Claflin University News Oct 23, 2012 Claflin University's Young Scientific Scholars Perform Well at State Conference Claflin University showed why it is fast becoming a top undergraduate research institution at the annual Louis Stokes South Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation (SCAMP) Undergraduate Science and Engineering Research Conference this month. Five University students placed in the competition with three of them taking home first place. "Our students' research is visionary and directly addresses many of the world's pressing issues. I'm so glad that others continue to recognize the great work they are doing here at Claflin University. The SCAMP conference demonstrate that our students possess some of the brightest minds in South Carolina," said Dr. Angela Peters, chair of the Department of Chemistry. In oral presentations, Amakia Gibson won first place in Biological Science I category, with the research topic," Investigation of Prostaglandin E1 Synthesis in Vascular Smooth Cells in Response to Angiotensin Receptor Activation." Talisa Kinsdale won first place with the research topic "Structural Elucidation of Peptide Toxin, Melittin by NMR" in Biological Science II. Tamara Mackey placed third in the field of Chemistry/Chemical Engineering. She won third place with her research on "NMR Structural Analysis of a Gold Nano Particle Conjugated Bombesin Peptide." In poster presentations, Tamuka Martin Chidyausiku won first place in the field of Biological Engineering with the research topic of "Designing a Cold Active-Beta-Galactosidase Enzyme for Treatment of Lactose Intolerance; Understanding Structure Function Relationships." Nkemka Ozonma won second place poster presentation honors in the Chemical/Chemical Engineering field titled "Mechanisms of Nickel Toxicity: Disruption of Iron Metabolism by Elevated Nickel Concentrations in E. Coli." SCAMP represents diversity and undergraduate excellence in the areas of science, mathematics, engineering and technology. The program, through its 12 member institutions, is designed to increase the quality and quantity of undergraduate minority students completing baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Participating colleges and universities at the November conference included: Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Clemson University, College of Charleston, Denmark Technical College, Morris College, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, South Carolina State University, University of South Carolina, Voorhees College. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.