Help finding a mentor
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators
-
unwrittengrl18
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:33 pm
- Occupation: Student: 10th grade
- Project Question: Determining if the preventative osteoporosis drug, Raloxifene, is effective at shrinking estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer tumors when directly injected into tumor tissue. (MORE Trial)
- Project Due Date: January 22, 2010
- Project Status: I am just starting
Help finding a mentor
Last year, I conducted an experiment testing to see if Hormone Replacement Therapy can cause breast cancer in rats, and my project took me to my state science fair. This was all done at my home without the help of a professional. This year, I am looking to perform a project once again testing breast cancer, but seeing if a drug can possibly prevent it. Not only do I not know how I will obtain the drug I want to test (Raloxifine, if it helps to know), but I am also looking to preform my experiment directly on breast cancer tumor tissue. I have absolutely no connections to a lab, and am wondering how I can go about finding a professional to work with, and obtaining the tissue samples and Raloxifine. Also, does anyone know if it is possible that I am allowed to work with the drug, Raloxifine, and who pays for this?
-
barretttomlinson
- Former Expert
- Posts: 932
- Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:24 am
Re: Help finding a mentor
Hi,
How to find a mentor is an art, not a science. I don’t think you can find a formula that is guaranteed to work. Here is ScienceBuddies advice on it:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tors.shtml
Here is a thread from the Ask an Expert forum that discusses one student’s quest for a mentor:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentorin ... =28&t=4185
Here is a ScienceBuddies page on doing advanced projects such as you are contemplating:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... dmap.shtml
I suspect you are already familiear with the STAR trial:
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin ... tin_030904
Finding people who were involved in running this trial might give you a sense of people you might want as mentors.
As far as whether you are allowed to work with the materials you are interested in, you need to investigate the Science Research Committee of your science fair and study the links on the right side of this page:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ines.shtml
Since you seem to want to use prescription drugs in your research, you may encounter obstacles in getting access to them. This is an area in which a mentor’s help may be crucial.
The other idea I can offer is to check whether there are organizations where you live that assist high school students in doing research. In the California Bay Area I have met several science fair participants who have worked with them to get access to equipment and modest financial support.
You obviously have found a topical good idea. I wish you every success in pursuing it!!
Best regards,
Barrett Tomlinson
How to find a mentor is an art, not a science. I don’t think you can find a formula that is guaranteed to work. Here is ScienceBuddies advice on it:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tors.shtml
Here is a thread from the Ask an Expert forum that discusses one student’s quest for a mentor:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/mentorin ... =28&t=4185
Here is a ScienceBuddies page on doing advanced projects such as you are contemplating:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... dmap.shtml
I suspect you are already familiear with the STAR trial:
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin ... tin_030904
Finding people who were involved in running this trial might give you a sense of people you might want as mentors.
As far as whether you are allowed to work with the materials you are interested in, you need to investigate the Science Research Committee of your science fair and study the links on the right side of this page:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ines.shtml
Since you seem to want to use prescription drugs in your research, you may encounter obstacles in getting access to them. This is an area in which a mentor’s help may be crucial.
The other idea I can offer is to check whether there are organizations where you live that assist high school students in doing research. In the California Bay Area I have met several science fair participants who have worked with them to get access to equipment and modest financial support.
You obviously have found a topical good idea. I wish you every success in pursuing it!!
Best regards,
Barrett Tomlinson