Through the combined efforts of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Madison College, students are conducting research in order to further the quality of human healthcare through stem cells.

Professors, such as Esther Ofulue of UW-Platteville and Thomas Tubon of Madison College, give students the unique opportunity to expand upon classroom knowledge and incorporate their skills through student research.

The qualified and skilled team from UW-Platteville includes senior chemistry major James Waldschmidt, senior chemistry and biology double-major Ashley Martin, senior molecular biology major Whitney Mills, junior molecular biology majors Lindsay Maas and Reese Hussey, junior chemistry major Ethan Bremer and junior biology-biohealth major Ross Johnson.

Waldschmidt further explained the complexity of the overall research process.

“In research, originally we grow the stem cells, which, in itself, are a challenge due to the stem cells being very touchy,” Waldschmidt said. “From this point, the stem cells are ‘pushed’ down certain cell line types, such as neurons and other specific cells in the human body. This ‘pushing’ is essential for using the cells in regenerative medicine, such as tissue transplants and pharmaceutical research.

However, this is the most difficult due to FDA clinical testing regulations and knowing what is actually going into the research every step of the way.”

Thus far, the team has been able to learn how to grow the stem cells using sterile techniques, as well as handling ethical issues along the way.

They have been able to use their scientific knowledge to eliminate these issues and troubleshoot them in order to enhance the public’s view of their research.

“Stem cells are some of the most intricate, interesting and complicated cells that are in the human body. Stem cells have the potential to help or cure many diseases, and help other people with their health. My goal is to help others through this cutting-edge field of research that is emerging and also has huge potential for growth within the healthcare field,” Waldschmidt said.

Through the research, the team hopes to learn more about stem cells and their internal workings in order to formulate more ideas for future research in the field.

Researching at the laboratory level helps to push this technology forward.

As a research group, their dissemination will include, but is not limited to, presenting at the PACCE poster day, Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors Symposium, Madison Biotechnology Conference and a national stem cell research conference that will also take place in Madison this spring semester.

Students were able to get involved in this project through taking courses, such as Cell Biology, and interacting with Professor Ofulue, who is motivated to further the education of students at UW-Platteville.

“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to join the team,” Martin said.

Martin has a passion for biology and a past experience of writing PACCE grants.

Student research is often an unrecognized opportunity for students, but those who are willing to engage can potentially reap many benefits.

“It’s giving me experience that I will actually use in the industry, post graduation. I have already been able to utilize my experiences through this research in numerous job interviews,” Martin said.

“I feel that student research has allowed me to see all aspects of research, including funding opportunities, experimental design, team coordination and communication, presentation skills, analyzing scientific data and techniques involved in ethical and high-quality research,” Waldschmidt said.

Waldschmidt addressed that the team has had to revisit and improve their research in order to advance their findings.

“This may seem counterintuitive, but by the end of this semester, it will actually put our team up-to-speed with current culture and research techniques,” Waldschmidt said.

Working with their community partner Madison College, as well as PACCE for financial needs, they have an opportunity to accomplish this task and further their research in order to enlighten other scientific and clinical studies.