Valpomag

Alumnus-Student Paper in Prestigious Scientific Journal

Keith Stayrook ’94 and Valparaiso University senior Amanda Nosie have co-written a paper that recently appeared in what some consider one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the world.

Nosie, a biochemistry major, spent the summer of 2007 doing research at Eli Lilly and Co. with Stayrook, a scientist at Lilly. Their paper “Identification of heme as the ligand for the orphan nuclear receptors REV-ERB∝ and REV-ERBβ” was published this past fall in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. Only a handful of undergraduate students have co-written papers appearing in the journal.

The paper outlines a key discovery by Nosie and Stayrook that could help scientists design new drugs treating diseases associated with disturbed circadian rhythm, including psychiatric and metabolic disorders, as well as cancer.

“Amanda was able to quickly perform experiments with little hands-on experience in this research area,” Stayrook says. “It's a testament to both her talent, as well as the very good scientific instruction she has obtained while at Valpo— something I've also experienced firsthand as a science alumnus. Amanda's work ultimately helps to convey that Valpo is a potential rich source of scientific talent and innovation.”

Stayrook is among numerous Valpo sciences alumni providing research opportunities for current students.

“Having good learning opportunities in the scientific research process early in one’s career is one of the most defining moments for many scientists,” he says.
“For this reason, I, as well as other scientists, realize the importance for creating these opportunities for young scientists. When one can do that in the context of helping to develop young scientists from your alma mater, it certainly enhances the gratification.”

Read an abstract of the paper

If you would like to mentor a sciences student, send an e-mail to Warren Kosman ’67, chair of the department of chemistry at Valpo, at warren.kosman@valpo.edu, or David Scupham, chair of the department of biology, at david.scupham@valpo.edu.

Valpomag

Alumnus-Student Paper in Prestigious Scientific Journal

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