Tag: J. Josh Snodgrass

The Evolution of Coronaviruses: Cross-Species Transfers and Mechanisms of Infections

Presenter(s): Tristan McKibben—Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor(s): J. Josh Snodgrass

Session 5.5: McNair Scholars Presentations

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its accompanying disease, COVID-19, in late 2019 has had a global impact that will likely be felt for decades to come . As the number of infections and deaths around the world keep rising, there is a pressing need to better understand the virus and its origin . This research reviews the evolution of coronaviruses as well as mechanisms of cross-species transfers and infection . Researchers have identified that SARS-CoV-2 uses the same receptor for cell entry as SARS-CoV (the virus responsible for the SARS epidemic of 2002-2004), which may aid in combating SARS-CoV-2 . In comparing the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV entered the human population and proceeded to infect human hosts to what is currently known about SARS-CoV-2, it is possible to identify areas of research that potentially provide the most utility in the search for a vaccine . The present paper systematically reviews published literature on coronaviruses with the goal of identifying promising avenues for future research .

Suicidal thoughts and attempts in the Study of global AGEing and adult health (SAGE)

Presenter(s): Tyra Judge—International Studies

Faculty Mentor(s): Alicia DeLouize, J. Josh Snodgrass

Session: Prerecorded Poster Presentation

Suicide is estimated to account for around 800,000 deaths per year, worldwide . While 79% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), most studies on suicide have been done in high-income countries . With the lack of research where the highest rates of suicide are presented, as well as in older and aging populations, it is necessary to form a body of research around this . Here we will present that the percentage of suicidal thoughts and attempts have great variance in LMICs, which can be attributed to multiple different factors . Suicidality was high in LMICs, with different countries having 25% to 53% of people who were depressed having suicidal thoughts and 4% to 26% of people who were depressed having attempted suicide . Predictors of suicidal thoughts and attempts varied widely by country and gender, with poor health being the most common predictor (B’s = 0 .10 to 2 .20, p’s < .01 in China, Russia, India, and Ghana), followed by wealth (B’s = -2 .71 to 1 .03, p’s < .05 in China and Ghana), age (B’s = -0 .14 to 0 .03, p’s < .05 in Mexico and Ghana), memory(B’s = -0 .78 to 0 .53, p < .05 in South Africa), marriage (B’s = -1 .85 to 1 .77, p < .05 in India), and social cohesion (B’s = -0 .16 to 0 .11, p < .05 in South Africa . Our results demonstrate that while these predictors vary widely, they are often affected by socioeconomic status and culture in some way . In our research, we hope it allows for a broader look into where these differences in the predictors come from, specifically when looking at culture, socioeconomic status, health, and gender relations .