The Prospector, April 23, 2020

University of Texas at El Paso ScholarWorks@UTEP The Prospector Special Collections Department 4-23-2020 The Prospector, April 23, 2020 UTEP Student Publications Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.utep.edu/prospector Part of the Journalism Studies Commons, and the Mass Communication Commons Recommended Citation UTEP Student Publications, "The Prospector, April 23, 2020" (2020). The Prospector. 374. https://scholarworks.utep.edu/prospector/374 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections Department at ScholarWorks@UTEP. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Prospector by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UTEP. For more information, please contact [email protected]. News Entertainment Sports Students weigh in on new grading scale, page 3 Drag queens in the era of COVID-19, page 5 Miners hoping for NFL call, page 7 VOL. 105, NO. 24 APRIL 21, 2020 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO WWW.THEPROSPECTORDAILY.COM UTEP conducts COVID-19 vaccine research Isaiah Ramirez The Prospector Research is underway at the University of Texas at El Paso to combat and fi nd a vaccine for COVID-19. Th e UTEP School of Pharmacy is currently using computational methods to learn more about the COVID-19, or coronavirus. Th e research is di- rected by Suman Sirimulla, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences, who is leading a group of researchers from UTEP and the University of New Mexico. Th e focal point of the research is to evolve the molecular structure of a drug that combats the coronavirus. Th is is very crucial considering the novel coronavirus leads to the very deadly respiratory disease COVID-19. (hyperlink https://www. cnn.com/2020/03/31/health/what-is-coronavirus- covid-19-wellness/index.html). A specifi c method is using advanced computers to piece together small molecules in order to create inhibitors of viral proteins. Th e inhibitors them- selves will bind to the virus’ S-protein. Th is S-protein, also known as the spike protein, will then be attached to the inhibitor, blocking the spike protein from attaching to and infecting the healthy cells in the body. Sirimulla is also developing inhibitors of the novel coronavirus’ main protease, which is considered necessary due to the proteases' critical role in pro- cessing the polyproteins that are translated from the viral RNA. “Th e coronavirus targets the respiratory ACE2 and TMPRSS2 enzymes and uses the spike protein to attach itself to them,” said Sirimulla in a press re- lease. “Once the virus gets into the cell it begins to replicate and what we are trying to do is target the see VACCINE on page 2 GRAPHIC BY TEDDY BAYLON EDITOR IN CHIEF VALERIA OLIVARES, 747-7446 2 OPINION APRIL 21, 2020 Managing mental illness while in quarantine How social distancing and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has affected my mental health Margaret Cataldi down, I knew what a disaster this situation To be fair, I realize that everyone in the world available. If you already see a psychiatrist or The Prospector would be for my mental health, especially as is probably experiencing these same emotions other mental health carehealthcare professional, someone who suffers from ADHD and depres- right now, whether they struggle with a pre- notify them about your situation and sched- Four weeks ago, before sion. I knew that isolation would only worsen existing mental illness or not. That being said, ule some remote sessions if possible. If you everything got canceled, my condition, and that is precisely where I find if anyone can relate to my situation, no matter are a UTEP student, you can check out some before we were all ordered myself now. the circumstances, please understand that you of the pandemic-related resources provided by to stay inside and before Isolation has never been a pleasant experience are not alone. Although it may seem challenging the university’s Counseling and Psychological life seemingly came to a for me. I typically rely on structure, routine and to visualize an end to the chaos and a return to Services (CAPS). In addition to one-on-one sudden halt, I welcomed regular face-to-face interaction with my friends normalcy, we have to remember that these con- counseling sessions via phone call, CAPS has and even hoped for the and peers to maintain positivity and stability. ditions are only temporary. provided these mental health tips for managing possibility of a country- But being stuck inside with nowhere to go has In the meantime, reach out to your friends coronavirus concerns and a coronavirus anxiety wide lockdown. I saw amplified my symptoms of depression and has and ask if they are doing OK. Talk to one anoth- workbook to help you build coping