During my junior year in high school, I joined the laboratory of Dr. Jesse Martinez at the Arizona Cancer Center. Over a period of six years, my research experience ranged from examining some of the most complex biochemical pathways within a cancer cell to more direct clinical applications such as the elimination of brain cancer with combined anti-cancer therapies. As a young student, I became involved in the lab in hopes of learning more about biology and the research that helps those with life-crippling illnesses. I gained much more from this experience. I have come to understand that basic research is an investment for the future. I truly hope to help people through my exciting discoveries through science. In order to pursue my dream of eliminating cancer, I entered the University of Arizona’s M.D./Ph.D. dual degree program with a major in Cancer Biology in the fall of 2002. My experiences have taught me that basic medical research and clinical results lie on a continuum. I want to serve as a mediator and translator of these fields and push both forward to assist those in need.

Currently, my research project involves an exploratory anti-cancer drug discovery program in the laboratory of Dr. Luke Whitesell. During this process I encountered a class of compounds from a plant known as withania somnifera. The use of material from this plant dates back over 3,000 years in the ayurvedic medicinal tradition of India where it has been used as a tonic to treat many ailments, including cancer. My preliminary findings suggest that compounds from this plant possess very potent anti-cancer activity. Our laboratory is working diligently to test the efficacy of these compounds in hopes of one day helping those afflicted with cancer.

Ryan Falsey