Welcome to the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) Events Calendar! Here, you will find a comprehensive listing of all the upcoming events and activities happening within our community. The CSM calendar is designed to keep you informed about the latest opportunities to learn, connect, and grow in your science and math education and career.
May 2025
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- 6TuesdayMS in Chemical Sciences Thesis Defense10:00amat Clendenin Building, CL 1010
Speaker: Kaniz Fatama Khan, MSCB student
Title: Biophysical and Biochemical Characterization of Flavone O-methyltransferase from Oryza sativa: Understanding and Engineering Enzymes to Enhance Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Plants
Abstract: Methylated flavonoids exhibit enhanced biological activities compared to their unmethylated counterparts and function as antibiotics, antivirals, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, and antiallergic agents. During my time in the Master of Science in Chemical Sciences (MSCB) program at Kennesaw State University (KSU), I investigated the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, focusing specifically on flavone 3'-O-methyltransferase (OsMT) from Oryza sativa (rice), an S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase involved in essential cellular processes, including the metabolism of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds. To elucidate the enzymatic function and potential applications of OsMT, we determined its three-dimensional (3D) structure and employed molecular biology and biochemical approaches to evaluate its activity and identify the roles of active site amino acid residues. Using QuikChange mutagenesis, I performed site-directed mutagenesis to generate point mutations targeting both the substrate and SAM cofactor binding sites. The contributions of these mutations to catalysis and binding were assessed through steady-state kinetics of wild-type and mutant enzymes, complemented by binding assays using nano differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF) and microscale thermophoresis (MST). These kinetic and binding studies provided valuable insights into how specific mutations influence enzymatic activity and substrate specificity. Overall, this thesis work establishes a foundation for understanding key residues in OsMT function and contributes to our broader knowledge of flavone biosynthesis in rice. Furthermore, several OsMT mutants identified potential regions that can be engineered to alter enzyme characteristics, such as substrate specificity and catalytic efficiency. This approach has the potential to modify plant secondary metabolism to enhance resistance to pests or environmental stress and to enable the production of bioactive compounds with improved pharmacokinetic properties, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer flavonoids. - 7Wednesday
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June 2025
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- 27FridayMS in Chemical Sciences Thesis Defense3:00pmat Academic Learning Center, ALC 1200
Speaker: Aleksandra Hilliard, MSCB student
Title: Chemical and Physical Characterization of Verbenaceae Essential Oils Using Modern Analytical Methods and Chemometrics
Abstract: Essential oils have been used for generations to treat various health issues, including mitigating insomnia, reducing stress, inflammation, and preserving foods, to mention a few. Essential oils have complex chemistry, which defines the essence of the host plant. Recently, increased commercial uses of essential oils have prompted attention at the governmental level to monitor the chemical, physical, or biological activity of essential oils. This study is an attempt to add new information for consumers to the understanding of the composition of essential oils.Modern analytical techniques including FTIR-ATR, GC-MS, LC-MS-MS, multivariate analysis statistics, and physio-chemical techniques (electrochemistry, DPPH, TRC, and antimicrobial assays) were used to characterize essential oils belonging to the Verbenaceae family. This is a family of plant products that have a history of treating respiratory and gastrointestinal related disorders. Using Commercial essential oils mathematical models were built from the FTIR-ATR and GC-MS data to extract the chemical characteristics. These same models could be used to evaluate the quality of the essential oils. LC-MS-MS was to expand the chemical characterization. Electrochemistry explored the antioxidant activities of essential oils, which was compared to standard DPPH and TRC methods.
The mathematical models provided useful variables to classify the essential oils from one another. With the input matrix ranging from 0-1, class predictions of the essential oils ranged from 0.84-1.18. LC-MS-MS offered new compounds that could not be accessed using GC-MS. SWV parameters, like total charge, correlated well with TRC results for antioxidant activity. Each of the oils exhibited adequate antibacterial activity, with subdued effects on the fungal species assessed.
