Catskill High School senior Kassadi Bulich presents her research, “Topical Glutathione: A Possible Celiac Disease Palliative.”
On June 11, Questar III BOCES students in the New Visions Scientific Research & World Health Program presented the results of their research in a poster session held at University of Albany’s Gen*NY*Sis building located at its East Campus in Rensselaer.
Students were asked to identify specific health concerns in the U.S. and global community and then investigate the various biological, behavioral, environmental and social factors affecting those issues, and pose ways to diminish the problem.
The students’ presentations are a culmination of a 30-page graduate school level research paper and completion of 20 hours of job shadowing or webinars. Students presented visual presentations in the form of a poster that detailed their research methods, literary sources, findings and areas for future study.
Catskill High School senior Kassadi Bulich became interested in her topic after a presentation in class about using topical creams to treat headaches and theorized, if topical creams could be used to treat headaches, could a topical cream be used to lessen the symptoms of Celiac Disease in conjunction with a Gluten Free diet. One in 133 Americans has Celiac Disease and there is no cure; the only treatment is a gluten-free diet. Bulich will attend the University of Miami to study Biomedical Engineering and hopes to research this theory further.
Tamarac High School senior Alexandria Mitchell presents her research, “ABCA3 Gene Mutations and Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Neonates.”
New Visions teacher Ruth Russell said, “Students who participate in the program gain valuable tools to prepare them for college. Time management, how to research, write and present their work.” Two New Visions students attending the poster session commented on how much easier writing research papers in college is because of participating in the New Visions program.
Tamarac High School senior Alexandria Mitchell presented on ABCA3 Gene Mutations and Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in Neonates. RDS is a breathing disorder that affects newborns, more commonly in premature infants. Mitchell spent 20 hours job shadowing in the NICU at Albany Medical Center and spoke to two researchers about their current research. A mutated ABCA3 gene causes reduced function of surfactant. This substance helps the lungs fill with air and keeps the air sacs from deflating. Mitchell recommended studying other genes that affect the ABCA3 gene to get a better understanding of which genes play a direct role in surfactant production.
Mitchell will attend Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences next year to study pharmaceutical sciences.
The accelerated half-day program is held at the University at Albany’s East Campus. Students then spend the rest of the school day in their home district.
To learn more about Questar III’s New Visions: Scientific Research & World Health program, click here
