2024 FAMU Undergraduate Student Research Symposium

The FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) seeks to increase the number of students participating in and completing mentored undergraduate research and internship opportunities by collaborating with FAMU’s colleges and schools as well as external entities These opportunities are designed to encourage and motivate undergraduate students to fully leverage these unique extensions of their academic careers. It is our intention, as a result of these experiences, to better position students to enter the workforce with applied knowledge and skills essential to their success

Research Symposium Purpose

The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) provides a platform for undergraduate students to showcase their research, creative work, and academic achievements to a broader audience. This URS allows students to engage in scholarly discourse, network with peers and professionals, and develop communication and presentation skills. Our undergraduates have an opportunity to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation among undergraduates by encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and promoting the sharing of ideas across fields.

Consequently, the FAMU Undergraduate Research Symposium helps inspire and recognize our undergraduates' academic and intellectual accomplishments while providing a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.

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

• Ranked #91 in 2023 U.S. News & World Report Rankings

• Highest ranked public HBCU for five consecutive years

• Top 25 for Social Mobility Index

• 23 degree programs ranked in top 10

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

• Named Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader

April 3, 2024

Dear Attendees of the Undergraduate Research Symposium :

I am delighted to welcome you all to this year's Undergraduate Research Symposium. It is an honor to have the opportunity to showcase the remarkable talent and dedication of our undergraduate students at Florida A&M University.

The Undergraduate Research Symposium is a testament to our institution's commitment to academic excellence and innovation. This program provides a unique platform for undergraduate students to share their research projects and findings with peers, faculty, and industry professionals. This is an incredible opportunity for our students to not only showcase their hard work but also gain valua ble experience in presenting their research and receiving feedback from experts in their field.

We are incredibly proud of all the students who have worked diligently to present their research. They have demonstrated exceptional intellect, creativity, an d dedication in their respective fields of study. I am confident that they will make significant contributions in the future as well.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the faculty, staff, and administrators who have supported and encouraged o ur students throughout their research journeys. We truly appreciate their unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment for our undergraduate students.

Once again, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all the participan ts of this year's Undergraduate Research Symposium. I know you all have a wonderful and fruitful experience at this event.

Sincerely,

Larry Robinson, Ph.D. President

April 10, 2024

Dear Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Undergraduate Research Symposium Scholars, Faculty, and Participants;

Congratulations on being selected to participate in the Undergraduate Research Symposium at FAMU. Your engagement in opportunities like these is crucial for investing in your future as a scholar and future alumna. By collaborating with key faculty and your peers to develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate your research, you are setting yourselves apart in a national arena of scholars. This is a great opportunity that will help you further your academic and career goals.

The FAMU “Boldly Striking Strategic Plan” has recognized Student Success as one of its primary objectives. Strategic Priority One, Student Success, aims to enhance the quality of the student experience and success outcomes by positioning FAMU as a preferred institution for talented students from Florida and beyond. This priority also aims to improve academic programs. Your participation in these academic programs and your successful graduation from FAMU as an engaged research scholar is critical for your career and post-baccalaureate trajectory.

I want to express how proud I am of your presence today and the commitment you have shown towards developing yourself as a researcher. I would like to extend special thanks to your faculty mentors and peers who have worked with you to assist in developing your research. Let this serve as a momentum builder for you, and continue to learn and develop yourself in your field of study. Please take a look at our high-level graduate programs, and consider applying to one that may fit your ultimate goals.

We wish you the best in your research and educational engagement journey!

Sincerely,

Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

April 10, 2024

Tiffany W. Ardley, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry Director, Office of Undergraduate Research Director, BSPS Degree Program

College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Florida A&M University

Tallahassee, FL 32307

Dr. Ardley:

On behalf of the Office of Title III, I am writing to support the funded “Developing an Undergraduate Research Program" activity and the 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium. Undergraduate research is the cornerstone of research that will lead to scientific advances in the future. Students participating in the symposium this year were able to do so based on the support of the University and your efforts as the Director.

The research and presentations are the capstone of things to come and future support in keeping this initiative part of the FAMU culture moving forward. I am pleased and honored that Title III funding has played a significant role in students’ ability to experience research and research methods as undergraduates. What they experience now will only benefit them as they pursue advanced degrees and perfect research methods that change and help others.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) at FAMU, I support those programs that allow students to succeed. At the same time, they are enrolled and can help those students willing to continue at FAMU once they obtain their bachelor’s degree.

The 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium is an excellent opportunity for students and a “Great Things Moment for Florida A&M University” we should all be proud to own.

To the students, thank you for a job well done!

Sincerely,

Erick Akins, Ph.D. Executive Director, Office of Title III

Congratulations Rattler Scholars!

On behalf of the Office of Freshmen Studies, I am delighted to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your participation in the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Your passion for research and commitment to academic excellence are truly impressive!

Your participation in this symposium is a testament to your dedication and hard work, and we are thrilled to see you take this important step in your academic journey. We believe that your contribution to the research community will be insightful and valuable, and we are confident that your research will add to the body of knowledge in your field.

As your academic advisors and mentors, we are proud of your accomplishments, and we wholeheartedly endorse your participation in the Undergraduate Research Symposium. We believe that this experience will not only enable you to engage in scholarly discourse but also help you to develop skills and knowledge that are essential to your academic growth.

Once again, congratulations on your participation in the Undergraduate Research Symposium, and we wish you all the best in your academic pursuits. Please feel free to reach out to our office if you need any support or guidance in your academic journey.

Sincerely,

Office of Freshmen Studies team Office of Freshmen Studies team

Florida A&M University 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium Program

Poster Setup

Welcome

Greetings

Program Overview

Judges Finalize Scoring

Lunch

Award Presentations

Closing Remarks

10:00 AM

Opening Session

10:30 AM

Lewis Johnson, Ph.D. (confirmed)

Associate Provost, Student Success

Larry Robinson, Ph D. (confirmed) President

Allyson Watson, Ph.D.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

G. Dale Wesson, Ph.D. (confirmed)

Interim Dean, CAFS

Assistant Vice President for Research

Erick Akins, PhD (confirmed)

Executive Director, Office of Title III

Mr. Dominique Baley, MA, NCC Instructor, SLS

Poster Presentations & Judging

11:00 AM -12:30 PM

12:30-12:45 PM

1:00-1:50 PM

Closing Session

2:00 PM

Jennifer Collins, PhD Associate Provost, First Year Studies & Academic Excellence

Tiffany W. Ardley, Ph.D. Director, Office of Undergraduate Research

Florida A&M University 2024 Undergraduate Student Research Judges

Natalie Arnett, PhD Associate Professor College of Science and Technology

Lee Bushong, PhD Assistant Professor College of Social Science, Arts & Humanities

John Cooperwood, PhD. Professor College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Vanessa Crowther, DrPH Assistant Professor School of Allied Health Sciences

Terrence Folmar, MS Instructor College of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities

Kajsa Henry, PhD

Ava Holt, DrPH

Assistant Professor College of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities

Assistant Professor School of Business and Industry/IPH

Hsuan Huang, PhD Assistant Professor School of Journalism & Graphic Communication

Elizabeth Mazzio, PhD Core Facility Manager College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Todd Middleton Coordinator Office of Freshman Studies

Kendra Mitchell, PhD Assistant Professor College of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities

Alexus Morgan

Tejal Mulay, PhD

Brittany Nash, DPT

Albert Nguessan Ngo, PhD

Daniel Osborne, PhD

Ph.D. Student College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health

Assistant Professor School of Architecture and Engineering Technology

Assistant Professor School of Allied Health Sciences

Assistant Professor College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Assistant Professor College of Science and Technology

Yon Jairo Parra Bautista, PhD Assistant Professor Computer Information Systems

Stephen Pitts, DrOT Assistant Professor School of Allied Health Sciences

Equar Taka, PhD Research Associate College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health

Florida A&M University 2024 Undergraduate Student Research Judges

Phyllis Welch, PhD Chair/Associate Prof. College of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities

Willie Williams, DrPH Assistant Professor School of Allied Health Sciences

Pia Woodley, DBA Instructor School of Allied Health Sciences

Clemet Yedjuo, PhD Associate Professor College of Science and Technology

Factors that Affect Voting Patterns Amongst Youth and Minority Voters

Aaliyah Andrews

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University/ College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities, 1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307

aaliyah1.andrews@famu.edu

The voting of a community can affect the political structure of that community, the state, or the country. Yet, there are people who, despite their ability to vote, refrain from doing so. When an election is over, researchers are concerned not only about who won but also about voting behaviours and their implications for society. After every election, data show that youth and minority voters are not voting as much as their older and white counterparts. What are the factors that affect voting patterns and election outcomes? This study aims to address gaps in research on youth voters by analysing youth voters who attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. While the results from previous studies show that there is a lower rate of voting among young minorities, this study examines the effects of party identification, socioeconomic factors, and religion on the voting behaviours of minority college students.

