Molecules in the Mountains Schedule (Brief)
7:30 Check in and registration
8:30 Welcome by Dean Richard Starnes, College of Arts & Sciences
8:45 Keynote Address: Justin Strader, Humacyte, Inc.
From Benchtop to Clinic; A Brief History of the Development of Humacyte, Inc.
9:45 Oral Session I: Biochemical Engineering and Molecular Biology
10:50 Break: Poster Viewing and Refreshments
11:20 Oral Session II: From Atoms to the Atmosphere
12:40 Lunch and networking
2:00 Poster Session in Illusions
3:00 Oral Session III: Disease Detection, Animal Behavior, and Cherokee Science
4:50 Student awards and closing remarks
5:00 End of meeting and informal gathering off campus
Molecules in the Mountains Schedule (with Presenters Listed)
7:30 Check in and registration
8:30 Welcome by Dean Richard Starnes, College of Arts & Sciences
8:45 Keynote Address: Justin Strader, Humacyte, Inc.
From Benchtop to Clinic; A Brief History of the Development of Humacyte, Inc.
9:45 Oral Session I: Biochemical Engineering and Molecular Biology
Liang Fang (UT-Knoxville): A new engineered chimeric protein- Inserted domain of alpha L integrin
Mauricio Valverde (UT-Knoxville): Characterization and engineering of ligand-induced membrane fusion machinery from influenza hemagglutinin
Thomas Meigs (UNC-Asheville): Dissecting growth signaling determinants of G proteins through evolutionary chimeras
Gabrianne Ivey (Southwestern Community College) : Disease-relevant mutations alter amino acid covariation networks in the second nucleotide binding domain of CFTR
10:50 Break: Poster Viewing and Refreshments
11:20 Oral Session II: From Atoms to the Atmosphere
Enrique Gomez (Western Carolina University): High Altitude Cosmic Ray, Temperature and Pressure Atmospheric Responses to the Penumbra and Umbra During the 21-8-2017 Total Eclipse Over Western North Carolina
Jack Summers (Western Carolina University): Developing Open Source Instruments for Science Education
Brian Dinkelmeyer (Western Carolina University): Solid State of Dienes in Crystalline Environments
Monica Reece (Western Carolina University): Development of ZnO Nanoparticle-Infused Cotton and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effects on a Range of Bacterial Species and Actinobacteriophages
Ethan Fite (Western Carolina University): Population Assessment of Redhorse (Moxostoma spp.) in the Upper Oconaluftee River, Qualla Boundary, NC
12:40 Lunch and networking
2:00 Poster Session in Illusions
Hailey Medder (Western Carolina University): Oxidative Stress and Keratin Affect Human Embryonic Kidney Cell Exosome Secretion
Sydney Phillips (Western Carolina University): Fractionation of Crude Keratin into Alpha and Gamma Keratins
Wesley Billings (Western Carolina University): Visualization of autophagic flux in HEK293 cells via dual-reporter LC3 plasmid transfection
Richard Melton (Clemson University): Meeting your potential: Development and regeneration in the caterpillar mid gut
Sierra Rice (Western Carolina University): Investigation of Lethal Neutralizing Toxin Factor (LTNF) predicted inhibitory function on Insulin Degrading Enzyme (IDE)
Christopher Robinson (Western Carolina University): Using Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF) and Molecular Dynamic Modeling to Measure Changes in NBD1-ligand Thermal Stability
James Grissom (Western Carolina University): Visualization of exosome production in human embryonic kidney cells under various conditions
Frances Lowder (Western Carolina University): Investigation of BAM9 regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Emily Zipay (Western Carolina University): Toxicity of Human Embryonic Kidney Cells to Different Concentrations of Keratin
Katherine Spaulding (Western Carolina University): Cloning and expression of CAS9 in the pathogenic yeast, Cryptococcus neoformans
Sarah Ballard (Western Carolina University): Optimization of Functionality of Fluorescent Melanoma Cancer Probe
Jade Hollars (Western Carolina University): Keratin Tagging with a Succinimidyl Ester Amine Reactive Fluorescent Dye
Jennifer Coleman (Western Carolina University): Detection and Removal of Chromium Metal Ions from Drinking Water
Collin O'Bryant (Western Carolina University): Investigation of Ferrocene Based Boronate Diol Derivatives for Potential Molecular Motors
