Faculty Research and Grants
New Health Services Administration Program
A professor from Bowie State University’s Department of Natural Sciences secured a sizable grant from the Natural Science Foundation for research that could lower pharmaceutical research costs.
Dr. Konda Karnati, a bioinformatics professor, received a grant of $300,000 over three years for projects that will use machine learning methods to advance drug discovery. The work focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help map molecular bonds for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of cell membrane proteins controlling vital bodily functions. Traditionally, discovering these bonds involves experiments costing billions of dollars.
“What makes this research truly remarkable is its potential to transform drug screening through artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches,” said Dr. Karnati. “Nearly half of all drugs on the market target GPCRs. However, traditional drug development is both costly and often fraught with disappointment.”
Using AI and machine learning eliminates the need for expensive, time-consuming experiments, reducing drug discovery costs. Beyond innovation, the grant supports the next generation of researchers by offering students hands-on experience with cutting-edge techniques.
“This research isn't just about scientific advancement,” said Dr. Karnati. “It's also about nurturing the next generation of scientists and providing our students with hands-on experience in this cutting-edge research.”
Student Research
CURE Symposium Highlights Student Research Experience
Bowie State University held the Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences Symposium on Dec. 12 in the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing, with project posters and students lining the atrium to present their research findings as part of the Natural Sciences Day.
Projects ranged from studying microbes in soil around beech trees to uncovering the reasons behind uneven gender ratios in eastern painted turtle populations.
The symposium marked the culmination of the CURE program, a semester-long initiative involving more than 200 students with no prior research experience. It offers hands-on opportunities across various disciplines, guided by Bowie State faculty. Students collaborated in groups of four to six, diving into practical research to address real-world questions. Dozens of student researchers showcased their work posters to peers, faculty and representatives from agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative, and the Mayo Clinic.
“Talking to students and seeing how they want to be a part of the solutions for tomorrow, that’s what I find exciting,” said Dr. Kandis Boyd, a senior advisor at the EPA. “Bowie State is dedicated to their students in unprecedented ways. This relationship has great potential to be a win-win situation.”
Daniel Thompson, chief enrollment management officer for the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, was impressed by student interactions at the symposium, reinforcing efforts to build a pipeline between Bowie State and the renowned medical institution.
“Our executive dean charged us to establish partnerships with historically Black colleges or minority serving institutions that have a profile that demonstrates these are students that would be able to flourish in a medical school or research program like ours,” said Thompson. “We’re looking for colleges that have demonstrated great outcomes in preparing people for graduate and professional school. We could have gone anywhere, but the four schools we’re working to get into a partnership with are Oakwood University, Xavier University, UMBC and Bowie State.”
“We have such an incredible research ecosystem at Bowie State University, with phenomenal faculty and student researchers.”
– Dr. Chimdimnma Esimai
STEM Students Impress at National Research Conference
Bowie State University’s research received high praise at the 2024 National Council of Undergraduate Research Conference, where a record 29 abstracts from the university were accepted. Twenty-one of these were from the innovative Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences program, and the remaining eight came from the Semester-based Undergraduate Research Institute and faculty-mentored projects.
Dr. Chimdimnma Esimai, program manager for the Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences program, led the group to the conference, praising the exceptional efforts of students and faculty.
“We have such an incredible research ecosystem at Bowie State University, with phenomenal faculty and student researchers,” he said.
The Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences program embeds authentic research into the curriculum, offering opportunities to all students regardless of their GPA. This fosters collaboration and mentorship with faculty and staff, boosting career readiness through internships and job prospects while celebrating undergraduate achievement.
Among the presenters was first-time participant Jamia Smith-Cleere, an aspiring pre-medical biology student, who shared her chemistry research poster.
“I want to thank Bowie State University for the chance to experience the conference. In addition to presenting my research to Dr. Nick Shrockey, I had an amazing time and met some incredible people!”
Students also met Dr. Bethany Usher, the 2023-2024 president of the National Council of Undergraduate Research, who praised their research and the professionalism of their presentations.
“This is exactly what we love to see,” Dr. Usher said, complimenting the students' collegiality, curiosity and commitment. She took time to engage with the students, offering guidance and advice for their future endeavors.
For T-Yona Dobbins, a graduating senior in biology, the conference marked an important milestone.
“Although this wasn’t my first conference presentation, it was my first at the National Council of Undergraduate Research conference, and I had a great time seeing all the different research projects and hearing from the other presenters,” Dobbins said. “Receiving recognition from the president and presenting my thesis on radiation emissions from electronic devices was the highlight of my trip.”
Bowie State students presented research across a wide range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, bioinformatics and computer science, further solidifying the university’s commitment to fostering academic excellence. The National Conference on Undergraduate Research, hosted by the Council on Undergraduate Research, is the nation’s leading platform for supporting student researchers and scholars.
