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Biology

Unconventional Paths: Merging computation and biology – Scope – Scope

Unconventional Paths: Stories of Stanford Medicine faculty, researchers and physicians whose journeys into medicine followed nontraditional routes

When Purvesh Khatri was a high school student in India, he wasn't shy about his disdain for biology. "I really hated it," said Khatri, PhD, now an associate professor of medicine and biomedical data science at the Stanford School of Medicine.

The irony of his career arc -- which currently has him sleuthing out genetic signatures of various biological or disease traits -- isn't lost on Khatri. He never envisioned himself digging deep into biological data. For a while, he was set on becoming an engineer -- but not because he had great interest in pursuing that field, either.

When Khatri was a young adult in India in the 1990s, his mom told him there were only two acceptable career paths if he wanted an arranged marriage. "She said I could be a doctor or an engineer, or no one would want me to marry their daughter," recalled Khatri. "And since I hated biology, I went the engineering route."

Fortunately for Khatri, the lesser of those original evils led him to a life partner -- he met his wife while tutoring her for an engineering class they shared. And though he got "bored" of engineering, it came in handy for his second career: The nexus of biology and computational science, where he applies data science to immunology and genetics.

Some 20 years after his first foray into biology, Khatri is now a leader in computational immunology, a field in which researchers use massive amounts of data to reveal and predict how the human immune system works and how it will act when confronted with disease or infection.

Among his research feats, he's devised a genetic test that detects sepsis -- bodywide inflammation caused by infection -- early, an assessment that gauges a person's immune response as signals of tuberculosis infection, and a test that helps doctors predict which patients with pulmonary fibrosis, an often lethal lung disease, are at most severe risk for lung failure. And it was all done by sifting through and gleaning insights from enormous amounts of data.

Someone now at the forefront of this important convergence of data and medical science once wanted little part of either -- and doubted that he belonged among the leaders of the movement. An ability to adapt to new realities has taken Khatri on quite the journey.

Khatri moved around a lot when he was a kid because of his dad's job, which involved fixing failing banks. But what some might see as an early life of instability, Khatri internalized as a means to hone agility and adaptability -- key life skills that would serve him well.

After finishing his undergraduate degree in engineering at Saradar Patel university in India, Khatri harnessed that adaptable spirit and made the 8,000-mile move to the United States to earn his master's degree in computer science at Detroit Wayne State University. The decision presented immediate obstacles. "I couldn't afford the tuition. My dad took an early retirement and gave me what he could," Khatri said. "But it wasn't even enough for two semesters tuition." He was committed, though: He worked jobs on campus while attending school.

Three months into his pursuit of a degree, Khatri hit a slump. "I couldn't go the software route. It was just boring to me," he said. Fortunately, his advisor was also looking to change course to pursue bioinformatics. He told Khatri he would keep mentoring him and funding his research. "And I told him, 'If you're funding my work, I'll do whatever you want,'" Khatri said. So, Khatri became a budding bioinformaticist.

While working toward his master's degree, Khatri was particularly prolific in publishing papers. His advisor suggested he keep on the research track and pursue a PhD. Game to level up, he completed his doctoral degree in 2006, establishing a data analytics platform that, unbeknownst to him, would clinch him a spot as a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford Medicine, another 2,400 miles across the map.

A Stanford Medicine professor had used a tool Khatri developed to analyze his data, and he had heard through the science grapevine that Khatri was looking for a position in research. That researcher, Atul Butte, now a professor of bioinformatics at UC San Francisco, offered Khatri a position in his lab. But Khatri had one small request before packing up and moving across the country.

"I wanted to put my skills in computational biology to the test," Khatri said. "Whatever I did computationally, I wanted there to be a path to validation in some experimental system." Khatri joined two labs -- one that harnessed computational biology to analyze data, and one that focused on organ transplantation. Khatri's first big research question centered on the role of the immune system in organ transplantation, how and why organ rejection happened in patients, and how new drugs could curb such rejection.

