Research at Regis

Zebrafish Sexual Development

Lead Researchers: Lisa Nelson, PhD; Shannon Hogan, PhD; Shari Litch-Gray, PhD

Description: Investigating the timing and activation of sex-determining genes in zebrafish, with a focus on transcriptomics to identify these genes five to 10 days post-fertilization.

Independent Study Using Animal Models

Lead Researcher: Shari Litch Gray, PhD

Description: Examining the role of independent study in preparing undergraduates in biology through animal model research.

Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer Detection

Lead Researcher: Shannon Hogan, PhD

Description: Isolating a small protein peptide that binds to an ovarian cancer target protein that will allow for the production of a blood test screening procedure.

Intracellular Signaling Pathways

Lead Researchers: Jana Bagarova, PhD; Kristen Willems, PhD
Description: Investigating BMP9-mediated signaling in bone and blood vessel formation.

Neonatal Brain Injury and Recovery

Lead Researcher: Steven Threlkeld, PhD

Description: Studying the effects of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury and treatments on recovery of function.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Lead Researchers: Steven Threlkeld, PhD, Collaborators at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital. Researching neuroprotective treatments and their impact on brain function post-TBI.

Articular Cartilage Reconstruction

Lead Researchers: W. Niu, H.P. Hsu, S. Myron

Investigating the effects of extracorporeal shock wave stimulation on bone marrow for cartilage reconstruction using a goat model.

Student Involvement and Self-Efficacy

Lead Researchers: Erin McQuaid, Leslie Bishop

Assessing the impact of increased student involvement on self-efficacy and accountability in chemistry courses.

Inclusive AI Integration

Lead Researchers: Shannon Hogan, Jennifer Krusinger, Niloofar Gholamrezaei, Diana Perdue

Implementing AI through a studio arts model at a small liberal arts college to enhance teaching and learning.

Regis College offers a range of research opportunities for students, including summer fellowships, independent study projects, and collaborative research with faculty. Students are encouraged to get involved and gain hands-on experience in their fields of interest.

We partner with leading institutions to provide students with valuable internships, including:

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Brigham and Women's Hospital (Harvard Medical School)
• Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery
• Evelo Biosciences
• Natural Resources Department, Town of Barnstable
• New England BioLabs
• ScribeAmerica - Medical Scribe Program
• Weill Medical College, Cornell University

Guidance on securing internships, application processes, and deadlines are available through our career services.

Student Achievements

Our students regularly achieve recognition for their research, including awards at national conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals. Alumni success stories highlight the impact of our programs on their professional journeys.

Publications and Presentations

Accepted Presentations

Our faculty and students actively present their research at conferences, showcasing the innovative work conducted at Regis College. Presentations are organized by year and department, detailing the title, authors, and event information.

Posters

Our students and faculty frequently present posters at conferences, highlighting ongoing research projects. Awards received for outstanding posters are noted, and PDFs of posters are available where possible.

Publications

Publications in peer-reviewed journals by students and faculty demonstrate our commitment to contributing to the broader scientific community. Recent publications are listed with links to articles when available.

Grants and Funding

Our research is supported by various grants and funding sources, allowing us to expand our facilities, support student research, and invest in new technology. Details on recent grants, funding amounts, and their objectives are provided.

For example, in 2024, Dr. Kristen Willems received a $746,476 grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to build a Biosafety level two laboratory to allow students to perform research projects with human and other mammalian cell lines investigating both normal and disease states of various cancers and other conditions. The addition of various pieces of state-of-the-art equipment for lab classes benefitted the university's STEM programs.

News and Events

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including recent awards, upcoming events, and conference presentations. Our archive offers a look back at past news and achievements within the STEM research community at Regis College.

Resources

We provide access to state-of-the-art labs, equipment, and collaborations that enhance research capabilities. Information on research ethics, compliance, and available resources is outlined for current and prospective researchers.

