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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Students from Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Attend AMSA Convention in California During Spring Break
Honey Diaz Perez, a senior biology major in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Math, Science, and Technology, is one of thirteen students who attended the 60th Annual Convention of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Mar. 11–14. The students spent part of their Spring Break in Anaheim, California, networking with and learning from peers and professionals in the medical industry. Additionally, Diaz Perez presented a poster of her research “Bromelain-Induced Apoptosis in the G1-101A Breast Cancer Line,” which helps to demonstrate that the enzyme bromelain, which comes from pineapples, may induce apoptosis, a programmed form of cell death, in breast-cancer cells.
Thirteen students from the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences spent part of their Spring Break in Anaheim, California, networking with and learning from peers and professionals in the medical industry at the 60th Annual Convention of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Mar. 11–14.
The convention included an array of hands-on clinical workshops, panels, and lectures, highlighted by keynote talks from Pedro J. Greer, Jr., M.D., assistant dean of academic affairs at Florida International University’s College of Medicine, and Kevin M. Fickenscher, M.D., executive vice-president of strategic initiatives for Dell Perot Systems, an information technology and business services provider for a variety of industries, including health care.
In addition to attending the convention, Honey Diaz Perez, a senior biology major in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Math, Science, and Technology, presented her research titled “Bromelain-Induced Apoptosis in the G1-101A Breast Cancer Line” at the 15th annual AMSA Foundation Poster Session, part of the convention.
Diaz Perez’s research helps to demonstrate that the enzyme bromelain, which comes from pineapples, may induce apoptosis, a programmed form of cell death, in breast-cancer cells. While conducting her research, which was started by NSU alumna Alexandra Paroulek (2009), Diaz Perez worked with faculty advisers Mark Jaffe, D.P.M., associate professor in the college’s Division of Math, Science, and Technology, and Appu Rathinavelu, Ph.D., executive director of NSU’s Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research.
Upon returning from Anaheim, the students reflected on the valuable experience and how attending the AMSA convention will benefit their future careers. “Participating in the convention gave me additional insight into the medical profession and the diverse interests of medical students and health professionals,” Diaz Perez said.
“There is no doubt that this convention was beneficial for my future education,” said Norberto Mancera, a junior biology major. “The information that I obtained from this event will give me knowledge that I can use in my personal statements and in medical school interviews.”
The students, who are members of NSU’s Pre-Med Society, received funding from the college’s Office of the Dean in support of the trip to the annual convention. In addition to Mancera and Diaz Perez, in attendance were Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences students Nandira Bhagan, Corynne Dignan, Aurea Amarilis Mendez, Sofia Noohani, Sachin Patel, Keyla Paulino, Orealys Ramirez, Samantha Schemidt, Cydne Schustrin, Rachel Sewnarine, and Nina Shah.