Journal Publications
Botey,M., and Esiobu, N. (2024) Microbiome innovation technologies for sustainable sugarcane production in South Florida: A review. Current Trends in Microbiology.
Poster presentations
Edouard, J., Faradyan, S., & Esiobu, N. (2023). Effects of Defunding the Rhizobiomes: Root Microbiome community structure within managed and uncultivated Citrus groves. Florida American Society for Microbiology, Symposium, St. Augustine, FL.
Eloi, E. S., Sankar, L., Kahn, A., Escobar, B., & Esiobu, N. (2023). Potable water under the lens: Microbiological quality of potable water in a university setting underscores the need for improved standardized and rapid detection. Florida Atlantic University, Fl.
Davis, D., Martinez, M., Louda, J. W., & Esiobu, N. (2023). Microbial community structure of the Lake Worth lagoon: A pioneer study. Florida American Society for Microbiology, Symposium, St. Augustine, FL.
Botey, M.,& Esiobu, N. (2023). Microbiomes of Florida Seagrass-Thalasssia Testudinum and Halphila Johnsonii: analysis of the rhizobiome community dynamics and function across gradients of environmental stressors. Florida American Society for Microbiology, Symposium, St. Augustine, FL.
Damas, S., Botey, M., & Esiobu, N. (2024). Are Tomato Microbiomes involved in the resistance of some varieties to the deadly Early Blight disease? Florida Atlantic University, OURI Symposium.
Sullivan, J. D., & Esiobu, N. (2024). Next Generation Plant Booster: Proof of Concept via Expression of Green Fluorescent Proteins in Plant-Growth-Promoting Bacteria. Florida Atlantic University, College of Science, Science Festival.
Desai, T., Davis, D., & Esiobu, N. (2024). Assessing the prevalence and distribution of the fecal indicator bacteria Enterococci spp. in the southern 9 miles of the Lake Worth Lagoon. Florida Atlantic University, College of Science, Science Festival.
Henry, S., & Esiobu, N. (2024). Soil health matters: How do genetically modified Glyphosate resistant Soybeans affect plant and soil microbiomes over time? Florida Atlantic University, College of Science, Science Festival.
Faradyan, S., Madem, S., & Esiobu,N. (August 2024). An optimization of Transformation of Lactobacillus Acidophilus ATCC 314: A Step Towards Probiotic Vaccines. Florida Atlantic University, SURF Poster presentation.
Grants awarded
600 $ OURI Grants
Declan Sullivan: A Comparison of the Microbial Communities of Mangroves Across Varying Salinities in South Florida.
Shania Henry: How Do Genetically Modified Glyphosate-Resistant Soybeans Affect Plant and Soil Microbiomes Over Time?
Shant Faradyan: Transformation of Lactobacillus spp: First step towards effective Probiotic Vaccines.
Dr. Nwadiuto Esiobu with Shant Faradyan: Innovations in Bio-inoculant Production: Transformation of Probiotic Lactobacillus and a Plant Growth Promoting Bacterium – Bacillus subtilis with GFP Plasmid Molecules.
Shan Damas: Microbiomes of Tomatoes resistant to early blight disease.
4000$ SURF grants:
Shant Faradyan: Transformation of Lactobacillus spp: First step towards effective Probiotic Vaccines.
Project Title: Transformation of Lactobacillus spp: First step towards effective Probiotic Vaccines.
Awarded grants from OURI and SURF
Over the summer, I focused on optimizing the electroporation and transformation protocol for Lactobacillus acidophilus, a probiotic bacterium. This project involved reviewing existing methods, identifying key variables affecting transformation efficiency, and conducting many experiments to improve the process. I explored modifications in areas such as competent cell preparation, DNA parameters, shock conditions, and recovery media composition. This research has potential implications for enhancing the genetic manipulation of L. acidophilus, leading to future modifications such as antigen expression. Throughout this experience, I developed crucial skills in experimental design, microbial techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication, and I feel I am much more knowledgeable and understanding of the whole research process now.
For ten weeks this summer I was an intern within Johns Hopkins’ Medicine as a member of the Summer Urological Research Experience (SURE) cohort, a subgroup of the Basic Sciences Summer Internship (BSI) program. Accommodations and travel were sponsored by the BSI program. I had the honor of being placed within a Cancer Ecology lab located in one of the pillars of the hospital, the Marburg building. The lab investigated cancer’s resistance mechanisms to therapeutics. Both PI’s of the cancer ecology lab, PhD scientist Dr. Sarah Amend and a clinician but also a renowned researcher, Dr. Kenneth Pienta met with me weekly to discuss progress and related matters. With every experimental attempt came a lesson, but by the end, I was able to present twice, once orally in front of an audience and another at the C.A.R.E.S Symposium displaying my qPCR, Western Blot, and Immunofluorescence experiments. This summer I was also engaged clinically, from viewing incredible procedures in various fields from exceptional surgeons to even being able to perform modeled surgeries using state of the art machinery and surgical instruments such as the "Da Vinci". I was able to complete my long awaited hope to witness neurosurgeries and learn from multiple cases with unique implications.
From this experience, my outlook on becoming a physician did not change, rather it was strengthened by motivation to strive to become a great doctor. To be someone who can add onto their field whilst providing incredible quality of care, but also staying true to themselves, assisting everyone around with a genuine character. It is with genuine people that I have the resolve to continue, those who have inspired me and also changed my perspective on what a precious gift a kind heart can be. It is the same impact that I have felt before, similar to my encounters with my mentor Dr. Esiobu, who shows me genuine guidance which I had not received before or after, until this internship. I hope to continue honoring those who showed this support to me and use the skills learned, confidence gained, and motivation to offer the best I can in every aspect of my life.
