MANSFIELD – Caitlin Beauduy, a senior cell and molecular
biology student at Mansfield University, received a $4,000 research scholarship
from the NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium for her proposal on
pancreatic cancer.
The funding supports Beauduy’s continued investigation into
the effect of T cells on solid pancreas tumors.
“With the financial support that the NASA scholarship provides, we can investigate the impact of the presence of T cells, a main component of our immune system, on the development of pancreatic tumors” explained Beauduy, a native of New Cumberland, Pa. “The role of T cells in this process is not well understood, but it is clear that they do significantly influence the tumors’ physical appearance and response to certain therapies.
“We have high hopes for what we could find, and at the very
least, it will help us develop a deeper understanding as to what is happening
on a molecular level. In turn, this research could encourage greater success
with cancer treatments in different stages.”
Beauduy’s research project will be completed under the
advisement of Dr. Kristen Long, an Assistant Professor of Biology at Mansfield
University. Dr. Long’s laboratory focuses on the physical and immunological
aspects of pancreatic cancer and how both contribute to tumor resistance to
standard cancer therapies that are typically effective against other types of
cancer.
The research is a continuation of the project established by
Adrianna Vaskas ’19. Vaskas and Catherine Troutman ’20 also each received a
NASA research scholarship under Long’s advisement and are currently pursing
advanced degrees in graduate programs.
“I became interested in biomedical research because of
lecture and laboratory exposure at Mansfield University and I’m very excited to
continue pursuing research to develop a more in-depth understanding of disease,
cancer specifically.” In addition to contributing novel findings to the field
of pancreatic cancer, this research scholarship will help Beauduy on a personal
level. “As an undergraduate student, this research will provide invaluable
experience that I can apply in the next stages of my career at medical school.”
NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium Scholarships are
awarded to rising juniors and seniors attending an accredited Pennsylvania
college or university and are enrolled in a science, technology, engineering,
or mathematics program. Scholarship recipients agree to participate in multiple
education outreach and mentoring activities throughout the award cycle.
For more information on the Biology program at Mansfield University or to learn more about this and other active research projects in Dr. Long’s laboratory, please visit mansfield.edu/biology.