Power of student research: Duo investigates treatment for aggressive tumors

ABINGTON, Pa. — A pair of Penn State Abington students have devoted countless hours to award-winning multi-semester research on cancer treatment while encouraging other students to follow their path and tackle projects with faculty mentors as University Undergraduate Research Ambassadors. 

Fourth-year biology majors Priya Mathiy and Sakshi Sandhir won first place at the 2024 Abington College Undergraduate Research Activities (ACURA) poster fair for their project investigating the efficacy of 4-thiazolidinone, an organic compound recognized for its anti-carcinomic properties in medicinal chemistry, against gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cancer cells.  

Under the guidance of their faculty mentor Eric Ingersoll, associate professor of biology, they are wrapping up the next phase of this line of research to present at this month's annual ACURA poster fair. 

“We are evaluating the therapeutic impact of 4-thiazolidinones with varying dosages, substituents and steric strain on GIST cells while safeguarding healthy, non-cancerous cells," Mathiy said. 

The goal is to establish what Mathiy called a viable therapeutic alternative to more aggressive cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgery. The work is also helping the students improve their own research skills.

"We now have hands-on experience cultivating GIST cell lines, conducting experiments to evaluate the effects of compounds on these cells and documenting our observations,” Sandhir said, noting the project helped her refine her lab skills and ability to troubleshoot experimental procedures and equipment. 

A few months ago, they presented their work at the National Research Conference at the University of Pennsylvania where they encountered two Nobel Prize winners, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, whose work on mRNA technology enabled the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Mathiy and Sandhir, best friends who plan to attend medical school, also presented at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and at Penn State’s University Park, York and Lehigh Valley campuses.  

The pair’s research project has roots in the organic chemistry labs at Abington. 

“The compound we are using is made in the Abington labs, and it has been tested on cancer cells on our campus. It helped so much that Dr. Ingersoll taught us to think in a research-focused manner,” said Mathiy, who plans to become an OB-GYN and earn a master’s in public health, said. 

“Dr. Ingersoll was always realistic with us but never held us back. He’s a positive influence, and he shaped our research. Undergraduate research isn’t just a checkbox with him,” said Sandhir, who is torn between becoming an anesthesiologist or a surgeon. 

In the last year, Mathiy’s internship took her to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, and Sandhir completed the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Center of Excellence Undergraduate Summer Research Program. 

Mathiy and Sandhir are so passionate about research that they accepted roles as undergraduate research ambassadors for the Abington campus.

“Priya and I don’t come from backgrounds where we would know a lot about research and conferences and how beneficial they can be. We want to share the process and make other students aware of it,” Sandhir said. 

They are using their own experience to inspire other students who might be interested in research through one-on-one mentoring, sharing information about research opportunities and hosting events. 

“Undergraduate research made us realize that we could elevate our work,” Mathiy said. 

About Penn State Abington 

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 26 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.