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The University of Texas at Tyler Announces 2017 Lyceum Student Research Showcase Winners

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April 19, 2017

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Students at The University of Texas at Tyler were recognized for outstanding research at the 2017 Lyceum Student Research Showcase.

More than 50 undergraduate and graduate-level students representing 20 departments within five colleges participated. In its second year, the Lyceum is sponsored by The University of Texas at Tyler Honors Program and Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Student winners were each awarded a cash prize in the amount of $75. In addition, Dr. Mena Souliman, assistant professor of civil engineering, was named 2017 Lyceum "Outstanding Faculty Mentor."

Awardees are listed by category with research title and faculty mentor.

Outstanding Graduate Student Posters:

• Conner Benson of Arp, "Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Diaphragm Muscle Precedes the Cachectic Phenotype in LLC Tumor-Bearing Mice," Dr. Michael Wiggs, assistant professor of health and kinesiology.

• Kevin Tokoph of Tyler, "Evaluation of the Physical and Nutrient Properties of Human Breast Milk," Dr. Jimi Francis, assistant professor of health and kinesiology.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Posters:

• Andrea Hernandez Irias of Tyler, "Enzyme Folding Catalytic Activity of Enzyme Cargos in Virus like Particles Nanoreactors," Dr. Dustin Patterson, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

• Christy Hjorth of Diana, "Cloning and Expression of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Elastase in E. coli for Examining Inflammatory Response of Lung Tissue," Patterson.

• Joey Luiso of Tyler, "Phylogeography of Symbiotic Fungi Grown by Sympatric Fungus Gardening Ant Species," Dr. Jon Seal, assistant professor of biology.

• Emily M.R. Marshall of Diamondhead, Mississippi, "Functional Characterization STOX2A in Zebrafish," Dr. Brent Bill, assistant professor of biology.

• Divya Srinivasan of Court Spring, "Concurrent Vs. Terminal Feedback within VO2Max," Dr. Scott Spier, associate professor of health and kinesiology.

Outstanding Graduate Student Presentation:

• Joanna Kathryn Gifford of Tyler, "Experiencing Human, Bridge: Compassion," James Pace, professor of art.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Presentations:

• Sydney Bertino of Tyler, "Early Pavans for the Harp: A Harmonic and Historical Comparison," Dr. Kyle Gullings, assistant professor of music.

• Samuel Cook of Flint, "The Geography of Modern War: A Study of the Drone and International Politics," Matthew Reisener, assistant director of forensics.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at The University of Texas at Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 10,000 high-ability students. The University of Texas at Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.