Delta State University

« Back to Recent News

Delta State Students expand research skills through summer programs

Cleveland, MS (08/17/2026) — Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4678

Email: nduff@deltastate.edu

Delta State Students expand research skills through summer programs

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Two Delta State University students gained advanced research experience this summer through programs designed to prepare undergraduates for graduate study and careers in science and medicine.

Kent Humphries, a Biology major from Fulton, conducted research at Delta State under the mentorship of Sullivan-Outlaw Professor of Biochemistry Dr. Christopher Jurgenson through a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). His research examined enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway plants use to produce berberine, a naturally occurring compound with potential pharmaceutical applications.

Humphries learned computational methods for studying protein motion through molecular dynamics simulations. He also gained laboratory experience transforming bacterial cells with recombinant DNA to create protein-overexpression strains and using protein-purification methods to isolate the resulting enzymes for further study.

Thomas Craft, a Biology major from Cleveland, participated in the Summer Research Experience for Emerging Research Institutions (RER) in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Mississippi. Craft was the first student to participate in the new research format, which is designed to make opportunities at major research universities more accessible to students from regional institutions such as Delta State.

Craft spent approximately one month conducting research on the University of Mississippi campus before returning to Delta State to continue the collaboration. Unlike a traditional nine-week residential summer research program, the RER model allows students to establish research partnerships at Ole Miss and remain involved in their projects over a longer period while continuing their studies and research at their home institutions.

Craft's project focused on the study of glycosylation through novel protein design. He used RFdiffusion3, an artificial intelligence-based protein-design platform, to design proteins capable of binding to C-mannosylation sites. The project provided experience applying emerging computational methods to questions involving protein engineering, biochemistry and biomedical research.

At the conclusion of the on-campus portion of the RER program, Craft presented his work alongside other summer research participants at Ole Miss. He shared the progress of his protein-design research with faculty members, mentors and fellow students.

The pilot program also included a faculty-collaboration component intended to strengthen long-term research connections between the two universities. Jurgenson traveled to Ole Miss, where he collaborated with Dr. Sushil Mishra and met with other faculty members to discuss shared research interests and opportunities for continued collaboration.

The faculty component supports the program's broader goal of developing sustained institutional partnerships beyond a short-term summer placement.

Humphries, Craft and Jurgenson also attended the Mississippi IDeA/EPSCoR Conference, where they met students and researchers from institutions throughout the state. Humphries presented a poster detailing his summer research on enzymes in the berberine biosynthetic pathway.

"Throughout this summer, I have learned so much," Humphries said. "Getting to work closely with my mentor in the laboratory has been a wonderful experience. Presenting at the MIEC conference gave me an opportunity to talk about my findings and meet peers who have similar interests."

"I enjoyed my time as part of the RER at Ole Miss," Craft said. "It was a great opportunity to meet other students interested in research, receive mentorship in a different laboratory setting, and bring what I learned back with me to Delta State."

Jurgenson said the experiences demonstrate the importance of creating multiple pathways for students at regional universities to participate in meaningful research.

"These programs give our students opportunities to work closely with faculty, develop practical research skills, and become part of a broader scientific community," Jurgenson said. "The new collaborative RER model is especially promising because it supports sustained relationships among students and faculty at both institutions. Students can continue their research after returning to Delta State, while the participating faculty build collaborations that can create additional opportunities for students in the future."

The students' participation highlights the value of partnerships among Mississippi's universities. By connecting Delta State students with research opportunities on campus and at the University of Mississippi, the programs expand access to undergraduate research and strengthen scientific collaboration across the state.

The SURF grant was supported by the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (MS-INBRE), funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20GM103476.

For more information about undergraduate research opportunities, visit www.deltastate.edu/nursing-health-sciences/.

Cutline 1: Kent Humphries, a Biology major from Fulton, conducted research through a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Cutline 2: Thomas Craft, a Biology major from Cleveland, participated in the Summer Research Experience for Emerging Research Institutions (RER) in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Mississippi.

###

About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,800 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 15 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.

Media Attachments

Kent Humphries, a Biology major from Fulton, conducted research through a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Thomas Craft, a Biology major from Cleveland, participated in the Summer Research Experience for Emerging Research Institutions (RER) in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Mississippi.

Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out