Nursing student honored at research symposium

Kari Day, a student in the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAMHSC) College of Nursing, was recognized for her poster presentation at the 10th Annual Texas A&M University System Pathways Student Research Symposium, Nov. 9-10 at Texas A&M University at Galveston.

Day was honored in the top 5 percent among all participating undergraduates. Her poster presentation, “Prolonged Tropospheric Ozone Exposure and its Effects on Inducing Cardiac Dysfunction,” showcased her work with the Cardiovascular Research and Development Laboratory led by Rajat Sethi, Ph.D., assistant dean for research and evidence-based practice at the TAMHSC-College of Nursing.

Lab research shows air pollution can lead to increased cardiac complications. In a study on ozone exposure, the team was the first to find that the type of cardiac proteins involved in death and survival signaling vary, depending on the length of time exposed to pollutants. Day’s poster explained the clinical significance of the current research findings and rationale for future research.

“Kari’s accomplishments at the research symposium represent the quality of our nursing program and the caliber of our students,” said Sharon Wilkerson, Ph.D., RN, CNE, dean of the TAMHSC-College of Nursing. “We are very proud and look forward to her continued success.”

The Pathways Symposium is hosted by different A&M System universities each year and provides an opportunity for students at all levels to present their research and network with other students and professionals. More than 500 students participated this year.