BURST Fall Research Recap Inside this Issue ◆ COVID-19Vaccine Trials:
◆ Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine: Dr. El Sahly ◆ Goldwater Scholars ◆ Research During a Pandemic ◆ BURST Members and Alumni ◆ Industry Research Q&A ◆ Research Ethics ◆ Diversity in Research ◆ Internship Deadlines Baylor Barr Lab
A Note from the Editors
Baylor Barr Lab
We sincerely hope you enjoy this year’s Fall Research Recap, brought to you by Baylor Undergraduate Research in Science and Technology (BURST). We hope that this publication will spark scientific curiosity and encourage students to combat emerging issues through research and innovation. This publication features an interview with BCM’s Dr. El Sahly discussing the Moderna COVID vaccine, amongst other captivating articles. We strive to highlight the importance of research, and encourage interested students to explore the opportunities offered at Baylor and beyond!
Race for a COVID Vaccine: An Interview with Dr. Hana El Sahly Moderna mRNA Vaccine The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed our vulnerability to pathogens. Since the invention of antibiotics, we took great strides in finding cures for common diseases that used to claim many lives. However, this pandemic has revealed that we cannot be complacent. The world was caught unprepared even though history has shown that pathogens are capable of exacting a heavy toll on mankind. Though social distancing and proper hygiene slow the spread of the virus, a vaccine is the only way to ebb the relentless spread of COVID-19 in the long run. Due to the severity of the pandemic, vaccine development is progressing at a high speed, with 50 vaccines currently being tested in clinical trials on humans as of November 3rd, according to the New York Times. One of the frontrunners in the race for a vaccine is an mRNA vaccine (mRNA-1273) being developed by Moderna, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health. We interviewed Dr. Hana M. El Sahly, the principal investigator of the NIAID-funded Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium site at Baylor College of Medicine and a co-principal investigator for the Phase 3 trial of the Moderna mRNA vaccine. The mRNA vaccine being developed by Moderna is unique as it differs greatly from traditional vaccines. Traditional vaccines inject inactivated whole viruses (or their whole proteins) into the body to trigger an immune response. Traditional vaccines thus take a while 2
to develop as the virus must be grown and inactivated in a specific manner. mRNA vaccines, on the other hand, inject snippets of viral mRNA into the body. Once inside the cells of the body, the mRNA is used to make proteins (in this case, SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins). These spike proteins, though harmless on their own, cause an immune response through the production of antibodies. mRNA vaccines thus take less time to develop as the step of inactivation is bypassed. Moderna’s mRNA vaccine has already undergone Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials, and is currently in Phase 3. In October, Moderna announced that they had finished recruiting all 30,000 participants for the Phase 3 clinical trials. The goal of Phase 3 is to test the efficacy of the product in the general population, and this is the last trial before the approval stage.
Dr. Hana El Sahly
Vaccine Concerns There is some concern about the safety of an mRNA vaccine, as an mRNA vaccine has never before been approved for human use. Dr. El Sahly stated that “in animal studies the messenger RNA didn’t seem to have problems or adverse events that would preclude its development and this data is now being generated in humans [in the Phase 3 trials] so we can answer the same question-whether it has any adverse events that that might preclude its wide use.” The current projected completion date for the Phase 3 trial of the Moderna vaccine is October 27, 2022. It should be noted that this pace is very accelerated in comparison to most vaccines, which typically take a decade or more to develop. Many even hope a vaccine could be ready by the end of 2020 or in early 2021. According to Dr. El Sahly, it is difficult to predict a definite date, but from “the leadership to the recruiters, [everyone] participating in the trial is working at optimal speed while maintaining quality of data.” The pace of data collection also depends on the number of COVID-19 cases, as an outbreak would allow for more data collection. An additional point of concern is the rate of mutation of the COVID-19 virus, and whether a seasonal vaccine will be needed in the near future. At this point, “it doesn’t seem that the mutations are significant enough to make a totally divergent strain,” per Dr. El Sahly. However, Dr. El Sahly did caution that research on COVID is in the early stages, so this statement is not definitive. Additionally, it is unclear how long COVID-19 immunity will last. Dr. El Sahly clarified that “we are seeing that the antibodies trend down [over time]…but there are certain infectious diseases where upon exposure even low levels of antibodies are enough to prevent significant disease. Whether COVID-19 is
going to be one of those diseases that behave like that we do not know yet.” At this stage, there is much we do not know about the nature of the virus, but hopefully more will be elucidated through continued research as well as vaccine development. In conclusion, it is evident that a vaccine is needed to curb the spread of infection, but which vaccine will succeed as well as when it will be ready is unclear. While many tout the possibility of herd immunity, Dr. El Sahly cautions that it “will come at a really unacceptable price” in terms of lives lost, so an effective vaccine is the only practical solution to eradicate COVID-19.
