Event Description

Research Cafe: December 13, 2023

3:00 - 4:00pm

The Hatchery Innovation Studio, Alexander Library

169 College Ave., New Brunswick

Zoom option available.

~Snacks & coffee provided!~

Register to attend in person or on Zoom.

1.) "Bacteria and their superpower to take up environmental DNA: The deep sea edition" by Avanthika Bharath

Abstract: Some bacteria have the extraordinary ability to take up free DNA floating in their surroundings and incorporate it into their own genetic material. This process is called “genetic transformation” and has contributed to bacterial evolution for ages. Although this process is well characterized in clinically relevant bacteria, there is limited knowledge about this process in deep-sea hydrothermal vent bacteria where life is hypothesized to have originated. In this study, we analyzed the genes and proteins of the vent microbiota obtained from basalts, mussels and tubeworm scrapings in the East Pacific Rise, and detected that they do contain and synthesize the machinery necessary for DNA uptake and genetic transformation. Based on this evidence, our major aim was to visually demonstrate DNA uptake in two deep-sea vent species in our lab, Caminibacter mediatlanticus and Sulfurovum riftiae. Actively growing bacteria were exposed to fluorescently labeled DNA fragments for 30 minutes and then visualized using microscopy. We observed fluorescence within the cells for both bacteria, proving that they can take up DNA from their environments. Overall, the findings of this study provide us with preliminary evidence that can serve as a precursor for broadening our understanding of this process in these vastly understudied environments.

Speaker Bio: I am Avanthika Bharath, a 5th year PhD student in Microbial Biology. I work in the Deep-Sea Microbiology lab with Dr. Costantino Vetriani. I completed my bachelor’s in Industrial Biotechnology in India. I moved to the USA and joined Rutgers as a Masters student in 2018 and transitioned to PhD a year later. I am currently studying DNA exchange in deep sea bacteria via a process called “Genetic Transformation”. The most exciting experience during my time in Rutgers was the opportunity to participate in a month-long NSF- Funded research expedition to the East Pacific Rise in December 2022 for a project studying microbial-larval interactions in the deep-sea hydrothermal vents. I had the opportunity to participate as an observer in the Deep Sea Vehicle, Alvin which was involved in deployment, recovery and collection of samples from deep sea hydrothermal vents. I was also a TA for General Microbiology from 2019-2022.

2.) "Finding Food in a Big Ocean" by Jacquelyn Veatch

Abstract: The ocean has been a source of livelihood and inspiration for all of humanity. According to the UN Development Program, 15% of the animal protein we eat comes from seafood, and 80% of all tourism takes place in coastal areas. Yet the coastal ocean is taking a lot of the heat for us, from climate change and pollution. My research works to understand how marine ecosystems concentrate resources at the base of the food web, allowing the creatures higher on the food web to find food. A better understanding of the processes that structure marine food webs will inform effective management, increasing the sustainability of life on this ocean planet. The base of marine food webs is made up of tiny drifting plants and animals called plankton. I hypothesize that the movement of plankton by ocean currents concentrates plankton, creating marine “grocery stores” visited by feeding marine creatures. My research has developed mathematical tools that locate these dynamic marine grocery stores. My research team and I set up an ocean observing system around a known biological hotspot in Palmer Deep, Antarctica. Using a host of instruments, we were able to observe predators forage through fields of plankton and the ocean currents surrounding them. The results of these observations were conclusive: we saw currents push plankton together, forming dynamic grocery stores of prey targeted by predator penguins. This is good evidence that the transport and concentration of food to Palmer Deep sustains the many migratory animals that travel here each year.

Speaker Bio: Jackie is a Ph.D. student in Physical Oceanography with an interest in applying an understanding of maths and physics to the living world. Her dissertation research bridges intellectual gaps between coastal physical oceanography and spatial ecology by investigating how coastal currents transport and concentrate food resources (plankton) into large patches she refers to as "marine grocery stores". Jackie's interest in interdisciplinary work pre-dates her time at Rutgers. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biophysics from the George Washington University and has tried her hand in immunology, antibody production, coastal ecology, and wilderness adventure before landing in oceanography.

About Research Cafe

Research Café brings together the entire graduate student community of Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway campus to strengthen scholarly literacy and interdisciplinary research communication by providing a platform for budding researchers to connect, share their in-progress research or scholarship, and benefit from peer feedback in a friendly and low-stakes setting. 

