The Midland Society of Physiological Sciences, comprised of physiologists in Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota is hosting their annual chapter meeting this weekend at the University of South Dakota.

Dr. Javier Stern, Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases at Georgia State University will present the Keynote lecture on the role of neuropeptides in the hypothalamus of the brain. The title of his presentation is, “Role of Neuropeptides in the Regulation of Neurovascular Coupling in the Hypothalamus: Physiological and Pathological Implications.“

Other highlights include:

Undergraduate presentations:

Lexa Burtzlaff and Kaesha Davis received a 10-week Mount Marty University – Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (MMU-BRIN) summer research fellowship to work with Dr. Kathleen Gibson at Mount Mary University where they spent time searching for new anti-fungal agents in medicinal and ornamental plants.

Cory Karasek has been working with Dr. Ann Anderson-Berry and colleagues at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to uncover factors that may spark the development of preeclampsia.

Graduate student presentations:

Afia Saabea Owusu Konadu has been working with Dr. Yulong Li and colleagues at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to search for biomarkers that might be useful in the early detection of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Prerna Tiwari and Rachael Urquhart will present their studies conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Jee-Yeon Hwang at Creighton University School of Medicine where they worked with colleagues to examine novel ways to treat brain injury and cognitive decline caused by reduced oxygen delivery to the brain following a cardiac arrest or stroke.

Sanjali Panigrahi will present research conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Ram Mahato (University of Nebraska Medical Center) examining a potential new way to treat liver injury caused by acetaminophen.

Postdoctoral researcher presentations

Dr. Niti Kumari‘s research in the laboratory of Dr. Brian North at Creighton University School of Medicine has focused on the potential risk associated with long-term use of certain dietary anti-aging supplements on the development of cancer.

Congratulations as well to the following Nebraska Junior Academy of Sciences 2024 Physiology Poster award recipients!

1st place middle school student: Cora Moody, Nebraska City for research examining, “How does experience and environment affect balance?”

2nd place middle school student: Amelia Buhlke, Central City, NE for research on “Gender differences in problem solving.”

1st place high school student: Shelby Lee, Omaha, NE for research on, “The chemical synthesis and characterization of a long acting tenofovir phosphonate prodrug.”

2nd place high school student: Jacobitz and Peyton Hartman, Hastings, NE for their research on “Investigating the effects of Levetiracetam on shaking-sensitive Drosophila melanogaster.”

Click here to learn more about the Midland Society of Physiological Sciences

• Physiology on the road: 17th annual Arizona Physiological Society conference
• Thriving at high altitude

Categories: Aging, Diet and Exercise, Illnesses and Injuries, Physiology on the Road, Reproduction and Development

Tags: American Physiological Society, cancer, Diabetes, Drug development, education, health, medicine, Midland Society of Physiological Sciences, news, preeclampsia, science, stroke