GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR RECEIVES $54K GRANT TO RESEARCH CANCER PREVENTION

An endowed professor at Grambling State University received a $54,000 grant to research cancer prevention.

Waneene Dorsey, the Ernest Everett Just Endowed Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, received the grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents to fund cancer research on toxicogenomics.

This field of science combines toxicology and genomics to understand the collection, interpretation and storage of information about gene and protein activity within a particular cell or tissue of an organism in response to toxic substances.

Since cancer is the uncontrolled multiplication of DNA-damaged cells, identifying what molecules activate cancer gene proteins could lead to the discovery of ways to prevent the onset of cancer.

“I am identifying molecules that turn on cancer gene proteins in mouse liver cells, which allow the uncontrolled behavior of cells,” Dorsey said. “Once the biomolecules have been identified, they can be blocked by various chemicals. These chemicals have the potential to provide a medicinal tool to help prevent the onset of cancer.”

Dorsey’s research proposal was submitted to cancer research specialists in other states for review by the Louisiana Board of Regents. Her proposal ranked number 18 out of 36 funded proposals and received high marks for institutional capabilities, commitment and support.

Dorsey is a globally known cancer researcher who performs most of her experiments in the Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratory in Carver Hall at GSU. Over the years, she has trained many biology students through internships, while her research activities have provided a strong platform for toxicogenomics at GSU.

Endowed Chair Of Mathematics Uses Extensive Research Background To Develop Prepared Students

Grambling State University Endowed Chair of Mathematics Dr. Anjan Biswas sees himself as a connector searching to forge strong relationships with his students while also focusing on research and publishing.

Dr. Biswas, who has published thousands of papers and articles joined the GSU Department of Mathematics last year after previously serving on the faculties of Alabama A&M. Biswas earned his MA and Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of New Mexico and completed his postdoctoral studies at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

His current research interest is in Mathematical Photonics in which he concentrates on soliton perturbation theory, quasi-stationary solitons, quasi-particle theory, variational principle as well as semi-inverse variational principle that are all applicable to the study of optical solitons.

“I see my role as trying to help put Grambling State University on the mathematical map through my publishing, and hopefully through future publications from some of our students,” Biswas said. “We want people to know all this kind of research is being done at Grambling State University, and it’s the published papers that make that happen."

Biswas said a chance to concentrate more on research was a big reason why he jumped on the opportunity when offered the endowed professor at Grambling State.

“Teaching was a big part of my earlier positions, so much so to the degree that it made it hard to delve into research as much as I do here,” Biswas said. “I teach two classes here at Grambling State and the rest is all research, which has helped me to produce more publications.

“And I’m looking for students who want to be excited about being involved. I supervised senior projects for four different students while I was at Alabama A&M and all their papers were published in doctoral journals. So, I’m looking for those kinds of students at Grambling State, where I can supervise them and help them publish their research, too.”

Dr. Biswas said his prolific publishing isn’t about presenting his research to students and fellow educators, but also to help Grambling State University become recognized as a leading university in the field of mathematics.

Full Story

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES DEPARTMENT GARNERS $2M DOE GRANT TO SUPPORT

Hub

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Grambling State University (GSU) was named as a recipient of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will benefit university students in need of childcare while they attend classes.

Known as the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant — was awarded to GSU to develop comprehensive support strategies for student parents, including childcare services.

“Grambling [State], not unlike many other institutions, is seeing a consistent rise in the number of older and intergenerational families — grandparents, parents, and grandchildren) as a part of the campus community,” said Professor Terry Matthews, Project Director and Chair of GSU’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. “This grant award will allow the University to provide additional opportunities and services for these students and significantly enhance their pathway to graduation.”

Grambling State’s CCAMPIS project will undertake three major initiatives over the course of the four-year grant. These include providing subsidized childcare for 42 eligible GSU students with dependent children at the new GSU Child Development Center; establishing a Parent Resource Hub for all GSU student parents, including a Student Parent Task Force; and supporting accreditation and licensing of future early childhood education professionals.

According to Theodore Callier, Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs, the university has received several recent grants awarded to GSU faculty and staff.

“This CCAMPIS grant represents a major investment in GSU’s strategic plan and the U.S. Department of Education’s continued commitment to student success,” Callier said.

The grant, which began recently, is scheduled to continue through September 2027.

Carol Alexander-Lewis, who on Jan. 8, 2024, will become interim director of the GSU Childcare Center to be created by this funding, said receiving the grant will help strengthen the university’s Department of Family & Consumer Sciences.

"They’ll have that real-life lab space to interact with young children as they would when they enter the field. That’s going to be a great opportunity for the students at the university. It will help student parents at the university because there will be a space on campus for them while they’re in class to bring their children to receive quality childcare services. And that’s another great opportunity for the university.”

“This will allow the university to service student parents while also allowing the university to implement or develop what will essentially be a learning laboratory for Grambling’s FCS students,” Alexander-Lewis said. “It will function as a lab space for them to perform their student teaching, their practicums, and internships — those field experiences — at the university itself.”

“I sort of equate it to nursing students visiting hospitals. They’ll have that real-life lab space to interact with young children as they would when they enter the field. That’s going to be a great opportunity for the students at the university. It will help student parents at the university because there will be a space on campus for them while they’re in class to bring their children to receive quality childcare services. And that’s another great opportunity for the university.”

Alexander-Lewis said she is especially proud of the childcare ecosystem that will be created at GSU.

“You’ll have GSU students working with the children of fellow students,” she said. “You’ll have GSU professors working with those students learning the field. And when all of that works together functionally as it should, it’s very beneficial to the institution.”

“I’m just happy I’ll get the opportunity to help see it exist. I’ve actually had the opportunity to serve as a director for the type of center that the funding GSU is receiving will make happen. I’ve seen how it works and seen how valuable it is, so I’m just excited to see Grambling receive this opportunity to participate in such a beneficial program.”