Scholars present summer research

Rising sophomore ReBUILDetroit scholars presented their summer research at a poster session at Wayne State University on July 26.

Thirty-seven posters were presented on a wide variety topics ranging from cancer research to gender bias to examination of mineral cosmetics to socio-behavior indicators in teens with asthma just to name a few.

“I loved working in the lab,” said Kody Whisnant, a President M. Roy Wilson BUILD scholar from Wayne State University whose research topic was Hybrid Thin Films of CdS/Ni2P by Sol-Gel Assembly and Their Application in Visible Light Induced Hydrogen Reduction. “I am grateful to be part of this great program.”

Kody Whisnant

Kody Whisnant

ReBUILDetroit scholars, Yunus Ayodeji and Aleksandar Tasich from Marygrove College and University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) respectively worked in UDM’s Dr. Harold Green’s , Vision Research Laboratory.

Yunus Ayodeji and Aleksandar Tasich

Yunus Ayodeji and Aleksandar Tasich

“BUILD students in the Vision Research Lab were exposed to eye-tracking, as a window on the mind and brain,” said Greene. “They learned about relevant parts of the human visual system, conducted an experiment with state-of-the-art eye-tracking and light measuring equipment, and presented the results of the experiment, Visual Search in Red Light: A Test of Magnocellular Suppression.  I look forward to their contributions to future research.”

“It was a new experience for me,” said Ayodeji. “I definitely want to do more research like this in the future.”

“The experience of solving problems, designing experiments and adapting to problems was challenging but fun,” said Tasich. “It makes me want to continue to work hard.”

Vanessa Lee

Vanessa Lee (center)

Vanessa Lee, ReBUILDetroit scholar from UDM, whose research was Perceptions of Nursing Discipline among Different Culture Groups learned conducting research with focus groups, surveys and data analysis. “I have a better understanding of what I’m doing and how I can relate this to my major.”

Dr. Ambika Mathur, co-principal investigator from Wayne State University, was impressed with the high quality of research presented by the rising sophomores after their 6-week Summer Research Experience.

“The level of sophistication of the research presentations was outstanding,” said Mathur. “I had to constantly remind myself that these students have just completed their freshmen year since their presentations; knowledge and grasp of the research topic rivaled that of doctoral students! The range of the research topics spanning basic science, clinical, translational and social science demonstrated the depth of the faculty at our consortium institutions who are so dedicated to training this bright cadre of the next generation of biomedical researchers.”

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