Dr. Kim was recently awarded a PVAMU RISE Undergraduate Research Program grant (internal) to support a undergraduate student’s research and training. This is a one-year grant to support a undergraduate student at $7,200/year.
Project Title: Training in Illumina NextSeq High-Throughput Sequencing and Analysis Pipeline at PVAMU
Principal Investigator: Seungchan Kim, Ph.D.
Project Summary:
This project aims to train an undergraduate researcher in both wet-lab and computational methods for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) using the Illumina NextSeq 550 platform. The research will focus on profiling transcriptomic changes in prostate cancer, generating insights into gene expression patterns. The student will prepare RNA samples, assist in library construction, and participate in sequencing runs under supervision. Following data generation, the project will shift to computational analysis, including quality control, read alignment, quantification, and differential expression testing using standard bioinformatics pipelines. This dual training approach will provide a complete “bench-to-bytes” experience, equipping the student with skills in molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, and computational genomics. Results will be presented at local, state, and/or national conferences, thereby contributing both to the student’s professional development and to the broader scientific understanding of disease.