During summer break, faculty in the Department of Biology and Chemistry brought their students alongside them as they conducted research. Students were given the opportunity to gain experiential knowledge, familiarize themselves with research procedures, and utilize the university’s cutting edge technology and resources.
Kailey Bernaola Vega ’28 is an allied health major with a psychology minor. Led by Matthew Berezuk, PhD, Vega and her group divided KAP3, a protein that helps the kinesin-2 motor complex transport cargo within cells. Dividing the KAP3 allowed them to test the protein’s independent behaviors and analyze its molecular weight. “By comparing predicted and observed molecular weight, we hope to see whether different regions of the KAP3 can potentially behave as single units or assemble into larger complexes,” she said. “This could help us understand its structural organization and whether or not each region has a distinct role in cargo binding.” Through her work with the KAP3 protein, Vega has been introduced to a new area of biology while also gaining experience in professional research and laboratory environments. The group’s findings were presented at Azusa Pacific University’s annual STEM Research Symposium.
Rami Ezzeddine ’26 is a molecular biology major with an honors humanities minor. Led by Charles Chen, PhD, Ezzeddine and the rest of his group looked at which sunflower varieties exhibit the most drought resistant traits. “We hope to pinpoint which genotypes maintain function at lower water availability,” Ezzeddine said. “This knowledge will provide a framework for efficient irrigation techniques and future research in sunflower breeding programs.” The team simulated drought environments on wild sunflower species over a four week period. After that period of time, students collect data by measuring photosynthesis and stomatal conductance with an LI-6800 portable photosynthesis system and the matric water potential and volumetric water content with Teros-31 tensiometers and Hydrosense II probes. Their research is funded by the Tribeta Biological Honors Society Research Grant awarded to Ezzeddine and the two other members of the team. “As water scarcity continues to become a more pressing issue, figuring out how to make crops like sunflowers more drought resilient is a necessary step,” he said. “At the end of the day, we are trying to answer a very practical question; how do we grow things efficiently even in this era of uncertain climate?” Ezzeddine has worked on various agricultural projects during his time at APU, but he found that working to spur on the development and growth process of the plants in this project was a valuable experience. “From germination to harvest, each step has been a real eye-opener, especially with all of its potential for great change in the agricultural industry and us, as people, who rely on it for nourishment.”
Maryah Anderson ’28 is a biochemistry and honors humanities double major. Led by Phil Cox, PhD, Anderson and her team conducted research on Bupropion, an antidepressant and smoking
cessation aid commonly known as Wellbutrin, to better understand how the drug’s structure
influences enzymatic metabolism in the liver. The team’s research could improve patient
safety and dosing and lead to the development of a similar but more effective version
of the medication. The team’s research was presented at the APU STEM Symposium.
Anderson said. "Dr. Cox is an excellent principal investigator (PI) and always has
the team’s best interests in mind. It’s been a great blessing to be part of this team
and contribute to the work we do.”
Karstin DuPont ’26 is a physics and honors humanities double major with a mathematics minor. Led by Elijah Roth, PhD, DuPont and her team studied the effects of learning assistants (LAs) on APU students’ sense of STEM identity and developed a questionnaire for students’ perceptions of faith integration (FI) in science. The LA research was funded by the National Science Foundation Grant in order to see how LAs benefit STEM identity and increase their effectiveness at APU and other universities. The goal of the FI research was to learn more about students’ perceptions of faith and science to better incorporate APU’s faith integration policy into the program in a way that will benefit students. The LA research has been presented at several conferences already and will be published in various journals soon. “I’ve valued building relationships with faculty and my fellow students as well as the opportunities to present and share our collected data,” DuPont said.
Aniya Rivera ’26 is a biochemistry major. Led by Kevin Huang, PhD, Rivera and her team worked to develop a novel spirocyclic inhibitor of the p53-MDM2 interaction, commonly seen in cancers. The group tested their compounds in vitro using different cell types to quantify their toxicity and effectiveness in restoring the function of p53. Soon, the group will use biochemical assays to measure their compounds’ binding affinity for the protein complex. “Ultimately, we hope to develop an anti-cancer drug that can be made available in the future,” Rivera said. The research is funded by a variety of grants including the Presidential Enhancement Grant ($36,672), Faculty Research Council Grant ($8,000), Richter Scholarship Grant ($5,000), Scholarly Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE, $1,500), and the Center for Research in Science Interdisciplinary Project Seed Funding ($1,000). Their findings were presented at the American Chemical Society Spring 2025 Conference and at the APU STEM Research Symposium. “I value the relationships I’ve developed with Dr. Huang and the members of my team,” Rivera said. “I’ve been able to learn so much and apply what I’ve learned from my classes into my research. I want to go into the field of oncology, so this research has been great exposure to the drug development aspect of the field.”
Sasiana Balseca ’25 is a biology major. Led by Sarah Richart, PhD, Balseca and her group studied the relationship between a strain of fungus on an eastern species of subterranean termite to understand whether the fungus is toxic to the insect. By inoculating live termites with the fungal spores, the team observed how the infection developed and how the termites’ immune system responds through its defenses. Their research is funded by a grant from APU’s Department of Biology and Chemistry, and their work was presented at the APU STEM research symposium. They are also working on a manuscript to submit their findings for publication. “I am beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity which has allowed me to gain confidence in the lab,” Balseca said. “Being a part of Dr. Richart’s team has deepened my love of research and strengthened my belief that I am capable of pursuing a career in the STEM field.”
Each research group has contributed valuable time and findings to the STEM field, and APU students have grown academically and personally from these summer internship opportunities. From familiarizing themselves with research procedures and cutting edge technology to cultivating meaningful relationships with their peers and professors, students have dedicated themselves to gaining knowledge and experience while preparing for their future careers.