The U56 Education Program selected seven student applicants for rotation in Puerto Rico during summer 2008. The students presented their research findings and information about their general rotation experience at the Education Program Student Luncheon held on December 20, 2008. Below are the student names with the presentation titles and photos.
Ms. Zuheily Rodriguez, Ms. Rossybelle Perales and Ms. Euna August presented Social Marketing and Cancer Genetics among Puerto Rican Women. The research goal was to interview 20 women to find out what information Puerto Rican women have about genetic testing for breast and/or ovarian cancer. The student researchers were mentored by Dr. Marieva Puig and Dr. Julie Dutil of the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. Through their research they were able to interact with community advocates, representatives of the American Cancer Society, local support groups, and hospitals, and radiology offices.
Ms. Jackie Johnson presented A Novel Role for the Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Protein as a Regulator of Cell-to-Cell Interactions. Ms. Johnson's research focused on the integration of the nucleus and the cell membrane during development and oncogenesis. This included investigation of the Rb pathway in cell cycle regulation. Ms. Johnson was mentored by Dr. Pedro Santiago of the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico.
Mr. Jael Rodriguez presented Correlating SNP-Based Deficits in NER to Breast Cancer Disposition. The research focus involved investigating founder mutations in DNA repair mechanisms in Puerto Rican women. Mr. Rodriguez was mentored by Dr. Julie Dutil of the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico.
Ms. Erika Litvin and Ariz Rojas presented Smoking Relapse Prevention for Pregnant Women in Puerto Rico. The research focus was a qualitative study wherein 20 health care providers, familiar with Libres Para Siempre por mi bebé y por mí, were interviewed. The interviewees were asked for feedback on the booklets and invited to offer opinions about smoking prevention relapse needs in Puerto Rico. Ms. Litvin and Ms. Rojas were mentored by Dr. Julio Jimenez of the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico.