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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Sources: Kristina Bigelow, kr16b@k-state.edu;
and Annelise Nguyen, 785-532-4429, tnguyen@vet.k-state.edu
Pronouncer: Nguyen is Win.
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-6415.
Video available. Access at http://www.k-state.edu/media/audio/podcasts/devscholars.mov or http://www.k-state.edu/media/audio/podcasts/gordon2.mov
Download information available at http://www.k-state.edu/media/audio/podcastindex.html
News release prepared by: Kristin Hodges, 785-532-6415, khodges2@k-state.edu

Monday, Dec. 22, 2008

K-STATE FRESHMAN FROM MORAN DOING CANCER RESEARCH THROUGH UNIVERSITY'S DEVELOPING SCHOLARS PROGRAM

MANHATTAN -- Kristina Bigelow knew she wanted to be a cancer researcher after learning about the basics of cancer development in high school biology and chemistry classes.

Now, she is performing research on the disease as a student at Kansas State University.

Bigelow, a freshman in chemistry, biology and premedicine, Moran, is studying the changes in cell-to-cell communication of colon cancer cells. She is investigating the cells' tight and gap junctions to determine a lead compound to restore the loss of communication.

"At first I was intimidated by not understanding all what I was doing, but I like the challenge," she said. "It's nice to be able to learn something as a freshman rather than waiting until junior year and thinking, 'Oh boy, I have a lot to do.'"

Bigelow is working with Annelise Nguyen, assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology at K-State, through the Developing Scholars Program, which pairs underrepresented students with faculty advisers for research projects.

One aspect of Nguyen's lab focuses on cell-to-cell communication. This communication, where cells constantly send out and receive signals from adjacent cells, is highly regulated in normal cells; however, in cancer cells there is a loss of communication, leading to uncontrollable cell growth and, eventually, tumors.

Bigelow is researching the effect of a specific compound on the activity of tight and gap junctions in colon cancer cells. The compound has previously been found to increase the gap junction activity in breast cancer cells, which reopens the channels of communication and ultimately stops the growth of cancer cells.

"Kristina is an extremely motivated individual," Nguyen said. "I was very intrigued with her enthusiasm to do research at this early stage of her study program. She has the potential to be a great scientist. She asks good questions. In the next few years, she will develop critical thinking skills to address these questions. Even though she has been with me for only a few months, she has surpassed my expectations."

Bigelow grew up on a livestock farm. Through 4-H, she and her twin sister had a small herd of cattle, which is helping pay for their college tuition. Though she has grown up working with animals, Bigelow would like to do cancer research for humans.

"I like animals, but I've always been more interested in the human side of the medical field," Bigelow said. "In high school, I really enjoyed learning about the body and how the body functions. I just thought about researching and cancer. In my hometown, all kinds of people are being diagnosed with cancer. You see what happens, and I think it would be neat to be able to help research and hopefully someday be able to reverse it."

Bigelow qualified for the Developing Scholars Program because she is a first-generation college student. She said being the first one in her family to go to a four-year college has been difficult.

"My parents haven't gone through this process, and they didn't really know what to do," she said, "but they were excited when I was coming to a four-year college. I am who I am because of my parents. They have always pushed me to do my best and to go after what I want. My family wants me to be happy and to do the best I possibly can, and they will always support me."

In addition to her research experience, Bigelow would like to volunteer at free medical clinics. She hopes to attend medical school after graduating from K-State.

A 2008 graduate of Marmaton Valley High School, Bigelow is the daughter of Galen and Trena Bigelow Jr.