Investigating The Role Of The Gene, Rho1 On The Innate Immune Response In Drosophila Melanogaster
Mukta Sangar, Shivam Patel
Mentor: Dr. Jeff Leips, Biological Sciences
Immunosenescence, the decline in immune function with age is a hallmark of aging but varies among individuals. This variation has a genetic basis but the genes involved are unknown. A recent genome-wide association study identified Rho1 as a candidate gene contributing to the variation of immune function with age. We investigated the role of Rho1 on bacterial clearance at young and old ages using Drosophila melanogaster. We used the GAL4-UAS system to knock down the expression of Rho1 in hemocytes of male and female flies and tested the effect of reduced expression on the ability of flies to clear bacterial infection at 1 and 5 weeks of age. Overall, older flies had reduced ability to clear infection compared with younger flies and males were significantly better at clearing infection than females. The effect of reduced expression of Rho1 on clearance ability depended on sex. Reduced Rho1 expression decreased the ability of males to clear infection but had no significant effect on clearance ability in females. Future work focused on understanding how Rho1 influences the innate immune response and why it has sex specific effects will provide new avenues for improving the immune function and the health span of the elderly.
This work was funded, in part, through an Undergraduate Research Award from the UMBC Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
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Cultural Pluralism in Practice: A Mixed-method Study on Reducing Asian American Students’ COVID-19-related Stress
Liz Weir, Aguiling, W., Aquino, A.K.
Mentor: Dr. Charissa Cheah, Psychology
Increased anti-Asian sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic created a more hostile environment for Asian Americans (Cheah et al., 2020). For Chinese American adolescents, this sinophobic fear could impact their stress in school. Previous research has found experiences of discrimination among Chinese American adolescents to be associated with negative academic outcomes (Benner & Kim, 2009). One factor that might moderate this link is the extent to which adolescents believe their schools practice cultural pluralism by making minority students more visible and celebrating cultural differences (Brand et al., 2003; Green et al., 1988). Promoting diversity and inclusivity may increase students’ sense of belonging in school, thus minimizing the stressful effects of messages of rejection about their racial/ethnic group (Schachner et al., 2016). Applying the School Ethnic Racial Socialization (ERS) Transmission model (Saleem & Byrd, 2021) to Asian American adolescents, this study will examine the potential moderating role of schools’ support for cultural pluralism (SSCP) in the relation between students’ perceived Sinophobia and school stress in the context of COVID-19. In addition, we will incorporate qualitative interview data to understand Asian American adolescents’ ideas surrounding how schools can create inclusive learning environments that address and/or prevent racial marginalization.
This work was funded, in part, through an Undergraduate Research Award from the UMBC Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Be like Liz! Apply to be a URA Scholar today! Get up to $1500 to support your research or creative work!
Thank you to everyone who volunteered, participated and attended URCAD 2025! This year was the largest event to date- with 428 student presenters and 2,311 guests!
Please join us for URCAD’s 30th anniversary next spring…. mark your calendars for URCAD XXX on April 22, 2026! See you there!
ur.umbc.edu/urcad
]]>URAs provide up to $1,500 to undergraduate students to support their research, scholarship, or creative work with a UMBC faculty mentor on an original project. UMBC students of all years and disciplines are invited to apply, as long as they remain enrolled at UMBC long enough to complete the proposed work.
Applications require a research proposal and mentor statement of support.
"My mentor gave me a great letter of support. He liked ponds too," Matt explained.
Apply now using the link below. Applications are due on May 2, 2005.
"It's a fantastic opportunity!" Matt said (loudly).
Art Exhibit
Thalia Añora – Visual Arts & INDS
Mentor: Prof. Corrie Parks
Location: Fine Arts Building, First Floor Hallway,
Title: HUMANIZE: STUDENT-LED GALLERY EXHIBITION EXPLORING THE THEME OF IDENTITY
Thalia will be on site from 2pm-3pm
Interactive Video Game
Evan McRae (INDS), Steven Nguyen, Ginger Sealy, Brian
Lawser, Justin Gaylord, Jay Cina, Anthony Bonilla Duron, and Rowan Barr
Mentor: Marc Olano
Location: UC Ballroom, All day
Title: KING SCRIBBLE
Oral Presentations:
Mentors: Jayshree Jani and and Dr. Mata-McMahon
Location: UC 310 at 1:40 p.m.
Title: Goals And Motivations of Baltimore Early Intervention Providers
Mentor: Sidas Saulynas
Location: UC Ballroom at 2:20p.m.
Title: Cultural Dimensions Represented in Panama
Poster Presentations:
Mentor: Lisa Kelly
Location: UC Ballroom from 1p.m.-2p.m. (Poster #47)
Title: Exploring Linker Functionalization in Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Curcumin Encapsulation and Release
Mentor: Marco Grados
Location: UC Ballroom from 1p.m.-2p.m. (Poster 50)
Title: Comparing Caregiver Strain in Children With Anxiety or ADHD Using An Internalizing/Externalizing Framework
Mentor: Richard O’Neil
Location: UC Ballroom from 1p.m.-2p.m. (Poster #13)
Title: Advancements in CAR-T Cell Therapy: Leveraging Inducible Gene Systems for Enhanced Control and Safety
Mentors: Govind Rao, CAST
Location:UC Ballroom from1p.m. – 2 p.m. (Poster #29)
Title: Uncovering the Relationship Between Oxygen Availability and Energy Sources in Cell-free Protein Synthesis
Balochistan: A Silent Resistance
Ayan Shaikh
Mentor: Zareen Taj, Global Studies
Produced as a project for the Documentary Film as Activism seminar (GLBL409), this film aims to educate and raise awareness about the evolution of oppressive ethnic, class, and state systems that have shaped the Balochi struggle in Pakistan. Creating this film deepened my passion for the subject and reinforced my commitment to sharing the daily adversities faced by the Baloch people. Acknowledging the severe deterioration of their socio-political condition is imperative.
The documentary encompasses a concise historical overview of Balochistan’s contested past and a portrayal of its current landscape. Through the film, I hope to provide viewers with a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be Balochi and the current lived experiences of this resilient community.
Degree Mentors
Why did you choose to major in INDS?
I chose to major in INDS because I knew I wanted to got to physical therapy school after graduation and become a doctor. However, UMBC does not offer degrees in exercise science or kinesiology so the best routes for me to take were to major in biological sciences or psychology. I tried both and neither seemed to fit well. INDS was the perfect way for me to take the classes I enjoy, with intent to get as much out of it as I could to prepare me best for the next steps in my education and future career.
What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?
I am attending the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Emory University. I believe my INDS degree helped me stand out against other candidates during applications and interviews.
Were you involved in any clubs or organizations? Did you hold any leadership positions? URCAD? URA? Off-campus internships? On-campus research experiences?
Abby has been Accepted into Emory University Doctor of Physical Therapy program! Congrats Abby!
For more information on Abby's INDS journey please click here: