Radio Matters

Thanks to the generous opportunities made by the University of Arizona's Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP), I had the chance last fall to explain my research in microfluidic organs-on-a-chip on Tucson's local station KXCI 91.3. A mini-segment called "Research Matters", student researchers from the U of A chat with host Bridgitte Thum about their research, career interests, and music in just 3 minutes!

 

Since the fall of 2022, I’ve been working in Dr. Yitshak Zohar’s Biological Microsystems laboratory where we are developing a miniaturized prostate cancer model. Although prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the US, the mechanism of prostate cancer metastases is poorly understood. We understand the cancer initiation and proliferation may be related to an alteration in the prostate stroma microenvironment. As a researcher, my work involves creating a prostate-on-a-chip, where we use microfluidics to culture different prostate cell types in micron-sized channels on a chip smaller than a matchbox! Currently we are trying to understand the optimal culture conditions to keep fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells (both found in healthy prostate cells) in an optimal ratio for a long period of time. Ultimately, these mini-organs will be able to represent the in-vivo prostate gland for cancer studies. 

 

This was my first experience ever being broadcasted on any sort of radio station, let alone a public one, so I was certainly nervous to start. But as I spoke, I realized I had already orally presented my research many times through poster conferences or even in group lab meetings. What was certainly challenging however, was how to explain these complex research concepts without any visual aids, which was something I'd always had when presenting my research before. I found that Bridgitte's guiding questions as such a well-experienced host was definitely key in my success. Overall, pitching my research in under 3 minutes, while ensuring it was understood by the widest audience base possible challenged me to have an especially strong understanding of my work. This was such a unique opportunity made available by UBRP, and I greatly encourage any young researchers to share their work with the public. You never know where it may lead you -- after this KXCI interview aired, I actually had an impressed job recruiter reach out to me!