Students, MUSC scientists aim for
success
by Cindy
AbolePublic Relations
What happens when the state’s brightest young scientific minds meet up with MUSC’s pool of talented researchers and educators? For a dozen high school seniors, it was the perfect summer research experience.
For six weeks, students from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Math (GSSM) converged on MUSC’s campus as part of a partnership with the state’s most academically advanced residential high schools.
GSSM student Jill
Kyzer, left, works with Dr. Denise Heaney in Dr. Daynna Wolff's lab in
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.The experience was especially noteworthy for GSSM seniors Bryan Brooks and Jill Kyzer. Both elected to spend their summer in Charleston and work closely with their scientist-mentors at MUSC. So far, the program’s success has been attributed to the sound support of MUSC leadership, caring research faculty and quality students, said program coordinator Debbie Shoemaker, College of Graduate Studies. “The GSSM students are so bright, enthusiastic and cooperative,” she said.
“It has been a pleasure to have these students on our campus working in the research laboratories this summer,” said Perry Halushka, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate Studies. “The faculty and I have found the Governor’s School students to be very bright and enthusiastic. We look forward to having them return next summer along with some new students.”
For the second year, the GSSM summer research program pairs participating GSSM senior students with MUSC scientists. The experience allowed Brooks, Kyzer and fellow students to gain experience working in a lab with professional scientists and complete a mentored independent research project. Students will later write and present their findings at the school’s annual research colloquium. For some students, the experience provides a rare opportunity to have their papers published in professional scientific journals or present at professional conferences.
The effort began in spring as school organizers shared information with students about research opportunities at some of the state’s universities and research facilities. Students chose their research and mentors, and initiated communication with them about their research goals. To prepare for their lab experience, mentors had students read materials and research their science topics. Prior to entering the lab, participants completed an OSHA and HIPAA online training, which is mandatory for all MUSC employees. Throughout their summer, students were asked to maintain a daily log of their research experiences.
Brooks, originally from Columbia, worked in the Institute of Psychiatry’s Drug and Alcohol Program lab of research mentor John Woodward, Ph.D. Brooks was interested in testing the long-and short-term effects of alcohol on subunits and calcium channels.
He learned how to use a patch clamp and gained other lab skills assisting with different procedures. Although Brooks’ initial research results did not yield good data, he learned a valuable lesson in science: research is not always perfect.
“You’re not always going to get the results you want the first time,” he said. “Research experiments do fail. But that fear of failure drives scientists to persist and somehow succeed.”
A Fort Mill native, Kyzer is fulfilling a lifelong dream to work in the medical field. As a middle school student, she submitted a science project focusing on the diseases of the mouth within cats and dogs. Her interest in science continued in high school and at GSSM. In spring, she contacted neuropathology researcher Daynna Wolff, Ph.D., about her research interests. Wolff was impressed by the focused, soft-spoken student.
“Jill had a good idea of what goes on within a lab,” Wolff said. “She was a quick study and easily learned how to do things. She also asked a lot of thoughtful questions. It was wonderful having her.”
For her research, Kyzer focused on developing a test to indicate the presence of survivin that could potentially be used as an indicator for bladder cancer. Working with another Denise Heaney, Ph.D., who develops the new diagnostic tests for molecular pathology, she learned how to use real time quantitative PCR to look for the presence of survivin in 15 samples from patients with a potential new diagnosis, a bladder cancer or a potential cancer recurrence.
She gained new lab skills including the proper use of reagents, and proper technique of the lab equipment as well as RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and for real-time-PCR. She also got some needed help from lab staff honing her Powerpoint presentation about her research results for the program’s farewell luncheon and research presentation held July 22.
Although they worked closely throughout the week, Kyzer would sit down with Wolff regularly to discuss readings, prepare writings or monitor the progress of her research project.
“I was impressed at the progress of my research in the eight weeks I’ve spent in Dr. Wolff’s lab,” Kyzer said. “Time went by so quickly. I really enjoyed the experience and made new friends.”
The effort also proved to be mutually positive experience for student and mentor. “It was a great experience,” Wolff said. “It reminded me that in the busyness of scientific research and other life priorities, there’s always time for teaching and giving back especially to students.”
Asked if her summer experience helped define a future in clinical research, Kyzer like Brooks, is unsure at this point. She’s still interested in a career in science and medicine. She also realizes that her recent experiences opened new doors for a future filled with opportunities.
“GSSM president Dr. Murray Brockman is to be commended for his management of the school and this program,” Halushka said. “It was a delight to work with him and we look forward to continuing this relationship.”
Friday, Aug. 12, 2005
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