Long Term Implications
The pandemic has served to emphasize the need to invest in infectious disease research. Dr. El Sahly highlighted the importance of research in this field by pointing out that we were able to benefit in this pandemic from past research on SARS. She hopes that COVID-19 awareness “brings new energy and young talent” to the field of infectious disease research. For now, we must each do what we can to decrease the spread of the virus until a vaccine becomes available. While researchers work hard to do their part to develop a vaccine, we must do ours by taking precautions and protecting the vulnerable in our population. REFERENCES
[1] Akpan, N. (2020, July 28). Moderna’s mRNA vaccine reaches its final phase. Here’s how it works. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/05/moderna-coronavirus-vaccine-how-it-works-cvd/. [2] Corum, J., Wee, S.-lee, & Zimmer, C. (2020, June 10). Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.html. [3] McKeever, A. (2020, October 30). Dozens of COVID-19 vaccines are in development. Here are the ones to follow. National Geographic. https://www. nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-diseases/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-how-they-work-latest-developments-cvd/. [4] A Study to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of mRNA-1273 Vaccine in Adults Aged 18 Years and Older to Prevent COVID-19. (2020, October). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04470427. [5] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020, July 27). Phase 3 clinical trial of investigational vaccine for COVID-19 begins. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/phase-3-clinical-trial-investigational-vaccine-covid-19-begins.
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Baylor 2020 Goldwater Scholars Andrew Munoz
This past year, Andrew Munoz, a senior biology major from Seattle, was awarded the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater scholarship. As a transfer student from George Fox University, Munoz’s winning of the Goldwater serves as an encouraging reminder that anyone can get involved in research, regardless of whether or not they are a traditional student. Munoz began his research journey in the summer of 2018 when he took part in a summer research program at Johns Hopkins University. At Johns Hopkins, Munoz investigated ‘metamorphic proteins,’ which are capable of changing their own 3D conformations. The following summer, Munoz attended a summer
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research program at Boston University where he studied transcription factors implicated in various diseases. It was during a seminar at this program where he first heard about the Goldwater and became interested in applying. Regardless of whether a student receives the scholarship or not, completing the Goldwater application itself should be considered a significant achievement, Munoz says. The Research Essay, the most important part of the Goldwater application, is a true test of how passionate and articulate a student is about their research. For Munoz’s Research Essay, he focused on the previous work he conducted on metamorphic proteins at Johns Hopkins. At Baylor, Munoz is working at the Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) Lab under Dr. Elisabeth Vichaya to better understand the mechanisms of cancer-related fatigue. After graduation, Munoz plans to pursue an MD/PhD and conduct cancer immunotherapy research. Through his work at various institutions, Munoz believes he was able to garner valuable scientific skills that helped him become a better scientist. Being awarded the Goldwater will support Munoz in his career goals when applying to graduate schools, as it demonstrates maturity and the admirable ability to take ownership of one’s research.
Emily Schultz In April 2020, senior biology major Emily Schultz was named a winner of the prestigious Barry Goldwater scholarship for her potential in STEM research. Schultz arrived at Baylor with no previous research experience but found her beginnings through SEA-PHAGES, a freshmen research-based biology course centered around the study of particular viruses called Arthrobacter phages. This course, taught by Dr. Tamarah Adair, sparked Schultz’s curiosity about virology. After a summer research internship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying the Hemagglutinin envelope protein of Swine Influenza A, Schultz joined Dr. Kelli Barr’s Tropical Disease Biology Lab as a sophomore here at Baylor. Her current work explores the correlation between having antibodies for vector-borne viruses, like Yellow Fever Virus, and embryonic resistance to other genetically similar arboviruses such as Zika Virus. Schultz recognizes the lack of funding for virology research that primarily impacts middle and low-income countries. She hopes her research sheds more light on the health impacts these viruses have on citizens in these countries, specifically South and Latin America. Schultz heard about the Goldwater scholarship through the Ampersand Society, a community of high-achieving students who are mentored and supported throughout their undergraduate careers by the Office of Engaged Learning. Becoming involved in research early in her undergraduate career, Schultz soon realized her aspirations to attend graduate school in order to pursue a career in research.
