Washington, DC (September 5, 2006) – As students across the country head back to school, 25 high school juniors and seniors will start the semester with a unique summer experience that will help their future educational goals, and possibly careers. This summer, students from South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High), a magnet school serving the Rio Grande Valley, visited the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Science Park- Research Division, M. D. Anderson’s Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, and the Lower Colorado River Authority to experience hands on experiments, job shadow opportunities with scientist, and programs on the latest cancer research and water quality technology.
During an earlier visit to the M. D. Anderson research facilities in Bastrop and Smithville, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) wanted to provide students from the Rio Grande Valley with an opportunity to learn cutting edge research from top scientists who have conducted studies on carcinogenesis (the causes of cancer) hepatitis, HIV, vaccine development and cellular immunology. This opportunity was devised in hopes students would consider research as they pursue advanced degrees and careers.
“Now more than ever we need a full court press to foster the next generation of scientists and researchers,” said Hinojosa. “Science, math, technology and now clinical and specialty disciplines in research are in short supply across the country. I hope this will be a first in a series of beneficial opportunities for students throughout the 15th district.”
“It’s important that we expose students to careers in science before they enter college. Congressman Hinojosa’s leadership in creating these learning opportunities helps these young people realize this career path is available to them. By devoting time to these students now, we are investing in their future,” said Christian R. Abee, D.V.M., chair of the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the Keeling Center.
During the visit to LCRA, students learned about the characteristics of flora and fauna of the four Texas regions represented along the hiking trails of McKinney Roughs; how to classify organisms according to pollution tolerance and water quality; conducted chemistry experiments; and, conducted field experiments.
At M. D. Anderson, students had the opportunity to tour the facilities; participated in a laboratory shadow opportunity; and learned about the latest scientific breakthroughs and news, including: stem cell research, radiation therapy, and cytogenetics.
“The research under way in our labs now will lead to new therapies, prognostic indications, biomarkers, prevention strategies and diagnostic tools for tomorrow’s cancer care,” said John DiGiovanni, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Carcinogenesis, based in Smithville. “We’re confident that the young scientists we hosted will build on today’s research and leverage what we are learning now to benefit generations to come.”
“This trip was really an amazing experience,” said Theresa Pulickal, Med High student. “We all gained a lot, and the students had an experience that was just the right balance of education and fun. This opportunity was an effective tool to show students what it is like to work in science fields.”
“During this trip, the students discovered a whole new aspect of the medical field-research,” said Charmain Bradford, chaperone. “Although we teachers tell them about the importance of the field of medical research, until now, it was only a vague idea to them. Since we have returned to school, several of them have commented about perhaps becoming researchers. I think there is a real possibility of this happening now that they not only have an idea of what research is about, but that it is a very attainable goal. This is what the trip was all about!”