2020 LSUHSC Virtual Summer Research Internship Poster Session
The Summer Research Internship Program has provided research opportunities for medical
students, undergraduates, and high school students since 2003. Due to the current
COVID-19 pandemic, summer 2020 research projects were performed mainly via a virtual
learning model. The program directors, Dr. Paula Gregory and Dr. Fern Tsien, matched
students with mentors from LSU Health Sciences Center, University Medical Center,
and the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC). The Summer Research Internship Program
has allowed students to cultivate their interest in pursuing careers in clinical sciences,
public health, or basic sciences.
Funding support for the undergraduate virtual summer program was provided by:
- LSUHSC School of Medicine, Office of the Dean
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
Drs. Gregory and Tsien would like to extend their special appreciation to mentors,
laboratory and administrative personnel, and poster session judges who helped make
the Virtual Summer Research Internship Program a success! Their assistance with this
project affords each student a chance to be part of a bigger, ongoing research project
and an opportunity to pursue their career goals.
Congratulations to all the winners! For the complete list of winners, click here.
Undergraduate summer interns are listed alphabetically by last name. To view their Abstracts, Posters, and Zoom PowerPoint presentations describing their posters, please click on the corresponding links under their individual project title.
Nikhilesh V. Alahari
Undergraduate
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Mentor: Dr. Yaguang Xi
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Genetics
“Demonstration of interaction between Celecoxib and Sulindac Sulfide with COX-2 using
docking approach”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: 5r=P6usR)
Logan A. Barrios - 3rd Place Winner
Undergraduate
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Mentor: Dr. Rinku Majumder
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
“Estrogen, Protein S, and Obesity Contribute to Thrombosis in Premenopausal Obese
Women Who Use Oral Contraceptives”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Parker N. Byers
Undergraduate
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Mentor: Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D. and Jorgelina Calandria Ph.D.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Neuroscience
“The Use of Imaging to Follow Astrocyte Responses to Pro-Homeostatic Elovanoids”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Taylor K. Collins
Undergraduate
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Mentor: Dr. Rinku Majumder, PhD.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
“The contributions of race, age, and anticoagulant Protein S in predicting COVID-19
prognosis”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: m9NW8*xs)
Patrick Daly
Undergraduate
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Mentor: Michael Celestin, PhD, CHES, NCTTS
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
School of Public Health
“The Relationship between E-cigarette Information Seeking and Trust in Sources of
Information on E-cigarettes and Respective Use”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Eric R. Espinal
Undergraduate
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Mentor: Chindo Hicks, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Genetics
“Integrative Genomics Approach to Biomarker Discovery in Colorectal Cancer”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Michael Sullivan Folse - 3rd Place Winner
Undergraduate
Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi
Mentor: Lindsay Lasseigne, MD, MBA and Clarence Greene, MD, MHA
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Neurosurgery
“Smartphone Technology and its Effects on Patient Education and Hydrocephalus Management
Outcomes”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: 4r+l&!%^)
Jordyn T. Fong - 2nd Place Winner
Undergraduate
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Mentor: Hassan Yousefi and Suresh K. Alahari, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
“A Novel NSC Small Molecule Inhibitor, Inhibits Proliferation of Triple-Negative Breast
Cancer Cells Through Upregulation of NR4A Family Genes.”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Logan A. Hochwald
Undergraduate
Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
Mentor: Lisa Moreno-Walton MD, MS, MSCR, FAAEM
University Medical Center
“Adequacy of Health Care Advance Directives in Patients Admitted to the Intensive
Care Unit”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: 3r@!w62S)
Max E. Horowitz
Undergraduate
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Mentor: XiaoChing Li, Ph.D. Additional Affiliates: Hannah
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Neuroscience Center of Excellence
“How Overexpression of miR-9 in Juvenile Songbirds Affects Neural Pathway Development
Within Area X”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Alexis D. Jones
Undergraduate
Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mentor: Lisa Moreno-Walton, MD, MS
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Emergency Medicine
“The Efforts to Diversify Faculty Within Their Departments: A National Survey of Emergency
Medicine Department Heads”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: 8s#A!4%=)