With a foot in both camps -- computational and biological -- Khatri began to explore new uses of data to understand how the immune system worked. As he dug deeper into the niches of immunology, Khatri's data science background kicked in. He recognized the immune system as a complex piece of hardware, and the differing immune cells as various sensors that picked up signals to turn the hardware on or off. That kind of search-and-alert system is called a distributed sensor in the engineering world, and it seemed to Khatri uncannily similar to how the immune system works. Immune cells patrol the body for signs of foreign invaders or microbial dangers, and when they detect a threat, they send signals to activate the immune system's defenses.

"If there's one thing I'm proud of, it's that," said Khatri. "Using my engineering background to help create a new way of thinking around the immune system."

Khatri began to think about the immune system as its own diagnostic tool. Immune cells act up only if something's amiss, and he found that certain genetic signatures associated with the immune system could act as a marker for different types of immune activity. Keen to apply this line of thinking to better understand how the immune system responds after a solid organ transplant, he analyzed gene activation post-transplant, discovering a set of 11 genes that, when activated in a specific way, flagged organ rejection with the same level of accuracy as a physician. And it could all be done through a simple blood test. That test was able to predict organ rejection before doctors were able to detect it through a biopsy.

As Khatri's work as a postdoc progressed, others in his field took notice. Butte and others encouraged Khatri to pursue this marriage of computation and immunology and to grow the nascent field. Butte also told Khatri he should apply for a faculty position. "But I didn't apply for it. I didn't think I was worthy of the position," Khatri said. "I didn't think I had the track record to be a faculty member at Stanford."

Then Khatri received a note informing him that the application reviewers were awaiting his materials. His adaptable spirit kicked in and he scrambled to put an application together overnight. "It was way past the deadline," he recalled.

That was 10 years ago, and suffice to say, Khatri earned that faculty position. The vision he has for his lab -- harnessing massive amounts of data to glean insights into the human body and predict how it will act and respond -- has produced more than 120 papers and more than 30 patents. He's uncovered genetic signatures that delineate viral infections from bacterial infections as well as a biomarker that predicts an individual's flu susceptibility, and he has used data to show how drugs already approved by the Food and Drug Administration could be repurposed to fight other conditions.

"My lab doesn't use beakers or microscopes; we don't do experiments. We repurpose what's out there," Khatri said. "The whole idea is to leverage publicly available data to advance human immunology and improve patient care through the right diagnosis at the right time."

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Unconventional Paths: Merging computation and biology - Scope - Scope

Biology

Growing into her own: Sarah Davis ’23 discovers her passion for … – Pacific Lutheran University

How does your interest in plant sciences intersect with your interest in food and the environment?

Food is the most important resource on this planet, and without proper understanding of how extended periods of drought or flooding impact crop yield, we get into dangerous territory with our food security. The other aspect of this to take into account is sustainability, accessibility and outreach to growers and consumers. With more research, the long-term impacts of farming and agricultural techniques can be found, and more responsible farming techniques can be implemented to help protect food growth and security. Outreach is another important component of plant biology and agriculture, because there are many misconceptions about genetic engineering in plants in particular, so direct communication between growers, scientists and consumers is needed.

Anything else youd like to share?

The PLU biology/science department has been absolutely phenomenal in supporting my learning. I specifically want to mention that it has been empowering to have so many women on the biology department staff, which has really inspired me to continue pursuing a graduate degree as well as make me feel more confident in my own ability to be a woman in STEM. Two professors in particular Dr. Laurie-Berry and Dr. Ellard-Ivey have helped shape my academic interests as well as helped me become the student and person I am today.

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Growing into her own: Sarah Davis '23 discovers her passion for ... - Pacific Lutheran University

Biology

Drugs give biology’s favourite worms the munchies too – Nature.com

In this genetically engineered C. elegans, neurons that respond to cannabinoids appear green.Credit: Stacy Levichev(CC BY-SA)

Roundworms exposed to cannabis chemicals get the munchies a persistent hunger for tasty food just like people do, a study has found. When under the influence, Caenorhabditis elegans worms choose to feed for longer than normal, and show a stronger preference for their favourite high-quality foods over less nutritious options.