Hannah Kline (Western Carolina University): Complexation between phenylboronic acids and n-oxides
Lamyae Sroute (Western Carolina University): Mosquito Speciation using Infrared Spectroscopy
Megan Whitney (Appalachian State University): Optimizing Electrodeposition Conditions for an Electroactive Elastomeric Network
Monica Reece (Western Carolina University): Inhibition of Actinobacteria and Actinobacteriophages by ZnO Nanoparticles
Aaron Lipchak (Western Carolina University): A Microwave-Enhanced Synthesis of Uniform Europium Metal-Based CaF2 Nanoparticles for Potential Biomedical Imaging Applications
Geraldine Monjardez (Western Carolina University): The limits of detection of SERS-active evidence swabs used to screen for human bodily fluids
Savannah Mosteller (Western Carolina University): Investigating the effects of sample age on the Raman signal of analytics collected on SERS-active evidence swabs
Darby Harris (Western Carolina University): Gene Cloning and Sequencing of Native Plants
Dilan Rivera (UNC-Asheville): Population Genetic Structure and Hybridization within Western North Carolina Sarracenia (Pitcher Plants)
Hanitua Teai (UNC-Asheville): Using morphology and Mitochondrial Cytochrome-B gene comparison in determining origins and genetic similarities
Langdon Martin and Rusty Bryant (Warren Wilson College): Spent Craft Brewer's Yeast Inhibits Rumen Methane Production: Effects of High Hop Acid Content
Sarah Williamson (UT-Knoxville): Characterization of Photosystem I-Functionalized Surfaces Created by Sortase-Mediated Ligation
Sheng Zhang and Amanda Guido (Adhezion Biomedical): The first FDA Approved Cyanoacrylate Catheter Securement Adhesive Provides a 3-in-1 Solution for Intravascular Catheter Securement
Melissa Strickland (Western Carolina University): Ultraviolet-Induced Fluorescence - Developing a Human-Based Detection and Prediction Model from Classical Bio-aerosol Models
Caleb Whitener and Salem Albabakri (Western Carolina University): Ultraviolet-Induced Fluorescence - A prototype Excitation Device for Visible Detection of Fluorescence
3:00 Oral Session III: Disease Detection, Animal Behavior, and Cherokee Science
Peng Zhang (Clemson University): How good viruses do bad things?
Alyssa Frediani (Western Carolina University): Synthesis of Time-Resolved Fluorescence Probes for the Future Detection and Improved Study of Cancer
Kelly Grisedale (Western Carolina University): A paleopathological investigation of a possible case of syphilis from medieval Asturias, Spain
Gabriel de la Iglesia (Western Carolina University): Telomere Length as a Biomarker for Stress in Eastern Bluebird Nestlings (Sialia sialis) Reared in Urban Habitats
Traci Ballance (Western Carolina University): Effects of Nest Quality on Incubation and Reproductive Success in Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis)
Caleb Hickman (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians): Does habituation affect translocated white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) survival?
Mike LaVoie (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians): Conserving Cherokee Water Resources: Blending Science and Cultural Values
4:50 Student awards and closing remarks
5:00 End of meeting and informal gathering off campus
7:30 Check in and registration
8:30 Welcome by Dean Richard Starnes, College of Arts & Sciences
8:45 Keynote Address: Justin Strader, Humacyte, Inc.
From Benchtop to Clinic; A Brief History of the Development of Humacyte, Inc.
9:45 Oral Session I: Biochemical Engineering and Molecular Biology
10:50 Break: Poster Viewing and Refreshments
11:20 Oral Session II: From Atoms to the Atmosphere
12:40 Lunch and networking
2:00 Poster Session in Illusions
3:00 Oral Session III: Disease Detection, Animal Behavior, and Cherokee Science
4:50 Student awards and closing remarks
5:00 End of meeting and informal gathering off campus
Molecules in the Mountains Schedule (with Presenters Listed)
7:30 Check in and registration
8:30 Welcome by Dean Richard Starnes, College of Arts & Sciences
8:45 Keynote Address: Justin Strader, Humacyte, Inc.
From Benchtop to Clinic; A Brief History of the Development of Humacyte, Inc.
