Howard University

NSF Awards · FY 2027 · 2027-01

ACCORDS (Advancing Community Collaborations in Open Research and Data Systems) is a three-day, cross-cutting improvements-focused meeting that will help increase knowledge about processes and approaches that lower barriers to accessing, curating, integrating, linking, managing, sharing, and storing data across many disciplinary domains. This first meeting will serve as a hub for building a cross-cutting, network-wide open science and data community. The ACCORDS meeting will be held April 14-16, 2027 at Howard University, and will engage attendees in a series of pathways to help map and engage the interconnected components of the broader open source and open science ecosystems. The ACCORDS Conference will be informed by external partners and research to understand differences in open science across disciplines, which will allow members to frame overlaps and distinctions at the departmental and program levels. Through needs assessments and targeted training, ACCORDS will identify critical barriers and opportunities for adopting findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable open science (FAIROS) principles and practices. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2026 · 2026-05

Essential of Essential: A Variational Graph Attention Framework for Predicting Gene Essentiality and Functional Substructures Understanding which genes are essential for life and why is critical for advancing biology and medicine. Essential genes, whose loss causes cell death or severe defects, are key to uncovering fundamental cellular processes and developing targeted therapies for diseases like cancer and infections. However, experimental methods to identify these genes are costly, limited by context, and unable to pinpoint the protein regions driving essentiality. Current computational models, while promising, often lack biological clarity, relying on opaque data features and failing to identify functional protein substructures. This project proposes a novel computational framework using Graph Attention Networks (GATs) to predict gene essentiality and reveal biologically meaningful protein substructures. We will develop advanced GAT models that incorporate interpretable biochemical features, such as amino acid charge and hydrophobicity, to enhance prediction accuracy and clarity. By integrating a variational graph partitioning approach, our models will identify cohesive protein modules—like catalytic sites or interaction interfaces— rather than scattered residues, aligning predictions with biological function. We will also move beyond binary essential/non-essential labels by modeling continuous fitness effects, capturing subtle gene contributions to health and disease. Our approach will use curated datasets from yeast, human, and model organisms, validated against evolutionary, disease, and functional data. Expected outcomes include more accurate, interpretable models for gene essentiality, new insights into disease mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets. The project will engage undergraduate students in interdisciplinary research, fostering skills in biology and data science. This work will transform gene essentiality prediction, bridging computational and biological sciences to advance drug discovery, synthetic biology, and precision medicine, while training the next generation of biomedical researchers.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-10

The Assessing and Predicting Job Outcomes in AI (APJO-AI) research coordination network (RCN) will establish a national network across sectors, disciplines, and organizations focused on assessment of the current state of AI jobs and to predict future trends, in order to contribute towards a strong national economy given that AI is reshaping nearly every sector of society. There is a pressing national need to build a workforce equipped with AI skills and knowledge to meet emerging challenges. The APJO-AI network will focus on the core questions of (1) What defines an “AI job”? (2) What skills are needed for “AI jobs”? and (3) How do we build AI credentials and curricula? Given that the field of AI and the AI marketplace are rapidly evolving, ongoing assessments will be conducted of these core questions. The ability to predict trends in the AI job market will provide essential insights on expanding opportunities in this space and for strengthening the national AI infrastructure. The APJO-AI RCN will be guided by a Steering Committee consisting of individuals with expertise in AI across the range of K-12 education, higher education, workforce development, industry, and entrepreneurship. The network will bring together stakeholders across sectors, disciplines, and regions through coordinated activities including workshops, convenings, and public knowledge-sharing platforms. By convening stakeholders from academia, industry, and government, the RCN will generate knowledge and the corresponding frameworks to help understand AI-related workforce trajectories. The network will produce synthesis reports, workshop proceedings, curated labor data dashboards, and a public-facing knowledge base website. Information captured from RCN activities will also be shared through the website, press releases, and targeted email listservs to maximize reach and impact. The RCN will generate timely insights into the state of AI jobs and AI job trends to assist in building a stronger AI workforce. The reports, analyses, and other products generated by the network will help guide employers, academic leaders, and decision-makers in aligning curriculum design, hiring practices, and workforce strategies with real-time skill needs, resulting in a robust AI-enabled workforce. The project will be evaluated based on the Results-Based Accountability (RBA) framework that serves to assess both the quantity and quality of the RCN’s activities and outcomes. The evaluation will provide ongoing feedback to inform project decision-making and improve the project as it progresses. The APJO-AI RCN provides a foundation for sustained national engagement to inform future directions in AI workforce development and to develop strategies for expanding national capacity in AI. Drawing on input from educators, industry leaders, government agencies, workforce innovators, and the broader public, the RCN will accelerate the development of strategies to strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to emerging AI workforce needs through public-private partnerships. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-10

The project aims to serve the national need of equipping STEM educators with innovative teaching strategies and hands-on research experiences. This project focuses on empowering pre-service and in-service teachers from high-need school districts in the Washington, D.C. metro area through training in robotics and automation. By integrating robotics and automation into K-12 curricula, the program inspires students from all communities to pursue STEM careers, addressing systemic disparities. The five-year curriculum modules, supported by virtual and physical labs, are accessible through the Howard Outreach Program website, enabling nationwide replication and scalability. This project at Howard University collaborates with high-need school districts and the industry partner Quanser to provide participants with resources, mentorship, and research opportunities. Goals include training 60 educators over five years, integrating Guided Inquiry-Based Learning (GIBL) into classroom practices, and developing replicable educational models. The curriculum emphasizes foundational robotics and automation concepts, supported by rigorous evaluation methods to measure changes in teaching efficacy, STEM self-efficacy, and classroom implementation. Through its focus on teacher development, the project has the potential to significantly advance STEM education and contribute to a technologically proficient workforce. This Research Experience in STEM Settings (RESS) project is supported through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (Noyce). The Noyce program supports talented STEM undergraduate majors and professionals to become effective K-12 STEM teachers and experienced, exemplary K-12 teachers to become STEM master teachers in high-need school districts. It also supports research on the effectiveness and retention of K-12 STEM teachers in high-need school districts. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2025 · 2025-09

