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Students earn recognition for Signature Work research projects

If you were tasked with selecting any original topic of societal importance to research independently, what would you choose?

This is precisely the challenge that every undergraduate at Duke Kunshan University is presented with for their Signature Work, a core element of an innovative curriculum requiring students to approach issues with a solutions-focused and creative mindset.

The scope for what topic to pursue is vast, but the projects must always feature substantial scholarly writing, reflection on learning and publicly visible results.

Often their impact is felt well beyond campus. For example, a number of students recently saw their projects receive acclaim in the wider academic community.

Audrey Roberts from the Class of 2023 had her study into the human gut microbiome published in the Journal of Nutrition Science Research, while the Class of 2024’s Lorenzo Maggio Laquidara has been chosen to present his project on urban green spaces to a conference in Barcelona, Spain.

Lingrui Lai, from the Class of 2023, received the undergraduate Armando Vega Prize for her Signature Work into harmful green-blue algae at this year’s International BMAA Conference, a gathering of researchers studying the environmental neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA).

And Arabela Urpi Iggesen Valenzuela from the Class of 2024 expanded her project into a 200-page book documenting her solo travels from Pakistan to Iran through Balochistan entitled “Of Threads and Needles: A young woman’s journey across one of the world’s most patriarchal lands”.

Director of Signature Work Benjamin Bacon (pictured above) said it is pleasing to see the results of students’ hard work and dedication.

“Each project demonstrates a commitment and rigor to broaden research and scholarship in their respective fields,” he said.

“Signature Work is a core element of DKU’s innovative undergraduate curriculum, and we aim to provide students with a framework for independent research that is an essential building block for their future trajectories.”

‘Recapturing my curiosity and drive’

In her project, titled “The Human Gut Microbiome: Relationships to Nutrition, Obesity, and Eating Disorders”, Roberts looked at how people process nutrients differently to others and the implications that could have for treating obesity, eating disorders and other health problems.

“Current treatments for obesity such as bariatric surgery are incredibly invasive or have low rates of success,” said Roberts, who is from the United States and studied molecular bioscience.

“For those who suffer from eating disorders, it may help to investigate the gut microbiome as another potential avenue for treatment.

“Eating disorder treatment is difficult and complex, often focusing on therapy and weight restoration; by understanding further the link between the human gut microbiome and metabolism, treatment for eating disorders may be improved.”

Roberts said the coursework challenges she faced as an undergraduate served to heighten the sense of accomplishment she felt from completing the project and being published as first author alongside Dr. Anastasia Tsigkou, an associate professor of biology.

“I struggled a good deal in my coursework, particularly in my freshman year and during remote work — essentially my entire university career,” Roberts said.

“I did not perform as well as I would have liked in my actual coursework, and through completion of this project I realized I still had the curiosity and drive that attracted me to academia in the first place.”

She added, “Being able to complete my Signature Work was an incredible feeling, even more so when Professor Tsigkou reached out to me regarding publication.”

‘I can’t believe I have this opportunity!’

For his project, Laquidara interviewed city-dwelling immigrants in the United States and Europe about the opportunities they had to enjoy urban green spaces such as parks, forests and tree-lined streets.

“Urban green spaces are often lacking in areas with high immigrant density and low socio-economic status,” said Laquidara, who is studying environmental science.

“Those spaces that are present are often subject to degradation due to poor maintenance, and are often associated with danger and illicit activities.”

“In a way, it feels as if as immigrants are not entitled to interact with nature in their destination countries,” added the Italian, who has been working as a research center intern on a project focused on European Union immigration policy and access to employment.

“Such a consideration could represent a relevant environmental justice concern.”

His study — “Environmental science: Investigating the impacts of urban green space management on socio-cultural integration among immigrant communities in European and American cities” — has been accepted to next year’s Urban Futures – Cultural Pasts Barcelona conference, where he will present his findings, a prospect he finds “exciting and surprising”.

“I cannot believe I will have the opportunity to meet affirmed urban ecology scholars and present my project to them,” he said.

“I have read many of their works throughout the past years, and I can only try to imagine what meeting them will feel like.”

Laquidara said the most satisfying part was the support he received from others, including his faculty mentor Dr. Renee Richer, colleagues and friends. “Their contribution not only helped me achieve what I had in mind, but also helped me generate ideas that changed my perspective and plans.”

‘I want to delve deeper’

For his project, Lai wanted to support efforts in reducing the impact of cyanobacterial blooms, a global environmental issue affecting lakes and other surface waters and posing a significant threat to humans and ecosystems.

He held up the 2007 severe algal bloom in Lake Taihu and the ensuing “Wuxi water crisis”, which disrupted freshwater supplies in several Chinese cities, as an example of their far-reaching consequences.

In his project titled “Unique Community Structure of the Microcystis Dominated, Eutrophic Lake Taihu”, he and faculty mentor Dr. Richer set out to learn more about the different roles played by various bacteria and other participants within the bloom, with the ultimate aim of contributing to more effective treatment strategies.

“Our study reveals that these small bacterial communities function akin to a well-structured human society, with a distinct division of jobs,” said the molecular bioscience major.

“While cyanobacteria serve as the primary energy producers, other bacteria play crucial roles in processes like nitrogen fixation and sulfur metabolism.

“This research sheds light on how each member of the community contributes to the formation of the bloom, offering a more nuanced understanding of these intricate microbial ecosystems.”

Lai said receiving the award at the BMAA conference was a “significant milestone, marking the culmination of my undergraduate research achievements”.

“However, this is just the beginning of my academic journey. As I embark on my graduate studies, I am eager to delve deeper into this field, building upon the foundation laid during my undergraduate years.”

‘A land that captured my heart’

Valenzuela’s Signature Work focuses on the impact of the 2022 Pakistan floods on women’s health outcomes. But the project led to her publishing a book on her experiences traveling from Pakistan to Iran through Balochistan, which she described as a “land part forgotten, part abused, part feared, but rarely appreciated”.

“I had no choice but to cross it when I traveled from Pakistan to Iran in summer 2022,” said Valenzuela, who is German-Peruvian-American.

“Little did I expect that this barren land at the intersection of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan would capture my heart like no other place.”

It soon became clear to Valenzuela that an entry in her Spicy Travel Girl blog alone would not do justice to her experiences over those two weeks, so she started work on a book.

“I published my story to tell the world about this beautiful land and people and share a lesson on bridging cultural barriers, but as I invested my time and energy into this project, I realized I wanted to do more,” she added.

“I want to use my academic background to conduct research on populations that most academics overlook. I want to partake in efforts to improve conditions for people like the Baloch.

“And the first step for this, in my opinion, is to learn about their culture.”

• This year’s DKU Signature Work Fair will be held on Dec. 1 in the Academic Building Ballroom in celebration of the student projects. Organized by the Office of Signature Work, it will provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about the flagship program and individual pieces of research.

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