Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2007

Mentor: Fiemu Nwariaku
Department: Surgery
Room number: E7.108A
Mail Code: 9156
Phone number: 214-648-9968
E-mail: Fiemu.nwariaku@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Angiogenesis and Thyroid Cancer

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): APN # 0871-05-03-1A

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)

Brief Description of Project:
Tumor growth and metastasis are dependent on recruitment of new blood supply (angiogenesis). Endothelial proliferation and migration are important aspects of angiogenesis, and vascular endothelial cadherin is a cell-cell adhesion protein which is important in endothelial proliferation and migration. This project proposes to examine the effect of a VE cadherin during angiogenesis.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:
Andrew Adusei (6/1/00 - 8/10/00)
Lawrence Fan (5/29/01 - 8/5/01)
Joy Falola (5/02 - 8/02)
Joy Falola (6/03 - 8/03)
Seth Shook (6/03 - 8/03)
Mariam Orji (6/04 - 8/04)
Jason Kihneman (6-05 - 8-05)

1. Liu Z, Falola J, Zhu X, Gu Y, Kim LT, Sarosi GA, Anthony T, and Nwariaku FE. Anti-Proliferative Effects of SRC Inhibition on Medullary Thyroid Cancer. Journ Clin Endocr and Metab, July 2004. In Press.
2. Falola J, Nwariaku FE. Anti-Proliferative Effects of SRC on Medullary Thyroid Cancer. 41st Annual UT Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum. January 21, 2003.
3. Shook S, Liu, Z. Brekken, R., Sarosi, G. A., Anthony, T, Terada, L. S, and Nwariaku FE 42nd Annual UT Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum. January 20, 2004.
4. Orji M, , Ozer A, Nahari D, Task L, Ingle C, Terada L, Bruick R and Nwariaku FE. Phospho-inositide - 3 Kinase Pathway Inhibition Reduces Hypoxia - Induced VEGF Secretion in Follicular Thyroid Cancer. 43rd Annual UT Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum. January 18, 2005.

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