The incidence of Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) has notably risen in recent years, reaching approximately 25–30% of the U.S. population by 2023. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for research in this area. MASLD is a chronic condition characterized by hepatic fat accumulation (hepatic steatosis) combined with possible inflammation and progression to fibrosis, which is associated with underlying metabolic dysregulation. The reported incidence of MASLD among African Americans (AAs) in the US is low (13%) compared to the other population. However, AAs have a high incidence of risk factors associated with MASLD, often presenting with more aggressive and advanced stages of the disease at diagnosis. Our prior investigation identified the dysregulation of TGFB1 and E2F1 and related pathways in blood tissue samples from AA patients with early-stage MASLD. Our findings indicated the activation of the hepatic fibrosis signaling pathway toward the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in MASLD patients. Still, the contribution of signature genes and their pathways to steatosis progression, specifically type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in AAs, is underexplored. Building on these lines of evidence, we hypothesize that AAs with T2DM exhibit distinct transcriptomic and genetic signatures related to inflammation, insulin resistance, and fibrosis, which affect the progression of hepatic steatosis and explain the lower risk in MASLD incidence despite high-metabolic risk factors prevalence. We propose this exploratory project to address these knowledge gaps and help to identify the genetic pathways disrupted by diabetes in the progression of MASLD in the AA population. It will improve our understanding of disease mechanisms in MASLD. Specific Aim1 is to comprehensively characterize the transcriptomic signatures and molecular pathways in T2DM and MASLD (T2DM with Steatosis) among African Americans. For this aim, the gene signature genetic variations and molecular pathways that contribute to the progression of hepatic steatosis in T2DM AAs will be identified as related to inflammation, insulin resistance, and fibrosis to determine the bio-functions  Additionally, we will make a quick screening of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) of known MASLD-related variants (e.g., PNPLA3), to verify their role in liver disease progression, looking for the genetic differences among AA that explain lower MASLD incidence. Specific Aim 2 is to validate and correlate transcriptomic signatures with insulin resistance and inflammatory markers to examine their role in patients’ metabolic conditions and disease outcomes. we will validate the identified signature genes from Specific Aim 1 using qRT-PCR (high-throughput TaqMan Low-Density Array). Then we will correlate the status of inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB) and insulin resistance using the HOMA-IR index, and other metabolic conditions retrieved from the patients EMR, with steatosis severity in AAs with T2DM and MASLD. We will apply logistic regression to classify and predict the prognosis associated with the expression of these signature genes, thereby quantifying future risk. This research will provide a strong foundation for an evidence-based RO1 study to understand the MASLD progression across the population. It will also identify actionable interventions to improve minority health and reduce health disparities with a vision of tailored therapies in the future.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2025 · 2025-09

Project Summary / Abstract Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder affecting millions globally, with significant economic and social impacts. Despite extensive research, the molecular mechanisms underlying SCZ remain largely elusive, particularly the role of rare genetic mutations. Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and machine learning (ML) offer new avenues to explore these genetic variations. Our proposal aims to develop the Platform for Analyzing Mutations associated with Schizophrenia (PAMS), a comprehensive computational tool integrating structure-based energy calculations and sequence-based ML to predict the effects of mutations in SCZ-associated genes. In Aim 1, we will investigate the impact of missense mutations on protein stability by generating computational structures for 12 SCZ risk genes using AlphaFold and the SWISS-MODEL Repository, applying computational saturation mutagenesis, and assessing the effects on protein stability through changes in folding free energy (ΔΔG). In Aim 2, we will predict the effects of mutations on protein-protein interactions by constructing complex structure models of SCZ risk genes with their interacting partners, calculating binding energy changes (ΔΔΔG), and validating these effects through co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP). In Aim 3, we will develop PAMS to analyze mutations in 921 genes identified from a meta-analysis, integrating sequence-based ML predictors and structure-based calculations to predict the consequences of mutations on protein stability and interactions. PAMS will feature a comprehensive database and user-friendly website for accessible analysis, enhancing collaboration in psychiatric genetics and bioinformatics. This platform aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of SCZ, providing valuable insights into the functional effects of rare mutations and offering research-intensive training opportunities for students at Howard University.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2025 · 2025-08

Viral-induced heart disease in pediatric patients presents substantial challenges, given the limited treatment options available. Recent studies have highlighted cases of flavivirus-induced myocarditis in clinical settings supported by relevant animal models. Neonatal mice infected with the Zika virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus, exhibit severe heart dysfunction, organ impairment, and mortality, revealing previously underestimated clinical risks associated with neonatal ZIKV infection. Animals and humans with microcephaly can survive despite neuronal damage, suggesting that neuronal injury alone is not fatal. This implies that damage to other organs may contribute to ZIKV-associated mortality. Therefore, this R16 grant proposal aims to unravel the intricate mechanisms behind ZIKV-induced cardiac dysfunction through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations. The overarching objective is to deepen our understanding of viral heart disease pathogenesis and identify novel therapeutic targets for effective interventions. Recent groundbreaking research has shed light on the lethal effects of ZIKV infection in neonatal mice. These findings underscore the complex interplay between ZIKV infection and cardiomyocyte dysfunction, highlighting potential links between viral replication, inflammation, and cardiac abnormalities. Our central hypothesis posits that ZIKV replication within the heart triggers the degradation of crucial cardiac proteins and provokes inflammation, ultimately leading to neonatal heart dysfunction. To test this hypothesis, we have designed two specific aims that explore distinct facets of heart damage caused by ZIKV infection: 1) Unraveling the mechanisms underlying ZIKV-induced heart injury. We will investigate the impact of ZIKV on gap junction conductance in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes, conduct in vivo studies to elucidate the inflammatory damage caused by ZIKV on cardiomyocytes, and examine potential ischemic effects of ZIKV on heart tissue. 2) Investigating ZIKV-induced degradation of crucial cardiomyocyte proteins. We will explore interactions between ZIKV and cellular proteins associated with cardiomyocyte functions (in vitro) and assess the impact of postnatal ZIKV infection on neonatal mice's centrosomes and Cx43 proteins (in vivo). This multifaceted research will be spearheaded by Dr. Qiyi Tang, a virologist with extensive experience in ZIKV research, supported by a team of experts, including Dr. Daniela Cihakova (cardiac immunology) and Dr. Pal Pacher (cardiovascular inflammation). This project represents a critical step toward addressing the urgent need for effective treatments for viral heart diseases in pediatric patients. The innovative proof of concept and experimental approaches, combining the complementary expertise of this strong collaborative team, hold great promise for success. We will actively recruit and mentor graduate and undergraduate students, offering them immersive experiences and exposure to the forefront of research in virology and cardiac pathology.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-08

