Major: Neuroscience
Research Department: Therapeutic Oncology Graduation Date: May 2018 Abstract: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonist most well known in the clinic as an anti-inflammatory. DEX is an effective component of anti-cancer regimens in hematologic malignancies, and we have found cytostatic antitumor activity in subsets of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Characterization of DEX NSCLC cytostatic effects showed G1 arrest in sensitive compared to resistant NSCLC lines. Expression and protein analysis of DEX sensitive cell lines revealed DEX mediated up-regulation of a potent cell-cycle inhibitor, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor C (CDKN1C). DEX activation of CDKN1C may represent a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of subsets of NSCLC. |
What does research mean to you?
When I first heard about the Green Fellows program, I was intrigued by the opportunity it gave students to immerse themselves within research and gain real world experience during college. While I have always been a pre-medical student, I also have had the desire to participate in research and devote part of my career to it, so I saw Green Fellows as the perfect opportunity to conduct research in a world-class institute such as UT Southwestern. I view research as the primary means by which to advance the current state of healthcare to an even higher level and so being able to contribute to it has been a fulfilling opportunity. |
Tell us about your journey.
I began this program as a pre-medical student who wanted to see whether supplementing my desired career as a physician with research was possible. Having grown up with a father who is a pulmonologist, I gravitated towards research in the field of lung cancer specifically and I found a great fit in the Minna Lab at UT Southwestern. Dr. Minna has been a trailblazer for lung cancer research over the past few decades and I was excited to spend a semester in his lab. I joined my project and found a great group of mentors within the lab that were truly invested in helping me succeed. Throughout the semester, there were highs and lows that are always associated with research because not ever experiment will always end the way you hypothesized. |