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- 30MondayMS in Chemical Sciences Thesis Defense2:00pmat Science Building, SC 212
Speaker: Gillyan Jewett, MSCB student
Title: Characterization of p38α and Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 Binding
Abstract: P38α is a member of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. This family is important for mediating signal transduction pathways through phosphorylation of downstream substrates. Previous work has described the ability of p38α to bind and phosphorylate nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3, aka endotheial NOS) at two sites, the autoinhibitory loop (AI) at S600 and the N-terminal MAPK binding site (NtMAP) at S114. P38α has two substrate binding domains, the common docking groove (CD-groove) and a hydrophobic pocket (DEF) that are important in binding and phosphorylating various substrates specific to each pocket. Utilizing biolayer interferometry, this work describes the importance of both pockets in binding NOS3. AI peptides preferentially bound an interfering DEF pocket variant of p38α suggesting the CD-groove is important for binding whereas NtMAP peptides preferentially bound an interfering CD-groove variant, demonstrating reliance on DEF pocket binding. Phosphorylation of p38α (WT and variants) at the activation loop demonstrated an overall better affinity to NOS3 peptides. Oxidation of p38α induces a disulfide bond in the CD-groove and we found an increase in affinity to the NtMAP, suggesting binding of the disulfide form is mediated through the DEF pocket. Overall, NOS3 phosphorylation at S114 and S600 is DEF pocket dependent. NOS3 and p38 binding in situ detected with proximity ligation assay revealed localization of phosphorylated S114 to the nucleus in HMEC-1 cells. All together these findings provide insight into the complex interactions of binding and activity leading to new questions about the impact in regulation of NOS3 and p38. - 1Tuesday
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July 2025
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August 2025
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- 26TuesdayBirla Carbon Scholars Program 2025 Research Symposium1:30pmat Carmichael Student Center, University Rooms
Please join us as we celebrate the 12th annual Birla Carbon Scholars Program with the 2025 Research Symposium in the Carmichael Student Center University Rooms (Kennesaw Campus) on Tuesday, August 26th, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to view undergraduate research within the College of Science and Mathematics by our Birla Carbon Scholars.
RSVP for the event: Coming soon.
This symposium is made possible through the generous support of Birla Carbon, the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of Carbon Black. Thanks to Birla’s support, KSU students majoring in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Mathematics, or Physics have had the opportunity to participate in hands-on, mentor-guided research, a crucial experience as they pursue careers or further their education.
Meet this year's scholars:
Iona Alatar, Chemistry major (Mentor: Dr. Mohammad Halim)
Matt Bonvissuto, Physics major (Mentor: Dr. David Joffe)
Oliver Buckley, Biology major (Mentor: Dr. Soon Goo Lee)
Makenna Dunkel, Biology major (Mentor: Dr. Dongyu Jia)
Michael Evans, Chemistry major (Mentor: Dr. Daniela Tapu)
Ieza Fatima, Biology major (Mentor: Dr. Carol Chrestensen)
Brooklyn Galvan, Environmental Science major (Mentor: Dr. Andrew Haddow)
Caitlyn Garrett, Physics & Mathematics majors (Mentor: Dr. Andreas Papaefstathiou)
Casey Hampson, Physics major (Mentor: Dr. Marco Guzzi)
Essix Moser, Biology major (Mentor: Dr. Martin Hudson)
Sulaiman Shaikh, Physics major (Mentor: Dr. Mahmoud Asmar)
Katlyn Wacker, Environmental Science major (Mentor: Dr. Mario Bretfeld)This event may be photographed and/or filmed. Please be aware that you may be photographed and/or recorded at any point before, during, or after this event. By attending, you agree to give the College of Science and Mathematics permission to use your likeness and/or image for promotional purposes. If you do not want your photograph taken, you understand it is your responsibility to consult with the photographer(s) about your concern before your photo is taken.
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September 2025
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October 2025
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November 2025
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December 2025
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January 2026
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February 2026
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March 2026
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April 2026
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