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Adeyeye Haastrup presents a poster at the American Thoracic Society's annual conference. |
His abstract was selected for a poster discussion, and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) selected Haastrup as a recipient of the Underrepresented Trainee Development Scholarship, which recognizes trainees who are members of underrepresented minority groups and are selected for the quality of the science in their submitted abstract, among other criteria.
The ATS advances research, patient care, and public health in pulmonary disease, critical illness, and sleep disorders. Founded in 1905 to combat tuberculosis, the ATS has expanded its reach to include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, sepsis, acute respiratory distress, and sleep apnea, among other diseases.
Along with a certificate of achievement, Haastrup was awarded complimentary registration to the ATS 2024 International Conference in San Diego, a one-year ATS membership and $1,000. He was honored during the Diversity Forum at the conference.
“Winning an award at the 2024 ATS International Conference was a humbling experience,” he said, “and I owe these two successes to Dr. Langley, who has been an exceptional mentor in every respect.”
Ray Langley, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pharmacology, whose research focuses on sepsis and how to use biostatistical analysis for outcome prediction, said Haastrup is deserving of his recent accolades.
“He has a genuine passion for science and is willing to take on nearly any task. He learns quickly and really takes advantage of constructive criticism,” Langley said. “I feel fortunate that he decided to join my lab last year.”
“Dr. Langley's lab has been an ideal fit for me due to its translational approach, offering real potential for groundbreaking advancements in a field long plagued by failed clinical trials,” he said. “With a background in pharmacy spanning both hospital and community settings, I've long been fascinated by the precarious survival of septic patients, especially those in septic shock.”
Haastrup’s research is primarily focused on the mechanisms of an infection-induced bioenergetics crisis in sepsis-like animal models. With the hypothesis that the bioenergetic molecule nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is depleted, leading to poor outcomes, animals are treated with nicotinamide riboside to see if NAD+ can be replenished and improve signatures of mitochondrial function.
“Ade utilizes a multi-omics approach where he measures metabolomics and RNA transcriptomics in the animal samples to determine how the bioenergetic pathways are affected by the infection and treatment,” Langley said.
Haastrup credited other mentors, including in the Department of Pharmacology: professors Marie Migaud, Ph.D., and Mark Gillespie, Ph.D., and Justin Roberts, a postdoctoral fellow; and Troy Stevens, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology.
“Really, I appreciate all the professors at the Whiddon College of Medicine because they have all contributed in more than one way molding me to become a fine scientist,” he said. “Most importantly, I appreciate the supportive environment of the College of Medicine and South Alabama at large.”
In addition, Haastrup won two monetary awards at the 2024 Coastal Business Fair Competition. For his AI Medical Simulations presentation, he tied for third place and received $250, and finished in second place as the College Champion representing the College of Medicine and received $100.
“It was a tremendous honor to be one of the winners of the Coastal Business Fair competition,” he said. “Deep appreciation goes to my teammates Khizir Zabir and Faysal Ahmmed, both graduate students, and Dr. (Kari) Lippert in systems engineering at USA.”