ABSTRACT

The Big Issue Around the World: Homelessness

Christopher James Hill

Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Christopher3.hill@famu.edu

When you look around the world and you ask yourself, “what is the most concerning issue for people around the world”, there are probably many things that come to mind. But the truth is that we all know what issue plagues society the most because it stares us all in the face every day whenever we leave our comfortable home. The issue is Homelessness, and we can’t continue to turn a blind eye to it anymore. The purpose of this abstract is to help bring awareness to Homelessness as a huge problem in our society and get people to understand what it really means to be “dispossessed” and no longer desensitize the pressing issue occurring around the world. As people who do not face homelessness, we tend to not realize that people who are currently struggling with homelessness have an increased risk of dying prematurely due to having no access to first aid. There are tons of people around the world who face homelessness and who are homeless, and our lack of understanding and research on the topic only leads more people to becoming homeless. We could easily go about the research by talking to homeless people thus getting a better understanding as to how they got in the situation they are in. Research on why many people are homeless will help prevent the increase in the number of homeless people and create a better society where everyone can have a comfortable place to sleep at night.

How Does the Continued Integration and Promotion of Critical Race Theory in Higher Academia Contribute to Positive Outcomes Within the Black Community?

Raghan Pickett

College of Social Sciences, Arts, & Humanities

Raghan1.pickett@famu.edu

The integration and promotion of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in higher academia presents a pivotal avenue for understanding and addressing systemic inequalities within the black community. This study focuses on elucidating the specific impacts of CRT on individuals in Florida, recognizing its potential to foster positive outcomes. By exploring CRT's origins and its integration into diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Florida, this research aims to underscore the importance of CRT's continued incorporation in higher education. By engaging with stakeholders ranging from students to policymakers, the study seeks to advocate for the significance of CRT in shaping legislation and societal discourse. The significance of this research lies in its examination of the broader implications of CRT integration, not only within Florida but also across the United States. As CRT remains a contentious topic in contemporary politics, understanding its societal impacts is crucial for informed decision-making and policy development. Methodologically, the study employs a combination of surveys, interviews, and background research to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. By analyzing the benefits of CRT integration, the study anticipates uncovering the lasting impacts of its removal, as well as its influence on societal ideologies and institutional practices.Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of CRT's role in higher academia and its potential to effect meaningful change within the black community and beyond. By highlighting the multifaceted impacts of CRT, this study advocates for its continued integration as a critical tool for addressing systemic inequities and fostering inclusive environments in higher education and society at large.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Manganese (Mn) Induces Apoptosis/Cell Death in CAD Neuronal Cells

Nija S. Andrews and Eun-Sook Lee Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Nija1.andrews@famu.edu

Chronic exposure to high levels of Manganese (Mn) from environmental and occupational sources leads to a neurological disorder known as manganism. This condition shares symptoms with Parkinson’s disease, including motor disturbances, behavioural deficits, and cognitive decline. These effects stem from Mn's toxicity towards dopaminergic neurons, crucial for motor coordination and cognitive function. Yet, the precise mechanism by which Mn damages these neurons remain incompletely understood. In this study, the aim is to investigate whether Mn triggers neuronal cell death by examining apoptosis-related proteins, specifically proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic BcL-2, through western blot analysis. CAD neuronal cells were exposed to 250 M Mn for varying durations (6 h, 12 h, 24 h) to assess its impact on Bax and BcL-2 expression levels. 30 µg of protein samples were loaded for western blot analysis. Our findings revealed that Mn exposure led to a time-dependent increase in Bax levels and a corresponding decrease in BcL2 levels, indicating induction of apoptosis and cell death in CAD neuronal cells. This underscores the importance of exploring upstream pathways associated with Mn-induced apoptosis. Understanding how Mn triggers cell death in CAD neurons is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies that target specific proteins like Bax and BcL-2 to mitigate Mn's neurotoxic effects. These molecular insights provide valuable groundwork for future therapeutic interventions aimed at protecting against Mn-induced neurotoxicity.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Distribution of Prostate Cancer Incidence and Death Cases Across Florida Regions

Brooke K. Demps, Clement G. Yedjou, Richard Alo, Pierre Ngnepieba, Daniel E. Osborne

Department of Mathematics, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

Corresponding Authors: brooke1.demps@famu.edu and daniel.osborne@famu.edu

According to research published by Siegel et al in the American Cancer Society, cancer death rates have declined 33% overall since 1991. The reduction is estimated to have averted about 3.8 million cancer-causing deaths. Despite making great strides, prostate cancer incidence cases is one of the few cancers that has not seen a reduction. In this work, we investigate the presence of prostate cancer health disparities in the State of Florida. In particular, we are interested in whether there is evidence of prostate cancer incidence cases and death rates being expressed differently across the State of Florida. Prostate cancer, characterized by abnormal cell growth in the prostate gland, exhibits a disproportionate impact within this demographic group. Challenges in screening African American men in Florida include factors such as lack of awareness, historical mistrust of medical institutions, stigma, and limited access to healthcare services. Notably, aggressive forms of prostate cancer are more prevalent among African American men in Florida, contributing to elevated mortality rates. Despite advancements in less invasive screening methods like Free PSA Tests and MRI scans, disparities persist in clinical trial participation and research representation. Initiatives, such as the RESPOND study, seek to address these disparities by investigating genetic, environmental, and social factors affecting prostate cancer in men of African ancestry specifically in the context of Florida. Tailored approaches to screening awareness and increased resources for research and screening access are crucial to mitigating health disparities and improving outcomes for African American men with prostate cancer in Florida.

The Effects of Probiotics on Poultry

Xena Echevarria

Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL 32307

xena1.echevarria@famu.edu

Probiotics for poultry serve the purpose of promoting the health, growth, and performance. There is also a steady increase in using probiotics for chicken diets instead of antibiotics because of this However, a question remains: how exactly do probiotics positively affect poultry? The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of probiotics on specific aspects of poultry, including the bones and functionality of the gut. For this experiment, day-old broiler chicks were obtained and divided into groups of three (one control and two tests). Each group was given the same feed with varying amounts of probiotic; the control had no probiotic, test group one had one percent of probiotic, and test group two received two percent of probiotic. After twenty-one days, nearly all fowl were euthanized via carbon dioxide chamber and samples of the liver, tibia, fibula, ileum, and jejunum were collected. All of the remaining chickens were transported to another facility to be raised until slaughter, and sample collection was also performed here. While the laboratory work has not yet been completed, it is believed that the probiotics will show a positive effect in areas such as bone strength, gut health, nutrient absorption, etc. in the test groups, especially when they are compared to the control group Additionally, it is believed that the group with the two percent probiotic in the feed will have the best results.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Manganese induces Oxidative Stress in CAD neuronal cells

Ongel F. Harris, Eunsook Lee

Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Ongel1.Harris@famu.edu

Manganese (Mn), an essential trace metal, critically involved in maintaining normal physiological functions. However, chronic excessive exposure to Mn leads to a neurodegenerative condition known as manganism This neurodegenerative condition is characterized with motor deficits and cognitive impairment, sharing pathophysiological symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. The mechanisms of Mn-induced neurotoxicity is yet to be fully understood, but oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms involved in Mn-induced neurotoxicity. In this study, we investigated Mn-induced dysregulation of antioxidant proteins in neuronal cells with Mn (250 µM) at different time points (3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h). Using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and western blotting methods, we determined the effect of Mn on the protein levels of antioxidant proteins, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD)-2, and catalase. Results revealed that Mn decreased the protein levels of SOD-2 and catalase in a time-dependent manner, suggesting that Mn reduced antioxidant enzymes to induce oxidative stress. Taken together, our findings indicate the critical involvement of antioxidant proteins SOD-2 and catalase in Mn-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Genetic Modifications Among African Americans

Kennedi N. Hills, Dr. Gwendolyn L. Singlton

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Kennedi1.hills@famu.edu

Throughout the years African American communities have faced a multitude of socioeconomic challenges. These challenges have proved to have negative somatic effects on individuals in these communities. As these individuals continue to experience traumatic events, they continue to develop lifelong health issues. The objective of this review was to advance knowledge about the nature of the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and somatic effects experienced in African Americans. It is hypothesized that adverse childhood experiences can lead to negative somatic effects later in life, revealing a positive correlation between allostatic load and gene modification. Snowball sampling was used to recruit 710 predominantly college-aged students who completed a demographic survey relating stress and adverse childhood experiences. There is a positive correlation between adverse childhood experiences and somatic symptoms Mental health manifests as somatic health. Moving forward, this research is poised to revolutionize stress management for individuals and underscore the critical significance of mental health, especially among young African American adults. Beyond that, this study will illuminate the intricate biological mechanisms inherent in African Americans, thereby combating misinformation surrounding the African American body within the medical realm. To delve deeper into this understanding, further research will be conducted, specifically exploring the implications of epigenetics and the intricate interplay of socioeconomic factors that contribute to heightened stress levels in the African American community.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Understanding Breast Cancer and Health Disparities

