Trevor Packer Wins Prize for Poster at CTSI Symposium
On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, the Boston University Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) hosted its fourth annual symposium titled, “Research on Disparities in Health Care.” This event included a keynote address by Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade, an internist and medical oncologist from the University of Chicago, followed by several oral presentations and a poster session. The Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) was well represented at the event by numerous faculty and student attendees, as well as three poster session participants.
The mission of the CTSI is to strengthen and promote translational science within the Boston University research community. This annual symposium not only showcases many of the ongoing translational projects at the University, but also informs participants about various collaborations and opportunities in trans-disciplinary research. This year’s event focused on exploring the various health care inequalities often found in lower income areas, or within certain minority groups.
Trevor Packer, Research Study Technician for the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at GSDM, won the second place prize and $500 for his poster, “Targeting the N-glycosylation regulating gene, DPAGT1, for Oral Cancer.” Oral cancer, which presents primarily as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is an aggressive disease that preferentially affects underserved minorities. Since Fall 2013, Packer has been conducting research in Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska’s lab, working to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of oral cancer development. Packer’s poster discussed how the N-glycosylation gene, DPAGT1, promotes oral cancer cell migration in vitro, and tongue tumor formation and metastasis in vivo. This research identified DPAGT1 as a novel candidate target for OSCC therapies.
Packer had this to say about receiving the award: “I was thrilled to have been a part of the Fourth Annual BU CTSI Translational Science Symposium. There were many intriguing oral and poster presentations. With so many great minds there, I was very proud to have received the second place award for my poster presentation and represent the GSDM. I would like to thank Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska and also my colleagues in Dr. Kukuruzinska’s lab.”
Two other poster session participants from GSDM presented at this symposium. Dr. Manish Bais, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology presented his poster, “Orthotopic Oral Cancer Mouse Model for Anti-oral Cancer Drug Screening,” and GSDM post-graduate student Poornima Kadagad presented her poster titled, “Oral cancer disparities between populations in different world economies.” Kadagad was mentored in this work by Dr. Radhika Chigurupati, Associate Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.