Jacob Staudt Presents at Buena Vista University's Fourteenth Annual Scholars Day

2018 May 3

Buena Vista University's (BVU) fourteenth annual Scholars Day was held Saturday, April 28. The event provided students from all disciplines an opportunity to present their best original research, academic posters, artistic creations, and performances to their peers, professors, and the public.

This year's Scholars Day event featured presentations from more than 40 BVU students, exploring topics from literature and business to science and history.

Jacob Staudt , a senior biology major from Forest City , was one of the students who participated. Staudt 's presentation was titled "The effects of PCBs on gene expression in mouse adrenal gland" , and the project's abstract is as follows:

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that come from human created waste as it decomposes in the environment. PCBs enter the bodies of humans and other animals through their interaction with the environment, primarily eating and drinking, and cumulatively stored in fat cells. These PCBs have been shown to be carcinogens; they effect embryonic development and are potentially neurotoxic. PCBs have also been shown to cause increased glucocorticoid secretion from the adrenal gland which can cause disruptions in endocrine function. In this study, BALBc mice were exposed to PCBs though their drinking water and adrenal glands were studied to find the effects PCBs have on endocrine receptors. The receptors studied were estrogen receptor alpha, estrogen receptor beta, glucocorticoid receptor, and retinoic acid receptors. Purified mRNA from mouse adrenal glands was used to generate complementary DNA (cDNA) for Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis. Changes in mRNA expression levels indicating changes in genes expression were quantified by the LIVAK method.

A second research project was also presented, entitled: "Expression of the Sodium Iodide Symporter in Different Cell Types"

NIS can be used for body imaging with the radioactive isotope, radioiodine. This imaging technique can be used to identify tumor cells in the body, and can also be used to kill the tumors. While NIS is naturally occurring in human cells, the amount of NIS in the cell varies. My experiment is looking at the cellular expression of the expression of different forms of the sodium iodide symporter (NIS), and if different forms of NIS are present in the cytoplasm or cell membranes. While the results were inconclusive for the amounts of NIS produced in the cells, further testing was done to show that some cell types had more NIS available on the cell membrane than others.

A third research project was also presented, entitled:"Developing Standard Spectra for Hemoglobin Reactions"

NIS can be used for body imaging with the radioactive isotope, radioiodine. This imaging technique can be used to identify tumor cells in the body, and can also be used to kill the tumors. While NIS is naturally occurring in human cells, the amount of NIS in the cell varies. My experiment is looking at the cellular expression of the expression of different forms of the sodium iodide symporter (NIS), and if different forms of NIS are present in the cytoplasm or cell membranes. While the results were inconclusive for the amounts of NIS produced in the cells, further testing was done to show that some cell types had more NIS available on the cell membrane than others.

"Scholars Day is an opportunity for students to showcase their talents, passions, and best work to their peers, faculty, family, and friends," said Dr. Tracy Thomas, assistant professor of psychology and chair of the events committee who organized the event. "Not only do the presenters benefit from the occasion to display their work to peers and faculty, but the BVU community benefits from bearing witness to the high-level work of the students."

The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Darren L. Whitfield, a 2007 BVU graduate, who is the assistant professor of social work and psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and Department of Psychiatry. As a researcher, Whitfield's scholarship focuses on the areas of psychosocial, sociocultural, and structural factors associated with health outcomes for gay and bisexual men of color, systems of oppression on health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities, and intersectional social identities for LGBTQ communities.

Whitfield has more than 10 years of practice experience working in the HIV/AIDS field working at the AIDS Project of Central Iowa, The Virginia Department of Health, and The Kansas City Free Health Clinic. In his spare time, he volunteers with several agencies serving LGBTQ communities. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for the Persad Center, the second oldest LGBTQ Community Center, the advisory board for the AIDS Free Pittsburgh Taskforce, and a commissioner for the Pittsburgh City Commission on AIDS.

This year marked the second time Scholars Day and the annual Student Recognition Dinner - which was held later that evening - were held on the same day.