Shannon Hogan, PhD

Our research focuses on developing an early-stage biodiagnostic to screen the blood for the early detection of ovarian cancer. We use a peptide phage display platform to attempt to identify peptides that bind to FOLR1, a protein overexpressed in all stages of ovarian cancer. Our goal is the development of a non-invasive test that is affordable and available nationwide and could improve women’s survival rates by identifying ovarian cancer when it is most treatable.

Lisa Nelson, PhD

Our research focuses on using Zebrafish as a model to understand sexual development. It is known that zebrafish determine their sex approximately three months after birth, however, are the genes involved in this determination present earlier than this time frame? Our goal is to investigate using transcriptomics to see if the sex determining genes are present five to 10 days post fertilization in order to study the effects of various environmental factors on embryonic development.

Erin McQuaid and Leslie Bishop

The purpose of this study was to determine if increasing student involvement would improve students’ science self-efficacy and increase students’ accountability. Upon IRB approval, Regis undergraduate students enrolled in CH 103: Chemical Structure and Reactions/Lab Sections CH 103-01; CH 103XA-01lab; CH 103XB-01lab; CH 103-02; CH 103XA-02lab; CH 103XB-02lab, were invited to participate in the study and, after signing consent, they were given opportunities to engage in the lecture and laboratory periods. It was found that students liked being prepared for tests, quizzes and labs, and they wondered how they were going to do on these assessments. In conclusion, increasing students’ involvement in the lecture and laboratory settings increased their science self-efficacy, increasing their accountability.

Steve Threlkeld, PhD

Dr. Threlkeld’s research centers on understanding the anatomical and behavioral consequences of disrupted forebrain development resulting from injury or teratogenic events and how early behavioral experience or pharmacological intervention can improve outcome and promote neuronal plasticity.

Danqing Xiao, PhD, RT(MR)

Our work focuses on whether tyrosine kinase family, ephrins, and a calcium regulating protein, calbindin level, play a role in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Further, we want to know whether synaptophysin, a synaptic protein rich at the synapses, plays a role at frontal cortex in AD pathogenesis. We will use postmortem brains, histological staining searching for biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease. Lastly, we aim to understand AD pathogenesis, its biomarkers, and search for non-pharmacological approaches in alleviating AD and slow down its progression.

Wanting Niu, PhD

This study investigates the effective doses and energy levels of shockwave treatment and PDGF-BB in bone marrow activation for repairing full-thickness articular cartilage defects using a goat model. At 12 weeks post-surgery, most defect areas were filled with fibrous tissue, but the higher-energy pretreated groups showed better results, particularly when combined with PDGF-BB in the Gtn HPA hydrogel, which promoted hyaline-like cartilage formation with GAG deposition and better tissue integration. In contrast, the microfracture-only group showed GAG deposition at 18 weeks post-surgery. Additionally, the higher-energy pretreated group with PDGF-BB resulted in more collagen II expression and a smoother surface with lubricin, along with reduced α-SMA expression in the repaired tissue compared to the microfracture-only group.

Dr. Jana Bagarova and Dr. Kristen Willems

Our research uses a cell culture-based research project to assess the mechanistic aspect of BMP9-mediated downstream signaling in vascular endothelial cells. Disruptions in this pathway lead to faulty blood vessel formation, as seen in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). BMP9/ALK1 signaling is implicated in angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis suggesting a role for ALK1 in angiogenesis.

Litch Gray Publications (2024):
Litch Gray, S. and Foley, J. (2020). "Biology bootcamp for incoming A&P students." Journal of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society – Special Conference Edition:156.

Litch Gray, S. (2015). "The State of Online Anatomy and Physiology Lecture/Lab Course Delivery: Are We Ready for Prime Time?" HAPS-Educator, 19(3):75-77.

Xiao D. and Zhang C. "Current Therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease and Clinical Trials. Exploration of Neuroscience." Special issue on Alzheimer’s disease. 2024; 3:255–271 DOI:

Wang KS et al "2024 Plasma proteomic biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease." Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (to be published 7/17/24

Wang, K.; Theeke L.; Liu Y.; Wang S.; Luo X.; Osvaldo N., Xiao D.; Xu C. "Longitudinal changes in proteomic biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease." Journal of Neurological Sciences.

