Exploring the Impact of Researching More Selective Initiation of Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells on Community Involvement
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Siyaram Pandey
Proposal
The impact of health research on students conducting it is often overlooked, so this presentation aims to highlight how involvement in research can foster students’ development of new perspectives and drive community involvement. In Dr. Pandey's lab, I am working on a project that tests the efficacy of white tea extract in inducing apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer (BC) cells. The project is currently in progress, but I will reflect on my experiences. Throughout lab meetings, I learned BC is a leading diagnosis, while associated chemotherapeutics are non-selective and may damage abdominal and reproductive organs. Dr. Pandey’s lab investigates the use of natural health products as potentially safe and selective anti-cancer treatments. Consequently, I started realizing the importance of innovating healthcare to improve patients’ quality of life. My new insights drove me to pursue opportunities that I previously would not have considered, specifically to offer health-based support to others in my community. Among a few organizations, I joined Hospice to help support patients’ psychological, practical, and social needs. In addition to physical health, I learned mental and emotional well-being are also important, encouraging me to join other support-based health and well-being initiatives like Kids Help Phone. My involvement in research allowed me to gain a better worldview in a healthcare context and promoted me to take initiative in my community. University research should not only focus on generating results but also broadening students’ perspectives to facilitate active citizenship and bridge gaps between academia and community participation.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Exploring the Impact of Researching More Selective Initiation of Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells on Community Involvement
The impact of health research on students conducting it is often overlooked, so this presentation aims to highlight how involvement in research can foster students’ development of new perspectives and drive community involvement. In Dr. Pandey's lab, I am working on a project that tests the efficacy of white tea extract in inducing apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer (BC) cells. The project is currently in progress, but I will reflect on my experiences. Throughout lab meetings, I learned BC is a leading diagnosis, while associated chemotherapeutics are non-selective and may damage abdominal and reproductive organs. Dr. Pandey’s lab investigates the use of natural health products as potentially safe and selective anti-cancer treatments. Consequently, I started realizing the importance of innovating healthcare to improve patients’ quality of life. My new insights drove me to pursue opportunities that I previously would not have considered, specifically to offer health-based support to others in my community. Among a few organizations, I joined Hospice to help support patients’ psychological, practical, and social needs. In addition to physical health, I learned mental and emotional well-being are also important, encouraging me to join other support-based health and well-being initiatives like Kids Help Phone. My involvement in research allowed me to gain a better worldview in a healthcare context and promoted me to take initiative in my community. University research should not only focus on generating results but also broadening students’ perspectives to facilitate active citizenship and bridge gaps between academia and community participation.