Turmeric Powder for Cancer

[sareena1204]

Dear Expert,

I recently read an article regarding the use of Turmeric Powder curing a number of different cancers (I don't remember specifically what cancers).

I am interested in researching chemical properties of turmeric powder and how this inhibits cancer cells growth.

My dream is to compete in ISEF, and I know I need to do ALOT of research before I can ask a professor to conduct research in his/her lab and seek for their advice. I am in tenth grade right now, and have taken Biology and now taking Chemistry. Being that these goals are set and I would like to compete in ISEF by my senior year, and probably have to do research this entire school year and during the summer start my experiment, what is the feasibility of this project?

Also, after I googled this topic on google scholars, I noticed that many papers were published similar to what research I'm interested in conducting. Is it advisable conduct experiments already done for students like myself with limited knowledge over an interesting field?

Thank you for your time,
Sareena

[deleted-71551]

Sareena,

Consider doing science fair project after reading Intel ISEF News as given earlier to you by other experts in this area. Read specifically criteria and rules wizard for detailed instructions on necessary forms, if you were to use animal or cell culture labs for testing the effect of "curcumin" for medical research project. I would think it is best if you keep your hypothesis simple such that you can easily do at pre-college level.

Some possible questions for brain storming ideas to begin with are:
1. Effect of curcumin on metal ion. Please click on the referenced project for details.

http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2005/Pr ... etal%20ion'

2. Please read this reference cite for possible ideas for curcumin chemical properties.

http://www.juliantrubin.com/biochemistryprojects.html

3. Another good reference cite for your project is given below to read further.

http://www.curador.net/indexfr/curcumin ... uk003.html


So your project regrading use of turmeric powder in curing different types of cancer is doable, if you study its effect on cell division.

I hope this helps.

[sareena1204]

hostsha,

Thank you so much for your help! I'm really really excited about starting this project, and this information will really help!

I was wondering where you were able to find these links, as in the future I would like to search for science documents like the ones you have given to me.

Again, thank you! I'm so excited!

Sincerely,
Sareena

[deleted-71551]

Sareena,


Searching tips: You need to use correct key word in search box. Also It takes some background experience in research field.

Good Luck:)

[sareena1204]

Dear Expert,

Excuse me for this ignorant question, but because we only did 2 or 3 labs when I took biology, I really have no idea how to do this:

How do you observe curcumin reacting with cells?

Is there a website or a link on sciencebuddies that shows how to examine this? I know how to study the cells by themselves, but not observe the affects of a chemical or substance on cells.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely
Sareena

[deleted-71551]

Sareena,


Use the keyword as "curcumin and cell division" from google search. You will find necessary website to read, how curcumin inhibits cell division. I would like you to come up experimental procedure, which is part of science fair assignment to do. Ofcourse, you need bio lab to conduct experiment.

I think this helps you to get started with.

[phamlinh]

Hi Sareena,

My name is Linh and I'm an Expert with Science Buddies. I was also a two-time competitor at ISEF and thought I would offer a little advice.

First of all, don't worry about making your project too ambitious or flashy. From my experience, the judges were most interested in your thought processes. The best thing to do is find well-defined testable hypothesis. You should try to design experiments that will produce informative results either way. I remember talking to judges at science fair, and I certainly did NOT place because I had the flashiest project. Rather, I received praise for good experimental design. I also had followups. In other words, I would test one hypothesis, and then based on my results, I would set up another set of experiments to test or confirm my results. It is this sort of thought process that excites judges the most.

Second, I would encourage you to contact a local university as soon as possible. You'd be surprised how many labs are eager and happy to mentor students that are excited to do research. I started working in a local university lab literally when I was a sophomore in high school. I was incredibly lucky because I contacted a few professors directly, and one replied back to me. However, this was before the internet explosion.

These days, I would contact a local university. In particular, look for any sort of high school research program. They will have a program officer that will know professors that are amenable to mentoring high school students.

If you need more specific advice, I'd be happy to help. Feel free to respond and let me know if you need any specific help. Also, if you like, let me know some near by universities, and I may be able to point you in some good directions.

Best of luck!

Linh Pham

[bradleyshanrock-solberg]

First of all, don't worry about making your project too ambitious or flashy. From my experience, the judges were most interested in your thought processes. The best thing to do is find well-defined testable hypothesis. You should try to design experiments that will produce informative results either way.

