Warhawk Weekly 6-2: Brain power research; Summer gas prices
How does the brain power itself? AUM researcher receives NIH grant to find out.
Auburn University at Montgomery researcher Siva Sakamuri, an assistant professor of chemistry in AUM’s College of Sciences, recently received a $249,818 National Institutes of Health grant to study how cellular energy production influences aging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease and overall brain health.
With funding from the grant, Sakamuri acquired AUM’s first Seahorse XFe24 Metabolic Flux Analyzer, a sophisticated instrument that measures cellular energy metabolism in real time, to support his research. The analyzer is among only a limited number of similar systems in Alabama, with comparable instruments primarily located at larger research universities in the state.
For Sakamuri, the technology opens the door to new questions about how changes inside cells may contribute to disease progression, particularly in the brain.
Working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers at AUM and Tuskegee University, Sakamuri hopes to better understand how cellular energy influences brain health and disease. Co-investigators on the NIH grant include AUM faculty members FNU Shivakant, Benedict Okeke, Douglas Leaman and Pryce Haddix from AUM’s Department of Biology, along with David Ro from the Department of Chemistry. The team is also collaborating with Balasubramanyam Karanam of Tuskegee University.
“We are interested in understanding how changes in cellular energy production contribute to aging, neurodegenerative diseases and other pathological conditions,” Sakamuri said. “By studying how cells generate and use energy under both healthy and disease conditions, we hope to better understand what drives dysfunction and identify pathways that could eventually lead to therapeutic intervention.”
At the center of Sakamuri’s research are brain endothelial cells, specialized cells that form the blood-brain barrier, a protective system that regulates what enters and exits the brain. While neuroscience research has traditionally focused heavily on neurons, scientists are increasingly examining how surrounding support cells influence cognitive health and disease, Sakamuri said.
“What particularly drew me to these cells is that their energy metabolism remains relatively underexplored,” he said. “Our research showed that brain endothelial cells rely more heavily on mitochondrial energy production than many other endothelial cell types. That raised important questions about how their metabolism changes during aging and disease.”
The Seahorse Analyzer will allow the researchers to study those changes in ways that were previously difficult to do using existing research equipment in university laboratories.
Over the next several years, Sakamuri hopes the research will deepen scientific understanding of how brain endothelial cells function in healthy and diseased states and help position AUM as a contributor in fields such as metabolism, vascular biology, neuroscience and aging research.
“Ultimately, I hope this work leads to new mechanistic insights and informs future therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to metabolic dysfunction,” he said.
Lyle discusses summer gas prices with WSFA
As summer travel season begins, gas prices remain a key consideration for travelers hitting the road. AUM Assistant Professor of Accounting William Lyle recently shared his expertise on fuel prices and market trends during an interview with WSFA-TV.
Lyle said that while the long-term fix to higher fuel costs would likely depend on stability in global markets, Alabama motorists continue to benefit from comparatively lower gas prices than other states.
“People don’t like $4 a gallon. But all things being equal, it could be worse,” Lyle said.
Orientation offers first step toward student success
Before classes begin, incoming students and their families have the opportunity to visit campus to learn about the AUM community. Orientation helps students register for classes, connect with campus resources, meet fellow Warhawks and prepare for a successful start to the semester.
Building these connections and gaining the tools they need to thrive at AUM helps students feel confident and prepared from day one.
The first orientation session will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, June 5, on campus with additional sessions set for June 13 and 26; July 10, 17, 25 and 31; and Aug. 7 and 14.
Register to reserve your preferred date: https://www.aum.edu/admissions/undergraduate-student-orientation/
Softball’s Baynes and Cauley earn All-American honors
AUM softball standouts Chloe Baynes and Reese Cauley earned All-American recognition from multiple organizations following the recent announcement of the 2026 NCAA Division II All-America teams.
Baynes was named a Second Team All-American by both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA). Cauley earned Second Team All-American honors from the NFCA and Third Team All-American recognition from the D2 CCA.
The recognition follows a standout season in which the Warhawks posted a 43-13 overall record, went 24-9 in Gulf South Conference play and advanced to the NCAA Division II postseason for the sixth consecutive year.
Build in-demand data analytics skills this summer
Data drives decisions, and professionals who can interpret it are in demand across industries.
AUM’s 2026 Summer Data Analytics Certificate Program helps students, professionals, and practitioners build high-impact skills in data science, statistical learning, statistical modeling and data-driven decision making.
In this three day, six-module course, participants will gain practical tools to analyze, interpret, and leverage data across industries such as business, healthcare, academia, and public policy.
Take your analytical skills to the next level this summer! Register for the July session.
Register for math placement tests
AUM’s free math placement program can help students save time and tuition costs. Students can take math placement tests on the following dates:
- Friday, June 5, 9 a.m., ISL Goodwyn Hall 202
- Friday, July 10, 9 a.m., ISL Goodwyn Hall 202
- Friday, August 7, 9 a.m., ISL Goodwyn Hall 202
- Friday, August 13, 2 p.m., Goodwyn Hall 115
- Friday, Sept. 4, 9 a.m., Goodwyn Hall 115
- Friday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m., Goodwyn Hall 115
- Friday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m., Goodwyn Hall 115
- Friday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m., Goodwyn Hall 115