Research Café is a monthly, one-hour event to occur at rotating locations across the Rutgers New Brunswick/Piscataway campus (a Zoom option will be available, too). Each event will feature:

1. Presentations (10-12 min. each) from two graduate students from across disciplinary areas ranging from engineering and biology to history and anthropology.
2. A Q&A dialogue with peers and attendees.
3. Conversational time over refreshments and snacks.

Sign up to attend in person or on Zoom at https://grad.rutgers.edu/research-cafe. 

--- 

Questions? Contact the program coordinators:

Sonal Gahlawat at sg1389@scarletmail.rutgers.edu, Briana Bivens at bb770@grad.rutgers.edu, and Ramazan Güngör at rg835@grad.rutgers.edu.

Event Description

Research Cafe: November 15, 2023

3:00 - 4:00 pm

The Hatchery Innovation Studio, Alexander Library

169 College Ave., New Brunswick

Zoom option available.

~Snacks & coffee provided!~

Register to attend in person or on Zoom.

1.) "Investigating the role of serotonin 2C in regulating helminth-induced inflammation" by Hannah Federman

Abstract: A growing body of literature has begun to reveal that neuropeptides and neurotransmitters can play previously unappreciated roles in both allergic and anti-parasite responses. Helminth parasites, such as hookworms, can affect several host tissues, including the lung, where they promote strong type 2 cytokine responses that support worm clearance and simultaneously initiate wound healing. Our work, and that of others, has recently identified monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages (Mo-AMs) with an alternatively activated (M2) phenotype as critical regulators of this wound healing, populating the lung in response to hookworm-induced inflammation. Further, our work has shown that Mo-AMs change phenotypically the longer they persist in the lung. Despite these advances, whether neuron-associated factors participate in this tissue imprinting process remains unknown. Interestingly, we’ve found that Mo-AMs gradually acquire high levels of the serotonin 2C receptor (5HTR2c) after entering the lung microenvironment. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays important roles in myriad biological functions beyond its well described roles in the central nervous system. However, whether 5HTR2c-derived signals restrict the activation of monocyte-derived macrophages is unclear. We have now shown, both in vitro and in mice, that serotonin may operate to limit the helminth-induced macrophage response and provide additional insight into the neuron-associated factors that restrict tissue remodeling responses.

Speaker Bio: I am a 5th year PhD candidate in the parasite-immunology lab of Dr. Mark Siracusa, here at NJMS. I study the way in which serotonin and serotonin-signaling regulates macrophage activity in the lung during infection and emphysema. I'm very interested in how the body (sometimes) acts against its own best interests (like in allergic disease and autoimmunity).

2.) "Some (don’t) like it hot: How rising ocean temperatures shift metabolism within the coral holobiont" by Eric Chiles

Abstract: Coral reefs are under threat globally due to anthropogenic climate change. Understanding the relationship between the coral holobiont, the animal host and its algal and bacterial symbionts, is essential for conservation efforts. We used Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) based metabolomics and statistical analysis tools to reveal metabolomic features correlated with prolonged heat stress. Features showing increased levels with prolonged heat stress were annotated based on accurate mass, retention time, and the MS² spectra match to chemically synthesized pure standards. We validated several dipeptides that are significantly enriched during heat stress. This data raised questions regarding the origin of dipeptide enrichment and nitrogen metabolism in the holobiont.

In this talk I will share how we answered some of those questions by designing a controlled time course experiment with stable isotope tracing using nubbins from three species of coral, the heat tolerant Montipora capitata & Porites compressa and the heat sensitive Pocillopora acuta, all of which are endemic to the Hawaiian reef at Kaneohe Bay, Oahu. Additionally, I will also share on how tracing isotope incorporation through a metabolic pathway under different ecological conditions can inform on which host-microbial partner bears the metabolic burden and how that ultimately impacts coral survivorship outcomes under stress.

