Neurobiological Markers of Language and Literacy in Bilingual Children

CO-INVESTIGATOR: Alisa Baron, University of Rhode Island MENTOR Nicole Landi University of Connecticut CO-INVESTIGATOR: Vanessa Harwood, University of Rhode Island MENTOR Susan Brady, University of Rhode Island THEME: Neuroscience ABSTRACT: The goals of the proposed project are to employ neuroimaging techniques and a broad set of language and literacy measures to investigate literacy development for bilingual, […]

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Mechanisms of actin-dependent regulation of nuclear pores in postmitotic neurons

INVESTIGATOR: Claudia Fallini, University of Rhode Island MENTOR: William Van Nostrand, University of Rhode Island SCIENTIFIC THEME: Neuroscience ABSTRACT: A detailed insight into the molecular defects leading to neuronal death in ALS/FTD is still missing, hindering the development of a cure. Defects in the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT) have been proposed to […]

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The Toxicology of Microplastics Pollution on Rhode Island Coastal Food Webs

INVESTIGATOR: Koty Sharp, Roger Williams University MENTOR: David Rowley, University of Rhode Island THEME: Environmental Health Science ABSTRACT: Microplastics particles (<5 mm) are entering the oceans at 5-12 million metric tons annually. Microplastics are small enough to be eaten by filter-feeding organisms, including plankton that are consumed by commercially important fish and seafood species. Recent studies […]

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Role of Flagellin Methylation in Salmonella-Plant and Host Interactions

INVESTIGATOR: Anne Reid, Salve Reginal University MENTOR: David Nelson, University of Rhode Island THEME: Environmental Health Science ABSTRACT: Over 1 million cases of salmonellosis occur annually in the US, with outbreaks increasingly linked to fruits and vegetables. The role of flagellin methylation in S. enterica is unknown, but hydrophobic interactions, which would be favored by lysine […]

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Mechanisms Promoting a Stable Melanocyte Phenotype in Zebrafish Larval Stripes

INVESTIGATOR: Larissa Patterson, Rhode Island College MENTOR: Eleana Oancea, Brown University THEME: Cancer ABSTRACT: Melanoma is by far the deadliest form of skin cancer since it is the most like to metastasize and spread to other regions of the body. Once melanoma begins to spread, the prognosis is poor. Melanocytes, the cells that are transformed in […]

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Identifying Molecular Pathways of Longevity to Delay Models of Neurodegeneration

INVESTIGATOR: Christopher Burtner, Roger Williams University MENTOR: Matt Kaeberlein, University of Washington THEME: Neuroscience ABSTRACT: The prevalence of chronic disease states, such as neurodegeneration, cancer, vascular disease, and metabolic syndrome, rises precipitously in aged populations of humans. The purpose of the proposed research is to obtain a global understanding of genetic factors that extend life span […]

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Neural Circuit Regulation of Physiology During Stress Response

INVESTIGATOR: Belinda Barbagallo, Salve Regina University MENTOR: Paul Garrity, Brandise University THEME: Neuroscience ABSTRACT: Throughout life, all organisms are challenged by environmental stressors, highlighting the importance of homeostatic mechanisms for survival. Many studies have shown that neural circuits play a critical role in counteracting the effects of environmental stress by modulating physiology, though the mechanisms underlying […]

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Copper Cysteamine Nanoparticles: Radiation Enhancement and Novel Uses

INVESTIGATOR: Michael Antosh, University of Rhode Island MENTOR: Wei Chen, University of Texas Arlington THEME: Cancer ABSTRACT: Copper-cysteamine nanoparticles are a recently discovered method for enhancing the effect of radiation therapy. When irradiated, these nanoparticles fluoresce and release reactive oxygen species that can cause extra damage to tumors. The extra damage to tumors allows for less […]

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A Link to Melanoma: Discovering the Role of Pol Theta in UV Damage Repair

INVESTIGATOR: Jamie Towle-Weicksel, Rhode Island College COLLABORATIVE MENTOR: Sarah Delaney, Brown University THEME: Cancer ABSTRACT: Skin exposed to UV light is one of the major contributing factors for developing melanoma. It is hypothesized that cancer begins at the DNA level through genomic instability as UV light distorts the DNA bases and disrupts DNA replication and transcription. This […]

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