Training the Next Generation of CAM Researchers
Left to right: Jennifer Monroe, Justin Meunier, Pui Wen (Susan) Cheung
NCCAM's mission includes training in CAM research, and internships through the NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research are an important part of that effort. On August 3, 2006, three NCCAM summer interns presented posters on their work (done with Dr. Marc Blackman, Dr. Julia Arnold, and Dr. Patrick Mansky of NCCAM) at an NIH-wide research poster festival.
Pui Wen (Susan) Cheung, a student in Georgetown University's CAM M.S. in Physiology Program, presented results from her study of prostate cells and DHEA. Her study demonstrated that prostate epithelial (surface) cells did not respond to DHEA alone in a culture dish, but did respond to DHEA when prostate cancer-associated stromal (structural) cells were added. However, they did not respond to the DHEA when normal prostate stromal cells were added. Future studies will help determine whether DHEA has an effect on the progress of prostate cancer.
Justin Meunier, a first-year student at Louisiana State University's School of Medicine, presented initial results from an ongoing clinical study evaluating the effects of chronic osteoarthritis pain on the nervous system and endocrine system in men. He also discussed a plan for further studies on the biology of the placebo effect.
Jennifer Monroe, a first-year student at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, presented her work at the NIH Clinical Center in developing a survey to analyze cancer patients' use of acupuncture to relieve their symptoms.
Other NCCAM interns, who worked with Dr. Michael Quon, were Joel Bronstein, a University of Pennsylvania undergraduate; Andrew Chang of Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda, Maryland; and Dianna Liu of Tom C. Clark High School, San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Arnold commented, "All of us in the Division of Intramural Research are grateful for the contributions made by these students and wish them great success."
For more on this program, see training.nih.gov/student/sip/index.asp.
