Jackie Liu and Jai Mehta represented the Tickle College of Engineering at the Posters at the Capitol event on April 2nd in Nashville.
In its 19th year, Posters at the Capitol gives undergraduate students from across Tennessee the opportunity to present their STEM research to stage legislators.
Liu, a senior biomedical engineering major, and Mehta, a sophomore computer science major, were the only two engineering students among the seven students at the event from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that can cause bloodstream infections and foodborne illness.
“One of the most impactful moments of the day was when I had the opportunity to talk with a state representative about the importance of my research,” Liu said. “I explained how it could potentially change the way we detect foodborne pathogens, which could have significant public health implications. I emphasized how scientific research like mine plays a crucial role in solving real-world problems, and I was able to see firsthand how our work as researchers can influence policy and decision-making.”
Mehta’s poster was about increasing CAR-T cell persistence, which is the ability of CAR-T cells to survive and function long-term after infusion, to keep cancer patients in remission by defining CAR-T cell states using an unsupervised classification technique.
“It was great to present at the capitol, as I was able to discuss important research with my local representatives,” Mehta said. “Having my political officials hear about the research I’m doing allows me to discuss my contributions to public health and reaffirm their support for my research interest.”
Expanding their networks
Liu and Mehta were able to meet students from Austin Peay State University, East Tennessee State University, Middle Tenneessee State University, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, University of Memphis, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and University of Tennessee, Martin.
“This event offered incredible networking opportunities with students from universities across Tennessee. It was fascinating to see how my research intersected with others,” Liu said. “For instance, a student from another university was also studying Staphylococcus aureus but focused more on its role in bloodstream infections, rather than foodborne illness. Even though we were working with the same pathogen, our research paths and applications were distinct, which showcases the diverse ways science and research can address the same problem.”
Liu has previously presented her work at EUReCA and was recognized with a People’s Choice Honorable Mention at the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) National Conference in 2024.
“Being involved in undergraduate research has truly been one of the most rewarding aspects of my college journey. It’s fulfilling to dedicate time and effort to a project and see its relevance beyond the lab,” Liu said. “These experiences have not only strengthened my technical skills but also reinforced my passion for scientific discovery and innovation.”
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey (865-974-0683, rpotkey@utk.edu)