URSA Research Grants

The URSA Research Grant Program is supported by The Office of Engaged Learning. URSA grants promote and expand research participation by providing funds for research equipment or supplies, salaries, or travel. These grants give students access to resources and facilities that may stimulate their interest in pursuing research careers. Students from all discipline are encouraged to apply.

Congratulations and best wishes on your projects!

URSA Research Grants 2022-2023

Student: Alagu Subramanian
Faculty Mentor: Joseph Taube
Department: Biology
Title of Project: Role of Tumor Suppressor Protein PDCD4 in Anticancer Efficacy of Pateamine A derivatives

Student: Ariana Vera
Faculty Mentor: Tamar Carter
Department: Biology
Title of Project: Presence of APL1 immune factor and its association to taxonomic structure of enteric microbiome in Anopheles species

Student: Arvind Muruganantham
Faculty Mentor: Joseph Taube
Department: Biology
Title of Project: Using CRISPR-Cas9 to elucidate the mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis

Student: Jessica Ngo
Faculty Mentor: Cheolho Sim
Department: Biology
Title of Project: Optimization of mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) for mutagenic treatment of Wolbachia to reduce the diapausing phenotype in the mosquito Culex pipiens

Student: Mahita Shankar
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Kienle
Department: Biology
Title of Project: Surveying the skull morphology of southeastern coyotes (Canis latrans)

Student: Tooba Haris
Faculty Mentor: Mary Lauren Benton
Department: Computer Science
Title of Project: Analyzing gene regulatory enhancers in hepatocellular carcinoma

Student: Rachel Walkup
Faculty Mentor: Cole Matson
Department: Environmental Sciences
Title of Project: Mechanisms of Rapid Adaptation in Response to Anthropogenic Pollution in the Gulf Killifish (Fundulus grandis)

Student: Maddison Vrazel
Faculty Mentor: Ramon Lavado
Department: Environmental Sciences
Title of Project: Evaluation of the in vitro toxicity of indole derivatives: gut bacteria metabolites that contribute to the etiology of human diseases

Student: Sanju Senthikumar
Faculty Mentor: Ramon Lavado
Department: Environmental Sciences
Title of Project: Natural anti-obesity compounds and their therapeutic role in human cell models

Student: Kevin Franke
Faculty Mentor: Michael Foley
Department: Honors College
Title of Project: O Truly Necessary Sin of Adam: A Theology of the Paschal Mystery

Student: Kaylee Smith
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Hollingsworth
Department: Music
Title of Project: Adaptive Materials in the Elementary Classroom

Student: Aman Patel
Faculty Mentor: Zhenrong Zhang
Department: Physics
Title of Project: Enhancing fiber coupled thermal emission collection using IR Plasmonic coating

Student: Alexander Do
Faculty Mentor: Michael Scullin
Department: Psychology and Neuroscience
Title of Project: The Effects of Sleep Restriction and Sleep Extension on Gratitude

Student: Yeasong Ko
Faculty Mentor: Lara Hwa
Department: Psychology and Neuroscience
Title of Project: The efficacy of novel serotonin compounds on excessive alcohol drinking in female mice