May 20, 2009
Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology
Timothy Carter, Ph.D and eight undergraduate students enrolled
in the capstone course “Biology of Cancer” recently returned from
Denver, CO where they joined more than 17,000 members of the
international research community at the 100th Annual Meeting of the
American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR) .
During the five-day conference, students were immersed in research
data, participated in critical dialogue about origins and behavior
of cancer cells, attended lectures by renowned scientists, and
attended informational career panel discussions and a high-tech
tradeshow that included exhibits ranging from identification of
cancer stem cells to DNA technology.
This excursion gave students the opportunity to experience science
at a superior level. “You can present them with textbook materials
but the hands-on aspect of a conference like the AACR is a
dimension that you can’t bring to the classroom,” Dr. Carter points
out.
Several students, inspired by the meeting, highlighted
their experiences:
“It was empowering to be able to sit and listen to some of the top
researchers and Nobel Prize laureates discuss the latest
breakthroughs in cancer research,” says Kristen Finnegan, sophomore
biology major. “One of my favorite parts of the meeting was the
mini-symposia, at which lectures were followed by discussion.
I really enjoyed being able to witness the birth of new ideas and
concepts to supplement my learning in the classroom.”
International student Tongtong Zhu recounted how the trip
reinforced his decision to pursue a career in science. “During this
trip, I met young scientists just starting their careers, and
attended talks by reputable senior researchers. The passion I
found in both groups was similar and I am amazed at how long the
excitement for science can last in a person.”
Freshman Sabine Schneider credits Dr. Carter and the conference for
offering her the opportunity to discover a future career in the
sciences. “It was wonderful to talk to the scientists at the
convention and interesting to see such a diverse group of
scholars. I learned the many different pathways that led to
their careers in research. The meeting showed me that this
profession has all the characteristics I am looking for, with an
atmosphere that I enjoy.”
Sophomore Biology Major Steven Kennedy was amazed at the career
choices presented at the conference. “I had an amazing experience.
It was an invaluable resource for understanding how the theories
we’ve learned in the classroom are applied in the real world. Dr.
Carter has challenged me to me to think deeper than I ever had
before about possible career choices in the field.”
A Capstone Initiative
The capstone course offers students a comprehensive introduction to
carcinogenesis (the process by which normal cells are transformed
into cancer cells), tumor biology and the various modern approaches
to therapy. The course integrates what they have learned in
cell biology, genetics, physiology and other disciplines to study a
major human health concern. At the completion of the course
they are given the opportunity to attend the AACR conference.
“The Department Chairperson was aware of my active role in cancer
research and wanted to introduce this type of course to
undergraduate students,” explains the biology professor. “This
provides them with an unparalleled opportunity to discover if
scientific research is the career they want to pursue.”
With over 30 years at St. John’s, Dr. Carter’s mission is to ensure
that undergraduates acquire the most from their St. John’s
education by sharing in the intellectual process of the global
scientific community.
“This was an extraordinary, close-knit group, each of whom helps to
make the St. John’s undergraduate experience rich and full for the
others,” he adds. “Mentoring them before and during the trip has
been one of the highlights of my teaching career.”