Identification of Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome and Nutritional Assessments in African American Young Adults: SHAPE UP KSU ($305K).
Through a research grant, studied health disparities in the prevalence rate of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) among young African American college students attending KSU. Two hundred eighteen females and one hundred fifty eight males first year college students, averaging 19.8 years old, with no prior diagnosis of illness participated in the cross sectional study. Screenings included height, weight, waist circumference, body mass index, percent body fat, blood pressure, fasting lipid and glucose concentrations. Concluded a higher prevalence of MetS in this study population than any other reports on college students.
Trained five undergraduate students in BMI, body fat percent analysis, and observation of clinical studies. All five students mentored received prizes for their research and presentations at various conferences. Seven presentations were made and two research papers were published in peer reviewed international journals in behavioral sciences and clinical sciences, respectively. The study was also cited by the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities (APLU).
Effects of Phytochemicals: Role in Cell Mediated Immunity and their Anti-genotoxic Potential ($285K)
Through this initiative, new research in the field of Functional Food/Nutraceutical Sciences was added to the facility. Four undergraduate students were trained in evaluating protective effects of select flavonoids from fruits and vegetables against free radical damages, using modern molecular biological approaches. All student mentees won awards at the Kentucky Academy of Science's (KAS) annual meeting for their research and presentations. Two research articles were published in peer reviewed international scientific journals.
Spearheaded a USDA-Capacity Building Grant (CBG) funded research project, resulting in establishment of a functional core research facility in the area of Genetic Toxicology at KSU, bringing increased value to the school. Evaluated toxicity among farm workers occupationally exposed to pesticides and changes in blood and other endogenous antioxidation biomarkers. Mentored approximately six undergraduate students in various biomedical fields. Four peer reviewed publications were published in scientific journals of international repute, and a chapter in a book was published. Majority of students participated in regional and national conferences and won prizes for their research and presentations.
The research team, led by Dr. John Flanagan, was involved in using X-ray crystallography in evaluating structure-function relationships of heat shock proteins which play a role in many chronic diseases such as chronic anemia. Learned DNA ligation and cloning techniques, synthesized a number of cloned proteins as well as successfully developed multiple proteins involved in electron transport systems, especially those involved in disease states, which facilitated their shape and function relationships.
Secured a highly competitive scholarship supported by the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), leading to PhD. Developed various rapid and inexpensive techniques for detection