skills and it as an opportunity to brought all my negative and oppressive thoughts er and share your experiences. Don’t be afraid to create a personal plan of action. destress and finally get around to all the tasks to the forefront of my mind. have a conversation about mental health. You’d Another helpful resource that I’ve found is an piling up on my to-do list in the comfort of The whole situation has impaired my ability to be surprised to find that the more we open up article from Psycom.net, a website and project my own home. While I’m no extrovert by any function as I normally would over the last four and relate to one another, the easier it becomes founded by the late psychiatrist and clinical psy- stretch of the imagination, too much social in- weeks. With each passing day, I feel more and to cope as a collective. Acknowledge the ca- chopharmacologist Ivan K. Goldberg that, that teraction can often leave me feeling burnt out, more disconnected from myself and the world lamities, but don’t dwell on them. To those who explains how coronavirus affects the most com- so I find comfort and relief in staying at home around me. I struggle to complete assignments, do suffer from mental illness, I cannot stress mon mental illnesses from OCD to schizophre- to recharge for periods at a time. Still, I’m aware I fall asleep and wake up at odd and irregular enough the importance of taking your medica- nia and more. It also provides coping tips and now more than ever that too much of one thing hours of the day, even something as basic as re- tion regularly as needed. resources for each. is hardly ever good. membering to eat has become a challenge for Still, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed Margaret Cataldi may be reached at prospector@ Despite my excitement over the announce- me. and unable to cope, there are multiple resources utep.edu ment of UTEP’s shift to online classes, deep Acollaboration between UTEP and the city of To speed up the design process, Sirimulla is forward to his development of therapies to com- VACCINE from cover El Paso to conduct research to develop a cure screening large qualities of molecules, which are bat the novel coronavirus infection.” virus’ RNA-dependent RNA polymerases en- for COVID-19 is unique in that it involves ties over a billion compounds available to synthesize To help develop the vaccine and evaluate him- zymes that are involved in replicating the virus.” to the university. through online chemical libraries. self and his work, Sirimulla is enlisting the help Urgency to develop a vaccine to combat CO- “Most of the employees at the city are alumni, Virologists at UTEP and other universities of the public. Volunteers who join BOINC@ VID-19 is of high importance, which is why Sir- some that came out of our clinical laboratory can evaluate Sirimulla’s work through proce- TACC will be able to run Sirimulla’s applica- imulla, along with other researchers, feel they Sciences program,” UTEP President Heather dures in their respective labs. tion on their computers and help them look can have a vaccine or antiviral drug ready in 15 Wilson said. “There was an agreement to col- Sirimulla earned his P.h.D in medicinal chem- through billions of molecules available in on- months to two years. laborate and that’s what we did, and it's called an istry from UTEP in 2010 and became an assis- line libraries. (hyperlink to website mentioned Vaccines are created to help develop immu- interim local agreement.” tant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in July above-https://boinc.tacc.utexas.edu/create_ac- nity by imitating an infection, according to the UTEP has also partnered with local health 2016, according to LinkedIn. count_form.php_) Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (hy- care professionals to test their personal protec- “UTEP faculty members advance discovery As of April 13, there are 300 COVID-19 cases perlink cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/ tive equipment (PPE) to ensure they are prop- of public value,” Wilson said. “We have high ex- in the city of El Paso with two reported deaths. downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office. erly protected while working among patients pectations for Dr. Sirimulla’s research and look Isaiah Ramirez may be reached at prospector@ pdf). infected with COVID-19. utep.edu SPEAK YOUR MIND STAFF VOL. 105, NO. 24 Submit a letter to the editor! Letters will be edited for clarity and brevity. Letters over 250 words are Editor in Chief: Valeria Olivares Baca, Anahy Diaz, Daniel Guerrero, Daniel subject to editing to fit available space. Please include full name, street address and telephone number and e-mail Web Editor: Marisol Chavez A.

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