Agricultural residues are made of complex plant materials, primarily cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which are tightly interwoven. Breaking them down efficiently and selectively is a key first step in biotechnology, as over 70% of their content consists of sugars that can be converted into bioethanol through chemical or enzymatic treatment and fermentation. However, these materials are naturally resistant to breakdown, making biofuel production challenging. To access the sugars, chemical pretreatments are used to separate the main components, but these processes consume large amounts of water, chemicals, and solvents, often damaging plant structures and producing harmful waste that threatens water quality. This project will explore dry fractionation as a sustainable and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional separation methods. Dry fractionation eliminates the need for chemicals and water, and generates no waste, while preserving structural integrity of key biopolymers. Results from the project could enable U.S. biorefineries to make special plant-based fibers at a significantly reduced cost compared with current methods. The project will help undergraduate and graduate students gain real-world experience in research, communication, and mentorship and receive industry feedback to make learning more relevant to modern bioprocessing needs. Additionally, the project will promote public engagement and STEM education through outreach activities like educational videos and a lignin nanofiber resource for students. By building stronger ties between universities and the biorefinery industry, the research will support innovation and collaboration that can drive sustainable technology development. This project will create a dry and chemical-free tribo-electrostatic separation (TES) method to separate agricultural biomass residues into two distinct fractions: a cellulose-rich fraction suitable for biofuel feedstock and a lignin-rich fraction to be further transformed into nanofiber biomaterials through electrospinning. These lignin-based nanofibers will potentially serve as effective adsorbents for organic contaminants and as components in supercapacitors. The overarching hypothesis is that cellulose's distinct surface properties and compositions compared to lignin and hemicellulose will result in different triboelectric charging behaviors, enabling their subsequent TES separation under an electric field. This research will 1) Investigate the relationship between triboelectric charging behaviors of biomass particles with their composition and physical properties; 2) Explore the TES separation behavior of biomass residues milled at varying particle sizes; 3) Assess the spinnability of electrostatically enriched lignin fractions for nanofiber production. Successful completion of this project will fill essential data gaps by investigating the tribo-charging behavior of biomass residues, enabling the development of completely dry, waste- and chemical-free TES while providing insight into critical factors affecting the purity of lignin-enriched fractions for nanofibers by electrospinning. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-07

With the support of the Chemistry of Life Processes Program in the Chemistry Division and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Excellence in Research (HBCU-EiR) Program, Dr. Jacqueline Smith will investigate the transport of small molecules through native transporters. Cell survival depends on the delivery of nutrients such as amino acids, carbohydrates and other valuable biochemicals into the cell. The delivery of the nutrients is enabled by transporters, which are proteins located in the cell membrane. The study of these proteins is challenging. Dr. Smith’s research seeks to create novel chemical probes to study a transporter, specifically the large amino acid transporter (LAT1). The research will also focus on the development of a method for rapid identification of small molecules that are substrates for LAT1. This project will give students at Bowie State an opportunity to explore protein biochemistry and other modern chemical biology techniques. The large amino acid transporter (LAT1) is a key nutrient transporter that is highly expressed in the cells in the brain and placenta and in cells with high energy demand in general. As a transmembrane protein, the structure of LAT1 has been determined only recently and transport by LAT1 was traditionally measured using radioisotope assays. Although computational methods have been used to study LAT1, experimental methods for validation of the computational predictions are lacking. Dr. Smith will pursue the development of proteoliposomes that contain LAT1. The small molecule binding to LAT1 within the proteoliposomes will be studied by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Newly developed fluorescent substrates will be used to screen for molecules that can be transported through LAT1. The tools developed in this study will be applied to gain a better understanding of the binding to and transport of small molecules by LAT1. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2026 · 2025-03

Project Summary/Abstract This K22 proposal describes my plan to obtain the necessary biological and educational skills, which provide me the foundation of developing my independent laboratory. Bivalent domains, which are chromatin regions where H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 coexist, are critical for cellular plasticity. I joined Dr. Zhao lab in order to pursue single cell epigenetic assays. In my postdoc training, I received very diverse and deep trainings, which have broadened my view of immunology, specifically T cell differentiation. Under the guidance of Dr. Zhao, I developed a new assay for profiling histone marks at the single cell level, but its low cell throughput limits its application to complex biological systems. Recently, I have developed a novel technique called iscChIC-seq which enhances the cell throughput. During the mentored phase of this award, I intend to expand my biological skills and apply iscChiC-seq to human CD4+ T cells. To this end, I have asked my biologist colleague to teach me certain experiments. I have asked Dr. Zhao to provide me with proper material, equipment and trainings to perform experiments. Under the guidance of Dr. Zhao and the resources from NHLBI will promote to support my work. Obtaining the necessary biological skills will enable me to setup my research lab and to effectively mentor students and postdoctoral from both computational and biological sciences. The goal of this proposal is to understand the roles of bivalent domains in cellular plasticity during human CD4+ T cell differentiation. In my preliminary analysis, I discovered that T cell plasticity-related genes can be identified using the scRNA-seq data in T cells. I hypothesize that some bivalent domains can regulate these plasticity-related genes. These domains termed as plasticity-related bivalent domains can be identified by histone mark dynamics along the CD4+ T cell differentiation process (Aim1). Previous studies have shown that chromatin re-organization occurs at bivalent domains during T cell differentiation. My preliminary results are consistent with this observation and further support that the chromatin re-organization is a complex dynamic process that has not been described before. Supported by the preliminary results, I propose that the chromatin structure associated with plasticity-related bivalent domains changes from condensed to open during T cell differentiation when new chromatin interactions can be formed and the connection with enhancers can be established. This hypothesis will be examined (Aim2). Finally, I will use the Ezh2 inhibitor to suppress the repressive histone marks (H3K27me3) at bivalent domains during T cell differentiation. Thus, the hypothesis of whether plasticity-related bivalent domains regulate target genes can be validated (Aim 3). These knowledges will be critical in identifying novel targets for drug and vaccine development for immune associated diseases. To ensure the successful completion of this proposal, I have assembled a committee of experts and collaborators that will help me on various aspects of this proposal.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-03

