SWOSU Biology Students Earn Recognition at OK-LSAMP Research Symposium

SWOSU Biology students at the OK-LSAMP Research Symposium held at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Left to Right): Olayode Olabode, Bryant Franco, Erik Mesta, Christopher Martinez, Adreana Aquino, and Colter Esparza.

Six Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) students from the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences recently attended the 30^th annual Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (OK-LSAMP) research symposium held at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. on Oct. 19, 2024. The symposium featured nearly 62 students from 12 universities and colleges across Oklahoma, with participants demonstrating a range of research projects and presentations.

SWOSU students Colter Esparza from Willow, Okla., and Adreana Aquino from Edmond, Okla., earned significant recognition at the symposium, winning second and third prizes, respectively, for Outstanding Oral Presentation. Esparza's presentation, titled "Signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in the survival of pancreatic cancer cells under metabolic stress," was mentored by Dr. Pragya Sharma, Assistant Professor in the SWOSU Department of Biology and Biomedical Sciences. Aquino's presentation, "SSA0809 is a homotrimeric reactive intermediate deaminase (Rid) A with unique substrate specificity," was guided by Dr. Vijay Somalinga, Associate Professor in the same department.

SWOSU Biology students Colter Esparza and Adreana Aquino with OK-LSAMP Research Symposium awards along with Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department Chair, Dr. Rickey Cothran.

In addition to Esparza and Aquino, SWOSU students Olayode Olabode, Bryant Franco, and Erik Mesta also presented their research at the conference. Their participation highlights the extensive involvement of SWOSU students in advanced research activities. The team of research students was led by Dr. Marcella Santos, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, with additional mentorship provided by Dr. Renan Bosque, Assistant Professor, and Dr. Muatasem Ubeidat, Professor, both of whom played crucial roles in guiding and supporting the students' research endeavors.

The OK-LSAMP program is dedicated to supporting undergraduate students from minority backgrounds, encouraging their participation in research and pursuit of career in STEM fields (sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The goal of this program is to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who complete high-quality STEM degrees, promoting diversity and inclusion within these critical fields.