The study, published on 20 April in Current Biology1, suggests that the mechanism by which cannabis affects appetite evolved more than 500 million years ago, when the evolutionary paths of C. elegans and humans diverged. This commonality across the animal kingdom suggests that C. elegans could be used to study how cannabis affects the human nervous system.

The more we know at a basic level about drug physiology, the more healthy our society will ultimately be, says Shawn Lockery, a neuroscientist at the University of Oregon in Eugene who led the research.

Lockery and his colleagues were inspired to carry out the experiments after the state of Oregon legalized the recreational use of cannabis in 2015. We had marijuana on the brain, in a conceptual sense, he says.

Cannabinoid molecules derived from the cannabis plant bind to the same receptors as molecules naturally found in the body, called endocannabinoids. Those receptors are found in the brain and many other tissues, and the endocannabinoid system is thought to regulate key functions, such as sleep, memory, anxiety and eating.

The research group already specialized in food-choice assays that involve putting C. elegans in a T-shaped maze containing two food options and observing which the worms choose to approach. To investigate the behavioural effects of cannabinoids, the researchers immersed the worms in a solution of the endocannabinoid anandamide before placing them in the maze.

Video of C. elegans worms in a T-maze (at 180x speed). Nutritionally superior food is at the end of the left arm; inferior food is at the end of the right arm. Credit: Aaron Schatz(CC BY-SA)

At first, it was just a quick test. We soaked the worms just to see if they would we were hoping get the munchies, Lockery said.

The worms that received this endocannabinoid bath did seem to develop a bigger appetite. When in the maze, they showed a stronger preference for nutritionally superior bacteria than did their sober peers, and spent more time eating. Worms under the influence also showed less interest in nutritionally inferior bacteria. These effects showed up only in C. elegans that had working endocannabinoid receptors.

The thing that surprised me was how tightly it all fit together, says Lockery.

In subsequent experiments, the researchers tested endocannabinoids on worms genetically engineered to have human cannabinoid receptors. The modified worms responded in the same way. The researchers pinpointed the effect of cannabinoids to one of the main food-detecting olfactory neurons, which, in worms given the drug, became more sensitive to the odours of preferred food and less sensitive to the smells of inferior food.

Past research has shown that cannabinoids cause this kind of hedonic feeding in mammals other than humans, including rats and primates. The latest work adds C. elegans to the list, indicating that cannabinoid receptors and cannabinoid-influenced behaviours evolved a long time ago, says Kent Berridge, a neuroscientist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

We did know that neurotransmitters are ancient and conserved going way, way back, Berridge says. But that it has this same function of promoting eating, especially, in this case, nutrient-rich foods thats remarkable.

The similarities suggest that C. elegans could provide a cost-effective way to model how cannabis-derived compounds affect the nervous system in people.

Cannabis research will continue to expand as the drug becomes legal in more regions, says Anne Hart, a neuroscientist at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. It used to be that studying these compounds was really hard, says Hart. Were going to learn a lot more in this field over the next five or ten years as you let researchers figure out how these compounds really work.

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Drugs give biology's favourite worms the munchies too - Nature.com

Biology

Synthetic biology meets fashion in engineered silk – Science Daily

Scientists have long been intrigued by the remarkable properties of spider silk, which is stronger than steel yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. Now, Fuzhong Zhang, a professor of energy, environmental and chemical engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, has made a significant breakthrough in the fabrication of synthetic spider silk, paving the way for a new era of sustainable clothing production.

Since engineering recombinant spider silk in 2018 using bacteria, Zhang has been working to increase the yield of silk threads produced from microbes while maintaining its desirable properties of enhanced strength and toughness.

Higher yields will be critical if synthetic silk is to be used in everyday applications, particularly in the fashion industry where renewable materials are much in demand to stem the environmental impacts that come from producing an estimated 100 billion garments and 92 million tons of waste each year.

