SPENCER BRACKETT

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER:

1. Who are you doing research with this summer and what kind of research project are you doing?

I am doing research with Dr. Mercier and we are working to determine if the SVCT-2 protein can be used as a prognostic biomarker for colon cancer. A key component of this project is understanding the mechanistic relationship vitamin C has with this protein, as SVCT-2 uptake correlates heavily with vitamin C absorption.

2. What do you find fascinating in the research you’re doing?

I find it fascinating that a common antioxidant, vitamin C, can play such an important role in tumor development. Vitamin C has been found to both inhibit and increase tumor proliferation, which is why this study is all the more important, since the true nature of the antioxidants relationship with cancer has yet to be fully understood. Through work like this, we can help the scientific community further elucidate the mechanistic relationship between vitamin C and cancer, which could provide valuable information that clinicians can then use to better combat the disease.

3. What skills are you learning through the USURF experience?

 Other than practical lab skills such as understanding how to analyze cell growth and how to properly drug, image, and care for cells, this experience has taught me how to successfully take on a research project. Research is a lot more than just work done in the lab. Learning how to communicate with my PI, work with graduate students, and how to time manage and plan out experiments have all proved to be valued skills learned in the course of working on this study. I believe these skills will serve me well with future scientific endeavors as it has prepared me to take on all the responsibilities associated with conducting a research project.

4. What are the challenges you’re encountering in your research?

  At times, it can be frustrating when particular experiments do not go as planned or need to be re-done due to personal error, or unforeseen circumstances. When I first started, I had to recover the cell line I am working with from storage in liquid nitrogen, and growing the cells up to a point fit for experimentation took longer than expected. However, challenges such as these and others have always been addressed by my mentor and the rest of the team. I am fortunate to have a strong support system in my lab to help me work through problems when they arise.

5. How is your USURF experience impacting the way you view your field?

Prior to USURF, I never had a full time research experience, so my understanding of what grad school or future work in science could entail was limited. Being able to work on an independent project with my mentor has shown me both the highs and lows of research, but has ultimately given me the skills and confidence I need to know that this line of work is for me. I also didn’t realize how significant the overlap between chemistry/biochemistry and pharmacology is.

6. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I would consider myself a “plant dad” and have dozens of house plants that follow me wherever I go!