BSU Undergraduates Display Projects at Symposium

SURI Elevates Student Research and Academic Excellence

MEDIA CONTACT: Donell Pettus, [email protected], 240-817-7870

(BOWIE, Md.) - Undergraduate students at Bowie State showcased their research on Dec. 6 by presenting original projects developed during the 9-week Fall 2024 Semester-based Undergraduate Research Institute under the guidance of faculty mentors.

The SURI Symposium featured exciting and diverse research projects across various departments at the university. With 14 teams and 30 students assigned to faculty mentors, the symposium highlighted various topics, from STEM research to agricultural studies. Projects reflected the depth and breadth of academic exploration at Bowie State.

Department of Natural Sciences assistant professor Konda Reddy Karnati and his student-led research team, including Kortney Lawrence, Amaya Adams, Sukyah Booker, and Lance Nuique, worked on a groundbreaking project during the nine-week program that focuses on drug reporting estrogen-related receptor alpha through computational approaches.

"This project explores innovative methods to target triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype that lacks the usual receptors and human epidermal growth factors, to improve treatment outcomes," said Lawrence, a senior majoring in bioinformatics. "Our research aims to understand better how triple-negative breast cancer can be targeted for more effective treatment."

"Triple-negative breast cancer disproportionately affects younger adults, especially African American women, and finding ways to improve treatment options is critical to addressing this aggressive subtype," said Nuique, another senior bioinformatics major.

Students also presented projects on identifying discrepancies in calorie labeling on packaged foods, extension of web development tools for blockchain and cryptographic methods for sensitive data protection in a simulated internet of things network.

The SURI Symposium underscores the importance of collaborative mentorship and research in advancing academic and professional development. With a strong foundation of support and resources, the students of SURI are poised to make significant contributions to their areas of study and beyond.

"This event highlights the dedication and innovation of our students who have worked diligently to bring their research to life," said Kode Oluwatoyin, program management specialist in the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs. "It's an opportunity to celebrate their academic achievements and the valuable mentorship they received throughout the program."

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.

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