o Support students as they eat their lunch in the classroom.

o Supervise students as they participate in recess.

o Read to students or monitor students during quiet time after recess and lunch.

Present at URCAD but don't be like lawyer Rod Ponton, who showed up to present a case in Texas' 394th District Court with the filter of a cute kitten on.

"I don't know how to remove it," Ponton said in a clip of the live stream that the court shared on YouTube titled Kitten Zoom Filter Mishap. "I'm here live; I'm not a cat."

Reminder: Turn Off Kitty Cat Filter When Presenting at URCAD.

Apply by tonight's deadline:

ur.umbc.edu/urcad

Grace Waterman is a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major who will graduate this spring. She is a member of the Biological Sciences Departmental Honors Program, and a URA Scholar.

Title of your research project: Testing the Effects of Entresto on the Heat Stress Response of Drosophila melanogaster

Describe your project:

My project is a group project focused on determining how Entresto, a blood pressure medication, impacts response to heat stress in different ages and genetic backgrounds in Drosophila melanogaster. We want to apply the results we find from our experiment to predict how people taking Entresto will be affected by heat stress, like a heat wave. 

Who is your mentor(s) for your project?

Dr. Jeff Leips, Department of Biological Sciences

I found my mentor when I was taking BIOL 142. Dr. Leips discussed his research one day during class and it sounded interesting. After learning more about his research online, I asked if I could join his lab and participate in the research.

I chose Dr. Leips because I am interested in the projects in his lab. I also chose the Leips Lab because before joining the lab, everyone was incredibly nice and supportive. I could tell it would be a great environment to do research in.

How did you become interested in this project?

When interviewing to join the Leips Lab, Dr. Leips told me about each of the projects being done in the lab and I chose to join the Entresto group. My project is a further investigation of the Entresto project from when I joined the lab. 

What has been the hardest part about your research/what was the most unexpected thing about being a researcher? 

During my time as an undergraduate researcher, one of the projects I worked on has had numerous setbacks. We have had everything from controlled temperature room failures to the COVID-19 pandemic to equipment malfunctions. Having numerous setbacks can be hard but it has taught me that research can sometimes go wrong, and you cannot give up.

What has been the most rewarding part?

The most rewarding part of being a researcher has been discovering my passion for research. Before joining a lab, I was not completely sure I wanted to pursue research in graduate school or as a career. After working in a lab, I found research is what I am passionate about. Even when I encountered numerous setbacks in my projects, I still enjoyed doing research.

How will you disseminate your research (URCAD presentation, conference, publication, etc?)

My research is going to be presented at URCAD, April 19-25. My group also hopes to write a paper about the research and publish it.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? 

My advice to other students is to never give up. When pursuing research, things often do not go as planned. You cannot give up; keep trying and it will work out.

What are your career goals?

I plan to attend graduate school after graduating from UMBC and earn a PhD in Biochemistry. I plan to focus on drug design and develop medications to treat cancer. After graduate school, I aim to work in the pharmaceutical industry and become a leader in the field of drug development.

The Black Excellence Summit hosted in collaboration with the Student Government Association (SGA), Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging (i3b), Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), Africana Studies Department, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, CURL P.W.R, the Women's Center, and the Faithful Black Men Association (FBMA). This event is a virtual summit taking place on February 27th, 2021 through Webex from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

Please use the link below to RSVP as spots are limited, and choose which two sessions you are interested in attending:

• Racial Trauma/Racial Battle Fatigue and Radical Self Care - Dr. Whitney Hobson, Staff Psychologist/Multicultural Coordinator

• Understanding and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome - Ciara Christian, Graduate Assistant, Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging 

• Understanding and Responding to Microaggressions - David Shanks, Community Director for Hillside & Terrace Apartments; Amery Thompson, Community Director for Harbor Hall

• Challenging Racial Disparities in Health - Samantha A. Smith,  Associate Director of Health Promotion, University Health Services

• Race in the Classroom and Academic Success - Carlos Williams, Academic Advocate, Academic Success Center

• The Practice of Diaspora: Exploring Pan-Ethnic Identity & Unity - Erin E. Waddles, Coordinator, Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging

Link to RSVP: https://forms.gle/MCJk5wCFMfyHAw497