LSUS students, faculty showcase projects at biomedical research event

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LSUS students, faculty showcase projects at biomedical research event

SHREVEPORT -- LSUS freshman Bhavya Sarda led a cadre of student and faculty researchers from the university at the Biomedical Research and Industry Day (BRAID) in early November.

Sarda placed second in the undergraduate poster category with her research centering around the interactions between serotonin and diamagnetic ions.

With the opening title of "Unlocking the Happiness Neurotransmitter," Sarda teamed up with LSUS science faculty Dr. Jack Baricuatro, Dr. Colton James and Dr. Vonny Salim in the study.

Sarda is a chemistry freshman who is pursuing a concentration in biochemistry.

Forty-three LSUS students and faculty either participated in eight different research projects presented at BRAID or helped plan or judge the event, which was hosted by the LSU Health Shreveport.

Of those eight research projects, three were presented by undergraduate students, four from graduate students and one from faculty.

"The BRAID conference is a great opportunity for our students to hear from biomedical industry leaders about career opportunities and to learn how research leads to discoveries that have widespread medical impact," said Dr. Amanda Lewis, assistant vice chancellor for sponsored research at LSUS. "LSUS is proud to provide transformative research experiences for our students.

"Our faculty work one on one with students and mentor both graduate and undergraduate students. Many of these undergraduate students not only work in our labs but also participate in research programs with our collaborators at LSU Health Shreveport."

Other LSUS research ranged from studying the effects of plant-derived chemotherapeutic drugs to the mental health needs of caregivers to individuals with dementia.

Anti-epileptic drugs took center stage in two of LSUS's research projects, primarily considering their effect on the human body's microbiomes, specifically in the gut.

BRAID is organized by a partnership between LSU Health's Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, the Center for Brain Health, and the Louisiana Addiction Research Center in coordination with LSU Shreveport.

Other university partners include UL Monroe, the Innovation Enterprise at Louisiana Tech, Centenary, and Grambling State.

The goal of the event is to connect student and faculty biomedical researchers with clinicians and other industry experts, fostering an exchange of experiences.