Whitney M. Young Jr. scholar Emma McQuade's participation in the Kentucky Chapter of the American Physiological Society's 10th annual conference at the University of Kentucky earned her first place and a $75 cash prize. Emma's winning poster, "Anatomical Comparison Between Selected Fish on the Actinopterygii Phylogenic Tree," described anatomical and phylogenic comparisons between dissection models of Hybrid Striped Bass and Koi fish. The poster featured physiological, ecological and physical adaptations between selected fish species.
"As this was my first research presentation, I am beyond thankful for everyone who played a role in my development and my hard work that helped me achieve this outstanding award," expressed Emma. "I am excited to see what comes next!"
Emma's research was supported by the College of Agriculture, Community and the Sciences' Aquaculture Research Facility and the National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM Research Assistant initiative.
Zakylah Bryant, also a Whitney M. Young Jr. scholar at Kentucky State University, won second place and a $50 cash prize at the conference. Her winning poster, "Chloride's Role in the Formation of Collagen IV Alpha 121-565 Heterohexamer," identified how chlorine triggered the formation of the Collagen a-heterohexamer. Zakylah's research efforts verified the formation using a recombinant protein expression technique followed by a salt gel method to visualize the a-heterohexamer band.
"I'm glad I took the opportunity to present at my first conference this semester where I got to represent Kentucky State," said Zakylah. "It feels nice to also win an award with money on behalf of my performance."
Zakylah's research was supported by the ASPIRNAUTM initiative at the Center for Matrix Biology Division of Nephrology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. ASPIRNAUTM provides students with tools and empowerment to effect positive change in themselves, their families, and communities for generations to come.
Categories: Kentucky, Education