John Squire
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Research Department: Radiation Oncology
Graduation Date: Spring 2022
Email: jsquire@utdallas.edu (Personal: jdsq2018@gmail.com)
Abstract: Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment method that utilized ionizing radiation to eliminate tumors by damaging the genetic material in cancer cells. The development of radiation resistance in cancer cells has proven to be a major issue in the field of radiation oncology. On the other hand, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an alternative cancer treatment method that utilizes light and a photosensitizer molecule to eliminate tumors. However, tumors deeply seated in tissue have proven to be a difficulty in utilizing PDT. In our experiments, we aimed to use ionizing radiation from radiotherapy to activate various nanoformulations, hopefully allowing for localized PDT in deeply seated tumors. Our results indicated that a liposomal osmium nanoformulation has the largest increase in cell killing when combined with 320 keV x-ray irradiation than by irradiation alone, indicating that liposomal osmium might have the most potential for reversing radiation resistance in head and neck tumors as well as reduce the necessary amount of radiation that a patient might need to eliminate head and neck cancer.
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What does research mean to you?
I think society places too much emphasis on information. Taking classes does introduce people to many different useful concepts. However, one of the biggest challenges to simply learning information is what to do with it. Participating in the Green Fellowship gave me real practical research experience. I both physically and mentally interacted with groundbreaking technology and specialized tools (rather than just learning about it in a classroom). Research is an opportunity to apply what I learn in the classroom to the real world.
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Tell us about your journey.
Being a Biomedical Engineering major, I have learned about biological systems as well as engineering concepts. In general, most of my research experience has involved applying computational analysis to solve biological issues. For example, I have some experience working with machine learning to diagnose certain diseases for patients. However, I have not had much wet lab experience. Through the Green Fellowship, I had to learn about radiation biology, nanotechnology, cell culture, and lab techniques—concepts I have not been exposed to before. Not to mention, the Texas freeze in February 2021 immensely messed up the progress of my research project. During the Green Fellowship, I had to learn material, plan experiments, solve problems, and create a product (in my case, a draft research article and research poster). While the repetitive process of waiting for cells to grow did take up most of my time, my journey through the Green Fellowship resulted in the product of potentially finding a new way to treat head and neck cancer.
What was your favorite part about the program?
One of my favorite parts of the program was being able to interact with the research technology at UT Southwestern. It was amazing to see how cells interacted with different forms of ionizing radiation, such as with a high-tech x-ray irradiator or a γ-ray irradiator protected by the Department of Homeland Security. With the x-ray irradiator, I was able to use my knowledge in electronics to calculate the x-ray energy from the applied voltage and current. With the γ-ray irradiator, I was able to use my knowledge in radioactive isotopes to calculate the necessary exposure of my cells. Applying my knowledge through the use of these innovative technologies was one of my favorite parts about the program
What was the biggest thing you learned from the program?
One of the biggest things I have learned from the program is self-sufficiency. In many of my labs at UT Dallas, I typically followed procedures and protocols outlined by my PI. However, with my research during the Green Fellowship, I had to learn how to create my own experiment protocols and set result deadlines. I had to learn how to utilize resources, such as my PI or other research assistants, to design experiments in a field outside my comfort zone. I had to figure out how to navigate any setbacks or difficult situations (such as the freezing weather in Texas in February 2021). The Green Fellowship forced me to learn the value of self-sufficiency early into the program to ensure the success of my research.
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Advice for Future Green Fellows
The Green Fellowship is a great opportunity to expose yourself to medical research. However, one of my biggest takeaways from the program was the development of connections to various UT Southwestern resources. For example, I developed a relationship with my PI to learn not only about his research in his lab but also what he teaches to his classes as a professor. By connecting with other staff in the Radiation Oncology Department, I have been able to explore other concepts outside my research field, such as lab techniques regarding proteins or other research technologies (I was able to see a small example of the 3D printing capabilities at UT Southwestern). While having a lot of knowledge is helpful, I believe creating lasting connections can get you farther along your career and even acquire more knowledge about things you might be unaware of.