Dr. Scoty Hearst and Dr. Trent Selby

Awarded $150,000 for the research project titled "Dangerous Waters: Surveillance of Emerging Environmental Contaminants and Parasitic Pathogens of Human Health Concern in the Mississippi River," which focuses on monitoring contaminants in the Mississippi River and assessing their threat to public health.



Drs. Hearst and Selby, both professors in the Department of Chemistry and Biology at Mississippi College, are investigating the potential public health risks associated with emerging contaminants, such as toxic metals, in the Mississippi River. This research has great potential to impact both community and environmental health, as the Mississippi River is a major source of fish harvested for human consumption and water used for drinking and crop irrigation across ten states. This potentially exposes humans to parasites and metals which could have adverse effects on their health. Drs. Hearst and Selby hope that this research can help other scientists as well as government agencies protect the health of their citizens and their environment.

Dr. Daniel Oyugi

Awarded $99,610 for research project, "Anticancer Potential of Vernonia amygdalina Extracts" to examine the tropical herbal plant’s ability to slow the spread of cancer cells by inhibiting their growth.



Dr. Oyugi’s research goal is to examine potential effects of an edible herbal plant native to tropical areas of Africa called Vernonia amygdalina, better known as bitter leaf, on cancer cells. Over the past decade, numerous studies have found increased evidence that Veronia amygdalina has medicinal qualities to treat diseases ranging from diabetes to chronic inflammation. Dr. Oyugi notes that his research has already revealed promising results in that the plant has qualities which can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This funding will drive further research with the goal of discovering the properties which give Veronia amygdalina its growth-inhibiting properties.