HC Stories 2011-2012
10.03.11
Tamura wins McClung Award for best biology research paper
A longstanding interest in health and nutrition led Hastings College alumna ’07 of Longmont, Colo., to research the antioxidant properties of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a preservative used in many snack foods, oils, cereals, meats and beverages.
“I have always been interested in health and nutrition. BHA was something I came across when researching this area that I had not been aware of before,” Dr. Tamura said.
“I wanted to make people aware of what they were eating and how it could be affecting their bodies.”
Now, Dr. Tamura is quite familiar with BHA, having conducting research on it while studying at Hastings College. Her research paper, entitled “The effects of butylated hydroxyanisole magnitude and duration on the release of cytochrom c,” won biology journal BIOS’ McClung Award for the best research paper published by an undergraduate student.
“HC definitely made this possible by offering membership into the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society, which allowed me to obtain grants to fund my research,” Dr. Tamura said. “The biology department also helped to fund the project, and the professors gave excellent guidance in developing and analyzing my research. The facilities provided allowed me to have adequate space and supplies to perform the project.”
Since the paper’s publication in 2010, Dr. Tamura has earned her MD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and currently is in a medical residency program in Colorado. Although she has not continued her research on BHA, she does continue to stay current on nutrition issues in general.
“I try to stay up-to-date on the newest guidelines so that I can convey these to others to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
Dr. Tamura credits Hastings College with providing her with tools important in the medical field.
“I developed many skills that I still use in my current work now as a family physician, including: critical evaluation of research, statistical analysis of data, formulating and testing hypotheses, and basing my conclusions and practice on evidence based guidelines,” Dr. Tamura said.
“I realize that even at a smaller, liberal arts college, we can make a difference, and meaningful research does not always have to come from a large university,” she said. “The wonderful help and support from HC and my professors made this all possible, and I really appreciate the honor.”
Her professors are proud but not necessarily surprised she won the award.
“Krystal was an outstanding student at Hastings College, and this award reflects the quality of scientific thought and work she will bring to her clinical medical career,” Dr. John Kuehn, Professor of Biology and Tamura’s advisor for the paper, said.
BIOS is published by Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta), the national biological honor society.
Dr. Tamura’s paper is available at http://www.bioone.org/toc/bios/81/1.
10.03.11
Tamura wins McClung Award for best biology research paper
A longstanding interest in health and nutrition led Hastings College alumna ’07 of Longmont, Colo., to research the antioxidant properties of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a preservative used in many snack foods, oils, cereals, meats and beverages. “I have always been interested in health and nutrition. BHA was something I came across when researching this area that I had not been aware of before,” Dr. Tamura said.
“I wanted to make people aware of what they were eating and how it could be affecting their bodies.”
Now, Dr. Tamura is quite familiar with BHA, having conducting research on it while studying at Hastings College. Her research paper, entitled “The effects of butylated hydroxyanisole magnitude and duration on the release of cytochrom c,” won biology journal BIOS’ McClung Award for the best research paper published by an undergraduate student.
“HC definitely made this possible by offering membership into the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society, which allowed me to obtain grants to fund my research,” Dr. Tamura said. “The biology department also helped to fund the project, and the professors gave excellent guidance in developing and analyzing my research. The facilities provided allowed me to have adequate space and supplies to perform the project.”
Since the paper’s publication in 2010, Dr. Tamura has earned her MD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and currently is in a medical residency program in Colorado. Although she has not continued her research on BHA, she does continue to stay current on nutrition issues in general.
“I try to stay up-to-date on the newest guidelines so that I can convey these to others to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
Dr. Tamura credits Hastings College with providing her with tools important in the medical field.
“I developed many skills that I still use in my current work now as a family physician, including: critical evaluation of research, statistical analysis of data, formulating and testing hypotheses, and basing my conclusions and practice on evidence based guidelines,” Dr. Tamura said.
“I realize that even at a smaller, liberal arts college, we can make a difference, and meaningful research does not always have to come from a large university,” she said. “The wonderful help and support from HC and my professors made this all possible, and I really appreciate the honor.”
Her professors are proud but not necessarily surprised she won the award.
“Krystal was an outstanding student at Hastings College, and this award reflects the quality of scientific thought and work she will bring to her clinical medical career,” Dr. John Kuehn, Professor of Biology and Tamura’s advisor for the paper, said.
BIOS is published by Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta), the national biological honor society.
Dr. Tamura’s paper is available at http://www.bioone.org/toc/bios/81/1.
