
Jessica P. Danh, a nutrition Ph.D. student, took first place in the sixth annual Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions Graduate Research Conference held virtually April 12.

Jessica Danh
Dahn’s research was titled “Characterization and Uptake of Strawberry-derived Exosome-like Nanovesicles by Human Aortic Endothelial Cells.”
Jasmynne Blacks, nutrition master’s student, and Hannah Land Lail, nutrition Ph.D. student, tied for second place. Blacks tied for first place in the 2020 Lewis College Research Conference. Her 2021 research explored “Raspberry Consumption Attenuates Angiotensin II-induced Oxidative Stress in the Subfornical Organ in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats.” Lail examined the characterization of fibroblast growth factor 21 in a neuroblastoma cell line.
A doctor of physical therapy student team consisting of Tyra Holliday, Chelsea Lee and Merin Mathew took fourth place (honorable mention) with their research on the effects of texting and music on walking.
Another team of doctor of physical therapy students, Kylie Aiken, Javan Francis and DeAndra Shields, took the People’s Choice Award, voted on by the college faculty, staff and student attendees. This team examined modulating walking speed changes knee loading magnitude between-limb loading asymmetry following ACL reconstruction.
More than 30 research projects with more than 58 students participated in the conference, which is an annual showcase for graduate students from the six college units to present their scholarly work. Graduate students work with faculty and students from different disciplines to conduct the research and practice their presentation skills. Several previous participants have presented research at national professional conferences.

Left to right: Jasmynne Blacks, Hannah Lail, Tyra Holliday, Chelsea Lee and Merin Mathew

Left to right: Kylie Aiken, Javan Francis and DeAndra Shields