MANSFIELD, PA – Two Mansfield University Cell and Molecular Biology majors, working in the laboratory of Dr. Kristen Long, have been granted scholarships to pursue cancer research. Adrianna Vaskas, a May 2019 graduate from Wyalusing, PA, and Catherine Troutman, a senior from Klingerstown, PA, each earned a $4,000 scholarship from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium. These scholarships are awarded to Juniors and Seniors attending an accredited Pennsylvania college or university and enrolled in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics program. Scholarship recipients agree to participate in education outreach and mentoring activities throughout the award cycle.
One
of 18 students to be granted funding for the 2018-2019 cycle, Adrianna Vaskas
used her funding to expand her studies on curcumin, a derivative of the spice
turmeric, and its impact on pancreatic cancer. Vaskas explains, “Past studies
used curcumin as a treatment for tumor-bearing mice lacking specific immune
compartments. Despite following published protocols, we noted a different
response to this treatment in our model compared to current cancer research
literature. My study approach is unique. We used curcumin as a treatment for tumor-bearing
mice with fully functioning immune systems. NASA’s scholarship enabled the project
to become far more comprehensive and led to a collaboration with both a
pharmaceutical company and another researcher at the University of Pennsylvania
to help us uncover the cause of these different responses.”
Vaskas reward extended far beyond the lab as she notes, “I’ve gained valuable experiences, including presenting at state and regional conferences, working in a team with my lab mates, and appreciating the resiliency needed for extensive problem-solving. I hope other students pursue their passions, no matter how lofty they may seem.” Vaskas will present her findings alongside Dr. Long next month in Boston, MA at the 2109 American Association of Cancer Research’s national conference: Pancreatic Cancer: Advances in Science and Clinical Care
Catherine
Troutman, one of only ten students granted funding for the upcoming 2019-2020
cycle, plans to use her scholarship to investigate the differences in
telomerase and the alternative lengthening of telomere pathways shown between
healthy and malignant cells. Troutman explains, “In normal, healthy cells,
telomeres—DNA ‘caps’ on the ends of chromosomes—shorten with every round of
cell division. These eventually shorten to the point where cells can no longer
divide and subsequently become marked for normal cell death. In cancer cells, the
telomere length is preserved, enabling cancer cells to escape natural cell
death and replicate into masses. I hope to uncover the specific pathway of
telomere lengthening used by pancreatic cancer cells and then develop ways to inhibit
that pathway. This NASA-Pennsylvania State Scholarship will help bring my
research ideas to life.”
For
more information about the Biology Department at Mansfield University, please
visit: https://www.mansfield.edu/majors-and-minors/biology/index.cfm