Category: Academics

Growth characteristics of Yersinia pestis wild-type (wt) and ΔyscF strains on MOX agar incubated at room temperature (RT) or 37°C for 48 h. Colonies of the wt are seen growing on MOX agar incubated at RT but not at 37°C, the temperature at which type III secretion is induced (top). Colonies of the ΔyscF strain, which does not have a functional type III secretion system, are seen growing on the MOX agar incubated at RT and at 37°C (bottom).

Several bacteria use needle-like structures called type III secretion systems (T3SS) to avoid our immune systems by injecting toxins into our cells and causing disease. If the T3SS is blocked, then these bacteria cannot cause the infection, making these structures an attractive target for new antibiotics.

Written by undergraduate students and Halmos College of Arts and Sciences biological sciences faculty member Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D., this paper discusses a new method developed in Garcia’s lab to detect inhibition of bacterial type III secretion systems by small molecules. This method may be useful for screening additional small molecules that target bacterial T3SSs to potentially be used as new treatments for antibiotic resistant bacterial infections.

Undergraduate students (now alumni) co-authors on this paper include Sukriti Prashar, Miguel Portales Guemes, Poorandai Shivbaran, Eugenia Jimenez Alvarez, Christopher Soha, Samir Nacer, and Michael McDonough.

The article, titled “Novel Disk Diffusion Assay on Magnesium Oxalate Agar To Evaluate the Susceptibility of Yersinia pestis to Type III Secretion System Inhibitors” was published in June 2021 in the ASM Journal Microbiology Spectrum. Learn more

Ernst Vincent

Roland Joseph

The Department of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS) and the Department of Humanities and Politics (DHP) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS) hosted an event titled “Understanding the Conflicting Political Context of the Haitian President’s Assassination.” This event provided the opportunity for information and discussion regarding recent and historical perspectives on the events leading up to the assassination.

The event was coordinated by Elena Bastidas, Ph.D., faculty in DCRS. Bastidas welcomed the speakers and guests. Judith McKay, J.D., Ph.D., faculty in DCRS and Ransford Edwards, Ph.D. faculty in DHP were the facilitators. The speakers were two doctoral candidates in DCRS, Roland Joseph and Ernst Vincent.

Roland Joseph is a member of the Research Committee on Non-killing Security and International Relations at the Center for Global Nonkilling. He worked as a journalist and political analyst in Haiti for radio stations and newspapers such as Radio Evangelique Hosanna FM, Radio Ephphatha FM, and Journal le Matin for more than 15 years. He coordinated and led training sessions on peace, non-violence, nonkilling, and conflict resolution at Centre caribéen pour la non-violence globale et le développement durable (Caribbean Center for Global Non-Violence and Sustainable Development). Roland received his bachelor’s degree in political in Haiti; and his master’s degree in peace and conflict studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Ernst Vincent is working on his dissertation, which focuses on the conflict between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He is a pastor and a theologian. He received two master’s degrees from NSU, one in organizational leadership and one in conflict analysis and resolution. His research interests include the defense of human rights, race and ethnic relations and religious studies. Vincent is the current president of the Haitian Pastors Conference.

Emma Heineman, a political science student in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center, presented her research at several conferences. Her paper titled “Women in States Legislatures: The Effect of Female Representation of State Abortion Restrictions,” focuses on the ways that female legislators influence abortion policy.

Emma Heinemann

The first conference she presented at was the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference. This was her first experience presenting outside of NSU.

“The conference not only gave me the opportunity to showcase my work, but also provided me with the chance to network with other students, faculty, and researchers from across the country,” she said.

She had the opportunity to present as an undergraduate researcher at the Florida Political Science Association Annual Meeting, as well as at both the Undergraduate Student Symposium and the Annual Crossroads Humanities Student Conference at NSU.

“Before this year, research wasn’t something I ever saw myself pursuing, but the experiences I have had conducting and presenting my own research have sparked a passion that I hope to continue in the future,” she said. “It has allowed me to expand on the incredible opportunities I have had at NSU and has truly been one of the highlights of my undergraduate experience. I want to thank both the Department of Humanities and Politics and Dr. Edwards for the support they have provided me and look forward to continuing my research in the future.”

Ismael Muvingi

Ismael Muvingi, a faculty member in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies, and Crystal Chavis, a doctoral student in the program, presented at the 9th International Virtual College and University Seminar whose theme was Developing and Enhancing Peace and Conflict Studies Programs.

Because it was virtual, the seminar was held from March 22 to April 16 rather than the normal three-day intensive format. This enabled scheduling of presentations and workshops at times that were most feasible for participants in different time zones over a longer time period.

Muvingi and Chavis presented on the lessons learned from delivering conflict resolution programs through a hybrid of platforms: residential, online and experiential. The Department of Conflict Resolution Studies has the longest experience and expertise in online course delivery in conflict analysis and resolution and there was high interest from participants on how to do online given the imperative of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Muvingi is the faculty advisor to the African Working Group. His academic interests include human rights, African politics and transitional justice with a special focus on Africa.

Angel Vasquez

Angel Vasquez, a student in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Institute, presented his research at the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference. Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society and this year’s conference was held virtually.

“Participating in the Pi Sigma Alpha virtual conference allowed me to present my research to a scholarly audience and to experience academia firsthand,” he said. “This experience has informed me about other career options and piqued my interest in other fields within the social sciences. The feedback that I obtained from the panelists reviewing my research project has significantly improved it and is already guiding my future research interest.

“I was also glad to interact with peers from other colleges and hearing their interesting perspectives. I am deeply thankful for the professors of the Department of Humanities and Politics for their enthusiastic support and guidance, and I can only be excited to participate in next year’s Pi Sigma Alpha conference!”