Controlled cell death is key to the removal of unheathy cells but new proteins are being discovered that contribute to the survival of unhealthy cells. The Smith Lab has designed small molecules that bind to a key protein involved in cell survival known as valosin-containing protein (VCP). This project seeks to modulate the function of VCP with small molecules to provide a fundamental understanding of the etiology of different diseases and provide clues to their future treatment. This project will be incorporated into a summer bridge program aimed at introducing incoming freshmen to research at Bowie State University, a Historically Black College & University (HCBU). During the summer students will participate in lab rotations in the Smith and other collaborating labs in the Department of Natural Sciences at Bowie State. These research experiences will demonstrate the importance of structure-function in small molecule-protein interactions through chemical synthesis, bioinformatics, biochemistry, and molecular biology projects. In addition to research, the summer bridge program will introduce students to college-level biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and physics. Given the robust research proposed and the nurturing environment of HBCUs, students participating in this program will have the skills and confidence to succeed in STEM. Valosin-containing protein is a hexameric ATPase which is key to protein degradation due to its role in the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Many downstream effects of VCP modulation have been identified including cell migration. However current small molecules that target the ATPase activity of VCP are unselective. Allosteric binders have shown promise as alternatives to ATPase binders, however acquired resistance has been observed. The Smith Lab has identified small molecules which bind to VCP through molecular docking. These molecules have the potential to be tools to understand how VCP binding effects downstream processes such as cell migration through regulation of p53 and NF-KB. Ultimately this study will give new insight into the role of VCP in cellular malignancy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2024 · 2024-12

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) through Targeted Infusion Projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based, innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of HBCU undergraduate students so that they may pursue science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) graduate programs and/or careers. The goal of this project is to enhance computational biology training for undergraduate students at Howard University (HU) by integrating computational biology into the curriculum, preparing students for real-world research scenarios, and fostering interdisciplinary skills. The project aims to advance undergraduate education in computational biology at HU through three primary objectives. First, new advanced Computational Biology courses will be developed, focusing on high-throughput data analysis, machine learning, and genomic evolution, along with practical workshops such as “R in Bioinformatics" and "Python & Biology.” Second, the project will enhance existing biology courses by integrating big data analytics modules, providing students with tools for machine learning and artificial intelligence to solve complex biological questions. Third, a specialized Image Data Analysis Platform will be established, offering cutting-edge bioinformatics tools and cloud resources for research in cell biology, single-cell sequencing, biomechanics, and neuroscience. This platform will support in-depth image data analysis and skill development. The project will also assess its impact on the advanced computational biology training, improved quantitative skills, enhanced scientific communication, elevated self-efficacy, and the development of a strong scientific identity of students, with the goal of establishing a model program for strengthening computational biology training for underrepresented undergraduates. By equipping students with these advanced skills, the project will contribute to the field of computational biology and broaden participation in the STEM workforce. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2025 · 2024-09

Combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) reduces HIV-1 replication, viral load and increases survival of people living with HIV-1 (PLWH). PLWH who receive cART PLWH who receive cART are still under the risk of developing HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Chronic neuroinflammation is a critical factor for HAND pathogenesis. HIV-1 proteins (Tat, Vpr, Vpu and gp41) that expressed without HIV-1 replication induce inflammasome activation in chronic microglia and macrophages infection. Cocaine enhances HIV-1 replication in microglia in vitro. In HIV infected macrophages in the presence of cocaine, significant upregulation of NLRP3 gene and ROS production has been observed. Therefore, both cocaine and HIV-1 proteins may act synergistically to enhance inflammasome activation and neuroinflammation. We demonstrated that HIV-1 causes abnormal distribution of macrophages in the lungs of HIV-Tg mice after LPS administration, and inhibition of HIV-1 transcription restores normal macrophages distribution. Cocaine, which increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, may impact monocyte/macrophages migration. We hypothesize that cocaine exposure induces endothelial injury and increases accumulation of perivascular macrophages and microglia in HIV-Tg mice. We further hypothesize that HIV-1 proteins, cocaine, and DAMP signals from injured endothelial cells synergistically increase inflammasome activation. We propose that HIV-1 proteins will impair trans-endothelial migration of macrophages and reduce microglial migration towards the injured vessels, leading to prolonged inflammation. In Specific Aim 1, we will characterize myeloid cell populations in different brain locations in HIV- Tg mice under chronic cocaine treatment. We will evaluate a number, distribution and inflammasome activation in brain myeloid cells in HIV-Tg mice under cocaine exposure by immunostaining, RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis of isolated myeloid cells. In Specific Aim 2, we will evaluate accumulation of perivascular macrophages and microglia around the vessels after cocaine exposure. We will test accumulation of macrophages and microglia around vessels after acute and chronic exposure of HIV-Tg mice to cocaine. Our hypothesis proposed in this application, if proven correct, would demonstrate that cocaine-induced endothelial damage enhances inflammasome activation and increases the accumulation of myeloid cells around vessels. The potential implications of this discovery could be used to develop novel therapeutic treatments that inhibit HIV-1 transcription or decrease brain endothelial injury.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2025 · 2024-09

