Faculty Research Day

Panoramic Institutional Assessments: A Playbook for Advancing Research Capacity This project, led by Delaware State, will bring together faculty, research administrators and institutional leaders to develop innovative tools and approaches to enhance research capacity at consortium institutions, with long-term goals to scale up to HBCUs more broadly. The effort is a direct response to the broad interest in, and transformative opportunities for, building research capacity at HBCUs. These institutions play a vital role in scientific discovery, increase diversity in scientific research, and expand the STEM workforce. Research growth at HBCUs complements institutional commitments to student success and academic excellence by increasing student participation in experiential learning through engagement with faculty researchers. The project will provide a framework to guide institutions through a self-directed process to examine their research ecosystem, help institutional leaders identify and address service gaps to strengthen administrative functions that support research administration, and guide faculty in personalized assessments of their development as individual researchers using an existing framework. The project includes partnerships with advocacy organizations that will assist in disseminating the research capacity assessments and playbook, ensuring a broad reach and sustainable impact across campuses.

Lead institution: Delaware State University, PI: Kimberley R. Sudler, Co-PI: Melissa Harrington Collaborating institutions: Tuskegee University, Huston-Tillotson University, Hampton University, Tennessee State University. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation, Award #2430207. It is co-funded by the following NSF programs: HBCU Excellence in Research (HBCU-EiR); HBCU Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP); and Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity (GRANTED).

Vibrational spectroscopy, particularly Raman and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, provides detailed molecular fingerprints essential for biochemical and biomedical research. This study combines Raman and FTIR measurements with computational modeling to systematically investigate the vibrational properties of various amino-acids and proteins. For analysis, the low-wavenumber band-the fingerprint band(<2000cm-1)-of each biomolecule is commonly applied for molecular detection. Here, our focus is on the high-wavenumber band (>2500cm-1), which also appears to have distinctive features for each biomolecule. Raman and FTIR spectra were measured for Bovine Serum Albumin and numerous amino-acids (Alanine, Arginine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Histidine, Asparagine, Lysine, Aspartic Acid, and Glutamine) in powdered and aqueous samples. Computational modeling using the Gaussian16 software package with density functional theory (DFT) guided the interpretation of experimental data. Within the high-wavenumber region, two sub-bands were identified: NH and OH stretching modes (>3200 cm-1) and related mainly to CH2 stretching modes (2800-3200cm-1). Distinct differences in Raman shifts, FTIR absorption peaks, and overall spectral shapes provide a mean to distinguish the amino-acids.We extended our modeling to investigate how the vibrational features evolve from amino-acid monomers to peptides and more complex protein structures. DFT simulations provided detailed insights into peak position shifts and intensity variations, enhancing the interpretation of experimental spectra and deepening the understanding of molecular structure and spectrum relationships. The insights from these experimental data and spectral calculations form the basis for the development of physics-reinforced, multimodal machine learning models aimed at improving spectral classification, molecular recognition, and structural prediction of biomolecules using high-wavenumber bands alone.

A Window on Stuart Hall (1932-2014): Iconoclast, Intellectual, Cultural Studies Theorist and Co-founder of British Cultural Studies by Padmini Banerjee, Ph.D. The focus in this poster is on Stuart Henry McPhail Hall (1932-2014), Jamaican-born British sociologist and cultural theorist, co-founder of British Cultural Studies, and his contributions to the field of cultural studies. Hailed as “one of the most influential intellectuals” of his time, Hall saw people as active - rather than passive - consumers and producers of culture. He challenged the fundamental assumptions of the classical reception theory of cultural communication which assumes a passive recipient or audience. Later in his career, he became associated with the Open University which marked a further transition in his academic interests towards the study of semiotics. For instance, cultural identity, as Hall understood it, is not a “fixed essence rooted in the past,” but rather the “outcome of how we position ourselves within the narratives of the past” (Hall, 1960, p. 226). Hall also explored concepts such as the “three presences” making up Caribbean identity: one-ness, unity and difference/differance, and diasporic identities, all relevant to the concept of decolonizing, our framing of these issues and the disciplines within which they are studied.

*This poster was presented at the Decolonizing Psychology Conference at WCHBS in March 2025

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant mortality, is caused by low expression of the Survival Motor Neuron protein. The loss of function of SMN due to inherited mutations disrupts the health and survival of spinal motor neurons, hindering the signaling between the central nervous system and skeletal muscle, leading to progressive muscle weakness, paralysis, and respiratory failure. While traditionally attributed to complications from muscle weakness, recent findings suggest dysfunction within the brain region that controls breathing may contribute to respiratory failure. I will present preliminary plethysmography data from a murine model of SMA that demonstrates changes in breathing pattern. Accompanying this preliminary data, a computational model is tuned to recapitulate the aberrant breathing pattern. Together, these results suggest the respiratory dysfunction cannot be solely attributed to muscle weakness. This research project is ongoing and is expected to identify a novel component of respiratory failure in SMA, potentially revealing new therapeutic targets that can be improve clinical outcomes for SMA patients.

Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among older adults in the US and Delaware. Annually, over 14 million older adults experience falls with 37% resulting in injury. Fall-related deaths have risen nationally and in Delaware despite preventive programs. This NIH/RCMI funded implementation science pilot study answers the question: What strengths and barriers impact the widespread adoption of available evidenced-based fall prevention guidelines and strategies in Delaware? Using qualitative methods based in implementation science, a diverse sample of 10 older adults participated in semi-structured interviews to assess perceptions of fall risk and prevention. Participants were recruited from a senior center and consisted of members who attend activities. Further interviews are being scheduled with 10 home bound seniors who receive meals on wheels. Additionally, two focus groups of 10 stakeholders from healthcare and social services are providing insights on serving older adults at fall risk. ATLAS.ti software is being used for thematic coding and analysis, identifying key barriers and strengths. Initial results are informing the development of a fall prevention model for future testing. Preliminary analysis from the first interviews revealed barriers such as embarrassment, insufficient follow-up on falls by health providers, limited awareness of available interventions, and infrequent routine screening for falls by healthcare providers. Most participants have reported a baseline knowledge of intervention options. This presentation highlights preliminary results. Data collection will conclude in Spring 2025, contributing to a model aimed at reducing falls and enhancing life quality for Delaware’s older adults. This study aligns with Healthy People 2030’s Healthcare Access and Quality domain, highlighting occupational therapy’s role in community health. Impact Statement: Findings will support sustainable fall prevention strategies, advancing health and safety for Delaware’s older adults.