News

McNair Scholar Victoria Shearer Published Again in the Royal Society of Chemistry Journal

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 15:52:12

Congratulations to our CWU McNair Scholar, Victoria Shearer on her 2nd publication with Dr. Timothy Beng and Abdikani Omar Farah.

”Modular synthesis and transition metal-free alkynylation/alkenylation of Castagnoli-Cushman-derived N, O- and N, S-heterocyclic vinyl chlorides”

Find the complete article here!

McNair Scholars Present Research at SOURCE

Tue, 19 May 2020 16:18:23

Check out our scholars research presentations at the SOURCE Conference.

Akrem Dawed

Prototype for an indoor aeroponic cubic greenhouse

Abstract: The goal of this project is to create a automated cubic greenhouse where the base and sides contain receptacles for plants which supply nutrients aeroponically. The greenhouse will supply at least 45 receptacles for plants within a 17x17x20 cubic inch area. The cube design will allow more plants to be grown within a compact space then if the base was exclusively utilized. A microcontroller (Funduino Mega 2560) will utilize a temperature sensor, timer, humidity sensor and a ph sensor to facilitate desired changes to the growing space. If the desired conditions for the growing space are not satisfied, then the environment will be manipulated via heat lamp, pump, light strips and/or fans to restore the environment to its desired state. The variables that the user can manipulate via touch screen UI (which determine the desired state of the greenhouse) are area temperature, light duration for a 24-hour cycle, root humidity and nutrient ph.

Sean Dawson

Synthesis of Boron-Containing Structural Building Blocks For Use in Potential Protease Enzyme Inhibitors

Abstract: 1,3-Azaborines have good potential to function as dual-mode, both associative and competitive, inhibitors of protease enzymes, which are involved in the development of several disease states, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), malaria, Alzheimer’s, and some forms of cancer. In our syntheses boron-modified amino acids (including boronated phenylalanine and isoleucine) are being developed as chemical precursors, which are then incorporated into larger boronates in order to obtain the biologically relevant 1,3-azaborines. The target 1,3-azaborines were designed to complement the structure of the enzyme’s chiral active site. In our synthetic schemes pinacol and (1R,2R)-1,2-dicyclohexyl-1,2-ethanediol are both used as protecting groups, while (1R,2R)-1,2-dicyclohexyl-1,2-ethanediol is also used as a chiral director. The target boronates have the potential for greater affinity towards protease enzymes, dual-mode of action, increased bioavailability, and fewer adverse side effects. Many studies have shown that boron-modified inhibitors have a higher inhibitory affinity for protease enzymes than the corresponding non-boron analogs. The non-boron analogs are experiencing high resistance rates, low bioavailability, and patient noncompliance due to adverse side effects. As a result, there is a higher demand for the development of new compounds to combat these diseases.

Alex Harrington

Solidarity between the Israeli Black Panther Party and the Palestine Liberation Organization

Abstract: The Black Panther Party in America had a far reaching impact internationally due to the importance they placed on intersectional solidarity between various movements. A notable example of this solidarity was between the American Panthers and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). One group that was impacted profoundly by the American Panthers was formed by young Mizrahi Jews (Jews from Arab and North African countries) a generation after the foundation of the State of Israel. They took on the name Ha’Panterim Ha’Shchorim (‘Black Panthers’ in Hebrew). This research analyzes the solidarity between the Israeli Panthers and the PLO, comparing it to the solidarity between the American Panthers and the PLO. The research utilizes the established literature on the American Black Panthers and the Israeli Black Panthers, as well as historical archives and interviews with subjects familiar with the Israeli Black Panthers and their activities.

Hannah Huber

Synthesis of Boron-Containing Structural Building Blocks For Use in Potential Protease Enzyme Inhibitors

Guadalupe Martinez

Crime by Race by Punishment

Abstract: It is difficult to deny that race or the color of someone’s skin does not affect the way people may judge them. Ideally, the criminal justice system in the U.S. would judge people not according to their race, but by their actions. We explore the question, do white males get different sentencing than males of color in the U.S criminal justice system? The research took place in Ellensburg WA where the findings from this observational research indicate that although there may not be a substantial difference in sentencing between white males and males of color, there is a substantial difference in the number of charges each person carried when receiving their sentencing. This suggests that white males with more charges received a similar sentence to males of color with fewer charges of the same severity. This research, in the end, shows the importance to continue future research looking into a larger sample of courts and judgment across the country.

SaFyre Reese

Microbiome of Transgenic Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Activated Gene 1 Mice

Abstract: Recent research has shown that the composition of the gut microbiome influences obesity. A transgenic mouse model with the human non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) activated gene 1 (known as NAG-1) has demonstrated an increased metabolism and obesity resistance when compared to the original strain of mice, C57BL/6, termed wild type (WT). The sequencing of the gut microbiome of the WT and the NAG-1 mice is important to further understand metabolic diseases. In this study, we are examining the microbiome of NAG-1 mice to better understand their resistance to diet-induced obesity and increased metabolism. The NAG-1 mice were compared to their WT littermates and gender differences will be examined. Preliminary comparisons were conducted to analyze metabolism and include measurements of body weight, glucose tolerance and residual organic matter in feces (a measure of energy extraction from food). The WT males were observed to have the largest change in weight and a higher mean weight than the other groups. The NAG-1 males and females were the leanest. Glucose tolerance was observed to be greatest in the NAG-1 mice. Within the combusted fecal sample data there was no significance between any of the groups, though the average remaining organic matter was consistently higher in the NAG-1 mice. At the conclusion of the experiment, caecal and colonic microbial DNA was extracted and subject to 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha and Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences between the microbiome of the NAG-1 and WT mice. Microbial community differences between male and female mice are significant.