Wang K, Theeke LA, Liao C, Wang N, Lu Y, Xiao D, Xu C; "Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Deep learning analysis of UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics data to predict Alzheimer's disease." Journal of Neurological Sciences. 2023 Oct 15;453:120812. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120812. Epub 2023 Sep 22. PMID: 37776718.

Xu C, Xiao D, Su BB, Saveron JM, Gamez D, Navia RO, Wang N, Roy U, Adjeroh DA, Wang K; "Alzheimer and Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Association of APOE gene with longitudinal changes of CSF amyloid beta and tau levels in Alzheimer's disease: racial differences." Journal of Neurological Sciences. 2023 Sep 28. doi: 10.1007/s10072-023-07076-1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37759100.

Wang S, Shafique S, Xiao D, Barker K, Wang K, Xie X. "Clusters of substance use and mental health variables with emergency room visits in U.S. adults: The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health." Journal of Affective Disorders. 2023 Jul 11:S0165-0327(23)00852-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.017. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37442454.

Xiao D*., Wang, K*. and Theriault L. "White matter changes and key structure affected in Alzheimer’s disease revealed by Diffusion Tension Imaging." European J. Neuroscience 2022; 56(8): 5319-5331; September 8. (This work was done during the entire pandemic 2020-2021 through online collaboration)

Wang K, Xu C, Theeke LA, Xiao D, Luo X, Xie C. "Linear Mixed Model Analysis of Polygenic Hazard Score on Verbal Memory Decline in Alzheimer's Disease." Nurs Res. 2022 Sep 12. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000623. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36097266.

Wang K., Lu Y., Morrow DF., Xiao D. and Xu C. "Associations of ARHGAP26 polymorphisms with Alzheimer’s Disease and cardiovascular disease." Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 2022; Feb 16. Doi:10.1007/s12031-022-01972-5. Online ahead of print.

Joyce MKP., Marshall LG, Banik SL, Wang J., Xiao D., Bunce JG and Barbas H. "Pathways for memory, cognition and emotional context: hippocampal, subgenual area 25 and amygdalar axons show unique interactions in the primate thalamic reuniens nucleus." Journal of Neuroscience. 2022; 42(6):1068-1089

Fokuoh E., Xiao D., Fang W., Liu Y., Lu Y., Wang K-S. 2021 "Longitudinal analysis of APOE- ε4 genotype with the logical memory delayed recall score in Alzheimer’s Disease." Journal of Genetics 2021; 160:60

Wang K., Xu C., Smith A., Xiao D., et al 2021 "Genome-wide association study identified INSC gene associated with Trail Making Test Part A and Alzheimer’s disease related cognitive phenotypes." Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2021; 111:1-9: doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110393

Xiao, D. "Acupuncture for Parkinson’s Disease: a review of clinical, animal, and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies." Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2015. 35(6):709-717.

Reviews, Chapters, and Editorials:
Xiao, D. 2015. "Acupuncture for Parkinson’s Disease –A review of clinical, animal and fMRI studies." Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 35(6):709-717.

Benjamin Adams, Audrey Beaton, William Comeiro, Janelys Delvalle, Alessandro DiPaolo, Annabelle Le, Jaymz Lipinski, Anna Perez Diaz, Shannon Hogan. Progress Towards a Peptide Diagnostic for Early-Stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Refinements and Results. 2024. American Medical Student Association Conference

Hannah Morine, Santiago Pedraza Novak, Nia Ramos, Mariama Sanneh, Coriander Tighe, Aria Ulmer, Shannon Hogan. Development of a Novel Phage Display Protocol to Identify a Peptide Diagnostic for Early-Stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. 2023 American Medical Student Association Conference

Shannon Hogan, Jennifer Marra, Molly Belles, Dexter Jeanty, Laura Kunz. Virology Laboratory Curriculum Development. 2020 Wheaton College Women in Stem Conference (postponed)

Shannon Hogan, Jennifer Marra, Molly Belles, Dexter Jeanty, Laura Kunz. Virology Laboratory Curriculum Development. 2019 Next-In Bio.

