TTUHSC Student Research Week to Present Nobel Prize Laureate and NIH Scientific Director

• By Suzanna Cisneros
• February 26, 2016

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences will host the 28th Annual Student Research Week March 8-11 at the Academic Classroom Building 3601 4^th St.

Every year, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences students organize Student Research Week to showcase the next generation of biomedical researchers and their work and invite distinguished national and international speakers to present discoveries on a specific theme as chosen by students. The theme for this year’s Student Research Week is “Molecular Basis of Life + Disease.”

“The essence of our theme will be featured with our keynote speakers and student speakers whose research explores the scientific basis of how life works at a molecular level and how this understanding can help treat disease,” said Bala Meenakshi-Purna, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences student and event chair.

Student Research Week keynote speakers are:

Mario Capecchi, Ph.D., a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center,is renowned for his pioneering research on gene targeting in mouse embryo-derived stem cells. He was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. His contributions to the development of a mouse model have advanced the ability to study specific gene functions. Using targeted gene modification, scientists can now replace or disrupt genes of interest in mice to understand its role in physiology and pathology. Capecchi’s research interests lie in cancer and developmental biology.

Susan Amara, Ph.D., scientific director at the National Institute of Mental Health and National Institutes of Health, is a cell and molecular biologist. Much of her work relates to neuropsychiatric disorders. She is best known for her work in understanding the structure-function relationship and physiology of neurotransmitter transporter proteins, which play important roles in neuronal communication, memory and learning. These proteins are therapeutic targets for antidepressants as well as targets for psychostimulants.

“The caliber of distinguished speakers at Student Research Week along with the highlighted research provides our colleagues at TTUHSC and the community a glimpse into the exceptional TTUHSC student researchers,” said Brandt Schneider, Ph.D., dean of the TTUHSC Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Student Research Week events include:

March 8 (Tuesday)

Vendor Show, 9 a.m. to noon (ACB 5th floor)

 

March 9 (Wednesday)

Poster session I, 8 a.m. to noon (ACB lobby)

Poster session II, 1 to 4 p.m. (ACB lobby)

Poster exhibit I, 4 to 5 p.m. (ACB lobby)

 

March 10 (Thursday)

Poster session III, 8 a.m. to noon. (ACB lobby)

Poster session IV, 1 to 4 p.m. (ACB lobby)

Poster exhibit II, 4 to 5 p.m. (ACB lobby)

 

Student Research Week Banquet Reception

6 p.m. (Frazier Alumni Center, 17^th and University)

Invitations limited to donors and alumni

Student Research Week Banquet

7 p.m. (Frazier Alumni Center)

Invitations limited to faculty, students, donors and alumni

 

March 11 (Friday)

• Breakfast, 9 to 9:25 a.m. (ACB 100)

 

• Select student presentations, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. (ACB 100)

 

• Welcome to Keynote Speakers, 10:45 to 11:00 a.m. (ACB 100)

 

• Keynote I (Amara), 11 a.m. to noon (ACB 100)

 

• Lunch, noon to 1 p.m. (ACB lobby)

 

• Keynote II (Capecchi), 1 to 2 p.m. (ACB 100)

 

• Student Research Week Awards Ceremony, 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. (ACB 100)

 

• Student coffee with speakers, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (ACB 100)

 

For more information about Student Research Week, email Purna at bala-meenakshi.purna@ttuhsc.edu or call the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at (806) 743-2556.

 

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