IGP:
Life Sciences

Mentor / Lab:
Dr. Timothy L. Ratliff

Specific Research Area / Project:
The effects of autoimmune inflammation on adult prostate stem cells

Undergraduate Institution:
San Diego State University

Research Profile:

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) affects men at a percentage roughly equal to their age. For example, a 50-year-old man has a 40-50% chance of having BPH, which causes an assortment of lower urinary tract symptoms. Acute and chronic inflammation are known to contribute to the development of BPH and prostate cancer (the 6th leading cause of male death worldwide), but we're not entirely sure how this happens. I'm currently working on assessing the impact of autoimmune inflammation of the prostate on adult prostate stem cells (PSC). These cells are responsible for development and maintenance of prostate tissues, but when unchecked growth occurs, they can contribute to disease such as BPH and cancer. The main goal of my research is to better understand the inflammatory signaling involved in causing PSC to over grow. Knowing how to keep PSC in check will allow for development of better treatments for BPH and prostate cancer.

About Me:

After completing my undergraduate degree, I worked as a lab technician for a few years. I learned so much during this time about lab work and research in general, but I reached a point where my level of education limited the ways in which I could contribute. I knew then that I'd need to go back to school for a PhD. The PULSe program has provided a wonderful opportunity for me to learn and develop my skills as a researcher, and I feel much more prepared to contribute in a meaningful way.

Awards:

• Awarded Fellowsiop from Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, June 2016-2017. Renewed June 2017-2018.
• First Place award, basic science presentation, Donohue Symposium, Indiana University Department of Urology, 2/2016
• Outstanding poster award, Indiana CTSI 8th annual meeting, Indiana CTSI, 9/2016

Presentations:

• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Meaghan M. Broman, Liang Cheng, Nadia Atallah, Travis Jerde, Bennett D. Elzey, Timothy L. Ratliff. (October 2018) The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. Oral presentation. ISRS 8th annual symposium.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Meaghan M. Broman, Liang Cheng, Nadia Atallah, Travis Jerde, Bennett D. Elzey, Timothy L. Ratliff. (May 2018) The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. Poster. Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Spring Reception.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Meaghan M. Broman, Liang Cheng, Nadia Atallah, Travis Jerde, Bennett D. Elzey, Timothy L. Ratliff. (December 2017) The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. Poster. Indiana CTSI 9th Annual meeting.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Meaghan M. Broman, Liang Cheng, Nadia Atallah, Travis Jerde, Bennett D. Elzey, Timothy L. Ratliff. (October 2017) The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. Poster. Drug Discovery 4th annual poster symposium.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Meaghan M. Broman, Liang Cheng, Nadia Atallah, Travis Jerde, Bennett D. Elzey, Timothy L. Ratliff. (April 2017) The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. Poster. Translational Science 2017, Association for Clinical and Translational Sciences.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Bennett D. Elzey, Scott A. Crist, Timothy L. Ratliff. The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells (October 2016) Poster. BioCrossroads Indiana Life Sciences Summit.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Bennett D. Elzey, Scott A. Crist, Timothy L. Ratliff. The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. (October 2016) Poster. Eli Lilly and Company Grand Rounds Seminar Series.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Bennett D. Elzey, Scott A. Crist, Timothy L. Ratliff. The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. (October 2016) Poster. IU School of Medicine and IUPUI 3D Bioprinting Core Symposium.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Bennett D. Elzey, Scott A. Crist, Timothy L. Ratliff. (September 2016) The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. Poster. Purdue Cancer Research Day.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Bennett D. Elzey, Scott A. Crist, Timothy L. Ratliff. The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. (September 2016) Poster. Indiana CTSI 8th Annual Meeting.
• Paula O. Cooper, Hsing-Hui Wang, Bennett D. Elzey, Scott A. Crist, Timothy L. Ratliff. The effects of autoimmune inflammation on proliferation, differentiation, and androgen receptor signaling in adult prostate stem cells. (February 2016) Oral presentation. Donohue Symposium.

Leadership:

• Coordinator for Science on Tap, 2015-2018
• Volunteer for Science in Schools, 2013-present