Reyna Hobson, Daniel Osborne, Jinwei Liu, Pierre Ngnepiepa, Ricard A. Alo, Clement G. Yedjou

Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

Department of Computer Science, College of Science and Technology

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

Department of Mathematics, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1610 Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

Breast cancer remains a significant public health concern globally, with its impact exacerbated by health disparities. This abstract explores the multifaceted dimensions of breast cancer and health disparities, highlighting the complex interplay of socio-economic, cultural, and healthcare system factors that contribute to unequal outcomes among diverse populations. Through a comprehensive review of literature, this abstract delineates the disparities in breast cancer incidence, mortality rates, access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. It examines how factors such as race, ethnicity, income, education, geographic location, and insurance status intersect to create inequities in breast cancer outcomes. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of social determinants of health, including limited healthcare access, lack of awareness, mistrust in the healthcare system, and cultural beliefs, in perpetuating these disparities. Additionally, this abstract discusses potential interventions and strategies aimed at mitigating breast cancer health disparities, emphasizing the importance of tailored, culturally competent approaches that address the unique needs of marginalized communities. By advancing our understanding of breast cancer and health disparities, this abstract underscore the imperative for targeted efforts to promote health equity and improve outcomes for all individuals affected by breast cancer.

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.

ABSTRACT 10

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, or more commonly known as Pumpkin Seeds, is a plant that originates from Northern Mexico, Southwest and East of the USA. The extract is known for its therapeutic properties in anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, wound healing, dietary supplements and more properties. We are 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 24 hours after treatment. Our data demonstrate decrease in Cell viability falling below 50% at the 1000 ug/ml concentration. Future studies will examine whether the pumpkin seed extract has an effect in other CRC cell lines

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

MRI Studies Related to Chronic Methamphetamine Use and Specialized Treatment Methods

Zaria C. Jones and Dominique Bailey

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida 32307

Zaria2.jones@famu.edu

Methamphetamine (MA) is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. MA can cause neuropsychiatric symptoms such as psychosis, paranoia, and hallucinations. While evaluating the clinical pharmacology of the psychostimulant, the cognitive functioning is impaired in regular MA users. The purpose of this study is to be able to determine the appropriate treatment plan for chronic MA users dependent upon the results of individual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. While evaluating MRI imaging, there is an observable deviation in the structural pattern of the brain in chronic MA users compared to non-MA users. Using brain mapping techniques and MRI, the hippocampus, white matter, and the cortex were analyzed between users and non-users of the psychostimulant. A prominent gray-matter deficit was found in MA users. Furthermore, MA users were reported to have considerable white matter hypertrophy and smaller hippocampal volume. The irreversibility of the damages found in the brain may be associated with patterns of use and addiction to MA. Imaging studies can be used to assess the addiction severity and determine methods of treatment based on gray matter loss. A tiered ranking system, dependent on brain matter deficit, could be used to determine severity of addiction. Each tier would be assigned a different treatment method attempting to prevent substance recurrence. If treatment was to be determined by severity of addiction, more specialized prevention methods could be used, lowering the rate of substance recurrence.

Racial Disparity Associated with COVID-19 Among African Americans

Christopher Lewis, Kelci A. Elliott, Crystal Nwokoye and Clement G. Yedjou

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, Florida

Christopher3.lewis@famu.edu

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has become a major threat to the medical community and the entire healthcare system in every part of the world. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the emergency use of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on December 12, 2020. As of July 31, 2022, COVID-19 has infected more than 91.3 million Americans and caused nearly 1.03 million deaths in the United States. Interestingly, the mortality rate from COVID-19 has recently decreased due to increased emphasis on early detection, screening, and vaccination. Although the mortality rates have declined in some ethnic populations, the overall COVID-19 incidence among African American and Hispanic population has continued to grow. The goal of this research study is to provide an overview of COVID-19, racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19, COVID-19 incidence and mortality rate linked to hereditary, major risk factors of COVID-19 among minority population, and health disparity. Many COVID-19 research have been done for the treatment of this disease, but with limited success for many Black African Americans compared to other ethnic groups. Therefore, new strategies and approaches are needed to promote COVID-19 prevention, improve survival rates, reduce COVID19 mortality and, ultimately, improve the health outcomes of racial/ethnic minorities.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions Towards Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Among College Students

Samantha Lubin, Kayman N. Robinson, Te’yona Wilkerson, Alexis Haynes, Ukamaka Smith

Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Tallahassee, FL 32307 Kayman1.Robinson@famu.edu

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) often asymptomatic but can lead to precancerous lesions. Despite its status as the top STI in the US, with around 79 million Americans affected, HPV vaccination rates among adolescents and minority populations remain low. This study aimed to explore the relationship between HPV health literacy, vaccination barriers, and vaccination status at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Employing a mixed methods approach, we conducted a quantitative survey alongside qualitative focus groups. The 53-item pre-intervention survey, designed using Qualtrics software, assessed participants' knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of HPV. Factors such as demographics, healthcare access, and social norms were evaluated. Eligible participants, aged 1826 and enrolled as students, were recruited through diverse channels including university email lists, bulletin boards, and social media platforms. A QR code linked directly to the survey was utilized for easy access. Standardized captions and scripts were employed to minimize bias during survey dissemination. All activities were conducted using a HIPAA-compliant survey platform, ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The study aims to shed light on HPVrelated health literacy and vaccination behaviors among young adults at HBCUs, ultimately contributing to targeted interventions to improve vaccination uptake and reduce HPV-related health disparities.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

VEGFR-2 and C-Met Dual Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents

Rayauna McDonald, Steven Ewell, and Bereket Mochona

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

1601 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Tallahassee, FL 32307

Rayauna1.mcdonald@famu.edu

Cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (-Met), also known as hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR), stands as a pivotal heterodimeric transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase within cellular signaling pathways. The presence of aberrant c-Met signaling has been extensively observed across various human cancer types, often correlating with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Previous investigations have elucidated that constitutive c-Met overexpression plays a crucial role as a driver of proliferation and survival in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), while also contributing significantly to the resistance encountered with EGFR inhibitors. The emergence of compounds such as STA-9090, TC-N19, and T315 has shed light on potential therapeutic avenues by targeting EGFR/VEGFR-2 and facilitating the degradation of the c-Met oncoprotein. These developments offer an alternative approach to addressing TKI-resistant cancers. As targeting the degradation of oncoproteins has proven to be an effective strategy in anti-tumor drug development, there is a planned chemical database screening initiative aimed at identifying compounds capable of inducing the suppression of VEGFR-2 and c-Met expression. This screening aims to identify lead compounds that could serve as more potent VEGFR-2/c-Met dual inhibitors, thereby advancing the quest for effective treatment options in the realm of targeted cancer therapy.

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.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

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

Breast Cancer Classification Using Radius and Texture Features

Ashaniel Thomas,1Tede'Schi Allen1, Nia Turner1, Felicite Noubissi2, Hong Liu3, and Clement G. Yedjou1

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

2Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street Jackson, MS, 39217, USA

3Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. Aerospace Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Breast cancer continues to be the most frequent cancer in females, affecting about 1 in 8 and causing the highest number of cancer-related deaths in females worldwide despite remarkable progress in early diagnosis, screening, and patient management. All breast lesions are not malignant and all the benign lesions do not progress to cancer. However, the accuracy of diagnosis can be increased by a combination or preoperative tests such as physical examination, mammography, fine-needle aspiration cytology, and core needle biopsy. These procedures are more accurate, reliable, and acceptable when compared with a single adopted diagnostic procedure despite of having their limitations. Recent studies showed an accurate prediction and diagnosis of breast cancer using machine learning (ML) approaches. The objective of this study was to explore the application of ML approaches to classify breast cancer based on feature values generated from a digitized image of a fine-needle aspiration of a breast mass. To achieve this objective, we used ML algorithms and collected scientific datasets of 569 breast cancer patients from Kaggle (https://www.kaggle.com/uciml/breast-cancer-wisconsin-data) and interpreted these dataset based on two real-valued features (radius and texture) from a digitized image of a fine needle aspirate (FNA) of a breast mass. Among the 569 patients tested, 63% were diagnosed with benign breast cancer and 37% were diagnosed with malignant breast cancer. Benign tumor grows slowly and does not spread while malignant tumor grows rapidly and spread to other parts of the body.

Funding: This work was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), NSF-IUSE grant number 2142465 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official view of the NSF.

