Jazmin Barkley

I am a senior Biochemistry major at Hampton University from Norfolk, VA, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2024. I chose to major in Biochemistry because it offers a wide range of career opportunities and paths after graduation. It also opens up possibilities for graduate school, such as attending medical school and pursuing various fields of research. As I progress through higher education, I continue to realize the importance of challenging myself. Each step in my academic journey presents new challenges that encourage me to broaden my thinking and consider new possibilities. I am particularly interested in studying Neuroscience and neurology in medical school, and I have also developed a growing interest in medical research in this field.

The ultimate goal is to pursue a profession that I find personally fulfilling while positively impacting society and building strong relationships with patients. Additionally, I believe I am a skilled multitasker with a strong work ethic and excellent teamwork, problem-solving, and organizational skills. I am always willing to take on any task to support the team and consider myself a reliable and dedicated team player with a hardworking and resourceful approach. I am particularly interested in studying Neuroscience and Neurology in medical school as I hope to pursue research in the field as well. Ultimately, I intend to pursue a profession that I can enjoy personally while positively impacting the public and building a great relationship with patients. Additionally, to be added to a team I believe I am a skilled multitasker with a superior work ethic and good teamwork, that offers problem-solving and organizational skills. I have a willingness to take on any task to help the team while being a reliable and dedicated team player with a hardworking and resourceful approach.

• Research Project (Spring '24): Computational Approximation of Post-Transcriptional Methylation During mRNA-5'-Capping (CAP-1), This computational study investigates the thermochemical bonding properties and structural changes associated with mRNA 5'-cap-1 methylation, specifically focusing on the 2' position of ribose in the first nucleotide. A well known semi-empirical PM6 method was used allowing for the construction of optimized 3D molecular models to examine post-transcriptional modifications such as mRNA 5'-capping for this experiment. The optimization of the nucleotide structure for the gas and water phase structures were successfully constructed with and without methylation, however based on the gas phase data it was determined that there were solvent effects affecting the stability of the methylated structure. Compared thermochemical data,heat of formation, of mRNA before and after methylation revealed more thermodynamic stability in methylated mRNA structures under the water phase with optimized methylated data vs. the thermochemical data under gas phase. Furthermore the obtained theoretical data could contribute further explaining of molecular-level behaviors of mRNA-5'-capping (cap-1) post-transcriptional modifications.
• Research Project (Fall '23): Biophysical and Biochemical Characterization of the T. brucei NDP Kinase Protein B, Trypanosoma brucei is a parasitic protozoan causing sleeping sickness. According to the CDC, current treatments are only effective within the first two stages of the disease. Further development of novel therapeutic approaches potentially targeting essential enzymes like NDPK in T. brucei (TbNDPK) offers avenues for improving treatment options for sleeping sickness. This research presents a comprehensive characterization of TbNDPK, shedding light on its structural and functional properties with the goal of understanding its activity modulated by purine nucleotides (since the parasite relies on purine salvage). Kinase activity assays were also done to delineate substrate specificity of TbNDPK, marking the first exploration of its enzymatic activity. By elucidating its binding mode with purine based substrates UDP and CDP, we gained valuable insight into the enzyme's molecular interactions. Additionally, by determining its crystal structure substrate specificity was determined. Overall this research significantly contributes to our understanding of the structural and functional features of TbNDPK, positioning it as a promising candidate for future drug development efforts against trypanosomiasis.
• Research Project (Fall '22): Absorption Spectroscopic Quantification of Iron in Chelated Samples, Samples of chelated iron from treatment solutions from USS Monitor rope objects were submitted for Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic analysis by our Fall '22 Chemistry 313 Quantitative analysis class. This research aims to quantify the amount of iron in each sample. A set of iron standard solutions were submitted to be run to create a reference curve and eleven chelated iron standards were also submitted to evaluate the effects of these chelation chemicals on the results. Sample absorbance has a trend to be similar to iron concentrations in the data collected that can be seen in both the samples and standards.