Seminar and Symposium Talks

Seminar & Symposium Talks: Publications

Dr. Elva J. Jones – Historical Figure in STEM

By: A. Lineberger, J.S. Johnston

The presentation that immediately followed the presentation about Dr. Astor Y. Herrell, was a great example, of why I enjoyed my time there at Scholarship day. The presentation was given by 2 exceptional woman that provided excellent details about Dr. Elva J. Jones. The presenters talked about the educational background and how after several years, Dr. Jones returned to Winston-Salem State University. She returned to create the computer science program here at Winston-Salem State University. The reason the presentation was interesting was because of how huge an impact Dr. Jones has had on the university and even more surprising; the fact not many can say they know her or about her. In addition, not only is Dr. Elva Jones a prominent figure at WSSU, she notably amongst the 50 most import African American in technology. Overall, this presentation was one of the best.

Historical Figure STEM – Dr. Astor Y. Herrell

By: B. Edwards, A. Walker, Q. Wooten, Z. Cornelius

As I looked around at the other displays and entered the seminar room, I walked into the best part of Scholarship day in my eyes. It was presentations which involved a historical figure in the STEM area, who has impacted their specific field. In addition, students were asked to not only describe their impact in their field but more importantly their impact to at Winston- Salem State University. The presentation was conducted by three young woman and presented on Dr. Astor Y. Herrell. The students provided facts about Dr. Herrell and his chemistry interest and background. They also provided an even more interesting fact that Dr. Herrell aided in the start of the Chemistry and medical technology programs here at the university. The presentation was very enlightening, as I had never heard about Dr. Herrell before then.

Determining the Effects of Depressant Drugs Via Heart Rate of Age Varied Daphnia

By: S. Bowers, J. Hampton, C. Wade

The final presentation was presented by 3 young woman. Their presentation described the effect depressant drugs have on age varied Daphnia. Daphnia being water fleas, in which have transparent bodies, optimal subjects to observe heart rate. The presentation was very interesting, reason being I learned what a Daphnia was and the role it plays. Simultaneously, I observed the effects of the drugs on the heart beat via microscope in regards to various ages (Adolescent and Mature Daphnia). The presentations were concluded with the discovery that adolescent daphnia heart rates increases and mature daphnia heart rates decreased as concentrations of Xanax increased.

Targeting Specific NAD Proteins in Bacteria to Treat Virus

By: Dr. Booth

Dr. Booth started off his presentation by explaining his interest in proteins and why he chose his path. He talked about his colleague and the fact the he, unfortunately had contracted a flesh eating virus. That’s when Dr. Booth said he focused his research on Nicotinamide adenine (NAD) inhibition to aid in the regression of the virus. NAD is major contributor to protein synthesis in bacteria, however the contribution has led to NAD being targeted for research. With diligence and perseverance Dr. Booth was able to discover a new protein and help his colleague with the treatment of the flesh eating virus.

Eastern Black Walnut Extract as a Stain for the Epithelial and Connective Tissue

By: J. Campbell, K. Boston, et. al.

This study aimed to determine if black walnut pulp extract could be used to stain connective or epithelial tissue. Using WSSU own black walnut population used the pulp and created a supernatant via high speed centrifuge. The stain was applied to various tissue and unsurprisingly the tissue had successfully been stained. The stain provided as much contrast as many other stain like Hematoxylin and eosin. The presentation was conducted very well as the presenter calmly and concisely expressed his data. He concluded his presentation by reiterating that the black walnut stain could successfully be used for staining of epithelial and connective tissue.