With the help of an engineered mussel foot protein, Zhang has created new spider silk fusion proteins, called bi-terminal Mfp fused silks (btMSilks). Microbial production of btMSilks have eightfold higher yields than recombinant silk proteins, and the btMSilk fibers have substantially improved strength and toughness while being lightweight. This could revolutionize clothing manufacturing by providing a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional textiles. The findings were published April 14 in Nature Communications.

"The outstanding mechanical properties of natural spider silk come from its very large and repetitive protein sequence," Zhang said. "However, it is extremely challenging to ask fast-growing bacteria to produce a lot of repetitive proteins.

"To solve this problem, we needed a different strategy," he said. "We went looking for disordered proteins that can be genetically fused to silk fragments to promote molecular interaction, so that strong fibers can be made without using large repetitive proteins. And we actually found them right here in work we've already been doing on mussel foot proteins."

Mussels secrete these specialized proteins on their feet to stick to things. Zhang and his collaborators have engineered bacteria to produce them and engineer them as adhesives for biomedical applications. As it turns out, mussel foot proteins are also cohesive, which enables them to stick to each other well, too. By placing mussel foot protein fragments at the ends of his synthetic silk protein sequences, Zhang created a less repetitive, lightweight material that's at least twice as strong as recombinant spider silk.

The yields on Zhang's material increased eightfold compared with past studies, reaching 8 grams of fiber material from 1 liter of bacterial culture. This output constitutes enough fabric to test for use in real products.

"The beauty of synthetic biology is that we have lots of space to explore," Zhang said. "We can cut and paste sequences from various natural proteins and test these designs in the lab for new properties and functions. This makes synthetic biology materials much more versatile than traditional petroleum-based materials."

In coming work, Zhang and his team will expand the tunable properties of their synthetic silk fibers to meet the exact needs of each specialized market.

"Because our synthetic silk is made from cheap feedstock using engineered bacteria, it presents a renewable and biodegradable replacement for petroleum-derived fiber materials like nylon and polyester," Zhang said.

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Synthetic biology meets fashion in engineered silk - Science Daily

Biology

Synthetic Biology Market is Expected to Reach $35.7 billion … – GlobeNewswire

Chicago, April 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The synthetic biology industry is expected to experience rapid growth in the near future. Companies are increasingly investing in the research and development of synthetic biology, which is leading to a wide range of applications in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and manufacturing. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing availability of data and tools, the potential to produce new products, and the potential to reduce costs. In addition, the emergence of new technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9, which allows for precise genetic manipulation, is likely to accelerate the development of synthetic biology. In the coming years, the industry is expected to expand across multiple sectors, from biotechnology to healthcare and manufacturing. This is likely to create a range of opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and companies looking to capitalize on the potential of synthetic biology.

Synthetic Biology market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $11.4 billion in 2022 and is poised to reach $35.7 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 25.6% from 2022 to 2027 according to a latest report published by MarketsandMarkets. Declining cost of DNA sequencing, increased investment in R&D and rise in number of fundings for synthetic biology are some of the major factors propelling the growth of this market. However, biosafety, biosecurity, and ethical concerns related to synthetic biology is likely to hamper the growth of this market.

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Synthetic Biology Market Scope:

Based on tools, the synthetic biology market is broadly segmented into oligonucleotides & synthetic DNA, enzymes, cloning technology kits, synthetic cells, chassis organisms, and xeno-nucleic acids. In 2021, oligonucleotides & synthetic DNA segment accounted for the largest share. The dominance of the segment is attributable to factors such as increasing demand for synthetic DNA, synthetic RNA, and synthetic genes, which are used in a wide range of applications across various industries.

Based on application, the synthetic biology market is segmented into medical applications, industrial applications, food & agriculture, and environmental applications. In 2021, medical applications segment accounted for the largest share of synthetic biology market. Factors such as the widespread research on novel treatment coupled with the availability of huge private and public funding are some of the major factors driving the segmental growth.