Speaker Bio: Eric N. Chiles is a 3^rd year Ph.D. Candidate in the Microbial Biology program as well an alumnus from the School of Biological Sciences (SEBS) here at Rutgers University. His dissertation lies at the intersection of how microbial-host interactions are shaped by environmental context in non-model organisms and weaves together numerous scientific disciplines. A particular area of focus is the application of tools developed for biomedical research towards microbial and environmental questions. He has had the honor and pleasure of sharing his work in a number of spaces including meetings of the Metabolomic Society of North America, the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, and the International Coral Reef Society. He has also been recognized for his progress on his dissertation project by being awarded the Goyette Family Scholarship through SEBS. Eric also is an active member of the Rutgers community. He currently serves as the President of the Graduate Student Association, on the SGS DEI Student Advisory Committee, and the NB Diversity Strategic Plan Working Group. He also works as a full-time researcher at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Metabolomics Shared Resource Lab. When he isn’t in lab he can usually be found standing over his stove, patronizing the arts, rabble-rousing for social equity, or outside soaking up some nature.

About Research Cafe

Research Café brings together the entire graduate student community of Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway campus to strengthen scholarly literacy and interdisciplinary research communication by providing a platform for budding researchers to connect, share their in-progress research or scholarship, and benefit from peer feedback in a friendly and low-stakes setting. 

Research Café is a monthly, one-hour event to occur at rotating locations across the Rutgers New Brunswick/Piscataway campus (a Zoom option will be available, too). Each event will feature:

1. Presentations (10-12 min. each) from two graduate students from across disciplinary areas ranging from engineering and biology to history and anthropology.
2. A Q&A dialogue with peers and attendees.
3. Conversational time over refreshments and snacks.

Sign up to attend in person or on Zoom at https://grad.rutgers.edu/research-cafe. 

--- 

Questions? Contact the program coordinators:

Sonal Gahlawat at sg1389@scarletmail.rutgers.edu, Briana Bivens at bb770@grad.rutgers.edu, and Ramazan Güngör at rg835@grad.rutgers.edu.

Event Description

Research Cafe: October 18, 2023

3:00 - 4:00pm

The Hatchery Innovation Studio, Alexander Library

169 College Ave., New Brunswick

Zoom option available.

~Snacks & coffee provided!~

Register to attend in person or on Zoom.

1.) "Lego-Building of Quantum Materials" by Tsung-Chi Wu

Abstract: Physicists and materials scientists are eagerly exploring an emerging field of quantum materials, which has the immense potential to transform technology and revolutionize our understanding of the world. Unlike ordinary materials, quantum materials possess extraordinary properties that defy explanations using conventional scientific theories. Instead, their behavior is governed by the principles of quantum physics, which delve into the fundamental workings of matter. Researchers have made groundbreaking advancements in electronics, energy generation, and quantum computing by gaining a profound understanding of their unique properties. In this talk, I will introduce two captivating types of quantum materials: superconductors and topological insulators. We will explore the fascinating phenomena in these materials and discuss how they contribute to expanding our knowledge of the world and potentially leading to new technologies that can benefit our everyday lives. Additionally, I will take you through creating quantum materials in our lab. Imagine building a Lego house where each brick fits perfectly; similarly, we can connect individual atoms with absolute precision. It is like assembling tiny building blocks on an atomic scale to form these extraordinary materials.

Speaker Bio: Tsung-Chi Wu is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. As an experimental physicist, Tsung-Chi is passionate about creating materials with new properties and functionalities. His research goal is to advance the frontiers of human knowledge and real-world applications with these novel materials. Apart from research, he is dedicated to promoting educational equity through teaching, mentoring, and service.

2.) "Triboelectricity and adhesive tape: studying static electricity using office supplies" by Mary Pat Reiter

Abstract: Triboelectrification, or contact charging, is a form of static electricity resulting from contacting and separating surfaces. The effects of triboelectricity are prevalent in everyday life, nature, and industry, from the occasional shock from removing a wool sweater to volcanic ash lightning to the demixing of pharmaceutical powders. To better understand the mechanisms that cause this notoriously unpredictable phenomenon, we look to a simpler example: peeling tape. Peeling adhesive tape can generate x-ray radiation making it a pivotal development in the study of triboelectrification. We report a new method for observing this phenomenon by using another commonplace item: copier toner. Photocopier toner particles charge positively or negatively when contacting metal, which is yet another everyday example of contact charging. We expose peeled adhesive tape and the substrate from which it was peeled to these charged powders to give us a printed history of the charge patterns present. We demonstrate that the choice of substrate material (e.g., Teflon, acrylic) will produce distinct, but complementary, patterns on the substrate and tape. We present other unique charging patterns found experimentally and support our conclusions with a computational model.

