Student Spotlight
The Department of Physiology & Biophysics highlights the work of our department trainees. Research work comes from the six core research areas in the department including Cancer and Tumor Microenvironment, Cardiovascular, Cell Biology, Signaling and Endocrinology, Metabolism and Obesity, Neuroscience and Addiction, and Systems Physiology.
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In recognition of Mete Emir Ozgurses, PhD Candidate
Mete Emir OzgursesThis month in our Graduate Student Spotlight, we feature Mete Emir Ozgurses, who is a 5th-year Ph.D. Candidate from Dr. Coloff’s Lab.
Hometown
Istanbul, TürkiyePrevious Education
B.Sc.: Molecular Biology and Genetics, Biruni University, Istanbul, Türkiye
M.Sc.: Molecular and Medical Genetics, Biruni University, Istanbul, TürkiyeCurrent Education
Degree: Ph.D. Candidate
Department: UIC Physiology and Biophysics
Program: Graduate Education in bioMedical Sciences
Concentration: Cancer BiologyWhat are your research and clinical interests?
I am highly interested in how lipids affect cancer growth. Many studies of lipid metabolism in cancer rely on the results of in vitro tissue culture experiments. The only source of lipids in traditional media is bovine serum, typically supplemented at 5-15%. Thus, cells cultured in these conditions are subject to an ~85-95% reduction in lipid exposure relative to human serum. My research focuses on developing a physiological lipid medium that maintains more accurate cancer cell behavior in vitro and cell metabolic characteristics than lipid-starved conditions found in ~10% FBS traditional mediaWhat makes UIC College of Medicine unique for your studies?
UIC Medicine is very good in terms of the number of faculty, the diversity of the departments, and the collaboration. Being in UIC Medicine allows you to discover your interests by exposure to seminars in different disciplines and provides the necessary environment. I am a Ph.D. candidate in Graduate Education in bioMedical Sciences, in the Cancer Biology concentration. During my second year, classes specific to cancer biology encouraged me to learn many aspects of cancer biology from faculty who have expertise in cancer biology.What attracted you to the Department of Physiology and Biophysics?
UIC Physiology and Biophysics in my opinion has a very collaborative environment. As a department, all PIs, staff, and students are friendly and willing to help you whenever you need help. I enjoy being in UIC Physiology and Biophysics.What would you like to do in your free time?
I have a passion for learning and developing others through communication and social events. To do so, as a Fulbright Alumnus, under The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, I’ve taken the initiative to start events that include experience sharing of Fulbright Alumni located in Chicago to impact the new Fulbright scholars. As for sports, I also enjoy indoor bouldering and Latin dances.What do you most enjoy doing in Chicago?
For me, the best thing to do in Chicago is to walk on the riverwalk and the lakefront. If it’s summer, I like to enjoy the weather on the beach. -
In recognition of....
Past Student Spotlight