Students explore biomedical research options

BRTP students, from left, Nicholas Whitney, Ashley Reynolds, Megan Montgomery, Dawn Eggert, Jennifer Bailey, Elizabeth Irvine, Denesha Jaggers and Patricia Bowlin with BRTP staff member Jonalee Amato.

Students in the 2004-2005 Biomedical Research Training Program (BRTP) recently took part in a three-day orientation process to help them select their area of interest for Ph.D. research.

The BRTP, in its fourth year of existence at UNMC, is a common entry program for Ph.D. study in the College of Medicine’s five basic science departments and research focus areas. The purpose of the program is to recruit highly talented prospective graduate students to enhance UNMC’s research mission. The program is still undergoing rapid growth and has been fortunate in receiving applications from more than 40 schools in 20 different states, said Daniel Monaghan, Ph.D., chairman of the BRTP.

Students entering the BRTP have the opportunity to rotate through any of the more than 100 research laboratories affiliated with the five basic science departments: biochemistry and molecular biology; genetics, cell biology and anatomy; pathology and microbiology; pharmacology; and cellular and integrative physiology.

The BRTP program provides students greater flexibility and wider opportunities for choosing a laboratory in which to pursue Ph.D. research, Dr. Monaghan said. The program also provides a solid, broad-based training in multidisciplinary biomedical research, he said.

The research interests of BRTP faculty are largely focused in eight topic areas: cancer biology, cardiovascular biology, cell and developmental biology, cell signaling, genetics, immunology, molecular biology, and neuroscience. Before the end of the first year, students select their thesis research laboratory and degree-granting program.

This year’s BRTP students are (with undergraduate school):

• Jennifer Bailey of Omaha, Neb. (University of Nebraska at Omaha)
  
• Patricia Bowlin of Denver, Colo. (Creighton University)
  
• Dawn Eggert of Elmwood, Neb. (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
  
• Elizabeth Irvine of Omaha, Neb. (College of St. Mary’s)
  
• Denesha Jaggers of Grambling, La. (Grambling State University)
  
• Megan Montgomery of Effingham, Kan. (Fort Hays State University)
  
• Ashley Reynolds of Spring Hope, N.C. (North Carolina State)
  
• Nicholas Whitney of Columbus, Neb. (Wayne State College, Wayne, Neb.)