Speaker Bio: Mary Pat Reiter is a 5th year PhD candidate in the Biomedical Engineering department and a Rutgers undergraduate alumna. Her dissertation project focuses on peeling adhesive as a method of investigating static electricity. For her work on this project, she was most notably awarded the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers’ Elmer E. Klaus fellowship (2020) and first place presentation at the Electrostatics Society of America’s Annual Meeting (2023). She enjoys teaching, mentoring undergraduate researchers, and participating in STEM outreach programs and is a former treasurer of the Graduate Student Association and an active member of Rutgers GRADient, the LGBTQIAA+ Graduate Student Organization. She was recently recognized with the Rutgers Dr. Judy B. Plummer S.T.E.A.M. Women’s Empowerment award for her involvement in these areas. Her hobbies outside of academia include learning Galician (a language from Galicia in Northwest Spain), singing, drawing, playing video games, and making useful (and useless) spreadsheets.

About Research Cafe

Research Café brings together the entire graduate student community of Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway campus to strengthen scholarly literacy and interdisciplinary research communication by providing a platform for budding researchers to connect, share their in-progress research or scholarship, and benefit from peer feedback in a friendly and low-stakes setting. 

Research Café is a monthly, one-hour event to occur at rotating locations across the Rutgers New Brunswick/Piscataway campus (a Zoom option will be available, too). Each event will feature:

1. Presentations (10-12 min. each) from two graduate students from across disciplinary areas ranging from engineering and biology to history and anthropology.
2. A Q&A dialogue with peers and attendees.
3. Conversational time over refreshments and snacks.

Sign up to attend in person or on Zoom at https://grad.rutgers.edu/research-cafe. 

--- 

Questions? Contact the program coordinators:

Sonal Gahlawat at sg1389@scarletmail.rutgers.edu, Briana Bivens at bb770@grad.rutgers.edu, and Ramazan Güngör at rg835@grad.rutgers.edu.

Event Description

Research Cafe: September 20, 2023

3:00 - 4:00pm

The Hatchery Innovation Studio, Alexander Library

169 College Ave., New Brunswick

Zoom option available.

~Snacks & coffee provided!~

Register to attend in person or on Zoom.

1.) "The relationship between drug use, sleep quality and quality of life in campus students" by Mehdi Kushkestani

Abstract: Introduction: The prevalence of drug use and poor sleep quality has been on the rise among university students, impacting their overall quality of life. In light of these concerns, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between drug consumption, sleep quality, and quality of life among students residing in the dormitories of Allameh Tabataba’i University. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study involved a randomly selected sample of 240 females and 180 males living in the student dormitories. The participants completed three questionnaires: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality, the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) to evaluate drug use, and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey to measure their quality of life. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: The results revealed a significant negative relationship between the level of quality of life and the use of tobacco (p=0.037) and sedatives (p=0.004) among the students. Additionally, the study found a significant and negative association between students' sleep quality and the consumption of tobacco (p=0.011), sedatives (p=0.001), inhalants (p=0.048), and other drugs (p=0.028). Conclusions: The findings indicate that drug consumption among university students adversely affects sleep quality and overall quality of life, thus impacting the overall community health. Addressing these issues is crucial for promoting a healthier and more productive university environment.

Speaker Bio: Exercise physiologist researcher

2.) "Breaking down teen social media use, mood, and mental health: An individualized approach" by Melissa Dreier

Abstract: Many stakeholders are sounding alarm bells about the relationship between teenage social media use and mental health. Yet research findings on this topic to date are mixed, and emerging research highlights that individual differences are likely at play. My research seeks to understand how adolescents’ mood may be affected by social media use on a daily level and how they use social media (i.e., more or less) in response to their mood. I have also sought to understand these patterns—not just overall—but for individual adolescents over long periods of time, using technologies that monitor social media use behaviors and mood in real time. My findings indicate that most adolescents do not experience changes to mood on daily level when they use/check social media more and they do not alter their behaviors when they are feeling down or blue. Some adolescents do check it more when it brings up positive emotions—highlighting that for some it may be more rewarding. My findings broadly highlight that—on a daily level—social media does not seem to affect adolescents’ mood. However, most adolescents do not self-regulate social media use based on their mood, which could have downstream consequences.

