Widening horizons: How an agriculture college prepares a student to research human cancers
March 31, 2005Contact Information:Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
By Karen Eskew Communication Specialist 479-575-3192 / keskew@uark.edu
Rupali Ugrankar, a master's student at the University of Arkansas, plans to study human cancer research at Northwestern University for her upcoming doctorate program.
"I never dreamed I would be deciding between two world-class universities to do my Ph.D. program," said Ugrankar. "Last Friday I finally made up my mind, it's going to be Northwestern."
Ugrankar's background is not unlike many international students. Originally from Bombay, India, she came to the U of A through an International Student Scholarship. "That scholarship made it possible for me to attend college in the U.S., without it, I would not have been able to come."
Once here, Ugrankar immediately went to work in laboratories on campus in order to help defray living expenses. "I usually worked around 20 hours per week in various laboratories on campus. I have worked solidly for the past six years; first, while getting my B.S. in Environmental, Soil and Water Sciences and then while completing my masters in Cell and Molecular Biology," said Ugrankar.
Although Ugrankar carried a full load throughout her six years at the U of A -- she always maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average, which helped her secure other scholarships along the way.
"Bumpers College has been so generous to me. I appreciate the numerous scholarships they offer to their students. I also thank the people who have pledged their finances in order to make financial aid for students possible," said Ugrankar.
Some of the scholarships that Ugrankar has received over the years include the Fontaine Earle Crop Science Scholarship, the John Rust Foundation Scholarship, the R.P. and Mildred Bartholomew Memorial Scholarship, the Hinkle Scholarship and the C. Roy Adair Scholarship.
"I received wonderful counseling and advising during my entire college career. Dr. John Kirby, my major professor and Director of the Cell and Molecular Biology Program, is the reason I applied and was accepted at these world-class institutions. Had he not encouraged me to do so, I would have never thought it possible for me to attend an Ivy League school, and I would have never turned in an application to places like Northwestern or Yale," said Ugrankar.
When asked why she finally chose Northwestern, Ugrankar smiled and said, "I'm a big city girl at heart. I've truly enjoyed living in Northwest Arkansas and the opportunities provided to me at the U of A, but I'm ready to experience big-city life again. When I went to visit their campus, I fell in love with Chicago!"
Another major reason Ugrankar chose Northwestern was their "umbrella" research program. At Northwestern, they have combined nine departments that are closely related together under an interdisciplinary umbrella, a move that is very intriguing to Ugrankar. "Their research is so diverse. I am very interested in human cancer research, but there are students in their program studying pharmacology, neurological diseases and birth defects. It's a wide range of options, but it makes sense to me to have them combined together in order to achieve the very best research results."
Ugrankar's recent research work involves the vasotocin receptor in chickens and how it is associated with overall stress and the stress response in the birds. This type of research has required Ugrankar to use molecular biology, endocrinology and cell culture techniques. In order to accomplish this, Ugrankar has spent numerous research hours using specialized equipment in the various labs located in the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science.
"I have been working with molecular genetics in animals for many years, and during this time, I have learned and perfected scientific protocols and techniques that will be needed as I expand my research interests in the area of human cancers at Northwestern," said Ugrankar. "It takes time to learn these new protocols and perfect your techniques. I'm thankful for the preparation the U of A has awarded me."