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ANSC Students Present Research at University Events, Win Awards

Student research presentations at the Graduate Research Appreciation Day (GRAD) and the Undergraduate Research Day recognized and awarded

Jolie Quiros (left) was named a University of Maryland Undergraduate Researcher of the Year at the Undergraduate Research Day, and Sohini Dutt (right) was awarded first prize for her research presentation at the Graduate Research Appreciation Day (GRAD).

Image Credit: Jonathan Stephanoff

May 4, 2022 Jonathan Stephanoff

Both undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences received awards at the university level for their presentations at campus research events.

The 2022 Graduate Research Appreciation Day (GRAD) was held on April 6 at the Stamp Student Union. GRAD is an event where graduate students across all disciplines (STEM, social sciences, humanities, public health etc.) present their research in 5-7 minutes.

Sohini Dutt, ANSC Ph.D. candidate working in the Hamza Lab, was awarded first prize for her research presentation titled, “A tale of two transporters: studying cellular heme distribution.” Dutt’s research into iron deficiency involves studying how worm cells import and export iron in their blood, and how that process can be altered genetically, leading to a greater understanding of how cells and organs process nutrient iron during deficiency and anemia.

Three weeks later was the Undergraduate Research Day on April 27 at the Stamp Student Union. Undergraduate Research Day showcases current research, scholarship, and artistic endeavors. Presentations, posters, and performances are open to the public providing the perfect opportunity for students to share their work with the campus community.

Four ANSC undergraduates had poster presentations: Caitlin Ryan from the Sunny Lab, Zoe Gruskin from the Jin Lab, Jolie Quiros from the Taneyhill Lab, and Alisha Van Eck from the Broadbent Lab. Ryan’s poster was titled, “Metabolism of Liver Explants from Branched Chain Amino Acid Supplemented Mice.” Gruskin’s poster was titled, “Establishment of Anoxia/Cytokine-induced Injury and Regeneration Model in Organoids of Colonic Epithelium.” Quiros’ poster was titled, “Elongator Complex Protein 1 (Elp1) Expression in the Developing Mouse Trigeminal Ganglion.” Van Eck’s poster was titled, “Evaluation of How the Circadian Rhythm in Avian Cells Affects Viral Replication.”

Jolie Quiros was named a University of Maryland Undergraduate Researcher of the Year as part of the Undergraduate Research Day. The honor came with a plaque and cash award, and was presented to Quiros at the Awards Ceremony during Undergraduate Research Day.