1. Who are you doing research with this summer and what kind of research project are you doing ?

This summer I have been given the privilege of working with Dr. Isabelle Mercier.  Our project focuses on the repurposing of FDA approved antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of aggressive triple negative breast cancer.  Specifically, I am studying the efficacy of the chosen antipsychotic drugs on proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration of aggressive human triple negative breast cancer, along with the specific pathway(s) involved.

2. What do you find fascinating in the research that you’re doing ?

People say it is the small things in life that make a difference.  I have discovered this summer that the same can be said regarding scientific research.  Throughout my eight weeks, it has amazed me how the tiniest discovery can be a huge step toward a cure.  It is fascinating how easy breast cancer cells can be cultured; however, every single patient case of cancer is unique.  Honestly, learning something new each day was fascinating in itself.

3. What skills are you learning through the USURF experience ?

The USURF opportunity benefits me because I am learning the necessary skills to become a potential oncologist.  These skills include: having an open but curious mind, dedication, persistence, patience, and organization, to name a few.  This experience has enriched my skills specifically with Cell Culture, Cell Assays, ImmunoFluorescence, ImmunoPrecipitation, Western Blot, and much more.  By working with Dr. Mercier I have realized that research is a team effort as our lab is very multidisciplinary.  We work in a team with pathologists and breast cancer surgeons to ensure that the breast cancer models that we test our drugs on are clinically relevant and translational.

4. What are the challenges you’re encountering in your research ?

One of the largest challenges is understanding / accepting the fact that breast cancer research is not immediate.  It can be challenging to visualize the long term plan when we live in a world that wants immediate results. If anything, this opportunity has strengthened my patience and my ability to look at the big picture. Breast cancer research is not immediate.

5. How is your USURF experience impacting the way you view your field ?

Research under the USURF Program has allowed me to gain extensive insight into oncology.  Experimental research is a potential future career for myself.  I enjoy running cell assays, organizing my data, and obtaining that sense of accomplishment.  Being provided the opportunity to work in a lab setting every day has opened my eyes to how hard it is to keep a lab running and I appreciate every second I got to spend in the lab this summer.  Most importantly, this program makes me proud to say that I am a Pharmacology Toxicology student at the University of the Sciences and that we are indeed “forged in the lab”.

6. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I absolutely love animals.  If I wasn’t in lab or at home working, I am probably hanging out with my best friend, Watson.