Working with Dr. Barr and applying for the scholarship itself helped Schultz realize her passion for graduate school as opposed to her earlier aspirations for the medical field. Since arriving at Baylor, she has accumulated a range of skills from wet-lab techniques, such as cell culture and immunofluorescence, to communication and writing skills, through presenting at international conferences and publishing articles on her research. Schultz believes earning the Goldwater scholarship has made her more confident in her academic goals and she hopes all students consider partaking in a research experience while at Baylor.
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Research During a Pandemic Research Projects During the summer of 2020, senior Angelo Wong worked as an undergraduate research assistant here at Baylor, continuing his research in Dr. Kebaara’s Biology Lab. In light of developments concerning COVID-19, Wong notes that quarantine and fast-changing lab protocols made conducting research this year very different. Fortunately, Wong was able to continue performing research in-person as a lab member whose primary role involved handling biological cultures. The specific project that Wong is researching is one that he has worked on since his freshman year: measuring mRNA expression rates in yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to see how the expression of genes that encode metallic proteins changes in toxic metal environments. Specifically, Wong investigates how yeast cells function in high copper environments in order to better understand the degree of change in expression and how the cells react to new stimuli. Wong first got involved in Dr. Kebaara’s lab when he discovered the opportunity through BURST. Wong has been conducting research every semester and summer for the past three years and has gotten the opportunity to work on different projects each year. He has been able to explore new passions and learn how various research types translate to his current project.
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A Day in the Life A typical day in the lab during COVID-19 varies by protocol but consists of working with a series of extensive procedures involving growing and harvesting yeast cells, extracting RNA, probing Northern Blots with radioactive labels, and viewing their expressions under fluorescence machines to identify and compare different strains in varying environments. The duration of these experiments ranges from 2 to 12 hours. Wong notes that each day presents new challenges. After examining the results, lab members have to decide whether certain protocols are to be altered in order to obtain more satisfactory results. While this year has certainly brought unforeseen changes in how research has been conducted, Wong remains optimistic and urges undergraduates to consider research as a way to explore their personal interests.
Advice and Thoughts Wong describes his research experience in the Kebaara lab as both personally and academically rewarding. A tip that he has for undergraduates who wish to acquire research experience is to get out of their comfort zones and associate with professors whose specific research interests they find genuinely appealing. Wong remarks that through research he is able to better understand the way the world works, while simultaneously finding intrinsic value in having the opportunity to share his research with others.
Interested in Publishing? Scientia is Baylor University’s Undergraduate Research Journal of Science and Technology. We accept submissions from research in all STEM disciplines conducted by Baylor undergraduates both on and off campus. This includes Original Research Articles, Review Articles, and Abstracts. The Submission Portal for Scientia 2021 is NOW OPEN. The Deadline for Submissions is December 31st, 2020. Check out the Guidelines and Submission Portal using the QR code or visit our website at: www.baylorscientia.org
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BURST Members and Alumni About BURST BURST is the student organization for Baylor undergraduates interested in scientific research. If you are interested in various areas of science or want to get involved in research on or off campus, you have found the right place! BURST provides opportunities for students to optimize their undergraduate research experiences through peer-led journal clubs on research articles; tours of labs allowing members to visualize research techniques; workshops on internships, grants, and getting involved in research; and seminars by experts from Baylor and beyond. Members who join a lab and conduct research are encouraged to publish their work and attend conferences where they can present their findings to the scientific community. BURST annually produces Scientia, the Baylor Undergraduate Research Journal of Science & Technology, and our members work as editors to assist student authors through the publication process. In the fall, we host Research & Internship Day, where students present research, attend breakout sessions featuring internship programs, and hear from a distinguished keynote speaker. In the spring, we work closely with URSA during Scholars Week, Baylor’s annual research showcase. Visit www.baylor.edu/BURST to learn more!
