Meet Our Scholars

The OSU Beckman Scholars Program selects two undergraduate Beckman Scholars each year from 2023-2025 to embark on a prestigious 15-month, mentored research experience. Scholars receive $21,000 in stipend and research support.

2023 - 2024

Adriahna Blackburn and Nina Parvin will conduct exciting research with faculty mentors and engage in leadership development from June 2023 to August 2024.

Read the full Scholar announcement.

Adriahna Blackburn

Adriahna Blackburn is a rising sophomore majoring in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics with a Pre-Med concentration from Nardin, OK. Adriahna’s mentor is Dr. Matt Cabeen (Microbiology and Molecular Genetics).

Learn more about Adriahna!
Adriahna started her research journey in high school and selected OSU for the many research opportunities for students. Adriahna looks forward to growing as a leader and researcher through the Beckman Scholars Program. Her project “Assessing the molecular roles of XerC and PrtR in non-canonical pyocin production in P. aeruginosa” aims to understand the mechanism of non-canonical pyocin production by strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are used to kill different strains of the same species. Beyond research, Adriahna is the Volunteer Chair for the Asian American Student Association and a Coordinator for Operation Catnip Stillwater.
Project Abstract
R-type pyocins are nano “spear guns” present on Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are used to kill different strains of the bacteria. Standardly, pyocin production is a result of DNA damage, but can also be induced by xerC mutants of strain PA14. We first ask if other laboratory strains of P. aeruginosa (PAO1, FRD1) and clinical strains express and produce R-type pyocins after the xerC gene is deleted. Answering this involves deletion of the XerC gene and testing for pyocin production and inserting luminescent transcriptional reporters for the pyocin gene to test expression. Our second question asks what mechanisms of expression and production of pyocin are regulated by PrtR? This is approached by testing strains with deleted prtR from a point mutation, complementing the strains with plasmid-borne prtR genes, and building strains with epitope-tagged PrtR. Through this project we will learn more about the interactions of xerC and pyocin expression and production in laboratory and clinical strains of P. aeruginosa and acquire more knowledge about the complex role of PrtR in pyocin expression and production.

Student scholarship recipient

Nina Parvin

Nina Parvin is a rising junior majoring in Physics and Mechanical Engineering from Beggs, OK. Nina's mentor is Dr. Mario Borunda (Physics).

Learn more about Nina!
Nina is excited to begin her research journey as an OSU Beckman Scholar. She looks forward to expanding her knowledge of material science through research and learning from her mentor and fellow team members. Through her project “Understanding the radiation tolerance of perovskite materials to increase their stability,” Nina will perform density functional theory calculations to rate the materials' properties, such as the energy needed from radiation to damage them and the stability of defects near water molecules. Outside of research, Nina is active in the Society of Women Engineers, is a club representative for Transitioning Equity and Diversity into Engineering (TEDE) and enjoys painting and dog training.
Project Abstract
A critical issue with perovskite solar cells is that they are unstable when exposed to oxygen, water, or UV light. The perovskite structure is soft and degrades. Surprisingly, these materials are tolerant to the radiation experienced in space. Before the solar cells leave the atmosphere, they must survive moisture while waiting for the rocket launch. It has been shown that introducing hydrophobic organic molecules as spacers between the perovskite structures increases their resistance to moisture. Only a limited number of spacers have been used. In this research project, the Beckman Scholar will explore in silico the radiation hardness of perovskite materials and then design organic molecule motifs to improve their stability.

Student scholarship recipient

2024 - 2025

Oklahoma State University College of Arts and Sciences students Sarah Brown and Irving Miguel have been named Beckman Scholars for the 2024-25 school year.

Read the full scholar announcement.

Sarah Brown

Brown is a zoology senior from Boise City, Oklahoma. Under the guidance of her mentor, Dr. Jennifer Grindstaff, Brown will research the impacts of climate on the microbiome of house sparrows.

Learn More About Sarah

Sarah said being selected for the program will help her prepare for her future with a deeper understanding of research processes. "OSU is fostering my love for learning and opening doors for experiences that will prepare me for my future,” Brown said. “I am looking forward to having an environment full of support and learning, especially in my passions and goals. This research is so important to me, as well as the community, because protecting our natural world benefits us all."
Abstract

The house sparrow, Passer domesticus, is a model bird species that resides across the United States. There is, however, variation in phenotype expression between the warmer and cooler climates, most prominently in body mass. Using the house sparrow, we are investigating how the gut microbiota influences body mass between differing temperatures. We are taking fecal and cloacal samples on house sparrow nestlings in the northern and southern United States. Using those samples, we will compare differences in gut bacteria and body mass. We believe that we will find that house sparrows living in cooler climates have gut microbiota that produce more shortchain fatty acids without increasing food consumption, and this allows them to attain heavier body masses, as found in a similar study of house mice (Suzuki et al. 2020). Understanding how the gut microbiota differs between warmer and cooler climates is essential to understanding how species will adapt to ongoing climate change, as well as understanding the role the microbiome plays in plasticity.

Sarah Brown headshot

Irving Miguel

Miguel — a physiology senior with a pre-med concentration from Tulsa — will be working with his mentor Dr. Marianna Patrauchan to further societal understanding of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Learn More About Irving

“My education at OSU will help me advance to achieve the goal of becoming an M.D. or Ph.D.,” Miguel said. “I am looking forward to working alongside my mentor to become a better researcher. This program has given me the opportunity to fully dedicate my time to working on research and focus on my undergraduate studies.”
Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen targeting vulnerable individuals, specifically those with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a genetic disease, leading to thicker mucus and elevated calcium levels within the airways. Elevated host calcium levels are thought to affect the regulation of gene expression in P. aeruginosa, including production of virulence factors that could increase pathogen survival. To better understand host-pathogen interactions in CF patients and associated molecular mechanisms, CuFi-5 cells will be used as host epithelial cells. Data from whole genome dual-RNA sequencing will be analyzed to determine upregulation or downregulation of genes during infection. RT-qPCR will be utilized to compare the regulation of target genes to housekeeping genes to validate RNA sequencing results. To further understand the role these genes have during infection, we will use Gateway cloning to create deletion mutants. Infection at high and low calcium will be tested for mutants alongside wild type PAO1. This will provide a greater insight on the role of calcium during Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and genes with significant roles could be targeted for potential treatments.

Irving Miguel headshot

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