The global synthetic biology market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. In 2021, North America dominated the synthetic biology market followed by Europe and Asia Pacific respectively. Asia Pacific region is likely to grow at faster pace during the forecast period of 2022-2027. The factors attributable to the faster growth rate are increasing investment in synthetic biology owing to higher adoption in various applications. The overall share of this region in the global market is gradually increasing, owing to growth in research activities and biologic therapeutics manufacturing. High-growth regions such as China, Japan, Australia, and Singapore are expected to be major contributors to the Asia Pacific synthetic biology market.

Key Market Players:

Key market players operating in synthetic biology market players are Thermo Fisher Scientific (US), Merck KGaA (Germany), Agilent Technologies (US), Novozymes (Denmark), Amyris (US), Precigen (US), GenScript Biotech (China), Twist Bioscience (US), Codexis (US), and Eurofins Scientific (Luxembourg).

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Hypothetic Challenges of Synthetic Biology Market in Near Future:

Top 3 Use Cases of Synthetic Biology Market:

Recent Developments:

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Related Reports:

Synthetic Stem Cells Market

NGS Sample Preparation Market

Next Generation Sequencing Market

Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market

Molecular Biology Enzymes Market

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Synthetic Biology Market is Expected to Reach $35.7 billion ... - GlobeNewswire

Biology

Anima Biotech’s Webinar Series: Exploring the Potential of mRNA Biology for Drug Discovery and Therapeuti – Benzinga

April 26, 2023 10:17 AM | 3 min read

BERNARDSVILLE, N.J., April 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anima Biotech, the leader in the discovery of small molecule mRNA drugs and their mechanisms of action by phenotypic screening with AI driven MOA elucidation, announced today the launch of a groundbreaking webinar series in partnership with leading life science media outlets. The series will provide up-to-date, high-quality information on mRNA biology, a game-changing approach that is revolutionizing drug discovery and opening doors to new therapeutic possibilities.

The pharmaceutical industry is eagerly exploring mRNA biology as a major wave of innovation, but the field is complex and not well understood. Anima Biotech's webinar series aims to bridge this knowledge gap by providing valuable insights into the latest advancements in mRNA regulation research and their impact on drug discovery. By partnering with leading life science media outlets, Anima Biotech is committed to delivering high-quality, free educational content that will drive innovation in drug discovery and ultimately benefit patients worldwide.

Enter your email and you'll also get Benzinga's ultimate morning update AND a free $30 gift card and more!

The webinar series will cover a range of topics, including mRNA regulation pathways and target space, approaches to discover and validate mechanisms of action and novel targets, and the development of cutting-edge technologies tailored to specific stages of the mRNA life cycle. Anima Biotech is excited to partner with Endpoints for its first webinar in the series, "Exposing Hidden Targets within the mRNA Regulation Space," which will feature Anima Biotech's chief scientific officer and co-founder, Iris Alroy, Ph.D., and Michael Kharas, Ph.D., a world-renowned cancer biologist and expert in RNA regulation from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

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During the webinar, Drs. Alroy and Kharas will discuss the latest advancements in mRNA regulation research and the impact of these findings on drug discovery. The webinar will delve into the complex and finely tuned processes of mRNA regulation, exploring how a deeper comprehension of the regulatory mechanisms governing mRNA translation can uncover new targets for drug discovery and therapeutic intervention.

To register for the free webinar, please visit https://webinars.endpts.com/exposing-hidden-targets-within-the-mrna-regulation-space/.

About Anima Biotech

Anima Biotech is advancing mRNA Lightning, a novel platform for the discovery of small molecule mRNA drugs and their mechanisms of action. Our differentiated approach combines high scale phenotypic screening that automates millions of experiments in live mRNA biology with MOAi technology using AI to elucidate the mechanism of action of active molecules. Our approach has been validated by our collaborations with Lilly, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and AbbVie and a broad pipeline across 20 different discovery programs in various therapeutic areas. With our deep expertise in mRNA biology, we were able to advance our programs at an unprecedented speed and success rate. Anima's wholly owned pipeline is in Immunology (Collagen I mRNA biology modulators, preclinical stage in lung fibrosis and applicable across many fibrotic diseases), Oncology (c-Myc mRNA biology modulators and mutation agnostic mKras mRNA biology modulators), and Neuroscience (Tau - Alzheimer's disease and Pain - Nav1.7 mRNA biology modulators). Our science was further validated with seven patents, 15 peer-reviewed publications and 17 scientific collaborations. For more information about Anima Biotech, please visit our website at https://www.animabiotech.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter at @AnimaBiotech.

