2026-2027 URSA Project Grant Recipients
Research in Biology
Student: Sahil Adtani
Mentor: Dr. Katelyn McKindles
Department: Biology
Title: Assessing the Toxicity of Cyanobacterial Toxins on Artemia salina
Student: Mayukhi Katragadda
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Taube
Department: Biology
Title: Differential Impact on Autophagy and Apoptosis of Natural Product Compounds on HR+ and Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Student: Jack Malone
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Taube
Department: Biology
Title: Investigating the role of miR-23a as a post-transcriptional regulator of CTCF and KDM6A in epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Student: Kaveen Patel
Mentor: Dr. Katelyn McKindles
Department: Biology
Title: Effects of Bacterial Additions to Microcystis aeruginosa and its Microbiome
Student: Kshetra Polavarapu
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Taube
Department: Biology
Title: Assessing EZH2 Enzymatic Activity Dependent on Subcellular Localization in Breast Cancer Cells
Student: Joseph Simeri
Mentor: Dr. Dwayne Simmons
Department: Biology
Title: Investigating the role of the inflammatory TLR4 and HMGB1 pathway in the hippocampus after noise induced hearing loss
Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Student: Benjamin Lopez
Mentor: Dr. Julia Chan
Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Title: Synthesis and Biocompatibility of Gallium-Based Liquid Metal Nanoparticles
Student: Olivia Lutes
Mentor: Dr. Leila Romero
Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Title: Improvements Upon Healthcare Metrics to Better Account for the Impact of Chronic Disease in Geriatric Patients: An Expert Elicitation Study
Research in Earth Science and Environmental Science
Student: Michael Dally
Mentor: Dr. Ramon Lavado
Department: Environmental Science
Title: Evaluating the Cardiovascular Effects of Bisphenol A and Its Analogs in Human Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Student: Kristen DeLeon
Mentor: Dr. Ramon Lavado
Department: Environmental Science
Title: Emerging "Forever Chemicals" and the Heart: Assessing Vascular Toxicity of Short-Chain PFAS
Student: Sheridan Prejean
Mentor: Dr. Ramon Lavado
Department: Environmental Science
Title: Microplastics, Nanoplastics, and Cardiovascular Risk: A Proteomic Investigation in Human Vascular Models
Research in Health and Human Sciences
Student: Sophia Isabelle Chavez
Mentor: Dr. Leigh Greathouse
Department: Nutrition Sciences and Biology
Title: Integrated Molecular and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Analysis of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Colorectal Cancer
Student: Minh Quan Le
Mentor: Dr. Yunsuk Koh
Department: Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
Title: Comprehensive Investigation of Nasal Breathing Exercise’s Role in Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB)-Mediated Inflammatory Response in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Student: Olivia Reed
Mentor: Dr. Leigh Greathouse
Department: Nutrition Sciences and Biology
Title: Assessing host signaling responses to targeted elimination of Fusobacterium nucleatum using bioengineered probiotics in oral cancer models
Research in Nursing
Student:Cate Lannen
Mentor: Dr. Marie Hastings-Tolsma
Department: School of Nursing
Title: Facilitators and Barriers to Texas Midwifery Practice: A Qualitative Investigation
Research in Psychology and Neuroscience
Student: Dhishithaa Kumarandurai
Mentor: Dr. Jacques Nguyen
Department: Psychology and Neuroscience
Title: Investigating the Impact of Caffeine Inhalation through E-Vapes on Nicotine Vapor Self-Administration and Neuroplasticity in Rats
Student: Kaitlyn Rojas
Mentor: Dr. Jacques Nguyen
Department: Psychology and Neuroscience
Title: Effects of semaglutide and inulin supplementation on microglia expression in a model of fentanyl addiction
Student: Sophia Wright
Mentor: Dr. Jacques Nguyen
Department: Psychology and Neuroscience
Title: Effects of early life nicotine and dry hit e-cigarette inhalation on behavior and astrocyte expression in Wistar rats