Mayville State researchers win award at North Dakota EPSCoR state conference

Adam Kurtz, Grand Forks Herald
·2 min read

May 7—MAYVILLE, N.D. — A team of Mayville State University student researchers and their faculty mentors won a presentation award for cancer research at the North Dakota Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research conference in Fargo.

The Mayville State group won the Best Poster Award in the Materials Design Pillar, at the North Dakota EPSCoR ND-ACES 2022 state conference on April 6, according to an MSU news release. The undergraduate team was competing against graduate students from other North Dakota University System institutions in the competition.

"I am extremely proud of our students and their faculty mentors," said Mayville State University President Brian Van Horn. "Not only are these students gaining extremely valuable research experience as undergraduates, they are working on projects that have a valuable positive impact in our world. I commend our faculty researchers for their extraordinary efforts to provide opportunities for students."

The MSU team presented on the topic of "3D Bioprinting Using Human Cancer and Stem Cells with Novel Arabinoxylan Bioink."

The team is attempting to determine if arabinoxylan derived from wheat bran can be used successfully as a 3D bioprinting bioink that can be used in human cancer and stem cell research.

The ND EPSCoR state office provides leadership and coordination to broaden and diversify North Dakota's science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce pathway from elementary through graduate school. ND EPSCoR supports and grows statewide STEM research efforts and competitiveness at participating institutions of higher education, and conveys the impact of STEM research, outreach and workforce efforts to North Dakota stakeholders. ND EPSCoR operations and programming activities are funded by state appropriated dollars via the North Dakota University System.

The Mayville State team included students Julia Kohls, Mayville; Trevor Gravseth, Cooperstown, N.D.; Brooke Roeges, Baldur, Manitoba; Hayle Boechler, Wilton, N.D.; and Madisen Knudsvig, Mayville, N.D. Mayville State faculty members Khwaja Hossain, professor of biology, and Michael Kjelland, assistant professor of biology, are mentors to the team.