Paulette L. Kourouma
Undergraduate
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Mentor: Peggy Honoré, MHA, DHA
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
School of Public Health
"Environmental Health Disparities and COVID-19: How air pollution is worsening outcomes
for Black communities in Cancer Alley"
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Manal S. Malik
Undergraduate
Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mentor: Dr. Donna Williams
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
New Orleans School of Public Health
“Louisiana COVID-19 Risk Factor Analysis”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Corinne M. Martin - 2nd Place Winner
Undergraduate
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Mentor: Lisa Moreno-Walton, MD, MS
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Emergency Medicine
“Assessment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Emergency Medical Services: A Survey
Study Within an Urban Emergency Medical Service”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: 5.L#p2fo)
Alina S. Mohiuddin - 3rd Place Winner
Undergraduate
Loyola University, New Orleans LA
Mentor: Lisa Moreno-Walton, MD, MS
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Emergency Medicine
“Hepatitis C Among Incarcerated Patients in an Urban Emergency Department”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: 9d+N9^H3)
Shauna N. Potts
Undergraduate
Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
Mentor: Donna Williams, DrPH
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
New Orleans School of Public Health
“Impact of Chemical Exposure on Preterm Pregnancies and Low Birth Weight Outcomes”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Shaeera F. Rahman
Undergraduate
Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans Louisiana
Mentor: Denise Danos, PhD
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Behavioral and Community Health Sciences Program,
School of Public Health
“Evaluation of clinical risk factors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A case-control study
in Southeast Louisiana.”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Zion M. Rouege - 1st Place Winner
Undergraduate
Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mentor: Jennifer Simkin, Ph.D
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
“Testing the association between bone mineral density and surgical outcomes for TKA
patients”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: 5H&A^#^U)
Dahlia E. Siprut
Undergraduate
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Mentor: Chindo Hicks, Ph.D
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Genetics
“An Integrative Genomics Approach to Discovery of Molecular Markers in Ovarian Cancer”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: 7R!BJW9+)
Julia Tyler Smith
Undergraduate
University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana
Mentor: Tiffany Wills, PhD
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy
“Modulation of Glutamatergic Signaling following Adolescent Alcohol Exposure in the
Hippocampus of Male and Female Mice”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Malcolm G. Sundell
Undergraduate
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Mentor: Ed Grabczyk, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Genetics
“Using Transgenic Mouse Models to Track DNA Repeat Expansion of Friedriech's Ataxia
Patients”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Brian Washington, Jr.
Undergraduate
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Mentor: Michael Celestin, PhD, CHES, NCTTS
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Public Health
“Effective Patient-Provider Communication and Perceived Quality of Care among Current
Smokers”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Isabella B. Welsh - 2nd Place Winner
Undergraduate
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Primary Mentor: Dr. Patricia Molina, M.D., Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Mentor: Dr. Patrick McTernan, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Physiology
“The effect of Chronic Alcohol on CD4+ T cell Metabolic Programming”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Tori R. Wiley - 1st Place Winner
Undergraduate
Xavier University of Louisiana, College of Pharmacy, New Orleans, LA
Mentor: Lisa Moreno-Walton, MD, MS
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Emergency Medicine
“Racial Disparities in Associations of Stress with Increased Risk of Coronary Heart
Disease: A Survey Study within an Urban Emergency Department”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation
Haley A. Williams - 1st Place Winner
Undergraduate
Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Mentor: Dr. Tekeda Ferguson
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Department of Epidemiology
“Prevalence of COVID-19 in Louisiana and Its Association with Race, Concentrated Disadvantage,
Chronic Disease Prevalence and other Social Determinants of Health”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation (Password: 0C@.q@$R)
Ning Xi
Undergraduate
Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mentor: Dean Smith Ph.D.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Dean of LSUHSC School of Public Health
“The Effects of Risk Management Practices and Legislative Reform on Medical Malpractice
Lawsuits ”
Abstract
Poster
Presentation