The Synthesis of N-(4-Ethylbenzoylamino)-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyridine to Act as Anti-Breast Cancer Agents and Selective COX-2 Inhibitors

Marlee Avril; JerMeny B. Israel; Savannah S. Locke; Kailar D. Shaw; Tiffany W. Ardley

Florida A&M University - College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tallahassee FL, 32307

Marlee1.avril@famu.edu

Female breast cancer has become the most common cancer, surpassing lung cancer for the first time according to the World Health Organization. Though incidence rates are comparable amongst all racial/ethnic groups, Black and Hispanic women have significantly higher mortality rates. Hence, the identification and development of new compounds for potent anticancer medicine is urgently needed. There is a biological correlation between cancer and chronic inflammation. Cyclooxygenase-2 is overexpressed in several malignancies, according to research studies. Thus, research into cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and how it relates to cancer treatment is very important. Many natural compounds have been found to contain the tetrahydropyridine structure, which has biological features such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemotherapeutic effects. As a result, substituted phenylcarbonylamino-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyridine compounds have been proposed in the development of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. The synthesis of a new tetrahydropyridine analogue was carried out in four steps. The hydrolysis of ethyl-o-(mesitylenesulfonyl) acethydroxymate to produce O(mesitylsulfonyl)hydroxylamine (MSH) was the first step in the synthesis of the 1,2,3,6tetrahydropyridine analog. MSH then interacts with 3-ethyl pyridine, acting as an aminating agent to afford the 1-amino-3-ethylpyridin-1-ium salt. To create N-ylide products, the salt product was subjected to acylation with different 4-ethylbenzoyl chloride. The desired final tetrahydropyridine product, N-(4-Ethylbenzoylamino)-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine is produced by the partial reduction of the respective ylide. Analytical methods include thin layer chromatography, liquidliquid extraction, rotaevaporation and vacuum filtration. Column chromatography is utilized to purify the desired compound and characterization is done by nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Further studies involve biological studies on breast cancer cell lines and cyclooxygenase-2 enzymes to determine the activity of the compound

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Identification of Breast Cancer Type Based on Smoothness and Compactness Features

Jachanti Hutson, Madison Brown, Ayesha Khan, Pierre Ngnepieba, Richard Alo, Clement G. Yedjou

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

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

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and it is important to develop novel approaches to screen, diagnose, and treat breast cancer. The accuracy of diagnosis can be increased by a combination or preoperative tests such as physical examination, mammography, fine-needle aspiration cytology, and core needle biopsy. These procedures are more accurate, reliable, and acceptable when compared with a single adopted diagnostic procedure despite of having their limitations. Recent studies showed an accurate prediction and diagnosis of breast cancer using machine learning (ML) approaches. The objective of this study was to explore the application of ML approaches to classify breast cancer based on feature values generated from a digitized image of a fine-needle aspiration of a breast mass To achieve this objective, we used ML algorithms and collected scientific datasets of 569 breast cancer patients from Kaggle (https://www.kaggle.com/uciml/breast-cancer-wisconsin-data) and interpreted these dataset based on two real-valued features (radius, texture) from a digitized image of a fine needle aspirate (FNA) of a breast mass. Among the 569 patients tested, 63% were diagnosed with benign breast cancer and 37% were diagnosed with malignant breast cancer. Benign tumor grows slowly and does not spread while malignant tumor grows rapidly and spread to other parts of the body.

Funding: This work was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), NSF-IUSE grant number 2142465 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official view of the NSF.

ABSTRACT

Dual Kinase Inhibitors: Structure-activity Relationships of Piplartine Analogs as Dual c-Met and VEGFR-2 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

Hannah M. Burton1: Steven M. Ewell2: Bereket Mochona2*

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

2Department of Chemistry, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

*Corresponding author: Bereket.Mochona@famu.edu Fax: (850)561-2545

Dual kinase inhibitors offer promising therapeutic strategies by targeting multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer progression. This study investigates the structure-activity relationships of Piplartine analogs as dual inhibitors of c-Met and VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinases. Despite the potential of dual kinase inhibition in cancer therapy, the development of effective inhibitors faces challenges related to cytotoxicity, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics. Leveraging computational methods 10 compounds were synthesized in a lab and subsequently underwent in silico preclinical testing: molecular docking, drug likeness test, and density functional theory (DFT). Our results reveal promising binding interactions and favorable binding energies for specific compounds, highlighting their potential as dual kinase inhibitors. Furthermore compounds 6, 7, and 10, were selected as lead molecules as potential anticancer agents. We delineate ligandreceptor contacts and characterize key amino acid residues involved in inhibitor binding through comprehensive analysis. While in silico findings provide valuable insights, further in vitro and in vivo studies are essential to validate the efficacy and safety of the identified compounds as potential anticancer agents. This research contributes to the ongoing efforts in developing targeted therapies for cancer by elucidating the SAR of dual kinase inhibitors.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023, the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research and Grant Numbers U54CA233396, U54CA233444, and U54CA233465 from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Its contents are solely the authors’ responsibility and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NCI.

ABSTRACT 21

Surveillance of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia Coli in a Rural Watershed

Hanifah L. Choute*1; A. Darling2,3; G.M. Rivera2; A. Pruden2;A. Cohen3

1Department of Chemistry, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL32307, 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, 3Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061

Email: hanifah1.choute@famu.edu

Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria, causing various human infections. Unfortunately, antibiotic use has some disadvantages: while they are vital life-saving drugs, overuse can contribute to the evolution of resistant forms that are no longer effectively killed by antibiotics. One concern is that patients who take antibiotics excrete resistant gut bacteria, such as Escherichia coli. These bacteria then end up in sewage and, if not effectively treated by a wastewater treatment plant, could end up in the watershed. There is concern that people might get exposed and re-infected from contact with the water, but little research is being conducted. The study aims to track ESBL-producing E. coli as a representative fecal-associated antibiotic-resistant bacterium in a small watershed impacted by poorly treated wastewater. Additionally, we monitored the blaCTX-M1 gene, which is carried by E. coli and other ESBL bacteria, and sul1, which encodes resistance to sulfonamide antibiotics, as general indicators of the level of antibiotic resistance carried by the microbial communities in the wastewater-impacted watersheds. We cultured cefotaxime-resistant E. coli and total E. coli and quantified concentrations of blaCTX-M1 and sul1 genes, using ddPCR. The proportion of culturable cefotaxime-resistant E. coli to total E. coli was 4.97%, 0.77%, and 0.51% at WWTP effluent, WWTP influent, and septic effluent respectively. These preliminary results highlight the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance in rural water bodies to better understand the dissemination.

Click Chemistry: Determining the Effect Chitosan Plays on the Physicochemical Properties of Poly(arylene ether)- based Glycopolymer for Reverse Osmosis

Arianna M. Davis: Natalie Y. Arnett: Sanjay K. Singh

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1530 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tallahassee, FL, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering: Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer St. Tallahassee, FL 32310 arianna1.davis@famu.edu

Reverse osmosis (RO) is the process of purifying water by the removal of contaminants from feed water under pressure through a semi-permeable membrane. In this research two polymers, chitosan and poly(arylene ether sulfone) (PAES), which have shown good RO properties will be blended and evaluated as RO membranes. Alkyne derivatized PAES (a-PPLn PAES) prepared from alkyne phenolphthalin (a-PPLn) and difluorodiphenylsulfone (DFDPS) were synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution. A poly(arylene ether sulfone) based glycopolymer were successfully prepared by copper catalyst Huisgen cycloaddition, also known as a click chemistry reaction. The overall reaction is divided into three steps: 1) preparation of ethynyl derivative of phenolphthaleinbased poly arylene ether sulfone homopolymer (a-PPLn PAES) using 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS) and azide phenolphthalin (a-PPLn), 2) azidation of chitosan by protecting the amine group to form 6-azido-N-phthaloylated chitosan derivative, and 3) click reaction between azide derivatized chitosan with a-PPLn PAES to form a triazole linkage. FTIR analysis of chitosan and its derivative confirmed the presence of O-H and N-H stretching vibrations at 3434 cm−1 and 3256 cm−1, respectively. Azidation of chitosan derivative was confirmed by the presence of a significant absorption band around 2112 cm−1. The coupling reaction between 6-azido-Nphthaloylated chitosan derivative with phenolphthalein-based poly arylene ether sulfone homopolymer was confirmed by the disappearance of a sharp absorption band at 2112 cm−1 (C6N3). The water flux and salt rejection of the a-PPLn PAES/Chitosan membranes were tested using a Sterlitech CF042H cross-flow reverse osmosis (RO) system.