I agree with this. One of my students proved that her experimental approach did not in fact simulate the conditions that prompted the experiment - it looke like her hypothesis was wrong, until they also measured the sample that triggered the whole project and the hypothesis was confirmed.

It wasn't that her idea was wrong. It was that her attempt to simulate the effects of sunlight on plastic in the laboratory didn't work. She still learned a lot, and got a pretty good mark in the science fair, because her approach for testing her hypothesis was scientifically sound - it proved whether or not plastic was in the water. All that was wrong was that direct sunlight is awfully hard to simulate. She would have been better served to try to use the real sun - but in an attempt to control variables everybody involved (including me and her instructor) thought the other approach was more likely to get a useful result.

Which just goes to show, adults don't know everything

[sareena1204]

Thank you phamlinh and bradleyshanrock-solberg,

This is really great! This year I'm trying to follow the scientifc method as best as I can. Incorporating the information given to me will help me design a solid experiment. I was unaware of thei information given to me and I am going to give heavy thought when setting my procedures to include this new insight to doing a project!

I have actually been searching for a professor to help me. I have one concern though: It seems intimidating to me to approach a professor at a University when I do not have a solid experimental procedure set up. This has set me up in a awkward predicament: 1. I want to approach a professor so the guidance and resources given would greatly enhance my project and 2. I feel intimidated by doing this because I have not set up a testable question.

Is there a first step before going to a professor and asking to work on a project in their lab?

Thank you for your help,
Sareena

[Jim Lewandowski]

Sareena,

Also don't be afraid of taking on a project which you can build upon for the next few years. Since you are now in 10th grade and have the goal of competition in your senior year, work you start now can progress until then.

This is actually how science works, it is a long term process. If you choose to do this you will learn much more about how science works since your research will itself evolve!

Good luck!

[phamlinh]

Hi Sareena,

Don't be intimidated. You're definitely not expected to come up with a complete experimental plan before you approach a professor. Even prospective graduate students don't have that expectation, much less a high school student.

I think the fact that you're interested in a particular topic is already really great. I would start making a list of questions and start contacting professors right away. The two easiest ways to impress a professor are to look interested, and to ask lots of questions. It's really that simple. Don't be afraid of what you don't know, and don't be intimidated. We were all high school students once, and we know where you're coming from. The fact that you're already interested and thinking critically is really exciting, and any good mentor would happily work with you.

Any scientific project is going to evolve as you're going along. For that reason, you'll be approaching a professor for a discussion to decide on some sort of project that matches both of your goals.

I totally agree with Jim that you shouldn't be afraid to build on a project that will take a few years. Because I started in the 10th grade (like you), by the time I was a junior and senior in high school, I managed to place at ISEF. It's not that I had an incredible project, but rather that I'd been thinking about it for a long while. I was able to track my progress, and my mode of thinking, and I think that's probably what impressed the judges most.

Also, I meant to comment before on working in a field in which there has been many publications. At your stage, don't worry about it. Try to read a few papers, and see if there's any obvious holes that stick out to you. You may find that there's a particular condition that hasn't been tested yet. That's a totally legitimate thing to work on.

Best of luck! Keep us updated with your progress and let us know if you have any other questions.

Linh

[Lise Byrd]

Sareena--

I agree that you shouldn't be afraid to contact professors. Do a little bit of research beforehand, however, so you know generally what you're talking about. The professor shouldn't try to test you-- rather, s/he will try to get an idea of what you do know. Also make sure the professor knows you are aiming for ISEF, and be prepared to explain what kind of work this means if s/he is not aware of it.

If you're worried about being too forward, you might ask around family friends or teachers to see if they know anyone who might be willing to help you. That is how I got my mentors in ninth grade and last year. Generally, however, professors like students who come forward themselves and show themselves willing to work in the professor's area. It flatters them.

There are many different levels you can work with a professor. Many students work under the full supervision of a professor (generally on a part of a project the professor is doing). My own relationship with my mentor is a bit more distant-- I'll ask him questions on procedures, show him my results, and ask for suggestions for improvements or further steps. Don't be afraid to let the professor know what you want to do.

I hope this helps calm your nerves!

Best of luck,
Sonia

[sareena1204]

Thank you Mr. Lewandowski, Ms. Linh and Sonia,

With the amount of encouragement in all your words I am going to send out an e-mail to a professor very very soon.

Thank you very much,
Sareena