Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research

At the most recent Virtual Research Night hosted by the Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research, Adriana Brandes, MS, presented research contributing to scientific research on volatile terpenes’ impact on pathogenic bacteria. Delivering insights into the differing antimicrobial strengths of various essential oils and how to use variations for effective treatment strategies.

Adriana Brandes received her bachelor’s degree in biology at William Paterson University, where she worked on a total synthesis of a natural product used for anticancer research. She later pursued her passion for botanical medicine and earned a Master’s degree in the field.

Her current work at the Ric Scalzo Botanical Research Institute focuses on exploring the complex interconnection between plants and human health.

To learn more about our research, visit us at sonoran.edu/research.

At the most recent Virtual Research Night hosted by the Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research, Susan Trapp, PhD, presented research evaluating the effects of CBD on depression. In the presentation, the results of the evaluation of the effects of CBD on anxiety and depression in an in vitro cell assay system using neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y).

Dr. Trapp is an alumnus of the University of Maryland and the Institute of Biological Chemistry at Washington State University, where she focused on the molecular evolution and genomics of terpenoid natural products in fungi and plants. Her current research areas are genomics, computational biology, biotechnology, and bioassay development.

To learn more about our research, visit us at sonoran.edu/research.