Pharmaceutical sciences major focuses research on air pollution
Looking for more research experience at the University of Mississippi, Alex Vinson began working in Courtney Roper’s biomolecular sciences lab in the School of Pharmacy.
It’s a decision that could have a huge effect.
The lab focuses on improving environmental health, with projects examining the robust characterization of air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter. Roper runs the lab while serving as an assistant professor of environmental toxicology and research assistant professor in the UM Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Vinson’s work, analyzing the oxidative potential and chemical composition of fine particulate matter collected from the same location on different days, opened new doors of exploration to the class of 2020 member.
“The project just happened to be the one that was assigned to me by my primary investigator, but once I started analyzing the data, I found some interesting correlations that – if valid – could have a positive impact on public health,” he said.
The research adds to the growing evidence and justification for investigating the oxidative potential of air pollution, which has been suggested as a measure that is more indicative of human health effects than the routinely measured fine particulate matter concentration.
A pharmaceutical sciences major, Vinson grew up around Ole Miss, where his mother, Jacquline Vinson, is project coordinator of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program. Vinson’s father, T.P. Vinson, was an assistant dean and faculty member in the UM School of Education from 1989 to 2003. He died of cancer in 2003.
Vinson was interested in chemistry at an early age and also had a desire to help others. He never could see himself as a doctor, though, so pharmacy school felt like a good choice. UM offered several great opportunities for Vinson’s college studies.
“This place has always been home,” he said. “It also has a very good pharmacy school, so it made sense, considering the major that I had chosen.
“It has certainly had its ups and downs, but I’ve really grown as a person and once I finish my formal education, I’ll really miss my time here. I’m going to miss the Grove and eating lunch on the balcony overlooking the Quad.”
Vinson was scheduled to present his air pollution research at the 2020 Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting and ToxExpo in Anaheim, California, but that trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, he looks forward to his data being made public so it can be replicated by other labs.
Like fellow members of the class of 2020 across the nation and world, the COVID-19 pandemic also upended Vinson’s last weeks of undergraduate studies, but he said he is carrying on in this new reality.
“It’s a lot to get used to, but I’m managing,” he said. “While I’m very glad that the university has taken these necessary precautions, it is a little upsetting to know that I’ll miss out on experiencing my last bit of time in undergrad.”
By Shea Stewart/Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