9:45 Oral Session I: Biochemical Engineering and Molecular Biology
Liang Fang (UT-Knoxville): A new engineered chimeric protein- Inserted domain of alpha L integrin
Mauricio Valverde (UT-Knoxville): Characterization and engineering of ligand-induced membrane fusion machinery from influenza hemagglutinin
Thomas Meigs (UNC-Asheville): Dissecting growth signaling determinants of G proteins through evolutionary chimeras
Gabrianne Ivey (Southwestern Community College) : Disease-relevant mutations alter amino acid covariation networks in the second nucleotide binding domain of CFTR
10:50 Break: Poster Viewing and Refreshments
11:20 Oral Session II: From Atoms to the Atmosphere
Enrique Gomez (Western Carolina University): High Altitude Cosmic Ray, Temperature and Pressure Atmospheric Responses to the Penumbra and Umbra During the 21-8-2017 Total Eclipse Over Western North Carolina
Jack Summers (Western Carolina University): Developing Open Source Instruments for Science Education
Brian Dinkelmeyer (Western Carolina University): Solid State of Dienes in Crystalline Environments
Monica Reece (Western Carolina University): Development of ZnO Nanoparticle-Infused Cotton and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effects on a Range of Bacterial Species and Actinobacteriophages
Ethan Fite (Western Carolina University): Population Assessment of Redhorse (Moxostoma spp.) in the Upper Oconaluftee River, Qualla Boundary, NC
12:40 Lunch and networking
2:00 Poster Session in Illusions
Hailey Medder (Western Carolina University): Oxidative Stress and Keratin Affect Human Embryonic Kidney Cell Exosome Secretion
Sydney Phillips (Western Carolina University): Fractionation of Crude Keratin into Alpha and Gamma Keratins
Wesley Billings (Western Carolina University): Visualization of autophagic flux in HEK293 cells via dual-reporter LC3 plasmid transfection
Richard Melton (Clemson University): Meeting your potential: Development and regeneration in the caterpillar mid gut
Sierra Rice (Western Carolina University): Investigation of Lethal Neutralizing Toxin Factor (LTNF) predicted inhibitory function on Insulin Degrading Enzyme (IDE)
Christopher Robinson (Western Carolina University): Using Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF) and Molecular Dynamic Modeling to Measure Changes in NBD1-ligand Thermal Stability
James Grissom (Western Carolina University): Visualization of exosome production in human embryonic kidney cells under various conditions
Frances Lowder (Western Carolina University): Investigation of BAM9 regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Emily Zipay (Western Carolina University): Toxicity of Human Embryonic Kidney Cells to Different Concentrations of Keratin
Katherine Spaulding (Western Carolina University): Cloning and expression of CAS9 in the pathogenic yeast, Cryptococcus neoformans
Sarah Ballard (Western Carolina University): Optimization of Functionality of Fluorescent Melanoma Cancer Probe
Jade Hollars (Western Carolina University): Keratin Tagging with a Succinimidyl Ester Amine Reactive Fluorescent Dye
Jennifer Coleman (Western Carolina University): Detection and Removal of Chromium Metal Ions from Drinking Water
Collin O'Bryant (Western Carolina University): Investigation of Ferrocene Based Boronate Diol Derivatives for Potential Molecular Motors
Hannah Kline (Western Carolina University): Complexation between phenylboronic acids and n-oxides
Lamyae Sroute (Western Carolina University): Mosquito Speciation using Infrared Spectroscopy
Megan Whitney (Appalachian State University): Optimizing Electrodeposition Conditions for an Electroactive Elastomeric Network
Monica Reece (Western Carolina University): Inhibition of Actinobacteria and Actinobacteriophages by ZnO Nanoparticles
Aaron Lipchak (Western Carolina University): A Microwave-Enhanced Synthesis of Uniform Europium Metal-Based CaF2 Nanoparticles for Potential Biomedical Imaging Applications
Geraldine Monjardez (Western Carolina University): The limits of detection of SERS-active evidence swabs used to screen for human bodily fluids
Savannah Mosteller (Western Carolina University): Investigating the effects of sample age on the Raman signal of analytics collected on SERS-active evidence swabs
Darby Harris (Western Carolina University): Gene Cloning and Sequencing of Native Plants
Dilan Rivera (UNC-Asheville): Population Genetic Structure and Hybridization within Western North Carolina Sarracenia (Pitcher Plants)
Hanitua Teai (UNC-Asheville): Using morphology and Mitochondrial Cytochrome-B gene comparison in determining origins and genetic similarities
Langdon Martin and Rusty Bryant (Warren Wilson College): Spent Craft Brewer's Yeast Inhibits Rumen Methane Production: Effects of High Hop Acid Content
Sarah Williamson (UT-Knoxville): Characterization of Photosystem I-Functionalized Surfaces Created by Sortase-Mediated Ligation
Sheng Zhang and Amanda Guido (Adhezion Biomedical): The first FDA Approved Cyanoacrylate Catheter Securement Adhesive Provides a 3-in-1 Solution for Intravascular Catheter Securement
Melissa Strickland (Western Carolina University): Ultraviolet-Induced Fluorescence - Developing a Human-Based Detection and Prediction Model from Classical Bio-aerosol Models
Caleb Whitener and Salem Albabakri (Western Carolina University): Ultraviolet-Induced Fluorescence - A prototype Excitation Device for Visible Detection of Fluorescence
3:00 Oral Session III: Disease Detection, Animal Behavior, and Cherokee Science
Peng Zhang (Clemson University): How good viruses do bad things?
Alyssa Frediani (Western Carolina University): Synthesis of Time-Resolved Fluorescence Probes for the Future Detection and Improved Study of Cancer
Kelly Grisedale (Western Carolina University): A paleopathological investigation of a possible case of syphilis from medieval Asturias, Spain
Gabriel de la Iglesia (Western Carolina University): Telomere Length as a Biomarker for Stress in Eastern Bluebird Nestlings (Sialia sialis) Reared in Urban Habitats
Traci Ballance (Western Carolina University): Effects of Nest Quality on Incubation and Reproductive Success in Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis)
Caleb Hickman (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians): Does habituation affect translocated white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) survival?
Mike LaVoie (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians): Conserving Cherokee Water Resources: Blending Science and Cultural Values
4:50 Student awards and closing remarks
5:00 End of meeting and informal gathering off campus