Media Contact:Andrew MielachLifeSci Communications+1.646.876.5868amielach@lifescicomms.com

2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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Anima Biotech's Webinar Series: Exploring the Potential of mRNA Biology for Drug Discovery and Therapeuti - Benzinga

Biology

GAO Science and Tech Spotlight Describes Benefits of Synthetic … – Lexology

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a Science & Tech Spotlight on synthetic biology on April 17, 2023. GAO defines synthetic biology as a multidisciplinary field of biotechnology that involves engineering the genetic material of organisms -- such as viruses, bacteria, yeast, plants, or animals -- to have new characteristics. According to GAO, scientists are currently exploring the use of synthetic biology to address environmental challenges by engineering organisms to use carbon dioxide, produce biofuels for vehicles, and transform methane into biodegradable plastics. GAO notes that the synthetic biology market could grow from about $10 billion in 2021 to between $37 billion and $100 billion dollars by 2030. Opportunities include:

GAO notes the following challenges:

GAO concludes the Science & Tech Spotlight with the following policy context and questions:

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GAO Science and Tech Spotlight Describes Benefits of Synthetic ... - Lexology

Biology

Purdue Agricultural and Biological Engineering graduate program … – Purdue University

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Purdue Universitys Agricultural and Biological Engineering graduate program is ranked No. 1 in its category in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Rankings of Graduate Schools. The ABE graduate and undergraduate programs have been ranked first or second for more than a dozen years.

We are extremely proud of Purdue ABEs team of faculty, staff and students for their commitment to research, outreach, teaching and innovation, said Ken Foster, interim dean of the College of Agriculture.

Nate Mosier, department head and professor of agricultural and biological engineering, also credits his colleagues for this accomplishment. Were honored for the continued recognition of the excellence in research and graduate education in ABE at Purdue. It is through the outstanding work of our graduate students, mentoring of our faculty and support of our staff that we have stayed at the top for so long.

Mosier, who earned his doctorate from Purdues ABE department and holds the Indiana Soybean Alliance Soybean Utilization Endowed Chair, explains that ABEs diverse disciplines create important options for graduate students.

Our graduate program offers numerous opportunities for graduate students to deepen their understanding in their areas of specialization and to broaden that knowledge through collaborations, he said.

Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering, said the No. 1 ranking also acknowledges the departments commitment to growth: The field of agricultural and biological engineering is rapidly evolving with disruptive technologies such as synthetic biology, IoT (the Internet of Things), automation and artificial intelligence. Purdues ABE department has been quick to adapt to these changes, and this ranking validates its reputation during this period of rapid transformation in the field.

ABEs graduate program includes 118 students who come to the university from around the world. Last year ABEs faculty and graduate students published 160 research papers, filed 31 patent applications and were awarded nine U.S. patents.

Photos and captions: purdue.ag/abe-assets

Writer: Maureen Manier, mmanier@purdue.edu, 317-366-5550

Source: Nate Mosier, mosiern@purdue.edu, 765-494-1162

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page

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Biology

Aspiring Doctor Finds Mentorship, Inspiration and Real-World … – University of Montana

By Abigail Lauten-Scrivner, UM News Service

MISSOULA When Wyatt Walters retires, he hopes to reflect on his life as one thats been in service to others. That is, if he isnt too busy starting a whole new career.

A senior University of Montana biology student with a biochemistry minor, Walters also is completing a Franke Global Leadership Initiative certificate and is a recipient of the James M. Wylder Presidential Leadership Scholarship in the Davidson Honors College. His resume includes working with patients in an Alzheimer's care center and helping research the disease at the McLaughlin Research Institute, volunteering for youth organizations such as Flagship, tutoring students in chemistry with UM Study Jam and serving as a certified nursing assistant.

