For a recent Harrah graduate, the chance to spend a summer in the labs of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has been a real eye-opener.
“I now know that I, for sure, want to earn a degree in the science field,” said Erich Spaeth, who will attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University this fall. “We all know that is a big field, but my mentor, Dr. Stephen Jackson, has helped me narrow the field … and has told myself and other members in my lab group that he plans to sit down with each one of us and help us in our career decisions. I trust and respect Dr. Jackson’s advice and hope it leads me back to OMRF one day.”
Spaeth is one of 17 Oklahoma students selected to participate in OMRF’s Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar program. The program, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, gives students the chance to complete individual research projects, write scientific papers for publication and present their work in formal seminars.
The students arrived at OMRF at the beginning of June and are spending eight weeks at OMRF conducting medical research.
“The Fleming Scholar program is an absolute amazing program,” Spaeth said. ”I recommend the program to everyone that dreams of pursuing a career in science, even those who may be unsure. The staff is amazing, and I’ve had so much fun all summer.”
Spaeth’s summer research is being conducted in the Molecular Immunogenetics department. He is investigating fundamental immunology – or more specifically, characterizing the behavioral patterns of key cells in the immune system that, when they malfunction, are responsible for certain diseases, such as leukemia or lupus.
The Fleming Scholars program has served as a model for similar programs nationwide since its creation in 1956. More than 400 students have been trained through the program at OMRF. Two of OMRF’s faculty members, Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., and Rodger McEver, M.D., got their start as Fleming Scholars.
“Many students leave knowing that research is an area they had not truly considered, but they have been enticed by the exploration bug,” said Ginger Coleman, a Newkirk teacher who has helped coordinate the program for a decade. “I want them to have made contacts and bonds with people that they will be sharing their professional careers and possibly know for a lifetime. Although I teach during the school year, this is a completely different experience and intertwines education, business and people skills – all activities dear to my heart.”
About OMRF:
Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2006, OMRF (www.omrf.org) is a nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and curing human disease. Its scientists focus on such critical research areas as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease. It is home to Oklahoma’s only member of the National Academy of Sciences.
