Poster Presentation Highlight

Dr. Alex Gómez-A, a Research Scientist with the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, NCCU, recently presented a poster presentation titled "Effects of Adolescent Ethanol Exposure on Cholinergic Brainstem Autonomic Nuclei" at the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) 2026 Annual Meeting. His research examines how alcohol exposure during adolescence may affect small but important brainstem nuclei involved in body–brain communication.

Most research on adolescent alcohol exposure focuses on higher brain regions involved in reward, emotion, and decision-making. Dr. Gómez's work expands this perspective by asking whether alcohol also affects brainstem systems that help regulate internal bodily state, including cardiorespiratory function, autonomic balance, and recovery after challenge. Understanding these mechanisms could help explain how adolescent alcohol exposure contributes to later vulnerability to anxiety and impaired decision-making, not only through changes in cognition or emotion, but also through altered regulation of bodily signals that shape behavior.

Dr. Gómez became interested in this question through a broader interest in how we can develop low-cost, non-pharmacological approaches for the prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorder. Emotional and cognitive processes are not isolated within higher brain regions; they are shaped by signals coming from the body. The brainstem plays a key role in integrating these interoceptive and autonomic signals, yet it has been relatively understudied in alcohol research. By understanding how adolescent alcohol exposure may disrupt these systems, this work may help inform accessible interventions that target physiological regulation to support healthier decision-making and reduce risk for alcohol-related problems.

A Year Of WISE Seminar

WISE (Wednesdays in Science Exchange) has become much more than just an exchange of science. Every second Wednesday of the month, we welcome a scientist from outside NCCU to share their research, meet with faculty, and connect with trainees over lunch. Somewhere between the seminar, the questions, and the conversations, ideas are exchanged, students gain insight into the many different paths a scientific career can take, and opportunities for future collaborations begin to grow. Whether you're looking to learn about exciting new research, expand your professional network, or simply meet the people behind the science, WISE seminars are a great place to start.

The series is co-hosted by Dr. Zainab Afzal and Dr. Alex Gómez and just celebrated a successful first year of the WISE seminar series. Highlights from the year in WISE are shown in the accompanying photo collage, and we look forward to welcoming a new lineup of speakers when the series resumes in August 2026.

Cultivating Curiosity:

Students Exploring STEM

This spring, a new STEM outreach initiative was launched to engage high school students in Enfield, NC, in fun laboratory activities with NCCU researchers and to expose them to current scientific research and the many STEM career opportunities available. 

Click on "Read More" for the full story.

Bridging the Community

NCCU Rural Health Hub, in partnership with Saint Paul Baptist Church, located in Enfield, NC, hosted a community event to raise health awareness by offering health screenings, wellness education sessions, and a cookout. Our RCMI Community Engagement Core team deployed the new mobile health unit, offering Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood pressure measurements and helping participants “know their numbers” by providing insights into key health indicators that increase risk for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

The event was well attended by both church and community members. It was very receptive to NCCU’s presence and resources. NCCU continues to strengthen partnerships with faith-based communities to promote health, wellness, and access to resources that serve the broader community.

Dr. Faye Calhoun

This month’s spotlight features Dr. Faye Calhoun, who is the greatest example of what is possible when intelligence is matched with humility, vision with collaboration, and success with service.

Click "Read more" to learn about her life's journey.

July 25^th | kidney Health Community Day Event | John Chavis Park | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | Raleigh, NC

July 31^st | Aetna Collaborative Partnership | Southeast East Raleigh High School | 8:00 am to 2:00 pm | Raleigh, NC

Are you interested in engaging with the community to support your research, project development, connect with community partners, and frame a proposal grounded in Community Engaged Research practices?

If yes, connect with the Community Engagement Core for a consultation.

We invite you to connect with us and share your updates, ideas, faculty publications and ongoing research endeavors.

Reach out to us today and let's collaborate!

📧 www.nccu.edu/rcmi

📧 rcmi@nccu.edu

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