African American Research Training Scholars Present Neuroscience Research at 1st Symposium
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 18, 2021) 鈥 The University of Kentucky Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC) hosted a symposium last week featuring its first class of African American Research Training Scholars (AARTS).
The five scholars each gave a presentation on their research in neurotrauma.
鈥淭his scholarship program was established by support from the Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Trust to provide vital research opportunities for Black undergraduate students at the University of Kentucky,鈥 said Joe Springer, professor and interim director of SCoBIRC. 鈥淭his is part of the SCoBIRC鈥檚 continued efforts to promote diversity in neuroscience, a field in which Black and African American students and faculty are underrepresented nationwide. The goal is to provide students the opportunity to participate in state-of-the-art research and develop professional skills that will prepare them for the next steps in their careers.鈥
The AARTS program was developed by Springer along with Mark Prendergast, Warren Alilain and Zel Madison.
The AARTS program supports five students each year studying neuroscience in the 好色先生 College of Arts and Sciences. The $5,000 award covers a summer stipend and travel expenses to present at a national meeting. Each scholar conducts research in the laboratory of a faculty member studying brain or spinal cord injuries.
The scholars, their project names and their faculty mentors include:
- Nolan Abdelsayed 鈥 鈥淢eningeal lymphatic Deregulation Following Traumatic Brain Injury鈥 (Mentor: Adam Bachstetter)
- Jordon Burdette 鈥 鈥淐ellular Regeneration in the Injured Spinal Cord鈥 (Mentor: Warren Alilain)
- Urim Geleta 鈥 鈥淢icroRNA-223 Modulates Inflammatory Signaling and Autophagy in Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages鈥 (Mentor: Joe Springer)
- Alexa Halliburton 鈥 鈥淐onsidering Sex as a Biological Variable in Spinal Cord Injury Inflammation and Locomotor Recovery鈥 (Mentor: John Gensel)
- 叠颈蝉颈尘飞补&苍产蝉辫;鈥淛补肠办鈥&苍产蝉辫;狈锄别谤丑耻尘补苍补 鈥 鈥淢itochondrial Uncoupling Promotes Energy Metabolism Following TBI鈥 (Mentor: Pat Sullivan)
Students who are interested in learning more about the program, or applying to next year鈥檚 cohort, may visit .