In silico, Identification of Novel Quinolone Derivatives as Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Sydnee Fo1, Steven Ewell2, Bereket Mochona2

1Department of Biology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

2Department of Chemistry, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

The tyrosine kinase mechanism is a cornerstone in the modulation of cellular signaling pathways implicated in cancer progression. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) is selected as tyrosine kinases for anti-cancer drug development, with compounds characterized by polycyclic rings specifically emphasizing quinolone-based molecular structures. Quinolones, a class of synthetic antibiotics, are known for their primary use in treating bacterial infections. However, in recent years, researchers have explored the potential biological effects of quinolone derivatives beyond their antimicrobial activity, including their impact on cancer. Quinolone compounds exhibit an intrinsic ability to engage with active sites of tyrosine kinases, disrupting the phosphorylation mechanism needed to induce conformation changes associated with lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, urothelial cancer, and malignant melanoma. To expedite the identification of potential VEGFR-2 inhibitors, a chemical library of compounds with a quinolone scaffold was selected from a binding chembl database. Database included approximately 14,000 quinolone derivatives. These compounds were profiled for their binding affinities, pharmacokinetics properties, and ADMET, against known native inhibitors in the PDB complexes for both proteins, Tivozanib (PDB: 4ASE). 5 Compounds maintained conformational stability and drug-likeness comparable to the native ligand. These In-Silico studies identified two lead molecules with drug-like characteristics, minimal levels of toxicities, and structural features that will be vital in vivo and in vitro studies.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Revealing the Resilience of the Mechanical Fortitude for Boron Nitride Particle/Carbon Fiber Hybrid Phenolic Composites Under X-ray Radiation Exposure

Kalea Gant1,2,4, Tionci Greene1,2,4, Kaiya LaRue1,2,4, Jaylan Maddox1,2,4, James Williams II1,2,4, Mitesh Patadia1,2, Zipporah Harlan 1,2,3 , Aspen Reyes1,2,3, Ernesto Garcia 1,4 , Tarik Dickens1,2,4, LaRico Treadwell3, Rebekah Sweat1,2,4

1FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA. 2High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI), Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA. 3Sandia National Laboratories, , NM, 87123, USA 4Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) Materials-At-The-Extreme (MATE) Consortium

Understanding the potential of advanced materials for hypersonic flight is crucial for pushing the boundaries of aerospace structures. Recent advances in this study demonstrate the efficacy of hybrid polymer composites in improving resistance to high-energy radiation. Boron Nitride (BN) emerges as a standout candidate due to its impressive thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, and robust mechanical properties, rendering it ideal for hypersonic upthrust and re-entry applications. However, traditional thermoset matrices are prone to chain scission, crosslinking damage, and free radical formation upon radiation exposure, leading to diminished mechanical performance. This study investigates the customization of the mechanical response of BN/carbon fiber/phenolic composites to radiation by varying BN loading during manufacturing. Samples undergo X-ray radiation exposure, followed by an assessment of their mechanical performance and microstructural evolution. Results reveal a correlation between performance and loading levels, with discussions on the optimal balance between manufacturing concentration and radiation durability. Promising mechanical properties are observed, prompting further testing to evaluate the material's strength and overall metrics post-radiation exposure. BN reinforcement effectively shields the material against radiation, preserving its enhanced mechanical strength under harsh conditions. This research holds significant implications for the advancement of aerospace technology. Continued development of these advanced materials may lead to the realization of faster, more efficient, and more resilient aerospace structures, thus driving innovation in the field.

Simulated Investigations in Efficiency from Bulk Parameters on the Detection of Radioactive Isotopes with a Germanium Detector

Scott C Garner, Lewis E Johnson, and James Strohaber

Physics Department, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA

Email: scott1.garner@famu.edu, lewis.johnson@famu.edu, james.strohaber@famu.edu

The purpose of this research was to match the measured efficiency curve of a high-purity germanium gamma-ray imaging spectrometer across a wide keV spectrum of standardized radioactive sources, with a simulated version of the device at the same keV range. With a proper simulation of the device, testing of non-standardized radioactive sources could be measured virtually. This is important because, over time, extended use of the high-purity germanium crystal can cause an increase in the dead layer of the crystal, thus reducing the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the spectrometer. These simulations were made using Geant4 for visualization and bulk processing, which included a detailed description of the radioactive sources used, as well as several parameters of the high-purity germanium crystal and aluminum shielding. Arguably, some of the most important parameters that affect the total energy efficiency curve are the diameter and thickness of the crystal, as well as the crystal’s distance away from the front of the aluminum shielding. The data gathered from Geant4 is then interpreted by a data processing framework called Root. Using Root, the simulated detector’s keV efficiency curve is compared to the physical detector’s efficiency curve. The detector's parameters were to be adjusted until the efficiency curves were within error of each other. This research was completed over the summer of 2023 at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory under the mentorship of Brian Archambault.

Study of Nutrient and Heavy Metal Concentrations in Tallahassee's Surrounding Bodies of Water

Xavier M. S. Harrell

Florida Agricultural and a Mechanical University / 1601 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307

xavier1.harrell@famu.edu

Concentrations of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates along with heavy metals such as lead, nickel, and manganese play a major role in the health of water quality. The assessment of these nutrient and heavy metal concentrations is essential in determining whether or not recreational fishing as well as aquaculture is safe to perform in bodies of water. Water samples (2000 mL) were collected at two distinct location groups (“Tallahassee Locations” & Apalachee Bay) to be surveyed for nutrient and heavy metal concentrations in the School of the Environment Core Laboratory. Samples were then processed beginning with centrifugation, then transferred into triplicate analysis form, and finally analyzed with Cuvette Spectrophotometer (nutrient) and ICPOES (metal) to obtain our desired concentrations. While data is not yet completely formatted my laboratory mentor and myself determined that the recorded nitrate/phosphate and heavy metal concentrations fall within good water quality standards. Regular assessments of water quality are needed in order to ensure bodies of water are safe for the production of aquaculture in Apalachee Bay as well as recreational fishing done within the Tallahassee city limits.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

ABSTRACT 27

Bioprinted Bacterial-Mammalian Co-Culture Hydrogels for Tumour Tissue Modelling

Kiram N Harrison, 1,2 Annie Scutte,1,2 Tyler Gregory,1,2 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 jali@eng.famu.fsu.edu

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. While diagnosis rates are steadily rising, development of new therapeutics have not kept pace and have low clinical efficacy. Towards addressing this issue, new techniques are being explored to produce in vitro tissue models that mimic the complex microenvironment of breast cancer tissue, previously thought to be sterile. Here, we utilize extrusion-based bioprinting to fabricate hydrogel-based 3D breast tumour models incorporating a microbiome. Hydrogels were formulated by varying concentrations of alginate, gelatin, the gram-negative bacterium Salmonella Typhimurium, and triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Shear rheology was used to characterize the viscoelastic properties of hydrogels. Rheological measurements showed that both the bacterial and mammalian cells decreased the viscosity as cell concentration increased. Printability of the gels was assessed to determine the optimal printing parameters and evaluate the spreading due to cell loading. Two colour fluorescent-based Live-Dead assays were used to assess the viability of the printed monoculture structures, and results showed that both cell types maintained high viability (>80%) upon incubation. Finally, as a precursor to co-culture gel formulation, indirect culture assays are currently being conducted to determine if the toxins released by the bacterial cells will aid or inhibit tumorigenesis. The production of cell-laden hydrogels that contain microbiomes will aid our understanding of bacteria-cancer cell interactions and enable the use of in vitro biofilm-cancer models for high-throughput therapeutic screening applications.

The Synthesis of N-(4-Bromobenzoylamino)-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyridine to Act as Anti-Breast Cancer Agents and Selective COX-2 Inhibitors

JerMeny B. Israel; Marlee Avril; Savannah S. Locke; Kailar D. Shaw; Tiffany W. Ardley

Florida A&M University - College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tallahassee FL, 32307

JerMeny1.israel@famu.edu, Marlee.avril@famu.edu, Savannah1.locke@famu.edu, Kailar.shaw@famu.edu, tiffany.ardley@famu.edu

The synthesis of N-(4-Bromobenzoylamino)-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine represents a pathway to develop potential anti-breast cancer agents with selective COX-2 enzyme inhibition activity. This compound is a potential target against breast cancer cells while minimizing effects on healthy tissues. By using Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is often expressed in various malignancies, including breast cancer, this synthesized compound aims to disrupt inflammatory pathways implicated in cancer progression. Additionally, the presence of the tetrahydropyridine in the molecule suggests potential anti-inflammatory and chemotherapeutic effects, through evaluation and testing, this synthesized compound offers an approach in combating breast cancer while minimizing side effects commonly associated with conventional treatments. As a result of the effects of similar compounds, substituted phenylcarbonylamino-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyridine compounds have been proposed in the development of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. The synthesis of a new tetrahydropyridine analogue was carried out in four steps. The hydrolysis of ethyl-o-(mesitylene sulfonyl) acethydroxymate to produce O-(mesityl sulfonyl) hydroxylamine (MSH) was the first step in the synthesis of this 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine analog. MSH then interacts with 3-ethyl pyridine, acting as an aminating agent to afford the 1-amino-3ethylpyridin-1-ium salt. To create N-ylide products, the salt product was subjected to acylation with 4-bromobenzoyl chloride. The desired final tetrahydropyridine product, N-(4Ethylbenzoylamino)-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine was produced by the partial reduction of the ylide. Analytical methods include thin layer chromatography, liquid-liquid extraction, and vacuum filtration. Column chromatography is utilized to purify the desired compound and characterization is done by elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. Further studies will involve biological assays on breast cancer cell lines and cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme assays.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

