16th Annual Science Fair and Poster Presentation Report Held at Lincoln University

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Lincoln University, PA – Lincoln University School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics hosted the 16th Annual Science Fair and Poster Presentation on Saturday, October 22, 2011.  The event was held in the Ivory V. Nelson Center for the Sciences.  This research symposium afforded 32 undergraduates, from both the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the School of Social Sciences and Behavioral Studies, the opportunity to do formal research presentations about their 2011 summer internship research projects at various research-intensive institutions.  Dr. Susan Safford, chair of the Science Fair Committee, welcomed faculty, staff, students and visitors to the annual event.

Dr. John O. Chikwem, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, explained that the purpose of undertaking summer research internships is to familiarize students with useful hands-on techniques in carrying out research projects, analyzing data generated and writing in scientific diction.  Dr. Chikwem explained, “Annual Science Fair is the outlet for students to inform the Lincoln University community of their summer research while simultaneously providing the occasion to observe the projects of their peers.”  President Ivory V. Nelson was recognized for his outstanding services and unwavering commitment to Lincoln University and particularly his support of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.  To offer further motivation to the participating students, Dr. Nelson announced that his office would be donating $1000.00 to the best overall winner of the poster competition.

The participating students gave detailed explanations of their involvement in summer research projects at the following institutions: University of Iowa, University of Massachusetts, Fox Chase Cancer Center, University of Akron, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Saint Joseph’s University, University of Delaware and University of Southern California.  Each category was judged by two faculty members from the institutions listed above.  All first place winners gave a 10-minute presentation about their research project.

1st Place winners in each category as follows:

Category A: Cell and Molecular Biology
1st Place: Ms. Uzoamaka Agubokwu, “Testing an Oral Insulin Analog in Diabetic Mice”

Category B: Cell and Cancer Biology
1st Place: Mr. Patrick Ihejirika, “Mitochondrial Targeted Triphenylphosphonium Derivatives for Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma”

Category C: Cancer Biology: Diagnosis and Treatment
1st Place: Ms. Candice Marie Lynch, “A Pilot Study of a Potential Novel Heterologous Prime-Boost Cancer Vaccine”

Category D: Population and Social Sciences
1st Place: Ms. Evelyn Stevens, “Preliminary Analyses of the Communication of Genetic Test Results by Telephone (COGENT) Study”

Category E: Microbial Ecology & Plant Biology
1st Place: Ms. Sha-Phawn Williams, “Impact of Xenobiotics on Plant-Beneficial Microbial Associations”

Category F: Physical Sciences
1st Place: Ms. Norrisca Charles, “Alternative Fuels: Investigation of Ammonia Borane”

Physiology Award: Ms. Nikoia Fredericksen, “Zebrafish Model to Mimic Myopia”

The Matthew Kinnard Award for Best Poster was presented to Ms. Candice Marie Lynch for her research entitled “A Pilot Study of a Potential Novel Heterologous Prime-Boost Cancer Vaccine.”

Funding for this event was made possible by the National Institutes of Health and Lincoln’s Excellent Academic Program in Science: Forward March (LEAPS-FM) grant from the National Science Foundation.

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Lincoln University – founded in 1854 as the nation’s first Historically Black University – combines the best elements of a liberal arts and sciences-based undergraduate core curriculum and selected graduate programs to meet the needs of those living in a highly technological and global society.  The University enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students.

Internationally recognized for preparing learners and producing world-class leaders in their fields, Lincoln has created five academic Centers of Excellence-programs of distinction. They are:  Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Lincoln/Barnes Visual Arts, Mass Communications, Grand Research Educational Awareness, Training (GREAT) for Minority Health, Teacher Education and Urban Pedagogy.

 

Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU), educates and empowers students to lead their communities and change the world. Lincoln offers a rigorous liberal arts education to a diverse student body of approximately 2,200 men and women in more than 35 undergraduate and graduate programs.