Project with TSU Takes Aim at Cancer Research

Program aims to increase number of minorities pursuing biomedical careers and to provide biomedical information to minority communities

Collaboration between The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston
(GSBS) and Texas Southern University (TSU) may help to raise awareness about prostate cancer while at the same time encouraging black students to pursue careers in biomedical research.

The three-year program got under way on the TSU campus this spring when about 50 students and a dozen faculty members attended a mini-course taught by GSBS faculty members who conduct prostate cancer research at the UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. GSBS Dean George Stancel, Ph.D., gave the final lecture.

Visiting with UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Dean George Stancel, Ph.D., second from right, after his lecture on the pharmacology of prostate cancer treatment are Texas Southern University undergraduates, from left, Jorie Williams, Krista Bethel and Armando DeHoyos. Photo by Thomas Goka,

This summer four TSU students, selected from about 20 applicants, are spending 10 weeks in the laboratories of GSBS/M. D. Anderson faculty members whose research is in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer, and African American men are 30-50 percent more likely to get prostate cancer than any other group in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute.

“I have an interest in the extent to which the racial/ethnic difference is attributable to screening methods, environment, hormonal and/or genetic factors,” Lauren Wiggans, one of this summer’s participants, wrote on her application. “My interest or goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie normal prostate development and cancer initiation and progression.”

Through the mini-course and other activities, “the hope is that a major proportion of the TSU students in the College of Science and Technology will become familiar with and knowledgeable about prostate cancer and about career options in prostate cancer research,” said Thomas J. Goka, Ph.D., GSBS assistant dean for outreach and minority affairs.

“Further, a dozen or so of their students in the next three years will actually experience prostate cancer research; from these it is hoped a significant number will graduate from TSU and pursue careers in prostate cancer research by enrolling in either graduate programs or medical school. TSU will track for five years after graduation the students selected for the summer research programs,” he said.

The program is supported by a $199,899 grant from the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program to M. D. Anderson. Principal investigator is longtime GSBS faculty member, Timothy J. McDonnell, M.D., Ph.D., professor of molecular pathology at M. D. Anderson and a nationally recognized leader in prostate cancer research. McDonnell is leading the research training portion of the program for TSU students.

“There are a number of socially and culturally based barriers and challenges facing minority students considering careers in science and medicine,” McDonnell said. “Additionally, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diseases with significant morbidity and mortality, including prostate cancer. The biologic bases of these differences are poorly understood.

“While admittedly on a small scale, this program attempts to address these issues in a meaningful way,” he said. “I am very proud of the four students who were selected as the first to enter this program. They have enormous potential and enthusiasm. They are the first of what we hope to be many more. They will work closely with nationally recognized and federally funded investigators committed to prostate cancer research. My principal function is to enable them to familiarize themselves with the concepts and techniques of cutting-edge biomedical research in a competitive research environment – more importantly, to immerse them in the academic culture of scientists, physicians and physician scientists; to instill in these students the desire to pursue careers in science and medicine and to help minimize the obstacles that hinder their ability to do so.”

Stancel and Goka initiated and are coordinating the overall program in collaboration with Debrata Ghosh,
Ph.D., and Pular Gunasekar, Ph.D., assistant professors of biology at TSU.

“This program emphasizes how GSBS fosters collaborations between M. D. Anderson and the UT Health Science Center for the good of neighboring institutions like TSU and the public at large,” said Stancel, who is the John P. McGovern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Endowed Professor.

Each summer during the program, four TSU students will enroll in the GSBS as non-degree students to take a special project course on biomedical research and prostate cancer. The course includes not only background and current topics in research, but also information on careers and tips on applying to medical and graduate schools.

Georgette Rolle, one of this summer’s students, understands that the program can give her a head start on a medical and research career. In her application, she wrote, “I am considering a surgical profession and would like to incorporate my interest in prostate cancer research. To do this, I need experience in research, which I hope to [begin] through this program.”

During the following academic year at TSU, these students will continue their relationship with their summer mentors and the GSBS, present their summer research project to peers, and have the opportunity to attend a national scientific meeting with a major focus on prostate cancer research.

There is much talk about increasing the number of minorities
to pursue biomedical careers and to provide current biomedical information
to the minority communities. This collaboration is designed to impact both,”
said Thomas Goka, Ph.D

The students also will be mentored at TSU by Gunasekar, who is working this summer in McDonnell’s laboratory to receive training himself in prostate cancer research.

“There is much talk about increasing the number of minorities to pursue biomedical careers and to provide current biomedical information to the minority communities,” Goka said. “This collaboration is designed to impact both.”

This summer’s student participants agree. Robert Abagi wrote on his application that the program offers “a wonderful opportunity to pursue a career up to the doctoral (Ph.D.) level.” In addition, he said, “Those at risk are often uninformed (about this cancer). I, therefore, want to be an advocate with the knowledge gained through the research program and further learning.” Another summer student researcher, Ieshi Hart, who hopes to become a physician, wrote, “As part of my research career, I will aim to continue teaching and to provide information to the public on the prevention and treatment of ailments and diseases such as prostate cancer.”

But community education won’t have to wait until these students complete their doctorates. After the third mini-course presentation, Goka recounted, “several women shared how they have taken the information they gleaned from the lectures to share with fathers, brothers, boyfriends and pastors, giving rise to perhaps a larger population of people being educated.”

By Ina Fried, Public Affairs