DeepFake Detection: A Literature Review

Alaisha J. Johnson, Idongesit Mkpong-Ruffin, Deidre W. Evans College of Science and Technology and 1610 S. Martin Luther King Blvd. University Commons, Tallahassee, Fl, 32307

Alaisha1.johnson@famu.edu

Deepfake technology, enabled by machine learning and deep learning techniques, has ushered in a new era of realistic video manipulation. The challenges posed by deepfakes range from legal and political ramifications to their potential for causing social harm. The main categories of deepfake videos Head Puppetry, Face Swapping, and Lip Syncing combined can result in severe consequences for those involved. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, there is a need for effective methods to prevent the generation of harmful content that targets unsuspecting individuals. One significant issue is the increased accessibility of machine learning tools, allowing individuals to create deepfakes without the need for extensive expertise. As deepfakes become more realistic, the ability to distinguish genuine from fabricated content. This has implications for belief formation, as viewers may unknowingly develop false beliefs based on misleading information presented in deepfake videos. The objective is to amalgamate existing deepfake detection methodologies sourced from GitHub with a novel approach utilizing Convolutional LSTM. This amalgamation seeks to increase accuracy and efficacy by integrating successful elements from various detection techniques, with the intention is to rectify biases inherent in current detection methodologies by employing a more diverse dataset. The approach entails selecting two deepfake detection methods from GitHub, running both on a dataset to establish their baseline accuracy, and subsequently devising a new detection method utilizing Convolutional LSTM. Anticipated outcomes encompass the development of a more precise and efficient deepfake detection mechanism. The implications extend to mitigating potential harm engendered by deepfake technology and fostering advancements in detection strategies.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

ABSTRACT 30

Simulation Sediment and Runoff from Gravel Roads Utilizing the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) Model in the Florida Big Bend and Panhandle Regions

*Micala T. Jones and Jingqiu Chen

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

E-mail of corresponding author: jingqiu.chen@famu.edu

Sediment runoff, the displacement of soil by water, wind, or gravity, affects water bodies by depositing in streams, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Influenced by erosion, vegetation cover, land use, and terrain, it can harm aquatic habitats, reduce water quality, and impact ecosystem health. Assessing and modeling sediment transport helps predict its environmental effects, informing watershed management and policies to mitigate sediment input, and enhancing ecosystem protection. 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. In this study, we use the WEPP model to simulate sediment and runoff from gravel roads in the Florida Big Bend and Panhandle Regions. Preliminary simulations were run using individual road segment (WEPP:Road) and multiple road segments (WEPP: Road Batch) with the focused road designs including insloped (vegetated), insloped bare ditch, outsloped rutted, and outsloped unrutted The 30-year mean annual averages rainfall were used to simulate runoff, amount of road prism erosion, and the amount of sediment leaving buffer. Initial input variables include road gradient (6%), road length (200 ft), road width (13 ft), fill gradient (50%), fill length (15 ft), buff length (130 ft), and rock fragment (45%). The preliminary results showed high annual average of the sediment leaving buffer (3803 lbs.) and high annual average sediment leaving road (5915 lbs.), indicating a significant amount of sediment is being transported or carried away from a buffer zone in a watershed. Though WEPP model simulates reasonable road erosion rates, further validation will be conducted for onsite parameters collections including segment length, rill erodibility, road segment slope, slope length and steepness.

The Synthesis of N-(3-Methoxybenzoylamino)-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine as a Potential Anti-Breast Cancer Agent and Selective COX-2 Inhibitor

Savannah S. Locke; Marlee Avril; JerMany B. Israel; Kailar D. Shaw; Tiffany Ardley

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

Savannah1.locke@famu.edu, Marlee1.avril@famu.edu, JerMany1.israel@famu.edu, Kailar1.shaw@famu.edu

Abstract

According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among women and men Although the occurrence rates are similar among different racial groups, Black women experience notably higher mortality rates at any age Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify and develop novel compounds with strong anticancer properties. Research indicates a correlation between cancer and long-term inflammation within the body. Thus, it’s crucial to investigate how blocking cyclooxygenase-2, an enzyme that regulates tumor growth, may be beneficial in treating cancer. Numerous natural compounds contain a particular structure known as tetrahydropyridine, which has advantageous effects such as reducing inflammation, shielding against cell damage, and potentially aiding in cancer therapy. For this reason, substituted phenylcarbonylamino-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine compounds have been suggested for the development of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. The synthesis of a new tetrahydropyridine analog was carried out in a fourstep process. This process begins with the hydrolysis of ethyl-o(mesitylenesulfonyl) acethydroxymate to produce O-(mesitylsulfonyl)-hydroxylamine (MSH). In the next step, MSH is reacted with 3-ethyl pyridine, which acts as an aminating agent, resulting in the formation of the 1-amino-3-ethylpyridin-1-ium salt. This salt product, undergoes acylation with 3-methoxybenzoylchloride to generate the N-ylide intermediate. The final desired tetrahydropyridine product, N-(3-Methoxybenzoylamino)-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, is obtained through the partial reduction of the ylide. Reactions are monitored using thin layer chromatography. Intermediates and the target products are extracted using liquid-liquid extraction and vacuum filtration. To purify the target compounds, column chromatography is used. Nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy are also used to characterize the target ylide and final compound. Future investigations will focus on biological assays using breast cancer cell lines and cyclooxygenase-2 enzymes.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

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 an early work, the three small lettuce plants grown in simulated Martian soil using aquaponics water stored demonstrated slightly greater growth potential than commercial fertilizer. Therefore, aquaponics water can provide nutrition for plants in Martian soil 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, to compare to the previous study. Furthermore, our studies highlight that careful watering practices must be enforced for both hydroponic and aquaponics- grown lettuce to ensure proper production.

ABSTRACT 33

Video Authentication Literature Review

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

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

lauren1.matthews@famu.edu

Deepfakes, AI-generated manipulations of images and videos, pose significant challenges in today's digital landscape, particularly with the proliferation of face-swapping techniques that propagate misinformation. This literature review explores cutting-edge detection methods and technologies developed to combat the rise of deepfakes. DARPA’s Media Forensics program has developed methods to detect deepfakes, emphasizing digital, physical, and semantic integrity. Similarly, the AI Foundation's Reality Defender offers aa real-time deepfakes detection tool for consumers. However, challenges arise due to the widespread presence of altered media on social platforms. This paper delves into AI algorithms, particularly deep neural networks (DNNs), creating different categories of deepfake videos such as head puppetry, face swapping, and lip syncing. Despite significant progress in deepfake detection methods, biases concerning age, gender, and ethnicity remain critical concerns, leading to efforts for diverse and balanced datasets. Examining datasets like Celeb-DF and DF-1.0, which aim for diversity but still harbor biases, highlights the need for nuanced approaches like the First Order Motion Model (FOMM) and DFTMF models, which focus on motion estimation and mouth features, respectively. Additionally, leveraging Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to categorize datasets based on demographic attributes could mitigate biases in deepfake models. This paper presents an experiment utilizing. Faceswap, a popular deepfake creation tool, to investigate the impact of dataset diversity on deepfake quality. By augmenting the dataset with horizontally mirrored images, the experiment aims to enhance the model’s performance and mitigate bias. Preliminary results demonstrate promising improvements, suggesting the potential of augmentation techniques to improve model performance.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Crosslinking Phenolphthalin Poly(arylene ether sulphone) Polymers for Nitrate Remediation

Simeon Newman, Nicole Boyer, Natalie Arnett

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL 32310

Natalie.arnett@famu.edu

Nitrates are essential nutrients required for living organisms which are highly mobile in nature and easily released in the soil and water through bacterial activities. Agricultural run-off from regularly used fertilizer, urea, accounts for approximately 50% of nitrogen lost to the surroundings and is considered a common source of nitrate pollutants found in the terrestrial ecosystem. A variety of water treatment techniques have been studied for the removal and remediation of nitrates from wastewater including filtration, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, coagulation, and adsorption. Compared to other nitrate removal processes, adsorption has become a valuable option due its high efficiency, accessibility, and user-friendliness. Polymeric materials are considered viable alternatives to traditional adsorbents. Poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) are a class of high-performance thermoplastic widely utilized due to its excellent chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties. PAEs utilized in remediation of dyes, heavy metals, nitrates, and phosphates typically contain adjustable side chains comprised of functional groups such as carboxylic acids, amines, hydroxyl groups, or sulfonic acids. This research aims to synthesize and characterize PAES homopolymers directly from PPLn monomers using a one-step process that avoids post-reactions to open the lactone ring. To enhance PPLn-PAES thermal and mechanical properties, crosslinked membranes will then be prepared through thermal cure via Friedel Crafts acylation at the -COOH sites along the polymer backbone.

