Alexes Thurman

 

Biography:

Alexes is a double major in Biochemistry and Forensic Anthropology. She joined the Gallagher Lab in Spring 2024 and plans to attend graduate school to pursue a PhD in the field of forensics focusing on utilizing mass spectrometry as a tool for structural analysis and the detection of seized drugs. Alexes has previously worked with Dr. Michael P. Muehlenbein in immunology on developing and optimizing a bacterial killing assay.

 

Current Area:

Alexes is currently working on her thesis project with Lyssa Garber. This project utilizes divalent metal-adduct ions for distinguishing anomeric carbohydrates using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). 

 

Presentations:

Oral Presentations:

Poster Presentations:

  1. “Identifying brands of hacksaw blades using paint residues on bone trauma” Thurman, A.N.; Hettinger, A.; Bennet, C.; Garcia, G.; Dillard, M., URSA Scholars Week Conference; Waco, Texas; March 30-April 2, 2025.

  2. “Comparing ionization efficiencies and fragmentation patterns of carbohydrates in various solvent systems using positive- and negative-ion mode mass spectrometry” Garber, L.A.; Thurman, A.N.; Gallagher, E.S., 73rd ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics; Baltimore, Maryland; June 1-5, 2025.

  3. "Comparing Solvents used for Separation of Carbohydrates in Positive- and Negative-Ion Mode Mass Spectrometry to Improve Ionization Efficiency" Garber, L.A.; Thurman, A.N.; Gallagher, E.S. 80th Southwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society; Waco, Texas; October 20-23, 2024.

  4. “Development & Validation of Conditions for Bacterial Killing Assay Protocol in Human Saliva Samples” Thurman, A.; Hernandez, B.; Arana, D.; Fujinami, E.; Maggio, N.; Krishnan, V.; Kanchwala, Z.; Nowak, T.; Prall, S.; Muehlenbain, M., CEGGS Conference; Denton, Texas; April 2024.

  5. “Development & Validation of Conditions for Bacterial Killing Assay Protocol in Human Saliva Samples” Thurman, A.; Hernandez, B.; Arana, D.; Fujinami, E,; Maggio, N.; Krishnan, V.; Kanchwala, Z.; Nowak, T.; Prall, S.; Muehlenbain, M., URSA Scholars Week Conference; Waco, Texas; March 25-27, 2024.

  6. “Human Salivary Bacteria Killing Assay” Nowak, T.; Gassen, J.; Prall, S.; Patel, R.; Thurman, A.; Arana, D.; Krishnan, V.; Muehlenbein, M., Global Health Symposium; Waco, Texas; March 2024.

  7. “Human Salivary Bacteria Killing Assay” Nowak, T.; Gassen, J.; Prall, S.; Patel, R.; Thurman, A.; Arana, D.; Krishnan, V.; Muehlenbein, M., Tennessee Association for Behavior Analysis (TABA) Conference; Waco, Texas; November 9-10, 2023.

  8. “Tested Effects of False Hope and the Placebo Effect on Laparoscopic Surgery” Thurman, A.N.; Arnold, R.; Melgar, D., Baylor Laparoscopy Symposium; Waco, Texas; May 4, 2023.

Publications:

 

Organizations:

 

Awards:

2024, 2025 Outstanding Team Poster Presentation, URSA Scholars Week Conference

Contact Information:

Email: alexes_thurman1@baylor.edu 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexes-thurman-372815235

ORCID iD: 0009-0008-8716-9250