The merit-based awards, which recognized each Maguire and Naik with $1,000 and honorary plaques, were based on peer reviews of their individual research projects, which they showcased at the National IDeA Symposium of Biomedical Research Excellence (NISBRE), held earlier this month in Washington, D.C.
“My research is focused on prostate cancer, primarily on the role of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-2 (IGFBP-2) in the progression to a more aggressive disease,” said Maguire, who, along with Naik, was among only 25 awardees from a pool of more than 350 student researchers from across the United States.
Maguire, who works in the laboratory of Robert Sikes, associate professor of biological sciences at UD, said that she believes her research garnered the recognition it did because it addresses a range of questions pertinent to prostate cancer.
“My job is to design the biological tools to study the function of different domains, or parts of, IGFBP-2,” Maguire said. “I feel that my work won recognition because of the wide array of questions that can be answered by the production of these tools. We can use the tools to determine if the loss of the production of these fragments is significant because more intact protein is present, which can then allow for the cancer cells to become more aggressive; or we can use the tools to see if the fragments themselves are able to hold the cancer cells back. Answers to these questions may be useful in both the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.”
Maguire, who will use the money to fund research-related travel expenses and a much-needed new laptop, added that the award gives particular weight to the credibility of her research because it was collegially ranked and bestowed by a committee of senior biomedical researchers from across the country . “This award is different from other travel awards in that it is a peer reviewed award,” she said. “Also, presenting and sharing your work at events like this with colleagues who might not be in your specific field and are viewing your work with fresh eyes has the added benefit of giving you new perspectives and ideas.”
Naik, who conducted his research in the lab of Ulhas Naik, professor of biological sciences at UD, looked at the negative aspects of anti-hormonal therapies on breast cancer cell metastasis.
“Anti-hormonal therapies are used to halt the growth of breast cancer by halting the production of growth factors and hormones that are essential for cell growth,” Naik said. “The therapies, however, have been clinically shown to enhance invasive tumors.
Naik, who plans to save the money for post-graduate excursions before entering medical school, added that his research most likely stood out because of the high rate of breast cancer in Westernized cultures and because of the new light it sheds on a much-studied disease. “My project is cutting edge and relates to many people worldwide,” he said. “This is also breakthrough research because it exposes a serious and lethal flaw in currently administered medical techniques.”
Jeanette Miller, associate director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) and director of the undergraduate research program for the NIH IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant, said that UD was especially well-represented at this year's NISBRE symposium.
“We're very proud of all of the students involved in INBRE,” said Miller, who added that nearly 30 UD students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty involved with the INBRE program made presentations at the recent symposium.
“The Delaware INBRE program is aimed at building a new generation of biomedical researchers working across disciplines and partnering across institutions,” Miller said, emphasizing that those at UD involved with the program include students and faculty members in biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, computer science, nursing, and health and exercise sciences.
The Delaware INBRE program, which began in 2004, is a statewide collaboration, led by DBI, that involves research and education partnerships with Christiana Care Health System, Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical and Community College and Wesley College.
Article by Becca Hutchinson
Photos courtesy of Jeanette Miller