Today, Friday, August 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM EDT, our scientific community gathered virtually for the BMRI/Appel Summer Scholar Program Seminar, marking its 6th year. Summer Scholars Sosmita Islam and Ashley Acosta-Pereyra delivered impressive presentations showcasing their research achievements.
Presentation Highlights
- Sosmita Islam (Orr Lab): Mentored by Daniel Barnett under Principal Investigator Anna Orr, Sosmita presented her project on mitochondrial complex III and its capacity for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Her work demonstrated that CIII-derived ROS amplify immune-linked STAT3 signaling in cultured astrocytes, positioning CIII-ROS as a key neuroimmune regulator and potential therapeutic target.
- Ashley Acosta-Pereyra (Milner & Glass Lab): Guided by mentor Dana Silberstein, Ashley explored sex differences in hindbrain neural activation following sodium depletion in mice. Her findings revealed fewer c-Fos-activated cells in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of female mice compared to controls, suggesting a protective effect against overactivation of sodium appetite circuits.
The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Teresa Milner, Director of the BMRI/Appel Summer Scholar Program, who recognized the students’ hard work, commended their mentors, and thanked the involved Principal Investigators, including Dr. Costantino Iadecola (Director, BMRI) and Dr. Li Gan (Director, Appel Institute). Special gratitude was extended to Maulika Dua and Billy Coronas for their administrative support and coordination.
We appreciate the ongoing support of our community and look forward to the 2026 program!