APU Hosts 4^th Annual STEM Research Symposium

Azusa Pacific University’s Center for Research in Science (CRIS) will host the 4^th annual STEM Research Symposium (SRS) on September 24 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 pm. in the Segerstrom Science Center (located at 701 E Foothill Blvd in Azusa). The SRS provides an opportunity for more than 30 undergraduate students from the departments of Biology and Chemistry; Engineering and Computer Science; and Math, Physics, and Statistics to share the research they conducted with faculty advisors over the summer. The SRS offers free admission and is open to all APU students, faculty, alumni, and community members.

“This flagship event draws some of our best and brightest students to showcase their research,” said Louise Ko Huang, director of CRIS and acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). “The SRS provides an excellent opportunity for our undergraduate researchers to disseminate their findings in a professional setting prior to presenting at regional and/or national conferences.”

The SRS features keynote speaker Lisette de Pillis, PhD, the Norman F. Sprague Jr. Professor of Life Sciences and Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College (HMC). A renowned expert in the field of cancer immunology modeling, de Pillis has conducted extensive research using mathematics to search for new ways to understand and treat diseases that interact with the immune system, particularly cancer, HIV, type I Diabetes, and SARS-CoV-2. She was recognized with the Maria Goeppert-Mayer (MGM) Distinguished Scholar award, the first and only MGM award bestowed upon a researcher from an undergraduate institution and only the second mathematician to receive the award. De Pillis is the mother of an APU alumna and a current APU student.

Students and faculty will highlight their research through poster and oral presentations, with a competition to award the top presenters. Students will showcase their research on topics such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Efavirenz Metabolism by Cytochrome P450s 2A6 and 2B6 and Analysis of Small Molecule Inhibitors to Prevent P53 Degradation. To learn more or RSVP, contact [email protected].

CRIS serves a community of students and scholars by promoting research that encompasses and extends the scope of scientific studies to address the inseparable relationships between science, faith, and culture. CRIS also encourages student and faculty research by arranging intra- and extramural internships, inviting visiting scientists to engage with students on campus and working to establish synergistic partnerships with local businesses and organizations.