Kollin Trujillo

Investigation into the Structure and Function of l-Mgm1 in inner mitochondrial membrane fusion

Abstract: Mitochondria are key components of the cell as they provide energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. A balance of fission and fusion maintains a dynamic, inter-connected mitochondrial network, which is important for overall function. When fusion is disrupted, the mitochondrial network becomes fragmented, mitochondrial genomes are lost, and respiration ceases. Mitochondrial inner membrane fusion is mediated by the GTP hydrolase Mgm1 (Mi

Learn About CWU McNair Scholars Program In Central Today!!!

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 12:26:12

The McNair Scholars Program owes much of its success to the support and encouragement from the CWU community, and we thank you for helping us prepare our McNair scholars for successful transitions to graduate school.

TRIO WORKS!

Learn about the McNair Scholars Program in Central Today!

Check Out Our McNair Scholars Program Display in the SURC!

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 12:03:48

Check out our display about the McNair Scholars Program in the Student Union & Recreation Center across the hall from the Information Center.

McNair Scholars Featured in Crimson & Black, CWU's Official Magazine

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:30:00

Several McNair Scholars have made it onto the first issue of Crimson & Black, the official magazine of CWU!

Tarra Hall-Ward, who graduated in 2017 with a double major in art and chemistry, is featured on the inside front cover and her art, titled: Stability in Oxygen, is featured on the inside back cover.

Jasmin Washington, current scholar and ASCWU Student President, 2019-2020, is featured in the article, C is for Change, Central, and Civil Rights, by Robert Lowery.

Leni Halaapiapi, recent graduate with a degree in computer science and minor in math, is featured in the article, Made at CWU: The Transformative Effect of a Central Education by Richard Moreno.

CWU McNair Scholar Appointed as New CWU Student Trustee

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 10:57:08

Congratulations to McNair Scholar, Alex Harrington, who has recently been appointed by Washington State Governor, Jay Inslee, as the new CWU student trustee. He will serve for the 2019-2020 school year.

We are proud of all of his accomplishments!

Read more about Alex's appointment in the link below.

http://www.cwu.edu/gov-inslee-appoints-alex-harrington-new-cwu-student-trustee

Congratulations to the McNair scholars who received SOURCE awards this year!

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 12:18:33

Congratulations to the McNair scholars who received SOURCE awards this year!

Anna Gomez- Outstanding Oral Presentation “Gendered Disparities in Educational and Vocational Programming in America’s Prisons”

Jadvir Gill- Outstanding Poster Presentation “Understanding nudge interventions: Assessing the impact of fit between context and source of default recommendation in shaping decision-making and perceptions of default options”

Jennifer Magana- Outstanding Oral Presentation “The phenotypic Effects of Dihydrotestosterone in the Development of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in a Post-natal Mouse Model”

Morgan Rodriguez- Outstanding Poster Presentation “Modular Regio-, Chemo-, and Stereoselective Access to trans –[n6]- Fused Lactam-Halolactones”

Leni Halaapiapi- Outstanding Poster Presentation “A Chaotic Implementation of Two Meta-Heuristic Algorithms”

Jennifer Magana Morgan Rodriguez Leni Halaapiapi

Congratulations to McNair Scholar Alejandra Lopez Rocha!

Wed, 29 May 2019 15:59:24

Congratulations to Alejandra Lopez Rocha, the recipient of the 2019 CWU Law & Justice Sergeant Nelson K. Ng Inspirational Award! We are so proud of her and her accomplishments!

Alejandra will continue here at Central as a master's student in Law & Justice.

CWU McNair Scholar Jasmin Washington Wins ASCWU Student President

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 13:41:57

CWU McNair Scholars Program is proud to announce that one of our scholars, Jasmin Washington, has won the preliminary votes for 2019-2020 ASCWU Student President.

Congratulations Jasmin!

CWU McNair Scholar Autumn Adams One of Five 2019 Aspen Institute's Champions for Change

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 10:34:04

We in the McNair Scholars Program at CWU could not be more proud of Autumn Adams, a senior majoring in Anthropolgy with minors in Museum Studies and American Indian Studies at CWU.

Autumn, who is finishing her last year of the McNair Scholars Program and who is applying to a number of graduate schools, has been chosen as one of only five Champions for Change for 2019. Champions for Change, as noted in the article published in the Daily Record Feburary 2, 2019, is a fellowship of The Aspen Institute's Center for Native American Youth.

You can read the full article, Central student named a Champion for Change, in the Daily Record.

Way to go, Autumn!!!