Top scholars showcase research projects at Summer Scholars Institute

Students put their classroom knowledge to the test during the Summer Scholars Institute (SSI) at the University of South Carolina Aiken.  

Aiken Scholars Academy students and USCA undergraduates showcased their research projects during the annual event, co-hosted by the College of Sciences and Engineering and the Center for Research Excellence. 

Dr. Nathan Hancock serves as an SSI faculty mentor and says that experiences like these are beneficial for students. “Research is a big opportunity for how we can prepare students for their careers,” Hancock said. “This is an opportunity for students to get their feet wet in getting the experience that they need. During the summer, the students can really focus on their projects versus during the semester.”  

Megan Collins is a recent biology graduate from USCA and focused her project on the “Analysis of Cas9-targeted mPing insertion of Yeast.”  

Collins work was so noticeable that it was highlighted by the U.S. National Science Foundation. 

“I have a passion for proteins, and I love that each structure has a function,” Collins said. “I really have to give a big shout out to Dr. Hancock for helping me navigate this project.”  

Collins says she plans to attend Virginia Tech in the fall.  

“My project focused on establishing a role for phf21a and phf21ab in Potocki-Shaffer Syndrome model in zebrafish,” said Day’Lyn McKinnis, a junior biology major at USCA.  

Potocki-Shaffer Syndrome is a rare human disorder that affects the development of the bones, nerve cells in the brain, and tissue in the body. “At some point, researchers weren’t sure what was causing the facial deformities or intellectual disabilities that were arising in humans,” McKinnis explained. “That’s where phf21a comes in, it was found that it’s a gene that makes proteins help turn genes on and off. Proteins are the building blocks of the cell.” 

McKinnis says she tested Zebrafish because of their close gene match to humans. “They were good models to use when it came to researching genetics,” she said.  

McKinnis says after college, she wants to go to medical school or obtain a Ph.D. in Biochemistry.  

Jose Hernandez, a junior at the Aiken Scholars Academy, focused his project on “Using Inhibition Assays to Evaluate the Binding of 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) Ethanol to 2,4’-Dihydroxyacetophenone Dioxygenase.” 

“I decided to do this project because I’ve always been interested in chemistry and biochemistry,” Hernandez said. “I hope moving forward this project would bring more research opportunities.”

Hancock says there are many opportunities for student research at USCA. “There are a lot of faculty on campus that will take on students during the school year and even the summer.”  

For more information about SSI and how students can apply, click the link here.  

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.