Scholars Shine in Statewide Genetics and Bioinformatics Showcase

Alabama A&M University students earned top honors at the 2026 CODE Student Symposium hosted by the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, a Huntsville-based nonprofit genomic research institute, standing out among competitors from colleges and universities across Alabama.

The symposium, part of HudsonAlpha’s Characterizing Our DNA Exceptions (CODE) program, brings together student researchers, faculty facilitators, and academic partners to showcase cutting-edge work in genetics and bioinformatics through poster sessions and oral presentations.

This year’s event featured 118 research posters and participants from 10 institutions statewide, including the University of North Alabama, Jacksonville State University, and the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Alabama A&M students delivered an exceptional performance, sweeping the graduate student poster competition. Master’s biology students earned first-, second- and third-place honors, outperforming fellow master’s candidates as well as Ph.D. and medical students. All of the winners presented independent research projects completed this semester in courses taught by Dr. Dana Indihar, assistant professor of microbiology and virology.

Rachael Oke, a master’s biology student from Lagos State, Nigeria, earned first place for her research in a Principles of Virology course examining stabilizing mutations in the HIV-1 envelope protein and their impact on cell-to-cell transmission. Nicholas James of Huntsville, Alabama, placed second, and TaNiya Steele of Hueytown, Alabama, placed third for their work in a Current Concepts course exploring variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in the human CXCR4 gene and how those VUS affect interactions with the HIV-1 envelope protein.

In the undergraduate division, Lauren Kramer, a sophomore biology major from Huntsville, secured first place in the sophomore poster competition. Kramer, who is auditing the graduate-level Current Concepts course, presented the research she developed through that experience.

Students were evaluated by three independent judges, with awards given to the top three scorers in each category. Winners received ribbons and recognition from HudsonAlpha for their achievements.

“This was only the second time Alabama A&M students have competed in the symposium, and their performance speaks volumes,” said Indihar. “Involving students in research increases their preparedness and competitiveness for STEM careers. I challenged my students to engage in research from the first week of the semester, and they rose to the occasion. I am incredibly proud of their work.”

From left: Nicholas James, TaNiya Steele, Dr. Dana Indihar, Lauren Kramer and Rachael Oke.