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BURST Testimonials “BURST has given me a community of fellow students who love research just as much as I do! I have met some of my mentors through BURST and have so many good memories.” –Jasmine Hartman Budnik ’23, Neuroscience Major, Pre-Med Track, 2nd year BURST Member “Throughout the past years, BURST continually pushes me to pursue my passions in both research and medicine. Whether it be through the variety of journal clubs or the different speakers, BURST is an organization that fosters a sense of community while pushing its members to learn more about the different fields in science.” –Sher Isada ’22, University Scholar, Pre-Med Track, 3rd year BURST Member “BURST has given me access to professors and presentations that I would never have encountered outside of the organization. Thanks to BURST I’ve developed professional skills, engaged in stimulating conversations, and gained some lifelong friends!” –Justin Pressley ’21, Biology Major, Pre-Grad Track, 2nd year BURST Member “BURST was the only organization that allowed me to pursue my joint passions of research and medicine. Through the wonderful community I encountered, the option to work in actual labs, and communication with professional researchers, BURST helped me meet wonderful people and really achieve academic success during my time at Baylor.” – Joshua Baker ’20, Current Texas Medical Student, Former BURST President
“BURST really serves as a unique opportunity. Administration can get word out to students for summer research opportunities and conferences, call for papers. It is a conduit in order to get these important opportunities, so they know what actually is out there. I would give all students, but especially freshman, the advice to try to have at least one experience in research before you graduate just so that you can know whether or not research is for you.” –Dr. Taylor Kohn ’13, BURST Founder & First President, Goldwater & Fulbright Recipient
Interested in Getting Involved in Research? Step 1: Decide what area of research you
are passionate about. Baylor offers research opportunities in many fields, from classics to biochemistry. Step 2: Navigate the various Baylor websites to find faculty whose research interests you. Don’t hesitate to speak to Baylor students currently in a lab you are looking into. BURST also offers a great database to find faculty members as well as student researchers on our website.
Upcoming BURST Events Heart of Texas Undergraduate Research Conference (HoT): In March 2021, BURST plans to host Baylor’s first intercollegiate research conference with undergraduates in central Texas. HoT will be an opportunity for students to connect with fellow researchers, communicate and defend their work, gain feedback on presentation skills, and learn about exciting research outside of their university. Our mission is to showcase interdisciplinary undergraduate research across central Texas and promote Baylor’s visibility as a preeminent research university.
Step 3: Read the research published by the Baylor faculty member that interests you, and send them an email expressing your interest. Don’t worry if the first faculty member you contact doesn’t work out— keep trying! The Office of Undergraduate Research is a great resource to navigate research opportunities at Baylor and beyond. You can learn more on their website here:
Conference of STEM Undergraduate Research Journals (CSURJ): In March 2021, BURST will host student representatives of research journals from various Texas universities in order to exchange ideas to improve collegiate journals, promote collaboration between the universities, and produce a CSURJ Annual Journal showcasing the top articles from each university journal.
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Industry Research Q&A Dr. Austin Elam
began graduate school in the Biophysics and Structural Biology program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in the lab of Dr. Vincent J. Hilser. He earned his PhD from Johns Hopkins, where his research focused on characterizing the unfolded state of proteins that aggregate in different neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Elam then completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Yale, studying the biophysical regulation of proteins that bind to actin filaments and cut them. Currently, Dr. Elam works as a research scientist in industry. His research goals focus on creating small molecules that destroy target proteins, primarily upregulated proteins driving cancers. Below is a Q&A with Dr. Elam about his career in industry research. If you would like to reach out to Dr. Elam with any questions, his Linkedin is: linkedin.com/in/william-austin-elam-53527212
What are the differences between industry research and academia, and are there any obstacles unique to industry research? The main differences between industry and academia are the goals and the resources. One advantage of academic research is that you have the freedom to ask your own questions, set your own goals, and control how you pursue them. One may have the freedom to explore more mechanistic questions, asking on a deeper level “how� a process works. In industry, you’re often assigned to tasks established by leadership in the company and the goal is, generally speaking, to progress towards a drug candidate or come to a clear decision point where the project can end. The project timelines in industry are often very aggressive. Questions may arise in a project that are scientifically interesting, but if they are not critical to move the project forward, sometimes they cannot be answered. Regarding resources, both academic and industrial research face this constraint, though the scale of the resources is much different and the pressures are different. In academic research, your ideas must be acceptable, relevant, and logical to receive funding to pursue your research and keep your lab open. In industry, you must convince investors that you have a reasonable chance to create a product so that they will realize a return on their investment. If your company is successful, the scale of resources available to scientists in industry can be very impressive. One of the largest obstacles of industry is the necessity to end projects. The final decision to end a research project is often made by the executive leadership, and can occur without input from scientists. It can happen for non-scientific reasons that are outside of your control such as changes in the competitive landscape of your target. This is just a lesson in adaptability which many of us have to overcome. 10
What personality qualities are needed in industry research? To be successful in industry, it is essential to know how to work well in a team. This is very different from what many of us experience in academia. In graduate and postdoctoral research, there’s an emphasis on individual learning and accomplishments. Personally, my graduate and postdoctoral labs were collaborative environments, but unfortunately this is not the case for many trainees. In industry everything is done as a team, which increases speed and efficiency. You must have strong communication skills, management skills, and an ability to adapt in order to do well.