The H-H U54 Program aims to strengthen collaborative research, training, and community-focused initiatives between Howard University (HU) and the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC). Based in the Washington, DC–Maryland–Virginia (DMV) region, the two institutions together serve a large urban population with varied cancer care needs. Howard University and Johns Hopkins University possess complementary strengths that position them to jointly develop innovative programs that improve cancer research, education, and care delivery. H-H U54 will address the regional cancer burden by integrating research excellence, training infrastructure, and community outreach. The program’s overarching goals are to: (1) support collaborative research projects; (2) expand training opportunities at HU; and (3) improve cancer-related education and care in the region. H-H U54 includes four Cores (Administrative, Outreach, Research Education, and Planning & Evaluation); two Full Research Projects; one Pilot Research Project; and one Shared Resource Core (Data Science Shared Resource). Through these components, the Partnership will: (1) build cancer research and training capacity at HU through collaborative projects and shared resources; (2) advance transdisciplinary cancer research at SKCCC with a focus on regional needs; (3) increase the number of investigators and trainees engaged in cancer-focused research; (4) strengthen the research pipeline through ROI@J-HU (Research Opportunity and Innovation at Johns Hopkins and Howard Universities), a structured framework for training and mentorship across undergraduate, graduate, and early-career levels; and (5) implement community outreach and education programs to enhance public understanding of cancer risk, prevention, and care. The Planning and Evaluation Core will oversee continuous improvement of all program elements. Collectively, H-H U54 aims to foster institutional synergy, cultivate the next generation of cancer researchers, and improve cancer outcomes in the DMV region.

NSF Awards · FY 2024 · 2024-09

This project aims to explore and develop partnerships with leading research institutes, both academic and private, that are leaders in the areas of plant biology, RNA biology, and workforce development. In turn, the project has potential to strengthen the research capacity of the four partnering HBCUs. The project, led by Howard University, includes partnerships with Alabama State University, Saint Augustine's College, and Meharry Medical College. Project activities include 1) a team meeting to restructure the collaborative proposal and its activities; 2) interfacing with subject matter experts; 3) technical capacity enhancement - particularly in plant molecular isolation and analysis with a focus on RNA and RNA modification mapping; and 4) computational analysis and data science for transcriptome and RNA modification data analysis. The project hypothesizes that noncoding RNAs and RNA modifications play a key role in mediating the biotic and abiotic stress response in plants. The proposed activities and the partnerships associated with them will position the research team to characterize the biotic and abiotic plant stress response. Researchers will use transcriptomics, oxford nanopore sequencing, and Liquid Chromatography followed by Mass Spectrometry approaches to characterize the transcriptome and RNA modification changes during biotic and abiotic stress of plants, using Arabidopsis, Tomato, and Rice and experimental models. Additionally, project researchers will create customized computational pipelines with the help of artificial intelligence to map and curate these changes. Characterizing the RNA based biotic and abiotic plant stress response will inform efforts to subsequently use plant transformation and CRISPR-based recombination to genetically engineer climate resilient crops. Climate change is a major problem in the 21st century. Temperature, precipitation, and humidity extremes have negative impact on agricultural capacity, potentially leading to decreased food security. Food security is necessary for national health, prosperity, and military strength for national security. These are central aspects for a prosperous society and the nation's competitive standing across the globe. Creating climate resilient crops is a potential strategy to increase food security and mitigate the deleterious effects of climate change on agricultural capacity. To engineer climate resilient crops, there must be a full understanding of the ability of plants to respond to environmental stress associated with extreme weather conditions (plant resilience). However, current understanding of plant resilience is limited at the RNA level. This project aims to characterize the RNA-based mechanisms of plant resilience and use that information to genetically engineer plants and agricultural crops with increased climate resilience. To be able to characterize plant resilience and genetically engineer improved crops, the nation must develop an inclusive STEM workforce. To address this need, this project will focus on increasing research capacity and technical capacity to characterize RNA and execute genetic engineering of plants through training and education in this research project. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2024 · 2024-09

This Ideas Lab project is a collaboration between Miles College, Howard University, Morgan State University, Tennessee State University, and Winston-Salem State University. The team proposes to build an adaptable “Grow Your Own” model for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to train students, faculty, and staff in research administration and basic scientific research. The few number of highly qualified research administration professionals available in offices of sponsored programs leaves the entire research enterprise at HBCUs overwhelmed. This results in less time for grant writing, time-consuming grant administration, and fewer opportunities for students. Providing additional training and research development opportunities for HBCU students, faculty, and staff could address pressing needs of advancing research capacities at HBCUs, including increasing the production of highly qualified research administrative professionals and scientists. The project's adaptable “Grow Your Own” model will be shared widely so that HBCUs and minority-serving institutions of various sizes can utilize it to advance their own research capacity. The goal of the HBCU Ujima Collective (Ujima-C): Building Research Capacity at HBCUs through a Grow Your Own Research Corps Model project is to capitalize on the research strengths of each of the five partnering institutions in the project to produce an adaptable model for training and building a corps of research administrators and scientists to enhance research capacity across HBCUs nationwide. The objective of the project is to design, pilot, assess, and share a “Grow Your Own” model to train HBCU personnel in the business and science of research through a systematic assessment of research capacity needs and assets. By training HBCU personnel, UJIMA-C will directly impact the advancement of research capacity through a trained network with research knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) needed to enhance the research enterprise. UJIMA-C will implement this model at the five partnering HBCUs in the project and will recruit additional HBCUs towards the end of the project to assess the model’s effectiveness. The project aims to understand how increasing and aligning human capital can advance research capacity at different HBCUs by exploring which KSAOs support and hinder research capacity growth. Additionally, the project will identify the KSAOs required for efficient and effective research administrators and scientists working at HBCUs. This project will advance the research enterprise by impacting the research culture at HBCUs; introducing HBCU students to careers in research administration; and increasing African American students' interest in pursuing advanced degrees, which can lead to broadening participation in the STEM workforce. This project is co-funded by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP), which provides awards to strengthen STEM undergraduate education and research at HBCUs. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2024 · 2024-09

