Published on July 19, 2024
The Cherng Summer Scholars program allows Honors College students at the University of Missouri to explore their passions through research projects aimed at questions they are interested in analyzing. Students who are accepted into the nine-week program participate in projects that are individually designed, with the support and mentorship of a Mizzou faculty member.
This year, there are 12 Cherng Summer Scholars. Meet Blake Arciga, a junior biochemistry major.
Question: Which faculty member are you working with on your research?
Answer: My PI is Satyanarayana Rachagani, an associate professor of veterinary medicine and surgery.
Question: What is the focus of your research?
Answer: My general area of interest is colorectal cancer, and this project is investigating the role of the metabolic enzyme 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) in potentially promoting tumor phenotypes in CRC. DHCR7 rate-limits the biosynthesis of cholesterol, so any role of DHCR7 in CRC progression may be linked to cellular cholesterol content.
Question: What interested you in this specific project?
Answer: My lab has been studying DHCR7 in the context of lung and pancreatic cancer, with promising results. Expanding the scope of our work to encompass colorectal cancer was a natural extension of our work.
Question: How nice has it been to be part of the Cherng Summer Scholars program?
Answer: The Cherng Summer Scholars program has been great. I get financial aid and some research funding to do a job I would have done anyway, so the additional support goes a long way.