Research Day at University of the Sciences

PHILADELPHIA - April 10, 2014

The school showcased the diversity of its projects by undergraduate and graduate students as well as its faculty.

The university distinguishes itself by offering its undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research early in their academic careers.

There were more than 200 projects on display with wide-ranging topics.

One grad student is studying the Cytoxicity and its Metabolites in a Cell Line.

"We are trying to discover the mechanism of toxicity by doing that, so what is unique in this cell make the cells toxic, but not in other cells," said Sajidah Aljubran, University of the Sciences student.

It is a challenging learning experience for the young men and women and a proving ground for professionals in the fields of science and all aspects of healthcare.

The group of young women from the school's Occupational Therapy Department chose Living Well with Cancer.

"My husband had cancer. He had pancreatic cancer, and this is a really good tool for anyone with cancer that O.T. can help," said Carmella Matthews.

"A lot of people now are living longer after cancer after cancer," said Kelly Newell. "The treatments are getting much better, so we want to give them some concrete ways to get through readjusting to a life after having a disease."

"The importance of it is getting people back into their daily routines," said Christine Toepfer.

"We have healthy coping strategies such as volunteering, helping get them out in the community," said Stacy Desrouillere.

"They learn to think about research and problem solving. You can feel the energy around here, and it is wonderful," said Shanaz Tejani-Butt.

Another project asks what causes adolescents to kill? Many students feel that it is a relevant study with the recent school stabbing near Pittsburgh and school violence across the country.

"It also brings to light that it is not just about gun control and that the preventative factors really need to be touched on," said Samantha Iuliano.

"We really do need to think of all the other predictive factors that cause children to kill, because it keeps happening time and time again," said Ashley Feigenbutz.

From here many of the young men and women will take their research further into their specific areas of study and eventually to their future careers.

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