Seeds of Hope Career Develpment Recipients

Seed money is where research begins; it helps scientists set up their first labs and supports them if they have a hypothesis they want to explore. Without it, many researchers would not have the results they need to apply for large scale federal grants. Without it, the process of testing a new theory could take longer – delaying important findings that could improve diagnosis and treatment.

You make an incredible difference.
You are supporting the research of junior faculty at the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine as they embark on their careers and research. Dr. Abby Collier, Jennifer Fu, Linda Chang and Thomas Ernst comprise the first set of recipients of grants from the Alana Dung Early Career Development Fund.

Research Project:
The Development Of Human UGT in Children
Researcher: Dr. Abby Collier

Children have a unique vulnerability to drugs, environmental compounds and other chemicals because their body systems are immature and developing. In order to understand how children’s bodies will react to drugs, hormones and environmental compounds, it is, therefore, important to understand how and when the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGTs) enzymes detoxify the human body for both internal (such as steroid and thyroid hormones) and external substances like drugs, dietary and environmental compounds. The specific aim of this study is to study the development of the UGT enzyme activity from the neonatal period through childhood by studying human neonatal and pediatric liver samples. The goal is to learn at which age each of the nine UGT enzymes in the human liver become active and when they reach the same level of activity as adults. It is hoped that this information will assist both developing and refining medical (drug) therapies for children and understanding the toxic consequences of many compounds in childhood, as well as explaining natural aspects of human development.

Research Project: A Pilot Study on the Effects of Adjuvant Therapy on Breast Cancer Patients
Investigators: Principal Investigator, Jennifer Fu;
Co-Investigators, Linda Chang and Thomas Ernst

Of the approximately two million survivors of breast cancer in the United States, many remain at risk for psychological and medical effects of commonly used therapies for breast cancer treatment. Breast cancer patients report changes in memory and concentration and cognitive impairment many years after completion of therapy. This pilot study will use magnetic resonance spectroscopy and neuropsychological testing to evaluate the possibility of brain metabolite and cognitive changes breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant therapy. Results will be compared to women with breast cancer who did not receive adjuvant therapy. We hypothesize that there is a difference in overall brain chemistry as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and neuropsychological tests between populations. Ultimately, if changes in brain metabolism can be shown, longitudinal follow up of women receiving chemotherapy and endocrine therapy will determine whether such changes are short term or longer lasting.