Students selected to present at 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Students selected to present at 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Staff Reports | 04/16/2025

Ten Lipscomb University biology students were selected to present their original research at the 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), held April 7-9 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The prestigious annual event showcases undergraduate scholarship from across the nation and spans all academic disciplines.

Accompanied by three faculty mentors, Amanda Williams, assistant professor of biomolecular science; Josh Owens, assistant professor of biology; and Kyle Brawner, assistant professor of biology; the students joined hundreds of peers from institutions nationwide to present their findings to a national audience of researchers, educators and professionals.

"We are deeply grateful to our biology faculty for their tireless mentorship and commitment to student success," said Dr. Florah Mhlanga, Lipscomb's interim vice provost. "We are incredibly proud of our students. Their hard work, perseverance and academic excellence have led to this remarkable achievement. Being selected to present at NCUR is a significant honor and a testament to the high quality of undergraduate research at Lipscomb."

Students selected to present, along with their faculty mentors and research titles, include:

Under faculty mentor Williams:

• Jafer Aljorani: The Role of Human Alpha Defensin 5 (HD5) in Disrupting Desmoplakin Mediated Epithelial Wound Closure in Crohn's Colitis
• Maryam Gerges: Understanding the Role of HD5 in Colonic Epithelial Cell Death
• Vivi Radiro: Elucidating the Role of HD5 in Colonic Wound Healing
• Kaitlyn Sneed: Investigating the Role of Human Alpha Defensin-5 (HD5) in Impaired Wound Healing and Pathogenesis of Crohn's Colitis: Implications for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Advancements

"I am honored to have the opportunity to accompany my students to NCUR this year," said Williams. "This national platform represents a transformative opportunity for undergraduate researchers to envision themselves as contributing members of the scientific community. These students are all interested in careers in medicine and research, and this experience offers a springboard into those paths."

Under faculty mentor Owens:

• Audrey Birdwell: Exploring Carnitine-Dependent Mechanisms of Valerobetaine in Breast Cancer Migration Inhibition
• Jackson Head and Morgan Martin: A Novel Discovery Platform to Elucidate Novel Microbe-derived Metabolites and their Effects on Fatty-acid Metabolism

Under faculty mentor Brawner:

• Arlo Colvard: Investigating the Interplay between TLR4 Signaling and AHR Activity in Small Intestinal Epithelial Cells: Implications for Necrotizing Enterocolitis
• Josh Asselin: Indole Treatment of C. elegans Rescues Illness Induced by the Opportunistic Pathogen Cronobacter sakazakii
• Gabriella Longoria: Investigating the Potential Ability of the TLR4-NF-κB Axis to Reduce Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Expression in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

"I'm thrilled that my students will be able to present their research at NCUR," said Brawner. "For all of them, this will be their first national conference. All three have grown tremendously as young scientists over the years, and I know they will represent Lipscomb well."

NCUR is an annual event hosted by the Council on Undergraduate Research. Its mission is to promote undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields by providing students with the opportunity to share their work with a broader community, receive feedback from experts and build connections for future academic and professional opportunities.

"This experience allows our students to gain confidence in communicating complex research to the broader community," added Williams. "It is an important part of their professional development-and a reminder of how research at Lipscomb is preparing students for impactful careers."