What advice would you give to students who are interested in pursuing industry research for the first time? I recommend that students interested in pursuing a career in industry begin by seeking independent research in academia to gain experience. If possible, try working in labs which are more applied research based or where the PI has connections with a company that they can connect you with. When looking for summer opportunities, try finding industrial internships. Most companies value individuals with industry research experience over those with comparable years of academic experience. It’s not a bias that I necessarily agree with, but I have observed this once or twice. Remember the importance of professional networking connections. Most people are willing to help if you reach out to them. One idea for building your professional network is to connect with representatives from companies such as BioRad, ThermoFischer, etc. that service labs you may work in. When choosing a company for an internship or for long term employment, make sure to ask questions about the type of work that you will be doing, as roles with the same job title can vary widely in what you’re actually responsible for. Don’t be afraid to apply to work in areas that you aren’t currently working in. Motivation is key and it is important to put yourself out there to look for new opportunities.
Would you say that earning a PhD is advantageous in today’s job market? Yes, pursuing a PhD in today’s job market is definitely an advantage. Graduate education and training will change the way you think. No specific field is necessarily better than another. Our teams in industry are truly multidisciplinary, so people from all fields are needed. The biotech and pharma industry is booming, and there are many opportunities out there. Whether or not a PhD is worth it for industry can really depend on a specific company’s culture. I think it is becoming more common that there seems to be less of a job “ceiling” if you don’t have a PhD. Real experience can be more valuable than formal training. However, different project roles, particularly leadership roles, are easier for those with PhDs to access. If you are able to participate in independent research at the undergraduate level and you really enjoy it, I highly recommend that you consider a Master’s degree or a PhD. Getting my PhD was one of the best professional decisions I ever made. 11
Research Ethics: Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests Intro:
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing (sometimes referred to as DTC tests) are genetic tests that are sent straight to a consumer without an intermediary health care provider. These tests, such as the ones sold by 23andMe and Ancestry.com, often assure consumers of a clear health report that can provide predictive medical insight from a saliva sample. While DTC tests are highly accessible to the general public, they are still a developing branch of science and, unsurprisingly, have many pros and cons.
Pros:
With just a few clicks, a consumer can spend around 200 dollars to order a DTC test, depending on the complexity of the test. This tends to be much more financially appealing than a genetic test ordered through a physician. Apart from short turnaround times, DTC tests are non-invasive and can easily be done by anyone. Advocates for at-home testing argue that DTC tests allow many people to have access to meaningful health information they wouldn’t have otherwise. If a patient becomes aware of a condition they have through a DTC test, it may help the patient start a conversation with their provider about looking for symptoms and proactively changing their lifestyle to avoid health risks.
Cons:
A DTC test analysis looks for certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are common markers for diseases. SNPs are single mutations that are recurrent in the genome for a particular disease. An example would be a DTC test that closely examines tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, where variations commonly correspond to breast cancer or ovarian cancer. The problem is that DTCs cannot definitively tell consumers whether or not they will get a particular disease: an FDA approved 23andMe DTC test looking for three SNPs in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes does not always signify a pathogenic variant and can miss 80% of people with some of the 5,000 SNPs that signify a real risk of breast cancer. The effects of a test being only possibly correct are detrimental. An individual at risk for a disease is less likely to recognize symptoms if they’ve been told they tested “negative” on a corresponding DTC test and thus have a false sense of security. On the other hand, a “positive” genetic test can cause unnecessary stress regarding personal health and disease treatment. Most of these genetic tests are not supported by enough facts to qualify as a diagnosis, but a patient receiving results from a test at home instead of a health professional may consider the DTC test results as accurate.