ABSTRACT 35

Management of Invasive Breast Cancer Care Using Machine Learning Approaches

Samip Patel, Pierre Ngnepieba, Daniel Osborne, Richard Alo, Clement G. Yedjou

Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, United States.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Women in the United States have a 1 in 8 chance of developing an invasive form of breast cancer during their lifetime. BC arises in the lining cells (epithelium) of the ducts or lobules in the glandular tissue of the breast. The goal of the present study was to use machine learning (ML) as a novel technology to assess and compare the invasive forms of BC including, infiltrating ductal carcinoma, infiltrating lobular carcinoma, and mucinous carcinoma. To achieve this goal, we used ML algorithms and collected datasets of 334 BC patients available at https://www.kaggle.com/amandam1/breastcancerdataset and interpreted this dataset based on the form of BC, age, sex, tumor stages, surgery type, and survival rate. Among the 334 patients, 70% were diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma, 27% with infiltrating lobular carcinoma, and 3% with mucinous carcinoma. Overall, 64 out of 334 BC patients were in stage I, 189 patients in stage II, and 81 patients in stage III. Sixty-six, 67, 96, and 105 patients underwent lumpectomy, simple mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, other types of surgery, respectively. The survival rates were 83.4% for stage I, 79.1% for stage II, and 77% for stage III. Findings from the present study demonstrated that ML provides an important tool to curate large amount of BC data, as well scientific means to improve BC outcomes.

ABSTRACT 35

Management of Invasive Breast Cancer Care Using Machine Learning Approaches

Samip Patel, Pierre Ngnepieba, Daniel Osborne, Richard Alo, Clement G. Yedjou

Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, United States.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Women in the United States have a 1 in 8 chance of developing an invasive form of breast cancer during their lifetime. BC arises in the lining cells (epithelium) of the ducts or lobules in the glandular tissue of the breast. The goal of the present study was to use machine learning (ML) as a novel technology to assess and compare the invasive forms of BC including, infiltrating ductal carcinoma, infiltrating lobular carcinoma, and mucinous carcinoma. To achieve this goal, we used ML algorithms and collected datasets of 334 BC patients available at https://www.kaggle.com/amandam1/breastcancerdataset and interpreted this dataset based on the form of BC, age, sex, tumor stages, surgery type, and survival rate. Among the 334 patients, 70% were diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma, 27% with infiltrating lobular carcinoma, and 3% with mucinous carcinoma. Overall, 64 out of 334 BC patients were in stage I, 189 patients in stage II, and 81 patients in stage III. Sixty-six, 67, 96, and 105 patients underwent lumpectomy, simple mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, other types of surgery, respectively. The survival rates were 83.4% for stage I, 79.1% for stage II, and 77% for stage III. Findings from the present study demonstrated that ML provides an important tool to curate large amount of BC data, as well scientific means to improve BC outcomes.

ABSTRACT 37

Detection of Organic Solvents Using Methylene Blue Derivatives

Hannah M. Rogers, Orion L. Phipps, Bishnu P. Regmi

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University hannah1.rogers@famu.edu

In theory, methylene blue (MB) salt derivatives could be used to quickly test for the presence of organic solvents in water. As well as determining what kind of organic solvent is present based on color. A quick color-change test could be useful in emergency situations, where the water supply may be unsafe to use or consume. To test this hypothesis two derivatives of MB were synthesized using ion exchange reactions with cis-9-octadecenoic acid sodium salt (sodium oleate) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiNTF2). This produced the compounds methylene blue oleate (MB Oleate) and methylene blue-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (MB NTF2). These compounds were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The solvent sensing characteristics of these compounds were tested with several organic solvents, including dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, dimethyl ketone, and methanol. These experiments revealed that MB oleate showed more distinct color variations in different organic solvents in comparison to MB NTF2 and MB hydrate. The solution of these compounds in different organic solvents were also tested using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy to analyze spectral characteristics. Current product results are promising, however further trials are needed for a conclusive response to the hypothesis.

Effectiveness of Nanoparticle Formation Techniques on the Properties of Poly(xyiltol sebacate) Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery.

Tia Sadler, Mikayla Smith, and Dr. Natalie Arnett

Polymeric nanoparticles are crucial for efficient drug delivery, driving increased research for superior pharmaceuticals. Key factors for effective delivery include non-toxicity, suitable shelf life, mechanical properties, and permeability. Previous research in our lab explored nanoparticle formation dependency on factors like polymer morphology, molecular weight, and hydrophobicity. Soluble PXS was synthesized within 15 hours (PXS-15H), yielding nanoparticles with average diameters of 132 nm and 112 nm, and zeta potential values of -80mV and -48mV for unloaded and curcumin-loaded PXS-MP-15H, respectively. This study investigates nanoparticle synthesis using poly(xylitol sebacate) (PXS) dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM), comparing centrifugation and solvent evaporation methods to enhance uniformity and stability. Parameters such as polymer concentration, solvent composition, and processing conditions are varied for optimization. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyze nanoparticle properties such as size, morphology, and dispersion. Results show both methods effectively produce PXS polymer nanoparticles, with homogenization improving particle uniformity. This research informs nanoparticle fabrication using PXS, offering insights for drug delivery, nanomedicine, and related fields requiring precise control over nanoparticles.

The Synthesis of N-(3-Flurobenzoylamino)-5-Ethyl-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyridine; a Potential Anti-Breast Cancer Agent and COX- 2 Inhibitor

Kailar D. Shaw; Marlee Avril; JerMeny B. Israel; Savanah S. Locke; Tiffany W. Ardley

Florida A&M University - College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

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

Kailar.shaw@famu.edu, Marlee1.avril@famu.edu, JerMeny1.israel@famu.edu, savanah1.locke@famu.edu, tiffany.ardley@famu.edu

Breast cancer has now become the most prevalent type of cancer worldwide, overtaking lung cancer for the first time, as per the World Health Organization. While the incidence rates are similar across all racial and ethnic groups, Black and Hispanic women have significantly higher mortality rates. This highlights the urgent need to discover and develop new potent anticancer medications. Chronic inflammation and cancer have a biological association, and research studies have shown that Cyclooxygenase-2 is overexpressed in several malignancies. Therefore, investigating the relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and cancer treatment is crucial. Many natural compounds contain the tetrahydropyridine structure, which has various biological features such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemotherapeutic effects, making it a promising area of research. As a result, substituted phenylcarbonylamino-5-ethyl-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyridine compounds have been proposed in the development of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. The synthesis of a new tetrahydropyridine analog can be carried out in four steps. The hydrolysis of ethyl-o-(mesitylenesulfonyl) acethydroxymate to produce O(mesitylsulfonyl)hydroxylamine (MSH) is the first step in the synthesis. MSH then interacts with 3-ethyl pyridine, acting as an aminating agent to afford the 1-amino-3-ethylpyridin-1-ium salt. To create N-ylide products, the salt product is subjected to acylation with different substituted benzoyl chlorides. The desired final tetrahydropyridine product N-(3-fluorobenzoylamino)-5-ethyl1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine is produced by the partial reduction of the ylide. Purification methods include thin layer chromatography, liquid-liquid extraction, and column chromatography. Characterization is done by nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Further studies involve biological studies on breast cancer cell lines.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Effect of Addition of Acylated Monoacids on Polymeric Nanoparticle Properties

Mikayla R. Smith;

Kadisha Culpepper; Natalie Y. Arnett

Department of Chemistry, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Mikayla2.smith@famu.edu

Many chemotherapeutics are hydrophobic substances delivered into the body through the vein, interacting with unhealthy cells as well as healthy cells. This research focuses on optimizing xylitol-based polyesters to form polymeric nanoparticles for hydrophobic drug encapsulation and targeted delivery. In this study, the effect of adding monoacids, lauric or stearic acid, to xylitol prior to synthesis on the overall polymer and polymeric nanoparticles was studied. Poly (xylitol sebacate), PXS, was prepared by reacting xylitol and sebacic acid in a 1:1 ratio for 15 hours at 150 °C. The formation of the monoacids functionalized xylitol occurred by reaction the pure xylitol to monoacid (3:1 molar ratio) at 150 °C for two hours. The modified monomer was polymerized with sebacic acid for 12 hours. Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the presence of the ester bond that confirms polymerization, as well as changes in the hydroxyl peak at 3400 cm-1. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated degradation temperatures for the hyperbranched, lauric, and stearic poly(xylitol sebacate) samples at 220 °C, 174 °C, and 204 °C, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) of poly(xylitol sebacate) nanoparticles formed via nanoprecipitation illustrated various diameter sizes ranging from 112 to 1072 nm. Modified polymeric particles had larger sizes and more cationic zeta potentials. This research will lead to greater understanding of polyester nanoparticles and their role in targeted drug delivery.