Speaker Bio: Missy is a 3rd year Ph.D. student in Psychology at the School of Arts and Sciences, where she works with Dr. Jessica Hamilton in the Hamilton Lab. Missy’s research broadly seeks to understand why teenagers do things that are not in their own best interest. In graduate school, most of Missy’s research has focused on how adolescents use social media (how long they spend on it and how often they check it) in relation to their mood (i.e., how they feel). Her upcoming dissertation project will seek to understand how adolescents regulate (or cope with/work through) emotions after negative experiences on social media and whether different coping styles predict different mood patterns. Prior to coming to Rutgers, Missy worked for two years as a research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital and completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology, along with minors in Theater and French, at Harvard University.

3.) "Modeling Impulsivity through Negative Urgency By Repurposing Operant Avoidance" by Victoria Stiritz

Abstract: Suicide rates among veterans have climbed notably higher than that of civilians over the past 20 years. Suicidality is complex, with a plethora of factors contributing to its development. Impulsivity has been identified as a risk factor, yet is multifaceted itself. Negative urgency is a dimension of impulsivity that encompasses experiencing strong impulses during negative emotional states. Given that military personnel are subject to periods of prolonged or extreme stress, studying how and why negative urgency may be exacerbated in these circumstances can lead us to new developments to keep our troops and veterans safe. Currently, there are few behavioral paradigms to assess negative urgency in rodents. Our lab has piloted the repurposing of operant lever-press avoidance to measure negative urgency. Briefly, the rodent must learn to press a lever in response to a warning cue to avoid foot-shocks. To examine whether this paradigm can detect impulsivity, a subset of the animals sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), a condition where impulsivity is a commonly reported symptom. Results between contingent and non-contingent paradigms will be compared to assess paradigm efficacy. Ultimately, this study will aid us in understanding behavioral traits that might contribute to the untimely death of veterans.

Speaker Bio: Victoria is a third-year Ph.D. Candidate at the Neurobehavioral Research Laboratory at the East Orange VA Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. Kevin Beck. She is a bona fide Scarlet Knight, graduating from Rutgers-New Brunswick in 2021 as an Honors College and LSAMP Scholar, and now at RBHS-Newark for her graduate training. Her scientific interests lie primarily with military-focused topics, including addiction and neurotrauma. Outside of the lab, Victoria enjoys reading, powerlifting, and over-complicated caffeinated drinks.

About Research Cafe

Research Café brings together the entire graduate student community of Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway campus to strengthen scholarly literacy and interdisciplinary research communication by providing a platform for budding researchers to connect, share their in-progress research or scholarship, and benefit from peer feedback in a friendly and low-stakes setting. 

Research Café is a monthly, one-hour event to occur at rotating locations across the Rutgers New Brunswick/Piscataway campus (a Zoom option will be available, too). Each event will feature:

1. Presentations (10-12 min. each) from two graduate students from across disciplinary areas ranging from engineering and biology to history and anthropology.
2. A Q&A dialogue with peers and attendees.
3. Conversational time over refreshments and snacks.

Sign up to attend in person or on Zoom at https://grad.rutgers.edu/research-cafe. 

--- 

Questions? Contact the program coordinators:

Sonal Gahlawat at sg1389@scarletmail.rutgers.edu, Briana Bivens at bb770@grad.rutgers.edu, and Ramazan Güngör at rg835@grad.rutgers.edu.

Event Description

In this 30 minute session, you’ll learn how to organize your canvas to better tell your research story, optimize space without crowding your figure, and grab your audience’s attention using effective color and contrast with a focus on BioRender.

Event Description

Take your science posters to the next level! Join us for a free workshop on creating better science posters inBioRender.About the session:In this 30 minute webinar, learn actionable tips and techniques fordesigning research posters. You'll also learn how to quickly create individual figures foryour poster, with a focus on the BioRender software.

Event Description

The GradFund Planning Workshop will guide you on identifying merit-based grants and fellowships as a graduate student and building a plan for writing your applications. Please register in advance.

Event Description

The GradFund Planning Workshop will guide you on identifying merit-based grants and fellowships as a graduate student and building a plan for writing your applications. Please register in advance.