Conclusion: DTC testing has incredible potential to provide detailed insight on one’s health. For those who are looking for quick results or are unsure of their family’s medical history, the test is a reasonable option. But, as of right now, it is recommended that people consult their health care providers before taking any significant steps or making drastic lifestyle changes in response to a DTC test. REFERENCES [1] American Society of Human Genetics. ASHG. (2019, October 17). https://www.ashg.org/publications-news/press-releases/201910-limitations-direct-consumer/. Bates, M. (2018). Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing: Is the Public Ready for Simple, At-Home DNA Tests to Detect Disease Risk? IEEE Pulse, 9(6), 11–14. https://doi.org/10.1109/mpul.2018.2869315 [2] Li, M., Diamandis, E. P., Grenache, D., Joyner, M. J., Holmes, D. T., & Seccombe, R. (2017). Direct-to-Consumer Testing. Clinical Chemistry, 63(3), 635–641. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2016.260349 [3] Rebbeck, T. R., Friebel, T. M., Friedman, E., Hamann, U., Huo, D., Kwong, A., ... Nathanson, K. L. (2018). Mutational spectrum in a worldwide study of 29,700 families with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Human Mutation, 39(5), 593–620. https://doi.org/10.1002/humu.23406 [4] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019, December 20). Direct-to-Consumer Tests. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/vitro-diagnostics/direct-consumer-tests
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Research Ethics: Privatization of Space Exploration Intro:
Space exploration experienced rapid development following the Cold War as the United States and the USSR raced to put the first craft into space. What started with two main players eventually expanded to include 72 national space agencies including USA’s NASA, Russia’s Roscosmos, Canada’s CSA, and Japan’s JAXA. More recently, private companies are participating in space exploration including SpaceX, a company founded by Elon Musk in 2002 which has notably launched the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy Rockets, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic. This new, privatized model of exploration presents questions about whether the shift away from public programs is beneficial or detrimental to space research as a whole.
Pros:
The most clear argument in favor of privatizing space exploration involves finances. Expanding exploration to private companies means there are more people working to research in space and develop new technologies to enhance spacecrafts. Private companies have been pivotal in developing cost-lowering innovations like reusable stages and fairings. In turn, these inventions dramatically bring down NASA’s cost of buying flights to and from the International Space Station. With reduced financial pressure and less focus on costs, NASA is able to shift its attention more towards endeavors on the space station. Thus, the indirect consequence of privatization is breakthroughs in industries like pharmaceuticals and material science by public programs like NASA.
Cons:
An issue that arises with privatizing space exploration is the potential for recouping losses and earning profit to become the primary focus of space programs. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope operates at no cost to researchers and its images and data are free to the public. In private companies, there would be a drive to profit off of technology to cover the costs of building and launching such large scale projects. The necessity of a return on investment could lead to capitalizing on intellectual resources, thus impeding the progress of science. Private companies’ behaviors have been shown to have negative environmental consequences. The launches of SpaceX’s heavier spacecraft kicked debris into orbit and caused contamination that could affect space research results. Some of the developments of private programs may also hinder, rather than help, research efforts. For example, SpaceX’s many Starlink satellites, which deliver internet to remote areas, orbit at lower levels which makes them appear brighter. Their brightness leaves disruptive trails on cameras on survey telescopes. Private companies’ participation in exploration brings with it a new emphasis on profit, a smaller focus on environmental impact, and possibly damaging effects to research efforts.
Conclusion: While privatization of space exploration would be expected to compete against the goals of national space programs, the overall relationship between the two remains unclear. Private sector developments relieve financial pressure from the public space programs which allows them to pursue more projects, but they also carry their own issues such as the shifting of priorities away from acquiring knowledge for its own sake as well as negative environmental impacts. REFERENCES
[1] Mann, A. (2020, May 20). SpaceX now dominates rocket flight, bringing big benefits-and risks-to NASA. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/05/spacex-now-dominates-rocket-flight-bringing-big-benefits-andrisks-nasa. [2] Chow, D. (2012,June 20). Science benefits of private space travel touted. Retrieved October 07, 2020, from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/47896715/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/science-benefits-private-spacetravel-touted/ [3] Garcia, M. (2015, March 25). International Cooperation. Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/cooperation/index.html [4] Quora, Q. (2017, April 04). The Pros And Cons Of Privatizing Space Exploration. Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/04/04/the-pros-and-cons-of-privatizing-spaceexploration/ [5] Says:, R. (2020, September 29). Top 3 Biggest Private Space Companies • Earthpedia • Earth.com (969127782 752641129 R. Arnold, Ed.). Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.earth.com/earthpediaarticles/top-3-biggest-private-space-companies/ [6] Ward, P. (2020, August 26). The unintended consequences of privatising space. Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.sciencefocus.com/space/the-unintended-consequences-of-privatising-space/
