College of Medicine<\/a> immunology researcher.<\/p>\nBeaird’s research focuses on better understanding influenza so medicine can develop one complete vaccine, rather than changing the flu vaccine every year based on the disease\u2019s newest strain.<\/p>\n
Current vaccines are designed to attack influenza\u2019s surface proteins, which change constantly. Beaird is looking at ways to attack the virus\u2019 internal, more stable proteins to create a superpowered vaccine patients might only have to take once.<\/p>\n
Generally, vaccines work by introducing a weak or inactive version of a virus to the body. This allows the immune system to recognize the virus as a threat and remember how to fight it when you\u2019re exposed to the flu.<\/p>\n
However, not all of the body\u2019s memory cells are created equal. Beaird\u2019s research is examining the makeup of the strongest memory cells to see how future vaccines can be developed that program these cells to help the body create superpowered defenses against the flu.<\/p>\n
Beaird says that the conference gave him experience on the best ways to present his scientific discoveries.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the opportunity to talk with my peers and faculty who understand this research and are contributing to the advancement of science is super exciting,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen we go to conferences, we are going to have to present posters, and you don\u2019t want that to be your first time doing it, so you need practice presenting.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event also allows undergraduates and new graduate students to experience the variety of research happening at the Burnet School of Biomedical Sciences. Its faculty researchers are focused on finding cures and treatments for the diseases that plague humanity \u2014 including infectious, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.<\/p>\n
“The Burnett research symposium is a great opportunity for our students and postdocs to showcase their research work to their peers and faculty,\u201d says Saleh Naser, the Burnett School\u2019s associate director of graduate studies. \u201cIt also allows our new students to be introduced to the ongoing research at the Burnett labs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Congratulations to this year’s winners in each of the categories:<\/p>\n
Best Ph.D. poster<\/strong><\/p>\nAnamaria Morales-Alvarez from Hung Nguyen’s lab<\/p>\n
Poster: Metabolic Reprogramming of T Cells via GPR84 Inhibition Improves Cancer Immunotherapy<\/p>\n
Best Postdoc poster<\/strong><\/p>\nJichao Ma from Zixi Jack Cheng’s lab<\/p>\n
Poster: Identification of Spinal Afferent Innervation in the Rat Heart: Atria and Ventricles: Anterograde Tracing<\/p>\n
Best M.S. poster<\/strong><\/p>\nErika A. Serravalle from William Self’s lab<\/p>\n
Poster: Evaluating the Antimicrobial Properties of Fungus-Derived Xanthoquinodins against Clostridioides difficile<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This year’s showcase featured more than 50 research projects, from enhancing flu shots to advancing Lyme disease treatments and colorectal cancer diagnostics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":242,"featured_media":143937,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"lazy_load_responsive_images_disabled":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[5,12,17,23,27],"tags":[653,18082,54255,14916,5660,54510,54617],"tu_author":[],"class_list":["post-143934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colleges","category-health","category-medicine","category-research","category-student-life","tag-burnett-school-of-biomedical-sciences","tag-health","tag-jackie-zhao","tag-research","tag-saleh-naser","tag-student-sucess","tag-tara-strutt"],"yoast_head":"\n
UCF Students Share Innovative Research at Burnett School Symposium | 色花堂 News<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n