Science students embrace research opportunities through annual ASSURE program

Taking six weeks out of their summer break, students and faculty from Liberty University’s Department of Biology & Chemistry engaged in research as part of the department’s ASSURE program, an annual summer intensive that introduces many students to the practices and skills of research.

ASSURE stands for Acquiring Skills for Students Underrepresented in Research Experience and includes students from historically underrepresented demographic groups in the sciences (such as women, some ethnic groups, and first-generation college students). Groups of two to three undergraduate students are assigned to a professor for six weeks to conduct new or existing studies and receive valuable mentoring.

“The ASSURE program is intentionally designed to enrich our students’ education experience, and for many in the program, this is their first venture into research,” said Dr. Heidi DiFrancesca, dean of the School of Health Sciences. “Throughout this experience, students are reinforcing their understanding of the content they’ve been learning in the classroom while also developing an indispensable skill set — critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and communication — that will help them to be successful both during their time here at LU and in their chosen professions.”

This summer marked the fourth year of the program, consisting of 24 students (21 undergraduate and three graduate) with 10 faculty members. The groups conducted research across a wide variety of disciplines, including biology, ecology, organic chemistry, forensics, anatomy, and more.

“This program continues to provide students from Liberty University an opportunity to acquire research experience that will have long-lasting impacts on their career development while further establishing Liberty University as an effective training ground for highly competitive candidates in the scientific workforce,” said Professor of Chemistry Dr. Gregory M. Raner, who has overseen ASSURE since its inception. “Through an intensive 6-week experience working one-on-one with faculty mentors, students gain an appreciation for many of the more subtle aspects of research like hypothesis development, eliminating variables and establishing proper experimental controls, along with data interpretation. Since the Summer of 2022, nearly 70 students have taken part in the program, with more than 75% of the participants coming from underrepresented demographic groups in the sciences.  Tracking data acquired for the 2021-2023 cohorts indicates a very high rate of employment and/or admission to top-tier graduate programs in the sciences.”

Nathaniel Williams, a junior biomedical sciences student, worked under Professor of Chemistry Dr. Alan Fulp to explore the body’s endocannabinoid system, a cell-signaling system that regulates and balances many bodily functions. His group’s research focused on developing a molecular compound that can combat inhibitors in the system and reduce inflammation and pain.

“We wanted to see how far we could take things and how much we could help people by activating these receptors,” Williams said. “There are natural chemicals in the eyes that are constantly being broken down by inhibitors, so we wanted to see if we could stop the inhibitors and let the chemicals do what they need to do and activate the receptors.”

With a passion for chemistry and hopes of attending medical school, Williams said the ASSURE program was a perfect fit.

“I’d love to have published research before I go, and I love chemistry, and the ASSURE program allowed me to work toward that. I know the professors here very well, and they’re very friendly, and I wanted to take advantage of this unique opportunity that I otherwise wouldn’t have had. It was a great six weeks.”

Senior forensic science student Alyssa Spillar had spent part of the spring semester working under Director of Forensic Science Dr. J. Thomas McClintock and Instructor of Biology Kristin Mossé but said the summer research she did through ASSURE was a new, exciting experience. Spillar was able to continue with DNA research from the historical Hillsman House in Rice, Va., where McClintock and students have been studying blood samples since 2018 to corroborate that the building served as a Union field hospital during the last major Civil War battle fought in Virginia. A table once used in the house was recently acquired, presenting the group with more samples to study.

“The goal of the project was to generate DNA profiles from the presumably 160-year-old bloodstains on the table using typical DNA lab procedure,” Spillar said.

She said being involved in the project through the summer brought additional experiences she didn’t have in the spring.

“I applied to the ASSURE program because I love research and the more research experience I can get, the better. I really loved being in a lab or doing research for eight hours a day. It was such an immersive experience.”

ASSURE is funded by a grant from Liberty’s Office of Sponsored Programs & Research and supported by the Office of the Provost.

“The Office of Sponsored Programs & Research is passionate about supporting student research at Liberty University,” grants administrator Emily Stevens said. “As a Christian university, we want to empower students to grow into credible investigators and experts in their fields by supporting the pursuit of knowledge.”