Research Poster Winner
Research Day at the Oklahoma Capitol
 

Manal Gasem, junior chemical engineering student from OSU, was one of 4 OSU students selected to present her research results at the State Capitol as part of a week that showcased the importance of research to Oklahoma.  In all, there were 24 undergraduates representing the State’s research universities.  Manal placed 4^th in the judging.

 

Ms. Gasem started her research as part of a Lew Wentz Foundation grant.  She writes,“After being awarded the Wentz Research Project, I was given the opportunity to present my research in a scientific poster competition at the state capital.  My research with Dr. Sundar Madihally, is based on the reaction our bodies have after a severe burn trauma.  It is believed that after such an injury, the interleukin-18 (IL-18) molecule may be released into the body.  This eventually leads to the production of the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) molecule.  The release of IFN-γ into the body, in turn, causes many disruptions and health hazards, including, muscle wasting, immune dysfunction, and possibly severe infections, which are the leading cause of death in burn injury patients. Based on stained skin samples and the quantification of IL-18 by the creation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, there is evidence to show that the IL-18 molecule is released into the body after a severe burn trauma.  If this is the case, a burn injury therapy may be developed with the use of tissue engineering to block the activity of IL-18 so all the unnecessary deaths no longer occur. “

 

Congratulations to both Sundar and Manal!