequently and that there is a positive correlation on the brain.

Evaluating the Effects of High Risk Behaviors on Pregnant Women in Florida

Aubrell B. Watts and Derrian A. Martin

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

aubrell1.watts@famu.edu

The use of tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of serious consequences for the mother and infant. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy on birth weights of infants in Florida. Researchers collected birth data from the Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics. The study examined 645,943 births that occurred in Florida from 2018 to 2020. Our findings show that 15.6% of women who reported using tobacco during pregnancy had low birth weight babies compared to 8.7% of women who had no tobacco use. Conversely, 11.9% of women who reported using alcohol during pregnancy had low or very low birth-weight babies. Of the women who reported using a combination of tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy, 20% had a low or very low birth-weight baby. Based on our findings, we can conclude that addressing high-risk behaviors during pregnancy is critical to preventing undesirable pregnancy outcomes. Infants born to mothers who reported alcohol use or tobacco use are at higher risk for adverse health outcomes such as low birth weight. Educating women on the risks of alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy can ensure healthy birth outcomes. Additionally, further research is needed to identify the best strategies to address modifiable risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use during pregnancy.

Expression of ABD3 in Human Cervical Cancer Tissues

1Kyra Freeney, 2Ugonna Ononuj, 2Michael Dumas, 2Zaneta Belay, 2Tracoyia Roach, 2R. Renee Reams*

1School of the Environment Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA

2College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA

Each year in the United States, about 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed and about 4,000 women die of this cancer. Hispanic women have the highest rates of developing cervical cancer, and Black women have the highest rates of dying from cervical cancer. More than 20% of cases of cervical cancer are found in women over 65. However, these cancers rarely occur in women who have been getting regular tests to screen for cervical cancer before they were 65. Cervical cancer ranks high among the causes of female cancer mortalities and is an important disease in developing and developed countries. The aim of this study was to determine if the ABCD3 gene is a prognostic biomarker for Cervical cancer progression. This study tested two hypotheses; (1) that increasing ABCD3 expression correlates with increasing cervical cancer progression (normal to malignant tissues) and (2) that ABCD3 is a potential multi cancer biomarker. To test this hypothesis, Tissue Microarrays with 102 human cervical tissues were purchased and sent to USABiomax for analysis using immunohistochemically and the anti ABCD polyclonal polypeptide using USABiomax with IRB approval. Electronic images of the Tissue Microarray of cervical tumor specimens were scored for total overall ABCD3 staining intensity and classified with respect to the intensity of immune staining . Staining intensity data were analyzed for statistical significance using Graph Pad Prism software. Analysis of ABCD3 IHC expression in normal versus cervical cancer tissues revealed overexpression of ABCD3 in squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher relative to normal (nontumor) tissue (p value of 0.0011); One way ANOVA showed that differences among means of ABCD3staining intensity in normal tissue versus Grade 3 cervical tumors was statistically significant (p= 0.033).ABCD3 expression was nearly statistically significantly in malignant tumor tissue relative to normal (p=0.0528). Conclusions. Our novel finding in this study is that ABCD3 is overexpressed in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and nearly statistically significant in malignant tissue; however, ABCD3 expression did not predict cervical cancer progression base on grade of disease, hence ABCD3 is not a putative biomarker for cervical cancer progression. Nevertheless, the functional role ABCD3 overexpression warrants further study to determine if ABCD3 has prognostic effect for squamous cell carcinoma cancer. The limitation of this study was cervical tissue sample size used. Support for UO, MD, ZB &TR was provided by Florida HERI Institute; Support for RRR was Provided by RCMI/5U54MD007583 37

30

Small Sample Machine Learning Based Quality Control In Addictive Manufacturing

Tsegai O. Yhdego and Hui Wang

FAMU FSU College of Engineering 2525 Pottsdamer St, Tallahassee, FL 32310

Email: tsegai1.yhdego@famu.edu

Functional composite printing technologies are gaining popularity in medical, energy, display and other sensory technologies. Manufacturing defects in the functional composite printing process prevent repeatability for scale up production and commercialization. When it comes to identifying defects and anomalies in printed structures and their correlation with process parameters, state of the art data driven methods have limitations in dealing with little to zero observations in the training data. For functional composites on the other hand, generating a large volume of data is impractical considering cost and time. First, this study designs an attribute learning strategy to address the challenge of identifying and classifying defects that are not sufficiently included in training data in terms of volume and/or distribution. Unlike traditional machine learning approaches that rely on large labeled data during the training phase, attribute learning methodology requires less data by imitating how human recognizes an unseen object that may not be included in training data. Moreover, this study also extends ontology based attribute learning methodology for process window of functional composite printing given limited measurements. Finally, attribute learning will also be implemented in process control or planning applications for functional composite printing This study develops a novel ontology based attribute learning methodology for learning/organizing defect knowledge which reduce the need for extensive testing to facilitate process qualification. It also addresses the limitations in machine learning that requires data which are impractical to obtain in large quantity. The methodology is expected to expedite new process qualification/certification and lower entry barriers for researchers/practitioners to commercialize their technologies promptly for market demands.

2022 Student Research Forum Acknowledgements

C. Perry Brown, DrPH, MSPH

Professor of Public Health Director, Global Health Initiative Florida A&M University

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health Ken Redda, PhD

Professor Emeritus, Medicinal Chemistry

NIH/NIMHD, FAMU U54 RCMI Center Research Infrastructure Core Leader

NIH/NCI, FAMU U54 CaRE2 Center – MPI and Research Education Core Co Leader College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Melissa Golden Smith, MPA Computer Applications Coordinator

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Ms. Angela Hodge, Administrative Assistant Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences

College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

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