Graduate students showcase research at national UTI conference
Posted on April 28, 2026 by Lindsay Hughes
Students from the Whiddon College of Medicine’s Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program
recently showcased their research on a national stage, contributing to conversations
on emerging science in urinary tract infections while gaining valuable professional
experience.
Oluwagbenro Adesunloro and Sicily Hardy traveled with their mentor, Allyson Shea, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, to attend the 6th Clinical and Scientific Advances in Urinary Tract Infections conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Shea also played a prominent role in the meeting, serving as a member of the conference planning committee and a moderator for the session “New Frontiers in UTI Pathogenesis.”
At the conference, the students connected with esteemed researchers, including Scott Hultgren, Ph.D., of Washington University School of Medicine, a member of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.
Adesunloro delivered an oral presentation titled “Beyond the Brain: Amyloid-Beta as an Innate Immune Effector During Urinary Tract Infections.” His research explores a new role for amyloid-beta, a protein most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
“Emerging research suggests that amyloid-beta may function as part of the body’s innate immune defense,” Adesunloro said. “In my project, we explore this concept in the context of urinary tract infections, an area that has not been previously investigated.”
The conference provided Adesunloro a platform to engage with leading experts in the field. “These interactions significantly strengthened my scientific communication and professional networking skills,” he said, adding that he is grateful for the mentorship and support of Shea and the lab team.
Hardy, who also serves as president of the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Student Society, presented a poster titled “Dual Effects of Pyridone Ribosides on the Uroepithelium and Uropathogenic E. coli.” Her research focuses on pyridone ribosides (PYRs), newly identified compounds found in human urine that increase with age and inflammation.
In the Shea Lab, Hardy studies how uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) — the primary bacterial cause of urinary tract infections — interacts with these compounds. Her preliminary findings suggest that UPEC can use PYRs as a nitrogen source to support growth, though the mechanisms behind this process remain unclear.
The conference experience allowed Hardy to share her work, gain feedback, and explore future opportunities. She also credited Shea’s mentorship for helping make the opportunity possible.
“I made connections with leading experts in the UTI field and with other graduate students,” she said. “Through these interactions, I built connections that may lead to future collaborations and gained new insight into career paths I might want to pursue after completing my Ph.D.”