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY Funded by the Division of Materials Research at the National Science Foundation, the REU Site in Physics at Howard University focuses on providing hands on research experience to undergraduate participants in state-of-the art projects in theoretical, computational, and experimental physics at the nanoscale. As the nation’s premier HBCU, Howard University is renowned for offering opportunities especially to women and students of color, and the Physics REU will enable these participants to gain valuable research experience in contemporary areas of nanophysics and material science. As a result, the REU participants will acquire sought after technical skills and be better prepared for graduate studies and entering the STEM workforce. TECHNICAL SUMMARY The Howard University Physics REU will introduce undergraduate participants to engaging physics research projects in computational and experimental nanophysics, condensed matter physics, materials physics, optics, and laser spectroscopy. The REU students will acquire skills in methodology, data analysis and interpretation, via hands-on mentoring and exposure to state-of-the-art research tools and techniques, while at the same time developing a keen awareness of the applications in a broad range of cutting-edge research areas of contemporary physics at the nanoscale. The REU will offer professional development, enrichment, and integrative activities, through regular educational workshops and physics colloquia. Our recruitment efforts will target diverse undergraduate students who are underrepresented in physics and material science, and especially those from institutions with limited STEM research programs. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2025 · 2024-08

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression has significant effects on the physiology of the bacterial cells. While much has been uncovered about post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in bacteria, there are still some key unknowns that are hindering our ability to understand how these processes work and differ throughout the prokaryotic domain of life. In this project, our overall goal is to expand our understanding of the diversity of these processes in gram-negative model organisms, firmicutes, and mycobacteria. Our propsosed research program has two sub-projects. Project #1 is entitled: Epitranscriptomic regulation of gene expression throughout the prokaryotic domain. In sub-project 1, we will expand our understanding of RNA modifications within a wide range of bacterial species. RNA modifications include an isomerization or chemical additions to canonical nucleotides within RNA. Generally found in tRNA molecules, RNA modifications are critical in promoting translational fidelity by promoting ribosome mRNA decoding errors. There are several key knowledge gaps driving our experimental approach. The regulatory role of RNA modifications, cis-acting signals that may promoting regulatory targeting of RNA modifications, and the effect of GC content on the ability of codon usage to drive targeting of genes by modified tRNAs. We will use a multi-omics approach to address these key knowledge gaps using several bacterial model organisms: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridioides difficile, and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Project #2 is entitled: Post-transcriptional gene regulation via novel proteins and sRNAs in firmicutes. In sub-project 2, we will expand our understanding of the regulatory role of novel proteins and sRNAs in the regulation of the RNome in firmicutes. Much our understanding of sRNA in bacteria has come from extensive studies in model organisms. This has assisted in our understanding sRNA regulation of bacterial physiology in general. However, recent studies have uncovered hundreds of species- specific sRNA in S. aureus. The vast majority of these are uncharacterized. Since we lack a full picture of sRNA regulons in S. aureus, our understanding of bacterial sRNA biology is incomplete. In addition, many model organisms utilize the RNA chaperone Hfq as a sRNA co-factor in some cases to promote sRNA-mRNA-RNase interactions. However, Hfq is dispensable for growth and sRNA function. It is unknown if there are other protein factors that may act as specific-specific chaperones in S. aureus or other firmicutes. We will have preliminary data to suggest that novel regulatory proteins may exist, in S. aureus and C. difficile, in the mRNA regulation and may also modulate levels of sRNAs. We will execute RNA-immunoprecipitation sequencing of this candidate protein in S. aureus and C. difficile to identify its RNA-interactome. We have also identified predicted sRNA interactions with several important proteins in S. aureus and execute experiments to test this interaction.

NSF Awards · FY 2024 · 2024-08

Non-technical Abstract: The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) Research Initiation Award supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty with no prior or recent research funding to pursue research at the home institution that focuses on strengthening undergraduate education and research. Seated at Howard University, this project seeks to advance understanding of the role of Afrocultural beliefs, practices, and values in teaching and learning in STEM coursework at HBCUs and how they connect with perceptions of classroom climate and sense of belonging for Black students. While the country navigates an increasingly diverse STEM workforce, it will continue to call on Black professionals to provide critical services in numerous fields. However, Black STEM professionals are woefully underrepresented in the workforce. HBCUs are uniquely equipped to answer the call as they are well-documented producers of Black STEM professionals. However, while research points out strong culturally supportive environments as a critical factor in their success, there is a need to explore the specific pedagogical strategies HBCU STEM faculty utilize in teaching Black students. Also, research should explore how students receive and internalize these strategies. Uncovering the use of STEM teaching practices that specifically support the learning of Black students will increase the successful navigation of STEM coursework, enhance Black students’ experiences in STEM majors, and, ultimately, diversify the STEM workforce. Technical Abstract: This project connects the conceptualization of culturally responsive pedagogy with knowledge of the Afrocultural experience to explore STEM teaching and learning of HBCU faculty and students, respectively. This study uses a qualitative approach to answer three research questions: 1) In what ways do HBCU faculty integrate Afroculturally responsive practices into STEM learning environments; 2) What are STEM faculty and students’ perceptions about Afrocultural beliefs and practices and their value in institutions of higher education; and 3) How does the use of Afroculturally responsive practices influence students’ perceptions of class climate and sense of belonging in their STEM courses? Interviews and Focus groups will capture faculty perspectives of their teaching and students’ perceptions of teaching practices and classroom climate. Also, classroom observations serve as a method of triangulating the data between faculty and students’ perceptions of their experiences. This project integrates research and education goals to clarify the role and use of culture in learning contexts for Black college students, especially in STEM coursework where many see these environments as culture-neutral. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2025 · 2024-07

