Contact: Phil Hearn
A junior Mississippi State microbiology major from Madison is conducting laboratory work this summer as one of only a dozen 2004 Undergraduate Research Fellows of the American Physiological Society.
Lyndsay K. Roberts is researching preeclampsia in the laboratory of Dr. Joey P. Granger at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Preeclampsia is a potentially fatal hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and the postpartum period that may affect both mother and baby.
The daughter of Billy and Rhonda Roberts, Lyndsay said her work in Jackson involves exposing human umbilical vein endothelial cells--commonly used in cardiovascular research--to various factors such as small secreted proteins that mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation.
"We hope this will cause the cells to secrete hormones that are linked to the onset and development of preeclampsia," she said.
The APS-sponsored program, now in its fifth year, seeks to encourage students toward biomedical research careers. This year, 29 applicants vied for 12 research positions nationwide.
In addition to working with an established scientist and APS member, each fellow receives a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and living expenses during the 10-week research period.
Fellows also receive an additional $1,000 in travel funds to present their research at the 35th International Congress of Physiological Sciences and the Experimental Biology 2005 meeting, which is expected to attract nearly 12,000 scientists.
The APS is a professional scientific organization devoted to fostering scientific research, education and the dissemination of scientific information. Founded in 1887, its membership includes more than 10,000 professionals in science and medicine.
For more about APS and its educational and award program initiatives, contact Stacy Brooks at (301) 634-7253 or Stacy Brooks, or visit http://www.the-aps.org/education/index.htm.