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Diversity in Research Why Diversity in Research is Important While many do not realize it, diversity is integral to the scientific field. Not only does diversity add new perspectives to research groups, but it also improves scientific methods and increases the validity of studies. However, only seven percent of all NIH R01 grants are awarded to AfricanAmerican or Hispanic principal investigators. In 2014, less than eleven percent of US medical school graduates were minorities. Moreover, there is low minority participation in research. Lack of resources at multiple levels, as well as perceptions of distrust and implicit bias toward minority participants are still major issues. In this prose, we aim to highlight the benefits of diversity in research settings. The lack of diversity in important studies is concerning. Diversity encompasses far more than putting together diverse research teams -it affects choices on what problems to study, what populations to examine, and what protocols to use. For example, in the 1980s and 1990s, as more women began pursuing careers in research, more attention was paid to diseases that affected women. Additionally, genetics research has thus far predominately been conducted in Europe and the United States, with most of the populations studied being of European ancestry. Thus, the applicability of these studies to other ethnic groups is questionable. Diverse values also affect the methods that researchers use. Dr. Flo Gardipee, a Cherokee and Irish researcher, uses her First Nations perspective as a population structure and gene flow expert on the North American Bison. She pioneered the method of using fecal samples for DNA collection. Overall, diversity brings a lot to the table. The question is not whether diversity is important, but rather what we can do to support these efforts and raise awareness. What do you think researchers should do differently? How can project design be improved? As future scientists, it is our responsibility to ponder these questions and work to make lasting change.
REFERENCES [1] AAMC. (2016). (rep.). Current Trends in Medical Education. Retrieved from http://www.aamcdiversityfactsandfigures2016.org/reportsection/section-3/ [2] Armitage, H. (2020, August 21). 5 Questions: Alice Popejoy on race, ethnicity and ancestry in science. Stanford Medicine News Center. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2020/08/alice-popejoy-on-race-ethnicity-and-ancestry-in-science.html. [3] Gardipee, F. M. (2007). Development Of Fecal Dna Sampling Methods To Assess Genetic Population Structure Of Greater Yellowstone Bison (thesis). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/314/ [4] George, S., Duran, N., & Norris, K. (2014). A Systematic Review of Barriers and Facilitators to Minority Research Participation Among African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. American Journal of Public Health, 104(2). https://doi.org/10.2105/ ajph.2013.301706 [5] Ginther, D. K., Schaffer, W. T., Schnell, J., Masimore, B., Liu, F., Haak, L. L., & Kington, R. (2011). Race, Ethnicity, and NIH Research Awards. Science, 333(6045), 1015–1019. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1196783 [6] Scharff, D. P., Mathews, K. J., Jackson, P., Hoffsuemmer, J., Martin, E., & Edwards, D. (2010). More than Tuskegee: Understanding Mistrust about Research Participation. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 21(3), 879–897. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.0.0323
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Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Duo of Women for the First Time Two scientists, Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier and Dr. Jennifer A. Doudna, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their research on “Crispr-Cas9”, a method used to edit DNA. Dr. Charpentier and Dr. Doudna are the sixth and seventh women in history to win a Nobel in chemistry, and the first duo of women to do so. They published their first paper demonstrating the power of CRISPR in 2012 before the technology became widely tested as a cure for certain genetic disorders, such as hereditary blindness and sickle cell disease. Although CRISPR was not the first tool scientists used to alter DNA, previous tools were relatively expensive, required more machinery, and were not nearly as precise. This revolution paved the way for the more accessible gene-editing procedures we have today.
COVID-19 Clinical Trials Seek Diverse Participants
A Pew Research Center survey found that Black Americans are less likely to trust scientists and medical treatments or embrace the use of vaccines than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) determined that Latinos and non-Hispanic Black individuals are hospitalized for COVID-19 at a rate 4.7 times higher than non-Hispanic Whites. CDC Director Robert Redfield stated that “The last thing we want is to be trying to recommend who gets the vaccine and we don’t have any data on how the vaccine works in the population that needs it most.” Redfield spoke in reference to the racial minorities who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. A push for diversity in COVID-19 vaccine trials came from government scientists who appeared before a Senate hearing in July to answer questions about the Trump administration’s “Operation Warp Speed” vaccine effort. Many private entities have joined the movement such as Johnson & Johnson, who claim they are seeking diversity as they recruit 60,000 participants for their trials. Although there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine would work differently in minorities or produce varying side-effects, there is still much that is unknown about COVID-19, and it is believed that there would only be benefits to making coronavirus vaccine trials representative of the population that the vaccine would end up serving.
