Prairie View A&M/Baylor College of Medicine SMART Summer Undergraduate Prostate Cancer Research Project

Abstract

The goal of this project is to encourage undergraduates to enter careers in prostate cancer research. This project involves BCM faculty presentations at Prairie View A & M University and a 9 week summer prostate cancer research experience at BCM for 5 undergraduates/year from PVAMU (3 participated in 2006; 6 or 7 will be recruited for 2007.) Participants attended a weekly research discussion group focused on prostate cancer. Students make PowerPoint presentations on their work at the end of the program. The participants are co-registered in the SMART Program at Baylor College of Medicine and have access to elements of the SMART Program including a interdisciplinary seminar series, career development activities and career counseling and the SMART GRE Prep Course. Three students participated in the 2006 program. One student confirmed that a derivative of vitamin D reduced cell growth, one that the thyroid and estrogen receptors, but not the androgen receptor interact with a histone deacetylase. One student determined which molecules are involved in inflammation in prostate stromal cells. Student made five presentations. Participants reported significant gains in knowledge and skills. One participant was accepted by two prestigious Ph.D. programs, one is working as a technician and applying for post-bac programs to enhance her preparation for Ph.D. study and one will apply to medical school, but retains an interest in participating in prostate cancer research.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA470277

Entities

People

  • B. G. Slaughter
  • Nancy L. Weigel

Organizations

  • Baylor College of Medicine

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • African Americans
  • Androgen Receptors
  • Biomedical Research
  • Cancer
  • Cells
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Hormones
  • Molecules
  • Neoplasms
  • Prostate
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Proteins
  • Students
  • Technicians
  • Universities

Readers

  • Prostate Cancer Biology.
  • STEM Education