Graduate Students Take Home Awards at System-wide CSU Student Research Competition

Two graduate students from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) were winners at the 22nd annual system-wide CSU Student Research Competition held May 2-3 at CSU East Bay.

Redondo Beach resident Giancarlo Bonora, a second-year grad student, was named outstanding presenter in the biology-graduate division’s first session for his presentation of a study that could have implications in the fight against breast cancer. His research mentor on the project was Dr. H.K. Choi, CSUDH assistant professor of biology.

Chaka Dodson, a CSUDH alumna (2007, B.A. psychology) who is now working on her master’s degree in clinical psychology, was named runner-up in her session in the graduate-psychology division for research she did on neurocognitive dysfunction, depression and resilience in HIV-positive men. Her research mentor was Dr. Karen Mason, assistant professor of psychology and coordinator of the M.A. in clinical psychology program.

Approximately 200 students from each of the 23 CSU campuses participated in the CSU Student Research Competition that highlights undergraduate and graduate student research in disciplines ranging from the humanities to the sciences. Monetary awards for outstanding presenter and runner-up are given for both sessions in each discipline.

For Bonora, winning his session was an unexpected experience. The 34-year-old native South African is still getting used to being called a biologist. A graduate from the University of Cape Town in South Africa with a degree in computer science, Bonora had been working in London as a computer programmer for several years when he developed a fascination for biology. The field interested him so much that he decided to further his studies, first sitting in on biology classes and then enrolling in correspondence courses through the University of South Africa.

In 2006, after having moved to Redondo Beach with his wife, who is from Los Angeles, Bonora looked into taking a biochemistry laboratory course at CSU Dominguez Hills. Dr. Noel Strum, chair of the chemistry department, suggested he enter the master’s program in biology, which was further encouraged by biology department chair Dr. John Thomlinson, and Dr. John Roberts, graduate coordinator of biology. He started the program in the spring of 2007 and that summer began working with Dr. Choi on his research on mammary epithelial cells, which are breast cells that produce milk proteins under the influence the hormone prolactin.

The research paper Bonora presented up at CSU East Bay, “The Role of Lipid Rafts in STAT5 Activation in Mammary Epithelial Cell,” involved an examination of the importance of lipid rafts, which are tiny components in cell membranes, in mammary cell stimulation, particularly how they influence STAT5A (Signal Transductors and Activators of Transcription) activity. An intracellular molecule, STAT5A is believed to be associated with the development of cancer, given its active form has been found in tumor samples. Bonora said this study is looking at whether lipid rafts play a role in influencing STAT5A activity in mammary cells.

“If we can discover the mechanism behind how lipid rafts modulate STAT5A activation, it might help us to understand how its dysregulation leads to tumors,” he said.

Like all presenters, Bonara had to submit a written abstract of the study and give a 10-minute presentation before a jury of experts from the corporate world, the nonprofit sector, governmental agencies and universities. Presenting the research in a clear and concise way in the timeframe allotted was the most challenging part, Bonora said. Having listened to the other presentations, he was taken aback at having won.

“I was very impressed with all the research,” he said.

Bonora has completed all his coursework towards his master’s degree and is finishing up work on his thesis. He plans to enter a doctoral program and ultimately become a researcher and/or educator.

Dodson, a resident of Inglewood, said she was happy with her runner-up win at CSU Student Research Competition, but in the same breath says she’ll be back next year for a first-place win. She says she’s nothing if not determined and resilient, which is why she believes she was drawn to psychology.

“I’m very interested in human behavior and what motivates an individual to act in a certain way,” says the first-year graduate student whose research paper at the competition looked at depression and resiliency, specifically in men who are HIV-positive. “I found that HIV-positive men who were classified to have lower cognitive function, were more depressed and less resilient than those with higher cognitive function. The areas in the brain that incur major assault as a result of HIV overlap with the areas that have also been implicated in depression. Ideally once their diagnosed with HIV, they should be monitored and treated for depression to increase their ability to be resilient.”

Dodson became interested in psychology after transferring to CSU Dominguez Hills from a community college in the fall of 2005. Prior to enrolling at CSU Dominguez Hills, Dodson had changed her major more than once, not feeling particularly inspired but knowing she wanted to get a college degree. She credits her mentor, Dr. Carl Sneed, professor of psychology at CSUDH, with turning her academic spark into a fire and restoring her educational hope.

“He [Dr. Sneed] opened me up to unlimited educational opportunities and encouraged me to get involved in research,” Dodson said, adding that the university as a whole has been very supportive and nurturing environment for educational growth. “This university has allowed me to see an inspiring reflection of who I will become some day by giving me the opportunity to work closely with a diverse group of professors who want me to succeed by exceeding standard expectations.”

Dodson has aspirations of going on to get her Ph.D. in psychology. She would like to continue engaging in neuropsychological research and become a professor at CSUDH so she can reciprocate the support, guidance and inspiration she received from her mentors and the institution that has been so instrumental in transforming her life.

“I want to continue the tradition of support,” she said.

But for now, she’s busy laying the groundwork for her future. Dodson works at the Urban Community Research Center on campus, run by sociology professor Dr. Ricky Bluthenthal. There she’s learning all aspects of research, from concept to analysis. She also serves as a teaching assistant in Dr. Sneed’s Introduction to Research Methods class.

The CSU Student Research Competition was the first statewide competition she’s participated in; she and Bonora won in their disciplines at the preliminary competition at CSUDH. She said the experience was invaluable.

“I felt honored to represent my department, my university,” Dodson said. “I was proud to bring home an award to CSUDH.”

Also representing CSU Dominguez Hills at CSU Student Research Competition were Michael de la Rocha, interdisciplinary master’s; Jonny Baker, graduate, public administration; Tigress Briggs Wroten, graduate, public administration; Sheryl Tsai, Amy Zavora, Alexandra Benitez-Alvarez, Kyla Dickerson Santana, graduates, occupational therapy; Xhercis Mendez, undergraduate, interdisciplinary studies; and Staryl McCabe-Glynn, second bachelor’s, earth science.

- Amy Bentley-Smith

Photo above: Giancarlo Bonora was named outstanding presenter in the biology-graduate division at the California State University systemwide Student Research Competition.
Photo by Joanie Harmon