The common thread between all of Walters pursuits? Each build on his dream of becoming a pediatrician serving children in rural Montana.

Kids crack me up, theyre so darn funny, Walters said. It never feels like work.

Finding curiosity and joy in what, to many, would feel like work is part of what drives Walters success in his numerous ambitions. But his career dreams stem deeper into his roots, reaching all the way back to his childhood. Walters grew up on a cattle ranch in Vaughn, a small town near Great Falls, raised by two parents who both worked as medical professionals.

Like most rural parts of the country, primary care in remote areas of the state lag behind urban centers and the need for pediatric care is even more acute. General pediatricians per 100,000 residents numbered fewer than eight in rural communities compared to nearly 15 in urban parts of Montana in 2021, according to a University of Washington report. Walters hopes to attend medical school at UW as part of WWAMI, a multi-state medical education program to alleviate health care shortages in rural Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.

Walters wasnt always enthusiastic about living in a rural community, but he came to appreciate his hometown. When he wasnt helping out on the ranch, he spent his childhood skiing, hiking and fishing in his backyard on the Sun River.

Looking back on it, I'm super lucky, Walters said. I really love Montana.

While growing up with parents who both work in the medical field may make it seem that Walters was predestined to become a doctor, he said his parents helped cultivate his aspirations but never pushed him into pursuing a career as a physician. They supported his natural interests in medicine, biology and helping others, encouraging him to become a better student of science.

That innate scientific curiosity was further cemented at Great Falls Central Catholic High School. Walters took an AP biology class with Kris Warren, a science teacher who would go on to serve as both a source of inspiration and a role model for Walters. Warren taught him to think of the human body as a puzzle to be solved an idea that he found captivating. When college approached, Walters decided to become a lifelong student of science.

Walters is the first to admit that UM wasnt his initial pick, but upon stepping on campus for a tour, he was met with a welcoming atmosphere and supportive faculty and staff in the DHC and pre-medical sciences program. Walters realized attending UM meant gaining a team of people who would help him succeed.

I realized that if I needed assistance, they would have my back, he said.

That team of people came to include DHC faculty member Dr. Bruce Hardy, who taught Walters in his Ways of Knowing course freshman year.

Wyatt was outstanding from the day he walked into class, Hardy said.

Hardy hasnt had Walters in his class for three years, but his immediate enthusiasm and thoughtfulness left an impression that lasted after the semester ended. Their shared interests led Hardy to continue mentoring Walters throughout his academic journey. Hardy worked as a pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist for about 40 years before joining DHC faculty, giving him unique insight into how to prepare Walters for success after UM.

Hardy said hes confident Walters will graduate prepared to become a great pediatrician not only because he has the smarts to do well on his exams but, more importantly, because of his compassionate temperament and genuine curiosity.

Lots of students can learn a lot and memorize, but Wyatt is curious about human nature and doing the right thing, Hardy said. I know he will be an amazing pediatrician. He is made for this career.

Coming to UM also allowed Walters to test his ambitions himself, taking him out of the familiarity of Montana and into rural villages around Kabale, Uganda, for a medical internship. The experience was part of completing the GLI certificates Beyond the Classroom learning requirement.

Volunteering at pop-up HIV and maternal clinics, Walters spent last summer rising early to care for long lines of patients while making due with a lack of resources. The highlight of the internship was watching a doctor safely perform a cesarean delivery of a premature baby. Walters said the opportunity was a teaching moment hell never forget. The experience confirmed hes on the right track, and inspired him to join Doctors Without Borders someday in the future.

But for now, Walters plans to take a gap year after graduation to earn his EMT license before applying to medical school. Hes already started studying for the MCAT.

Walters has his retirement plan figured out, too: teaching high school biology and inspiring more students to love science.

###

Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM director of strategic communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu.

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Aspiring Doctor Finds Mentorship, Inspiration and Real-World ... - University of Montana