PROPOSAL ABSTRACT Type II diabetes mellitus (T2D) with increasing prevalence represents a major burden for health and care system and individuals. However, the root cause of T2D has not been understood completely. Recent human epidemiological studies indicate that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) predisposes type 2 diabetes (T2D) and other metabolic diseases in offspring, resulting in a vicious cycle of diabetes and pregnancy transgenerationally. Therefore, developmental origins of health and diseases (DOHaD) may provide a new angle in the studies of metabolic diseases including T2D. The dual roles of BNIP3 in mediating mitophagy and lipid metabolism suggest that the deletion of BNIP3 in trophoblast cells is expected to impair placental mitochondrial function, lipid catabolism, and thus, negatively affecting maternal metabolic adaptations to pregnancy and leading to the development of GDM. We propose that BNIP3 may play a critical role in the process of placental development and consequent programming of T2D in offspring. In this application, we hypothesize that BNIP3 mediated placental mitophagy plays a critical role in the development of GDM and trophoblast specific knockout of Bnip3 in pregnant mice will cause maternal GDM and predispose T2D in offspring through placental programming. Continuing our previous study, we will confirm the impaired placental mitophagy in GDM women which is mediated by BNIP3 (Aim 1), then we will investigate the role of BNIP3 dependent mitophagy pathway in the development of GDM in a mouse model with trophoblast specific knockout of Bnip3 (Aim 2). Using this unique mouse GDM model, we will investigate the onset and progression of T2D in offspring (Aim 3). Taken together, the proposed studies, for the first time, model the vicious cycle between maternal GDM and GDM predisposed adult metabolic diseases by manipulating the placental mitophagy but not interfering with other maternal organs, and thus, providing powerful platform in the mechanistic studies on GDM and T2D, helping develop novel means for the prevention and treatment of these diseases, and breaking the vicious cycle of diabetes and pregnancy.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2026 · 2024-05

The Howard University Enhancing Research in Alzheimer’s Disease (HU-ERA) program is a two-year postbaccalaureate research training initiative designed to prepare recent college graduates for successful entry into advanced research careers in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The program addresses the growing national need to expand and strengthen the biomedical research workforce focused on ADRD. The program leverages the established research infrastructure at Howard University, including related STEM and neuroscience-focused initiatives. HU-ERA Scholars will engage in full-time mentored research and structured professional development activities to develop expertise relevant to ADRD-focused biomedical research, including critical thinking, responsible conduct of research, quantitative analysis, data interpretation, and science communication. These activities are designed to cultivate trainees’ research skills and professional competencies as biomedical researchers. The central training component is full-time, intensive biomedical research in an ADRD-focused laboratory, guided by a dedicated mentor within a structured mentoring framework. Additional training components include an Aging Brain course; an ADRD seminar series; training in responsible conduct of research; workshops on key research practices, including rigor and reproducibility, data analysis and interpretation; and other professional skill-building activities. Host research mentors and participating faculty in the HU-ERA program maintain rigorous neuroscience research programs with strong records of research productivity, trainee development, and mentorship. Mentors are aligned with the HUERA program’s mission to develop the ADRD biomedical research workforce. Scholar–mentor matches are made based on research interests and prior experience. Upon completion of the two-year research training program, HUERA scholars will be well prepared to transition into research-focused advanced degree programs or research positions in ADRD-related biomedical fields. A structured set of professional development activities will facilitate this transition, including workshops on CV development, scientific presentation skills, graduate school funding opportunities, and interview preparation. HU-ERA scholars will be provided with university-sponsored preparation courses. All elements of the HU-ERA program will be assessed at multiple time points by internal and external evaluators under the guidance of an independent evaluation process. Overall program outcomes will be determined by scholars’ matriculation into PhD and/or MD programs at institutions with strong ADRD research programs, or by their attainment of research positions within the private sector. Long-term success will be reflected in scholars’ progression into biomedical research careers and their contributions to advancing the understanding and development of therapeutic strategies for ADRD.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2026 · 2023-12

Project Summary Targeting mitochondria has emerged as a key strategy for bacteria to hijack host cell physiology and promote infection. Mitochondrial dysfunction shapes innate immune response and promotes inflammatory responses. Several studies have shown that defective oxidative DNA damage repair pathways are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic inflammatory diseases. Base excision repair (BER) is the predominant pathway that corrects small base lesions caused by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). BER is the major pathway for the repair of oxidative DNA lesions and is present in both nucleus and mitochondria by similar mechanisms that share many of the core BER enzymes. DNA polymerase beta (POLB) and gamma (POLG) are involved in maintenance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) integrity. The 5’- deoxyribophosphodiesterase (5’-dRP lyase) functions of POLB is more active than POLG 5’-dRP lyase function to remove the 5’-dexyribose phosphate group (5’-dRP). In addition, we characterized 5’-dRP lyase deficient POLB (L22P point mutation)] that results in loss of 5’-dRP lyase function as a model to examine whether absence of 5’-dRP lyase impairs mitochondrial function and contributes to aberrant inflammatory response. Our preliminary data show that BER deficient cells significantly accumulate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. Moreover, we found that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection exacerbates DNA damage and inflammatory response in 5’-dRP lyase deficient mice. However, there are no data to explain how the BER defect ( 5’-dRP lyase deficient POLB) influences mitochondrial DNA mediated innate immune response and its potential impact on induction of inflammation associated human diseases. In this application, we will examine how defective BER associated mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to cytosolic nucleic acid sensor mediated innate immune inflammatory response. Based on our highly significant and encouraging preliminary findings, we will test the hypothesis that defective BER promotes mitochondrial dysfunction and provokes cytosolic nucleic acid mediated signaling in H. pylori associated inflammation. In this study, we propose three specific aims as follows: i) Determine whether BER deficient cells release mtDNA in the cytoplasm; ii) Determine whether aberrant repair of mtDNA modulates innate immune signaling in vitro and in vivo; and iii) Define how the effects of aberrant BER (5’-dRP lyase deficient POLB) with H. pylori infection contribute to cytosolic nucleic acid sensor mediated innate immune signaling and inflammatory response. Completion of the proposed studies will provide novel mechanistic insight into how impaired mtBER and extracellular bacterial infection contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction related inflammation. Further, unlocking cytosolic surveillance and signaling upon extracellular bacterial infection may reveal new opportunities for future immune based therapeutic strategy.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2025 · 2023-08

