CSC students participate in Nebraska INBRE program

INBRE’s goal is to create research opportunities for undergraduate students and serve as a transition for students continuing into graduate research. The INBRE program partners with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Creighton University, University of Nebraska Omaha, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. INBRE students work in partnership labs for two summers.

Akwanamnye, a senior of Lagos, Nigeria, has been an INBRE participant for two years. She is majoring in human biology. Through the INBRE program, Akwanamnye worked with bacteria chlamydia trichomoniasis, which is the second leading bacterial cause of sexually transmitted disease in the U.S.

Kruse, a junior of Gurley, Nebraska, is a chemistry and human biology major on a pre-med track. Kruse is in his first year with the INBRE program and spent the summer researching diagnostic markers for pancreatic cancer.

During their research, Akwanamyne and Kruse stayed in Omaha from the beginning of June to early August.                                                                 

Last year, Akwanamyne was not able to go to Omaha because of COVID-19 restrictions, so she worked in CSC’s labs for 10 weeks.

Physical and Life Sciences Professor Dr. Ann Buchmann is the INBRE representative for CSC and has been associated with the program since her arrival on campus 15 years ago.

“During the school year, Isi and Josh work on a project with me. We are looking at ways to treat an aggressive form of breast cancer called triple negative breast cancer. We have a lab with the ability to grow breast cancer cells,” Buchmann said.

Kruse will continue his work next summer during his final year with the INBRE program. After graduating from CSC, he hopes to work in oncology or cardiology.

Akwanamye will graduate from CSC this spring and plans to pursue a degree in biomedical science, specifically cancer research, at UNMC.

Each year, a new scholar is added to the program. Students interested in applying should contact Buchmann at abuchmann@csc.edu or 308-432-6055.

—Olivia Bryant, College Relations