Shannon Hogan, Jennifer Marra, Molly Belles, Dexter Jeanty, Laura Kunz. Virology Laboratory Curriculum Development. 2019 Regis College Let It Shine Gala. This work was supported by a faculty development grant from Regis College.

Litch Gray, S. (2024). Use of Biosignal Data in Upper-Level Undergraduate Physiology Lab. HAPS Annual National Conference, St. Louis, MO 5/25-29.

Litch Gray, S. (2022). The Role of Independent Study Using Animal Model Research in Preparing Undergraduates in Biology. New England Faculty Development Consortium Fall Conference, Worcester, MA 10/21

Litch Gray, S. (2022). The Role of Independent Study Using Animal Model Research in Preparing Undergraduates in Biology. American Physiology Society Institute on Teaching and Learning, Madison, WI 6/21-6/24.

Litch Gray, S. (2021). The Role of Independent Study Using Animal Model Research in Preparing Undergraduates in Biology. 16th International Zebrafish Society Conference, Montreal, Quebec CA ;6/16-22

Litch Gray, S. and Foley, J. (2020). Biology bootcamp for incoming A&P students. HAPS Annual National Conference, accepted for Ottawa, ON 5/23-27 but cancelled due to COVID-19.

Litch Gray, S. (2020). Role of Independent Study in Preparing Undergraduates in Biology. AAC&U Massachusetts Chapter of Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) STEM 1/15.

Foley, J. and Litch Gray, S. (2019). iPad Use for A&P I Lab Practical Exams Does Not Have a Negative Impact on Exam Scores or Final Grades. HAPS Annual National Conference, Portland, OR 5/22-26.

Ukhuedoba, I. and Litch Gray, S. (2019). Effects of Cholecalciferol D3 Treatment on the Accumulation of Fat in Liver Adipocytes in an Adult Zebrafish Obesity Model. AMSA Annual National Conference, Washington, D.C. 3/7-3/9.

Arias, L. and Litch Gray, S. (2019). Effects of Anesthetics (MS-222 and Lidocaine Hydrochloride) on Electrocardiogram (ECG) Recordings in Zebrafish. AMSA Annual National Conference, Washington, D.C. 3/7-3/9.

Litch Gray, S. (2018). Establishment of a Zebrafish Colony and Undergraduate Research Opportunities for Regis Students and Faculty. Regis Fall Faculty Workshop, Weston, MA 8/30

Litch Gray, S. (2017). Comparison of Student Success in Online vs Face-to-Face Delivery of Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture with Laboratory. HAPS Annual National Conference, Salt Lake City, UT 5/24-26.

Litch Gray, S. (2015). Workshop Facilitator: The State of Online Anatomy and Physiology Lecture/Lab Course Delivery: Are We Ready for Prime Time? HAPS Annual National Conference, San Antonio, TX 5/23-28.

Litch Gray, S. (2014). iA&P: The Benefits and Potential Pitfalls of Integrating iPad Technology in the Teaching of Human Anatomy & Physiology II. HAPS Annual National Conference, Jacksonville, FL 5/24-26.

Litch Gray, S. (2014). Teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology with iPad Technology. Eastern Regional HAPS Conference, Springfield College 3/15.

Willems, K. (2024). Creating a pre-medical certificate for undergrads: A Holistic Approach to Pre-Health Advising. National Association of Advising for the Health Professions National conference, Cincinnati OH (6/26-6/30).

Willems, K (2020). Building a Pre-Med program at a small College. National Association of Advising for the Health Professions National Conference (canceled due to the pandemic).

Willems, K. (2019). Improving the available support for Pre-Medical and Pre- Veterinary students. Regis Fall Faculty Workshop, Weston, MA.

Willems, K. (2024). Creating a pre-medical certificate for undergrads: A Holistic Approach to Pre-Health Advising. National Association of Advising for the Health Professions National conference, Cincinnati OH (6/26-6/30).

K Willems, M Schmidt and R Woodland (2015). Pim kinases significantly impact humoral immune responses. American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA May 2015.