REFERENCES [1] Jaklevic, M. C. (2020). Researchers Strive to Recruit Hard-Hit Minorities Into COVID-19 Vaccine Trials. JAMA, 324(9), 826. https://doi. org/10.1001/jama.2020.11244 [2] Wu, K. J., Zimmer, C., & Peltier, E. (2020, October 7). Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to 2 Scientists for Work on Genome Editing. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/science/nobel-prize-chemistry-crispr.html.
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Internship Deadlines Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences (BDBS) • Where: Tufts University • Details: The Building Diversity in Biomedical Sciences (BDBS) Program offers a ten week, mentored research experience for students interested in pursuing future PhD or MD/PhD studies. • Application Opens: Open Now • Deadline: Febrauary 15, 2021
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) • Where: Department of Energy • Details: The SULI program encourages undergraduate students and recent graduates to pursue STEM careers by providing research experiences at the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories. Selected students perform research under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers. • Application Opens: October 20, 2020 • Deadline: January 12, 2021
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Summer Internship Program (SIP) • Where: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine • Details: The Summer Internship Program (SIP) provides experience in biomedical and/or public health research to students from diverse backgrounds. The program provides research exposure for students interested in potential careers in science, medicine and public health. • Application Opens: November 1, 2020 • Deadline: February 1, 2021
Future Public Health Leaders Program (FPHLP) • Where: University of Michigan • Details: FPHLP is a residential summer program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that seeks to increase the diversity of the public health workforce and the people committed to reducing health disparities. • Application Opens: Open Now • Deadline: January 31, 2021
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National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (NIH SIP) • Where: National Institute of Health • Details: The Summer Internship Program provides undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical/biological sciences with the opportunity to work on a research project that entails exposure to the latest biochemical, molecular, and analytical techniques in a given field. • Application Opens: Mid-November • Deadline: March 1, 2021
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) • Where: UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences • Details: The SURF Program is an intensive summer research training experience designed for college students who are preparing for Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. careers in biomedical research. Fellows spend 10 weeks pursuing individual research projects in the laboratories of Graduate School faculty members. • Application Opens: December 1, 2020 • Deadline: February 3, 2021
McGovern Medical School Undergraduate Research Program (GradSURP) • Where: McGovern Medical School • Details: The GradSURP program is directed at students with a strong interest in obtaining a PhD in any discipline in biomedical science. Students work alongside graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty to carry out independent research. • Application Opens: December 1, 2020 • Deadline: February 1, 2021
Stanford Summer Research Program (SSRP) • Where: Stanford University • Details: The SSRP program entails research on a challenging project in one of Stanford’s world-class labs with a distinguished faculty member. Components of the program include weekly workshops/lectures, networking opportunities, and a GRE prep course. • Application Opens: Open Now • Deadline: February 3, 2021 (tentative)
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Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) • Where: Emory University • Details: The SURE program is a ten-week summer program during which undergraduate research fellows conduct full-time independent research under the direction of a faculty mentor. • Application Opens: Open Now • Deadline: January 8, 2021
Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP) • Where: Boston • Details: BSRP features a highly supportive career development component, a rigorous scientific communication curriculum, and an emphasis on collaborative approaches to learning and scientific discovery. The program also features sessions on topics that address diversity and inclusion in the sciences. • Application Opens: Open Now • Deadline: January 11, 2021
Summer Multicultural Advanced Research Training (SMART) • Where: UNT Health Science Center • Details: (SMART) Program brings undergraduate students to the UNT Health Science Center campus to participate in a 10-week biomedical sciences project. Participants become familiar with the varied disciplines and methodologies used in biomedical research. • Application Opens: Open Now • Deadline: March 11, 2021
Editors-in-Chief Isha Thapar and Sean Ngo Editorial Board Faith Abraham, Sanjana Ade, Shivani Ayalasomayajula, Sinchana Basoor, Joshua George, Tooba Haris, Tiffany Luan, Shawn Merchant, Andrew Munoz, Arvind Muruganantham, Jessica Ngo, Sai Sagireddy, Shubhneet Warar Faculty Advisor Dr. Rizalia Klausmeyer Special Thanks To Dr. Hana El Sahly, Dr. Austin Elam, The Barr Lab, Baylor Office of Undergraduate Research