Class of 2011
Adam Baxter
Pursuing MS in Bioinformatics and Genomics at UNC Charlotte
Mentors: Ann Loraine, UNC Charlotte; De-yu Xie, NC State
Adam Baxter is a Master's student at The University of North Carolina in Charlotte in the Department of Bioinformatics under the direction of Dr. Ann Loraine. Doing independent research post-undergrad, Adam found an interest in the biological sciences and works to apply his Computer Systems knowledge to analyze experiment data. His current research involves studying the anthocyanin pathways in blueberries and searching for the genes responsible for their production.
Ms. Josephine Drayton
Pursuing MS in Animal Science at NC State University
Mentors: Jack Odle and Lin Xi, NC State; Andrew Shanely, Appalachian State; Michael McIntosh, UNC Greensboro
Josephine Drayton is a Master's student at North Carolina State University in the Department of Animal Science studying under the direction of Dr. Jack Odle. Her current research explores the use of novel fatty acids as anaplerotic substrates. Her study could help create an ergogenic supplement that would enhance endurance time in athletes.
Said Hayek
Pursuing PhD in Energy and Environmental Systems at North Carolina A&T State University
Mentors: Shengmin Sang and Salam Ibrahim, NC A&T; TinChung Leung, NC Central University
Said Hayek is a doctoral student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in the Department of Energy and Environmental Science with the focus of Food Microbiology and Biotechnology. He is working under the direction of Dr. Salam Ibrahim. His food science background gives him interest in food safety and microbiology research. In his current research area on the lactic acid bacteria, he's developing a laboratorial medium using the sweet potato as a basic component. He also has specific interest in finding natural antimicrobial products against E. coli O157:H7 and salmonella.
Sai Lao
Pursuing MS in Nutritional Biochemistry at UNC Chapel Hill
Mentors: Steven Zeisel, UNC Chapel Hill; and Wei Jia, UNC Greensboro
Sai Lao is a Master's student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Department of Nutrition under the direction of Dr. Steven Zeisel. He developed an interest in nutrition's role in growth and development and disease prevention through his work as a Research Technician at the UNC-CH Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis. His current area of research is methylation and the nutrient choline and its metabolism.
Marcus Lawrence
Pursuing MS in Exercise Science at Appalachian State University
Mentors: Andrew Shanely, Kevin Zwetsloot, Amy Knab and David Nieman, Appalachian State;
Mary Ann Lila and Mary Grace, NC State; Susan Tsivitse, UNC Charlotte; and Joel Schwartz, David H. Murdock Research Institute
Marcus Lawrence is a Master's student in the Exercise Science Graduate Program at Appalachian State University, under the co-direction of Dr. R. Andrew Shanely and Dr. Kevin A. Zwetsloot in the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science. His studies in applied physiology and aging research have given him a newfound interest in nutritional supplementation to combat age-related diseases such as sarcopenia (the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength). His current research investigates the efficacy of a purified extract of the plant Ajuga turkestanica, containing enriched bioactive phytochemicals, in combating sarcopenia and chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with aging.
Scott Neidich
Pursuing PhD in Biochemical Nutrition at UNC Chapel Hill
Mentors: Melinda Beck, UNC Chapel Hill; Michael Wang, David H. Murdock Research Institute; Wei Jia, UNC Greensboro
Scott Neidich is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Biology and Chemistry undergraduate programs, and is currently a first year PhD student. With Dr. Melinda Beck as an advisory, Scott's research focuses on determining the effects of host nutritional status on viral evolution.
Carla Perry
Pursuing MS in Neuroscience (Department of Biology) at North Carolina Central
Mentors: TinChung Leung and Ju-Ahng Lee, NC Central; Shengmin Sang, NC A&T
Carla Perry is pursuing a Master of Science in Biology with a concentration in biomedical science at North Carolina Central University under the direction of Drs. Ju-Ahng Lee and TinChung Leung of the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute. Prior to matriculating to graduate school, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and has maintained a zest for the biomedical sciences. Her current area of research utilizes zebrafish as a transgenic animal model to identify treatments for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Perry's research could lead to an additional nutritional treatment for ALS patients currently prescribed riluzole, the only Food and Drug Administration-approved drug treatment for the disease.
Class of 2010
Christine Bradish
Pursuing MS in Horticultural Science at NC State University
Mentors: Penelope Perkins-Veazie and Gina Fernandez, NC State
Daniel Cooper
Pursuing MS in Nutrition at UNC Chapel Hill
Mentors: Rosalind Coleman, Deb Muoio, and Steve Zeisel, UNC Chapel Hill
Amanda Draut
Pursuing an MS in Food Bioprocessing and Nutrition Science at NC State University
Mentors: Keith Harris and Mary Ann Lila, NC State
Krista Kennerly
Pursuing MS in Molecular and Cell Biology at Appalachian State University
Mentors: David Nieman and Andrew Shanely, Appalachian State; Mary Ann Lila, NC State
Kyle Suttlemyre
Pursuing MS in Bioinformatics and Genomics at UNC Charlotte
Mentors: Xiuxia Du, UNC Charlotte; Steve Zeisel, UNC Chapel Hill; Wei Jia, UNC Greensboro
Christa Watson
Pursuing PhD in Energy and Environmental Systems at NC A&T State University
Mentors: Jenora Waterman and Leonard Williams, NC A&T; and Steve Zeisel, UNC Chapel Hill
Kelly Will
Pursuing PhD in Developmental Psychology at UNC Chapel Hill
Mentors: Carol Cheatham, UNC Chapel Hill; and Wei Jia, UNC Greensboro