AUB/MUSC graduate picks orthopaedics
by Mary
Helen YarboroughPublic Relations
Schooled in war-torn Beirut, Tarek Taha considered himself lucky. He and his family survived the bombing and bloodshed as they moved from place to place to avoid a general state of volatility. His parents also remained insistent that he and his two brothers excel in academics, even when schools they attended were shut down because of war.
Dr. Tarek Taha“In a strange way, I was more fortunate than other people, because some folks had loved ones who had died,” he recalled. “I also had the support of my family. Even in a war zone, my parents were cognizant of our education.”
Taha graduated with “high distinction” in the experimental sciences program at International College of Beirut. He made the dean’s honor list when he graduated from the American University of Beirut (AUB) with a Bachelor of Science in biology. Then he completed two years of medical school at AUB before entering the Medical Scientist Training (M.D/Ph.D.) program at MUSC in August 2001.
The transition from Beirut to Charleston was not that difficult due to the friendliness of the people here, and his academic foundation from AUB prepared him well for MUSC.
“Before he came here he had no research experience,” said Taha’s mentor, Lina Obeid, M.D., Boyle Professor of Medicine, and professor for the Department of Medicine and Biochemistry. “But he was very intellectually driven and he was excited by science. He is very bright and an amazingly quick learner. He picked up technical stuff in the lab, which generally is the easier thing to do. But the biggest hurdles are intellectual, and he was very smart and could easily surmount any hurdles.”
Taha is the first to complete MUSC’s M.D./Ph.D. program with a combined medical degree from both AUB and MUSC. A special diploma has been ordered to reflect the international degrees and represent the bond that exists between AUB and MUSC. Graduate Studies Dean Perry Halushka, M.D., Ph.D., and AUB’s Dean Nadim Cortas, M.D., forged the unique relationship between MUSC and the so-called “Harvard of the Middle East.”
Halushka recalls Taha as a driven young man. “When I met him, my impression of Tarek was that I thought he was bright and enthusiastic and highly motivated,” Halushka said. Halushka now admits that he had no idea just how brilliant Taha would prove to be.
When Obeid was mentoring Taha, she noticed something extraordinary in the scientist.
“As a mentor, I’m not a micromanager. I tell students to follow their heart. I just get out of the way and let them do their thing, all while making sure they do not flounder or lose focus,” Obeid said. She also did this with Taha, who proved to have a tenacious heart. “It is really lucky when you get someone who is really bright. … He had a great combination of qualities needed to succeed in science,” she said.
In science, one must have drive and try not to be discouraged by the first negative data that turns up, Obeid said. “You have to have alternative questions to ask, and keep going. Tarek had the ability to do that. He did not give up,” Obeid said.
In some projects, Obeid would help Taha pose questions. Some did not lead where they thought, and others would lead to more questions and, in one case, make an important contribution to cancer research.
The two posed questions relating to sphingosine kinase regulation, the protein Taha was studying. Those questions led to unexpected results about its regulation by proteolysis. “I’d say monitor it, follow it. And he would read the literature and come up with alternative approaches.” Taha's continued questions revealed answers regarding an important role for sphingosine kinase in the regulation of cancer cell death, which resulted in his authoring several manuscripts.
“He made the discovery on his own. This is new and very exciting,” Obeid said.
Taha’s dissertation was focused on the regulation of sphingosine kinase in tumor progression and therapy. Sphingosine kinase, a lipid, is a type of lipid found in cell membranes, particularly nerve cells and brain tissues. It also is considered a potential regulator in cancer cell proliferation.
In his research, he noticed that most scientists had studied the activation of sphingosine kinase to explain cancer cell growth. He argued that the cancer enzyme can be regulated by shut down as well, which adds a whole new dimension to its function in tumor cell biology. “If you inactivate sphingosine kinase, you can potentially slow down the growth of cancer cells,” he concluded.
Referring to Taha's maturity and remarkable scientific discoveries, Halushka said, “The one thing that stands out most in my mind is his dissertation defense, which was one of the best that I have had the pleasure to attend.”
Taha, having demonstrated his deftness in uncovering mysteries surrounding cancer growth, said he will let others develop his theory by testing it on animals.
In the lab, Taha became an authority and teacher of others. “He’s very congenial and collaborative,” Obeid said. “He wasn’t afraid to share what he found. Because of that, he’s also co-author on several other manuscripts.”
Taha, who interrupted his pursuit of a medical degree to focus on research for four years, was awarded the Abney Foundation Scholarship Award by the Hollings Cancer Center. He also was twice the recipient of the Dean’s Academic Scholarship.
Now, with completion of his medical degree and learning more of his goals and likes through clinical rotations, Taha has decided to follow his father’s footsteps and become an orthopaedic surgeon.
“I thought I would like oncology, but during my clinical rotations I was drawn toward surgery,” said Taha, who will perform his residency at Indiana University. “Orthopaedics also is in dire need of research. … My research has taught me how to approach biological questions, design hypotheses, then test these hypotheses with experiments. These techniques can be applied in any medical specialty, including orthopaedics. I hope to be able to pursue a clinical and research career in orthopaedics,” Taha said.
Obeid said she was a “bit surprised” by his choice to become an orthopaedic surgeon, “but it must be the result of a genetic component,” she said. “His father is quite an accomplished orthopaedic surgeon.”
Orthopaedics could use a good researcher like Taha, Obeid said. “There are a lot of unanswered questions in orthopaedics,” she said, adding that his background could help solve questions relating to bone grafting, cancer and blood supply.
Taha said he likely will remain in the United States, a place that is culturally different from his home, but has similarities among its people.
“In the South, people are very approachable and very nice. The climate is the same, but Charleston is much smaller. Beirut is very urban, perhaps a mini-New York, in that it is busy all of the time,” said Taha, who lists tennis and skiing as favorite pastimes. “Lebanese people are very hospitable, welcoming and like to show you their food and customs, much like the South.”
To date, the MUSC Medical Scientist Training Program has matriculated nine AUB medical students, including two who are on their way for the next class. “These students have integrated well,” Halushka said. “And they are a delight to have. They are highly motivated and appreciative to be here.”
Advice Taha would give to students: Pursue your goals with passion. The faculty at MUSC is very dedicated to guide students who are passionate about their career goals.
Tarek couldn't have made it without:
1. Outstanding mentorship
2. Amazing support from Dr. Halushka
3. Accessible facilities (lipidomics core, the confocal and the DNA sequencing facilities)
4. No limit to intellectual curiosity around me
5. Approachable, supportive faculty and residents
Friday, May 18, 2007
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