A Comparative Analysis of Breast Cancer Types Based on Concavity and Concave Parameters

Takeyvia Smith, Malia Burch, Ajaelah Bennett, Daniel Osborne, , Samia Messeha, and Clement G. Yedjo

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

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths of women in the United States. Fortunately, the mortality rate from breast cancer has decreased in recent years due to an increased emphasis on early detection and more effective treatments in white population. Current treatment options for breast cancer include surgery, radiotherapy and systemic treatments comprising cytotoxic chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. However, the accuracy of diagnosis can be increased by a combination or preoperative tests such as physical examination, mammography, fine-needle aspiration cytology, and core needle biopsy. These procedures are more accurate, reliable, and acceptable when compared with a single adopted diagnostic procedure despite of having their limitations. Recent studies showed an accurate prediction and diagnosis of breast cancer using machine learning (ML) approaches. The objective of this study was to explore the application of ML approaches to classify breast cancer based on feature values generated from a digitized image of a fine-needle aspiration of a breast mass. To achieve this objective, we used ML algorithms and collected scientific datasets of 569 breast cancer patients from Kaggle (https://www.kaggle.com/uciml/breast-cancer-wisconsin-data) and interpreted these dataset based on two real-valued parameters (concavity and concave) from a digitized image of a fine needle aspirate (FNA) of a breast mass. Among the 569 patients tested, 63% were diagnosed with benign breast cancer and 37% were diagnosed with malignant breast cancer. Benign tumor grows slowly and does not spread while malignant tumor grows rapidly and spread to other parts of the body.

Funding: This work was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), NSF-IUSE grant number 2142465 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official view of the NSF.

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

Lauryn M. Stoney, Kiarah Richardson, Samaiyah Mason, 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.

Prevention of Adversarial Patches Attack

Terrelle Thomas1 , Idongesit Mkpong-Ruffin and Chutima Boonthum-Denecke2

1. Computer & Information Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida, USA terrelle1.thomas@famu.edu, idongesit.ruffin@famu.edu

2. Computer Science, Hampton University, Hampton, VA. USA 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.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

Enhancing Convolutional Neural Network Performance for Corneal Ulcer Classification Through Advanced Image Augmentation Techniques

Jada Turner; Thanh Paul Dinh

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Email: jada1.turner@famu.edu,thanh1.dinh@famu.edu

Corneal ulcers pose a considerable threat to ocular health, necessitating timely detection and intervention to prevent serious complications. While traditional diagnostic approaches are effective, they often rely on subjective clinician interpretations. This study introduces an innovative data augmentation method tailored for training convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to accurately classify corneal ulcers. Leveraging advanced image editing techniques, such as contrast and exposure manipulation, this technique enhances the network's ability to discern subtle visual cues within corneal images.By augmenting a dataset of 712 corneal images, our approach exposes the CNN to a broader spectrum of visual features, mimicking real-world variations encountered in clinical practice. Our augmentation strategy encompasses diverse transformations, including affine adjustments for geometric variations, elastic deformations to simulate natural ulcer appearances, and synthetic noise injection to enhance resilience to imperfections. Additionally, techniques like random cropping and brightness/contrast adjustments acknowledge variability in image scale and lighting conditions.This method addresses the challenge of limited dataset size in medical image analysis, particularly in specialized fields like ophthalmology. Through targeted enhancements in image quality and diversity, our CNN demonstrates significantly improved accuracy in ulcer classification and segmentation. Extensive experimentation validates the efficacy of our approach, showcasing notable enhancements in sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy compared to conventional augmentation methods.Our results demonstrate the profound impact of comprehensive data augmentation on model performance, achieving a remarkable validation accuracy of 92%, with sensitivity and specificity reaching 89% and 94%, respectively. These findings underscore the importance of employing varied augmentation strategies to bolster model performance in medical image analysis, potentially facilitating earlier detection, accurate diagnosis, and improved patient care in managing corneal ulcers.

This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023 and the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research.

ABSTRACT 45

Design and Synthesis of Novel Oxadiazole Derivatives as Androgen Receptor Inhibitors

Micah Williams1, Steven Ewell2, Bereket Mochona2*

1Department of Biology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

2Department of Chemistry, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307

*Corresponding author: Bereket Mochona, Bereket.mochona@famu.edu. Fax: (850) 561-2545

In-silico screening of oxadiazole carboxamide scaffold-bearing compounds retrieved from the ZINC database was conducted to identify potential anticancer agents with androgen receptor inhibitory effect. X-ray crystallographic structure of androgen receptor complexed with SARM S22 (PDB ID: 3RLJ) generated a pharmacophore model for a combined ligand-based and structurebased virtual screening campaign. Virtual screening of the ZINC database followed by molecular docking and pharmacokinetic filtering resulted in ten compounds with docking and bioactivity scores comparable to SARM S-22. Subsequently, three compounds (ZINC68010252, -7 kcal/mol) (ZINC68008520, -7.5 kcal/mol) (ZINC68009212, -7.8 kcal/mol) were subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations Analysis validate the docking results.

This research was made possible by This research was made possible by the FAMU Title III Developing and Undergraduate Research Program Project 40023, the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Research and Grant Numbers U54CA233396, U54CA233444, and U54CA233465 from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Its contents are solely the authors’ responsibility and d not necessarily represent the official views of the NCI.

ABSTRACT 46

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, 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.

Macrophage and Matrix Effects on Myoblast Differentiation

Patrick L. Williams, Jr.,1 Annie L. Scutte,1,2 Mary Jean Savitsky,1,2 Jamel Ali, PhD

1 FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

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

E-mails of corresponding authors: patrick3.williams@famu.edu, annie1.scutte@famu.edu, maryjean1.savitsky@famu.edu, jali@eng.famu.fsu.edu.

Abstract: When skeletal muscle tissue is injured, myoblasts proliferate and then differentiate to repair the damaged tissue, and an immune response is executed where immune system cells, including macrophages, are dispatched to the damaged tissue grounds. The extracellular matrix (ECM), also plays a critical role by facilitating cell-to-cell interactions and nutrient distribution. Cells can sense the stiffness of the ECM matrix through focal adhesion complexes and undergo a cascade of events that determine the fate of the cell. The objective of this project was to assess two factors influencing myoblast differentiation in 3D: the presence of macrophages and ECM stiffness. We hypothesize that stiffer environments promote differentiation, and that the incorporation of macrophages will enhance the rate of differentiation and proliferation. To investigate, we formulated gelatin hydrogels varying in alginate concentration and molecular weight, conducted rheology to assess their viscoelastic properties, performed MTT assays to check the metabolic activity of myoblasts and macrophages cultured individually, and assessed the viability of the cells using live/dead staining and fluorescent microscopy. Data generated from the study confirmed that alginate molecular weight and concentration have a direct correlation with the hydrogel viscoelastic properties. Low-stiffness environments had higher metabolic activity while high-stiffness environments showed reduced myoblast spreading morphology and macrophage viability. Future work will consist of repeating viability assessments for monocultures in hydrogels and starting hydrogel models with myoblast and macrophages cultured together. Ultimately, determining the optimal ECM stiffness and the impact of macrophage presence during the skeletal muscle healing process can inform us on the most effective cellular environment for muscle repair.

URS COMMITTEE

Undergraduate Research Symposium Committee

Tiffany Wilson Ardley, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Undergraduate Research

Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CoPPS, IPH

Dominique Bailey, MA, NCC SLS Instructor

Office of Freshman Studies

Julian L. BourneSmothers, Ph.D. SLS Course Coordinator

Office of Freshman Studies (OFS)

Jennifer Collins, Ph.D.

Assistant Provost, Freshmen Studies

Professor of Management

Deidre W. Evans, Ph.D.

Director, University Honors Center

Associate Professor, Department of Computer & Information Sciences

Brandon Moton, DrPH, MPH

Assistant Professor

Division of Health Science

School of Allied Health Sciences

Acknowledgements

The URS Committee would like to thank all who helped to make this symposium a success with a special thanks to the following:

Dr. Arthur Cavano - Director of Venue Management, Al Lawson Multipurpose Center

Mr. Michael Williams - Coordinator, Moving & Setup, Al Lawson Multipurpose Center

Mrs. Alicia Hudson, Director - Office of STEM Outreach

FAMU Title III Programs