Tarleton undergrad researcher wins award for conference presentation Tarleton State University biological sciences major Shady Kuster received the Bobby Baker Award for her presentation at the 2020 Texas Society of Mammologists Conference. She competed at the spring conference with other undergraduate students. The award is given annually for the best undergraduate oral presentation in mammalian molecular biology, evolution or systematics. For several months prior to the conference, Shady used advanced DNA sequencing to study genetic changes in the DNA of cell compartments known as mitochondria. Her study organisms were pocket gophers. While often considered a pest, the burrowing mammals make interesting study subjects because their populations can become isolated and genetically different over time. Occasionally, those isolated populations rejoin and combine DNA, resulting in unique genetic interactions. Shady’s research may ultimately contribute to the broader understanding of how genes in different compartments of the cell interact — a research area with human health implications. Dr. Russell Pfau, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Tarleton, served as Shady’s mentor during her undergraduate research experience. “I initially joined Dr. Pfau’s lab because I was very interested in genetics,” Shady said. “Through working in the lab, however, I learned how much computer work goes into genetic research, so I am now taking computer science classes and dabbling in that field. I have loved my research experience and what it has taught me. It has solidified my desire to become a scientist.”
Funding for her project was provided by the College of Science and Technology and the Department of Biological Sciences. Shady, from Canyon, Texas, has been accepted into a summer research program at the University of Georgia that will now be conducted online. She will work with UGA faculty on an algorithm to analyze over 2,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes to identify virulence genes. She also will attend seminars on research, graduate school, bioethics and other applicable topics while also networking within the biomedical science community. Following graduation in May 2021 she plans to work toward a PhD in genetics with the goal of becoming a university-level genetic researcher.
Tarleton professor awarded patent for water treatment invention Tarleton State University professor Rajani Srinivasan has been awarded a patent for her invention related to the use of plant-based materials in water treatment. Dr. Srinivasan, an associate professor of chemistry and former head of the Department of Chemistry, Geosciences and Physics, was awarded the patent in October. Her invention relates to polysaccharides and their hybrids from food-grade plant materials like seeds of fenugreek and tamarind, husks from psyllium, fruits of okra, cladodes of cactus and aloe vera leaves, for purification of water and wastewater. The polysaccharide agents of the invention are effective to treat a variety of waters, including contaminated and waste. The water treatment agents of the invention are effective in separating solids, organic and inorganic pollutants and pathogens from water. Polysaccharides from plant sources are renewable materials, widely available, and possess biological and chemical properties including nontoxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and polyfunctionality. These materials are cost effective, can be used in existing water/wastewater treatment infrastructure and generate byproducts that can be used for other applications. For example, fenugreek husk, a byproduct of seed mucilage, can be used as animal feed. 2
College of Science & Technology Spring 2020 Newsletter
