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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Halmos College Students and Faculty Join Center for BioMolecular Modeling to Present Research at National Conference
The Research team meeting with alumnus Lauren Douma, Ph.D. (Class of 2010) at the poster presentation session: (Pictured left to right: Emily Schmitt Lavin, Ph.D., Valentina Ramirez, Riti Vohra, Guy Merus, and Lauren Douma, Ph.D.)
Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography (HCNSO) students Riti Vohra, Valentina Ramirez, and Guy Merus joined Professor and Department Chair, Emily Schmitt Lavin, Ph.D. to present their 3-D printed molecular model of an angiotensin receptor at the 2017 Experimental Biology Meeting, American Association of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) section (April 21-23, 2017) https://www.asbmb.org/meeting2017/.
The team presented in this event where there were other 14,000 presenters. They also worked in close conjunction with Robert Speth, Ph.D. (HPD-College of Pharmacy) who has been studying angiotensin receptors and their related pathways for years. This modeling project was part of a larger national effort of the Center for BioMolecular Modeling at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (http://cbm.msoe.edu/smartTeams/ ) for which Schmitt Lavin is a collaborator. While at the conference the team met with HCNSO Department of Biological Sciences Alumna, Lauren Douma, Ph.D. (class of 2010), currently a postdoctoral research in genomics at the University of Florida, who was also there to present her research.
The Research Team, pictured from left to right: Riti Vohra, Guy Merus, Emily Schmitt Lavin, Ph.D., professor and Chair Department of Biological Sciences, and Valentina Ramirez.
The team of undergraduates remarked that their educational experience was especially enhanced by being able to attend this conference and present their research. In their own words, “Given the opportunity to take part in research and centralize it from my own academic interests has enriched my undergraduate studies immensely beyond the classroom. I was able to interact and exchange knowledge and ideas with other students, faculty, and professionals at a national conference. The support of NSU has been invaluable, as I was granted the opportunity to travel through professional development funds made available from the SGA. NSU will always have my sincerest gratitude for consistent dedication to students like myself.” Guy Merus (Class of 2017). “Presenting our research at the ASBMB annual meeting was a unique experience because we got to showcase our year-long work with students and scientists from around the country.” Valentina Ramirez (Class of 2018). “I am so immensely grateful for the research opportunities provided to me as an undergraduate student at NSU, as this University has given me the chance to share my studies and experiences on a national platform. As a member of a collaborative and far-reaching research program, I have gained indispensable insight to the importance of developing problem solving and communication skills to effectively perform and present analyses. Getting the chance to travel to a national conference has been a privilege only made possible by the outstanding mentorship and community focus at NSU. Riti Vohra (Class of 2017). In addition, the research team was able to enjoy the sites of the conference host city-Chicago.