September 19, 2007

SIU Med Students Complete Mentored Research Experiences

Six sophomore medical students from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine recently completed their Mentored Professional Enrichment Experiences (MPEE) with formal presentations to the medical school community in September.

The summer program is an SIU elective between the first and second years of medical school, designed as an opportunity for students to work with physicians or researchers at SIU or other medical campuses.  The program concludes with a presentation by each student about their special studies to the SIU medical school community.

“The program provides opportunities for students to explore clinical and basic science research or investigations in health-related areas and helps them learn how to design and conduct effective research projects,” explains Eric C. Niederhoffer, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in Carbondale and program coordinator of the MPEE program.

The students, their project titles and their mentors are –
Rachel Ade, The Extraction of Ions from a Solution Using a Novel Material, Dr. Bradley F. Schwartz, associate professor of surgery, SIU School of Medicine (Springfield).  Ade is the daughter of David and Sharon Ade of Moline.

Valerie Mazzocco, Stimulation of Angiogenesis by Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in an Isolated Tissue Flap, Dr. Michael W. Neumeister, professor of surgery, SIU School of Medicine (Springfield).  Mazzocco is the daughter of Michael and Vida Mazzocco of Champaign.

John Hulsen, Does Egr1 Contribute to Skeletal Muscle Damage in a Mouse Hind Limb with Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury?, Neumeister and Christopher Chambers, Ph.D., assistant professor of surgery, SIU School of Medicine (Springfield).  Hulsen is the son of Jack and Sarah Hulsen of Springfield.

Tyler Allison, Rituximab for Pediatric Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome, Dr. Michael R. Pranzatelli, professor of neurology and pediatrics, SIU School of Medicine (Springfield).  Allison is the son of Mel and Cheryl Allison of Riverton.

Chris Lawrance, The Role of Epidermal Growth Factor in Pneumonia-Induced Sepsis, Dr. Craig Coopersmith, associate professor of surgery, and Jessica Clark, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate of surgery, Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis).  Lawrance is the son of David and Anita Lawrance of Champaign.

Katherine Avery, Role of T Regulatory Cells in IFN-gamma Response to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infections, Dr. Kevin Urdahl, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine (Seattle).  Avery is the daughter of Mark and Susan Avery of Champaign.

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