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Clark Atlanta University The Panther April 15-30, 2017 3 Students showcase skills during annual Research and Innovation Week Photo by Curtis McDowell Student presents project at symposium during second annual Research and Innovation Week. By Alysha Conner and Alexis Cranford Each year Clark Atlanta University hosts a Research and Innovation Week that includes a range of activities that occur throughout the campus, that involves hard work and research conducted by many Atlanta University Center students in various majors and classifications. Research and Innovation week is a weeklong activity to showcase the importance of research and how it is used in all aspects of life. Events took place from March 27-31 where AUC students, both graduate and undergraduate, were able to present their projects. The week kicked off with the GIS Symposium on Monday, Graduate Research Symposium on Tuesday, CURC’S Undergraduate Research Symposium on Wednesday, CIED Hackathon & Pitch Competition on Thursday, concluding with the CAU Art Museum on Friday. In the all-day symposium in the Exhibition Hall of the Thomas W. Cole Research Center, all academic majors were able to participate under the direction of a Clark Atlanta faculty member. More than 10 students eagerly present ed their information in front of other contestants and a host of judges in hopes of winning the monetary prize for each category. Micah Smith, a freshman, Criminal Justice major from Detroit, participated in the sympo sium and said it was an awesome experience. Smith presented her project on Breast Cancer awareness amongst African-American women. Smith’s project addressed the social problem that disproportionally affects African-American women. “Researchers like myself want to know why breast cancer strikes African-American women more than other races,” Smith stated. Smith says she was inspired by an old pro fessor, Dr. Michael Woodard, to conduct the research and submit it to the CURC. Although Smith did not win she said she gained a lot of knowledge from this experience and promises to continue her research in breast cancer amongst African- American woman. The winners of the symposium were announced the following day. First Place: “Transformation and Purification of Plasmid DNA in Prostate Cancer,” by Latifa Liburd, Biology, senior, and Jade McCombs, Biology, senior. Second Place: “Simultaneous Inhibition of Arly Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Src abolishes androgen recep tor,” by Alexis Carey, Biology, freshman. Third Place: “Computational Study of the Binding of Histidine and Proline with Graphene,” by Tay lor Dorlus, Chemistry, junior. Some of the other research topics dis cussed during the oral presentations were: “An Early Analysis of Black Millennial’s Political Participation during the Trump Era,” “A Seat at the Table: Analysis of Systematic Exclusion Based on Race and Sexual Orientation in Clin ical Trials,” “The Fashion Industry’s Effect on Black Expression: Analysis of AUC Students,” and “You Reap What You Sow: Black Women and the Prosperity Gospel.” Breighlynn Polk, CAU senior and History major, presented her research on “But as for Me and My House: An Analysis of the Black Family Living in Jim Crow America.” Her analysis depicted the “Exploration of the importance of the Black family during Jim Crow relies on the falsified accusations of Black parenthood made in the 1965 Moynihan Report in relation to memoirs and oral accounts of African Americans who raised their children during the enforcement of Jim Crow laws.” Essentially, the purpose for her research was to convey the importance of the black family raising their children in the Deep South, while also attending to the truths behind the living contradictions of the black family. She touched bases on the “Lack of education for the Negro led to the division of the black family, black men held no respect by their white counterparts, black sons did not look up to their fathers, black women distrusted the presence of black men.” She further detailed how activism, organizations, and leadership all influence the African-American family. Polk, as well as the many other participants, assured their research would not conclude with the CAU Symposium. Furthering their educational training and conducting a more in depth research on their topics, was popularly mentioned. In doing so, participants subconsciously acknowledged that their topic was a field of study that speaks to their inquisitive minds andtheir passion to alleviate racial and social disparity, bringing unspoken truths to the light. Brianna Bailey, senior Criminal Justice major, attendee of the symposium, said, “My overall experience of the research symposium was delightful. I was able to witness my fellow classmates provide detailed explanations of certain theories and research. The participants were allowed the perfect amount of time, which made it easier to capture and keep the attention of the audience.” Alumni discuss *Life after CAU’ By Alix Young EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CAU Alumni returned to their home ground to share their post-graduation experience with fellow students recently. Life after CAU was a panel discussion presented by the senior class council ‘Elite 17’ designed for the future alumni to mingle with alumni, network and discuss what life is really like after graduation. “With a little under two months left until graduation, it’s time to start solidifying plans for life after CAU,” senior Vice President Ariana French stated. The event took place on March 28 in the Thomas Cole Boardroom. Although the senior class council hosted the event, all classifications were welcomed. Paige Crumbie, Marquez Davis, Onya Hankins, Crystal Helton and Kori Vines led the roundtable discussion and spoke about both their personal experiences and accomplishments since graduating. Tracey Paggett, who is the Program Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life/Clubs, was also a speaker. An estimated 30 students showed up where they listened to alumni give advice and tips on how to be successful after walking the stage. The six alumni each told their own story followed by a question and answer segment at the end where they answered any questions regarding a post-graduation life. Kori Vines graduated in May 2015 with a B.A. in Computer Science. Shortly after graduation, he secured a job at General Motors IT Innovation Center where he works as a QA Analyst. Vines said he was honored to be invited back to speak at his alma mater. "This event was great and I hope I was able to make some type of impact and provide valuable information. Always remember, there is life after college.” Vines said. Senior Psychology major Tataneshia Middleton says that the discussion provided her with helpful tips and she thought it was very beneficial.