Project Summary The long-term goal of our research program is to understand and identify the mechanisms of cell shape dynamics that facilitate the emergence of tissue-wide patterns from local cell-cell communication events. The incorrect spatial and temporal induction of genes and cell behaviors by perturbed signaling can lead to catastrophic errors in development. Therefore, it is critical to understand how signaling mechanisms that take place at the level of a cell or adjacent cells are coordinated across larger tissue length scales to achieve robust patterns and support tissue homeostasis. Cytonemes, or signaling filopodia, are long actin-rich cellular protrusions that allow cells to physically interact with, and signal to, other cells at a distance. Cellular protrusions like cytonemes have been shown to play a role in many developmental processes, including spot and stripe patterning, limb patterning, stem cell niche maintenance, and neural plate patterning. Despite this, relatively little is known about the general mechanisms that regulate cytoneme-specific formation and behavior. We are interested in understanding how these protrusions are regulated both at the level of cytoskeletal mechanisms, and as an integrated part of the cell-wide and tissue-wide signaling states. To address this problem, we use the spot pattern of bristles on the dorsal thorax of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. During bristle patterning, cytonemes extend from the basal surface of thoracic epithelial cells to facilitate long-range, Notch-mediated, lateral inhibition. Leveraging our strengths in Drosophila model systems genetics and quantitative live microscopy, over the next five years our goals include understanding how the formation of cytonemes are regulated, especially downstream of Notch-mediated lateral inhibition signaling. In parallel, we aim to understand how cytoneme activity contributes to cell and tissue heterogeneities that facilitate the timely formation of well-organized patterns. These studies will not only yield valuable cell biological knowledge about the specific regulation of cytonemes, but will also elucidate fundamental mechanisms that coordinate patterning across length scales.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2026 · 2023-01

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, significant disparities in oral health persist across the United States. Strengthening the oral health research and care workforce is critical to improve the Nation's capacity to address and reduce these disparities. Howard University is a comprehensive, research-oriented private university. The College of Dentistry is one of two dental schools at a HBCU in the United States and the only dental school in the Washington, DC, area that provides extensive dental health care to local communities. Since 2016, the College and Johns Hopkins University have jointly led a Summer Research Education Experience Program (SREEP), funded by the NIDCR under PAR-13-104. During this time, 45 Howard undergraduate students participated in the program. Thirteen of these students ultimately pursued postgraduate training in the health science professions (5 in dentistry, 6 in medicine, 1 in an MD/Ph.D. program, and 1 in a Ph.D. program) after graduating from their undergraduate programs. Because the PAR-13-104 program was not renewable, we seek new funding to support and expand the SREEP. We propose a SREEP at Howard University to engage, recruit, and train Howard undergraduate students in oral health and oral health disparities research. The SREEP will be a specialized didactic and mentored academic program with a series of formal and informal research and education activities tailored to preparing undergraduate students for careers in research and health professions. Through the SREEP, we will provide full-time, eight-week summer research training for ten highly qualified students each year over the 5-year funding period. To provide effective mentoring for the students, we will 1) develop a highly networked team of motivated and skilled mentors from various disciplines by strengthening the partnership between Howard and Hopkins; and 2) develop an effective and sustainable research training and education infrastructure by establishing a three-tiered mentoring system and executive, advising, and evaluation committees. The three-tiered mentoring system involves matching each participating undergraduate to a primary mentor with a basic, translational, clinical, community-based, or public health research focus at Howard, a secondary senior mentor at Hopkins, and a career development mentor. By participating in multidisciplinary research projects and education events with experienced investigators who will serve as mentors and role models, the students will gain valuable research experience and knowledge in oral health and be encouraged to pursue advanced education in oral health and related fields. Successful completion of this program will significantly enhance the dental, oral, and craniofacial research and training environment at Howard University College of Dentistry.

NIH Research Projects · FY 2025 · 2022-08

The Bridges to Baccalaureate (B2B) Research Training Program at Howard University and Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) aims to create a novel, structured pathway for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals to pursue STEM careers through a collaborative prison-to-college-and-STEM pipeline. Each year of the 5-year award, five participants will be selected from the From Prison Cells to PhD (P2P) program following a rigorous selection process. These individuals will begin their academic journey while still incarcerated by engaging in educational readiness through P2P, transition to BCCC upon release to pursue an associate degree, and receive skills and methods training through workshops and mentoring. During the summer between their first and second years at BCCC, scholars will complete a 10-week STEM research internship at Howard University with one of nearly 20 faculty mentors. After completing their associate degree, students will transition to a four-year institution to pursue a BS/BA in a STEM field. The program will enroll a new 5-student cohort each year. Key components of the program include: 1. Skills Development through P2P’s Leadership, College & Professional Readiness curriculum and SAT preparation, followed by research readiness workshops at BCCC. 2. Research Experience through a 10-week internship at Howard University, culminating in presentations at national STEM conferences. 3. Curriculum and Methods enrichment, including a Molecular Techniques course embedded in BCCC’s General Biology curriculum (BTC 105). 4. Recruitment Plan, including prioritization of top P2P participants, outreach via community partnerships and targeted media (e.g., local radio). 5. Retention Plan featuring tuition scholarships (60%), stipends, paid internships, and structured mentoring with opportunities to give back. Partners and Key Personnel include: - Howard University College of Medicine (Lead PI: Dr. Stanley Andrisse) - Baltimore City Community College (Co-PI: Dr. Karol Schaumloffel) - Prison to Professionals (PD: Ms. Caroline Skudrzyk) This cross-sector program integrates research, education, and criminal justice pathways by building a scalable model to support the academic and career success of individuals with justice involvement in biomedical sciences.