Ally Sivapiromrat, TLRO undergraduate, was awarded the sophomore poster award in the category of physiology and pharmacology at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS).
The poster titled “Investigation of the Effect of IL-1β, RANTES, and MMP-1 Injection into Nucleus Pulposus (NP) of Intervertebral Disc (IVD)” presented her team’s work to determine the effects of NP stimulation with inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, RANTES) and a degradative enzyme (MMP-1), shown to be produced by tissues during IVD degeneration. The results indicated that IL-1β elicited an inflammatory metabolic response, contributing to pain and inflammation, and elicited physical changes seen within the IVD during IVD degeneration. However, RANTES and MMP-1 elicited physical changes seen in IVD degeneration but not a metabolic inflammatory response.
The ABRCMS is one of the largest communities of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students attend this conference to present their research, enhance professional development skills, explore graduate schools, and network. Sivapiromrat stated “This was my first year at ABRCMS, and it was very insightful to see other scientists' research nationwide in many different subject areas and explore a variety of career options. Unfortunately, it was virtual due to COVID-19 (as it would have been in San Antonio, TX originally), but I am very grateful for the opportunity to present my research at a national conference as a sophomore. The Thompson Lab has been very supportive in my endeavors, and I couldn't have done it otherwise.”
Congratulations, Ally!
