Left to right: Cole Ragsdale, Dr. Jin Seo, and Tucker Hopkins
RSU Professor and Biology Department Head Dr. Jin Seo, along with two RSU students, recently had a paper published in a peer-reviewed research journal.
Working with his research students, Tucker Hopkins and Cole Ragsdale, Dr. Seo’s findings were published in PLOS One, a peer-reviewed open access mega journal published by the Public Library of Science. The journal covers primary research from any discipline within science and medicine.
The paper, titled “Elevated ambient temperature reduces fat storage through the FoxO-mediated insulin signaling pathway,” explores the mechanism by which higher temperatures reduce body fat in fruit flies.
According to Seo, the research found that the insulin-signaling pathway and its downstream transcription factor, FoxO are crucial for maintaining lipid homeostasis. This finding provides important insights into understanding the current obesity epidemic and its related diseases.
This is the second time Seo’s students had their research published in a peer-reviewed journal.
“This research project is my first publication, so I’m very excited to have it accepted to PLOS One,” Ragsdale said. “I also got to learn many laboratory techniques and aspects of experimental design that will help me with future research.
“As someone with Type I Diabetes, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to research relevant topics like insulin signaling and other aspects of metabolism,” he added.
Hopkins said the most memorable aspect of the research project was the daily meetings with Dr. Seo, during which they discussed results and planned experiments.
Ragsdale is a native of Pryor. He will graduate from RSU in 2025 and plans to continue his education, working to earn his Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology.
Hopkins, a Claremore native, graduated from RSU in 2020 and is currently an OMS (Osteopathic Medical Student) II at OSU-COM. His career goal is to practice internal medicine.
Learn more about RSU’s biology degree options.