2017
Bridges
The importance of my research project and to who it benefits:The research that I am conducting is important because studying the role of genetics can help elucidate the functioning of microRNA and its relation to cancer. When figuring out what contributes to prostate cancer risk there are many disparities that come to mind, such as age, ethnicity, lifestyle, health, access to medical treatment, etc. The role of genetics is also a possible disparities that could contribute to prostate cancer risk, but it is not fully understood. Therefore, studying the genetic differences (aka SNPs) affecting the oncomir microRNA-27 cluster within the Native American population, we can better understand the role of genetics and the racial disparity as a risk factor for prostate cancer. MicroRNA has been shown to influence the mechanism of a variety of human disease, including cancer. In result, by understanding the functioning of a microRNA and its relation to cancer; microRNA has the potential of becoming the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. Specifically, a drug that is developed for miRNA-targeting will have the ability to alter any disturbances within the gene that results to cancer. For example, a drug that can alter the likelihood of the development for drug resistance in variety of malignancies that can alter the mutation’s resistances of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, altering any genetic variations can be considered as a tumor suppressor (a gene that protects a cell from one step on the path to cancer). In addition, the relative importance that genetics plays as a cause of racial disparities in prostate cancer is also unknown. Therefore, by comparing our data of the Native American individuals with other ethnicities, we can have a clear understanding of racial disparities being a risk factor which helps researchers understand the progression and treatment of prostate cancer. For my research, I am specifically focusing on the oncomir microRNA-27 cluster which has been known to affect prostate cancer risk, but has not been examined in Native Americans. Therefore, examining this gene within the Native American population is imperative for us to understand the racial disparities aspect of it. Studying the genetic variation and frequencies has the potential to affect our health by influencing race-based medicine that is focusing on the unique genetic expression of an individual's ancestors. Although race-based medicine is controversial, I believe that it could help individuals find a drug that best fits their needs. Here is a short excerpt from an article that I read Race and medicine: Not a black and white question, “...Luca Luigi Cavalli-Sforza of Stanford University showed that the frequencies of different alleles of genes for several blood and immune-system proteins vary geographically. It is now starting to be accepted that these sorts of variation can matter for health. If so, searching for genetic variations in different racial groups is not only acceptable, but also obligatory.” As you can see, my research impacts the Native American population, the insight of genetic variation in different racial groups, and the development of microRNA diagnostics and therapeutics. MicroRNA researching is an innovative study that can lead to more discoveries. How my family's background affected the way I see the world:My family's background includes: living by the word of God and doing our best in our education. Having parents that have faith in God, who supports me in my education and knowing people who are uneducated living on the Navajo reservation, has lead me to attend college and strive to succeed in medical school. From a young age, my parents taught my siblings and I to have faith in God, which has been beneficial in my life. Whenever, I felt discouraged, especially with not knowing the outcome of things, I put my trust in him. Therefore, I would feel at ease and it usually helps me view things positively. What I would pray for is guidance in my life, in my education and that I will accomplish great things. In addition, I would also pray that everything will fall into place. I believe that being a Christian has set a strong foundation in my life and has blessed me with wonderful opportunities. Along with obeying God, my education is my second priority. Having parents that encourage me to do my best in my education has made me realize that graduating from college is achievable. As an elementary student, I knew that attending college was expected of me, but I knew little about what it takes to be a college student. It was until my middle school year that I began to understand that having excellent grades would influence my acceptance into a university. When I was in high school, my mother went back to college at College America in Flagstaff and studied in nursing. Since my family lives in Inscription House, AZ, she made the sacrifice of staying in a motel throughout the week in order to attend classes and to have time to study. When she was back home, she was always studying; even late into the night. At times she cried and felt like giving up. However, she always managed to overcome her doubts and keep on pushing through. With that, I believe that seeing how my mom went through all that, it has motivated me to never give up in life, especially as a college student. I was also inspired to become a doctor by seeing my mother studying the human anatomy and by attending some of her classes. Seeing how she practiced giving other students in her class a shot in the arm was eye catching. As for living on the Navajo reservation, it’s common to know several people who are uneducated. As for example, shimásání (my maternal grandmother) never went to school, even as a child. She was raised to tend to her livestock (horse, cows, goats, & sheep), herd sheep, weave Navajo rugs, butcher sheep, and that’s how she survived. Her income was through selling Navajo rugs, some of her livestock, along with potteries. My uncle from my father’s side, only went to elementary school and now he is the pastor at my church. Knowing that they were unfortunate to get the same education as me, but still managed to make living has motivated me to aim to achieve the impossible. Overall, by keeping faith in God, having people to motivate me with my education, and striving to make difference attending college, I believe that I can become a medical doctor and I will work on the Navajo reservation to help my people and inspire others.
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AuthorHello! Feel free to read over my 2016 summer's blogs too. Archives
August 2017
End of the Summer Video |