Friday, March 13, 2009
Students from four state universities showcased research on cancer, the environment and bilingual education, among many other topics in Topeka Thursday. The University of Kansas and University of Kansas Medical Center were represented by 13 students at the sixth annual Graduate Student Research Summit.
Wichita State University and Kansas State University also competed in the summit.
KansasBIO, a nonprofit trade group for the bioscience industry in Kansas, presented $3,000 in awards — $500 to two students from each university.
Audra Sterling, South Bend, Ind., doctoral student, and Brittany Gorres, New Ulm, Minn., doctoral student, received the University’s awards.
The eight KU students were chosen from the University’s graduate research competition, which was held Feb. 23. Ryan McCabe, executive director of the graduate and professional association at the University, said researchers whose work was pertinent to the entire state were chosen to represent the University in Topeka. McCabe said the summit was a great way to influence policy makers both in the state legislature and the Board of Regents.
“It’s a chance for people who make decisions on educational funding to see what it is that graduate students do — that they’re not just sitting in some ivory tower,” McCabe said.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius proclaimed the week of Mar. 9 to Mar. 13 to be Graduate Student Research Week.
In that proclamation, Sebelius said, “Cutting-edge research that is conducted by students highlights the importance of the integration of higher education, research and the health of our state.”
MIGRAINE MANAGEMENT
Nicholas Stucky, Spokane, Wash., medical student, presented his research on how chemicals in the brain affect migraine headaches.
Because women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines, Stucky said he was examining the role played by hormones such as estrogen.
“As we learn more, we plan to identify therapies that can shut down these pain pathways,” Stucky said.
CANCER TREATMENT
Natalie Ciaccio, Champagne, Ill., doctoral student, is currently researching a new type of brain cancer treatment. Because of the dangers associated with surgery and the severe side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, Ciaccio said she was studying new protein treatments that could give new hope to patients.
“It is apparent that new and improved treatment options are needed for this disease,” Ciaccio said.
Ciaccio is studying the way a particular protein affects survival in brain cancer patients. Ciaccio said she and others hoped to eventually develop a new drug to help treat brain cancer.
BILINGUAL LEARNING
Leah Kapa, Cedartown, Ga., doctoral student, presented research on the differences in learning cognition between monolingual and bilingual students. Kapa said her research showed bilingual children had an increased ability to ignore misleading information during problem solving because of the constant need to manage two languages.
Kapa said her research suggested children who were learning English as a second language should be encouraged to maintain their native languages in order to maintain increased learning abilities.
Kapa said the research summit was a great opportunity to reach out to policy makers in Topeka.
“Specifically, the summit allows legislators to see how the research that graduate students are conducting around the state may affect various policy decisions in Kansas.
— —Edited by Liz Schubauer
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