Research Areas
Advanced Glycation End Products as a Biomarker of Type 2 Diabetes in Skeletal Remains: An Age-Controlled Approach to Expanding the Forensic Biological Profile
Forensic anthropologists construct a biological profile from age, sex, population affinity, and stature, yet the skeleton may also preserve evidence of a decedent’s medical history which could prove crucial to identification process. Type 2 diabetes degrades bone quality , compromising the skeletal structural integrity. The chronic hyperglycemia associated with the disease accelerates the process of nonenzymatic glycation of bone collagen, resulting in the accumulation of the harmful Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). AGEs accumulate in cortical bone during the natural aging process, however individuals with diabetes appear to accumulate them at an accelerated rate. Younger individuals may therefore show elevated levels inconsistent with natural level of AGEs expected for their age. The focus of this research is whether elevated AGE levels in the skeletal remains of younger individuals can indicate type 2 diabetes. This research was conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Ginesse Listi.
Exploring Generative AI Use Among Undergraduate STEM Majors: Patterns and Purposes
Generative AI tools have been rapidly integrated into the learning habits of undergraduate students. Students increasingly turn to AI as an aid for studying, problem solving, and completing assignments. The goal of this study is to characterize and understand patterns of AI usage among undergraduate students majoring in STEM. This study draws on four core STEM courses: biology, calculus, chemistry, and physics.Within each course, the study examines which large language models (LLMs) students use, what tasks they use them for, and how their use differs from one subject to another. Comparing courses reveal where students find AI most useful and whether certain features of these AI models can apply across disciplines. This research was conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Maryrose Weatherton with the Weatherton Lab at LSU.
Gluteus Maximus Transfer Surgical Technique
Chronic tears of the hip abductor tendons can cause debilitating and lasting lateral hip pain, an altered gait, and difficulty walking for extended periods of time or long distances. Due to the abductor tendon’s square shape and its short length, these tears are often difficult to repair and may require augmentation to compensate for tissue loss. Post surgical failures are common. The success rate of revision repairs is often unsatisfactory. Gluteus Maximus transfer has emerged as a viable treatment for irreparable tears of the hip abductor tendons, a technique excellent for reducing lateral hip pain. I co-authored this article with Dr. Bryan Hanypsiak at Physicians Regional Medical Center.
